| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09400820B2 |
Data-loading system, transportable data-loading device, and a method for loading software configurations into aircraft
The invention relates to a data-loading system and a corresponding method for loading software configurations into the electronic components of aircraft, said data-loading system comprising a databank system and a least one transportable data-loading device. Software configurations for at least one fleet of aircraft are stored in the databank system, and said data-loading device is configured to load, via a port, an allocated software configuration that has been obtained from said databank system into a data bus of an aircraft which corresponds to this software configuration. Said data-loading device is configured to load the latest individual software configurations of all of the aircraft of the fleet, from the databank system, and to store these on said data-loading device, this loading process taking place at a ground-based storing position by means of a data connection. |
| US09400810B2 |
Monitoring and debugging query execution objects
Nodes in a query execution data structure have monitor and dump methods defined. The monitor method enables the collection of information from the node. The dump method outputs the monitored information from each node. A monitor and debug mechanism of the preferred embodiments includes a graphical user interface that allows a user to graphically examine a query execution tree, to enable monitoring of the nodes on a node-by-node basis, and to view information dumped from the query execution data structure as the query is executed or after the query is executed. The result is a powerful tool that allows efficiently monitoring and debugging a query implemented in an object oriented query execution data structure. |
| US09400805B2 |
Image-related social network methods and arrangements
In one aspect, a user captures an image of a physical object (e.g., a grocery item) with a smartphone. The depicted object is identified, such as by extracting fingerprint or watermark data from the imagery. Other imagery depicting that object—or depicting related objects—is identified on the web, and is displayed to the user on the smartphone screen. The user may select one or more of these images and direct that they be posted to a social network account (e.g., Pinterest) associated with the user. In another aspect, the user's location is sensed (e.g., an aisle of a department store), and a collection of images depicting nearby products is presented to the user for selection and posting to a social networking service. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US09400803B2 |
Systems and methods for restoring data from network attached storage
A system and method for communicating, browsing, verifying and routing data in storage operation systems using network attached storage devices is provided. In some embodiments, the system may include a management module and a media management component connected to the management server, which interoperate with network attached storage devices to provide the communicating, browsing, verifying and routing functions. |
| US09400801B1 |
System and method for local file management and editing utilizing remote applications
A method for editing a non-native file on a mobile device using a remote application, including establishing a connection between a local-side component and a remote-side component on a remote computer; wherein the local-side component identifies an editor on the remote computer based on parameters of the file; on the remote computer, activating an editor for a file located on the mobile device; upon selection of the editor, using the local-side component to transmit the file to the remote-side component; storing the file in a storage on the remote computer; opening the file using the editor and giving the editor control over the file using a protocol for remote connection; editing the file on the mobile device as if the editor on the remote computer were native; saving the file on the remote storage and transmitting the file to the mobile device; and replacing the file on the mobile device with the transmitted file. |
| US09400795B2 |
Calculation of properties of objects/shapes across versions of applications
Systems and methods are disclosed in which a self-describing file is generated and utilized to provide applications with the ability to properly preserve unknown file content. A self-describing file may contain, or be associated with, an extension section that provides information that an application can use to properly calculate unknown file content. The extension section may include functions of formulas that the application can use to calculate values for data that the application would not otherwise support. This allows for the content of the self-describing file to be modified by an application that does not support all of the capabilities of the file while maintaining the integrity of the file and user experience when the file is subsequently accessed by a full featured application. |
| US09400790B2 |
Methods and systems for customized content services with unified messaging systems
Profile information and other information about users are received from information sources into a unified messaging platform. Multimedia messages and files for users are converted to text using approximation algorithms. Text and multimedia messages and files for users are analyzed using confidence scores and thresholds. Profile information, file keyword information and message keyword information are used to identify and transmit a limited amount of information about users to information consumers and content service providers. Information consumers and content service providers can customize their content that is presented to users. |
| US09400783B2 |
Procedure for building a max-ARPA table in order to compute optimistic back-offs in a language model
Each entry of an ARPA table for a modeled language includes an n-gram Az, an associated backoff value Az.p equal to the conditional probability p(z|A) that symbol z follows context A in the modeled language, and an associated backoff weight value Az.b for the context A. A method comprises: (1) computing and adding for each entry of the ARPA table in descending n-gram order an associated maximum backoff weight product value Az.m; (2) after performing operation (1), computing and adding for each entry of the ARPA table in descending n-gram order an associated max-backoff value Az.w=maxh p(z|hA) which is the maximum backoff value for any head h preceding the context A of the n-gram Az; and (3) extending the ARPA table by adding a column storing the associated maximum backoff weight product values Az.m and a column storing the associated max-backoff values Az.w. |
| US09400782B2 |
Virtual keyboard system with automatic correction
There is disclosed an enhanced text entry system which uses word-level analysis to automatically correct inaccuracies in user keystroke entries on reduced keyboards such as those implemented on a touch-sensitive panel or display screen, or on mechanical keyboard systems. A method and system are defined which determine one or more alternate textual interpretations of each sequence of inputs detected within a designated auto-correcting keyboard region. |
| US09400780B2 |
Perspective data management for common features of multiple items
A computer-implemented method of managing perspective data associated with a common feature in items is disclosed. The method can include identifying a common feature in a first item and a second item, the first item having a set of perspective data and establishing a subset of perspective data associated with the common feature. The method can include associating the subset of perspective with the second item. The method can include determining a set of relevancy scores for the subset of perspective data associated with the common feature and establishing a set of relevant perspective data from the subset of perspective data. The set of relevant perspective data can have relevancy scores outside of a relevancy threshold. The method can include associating the set of relevant perspective data with the second item. |
| US09400777B2 |
Management data processing system and method
A data management system operating within a third-party spreadsheet application environment includes a plurality of template worksheets within the third-party spreadsheet application. The plurality of template worksheets comprise at least a dashboard interface worksheet, and at least one settings interface, generated by at least one processor, comprising at least one worksheet within the third-party spreadsheet application. The at least one settings interface further comprising a plurality of selectable settings options configured to modify at least one parameter of the dashboard interface worksheet, wherein the dashboard interface worksheet comprises a plurality of selectable dashboard options comprising at least one of the following: a choose columns to display option, an insert contact option, a delete contact option, a sort ascending option, a sort descending option, a hide averages option, a hide totals option, an import contacts option, an export contacts option, and/or a clear sorting option. |
| US09400771B2 |
Supporting generation of transformation rule
A transformation rule generation supporting apparatus is configured to support generation of a transformation rule for transforming a transformation-source structured document having a hierarchical structure based on physical disposition of data in the document into a transformation-target structured document having a hierarchical structure based on a logical structure of data content. The apparatus includes a user interface configured to generate, display, and edit graphical representation of the transformation rule; and a restoration unit configured to determine a transformation rule in text form from the graphical representation, wherein, for the one-to-many transformation rule, the restoration unit restores the reduced rule by determining, according to an output sort order, the output order in which each of the output elements represented by the plurality of nodes is output for the input element represented by the one node. |
| US09400770B2 |
Multi-view graphical user interface for editing a base document with highlighting feature
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: receiving indication of an election of a rules packet, the elected rules packet including one or more rules for selecting one or more selective parts of a base document for selective presentation; and presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) for editing the base document, the GUI including at least a first view for displaying at least a segment of the base document and a second view for displaying at least a segment of the one or more selective parts of the base document selected based on the elected rules packet, the segment of the base document to be displayed through the first view including at least a portion of the one or more selective parts of the base document, and the portion of the one or more selective parts of the base document to be displayed through the first view being highlighted in the first view. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US09400768B2 |
Methods, systems, algorithms, signal processing means and devices for detecting the Treacle mass slug created by a shock wave and determination of the dynamic pressure, density, velocity and conductivity by Alfén wave identification
Methods, systems, algorithms and signal processing devices for determining the dynamic variables of pressure, density, velocity and conductivity of a generated mass slug, known as the Treacle and formed in a shock discontinuity produced by explosive detonation, deflagration or nature, are provided herein. The parameter determination is based on the discovery of the existence of a Treacle formed in the reaction zone of a shock wave. This verbal noun describes the action of changing the kinetic energy (treacling) of a mass slug immersed and traveling through a magnetic field thereby generating a detectable Alfvén wave, which is measured and with an algorithm yields the Treacle dynamic variables. The information is further used to devise methods and systems that utilize the information to create shock shields and high power devices or any other electrically powered transmission disposed within an electrical load. |
| US09400764B2 |
Addressing, command protocol, and electrical interface for non-volatile memories utilized in recording usage counts
Electrical interfaces, addressing schemes, and command protocols allow for communications with memory modules in computing devices such as imaging and printing devices. Memory modules may be assigned an address through a set of discrete voltages. One, multiple, or all of the memory modules may be addressed with a single command, which may be an increment counter command, a write command, a punch out bit field, or a cryptographic command. The commands may be transmitted using a broadcast scheme or a split transaction scheme. The status of the memory modules may be determined by sampling a single signal that may be at a low, high, or intermediate voltage level. |
| US09400762B2 |
Integrated device with memory systems accessible via basic and bypass routes
An integrated device able to simplify interconnects up to memories, able to prevent a reduction of performance due to an increase of area and longer interconnects, and able to speed up memory access. An input/output port of a processing module, memory interfaces, and memory banks are connected by connection interconnects arranged in a matrix in a first direction and a second direction above an arrangement region of a plurality of memory macros. As connection interconnects, command information interconnects and data interconnects are included. The command information interconnects are formed by private interconnects, while the data interconnects are formed by private interconnects for at least the second direction interconnects. |
| US09400759B2 |
Cache load balancing in storage controllers
Methods and structure are provided for cache load balancing in storage controllers that utilize Solid State Drive (SSD) caches. One embodiment is a storage controller of a storage system. The storage controller includes a host interface operable to receive Input and Output (I/O) operations from a host computer. The storage controller also includes a cache memory that includes an SSD. Further, the storage controller includes a cache manager that is distinct from the cache memory. The cache manager is able to determine physical locations in the multiple SSDs that are unused, to identify an unused location that was written to a longer period of time ago than other unused locations, and to store a received I/O operation in the identified physical location. Further, the cache manager is able to trigger transmission of the stored I/O operations to storage devices of the storage system for processing. |
| US09400758B2 |
Reset method and network device
The present invention relates to a reset method and a network device. The method includes: receiving, by an SPI Flash, a reset instruction sent by a processor; and performing reset processing corresponding to the reset instruction according to the reset instruction, where the reset instruction includes interrupting a current operation, recording interruption state information when the current operation is interrupted, and setting a current state to a state of responding to a read instruction of the processor; after finishing the reset operation, sending, by the processor, a read instruction to the SPI Flash, and receiving interruption state information sent by the SPI Flash according to the read instruction; and then determining, according to the interruption state information, whether the interrupted operation in the SPI Flash needs to be continued, and if yes, sending an instruction of continuing the interrupted operation to the SPI Flash. |
| US09400755B2 |
Password accessible microelectronic memory
A microelectronic memory may be password access protected. A controller may maintain a register with requirements for accessing particular memory locations to initiate a security protocol. A mapping may correlate which regions within a memory array are password protected. Thus, a controller can use a register and the mapping to determine whether a particular granularity of memory is password protected, what the protection is, and what protection should be implemented. As a result, in some embodiments, a programmable password protection scheme may be utilized to control a variety of different types of accesses to particular regions of a memory array. |
| US09400754B2 |
Asynchronous swap mechanism and page eviction from memory
Embodiments of the invention relate to mitigating page eviction from cache memory. Pages of data in the cache are compressed, and are periodically swapped to a physical storage device to create space in the cache for additional pages. To avoid the impact of eviction latencies, an asynchronous thread scanning process scans the cache for any pages that are not committed to the storage device, decompresses a selected one of the pages, and asynchronously writes the decompressed page copy to the physical storage device. The compressed copy of the selected page remains in the cache during the asynchronous write with an indicator for the page set to convey that a replica of the page has been written to physical storage, allowing for efficient eviction from the in-memory pool at a later time. |
| US09400750B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and nonvolatile memory system and random data read method thereof
A random data reading method of a nonvolatile memory device includes receiving an initial seed corresponding to a selected page of the nonvolatile memory device and relative location information of read-requested random data in the selected page. The method further includes generating a seed for randomizing the random data by subjecting the initial seed and the location information to a finite field arithmetic operation, and de-randomizing the random data based on a random sequence generated from the seed. |
| US09400746B2 |
Data storage device and flash memory control method
A FLASH memory control technique with wear leveling between the different blocks of the FLASH memory. By a controller managing the blocks of a FLASH memory within a data storage device, some of the blocks are pushed into a spare queue waiting to be allocated as data blocks or system blocks and some blocks are pushed into a jail queue to be inaccessible. When the jail queue is full and any block within the spare queue has an erase count greater than any block within the jail queue, for wear leveling between the different blocks within the FLASH memory, the controller releases a first block selected from the jail queue and pushes a second block selected from the spare queue into the jail queue. |
| US09400745B2 |
Physical address management in solid state memory
A storage system includes a memory controller connected to a solid state memory device and a read status table that tracks a pending read from the solid state memory device and a physical address of the solid state memory device that is associated with the pending read. The memory controller releases the physical address for reassignment when the read status table indicates that no pending reads are associated with the physical address. In certain embodiments, the read status table may be included within the memory controller. In certain embodiments, subsequent to the release of the physical address, erase operations may erase data at the physical address and the physical address may be reassigned to a new logical address by ensuing host write operations. |
| US09400742B2 |
Storage control device, storage control method and program
A storage control device of an outboard motor writing operation history information of the outboard motor to a nonvolatile memory by using an electric power generated by driving of an internal combustion engine, the storage control device includes a stop instruction detecting unit detecting a stop instruction of the driving of the internal combustion engine by a boat operator, a writing unit writing the operation history information to the nonvolatile memory in accordance with the stop instruction detected by the stop instruction detecting unit, a write judgment unit judging whether or not the operation history information is written to the nonvolatile memory by the writing unit, and a stop processing unit stopping the driving of the internal combustion engine after it is judged that the operation history information is written to the nonvolatile memory by the write judgment unit. |
| US09400740B2 |
Capacity forecasting based on capacity policies and transactions
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for capacity forecasting is disclosed. The method includes: storing, in a memory, resource data associated with an environment, the resource data comprising inventory information of applications, processing resources and storage resources of the environment; and providing a ledger module 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. |
| US09400737B2 |
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. |
| US09400735B2 |
Defect analysis system for error impact reduction
A first set of data associated with a plurality of data sources is analyzed to determine a plurality of relationships among the first set of data. First rules are generated first rules based, at least in part, on the first set of data, wherein a first of the first rules indicates a first software defect and a cause of the first software defect, wherein a second of the first rules indicates a solution to the first software defect. Determining that the solution to the first software defect is a possible solution to a second software defect is made based, at least in part, on the first and second of the first rules. An indication that first set of data has been modified is received. A relationship between the first set of data and a second set of data associated with the plurality of data sources is determined. |
| US09400732B2 |
Performance regression testing in presence of noise
A method and system includes calculating a performance metric for each of a plurality of builds of a software application in view of a respective performance test result associated with each of the plurality of builds, calculating a respective difference in performance metrics for each pair of consecutive builds of the plurality of builds, determining a largest performance drop in view of respective differences in the performance metrics among the pairs of consecutive builds of the plurality of builds, wherein the largest performance drop is associated with a first pair of consecutive builds comprising a first build and a second build, determining, by a processing device, a confidence level associated with the largest performance drop in view of performance test results associated with the first build and the second build, in response to determining that the confidence level is greater than or equal to a threshold, identifying one of the first build or the second build as a problematic build of the software application. |
| US09400728B2 |
Cross platform workflow management
A method and system for real-time monitoring of processes to obtain job data of jobs running on different non-compatible platforms with a Java monitoring agent, then saving, reporting and making the job data available at any time for viewing by a system administrator on a single display monitor. |
| US09400726B2 |
Power usage monitoring of power feed circuits using power distribution units
A method of monitoring power usage includes 1) accessing power usage data for power distribution unit infeeds of a plurality of power distribution units; 2) accessing stored circuit descriptions describing interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to a number of power feed circuits; 3) transforming the plurality of power distribution units into a power usage monitor for monitoring power usage of the power feed circuits by aggregating at least some of the power usage data based on the interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to the number of power feed circuits; and 4) outputting representations of the aggregated power usage data. |
| US09400721B2 |
Error correction code seeding
The technology disclosed herein provides a method of verifying data read from a data block when the cell number of the data block does not match an ECC value stored in the data block. In particular, the method includes designating as unusable a data block in an indexed sequence of data blocks, wherein each data block is associated with a physical index; associating a cell number with a subsequent usable data block following the identified data block in the indexed sequence; and recording in an offset table accessible by an error detection and correction module an offset in association with the cell number of the subsequent usable data block, wherein the combination of the offset and the cell number represents a seed for the error detection and correction module. |
| US09400720B2 |
Flexible high availability disaster recovery with a set of database servers
Seamless failover in a database replication environment which has a primary database server and a plurality of standby database servers, is described. An example method includes orderly terminating transactions on the primary database server, where the transactions are originated from client applications. The transaction logs of the primary database server are drained and the transaction logs are replicated from the primary database server to the plurality of standby database servers. One of the standby database servers is designated as a new primary database server processing user transactions. |
| US09400719B2 |
Recovery of a transaction after XA end
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for recovery of a two-phase commit transaction. A computer transmits a first transaction identifier to a data store, wherein the first transaction identifier defines a two-phase commit transaction. The computer transmits a prepare command for the first transaction identifier to a first resource manager. The computer determines if a failure and restart occurred within a distributed data processing environment, wherein the failure and restart occurs after the first resource manager receives an end command, but prior to completing execution of the prepare command for the first transaction identifier. Responsive to determining the failure and restart did occur within the distributed data processing environment, the computer retrieves the first transaction identifier from the data store. The computer transmits a rollback command for the retrieved first transaction identifier to the first resource manager. |
| US09400717B2 |
Synchronization of storage using comparisons of fingerprints of blocks
A system for processing data comprises a deduplicating system, an interface, and a processor. The deduplicating system stores a copy of data stored in a data storage system by storing a set of segments that is able to reconstruct the data stored in the data storage system. The interface receives an indication to revert data stored in the data storage system to a state of data at a snapshot time stored in the deduplicating system. The processor is configured to determine a subset of the data stored in the data storage system that has changed between the data stored in the data storage system and the state of data at the snapshot time stored in the deduplicating system using a first list of fingerprints associated with the data stored on the data storage system and a second list of fingerprints associated with the state of data at the snapshot time stored in the deduplicating system. |
| US09400712B2 |
Memory device and erasing method thereof
An erasing method of a memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory controller and a memory array having a first memory region and a second memory region. The first memory region and the second memory region share the same well. The erasing method comprising steps of: erasing the first memory region; and selectively programming the second memory region according to an error correction code algorithm. |
| US09400710B2 |
Redundant data storage schemes for multi-die memory systems
A method for data storage includes storing data in a memory that includes one or more memory units, each memory unit including memory blocks. The stored data is compacted by copying at least a portion of the data from a first memory block to a second memory block, and subsequently erasing the first memory block. Upon detecting a failure in the second memory block after copying the portion of the data and before erasure of the first memory block, the portion of the data is recovered by reading the portion from the first memory block. |
| US09400709B2 |
Information processing apparatus, and method for restarting input/output control portion
An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an input/output control portion and a restart control portion. The input/output control portion is configured to be able to have a plurality of electronic devices connected thereto, and is configured to control input/output between each electronic device and the information processing apparatus. The restart control portion is configured to switch whether to restart the input/output control portion in a case where an abnormality defined in advance has occurred with respect to an electronic device, in accordance with the number of the electronic devices connected to the input/output control portion. |
| US09400708B2 |
Integrated circuit and method of detecting a data integrity error
An integrated circuit comprises a write bus coupled to a register for storing control data. A storage unit is arranged to store reference signature data encoding a reference collective state of the register. First logic circuitry generates actual signature data encoding the actual collective state of the register. Second logic circuitry is coupled to the storage unit, receives the actual signature data and compares the actual signature data with the reference signature data. The second logic circuitry comprises an alert output to provide an alert signal in response to the comparison identifying a difference between the actual signature data and the reference signature data, thereby ensuring detection of a data integrity error in respect of the register. An alert inhibitor comprises a control input and is responsive to the control input and arranged to inhibit selectively onward propagation of the alert signal from the alert output. |
| US09400701B2 |
Technology for stall detection
Detecting stalling of a software process in a computer system includes receiving identification of a task thread group executing in a work process executing on a computer system. The task thread group includes one or more threads and the receiving includes receiving identification of the one or more threads by a control process executing on a computer system. The detecting includes detecting whether there is a thread state change for the task thread group, marking the task as running responsive to detecting a thread state change for the task thread group, marking the task as stalled responsive to detecting an absence of a thread state change for at least a predefined amount of time, and marking the work process as stalled responsive detecting an absence of a predetermined signal from the work process for at least a predefined amount of time. |
| US09400700B2 |
Optimized system for analytics (graphs and sparse matrices) operations
A graph processing system includes a graph API (Application Program Interface), as executed on a processor of a computer and as capable of implementing any of a plurality of graph operators to express computations of input graph analytics applications. A run-time system, executed by the processor, implements graph operators specified by each graph API function and deploys the implemented graph operators to a selected computing system. A library contains multiple implementations for each graph API function, each implementation predetermined as being optimal for a specific set of conditions met by a graph being processed, for functional capabilities of a specific computing system on which the graph is being processed, and for resources available on that specific computing system. |
| US09400690B2 |
Dynamically modifying program execution capacity
Techniques are described for managing program execution capacity, such as for a group of computing nodes that are provided for executing one or more programs for a user. In some situations, dynamic program execution capacity modifications for a computing node group that is in use may be performed periodically or otherwise in a recurrent manner, such as to aggregate multiple modifications that are requested or otherwise determined to be made during a period of time, and with the aggregation of multiple determined modifications being able to be performed in various manners. Modifications may be requested or otherwise determined in various manners, including based on dynamic instructions specified by the user, and on satisfaction of triggers that are previously defined by the user. In some situations, the techniques are used in conjunction with a fee-based program execution service that executes multiple programs on behalf of multiple users of the service. |
| US09400687B2 |
Method and system for dynamic pool reallocation
Dynamic pool reallocation performed by the following steps: (i) defining a plurality of resource pools including a first pool and a second pool, where each resource pool has a plurality of assigned resources; (ii) receiving a plurality of jobs to be executed; (iii) for each job of the plurality of jobs, assigning a respective resource pool, of the plurality of resource pools, to be used in completing the job; (iv) determining a preliminary schedule for executing the jobs on their respective resource pools; (v) determining whether the preliminary schedule will cause any jobs to miss service level agreement (SLA) deadlines corresponding to the job; (vi) executing the plurality of jobs on their respectively assigned resource pools; and (vii) re-assigning first resource from the second pool to the first pool during at least some of the time of the execution of the first job by the first resource pool. |
| US09400683B2 |
Optimizing execution of processes
Methods and system for optimizing an execution of a business process are disclosed. In one aspect, a request to execute a business process is received. The business process is executed on multiple threads, which may include multiple computations. The business process is optimized by determining an optimal number of threads for executing the business process by a thread optimization model. From the determined optimal number of threads, the computations in the threads may be distributed or reallocated iteratively by executing an inter-thread computations optimization model. Executing the thread optimization model and the inter-thread computations optimization model optimizes the execution of the business process. |
| US09400678B2 |
Systems for selectively enabling and disabling hardware features
In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is adapted to: define a hardware feature policy for one or more hardware components of a system; and enable and/or disable one or more hardware features of one or more of the hardware components based on the hardware feature policy, wherein the hardware feature policy comprises instructions to enable and/or disable access to the one or most hardware features based on one or more criteria selected from a group consisting of: a feature access schedule; a volume feature access group; a job feature access group; and an user feature access group. |
| US09400676B2 |
Preferential CPU utilization for tasks
In a distributed server storage environment, a set of like tasks to be performed is organized into a first group, and a last used processing group associated with the like tasks is stored. Upon a subsequent dispatch, the last used processing group is compared to other processing groups and the tasks are assigned to a processing group based upon a predetermined threshold. |
| US09400672B2 |
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. |
| US09400671B2 |
Computer host with a baseboard management controller to manage virtual machines
Disclosed is a computer host, including a visualization platform and a baseboard management controller (BMC). The visualization platform allows a plurality of virtual machines to operate simultaneously on the computer host, and the visualization platform has a daemon for receiving a management command from outside the visualization platform. The BMC executes a management application to generate and send the management command to the daemon. |
| US09400670B2 |
Network resource management system utilizing physical network identification for load balancing
The disclosed network resource management system employs a hardware configuration management (HCM) information handling system (IHS) that may couple to a single administered IHS or to multiple administered IHSs via an administrative network. An HCM tool in the HCM IHS may generate, modify and store hardware configuration information, including physical network identifications (PNet IDs), in an HCM database and share the HCM database with the administered IHSs. The administered IHS may be a load balancing IHS. A load balancing tool may extract hardware configuration information, including PNet IDs, from the HCM database. The load balancing tool may utilize the hardware configuration information to enable the load balancing IHS to balance adapter loads in the load balancing IHS. The load balancing tool may also utilize the hardware configuration information to enable the load balancing IHS to failover from a failing adapter to other adapters in the load balancing IHS. |
| US09400669B2 |
Virtual appliance chaining and management
Management of virtual resources may be provided by interconnecting a plurality of virtual appliances with common executable software services. A data packet may be sent through multiple virtual appliances invoking services within each if rules stored within respective virtual appliances correspond to a request for service in the data packet. The data packet may be passed through multiple virtual appliances prior to being returned to a hypervisor. |
| US09400668B2 |
Computer program product containing instructions for providing a processor the capability of executing an application derived from a compiled form
An integrated circuit card is used with a terminal. The integrated circuit card includes a memory that stores an interpreter and an application that has a high level programming language format. A processor of the card is configured to use the interpreter to interpret the application for execution and to use a communicator of the card to communicate with the terminal. |
| US09400665B2 |
Running add-on components in virtual environments
Systems and methods for running add-on components in virtual environments are described. An add-on component can be executed in a virtual environment by setting up a communication link between a component proxy in the host operating system and a server process running in the virtual environment. The server process executes the add-on component based on commands forwarded by the component proxy forwards the commands from the operating system. |
| US09400664B2 |
Method and apparatus for offloading storage workload
An aspect of the invention is directed to a storage management computer for managing offloading of storage workload between a storage controller of a storage system and one or more host computers. The storage management computer comprises: a memory; and a controller operable to request a virtual machine management computer to register the storage controller as a host computer, and to send, to the virtual machine management computer, storage processes information of storage processes in the storage system which can be offloaded as virtual machines in order for the virtual machine management computer to register the storage processes as virtual machines. |
| US09400662B2 |
System and method for providing context information
The present disclosure provides a system and method of providing context information. Context information is automatically retrieved by monitoring at least one application program executable on a computing system, so as to detect an event associated with the application program, identifying information corresponding to the detected event, and retrieving, automatically without user request, context information associated with the detected event. |
| US09400655B2 |
Technique for freeing renamed registers
Register renaming circuitry for a processing apparatus configured to process a stream of instructions from an instruction set specifying registers from an architectural set of registers. The apparatus including a physical set of registers configured to store data values being processed by the processing apparatus. Register renaming circuitry is configured to receive a stream of operations from an instruction decoder and to map registers that are to be written to by the stream of operations to physical registers within the physical set of registers that are currently available. The register renaming circuitry comprises register release circuitry configured to release the physical registers that have been mapped to the registers when a first set of conditions have been met, and to release the physical registers that have been mapped to the additional registers when a second set of conditions have been met. |
| US09400653B2 |
System and method to clear and rebuild dependencies
A data processing system and method of clearing and rebuilding dependencies, the data processing method including changing a counter associated with a first entry in response to selecting a second entry; comparing the counter with a threshold; and indicating that the first entry is ready to be selected in response to comparing the counter with the threshold; wherein the first entry is dependent on the second entry. |
| US09400643B2 |
Methods and systems for updating components on a computing device
Methods and systems for updating components on a computing device are described herein. A computing device may perform an example method, which may include receiving, at the computing device, a notification of an update corresponding to an existing component on the computing device. Responsive to receiving the notification, the computing device may receive inputs from sensors of the computing device, which may provide information indicative of a given state of use, time of day, and location associated with the computing device. Based on a weighted combination of the inputs, the computing device may determine whether to update the existing component on the computing device and update the existing component. In some instances, the computing device may use information provided by another computing device to determine whether or not to initiate an update process. |
| US09400641B2 |
Adaptable middleware layer
A middleware layer running on a computing device determines capabilities of the computing device in response to receiving a request for an application. The middleware layer identifies a service level agreement associated with the application. The middleware layer selects one or more services of the middleware layer to assign to the application based on the service level agreement and the capabilities of the computing device. The middleware layer determines whether to install the one or more services on the computing device or on a remote computing device based on the service level agreement, the capabilities of the computing device and properties of the one or more services. |
| US09400636B2 |
Apparatus and method for calculating a result in a scalar multiplication
An apparatus for calculating a result of a scalar multiplication of a reference number with a reference point on an elliptic curve includes a random number generator and processor. The random number generator generates a random bit. The processor calculates the result of the scalar multiplication based on a calculation algorithm using a first auxiliary variable storing a first interim result representing an integer multiple of the reference point or a coordinate of an integer multiple of the reference point and a second auxiliary variable storing a second interim result representing another integer multiple of the reference point or a coordinate of another integer multiple of the reference point. The processor swaps a value stored by the first auxiliary variable and a value stored by the second auxiliary variable during calculation of the result of the scalar multiplication, if a swap condition depending on the generated random bit is fulfilled. |
| US09400633B2 |
Methods and apparatus for voiced-enabling a web application
Methods and apparatus for voice-enabling a web application, wherein the web application includes one or more web pages rendered by a web browser on a computer. At least one information source external to the web application is queried to determine whether information describing a set of one or more supported voice interactions for the web application is available, and in response to determining that the information is available, the information is retrieved from the at least one information source. Voice input for the web application is then enabled based on the retrieved information. |
| US09400630B2 |
Systems and methods for enhanced speech recognition interface on mobile device
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology include systems and methods for an enhanced speech recognition interface. According to an example implementation, a method includes outputting a first icon and second icon for presentation on a display device; responsive to receiving an indication of an input object being maintained at a first location of an input device, causing a recording device to record an audio signal; responsive to receiving an indication that the input object has moved across the input device from the first location of the input device to a second location of the input device, causing the recording device to stop recording the audio signal; outputting text, based on the recorded audio signal, for presentation on the display device; and responsive to receiving an indication of the input object being maintained at the second location of the input device, causing a portion of the text to be removed from presentation on the display device. |
| US09400625B2 |
Printing apparatus, web server, printing system, and computer readable recording medium stored with program for web server
A printing apparatus for conducting direct printing from a client computer via a web browser, having a storage unit 13 and 16 stores print setting information and a URL associated with the print setting information, and a job control unit 12 reads from the storage unit the print setting information associated with the URL entered by a user into the web browser, in order to reflect the print setting information as print setting of print data. |
| US09400622B2 |
Path independent print queues
In one embodiment, path data is received. The path data is indicative of a plurality of connectivity paths to electronically connect a computer and a printer. A graphic user interface is provided for display to a user, the interface to enable sending of print jobs to a print queue. The queue is to hold the print jobs to be sent to the printer, and is without limitation to a specific path among the plurality of paths. A command for the computer to send a first print job to the printer is received via the interface. The plurality of paths is monitored to identify an available path among the plurality of paths. The first print job is caused to be sent from the queue to the printer via the available path. |
| US09400619B2 |
Non-disruptive file system element reconfiguration on disk expansion
An apparatus is operable with a host and a data storage component for controlling expansion of storage, and comprises: an allocating component responsive to a user input for allocating an expanded target storage space to a file system element to thereby make an expanded file system element; a file system metadata component for maintaining file system metadata including metadata for said expanded file system element; a file system I/O component responsive to said file system metadata component for controlling file system I/O between said host and said storage component; and a synchronizing component responsive to said file system metadata component for synchronizing data between a source storage space and said expanded target storage space; wherein said file system I/O component is operable to use said file system metadata component to access said expanded file system element prior to completion of action of said synchronizing component. |
| US09400618B2 |
Real page migration in a storage system comprising a plurality of flash packages
A storage system comprises a plurality of flash packages comprising a plurality of flash chips, and a storage controller for receiving a first write request from a higher-level apparatus and sending a second write request of write data based on data conforming to this first write request to a write-destination flash package, and demonstrates a capacity virtualization function for causing a storage capacity to appear larger than an actual storage capacity for the higher-level apparatus, and for configuring a storage space using page units. The storage system generates a second VOL (logical volume) based on a first VOL, manages a plurality of VOLs comprising the first VOL and one or more second VOLs generated based on the first VOL as a VOL group, and allocates the same page to areas of the same address of the plurality of VOLs configuring the VOL group. |
| US09400617B2 |
Hardware-assisted DMA transfer with dependency table configured to permit-in parallel-data drain from cache without processor intervention when filled or drained
The invention provides the data flow communication control between the source (flash/IO) and destination (IO/flash) cores. The source and destination cores are started simultaneously instead of serially and get instructions from the descriptors provided and set-up by the processor. Each source and destination core's descriptors1 are correlated or tied with each other by the processor by providing information to the hardware assist mechanism. The hardware assist mechanism responsible for moderating the data transfer from source to destination. The flow tracker guarantees that data needed by destination exists. 1 Descriptors are set of instructions that is used to activate the DMA controller.By applying the invention to the prior approach/solution, the data latency between the flash & IO bus will be reduced. Processor interrupts will be minimized while data transfer between the flash & IO bus is ongoing. |
| US09400611B1 |
Data migration in cluster environment using host copy and changed block tracking
Data is non-disruptively migrated from a source LUN to a target LUN in an active-active cluster with coordination of a host-based copy sweep with duplicating of ongoing writes of all hosts, using iteration and changed block tracking (CBT). During a first iteration, one host performs the copy sweep, and the locations of new application writes at other hosts are recorded in respective CBT records. In each subsequent iteration, the data blocks of the CBT-recorded writes are copied to the target LUN while the locations of new writes are recorded in new CBT records. A final iteration is done with I/O suspended to completely synchronize the target LUN with the source LUN, and the migration then proceeds to a committed state in which the target LUN is used in place of the source LUN. The one host may use write cloning or CBT recording like the other hosts. |
| US09400608B2 |
Systems and methods for transformation of logical data objects for storage
Systems capable of transformation of logical data objects for storage and methods of operating thereof are provided. One method includes identifying among a plurality of requests addressed to the storage device two or more “write” requests addressed to the same logical data object, deriving data chunks corresponding to identified “write” requests and transforming the derived data chunks, grouping the transformed data chunks in accordance with the order the requests have been received and in accordance with a predefined criteria, generating a grouped “write” request to the storage device, and providing mapping in a manner facilitating one-to-one relationship between the data in the obtained data chunks and the data to be read from the transformed logical object. The method further includes obtaining an acknowledging response from the storage device, multiplying the obtained acknowledging response, and sending respective acknowledgements to each source that initiated each respective “write” request. |
| US09400607B1 |
Stateless processing of replicated state for distributed storage systems
Embodiments are directed towards storing data in a storage system. A data controller may obtain a write request and write data from a client computer. A write message may be generated and provided to a data coordinator computer. The data coordinator may communicate the write message to a plurality of L-node computers. The data coordinator may obtain write confirmation messages from the L-node computers that indicate that the write data is stored. If enough write confirmation messages are obtained to indicate that a quorum is reached, the data coordinator may communicate a save confirmation message to the data controller. The data controller may generate a write acknowledgement message based on the save confirmation message provided by the data coordinator. The data controller may provide the write acknowledgement message to the client computer that made the original write request. |
| US09400603B2 |
Implementing enhanced performance flash memory devices
A method and apparatus for implementing enhanced performance in a flash memory system in a computer system. A flash memory chip includes a function engine performing garbage collection and scrub operations using an internal bus for data movement. The system includes an on-flash chip memory buffer buffering garbage collection and scrub requests. Garbage collection and scrub operations are interleaved with mainline reads and writes. |
| US09400602B2 |
Stacked memory device control
A system for memory device control may include a stacked memory device and a memory controller. The stacked memory device may include a stack of chips connected to a package substrate by electrical interconnects. The stack may include a plurality of memory chips, a primary control chip, and a secondary control chip. The primary and secondary control chips may be electrically connected to the plurality of memory chips by an internal data bus. The primary control chip may have logic to provide an interface between the internal data bus and a first external data bus. The secondary control chip may have logic to provide an interface between the internal data bus and a second external data bus. |
| US09400595B2 |
Unlocking method and device for touch screen terminal and touch screen terminal
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an unlocking method, a device for touch screen terminal and a touch screen terminal. The method includes: performing a touch unlocking operation to an unlocking unit, wherein the unlocking unit is at least one active area corresponding to the unlocking operation and provided on the touch screen with an area smaller than that of the entire screen; and when the touch screen terminal is in a non-service state, the active area is in a service state or a standing by state; when detecting the touch unlocking operation, generating an unlocking request signal; and providing an unlocking operation interface according to the unlocking request signal. Therefore, the unlocking operation does not depend on a physical key any more, which allows a light and thin profile and a simple and clear appearance, and reduces damage ratio of terminal's components, and at the same time the non-entire screen unlocking operation interface is advantageous for low power consumption requirement on the touch screen. |
| US09400591B2 |
Personal wireless navigation system
A personal wireless navigation system operable on wireless phone devices provides a platform for empowering a merchant-paid search. Performance of a navigation functionality in a personal wireless navigation system is higher and more comparable and competitive with portable navigation devices and in-car navigation systems, and the search capability is comparable and competitive with the most popular web search engines. A user interface (UI) and look and feel of the personal wireless navigation system is provided which is enhanced so that users do not simply want to use the product—they covet it. The personal wireless navigation system may be constructed such that a subset of it with fewer features and functions can be productized, marketed and deployed to users. |
| US09400587B2 |
Systems and methods of facilitating browsing of media programs distributed by way of a plurality of different media distribution models
Exemplary systems and methods may provide a user interface configured to provide a user with access to a plurality of browse contexts associated with a plurality of distribution models by way of which media programs are distributed through a media service, provide one or more user interface tools for use by the user to select which of the browse contexts is presented in the user interface and values of a refinement setting to be applied to refine the content of the browse contexts, track the values of the refinement setting individually for each of the browse contexts, and use the tracked values of the refinement setting to refine the content of the browse contexts presented in the user interface. Corresponding systems and methods are also described. |
| US09400582B2 |
Touch pad with force sensors and actuator feedback
Electronic devices may use touch pads that have touch sensor arrays, force sensors, and actuators for providing tactile feedback. A touch pad may be mounted in a computer housing. The touch pad may have a rectangular planar touch pad member that has a glass layer covered with ink and contains a capacitive touch sensor array. Force sensors may be mounted under each of the four corners of the rectangular planar touch pad member. The force sensors may be used to measure how much force is applied to the surface of the planar touch pad member by a user. Processed force sensor signals may indicate the presence of button activity such as press and release events. In response to detected button activity or other activity in the device, actuator drive signals may be generated for controlling the actuator. The user may supply settings to adjust signal processing and tactile feedback parameters. |
| US09400579B2 |
Disappearing button or slider
An input device is configured to receive input. The input is a deflection based capacitive sensing input. Deflection of a metal fame of the input device causes a change in capacitance that is used to control a function of an electrical device. The input appears invisible because it is made of the same material as the housing it is contained in. Invisible backlit holes may make the input selectively visible or invisible to the user. |
| US09400573B2 |
Optical touch screen
The present invention relates to an optical touch screen, the screen including a flat plate display panel, a square ring-shaped case mounted and assembled with the flat plate display panel, brackets assembled on corners of the case, a camera module mounted on the brackets. |
| US09400571B2 |
Drive controlling apparatus, electronic device and drive controlling method
A drive controlling apparatus that drives a vibrating element of an electronic device including a display panel, a touch panel disposed on a display surface side of the display panel and the vibrating element generating a vibration in a manipulation input surface of the touch panel, includes a drive controlling part being configured to drive the vibrating element by using a driving signal causing the vibrating element to generate a natural vibration in an ultrasound-frequency-band in the manipulation input surface, the drive controlling part being configured to drive the vibrating element so that an intensity of the natural vibration varies in accordance with a position and a temporal change degree of the position of a manipulation input performed onto the manipulation input surface. |
| US09400567B2 |
Explicit touch selection and cursor placement
A system and method for implementing an efficient and easy to user interface for a touch screen device. A cursor may be placed by a user using simple inputs. The device operates places the cursor coarsely and refines the cursor placement upon further input from the user. Text may be selected using a gripper associated with the cursor. The user interface allows text selection without occluding the text being selected with the user's finger or the gripper. For selecting text in a multi-line block of text, a dynamic safety zone is implemented to simplify text selection for the user. |
| US09400563B2 |
Apparatus and method for recognizing subject motion using a camera
A method and an apparatus are provided for displaying pictures according to hand motion inputs. An application is executed for displaying a picture from among a sequence of pictures on a display. Groups of skin color blocks corresponding to a hand are detected from among image frames output from a camera. A motion is detected among the groups of skin color blocks. Direction information is obtained on the detected motion. The application is controlled to display a previous picture or a next picture in the sequence of pictures on the display according to the direction information. |
| US09400562B2 |
Image projection device, image projection system, and control method
An image projection device for projecting an image on a projection object includes a detecting unit configured to detect a detection object present within an object space corresponding to the image projected by the image projection device; a recognizing unit configured to recognize an instruction motion of a user based on detection of the detection object by the detecting unit; and an output unit configured to generate an output corresponding to the instruction motion recognized within the object space by the recognizing unit from the instruction motion and the image projected by the image projection device. |
| US09400560B2 |
Image display device and display control method thereof
Disclosed is an image display device capable of recognizing a hand of a user and predefining an operating region. Image recognition means recognizes the position of a hand of the user. Operating region setup means predefines the operating region, on an imaging region plane of imaging means and around a position on which the user's hand is projected, for the purpose of enabling the user to issue instructions to the image display device. When the position on which the user's hand is projected moves and comes close to the periphery of the operating region, the operating region setup means moves the operating region in the direction of the movement of the position on which the user's hand is projected. Further, the image recognition means recognizes a hand-waving motion of the user, whereas the operating region setup means sets the size of the operating region in accordance with the magnitude of the user's hand-waving motion. Consequently, the image display device provides increased ease of operation and makes it possible to define the operating region in accordance with a user's intention without imposing a significant processing load on itself. |
| US09400557B2 |
Multimodal haptic effect system
A device to output a haptic effect includes a haptic effect generator comprising one or more microdroplets of a fluid configured to output a haptic effect, and a substrate configured to control movement of the one or more microdroplets of fluid. The device further includes an actuator coupled to the haptic effect generator configured to exert one or more forces on the substrate to cause the one or more microdroplets of fluid to output the haptic effect. |
| US09400554B2 |
Information display system including transmission type HMD, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and display control method
Provided are an information display system, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a display control method. The information display system includes a transmission type head-mounted display and a control section. The control section includes a gaze point detecting section configured to detect a point of gaze of a user, a first judgment section configured to judge whether the user gazes at a certain area on a virtual screen or on the background beyond the virtual screen, a second judgment section configured to judge whether a sight-line region around the intersection of the virtual screen and a sight line of the user overlaps with an object displayed on the virtual screen, and a display control section configured to, in response to a movement of the point of gaze, change at least one of a display position and a display mode of the object on the basis of judgment results. |
| US09400548B2 |
Gesture personalization and profile roaming
A gesture-based system may have default or pre-packaged gesture information, where a gesture is derived from a user's position or motion in a physical space. In other words, no controllers or devices are necessary. Depending on how a user uses his or her gesture to accomplish the task, the system may refine the properties and the gesture may become personalized. The personalized gesture information may be stored in a gesture profile and can be further updated with the latest data. The gesture-based system may use the gesture profile information for gesture recognition techniques. Further, the gesture profile may be roaming such that the gesture profile is available in a second location without requiring the system to relearn gestures that have already been personalized on behalf of the user. |
| US09400542B2 |
Method and system for detecting an object or body based on changes in signal phases
Embodiments of the invention are directed to control devices configured for use with computing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for performing presence detection of an object body near a device. The methods and devices described herein may include comparing a reference signal against an over the air signal to determine whether a phase difference exists between the reference signal and the over the air signal. The existence of a phase difference may be indicative of a object or body in proximity to the device. |
| US09400541B2 |
Analyzing power consumption in mobile computing devices
Techniques pertaining to analyzing power consumed by a processing unit in a mobile computing device caused by execution of certain modules are described herein. A power trace is generated that indicates an amount of power consumed by the processing unit over time, and the power trace is aligned with an execution log. Spikes are extracted from the power trace, and computing operations are performed over the spikes to acquire data pertaining to power consumed by the processing unit that are attributable to modules in the execution log. |
| US09400534B2 |
Electronic device with adjustable current supply connectors
The invention provides an electronic device with connectors which can be adjusted the providing current. The connectors connect external electronic devices and provide current to power the external electronic devices. User can adjust the current providing status through the user interface of the electronic device according to high or low current requirement of external electronic devices. The electronic device can also read out the power parameter storing in an external electronic device, and adjust the current according to the power parameter. |
| US09400532B2 |
Air channel in storage media for chassis thermal design
A storage device includes a first portion including drive media, and a second portion. The second portion includes a first end wall that is in physical communication with first and second side walls, and a second end wall that is in physical communication with the first and second side walls. The second portion also includes a printed circuit board mounted within the cavity, a plurality of ribs within the cavity, and an air channel within the cavity. The air channel has a lower air flow impedance than other portions of the storage device including the first portion, the printed circuit board, and the ribs. The air channel extends along a direction between the first end wall and the second end wall of the storage device. |
| US09400530B2 |
Electronic apparatus and member rotating operation method
An electronic apparatus includes: a housing; a mounting member pivotably mounted to the housing; a displacing member including an L-shaped shaft hole formed in at least one of the mounting member and the housing member, and a shaft located in the shaft hole; the displacing member be configured such that the shaft is located at a first position of the L-shaped shaft hole when the mounting member is in a falling position and the shaft is located at a second position of the L-shaped shaft hole different from the first position when the mounting member is in an erected position; and a rotation suppressing member configured to hold the mounting member when the mounting member is displaced, and suppress the rotation of the mounting member. |
| US09400529B2 |
Electronic device having housing with embedded interconnects
An electronic device has an electronic device housing containing electrical components such as integrated circuits and other components. The electronic device housing may be provided with signal paths. Electrical components may be mounted to the electronic device housing and may be electrically coupled to the signal paths. The housing may be provided with channels in which signal lines are routed. The housing may be formed from a material such as metal. A layer of dielectric in the channel may be interposed between the metal of the housing and the signal lines in the channel. Capacitive coupling and inductive coupling may be used to electrically couple the electrical components to a signal line in the channel. Solder may be used to solder contacts on the electrical components to a signal line in the channel. Meandering channels and channels that traverse right-angled surfaces may be used. |
| US09400528B2 |
Cover glass assembly removal
An internal fastening feature that also acts as a means of separating a housing body from a protective cover is disclosed. The internal fastening feature includes two arms that meet at a central hub that is pivotally coupled to a bracket. The bracket is coupled to an interior-facing surface of the protective cover. A first arm defines a threaded opening that receives a fastener that keeps the protective cover coupled with the housing body. A second arm, extending in a different direction than the first arm, is positioned above a protrusion of the housing body. When the fastener is disengaged from the first arm, a disengaging tool can apply a force to the first arm that rotates the second arm until it presses against the protrusion. The force applied to the protrusion is then transmitted to the protective cover, which is consequently pushed away from the housing body. |
| US09400526B2 |
Bumper for a computing device and related assembly and method
Bumpers for electronic devices are provided. The bumpers may be formed from a polymer coupled to a housing via a primer. The primer may include a first functional group configured to form a chemical bond with the housing a second functional group configured to form a bond with the polymer. Accordingly, externally-mounted bumpers that do not impinge upon internal space within a housing may be provided. However, the bumpers may be employed for various other purposes. Related portable electronic devices, assemblies, and methods are also provided. |
| US09400525B2 |
Touch sensitive surface with recessed surface feature for an electronic device
An electronic device (300) includes a housing (301). A touch sensitive surface (100) can be disposed along the housing. The touch sensitive surface can include a recessed surface feature (106) on a portion of the touch sensitive surface. A control circuit (315), operable with the touch sensitive surface, can detect a predetermined gesture sequence (501, 502, 503) when a touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface interacts with the recessed surface feature. |
| US09400512B2 |
System and method for operating an on load tap changer for regulating voltage on an electric power system
An electric power system includes an on-load tap changing (OLTC) transformer. The transformer includes a plurality of primary windings and a plurality of secondary windings. At least a portion of one of the primary windings and the secondary windings are inductively coupled to each other. The system also includes at least one on-load tap changer coupled to at least one of the primary windings and the secondary windings. The on-load tap changer is selectively configurable to regulate the portion of at least one of the primary windings and the secondary windings inductively coupled to each other. The system further includes at least one processor coupled to the on-load tap changer. The processor is configured to adaptively regulate a voltage set-point of the on-load tap changer as a function of an adaptive OLTC transformer power flow dependent voltage set-point characteristic. |
| US09400511B1 |
Methods and control systems of resistance adjustment of resistors
Embodiments include methods, computer systems and computer program products for controlling resistance value of a resistor in a circuit. Aspects include: retrieving, via a controller, a set of parameters of the resistor from a non-volatile memory in the circuit, detecting, via the controller, an operating temperature of the resistor during circuit operation in field using a temperature sensor, generating, by the controller, a temperature difference between the operating temperature detected and a target temperature at which the resistor has a target resistance value, producing, by the controller, a control signal responsive to the temperature difference generated, and transmitting the control signal to a temperature regulator placed adjacent to the resistor to adjust the resistance value of the resistor. The resistance value of the resistor varies in response to temperature changes around the resistor according to a temperature coefficient of the resistance of the resistor. |
| US09400507B2 |
Upstream sense for balance port
A fluid regulating device includes a regulator valve having a valve body defining an inlet and an outlet and a valve port disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A housing assembly is disposed adjacent the valve port, and the housing assembly includes a first aperture adapted to receive a valve disc. A balancing diaphragm is secured to a portion of the valve disc and a portion of the housing assembly, and a portion of a balancing cavity is defined by a top surface of the balancing diaphragm and an interior surface of the housing assembly. A sensing passage extends from the inlet of the regulator valve to the balancing cavity such that the inlet of the regulator valve is in fluid communication with the balancing cavity. |
| US09400506B2 |
Pressure reducer
A pressure reducer includes a piston slidably accommodated in a cylinder to define a decompression chamber and a pressure adjusting chamber. A seal member includes an elastic member and a sliding portion. The sliding portion is pressed by the elastic member such that the sliding portion slides on an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder. An annular member is located on an outer circumferential surface of the piston and between the seal member and the pressure adjusting surface. The annular member is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder with a force that is less than a force with which the sliding portion is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder. Thus, the pressure reducer prevents the piston from being moved by an excessive amount with highly accurately adjusting pressure. |
| US09400499B2 |
Systems and methods for real-time quantum computer-based control of mobile systems
Systems and methods for integrating quantum computing systems into mobile systems for the purpose of providing real-time, quantum computer-based control of the mobile systems are described. A mobile system includes a data extraction subsystem that extracts data from an external environment of the mobile system and a quantum computing subsystem that receives data from the data extraction subsystem and performs a quantum computing operation in real-time using the data from the data extraction subsystem. A result of the quantum computing operation influences a behavior of the mobile system, such as the navigation of the mobile system or an action performed by the mobile system. The on-board quantum computing subsystem includes on-board quantum computing infrastructure that is adapted to suit the needs and spatial constraints of the mobile system. |
| US09400493B2 |
System and method for automatically naming objects in a building automation system
A system, process, and method for modeling a building automation system is provided that permits a control program to easily and efficiently add building automation devices and automatically name them to improve efficiency and reduce errors. |
| US09400490B2 |
Method and a system for an automatic recovery from a fault situation in a production plant
A method automatically recovers from a fault situation in a production plant and provides production resources and a manufacturing execution system having a production modeler for modeling the production resources into a plant model and a production scheduler to schedule operations of the modeled production resources. A production controller executes the production process and a fault manager detects fault situations and automatically decides a corrective action. A production resource runs an application for the operation of the production resource and a fault analysis agent provides categorized error situations and checks operational data representing the operation of the production resource against the categorized error situations and when, an error situation occurs, forwards an error event to the fault manager. The error events are collected and then analyzed by a neural network system to assign the error event to an error category. A corrective action is executed on the production resource. |
| US09400489B2 |
Smart watch and control method thereof
A smart watch and a control method thereof are disclosed. The smart watch includes a first sensor unit configured to detect whether the smart watch is worn; a display unit configured to display visual information; a second sensor unit configured to detect movement of the smart watch; and a processor configured to control the first sensor unit, the display unit, and the second sensor unit. In addition, the processor is further configured to: if a first movement of the smart watch is detected, obtain a direction and a distance of the first movement of the smart watch, and if the direction of the first movement is a first direction and the distance of the first movement is equal to or more than a first threshold distance, perform a first function corresponding to the first direction, if the direction of the first movement is a second direction and the distance of the first movement is equal to or more than the first threshold distance, perform a second function corresponding to the second direction. Furthermore, the first direction and the second direction are set based on a same axis. Lastly, the first direction is the opposite direction to the second direction. |
| US09400487B2 |
Winding device with unidirectional drive arrangement
The winding device includes a solar pinion mounted for free rotation in a coaxial manner about a central arbor on a winding wheel. The device also includes toothed planetary wheels for meshing with a toothing of the solar pinion. The planetary wheels are mounted for free rotation with play about a respective offset arbor fixed to the winding wheel. The device also includes one or two hooks of a frame fixedly mounted on the winding wheel. In a first direction of rotation of the solar pinion, a planetary wheel is in a locking position in contact with a hook in order to drive the winding wheel. In a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, the planetary wheel is uncoupled so that the rotation of the solar pinion does not drive the winding wheel. |
| US09400485B2 |
Cooling device having a turbulence generating unit
In a cooling device that includes a cooling roller that comprises a hollow tubular member and a cooling medium transport unit for transporting a cooling liquid to the inside of the cooling roller and contacts a sheet-like member to cool down the paper, a turbulence generating unit that generates turbulence in a cooling liquid is disposed near an inner wall of the outer tube. |
| US09400484B2 |
Bearing member, end member, photosensitive drum unit, developing roller unit, process cartridge, intermediate member, and bearing member body
A bearing member is configured to be arranged in an end portion of a columnar rotary body, in which a shaft member is attached to the bearing member. The bearing member includes a body which includes a cylindrical body and a holding portion which is arranged inside the cylindrical body, and an intermediate member which is held by the holding portion of the body. The holding portion includes an intermediate member guide which guides the intermediate member so that the intermediate member rotates. The intermediate member includes a portion in which the shaft member is arranged. |
| US09400482B2 |
Paper conveyance device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A paper conveyance device comprises: a conveyance member having a conveyance surface for conveying a recording medium, the conveyance member extending in a first direction along a front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus that has an opening member for exposing inside of the apparatus, and including a handle disposed on an exposure surface of the opening member, and a swing pivot point that is used to swing the conveyance member around the first direction to expose the conveyance surface when the handle is operated in the open state. The handle is disposed in at least one position in a range between positions near a center of the conveyance member in the first direction. The positions are a certain distance away from the center of the conveyance member along the first direction. |
| US09400471B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveyance section capable of conveying a long sheet; an electrophotographic image forming section; and a control section configured to control a toner refreshing operation. The toner refreshing operation includes a first toner refreshing operation and a second toner refreshing operation. In the first toner refreshing operation, an ejection toner image is formed on the image bearing member and removed by a cleaning section for the image bearing member, and in the second toner refreshing operation, an ejection toner image is formed on the image bearing member and the ejection toner image thus formed is transferred and fixed to the long sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance section. When the toner refreshing operation is required, the control section executes the first toner refreshing operation or the second toner refreshing operation during an interval between jobs. |
| US09400467B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus of which the apparatus main body is provided with an IC card reader that reads data input to a noncontact IC card. The IC card reader is installed at an angle enabling a detection surface to face downward relative to the apparatus main body. |
| US09400465B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device fixing an image on a recording medium includes a fixing belt rotatable around a first rotation axis, a pressuring member, a heat source body and a cover member. The pressuring member forms a nip part pressuring and making the recording medium pass through with the fixing belt. The heat source body is arranged inside the fixing belt and heats the fixing belt by emitting radiant heat. The cover member is arranged between the fixing belt and the heat source body and covers the heat source body. The nip part has a passing area where the recording medium passes through and a non-passing area outside the passing area in an axial direction. The cover member covers a part of the heat source body corresponding to the non-passing area and includes through holes formed so as to adjust surface temperature of the heat source body. |
| US09400464B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt, fixing-belt holding members which hold the fixing belt at opposite ends, a pressure member to be brought into contact with the fixing belt, a nip forming member arranged inside the fixing belt to form a nip area by contacting the pressure member with the fixing belt, a nip supporting member, side plates where the fixing-belt holding members and the nip supporting member are fixed, and a pressing mechanism which presses the pressure member against the nip forming member. The nip forming member includes at least three layers including a heat absorbing layer contacting the nip supporting member. With no load applied, the nip supporting member assumes a shape protruding at longitudinal center toward the pressure member and is in contact with the nip forming member while having the shape protruding at the center portion. |
| US09400463B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a fixing member that heats a developer for fixing the developer to a medium, a temperature control unit that heats the fixing member and controls a temperature of the fixing member, a transport member that transports the medium through the fixing unit, and a transport control unit that controls a transport speed at which the transport member transports the medium. At least one of before and after an image forming operation, the image forming apparatus performs a temperature control operation of the fixing unit while transporting the medium through the fixing unit. When the image forming apparatus performs the temperature control operation at least one of before and after the image forming operation, the transport control unit causes the transport member to transport the medium at a transport speed slower than a fastest transport speed among a plurality of preset transport speeds. |
| US09400462B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has an image forming portion, a fixing portion for fixing the unfixed image at a fixing nip, a first and second guide members configured to guide the recording material to the fixing nip. The first guide member is provided at a position opposed to a surface of the recording material on which the unfixed image is formed and at a center of the fixing portion with respect to a longitudinal direction of the fixing portion, and the second guide member is provided at a position opposed to the surface of the recording material on which the unfixed image is formed and at an end of the fixing portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion, the second guide member being movable relative to the first guide member with respect to a direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recoding material. |
| US09400459B2 |
Fixing device provided with temperature sensor
There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a heater, a nip member, a reflection plate, a backup member, a stay and a temperature sensor. The flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and is configured to generate a radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space, the inner peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection plate is configured to reflect the radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member, the reflection plate having an outer profile. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The stay covers the reflection plate and supports the nip member, the stay having a profile in conformance with the outer profile of the reflection plate, and the stay being formed with one of a through-hole and a notch. The temperature sensor is disposed in the internal space and extends through the one of the through-hole and the notch. |
| US09400457B1 |
Intermediate transfer element and image formation apparatus including the same
An intermediate transfer element is included in an image formation apparatus, has a shape like an endless belt, and includes at least a resin base material layer and a surface layer. The surface layer is composed of a cured (meth)acrylic resin, the cured (meth)acrylic resin contains a constitutional unit derived from a polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer, the polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer contains n alkylene oxide structures and m (meth)acryloyl groups, with relation of n/m≦5 and m≧3 (n and m being a positive integer) being satisfied, and the alkylene oxide structure contains an alkylene group having a carbon number not smaller than 2. |
| US09400455B2 |
Imaging device having an adaptable cleaning system
An imaging device includes a moving surface for transferring a developed toner image during an image transfer operation, a sensing unit for detecting the amount of residual toner remaining on the moving surface after the image transfer operation, and a cleaning unit for selectively cleaning the residual toner from the moving surface. A controller coupled to the sensing unit and the cleaning unit selectively adjusts an operating characteristic of the cleaning unit based on the amount of residual toner detected by the sensing unit. |
| US09400453B1 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus therewith, and developer carrying member therein
A developing device includes a housing, a developer carrying member, and a magnet member. The housing contains magnetic developer. The developer carrying member is rotatably supported on the housing and carries the developer on its circumferential surface. The magnetic member has a shaft fixed inside the developer carrying member and a plurality of developer carrying member-side magnetic poles fixed to the shaft in its circumferential direction. An even number of the developer carrying member-side magnetic poles are formed by plastic magnets, one or more other of the developer carrying member-side magnetic poles are formed by rubber magnets, and one or more pairs of the plastic magnets located opposite each other across the shaft have the same shape and are fixed in axial symmetry with respect to the shaft. |
| US09400447B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a first power source configured to supply charging voltage to a first charging unit, and a second power source configured to supply predetermined voltage to at least one of a second charging unit, a second developing member, and a second transfer unit. The first and the second power sources are grounded via a common resistor component. When the second power source in a state of supplying no voltage or supplying voltage lower than the predetermined voltage at a first timing starts supplying the predetermined voltage while the first power source is supplying the charging voltage, a control unit causes a separating mechanism to move a first developing member to a separation position before a second timing at which an area of a first photosensitive member that is at a charging position at the first timing reaches a developing position. |
| US09400446B1 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that holds a developer image, a developer transport unit that transports a developer to the image carrier by performing a rotational movement, a voltage application unit that applies, between the developer transport unit and the image carrier, a voltage that contains a direct-current voltage component and an alternating-current voltage component and that is used for transporting the developer from the developer transport unit to the image carrier, and a detector that detects a rotation phase of the developer transport unit from an alternating-current component waveform of a power supply of the voltage application unit. |
| US09400442B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier; a charger; a charging power supply; a latent image writer to write; a developing device; a rotary attitude sensor; a controller to perform a data formulating process to formulate a change pattern data and a bias changing process to cause the charging power supply to change the charging bias output based on readings from the rotary attitude sensor and the change pattern data, during a print job; and a surface potential sensor to detect a surface potential of the latent image carrier. In the data formulating process, the controller formulates the change pattern data based on the surface potential of the latent image carrier detected by the surface potential sensor, while the charging power supply outputting a constant charging bias, and based on readings from the rotary attitude sensor while the surface potential is being detected. |
| US09400438B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor, electrophotographic photoreceptor cartridge, and image forming apparatus
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive support and at least a photosensitive layer provided thereon, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises an outermost layer which contains a specific charge transport substance and a specific compound. |
| US09400435B2 |
Method of correcting overlay error
A method of correcting an overlay error includes the following steps. First, an overlay mark disposed on a substrate is captured so as to generate overlay mark information. The overlay mark includes at least a pair of first mark patterns and at least a second mark pattern above the first mark patterns. Then, the overlay mark information is calculated to generate an offset value between two first mark patterns and to generate a shift value between the second mark pattern and one of the first mark patterns. Finally, the offset value is used to compensate the shift value so as to generate an amended shift value. |
| US09400434B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus includes a controller configured to control scanning of an original holding unit and a substrate holding unit to expose a first pattern forming area onto a plurality of second pattern forming areas formed in advance on the substrate. The first pattern forming area is superimposed on the plurality of second pattern forming areas. An original may include the first pattern forming area in plural. The controller is configured to change the operation of the original holding unit or the substrate holding unit among the plurality of second pattern forming areas based on a state of the second pattern forming areas or a state of the first pattern forming areas while the first pattern forming areas are scanning-exposed onto the plurality of second pattern forming areas in a single scanning between the original holding unit and the substrate holding unit. |
| US09400432B2 |
Lithography method and apparatus
A lithography method and apparatus is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the method comprises (i) providing a first mask having an exposure pattern for forming a three dimensional structure; (ii) exposing the first mask to radiation to form the exposure pattern on a radiation-sensitive resist; the exposure pattern defined by irradiated areas and non-irradiated areas of the resist; (ii) providing a second mask; and (iii) during exposure, changing relative positions between the first mask and the second mask to shield selected portions of the irradiated areas from radiation to enable varying depth profiles to be created in the three dimensional structure. |
| US09400430B2 |
Actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition, actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive film, mask blank and method of forming pattern
According to one embodiment, an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a compound (A) that contains a structure (P) containing at least one phenolic hydroxyl group and a structure (Q) containing at least one phenolic hydroxyl group whose hydrogen atom is replaced by a group (S) with a cyclic structure containing an acid crosslinking group, characterized in that the group (S) with a cyclic structure containing an acid crosslinking group is a group with a polycyclic structure or a group with a cyclic structure containing a hydroxymethyl group and/or an alkoxymethyl group. |
| US09400426B2 |
Imprint apparatus
An imprint apparatus molds an uncured resin on a substrate and cures the resin to form a pattern of the cured resin on the substrate. The apparatus includes a mold holding unit that holds the mold, a substrate holding unit that holds the substrate, a deforming unit that deforms the mold held by the mold holding unit into a convex shape toward the substrate, a driving unit that changes an attitude of the mold or the substrate during a releasing operation in which the mold deformed into the convex shape is released from the resin to thereby make the position of a contact region at which the mold is brought into contact with the resin movable, a measuring unit that acquires image information indicating a state of the contact region, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the driving unit based on the image information. |
| US09400422B2 |
Method for manufacturing photomask blank
The present invention relates to a photomask blank obtained by forming a resist film after performing a silylation process on a silicon-containing inorganic film and provides a method for manufacturing a photomask blank having at least a silicon-containing inorganic film over a transparent substrate and a resist film on the inorganic film, comprising: forming the silicon-containing inorganic film; heat treating the formed silicon-containing inorganic film at a temperature more than 200° C. under an atmosphere containing oxygen; performing a silylation process after the heat treatment; and then forming the resist film by application. The method can inhibit generation of defects due to resist residues or the like after development. |
| US09400414B2 |
Methods and apparatus for imaging without retro-reflection using a tilted image plane and structured relay optic
A non-retro-reflective imaging system and methods in which a relay optic is configured to segment a source image into a plurality of slices and reimage each of the slices individually onto a rotated image plane such that a substantially in-focus reconstruction of the entire image is obtained, while substantially eliminating retro-reflection from the system. According to one example a non-retro-reflective imaging system includes a segmented relay optic configured to reimage a source image onto an image plane tilted with respect to an optical axis of the system, and further configured to slice the image volume into a plurality of image slices and spatially position the plurality of image slices such that a depth of focus of each image slice overlaps the tilted image plane. The system further includes an image sensor co-aligned with the tilted image plane and configured to produce a reconstructed image from the plurality of image slices. |
| US09400410B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel for a display device having a backlight module includes a first substrate, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of pixel electrodes, a dielectric layer, and a common electrode. The data lines are disposed substantially in parallel on the first substrate. The pixel electrodes are respectively disposed between the data lines. The dielectric layer covers the pixel electrodes and the data lines. The common electrode is disposed on the dielectric layer, and the common electrode has two first electrode branches, two second electrode branches, and two third electrode branches. The electrode branches are respectively and correspondingly disposed on the both sides of the pixel electrodes. The first electrode branches, the second electrode branches, and the third electrode branches respectively have a first interval, a second interval, and a third interval therebetween. The first interval is larger than the second interval and the third interval. |
| US09400409B2 |
Liquid crystal display
According to one embodiment, a display includes a first substrate including a scan line, a signal line, a pixel electrode including first electrodes extending substantially parallel to the signal line, a common electrode including second electrodes extending parallel to the first electrode between the first electrodes and arranged with a predetermined space between each second electrode and the adjacent first electrode, and a shielding portion at least arranged between the signal line and the first electrode arranged near the signal line, a second substrate including a light shielding layer having a width identical to a width of the shielding portion and arranged opposite the signal line, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the signal line, and a liquid crystal layer. |
| US09400406B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display apparatus
The present invention provides a liquid crystal panel in which warping is controlled. The liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal cell 20, a first polarizing film 31 disposed on a viewer side of the liquid crystal cell 20 and a second polarizing film 32 disposed on a side of the liquid crystal cell 20 opposite to the viewer side. A thickness (d1) of the first polarizing film 31 is smaller than a thickness (d2) of the second polarizing film 32. |
| US09400404B2 |
Acousto-optical tunable filter element
An acousto-optical filter element (114) is provided which has an acousto-optical crystal (118) having an acoustic signal transmitter (120) for generating acoustic signals in the acousto-optical crystal (118). The acousto-optical crystal (118) is designed to selectively spatially deflect light of a target wavelength from an input light beam (116) entering into the acousto-optical crystal (118), as a function of a high frequency applied to the acoustic signal transmitter (120), and to thereby produce a target light beam (126) having the target wavelength. In addition, the acousto-optical filter element (114) includes a spatial filter element (132) which is located in the target light beam (126) and is designed to selectively suppress the intensity of the target light beam (126) in a plane perpendicular to the propagation direction of the target light beam (126). |
| US09400401B2 |
Modular interchangeable facades for eyewear
A modular facade and eyewear includes: a) a central frame with two eyeglass supporting members, lens and a bridge member; b) lenses, c) at least two temple members, hingedly and connected to the frame; d) a lens-free facade member removably attached to the central frame. A stand-alone facade for eyewear has attachment mechanisms and a central alignment component. A user may wear the modular eyewear with or without the facade and with matching, non-matching or substitute facade members. |
| US09400399B2 |
Spectacle frame having rotating arms
The frame includes a front surface (10) that is extended by two side tenons (12) and two arms (30) that are hinged onto the tenons (12) about the hinge axes (X-X′) of two hinges (50). The hinges (50) each include a front surface element (51) that rigidly connected to a tenon (12) and an arm element (52) that is rigidly connected to an arm (30). Each arm (30) is set up such as to pass, through rotation about said hinge axis (X-X′), from an open position for which said arm extends the tenon (12) to a closed position for which said arm is clamped into the front surface (10). In at least one of the hinges (50), the hinge axis (X-X′) is substantially perpendicular to the tenon (12) and to the arm (30). The front surface element (51) and the arm element (52) are set up such as to provide, between said tenon (12) and said arm (30), a space (60) for freely passing from the open position to the closed position. |
| US09400398B2 |
Modular eyeglasses with interchangeable temples and facades
A modular eyewear with multiple interchangeable components includes: a) a central frame with two eyeglass supporting members, lens and a bridge member; b) lenses, c) at least two temple members, hingedly and removably connected to the central frame at opposite ends thereof; d) two temple quick release mechanisms; e) a lens-free facade member removably attached to the central frame. A user may wear the modular eyewear with or without the facade and with matching, non-matching or substitute temple members. |
| US09400397B2 |
Optical apparatus with movable member for shake correction
An image shake correction device capable of reducing a sliding friction force occurring with movement of a movable member, thereby reducing load on a drive unit for driving the movable member and improving the positioning accuracy of the movable member. The movable member of the correction device is supported to be movable in a yaw direction and supported to be pivotable in a pitch direction, and a ball is held between the movable member and a guide groove formed in a stationary member and extending in the yaw direction. When the movable member moves in the yaw direction, the ball rolls along the guide groove. When the movable member pivots in the pitch direction, a contact point where the movable member contacts with the ball functions as a pivotal fulcrum for the movable member. |
| US09400389B2 |
Virtual image display device
A half mirror layer has an angle dependency in which when an angle of incidence becomes larger than the angle of incidence range of image light, reflectance increases, such that it is possible to prevent unintended light, which is emitted to a light transmitting member from a light guiding member and is reflected inside a light transmitting member, from being returned to a light emission portion of the light guiding member after passing through the half mirror layer as a reflective film at a relatively large angle of incidence. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image light passed through the light transmitting member from becoming ghost light while mitigating the demand for increasing processing accuracy of the light transmitting member, and bonding accuracy between the light guiding member and the light transmitting member, and thereby it is possible to make a virtual image displayed by a virtual image display device have a high quality. |
| US09400387B2 |
Projection display
The present invention provides a projection display (10) for projecting a color image to a viewer (12) overlaid on a real world scene viewed through the display. The display comprises an image generator (16) for generating image bearing chromatic light for injection into a waveguide assembly (28) at a first range of field angles (44) and a second range of field angles (46). The waveguide assembly comprises a first waveguide (30) having a first input diffraction region (32) arranged to couple image bearing chromatic light in the first range of field angles into the first waveguide to propagate by total internal reflection; and a second waveguide (40) having a second input diffraction region (42) arranged to couple image bearing chromatic light in the second range of field angles into the second waveguide to propagate by total internal reflection. The first and second waveguides have first and second output diffraction regions (48, 50) arranged to output image bearing chromatic light from the respective waveguides for projecting a color image in the first and second range of field angles to a viewer overlaid on a real world scene viewed through the waveguide assembly. |
| US09400386B2 |
Head-up display having an image-generating device for generating an image and optical system for projecting the image
A head-up display includes an image-generating device for generating an image and an optical system for projecting the image onto a windshield of a vehicle. A lighting system illuminates the image-generating device. The lighting system includes at least one light source, downstream of which a light-mixing geometry is disposed. The light-mixing geometry has boundary surfaces, each of which has light-reflecting inner sides, in order to homogenize the light of the at least one light source. |
| US09400384B2 |
Display assembly, in particular a head mounted display
A display assembly, comprising: a display device (30); a microlens array (34); and an eye tracker (8), for example a pupil tracker (8), and/or a head tracker; wherein plural pixels (150) or sub-pixels of the display device (30) are provided for each microlens (160) of the microlens array (34). The display may be adapted such that only certain pixels/sub-pixels (150) are activated/selected for any particular determined pupil/eye/head position, for example such that for each microlens (160), only one respective pixel/sub-pixel (150) is activated/selected for any particular determined pupil/eye/head position. The display device (30) may be a transparent display device (30), the microlens array (34) may be a switchable microlens array (34), and the display assembly may further comprise a light blocking device (32) that is switchable between a substantially light blocking state and a substantially light passing state. |
| US09400382B2 |
Circuits for controlling display apparatus
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMS-based light modulators. |
| US09400381B1 |
Electrode configuration for an electrowetting display device
In examples, an electrowetting element comprises an electrode for use in applying a voltage for controlling a configuration of first and second fluids which are immiscible. A surface of the electrode comprises a recess which is located away from a perimeter of the surface and which is formed by a region of the electrode having a reduced thickness. |
| US09400380B2 |
Binocular apparatus and method
A binocular-type viewing apparatus designed in such a manner that a user, wanting to view an object located at a distance above the viewer's horizontal line of sight, need only direct his/her view downward into the apparatus to view the elevated object. Thus the eyepiece component has an optical axis inclined downwardly and an objective optical component of the apparatus has an optical axis inclined upwardly. An optical structure is disposed between the objective and the eyepiece to redirect the image optical path from the objective optical component to the eyepiece component and into the viewer's eyes. The binocular may have a fixed deviated optical axis or a variably adjustable optical axis from in-line up to or exceeding 90 degrees. |
| US09400379B2 |
Magnifying observation apparatus, and image display method and microscopy switching method thereof
A magnifying observation apparatus includes a switching unit for switching between a plurality of microscopies, an image generating unit for generating an image of a sample by capturing an image of the sample with the respective plurality of microscopies switched by the switching unit, and a display unit for displaying the image generated by the image generating unit. The display unit updates a display of the display unit each time a new image is generated by the image generating unit. |
| US09400374B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens including, in order from an object side, positive, negative, positive, positive, and positive lens units, or positive, negative, positive, positive, positive, and positive lens units. 1.5 |
| US09400371B2 |
Image forming lens system and image pickup apparatus using the same
An image forming lens system includes a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a rear lens unit, and does not include any other lens unit. The front lens unit includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power and a second lens unit having a negative refractive power. Each of the first lens unit and the second lens unit includes a positive lens and a negative lens. The second lens unit is a focusing lens unit. The rear lens unit includes a positive lens and a negative lens. The second lens unit is the only lens unit that moves, in the front lens unit, and the following conditional expressions (1) and (2′) are satisfied: 0.5 |
| US09400370B2 |
Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus includes an image pickup optical system, an evacuating optical system movable between a shooting state and an evacuating state, a first urging member, a first moving member, a second moving member including a sliding portion and a first, second, and third cam follower portions, and a first cam cylinder member including a plurality of first cam portions. The first, second, and third cam follower portions follows the plurality of first cam portions. A second urging member urging in a redial direction of the second moving member is attached to the first cam follower portion. In a case where the evacuating optical system is the evacuating state, a straight line extended in a direction, where the evacuating optical system works on the sliding portion by the first urging member, intersects with a line segment between the second and third cam follower portions. |
| US09400369B2 |
Optical apparatus
One holder of the first and second holders in an optical apparatus has first and second adjustment face groups. The first and second adjustment face groups respectively include a plurality of first adjustment faces and a plurality of second adjustment faces. The second adjustment face group is provided along a first rotation direction from the first adjustment face group. The other holder has first and second abutting portions respectively abutting against any one of the plurality of first and second adjustment faces. A position on the optical axis of an adjustment face arranged at an end in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction among the plurality of first adjustment faces is approximately equal to a position on the optical axis of an adjustment face arranged at an end in the first rotation direction among the plurality of second adjustment faces. |
| US09400363B2 |
Pressure actuated sealant assembly
An enclosure includes a housing and a sealing unit that fits within a sealing unit opening of the housing. The sealing unit provides a seal around cable ports and provides a peripheral seal between the housing and the sealing unit. The sealing unit can include a sealant arrangement and an actuation arrangement for pressurizing the sealant arrangement within the sealing unit opening. The actuation arrangement can include inner and outer pressurization structures between which the sealant arrangement is positioned. The actuation arrangement includes first and second actuators each movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position. When the first and second actuators are moved towards the actuated positions, the first and second actuators generate first and second seal pressurization forces that press the sealant arrangement between the first and second pressurization structures, and the first and second seal pressurization forces are transferred through respective first and second springs. |
| US09400352B2 |
Polarization-maintaining optical fiber
A polarization-maintaining optical fiber of the invention includes: a core; a pair of stress-applying parts disposed at both sides of the core at a distance; and a cladding coat that surrounds the core and the paired stress-applying parts. The maximum refractive index of the core is greater than each of maximum refractive indexes of a first cladding coat, a second cladding coat, and a third cladding coat. The maximum refractive index of the second cladding coat is lower than each of maximum refractive indexes of the first cladding coat and the third cladding coat. The coefficient of thermal expansion of each of stress-applying parts is greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the cladding coat. Each stress-applying part is provided to cut the second cladding coat at a position in a circumferential direction. |
| US09400350B2 |
Optical connection component manufacturing apparatus and high polymer material coat forming apparatus
Disclosed is an optical connection component manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an optical connection component in which a refractive index matching body is attached to a front end face of an optical fiber. The optical connection component manufacturing apparatus includes: a holding unit that includes a holding face holding a refractive index matching liquid including the refractive index matching body; a dispenser that supplies the refractive index matching liquid to the holding face; and a static electricity generating device that charges the optical fiber so that the refractive index matching liquid held on the holding face is adsorbed onto the front end face of the optical fiber, wherein the holding face has an outer peripheral edge connected in a curved line. |
| US09400349B2 |
Electronic device with display chassis structures
Electronic devices may include displays. A display may include backlight components that provide backlight illumination for the display. Backlight components may include a light guide plate that distributes light from a light source across the display. Display chassis structures may be used to support display layers and backlight components. A metal chassis may include a portion that partially surrounds the light source. Openings or perforations in the metal chassis may allow the portion that surrounds the light source to flex about a flex axis. A portion of a display layer may be mounted to a plastic chassis. The plastic chassis may be insert molded over a light source, may form part of a package for a light source, may be adhered to a light source, or may wrap around the light source. An encapsulant may be formed over the light source to protect the light source from vibrations and contaminants. |
| US09400348B2 |
Display backlight unit having reflecting structure for reducing hotspots
A light-emitting device including a lampshade and a light-source set arranged within the lampshade. The lampshade includes a light-reflecting structure set for respectively reflecting rays in a middle portion of light emitted from a corresponding light source, towards two sides of the corresponding light source. A backlight unit including the light-emitting device and a display device including the backlight unit are provided. |
| US09400347B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a first light source which emits light; a second light source which emits light; a display panel which displays an image; a first light guide plate and a second light guide plate which guide, to the display panel, the light from the first light source and the light from the second light source, respectively; and a control unit which causes one of the first light source and the second light source to emit the light. A first divergence angle obtained when the light from the first light source enters the first light guide plate is larger than a second divergence angle obtained when the light from the second light source enters the second light guide plate. |
| US09400346B2 |
Manufacturing method of reflective polarizer plate and display device including the same
A display device includes a reflective polarizer plate including a first substrate defining an opening area and a non-opening area, and a wire grid polarizer which is disposed on a surface of the first substrate and includes a polarizing part including a plurality of nano wire patterns which is arranged in the opening area to be spaced apart from each other, and a reflecting part including a metal film provided in the non-opening area. |
| US09400344B2 |
Liquid crystal lens comprising a plurality of lens electrode groups and process for manufacturing the same, stereoscopic display device and process for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal lens is disclosed. The lens includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate opposite the first transparent substrate. The lens also includes a liquid crystal layer between the first and second transparent substrates, and a first electrode layer on an internal surface of the first transparent substrate, where the first electrode layer includes a plurality of lens electrode groups, and where each of the lens electrode groups includes a plurality of strip electrodes. The lens also includes a second electrode layer on an internal surface of the second transparent substrate, and a column spacer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, where the column spacer is between two adjacent lens electrode groups. |
| US09400336B2 |
Photonic spectrometry device and method, method for calibrating the device, and use of the device
A photonic spectrometry device is provided. The photonic spectrometry device comprises several identical spectrometers each spectrometer comprising a radiation sensor and being capable of providing a measurement spectrum corresponding to the measurements of the sensor during a time interval, the spectrometers being capable of performing measurements simultaneously on one same radiation-emitting product and of providing measurement spectra for one same time interval, and a processor capable of determining a net spectrum from each of the measurement spectra provided by the spectrometers for one same time interval, and of determining a global spectrum resulting from the summation of the net spectra determined for one same time interval. |
| US09400331B2 |
Radiation exposure self test (REST)—optimized personal dosimetry and kiosk for reliably indicating exposure to radiation
Described is a method and system that facilitates triage of thousands to millions of potential patients within a relatively short period of time by scanning of a substrate of a designated card issued to a victim. The method and the system comprise a plurality of noninvasive self-testing test devices located at a plurality of remote peripheral self-testing sites, and each one of the plurality of noninvasive self-testing test devices facilitates self-testing of the substrate of the designated card. Each of the plurality of noninvasive self-testing test devices provides test results of the scan of the substrate of the designated card, and the potential patients are identified, then subsequently screened and triaged based upon the test results of the scan of the substrate of the designated card. |
| US09400328B2 |
Radar device for an automotive radar system
A radar device for an automotive radar system includes a base, a first antenna module including a first transmitting antenna and a plurality of first receiving antennas for emitting a detection signal and generating a first signal receiving result, wherein the first antenna is fixed on the base, a second antenna module including a second transmitting antenna and a plurality of second receiving antennas for emitting the detection signal and generating a second signal receiving result, wherein the second antenna is fixed on the base, and a control system disposed in the base and coupled to the first antenna module and the second antenna module for outputting the detection signal to the first transmitting antenna and the second antenna and processing the first signal receiving result and the second signal receiving result. |
| US09400323B2 |
Passive radar device
A passive radar device includes: a pulse-by-pulse range compression unit executing cross-correlation processing between received signals of a direct wave and scattered wave on each of pulses divided by a direct-wave reception unit and a scattered-wave reception unit, and calculating a pulse-by-pulse range profile; a block-by-block Doppler processing unit calculating a first Doppler frequency spectrum by executing pulse-direction Fourier transform in block units each grouping plural pulses; a Doppler frequency cell-associated range migration compensation unit compensating a range-direction movement amount with respect to the first Doppler frequency spectrum on a Doppler-frequency-cell-by-Doppler-frequency-cell basis and on a block-by-block basis; and a block-direction Doppler processing unit calculating a second Doppler frequency spectrum by executing block-direction Fourier transform on an output from the Doppler frequency cell-associated range migration compensation unit. |
| US09400322B2 |
Methods and apparatus for signal sideband receiver/transceiver for phased array radar antenna
Methods and apparatus for a receiver having a single sideband mixer with all pass networks to remove unwanted sidebands down conversion of signals. In exemplary embodiments, a single chip receive/transceiver can be used in phased array radars. Since the need for bulky off-chip switch filter banks is eliminated, the number of chips for phased array antenna elements can be increased. |
| US09400319B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method for measuring irradiation magnetic field
There is provided an MRI apparatus capable of measuring the B1 distribution of an RF transmission coil in a short time with high accuracy. In order to realize this, imaging means of the MRI apparatus includes a B1 distribution measurement sequence that includes an application of a pre-pulse by RF radiation means and a plurality of signal acquisition sequences with different elapsed time (TI) from the pre-pulse. The signal acquisition sequence uses a pulse having a small flip angle as an RF pulse and is executed before the longitudinal relaxation after the pre-pulse ends. Calculation means calculates the B1 distribution of the RF radiation means using image data with different TI acquired in the respective signal acquisition sequences. |
| US09400316B2 |
Electric current-spin current conversion device
An electric current-spin current conversion device according to the invention performs conversion between electric current and spin current utilizing the spin Hall effect or the inverse spin Hall effect of a 5d transition metal. A spin accumulation apparatus according to the invention includes a non-magnetic body in which injected spins are accumulated and an injection unit that injects spins into the non-magnetic body, wherein said injection unit comprises said electric current-spin current conversion device provided on said non-magnetic body, and an electric power source that supplies an electric current to said electric current-spin current conversion device in such a way that a spin current flowing toward said non-magnetic body is generated by the spin Hall effect. |
| US09400315B2 |
Current sensor
A current sensor includes first and second magnetic sensors that are placed around a current line through which a current flows so that the current line is positioned therebetween, and that detect an induction field generated by the current. Each of the first and second magnetic sensors has a main sensitivity axis and a sub-sensitivity axis. The direction of the main sensitivity axis of each of the first and second magnetic sensors is oriented in a direction that is not orthogonal to the direction of the induction field. The directions of the main sensitivity axes of the first and second magnetic sensors are oriented in the same direction and the directions of the sub-sensitivity axes are oriented in the same direction, or the directions of the main sensitivity axes are oriented in opposite directions and the directions of the sub-sensitivity axes are oriented in opposite directions. |
| US09400305B2 |
Instrument and method for detecting partial electric discharges in an electric apparatus
An instrument for detecting partial electric discharges includes: an input stage set up to receive a discharge signal representative of one or more partial discharge pulses and a sync signal representative of an alternating voltage applied to the electric apparatus; a data processing stage for receiving the discharge signal and the sync signal, and extracting substantially in real time for each pulse detected the value of an amplitude parameter, correlated with a pulse amplitude, and the value of a phase parameter, representative of the phase of the voltage applied to the electric apparatus concurrently with the pulse, and transferring to output a processed digital signal including the values extracted. The processing stage includes a filtering module set up to disable substantially in real time the transfer to output of the values of the parameters extracted for one or more pulses. |
| US09400304B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing the excitation characteristic of current transformer
This disclosure relates to the field of current transformers, for testing the excitation characteristic of a current transformer is disclosed. The method comprise applying alternately positive and negative DC voltages across terminals of secondary winding of a CT to be tested and acquiring a secondary current; constructing a mathematical model of the relationship between the secondary current and a root mean square (rms) equivalent voltage at rated frequency of the CT from the relationship between a magnetic flux of a secondary winding iron-core of the CT and the rms equivalent voltage; and generating an excitation characteristic curve according to the mathematical model. The method and apparatus of the embodiments may test CTs requiring lower testing voltage as well as CTs with knee-point up to tens of kV by supplying a relatively low voltage and power, which makes the embodiments widely applicable. |
| US09400303B2 |
Method of detecting state of power cable in inverter system
Provided is a method of detecting a state of a power cable in an inverter system. The method includes detecting a direct current (DC)-link voltage value of a DC-link capacitor included in an inverter, detecting a battery voltage value of a battery supplying a DC power to the inverter, comparing the DC-link voltage value with the battery voltage value, and determining the state of the power cable connecting the inverter to the battery to be abnormal when a difference between the DC-link voltage value and the battery voltage value is out of a preset range. |
| US09400301B2 |
Electronic testing device
Systems and methods for cabling verification may include one or more operations including, but not limited to: receiving floor plan data representing a floor plan of a premises; receiving at least one user input specifying a location of at least one cabling endpoint relative to the floor plan; receiving at least one user input selecting at least one cabling verification test for the at least one cabling endpoint; receiving one or more cabling verification test results for the at least one cabling endpoint obtained by at least one testing device; and updating at least one database element associated with the at least one cabling endpoint and maintained by the cloud-based server. |
| US09400299B2 |
Single layer two-dimensional touch sensor and touch control terminal
A single-layer two-dimensional touch sensor includes a substrate and a flexible printed circuit board. First and second electrodes forming capacitor structures are disposed on the substrate. The first electrodes are arranged in a first direction. A group of second electrodes is disposed between each two adjacent first electrodes. The second electrodes are arranged in a head-to-tail meshed fashion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In each group of second electrodes, lead lines of all second electrodes directly lead out to the flexible printed circuit board, and lead lines of the second electrodes at the same place in different group are short-connected at a node on the flexible printed circuit board. This touch sensor is a mutual capacitance structure which supports multi-point detection and increases the detection accuracy. In addition, no jumper wire is required on the substrate, which reduces the requirements of the fabrication process. |
| US09400298B1 |
Capacitive field sensor with sigma-delta modulator
A capacitive sensor includes a switching capacitor circuit, a comparator, and a charge dissipation circuit. The switching capacitor circuit reciprocally couples a sensing capacitor in series with a modulation capacitor during a first switching phase and discharges the sensing capacitor during a second switching phase. The comparator is coupled to compare a voltage potential on the modulation capacitor to a reference and to generate a modulation signal in response. The charge dissipation circuit is coupled to the modulation capacitor to selectively discharge the modulation capacitor in response to the modulation signal. |
| US09400297B2 |
System and method for measuring retentate in filters
A system and method for determining loading of a filter having a first dielectric constant with a material having a different dielectric constant, is disclosed. The filter is contained within a metallic container forming a microwave cavity, and microwave or RF energy is created within the cavity and changes in the cavity microwave response are monitored. The changes in cavity microwave response are related to filter loading. In a preferred embodiment, the microwave energy includes multiple cavity modes thereby allowing determination of spatial distribution of the contaminant material loading. In one embodiment, the microwave cavity response includes a shift in frequency of a resonant mode. Alternatively, the microwave cavity response includes a shift in quality factor Q of a resonant mode. The microwave cavity response may include a shift in amplitude or peak width of the microwave's signal at resonance. |
| US09400291B2 |
Integrated circuit test temperature control mechanism
A thermal controller includes a thermal control interface to receive test data from an automated test equipment (ATE) system and dynamically adjust a target setpoint temperature based on the data and a dynamic thermal controller to receive the target setpoint temperature from the thermal control interface and control a thermal actuator based on the target setpoint temperature. |
| US09400289B2 |
Clamp sensor and measurement apparatus
A clamp sensor detects a detected value for a clamped object and includes: a main body with two main surfaces and two side surfaces; first and second clamp units whose front ends can open and close and form a ring-shaped body surrounding the clamped object; and an opening/closing mechanism for the clamp units. The first clamp unit is fixed to the main body at one side surface. The second clamp unit has a base end rotatably supported by a support shaft disposed toward the other side surface. The opening/closing mechanism includes: a biasing member biasing the second clamp unit to open the clamp units; and a sliding portion disposed on the other side surface and capable of sliding along the length of the main body. When slid toward the clamp units, the sliding portion presses the second clamp unit to close the front ends. |
| US09400284B2 |
Method of detecting a risk of cancer
A method of detecting a subject's cancer risk is provided. The method includes: gathering a sample of the subject's body water content via saliva; determining a ratio of cyanide within the subject's body water content and tissue saturation via saliva; providing a threshold cyanide ratio; comparing the ratio of cyanide within the subject's body water content and tissue saturation to the threshold cyanide ratio; and determining the patient's cancer risk based on the comparison of the ratio of cyanide within the subject's body water content to the threshold cyanide ratio. |
| US09400282B2 |
Method for quantifying protein
A method for measuring the absolute amount of a target protein contained in a protein mixture, including the steps of: (A) fragmenting the sample containing the target protein and labeling with a stable isotope X; (B) adding a known amount of an internal standard that is prepared by fragmenting a standard protein that is identical to the target protein, and labeling with a stable isotope Y; (C) placing the sample in an LC-MS/MS device and performing multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis using MRM transitions selected for the internal standard; and (D) identifying a peptide derived from the target protein (a target peptide) that shows the same retention time as a peptide derived from the internal standard (an internal standard peptide), and quantifying the target protein in the test sample by comparing the peak area of the internal standard peptide with the peak area of the target peptide. |
| US09400279B2 |
Detection/measurement of malaria infection disease utilizing natural immunity by hemozoin induction, screening of preventative or therapeutic medicine for malaria infection disease, and regulation of natural immunity induction
The instant invention is to provide a method for detecting and measuring malaria infection utilizing the induction by hemozoin (HZ); a method for screening a vaccine for malaria infection and a preventative or therapeutic agent for malaria infection using the method for detecting and measuring; and a means for regulating the induction of innate immunity using the HZ, synthetic HZ, or derivatives thereof as an adjuvant or immunostimulant. Malaria infection is detected and measured of by detecting and measuring HZ-induced, TLR9-mediated, and MyD88-dependent innate immune activity. The detection and measurement of malaria infection can be used to diagnose malaria infection. The method for detecting and measuring is also used for screening a vaccine for malaria infection and a preventative or therapeutic agent for malaria infection. Further, HZ, synthetic HZ, or derivatives thereof are used as an adjuvant or immunostimulant to regulate HZ-induced innate immune induction. |
| US09400278B2 |
Biochip
A biochip includes a flat carrier and an array of spots containing catcher molecules which are arranged on the carrier. Each spot is associated with a microelectrode arrangement for impedance spectroscopic detection of binding events occurring between the catcher molecules and the target molecules applied via an analyte solution. In order to increase the sensitivity or the binding-specific measuring effects of the bio-chip, the electrode arrangement is at least partially embedded in a hydrophilic reaction layer containing catcher molecules and which is permeable to target molecules. |
| US09400277B2 |
Methods and devices for analyte detection
Methods for detecting one or more analytes, such as a protein, in a fluid path are provided. The methods include resolving, immobilizing and detecting one or more analytes in a fluid path, such as a capillary. Also included are devices and kits for performing such assays. |
| US09400276B2 |
Method for detecting nucleosomes containing histone variants
The invention relates to a method for detecting and measuring the presence of mono-nucleosomes and oligo-nucleosomes and nucleosomes that contain particular histone variants and the use of such measurements for the detection and diagnosis of disease. The invention also relates to a method of identifying histone variant biomarkers for the detection and diagnosis of disease and to biomarkers identified by said method. |
| US09400273B1 |
7-hydroxycoumarin-based cell-tracking reagents
Described herein are compounds, methods, and kits for long-term tracking of cell proliferation, differentiation, and/or function. The compounds of the present invention are novel cell-tracking reagents, efficiently excitable with a 405-nm violet laser, that provide bright fluorescence intensity, uniform cell staining, and good retention within cells as well as low toxicity toward cells. |
| US09400272B2 |
Detection method and apparatus for detecting microbial growth
A system and method is provided for non-invasively measuring changes in a specimen suspected of containing one or more microbes, by monitoring changes in the dielectric constant of the specimen caused by metabolic processes of such microbes. |
| US09400271B2 |
Method and apparatus for temperature control during sample analysis
A method of detecting an explosive material, and an analyzer and computer program products that may perform such methods. A method may include illuminating at least a portion of the material with light, and monitoring the temperature of the illuminated portion. T power or location of the illuminating light may be altered in response to the monitored temperature. Raman spectral data are produced in response to Raman radiation emitted from the portion in response to the light. The composition of the material may be analyzed based on the Raman spectral data or generating an indication to an operator that the material cannot be safely analyzed. |
| US09400269B2 |
Systems for detecting target chemicals and methods for their preparation and use
Systems and methods for detecting target chemicals are disclosed. A system includes a chemical sensor configured to filter light. The chemical sensor includes a referencing arm configured to output light at a first intensity level and a sensing arm sensitive to a target chemical. The sensing arm is configured to output light at a second intensity level. A difference between the first intensity level and the second intensity level indicates a presence of the target chemical. |
| US09400259B2 |
Method of making a microbead array with attached biomolecules
A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relics on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations. In addition, the present invention provides a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components. |
| US09400258B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
This control device for an internal combustion engine includes: an exhaust purification catalyst that is provided in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine; a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor that is provided downstream of the exhaust purification catalyst; and an air-fuel ratio control device that controls such that the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst reaches a target air-fuel ratio. The downstream air-fuel ratio sensor is configured such that the applied voltage thereof at which the output current becomes zero decreases as the exhaust air-fuel ratio increases. If the target air-fuel ratio is richer than the reference air-fuel ratio, the voltage applied to the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor is set to a higher voltage than the voltage at which the output current becomes zero when the exhaust air-fuel ratio is the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. If the target air-fuel ratio is leaner than the reference air-fuel ratio, the voltage applied to the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor is set to a lower voltage than the voltage at which the output current becomes zero when the exhaust air-fuel ratio is the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. A control device for an internal combustion engine using an air-fuel ratio sensor that can reliably detect when the absolute value of the exhaust air-fuel ratio reaches a prescribed air-fuel ratio richer than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio is thus provided. |
| US09400254B2 |
Method and device for measuring critical dimension of nanostructure
Provided are a method and device for measuring a critical dimension of a nanostructure. The method includes acquiring a reference intensity distribution, in each of a number of spectral bands, of light scattered by at least one reference nanostructure, for each of a number at different positions of the at least one reference nano structure disposed along an optical axis; generating a library of reference intensity distribution arrays based on a number of the reference intensity distributions, determining an intensity distribution of light scattered by a nanostructure under investigation, for each of the number of spectral bands, at each of the number of different positions of the nanostructure under investigation disposed along the optical axis; generating an intensity distribution array by using the determined intensity distributions, and determining information about a critical dimension of the nanostructure under investigation by comparing the intensity distribution array with the library of reference intensity distribution arrays. |
| US09400253B2 |
In-situ measurements of spatially resolved spectroscopic data within a reactor chamber of a reactor
A system for in-situ spectroscopic measurements in heterogeneous catalytic reactors includes a reactor having a reactor chamber, a device for collecting a sample, and a device for collecting spectroscopic information. The device for collecting the sample includes a sampling capillary having an orifice situated inside the reactor chamber. The device for collecting spectroscopic information includes at least one optical radiation guide for guiding optical radiation onto the sample for excitation and for collecting optical radiation emitted, absorbed, reflected or scattered by the sample. The at least one optical radiation guide may be inserted into the sampling capillary, such that a tip of the at least one optical radiation guide is proximate to the orifice. A method for analyzing a reactor state including the steps of providing a reactor; collecting spectroscopic information from a sample inside the reactor chamber; and analyzing the collected spectroscopic information is also provided. |
| US09400246B2 |
Optical metrology tool equipped with modulated illumination sources
The present invention may include a modulatable illumination source configured to illuminate a surface of a sample disposed on a sample stage, a detector configured to detect illumination emanating from a surface of the sample, illumination optics configured to direct illumination from the modulatable illumination source to the surface of the sample, collection optics configured to direct illumination from the surface of the sample to the detector, and a modulation control system communicatively coupled to the modulatable illumination source, wherein the modulation control system is configured to modulate a drive current of the modulatable illumination source at a selected modulation frequency suitable for generating illumination having a selected coherence feature length. In addition, the present invention includes the time-sequential interleaving of outputs of multiple light sources to generate periodic pulses trains for use in multi-wavelength time-sequential optical metrology. |
| US09400243B2 |
Disposable sensor head and disposable container
A disposable sensor head for an optical sensor has a central body (12) with an axial through-channel (20) closed by a transparent viewing disk (14) oriented transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction, and a circumferential fastening flange (22), by which the central body is fastenable in a sealing fashion on a wall of a flexible container (62) so that the through-channel (20) passes through the wall. The through-channel (20) forms in one section an open flow chamber (34) that is bounded on one side by the viewing disk (14) and on the other side by a reflector disk (16) arranged opposite the viewing disk (14). |
| US09400242B2 |
Bio-imaging method and system
A method for enhancing an image of a biological sample, which biological sample has been grown in a vessel on a culture medium. |
| US09400239B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for testing cutting blade integrity
A system for evaluating integrity of a cutting blade includes at least one stress wave generator for generating at least one stress wave in a cutting blade under test. A sensor detects a signal generated by the at least one stress wave. An integrity analyzer coupled to the sensor determines an indication of integrity of the cutting blade based on at least one characteristic of the signal. |
| US09400237B2 |
Optical method for detecting displacements and strains at ultra-high temperatures during thermo-mechanical testing
An ultra-high temperature optical method incorporates speckle optics for sensing displacement and strain measurements well above conventional measurement techniques. High temperature pattern materials are used which can endure experimental high temperature environments while simultaneously having a minimum optical aberration. A purge medium is used to reduce or eliminate optical distortions and to reduce, and/or eliminate oxidation of the target specimen. |
| US09400233B2 |
Sensors for long-term and continuous monitoring of biochemicals
The disclosed subject matter relates to a sensor or system for monitoring a target analyte by using a polymer solution that is capable of binding to the analyte. The sensor of the disclosed subject matter includes a viscosity-based sensor or a permittivity-based sensor. The viscosity-based sensor contains a semi-permeable membrane, a substrate, and a microchamber including a vibrational element. The permittivity-based sensor contains a semi-permeable membrane, a substrate, and a microchamber. The sensor discussed herein provides excellent reversibility and stability as highly desired for long-term analyte monitoring. |
| US09400224B2 |
Pressure sensor and manufacturing method of the same
A pressure sensor and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The pressure sensor includes a substrate, a dielectric oxide layer, a first electrode, a dielectric connection layer, and a second electrode. The dielectric oxide layer is formed on the substrate. The first electrode is formed on the dielectric oxide layer. The dielectric connection layer is formed on the first electrode. The second electrode is formed on the dielectric connection layer. The second electrode comprises a patterned conductive layer and a dielectric layer. The patterned conductive layer has a plurality of holes, and the dielectric layer is formed on the patterned conductive layer and covers the inner walls of the plurality of holes. The first electrode, the dielectric connection layer, and the second electrode define a first chamber between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09400222B2 |
Pedal operation amount detecting device
A pedal operation amount detecting device that is provided in an operating pedal apparatus including a transmitting member having a pedal arm of an operating pedal that is arranged so as to be pivotable about a support axis and that is depressed, and an output member to which a depression force is transmitted from the transmitting member and to which a reaction force corresponding to the depression force is applied, the pedal operation amount detecting device including a sensor member that is arranged on a load transmission path at a position offset from the transmitting member in a direction parallel to the support axis and that is deformed by the depression force and the reaction force, and the pedal operation amount detecting device electrically detecting a deformation of the sensor member. |
| US09400221B2 |
Method for detecting torsion in a cable, electric cable with torsion sensor and method for manufacturing said cable
A method for monitoring a torsional state of a cable having a central longitudinal axis, includes providing a cable including a torsion sensor longitudinally extending along the cable, the torsion sensor including a single-mode optical fiber arranged substantially along the central longitudinal axis of the cable, and at least three longitudinal structural elements, at least one of the longitudinal structural elements being an electrically conductive core, wherein the torsion sensor is mechanically coupled with at least one of the longitudinal structural elements; measuring a torsional state of the single-mode optical fiber by polarization-sensitive optical reflectometry; and associating the torsional state of the cable along the longitudinal axis with the measured torsional state of the single-mode optical fiber. |
| US09400217B2 |
Dual infrared band apparatus and method for thermally mapping a component in a high temperature combustion environment
Apparatus and method for thermally mapping a component in a high temperature environment. An optical probe (10) has a field of view (14) arranged to encompass a surface of a component (15) to be mapped. The probe (10) captures infrared (IR) emissions in the near or mid IR band. An optical fiber (16) has a field of view to encompass a spot location (18) on the surface of the component within the field of view (14) of the probe (12). The fiber (16) captures emissions in the long IR band. The emissions in the long IR band are indicative of an emittance value at the spot location. This information may be used to calibrate a radiance map of the component generated from the emissions in the near or mid IR band and thus map the absolute temperature of the component regardless of whether the component includes a TBC. |
| US09400214B1 |
Terahertz frequency domain spectrometer with a single photoconductive element for terahertz signal generation and detection
There is described an apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging a target. The apparatus comprises a laser system which generates first and second laser beams having respective different frequencies, and directs the first and second laser beams along an optical path to a photoconductive material. An antenna structure is formed on the photoconductive material, the antenna structure comprises a first antenna for emitting electromagnetic radiation having a frequency dependent on the difference between said respective different frequencies of the first and second laser beams and a second antenna for generating a detection signal. A processor processes the detection signal to analyze, identify or image the target. The laser system is arranged such that the first and second laser beams overlap in a region of a surface of the photoconductive material having at least part of the first and second antennas formed thereon. |
| US09400213B2 |
Spectroscopic sensor device and electronic equipment
A spectroscopic sensor that applies lights in a wavelength band containing plural wavelengths to an object and spectroscopically separates reflected lights or transmitted lights from the object using plural light band pass filters that transmit the respective specific wavelengths and plural photosensor parts to which corresponding transmitted lights are input based on output results of independent photosensors. The spectroscopic sensor may be integrated in a semiconductor device or module by integration using a semiconductor process and downsizing may be realized. |
| US09400208B2 |
Load cell and method for adjusting a load cell
A load cell (10), which includes a weighing system (14) having a force application point (18), a load boom arm (20) for receiving the loads to be weighed at a position remote from the force application point (18) and an adjusting device, wherein an adjusting weight boom arm (28) is provided which extends in a longitudinal direction (A) defined by the load boom arm on the side opposing the load boom arm (20) relative to the force application point (18) and which has at least two pre-determined adjusting weight engagement points (36, 38). An activating unit (34) places at least one adjusting weight (30, 32) on at least one of the adjusting weight engagement points (36, 38). |
| US09400199B2 |
Method and device for the measurement and the elimination of system changes in a device for the treatment of blood
The present invention relates to a method and a device for the measurement of pressure signals in a blood treatment system, whereby system changes can be identified and can be differentiated additionally reliably between system changes in blood flow direction and in transmembrane direction in order to enable a targeted action. |
| US09400196B2 |
Method of detecting and controlling E-line loss in a centrifuge
A method of detecting E-line loss in a disc stack centrifuge is provided, comprising: collecting data from at least one instrument associated with the centrifuge over a specific time period; calculating one or more indicators by comparing the collected data with expected values from a normally operating centrifuge, the indicators being indicative of a start of an E-line loss event; calculating the probability of E-line loss by applying weighted voting to the indicators to yield a probability value; and activating an alert upon determination that the probability value exceeds a threshold value. |
| US09400195B2 |
Active shield for capacitive measurement system
A capacitive measurement system for generating a measurement signal representative of a measured position or distance to a target. The system has a first circuit comprising a thin film capacitive sensor (1a) arranged for providing a sensor capacitance in dependence on the measured position or distance; a cable (30a) comprising a sensor wire (31a) and a co-axial shield conductor (32a), the cable having a remote end and a local end, the sensor wire electrically connected to the capacitive sensor at the local end of the cable; a voltage source (24a) having an output terminal connected to the sensor wire at the remote end of the cable and arranged to energize the capacitive sensor, and energize the shield conductor with essentially the same voltage as the sensor wire; and a current measuring circuit (21a) having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, the current measuring circuit connected in series with the first input terminal connected to the output terminal of the voltage source and the second input terminal connected to the sensor wire at the remote end of the cable, the current measuring circuit arranged to measure current flowing in the sensor wire and generate the measurement signal at the output terminal. |
| US09400194B2 |
Magnetic detection device and on-vehicle rotation detection device equipped with the same
Rotation of a magnetized rotor is detected in a highly accurate manner without depending on a magnetic pole pitch of N and S poles of the magnetized rotor. To that end, a magnetic detection device includes a magnetoresistive element that is formed of a fixed layer made of a ferromagnetic material whose magnetization direction is fixed and a free layer made of a ferromagnetic material whose magnetization direction can be freely changed, with a non-magnetic middle layer sandwiched between the layers, and arranged therein maintaining a gap between the element and the outer circumferential surface of the magnetized rotor in which the N and S poles are alternately arranged along the outer circumference rotating around a rotation shaft, wherein the magnetoresistive element is arranged in such a way that a plane on which the fixed layer is formed is in a plane including the rotation shaft. |
| US09400191B2 |
Method and apparatus for data management in advanced metering infrastructure network
A method for transmitting, storing and managing data by compressing data packets to be transmitted and received over an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network with low-capacity memory and low-transfer rate. A number of transmission packets may be reduced using at least one of a bitmap interval algorithm that assigns a bitmap value to each interval, thereby reducing a number of request packets, a repeated-bitmap interval algorithm that represents sequential data values as bitmap values by toggling a bit value between 0 and 1 in each data value when a change occurs in the sequential data values, and a run-length encoding algorithm that compresses data by encoding run length of sequential identical data. |
| US09400190B2 |
Real-time traffic condition measurement using network transmission data
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying a first location, at time one, of a plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate a cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, identifying a second location, at time two, for each of the plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate the cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, calculating a vehicle speed for each of the plurality of automobiles using the first and second locations already identified, and creating a traffic condition measure for a route in proximity to the first and second locations. The computer program product may repeat this process in real-time to calculate a real-time traffic condition measure that may be a traffic density measure the computer program product may use to predict a travel time. |
| US09400180B2 |
Angular velocity sensor and detection element used therein
A detection element has: first and second fixed parts; first and second vertical beams each connected at first and second ends to the first and second fixed parts, respectively; a horizontal beam connected at first and second ends to centers of the first and second vertical beams, respectively; and four arms each connected at a first end to the horizontal beam and having a weight formed on a second end. The first vertical beam has a first slit formed nearer the first fixed part with respect to its center, a second slit formed nearer the second fixed part with respect to its center, and a coupling portion between these slits. The second vertical beam has a third slit formed nearer the first fixed part with respect to its center, a fourth slit formed nearer the second fixed part with respect to its center, and a coupling portion between these slits. |
| US09400176B2 |
Dynamic focus adjustment with optical height detection apparatus in electron beam system
The present invention generally relates to dynamic focus adjustment for an image system. With the assistance of a height detection sub-system, present invention provides an apparatus and methods for micro adjusting an image focusing according the specimen surface height variation by altering the field strength of an electrostatic lens between objective lens and sample stage/or a bias voltage applied to the sample surface. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to a scanning electron inspection system. But it would be recognized that the invention could apply to other system using charged particle beam as observation tool with a height detection apparatus. |
| US09400175B2 |
Laser diode as interferometer-laser beam source in a laser tracker
A laser tracker for continuous tracking of a reflecting target and for determining the distance to the target is provided. The laser tracker may include a base defining a standing axis, a beam steering unit for emission of a measuring radiation and for receiving at least a part of the measuring radiation reflected by the target. The beam steering unit is motorized to be pivotable relative to the base around the standing axis and a tilt axis extending substantially orthogonal to the standing axis. Furthermore, the tracker has a distance measuring unit configured as an interferometer for determining a change in distance to the target by means of interferometry, an interferometer laser beam source for generating the measuring radiation for the interferometer and an angle measurement functionality for determining an alignment of the beam steering unit relative to the base. The interferometer laser beam source may be configured as a laser diode. |
| US09400169B2 |
Apparatus and method for space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography
A space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography apparatus and system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a light source, a reference arm, and a sample arm. The sample arm splits the sampling light into a plurality of sampling beams which may be scanned simultaneously onto a surface of a sample. An optical delay may be introduced into the sampling beams before scanning. A plurality of reflected light signals returned from the sample is collected. In one arrangement, the signals may be combined to produce a single reflected light signal. The reflected light signal(s) and a reference signal are combined to produce an interference signal comprising data representative of digitized images captured of the actual object. In one embodiment, a single sample arm may be used for scanning and collecting image data. A related method is also provided. |
| US09400166B2 |
Sensor arrangement
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (2) for determining a relative rotation of two shafts that are arranged coaxially to one another (4, 6), which sensor arrangement comprises at least one magnetic element (29) arranged on a first shaft (4), at least one magnetic element (29) arranged on a second shaft (6) and at least one magnetic field-sensitive sensing element (20), which is arranged in a stationary manner between the magnetic elements (29) of the two shafts (4, 6) and which captures a magnetic field that results from the superposition of the magnetic fields (32) of the magnetic elements (29) of both shafts (4, 6). |
| US09400164B2 |
Magnetic field sensor and related techniques that provide an angle correction module
A magnetic field sensor provides an angle error value to correct errors of the magnetic field sensor. The angle error value is a function of temperature and magnetic field strength and is used to correct a measured magnetic field angle. Associated methods are also described. |
| US09400159B2 |
Precision pyrotechnic display system and method having increased safety and timing accuracy
A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display. |
| US09400156B2 |
Storage compartment
A storage compartment having a bracket portion being configured to join with a buffer tube portion of a firearm. The bracket portion may form a generally tubular shape that conforms to the shape of the buffer tube portion. The bracket portion may further include a top side section that is disposed towards the top region of the firearm buffer tube implement, and an open ended bottom side section that extend the full length of the bracket portion along the bottom region of the firearm buffer tube implement. The open ended bottom side section provides passage for the item to be stored. The open ended bottom side section terminates at a pair of flanges. The storage compartment may include, without limitation, a container, holder, repository, receptacle, housing, case, vessel, canister, and cover. |
| US09400148B2 |
Removable shotgun magazine
A magazine assembly for a firearm in one embodiment includes an outer magazine housing configured for attachment to a firearm and a magazine removably insertable into the housing. The magazine includes an axially extending internal cavity configured to hold a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. In one embodiment, the magazine has an elongated tubular body. A shell catch lever is slideably mounted on the magazine for linear and pivoting movement in one arrangement. The shell catch lever retains a shell in the magazine in a first lateral position and releases the shell from the magazine in a second lateral position. The shell catch lever operates to retain and release shells from the magazine when either removed from or positioned in the magazine housing for loading the firearm. |
| US09400144B2 |
Modular counterflow fill hanging system apparatus and method
A heat exchange fill apparatus for use with a cooling tower that employs a support frame assembly. The heat exchange fill apparatus has a media fill pack that includes a fill pack media modules wherein a stake, prevents the modules from shifting with respect to one another. The modules are installed in a cooling tower of the like via a hanging fill support. |
| US09400142B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger plate, where the plate is provided with a heat transfer surface having a corrugated pattern, comprising a diagonal open and closed side distribution support section positioned between a diagonal open respectively closed groove and the heat transfer surface, and a diagonal open and closed side adiabatic support section positioned between the open respectively closed diagonal groove and a port hole, where the heat exchanger plate further comprises a transfer path between the diagonal open side distribution support section and the heat transfer surface and a bypass path between the diagonal closed side distribution support section and the heat transfer surface. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchanger plates is also disclosed. The advantage of this heat exchanger plate is that it allows for heat exchangers with an improved efficiency. |
| US09400136B2 |
Electric induction gas-sealed tunnel furnace
An electric induction gas-sealed tunnel furnace and process are provided. The exterior of the furnace's enclosure that forms a closed tunnel region is surrounded at least along its longitudinal length by a gas-tight barrier chamber that can be filled with a barrier gas to a different pressure than the pressure of the process gas in the closed tunnel region of the furnace. The inductors used to induction heat strips or plates in the closed tunnel region can be positioned within or outside of the gas-tight barrier chamber around the longitudinal length of the closed tunnel region. |
| US09400135B2 |
Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation
An apparatus and process for separating air by cryogenic distillation includes a heat exchanger, a column system having at least one cryogenic distillation column, a conduit for supplying the column system with cooled air from the heat exchanger, a storage tank, a conduit for removing a liquid from the column system and sending it to the storage tank, at least one pump, at least one conduit for sending pumped liquid from the outlet of the or each pump to the heat exchanger, at least one conduit connected to the outlet of the pump or at least one outlet of at least one pump and to a column of the column system, said conduit passing directly to the column without passing via the storage tank. |
| US09400133B2 |
Vacuum insulation material and heat insulation housing using the same
A vacuum insulation material includes: a core member having a large number of minute spaces; a cover member having an internal space in which the core member is housed, the internal pressure being decompression-sealed; and an inspection member provided between the core member and the cover member. The inspection member includes a retaining portion disposed on the core member and a hole formed in the retaining portion. |
| US09400130B2 |
Skating rink markings and related methods
This disclosure relates to a skating rink that includes a skating area, a wall at least partially surrounding the skating area, and a visible mark extending along a perimeter region of the skating area to indicate to a skater traveling head first toward the wall that the skater should look up and to related methods. |
| US09400126B2 |
Magnetic heating/cooling apparatus
[Problem to be solved] To reduce the fluctuation in the driving force.[Means to solve Problem] A magnetic cooling/heating apparatus comprising: a heat transfer unit 1000A comprising a plurality of heat transfer devices 50-1, 50-2, . . . arranged in parallel at intervals, wherein the heat transfer device 50-1 comprises magnetic bodies 10A-10F with a magneto-caloric effect and heat-conductive parts 30A-30G that transfer the heat of the magnetic bodies 10A-10F, both of which are alternately arranged; a magnetic unit 2000A comprising a plurality of magnets 21A, 21C, . . . that are arranged so as to face against each of the magnetic bodies 10A-10F of the heat transfer unit 1000A and to selectively apply and remove the magnetic field to/from each of the magnetic bodies 10A-10F; and a motor 350 that moves at least one of the heat transfer unit 1000A and the magnetic unit 2000A facing each other, relative to each other in the direction in which the heat transfer devices 50-1, 50-2, . . . are arranged, wherein a magnetically-permeable heat-insulating part 60 that has the equivalent magnetic permeability to that of the magnetic bodies 10A-10F and blocks heat conduction is formed between the heat transfer devices 50-1, 50-2, . . . of the heat transfer unit 1000A. |
| US09400122B2 |
Solar thermal system
The present invention relates to a solar thermal system which has improved use efficiency, enables heat acquired in a heat-collecting unit to be quickly used for a heating and hot water supply load, and can be operated in a stable manner. A solar thermal system comprises: a solar heat collector that absorbs solar heat and heats a heat medium received therein; a heat storage tank that contains heating water, includes a first heat storage exchanger and a second heat storage exchanger connected to the solar heat collector through an heat storage pipe at the upper and lower portions therein respectively, and includes a diffuser that diffuses heating return water to the inside; a press sensor sensing the pressure in the heat storage pipe and a circulation pump pressing and circulating the heat medium that are connected to the heat storage pipe; a heat medium supplementary water tank that is connected to the heat storage pipe through a pressing pump to supplement the lack of the heat medium; an auxiliary boiler that has a heating water outlet connected to a heating water supply pipe of the heat storage tank through a 3-way valve for controlling the heating water supply, and a heating water return port connected to the diffuser of the heat storage tank through a 3-way valve for controlling the heating water return, a check valve that is connected between the 3-way valve for controlling the heating water supply and the heating water return port of the auxiliary boiler; and a heating load that is connected to the heating water outlet of the auxiliary boiler and the 3-way valve for controlling the heating water return. |
| US09400119B2 |
Retrofitting a constant volume air handling unit with a variable frequency drive
A system and methods providing real-time monitoring, management and control of a variable frequency drive retrofit to a constant volume air handling unit without making significant mechanical or control system changes. Customers and vendors are provided with a more informative and economically attractive air handling unit. The system also provides a finer granularity of control over conditioned air properties such as temperature, humidity and air quality. |
| US09400118B2 |
Hot water supply system and method thereof
The invention disclosure provides a hot water supply system and method thereof which can control a solar heating unit, a first heat-pump unit, a boiler unit, and an electric heater unit through a control unit to heat water. The control unit operates in a pre-heating period and a heating period after the pre-heating period. In the pre-heating period, the solar heating unit and the first heat-pump unit preheat water. In the heating period, the boiler unit further heats water coming from the solar heating unit and the first heat-pump unit to an exit temperature and stores water in the boiler unit and the electric heater unit so as to provide water to an outflow device. The invention integrates many water heaters in one system, so as to improve the efficiency of generation of hot water and achieve the objectives of energy conservation and carbon reduction. |
| US09400116B2 |
Device for extractor hood
The present invention concerns a device (2) for an extractor hood (1) comprising a tubular portion (21), having a cross section from 5000 to 32000 mm2, wherein an air flow detector (23) is arranged in said tubular portion (21), for detecting the air flow in said tubular portion (21). |
| US09400115B2 |
Built-in cooking appliance and kitchen counter having same
A top plate unit includes a top plate on which an object to be heated is placed, an underframe for holding the top plate placed on an upper surface thereof, the underframe being adapted to be placed on an upper surface of a kitchen counter in a manner in which a lower surface of the underframe is held in contact with the upper surface of the kitchen counter, and a decorative panel 6 for covering an upper portion of an outer peripheral edge of the top plate. The decorative panel has an inwardly bent portion that has been formed by bending an outer peripheral edge portion of the decorative panel inwardly toward a lower surface of the underframe to hold the outer peripheral edge of the underframe. |
| US09400104B2 |
Flow modifier for combustor fuel nozzle tip
A fuel injector nozzle assembly includes a body extending along an axis and a core swirl plug positioned at least partially within the body. The core swirl plug has a flow modifying structure configured to swirl fuel at a location upstream from a distal end of the nozzle assembly. |
| US09400103B1 |
Refillable liquid candle
A refillable liquid candle includes a container; a nonflammable combustible liquid fuel disposed within the container; and a wick located in the container and having a portion of the wick disposed in the liquid fuel and an exposed portion of the wick located above the fuel and exposed to air for providing a flame site, the wick configured to transport the fuel to the flame site. The candle consumes the liquid fuel when ignited to provide a flame at the flame site, and the liquid fuel may be replaced by adding additional liquid fuel to replace the consumed liquid fuel. |
| US09400102B2 |
Heat exchanger including flow regulating plates
In a heat exchanger that includes an expanded part of a duct, a heat-transfer tube bundle accommodating duct, and a plurality of heat-transfer tube bundles provided in the heat-transfer tube bundle accommodating duct in a flow direction of flue gas with a distance therebetween, a bare-tube-part upstream-side regulating plate and a bare-tube-part downstream-side regulating plate at an upstream side and a downstream side of a bare tube part of each of the heat-transfer tube bundles and a plurality of regulating plates in an introducing unit arranged either in the expanded part of a duct or in the heat-transfer tube bundle accommodating duct on an upstream side to the heat-transfer tube bundle are provided. A drift at the bare tube part of the heat-transfer tube bundles can be significantly reduced. |
| US09400101B2 |
Wearable headlight devices and related methods
Wearable headlight devices and related methods are provided and can include a luminaire that can include a housing having a luminaire vent therein for receiving cooling air and a light source contained within the housing. An air moving device can be located outside of the luminaire for facilitating cooling air intake through the luminaire vent. An exhaust tube can be connected to the luminaire and the air moving device to facilitate air flow of the cooling air between the luminaire and the air moving device. |
| US09400100B2 |
Interfacing a light emitting diode (LED) module to a heat sink assembly, a light reflector and electrical circuits
A light emitting diode (LED) module is in thermal communication with front and back heat sinks for dissipation of heat therefrom. The LED module is physically held in place with at least the back heat sink. A mounting ring and locking ring can also be used to hold the LED module in place and in thermal communication with the back heat sink. Key pins and key holes are used to prevent using a high power LED module with a back heat sink having insufficient heat dissipation capabilities required for the high power LED module. The key pins and key holes allow lower heat generating (power) LED modules to be used with higher heat dissipating heat sinks, but higher heat generating (power) LED modules cannot be used with lower heat dissipating heat sinks. |
| US09400098B2 |
Covering and luminaire having such a covering
A cover, in particular for an explosion-proof luminaire at least comprises a mounting frame, which is detachably fastened to the luminaire, and a transparent luminaire cover held at least along a circumferential edge by the mounting frame. In order to improve a cover of this nature to the effect that it is protected in a cost-effective manner and without substantial constructive effort from the occurrence of microcracks due to the effects of shocks and impacts on the luminaire cover, a transparent protective cover is placed in front of the luminaire cover for a flameproof and impact-resistant embodiment of the cover. The invention also relates to an explosion-proof luminaire with a cover of this nature. |
| US09400097B2 |
Connector, electronic device and illuminating device having the connector
A connector for electronic device includes a cylindrical body, an end cap formed at one end of the cylindrical body that includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is formed between the end cap and the second section, the end cap has a diameter bigger than that of the first section, and the first section has a diameter bigger than that of the second section, and a circumferential wall of the second section at least partially has threads, and an insulator circumferentially formed in one piece on the first section, wherein the end cap comprises a first electrical contact surface on an end surface facing the first section, and the first section includes a second electrical contact surface on an end surface facing the second section, and the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface are insulated from the first section. |
| US09400096B2 |
Integrated illumination part and lead frame of umbrella
An integrated illumination part is produced by installing annular lead frame with luminous LED chip on main part body of the umbrella, then packaged into one unity with transparent material such as plastic or silica gel, slip ring, installation seat, handle and other parts can be used to produce the part. The structure of annular lead frame made of sheet metal whereby to increase the mass production of integrated illumination part and diversity of light source. It thus fully utilizes high heat dissipation capacity of umbrella parts. It includes single-layer and multilayer structure according to the functional demand of LED chip; the manufacturing method of annular lead frame firstly produces LED chip and lead frame into LED lead frame, then bend it into annular with jig according to the appearance of main part body and fix power pin into annular structure with fastener. |
| US09400093B2 |
Thermal management for light emitting diode fixture
A recessed light fixture includes an LED module, which includes a single LED package that is configured to generate all light emitted by the recessed light fixture. For example, the LED package can include multiple LEDs mounted to a common substrate. The LED package can be coupled to a heat sink for dissipating heat from the LEDs. The heat sink can include a core member. A reflector housing may be coupled to the heat sink and configured to receive a reflector. The reflector can have any geometry, such as a bell-shaped geometry including two radii of curvature that join together at an inflection point. An optic coupler can be coupled to the reflector housing and configured to cover electrical connections at the substrate and to guide light emitted by the LED package. |
| US09400092B2 |
Multifunctional easy-to-install LED lamp
The present invention refers to a multifunctional easy-to-install LED lamp, including a lamp shade, a lamp body and a base. The lamp body includes a base plate, and an upper surface of the base plate is configured with a positioning bump and a locking bump. The base includes a bottom plate, and a lower surface of the bottom plate extends downwards to form a surrounding wall, which is constituted by a left wall, a front wall, a right wall and a back wall. A lower edge of the front wall extends towards the back wall to form a front hanging plate, a lower edge of the back wall extends towards the front wall to form a back hanging plate, the front hanging plate has a front gap for holding the locking bump, and the back hanging plate has a back gap for holding the locking bump. |
| US09400089B2 |
Vehicle lighting unit
A vehicle lighting unit can use a light guiding body, and prevent light loss due to the internal reflection of light at the light exiting surface as a result of being guided through the light guiding body. The vehicle lighting unit can include: a light source; a projection lens; and a light guiding body to collect light from the light source near a rear side focal point of the projection lens so as to guide the light to the projection lens. The light guiding body can include a first optical surface that can serve as a light exiting surface through which the light from the light source guided through the light guiding body can exit. The projection lens can include the first optical surface, a second optical surface, and a third optical surface, and be configured to have the rear side focal point located behind the first optical surface. |
| US09400087B2 |
Externally mounted shield for LED luminaire
A shield for a light emitting diode (LED) luminaire includes a frame mountable to the LED luminaire such that the shield is removable therefrom. A plurality of rows of shield surfaces contact the frame and have a first side that faces a row of LEDs located on the LED luminaire and an opposite second side. The first side has a fully or partially reflective surface. The plurality of rows of shield surfaces prevent light from the LEDs from reflecting toward the back of the LED luminaire. The shield may include notches for allowing removal of one or more of the plurality of rows of shield surfaces or a portion thereof from the frame and for customization of light distribution from the LED luminaire. The shield may also be cut lengthwise such that each of the plurality of rows of shield surfaces includes a partial shield surface and shields only a portion of a row of LEDs located on the LED luminaire. |
| US09400083B2 |
Support apparatus for multiple display devices
A support apparatus for supporting multiple display devices includes an elongated member having at least one groove and/or spline positioned in a rear surface of the elongated member. A connector is attached to the rear surface of the elongated member adjacent a central portion of the rear surface. A first display device collar is attached to the elongated member adjacent a first end of the elongated member and is slideable along the groove or spline of the elongated member from adjacent the first end to adjacent the connector. A second display device collar is attached to the elongated member adjacent a second end of the elongated member and is slideable along the groove or spline of the elongated member from adjacent the second end to adjacent the connector. Display device mounting devices are pivotally connectable to the first and second display device collars for attachment to the elongated member. |
| US09400082B2 |
Camera mounting system
A mounting system for mounting a load on a structure, comprising a first strap having a distal end and a proximal end, a first clamp body for supporting a load, the first clamp body including a catch mechanism for engaging at least one end of the strap, the first clamp body further including a clamp mechanism for engaging a structure, wherein the strap is configured for tightening around at least a portion of the structure and engaging with the catch mechanism of the first clamp body, to maintain the clamping mechanism of the first clamp body on the structure. |
| US09400080B2 |
Automatic rise jack stand
One jack stand includes a stand assembly having a base and a tubular receiving member extending upwardly therefrom. A latch extends from the tubular member. A support bar having upper and lower ends is telescopically housed in a cavity of the tubular member. First and second sides of the bar each have multiple embedded slots. A third side of the bar has multiple holes with angled surfaces such that positioning the latch in any of the holes restricts the bar from moving upwardly yet allows the bar to move downwardly. An automatic lifting device is at least partially inside the cavity and imparts an upward force upon the bar. A stopper selectively interacts with the stand assembly and the bar to restrict the bar from moving downwardly, yet allows the bar to move upwardly. The stopper passes at least partially inside two of the slots to interact with the bar. |
| US09400076B2 |
Electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool
The invention provides an all electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool for use in offshore and onshore pipeline isolation; the electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being moveable relative to each other, the electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool also comprising at least one sealing member which is moveable between an unset condition in which the sealing member is disengaged and the isolation tool is able to travel along inside a pipeline to a predetermined location; and a set condition in which the sealing member is engaged against an internal wall of a pipline such that a seal is formed between the sealing member of the isolation tool and the internal wall of the pipeline; the isolation tool being moveable between the unset condition and the set condition under action of the first part and the second part moving relative to each other. The all electrical pipeline isolation tool of the invention is controlled using an Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) communications system.Advantageously, the all electrical pipeline isolation tool of the invention is completely autonomous, without the necessity for a hydraulic pump and motor, hydraulic accumulator, hydraulic valving, hydraulic piston or hydraulic piping and hydraulic control system. |
| US09400074B2 |
Method of documenting installation of a fluid handling device in a fluid flow system
A method of documenting installation of a fluid handling device in a fluid flow system using a form and an identification device. The identification device has a first portion with first identification information and a second portion with second identification information. The method comprises installing the fluid handling device in the fluid flow system. The method further comprises checking for leaks associated with the fluid handling device installed in the fluid flow system. The second portion of the identification device is separated from the fluid handling device while the first portion of the identification device remains coupled to the fluid handling device after checking for leaks. The second portion of the identification device is then affixed to the form. |
| US09400071B1 |
Pipe joint gasket with articulating anti-slip segments
A gasket for preventing separation of interconnected pipes including a compressible body having a plurality of multi-sectioned metal segments partially embedded therein. The multi-sectioned metal segments are arranged in groups of two or more or as a continuous ring of segments. The multi-sectioned anti-slip segments are free to articulate according to the curvature of the outer surface of the spigot in a pipe joint. The presence of the multi-sectioned or articulating anti-slip segments increases the resultant segment density on large diameter pipes. |
| US09400067B2 |
Flexible tubular underwater pipe for great depths, and method for manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing a flexible tubular underwater pipe (10): A leakproof tubular structure (12, 14, 16) is covered with at least one layer (18, 20) of armor wires. At least one continuous longitudinal element made of a deformable material is wound in a helix with short pitch around the layer (18, 20) of armor wires to form a holding layer 24. The at least one longitudinal element is wound under longitudinal tension T0 so as to stretch its deformable material according to a relative elongation corresponding to a tensile stress σ0 less than the elastic limit value σE of the deformable material, and the elastic limit value σE corresponds to a tensile stress beyond which the deformation of the material is irreversible. |
| US09400052B2 |
Gasket
A gasket in which a high sealing property can be certainly ensured is provided. A gasket 1 is to be interposed between a first flange 21 of a first exhaust pipe 11 and a second flange 22 of a second exhaust pipe 12 in a state where the gasket is fitted onto an end portion of the first exhaust pipe, in order to seal a gap between end portions of the first and second exhaust pipes 11, 12. The gasket 1 includes a first sealing portion 51 and a second sealing portion 52. The first sealing portion has a first butting surface 51a having a tapered shape corresponding to a tapered shape of a first tapered inner circumferential surface 27a of the first flange, and a first projecting portion 51b. The first sealing portion is formed in a radially outer side of the gasket. The second sealing portion has a second butting surface 52a having a tapered shape corresponding to a tapered shape of a second tapered inner circumferential surface of the second flange, and a second projecting portion 52b. The second sealing portion is formed in a radially outer side of the gasket. |
| US09400049B2 |
Shifting apparatus and method for vehicle
A shifting apparatus and method for a vehicle is provided and the apparatus includes a transmission adjuster that shifts a gear position of an automatic transmission. In addition, a controller is configured to operate the transmission adjuster to shift the gear position of the automatic transmission to a neutral null position and the null position varies based on the gear position. |
| US09400047B2 |
Self lubricating linear motion guided screw assembly
A cartridge assembly for use in conjunction with a linear motion guided screw assembly includes (a) a cylindrical housing having an axial bore, at least a portion of the bore being defined by a threaded surface configured to engage a screw shaft; (b) at least one bearing disposed in the axial bore of the housing; (c) at least one retainer ring disposed in the axial bore of the housing; and, (d) a cylindrical lubricant block disposed in the axial bore of the housing, the lubricant block being fabricated from a microporous polymer which is impregnated with a lubricant oil. |
| US09400045B2 |
Housing with a direct flow path for hardware lubrication
The present invention provides a housing that encloses a bearing. The housing includes a side wall upon which a lubricant is dispersed. The side wall has a sloped portion and a collection area is fluidly associated with the side wall. A fluid circuit is integral with the side wall such that the fluid circuit is configured to direct the lubricant into the collection area. |
| US09400042B2 |
Two mode continuously variable transmission
A two mode continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a motor vehicle includes an optional speed change device connected to a pulley and a belt assembly or other continuously variable unit. The pulley and belt assembly is also connected to a gear box having a planetary gear assembly. The gear box has two brakes and a clutch. The gear set arrangement is connected to a final drive unit. Selective engagement of the clutch and brakes provides two modes of operation to the CVT. |
| US09400030B2 |
Vibration-damping device
A vibration-damping device (10) includes a first attachment member (11) having a cylindrical shape connected to any one of a vibration generating unit and a vibration receiving unit, a second attachment member (12) connected to the other unit, an elastic body (13) configured to connect both of the attachment members, and a partition member (15) configured to divide a liquid chamber (16) in the first attachment member (11) into a main liquid chamber (17) having a wall surface formed partly from the elastic body (13), and a subsidiary liquid chamber (18). In the partition member (15), an accommodating chamber (47) in communication with the main liquid chamber (17) and the subsidiary liquid chamber (18) through communication holes (46A, 46B) opened in an axial direction, an elastically deformable membrane (48) accommodated in the accommodating chamber (47) and separately exposed to the main liquid chamber (17) and the subsidiary liquid chamber (18) through the communication holes (46A, 46B), and restriction sections (51A, 51B) disposed more outside in the axial direction than the communication holes (46A, 46B) and overlapping the membrane (48) through the communication holes (46A, 46B) in the axial direction are installed. According to the vibration-damping device (10), performance of the membrane (48) can be maintained for a long period of time. |
| US09400028B2 |
Hydraulic pressure spring and method of manufacturing the same
A hydraulic pressure spring includes a hollow cylindrical cylinder having a threaded portion at one end thereof; a closure means which is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion at the one end of the cylinder and closes the one end of the cylinder; a closure means which is provided at the other end of the cylinder and closes the other end of the cylinder; a compressible liquid which is sealed in an interior of the cylinder and is pressurized to a predetermined pressure; a rod which is passed through the closure means movably in an axial direction A and causes the liquid in the interior of the cylinder to undergo a pressure rise as the rod enters the interior of the cylinder; and a piston disposed in the interior of the cylinder and attached to one end of the rod. |
| US09400023B2 |
Disc brake pad guideway and disc brake equipped with such a guideway
A guideway for a motor vehicle disc brake is configured to mount at least one brake pad in a slidable manner with respect to a brake disc along an axially oriented axis of sliding. The guideway includes at least one brake pad application element which is configured to act axially. The guideway is fixed to a fixed carrier, and includes an elastically deformable leg and a guide face that has a contact zone. The elastically deformable leg is configured to exert a constant elastic force. The guide face includes a damping element. The elastically deformable leg further includes a bent-over portion configured to contact the at least one brake pad such that the guide face is opposite a contact zone of the at least one brake pad. |
| US09400022B2 |
Power train control device
A power train control device includes: an automatic neutral clutch that adjusts driving force transmitted from an engine to a transmission mechanism constituting an automatic transmission; a transfer clutch that adjusts driving force transmitted from the transmission mechanism constituting to a driving system component which drives driven-wheels; an automatic neutral clutch control unit that releases the automatic neutral clutch if predetermined automatic neutral control conditions are satisfied; and a transfer clutch control unit that controls engaging force of the transfer clutch based on a running state of a vehicle equipped with the power train control device. When returning from automatic neutral control, the transfer clutch control unit temporarily releases and then re-engages the transfer clutch, during a period from start to completion of engaging of the automatic neutral clutch. |
| US09400021B2 |
Magnetorheological rotorcraft actuation system
In some embodiments, an actuation system includes a plurality of threaded member portions, a plurality of roller nuts, a driving member configured to receive mechanical energy from a power source, a plurality of driven members, and a magnetorheological (MR) fluid disposed between the plurality of driven members and at least one braking surface. An output member may be coupled between the rotor system and either the plurality of threaded member portions or the plurality of roller nuts and configured to translate linearly in response to the threaded member portions advancing or receding within the roller nuts. |
| US09400013B2 |
Bearing liner
A bearing liner comprising a fabric impregnated with a binder, the fabric comprising: (a) a bearing element contact surface comprising lubricating fibers and (b) structural fibers supporting the bearing element contact surface, wherein at least some of the structural fibers include a structural component and a lubricating component. |
| US09400007B2 |
Injectable nut cap
The present invention proposes a cap for forming a sealed cavity around one end of a fastener to thereby contain out-gassing and sparking events in the event of a lightning strike to the fastener. The invention also proposes a joint comprising such a cap, and a kit of parts and method for installing such a cap. A cap according to the invention comprises: an inner cap member having an annular base terminating at an edge which surrounds an opening into an air cavity for enclosing the one end of a fastener; and an outer cap member having an annular skirt or flange which extends radially outwardly away from the annular base, the annular skirt or flange and annular base between them defining an annular sealing cavity. The cap also comprises a sealing material inlet comprising an opening in the outer cap member that is in fluid communication with the annular sealing cavity, the opening being arranged to interconnect with a sealing material injection device to provide a flow of curable sealing material from the sealing material inlet into the annular sealing cavity. |
| US09400005B2 |
Self-clinching fastener
A self-clinching fastener suitable for connection to a member having a shank of a diameter less than a head portion, the head portion having at least eight lands extending outwardly along the underside of the head portion spaced about the shank, each land having a face surface extending beyond the shank to a diameter less than or equal to the radius of the head portion, the width of the lands reducing from adjacent the shank toward the radius of the head portion. The fastener further includes an axial annular engagement groove having a diameter larger than the shank, the annular engagement groove axially extending from the lands to a retaining collar adjacent the shank, the groove adapted to relieve material of a member on installation by receiving material as the lands in the underside of the head portion mechanically interlock with the member. |
| US09400004B2 |
Transient measurements of mass flow controllers
An apparatus to measure the transient response of a mass flow controller (MFC). The size of a variable orifice, upstream of the MFC, is controlled such that the pressure between the orifice and the MFC is held constant during the entire time that the MFC is going through its transient response. The known relationship between the size of the orifice and the flow through it allows a determination of the transient response of the MFC. |
| US09400003B2 |
Hydraulic pump control system for construction machinery
Disclosed is a hydraulic pump control system for minimizing flow loss by optimally limiting the discharge flow volume of the hydraulic pump when an upper swivel body is made to swivel abruptly. The hydraulic pump control system according to the present invention comprises: a swivel motor which is connected to a hydraulic pump; a control spool for the swivel motor, which controls the hydraulic fluid supplied to the swivel motor during switch back by means of a control signal for a remote control valve; an orifice which is provided on the furthest downstream side of a center bypass pathway; a regulator which controls the angle of inclination of the swash plate of the hydraulic pump; a swivel operation signal detection means which detects a swivel operation signal output from the remote control valve; an electronic proportional pressure reducing valve which outputs a secondary pressure proportional to the detection signal of the swivel operation signal detection means; and a shuttle valve of which the input sides are respectively coupled to the orifice and the electronic proportional pressure reducing valve, and the output side is coupled to the regulator. |
| US09400002B2 |
Load sensing electric-proportional multi-way valve
A load sensing electric-proportional multi-way valve. The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a load sensing electric-proportional multi-way valve, enabling individual loops to operate with different loads, to save energy and reduce the environmental pollution. The technical solution for solving the technical issue includes as follows. A load sensing electric-proportional multi-way valve includes a main oil passage connected with two gear pumps P1 and P2, a lifting loop connecting to the main oil passage via an electric-proportional pressure compensated flow control valve, and an inclining union and an attachment union connecting to the main oil passage via an electric-proportional pressure compensated flow control valve, a logic direction valve connected to the main oil passage, a proportional motor-driven overflow valve and a two-way solenoid valve connecting to an oil inlet port of the logic direction valve. |
| US09400001B2 |
Hydraulic system
An hydraulic system for an autonomous multi-set pipeline isolation tool comprising an hydraulic piston; a pump for operating the pistons; an accumulator between each of the hydraulic pistons and the pump; and means for operating the pump. The system also comprises a manifold operable to control the flow of fluid in fluid pipelines to control the operation of the pistons which actuate gripping and sealing means of the autonomous multi-set pipeline isolation tool. The hydraulic system further comprises a controller comprising a number of operational modules which are positioned on a single printed circuit board. The advantage of this is that the size of the hydraulic system may be minimized thereby enabling use of the system within a pipeline having an inner diameter of the order of 0.15 m (6″) and upwards. The manifold of the hydraulic system is also provided with a triple fail safe redundancy mechanism. |
| US09400000B2 |
Blower fan
A blower fan includes a fan frame, a motor, an impeller and a shield. The fan frame includes a base plate portion, a cover plate portion, and a lateral wall portion arranged between the base plate portion and the cover plate portion. The cover plate portion includes an axial air inlet, and the lateral wall portion includes an air outlet. The motor is mounted in the fan frame. The impeller is rotatably coupled with the motor. The shield is coupled with the fan frame and has a face facing the axial air inlet. At least one lateral air inlet is formed between the cover plate portion and the shield. An air-guiding space is formed between the at least one lateral air inlet and the axial air inlet of the cover plate portion. |
| US09399999B2 |
Heat dissipating fan
A heat dissipating fan includes a housing having a base and a sidewall coupled to the base. The sidewall defines a compartment. The housing includes an air inlet, an air outlet and a dust channel. The air outlet includes opposite first and second end edges located at a same straight side of the housing. The housing defines a first plane. The impeller includes a hub and several blades. The impeller defines a second plane. The compartment of the housing includes an air outlet section and a pressure accumulating section. The air outlet section is located between the first and second planes. The air outlet is located in the air outlet section. The dust channel extends in an angle with respect to the second plane. An impeller is coupled to the stator that is coupled to the base. A control element includes a driving circuit and a rotating direction control circuit. |
| US09399997B2 |
Method for detecting heat-dissipating air flow and electronic device using the same
A method for detecting heat-dissipating air flow is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: detecting whether a reset command is input; if the reset command is input, resetting a wind pressure standard value according to the reset command; if the reset command is not input, controlling a fan to operate at full speed according to a start signal; detecting the wind pressure of a heat-dissipating air flow after controlling the fan to operate at full speed to acquire a wind pressure value; determining whether the wind pressure value is equal to the wind pressure standard value; and generating a warning signal if the wind pressure value is not equal to the wind pressure standard value. |
| US09399996B2 |
Cam plate and an appliance including the cam plate
A cam plate for use with a pump includes at least one camming surface configured to enable an impeller to rotate in a first direction and substantially prevent the impeller from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction. A ring recess is defined in the cam plate. The ring recess is configured to receive at least a portion of a cam ring that is configured to rotate within the ring recess. A follower recess is at least partially defined by the at least one camming surface and extends from the ring recess. The follower recess is configured to receive at least one cam follower therein. |
| US09399995B2 |
Compressor system and method of controlling the same
Provided is a compressor system including: a guide vane; a compressor compressing a fluid flowing from the guide vane; a drive unit connected to the compressor and driving the compressor; a guide flow path connecting the compressor and an external device; a branch flow path branching off from the guide flow path; a flow control valve opening and closing the branch flow path; a sensor unit measuring a current of the drive unit and a pressure of the guide flow path; and a control unit controlling at least one of the guide vane, the drive unit, and the flow control valve, calculating an operation point of the compressor, comparing the operation point of the compressor with a greater one of a first anti-surge control line and a second anti-surge control line and controlling the flow control valve according to the comparison. |
| US09399994B2 |
Internal gear pump
The internal gear pump includes: an inner rotor; an outer rotor that rotates by having predetermined eccentricity to a rotation center of the inner rotor; an outer ring that holds the outer rotor in a freely rotatable state, and is also formed with at least three cam protruded parts; a pump housing having a rotor chamber; protruded-wall surface parts that are formed on an inner periphery side surface of the rotor chamber and are also formed in the same number as that of the cam protruded parts; and operation means for oscillating the outer ring. A diameter center of the holding-inner peripheral part of the outer ring is moved by the operation means along a locus of a circle of which a radius is the eccentricity to the rotation center of the inner rotor. |
| US09399991B2 |
Linear motor, a linear compressor, a method of controlling a linear compressor, a cooling system, and a linear compressor controlling a system
A linear motor (10), a linear compressor (100), a method of controlling a linear compressor (100), a cooling system (20) and a system of controlling a linear compressor (100) to operate a linear compressor (100) in resonance in it's the greatest possible efficiency throughout its operation are described. One of the ways of achieving these objectives is by means of a linear compressor (100) applicable to a cooling system (20), the linear compressor (100) comprising a piston (1) driven by a linear motor (10), the piston (1) having displacement range controlled by means of a controlled voltage (VM), the controlled voltage (VM) having a voltage frequency (φP) applied to the linear motor (10) and adjusted by a processing unit (22), the range of piston (1) displacement being dynamically controlled in function of a variable demand of the cooling system (20), the linear compressor (100) having a resonance frequency, the processing unit (22) adjusting the range of piston (1) displacement, so that the linear compressor (100) will be dynamically kept on resonance throughout the variations in demand of the cooling system (20). |
| US09399990B2 |
Controllable vacuum source
The present invention relates to a vacuum source for providing vacuum to at least a first vacuum drain through conduits, comprising at least a first and a second vacuum pump. The vacuum source comprises a control system adapted to detect the consumed airflow, and to control the operation of each of the first and second vacuum pump based on the detected airflow. |
| US09399973B2 |
Intake device
An intake device includes: an intake port; a valve body which is disposed in the intake port and rotated around a rotating shaft between an opening position and a closing position; and a seal surface which is integrally provided at the intake port and made up of an inner wall surface with which the valve body comes into contact at the closing position of the valve body, wherein the seal surface includes a first seal surface having an inner contact portion which protrudes to the inside of the intake port and a first outer contact portion which is located further to the outside than the inner contact portion, and a second seal surface having a second outer contact portion without having the inner contact portion. |
| US09399971B2 |
Control device for gasoline engine
A gasoline engine includes an electric heater, which is embedded in a port-type fuel injection valve and heats the fuel in the fuel injection valve. An electronic control device heats the fuel by means of the electric heater when the engine is cold. When the fuel is not heated by the electric heater, the electronic control device controls the fuel injection valve such that the engine rotational speed NE is a second prescribed value N2 which is higher than the idle rotational speed when the engine is warm. When idle running is performed when the engine is cold and the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve is heated by the electric heater, the amount Q of fuel injected by the fuel injection valve is controlled such that the engine rotational speed NE is less than the second prescribed value N2. |
| US09399969B2 |
Twin scroll turbocharger in a variable displacement engine
Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine with variable displacement engine (VDE) operation coupled to a twin scroll turbocharger. One method comprises directing exhaust from a first outer cylinder and a first inner cylinder of four cylinders to a first scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, directing exhaust from a second outer cylinder and a second inner cylinder of the four cylinders to a second scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, and during a first condition, firing all four cylinders with uneven firing. |
| US09399966B2 |
Internal combustion engine controller for setting idle speed and vehicle mounting the same
An ECU for controlling an engine counts an unused time TIM of engine in a low-temperature environment. If the unused time TIM is shorter than a predetermined reference value, the ECU sets idle speed immediately after start of operation of the engine to a first idle speed, and if the unused time TIM is longer than the reference value, sets the idle speed to a second idle speed higher than the first idle speed. If duration of the second idle speed exceeds a reference period determined by state of driving of the vehicle, the ECU sets the idle speed to be lower than the second idle speed. In this manner, increased vibration in idling operation in a low-temperature environment can be prevented. |
| US09399960B2 |
Road surface slope estimating device and engine control apparatus
A road surface slope estimating device includes a forward/backward sensor that outputs a detected forward/backward of a vehicle, a forward/backward estimator that calculates an estimated forward/backward of the vehicle, and a road surface slope estimating device that calculates an estimated road surface slope value using the detected forward/backward and the estimated forward/backward. The road surface slope estimating device implements a momentarily rough terrain determination step to determine whether the vehicle is traveling on momentarily rough terrain or continuously rough terrain. When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on momentarily rough terrain, the road surface slope estimating device fixes the estimated road surface slope value to an estimated road surface slope value obtained immediately before the determination is made. |
| US09399955B2 |
Method and apparatus for local loop closure
A method and apparatus for local loop closure is provided. The apparatus includes a component for use in a gas turbine engine. The component includes at least one of an actuator and a servo-valve, at least one sensor, and an electronic module comprising controller electronics and memory. The electronic module is configured to receive and process commands for the at least one of an actuator and a servo-valve and queue received commands in an input buffer. |
| US09399953B2 |
Gas turbine engine fuel system pump sharing valve
A pump sharing valve for a gas turbine engine fuel system includes a housing having multiple ports. A sleeve is arranged in the housing and includes an inlet window and first, second and third windows axially spaced apart from one another. A spool is slidably received in the sleeve and includes a diameter and first and second cylindrical portions. The first cylindrical portion selectively connects the inlet window to the second and third windows. The second cylindrical portion selectively connects the inlet window to the first window. The spool is movable between first and second positions relative to the first, second and third windows to regulate flow. The first and second cylindrical portions respectively includes first and second widths. A first ratio corresponds to the first width to the spool diameter and a second ratio corresponds to the second width to the spool diameters. The first ratio is between 1.83 and 1.93 and the second ratio is between 1.22 and 1.32. |
| US09399951B2 |
Modular louver system
Louver systems for gas turbine bleed air systems are disclosed. An example louver system may include a bleed system discharge opening arranged to vent bleed air from a bleed flow conduit and a plurality of pivotable louvers disposed proximate the discharge opening, the pivotable louvers being pivotable between a shut position and an open position. In the shut position, individual louvers may at least partially obstruct the discharge opening. In the open position, individual louvers may at least partially control a direction of flow of the bleed air exiting the discharge opening. |
| US09399950B2 |
Systems and methods for exhaust gas extraction
The present techniques are directed to a combustor for a gas turbine. For example, an embodiment provides a spool piece for the combustor. The spool piece includes an oxidant injection port configured for injection of an oxidant proximate to a flame in the combustor and a recycle-gas extraction port configured for an extraction of a recycle gas from the combustor, wherein the recycle gas is isolated from the oxidant prior to the use of the oxidant in a flame. |
| US09399948B2 |
Aggregate, in particular a hybrid engine, electrical power generator or compressor
An aggregate, in particular a hybrid engine, electrical power generator or compressor, comprises a housing in which are arranged a piston motor part and an electric motor part, wherein the piston motor part has a first piston with a first end face and at least one second piston with a second end face, wherein the first piston and the at least one second piston perform reciprocating motions, wherein between the first end face and the second end face is provided a working chamber for a working medium, which chamber is periodically reduced and enlarged because of the reciprocating motions of the pistons, and wherein the electric motor part has an annular rotor which can rotate in the housing about a rotation axis that is fixed relative to the housing. The rotor surrounds the piston motor part. |
| US09399945B2 |
Control device of internal-combustion engine
When alcohol-blended fuel is supplied to an internal-combustion engine, the magnitude of alcohol concentration (more particularly, ethanol concentration Cetha) is judged (Step 1005) and, based on this judgment, the magnitude of operational status temperature (more particularly, cooling water temperature THW) is judged (Step 1015). Then, when the alcohol concentration is large and the operational status temperature is low, generation of an intermediate product which is an oxide of alcohol contained in the alcohol-blended fuel in an unburnt state after main injection and alcohol contained in the alcohol-blended fuel in an unburnt state after post injection (more particularly, aldehyde) is promoted, and the generated intermediate product is trapped in an intake passage by making an intake valve into an opened state in an exhaust stroke of the internal-combustion engine (Step 1055). |
| US09399941B2 |
System for exhaust gas treatment for internal combustion engines
A system for exhaust gas treatment for internal combustion engines has a pump (1) for metered supply of a freezable substance, particularly a urea solution, to a supply device (23) introducing the substance into the exhaust gas flow. A compensation device (25) is provided as protection against damage to the system due to volume expansion when the substance freezes. The compensation device compensates for the volume expansion accompanying an increase of the fluid pressure when the substance freezes. |
| US09399931B2 |
Cogeneration method and equipment
Cogeneration method, according to which a hot source (2) produces steam that is released in at least one turbine (3) having a low-pressure steam outlet (5) linked to a condenser; at least a fraction (Q) of the steam leaving the turbine (3) is directed towards a Venturi thermocompressor (14) into which a fluid having higher pressure and temperature than the outgoing steam is injected, resulting in a fluid having higher pressure and temperature than the outgoing steam, and this mixture is directed towards a second condenser (21) where the heat of the mixture is transferred to an auxiliary fluid of a circuit (23) external to the thermodynamic cycle. |
| US09399929B2 |
Steam turbine plant
A steam turbine plant of one embodiment includes a boiler to change water into steam, a high pressure turbine including plural stages of rotor and stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the boiler, a reheater to heat the steam from the high pressure turbine, a reheat turbine including plural stages of rotor and stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the reheater, a condenser to change the steam from the reheat turbine into water, a collector to collect water from, for example, the steam existing upstream of an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane in the high pressure turbine, and a path to cause collected matter in the collector to flow into, for example, the steam between an outlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the high pressure turbine and an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the reheat turbine. |
| US09399925B2 |
Seal structure for rotary machine
A seal structure partitions a high-pressure portion and a low-pressure portion including spring-back seal rings on the high-pressure side, including ACC seal rings and fins on the low-pressure side. The ACC seal rings have an adjustable movable seal ring which is a movable seal ring that is movable in a substantially radial direction at a portion thereof and which partitions a high-pressure side steam chamber and a medium-pressure side steam chamber with the fins and a circumferential surface, and including a pressure equalizing pipe that connects the low-pressure side of the adjustable movable seal ring to a high-pressure outlet portion, is provided with an adjusting pipe that connects, on the high-pressure side steam chamber side of the ACC seal rings, a high-pressure dummy to the same high-pressure outlet portion as the medium-pressure side steam chamber, and an open/close valve in the adjusting pipe. |
| US09399924B2 |
Segmented component
A component, in particular for a gas turbine, is disclosed. The component has at least two component segments which are arranged relative to one another leaving a gap and are sealed against each other by a sealing device. The sealing device includes at least one brush seal. Also disclosed is a gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, having such a component. |
| US09399923B2 |
Turbine for an exhaust gas turbocharger
In a turbine for an exhaust gas turbocharger having a turbine housing which has a first and a second spiral channel with the second spiral channel extending over a wrap angle range of less than 360 degrees of a turbine wheel of the turbine, and the first spiral channel having a larger wrap angle range than the second spiral channel and the spiral channels being arranged adjacent each other in at least one angular range which includes the wrap angle ranges, the nozzle has an overall nozzle width via which exhaust gas is admitted to the turbine wheel over a respective partial nozzle width of the spiral channels wherein the partial nozzle width of the first spiral channel is greater than the partial nozzle width of the first spiral channel in the first angular range, at least in a further angular range of the wrap angle range which is different from the at least one angular range. |
| US09399917B2 |
Gas turbine engine airfoil
An airfoil for a turbine engine includes an airfoil that has pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a leading edge dihedral and a span position. The leading edge dihedral is negative from the 0% span position to the 100% span position. A positive dihedral corresponds to suction side-leaning, and a negative dihedral corresponds to pressure side-leaning. The airfoil is a fan blade for a gas turbine engine. The airfoil has a relationship between a trailing edge dihedral and a span position. The trailing edge dihedral is positive from the 0% span position to the 100% span position. A positive dihedral corresponds to suction side-leaning and a negative dihedral corresponds to pressure side-leaning. |
| US09399914B2 |
Tool holder
The invention relates to a bit holder for a road milling machine or the like, having a base part on which a bit shank and a projection are shaped, the projection comprising a bit receptacle, and the bit receptacle being constituted from a socket-shaped insert made of hard material. With a bit holder of this kind, good rotational behavior of the bit can be assisted and stable bracing thereof can be guaranteed, with little parts outlay, if provision is made that the bit receptacle is embodied as a stepped bore that comprises a first and a second diameter region, the first diameter region having a larger inside diameter than the second diameter region. |
| US09399913B2 |
Pump control for auxiliary fluid movement
A method includes drawing formation fluid from a formation into a pressure test chamber of a downhole tool while the downhole tool is positioned at a location within a wellbore. The method also includes, while the downhole remains positioned at the location, measuring pressure of the formation fluid drawn into the pressure test chamber and operating a first pump to route additional formation fluid from the formation through the downhole tool and out into the wellbore. Still further, the method includes operating a second pump to expel the formation fluid from the pressure test chamber and to mix the formation fluid with the additional formation fluid such that the formation fluid expelled from the pressure test chamber is also routed through the downhole tool and out into the wellbore along with the additional formation fluid. |
| US09399912B2 |
Passive sampling device and method of sampling and analysis
The invention provides a device and method to quantitatively measure concentrations of volatile organic compound vapors below the ground surface using a preferably “fully” passive device that is placed in a drilled or bored hole for a specified period of time, wherein the sampler constrains the uptake rate to match values that minimize or eliminate the starvation effect and provide acceptable sensitivity for most soil types as calculated via mathematical models. |
| US09399907B2 |
Steam-injecting mineral insulated heater design
Methods and systems for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon formation are described herein. A method for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon formation includes applying electrical current to a one or more heating elements positioned in a first tubular located in an opening in the subsurface hydrocarbon formation; providing fluid through a second tubular positioned in the first tubular in the subsurface hydrocarbon formation such that a portion of the fluid flows between the first tubular and second tubular and along a length of the tubulars; allowing the fluid to flow into a hydrocarbon layer in the subsurface hydrocarbon formation; and allowing heat to transfer from at least one of the heating elements and the fluid to a portion of the hydrocarbon layer in the subsurface hydrocarbon formation. |
| US09399906B2 |
Hydrocarbon resource heating system including balun having a ferrite body and related methods
A system for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein includes a coaxial transmission line, a balun, and a radio frequency (RF) antenna coupled together in series and configured to be positioned in the wellbore so that the RF antenna heats the hydrocarbon resources in the subterranean formation. The coaxial transmission line includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor. The balun includes an outer conductive sleeve having a proximal end coupled to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line and a medial portion coupled to the inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line. An inner tubular conductor extends longitudinally within the outer conductive sleeve between the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line and the RF antenna. The balun also includes a ferrite body surrounding the inner tubular conductor at the proximal end. |
| US09399900B2 |
Estimation of optimum tripping schedules
A method for removing a core sample from a borehole includes: taking the core sample within the borehole with a sampling tool; generating a model of the core sample, the model based on data representing properties of the core sample; defining a plurality of proposed tripping schedules; applying, by a processor, the plurality of proposed tripping schedules to the model, and estimating a core parameter for each of the plurality of proposed tripping schedules; comparing the core parameter to a criteria; and selecting a suitable tripping schedule based on the comparison. |
| US09399899B2 |
System and method for transporting hydrocarbons
Methods and systems are provided for producing hydrocarbons from production fluids that have water as an external phase. A method for transporting a hydrocarbon through a pipeline includes injecting water into a production stream at a production center. The production stream includes a hydrocarbon, and the water injection forms a transportation stream that includes a water external phase. The transportation stream is flowed through a transportation line to a surface facility, wherein the transportation line comprises a plurality of static mixers spaced at intervals along the transportation line. |
| US09399898B2 |
Core drilling tools with retractably lockable driven latch mechanisms
Drilling systems and methods for deploying a latch mechanism upon reaching a drilling position. The drilling systems and methods permit spinning of a drill string to cause a core barrel head assembly to spin through the frictional mating of a landing shoulder of the head assembly and a landing ring of an outer tube assembly. The spinning of the drill string induces a centrifugal and/or radial force that acts on the latch mechanism to overcome the frictional retention forces acting on the latch mechanism, thereby permitting deployment of the latch mechanism. |
| US09399896B2 |
Sieve device for untreated drilling mud and a method of using same
A sieve device (1) for untreated drilling mud being brought up from a well and a method for use is provided. The sieve device (1) has a filter device (3) to separate a share of the drilling liquid from the drill cuttings. The sieve device (1) connects to a first outlet that receives drilling cuttings held back on the filter device (3) and a second outlet (11) that receives drilling liquid flowing from the filter device (3). The sieve device (1) also has at least one secondary filter (13) to separate drill cuttings from drilling liquid, a filter guard (17) being arranged in connection with the secondary filter (12), and a bypass arrangement (19) by means of which the filter guard (17) is arranged to open for communication of untreated drilling mud held back on the secondary filter (13), into the second outlet (11) for drilling liquid. |
| US09399892B2 |
Earth-boring tools including movable cutting elements and related methods
Earth-boring tools may have a body, a cutting element attached to the body at a first location, and a formation-engaging structure attached to the body at a second location. The formation-engaging structure may be movable during a drilling operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the formation-engaging structure may be located rotationally behind the cutting element at a first radial distance from a longitudinal axis of the body at which the cutting element will at least initially shield the formation-engaging structure from engaging a formation. In the second position, the formation-engaging structure may be located at a different second radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the body at which the formation-engaging structure will engage a formation. |
| US09399891B2 |
Drilling system having slot for underwater storage of BOP assembly
A drilling system includes a derrick installed on a platform of a stationary floating structure. An activity forms a borehole in a sea-bed, and carries out installation of a casing pipe assembly and a BOP assembly in the formed borehole. A BOP trolley forms the BOP assembly together with the activity, and moves while supporting the formed BOP assembly thereon. A slot is formed on a work stand of a moon pool for underwater storage of the BOP assembly so as to extend parallel with the direction of movement of the BOP trolley, and suppresses shaking of risers when the BOP assembly positioned underwater is moved by the BOP trolley and the BOP assembly is moved to an underwater storage position. |
| US09399890B2 |
Low wind resistance rig
A transportable rig apparatus provides for well completion operations while also providing a rig apparatus that readily resists or negates the effects of dynamic wind forces or other weather phenomenon. More particularly, the transportable rig apparatus provides a mast assembly that can extend in a generally vertical direction, e.g. perpendicular to the rig carrier and/or ground surface, such that the rig can be placed directly adjacent to a wellbore, the mast assembly providing a mast apparatus that readily resists or negates the effects of strong winds or other weather phenomenon. |
| US09399885B2 |
Impact resistant fenestration unit
A fenestration unit includes an outer frame portion, an inner frame portion and a supplemental fixation system that secures the outer frame portion to the inner frame portion. The supplemental fixation system increases a base force required to flex and release a complementary fit between a coupling feature of the outer frame portion and a retaining feature of the inner frame portion to a final force required to decouple the first and second frame portions. |
| US09399884B2 |
Door closer assembly
A door closer assembly is provided, including a valve regulating an amount of hydraulic fluid that flows through the valve. The amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve controls a force generated by the door closer assembly on a door. A first sensor measures an angular position of the door, and a second sensor measures an angular position of the valve. The angular position of the valve determines the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve. A controller controls the adjustment of the valve based on the angular position of the door and the angular position of the valve. |
| US09399878B2 |
Methods and apparatus of building construction resisting earthquake and flood damage
A three part foundation system for supporting a building is described. Three part foundation systems can include a containment vessel, which constrains a buffer medium to an area above the containment vessel, and a construction platform. A building can be built on the construction platform. In a particular embodiment, during operation, the construction platform and structures built on the construction platform can float on the buffer medium. In an earthquake, a construction platform floating on a buffer medium may experience greatly reduced shear forces. In a flood, a construction platform floating on a buffer medium can be configured to rise as water levels rise to limit flood damage. |
| US09399876B2 |
Nosemount seating system
A bleacher seating system provides a seatback locking and release mechanism that allows for rapid simultaneous repositioning of the seat back portions in each row of seating to aid in setting up and collapsing sets of seating rows. The locking and release mechanism may be actuated to substantially simultaneously unlock all seat back portions in a row from a single location. The bleacher seating system may be readily set up or collapsed by a single operator, such as by manually or remotely unlocking and locking the seat back portions in rows so that the seat backs may be pivoted between raised and lowered positions. Optionally, deck nosemount clamps allow for increased walking space behind the seats and a particularly compact seating storage configuration. |
| US09399874B2 |
Tread cap and methods and processes related thereto
Capping structures for covering existing stair treads to provide a bull nose configuration. Additionally, unique processes and/or methods for manufacturing or making such capping structures. |
| US09399871B2 |
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. |
| US09399868B2 |
Column structure and base member
In a column structure, a steel column having a web and flanges integrally provided to both sides in a width direction of the web is welded to a base plate. First anchor bolts and second anchor bolts are anchored in foundation concrete. The base plate is fixed to the first anchor bolts at an opposite side to the web with respect to the flanges, and fixed to the second anchor bolts at a web side with respect to the flanges. The load bearing ability of a column setup can therefore be efficiently exhibited, and a thickness dimension of the base plate can be reduced. |
| US09399867B2 |
Concrete panel corner connection
Two building panels are connected through a column. One panel is bolted to the column, for example by way of fasteners passing through holes in a rib of the panel into threaded inserts in the column. A second panel is also bolted to the column, for example to threaded inserts open to another face of the column. Further panels in an upper or lower story of a building may be connected to the same column such that vertically stacked panels are connected together. In another connection, one end rib of a panel is made to receive a second panel. The second panel can be attached to the end rib of the first panel to make a corner. |
| US09399863B2 |
Low flush toilet system
A toilet system comprising an ultra-low flush toilet, the toilet having a cistern, a bowl including a rim comprising a channel adapted to receive water from the cistern or a flushing device upon flushing of the toilet, the channel having a plurality of apertures therein through which water entering the channel from the cistern or the flushing device flows into the bowl, and wherein a greater concentration of the apertures per unit length of the rim is provided in an area of the rim positioned over a region of the bowl that requires additional water for cleaning, the toilet further comprising a toilet outlet through which waste material is discharged from the toilet, a waste material collection vessel in fluid communication with the toilet outlet via a toilet outlet conduit, the waste material collection vessel having a collection portion adapted to collect at least a portion of the waste material discharged from the toilet and a discharge portion through which at least a portion of the waste material in the collection portion is periodically discharged into a waste material disposal vessel, wherein the quantity of the waste material discharged from the discharge portion is sufficient to ensure that substantially all of the quantity of the waste material discharged enters the waste material disposal vessel. |
| US09399861B2 |
Diaphragm disk
A diaphragm type flush valve for use with toilet devices such as urinals and water closets that includes a valve member, a diaphragm, a guide member extends downwardly from the diaphragm, and a disk positioned on top of the diaphragm. The disk is threadably attached to the guide member and functions to secure the diaphragm, the disk, and the guide member into the valve member. The disk includes a rigid body made of a composite material and a seal member made of an adhesive and a thin layer of rubber, with the seal member having a portion on an upper surface of the disk for sealing contact with a relief valve. The disk also includes a plurality of spaced protrusions and inwardly directed on its upper surface in order to add accuracy and stability to the diaphragm assembly. |
| US09399857B2 |
Communication device and working vehicle provided with the same
A reader writer (communication device) executes at least one of reading identification information stored in an IC tag and writing the identification information to the IC tag. The reader writer includes: a wireless control circuit that generates output for communication; a temperature sensor (temperature detector) that detects a temperature in an environment in which an RFID chip, balun, filter circuit, power amplifier, and coupler (elements for forming the wireless control circuit) are used; a temperature judging unit that judges whether or not the environment in which the element is used falls within a usable temperature range of the element based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; and a wireless power supply controller that suppresses a supply of power to the wireless control circuit when the temperature judging unit judges that the element is not in the environment within the usable temperature range. |
| US09399853B2 |
Digging and backfill apparatus
A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location. |
| US09399848B2 |
Refuse compactor
A refuse compactor, comprising a machine frame, transportation devices, a drive motor, a driver's cab which is arranged on the machine frame, and an air intake device with at least one intake opening, wherein the air intake device is arranged in the forward direction behind the driver's cab and extends at least partly over the rear side of the driver's cab up to the roof of the driver's cab in the vertical direction. |
| US09399846B2 |
Snowthrower and chute rotation control mechanism for use with same
A snowthrower that, in one embodiment, includes a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual rotation of a directional chute about a chute axis via one-handed input. The mechanism may have a chute rotation lever having a proximal end attached to the directional chute, the lever extending radially from the chute axis to terminate at a distal end, wherein a handle is provided at or near the distal end, the handle having a handle axis parallel to the chute axis. |
| US09399845B2 |
Crash attenuator
A crash attenuator includes a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member rigidly connected with a hinge assembly in a pre-impact configuration. The first and second frames are hingedly connected with the hinge assembly in an impact configuration, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a living hinge when the hinge assembly is in the impact configuration. A method of using the crash attenuator is also provided. |
| US09399844B1 |
Pavement marker modules
A pavement marker module for use for enhancing or replacing line striping and other applications such as crosswalks, parking lots, bridges, barriers, and specialty applications at street intersections. The pavement marker module having housing containing a light source, a light guide optically coupled to the light source for directing light, an energy storage system for storing electrical current and for supplying electrical current to the light source, and a charging system for generating electrical current for recharging said energy storage system. |
| US09399842B2 |
Texture curing machine as well as method for the subsequent treatment of a freshly produced concrete layer
Texture curing machine for the subsequent treatment of freshly produced concrete layers, in particular concrete pavements, of a specified width, comprising a machine frame supported by ground-engaging units, where working devices are attached at the machine frame in a stationary fashion or movable transverse to the working direction, and the working devices comprise texturing devices for applying a texture into the not yet hardened surface of the concrete layer and/or spraying devices for discharging a curing agent, said working devices acting on the concrete layer in longitudinal direction or in transverse direction to the working direction, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: that the working devices for applying either a texture or a curing agent comprise both a working device acting in longitudinal direction and stationary in operation and a working device movable to and fro across the width of the concrete layer, where each is alternately transferable from a resting position into an operating position in which the working devices do not collide with one another. |
| US09399840B2 |
Sulfite-based processes for producing nanocellulose, and compositions and products produced therefrom
Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with sulfur dioxide or a sulfite compound and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites. |
| US09399838B2 |
Method for improving strength and retention, and paper product
The invention relates to a method for improving strength and retention in the manufacture of paper. According to the invention, a composition containing microfibrillated cellulose is provided in a fiber suspension, and from 0.1 to 10 w-% of microfibrillated cellulose by mass of the fiber suspension is added to improve the strength and retention of the product to be formed. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding paper product. |
| US09399829B2 |
Rubber composite cord for a tread of a pneumatic tire
A composite cord includes a rubber core and a rubber sheath surrounding, at least in part, the rubber core. A formulation of the core is different from that of the sheath. The rubber core includes at least one diene elastomer and more than 30 phr of a filler A. The filler A includes nanoparticles having a weight-average size of less than 500 nm. The rubber sheath includes at least one diene elastomer, from 0 to less than 30 phr of a filler A′, and more than 70 phr of a filler B. The filler A′ includes nanoparticles having a weight-average size of less than 500 nm. The filler B includes microparticles having a weight-median size of greater than 1 μm. |
| US09399826B2 |
Thin film deposition apparatus and thin film deposition method using electric field
A thin film deposition apparatus and a thin film deposition method using an electric field are provided. The thin film deposition apparatus includes: a first substrate; a plurality of electrodes in a 2D arrangement on the first substrate; and a solution provided on the plurality of electrodes and in which charged nanoparticles are distributed, wherein the charged nanoparticles are selectively deposited on at least a part of the plurality of electrodes by independently applying a voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes. |
| US09399823B2 |
Electrochemical activation of water
An immersion wand device for immersion into a receptacle containing an aqueous metal halide salt solution includes an elongated housing having a handle at a first end and an immersion head at a second end, at least two iridium-coated electrodes each disposed at a distance from one another within the immersion head, a control module to control application of electricity to cause the electrodes to be oppositely charged, and a sensor in communication with the control module for determining a concentration of free available chlorine in the aqueous metal halide salt solution. The control module controls the application of electricity to the electrodes in a manner to perform electrochemical activation (ECA) of the aqueous metal halide salt solution in the receptacle to create an ECA product solution and wherein the distance between the at least two electrodes is automatically adjustable during ECA in response to a measurement by the sensor. |
| US09399810B2 |
Materials of construction for use in high pressure hydrogen storage in a salt cavern
A carbon steel for use in high pressure hydrogen service is provided. This steel may have greater than 1.20% manganese and greater than 0.035% sulfur. This steel may have no more than 0.16% carbon, no more than 1.10% manganese, no more than 0.010% phosphorus, no more than 0.05% sulfur, no more than 0.02% silicon, no more than 0.15% copper, no more than 0.10% nickel, no more than 0.1% chromium, no more than 0.03% molybdnium, no more than 0.40% aluminum, no more than 0.02% vanadium, no more than 0.0005% boron, no more than 0.003% titanium, and no more than 0.02% niobium. |
| US09399809B2 |
Hot rolled ferritic stainless steel sheet, method for producing same, and method for producing ferritic stainless steel sheet
This hot-rolled ferritic stainless steel sheet has a steel composition containing, in terms of % by mass: 0.02% or less of C; 0.02% or less of N; 0.1% to 1.5% of Si; 1.5% or less of Mn; 0.035% or less of P; 0.010% or less of S; 1.5% or less of Ni; 10% to 20% of Cr; 1.0% to 3.0% of Cu; 0.08% to 0.30% of Ti; and 0.3% or less of Al, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, and the hot-rolled ferritic stainless steel sheet has a Vickers hardness of less than 235 Hv. |
| US09399806B2 |
Titanium alloy composition for the production of high-performance parts, in particular for the aeronautical industry
A titanium alloy having at least 4% by weight aluminum and at least 0.1% by weight oxygen, the alloy also including at least one element selected from vanadium, molybdenum, chromium, and iron. The titanium alloy also includes hafnium in a proportion by weight of at least 0.1%. |
| US09399804B2 |
Method for recovering scandium
The present invention effectively recover high-grade scandium from nickel oxide ores. The present invention includes a leaching step (S1) for charging nickel oxide ores and sulfuric acid into a pressurized vessel, a neutralizing step (S2) for adding a neutralizing agent to the leachate to obtain a neutralized precipitate and a neutralized liquid, a sulfidizing step (S3) for adding a sulfidizing agent to the neutralized liquid, an ion exchange step (S4) for bringing the sulfidized solution into contact with a chelate resin, a solvent extraction step (S6) for bringing a Sc eluent into contact with an extracting agent, a Sc precipitation Step (S7) for adding a neutralizing agent or oxalic acid to a stripping solution, and a calcination step (S8) for drying and calcining a precipitate to obtain scandium oxide. |
| US09399801B2 |
Tagged microorganisms and methods of tagging
The present invention provides methods for tagging and/or identifying microorganisms. In some preferred embodiments, the microorganisms are bacteria. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the bacteria are members of the genus Streptococcus, while in other embodiments, the bacteria are members of other genera. The present invention also provides microorganisms tagged using the methods set forth herein. In some preferred embodiments, the tagged microorganisms are bacteria. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the tagged bacteria are members of the genus Streptococcus, while in other embodiments, the tagged bacteria are members of other genera. |
| US09399800B2 |
Detecting neoplasm
This document relates to methods and materials for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms. For example, methods and materials for determining whether or not a stool sample from a mammal contains nucleic acid markers or polypeptide markers of a neoplasm are provided. |
| US09399795B2 |
Multiplex decoding of array sensors with microspheres
The invention relates to compositions and methods for multiplex decoding of microsphere array sensors. |
| US09399786B2 |
Point-of-care test system and method for applying a sample
The present invention relates to a test system or assay system (detection system) and to a test method, preferably in use in the point-of-care (PoC) field. |
| US09399783B2 |
Biological production of multi-carbon compounds from methane
Multi-carbon compounds such as ethanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, fatty (or aliphatic long chain) alcohols, fatty acid methyl esters, 2,3-butanediol and the like, are important industrial commodity chemicals with a variety of applications. The present invention provides metabolically engineered host microorganisms which metabolize methane (CH4) as their sole carbon source to produce multi-carbon compounds for use in fuels (e.g., bio-fuel, bio-diesel) and bio-based chemicals. Furthermore, use of the metabolically engineered host microorganisms of the invention (which utilize methane as the sole carbon source) mitigate current industry practices and methods of producing multi-carbon compounds from petroleum or petroleum-derived feedstocks, and ameliorate much of the ongoing depletion of arable food source “farmland” currently being diverted to grow bio-fuel feedstocks, and as such, improve the environmental footprint of future bio-fuel, bio-diesel and bio-based chemical compositions. |
| US09399781B2 |
Production of isopropanol by improved recombinant strains
The expression vector includes: the nucleic acids coding for the polypeptides forming a polypeptide complex having an enzyme activity allowing acetoacetyl-CoA to be converted to acetoacetate; optionally, at least one nucleic acid coding for a polypeptide having an enzyme activity allowing acetoacetate to be converted to acetone; and at least one nucleic acid coding for a polypeptide having an enzyme activity allowing acetone to be converted to isopropanol; the expression of the nucleic acids being controlled by a single constitutive promoter located upstream of the abovementioned nucleic acids. |
| US09399776B2 |
Chlorogloeopsis sp. host cell for producing ethanol and method for producing ethanol using the same
One embodiment of the invention provides a genetically enhanced Chlorogloeopsis sp. host cell comprising at least one first recombinant gene encoding a first protein for the production of ethanol under the transcriptional control of a first inducible promoter, having at least 85%, 90% or 95% sequence identity to an endogenous inducible promoter of the Chlorogloeopsis sp. host cell. |
| US09399769B2 |
Polypeptides having carboxypeptidase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having carboxypeptidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US09399766B2 |
Recombinant polymerases for incorporation of protein shield nucleotide analogs
Provided are compositions comprising recombinant DNA polymerases that include amino acid substitutions, insertions, deletions, and/or exogenous features that confer modified properties upon the polymerase for enhanced single molecule sequencing or nucleic acid amplification. Such properties include enhanced performance with large nucleotide analogs, increased stability, increased readlength, and improved detection of modified bases, and can also include resistance to photodamage, enhanced metal ion coordination, reduced exonuclease activity, reduced reaction rates at one or more steps of the polymerase kinetic cycle, decreased branching fraction, altered cofactor selectivity, increased yield, increased accuracy, altered speed, increased cosolvent resistance, and the like. Also provided are nucleic acids which encode the polymerases with the aforementioned phenotypes, as well as methods of using such polymerases to make a DNA or to sequence a DNA template. |
| US09399765B2 |
Construction of new variants of dextransucrase DSR-S by genetic engineering
The present invention relates to a recombinant process for the production of truncated or mutated dextransucrases while conserving the enzymatic activity or their specificity in the synthesis of the α-1,6 bonds. The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences of truncated or mutated dextransucrases, vectors containing the nucleic acid sequences and host cells transformed by sequences encoding truncated or mutated dextransucrases. In another aspect, the invention concerns a method for producing, in a recombinant manner, truncated or mutated dextransucrases which conserve their enzymatic activity or which conserve their specificity in the synthesis of α-1,6 bonds and can produce, from saccharose, dextrans with high molar mass and modified rheological properties compared with the properties of dextran obtained with the native enzyme and isomalto-oligosaccharides with a controlled molar mass and dextrans. The dextrans and isomalto-oligosaccharides of the invention can be used namely as texturing agents or as prebiotics. |
| US09399762B2 |
Methods and systems for sulfimidation or sulfoximidation of organic molecules
The disclosure generally relates to the fields of synthetic organic chemistry. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for the imidation of sulfides. |
| US09399761B2 |
Methods of reprogramming cells to a less differentiated state
The present invention relates in part to methods for producing tissue-specific cells from patient samples, and to tissue-specific cells produced using these methods. Methods for reprogramming cells using RNA are disclosed. Therapeutics comprising cells produced using these methods are also disclosed. |
| US09399756B2 |
Functionalized fullerenes as a biomass stimulant and a life extension agent
Methods of stimulating an increase in biomass by stimulating the growth, lifespan and/or reproduction of organisms such as fungi, algae, plants, and other aquatic organisms are provided by applying an effective amount of functionalized fullerenes. For example, polyhydroxy fullerenes are effective at low levels of promoting the increase in biomass. |
| US09399755B2 |
Apparatus and methods for cell culture
A bioreactor (1) for the culture of cells (C) comprising a stack of carriers (7) for cell (C) adherence and liquid medium (M) distribution. The carriers (7) are stacked so as to define levels (6) between adjacent carriers (7) for the flow of the liquid medium (M). Adjacent levels (6) are fluidly interconnected via open spaces (2) so that the liquid medium (M) can flow from one level (6) to an adjacent level (6). The open spaces (2) between a first and an adjacent second level (6′) do not overlap with the one or more open spaces (2) between the second level (6′) and an adjacent third level (6″). One or more of the carriers may also include an area adapted to prevent cell adhesion or growth, thereby allowing for the viewing of cell growth on adjacent carriers from a vantage point external to the bioreactor. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US09399751B1 |
Organoleptic compounds
The present invention relates to a novel compound and its use as fragrance material. |
| US09399739B2 |
Process for producing distillate fuels from syngas
A process for producing distillate fuels, such as a diesel fuel, from a syngas feedstream having a relatively low H2/CO ratio of greater than 1 and equal to or less than 2.0. The syngas feedstream is preferably passed to a CO2 removal zone, then to at least one Fischer-Tropsch zone, wherein the resulting Fischer-Tropsch product stream is passed to a separation zone to obtain a hydrocarbon-containing fraction that is hydroconverted to result in a distillate boiling range stream. |
| US09399737B2 |
Insulating and cooling cracking device
An insulating and cooling cracking device includes a thermal cracking furnace accommodated therein. The insulating and cooling device has at least one cooling opening set on its side wall and at least one adiabatic cover. When the thermal cracking device is in heating, the adiabatic cover is closed. When the pyrolysis process is completed, the adiabatic cover is opened to allow the air to flow into one cooling opening. The air further flows through the surface of the thermal cracking furnace, and flows out from another cooling opening to achieve the advantage of more rapid cooling. |
| US09399736B2 |
Optically anisotropic substance and liquid crystal display
To provide an optically anisotropic substance having a negative uniaxial phase difference film and a positive uniaxial phase difference film, and excellent heat resistance and sputtering resistance. The positive uniaxial phase difference film is formed in combination with a bifunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound, the negative uniaxial phase difference film is formed in combination of the bifunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound with an optically active compound having a polymerizable binaphthol moiety, and additional thermosetting treatment (postcure) is applied after the negative uniaxial phase difference film is photocured, and when glass transition temperature after the negative uniaxial phase difference film is cured is 85° C. or higher and 115° C. or lower, additional thermosetting treatment temperature is adjusted to 220° C. or higher and 250° C. or lower, and when the glass transition temperature is higher than 115° C., the additional thermosetting treatment temperature is adjusted to 200° C. or higher and 250° C. or lower. |
| US09399735B2 |
Mannich-base inhibitor for decalcification, preparation method and application thereof
A mannich-base inhibitor for decalcification, a preparation method and application thereof are provided. The inhibitor comprises 10-80% mannich-base component calculated in the total weight percent of the inhibitor, while the rest is at least one compound selected from imidazoline inhibitor with molecular weight between 110 and 750, and alkynyloxy amine inhibitor. The mannich-base inhibitor component is prepared through mannich reaction with 1 mol organic polyamine containing three or more primary amine bases and/or secondary amine bases, 3-7 mol ketones, and 3-7 mol aldehydes. The inhibitor which can be effectively compounded and cooperated with oil demulsifying agent and oil decalcifying agent, have the advantages of stable property, strong absorbability, high film strength and film density with its inhibition rate exceeding 90%. The inhibitor is especially adapted for inhibiting the steel corrosion caused by the mixed medium of salt, acid and water from the desalination and dehydration apparatus of oil refinery below 160° C. |
| US09399731B2 |
Phosphor, method for producing the same, and luminescent device using the same
A blue phosphor having an emission peak wavelength different from that of conventional blue phosphors, a method for producing the same, and a high-intensity luminescent device using the phosphor are provided. The phosphor of the present invention is represented by a general formula MeaRebAlcSidOeNf (Me may contain one or more elements selected from Mg, Ca, Sc, Y, and La as second elements, provided that Sr or Ba is contained as an essential first element, and Re may contain one or more elements selected from Mn, Ce, Tb, Yb, and Sm as second elements, provided that Eu is contained as an essential first element), where the composition ratio represented by a, b, c, d, e, and f has the following relations: a+b=1, 0.005 |
| US09399730B2 |
Wavelength conversion material as encapsulate for solar module systems to enhance solar harvesting efficiency
This invention relates to an encapsulation structure comprising a luminescent wavelength conversion material for at least one solar cell or photovoltaic device which acts to enhance the solar harvesting efficiency of the solar cell device. The luminescent wavelength conversion material comprises at least one chromophore and an optically transparent polymer matrix. Application of the encapsulation structure, as disclosed herein, to solar harvesting devices, including solar cells, solar panels, and photovoltaic devices, improves the solar harvesting efficiency of the device by widening the spectrum of incoming sunlight that can be effectively converted into electricity by the device. |
| US09399727B2 |
Composition and method for producing an ultra-lightweight ceramic proppant
A pellet made from a mixture of natural occurring clays comprising porcelain clay, earthenware clay, and kaolin clay. In some embodiment, the pellet has an alumina content between about 5.5% and about 35%, an apparent specific gravity from about 2.10 to about 2.55 g/cc, and a bulk density of from about 1.30 to about 1.50 g/cc. The pellet is useful in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells, and has greater conductivity than sand at pressures up to 8,000 psi as measured by Stim-Lab after 50 hours and 275° F. on Ohio Sandstone, in the presence of deoxygenated aqueous 2% solution of KCI. |
| US09399726B2 |
Use of ternary compositions
The use of a ternary composition of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and difluoromethane, as a heat-transfer fluid, in compression refrigeration systems with exchangers operating in counterflow mode or in cross-flow mode with counterflow tendency. A heat-transfer process in which a ternary composition of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and difluoromethane is used as a refrigerant in compression systems with exchangers operating in counterflow mode or in cross-flow mode with counterflow tendency. |
| US09399718B2 |
Ink composition, inkjet recording system, and inkjet recording method
An ink composition is held in an ink container that is provided with an ink inlet through which the ink container can be refilled with the ink composition, and is used in a state in which the ink container is fitted into an inkjet recording device that includes a recording head having a nozzle hole that ejects the ink composition, the ink composition including a disperse dye, and at least one of a silicon-based surfactant and a fluorine-based surfactant, the ink composition having a surface tension of 22 to 30 mN/m. |
| US09399717B2 |
Photopolymerizable composition, photopolymerizable inkjet ink, and ink cartridge
To provide a photopolymerizable composition, which includes photopolymerizable monomers containing glycerol dimethacrylate, caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, wherein an amount of the glycerol dimethacrylate in the photopolymerizable monomers is 25% by mass or greater. |
| US09399713B1 |
Asphalt recovery system and process
An asphalt recovery system may include an extractor, a desolventizer, and an evaporator. During operation, the extractor may receive a solvent and roofing waste and extract asphalt from the roofing waste with the solvent. The desolventizer may receive a solvent-wet solids stream from the extractor and vaporize solvent from the solvent-wet solids stream to yield desolventized solids. The evaporator may receive an asphalt-rich solvent stream from the extractor and vaporize solvent from the stream to produce a solvent stream and an asphalt stream. By configuring the evaporator to operate at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, the boiling point in the evaporator may increase as compared to operating the evaporator at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In turn, this may keep the viscosity of asphalt within the evaporator less than 500 centipoise, which may improve heat transfer to the asphalt and prevent that asphalt from plugging the evaporator. |
| US09399712B2 |
Vinylbenzyl-etherified-DOPO compound resin composition and preparation and application thereof
The present invention belongs to the technical field of a resin having low dielectric properties, and presents a vinylbenzyl-etherified-DOPO compound resin composition and a preparation method and application thereof. The composition includes a vinylbenzyl-etherified-DOPO compound resin and a vinyl-terminated polyphenylene ether resin. The DOPO resin is vinylbenzyl etherified in the present invention, thus obtaining a vinylbenzyl-etherified-DOPO compound resin having low dielectric properties, and there are no hydroxyl group on itself, no hydroxyl function group will be generated during the cross-linking reaction; and the vinylbenzyl-etherified-DOPO compound resin contains phosphorus atoms, and has flame retardancy. The prepared vinylbenzyl-etherified-DOPO compound resin and the hydroxyl-free, low dielectric vinyl-terminated polyphenylene ether resin are combined in the present invention, thus obtaining a resin composition having low dielectric constant and low dielectric loss tangent, which can achieve excellent dielectric properties and flame retardancy when applying to the metal laminates and printed circuit boards. |
| US09399711B2 |
Pneumatic object provided with a gas-tight layer comprising a styrene thermoplastic elastomer and a polyphenylene ether
An inflatable article is provided with an elastomer layer that is airtight to inflation gases used to inflate the article. The elastomer layer includes at least one styrene thermoplastic elastomer, which includes a polyisobutylene block. The elastomer layer also includes a polyphenylene ether (PPE). |
| US09399709B2 |
Method for producing thermoplastic elastomer composition
Disclosed is a method for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition, the method comprising subjecting components (A), (B), (C), and (D) to dynamic thermal treatment in a melt-kneading apparatus, wherein the component (A) is an ethylene-α-olefin based copolymer rubber, the component (B) is a polyolefin resin, the component (C) is a liquid in which an alkylphenol resin has been dispersed and/or dissolved in a mineral oil, and the component (D) is a metal halide. |
| US09399707B2 |
Use of alumina trihydrate in composites
A composite comprising a flame retardant, such as ATH and an expandable graphite is disclosed. |
| US09399705B2 |
Storage-stable polyurethane-prepregs and fibre composite components produced therefrom
The invention relates to storage-stable prepregs (preimpregnated fibers) based on low-viscosity polyurethane systems having a very high characteristic number and flat fiber composite components (molded bodies; composite components) produced therefrom, which are obtained due to an impregnation method of fiber reinforced materials such as woven fabrics and fleece, and to a method for the production thereof. |
| US09399704B2 |
Method for generation of nanoparticles
A discrete nanostructure formed by a method comprising providing an aliphatic multi-block copolymer. The aliphatic multi-block copolymer includes at least one polyester block and at least one functionalized polycarbonate block. The aliphatic multi-block copolymer, a deprotonating agent and water are mixed to form an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture is maintained at a reaction temperature suitable to result in self-assembly of the multi-block copolymer into nanoparticles. |
| US09399702B2 |
Crosslinkable arylamine compounds and conjugated oligomers or polymers based thereon
Crosslinkable arylamine compounds, oligomers and polymers prepared from such crosslinkable arylamine compounds, films and coatings, and multilayer electronic devices comprising such films are disclosed. |
| US09399700B2 |
Ultra-high IV polyester for extrusion blow molding and method for its production
An ultra-high IV polyester suitable for high melt strength end-uses, such as injection blow molding, pipe extrusion, profile extrusion, and extrusion blow molding, is provided, having IV of greater than 0.9; and a process for its production having high IV lift rate during SSP processing. |
| US09399699B1 |
Compositions comprising polyester for 3D printing
A composition for use in 3D printing includes a polyester resin including a 1,4-butanediol (BDO) monomer unit and a terephthalate monomer unit, the polyester resin being provided in a powdered form with a particle size in a range from about 100 microns to about 500 microns. |
| US09399697B2 |
Hardeners for epoxy resins, which comprise aromatic amino groups
The present invention relates to hardeners for epoxy resins, which contain secondary aliphatic and primary aromatic amino groups. They harden surprisingly quickly together with epoxy resins even under cold and humid conditions and without blushing effects to give films with a high degree of hardness. They are especially suitable for coatings with high resistance requirements. |
| US09399694B2 |
Star macromolecules for personal and home care
A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest. |
| US09399688B2 |
Multistage process for the polymerization of olefins
A process for polymerizing olefins at temperatures of from 30° C. to 140° C. and pressures of from 1.0 MPa to 10 MPa in the presence of a polymerization catalyst in a multistage polymerization of olefins in at least two serially connected gas-phase polymerization reactors, and apparatus for the multistage polymerization of olefins, comprising at least two serially connected gas-phase polymerization reactors and a device for transferring polyolefin particles from an up-stream gas-phase polymerization reactor to a downstream gas-phase polymerization reactor, the transferring device comprising—a gas/solid separation chamber placed downstream of the upstream gas-phase polymerization which gas/solid separation chamber is equipped at a lower part with an net for introducing a fluid, and—connected to the gas/solid separation chamber at least two lock hoppers, placed in a parallel arrangement, each connected to the downstream gas-phase polymerization reactor. |
| US09399687B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing chlorinated vinyl chloride-based resin
According to a method of the present invention for producing a CPVC resin, the method includes the steps of: introducing chlorine into a slurry of a PVC resin in a first tank; transferring, from the first tank to a second tank, the slurry into which chlorine has been introduced; and irradiating, with UV light, the slurry in the second tank. This method improves an amount of chlorine dissolved into the slurry of the PVC resin and consequently, improves production efficiency of the CPVC resin. |
| US09399678B2 |
Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agents and uses thereof
The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising one or more antibody single domains, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, directed against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, in particular, two light chain variable domains in dimeric form, where the dimer has high solubility. It also relates to methods of using anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha polypeptides in treating inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. Compositions and methods for enhancing therapeutic potential of anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha polypeptides are provided, including linking the polypeptide to an albumin-binding domain and/or de-immunizing the polypeptide, to provide therapeutic agents with good solubility, enhanced serum half-life, and/or reduced immunogenicity, while substantially maintaining the specific binding properties of the anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha polypeptides. |
| US09399677B2 |
VHNAR anti-cytokine domains
The present invention concerns therapeutic compositions containing proteins that are the variable regions of IgNAR immunoglobulins, denominated vNAR, that specifically bind and neutralizes cytokines involved in a diversity of process such as inflammation and neovascularization, its ability to reach, bind, and neutralize the activity of one antigenic molecule localized in an immunoprivileged organs, are also described. |
| US09399672B2 |
Hepatitis C virus neutralizing antibody
A specific epitope on the surface of the hepatitis C virus that induces a neutralizing antibody response in vivo and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to the epitope are disclosed. The antibodies block hepatitis C virus from infecting cells. |
| US09399669B2 |
Variants derived from ActRIIB
In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating (promoting or inhibiting) growth of a tissue, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, and/or neuronal tissue. The present invention also provides methods of screening compounds that modulate activity of an ActRIIB protein and/or an ActRIIB ligand. The compositions and methods provided herein are useful in treating diseases associated with abnormal activity of an ActRIIB protein and/or an ActRIIB ligand. |
| US09399668B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding rage fusion proteins
The present invention provides novel therapeutics and methods of treatment for diseases associated with activation of the advanced glycatioπ endproducts receptor (RAGE). |
| US09399664B2 |
Process for purification of pneumocandin
The process described herein discloses purification process of a secondary metabolite produced by fermentation route. The process involves selective removal of impurities at various stages of washings, charcoalization followed by crystallization. The product is closely related to class of echinocandins and is found to be potent antifungal compound & a key ingredient in the synthesis of antifungal drugs. |
| US09399663B2 |
Competitive inhibitor of GP120
Peptides and peptide analogs that competitively inhibit HIV protein gp120 and methods for making and using the same. |
| US09399659B2 |
Certain chemical entities, compositions, and methods
Chemical entities that are bufalin derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described. |
| US09399658B2 |
Purification of triphosphorylated oligonucleotides using capture tags
The present invention relates to a method of preparing triphosphate-modified oligonucleotides using a capture tag. The method allows the synthesis and purification of triphosphate-modified oligonucleotides in high yield and purity suitable for pharmaceutical applications. |
| US09399657B2 |
Chemiluminescent methods and reagents for analyte detection
The present invention relates to chemiluminescent method and regent to detect analyte. One aspect of the current invention relates to using enzyme substrate that can be cleaved by target enzyme to release chemiluminescent compound giving light signal for the detection of varieties of target enzymes. Another aspect of the current invention relates to use chemiluminescent enzyme coupled with analyte binding molecules to detect specific analyte molecules in a homogenous phase. |
| US09399651B2 |
Inhibitors of catechol O-methyl transferase and their use in the treatment of psychotic disorders
The present invention relates to 4-pyridinone compounds which are inhibitors of catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT), and are useful in the treatment and prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which COMT enzyme is involved. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which COMT is involved. |
| US09399648B2 |
Isothiazolopyridinones useful for the treatment of (inter alia) cystic fibrosis
The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators. |
| US09399645B2 |
Inhibitors of HIV replication
Compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof: wherein A1 A2 and A3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of N and CR3, wherein R1 is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl or an optionally substituted —(C1-6)alkyl-heterocyclyl, R2 is an optionally substituted aryl or an optionally subsisted heteroaryl, R4 is an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted heterocyclyl or an optionally substituted heteroaryl, useful as an inhibitor of HIV replication. |
| US09399644B2 |
[1,3] dioxolo [4,5-G] quinoline-6(5H)thione derivatives as inhibitors of the late SV40 factor (LSF) for use in treating cancer
The present invention relates generally to methods, compounds and/or compositions suitable for inhibiting, preventing and/or treating cancer, e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In some embodiments, the invention relates to the use of small-molecule compounds to inhibit, prevent and/or treat expression of the transcription factor Late SV40 Factor (LSF) for treatment of HCC or other cancer types. |
| US09399636B2 |
Substituted dipyridylamines and uses thereof
The present invention provides for compounds of Formula I and various embodiments thereof, and compositions comprising compounds of Formula I and various embodiments thereof. In compounds of Formula I, the groups R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, m, n and the C-linked Ring have the meaning as described herein. The present invention also provides for methods of using compounds of Formula I and compositions comprising compounds of Formula I as DLK inhibitors and for treating neurodegeneration diseases and disorders. |
| US09399630B2 |
Process for preparing benzofuran-2-carboxamide derivatives
Provided herein are novel, commercially viable and industrially advantageous processes for the preparation of benzofuran-2-carboxamide derivatives and their intermediates, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in high yield and purity. Provided particularly herein are novel, commercially viable and industrially advantageous processes for the preparation of vilazodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in high yield and purity. Provided also herein is an improved and commercially viable process for the preparation of 3-(4-hydroxybutyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile, in high yield and purity, using novel intermediate compound 3-(4-hydroxybutyryl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile. |
| US09399626B2 |
2-thiopyrimidinones
Myeloperoxidase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions containing such inhibitors and the use of such inhibitors to treat, for example, cardiovascular conditions. |
| US09399625B2 |
Acridone compounds
(A1) A class of acridone compounds has been discovered that exhibits chemosensitizing and antiparasitic activity. Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for their use to treat parasitic infections, such as malaria and toxoplasmosis, and to sensitize resistant cells, such as multidrug resistant cells to other therapeutic agents. The pharmaceutical compositions and methods may also be used to treat and/or prevent psychotic diseases such as schizophrenia. |
| US09399623B2 |
Quinoline derivatives and their use in neurodegenerative diseases
The present invention relates to quinoline compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, useful as antagonists of P2X7, and for the treatment of P2X7-related disorders. |
| US09399612B2 |
Treatment of pervasive developmental disorders with redox-active therapeutics
Methods of treating or suppressing pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) including; autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), Rett's disorder, and PDD-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds as disclosed herein. |
| US09399611B2 |
Method of acetalizing an aldehyde
A method of acetalizing an aldehyde comprising reacting said aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of a polymeric catalyst to form an acetal wherein the polymeric catalyst is a mesoporous poly-melamine-formaldehyde polymer. |
| US09399608B2 |
Ethylene recovery by absorption
A process for recovery of ethylene from a polymerization product stream of a polyethylene production system, comprising separating a light gas stream from the polymerization product stream, wherein the light gas stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, contacting the light gas stream with an absorption solvent system, wherein the contacting the light gas stream with the absorption solvent system occurs at a temperature in a range of from about 40° F. to about 110° F., wherein at least a portion of the unreacted ethylene from the light gas stream is absorbed by the absorption solvent system, and recovering unreacted ethylene from the absorption solvent system to yield recovered ethylene. |
| US09399607B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products using a recovery zone, a pressure swing adsorption zone, and a membrane separation zone
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is separated for forming an H2-rich stream and a first intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The H2-rich stream is contacted with an adsorbent to form an H2-ultra rich stream and a PSA tail gas stream. The PSA tail gas stream is contacted with an H2/hydrocarbon separation membrane to separate the PSA tail gas stream and form an H2-ultra rich permeate stream and a PSA tail gas hydrocarbon-containing non-permeate residue stream. |
| US09399599B1 |
Strain-hardening cementitious composite
A strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC) can include cement, fly ash (FA), dune sand (DS), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers. The amount of DS in the SHCC can be at least 25% by weight. The cement can be Type I ordinary Portland cement, conforming to ASTM C150 specifications. The fly ash can be Class F fly ash (FA). The median particle size of the cement can be 14 μm. The median particle size of the FA can be 10 μm. |
| US09399598B2 |
Method for removal of radioactive cesium and facility therefor
To provide a method and an apparatus for removing radioactive cesium from waste containing radioactive cesium at low cost. A radioactive cesium removal apparatus 1 including: an incinerator 22 for burning an inflammable waste polluted with radioactive cesium; a suspension preheater 23 for, with the combustion exhaust gas G5 and a sensible heat of the incineration ash of a combustible C discharged from the incinerator, generating calcium oxide or/and magnesium oxide from a source of calcium oxide or/and a source of magnesium oxide, cyclones of the suspension preheater being arranged in multistages; a rotary kiln 21 for burning an inorganic substance S polluted with radioactive cesium together with the calcium oxide or/and the magnesium oxide and the incineration ash D3 including the radioactive cesium; and collectors 31, 32 for collecting cesium volatilized in the rotary kiln. |
| US09399596B1 |
Methods and systems for bonding multiple wafers
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for bonding multiple wafers. An example system may include a sealable chamber with a first and second substantially vertical post positioned inside of the sealable chamber. The system may also include a first latch connected to the first post via a first pin, wherein the first pin allows the first latch to rotate about the first pin. The system may also include a second latch similarly configured to the first latch. The system may also include a base plate positioned between the first and second posts. The base plate is arranged such that when a first wafer rests on the base plate and a second wafer rests on the first and second latches, moving the base plate from a first position to a second position causes a top surface of the first wafer to contact a bottom surface of the second wafer. |
| US09399589B2 |
Synthetic base and associated methods
Glycine is an organic compound that can be used in the making of a synthetic base that obviates all the drawbacks of strong bases such as sodium hydroxide. The new compound is made by dissolving glycine in water and adding calcium hydroxide at a molar ration of about 1:1. Next, sodium percarbonate is dissolved in the solution to produce the new compound, which can be referred to as glycine hydroxide. |
| US09399581B2 |
Process for producing two-dimensional nanomaterials
The present invention provides a process for producing a two-dimensional nanomaterial by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the process comprising contacting a substrate in a reaction chamber with a first flow which contains hydrogen and a second flow which contains a precursor for said material, wherein the contacting takes place under conditions such that the precursor reacts in the chamber to form said material on a surface of the substrate, wherein the ratio of the flow rate of the first flow to the flow rate of the second flow is at least 5:1. Two-dimensional nanomaterials obtainable by said process are also provided, as well as devices comprising said nanomaterials. |
| US09399574B2 |
MEMS package and a method for manufacturing the same
A plurality of MEMS transducer packages is manufactured by placement of a plurality of transducers onto a panel of undivided package substrates, attachment of a plurality of individual covers onto a panel and over the transducers, depositing an epoxy into the channels between the covers, and then singulating the panel into individual MEMS transducer packages. |
| US09399573B2 |
Device comprising a spring and an element suspended thereon, and method for manufacturing same
The invention relates to an MEMS structure with a stack made of different layers and a spring-and-mass system varying in its thickness which is formed of the stack, and wherein, starting from a back side of the stack and the substrate, at laterally different positions, the substrate while leaving the first semiconductor layer, or the substrate, the first etch-stop layer and the first semiconductor layer are removed, and to a method for manufacturing such a structure. |
| US09399571B2 |
Overflow valve prevention system
A method of controlling overflow in a below-ground transfer pump sump used in the dispensing of liquid fuels. The method comprises providing a sump having a sump bottom below a level of ground immediately adjacent the sump, providing a storage tank having an internal cavity for the storage of liquid fuel, the storage tank having a conduit in communication with the sump and providing an overflow assembly having an inlet disposed within the sump and an outlet communicating with the conduit. The method includes permitting water from the ground adjacent the sump to enter the sump and mix with any liquid fuel in the sump and if the liquid fuel and water mixture in the sump reaches a predetermined level, allowing the liquid mixture to pass through the overflow assembly, into the conduit and into the storage tank containing the liquid fuel. |
| US09399565B2 |
Method for the speed synchronization of a crane drive and crane drive
A method is used for synchronizing the speed of a hydraulic crane drive having at least one hydraulic consumer, which is fed with a variable volumetric rate of flow by way of at least one hydraulic variable displacement pump. The at least one hydraulic variable displacement pump is driven by way of a drive unit of the crane. By way of the crane control system, a swashplate angle of the at least one variable displacement pump is open and/or closed loop controlled as a function of the demanded volumetric flow rate for at least one consumer and/or on the basis of one additional parameter. |
| US09399556B2 |
End lid design and removal tool
A motorized drum (03000) has a drum shell (03700) with a motor (04200) there within and an end lid (03570) of a determined diameter with an end lid recess (46920). An end lid remover tool (46940) has an outer circumferential geometry with a larger diameter and a tool recess (46930). The tool recess complements the end lid recess. A joining cord (46910) has a cross-sectional geometry that corresponds to the combination of the end lid recess and the tool recess. An inlet enables access to the channel, and a flexible member (46910) is installed therethrough to occupy the channel. A slide hammer (46950) applies an axially outward force whereby the end lid is urged axially outward in response to outward force conveyed to the end lid arrangement via the flexible member. The remover tool can have alternatively a circumferential spiral geometry that is configured to engage an outer circumferential spiral geometry of the end lid. |
| US09399555B2 |
Conveyor module docking system for a reverse vending machine
A conveyor module for a reverse vending machine, which is mountable to a docking unit, and includes at least one conveyor belt; a housing for supporting the at least one conveyor belt, and a force receiving element for receiving a driving power for driving the at least one conveyor belt, which force receiving element is accessible from outside of the conveyor module through an opening in the housing. Further, a docking unit for a conveyor module of a reverse vending machine includes a housing, and a force feed element for outputting a driving power to the conveyor module, which force feed element is accessible from outside of the docking unit through an opening in the housing. |
| US09399553B2 |
Efficient distribution and selection of storage media in a storage medium library
A location of a first drive in a storage medium library is determined. In response to a determination of the location of the first drive, it is determined whether a first storage medium is located within a first distance from the first drive. In response to a determination that the first storage medium is not located within the first distance from the first drive, it is determined whether the first storage medium is located within a second distance from the first drive. In response to a determination that the first storage medium is located within the first distance or the second distance from the first drive, the first storage medium is made available to be read by or written to by the first drive. |
| US09399552B1 |
Waste compactor system for vehicles
A vehicle for collecting and compacting waste for disposal including a compaction chamber, configured to receive and compact waste, having an opening for inserting waste to be compacted and a plurality of apertures in at least one internal surface of the compaction chamber. The compactor is configured to apply pressure to the waste in the compaction chamber to reduce the volume of the waste. When the compactor applies pressure to the waste, liquid and residual solid waste exits the compaction chamber through the plurality of apertures. There is a liquid collection system, configured to collect the liquid and the residual solid waste from the plurality of apertures and the liquid collection system includes an evaporation system configured to evaporate at least a portion of the liquid removed from the waste. |
| US09399545B2 |
Modular package
A modular package having a container encompassing two or more modules, one of which includes a personal article visible from the outside of the modular package. The container includes a window making the personal article visible to a consumer. |
| US09399544B2 |
Valve for an aerosol container
A valve for dispensing moisture reactive liquids is disclosed. The valve has a valve cup for tightly closing a container including a through opening, and a first annular fold forming a groove in a first, inner surface and a rib in a second, outer surface. The valve includes a resilient grommet and a valve stem. The valve stem includes a hollow tubular portion, defining a central bore snugly fitting in the grommet central bore and extending on both sides of the grommet with a first end opening to ambient and a second, opposite end being closed by a circular end base greater than the diameter of the bore of the grommet. The upper surface of the flange portion of the grommet mates with the first, inner surface of the cup including the portion of the grommet mating the groove formed by the fold. |
| US09399542B1 |
Condiment container and associated method
A condiment container may include a portable body preferably having a planar back side and a planar bottom side monolithically formed therewith. The body may include a curvilinear front side monolithically formed with the back and bottom sides respectively. An open top side may be oppositely disposed from the bottom side. The front side may include first and second lines of weakness linearly extending along a longitudinal length thereof. In this way, the front side may be selectively biased between folded and unfolded positions by displacing the first and second lines of weakness inwardly and outwardly from the back side respectively. The back, front and bottom sides may further define a hollow interior cavity adapted to receive the condiments when the front side is biased to the unfolded position. The hollow interior cavity may further be collapsed when the front side is biased to the folded position. |
| US09399538B2 |
Beverage lid system, beverage lid and associated methods
A beverage lid system may include a beverage lid and a stirrer that may be connected to a portion of the beverage lid. The beverage lid may include an outer lid member and an inner lid member rotatably carried by an interior portion of the outer lid member. The stirrer may be adapted to be connected to a portion of the inner lid member. The inner lid member is rotatable with respect to the outer lid member so that when the stirrer is connected to the inner lid member, the stirrer is moveable with the inner lid member. |
| US09399537B1 |
Container for semi-solid foods
An exemplary device for semi-solid foods includes a separator for insertion in a food container having an optional lid. The separator provides an upper compartment for solid foods and a lower compartment for liquids. The separator has a base, and a ramp extending upwards therefrom. The separator preferably provides a barrier such that liquid in the container does not traverse the intersection between the separator and the container sidewall inner surface. When the container is tilted to dispense the food therein, liquid in the lower compartment flows out through a ramp opening (such as an aperture in the ramp or a separation between the ramp and the container sidewall), without flowing through a base aperture. When the container is returned to a level position, any fluid in the upper compartment may return to the lower compartment via an optional fluid channel in the ramp and through the base aperture. |
| US09399535B2 |
Support arrangements for water treatment tank
A tank for processing wastewater has reinforced side and end walls, a top wall and a floor. A flexible liner is mounted inside the tank. Regions of the top wall have reinforcing elements fixed thereto. The reinforcing elements have fixture elements integral therewith for suspending and supporting items in the interior of the tank. |
| US09399532B2 |
System for filling pharmaceutical products into bottle-shaped containers
The invention pertains to a system for filling bottle-like containers with tablets, which comprises various devices for specific processes, wherein most of the devices have a transport mechanism for positively guiding the movement of each container by itself in a continuous manner, whereas at least the device for dosing the pharmaceutical products and for introducing the pharmaceutical products into the containers has a transport mechanism for positively guiding the movement of each container by itself in a clocked manner in certain sections. The transport mechanisms of the devices are connected to each other in series, which ensures the positive guidance of each individual container by itself through the entire system. |
| US09399530B2 |
System for moving heavy objects about a remote manufacturing yard
A system for moving heavy objects about a manufacturing yard is provided. In one embodiment, the system can include a pair of rails disposed on the ground of the manufacturing yard; a plurality of multi-ton rollers configured to mate with the rails, each multi-ton roller configured to be attached to a movable platform which is configured to accept a packed column section; and a winch disposed between the pair of rails and secured to the ground of the manufacturing yard, the winch having a spool of cable with one end configured to be attached to the movable platform, the winch configured to apply a force to cause the movable platform to travel about a length of the pair of rails. |
| US09399529B2 |
Automated product engager, transporter and patterened depositor system
The system (30) includes a product engager (32), a transporter (34) and a patterned depositor (36) for engaging products (38) and transporting the products (38) from the product engager (32) to the patterned depositor (36), such as between a product bagging machine (56) that forms and fills a bag (24), a conveyor that transports the bags as the products (38) and delivers them to a case packing machine as the patterned depositor (36). The product engager (32) and the patterned depositor (36) include first and second drivers (46, 48) and the transporter (34) includes an adjustable-length buffer (50) to compensate for any temporary difference between a first product delivery rate of the product engager (32) and a rate of movement of the products (38) passing from the product engager (32) along the transporter (34) to the patterned depositor (36). |
| US09399525B2 |
Method, systems, and computer readable media for troubleshooting an aircraft system during system failure
Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for troubleshooting and repairing an aircraft system failure during abnormal situations of an aircraft's operation. One aspect of a method for implementing the subject matter described herein includes at least one interactive interface configured for troubleshooting and repairing an aircraft system failure. The method also includes displaying at least one or more graphic object representing at least one or more aircraft system and configured for receiving interaction from a user, displaying at least one or more energy flow icon representing the direction of circulation of an energy flow, and displaying at least one or more macro action icon configured for performing an automated action sequence configured for troubleshooting and repairing the system failure. |
| US09399523B2 |
Method of operating a synthetic vision system in an aircraft
A method of operating an aircraft comprising a cockpit with a flight deck having at least one flight display, a pilot's seat facing the flight deck, and a synthetic vision system producing a synthetic image for displaying on the at least one flight display. |
| US09399521B2 |
Aircraft vapour trail control system
The invention concerns an aircraft propulsion control system for an aircraft with a plurality of gas turbine engines mounted at different spaced positions relative to an airframe. One or more sensor is arranged to sense a condition indicative of vapor trail formation by an exhaust flow from one or more of the plurality of engines. A controller is arranged to be responsive to thrust demand for the aircraft and selectively to control each of the engines so as to modify the exhaust flow of at least one engine relative to at least one further engine according to the positions of the engines on the airframe. The proximity of an engine to a vortical wake flow created by the airframe may be used to determine suitable exhaust flow modifications. The controller may output a separate throttle control signal to each engine and/or may adjust the fuel composition supplied to each engine. |
| US09399520B2 |
Assembly comprising an articulation spindle supported by a clevis and immobilized in translation by a blocking device integrating a double anti-rotation system
An assembly having an articulation spindle mounted in a first sleeve inserted into a first arm of a clevis and in a second sleeve inserted into a second arm of said clevis, and a blocking device. The blocking device comprises a nut screwed onto an extension of the second sleeve and comprising an inner shoulder acting as a stop for a second end of the articulation spindle, at least two locking washers engaging with the nut, a tab washer comprising an element immobilizing it in rotation with respect to the second arm of the clevis, and for each locking washer, a blocking element limiting the rotational movement of the locking washer with respect to the tab washer. |
| US09399518B2 |
Energy absorber for a crashworthy seat and crashworthy seat comprising such an energy absorber
An energy absorber (100) to limit an acceleration force experienced by a heavy body, such as an occupant of a seat subjected to the acceleration of an aircraft crash, comprises a winding drum (10) mounted in rotation around a shaft (13), around which a traction line (11) is wound. The shaft is coupled mechanically to a brake (20) that immobilizes the shaft (13) in rotation when a torque applied to the shaft by the traction line is less than the maximum brake torque that can be generated by the brake and that when the shaft (13) is in rotation generates a torque that is approximately constant and equal to the maximum brake torque.A control element (40) acting on the brake (20) makes it possible to modify the value of the maximum brake torque and thus to adapt the energy absorber to the mass of the heavy body to maintain an acceleration experienced at a desired value for different masses. |
| US09399516B2 |
Convertible aircraft galley refrigerator/chiller with side door access
A refrigeration unit for an aircraft galley comprises a frame establishing a main compartment, and a side window that receives a side access compartment, where a the dividing wall separates the side compartment interior space from a main chilled compartment. A side door mounted to the side access compartment allows access to the side compartment but not the main compartment, allowing segregation of snacks and items accessible to passengers via self-serve from those that are only distributed by flight attendants. |
| US09399510B2 |
Hat stringer closeout fitting and method of making same
A closeout fitting for a hat stringer includes a cover that has a fitting surface. The fitting surface is substantially complementary to at least a portion of an outer surface of the hat stringer. The cover is configured to couple against the hat stringer outer surface. The cover also includes a first portion configured to extend across a gap defined in a cap portion of the hat stringer. The closeout fitting also includes an insert. The insert includes a first outer perimeter surface that is substantially complementary to at least a portion of an interior surface of a channel defined by the hat stringer. The insert is configured to couple against the channel interior surface proximate the hat stringer closeout portion. The insert and the cover are formed with a suitable stiffness to limit a deformation of the hat stringer proximate the closeout portion. |
| US09399509B2 |
Vent stringer fitting
A fitting for a vent stringer of a type having an open end and an outer edge defining the open end. The fitting may include a fitting body receivable along the open end of the vent stringer, the fitting body having a groove that generally corresponds with the outer edge of the vent stringer, the groove of the fitting body shaped to receive the outer edge of the vent stringer to create a tongue and groove joint with the outer edge; and a connection between the fitting and the stringer to prevent slidable movement of the fitting relative to the stringer. |
| US09399508B2 |
Aircraft wing-to-fuselage joint with active suspension and method
An aircraft includes a fuselage, a wing, and a decoupled joint interconnecting the fuselage and the wing. The decoupled joint can be an active suspension system. A method of adapting an aircraft to attenuate forces between a main wing and a fuselage thereof includes providing a plurality of sensors upon the aircraft, configured for sensing motion and/or mechanical stress of the main wing and/or the fuselage and producing signals indicative thereof, and providing a plurality of active suspension elements interconnecting the wing and the fuselage, the active suspension elements being configured to move at least in response to the signals to adjust a position of the wing with respect to the fuselage. |
| US09399506B2 |
Self transportable aerostat system
A self transportable aerostat system comprising: a first motorized mooring truck; a mooring tower removably attached to a base assembly of the first mooring truck, generally vertically arranged in relation to the bed of the first mooring truck; a proximal and distal boom deck removably attached to the base assembly; a flying sheave for redirecting a tether carried by the base assembly and attachable to an aerostat; a second motorized mooring truck attachable to the outer edge of the distal boom; and, an aerostat truck having an electrical connection for connecting to the first mooring truck and having an aerostat storage compartment for storing the aerostat is a retracted configuration. |
| US09399504B2 |
Aerodynamic wingsail
An aerodynamic wingsail and mast assembly, which does not utilize a boom or gaff, and which is simply designed to include a singular sailcloth and resilient bow rod which are removably attached to a free standing mast. The bow rod includes a pair of open-ended brackets to engage the mast, and is positioned in a curved sleeve on the trailing edge of the sailcloth. The sailcloth includes a forward sleeve for receiving the mast. Flanges on the mast engage the brackets, and the sailcloth is simply slid off the mast by releasing the brackets and tension of the bow rod. Alternative embodiments are described for 3 dimensional wingsails. |
| US09399501B2 |
Device for stopping the lateral displacement of a bicycle chain
The present invention relates to a device for stopping lateral displacement of a bicycle chain. The device comprises a mounting element configured to be mounted on a bicycle frame. The mounting element comprises a first portion configured to be coupled, at a first coupling axis, with a front derailleur of a bicycle, and a second portion configured to be coupled, at a second coupling axis distinct from said first coupling axis, with a stop element that stops the lateral displacement of said chain. |
| US09399500B1 |
Bicycle wireless control system
A bicycle wireless control system is basically provided with a first electric component and a second electric component. The first electric component includes a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits a plurality of control signals in response to a single operation of at least one operating member. Each of the control signals is transmitted for a predetermined transmission period at a predetermined non-transmission interval between adjacent ones of the control signals. The second electric component includes a wireless receiver and a controller. The wireless receiver wirelessly receives the control signal. The controller periodically operates the wireless receiver for at least two predetermined listening periods that each includes a set of predetermined listening periods with a non-listening interval therebetween. A predetermined non-listening interval is further provided between the set of the predetermined listening periods, which is larger than each of the intermediate predetermined non-listening intervals. |
| US09399496B2 |
Method of shock absorber adjustment
A bicycle assembly can include a front or rear suspension system with a shock absorber. A front suspension system can be a suspension fork. A rear suspension system can include a rear shock absorber. The shock can have a shock body and a pressurized main air chamber within the shock body to act as an air spring. The shock can also have a valve configured to receive a pump for adding air to the main air chamber. A secondary air chamber and a control member can be used to reduce the pressure within the main air chamber by venting the secondary air chamber to the atmosphere. |
| US09399495B2 |
Steering head for motorcycles integrating steering damping means
The present invention refers to the field of steering dampers for motorcycles in general and in particular it refers to a steering head integrating a magnetorheological type steering damper. |
| US09399490B2 |
Fender bracket
A fender bracket includes a composite structure having a first flange to operatively connect to a fender, a second flange to operatively connect to a vehicle body structure, and a web connecting the first flange and the second flange. At least one actuator is positioned in at least a portion of the web. The at least one actuator is selected from a piezoelectric actuator, an active material actuator, and a pyrotechnic actuator. The at least one actuator is to cause a fracture or buckling of the web in response to an activation signal. |
| US09399488B2 |
Vehicle subframe
A vehicle subframe includes, at the bottom of a main body section, a lateral expansion section, a left vertical expansion section, a right vertical expansion section, and a concavity. The lateral expansion section joins a left front joining section and a right front joining section, and expands below the concavity. Of the left vertical expansion section, the front end is joined to the left end of the lateral expansion section, and the left vertical expansion section is inclined with a downward slope from the rear side of the main body section towards the front end. The right vertical expansion section is formed in a left-right symmetrical manner with respect to the left vertical expansion section, and the front end is joined to the lateral expansion section. The concavity is encircled by the vertical expansion sections and the lateral expansion section, and is formed in a concave shape facing upwards. |
| US09399487B2 |
Vehicle body front portion structure
A vehicle body front portion structure is provided with a suspension member, a vertical wall and a protruding member. A side portion of the suspension member is disposed at a vehicle body lower side of a front side member. The vertical wall is formed at the suspension member and includes a coupling portion to which a vehicle width direction inner side end portion of a lower arm is coupled, which lower arm supports a front wheel. The protruding member is fastened to a fastening portion provided in the vertical wall, at a vehicle width direction outer side relative to the coupling portion, so as to protrude to the vehicle width direction outer side relative to the front side member in plan view. |
| US09399485B2 |
Electric power steering system
There is provided an electric power steering system that makes it possible to reduce an uncomfortable feeling given to a driver even when current feedback control is executed in a state where a detected steering torque value is held. The electric power steering system includes a torque sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a steering torque; and a controller that controls driving of a motor. The controller computes a detected steering torque value based on the detection signal from the torque sensor, and executes current feedback control for causing an actual current value of the motor to follow a current command value based on the detected steering torque value. When the detected steering torque value is held, the controller makes a feedback gain of the current feedback control smaller than a feedback gain that is used when the detected steering torque value is not held. |
| US09399484B2 |
Vehicle steering system
A vehicle steering system that hardly gives a driver a feeling of strangeness even in mode switching is provided. Even if condition such as a defect of a system, which caused switching from SBW mode to EPS mode, has been resolved, a mode switching section waits for a timing of switching from EPS mode to SBW mode until a second condition is satisfied. The second condition is that the vehicle is in a certain state in which the driver hardly notices mode switching. The mode switching section waits for and judges a timing when the vehicle becomes into a certain state in which the driver hardly notices mode switching, and then performs switching from EPS mode to SBW mode. |
| US09399480B2 |
Heating and cooling device for handles, especially of steering mechanisms
The present invention relates to a device for influencing at least one climatic parameter and more specifically the device is provided to influence a zone meant for handling. |
| US09399476B1 |
Carriage assembly
A carriage assembly includes a cart with a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. A top side of the cart is open. The peripheral wall has a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The cart may contain a plurality of objects. A handle is attached to the cart. A rolling apparatus is coupled to the cart to facilitate the cart is rolled along a support surface. The rolling apparatus is positionable in a deployed position to elevate the cart a maximum distance above the support surface. The rolling apparatus is positionable in a retracted position to lower the cart to a minimum distance above the support surface. A lock coupled to the cart and is in mechanical communication with the rolling apparatus. The lock releases the rolling apparatus to facilitate positioning the rolling apparatus between the deployed position and the retracted position. |
| US09399475B2 |
Passive steering assist device for a monorail bogie
A traction control assembly for connection between a monorail bogie frame and a monorail car. The traction control assembly comprising a first traction link pivotally connected to a first bell crank mechanism and a second traction link pivotally connected to a second bell crank mechanism. The first traction link and the second traction link are capable of absorbing traction forces applied to the monorail bogie. The traction control assembly further comprises a cross link interconnecting the first bell crank mechanism and the second bell crank mechanism and a passive steering assist device interconnecting the first bell crank mechanism and the second bell crank mechanism. The steering assist device causes the traction control assembly to insert shear forces on the monorail bogie during travel of the monorail bogie over a curved section of monorail track for facilitating rotational motion between the monorail bogie and the monorail car. |
| US09399473B2 |
Wade sensing display control system
A method of controlling an HMI-apparatus for providing information comprising comparing data from two or more remote-ranging sensors disposed at an elevation greater than the threshold wading depth of the vehicle. |
| US09399470B2 |
Vehicle state estimating device, vehicle control device, and vehicle state estimating method
A vehicle state estimating device for estimating the state amount of the vehicle at high accuracy from the wheel speed irrespective of the change in the vehicle property. A vehicle state estimating device includes a wheel speed detection unit that detects a wheel speed of each vehicle wheel; a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a vehicle speed; and a state amount estimation unit that estimates an unsprung state amount and/or a sprung state amount of the vehicle, based on a wheel speed of reverse phase of left and right wheels based on the wheel speed of each wheel detected by the wheel speed detection unit, and a value obtained by dividing a wheel base of a predetermined front-rear wheel by the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit. |
| US09399468B2 |
Data mining in a digital map database to identify intersections located at hill bottoms and enabling precautionary actions in a vehicle
Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, an intersection located at the bottom of a hill. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where an intersection of roads is located at the bottom of a hill and then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate such locations. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to take a precautionary action as the vehicle approaches such a location. |
| US09399466B2 |
Method for operating an automatic transmission
A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes commanding a positive shifting element to actuate to a disengaged configuration or an engaged configuration and opening at least one non-positive shifting element if the positive shifting element does not properly actuate. Opening the at least one non-positive shifting element may terminate power flow from the automatic transmission in order to protect the automatic transmission. |
| US09399465B2 |
Predictive cruise control system with selectable speed control bands
An on-board vehicle computer system for a vehicle includes at least one processing unit and a memory having stored therein computer-executable instructions configured to cause the on-board vehicle computer system to implement various aspects of a predictive cruise control (PCC) system. In one aspect, the computer system provides a plurality of available speed control bands in a PCC system, and the available speed control bands are selectable by an operator of the vehicle. In another aspect, the computer system provides an upper speed margin and a lower speed margin for a PCC system, and the upper and lower speed margins are adjustable by an operator of the vehicle. Related notifications may be presented via an operator interface (e.g., a touchscreen display provided in a vehicle dashboard or other easily accessible area). |
| US09399461B2 |
Opportunistic charging of hybrid vehicle battery
A control system for a modular hybrid electric vehicle operates an internal combustion engine at a torque level above the driver demanded torque improving the engine's efficiency. A traction motor driveably connected to the engine is operated at a torque level such that the combined torque satisfies the driver demand. The traction motor torque is limited to avoid inefficient combinations of speed and torque at which the motor is inefficient. During idle operation, the traction motor is operated at a torque determined from a battery state of charge and the engine is operated to maintain a predetermined speed. If the engine speed drops below a threshold, motor torque is adjusted to reduce the load on the engine to avoid stalling. |
| US09399454B2 |
Transmission with electronic range selector and pull out of park control logic
A vehicle includes a transmission, and an Electronic Transmission Range Selection (ETRS) system. The transmission has a plurality of clutches, a park pawl, and a park sensor. The ETRS system has a controller and an electronic range selector device. The controller is programmed to detect a delay in pull out of the park pawl from a park position and to control an action of the vehicle in response to the delay by receiving an electronic range request signal to shift from a park operating range to another operating range; receiving a park pawl position signal from the park sensor; determining if pull out of the park pawl from the park position has not occurred by a predetermined time; and increasing one of a line pressure, a clutch pressure, and an idle speed if pull out of the park pawl from the park position has not occurred by the predetermined time. |
| US09399446B2 |
Wiper blade
A wiper blade with a wiper strip, in the lateral longitudinal grooves of which spring rails are inserted as springy supporting elements. The ends of the spring rails are connected with one another by a bridge in that side parts of the bridge are supported at the upper side of the spring rail and engage recesses of the spring rails, whereas a middle part of the bridge bridges a back strip of the wiper strip, which forms the upper boundary of the longitudinal grooves. It is proposed that the spring rails, at their front faces, have short slots, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the spring rails and which are engaged by the I-shaped angle pieces of the bridge. Lower legs of the angle pieces are directed towards the middle of the spring rails, gripping these from below. |
| US09399437B2 |
Bumper reinforcement and method for manufacturing the same
A bumper reinforcement is formed of a 7000 series aluminum alloy hollow extrusion and has crushed end portions. A portion of the end portions is heated to a temperature of 400° C. or more for reversion treatment, the heated portion is subjected to cold crushing, and then the whole bumper reinforcement is subjected to age hardening. Because of the age hardening, the heated portion has higher Vickers hardness than non-heated portions by Hv 10 or more. This compensates for a decrease in reaction force in a collision of an end portion resulting from a decrease in the section modulus of the crushed portion and thereby suppresses a decrease in energy absorption. |
| US09399436B2 |
Sound reduction system
The disclosure relates to a sound reduction system comprising a sound reduction device. The sound reduction device comprises a sound reducing material. The system further comprises a channel wherein a gaseous medium is arranged to flow. The sound reduction device is mounted inside the channel, thereby placing the sound reducing material inside the channel. |
| US09399435B2 |
Cargo management system including an automotive vehicle seat having a cargo trim panel made by a composite, compression molding process and having a wood grain finish
A cargo management system including an automotive vehicle seat having a backrest which separates the vehicle interior into a passenger area at the front of the vehicle and a cargo area at the rear of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a vehicle load floor which includes first and second outer layers and a core of cellulose-based material positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers of the load floor are bonded to the core by press molding. The load floor has a wood grain finish. A compression-molded, composite cargo trim panel is secured to the backrest and includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. The coverstock sheet provides the trim panel with a wood grain finish in an upper compartment of the cargo area. |
| US09399433B2 |
Automotive camera system and the data processing method based on its shooting angle changing synchronously with the automotive speed
An automotive camera system and a data processing method based on its shooting angles synchronizing with automotive speeds are provided. The method comprises the following steps: obtain a current velocity value through a velocity acquisition device; determine a corresponding automotive speed grade; look up a prestored correspondence relationship table and finding out a synchronized camera lens zoom number synchronizing with automotive speed grades; control a camera focal motor zooming a camera lens to the number, and achieving the synchronization of the shooting angle and the automotive speed. When applying the camera system and the method as stated in the present invention, the distant road can be clearly seen in high speed driving, and dangers can be found ahead in advance, thus improves the driving safety. |
| US09399431B2 |
Extruded support members for facilitating access to a vehicle and related methods
Support devices and their components are disclosed, including an optional lighting element mountable on the support device for emitting light. The support device facilitates access to a vehicle and includes an elongate extruded support member, brackets for mounting the elongate extruded support member to a vehicle, and a step affixed to the elongate extruded support member. A mount can be provided and coupled to the lighting element and to the step to secure the lighting element to the step when the lighting element is incorporated. |
| US09399430B2 |
System and method for vehicle control integrating health priority alerts of vehicle occupants
A method for vehicle control includes connecting one or more wearable computing devices, each associated with one or more vehicle occupants, to a vehicle and receiving physiological data associated with the one or more vehicle occupants. The method includes detecting a trigger event based on at least one of the physiological data and vehicle data and determining a health state of each of the one or more vehicle occupants based on the physiological data, the health state describing a current condition of each of the one or more vehicle occupants. The method includes determining a priority level for the health state of each of the one or more vehicle occupants, and controlling one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle to provide an indication of the health state according to the priority level and a location of each of the one or more vehicle occupants. |
| US09399424B2 |
Safety strap for truck tailgate ramps
A safety strap device that reduces the likelihood that a tailgate ramp will prematurely detach or disengage from a vehicle during the loading or unloading of an article via the tailgate ramp. The safety strap device includes -a strap portion with a first end, an opposing second end, a block portion with an opening therein and more than one fastener for attaching the strap portion to both a prior art tailgate ramp on one end and the block portion on the other end. The safety strap device may also be adjustable to accommodate a wide variety or user applications, truck ramps and vehicles. |
| US09399423B2 |
Anchor for detachably connecting a wheelchair securement apparatus to a support surface within a motor vehicle
An anchor detachably connects a wheelchair securement apparatus to a support surface within a motor vehicle and includes a plate having a top surface defining an opening therein, a receiving member secured to the plate and defining an elongated bore to receive and engage a pin coupled to the wheelchair securement apparatus, a plunger within and axially movable along the bore, and a first biasing member between a bottom surface of the plunger and a wall of the bore. The plate and the receiving member are together mountable to the support surface. The first biasing member acts against the bottom surface of the plunger to bias the plunger away from the wall of the bore toward the opening defined through the plate, and the plunger movable toward the wall of the bore against a biasing force of the first biasing member. |
| US09399420B2 |
Electromechanical retractable head restraint
A seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back having a bottom portion coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite top portion. A head restraint is coupled to the seat back for movement between a stowed position adjacent the top portion of the seat back and a deployed position spaced above the top portion of the seat back. A cable carriage is coupled to the seat back for actuation along a longitudinal axis between a home position and a lift position. A cable extends between a first end coupled to the head restraint and a second end coupled to the cable carriage for moving the head restraint between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to actuation of the cable carriage between the home position and the lift position. |
| US09399413B2 |
System for preventing accumulation of debris in rails carrying movable seats
A movable track cover includes a cover segment mounted for movement transverse to the direction of tracks that carry a movable seat between first and second positions. The cover segment extends over the track to prevent debris from entering track when the seat is in the first location and the second location and also allows the seat pedestal supporting the movable seat to move along said track. A positioning element is connected to the seat pedestal to move the cover segment from said first position to said second position in coordination with movement of said seat along said track. |
| US09399408B2 |
Method of controlling creep torque in motor driven vehicle
A method of controlling creep torque in a motor driven vehicle is disclosed herein. In this method, a downhill gradient of a road is calculated. A filter time constant is calculated using the downhill gradient, a predetermined basic creep torque, a set speed and a compensation coefficient of the predetermined basic creep torque corresponding to the set speed. At a variable control step, the calculated filter time constant is applied to a filter, the predetermined basic creep torque is input to the filter, and a motor is controlled based on a torque value output from the filter as a request torque. |
| US09399407B2 |
Vehicle propulsion system having an energy storage system and optimized method of controlling operation thereof
A vehicle propulsion system includes a first bi-directional DC-DC converter coupled to a first DC bus, an energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage unit coupled to the first bi-directional DC-DC converter, a first DC-to-AC inverter coupled to the first DC bus, and a first electromechanical device coupled to the first DC-to-AC inverter. A controller is programmed to determine a real-time operating speed of the first electromechanical device, compare the real-time operating speed of the first electromechanical device to a scheduled speed of the first electromechanical device, and selectively control the first bi-directional DC-DC converter to shift a voltage of the first DC bus based on the comparison. |
| US09399398B1 |
Travel safety control
A system and method for encouraging a user of a recreational vehicle to wear safety equipment is described. The helmet contains a microprocessor and sensors to determine if the helmet is worn. The helmet communicates with the vehicle and the vehicle either disables operation or allows limited operation if the helmet is not worn. On motorized vehicles, the motor operation is restricted. On human powered vehicles mechanical resistance may limit operation. |
| US09399395B2 |
Tank provided with an over-pressure valve
A tank (10) including a container (15) and a flow line (20) for discharging excess fuel. Said flow line (20) is provided with a pipe (21) and an over-pressure valve (24) arranged inside the container (15). In addition, the tank (10) includes a leaktight bell (30) arranged inside said container, said bell (30) being over the over-pressure valve (24) and surrounding the over-pressure valve (24) at least in part so as to hold air captive in order to isolate the over-pressure valve (24) from the fuel content when said pressure is below said threshold. |
| US09399394B2 |
Gearbox and drive train with a gearbox
A transmission for a motor vehicle, the transmission comprising a housing, a transmission input shaft operable to couple to and decouple from a drive assembly of the motor vehicle, a transmission output shaft operable to couple to and decouple from an axle drive of the motor vehicle, a first element of a first planetary gear set permanently coupled to a first element of a second planetary gear set via a shiftable intermediate shaft between the transmission input shaft and the transmission output shaft, wherein the second planetary gear set is disposed behind the first planetary gear set, an electric machine permanently coupled to the intermediate shaft, a second element of the second planetary gear set permanently coupled to the transmission output shaft, a first form-locking shift element of the transmission input shaft, and a second form-locking shift element of the transmission output shaft. |
| US09399392B2 |
Door weatherstrip for motor vehicles
A front door weatherstrip for motor vehicles has a wind-noise suppressing rib formed in a groove portion defined between a hollow sealing lip and a tongue-shaped sealing lip of the door weatherstrip to serve as a dam against a flow in a longitudinal direction of the groove portion. When these lips are elastically deformed by closing the front door, the wind-noise suppressing rib penetrates into a recess portion of the hollow sealing lip to overlap with the recess portion and to make the flow continuous by a bypass flow through the recess portion. Therefore, the front door weatherstrip is improved in at least drainage property without affecting sealing property and door closure property. |
| US09399391B2 |
Retractable truck bed cover having slat array with flexible joiner members and shielded seams
A retractable truck bed cover having an array of parallel aluminum slats joined together by connective hinges including leading and trailing edge configuration for improving the security of the cover by covering and concealing the seam between adjacent slats while improving the connective hinge's resistance to the effects of aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations. The truck bed cover connective hinge slat is designed to be in an array of discrete slats, which are joined to one another by means of joiner members secured at each end to slat end caps. The distal ends of the joiner members are attached to slat end caps at the distal ends of the slats, thereby preventing the joiner members from shrinking in relationship to the slats due to aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations. |
| US09399389B2 |
Reduced offset lift-gate applique
A vehicle including a vehicle body having a bumper assembly and a lift-gate. The bumper assembly protrudes outward from the lift-gate when the lift-gate is in a closed position. A panel is attached to an outer surface of the lift-gate that reduces a distance that the bumper assembly protrudes outward from the lift-gate. The panel includes an attachment portion that fixedly secures the panel to the outer surface, and includes a deformable portion that releasably secures the panel to a terminal edge of the lift-gate. Upon receipt of an impact by the vehicle, the bumper assembly and the deformable portion are each operable to deform to absorb the impact and at least minimize transfer of the impact to the lift-gate. |
| US09399382B2 |
Roll-over protection system
Agricultural vehicle comprising a body to which a front axle is pivotally connected. The agricultural vehicle includes a hydraulic cylinder mounted as a suspension system between the body and the axle. The hydraulic cylinder is fluid-connected, via a steerable valve, to one of an open oil reservoir and an accumulator. |
| US09399380B1 |
Vibration-type electric generator applied to automobile suspension system
The present invention is to provide a vibration-type electric generator, which comprises an electric generator fixed on an automobile, having stators fixed at the inner rim of the generator, and having rotors rotatably installed inside the generator, such that when the rotors are rotated, the rotors generate a time-varying magnetic field to induce electricity on the stators; two one way bearings having shafts fixedly linked to a shaft of the rotors, respectively, such that when the bearings are respectively driven to rotate toward the same direction, the rotors are driven simultaneously to rotate toward the same direction and subsequently generate the electricity on the stators; and a hydraulic system pivotally connected to two suspension members on the automobile which are able to generate relative movement in response to the vibration of the automobile, so as to subsequently generate two forces for driving the bearings to rotate toward the same direction. |
| US09399375B2 |
Reduced power consumption method for sampling parameters within a TPMS
An apparatus for measuring parameter values from an electrical input signal comprises a signal sampling device operable to sample the input signal and to produce a corresponding output comprising a measured parameter value; a signal level detector configured to detect changes in the level of the input signal by more than a threshold amount; and a controller co-operable with the signal sampling device and the signal level detector. The controller is configured to operate the signal sampling device to sample the input signal in response to the signal level detector detecting a change in the input signal level by more than the threshold amount. |
| US09399373B2 |
Arrangement of a wheel hub connected to a constant velocity joint provided with a seal device
Arrangement including a portion of a radially outer lateral surface of an inner ring of wheel hub having an annular step formed on a constant velocity joint. The step is adapted to receive a first shield, a flange portion that radially extends to protrude towards an outer ring of a wheel hub, in front of a flange portion of a second shield, from a first end of a sleeve portion of the first shield facing on the side opposite of the constant velocity joint and axially protrudes from the inner ring and towards the joint, defining a tubular element arranged straddling wheel hub and an outer ring of the constant velocity joint, having an opposite second end, supporting an annular seal; an annular signal generating insert covers a face of the flange portion, wherein a radially inner annular part of face defines a thrust shoulder for mounting the first shield. |
| US09399369B1 |
Lubricating oil monitoring and maintenance cap and methods of installation
A roller for a tracked vehicle has a lubricating oil reservoir and an open end to the lubricating oil reservoir. The open end of the roller is closed by a cap removably coupled to the open end. The cap includes a sealing body having an outer side facing away from the open end, an opposed inner side facing toward the open end, and a standoff structure formed in the inner side. A compressible gasket is applied between the inner side of the cap and the open end and is under a compression between the inner side of the cap and the open end of the roller forming a fluid-impervious seal between the cap and the open end of the roller. The standoff structure of the cap interacts between the cap and the open end holding the cap away from the open end limiting the compression of the gasket. |
| US09399366B2 |
Security element
The present invention relates to a security element for security papers, value documents and the like, having a micro-optical moiré magnification arrangement having a first motif image that consists of a planar periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of first micromotif elements (38) that produce a hidden piece of image information, and a planar periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of microfocusing elements (34) for the moiré-magnified viewing of the first micromotif elements of the motif image, the first micromotif elements (38) being formed from nematic liquid crystal material and forming a phase-shifting layer for light from a specified wavelength range, and the magnified moiré image being perceptible substantially only upon viewing the security element through a polarizer. |
| US09399364B2 |
Non-printed features on print media for printing with a desired resolution
In one example, an encoding station of a printing system forms a pattern of non-printed features onto flowing print media. The non-printed features are detected, and timing signals generated from the detected features. The timing signals cause the media to be printed at a desired resolution in the direction of the flow. |
| US09399363B2 |
Forensic feature for secure documents
A forensic feature for a secure document comprises a base document layer and a covert material applied to the base document layer. The covert material includes a carrier and forensic material within the carrier. The forensic material includes a ratio of salts or oxides of metals, such as rare earth metals. The ratio is selected to correspond with a source of the document. The forensic material may be mixed into a coating or ink that is applied at predetermined locations on a secure document. The ratio is then measurable from metal ion signals of the salts or oxides. This ratio, or some metric derived from it, may be linked with information embedded elsewhere in the document to enable verification of the document. Another forensic document feature has a forensic metric that is measurable from a covert material in the document, and this forensic metric corresponds to a source of the document. A blocking layer applied over the covert material prevents access to the covert material such that at least partial destruction of the document is required to measure the forensic metric. The blocking layer may have a blocking property that blocks electromagnetic waves from activating the covert material, or blocks the electromagnetic waves from the covert material in response to the activating waves. The blocking layer is deconstructed to access the forensic feature, verify the document and perform forensic tracking. |
| US09399361B2 |
Stamp face forming apparatus, stamp face forming method, and medium
A stamp face forming apparatus includes a stamp face forming part including a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a surface holding a porous stamp face material that can be made non-porous by heating, and a drive circuit for controlling heat generating states of the plurality of heating elements to form a stamp face on the stamp face material; and a controller for controlling the drive circuit of the stamp face forming part by adjusting a signal to be applied to the drive circuit such that an amount of heat per dot for a dot to be heated directly adjacent to a dot to be non-heated is less than an amount of heat per dot for a dot to be heated not directly adjacent to the dot to be non-heated in image data for forming the stamp face. |
| US09399357B2 |
Printing device, control method of a printing device, and a storage medium
The temperature of heat elements of a thermal head can be controlled with high precision by a process with a low processor load. A printer 100 that prints on thermal roll paper 102 based on print data has a thermal head 134 with multiple heat elements 136 arrayed in a sub-scanning direction CR perpendicular to the conveyance direction F of the thermal roll paper 102. The printer 100 has a current control unit 112 that segments the heat elements of the thermal head 134 into plural blocks, and controls the energize timing of the heat elements in each block based on the number of heat elements 136 that are energized in the thermal head 134. |
| US09399352B2 |
Liquid container
A technique that can restrict an arrangement angle of a liquid cartridge before use in a packaged state is provided. A packaging body 10 of a cartridge 100 includes a bag-shaped member 20 and a box-shaped member 30. The bag-shaped member 20 houses the cartridge 100. The box-shaped member 30 houses the cartridge 100 housed in the bag-shaped member 20. The cartridge 100 has an atmosphere introduction hole 125b capable of introducing the atmosphere to the inside, and the box-shaped member 30 has a first side wall portion 36 located at a position opposed to the atmosphere introduction hole 125b. The first side wall portion 36 has a first and second outer wall surfaces 36a and 36b that intersect each other to constitute a projecting portion that projects outward. A third end side portion 23 of the bag-shaped member 20 is housed at a corner portion between the first and second outer wall surfaces 36a and 36b. |
| US09399350B2 |
Liquid ejecting system, liquid ejecting apparatus, and containing unit
A liquid ejecting system includes a liquid ejecting apparatus, a containing unit configured to contain a liquid, and a liquid supply tube configured to supply the liquid from the containing unit to the liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first casing and a second casing that opposes the first casing. The containing unit includes a third casing and a fourth casing that opposes the third casing. The first casing has a first penetration hole. The second casing has a second penetration hole that overlaps with the first penetration hole. The fourth casing has a first protruding section. The containing unit is fixed to the liquid ejecting apparatus in a state where the first protruding section is inserted into the first penetration hole and the second penetration hole. |
| US09399349B2 |
Ink supply device
An ink supply device is provided for supplying ink (10c) to a recording head for discharging the ink in an inkjet printer, that includes: a replaceable ink container (30) being a container for storing the ink (10c) and being replaceable; and a male connector (41) to be inserted into the replaceable ink container (30) to take out the ink (10c) from the replaceable ink container (30), wherein the replaceable ink container (30) includes an opening plug (31) that plugs an insertion opening (30a) where the male connector (41) is to be inserted, and the opening plug (31) includes a reed valve (32) that is pressed by the male connector (41) and opened when the male connector (41) is inserted into the insertion opening (30a), and that is closed by making contact with the male connector (41) when the male connector (41) is pulled out from the insertion opening (30a). |
| US09399348B2 |
Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus
A liquid ejection head is capable of ejecting a liquid through an ejection port, the liquid being supplied from a liquid container with a negative pressure generating section. The liquid ejection head comprises a liquid chamber configured to contain the liquid, a liquid supply section configured to allow the liquid to be supplied from the liquid container to the liquid chamber, and an opening configured to communicate with the liquid chamber and to enable the liquid and/or a gas inside the liquid chamber to flow out through the opening. |
| US09399347B1 |
Print device
A nozzle arrangement has nozzle arrays arranged in a first direction. Liquid passages are interconnected via a communication path and arranged in the first direction. Nozzles in each one of the nozzle arrays are connected to a corresponding one of the liquid passages. Each of the liquid passages has a first end connected to a supply port and a second end connected to the communication path, in a second direction. The controller controls a flushing operation ejecting liquid from the nozzles as waste liquid. The controller controls the head portion to perform a selective flushing operation. The selective flushing operation is an operation of ejecting the liquid from the nozzles corresponding to a part, being at least one of the liquid passages, of a set of liquid passages while stopping ejection of the liquid from the nozzles corresponding to a remaining part of the set of liquid passages. |
| US09399342B2 |
Setting start voltage for driving actuating elements
A printhead provides actuation pulses for driving actuating elements from a common drive waveform via respective switching circuits, the waveform having a pre-charge ramp followed by a steeper slope. A start voltage of a leading edge of the actuation pulse is set by opening the switching circuit to decouple the common drive waveform from its actuating element part way along the pre-charge ramp. After the pre-charge ramp the actuating element is coupled again to the common drive waveform, so that the voltage across the actuating element follows the steeper slope to form the leading edge. Adjusting the timing of the decoupling adjusts the start voltage, enables trimming relative to other actuating elements. The gentle slope of the pre-charge ramp enables the precision of timing of switching to be more relaxed, so that trigger circuitry for controlling the switching circuit can be simpler, smaller, cheaper and thermally more efficient. |
| US09399341B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus, head unit, integrated circuit device for driving capacitive load, and capacitive load driving circuit
A liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention includes: a modulation unit that generates a modulated signal which is obtained by pulse-modulating an original signal; a transistor that generates an amplified and modulated signal which is obtained by amplifying the modulated signal; a switching circuit; a low pass filter that generates a drive signal by demodulating the amplified and modulated signal; a feedback circuit that generates a feedback signal and feeds back the feedback signal to the modulation unit; a feedback terminal that electrically connects the modulation unit to the feedback circuit; a piezoelectric element that is displaced by the drive signal; a cavity; and a nozzle, in which a distance between the feedback terminal and a closest point to the feedback terminal in the modulation unit is shorter than a distance between the feedback terminal and a closest point to the feedback terminal in the switching circuit. |
| US09399340B2 |
Member for ink recording, ink recording body, and laminated body for ink recording
The present invention provides a resin-based ink recorded body having high transparency, high definition, free from bleeding and having a high film strength of an ink. An ink recording member of the present invention includes a substrate containing an acrylic resin and a plant oil derived from a fatty acid having hydroxyl and carboxyl group blended to the acrylic resin, and an ink fixing film composed of a hydrophilic resin and provided on at least one main face of the substrate. An ink printed pattern is provided on the film. |
| US09399339B2 |
Method and apparatus for mounting a printing plate
A method and apparatus for mounting a printing plate onto a printing cylinder, wherein the printing plate includes a first registration mark and a second registration mark centrally located along opposing edges thereof. The apparatus includes an optical system to transmit images of the registration marks to a user interface, wherein a user selects a desired location point location of each of the registration marks displayed on the user interface to facilitate an alignment of the printing plate in respect of a central axis of the printing cylinder. |
| US09399338B1 |
Systems and methods for constructing complex composite structures
Systems for constructing complex composite structures include a conveyor and two or more stations operatively and sequentially positioned relative to the conveyor. Each station is configured to operatively deposit a layer of composite material on the conveyor. Methods of constructing a complex composite structure include laying up a first layer of composite material having a first configuration and laying up a second layer of composite material having a second configuration at least partially over the first layer. |
| US09399334B2 |
Method for the riveted fastening of an accessory
The invention relates to a method for the riveted fastening of an accessory to a plastics fuel tank (11, 12), the riveted fastening taking place at the time of the production of the tank by extrusion blow-molding of a split tubular preform or two web-like extruded preforms made of thermoplastic material by using a multi-part die after or during the molding of two complementary shells. The accessory (4) has been provided or is provided with at least one opening. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the riveted fastening takes place by means of at least one prefabricated rivet pin (9) made of thermoplastic material. The rivet pin has been obtained in a separate production process, for example by injection-molding. |
| US09399329B2 |
Method for producing a closed-section portion of an aircraft provided with deformation sensors
A method for producing a closed-section portion of an aircraft wherein a strain gauge is glued on a first face of a flat tape that, in turn, is fastened on a face of a tool comprising a rigid elongated body covered by an extensible sack. The tool supporting the tape is arranged in a cavity of an aircraft structure. A vacuum is then created to obtain the expansion of the vacuum sack and perform the pressure gluing of the tape onto a wall of said cavity. The tool is subsequently extracted from the cavity. Upon conclusion of these operations, the tape is integrally fastened onto a wall of the cavity so that any deformation applied to this wall is transmitted to said strain gauge. |
| US09399328B2 |
Process and plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels
A plant, a method and a process for building tires for vehicle wheels in a carcass structure building line includes: a) associating a pair of support rings with a forming drum in a work station for associating support rings; b) building at least one structural component of the tire being processed on the forming drum provided with the pair of support rings in at least one work station of the carcass structure building line; c) removing the pair of support rings from the forming drum in a work station for removing support rings; d) transferring the pair of support rings dissociated from the forming drum to a temporary storage for support rings; and e) building at least one further structural component of the tire being processed on the forming drum without the pair of support rings in a work station of the carcass structure building line. |
| US09399327B2 |
Method for fastening an accessory in a plastic fuel tank
Method for stake-fastening an accessory (4) into a plastic fuel tank, whereby: the accessory (4) is equipped with at least one orifice (5) which passes right through the accessory (4); at least some of the plastic of which the wall of the tank (1) is made is melted; and some of the molten plastic is forced through the orifice (5) of the accessory without becoming detached from the remainder of the molten plastic; the protruding molten plastic is given an appropriate shape (8) to obtain a self-formed plastic rivet, and is left to solidify; the size and shape of the orifice (5) and/or of the solidified plastic (8) being such that the accessory (4) is mechanically fastened to the tank by at least some of the solidified plastic (8), the stake-fastening of the accessory (4) occurring at the time of manufacture of the tank (1) through the molding of a split or at least two-part parison. |
| US09399324B2 |
Flame resistant composition, fiber reinforced polyurethane based composite comprising the flame resistant composition and the use thereof
The present invention relates to a flame-resistant composition, a fiber-reinforced polyurethane composite comprising the flame-resistant composition and the use thereof. In particular, the invention describes a flame-resistant polyurethane-composite forming composition and a combustion-modified, fiber-reinforced polyurethane composite comprising the flame-resistant polyurethane-composite forming composition, for applications in vehicles and for building products. The invention also describes a long-fiber injection molding process for the preparation of the combustion-modified, fiber-reinforced polyurethane composite. The fiber-reinforced polyurethane composite of the invention show improved fire-reaction behavior, measured as Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI), and a reduced smoke production. |
| US09399322B2 |
Three dimensional printer with removable, replaceable print nozzle
A three dimensional printer with a removable, replaceable extrusion nozzle is disclosed. |
| US09399319B2 |
Blow molded article with surface skin and method for production thereof
Provided are a blow molded article with a surface skin, which allows the formation of a blow molded article having a desired expansion ratio and retains a required expansion ratio from the time of extruding and is free from the generation of a sink mark or a warp in a portion where the surface wall and the back wall thereof has been welded and allows the production of a blow molded article with a lightweight and highly rigid surface skin; and a method for producing the blow molded article. A panel (1) with a surface skin, which is a blow molded article with a surface skin, has a body (5) in the form of a plate having a surface wall (2) and a back wall (3), both comprising a thermoplastic plastic, and a surface skin material (6) which is integrally pasted on the surface wall (2). The body (5) in the form of a plate is in an expanded state and comprises cells having an average particle diameter of 300 μm or less. |
| US09399318B2 |
High barrier heat sealable film with linear tear properties
A monoaxially oriented film including a metallized layer; a gas barrier layer; and a propylene-based random copolymer and at least about 3 wt % of a low density polyethylene which is oriented at least about 2.5 times in one direction and exhibits excellent linear directional tear properties parallel to the orientation direction and excellent heat seal performance in terms of high heat seal strengths and low seal initiation temperature. This film formulation and orientation is suitable for pouch applications requiring high gas and moisture barrier, an “easy-tear” linear tear feature, and excellent hermetic seal properties. |
| US09399316B2 |
Housing for portable electronic device and method of manufacturing the same
A housing of portable electronic device includes a glass member and a plastic member formed in the glass member. The glass member includes a base plate, a plurality of sidewalls substantially vertically extending from the base plate. Each two neighboring sidewalls form a gap portion. The base plate includes a first inner surface, and each sidewall includes a second inner surface and an outer surface opposite the second inner surface. The plastic member fit closely against the first inner surface and the second inner surface. The plastic member further includes at least one protrusion portion positioned at the outer surface of the sidewalls and covered above at least one of the gap portions. A method of manufacturing the housing is also provided. |
| US09399314B2 |
Process for preparing injection molded parts with decreased glass fiber read out
The present invention relates to a process for preparing an injection molded part, comprising the following steps: a preparing a glass fiber reinforced polyamide-6 composition with a relative viscosity of less than 2.4; b heating a such composition to obtain a viscous liquid; c filling a mold cavity with the viscous liquid with a filling time of at least 0.8 s; d leaving the viscous liquid in the mold under pressure until it cools to form a part; e opening the mold; f ejecting the part; wherein the polyamide-6 composition has a crystallization temperature under hyper DSC conditions of less than 168° C. The invention also relates to an injection molded part a having a maximum wall thickness of at least 2.5 mm; and/or b a part weight of at least 100 g per injection point; wherein the part consists of a glass fiber reinforced semi-crystalline polyamide-6 composition having a relative solution viscosity of less than 2.4, wherein the polyamide-6 composition has a crystallization temperature under hyper DSC conditions of less than 168° C. |
| US09399313B1 |
Method of manufacturing and composition of rubber wheels to remove adhesive
The present invention is an improved method of manufacturing rubber wheels and composition thereof used on a portable vehicle adhesive remover for removing pinstripes, decals, side moldings and other items adhering to a vehicle without damaging the original paint of the vehicle. The improved method of manufacturing rubber wheels may comprise masticating approximately 100 parts of rubber in a mixer and synthesizing a rubber compound by mixing in at least 8 parts of activating agents, less than 60 parts of processing oil, between 0.1% and 1.5% by parts of cross-linking agent, and at least 1 part accelerating agent. The improved method may also comprise vulcanizing the synthesized rubber compound in a mold to produce a rubber wheel having a Shore A hardness between 50 and 60. |
| US09399310B2 |
Method for producing thin rock-faced veneers from granitic stone slabs
Granitic stone slabs can be split into thin rock-faced veneers by opposed tools forced into the slab from opposite sides. One tool comprises a radiused contact surface and the other a sharp edge, with a beveled surface on one side thereof. |
| US09399308B2 |
Method of making a floorboard
A floorboard (1), which along one long side has a female connecting means (2) and along its other long side has a male connecting member (4), is made of a raw board (18), which is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The raw board (18) has a carrier layer (14, 15) and, applied thereto, a wear layer (16). The raw board (18) is first subjected to limited profiling, which comprises the step of the surface layer (16) being provided with longitudinal edge bevels (17). After that, the surface layer (16) provided with edge bevels (17) is varnished. Finally the raw board (181) is subjected to final profiling intended for finishing of the connecting member (2, 4) and comprising the step of a downward and laterally open longitudinal recess (13) for receiving a connecting part (10) of the female connecting member (12) of another floorboard being formed under a connecting part (12) of the male connecting means (4). |
| US09399307B2 |
Router table
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a router table may comprise a table top, a mounting can, a sleeve, and an adjustment mechanism. The table top may have an aperture and a plurality of support members; the support members may be configured to support the table top. The mounting can may be attachable to the table top in a vicinity of the aperture. The sleeve may be engaged to the mounting can, and may be configured to receive a router and to position a router bit of the router along an axis extending through the aperture. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to move the sleeve within the mounting can and relative to the table top to thereby move the router along the axis and position the router bit at one of a plurality of positions relative to the table top. |
| US09399299B2 |
Guide system for supply lines and a robot with a guide system
A guide system for supply lines for a handling apparatus, in particular for an industrial robot, having a base and a carrier member, in or on which the supply lines can be arranged. The carrier member is arranged guided displaceably reciprocatingly between a deflection position and a return position over a displacement travel (V) for length compensation in a compensating portion in two runs connected together by way of a direction-changing bend and each having a respective end connecting point. The guide system has a return device for returning the carrier member to the return position. The return device is provided with a direction-changing guide having a direction-changing element which is arranged variably in respect of position relative to the base and against which the direction-changing bend is laterally supported for guidance thereof over the displacement travel. For the return of the direction-changing element, a return force which can be detected by sensor means can act on the direction-changing element. |
| US09399296B2 |
Fixture for selectively positioning a work piece using suction
A fixture includes a housing and a gas valve. The housing defines a receiving chamber and a suction hole communicating with the receiving chamber on an end. The gas valve includes a valve body and a piston. The valve body partially resists an inner surface of the receiving chamber to divide the receiving chamber. The valve body defines a first channel, and a first and second through holes respectively communicating with the first channel. The piston is movably received in the first channel, and capable of being pushed to lead the first connecting hole to communicate with the second through hole by gas flowing into the hole, and block a communication between the first connecting hole and the second through hole by gas flowing into the first channel. |
| US09399291B2 |
Planning a grasp, for use by a robotic grasper to pick up a complex object, based on object, grasper, and grasper approach data
A system, for planning a grasp for implementation by a grasping device having multiple grasping members, including a processor and a computer-readable storage device having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform multiple operations. The operations include generating, for each of the multiple grasping members, multiple planar polygon representations of a three-dimensional object model. The operations also include transforming a planar polygon, of the multiple polygons generated, to a frame of a link of multiple links of a subject member of the multiple grasping members, forming a transformed polygon, being a cross-section of the object model taken along a member-curling plane of the subject member. The operations further include sweeping, in iterations associated respectively with each link of the subject member, the link from a fully-open position for the link to a point at which the link contacts the transformed planar polygon. |
| US09399289B2 |
Robot control apparatus and robot system
A robot control apparatus, which controls motions of an industrial robot based on processing results of an image processing apparatus which images the robot or objects around the robot, includes: a first communication unit which communicates with a computer for development as an external computer; a second communication unit which is connected to the image processing apparatus via a network; and a command processing unit which opens a communication port of the second communication unit and causes the second communication unit to start communication with the image processing apparatus via a server on the network in response to an open command received by the first communication unit. |
| US09399288B2 |
Apparatus for driving scara robot
An apparatus for driving a SCARA robot is provided. The apparatus includes a body, a horizontal rotating arm, a linear motor coil and a vertical magnetic axis. The linear motor coil is disposed on the horizontal rotating arm, and the vertical magnetic axis is passed through the linear motor coil. Wherein, the vertical magnetic axis can be driven by the linear motor coil of the horizontal rotating arm by a non-contact magnetic force. |
| US09399287B2 |
Spatial-link-type manipulator
A spatial-link-type manipulator, comprising a drive device (10), links and rotating shafts connected between the links; the drive device comprises a connecting shaft (13); the connecting shaft comprises an outer wall (131) and an inner wall (133); each link comprises a large boom (20), a small boom (30), an oblique large boom (60), an oblique small boom (50) and a terminal component (40); the large boom and the oblique large boom are respectively a straight link; the small boom and the oblique small boom are respectively a bent link; the large boom, the small boom and one end of the terminal component form a primary motion chain; the oblique large boom, the oblique small boom and the other end of the terminal component form a secondary motion chain; the drive device drives the large boom to move around a rotating shaft A so as to drive the primary motion chain, and drives the secondary motion chain via the terminal component so as to realize rectilinear motion of the terminal component. The present invention has a simple structure and is easy to realize. |
| US09399284B2 |
Robot cleaner and control method thereof
A robot cleaner includes a main body, a traveling unit installed in the main body, to move the main body, an ultrasonic sensor to emit an oscillation wave, to receive a reflection wave reflected from an object surface, and to output vibration generated by the oscillation wave and vibration generated by the reception of the reflection wave as an electrical signal, a waveform analyzer to calculate a generation time period of the electrical signal output from the ultrasonic sensor, and a controller to determine information about the object surface based on the calculated generation time period of the electrical signal, and to control movement of the traveling unit based on the information about the object surface. |
| US09399278B2 |
Electric hand power-tool appliance having means of securing a tool against loss
An electric hand power-tool appliance is described and which includes a spindle, a tool mounted on the spindle, a supporting element mounted on the spindle and which is movable along the spindle on a path L, and against a force F, and in the direction of the electric hand power-tool appliance, and which increases the safety of the electric hand power-tool appliance. |