| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09405244B1 |
Image forming apparatus with reduced load fluctuation
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section configured to form an image on an image receiving medium; a fixing section configured to include a first roller, a second roller facing the first roller and a switching mechanism provided with a cam for switching positions of the first roller; and a control section configured to control a driving of the cam, and the cam includes a first position regulating section setting a contact position, a second position regulating section setting a separation position and a position changing section which is positioned between the first position regulating section and the second position regulating section in a driving direction of the cam and includes a fluctuation section for moving the first roller close to the second roller temporarily during a period of time the first roller is separating from the second roller. |
| US09405243B2 |
Image heating apparatus and heater used in the same
An image heating apparatus or a heater used in the image heating apparatus includes a thermally conductive anisotropic sheet provided on one surface of the heater on which a temperature detection member is provided. The sheet is not provided at a portion of the heater where the temperature detection member is provided, or the thickness of the sheet is reduced at a portion where the temperature detection member is provided compared to the thickness thereof in the surrounding area of the portion. Accordingly, responsiveness of the temperature detection member is improved. |
| US09405242B2 |
Fixing device and image forming device
According to an embodiment, provided is a fixing device that includes: a rotatable fixing member that heats a recording medium on a side carrying an unfixed image; a rotatable pressing member that is pressed and is contacted with the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member; a heat source heating the fixing member; a relay switch provided in an energizing path for the heat source; a temperature detection sensor detecting a temperature of the fixing member; and a control unit that controls energization of the heat source according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor. The control unit keeps the relay switch in an off state if the temperature of the fixing member is equal to or more than a predetermined temperature when the fixing member has stopped rotation. |
| US09405240B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a heat-controllable fixing unit and computer readable medium for image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit, a fixing unit with a heater, an end temperature sensor to detect a temperature in an end area an end area of the fixing unit, and a controller, is provided. The controller is configured to perform a width obtaining step to obtain the width of the sheet, a temperature obtaining step to obtain the detected temperature of the fixing unit, a comparison step to compare the detected temperature with a threshold, a cooling step to let the end area of the fixing unit cool down when the detected temperature is one of higher and equal to the threshold, and a threshold-setting step to set one of a first value and a second value to be the threshold depending on the width of the sheet obtained in the width obtaining step. |
| US09405239B2 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and fixing method
A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body, a heat shield movably disposed opposite the fixing rotary body, an opposed body contacting the fixing rotary body to form a nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed, and a temperature detector to detect a temperature of at least one of the fixing rotary body and the opposed body. A controller, operatively connected to the heat shield and the temperature detector, determines a rotation angled position to which the heat shield is moved based on a size of the recording medium and the temperature of the at least one of the fixing rotary body and the opposed body detected by the temperature detector. |
| US09405238B2 |
Urging roller, cleaning device and image heating device
An urging roller for urging a cleaning web to a rotatable member of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a shaft; an elastic layer provided on a peripheral surface of the shaft; a wire wound on a peripheral surface of the elastic layer; and a toner parting layer coating a peripheral surface of the elastic layer with the wire. |
| US09405237B2 |
Transfer station for a liquid toner printing system
In a method or a transfer station for a digital printer, liquid developer with toner particles can be directed towards a first side of a recording medium and onto the first side of the recording medium at a transfer point. A transfer roller can be configured to direct the liquid developer towards the recording medium. The toner particles can have a first polarity and the recording medium can move past the transfer roller along a transport direction. A layer of charged particles can be applied from a second side of the recording medium by a surface charging station. The surface charging station can be arranged before the transfer point in the transport direction. The second side of the recording medium can be opposite the first side. The charged particles can have a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. |
| US09405233B2 |
Sliding member with a base material for contacting a member to be slid, process cartridge having the sliding member, and image forming apparatus having the sliding member
A sliding member includes a base material including a contact area which contacts with a member to be slid, wherein a Young's modulus E1 with respect to the thickness of the contact area from a surface of the contact area is from 10 MPa to 200,000 MPa and a thickness T of the contact area is from 10 nm to 500 nm. |
| US09405232B2 |
Ink transfer element
An ink transfer element for a printing apparatus, the ink transfer element comprising a surface for transferring ink applied thereto to at least one further ink transfer element, wherein the surface is configured to, when an ink comprising pigment particles and a liquid vehicle is applied to the surface, at least partly separate the liquid vehicle from the pigment particles, through the surface. The ink transfer element further relates to printing apparatus and a method of printing. |
| US09405231B2 |
Method and apparatus for toner application
Apparatus is described which, in use, applies a thin film of a wetting agent, such as water or a water-based solution, onto paper or other print medium before applying a liquid toner. The wetting agent is applied at a predetermined distance from an image transfer area. The wetting agent acts to promote adhesion of the liquid toner to the print medium. The adhesion of the liquid toner to the print medium is further improved by supplying the wetting agent at a temperature higher than room temperature. |
| US09405230B2 |
Transporting apparatus, developing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A developing apparatus includes a developer vessel that is provided with a first transporting path, a second transporting path and a third transporting path. The first transporting path and the second transporting path are communicated with each other, and a developer is circulated in the first transporting path and the second transporting path. The third transporting path is provided in an upstream side in a transporting direction of the developer in the second transporting path. If a toner is consumed while forming an image on a paper, a toner corresponding to a consumption amount is resupplied together with a carrier from a toner cartridge to the developer vessel. A carrier and/or a developer that overflows from the second transporting path to the third transporting path is discharged from a discharge port. |
| US09405228B2 |
Developer discharging device for image forming apparatus
Disclosed is a developer discharging device for an image forming apparatus, which is installed in a developing unit configured to transfer and discharge a developer collected from a drum unit or a newly introduced developer, such that the developer is discharged to a developer collecting unit, including a first discharging part configured to extend from an end of a transferring screw installed in the developing unit, and a second discharging part disposed above the first discharging part in parallel with the first discharging part, wherein the developer discharged from the second discharging part falls into the developer collecting unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from being sharply discharged, and thus to constantly maintain an amount of the developer. |
| US09405222B2 |
Image forming apparatus, toner storage member and method of controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a toner storage member which includes a substrate portion and which supplies a toner, a terminal portion and a determination portion. The substrate portion is one substrate which includes a remaining amount detection portion and a memory. The remaining amount detection portion includes a detection circuit which outputs a voltage corresponding to the remaining amount of toner. The memory stores an output value (empty output value) of the detection circuit when the toner storage member is in an empty state. The determination portion compares the empty output value with the output value of the detection circuit to determine whether or not the toner storage member is in the empty state. |
| US09405221B2 |
Powder container and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A powder container includes a rotatable powder chamber for containing powder used for forming images, having an opening on a first side in an axial direction of the powder container, a conveyor to transport powder contained in the powder chamber to the first side from a second side in the axial direction, a protrusion radially projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder chamber, disposed in a circumferential area of the powder chamber, and a facing member disposed facing the outer circumferential surface of the powder chamber. The protrusion contacts the facing member as the powder chamber rotates. |
| US09405220B2 |
Optical sensor, image forming device, and method for correcting toner concentration
An optical sensor configured to irradiate an object area with light and receive reflected light, amplify a voltage in accordance with the reflected light by an amplifier circuit and a resulting voltage, the optical sensor comprising a recording medium recorded with information indicating a noise component calculated, based on characteristics of an input voltage and an output voltage of the amplifier circuit. |
| US09405212B2 |
Image forming apparatus with malfunction detection
An object is to accurately determine a factor that drops the quantity of laser light. An image forming apparatus is provided, which has: a laser diode that includes a front side emission point to which drive current is supplied and from which rear light is emitted; a photosensitive drum to which the rear light is emitted; a detection portion that detects a value on a surface potential of the photosensitive drum; and a determination portion that determines an abnormality of the laser diode, and the detection portion detects, a plurality of times, a value on the surface potential of a portion of the photosensitive drum to which the rear light is emitted, and the determination portion determines whether the laser diode is abnormal based on a change amount of the value on the surface potential detected by the detection portion. |
| US09405211B2 |
Light source drive circuit, optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A light source drive circuit for driving a light source is disclosed including a drive current generating unit generating a drive current, the drive current including a predetermined current for obtaining a predetermined light amount from the light source, a first auxiliary current input to the light source prior to input of the predetermined current, and a second auxiliary current added to the predetermined current in synchronization thereto; and a signal generating unit generating a first signal and a second signal, the first signal causing the first auxiliary current to be input for a first period and the second signal causing the second auxiliary current to be applied to the predetermined current for a second period. The first period is shorter than a period from a rise of the predetermined current to when a light amount from the light source reaches the predetermined light amount with the predetermined current. |
| US09405210B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming unit
Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image holder that is mounted at a predetermined mount position, a charging member that charges the image holder, a cleaning member that cleans the charging member, a holding member that holds the charging member and the cleaning member, includes a mount section on which the cleaning member is mounted, is urged toward the image holder side, and recedes when the image holder is mounted at the predetermined mount position, and a drop-out prevention section that is disposed at a position facing the mount section which is included in the holding member at a receding position and that prevents the cleaning member from dropping out from the mount section. |
| US09405207B2 |
Toner compositions
The present disclosure provides for enzymatic polymerization to produce polyester resins suitable for use in manufacturing toners. In embodiments, crystalline copolymers, which are polyesters, may be synthesized from lactones, cyclic anhydrides, cyclic carbonates, and combinations thereof. These crystalline copolymers, in turn, may be utilized in the synthesis of toner particles. |
| US09405203B2 |
Pixel blending for multiple charged-particle beam lithography
System and method for applying mask data patterns to substrate in a lithography manufacturing process are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a parallel imaging writer system, where the parallel imaging writer system includes a plurality of multiple charged-particle beam (MCB) imaging units arranged in one or more parallel arrays, receiving a mask data pattern to be written to a substrate, processing the mask data pattern to form a plurality of partitioned mask data patterns corresponding to different areas of the substrate, identifying one or more objects in an area of the substrate to be imaged by corresponding MCB imaging units, and performing multiple exposures to image the one or more objects in the area of the substrate by controlling the plurality of MCB imaging units to write the plurality of partitioned mask data patterns in parallel. |
| US09405197B2 |
Pattern forming method, method for manufacturing electronic device, and electronic device
There is provided a pattern forming method containing: forming a film by using a radiation-sensitive or actinic ray-sensitive resin composition containing: (A) a onium salt compound containing a nitrogen atom in a cationic moiety; (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation; and (C) a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of an acid to decrease solubility in a developer containing an organic solvent, exposing the film; and developing the exposed film by using a developer containing an organic solvent to form a negative pattern. |
| US09405196B2 |
Method for preparing electrically-conductive silver images
Electrically-conductive articles are prepared to have electrically-conductive silver metal electrode grids on one or both supporting sides of a transparent substrate. Such articles are prepared by imagewise exposing conductive film element precursors having photosensitive silver halide layers, followed by development, fixing, and conductivity enhancement. The resulting silver image(s) can be treated with a stabilizing solution containing 0.5-50 mmol/l of specific stabilizing agents. |
| US09405192B2 |
Layered radiation-sensitive materials with varying sensitivity
A method for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first radiation-sensitive material and a second radiation-sensitive material adjacent the first radiation-sensitive material. The first radiation-sensitive material has a first sensitivity. The second radiation-sensitive material has the first sensitivity and a second sensitivity different from the first sensitivity. At least one mask is placed between at least one radiation source and the first and second radiation-sensitive materials. The mask has a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures. The first and second radiation-sensitive materials are then exposed to a plurality of radiation beams through the radiation-transparent apertures in the mask to form a first construct in the first radiation-sensitive material and a second construct in the second radiation-sensitive material. The first construct and the second construct cooperate to form the radiation-cured structure. |
| US09405188B2 |
Positive photosensitive resin composition, photosensitive resin film prepared by using the same, and display device
Disclosed is a positive photosensitive resin composition including (A) an alkali soluble resin; (B) a photosensitive diazoquinone compound; (C) a cross-linking agent; (D) a thermal acid generator; (E) a phenol compound; and (F) an organic solvent, wherein the cross-linking agent and thermal acid generator are included in a weight ratio of about 1:50 to about 50:1. |
| US09405185B2 |
Shape metrology for photomasks
A method of manufacturing a photomask includes forming a mask pattern with a critical mask feature on a photomask. Shape information which is descriptive for an outline of the critical mask feature is obtained from the photomask. The shape information contains position information identifying the positions of landmarks on the outline relative to each other. The landmarks may indicate local curvature extrema, points of inflexion, sharp bends in the curvature and/or local curvature-change maxima in the outline of the mask feature, respectively. The shape information may enable a shape metrology which is not completely based on rectangular approximations of mask features. |
| US09405184B2 |
Pellicle for EUV, and an assembly including the pellicle, and a method for assembling the same
Here are disclosed a pellicle for EUV and an assembly made up of this pellicle and a mask, which brings about a projection of low contrast (intensity) shadows of a mesh structure on the mask, thus minimizing the adverse effect of the shadow on the lithographic printing; also a method for assembling such assembly is disclosed wherein the pellicle is rotated relative to the mask to minimize the shadow contrast, in terms of a contrast ratio, of the mesh structure; the angle of the rotation is 30 degrees or smaller, and the resultant contrast ratio should be 25% or lower. |
| US09405183B2 |
Radiation image capturing system
According to one implementation of the present invention, there is provided a radiation image capturing system. The system includes, a radiation source; a plurality of radiation image capturing devices; and a console. The console manages which of the radiation image capturing devices is in a state where image capturing is possible. The console registers image capturing order information including information of which radiation image capturing device is used in the image capturing, or obtains the registered image capturing order information. When there is a radiation image capturing device in a state where image capturing is possible, regardless of a predetermined order, the console displays the icon corresponding to the image capturing order information including information of the radiation image capturing device in a manner different from the other icons. |
| US09405182B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device includes a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute: acquiring an image including a first object captured by an image sensor; computing, from the image, flatness information on flatness of a projection plane of the first object on which a superimposed image is displayed; and defining a display position of the superimposed image on the basis of the flatness information. |
| US09405178B2 |
Light emitting diode projection lamp
A projection lamp utilizing light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes a housing, a lamp board positioned on the housing, an upper covering the lamp board, and a lens positioned above the upper cover. The lamp board includes a plurality of LEDs. A majority portion of the housing and the upper cover is composed of thermally conductive materials. The housing includes a plurality of latch holes, the upper cover includes a plurality of latching chambers corresponding to the latch holes, and the lens includes a plurality of latching members extending through the latching chambers to engage the housing latch holes. |
| US09405177B2 |
Color wheel module and projection apparatus
A color wheel module and a projection apparatus are provided, wherein the color wheel module includes a color wheel, a cover and a flow detour duct. The cover shades the color wheel. The flow detour duct is communicated with the cover and has an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The rotating color wheel is configured to drive airflow into the flow detour duct from the airflow inlet, and cause the airflow through the color wheel and then discharged from the airflow outlet. |
| US09405176B2 |
Projector with adjustable support
A projector includes a power source accommodation section and a projection section body. The power source accommodation section is supported by a duct and accommodates a power source circuit that converts electric power supplied from the duct. The projection section body accommodates a projection section that projects an image, and the projection section body is so supported by the power source accommodation section that a direction in which the image is projected is adjustable. |
| US09405175B2 |
Image projecting light bulb
A display system that includes a projector light bulb. The system includes a light fixture with a conventional light bulb socket. A projector light bulb is provided with a socket adapter for mating electrically with the light bulb socket. A projector such as a pico projector is fit into the socket adapter or to mate with this adapter to be powered by the light bulb socket via the adapter. In lamp-type implementations, the projector is used to project onto a lamp shade-shaped rear projection screen or through a translucent shade and also upon surfaces of the ceiling or objects above the projector light bulb. A light conditioning or directing assembly may be provided that directs a portion of the projected light onto the projection screen (or shade) and another portion up onto the ceiling so as to concurrently focus on two or more surfaces at two or more focal distances. |
| US09405172B2 |
Wearable mount for handheld image capture devices
A wearable mount is disclosed for holding a portable electronic image capture device. The mount includes a base mount comprising an abutment portion configured securely attach the base mount, a cradle assembly attaching to the portable electronic image capture device, and a flexible arm connecting the base mount to the cradle assembly and permitting the user to adjust an orientation of the portable electronic image capture device. |
| US09405170B2 |
Method and apparatus for continuous auto focusing of a camera in a mobile terminal
A method of continuous auto focusing a camera in a portable terminal is provided. The method includes setting an arbitrary area of a preview screen as a focus area, the preview screen being divided into at least one tracking area, focusing on a subject located within the focus area and fixing a focus of the subject, and adjusting the focus with respect to the focus area when a movement of the subject is detected within the tracking area that includes the focus area. |
| US09405169B2 |
Frequency-converted light source
A light source includes a light emitting element configured to emit a non-diffraction limited input light beam, a nonlinear frequency conversion (NLFC) component that exhibits walkoff and performs second harmonic generation whereby at least a portion of an output beam outputted by the NLFC component has twice a frequency of the input beam, and an optical component positioned to receive the input light beam and configured to converge the non-diffraction limited input beam into the NLFC component. The light emitting element emits the input light beam having a beam quality factor in at least one plane of the input beam that is greater than 2 (M2>2). Furthermore, the light emitting element is a laser diode including AlyInxGa1-x-yN (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1) semiconductor materials, and one dimension of an emission region of the laser diode is at least 5 μm. |
| US09405168B2 |
Method of fabricating wavelength conversion device
Disclosed is a method for fabricating a wavelength conversion device that is capable of suppressing unintended and random polarization reversal due to heating thereby achieving higher wavelength conversion efficiency. The method includes: forming an insulating layer on one place of a crystal substrate naturally and uniformly polarized in a thickness direction; forming an insulating layer pattern with line-and-space by photolithography; then supplying conductive fluid to both planes of the crystal substrate to apply voltage to the crystal substrate, thereby a wavelength conversion device that is periodically polarization-reversed is fabricated. When temperature of the crystal substrate decreases after heating, an ionizer supplies ions to a surface of the crystal substrate, negative ions collect on +z plane, and positive ion collect on −z plane, thereby unintended and random polarization reversal is suppressed. |
| US09405164B2 |
Electrochromic device having three-dimensional electrode
An electrochromic device comprises (i) a conductive layer, (ii) an electrochromic material, on the conductive layer, (iii) an electrolyte, on the electrochromic material, and (iv) a counter-electrode, on the electrolyte. The conductive layer has a surface roughness factor (SRF) of at least 10, and the conductive layer comprises a semi-metal. |
| US09405163B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and display panel having the same
A thin film transistor substrate includes a base substrate and a thin film transistor. The base substrate includes a gate line and a data line. The thin film transistor is connected to the gate line and the data line. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor pattern and source, drain electrodes. The gate electrode is disposed on the base substrate. The semiconductor pattern overlaps with the gate electrode. The source, drain electrodes is spaced apart from each other. The source electrode includes a first source layer, a second source layer disposed on the first source layer and a first diffusion barrier disposed between the first source layer and second source layer. The drain electrode includes a first drain layer, a second drain layer disposed on the first drain layer and a second diffusion barrier disposed between the first drain layer and second drain layer. |
| US09405161B2 |
Liquid crystal array substrate, electronic device, and method for testing liquid crystal array substrate
A liquid crystal (LC) array substrate includes a number of pixel regions, each pixel region includes a main region, a sub-region, and an adjustment thin film transistor (TFT), the adjustment TFT adjusts a ratio of voltage of the main region and the sub-region to achieve a LCS design. The main region comprises a first TFT and a main region array common electrode lead wire, the sub-region comprises a second TFT and a sub-region array common electrode lead wire, and the main region array common electrode lead wire and the sub-region array common electrode lead wire are electrically isolated. The main region array common electrode lead wire of all pixel regions of the LC array substrate are connected to a main region conductive pad, the sub-region array common electrode lead wire of all pixel regions of the LC array substrate are connected to a sub-region conductive pad. |
| US09405160B2 |
Active matrix substrate and liquid crystal display device
An active matrix substrate includes a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; and a source wiring running in a column direction, wherein the source wiring includes a first side portion running along one side in a column direction of at least one pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes, a crossing portion running across the pixel electrode, and a second side portion running along another side in the column direction of the pixel electrode, the first side portion and the second side portion are connected to each other via the crossing portion, and at least one crossing portion is provided on each of at least two pixel electrodes aligned in the column direction out of the plurality of pixel electrodes. |
| US09405158B2 |
Liquid crystal display
Provided is a liquid crystal display including a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix of pixel rows and pixel columns, the liquid crystal display including: a plurality of gate lines formed on a first substrate and disposed two between every pixel row; a plurality of data lines formed on the first substrate and disposed one between every two adjacent pixel columns; a common voltage line formed on the first substrate and extending in a pixel row direction along a vertical center of the pixel; and a plurality of pixel electrodes and common electrodes formed on the first substrate and overlapping with each other with an insulating layer therebetween, each pixel electrode positioned in a pixel, and in which two pixel electrodes in the two pixel columns disposed between two adjacent data lines among the plurality of data lines are both connected to any one of the two data lines. |
| US09405157B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display, including a lower panel electrode including at least one lower panel unit electrode, an upper panel electrode including at least one upper panel unit electrode facing the at least one lower panel unit electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower panel electrode and the upper panel electrode, wherein the lower panel unit electrode includes a stem part forming borders between a plurality of sub-regions; a center pattern including a plurality of straight line sides respectively disposed at the plurality of sub-regions, and a plurality of fine branch parts extending out from the center pattern, the stem part includes a horizontal stem part and a vertical stem part, and angles that the horizontal stem part and the vertical stem part form with the respective straight line sides of the center pattern are different from each other. |
| US09405155B2 |
Liquid crystal display device comprising a mounting portion located in a circumference area for mounting a signal source and method of manufacturing the same
A first organic insulating film is arranged on a first substrate in a circumference area outside an active area. A mounting portion is located in the circumference area for mounting a signal source. A second organic insulating film is formed on a second substrate in the circumference area so as to face the first substrate. The second substrate exposes the mounting portion. A seal material is arranged between the first organic insulating film and the second organic insulating film to attach the first substrate and the second substrate. A resin layer is arranged between the first organic insulating film and the second organic insulating film in the circumference area, and formed in a rectangular frame shape including four linear ends. An end along the mounting portion is formed broadly than other ends. |
| US09405154B2 |
Method for manufacturing orientation material, orientation material, method for manufacturing retardation material, and retardation material
A highly efficient method for manufacturing an orientation material and a retardation material, and an orientation material and a retardation material. A method for manufacturing an orientation material having a first orientation region and a second orientation region, directions for regulating liquid crystal alignment are different from each other, including: forming a coating film by a cured-film formation composition containing component (A) that is an acrylic copolymer having a photodimerizable moiety and a thermally cross-linkable moiety and a component (B) that is a cross-linking agent onto a substrate; heating the coating film to form a cured film; and performing exposure to polarized light by irradiating a first region for forming the first orientation region and a second region for forming the second orientation region with polarized light having the same polarization direction such that amounts of light exposure are different between the first region and the second region. |
| US09405143B2 |
Liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal display and a method for manufacturing the same. The liquid crystal panel comprises: a color filter substrate; an array substrate; a piezoelectric material spacer disposed between the color filter substrate and the array substrate; one signal line disposed between the color filter substrate and the piezoelectric material spacer; and another signal line disposed between the piezoelectric material spacer and the array substrate, wherein the two signal lines respectively contact a color filter substrate side surface and an array substrate side surface of the piezoelectric material spacer, a projection of the signal line at the color filter substrate side onto the array substrate side surface of the piezoelectric material spacer intersects with the signal line at the array substrate side, and the two signal lines are insulated from each other, and it can realize a touch panel with integrated functions and self-applied power source while maintaining the thickness of the liquid crystal cell and which have such advantages as high transmittance, simple structure, low manufacturing costs, high precision and long service life. |
| US09405142B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
The inventive concept provides a liquid crystal display including an insulation substrate; a roof layer which is formed on the insulation substrate; a pixel electrode which is formed on the insulation substrate and under the microcavity supported by the roof layer; and a liquid crystal layer which is disposed in the microcavity. The opening corresponding to unit microcavity includes portions having a first width and a second width. According to the inventive concept, configurations of the pixel and the opening which may minimize the remaining liquid crystal are provided to adjust a size of the liquid crystal injection hole between a plurality of microcavities into which the liquid crystal is injected, which may prevent an orientation error of the liquid crystal caused by the remaining liquid crystal outside the microcavity and thus prevent the display error. |
| US09405139B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having a frame surrounding and holding a liquid crystal display element and a backlight
According to one embodiment, a backlight includes a light source, a light guide plate provided laterally to the light source to convert light from the light source into planar light, and multiple optical sheets provided in a laminated manner between the light guide plate and a liquid crystal panel. A liquid crystal display device includes a frame surrounding and holding the liquid crystal panel and the backlight. The frame includes fitted portions recessed in positions opposed to the optical sheets. The optical sheets each include protrusions provided on both sides close to the light source to be fitted into the respective fitted portions. The optical sheets each further include a stuck portion provided on the side near the light source and stuck to a double-sided adhesive tape. |
| US09405135B2 |
Shutter eyewear
Apparatuses and methods of shuttering glasses are disclosed. One apparatus includes a first lens operable to blank for a first blocking time, a second lens operable to blank for a second blocking time, and a controller for controllably setting at least one of the first blocking time and the second blocking time. |
| US09405130B2 |
Beveling wheel, method for forming a beveled lens for use with eyeglasses and a beveled lens
The present invention relates to a beveling wheel and method for forming a beveled lens with the beveling wheel for use with eyeglasses. One embodiment includes a prescription lens for use on an eyeglass frame having a receiving channel. The receiving channel includes a channel bottom and opposed interior wall surfaces having a first angle therebetween. The prescription plastic lens includes a prescription lens body generally defined by a peripheral edge having a bevel extending away from the edge to a vertex. The bevel has a distal portion with a second angle. The bevel is receivable within the receiving channel. At least a portion of the vertex of the bevel has an interference fit with the receiving channel bottom when held within the eyeglass frame. The first angle is greater than the second angle. |
| US09405126B1 |
Eye level viewfinder and three dimensional virtual reality viewing device and method
A device that allows viewing of 3D and virtual reality that is displayed on a portable device such as a cell phone for example an iPhone or any such type known as a smartphone. The device has vertical and horizontal panels that are hinged together to fold flat and to unfold into a box shape. One end is an attachment frame that allows attaching of the display source device so that its screen can be seen through the open box from the other end. On the other end is a lens frame on which are a pair of spaced apart lens for viewing separately of each eye thereby allowing 3 D viewing. The device can be equipped with a sterol separator wall to prevent vision confusion. All the parts are hinged together so as to allow the entire device to fold into a generally flattened package. |
| US09405120B2 |
Head-up display and vehicle using the same
A head-up display (HUD) comprises a detection unit, a picture generating unit and a control unit. The detection unit detects a position of an object and generates a detection signal indicated the position of the object. The picture generating unit comprises a screen and an optical unit. The screen displays a visual image. The optical unit projects the visual image onto the screen. The control unit is coupled to the detection unit and the picture generating unit, controlling the screen to facing toward the object in response to the detection signal. |
| US09405113B2 |
Microscope focusing mechanism with movable components formed of materials having different linear expansion coefficients
A microscope focusing mechanism includes a fixing part attached to a microscope main body, a fixing-side guide member attached to the fixing part, a plate-shaped base part that supports at least one of a stage for placing a specimen and a revolver to which multiple objective lenses are detachably attached, a moving-side guide member that is fixed to the base part, that is connected to the fixing-side guide member, and that is movable in a direction of an optical axis of one of the objective lenses, and a plate member that is arranged on a side of the base part opposite to a side where the moving-side guide member is arranged. A linear expansion coefficient of a material of each of the moving-side guide member and the plate member differs from a linear expansion coefficient of a material of the base part. |
| US09405104B2 |
Split sub-pixel imaging chip with IR-pass filter coating applied on selected sub-pixels
An apparatus for capturing an image includes a plurality of lens elements coaxially encompassed within a lens housing. A split-sub-pixel imaging chip includes an IR-pass filter coating applied on selected sub-pixels. The sub-pixels include a long exposure sub-pixel and a short-exposure sub-pixel for each of a plurality of green blue and red pixels. |
| US09405100B2 |
Image capturing optical lens system
An image capturing optical lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface. The fourth lens element has refractive power, and at least one surface thereof is aspheric. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, and the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power has a convex object-side surface, and an image-side surface changing from concave at a paraxial region thereof to convex at a peripheral region thereof, and the surfaces are aspheric. |
| US09405084B2 |
Multi-fiber, fiber optic cable assemblies providing constrained optical fibers within an optical fiber sub-unit, and related fiber optic components, cables, and methods
Multi-fiber, fiber optic cable assemblies and related fiber optic components, cables, and methods providing constrained optical fibers within an optical fiber sub-unit are disclosed. The optical fiber sub-unit(s) comprises optical fibers disposed adjacent a sub-unit strength member(s) within a sub-unit jacket. Movement of optical fibers within a sub-unit jacket can be constrained. In this manner, the optical fibers in an optical fiber sub-unit can be held together within the optical fiber sub-unit as a unit. As a non-limiting example, the optical fiber sub-unit(s) may be exposed and constrained in a furcation assembly as opposed to the optical fibers, thereby reducing complexity in fiber optic cable assembly preparations. Constraining the optical fibers may also allow optical skew, reduction of entanglement between the optical fibers and the cable strength members to reduce or avoid optical attenuation, and/or allow the optical fibers to act as anti-buckling components within the fiber optic cable. |
| US09405078B2 |
Method for disposable guidewire optical connection
There is described a method for terminating an optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The guidewire tubing has an outside diameter and comprises a lumen. The method comprises centering the optical fiber relative to the outside diameter of the proximal portion of the guidewire tubing. The optical fiber and the inside of the lumen define an average gap there between. The average gap around the optical fiber is between 1 μm and 100 μm for allowing a substantial displacement of the optical fiber inside the lumen during the centering. |
| US09405077B2 |
Optical connector
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward techniques and configurations for an apparatus with an optical connector. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include an optical connector having a cage to receive an optical fiber cable to connect the apparatus with another apparatus. The cage may include first and second sides and a face that mates the first and second sides. The face may comprise an optical interface to optically connect tips of the optical fiber cable and the other apparatus. The cage may further include a cavity having a first portion formed substantially in the face to receive the optical interface, and a second portion that extends into one of the first or second sides to provide an opening to enable application of an adhesive material to the tips of the cable, to fixably connect the tips with the optical interface. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09405070B1 |
Optical buffer with a signal-switching capability
We disclose an optical buffer having a plurality of optical ports. In some embodiments, an optical signal to be stored may be injected into the buffer through any one of the optical ports and then may be ejected from the buffer, after being stored therein for a selectable amount of time, through any one of the optical ports as well. This feature advantageously enables the optical buffer to also function as an optical switch or router. In an example embodiment, the optical buffer comprises two optical recirculation loops, each of which can store the optical signal by causing it to circulate therein. The buffer is configured to compensate optical losses incurred by the optical signal during this circulation by transferring the optical signal from one loop to the other through an optical amplifier. Due to the latter feature, the optical buffer may be able to store an optical signal, with an acceptable OSNR, for a significantly longer time than certain conventional optical buffers. |
| US09405069B2 |
Method for preparing an outer surface of a planar waveguide to be capable of binding target samples along a plurality of predeterminded lines and a planar waveguide
According to the invention there is provided a method for preparing the outer surface (11) of the planar waveguide (1) for binding target samples along the plurality of predetermined lines (4). The method comprises the following steps. Providing a planar waveguide (1) with an outer surface (11) adapted for attachment of a head group (21) of a linker molecule (2) to the outer surface (11). Sequentially applying at least one plurality of linker molecules (2, 5) to the outer surface (11). Each plurality of the at least one plurality of linker molecules (2, 5) assembles to form an individual layer of linker molecules (2, 5) with individual layers formed one above the other starting from the outer surface (11) of the planar waveguide (1). Each linker molecule (2, 5) comprises a functional group (22, 52) and the head group (21, 51) which is capable of attaching to the outer surface (11) of the planar waveguide (1) or to the functional groups (22) of the preceding layer of linker molecules (2). The functional groups (52) of the plurality of linker molecules (5; 2) of the uppermost layer are bound to photo-labile protecting groups (3) so that each functional group (52) bound to a said photo-labile protecting group (3) is incapable of attaching a complementary functional group of a further molecule. Exposing those photo-labile protecting groups (3) of the uppermost layer arranged along a plurality of predetermined lines (4) to light of a predetermined wavelength to remove the exposed photo-labile protecting groups (3) from the functional groups (52) to make these functional groups (52) capable of attaching a complementary functional group of a further molecule. |
| US09405063B2 |
Integrated metal grating
An integrated circuit includes a substrate, a metal grating disposed over the substrate, and a waveguide layer disposed over or under the metal grating. The metal grating is arranged to change a propagation direction of an optical signal and the waveguide layer is arranged to guide the optical signal to a desired direction. |
| US09405062B2 |
High-bandwidth, radiation-resistant multimode optical fiber
A multimode optical fiber includes a central core and an outer cladding (e.g., an outer optical cladding). Typically, the optical fiber's central core is a depressed, central core having an alpha-index profile (i.e., a graded-index profile), an outer radius r1, and a maximum refractive index difference Δn1 with respect to the outer cladding. The central core's alpha-index profile has a minimum refractive index at the central core's outer radius r1 that corresponds to a refractive index difference Δnend with respect to the outer cladding. Exemplary optical-fiber embodiments may include an inner cladding having an outer radius r2 and a width w2. Exemplary optical-fiber embodiments may include a buried trench having a width w3 and an outer radius r3. Furthermore, exemplary optical-fiber embodiments may include an intermediate cladding having an outer radius r4 and a width w4. |
| US09405061B2 |
Avoiding beam obstruction during inscription of fiber gratings
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for avoiding beam obstructions during inscription of fiber gratings. For some embodiments, an optical fiber is re-oriented during fiber inscription to avoid obstruction of the actinic beam. |
| US09405056B2 |
Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same
A display apparatus with at least two light guide plates, each including a light incident surface and a light exiting surface, the light guide plates being spaced apart from each other so as to form a gap therebetween. The display apparatus also has a light source disposed adjacent to at least one side portion of the light guide plates to emit light to the light incident surface, a display panel positioned to receive light from the light exiting surfaces to facilitate display of an image, and a diffusion member. The diffusion member covers the gap, so as to diffuse light directed toward the display panel. |
| US09405055B2 |
Light guide plate, light guide plate manufacturing method, and light guide plate manufacturing apparatus
A light guide plate includes: a light guide member with a light incident surface and first and second principal surfaces; and first and second protrusions formed on at least one of the first and second principal surfaces. When the first principal surface is viewed in a normal direction, a distance between the light incident surface and the second protrusion is larger than a distance between the light incident surface and the first protrusion; each of the first and second protrusions has a shape, a length of which in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to a propagation direction of light incident from the light incident surface increases monotonously in the propagation direction; and a minimum value of the length of the second protrusion in the orthogonal direction is larger than a maximum value of the length of the first protrusion in the orthogonal direction. |
| US09405044B2 |
Antireflection coating film, and optical element, optical system, and optical apparatus having the same
An antireflection coating film formed on an optical base member includes: a first layer having a refractive index of N1 and a film thickness of D1; a second layer having a refractive index of N2 and a film thickness of D2; and a third layer formed of a fine concavo-convex structure, having a refractive index changing from N3 to 1.0, and a film thickness of D3, wherein the first, second, and third layer are formed in order from the optical base member side having a refractive index of Nsub, and wherein when the refractive indexes Nsub, N1, N2, and N3 are those taken when a wavelength is 550 nm, conditions for Nsub, N1, D1, N2, D2, N3 and D3 are satisfied. |
| US09405041B2 |
Photochromic compounds
A photochromic compound is provided, which may be a pyran, an oxazine, or a fulgide. The photochromic compound has at least one substituent Q attached thereto, each Q independently being —N3, —CN, —COOR′, —CCR′, —C(R′)C(R′)R′, —OCOR′, —OCOOR′, —SR′, —OSO2R′″, and/or —CON(R′)R′, wherein each R′ is hydrogen, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, an unsubstituted or substituted alkene or alkyne group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein the substituents are halo or hydroxyl and R′″ is —CF3 or a perfluorinated alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms. The number, locations and nature of the constituents Q are dependent upon the structure of the photochromic compound. |
| US09405036B2 |
Multiphysics NMR logging techniques for the determination of in situ total gas in gas reservoirs
Methods for the determination of the Total Gas in Place (TGiP) in gas-bearing formations are provided. Aspects of the subject disclosure also relate to the determination of the TGiP from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs alone or in combination other well logs. |
| US09405035B2 |
Enhanced transmitter and method for a nuclear magnetic resonance logging tool
An enhanced radio frequency transmitter suitable for use in a nuclear magnetic resonance logging tool, may employ a power amplifier that comprises two pairs of switching amplifiers and a summation stage. The first pair of switching amplifiers together generate a first pair of pulse sequences having an adjustable phase difference, while the second pair of switching amplifiers generate a second pair of pulse sequences, each pulse sequence in the second pair being provided a fixed phase offset from a respective pulse sequence in the first pair. The summation stage forms a combined signal from the pulse sequences in both said first and second pairs. The fixed phase offset operates to at least partly cancel a higher harmonic of the pulse sequences from the combined signal, thereby reducing energy losses downstream from the transmitter. |
| US09405033B2 |
Induced polarization mapping with borehole to surface electromagnetic transmitter data
An electromagnetic energy transmitter is provided for induced polarization mapping with a borehole to surface electromagnetic (BSEM) transmitter. The transmitter is lowered into a well borehole to a desired location in a well borehole to emit electromagnetic energy. An array of receivers spaced over an area of the earth surface senses the induced polarization response to the emitted electromagnetic energy in areas of interest for mapping. Maps are formed of the induced polarization responses sensed by the array of receivers. |
| US09405031B2 |
Method and system for mapping a geological structure of a formation on one side of a surface using magnetic moments of different values
A method for mapping geological structures of a formation on a side of a surface, includes: generating a magnetic moment using at least one magnetic moment generator to build up a magnetic field in the formation in an on-period, wherein the magnetic moment has a moment strength, and wherein the magnetic moment is positioned on another side of the surface; changing the magnetic moment to change the magnetic field; and making at least one record in a recording device at a recording time trecord in an off-period, wherein the record includes at least a representation of the change in the magnetic field and/or a representation of the magnetic field obtained by a B/E-measuring unit; wherein the on-period is separated from the off-period by the act of changing the magnetic moment. |
| US09405030B2 |
Seismic cable with adjustable buoyancy
A method and apparatus for a seismic cable is described. In one embodiment, a method for performing a seismic survey in a water column is described. The method comprises providing a length of flexible cable from a cable storage device disposed on a vessel to a cable handling device adjacent the cable storage device. The flexible cable comprises a specific gravity that is greater than a specific gravity of water in the water column. The method further comprises routing the flexible cable to pass adjacent a workstation disposed on the vessel, deploying a free end of the flexible cable into the water column, attaching at least one of a plurality of seismic sensor units to the cable as the cable passes the workstation, and controlling the motion of the vessel and the rotational speed of the cable handling device to allow the flexible cable to rest on the bottom of the water column. |
| US09405029B2 |
Wide azimuth seismic data acquisition method and system skipping lines
Wide azimuth data acquisition systems using at least three streamer sets achieve shorter survey time and enhanced angular coverage relative to conventional systems using two streamer sets. Various techniques such as high-density seismic source activation and alternating surveyed bands with skipped bands lead to data quality similar to the conventional system, while maintaining the increased productivity advantage. |
| US09405028B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-component datuming
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for datuming multi-component seismic data. In one example of such a method, a plurality of seismic traces are accessed, the plurality of seismic traces including data representative of amplitude and spatial gradient samples of a seismic wavefield at a plurality of recording locations in a medium. Using a computer-based processing unit, a wavefield propagation from the plurality of recording locations through a medium is initialized, using the amplitude and spatial gradient samples of the seismic wavefield. Seismic traces are generated that correspond to the propagated wavefield at defined locations within the medium. |
| US09405017B2 |
Ultra-sensitive radiation dosimeters
A method of forming a transistor comprises forming a conducting substrate layer, forming a dielectric layer over the conducting substrate layer, forming a channel over at least a portion of the dielectric layer and forming first and second source/drain regions contacting respective first and second portions of the channel. The channel comprises a thin-film carbon material. The conducting substrate layer, the dielectric layer, the channel and the first and second source/drain regions are formed such that exposure to radiation causes a change in a threshold voltage of the transistor. |
| US09405016B2 |
System and method for complex navigation using dead reckoning and GPS
Provided are a system and method for complex navigation using dead reckoning and a global positioning system capable of enhancing robustness of positioning by compensating for discontinuity of GPS reception data. The system for complex navigation using dead reckoning (DR) and a global positioning system (GPS) includes a GPS receiving unit configured to receive GPS data, a DR unit configured to generate DR information by using a wheel speed, a steering angle, and a yaw rate, a buffer unit configured to store the DR information, and a filter unit configured to generate positioning information of a moving object by using at least one of output information from the GPS receiving unit and the DR information stored in the buffer unit. |
| US09405014B2 |
Method of controlling electronic apparatus and electronic apparatus
Correlation calculation is performed on a received signal of a GPS satellite signal as a positioning signal based on a given predicted frequency. Then, an erroneous frequency of the predicted frequency is estimated using carrier phase of the GPS satellite signal based on a result of the correlation calculation. Then, whether or not the erroneous frequency satisfies a predetermined allowable condition is determined, and whether or not an electronic apparatus is in a non-translational movement state in which the electronic apparatus moves while changing the location thereof with respect to a body of the user is determined. |
| US09405009B2 |
Navigation data structure generation and data transmission for optimal time to first fix
A method and system for transmitting navigation data to a satellite navigation receiver for reducing time to first fix is provided. A signal generation system generates a navigation data structure comprising a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame for accommodating selective ephemeris data, a third sub-frame for accommodating first parameters of almanac data, and a fourth sub-frame for accommodating a text message comprising second parameters of almanac data, and transmits the selective ephemeris data and the first and second parameters of almanac data to the satellite navigation receiver. The configuration of the navigation data structure enables the satellite navigation receiver to collect the navigation data in reduced time. Each satellite of a constellation simultaneously transmits distinct first parameters of the almanac data in the third sub-frame of the navigation data structure to the satellite navigation receiver, thereby allowing the satellite navigation receiver to receive collective almanac data in reduced time. |
| US09405008B2 |
Methods and apparatus for multi-frequency camera
In exemplary implementations of this invention, a multi-frequency ToF camera mitigates the effect of multi-path interference (MPI), and can calculate an accurate depth map despite MPI. A light source in the multi-frequency camera emits light in a temporal sequence of different frequencies. For example, the light source can emit a sequence of ten equidistant frequencies f=10 MHz, 20 MHz, 30 MHz, . . . , 100 MHz. At each frequency, a lock-in sensor within the ToF camera captures 4 frames. From these 4 frames, one or more processors compute, for each pixel in the sensor, a single complex number. The processors stack all of such complex quantities (one such complex number per pixel per frequency) and solve for the depth and intensity, using a spectral estimation technique. |
| US09405007B2 |
Electro-optic distance-measuring device
A distance measuring device includes a light source emitting light, and an integrated electro-optic modulator arranged such that the emitted light passes through an optical waveguide of the electro-optic modulator in a first direction before being emitted from the distance measuring device, and after being reflected from a target passes through the electro-optic modulator in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. The forward electro-optic response of a modulating region of the electro-optic modulator is the same as the backward electro-optic response, and a center of gravity of the modulation is independent of modulation frequency. |
| US09405001B2 |
Open loop power oscillator Doppler radar
Described are radar systems and methods. A transmit pulse is generated by the radar system. A first portion of the transmit pulse is processed by the radar system to form transmit pulse data. A second portion of the transmit pulse is directed by the radar system into a monitored volume. A return signal is received by the radar system, the return signal at least partially comprising a portion of the second portion of the transmit pulse reflected by one or more objects in the monitored volume. The return signal is processed, by the radar system, to form return signal data. |
| US09405000B2 |
Positioning method and positioning system based on light intensity
A positioning method and a positioning system based on light intensity are provided. The positioning system comprises a lighting system, a sense feedback device and a positioning module. The lighting system comprises at least three point light sources and sequentially adjusts luminance of these point light sources to light up a target. The sense feedback device is disposed on the target and used to collect light intensity information of the light projected on the target by the lighting system. The positioning module calculates a distance between the target and each of the point light sources based on the light intensity information and calculates a positioning location of the target based on the locations of the point light sources and the distances between the target and the point light sources. |
| US09404997B2 |
Communication station and method for time-of-flight positioning using cooperating stations
Embodiments of a communication station and method for time-of-flight (ToF) positioning in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a ToF cooperation table may be received by a positioning station from an access point. The ToF cooperation table may identify one or more cooperating stations and may include information about each cooperating station for ToF positioning. A ToF positioning protocol may be performed with at least some of the cooperating stations identified in the ToF cooperation table using the information in the ToF cooperation table. During the ToF positioning protocol, a current position and a station positional accuracy may be received from each cooperating station. The current position may be a position when ToF is measured. A location of the positioning station may be determined based on the current positions and the ranges to each of the cooperating stations determined from the ToF positioning protocol. |
| US09404995B2 |
Calibration data
Apparatus is provided for: storing a four-dimensional matrix of fixed point calibration data; rearranging the four-dimensional matrix of fixed point calibration data into a one-dimensional sequence; calculating a differential sequence of the one-dimensional sequence; saving the differential sequence and a first element of the one-dimensional sequence into a binary file; and compressing the binary file using a DEFLATE algorithm. Apparatus is provided for corresponding decompression also. |
| US09404993B2 |
System and methods for information collection and processing for location estimation in MIMO wireless networks
Disclosed herein, one embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a system, apparatus, and method for location estimation in the presence of multipath/non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions. Various methods have been contemplated to detect the level of multipath/NLOS propagation between two devices. A SNR variation method determines how the SNR of each chain/stream is varying over a time window in order to detect the chain/stream with least local scattering or multipath. A measure of coherence SNR is defined to measure the level of multipath/NLOS per-chain/stream. Moreover, since per-subcarrier SNR information is available at the one or both nodes, the coherence methods can be used on a per-subcarrier basis to detect multipath/NLOS for the entire channel, for the specific spatial stream or for the specific frequencies occupied by the subcarriers. Furthermore, a coherence bandwidth estimation method uses the SNR variation over subcarriers to detect the coherence bandwidth of the spatial stream. The amount of multipath/NLOS is inversely proportional to the coherence bandwidth. |
| US09404990B2 |
Sensor offset error compensation systems and methods using a correction factor
Embodiments relate to reducing offset error in sensor systems. In embodiments, the sensitivity and offset of a sensor depend differently on some parameter, e.g. voltage, such that operating the sensor at two different values of the parameter can cancel the offset error. Embodiments can have applicability to stress sensors, Hall plates, vertical Hall devices, magnetoresistive sensors and others. The offset error can be reduced using a correction factor based on a first offset error of the sensor system when operated in a first phase and a second offset error of the sensor system when operated in second first phase. The sensor system can generate an output signal based on first and second output signals generated when operating in the first and second phases, respectively. |
| US09404985B2 |
Method and magnetic resonance apparatus to determine at least one datum from an implanted silicone implant
In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to determine at least one datum of an implanted silicone implant, at least one magnetic resonance data set is acquired, with the acquired signals of the magnetic resonance data set originating at least in part from the silicone implant. At least one spectrum is calculated from the magnetic resonance data set, and the datum is determined in a processor from the spectrum. |
| US09404981B2 |
Magnetic resonance apparatus with a noise prevention element and a mold apparatus for producing the noise prevention element
A magnetic resonance apparatus includes a magnet unit and a housing unit enclosing the magnet unit. A noise prevention unit is provided which is arranged between the magnet unit and the housing unit enclosing the magnet unit and which has at least one noise prevention element made of an insulating foam. The at least one noise prevention element has a D-shaped cross-sectional area. |
| US09404979B2 |
Power supply unit testing system
A system for testing a PSU includes an input control module, a voltage regulating module, and a load adjusting module. The input control module includes a microcontroller and a plurality of key switches connected to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to receive input instruction from the plurality of key switches and output a control signal according to the input instruction. The voltage regulating module is configured to receive the control signal and generate an output voltage with a voltage value associated with the control signal. The load adjusting module includes a motor coupled to the output voltage of the voltage regulating module. The motor is rotatable in opposite direction to adjust an output current of the PSU. A rotating speed of the motor is in direct proportion to the voltage value of the output voltage. |
| US09404978B2 |
Arrangement of an electronic sensor device at a terminal post clamp of a battery and a method for producing such an arrangement
An arrangement of an electronic sensor device (3) at a terminal post clamp (1) of a battery. The arrangement comprises: a terminal post clamp (1) of a battery; an electronic sensor device (3); a housing (10), which can accommodate the electronic sensor device (3); and a fastening means, which can connect the housing (10) to the terminal post clamp (1). The fastening means comprises a receptacle (13) and a fastening member (8) that can be inserted at least in sections into the receptacle (13) in a positive locking and/or non-positive locking manner. |
| US09404975B2 |
Battery monitoring system
A battery monitoring system, comprises a battery state detection circuit that detects battery states of a plurality of battery cells that are connected in series, based on respective cell voltages of the plurality of battery cells, and a control circuit that monitors state of a battery cell, based on each cell voltage of the plurality of battery cells. The control circuit inputs pseudo voltage information to the battery state detection circuit, and thereby diagnoses whether or not the battery state detection circuit is operating normally. |
| US09404968B1 |
System and methods for debug connectivity discovery
An integrated circuit device such as a programmable integrated circuit may include interface circuits and associated identification circuits. The identification circuits may be coupled to shared mixer circuitry that performs a logic function on mixer input signals received from the identification circuits of that integrated circuit to produce a mixer output signal. Debug computing equipment may be used to test integrated circuits having mixer circuitry. The debug computing equipment may have interfaces that receive connections to interface circuits of the integrated circuits. The debug computing equipment may communicate with the mixer circuitry of the integrated circuits through each of the connected interface circuits to identify groups of interfaces that are connected to different devices. For each device, the debug computing equipment may select an interface from the corresponding group of interfaces and perform test debug operations over the selected interface. |
| US09404967B2 |
Mixing of low speed and high speed clocks to improve test precision of a digital integrated circuit
Implementations of the present disclosure involve an apparatus and/or method for mixing high speed and low speed clock signals during structural testing of a digital integrated circuit to improve the test precision and efficiency. In particular, the apparatus and/or method allow for a testing device to perform stuck-bit testing of the circuit by releasing one or more clock cycles of a low speed clock signal. Further, without having to reset the testing of the circuit, at-speed testing of the circuit may be conducted by the testing device. In one embodiment, at-speed testing occurs by activating a mode signal associated with the circuit design that instructs one or more clock cycles from an internal clock signal to the circuit to be released. The testing device may return to stuck-bit testing at a low speed clock signal, or continue with at-speed testing using the high speed internal clock signal. |
| US09404963B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspecting infrared solid-state image sensor
An apparatus includes: a current control unit to control an amount of constant current and supply a first and second constant currents to an infrared detection pixel; a constant current supply time control unit to control periods of time in which the first and second constant currents are supplied to the infrared detection pixel; an A-D converter to convert a first and second electrical signals from the infrared detection pixel into a first and second digital signals, the first and second electrical signals being generated when the first and second constant currents is supplied to the infrared detection pixel, respectively; a subtracting unit to calculate a difference between the first and second digital signals; and a determining unit to determine whether the infrared detection pixel is a defective pixel based on the absolute value of the difference calculated by the subtracting unit. |
| US09404961B2 |
System and method of determining light source aging
A physiological sensor includes a light source and an age detector circuit in communication with the light source. The age detector circuit is configured to determine an age of the light source based on current-voltage characteristics of said light source. In addition, a method includes measuring an initial I-V characteristic and an actual I-V characteristic of the light source, and comparing the initial I-V characteristic to the actual I-V characteristic since changes in the I-V characteristics indicate aging. Actual I-V characteristics can be compared between light sources when they age at different rates to determine light source aging. Moreover, the method may include updating the memory device with the actual I-V characteristic at predetermined times. |
| US09404960B2 |
On chip bias temperature instability characterization of a semiconductor device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a circuit and method to characterize the impact of bias temperature instability on semiconductor devices. The circuit comprises a transistor having a gate, drain, source, and body terminal. Two AC pad sets each having a plurality of conductive pads. Two DC pads are in communication with a DC supply and/or meter. The gate terminal is in communication with a first conductive pad included in the plurality of conductive pads of each of the AC pad sets. The drain terminal is in communication with a second conductive pad of an AC pad set and the source terminal with a second conductive pad of another AC pad set. One DC pad is in communication with the gate terminal through a first serial resistor and another DC pad with the body terminal through a second serial resistor and provides an open-circuit for the gate and body terminals. |
| US09404957B2 |
Fault diagnosis and preliminary location system and method for transformer core looseness
This invention publishes a fault diagnosis and location system for transformer core looseness, consists of vibration sensors, data collection and computer. It is of power transformer fault intelligent diagnosis technology technical field. Fault diagnosis and location method uses three vibration sensors positioned on the top of transformer tank, to obtain vibration signal, uses signal processing to analyze the signal, and obtains fault characteristics of the transformer core looseness. The characteristics respectively are 50 Hz, 150 Hz and 300 Hz frequency components, in which 300 Hz is main feature. When they reach a certain value at one position, it suggests that transformer core looseness near this position. By the comparison of differences among signals of three positions, fault location can be done. This invention manifests fault characteristics accurately and detects core looseness efficiently.The invention uses the electricity grid frequency of 50 Hz for example, for 60 Hz power system, above 50 Hz, 150 Hz, 300 Hz characteristic frequencies are 60 Hz, 180 Hz and 360 Hz. |
| US09404953B2 |
Structures and methods for monitoring dielectric reliability with through-silicon vias
Embodiments of the present invention provide a variety of structures and method for detecting abnormalities in the back-end-of-line (BEOL) stack and BEOL structures located in close proximity to through-silicon vias (TSVs) in a 3D integrated chip. The detected abnormalities may include stress, strain, and damage that will affect metallization continuity, interfacial integrity within a metal level, proximity accuracy of the TSV placement, and interlevel dielectric integrity and metallization-to-TSV dielectric integrity. Additionally, these structures in conjunction with each other are capable of determining the range of influence of the TSV. That is, how close to the TSV that a BEOL line (or via) needs to be in order to be influenced by the TSV. |
| US09404952B2 |
Conductivity measurement of fluids
A product is provided into a first end of a conduit so that the product flows toward a second end of the conduit. The conduit may include a first pair of probes attached at a first location and a second pair of probes at a second location. The product's conductivity in the conduit at the first location is monitored using the first set of probes, and the product's conductivity at the second location is monitored using the second set of probes. An marker material is introduced into an entry port of the conduit so that the marker material flows with the product. The marker material's conductivity is different than the product's conductivity. At a first time, the first set of probes detects the conductivity of the product has changed due to the introduction of the marker material, and at a second time, the second set of probes also detects such change. |
| US09404946B2 |
Electronic apparatus detecting power supply voltage using different levels
An electronic apparatus includes a first voltage detection circuit which detects when a voltage, becomes higher than a first level after the voltage starts to be supplied to a peripheral circuit, and detects when the voltage becomes lower than a second level after a supply of the voltage to the peripheral circuit starts to be interrupted, and a second voltage detection circuit which detects when the voltage becomes lower than a reference level while the peripheral circuit operates. The second level is lower than the reference level. |
| US09404945B2 |
Ionization monitoring device
An air ionization monitoring device 200 and method is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the air ionization monitoring device 200 comprises an ion source 202 adapted to emit ions 204 and a capacitor 208 including a first conductor 210 arranged to be exposed to the ions 204 emitted by the ion source 202, and a second conductor 212 arranged to be shielded from the ions 204 emitted by the ion source 202. The monitoring device 200 further includes a commutation circuit 234 operable between a first configuration for charging the capacitor 208 to a first predefined voltage, and a second configuration for using the ions 204 emitted by the ion source 202 to discharge the capacitor 208 for a predefined time resulting in the capacitor 208 having a second voltage. The device 200 is configured to use the first and second voltages to determine an ionic current of the emitted ions. |
| US09404944B2 |
Package having opening detection
A box comprising at least one portion that is closed by a movable cover and that contains an electronic detection circuit for detecting opening of the cover, the cover being provided with means for locking it in the closed position, said means comprising a screw that is mounted on the cover to pivot between a locking position and an unlocking position, and having an end provided with at least one tooth for meshing with teeth of a code wheel mounted to pivot in register with pads of the detection circuit, wherein the screw is mounted so that said end of the screw presents positioning with radial clearance relative to the box in such a manner that the pivoting of the code wheel has an amplitude that depends on the positioning of said end as authorized by the radial clearance. |
| US09404943B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for a safe powerline communications instrumentation front-end
A safe powerline communications instrumentation front end device including a voltage input for receiving a line voltage from a powerline, a voltage reducer for reducing the voltage of the line voltage, a filtering system for extracting a Power Line Communications (PLC) signal from the line voltage, and an analog output for outputting the PLC signal as an analog signal for communications test equipment. |
| US09404940B1 |
Compensating probing tip optimized adapters for use with specific electrical test probes
An adapter as disclosed herein includes at least one transmission path providing an electrical connection between the probing end and the head connection end. The adapter includes a flexible tab-board adapter associated with the probing end of the transmission path, the flexible tab-board adapter for contacting at least one signal testing point. The adapter may further include at least one compensating network positioned substantially near the probing end, the at least one compensating network configured to compensate for parasitics of the adapter. |
| US09404939B1 |
Pre-amplifier cartridge for test equipment of head gimbal assembly
A device may be or include a cartridge configured to receive a head gimbal assembly (HGA) of a storage device and electrically connect the HGA to a HGA testing device. The cartridge may include a pre-amplifier configured to be electrically connected with corresponding electrical traces of the HGA and to the HGA testing device; a plurality of probe pins electrically connected to the pre-amplifier and configured to be electrically connected to corresponding electrical traces of the HGA; and a clamper including a dielectric layer and configured to selectively assume an open or closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the plurality of probe pins is electrically connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of electrical traces of the HGA. The clamper, in combination with at least some of the probe pins, forms an electrical filter configured to at least condition signals to and from the pre-amplifier and the HGA. |
| US09404937B2 |
Pendular accelerometer for detecting threshold oscillation values
A device for measuring the acceleration of a moving body includes a pendulum capable of oscillating about an instantaneous center of rotation and a detection system capable of detecting an oscillation of the pendulum that is likely to result from the acceleration. The pendulum has a geometric configuration enabling it to interact with the detection system. The geometric configuration is such that the detection system only indicates an oscillation of the pendulum that exceeds a threshold oscillation value. |
| US09404933B2 |
Methods for determining patient response to anti-platelet aggregation therapy
Diagnostic methods for determining whether an individual will benefit from a particular anti-thrombotic therapeutic agent are disclosed. The methods involve obtaining a biological sample that comprises platelets, from a patient who has been pre-administered a particular therapeutic agent, which is an antagonist of a receptor associated with the biochemical pathways involved in platelet aggregation, and exposing the platelets to an agonist of the receptor. If the antagonist is ineffective, the platelets will eject microparticles, will have a different size distribution than platelets not exposed to the agonist, and will experience a change in their surface charge. In one embodiment, the diagnostic methods involve using single particle optical sizing techniques to determine the presence of such ejected microparticles, or a change in platelet size due to its activation by the agonist. In another embodiment, electrophoretic quasi-elastic light scattering techniques are used to determine the presence of a change in surface charge on the platelets. Once an effective therapeutic agent, or an effective dosage of such therapeutic agent, has been identified, the patient can begin therapy knowing that the agent will be effective. |
| US09404931B2 |
Measurement of cytoskeletal proteins and uses thereof in diagnosis, prognosis and therapy
The present invention relates to monitoring patients for an inflammatory condition or infection (preferably wound infection) by testing an extracellular fluid such as a wound fluid for an elevated level of: (i) vimentin; (ii) a vimentin breakdown product; or (iii) a marker indicative of the presence of vimentin. The present invention provides methods of diagnosis and prognosis, wound dressings, devices (e.g. biosensors) and kits for use in such methods. |
| US09404930B2 |
Antibody to human IL-1 beta
The present invention relates to anti-IL-1 beta binding members and in particular to monovalent high potency IL-1 beta-binding antibody fragments being highly stable and soluble. Such binding members may be used in the treatment of inflammatory and other diseases as well as in diagnostics. Also provided are related nucleic acids, vectors, cells, and compositions. |
| US09404929B2 |
Methods for identification of an antibody or a target
This disclosure relates to methods for identifying an antibody, a target molecule, or an agent by analyzing the immunoglobulin repertoire sequence data in a sample and by determining the most dominant VH and VL chains present in said sample, as well as materials used therewith. |
| US09404928B2 |
Methods for determining correlated residues in a protein or other biopolymer using molecular dynamics
The invention provides methods and systems of determining biopolymer profiles and correlations between structural units (residues) of a biopolymer based on sampling of the conformational space available to the molecule. The correlations between these structural units can further be used to find networks within a biopolymer such as the coupled residue networks in a protein. The invention also provides for designing and engineering biopolymers including polypeptides, nucleic acids and carbohydrates using the information derived from the conformation clustering and subsequent methods described herein. |
| US09404925B2 |
Cancer antigen and use thereof
An object of the present invention to provide: a human pancreatic cancer antigen and/or a human colon cancer antigen that can be applied to the diagnosis and/or treatment of various types of cancers or tumors including pancreatic cancer and colon cancer as representative examples; a gene encoding the same; an anti-cancer vaccine using the same; or the like. The present invention provides a cancer antigen comprising a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1; a peptide comprising a portion of said protein and having immune-stimulating activity; an anti-cancer vaccine comprising said peptide; a DNA having the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or its complementary sequence or a part or full length of these sequence; an anti-cancer vaccine comprising said DNA; and use thereof. |
| US09404917B1 |
Fluid sample analysis system
A fluid analysis system may include a stage configured to receive a sample holder including a fluid sample to be analyzed. The fluid analysis system may also include a fluid analyzer configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the fluid sample to be analyzed; and an inclined rail; wherein the stage is configured to move along the inclined rail to cause the sample holder to move with a first component of motion along an analysis axis of the fluid analyzer and simultaneously with a second component of motion orthogonal to the analysis axis of the fluid analyzer, wherein the first component of motion affects a focus of the fluid analyzer relative to at least one constituent of the fluid sample to be analyzed. |
| US09404915B2 |
Whole cell assays and methods
The disclosure provides methods for analysis of disease cell response to a therapeutic agent. In embodiments, a method comprises administering the therapeutic agent to a disease cell sample from the subject in a device that measures at least one physiological parameter of a cell; determining whether a change occurs in the physiologic parameter of the disease cell sample in response to the therapeutic agent as compared to a baseline measurement or the physiological parameter before administration of the therapeutic agent, and selecting the therapeutic agent that results in the change in the at least one physiologic parameter. In embodiments, the disease cells are whole, viable, and/or label free. |
| US09404914B2 |
Microfluidic system for controlling a concentration profile of molecules capable of stimulating a target
The invention relates to a microfluidic system for controlling a concentration profile of molecules capable of stimulating a target, for example formed by an assembly of living cells, this system comprising: —a microfluidic device (1) comprising at least one microfluidic channel (4) equipped with at least one inlet orifice (21) and with at least one outlet orifice (22) for at least one fluid; —at least one means for supplying the microfluidic channel (4) with at least one fluid comprising molecules capable of stimulating the target; —at least one chamber (8) or another microfluidic channel comprising a base (6) intended to receive the target; and —at least one microporous membrane (5) separating the chamber (8) or the other microfluidic channel from the microfluidic channel (4), said microporous membrane (5) being positioned away from the base (6) so that when the supply means provides the microfludic channel (4) with said at least one fluid flowing in laminar flow in contact with the microporous membrane (5), the molecules capable of stimulating the target then diffuse, after having passed through the microporous membrane (5) through the chamber (8) or said other microfluidic channel in order to finally form a stable concentration profile in this chamber (8) or this other microfluidic channel. |
| US09404900B2 |
System for analysis of phase-I and phase-II metabolites and parent compounds without hydrolysis
An apparatus comprises: a first chromatographic column fluidically coupled to a source of sample and a source of a first chromatographic mobile phase solvent; a second chromatographic column fluidically coupled to the first column; a source of a second mobile phase solvent fluidically coupled between the first and second columns; and a detector, the first chromatographic column being configurable to receive, in a trapping step, the first solvent and sample and to retain a first portion of a plurality of analytes therein and to pass a second portion of the plurality of analytes therethrough, the second chromatographic column being configurable, in the trapping step, to receive the second portion of the plurality of analytes and the first and second solvents and to retain the second portion of the plurality of analytes therein, the detector being arranged to receive the second and first portions in respective first and second elution steps. |
| US09404899B1 |
Methods and apparatus for acoustic inspection of containers
Methods and apparatus for an acoustic source for directing acoustic energy to ensonify a container, a sensor to detect acoustic energy from the acoustic source affected by an object in the container without contacting the container, and a processing module to process the detected acoustic energy from the sensor to identify the object in the container. |
| US09404897B2 |
Method for the non-destructive inspection of a test object of great material thickness by means of ultrasound, the use of a test probe for carrying out the method, an ultrasonic test probe, a control unit for an ultrasonic test probe and a device for the non-destructive inspection of a test object of great material thickness by means of ultrasound
Method and apparatus for the non-destructive inspection of a test object with a large material thickness by means of ultrasound. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic test probe with an ultrasonic transducer divided into a plurality of individually activatable transducer segments wherein the transducer segments are concentric circles or rings, or sections thereof. A first group j (j=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of transducer segments is selected in such a way that a parallel activation of these transducer segments results in a circular active surface Fj of the ultrasonic transducer (22). An ultrasound inspection of the test object is undertaken with the first group j (j=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of transducer segments, wherein they are activated in parallel. |
| US09404887B2 |
Chemical coating of microwell for electrochemical detection device
The described embodiments may provide a method of fabricating a chemical detection device. The method may comprise forming a microwell above a CMOS device. The microwell may comprise a bottom surface and sidewalls. The method may further comprise applying a first chemical to be selectively attached to the bottom surface of the microwell, forming a metal oxide layer on the sidewalls of the microwell, and applying a second chemical to be selectively attached to the sidewalls of the microwell. The second chemical may lack an affinity to the first chemical. |
| US09404886B2 |
Microelectrochemical sensor and method for operating a microelectrochemical sensor
A microelectrochemical sensor having a diaphragm, a web, a first and a second electrode. The diaphragm is permeable to ions of a chemical species, is arranged transversely with respect to a cutout in a base body, and closes off the cutout in a fluid-tight fashion. The web is arranged on a first side of the diaphragm between a first partial surface and a second partial surface, and is designed to adjust a temperature of the diaphragm to an operating temperature using electrical energy. The first electrode has a first partial electrode and a second partial electrode, is permeable to fluid, and is arranged on the first side of the diaphragm. The web prevents electrical contact between the first electrode and the diaphragm. The second electrode has a third partial electrode and a fourth partial electrode, is also permeable to fluid, and is arranged on a second side of the diaphragm. |
| US09404883B2 |
Electronic measurements of monolayers following homogeneous reactions of their components
The disclosure relates to novel methods for performing a solution based assay reaction with an electroactive active moiety (EAM) that subsequently forms a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) utilizing the advantages of faster solution reaction kinetics, SAM protected electrode and surface based electrochemistry for electronic measurement. |
| US09404880B1 |
Sensor and method of manufacturing sensor
The sensor includes a first graphene film that is provided on the insulating layer so as to be located in a flow path of a liquid containing the detection target substance, the first graphene film having a first edge that is parallel with a first direction that is along the flow path and a first edge that is parallel with a second direction that is different from the first direction, and the first graphene film having the shape of a band that extends in the second direction. The sensor includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to the first edge of the first graphene film that is parallel with the first direction. The sensor includes a second electrode that is electrically connected to a second edge of the first graphene film that is opposed to the first edge that is parallel with the first direction. |
| US09404879B2 |
Apparatus for measuring electrical conductivity in liquid
An apparatus for measuring electrical conductivity of liquid is disclosed. The present invention as disclosed accurately and consistently measures infinitesimal conductivity of liquid by applying a stable reference signal to a conductivity sensor controlled with a constant temperature, and by low-noise processing on an output signal from the conductivity sensor. More specifically, infinitesimal conductivity of liquid can be repeatedly and accurately measured and change in performance of the detection apparatus over time can be minimized, by minimizing temperature variations, unstability of a reference signal, and noise effects to ensure stablility of a baseline as a measurement reference of the conductivity and accuracy of conductivity measurements. |
| US09404878B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting an H2O2 level in a cold aseptic filling system that uses a peracetic acid cleaning solution
A system for detecting a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration in a cold aseptic filling system that uses a peracetic acid (PAA)-based cleaning solution is shown and described. The system includes a conductivity sensor configured to receive the PAA-based cleaning solution and to provide a signal representative of the electrical conductivity of the PAA-based cleaning solution. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signal representative of the electrical conductivity of the PAA-based cleaning solution and to compare the signal to a threshold value associated with a setpoint H2O2 concentration. |
| US09404876B2 |
Automatic isothermal titration microcalorimeter apparatus and method of use
Automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system comprising a micro calorimeter with a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell is accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell is accessible via a reference cell stem. The system further comprises an automatic pipette assembly comprising a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into the sample cell for supplying titrant, the pipette assembly comprises an activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, a pipette translation unit supporting the pipette assembly and being arranged to place pipette in position for titration, washing and filling operations, a wash station for the titrant needle, and a cell preparation unit arranged to perform operations for replacing the sample liquid in the sample cell when the pipette is placed in another position than the position for titration. |
| US09404873B2 |
Wafer inspection with multi-spot illumination and multiple channels
Systems configured to inspect a wafer are provided. One system includes an illumination subsystem configured to illuminate a set of spots on a wafer and a collection subsystem configured to collect light from the set of spots. The collection subsystem separately images the light collected from each of the individual spots onto only a corresponding first detector of a first detection subsystem. The collection subsystem also images the light collected from at least some of the individual spots onto a number of second detectors of a second detection subsystem that is less than a number of spots in the set. Output produced by the first and second detectors can be used to detect defects on the wafer. |
| US09404871B2 |
Method and system for steering an insertion tube of a video inspection device
A method and system for steering an insertion tube of a video inspection device is disclosed for detecting a precise steering request made by displacing a pointing device from its stationary position and then returning the pointing device to or near its stationary position within a short interval of time. This precise steering request is then used by the video inspection device to steer the insertion tube a fixed distance in a direction based on the direction of the displacement of the pointing device for precise positioning of the camera head of the insertion tube. |
| US09404870B2 |
Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy systems and uses thereof
The invention provides systems for characterizing a biological sample by analyzing emission of fluorescent light from the biological sample upon excitation and methods for using the same. The system includes a laser source, collection fibers, a demultiplexer and an optical delay device. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully set forth. Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. |
| US09404869B2 |
Multiview light-sheet microscopy
A live biological specimen is imaged by generating a plurality of light sheets; directing the plurality of light sheets along an illumination axis through the biological specimen such that the light sheets spatially and temporally overlap within the biological specimen along an image plane, and optically interact with the biological specimen within the image plane; and recording, at each of a plurality of views, images of the fluorescence emitted along a detection axis from the biological specimen due to the optical interaction between the light sheets and the biological specimen. The temporal overlap is within a time shift that is less than a resolution time that corresponds to a spatial resolution limit of the microscope. |
| US09404865B2 |
Developed-color measurement apparatus and method
Judgment as to whether an analyte is present is performed before a washing step in which a washing liquid for washing a test area and the vicinity of the test area is supplied to a test strip. If the analyte is detected, the judgment ends, but if the analyte is not detected, judgment is performed again after the test area and the vicinity of the test area are washed. |
| US09404859B2 |
Tube hangers and systems for very early smoke detection
Systems for very early smoke detection are disclosed, including details of tube hangers that may be used to hang sampling tubes for very early smoke detection systems. The systems and components thereof may be temporarily installed in aerospace vehicles during manufacturing. The tube hangers are generally compact, allowing use in confined spaces and/or near obstructions. Tube hangers comprise a support coupling mechanism, a tube clamp, and one or more suspension arms that span between the support coupling mechanism and the tube clamp. Tube hangers may be a unitary body that defines a tube clamp, one or more suspension arms, and a support coupling mechanism. Tube clamps define a tube clamp opening generally facing away from the support coupling mechanism. |
| US09404851B2 |
Method for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a compound of unknown concentration in solution
The present invention relates to methods of spectrophotometric determination of the presence of particular substances in a complex mixture of compounds. This invention relates to methods for determining the concentration of various components of complex biological samples including the determination of the concentration of polyoxyethylene containing compounds including polysorbate in protein containing samples as well as determining the ratio of drug to antibody ratios in antibody-drug conjugate solutions. |
| US09404847B2 |
Methods for mitigating fouling of process equipment
Methods for determining the fouling propensity of a hydrocarbon stream and for reducing fouling are provided. In one method, the fouling propensity of a hydrocarbon stream is determined by obtaining a parameter indicative of the fouling propensity by a regression of a series of temperature measurements data for the hydrocarbon stream exiting a test unit. In another method, an effective minimal amount of an antifoulant is added to a hydrocarbon stream to reduce fouling, where the amount of the antifoulant is determined based on the fouling propensity of the hydrocarbon stream. |
| US09404843B2 |
System and method for determining wear of a worn surface
A method of determining wear of a worn surface of a machine component includes providing a scanning device at a distance from the worn surface. The method also includes moving at least one of the scanning device and the worn surface relative to the other and generating a set of data points via the scanning device. Each data point of the set of data points is indicative of a depth of a corresponding point on the worn surface relative to a reference plane. The method further includes determining a maximum depth of the worn surface based on the set of data points and comparing the maximum depth to a reference value to determine a next step in a remanufacturing process of the machine component. |
| US09404840B2 |
Portable gravel impact damage simulator
An improved device for simulating gravel impact damage on panels, such as protected and unprotected areas of painted vehicle panels, is disclosed. The gravel impact damage simulator includes an enclosure, a gravel inlet port having an extension spout, a motor-driven rotatable impeller below the inlet port, a downwardly angled baffle between the inlet port and the impeller, and a test panel slot through which a test panel may be inserted into the enclosure. During operation, gravel is introduced through the extension spout and inlet port. The gravel drops into the angled baffle, where it is directed toward the rotating impeller. The rotating impeller strikes the gravel and projects it toward the test panel. |
| US09404832B2 |
Degradation diagnosis device and degradation diagnosis method for exhaust gas sensor
Provided is a device for performing degradation diagnosis of a downstream-side exhaust gas sensor. When a diagnosis condition is met, an intake-air quantity is successively accumulated to obtain an intake-air-quantity accumulation value, an intake-air-quantity average value is obtained as an average of the intake-air quantity from the start of diagnosis, and, on the basis of this intake-air-quantity average value, an intake-air-quantity accumulation threshold value is set. When the intake-air-quantity accumulation value reaches the intake-air-quantity accumulation threshold value, the diagnosis is terminated, and an output reversal number of the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor during the diagnosis period is compared with a threshold value to judge whether the sensor is normal or degraded. By setting the intake-air-quantity accumulation threshold value on the basis of the intake-air-quantity average value, influence from the flow velocity of the exhaust gas passing through a catalytic device and the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor is removed. |
| US09404830B2 |
Nacelle test apparatus
A nacelle test apparatus for testing a wind turbine nacelle is provided. The test apparatus includes a physical tower model apparatus realized to model the behavior of a wind turbine tower and/or a physical rotor model apparatus realized to model the behavior of a wind turbine rotor, and an exciter apparatus for exciting a physical model apparatus. Also provided is a method of testing a wind turbine nacelle, which method includes mounting the nacelle onto a physical tower model apparatus of a nacelle test apparatus, which physical tower model apparatus is realized to model the behavior of a wind turbine tower, and/or mounting a physical rotor model apparatus of the nacelle test apparatus to a hub of the nacelle, which physical rotor model apparatus is realized to model the behavior of a wind turbine rotor, and exciting the physical tower model apparatus and/or the physical rotor model apparatus. |
| US09404829B1 |
Stethescope based leak detection apparatus with interchangeable heads
A portable leak detector kit uses a stethoscope-like arrangement including a flexible and shape adjustable tube with several different interchangeable heads mountable at a distal end of the tube for picking up leak sounds of equipment or machinery. A first sound receiving head has a spheroidal shape with an external wire netting while a second head has a surface of spaced apart bumps and apertures and is made of a flexible material enabling it to be wrapped around a pipe, and a plurality of flexible third heads of different sizes enabling them to be selectively clamped around one of a range of NPS size pipes and each having a first open channel in an inside surface. Sound conducting paths join exterior surfaces of the heads to a neck which is ultimately connected through the tube to an ear piece used for listening to the leak sounds. |
| US09404827B2 |
Ionization gauge with operational parameters and geometry designed for high pressure operation
An ionization gauge to measure pressure and to reduce sputtering yields includes at least one electron source that generates electrons. The ionization gauge also includes a collector electrode that collects ions formed by the collisions between the electrons and gas molecules. The ionization gauge also includes an anode. An anode bias voltage relative to a bias voltage of a collector electrode is configured to switch at a predetermined pressure to decrease a yield of sputtering collisions. |
| US09404825B2 |
Apparatus with flexible member for sensing fluid pressure
One embodiment relates to a pressure sensor apparatus, including a housing with a flexible member and an aperture configured to receive a fluid. The pressure sensor apparatus further includes a first member disposed on the flexible member, a second member removeably coupled to the first member configured to move in response to a pressure of the fluid and a sensor configured to detect the movement of the second member. The pressure sensor apparatus generates a pressure signal for the fluid based on the displacement of the second member. |
| US09404822B2 |
Tension sensor assembly
A tension detector may detect and help correct tension in a lift cable. The cable may include a lift cable within a telescopic structure, such as a telescopic tower. The tension sensor may detect when the cable tension is outside a high tension threshold and a low tension threshold and trigger an alert when outside the thresholds. The alert may be an audible alert or a visual alert. A controller may prevent a user from making the tension worse and encourage an operator to correct the tension problem by preventing a winch from expanding or retracting the telescopic structure. The tension sensor may use springs to calibrate the thresholds for the high tension and low tension and a series of pulleys to manipulate an arm to engage a tension sensor. |
| US09404818B2 |
Pressure sensor carrier
A pressure sensor carrier system of fasteners is provided for conveniently and removably attaching a pressure sensor carrier to the top surface of a bed mattress in a manner that minimizes stress concentrations, wrinkles and folds in the carrier. The carrier includes pliable elastic straps at each corner and articulated semi-rigid flaps at each longitudinal side. The tension in the elastic straps and the position of the articulated flaps are independently adjustable to accommodate mattresses of different dimensions. |
| US09404814B2 |
Engine exhaust heat temperature detection device
An exhaust gas temperature detection sensor is arranged at a predetermined position outside a muffler, or at a predetermined position outside an exhaust pipe constituting an exhaust gas flow passage on a more downstream side than the muffler in an exhaust direction. The sensor detects that an atmosphere temperature at the predetermined position outside the muffler has reached a predetermined temperature based on an increase in a temperature inside the muffler, or detects that an atmosphere temperature at the predetermined position outside the exhaust pipe has reached a predetermined temperature based on an increase in a temperature of an exhaust gas inside the exhaust pipe. |
| US09404812B2 |
Method for detecting environmental value in electronic device and electronic device
A method of detecting an environment vale of an electronic device is provided. The method includes measuring a state of one or more units related to the electronic device, determining a value based at least in part on the measured state of the one or more units related to the electronic device, determining an operation state of the electronic device according to the value, and generating an approximated environment value according to the operation state. Further, other various embodiments are available. |
| US09404810B2 |
Wireless surface acoustic wave temperature sensor and interrogation system apparatus capable of generating a self synchronizing shaft position indicator for moving platforms
A surface acoustic wave sensor system for use with a moving platform. The system comprises an interrogator for producing an RF interrogating signal transmitted from a first antenna. A substrate that supports surface acoustic waves is attached to the moving platform and an interdigital transducer (IDT) and reflector are mounted on the substrate. The IDT produces surface acoustic waves (SAW) responsive to the RF interrogating signal. The reflector produces reflected SAW responsive to the incident SAW and responsive to a characteristic of the moving platform. A position indicator produces a synchronization signal input to the interrogator for triggering the RF interrogating signal. The synchronization signal is timed to trigger the RF interrogating signal when the interdigital transducer is within a field-of-view of the first antenna. |
| US09404806B2 |
Methods and apparatus to monitor components of an aircraft landing system
Methods and Apparatus to monitor components of an aircraft landing system are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a first temperature of a wheel of an aircraft via a first temperature sensor, and determining a second temperature of a brake assembly operatively coupled to the wheel via a second temperature sensor. The example method further includes estimating a peak temperature of a fuse plug disposed on the wheel based on the first temperature and the second temperature. |
| US09404805B2 |
Composite material for a temperature sensor, and a method of manufacturing a temperature sensor using the same
A composite material for a temperature sensor and a method of manufacturing the temperature sensor using the composite material are provided. The composite material contains four or more kinds of metal oxides combined with highly insulating materials to produce a material with semiconductor-like properties to more accurately measure a temperature at high temperatures in the range of 500° C. and above. The sensor includes electrode wires having a predetermined diameter inserted into the metal oxide of the temperature sensor when the metal oxide is press-molded to form the temperature sensor. Through the connection of the electrode wires to the temperature sensor device, disconnection of the electrode wires from the device even at a high temperature. |
| US09404802B2 |
System for distributing and controlling color reproduction at multiple sites
In a color imaging system, multiple rendering devices are provided at different nodes along a network. Each rendering device has a color measurement instrument for calibrating the color presented by the rendering device. A rendering device may be a printer in which the measuring of color samples on a sheet rendered by the printer is provided by a sensor coupled to a transport mechanism which moves the sensor and sheet relative to each other, where the sensor provides light from the sample to a spectrograph. A rendering device may also be a display having a member supporting a color measuring instrument for receiving light from an area of the screen. The color measuring instruments provide for non-contact measurements of color samples rendered on a display or a sheet, and are self-calibrating by the use of calibration references. |
| US09404799B2 |
Tandem dispersive range monochromator
Aspects of a tandem dispersive range monochromator are described herein. In one embodiment, the monochromator includes a light source that provides broadband light, a tandem diffraction grating including a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating, a grating drive motor that rotates the tandem diffraction grating to provide dispersed wavelengths of light, a detector that detects a portion of the dispersed wavelengths of light, and processing circuitry that controls a grating drive motor to regulate an angular velocity of the tandem grating based on an angular orientation of the tandem diffraction grating. By using a tandem diffraction grating having different dispersive surfaces, measurements of relatively high precision and quality may be taken throughout a wider spectral range. In another aspect, the processing circuitry controls a sample drive motor to vary an angle of incidence of the dispersed wavelengths of light onto a sample for evaluation. |
| US09404798B2 |
Control apparatus and control method having a slit selection based upon acquired half value wavelength of incident spectrum
A control apparatus includes a slit plate including a plurality of rectangular slits with different widths. The control apparatus also includes an acquisition unit which acquires an incident spectrum from the rectangular slit. The apparatus also includes a slit selecting unit which acquires a half value wavelength of the incident spectrum on the basis of the incident spectrum, and performs a selection of one of the plurality of rectangular slits on the basis of the half value wavelength. |
| US09404796B2 |
Optical sensor arrangement
An optical sensor arrangement includes two sensors arranged one behind the other. The operational spectral ranges of the sensors match, and the first sensor forms an attenuation filter for the second sensor, which is arranged behind the first sensor. |
| US09404795B2 |
Opitical detector with adjustable spectral response
An optical detector includes a first set of one or more photodiodes configured to generate a first photocurrent according to a first spectral response function of an incident light, a second set of one or more photodiodes configured to generate a second photocurrent according to a second spectral response function of the incident light, and a third set of one or more photodiodes configured to generate a third photocurrent according to a third spectral response function of the incident light. The optical detector further includes a module configured to output an indication of the intensity of the incident light according to a fourth spectral response function based on each of the first photocurrent, the second photocurrent, and the third photocurrent. |
| US09404794B2 |
Ambient light compensation circuit for analyte measurement systems
A blood analyte measurement system is configured to receive a test strip. An LED proximate to the test strip is used to illuminate the test strip and, in conjunction with a photodiode, to determine its type. A compensation circuit of the measurement system insures that ambient light does not cause interference with the LED illumination to prevent saturation of the photodiode. |
| US09404793B2 |
Method and system for adjusting brightness
The present disclosure is directed to the method and system which use an image caught by a photographic device for calculating a brightness of a space and acquiring a state of an object, and adjust the illuminant device and/or the shading device for the space to make the brightness of the space achieve the proper level. |
| US09404792B2 |
Auto-alignment system for high precision masted head mirror
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an optical sensor system comprises a mast, a mast mirror, a navigation unit, one or more faceted mirrors, and at least two beam-steering mirrors. The mast is elevated from a vehicle. The mast mirror reflects signals either to or from object space along a line of sight. The navigation unit determines a location and attitude of the mast mirror. The one or more faceted mirrors reflect an error sensing beam to reveal a flexure of the mast mirror. The at least two beam-steering mirrors prevent the line of sight for the signals reflected off the mast mirror from walking off the mast mirror by adjusting an angle and translation of the signals reflected off the mast mirror. |
| US09404786B2 |
Device to detect the level of liquid metal in a casting apparatus and relative method
A device to detect the level of liquid metal (M) in a casting apparatus includes a box-like structure associated in correspondence with an upper end of a crystallizer. The box-like structure has a peripheral cavity inside in which a device for the generation and detection of a variable magnetic field is disposed. The device for the generation and detection extends for a segment beyond an inner corner of the crystallizer so as to face directly into the open top of the crystallizer. |
| US09404778B2 |
Accuracy improvement in flowmeter systems
Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring. |
| US09404777B2 |
Location method for locating a partial discharge emission zone and a device associated with said method
A method of locating a partial discharge emission zone and to the associated device. The method is characterized in that it comprises a step of measuring partial discharge signals by means of four identical measurement channels each including a VHF and/or UHF detector, the four VHF and/or UHF detectors being positioned at the four vertices of a square or rectangle in such a manner that the partial discharge emission zone is determined inside the square or rectangle. |
| US09404769B2 |
Angular-position measuring device
An angular-position measuring device includes a shaft rotatable relative to a body about an axis extending in a z-direction. A measuring standard having an end face is fastened on the shaft in rotatably fixed manner. The body includes a scanning device for scanning the measuring standard. Both the roller bearing and a sealing unit are provided on the side of the measuring standard facing the end face relative to the z-direction, The sealing unit includes rings that are rotatable relative to each other and are separated from each other by a gap, the gap being filled at least partially with a fluid. |
| US09404765B2 |
On-vehicle display apparatus
An on-vehicle display apparatus includes a controller configured to acquire a first display image to be displayed on a display of a navigation apparatus, extract a portion of the first display image based on a layout information relevant to a layout of the first display image, and generate a second display image by use of the extracted part of the image, and displays on a head-up display the second display image generated by the controller. The display apparatus displays on the head-up display a guide image generated by the controller. It is possible to display an image of the navigation apparatus on the head-up display, without a connection between the navigation apparatus and the display apparatus. |
| US09404764B2 |
Path side imagery
One or more systems, devices, and/or methods for generating path side imagery are disclosed. For example, a method includes receiving optical data measured in three-dimensional geographic coordinates and image data from at least one image bubble. The optical data is projected onto at least one predefined two-dimensional plane. A pixel value for a point of the optical data on the two-dimensional plane is calculated according to the image data. The pixel value may correspond to color or another graphical attribute. The two-dimensional plane is stored or displayed as street side imagery or other path side imagery. An image file including the pixel value for each point of the optical data may be stored in memory or a map database. |
| US09404761B2 |
Autonomous vehicle lane routing and navigation
A method and apparatus for autonomous vehicle lane routing and navigation are provided. Autonomous vehicle lane routing and navigation may include identifying vehicle transportation network information including road segment information and lane information, wherein the road segment information for at least one road segment from the plurality of road segments includes lane information representing at least two adjacent lanes, identifying an origin, identifying a destination, generating a plurality of candidate routes from the origin to the destination, wherein each route from the plurality of routes indicates a distinct combination of road segments and lanes, and wherein at least one candidate route from the plurality of candidate routes includes at least one of the adjacent lanes, identifying an optimal route from the plurality of candidate routes, the optimal route having a minimal route cost, and operating the autonomous vehicle to travel from the origin to the destination using the optimal route. |
| US09404759B2 |
Method and apparatus of route guidance
Systems and methods of route guidance on a user device are provided. In one aspect, a system and method transmit partitions of map data to a client device. Each map partition may contain road geometries, road names, road network topology, or any other information needed to provide turn-by-turn navigation or driving directions within the partition. Each map partition may be encoded with enough data to allow them to be stitched together to form a larger map. Map partitions may be fetched along each route to be used in the event of a network outage or other loss of network connectivity. For example, if a user deviates from the original route and a network outage occurs, the map data may be assembled and a routing algorithm may be applied to the map data in order to direct the user back to the original route. |
| US09404758B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a vehicle path
A method and apparatus for generating a representation of a vehicle path for display via a computer is disclosed, which involves receiving start location information including a start location and an initial orientation of the vehicle and end location information including a desired end location of the vehicle, and receiving a selection of a vehicle defined by parameters that define a turning behavior of the vehicle. The method involves receiving constraint information identifying at least one constraint to passage of the vehicle between the start and end locations and causing a processor circuit to generate a vehicle path for travel between the start and end locations, the vehicle path based on the turning behavior of the vehicle and being generated such that the vehicle path remains within the at least one constraint. |
| US09404756B2 |
Adaptive mapping with spatial summaries of sensor data
A system and method for mapping parameter data acquired by a robot mapping system is disclosed. Parameter data characterizing the environment is collected while the robot localizes itself within the environment using landmarks. Parameter data is recorded in a plurality of local grids, i.e., sub-maps associated with the robot position and orientation when the data was collected. The robot is configured to generate new grids or reuse existing grids depending on the robot's current pose, the pose associated with other grids, and the uncertainty of these relative pose estimates. The pose estimates associated with the grids are updated over time as the robot refines its estimates of the locations of landmarks from which determines its pose in the environment. Occupancy maps or other global parameter maps may be generated by rendering local grids into a comprehensive map indicating the parameter data in a global reference frame extending the dimensions of the environment. |
| US09404755B2 |
Sensor having a plurality of mounting boards on which sensor components are mounted, an electronic apparatus having the sensor, and a moving object having the sensor
A sensor includes a plurality of mounting boards with sensor components mounted on amounting surface, and a support member provided with fixation surfaces adapted to fix the plurality of mounting boards, the sensor components are disposed between the mounting boards and the support member, and the mounting boards are connected to each other with a connection member. |
| US09404754B2 |
Autonomous range-only terrain aided navigation
AROTAN provides for autonomous terrain aided navigation that is fully independent of the position uncertainty of the vehicle during flight. AROTAN aligns a grid to the search space and periodically updates the search space during the measurement history to account for growth in position uncertainty. AROTAN computes terrain sufficiency statistics for a moving history to provide robust criteria for when to perform the correlation. A post-correlation refinement provides an additional correction of the horizontal position error and a correction of the altitude. AROTAN can quickly provide the vehicle's location based on the correlation from a single measurement history. |
| US09404750B2 |
High altitude, long endurance, unmanned aircraft and methods of operation thereof
Embodiments include one or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft (110) capable of persistent station-keeping having one or more electromagnetic (IR/Visual/RF) sensor elements or suites (112, 337) for purposes of survey and/or signal gathering. Embodiments include one or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft (110) capable of persistent station-keeping having a directable laser (331). Embodiments include a group of four or more high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft (611-614) configured as GPS repeaters. |
| US09404744B2 |
System and method for a handheld current profiler
A handheld current profiler (HCP) system and method for wading discharge measurement is disclosed. The disclosed HCP has dual capabilities. It serves as a single point current meter that can measure velocity in as little as 3 cm of water. It becomes a current profiler with an additional near surface velocity measurement cell in water about 15 cm or deeper. The HCP has a surface tracking acoustic beam that measures the water level. Thus, in most cases, no manual measurements for water depth and transducer depth are required because both depths may be measured acoustically. In addition, the disclosed HCP can have a very small transducer with a form factor which can lead to minimum flow disturbance. |
| US09404740B2 |
Method and apparatus for colour imaging a three-dimensional structure
A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associate color of a structure is also provided. |
| US09404738B2 |
Continuous high resolution surface profiling apparatus and method
A surface profiler including at least one front support wheel and at least one rear support wheel for travelling along the surface of a profile to be measured, the rotational axes of said wheels being longitudinally spaced, and the wheels contacting the surface being profiled in a collinear manner. A frame carried on the wheels carries at least one inclinometer and at least two vertical distance measuring apparatus such as lasers, and may also carry an optical encoder. The lasers are collinear with each other and with the wheels. Incremental to measurements of inclination angles provided by the inclinometer, together with incremental measurements of distance to the surface being measured provided by the lasers, produce a continuous, high resolution mathematical series of elevations representing the surface profile, including reproduction of surface features that are smaller than the distance between the wheels. |
| US09404737B2 |
Dynamic autofocus method and system for assay imager
Method of detecting surface features of a microarray. The method includes providing a microarray to an optical scanner, wherein the microarray includes a surface having features. The method also includes carrying out a scanning process using the optical scanner, wherein the scanning process includes: (i) acquiring images of sequential regions on the surface, wherein a defocus spread is applied to the optical scanner during the acquiring, (ii) determining a focus score for the images, (iii) adjusting the optical scanner to a different defocus spread based on the focus score, and (iv) repeating (i) through (iii) at the different defocus spread, thereby acquiring images of further sequential regions on the surface. The method also includes analyzing the images to distinguish different target molecules at the features of the microarray. The images that are analyzed were acquired at the defocus spread and at the different defocus spread during the scanning process. |
| US09404736B2 |
Deformation measurement sensor operating in a hostile environment and including an optical movement measurement module, and measurement system using said sensor
Deformation measurement sensor operating in a hostile environment and including an optical movement measurement module, and measurement system using said sensor.The sensor includes: an enclosure comprising an opening; a movable element having a first surface that is brought into contact with an object (4) that can deform, for example a nuclear fuel rod, and a second surface that is reflective and extends into the enclosure through the opening; a sealed, resilient connecting component performing a return function between the element and the enclosure; and, inside the enclosure, a module for creating an interference light using a light reflected by the second surface of the element. Deformation of the object results in a modification to the interference light that is representative of the deformation. |
| US09404735B2 |
Multiple laser time of arrival probe
A system and method for performing stress measurement on rotating parts is disclosed. The system may include a laser assembly configured to emit a plurality of laser beams having different wavelengths, and a probe assembly mounted proximal to a rotatable part in a device. The probe assembly may be configured to output a reflected laser beam onto a first target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may be configured to output another reflected laser beam onto a second target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may include a redirector, and a lens assembly mounted proximal to the redirector and configured to converge the laser beams. The redirector may be configured to change the direction of each emitted laser beam. |
| US09404733B2 |
Winding device, winding method, inspection device and structure manufacturing method
Provided is a winding apparatus that is provided with a splitter that splits radiant light from a light source unit into measurement light applied to a side face part of a first sheet and a second sheet and reference light applied to a reference surface, an interference detector that detects interference light formed by interference between the reference light reflected by the reference surface and the measurement light reflected by the side face part, a position detector that detects the position of the first sheet and the position of the second sheet on the basis of the detected interference light, and a decision processor that decides the quality of the wound body on the basis of the detected positions of the first sheet and the second sheet. |
| US09404731B2 |
Miniature optical elements for fiber-optic beam shaping
In part, the invention relates to optical caps having at least one lensed surface configured to redirect and focus light outside of the cap. The cap is placed over an optical fiber. Optical radiation travels through the fiber and interacts with the optical surface or optical surfaces of the cap, resulting in a beam that is either focused at a distance outside of the cap or substantially collimated. The optical elements such as the elongate caps described herein can be used with various data collection modalities such optical coherence tomography. In part, the invention relates to a lens assembly that includes a micro-lens; a beam director in optical communication with the micro-lens; and a substantially transparent film or cover. The substantially transparent film is capable of bi-directionally transmitting light, and generating a controlled amount of backscatter. The film can surround a portion of the beam director. |
| US09404730B2 |
Methods for processing images generated using fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT)
Methods, systems and computer program products for managing frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) image resolution. A spectrum used to acquire an image of a subject is calibrated and default dispersion correction parameters are set. Default dispersion management parameters associated with a region of the image of the subject are also set. The image of the subject is acquires after setting the default dispersion correction parameters and the default dispersion management parameters. A quality of the acquired image is compared to a quality metric for the acquired image. The dispersion correction parameters are adjusted if the quality of the acquired image does not meet or exceed the quality metric for the acquired image. The acquired image is reprocesses based on the adjusted dispersion correction parameters. The steps of comparing, adjusting and reprocessing are repeated until the acquired image meets or exceeds the quality metric for the acquired image. |
| US09404720B2 |
Self centering nock
A self-centering nock is provided for use in a well-balanced nock-arrow or nock-bolt assembly. The self-centering nock includes compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms that are substantially rotationally symmetric about a cross section normal to a main axis of the self-centering nock. The compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms may be received in bolts that have bores of differing internal dimensions. |
| US09404719B1 |
Ammunition cartridge and chamber, and tools for making and reloading same
A case for an ammunition cartridge including a tubular member having a central axis which includes: a head which includes, a head face which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the central axis, and an extraction groove adjacent to the head face, the extraction groove circumscribing the central axis; a body abutting the head which comprises an internal chamber, a bullet receiving end spaced from the body along the central axis, a convex curved segment abutting the body, the convex curved segment being a first circular curve having a first radius of approximately 0.0263 inches, a frusto-conical segment abutting the convex curved segment, and a concave curved segment abutting the frusto-conical segment, the concave curved segment being a second circular curve having a second radius of approximately 0.1049 inches. |
| US09404718B1 |
Multi-shot disrupter apparatus and firing method
A method and apparatus for firing a plurality of disrupter loads in arbitrary order at the discretion of the user is disclosed. The loads may be of the same or different types. Both liquid and solid projectiles may be fired. Further, the disrupter may be operated by a user at safe standoff distance from a robotic mount with the aid of control, targeting, ranging and recoil systems. |
| US09404712B2 |
Method and systems for aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device
A method of aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device is disclosed. Using at least one superposition device coupled to the projectile device, multiple optical reference points are superposed within a first target area. Positions for at least two of the optical reference points are noted. A projectile is shot from the projectile device at a second target area, while the positions of the at least two optical reference points are maintained, to create the point of impact. The point of aim for the projectile device is adjusted to correspond with the point of impact while the positions of the at least two optical reference points are maintained. A system for aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device is also disclosed. |
| US09404705B2 |
Rotary cam release trigger device for a crossbow
A crossbow trigger and bowstring release mechanism with improved bowstring retention and release characteristics. The device enhances accurate and safe shooting with the crossbow. The trigger mechanism comprises a spring operated pivotal cam string release mechanism for releasably holding a bowstring in a drawn position. The string release latch is pivotable about a pivot point and has associated therewith a first sear surface. The trigger mechanism further includes a pivotal rocker latch member having a second sear surface which engages the cam pivot mechanism. The sear has an extended arm that engages a safety hammer release. Finally there is an improved dry-fire prevention pivot mechanism that engages an arrow when loaded to launch. When no arrow is present the dry-fire rocker engages the cam mechanism and prevents the movement of the cam to release the bowstring. |
| US09404701B2 |
Trigger assembly
A trigger assembly for activating a firing mechanism. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a sear arm with a first sear surface, and a firing element including a body portion with a second sear surface and an engagement portion for engagement with the firing mechanism, for activating the firing mechanism. The trigger assembly also includes a captured roller positioned for engagement with the first end second sear surfaces. The trigger is pivotable between a load position, in which the captured roller is held between the first and second sear surfaces, and a release position, in which the second sear surface is disengaged from the captured roller and the firing element is released. The firing element is pivotable between a first position, in which the firing element is held by the captured roller, and a second position, in which the firing element is disengaged from the captured roller. |
| US09404696B2 |
Methods and devices relating to firearms
A system facilitates one handed manipulation of a service pistol and includes a device having two components and related inserts that allow for single handed loading, cycling, firing, clearing and unloading of semi-automatic pistols. The present device includes a spine, a cover pivotally attached to the spine and operable under action of a user from a first normally closed position and a second open position, a spring connected to the cover and spine holding the cover without a first action of a user in the first normally closed position. A base is dimensioned to support a firearm magazine such that the firearm magazine is axially aligned to an axis of the spine; and a pair of retaining arms are attached to the spine for retaining the firearm magazine within the device without a second action of the user and releasing the firearm magazine under the second action of the user. |
| US09404694B2 |
Firearm
A rifle configured for firing a 7.62×39 mm round is provided. The rifle having: an upper receiver; a lower receiver, the upper receiver being removably secured to the lower receiver, wherein the lower receiver is configured to removably receive and secure a magazine therein, the magazine being configured to hold at least 30 rounds of a 7.62×39 mm ammunition; and wherein a magazine well of the lower receiver is configured to receive an adapter at a front of the lower receiver. |
| US09404692B2 |
Rotary thermal switch
An method of controlling thermal transfer between a first structure and a second structure may include a signal at a thermal switch. In response to receiving the signal at the thermal switch, a rotating plate may be rotated into one or more positions adjacent to a fixed plate to facilitate radiative thermal transfer between the rotating plate and the fixed plate. The rotating plate and the fixed plate may be in thermally conductive contact with respective ones of the first structure and the second structure. |
| US09404690B2 |
Condenser coil holder for water heater
A condenser coil holder apparatus comprises a first portion formed to have a shape that is at least substantially complementary to a shape of a bottom surface of a water storage tank of a water heater so as to hold a condenser coil against the bottom surface of the water storage tank of the water heater when assembled. The condenser coil holder apparatus also comprises a second portion formed as a base for the first portion. |
| US09404688B2 |
Cooling tower nozzle and methods of assembly
Cooling tower nozzle assemblies and methods of assembly are provided herein. In some embodiments, a cooling tower nozzle assembly includes a body having an opening extending through the body from a first end to a second end; a support arm extending from the body and comprising a disk disposed on a first portion of the support arm opposite the first end of the body; a splash plate coupled to the disk, the splash plate having a bottom surface including a plurality of legs extending away from the bottom surface, wherein the plurality of legs have radially inwardly facing portions spaced a first distance from a central axis of the splash plate and aligned with the disk, and wherein the plurality of legs include features to interconnect to the disk; and a screw disposed through the splash plate to couple the splash plate to the support arm. |
| US09404683B2 |
Refrigerator appliance
Refrigerator appliances are provided. A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber and including a mullion extending between and defining the fresh food chamber and freezer chamber. The refrigerator appliance further includes a door rotatably hinged to the cabinet for accessing the fresh food chamber, the door including an inner surface and an outer surface, the door further including an ice container mounted thereon. The refrigerator appliance further includes a hinge connecting the mullion and the door, and a freezer door connected to the cabinet for accessing the freezer chamber. The refrigerator appliance further includes a drain assembly for draining a liquid from the ice container, the drain assembly providing a flow path through the hinge and the mullion to an exhaust location. |
| US09404682B2 |
Refrigerator with temperature control
An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency. |
| US09404678B2 |
Use of R-1233 in liquid chillers
This invention relates to the use of chloro-trifluoropropenes as refrigerants in negative-pressure liquid chillers and methods of replacing an existing refrigerant in a chiller with chloro-trifluoropropenes. The chloro-trifluoropropenes, particularly 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, have high efficiency and unexpectedly high capacity in liquid chiller applications and are useful as more environmentally sustainable refrigerants for such applications, including the replacement of R-123 and R-11. |
| US09404677B2 |
Inflatable linear heliostatic concentrating solar module
Increased utilization of solar power is highly desirable as solar power is a readily available renewable resource with power potential far exceeding total global needs; and as solar power does not contribute to pollutants associated with fossil fuel power, such as unburned hydrocarbons, NOx and carbon dioxide. The present invention provides low-cost inflatable heliostatic solar power collectors, which a range of embodiments suitable for flexible utilization in small, medium, or utility scale applications. The inflatable heliostatic power collectors use a reflective surface or membrane “sandwiched” between two inflated chambers, and attached solar power receivers which are of concentrating photovoltaic and optionally also concentrating solar thermal types. Floating embodiments are described for certain beneficial applications on. Modest concentration ratios enable benefits in both reduced cost and increased conversion efficiency, relative to simple prior-art flat plate solar collectors. |
| US09404675B2 |
Cavity receivers for parabolic solar troughs
A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar. |
| US09404674B2 |
Absorber tube
An absorber tube for solar collectors is provided. The absorber tube comprises a metal tube for carrying and heating a heat transfer medium, a sleeve tube enclosing the metal tube for forming an annular space that can be evacuated, a first container disposed in the annular space and filled with protective gas, an outer ring, and a transition element enclosing the metal tube for sealing off the annular space. The first container includes an outlet opening closed by a closure material, which releases the outlet opening under external actuation for introducing the protective gas into the annular space. The external actuation is applied by an opening unit that is activated for releasing the outlet openings. The first container is fixed in the annular space by a retaining device, which is on the outer ring and/or on the transition element. |
| US09404669B2 |
Application of electric heat coil in fan unit
An electric heat coil assembly for use adjacent a heat exchanger assembly in a fan coil unit is provided including at least one electric heat coil. A mount plate supports the at least one electric heat coil such that the at least one electric heat coil extends from the mount plate. The mount plate includes an edge configured to connect to the heat exchanger assembly. At least one relay is coupled to the at least one electric heat coil. The at least one relay selectively applies power to the electric heat coil. |
| US09404667B2 |
Determining power stealing capability of a climate control system controller
Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for determining a power stealing capability of a climate control system controller. In an exemplary embodiment, a controller for use in a climate control system generally includes a capacitor chargeable by current flowing through an off-mode load of the climate control system. A voltage detect circuit detects a voltage across the capacitor. The controller includes a timer for determining a charge time of the capacitor from a first specific voltage to a second specific voltage based on input from the voltage detect circuit. The controller determines a resistance of the off-mode load based on the charge time and, based on the determined resistance, determines a level of current for power stealing through the off-mode load. |
| US09404665B1 |
Radiant panel system having increased efficiency
The present invention in some embodiments can utilize a board for retaining a tube within a region. The board (or boards) and region can have many configurations. A transfer layer having a graphite layer can be applied and/or bonded to the board. A metal or non-metal layer can be bonded to the graphite layer as part of the transfer layer. The present invention takes advantage of the principles of heat transfer to produce a more effective and efficient system and methods of use. |
| US09404662B2 |
Microwave appliance
A microwave appliance is provided. The microwave appliance includes a cabinet and a duct mounted to the cabinet. A filter is mounted to the duct at an opening of the duct. The filter has projections that are received within channels of the duct. The projections and channels can assist with properly positioning and/or orienting the filter within the duct. |
| US09404656B2 |
Oblong swirler assembly for combustors
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a swirler is disclosed. The swirler may include an outer shroud and inner shroud. The inner shroud may be positioned radially inside the outer shroud. At least one of the outer shroud and inner shroud may have a major diameter which is larger than a minor diameter such that the shrouds define an oblong shape. The swirler may further include a plurality of vanes which may be positioned between the inner and outer shrouds. |
| US09404651B2 |
Method and device for using oxygen in the steam reforming of biomass
A device is presented and described for the use of oxygen for the thermochemical gasification of biomass in at least one fluidised bed reactor, a heater being arranged in the fluidised bed of the fluidised bed reactor and the fluidised bed reactor being heatable by at least partial oxidation of a combustible gas with oxygen. |
| US09404644B1 |
Front serviceable mounting apparatus and methods
Display module mounting apparatus and methods provide mounting features enabling ease of installation and service. The apparatus may have one or more releasable frame couplers and pivoting releasable frame couplers coupled to a display module having a display plane defined in relation to a substrate. One or more adjustable linkages may adjustably define a standoff distance between the display plane and a support frame to which the module may be mounted by the mounting apparatus. Concave and convex adjustments to the display plane may be made. Operation of pivoting action to tilt the display plane enables installation, removal, and serviceability of large displays constructed with a tiled plurality of display modules. |
| US09404643B2 |
One piece LED module with rotatable face
A recessed light fixture, mountable on a wall, includes a trim, heat sink, fasteners and springs. The trim has a trim frame with a trim opening for a light source. The heat sink includes an open end which opens into a cavity to house a portion of the light source, and an interior surface with an interior groove that extends around the interior surface. Each spring has a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the springs is connected to the trim frame with a fastener. The second end of the springs is inserted through the open end of the heat sink until the second end snaps into and engages the interior groove to connect the heat sink and the trim frame. The second end is movable along the interior groove to allow rotational adjustment of the trim frame relative to the heat sink. |
| US09404641B2 |
Theatre light comprising of a plurality of remotely positionable light emitting modules
A theater lighting apparatus including a plurality of light emitting modules or light emitting devices contained within a lamp housing each having a remotely controllable pan and tilt axis. The theater lighting apparatus is also capable of remotely positioning the lamp housing containing the plurality of light emitting modules. The theater lighting apparatus may include a base, and the lamp housing. The plurality of light emitting devices may include a first light emitting device which is individually remotely positionable to project a first light in a first direction, a second light emitting device which is individually remotely positionable to project a second light in a second direction, and a third light emitting device which is individually remotely positionable to project a third light in a third direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction may be different from each other. |
| US09404631B2 |
Light emitting apparatus and automotive lamp
A light emitting apparatus includes LED chips and a light condenser condensing the light emitted from the LED chips. The light condenser has a first opening functioning as an incident part through which the light emitted from the LED chips enters, a side surface function as a reflector that reflects the light having entered through the first opening, and a second opening functioning as an emission part that emits the light reflected by the side surface. A phosphor layer, which converts the wavelength of the light emitted from the LED chips and emits the wavelength-converted light, is formed in the first opening. The light condenser is arranged such that the phosphor layer is located on the light emission surfaces of the LED chips. |
| US09404630B2 |
Method and device for operating a headlamp for a motor vehicle
A method for operating a headlamp for a motor vehicle, which can be operated in at least two illumination states, comprises: detecting at least one influencing variable, which can influence a future change of mode of the headlamp from one of the illumination states to another of the illumination states; detecting a time profile of the influencing variable; detecting a control signal that is intended to cause a change of mode of the headlamp from a current illumination state to another of the illumination states; and controlling the mode of the headlamp depending on the control signal, wherein the change of mode of the headlamp is delayed depending on the time profile of the influencing variable. |
| US09404629B2 |
Pattern-projecting light-output system
A light-output system (1), for forming a controllable pattern (10) of illuminated spots (11a-b) in a distant projection plane (3). The light-output system (1) comprises a plurality of individually controllable light-output devices (6a-c) arranged in an array (5) of light-output devices with a light-output device pitch (PLS), and an optical system (7) arranged between the array (5) of light-output devices and the projection plane (3). The optical system (1) is configured to project light emitted by the array (5) of light-output devices in the projection plane (5) as a projected array of illuminated spots (11a-c) having a projection pitch (Pspot) that is larger than the light-output device pitch (PLS). Using this light-output system, practically all of the luminous power output by the light-output devices is used for projecting the light patterns. |
| US09404627B2 |
Light conversion assembly, a lamp and a luminaire
A light conversion assembly 100, a lamp and a luminaire is provided. The light conversion assembly 100 comprises a first layer 108 and a second layer 106. The first layer 108 comprises first luminescent material. The first luminescent material comprises particles showing quantum confinement and have at least in one dimension a size in the nanometer range. The first layer is arranged to receive light 110 from a light source emitting light of a first spectral distribution in a violet or blue spectral range. The first spectral distribution has a first peak wavelength. The first layer 108 is configured to convert substantially all the received light 110 towards light 104 of a second spectral distribution in the blue spectral range, independently of the position of first spectral distribution in the violet or blue spectral range. The second spectral distribution has a second peak wavelength which is a longer wavelength than the first peak wavelength. The second layer 106 comprises a second luminescent material. The second layer is arranged to receive light 104 of the second spectral distribution and is configured to at least partially convert the received light 104 towards light 102 of a third spectral distribution being different from the first spectral distribution and the second spectral distribution. |
| US09404626B2 |
Illuminating apparatus
Disclosed is an illuminating apparatus including a housing including a lower plate and a side plate and a light emitting module including a substrate disposed on the lower plate and a plurality of light sources disposed on the substrate to be spaced apart from each other, wherein a height of the side plate is determined as a value obtained by dividing a separation distance between adjacent ones of the light sources by a value obtained by multiplying a tangent value of a max intensity angle of each of the light sources by a luminance compensation factor. |
| US09404625B2 |
Optical touch device
An optical touch module includes an LED circuit board and a control circuit board. Multiple LED components are disposed on one face of the LED circuit board. The other face faces the control circuit board. The other face of the control circuit board is connected with the at least one L-shaped connection board. A first connector and a second connector are positioned in a space between overlapping sections of the LED circuit board and the control circuit board and mated with each other. The control circuit board has at least one third connector mated with a fourth connector of the L-shaped connection board. Electronic components and/or an extension section of a filter member are positioned in the space. |
| US09404622B2 |
Filling port structure for pressure fluid
A first fluid channel of a first body has a first inner diameter part and a second inner diameter part in an order that an inner diameter becomes smaller from a side where a nozzle is inserted. A second body has a second fluid channel capable of communicating with the first fluid channel and further has a first outer diameter part and a second outer diameter part which are inserted in the second inner diameter part in an order that an outer diameter becomes larger from the first fluid channel side. When the tip part of the second body is inserted in the first fluid channel, a wall surface provided at an end of the second inner diameter part along an axial direction, an end surface of the tip part of the second body and an inner circumferential surface of the second inner diameter part form a sealing groove. |
| US09404620B2 |
Reducing pressure spikes during hydrogen dispensing
A method for lessening an initial pressure spike in a receiving tank caused by high pressure residual H2-containing gas contained between a control valve and a block valve when dispensing the residual H2-containing gas into the receiving tank. The block valve is briefly closed before the pressure in the transfer line decreases below a set pressure, thereby lessening the pressure spike in the receiving tank. |
| US09404619B2 |
Multi-function unit for the offshore transfer of hydrocarbons
A hydrocarbon transfer arrangement for transfer of fluids between an offshore unit and a carrier which are placed in an offloading configuration, includes at least one transfer hose and a gas return hose, wherein the end of the at least one transfer hose is connected to a floating multi-function unit allowing for the transport of the transfer hose between the offshore unit and the carrier, wherein the floating multi-function unit can be lifted out of the water and can be held in a fixed position above water-level and is provided with connection elements for making a fluid connection between the transfer hose end and a manifold of the carrier and with emergency disconnect elements for the at least one transfer hose, placed at a distance from the connection elements. |
| US09404618B2 |
Lifting extension mount assembly for equipoising arms
A lifting extension mount assembly for attaching an equipoising arm to an object. The lifting extension mount assembly has an extension mount component rigidly fixed to an object. A lifting segment is attached to the extension mount component. The lifting segment is pivotable with respect to the extension mount component at the attachment point in a vertical plane only. An angle-adjustment assembly is including. |
| US09404616B2 |
Secure equipment transfer system
An equipment transfer device is provided that is transferrable from one support to another support. The transport device is formed as a housing that has two spaced apart, generally parallel recesses, which form docking cups that are open to the bottom. Each docking cup is configured to receive a docking cone that is supported on a structure and is capable of moving in generally a vertical direction into engagement or out of engagement with their respective docking cups. A support post is also supported by the housing and protrudes from the upper end thereof as a base to which an equipment support structure is attached. In this manner the transfer device can be transferred from one docking cone to another with minimal handling and virtually no possibility of dislodgement. |
| US09404615B1 |
Systems and apparatus for mounting a wireless access point
A housing includes a mount projection defining a first notch, a second notch, and a recessed wall. At least a portion of the recessed wall defines a substantially conical cross-sectional shape between a maximum width and a length from a leading portion to a line associated with the maximum width. The mount projection is configured to complimentarily mate to a bracket defining a recessed wall with a maximum width, corresponding to the maximum width of the mount projection, and a length, corresponding to the length of the mount projection, from a leading portion to a line associated with the maximum width. The mount projection is releasably retained within an opening of the bracket when a first projection and a second projection of the bracket are disposed within the first notch and the second notch, respectively, of the mount projection. |
| US09404612B2 |
Electrical connector and system for electrical outlet
An electrical connector has a male portion having a center channel passing therethrough and having a dovetail tenon. The center channel of the male portion is configured to hold an electrical cord of a power consuming device. A female portion has a center channel passing therethrough and a dovetail mortise adapted to mate with the dovetail tenon. The center channel of the female portion is configured to hold electrical wires from an electrical power source. |
| US09404608B2 |
Systems and methods for pipe couplings
A coupling arrangement that includes a gasket seal (40) and a housing (12, 14) having a first lateral side (100) for receiving a first pipe segment (4) and a second lateral side (102) for receiving a second pipe segment (2), the second lateral side (102) being spaced from the first lateral side (100) to define a medial axis (A-A) of the housing. An inner surface (22) of the housing defines a cavity for engaging and housing a gasket seal (40) disposed about the first and second pipe segments. The gasket seal (40) includes a peripheral surface (48) and inner surface (50) which can include features that engage both the housing and the pipe segments to form a fluid tight pipe joint assembly. |
| US09404606B2 |
Backplate for a utility box
A backplate for installation between a utility box and an exterior surface of a building has a plate body having a first side and a second side. A moisture dam on the plate body extends outward from the first side of the plate body. The moisture dam defines a receptacle that is sized and shaped to receive the utility box such that when the plate body is installed between the utility box and the exterior surface of the building. The moisture dam receives and extends around an outer perimeter of a rear surface of the utility box. Apertures through the plate body receive one or more utility lines and for receiving a mounting system. There are one or more seals on the second side of the plate body for sealing between the apertures and an outer perimeter of the plate body. |
| US09404601B2 |
Solenoid valve
A solenoid valve is arranged in a flow path in which a fluid flows in both directions, and is constituted from a solenoid valve mounting portion, in which a first port and a second port are formed, and a single solenoid valve portion. A first flow rate stabilizing orifice is disposed between the first port and a valve body of the solenoid valve portion, and a second flow rate stabilizing orifice is disposed between the second port and the valve body. A bypass orifice is disposed in a bypass flow path that bypasses the first flow rate stabilizing orifice and the second flow rate stabilizing orifice. |
| US09404596B2 |
Multifunctional check valve device
A multifunctional check valve device contains: a base, an elastic member, and a locking member. The base includes a peripheral rib, an accommodating chamber, a column, a stopping face, a connecting orifice, a plurality of through orifices, a first outlet, and a positioning groove. The elastic member includes a fixing loop for retaining with the connecting orifice and a closing disc for corresponding to a second outlet of a pull-out faucet. An outer diameter of the closing disc is greater than an inner diameter of the closing disc, so the closing disc closes an inner face of an exit. The closing disc has a retaining tab for retaining with the positioning groove. The hollow locking member includes inner threads for screwing with outer threads of the pull-out faucet and accommodates the base. The hollow locking member also includes a third outlet for aligning with the first outlet of the base. |
| US09404592B2 |
Diaphragm valve
A diaphragm valve which can solve problems of a disc-shaped diaphragm, wherein the amount of deformation is significant and dust is liable to be generated, that the change in volume in opening and closing of the fluid channel is significant, and that a pressure receiving surface area of the diaphragm at the time of channel closure is provided. A diaphragm is formed of a synthetic resin and, a cylindrical portion fixedly fitted on a valve rod, a bottom wall portion closing a lower end opening of the cylindrical portion, a flange portion provided at an upper end portion of the cylindrical portion, and a projecting portion provided at a center portion of the bottom wall portion and facing an upper end opening of a fluid inlet passage. A vertical cross-sectional shape of an axially intermediate portion of the cylindrical portion is formed into a substantially arcuate shape projecting radially outward. |
| US09404591B2 |
Attachment ring and valve
The invention relates to an attachment ring for attaching an object in a flow channel. The attachment ring has a first surface for contacting the object and a second surface for contacting a surface of a shoulder. An expansion member expands the attachment ring by pushing the ends away from each other when the expansion member is moved into the opening. At least one of the second surface of the attachment ring and the surface of the shoulder is inclined in order to wedge the attachment ring between the surface of the shoulder and the object when the attachment ring is expanded by the expansion member. |
| US09404587B2 |
Lockout tagout for semiconductor vacuum valve
A device for limiting travel of a valve including a body removably connected to a transfer module, a vacuum valve, or a reaction chamber, a travel limiting rod passing through the body to engage and limit travel of the valve, and wherein the body includes at least one mounting flange opposite the travel limiting rod. |
| US09404585B2 |
Fluid circulation valve
A fluid circulation valve has a body delimiting an internal duct and a flap mounted pivotally on a spindle separating the flap into a first part and a second part. The flap is able to pivot between an open position allowing the fluid to pass into the duct, and a closed position which prevents the passage and for which the second part of the flap comes to rest against a seal which extends facing this second part, and which further seals the body of the valve. The seal has pressure-lowering means downstream of the second part of the flap so as to increase the force for clamping the second part against the seal. |
| US09404582B2 |
Seal arrangement for a rotating ship propeller shaft
A seal arrangement for a ship's propeller shaft includes at least one oil-filled seal chamber bounded by seal rings around the shaft, as well as an oil reservoir tank, an oil supply line connecting the tank to the bottom portion of the seal chamber, an oil circulation pump interposed in the supply line between the tank and the seal chamber, and an oil return line communicating from the upper portion of the seal chamber back to the tank. Thereby, oil is continuously circulated through the seal chamber, and thereby flushes out any contaminant particles, air or water that might enter the seal chamber. |
| US09404578B2 |
Piston ring with chromium solid particle wear-prevention layer and corrosion-resistant flank surface
A coated piston ring having a base body of chromium steel with more than 10 wt.-% chromium and having an inner circumferential surface, a first flank surface, a second flank surface and an outer circumferential surface. The first flank surface comprises a nitride diffusion layer with a layer thickness of from 5-300 μm, a nitride connecting layer with a layer thickness of from 0.5-15 μm on the nitride diffusion layer, and an oxide layer with a layer thickness of from 0.05-3 μm on the nitride connecting layer. The second flank surface comprises the nitride diffusion layer, and the outer circumferential surface comprises the nitride diffusion layer and a chromium solid particle layer with 0.1-30 vol.-% solid particles, relative to the total volume of the chromium solid particle layer on the nitride diffusion layer. |
| US09404577B2 |
Piston pin
A piston pin for connecting a small connecting rod eye of a connecting rod with a piston of an internal combustion engine may include an inner bore with an eccentricity relative to an outer surface of the piston pin. The eccentricity may amount to a maximum of 0.5 mm. The outer surface may include spiral-shaped lubricating grooves. |
| US09404576B2 |
Actuator
A linear drive portion is fixed to a piston. A nut portion and a screw portion relatively rotate, and a direction of action of driving force is converted between a rotational direction and a linear direction. The piston is installed within a case. The inner circumference of a piston sliding portion fixed within the case slidably supports the outer circumference of the piston. The nut portion is displaced with the piston, and the screw portion rotates in conjunction with a rotational drive portion. The piston is installed so as to be able to slide in the axial direction of the case with respect to the piston sliding portion. The axis of the piston and the central position of the inner circumference of the piston sliding portion are set to be eccentric with respect to the axis of the screw portion and the nut portion. |
| US09404570B2 |
Control method for an automated gearbox of an automotive vehicle, system for controlling such a gearbox and automotive vehicle equipped with such a system
A method is provided for controlling an automated gearbox of an automotive vehicle that is adapted to work in a first automatic mode and at least one second driver initiated mode which is different from the first mode. This method includes monitoring the vehicle driving behavior is monitored, analyzing the vehicle driving behavior is and determining it to be satisfactory or non satisfactory and, when the driver requests switch of the automatic gearbox from the first mode to the second mode, the switch order is followed only if the vehicle driving behavior is determined to be satisfactory, and/or, when the automated gearbox is in a second driver initiated mode, causing a switch of the gearbox to a first automatic mode if the vehicle driving behavior is determined to be non-satisfactory. The system includes an arrangement to automatically perform these steps. |
| US09404569B2 |
Procedure for operating a transmission device, particularly a 9-speed-transmission
A method for operating a 9-speed transmission which changes operating states by actuating shift elements. At least one of the shift elements is a form-locking shift element, which disengages to implement a defined transmission operating state during which the power flow, between transmission input and output shafts, is present or interrupted. A sensor is associated with the locking shift element. An operating state of the locking shift element can be determined by the sensor. Upon a request to disengage the locking shift element, a disengagement control signal is generated and the locking shift element is actuated in the disengagement direction, depending on the disengagement control signal. The transmission is shifted to a safe operating state, in which at least the transmission output shaft can rotate, when an engaged operating state of the locking shift element is determined by the sensor even though a disengagement control signal was generated. |
| US09404566B2 |
Power measurement system based on self-limiting force
An apparatus is described for measuring the power expended in driving a chain. A light-weight, compact, flexible structure is attached to the chain. The tension within the chain bends the flexible structure; however, the bending of the structure itself limits the maximum amount of force applied to this flexible structure. Thus, the bending of the structure will be limited and nonlinearly dependent on the chain tension. The structure is affixed to the chain such that any up or down movement of the chain is also experienced by the structure. A sensor on this structure such as a strain gauge or an accelerometer (or both) can be used to determine the chain tension. The apparatus also has a sensor to determine the speed of the chain's movement. A microcontroller produces the resulting power data which can be stored or directly provided to the user as audio, visual, or tactile information. |
| US09404565B2 |
Sprocket
A sprocket includes a first body with teeth radially projecting therefrom, and second bodies on alternating ones of the teeth, with the second bodies increasing an overall width of the alternating ones of the teeth. |
| US09404564B1 |
Continuously variable transmission
A transmission for a work machine may include a first variator including a first input geared to a transmission input, a first output, and a first displacement. A second variator may include a second input geared to the transmission input, a second output, and a second displacement. The first displacement may be greater than the second displacement. A first planetary gear set may be in mechanical association with the second output, selectively coupled to a ground, and in mechanical association with a first gear. A second planetary gear set may be geared to the transmission input. A third planetary gear set may include a transmission output and may be in mechanical association with the second planetary gear set. A second gear may be in mechanical association with the third planetary gear set and may be in mesh with a third gear that is in mechanical association with the first output. The second gear may be in mesh with the first gear. |
| US09404561B2 |
Rotary-to-linear motion actuator having a helical bevel gear and method of use thereof
A rotary-to-linear motion actuator having helical bevel gear and methods of use thereof are described. The actuator may be utilized with an apparatus for managing a fluid flow passage between one or more input ports and output ports. A pinion gear engages, and during operation turns, a bevel ring gear arranged on a helical path along an external periphery of a sleeve retaining a seat, which forms a fixed orifice. The teeth of the bevel gear are arranged on the helical path at the same pitch as external threads on the sleeve, which in turn, engage internal threads in a thrust tube. The trust tube is engaged with a thrust tube jam nut that locks the thrust tube into position within the valve body. The area of the flow passage is changed by movement of the fixed seat orifice axially with respect to a contoured plug assembly. The threads of the sleeve and the thrust tube resist axial load imparted by the pressure drop across at the fixed orifice. |
| US09404560B2 |
Stretch belt removal and installation tool
A unitary stretch belt installation and removal tool includes an installation component having a slot for positioning the tool on the rim of a pulley and a wedge shaped element to stretch and guide a belt into a pulley groove as the pulley is rotated and further having an integral removal component including a slot and a shaped, generally convex belt guide surface for stretching and guiding a belt from a pulley as the pulley is rotated. |
| US09404551B2 |
Rod guide assembly with multi-piece valve assembly
A shock absorber may include a piston rod, a first rod guide member, a second rod guide member, and an electronically controlled valve assembly. The first rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod, and the second rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod and is adjacent the first rod guide member. The electronically controlled valve assembly may include a coil assembly and a valve guide assembly. The valve guide assembly may be disposed adjacent to the coil assembly and may be concentrically disposed about the second rod guide member. The valve guide assembly includes a spool and defines a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a chamber. The spool is disposed within the chamber and controls the flow of fluid between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. |
| US09404549B2 |
Electromagnetic inertial actuator
An electromagnetic inertial actuator includes a support base and a parallel arrangement of a first flexure part, a voice coil motor part, and a second flexure part. The parallel arrangement is cantilevered from the support base. |
| US09404544B2 |
Slave cylinder for a vibration-damped hydraulic force transmission system, particularly a hydraulic clutch actuating system for motor vehicles
A slave cylinder for a vibration-damped hydraulic force transmission system, particularly a hydraulic clutch actuating system for motor vehicles is disclosed, comprising a cylinder housing, a piston received therein to be longitudinally displaceable and a pressure chamber which is bounded by the cylinder housing and the piston and which can be selectably acted on by a pressure medium, by way of a pressure connection provided in the cylinder housing, in order to displace the piston in the cylinder housing. An insert member which is inserted in the pressure chamber and secured in the pressure connection and which is equipped with a device for reducing pressure pulses, the device being constantly open to the pressure medium, is additionally provided. As a result, the vibration-damping measures or means are integrated in the slave cylinder in a particularly economic and space-saving manner. |
| US09404539B2 |
Guide carriage having a rolling-body guide part made from an elastomer
A guide carriage is configured for use with an guide rail. The guide carriage has at least one row of rolling bodies received in a circulatory channel. The circulatory channel has a load-bearing section and a return channel connected together at their ends by a deflection channel. The load-bearing section is delimited by a carriage raceway on the guide carriage and a rail raceway on the guide rail. At least one sealing lip is arranged in sealing engagement with the guide rail when the guide carriage is mounted on the guide rail. At least one separate rolling-body guide part, composed in one piece of an elastomer, has two deflection sections, between which at least one guide section, extending longitudinally, is arranged. An associated sealing lip is arranged on the guide section. At least one radially inner deflection surface of a deflection channel is arranged on each deflection section. |
| US09404537B2 |
Axial cage for cylindrical rolling bodies
an axial cage (1) for cylindrical rolling bodies which substantially is formed of a thin-walled washer (2) with a W-shaped profile, the individual profile legs of which are formed by an inner radial rim (3) formed on the inner edge of the washer (2), an outer radial rim (4) formed on the outer edge of the washer (2) and a U-shaped center crimp (7) connected by way of inner and outer axial profile sections (5, 6) to the radial rims (3, 4) and having the same radial extent as the rims (3, 4). A number of evenly spaced rectangular cage pockets (8) are cut from the central crimp (7) and the adjacent axial profile sections (5, 6), between which pockets an equal number of pocket webs (9) are formed connecting the rims (3, 4) with one another, by which webs the cylindrical rolling bodies (10) are retained in the cage pockets (8) at uniform distances from one another and are also guided in the circumferential direction. According to the invention, this axial cage (1) is characterized in that the outer radial rim (4) is formed with an inclination (α) facing away from the central U-shaped crimp (7) and the cage pockets (8) have an axial length greater than the smallest axial distance between the inner sides (11, 12) of the inner and the outer radial rim (3, 4) such that the cage pockets (8) extend at least into the outer radial rim (4) of the axial cage (1) and, because of a crowned formation of the outer face sides (13) towards the center of the pocket on the outer radial rim (4) of the axial cage (1) at the height of the roll axes of the rolling bodies (10), form a rounded thrust lug (14) for the outer end faces (15) of the rolling body (10). |
| US09404535B2 |
Sliding bearing assembly
A sliding bearing assembly for joints of construction equipment can be provided, in which production cost is reduced by decreasing the used amount of Cu and sulfides having high fixability to a matrix are dispersed. The sliding bearing assembly for joints of construction equipment, includes at least a shaft and a bush made of an iron-based sintered material which functions as a sliding bearing, in which the bush has the overall composition of, by mass %, 0.1 to 10% of Cu, 0.2 to 1.2% of C, 0.03 to 0.9% of Mn, 0.36 to 1.68% of S, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, a metal structure has pores dispersed in a matrix mainly including a martensite structure and sulfide particles precipitated and dispersed, and the sulfide particles are dispersed at 1 to 7 volume % in the matrix. |
| US09404530B2 |
Bearing cup and cross shaft joint
A cross shaft joint includes a bearing cup, a cross shaft, and a joint yoke. The bearing cup includes a cylindrical portion in which an opening portion for receiving a shaft portion is formed in one end of the cylindrical portion in an axis direction, and a bottom portion that closes the other end of the cylindrical portion in the axis direction. The bearing cup is press-fitted into the fitting hole and supports the shaft portion through a rolling element so that the shaft portion is able to rotate. The bearing cup is fitted onto the shaft portion inside the fitting hole and holds the rolling element with the shaft portion. A diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is smaller on the opening portion side than the bottom portion side in a free state of the bearing cup before being press-fitted into the fitting hole. |
| US09404528B2 |
Locking assembly and supporting device therewith
The present invention is to provide a locking assembly including a joint device and a safety lock mechanism. The joint device includes a first joint component, a second joint component and a button assembly. The second joint component is pivoted to the first joint component. The button assembly is slidably disposed between the first joint component and the second joint component, and the button assembly is for locking a pivotal movement of the first joint component and the second joint component. The safety lock mechanism movably passes through the second joint component to selectively engage with the button assembly, so as to lock the button assembly selectively. Therefore, it increases the operating safety. |
| US09404526B2 |
Rotary suction device
The rotary suction device includes a suction disk, a middle cover, and an upper cover. The suction disk includes a base and a soft disk. The base includes a peripheral wall, a guide block, an inclined surface, and a central circular trough. The middle cover includes a central through hole around the peripheral wall and a guide trough. The guide trough is around the guide block, and the middle cover is capable of axial displacement relative to the suction disk. The upper cover includes a central pivot, a sliding block, and an elastic component. The central pivot is accommodated in the central circular trough such that the upper cover is capable of rotating relative to the suction disk. The elastic component is disposed between the upper cover and the suction disk. The sliding block is forced to against the inclined surface by the elastic force of the elastic component. |
| US09404525B2 |
Polyaxial locking interface
An interlocking interface retains a screw head in a socket to prevent migration of the screw head out of the socket, or to lock the screw head in the socket. The interlocking interface may retain or lock the screw at various polyaxial angles with respect to the socket. The screw head includes external corrugations. The socket includes an internal corrugated structure which interlocks with the external corrugations of the screw head when the screw is at various polyaxial angles with respect to the socket. A counterbore may be adjacent either or both ends of the socket. |
| US09404524B2 |
High performance thread rolling screw/bolt for use in an unthreaded nut anchor
The present invention provides a screw/bolt thread profile geometry that is particularly suited to forming a mating nut thread when the screw is inserted in to a plain diameter hole, in the anchor and rotated in a manner by which the thread helix angle will cause the relative axial forward movement, of the screw/bolt, into the anchor. This rotation and relative axial movement will be the prime mover in developing the nut thread that has mating contact with the screw/bolt thread. |
| US09404522B2 |
Auxiliary wheel, unassisted lifting jack and apparatus for unlocking and locking self-locking device of auxiliary wheel
Disclosed is an auxiliary wheel comprising a wheel hub and a tire. The auxiliary wheel is fixedly mounted on a wheel of an automotive vehicle in a manner that the auxiliary wheel and the wheel have a common rotary axis. The auxiliary wheel may further comprise one or more locking components located on the wheel hub, and the locking component is used to fix the auxiliary wheel on the wheel hub of the wheel, so that the auxiliary wheel is driven by the wheel hub of the wheel. The present invention further relates to an unassisted lifting jack used when the auxiliary wheel is mounted. The unassisted lifting jack comprises a climbing block and a supporting block connected in a rotary way, the climbing block and the supporting block have a common supporting bottom, and the climbing block has a slope provided to the auxiliary wheel for climbing. |
| US09404520B1 |
Clamping devices and systems for positioning object in 3-dimensional space
Systems and devices using t-slot profiles and clamping devices to form a structure that may position an object in three-dimensional space. The clamping devices clamp two t-slot profiles together, either parallel or perpendicular to each other. The clamping device may be unlocked allowing t-slot profiles to move relative to each other, and then re-clamped, to lock the t-slot profiles in a new position. In some embodiments, the t-slot profiles and clamping devices form a structure that may position a camera in three-dimensional space over a table that supports at least one item to be photographed, and optionally digitized. The photographed items may comprise blueprints, artwork, architectural plans, and more. |
| US09404517B2 |
Latching apparatus and also medical imaging apparatus with the latching apparatus
A latching apparatus for housing cladding of a medical imaging device is provided. The latching apparatus has at least one first cladding component, a second cladding component and at least one latching unit. The at least one latching unit is disposed entirely on the first cladding component for a latching connection with the at least one second cladding component. |
| US09404516B1 |
System for estimating a sensor output
A system for determining an estimated output from a variable displacement hydraulic pump includes a prime mover, and torque, pressure, and displacement sensors. A controller determines the output torque from the prime mover, determines an input torque to the variable displacement hydraulic pump based upon the output torque, determines an output from one of the pressure sensor and the displacement sensor, and determines an inertia torque loss based upon the angular acceleration of the prime mover. The controller further determines a failure of another of the pressure sensor and the displacement sensor and determines an estimated output from the another of the pressure sensor and the displacement sensor based upon the input torque to the variable displacement hydraulic pump, the output from the one of the pressure sensor and the displacement sensor, and the inertia torque loss. |
| US09404513B2 |
Servo valve
A servo valve includes a valve housing, a piston cylinder disposed in the housing, a piston disposed within the piston cylinder and fluidly connected on a first end to a first fluid pressure pathway and on a second end to a second fluid pressure pathway, a flapper assembly, and a flow control element disposed in the piston cylinder in a portion of the first fluid pressure pathway. The piston is configured to translate axially within the piston cylinder in response to a pressure differential between the first fluid pressure pathway and the second fluid pressure pathway. The fluid flow control element is configured to stop a flow of fluid through the first fluid pressure pathway when the piston engages the third fluid control element. |
| US09404509B2 |
Turbocharger and method of producing thereof
A turbocharger includes a compressor housing, a bearing housing and a back plate. A discharge scroll chamber has such a shape that a cross-sectional area thereof gradually increases toward a discharge port in a circumferential direction. The compressor housing includes a scroll piece assembled to a shroud piece. The scroll piece includes a suction port-forming portion, a suction-side concave surface and a scroll outer periphery. The shroud piece includes a shroud fit-in portion, an inner peripheral concave surface, a shroud surface and a diffuser surface. The back plate includes a facing surface, an outer peripheral annular fit-in portion and an outer peripheral concave surface. The outer peripheral concave surface has such a shape that a cross sectional shape thereof formed by a plane including a rotation axis of an impeller gradually changes in the circumferential direction. |
| US09404507B2 |
Inner cowl structure for aircraft turbine engine
An inner cowl structure for circumscribing at least a portion of a jet engine extending from an aircraft includes an apron configured to mount directly to the engine independent of the pylon and overly an upper portion of the jet engine, and an inner body configured to circumscribe a portion of the jet engine not circumscribed by the apron. |
| US09404501B2 |
Sump pump test and monitoring system
A proactive test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation of the type having an electrically-powered sump pump which pumps water from a sump pit to a dispersal site when the water level in the pit rises to a predetermined level. The system includes a control module which is periodically actuated by an event timer to initiate a test cycle wherein a valve is actuated open to admit water into the pit. If the pump is operative, the pump operates and the water level in the pit falls, the test cycle is terminated and a successful test is indicated. If the pump is inoperative, the water level continues to rise and the test cycle is terminated, the valve is closed and an unsuccessful test is indicated. Thus the sump pump installation is periodically tested to improve the reliability of the pump and to signal pump inoperability in advance of any potential flood event requiring operation of the pump installation. |
| US09404500B2 |
Control algorithm of variable speed pumping system
A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation. |
| US09404495B2 |
Variable displacement pump with double eccentric ring and displacement regulation method
A rotary positive displacement pump for fluids, in particular for the lubrication oil of a motor vehicle engine (60), has a displacement that can be regulated by the rotation of a stator ring (112) having an eccentric cavity (113) in which the rotor (15) of the pump (1) rotates. The stator ring (112) is located in an eccentric cavity (13) of an external ring (12), which is configured as a multistage rotary piston for displacement regulation and is arranged to be directly driven by a fluid under pressure, in particular oil taken from a delivery side (19) of the pump or from a point of the lubrication circuit located downstream of the oil filter (62). A method of regulating the displacement of the pump (1) and a lubrication system for the engine of a motor vehicle in which the pump (1) is used. |
| US09404491B2 |
Scroll pump having bellows providing angular synchronization and back-up system for bellows
A scroll pump has a metallic bellows that angularly synchronizes the stationary and orbiting scroll blades of the pump, and a hack-up system for the bellows. The back-up system consists of pins integral with and fixed relative to one of the stationary and orbital parts of the scroll pump, and a guide part that is integral with and fixed relative to the other of the stationary and orbital parts. The back-up system may be a non-contacting hack-up system in which there is no contact between the pins and guide part during normal operation of the pump. Therefore, no particles are created by a wearing away of such parts which would otherwise have the potential to contaminate the fluid being worked by the pump and reduce the useful life of the pump. |
| US09404490B2 |
Finger-type peristaltic pump
The invention provides a finger-type peristaltic pump (2) having a body (4) and a housing (6). The body contains two or more finger-type valves (16) and a processor (22) configured to operate the valves according to a predetermined temporo-spatial pattern. The housing has a passageway (18) configured to receive a conduit. The housing has a first position in which a conduit in the passageway is positioned adjacent to the valve fingers, and a second position in which a conduit in the passageway is not adjacent to the valve fingers. The invention also provides a housing for use in the pump of the invention. |
| US09404485B2 |
Double hydraulic machine with a distribution valve and a driving system comprising such a hydraulic machine
The present invention relates to a double hydraulic machine (100) comprising two elementary machines (M1, M2) each having two orifices, the double hydraulic machine (100) comprising a distribution valve (7) suitable for, in a first configuration (C1), feeding both elementary machines (M1, M2) in parallel, and in a second configuration (C2), producing a short circuit of one of the elementary machines (M2). The invention also relates to a system for driving a vehicle comprising such a hydraulic machine (100) for driving the vehicle into motion. |
| US09404480B2 |
System and method of capturing geothermal heat from within a drilled well to generate electricity
A closed-loop, solid-state system generates electricity from geothermal heat from a well by flow of heat, without needing large quantities of water to conduct heat from the ground. The present invention contemplates uses for depleted oil or gas wells and newly drilled wells to generate electricity in an environmentally-friendly method. Geothermal heat is conducted from the Earth to a heat exchanging element to heat the contents of pipes. The pipes are insulated between the bottom of the well and the surface to minimize heat dissipation as the heated contents of the pipes travel to the surface. |
| US09404478B2 |
Methods and systems for operating a wind turbine in noise reduced operation modes
According to the present disclosure, a method of operating a wind turbine including operating the wind turbine in a noise reduction mode based on at least one set point of a wind turbine parameter such that noise produced by said wind turbine remains below a predefined noise emission level, obtaining an actual air density related value, and applying a correction factor to the at least one set point of a wind turbine parameter is provided. The correction factor is determined in dependence of said actual air density related value. |
| US09404471B2 |
Hydraulic engine including hydraulic power unit
Provided is a hydraulic engine that generates power using oil pressure, the hydraulic engine including: a hydraulic power unit including a hydraulic tube comprising a hollow portion having an opened front end and being filled with a fluid, an amplitude amplification device that is disposed at the rear side of the hydraulic tube, an oscillator that is disposed at the rear side of the amplitude amplification device so as to be deformed and increases and decreases a pressure within the hydraulic tube, and an oscillator head that is attached to a front end of the oscillator. |
| US09404470B2 |
Hydraulic machine and method of operating same
In one embodiment, a hydraulic machine includes a runner including a plurality of blades arranged in a ring shape, a crown connected to the blades from an upper side and having a lower end surface at a position surrounded by the blades, and a band connected to the blades from a lower side, the runner being configured to convert energy of pressured water into rotational energy. The machine further includes a main shaft configured to transmit the rotational energy of the runner to a generator, and a draft pipe located downstream of the runner, and configured so that the water used to drive the runner flows into the draft pipe. The machine further includes a columnar member disposed on a rotation axis of the main shaft below the crown, and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lower end surface of the crown. |
| US09404466B2 |
Method for evaluating an engine starting system
An internal combustion engine employs a starting system. A method for evaluating the starting system includes determining a cranking resistance ratio between a starter and a battery of the starting system during engine cranking. The cranking resistance ratio is normalized based upon an operating temperature of the starting system, and the starting system is evaluated based upon the normalized cranking resistance ratio. |
| US09404465B2 |
Starting battery for an internal combustion engine
A starting battery for use with an electric starting system includes a starter motor and a battery receiver. The starting battery includes a lithium-ion battery cell, two voltage output terminals, and an enable terminal. The voltage output terminals of the starting battery are configured to connect to two voltage output terminals of the battery receiver to complete a circuit between the lithium-ion battery cell and the starter motor when the starting battery is attached to the battery receiver. The enable terminal of the starting battery is configured to connect to an enable terminal of the battery receiver to receive an enable signal to the starting battery to allow the starting battery to provide power to the starter motor to start an internal combustion engine. |
| US09404464B2 |
Controlled engine shutdown method and engine shutdown prediction for exhaust system durability
A controlled engine shutdown method is disclosed that includes monitoring exhaust system temperature, monitoring operator shutdown commands, and delaying engine shutdown based on exhaust system temperature. The method can include inhibiting any process that affects exhaust temperatures, for example DPF regeneration. The method can use a shutdown timer, allow operator override of the shutdown delay, and display a delay notification message. The method can also include predicting when an engine shutdown is expected, and delaying or aborting any process that would affect exhaust temperatures when an engine shutdown is predicted. Predicting can include monitoring various machine states, determining an average activity interval for the machine, determining a geographic shutdown area, determining a shutdown time of day and/or monitoring a machine fluid level. |
| US09404463B2 |
Method for performing evaporative emission system diagnostics on engines configured for stop-start operation
A method of operating an engine in a vehicle equipped with an evaporative emissions system is described. The engine is configured to perform automatically an engine stop and an engine restart when the vehicle stops moving to increase fuel economy of the vehicle. The method includes the steps of determining if an engine stop is allowed while a diagnostic test of the of the evaporative emissions system is being performed if an engine stop is requested, and preventing the engine stop if the engine stop is not allowed. |
| US09404461B2 |
Method and system for engine starting
A method and a system for improving operation of an automatically started engine are described. In one example, engine speed is adjusted to a sole run-up speed and, held at the desired engine run-up speed for a desired period, before being ramped to an idle speed. |
| US09404454B2 |
Fuel level sensor for marine fuel vapor separator external to unit
A fuel vapor separator assembly including a housing having an open interior and a float disposed therein. At least one magnet is disposed on the float, and a sensor assembly which is responsive to magnetic fields is disposed externally of the housing. The sensor assembly senses the position of the float to determine whether vapor is present in the fuel vapor separator. If the sensor assembly determines that vapor is present in the fuel vapor separator, then it generates a signal, which a controller receives and activates a vapor vent valve to discharge the vapor and/or activates a fuel lift pump to pump additional fuel into the fuel vapor separator. The sensor assembly could be, for example, a Hall effect sensor or a reed-type sensor. |
| US09404451B2 |
Automotive air cleaner elements with attachment/insulation feature
A number of variations may include an air cleaner assembly which comprises a first housing portion having at least one air inlet aperture. The air cleaner assembly may further include a second housing portion operably coupled to the first housing portion and having at least one air outlet aperture. Moreover, a filter media may be disposed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. At least one insulator may be integrally formed with the filter media. The entire filter media including the insulator may be removable and replaceable. |
| US09404447B2 |
Cooler having liquid separator for use with an internal combustion engine
A cooler for an internal combustion engine may include a cooler block including a gas path for communicating a gas flow along a gas flow direction and a coolant path for communicating a coolant flow. The gas path and the coolant path may be thermally coupled to each other and may be fluidly separated from each other. The cooler may include a liquid separator for separating a liquid from the gas flow. The liquid separator may be arranged on the cooler block at an outlet side of the gas path. The liquid separator may include a reservoir for the separated liquid and an evaporator for evaporating the separated liquid. |
| US09404446B2 |
Vehicle fuel vapor recovery system
A vehicle fuel vapor recovery system includes a compartment wall structure, a fuel filler tube and an air vent chamber structure. The compartment wall structure has a tube receiving opening and a vent opening. The fuel filler tube has a fuel receiving end located within the fuel filler compartment and a fuel tank attachment end located outside of the fuel filler compartment. The air vent chamber structure has a first wall located outside of the fuel filler compartment and a second wall extending from the first wall to an outer surface of the fuel filler tube. The first wall, the second wall, the fuel filler compartment wall structure, and the fuel filler tube cooperate to define an air vent chamber. |
| US09404445B2 |
Evaporated fuel treatment apparatus
An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus includes a diagnosis section for leak diagnosis of an evaporated fuel tightly-closed system. In first diagnosis stage in which an atmosphere on-off valve is in close state after an ignition switch is turned off, the diagnosis section performs first leak diagnosis, based on relationship between tank internal pressure detected by a tank internal pressure sensor and first threshold value; and in second diagnosis stage in which the atmosphere on-off valve is in close state after completion of first leak diagnosis, the diagnosis section performs second leak diagnosis, based on relationship between tank internal pressure detected by the tank internal pressure sensor and second threshold value. The atmosphere on-off valve is once opened after completion of first leak diagnosis. First threshold value is set with larger deviation from the atmospheric pressure compared with second threshold value used in second diagnosis stage. |
| US09404436B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine using a corrected energizing time for fuel injections
Methods and apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine are provided. The engine has an engine block defining a cylinder accommodating a reciprocating piston coupled to rotate a crankshaft, a fuel injector for injecting fuel inside the cylinder, and a crank position sensor positioned proximal to the crankshaft. A method includes commanding the fuel injector to perform a test fuel injection with a predetermined energizing time and using the crank position sensor to determine a crankshaft acceleration signal during the test fuel injection. The crankshaft acceleration signal is filtered and a value of an amplitude of a fundamental frequency component of the filtered crankshaft acceleration signal is determined. A correction factor of the predetermined energizing time is determined based on a difference between the determined value of the amplitude and a preset value thereof. The correction factor is used to correct an energizing time of subsequent fuel injections. |
| US09404432B2 |
Methods and systems for fuel ethanol content determination via an oxygen sensor
Methods are provided for accurately learning part-to-part variability of an intake or exhaust oxygen sensor. A correction factor is learned based on a sensor reading in dry air conditions, the dry air reading learned by applying a higher reference voltage to the sensor. An ethanol transfer function is then adjusted based on the learned correction factor so as to improve the accuracy of combusted fuel ethanol content estimation. |
| US09404429B2 |
Control system for dual-fuel engine
A control system is provided for use with a dual-fuel engine. The control system may have a detonation sensor configured to generate a detonation signal indicative of detonation within at least one associated cylinder of the dual-fuel engine, and a governor sensor configured to generate a demand signal associated with a demand for liquid fuel supply into the dual-fuel engine based on an output of the engine. The control system may also have a detection sensor configured to generate a detection signal indicative of a gaseous fuel presence outside the dual-fuel engine, and a controller in communication with the detonation sensor, the governor sensor, and the detection sensor. The controller may be configured to determine undesired flow of gaseous fuel based on any one or more of the detonation, demand, or detection signals. |
| US09404426B2 |
Methods and systems for enhancing control of power plant generating units
A control method for optimizing an operation of a power plant having generating units during a selected operating period subdivided so to include regular intervals within which each of the generating units comprises one of an on-condition and an off-condition. The control method may include: determining a preferred case for each of the competing operating modes for the intervals; based upon the preferred cases, selecting proposed turndown operating sequences for the selected operating period; determining a shutdown operation for each of the generating units comprising the off-condition for one or more intervals during the selected operating period and, therefrom, calculating a shutdown economic outcome; determining a turndown operation for each of the generating units comprising the on-condition for one or more intervals during the selected operating period and, therefrom, calculating a turndown economic outcome; calculating a sequence economic outcome for each of the proposed turndown operating sequences; and comparing the sequence economic outcomes. |
| US09404423B2 |
Fuel staging system
A fuel staging system is described which comprises a staging valve 28 operable to divide a metered fuel supply between a pilot delivery line 18 and a mains delivery line 16, and a recirculation valve 54 connected to the mains delivery line 16 and operable to permit a recirculation fuel flow to be supplied to the mains delivery line 16 when the staging valve 28 occupies a position in which substantially no fuel is delivered to the mains delivery line 16 through the staging valve 28. |
| US09404422B2 |
Gas turbine fuel injector having flow guide for receiving air flow
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a fuel injector assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine with a compressor section and a combustion section. The fuel injector assembly includes a stem defining a fuel path for fuel and a flow guide coupled to and extending along the stem. The flow guide receives an air flow. The assembly further includes a swirler apparatus coupled to the stem and configured to receive the fuel. The swirler apparatus is further coupled to the flow guide and configured to receive the air flow. The swirler apparatus is configured to mix the fuel and the air flow and direct the mixture into a combustor of the combustor assembly. |
| US09404421B2 |
Structural support bracket for gas flow path
A structural support system is provided in a can annular gas turbine engine having an arrangement including a plurality of integrated exit pieces (IEPs) forming an annular chamber for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors to a first row of turbine blades. A bracket structure is connected between an IEP and an inner support structure on the engine. The bracket structure includes an axial bracket member attached to an IEP and extending axially in a forward direction. A transverse bracket member has an end attached to the inner support structure and extends circumferentially to a connection with a forward end of the axial bracket member. The transverse bracket member provides a fixed radial position for the forward end of the axial bracket member and is flexible in the axial direction to permit axial movement of the axial bracket member. |
| US09404419B2 |
Method for optimizing the operability of an aircraft propulsive unit, and self-contained power unit for implementing same
A method for optimizing operability of an aircraft propulsive unit, and a self-contained power unit implementing the method. The method removes mechanical bleed constraints in engines during transient flight phases of an aircraft to optimize operability of the engine assembly during the phases. To this end, a supply of power is provided, particularly during the phases, by an additional indirectly propulsive engine power source. The method for optimizing operability of the propulsive unit of an aircraft including main engines as main drive sources includes, using a main engine power unit GPP as a power source, providing all the non-propulsive power and, during the transient engine phases, at most partially providing additional power to the body of the main engines. |
| US09404416B2 |
Generator compressor combination power system
Disclosed is a generator compressor combination power system based upon an internal combustion engine directly coupled to a generator and a compressor assembly. The engine, generator and compressor each having an operating drive shaft all positioned along the same axis, the generator is used to produce electricity and the compressor is used to compress gas. |
| US09404414B2 |
Internal combustion engine coupled turbocharger with an infinitely variable transmission
A turbocharger for use with an internal combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger comprises a differential device having a carrier portion, a compressor portion, and a turbine portion. The compressor portion is in driving engagement with a first portion of the differential device. The turbine portion is in driving engagement with a second portion of the differential device. The carrier portion of the differential device is in driving engagement with an infinitely variable transmission. The infinitely variable transmission is in driving engagement with the internal combustion engine. The turbocharger is simply controlled, reduces turbo lag, decreases a boost threshold of the turbocharger, and increases an efficiency of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09404406B2 |
Catalyst for use in a process for purifying exhaust gas from gasoline engines of a fuel-direct-injection type
A catalyst for use in a process for purifying exhaust gas from a gasoline engine of the fuel-direct-injection type that varies, in response to changes in the air-fuel ratio, between a first exhaust-gas state featured by an air-fuel ratio in the vicinity of the stoichiometrical air-fuel ratio, and a second exhaust-gas state that forms a more oxidizing, low-temperature atmosphere and that is featured by an air-fuel ratio greater than the stoichiometrical air-fuel ratio, the catalyst being obtained by causing a noble metal and a rare-earth oxide and/or a transition metal to be carried by or to be mixed with a fire-resistant inorganic oxide. |
| US09404404B2 |
Heat exchanger for a metering unit of an SCR exhaust-gas aftertreatment device
The invention relates to a heat exchanger (50) for a dosing unit of an SCR (selective catalytic reduction) exhaust gas treatment device (10), wherein an adjustable volume of a fluid can be discharged by a dosing unit into an exhaust gas system (177) of an internal combustion engine (155). The heat exchanger (50) has at least one fluid channel (52) through which air can flow, wherein said fluid channel (52) is routed around at least a subregion of an outer peripheral wall (54) of a dosing valve (34) of the dosing unit (100).In a further aspect, the invention relates to an SCR dosing unit (100) having a heat exchanger (50) according to the invention, wherein an air intake system (78) is arranged on the dosing unit (100), such that it is possible for air to be conveyed into the heat exchanger (50) during operation of the internal combustion engine (155). Finally, an exhaust gas treatment device (10) for an internal combustion engine (155) is suggested which is particularly suited for a vehicle engine, and preferably a diesel engine, and which has a dosing unit according to the invention. |
| US09404399B2 |
Exhaust valve assembly for a two-stroke engine
An exhaust valve assembly has a valve actuator, a first valve part (FVP) operatively connected to the actuator, a second valve part (SVP), and at least one auxiliary valve operatively connected to the second valve part. When the actuator is in a first position, the FVP is in a fourth position, the SVP is in a seventh position and the at least one auxiliary valve is in a ninth position. When the actuator is in a second position, the FVP is in a fifth position, the SVP is in the seventh position and the at least one auxiliary valve is in the ninth position. When the actuator is in a third position, the FVP is in a sixth position, the SVP is in an eighth position and the at least one auxiliary valve is in a tenth position. The second position is intermediate the first and third positions. |
| US09404398B2 |
Continuously variable valve timing device
A continuously variable valve timing device is provided and includes a cam sprocket connected with a camshaft having a plurality of cams to rotate the camshaft and an electric variable valve timing mechanism connected with the cam sprocket, and driven by an electric motor. A chain cover protects the cam sprocket and a chain system from foreign substances and an electric variable valve timing mechanism cover protects the electric variable valve timing mechanism from foreign substances. A seal ring partitions an internal space between the electric variable valve timing mechanism and the electric variable valve timing mechanism cover. In addition, a pressure maintaining device is mounted within the electric variable valve timing mechanism cover to maintain pressure formed within the internal space of the electric variable valve timing mechanism cover at about atmospheric pressure. |
| US09404397B2 |
Engine valve position sensing systems and methods
A vehicle system includes a position sensor, a current supply module, and a mode indicator module. The position sensor includes: an electromagnet (EM) that generates a magnetic field proximate to one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an engine; and a Hall-effect sensor that generates a position signal indicating a position of the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve based on the magnetic field. The current supply module supplies current to the EM. The mode indicator module indicates whether the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve is being actuated in a low lift mode or a high lift mode based on the position signal. |
| US09404396B2 |
Motor vehicle valve train adjustment device
In a motor vehicle valve train adjustment device comprising at least one camshaft with at least two axially displaceable cam elements wherein at least one cam element has a cam track with a valve lift and a cam track with zero valve lift for a deactivation of at least one cylinder, and at least one other cam element of the at least two axially displaceable cam elements has a cam track with a first valve lift and a cam track with a second valve lift by which a cylinder which remains fueled during a partial cylinder deactivation is adapted to the at least one cylinder deactivation by special valve lift characteristics. |
| US09404395B2 |
Selective pressure kettle boiler for rotor air cooling applications
A system for use in a combined cycle power plant including gas and steam turbines includes a single kettle boiler and a valve system. The valve system is operated such that feedwater from a first source passes into the kettle boiler during certain operating conditions, whereas feedwater from a second source passes into the kettle boiler during other operating conditions, wherein the first and second sources have feedwater under different pressures. Rotor cooling air extracted from a compressor section of the gas turbine is cooled with the feedwater in the kettle boiler, wherein at least a portion of the feedwater is evaporated in the kettle boiler by heat transferred to the feedwater from the rotor cooling air to create steam, wherein the valve system is operated to selectively deliver the steam to a first or second steam receiving unit depending on the operating conditions. |
| US09404386B2 |
System and method for monitoring health of airfoils
A method comprising the steps of determining normalized delta times of arrival corresponding to a plurality of blades based upon actual times of arrival corresponding to the plurality of blades, and determining static deflections of the plurality of blades by removing effects of one or more common factors from the normalized delta times of arrival corresponding to the plurality of blades. |
| US09404381B2 |
Turbine engine transmission gutter
A turbine engine case defines a centerline and a gaspath within the engine case. A fan is coupled to a fan shaft. A transmission couples the shaft to the fan shaft to drive the fan and comprises a gear system. A gutter system is positioned to capture lubricating fluid slung from the gear system. The gutter system includes a gutter extending partially circumferentially about the centerline having a first circumferential end edge. An inlet channel has an inlet at the gutter first circumferential end edge and locally radially outboard of the gutter. At least one vane is spaced apart from the gutter first circumferential end edge. |
| US09404379B2 |
Gas turbine shroud assemblies
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a gas turbine shroud assembly. The shroud assembly may include a shroud structure that defines a first cooling chamber and a second cooling chamber. The shroud assembly may also include a first impingement plate disposed within the first cooling chamber and a second impingement plate disposed within the second cooling chamber. Further, the shroud assembly may include one or more cooling channels formed within the shroud structure. The cooling channels may be configured to connect the first cooling chamber with the second cooling chamber. The shroud assembly may also include a flow of cooling air in communication with the first cooling chamber. In this manner, the flow of cooling air may flow from the first cooling chamber to the second cooling chamber by way of the one or more cooling channels. |
| US09404375B2 |
Shaft seal device and rotary machine including shaft seal device
A shaft seal device includes a seal piece-laminated body with a plurality of thin seal pieces laminated in a circumferential direction along a rotating shaft. Outer ends of the plurality of thin seal pieces in the radial direction are connected to each other. Inner ends of the thin seal pieces in the radial direction are formed as free ends. A small gap is formed between each adjacent pair of the thin seal pieces. A small gap is formed between the rotating shaft and the seal piece-laminated body. A wear-resistant treatment layer is formed on a surface of a portion of each of the thin seal pieces close to the inner end. |
| US09404374B2 |
Trunnion hole repair utilizing interference fit inserts
A vane shroud for a gas turbine engine has a cylindrical shaped body and a hole arranged at a circumference of the body. The hole is for receiving a trunnion from a variable vane. A counterbore is arranged concentrically around the hole on a radially inward facing surface of the body, and receives a trunnion hub from the variable vane. A shrink-fit insert is seated into the counterbore such that the trunnion hub is provided with a contact surface, and the shrink-fit insert is secured to the shroud through an interference fit. |
| US09404373B2 |
Turbine-blade retaining structure and rotary machine having the same
A turbine-blade retaining structure in which deformation of end portions of locking pieces exposed through an insertion window portion in the axial direction is prevented, and the occurrence of a crack in a welded portion is prevented. At least one of the end portions of adjacent locking pieces exposed through the insertion window portion is provided with a thick-plate portion that expands in the disc-thickness direction so as to be inside the insertion window portion. |
| US09404369B2 |
Airfoil having minimum distance ribs
An airfoil includes an airfoil body that defines a longitudinal axis. The airfoil body includes a leading edge and a trailing edge and a first side wall and a second side wall that is spaced apart from the first side wall to define a camber line there between. The first side wall and the second side wall join the leading edge and the trailing edge and at least partially define a cavity in the airfoil body. Multiple ribs extend longitudinally in the cavity and are laterally spaced apart from each other relative to the longitudinal axis. In at least one plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each of the ribs connects the first side wall and the second side wall along respective minimum distance directions that are perpendicular to the camber line. At least two of the respective minimum distance directions are non-parallel. |
| US09404366B2 |
Gear wheel with profile capable of meshing with semi-encapsulation in a geared hydraulic apparatus
A gear wheel comprising a plurality of helical teeth, each helical tooth of the gear wheel having a tooth profile meshing with semi-encapsulation in a geared hydraulic apparatus. Each tooth having a profile which falls within a band of tolerance of +− 1/15 of the depth of a nominal tooth defined by a spline function interpolating a plurality of node points having pre-established coordinates {X,Y} with their origin on the gear wheel center. |
| US09404365B2 |
Steam diffusing apparatus and related methods
A steam diffusing apparatus may include a steam inlet tube having steam-dispersion openings adjacent a lower end thereof and a mass of filaments surrounding the plurality of steam dispersion openings. The steam diffusing apparatus may also include a retaining tube surrounding the mass of filaments, a housing surrounding the retaining tube and having outlet openings therein, and an upper end cap coupled to an upper end of the housing and having an opening therein receiving the steam inlet tube. A lower end cap may be coupled to a lower end of the housing. |
| US09404364B2 |
Rock bolting system, method of installing rock bolts, and flexible bolt centralizer
A bolt centralizer for a bolting feed in a rock bolt system has a flexible body capable of elastically flexing from an upright posture for centralizing a rock bolt to a folded posture that permits a bolting feed to advance. The centralizer includes a passage for guiding the rock bolt into a hole drilled by the rock bolt system. The centralizer also includes a base for fastening the centralizer to a sliding carriage adapted to travel over rails of the bolting feed. |
| US09404361B2 |
Multiphase flow in a wellbore and connected hydraulic fracture
One or more computer-readable media include computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to iteratively solve a system of equations that model a wellbore and fracture network in a reservoir where the system of equations includes equations for multiphase flow in a porous medium, equations for multiphase flow between a fracture and a wellbore, and equations for multiphase flow between a formation of a reservoir and a fracture. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09404360B2 |
Fiber optic sensor system using white light interferometry
A downhole fiber optic apparatus for acquiring downhole information includes a carrier conveyable in a borehole, an electromagnetic energy emitter coupled to the carrier, and a fiber optic sensor that receives electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter and generates an optical output signal representative of the downhole information. A method for acquiring downhole information includes conveying a carrier in a borehole, emitting electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy emitter coupled to the carrier, receiving electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter with a fiber optic sensor, and generating an optical signal representative of the downhole information using the fiber optic sensor. |
| US09404358B2 |
Wiper plug for determining the orientation of a casing string in a wellbore
A system for determining the orientation of a casing string in a wellbore. The system includes a downhole tool disposed interiorly of the casing string in a known orientation relative to at least one feature of the casing string. A sensor module is operably associated with the downhole tool and is configured to obtain data relating to the orientation of the casing string. A communication module is operably associated with the sensor module. The communication module is configured to transmit information to a surface location, wherein, the information corresponds to the data obtained by the sensor module relating to the orientation of the casing string. |
| US09404354B2 |
Closed loop well twinning methods
Closed loop methods for drilling twin wells are disclosed. The disclosed method make use of a bottom hole assembly including a rotary steerable tool. An electrical current is induced in the target well. The corresponding magnetic field about the target well is measured in the twin well and used to guide drilling of the twin well. |
| US09404353B2 |
Well treatment device, method, and system
A down-hole treatment tool including a tool body having a bore therethrough, a treatment port orifice disposed on the body, a sliding sleeve within the bore of the body. A constant-volume annular chamber, in isolation from the inner bore and the environment outside the body, provides a debris-free environment for locking the sleeve. A dissolvable treatment port cover provides protection of the treatment port until operation of the treatment port is needed. The treatment port cover and lubrication ports enable lubrication of the sleeve and inner bore of the body without risk of contamination by debris. |
| US09404347B1 |
Apparatus and method for connecting a riser from an offshore rig to a subsea structure
In one aspect, a method of connecting a riser from an offshore rig to wellhead equipment that includes a first connector is disclosed. The method, in one non-limiting embodiment, includes lowering a riser of sufficient length having a second connector at a lower end thereof adapted to connect to the first connector of the wellhead equipment, wherein the riser is in fluid communication with and is filled with the sea water; closing the riser proximate to the lower end of the riser after lowering the riser; displacing the sea water in the riser with a fluid that is heavier than the sea water to straighten the riser and the second connector; and connecting the second connector to the first connector. |
| US09404346B2 |
Latch position indicator system and method
Latch position indicator systems remotely determine whether a latch assembly is latched or unlatched. The latch assembly may be a single latch assembly or a dual latch assembly. An oilfield device may be positioned with the latch assembly. Non-contact (position), contact (on/off and/or position) and hydraulic (flowmeter), both direct and indirect, embodiments include fluid measurement systems, an electrical switch system, a mechanical valve system, and proximity sensor systems. |
| US09404344B2 |
Remediation of asphaltene-induced plugging of wellbores and production lines
A method of treating a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprising: providing an asphaltene solvent, wherein the asphaltene solvent comprises at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide and introducing the asphaltene solvent into the wellbore. |
| US09404338B2 |
Methods and apparatus for improved cement plug placement
A method and apparatus for making real-time measurements of downhole properties during cement plug placement. A wired placement conduit is lowered downhole releasing a sensor package. The sensor package is capable of measuring downhole properties in real-time in the period while the cement plug sets. |
| US09404337B1 |
Caged ball fractionation plug
A caged ball fractionation plug for use in a wellbore with a crown engagement having a tapered nose cone and various load ring, slips, slip backups, lubricating spacers and seals can all be slidably engaged to the mandrel. Upon applying pressure, the slidably engaged components can be compressed against each other and the plug can expand and bite into the casing of the wellbore. The caged ball portion of the plug seats the ball internal to the plug to create two separate fractionation zones in the wellbore. |
| US09404335B2 |
Annular barrier system with flow lines
The present invention relates to an annular barrier system (100) connected with a well head (40) via a well tubular structure (3), comprising a first annular barrier (1) and a second annular barrier (21) to be expanded in an annulus (2) between the well tubular structure and an inside wall (4) of a casing (20) or a borehole (5) downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone (8) and a second zone (9), each annular barrier comprising a tubular part (6) extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an expandable sleeve (7) surrounding the tubular part and defining a space (13), an opening (11) for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve, and a first connection part (15) and a second connection part (16) connecting the expandable sleeve with the tubular part, and wherein the first connection part is arranged nearest to the well head, the system further comprising a flow line (17) fluidly connecting the well head with the opening for supplying fluid to the opening for expanding the expandable sleeve. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a well completion system and method. |
| US09404333B2 |
Dual barrier open water well completion systems
A well completion system in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a shallow set barrier installed in an upper completion section of a well, a deep set barrier installed in a lower section of the well, a first sensor disposed to gauge a pressure in a first area between the deep set barrier and the shallow set barrier and a communication device to communicate the gauged pressure. The lower section may be located below a production completion when it is installed in the upper completion section. |
| US09404327B2 |
Methods for evaluating borehole volume changes while drilling
A method identifying a wellbore volume change while drilling a subterranean wellbore includes acquiring first and second axially spaced pressure measurements in the wellbore. The wellbore volume change may include, for example, a borehole washout or a borehole pack-off. The pressure measurements may then be processed to obtain an interval density of drilling fluid between the measurement locations. A tool string including a large number of axially spaced pressure sensors (e.g., four or more or even six or more) electronically coupled with a surface processor via wired drill pipe may be used to obtain a plurality of interval densities corresponding to various wellbore intervals. The interval densities may be measured while drilling and may be further evaluated as an indicator of a wellbore volume change. |
| US09404326B2 |
Downhole tool for use in a drill string
A downhole tool in a drill string for mitigating hazards of a blockage in an annulus of the drill string. The downhole tool can sense blockages and selectively recirculate flow from within the annulus back to surface. Further, the downhole tool is made up of segments that are selectively detachable from one another, so that the segments above the point of detachment are removable from a wellbore. The bypass assembly includes a sleeve in the downhole tool with openings in its side; when the annulus reaches a set pressure, the sleeve slides to a position so the openings register with ports formed through a side of the tool to allow bypass flow. A processor in the downhole tool senses movement of the string, and when the string is axially stationary more than a designated period of time, the processor emits signals to detach the segments. |
| US09404324B2 |
Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings
Spin-in and spin-out apparatus and methods are presented wherein an oilfield tubular spinner used in combination with a wrench detects the shouldering-up of tubulars during make-up and tubular thread disengagement during break-out. Sensors are employed to quantify measurables indicative of shouldering-up and thread disengagement, the measurables being used to shutdown spin-in and spin-out operations. Thresholds are employed to detect measurable values of interest. Timers may be employed to monitor and control the spin-in and spin-out operations. |
| US09404320B2 |
Riser stringer hang-off assembly
A hang-off assembly for supporting a riser string from an off-shore drilling rig. The hang-off assembly includes a housing with a passage through the housing and an open section allowing access to the entire length of the passage from outside the housing. The assembly also includes a gate member movable relative to the housing from an open position to a closed position, the gate member preventing access to the passage through the open section when in the closed position. A motor moves the gate member between the open and closed positions. An adapter attachable to the riser string includes a profile landable in the housing to support the riser string when connected to the adapter. |
| US09404315B2 |
Method and connector assembly for connecting tubular members
The invention provides a method of joining tubular members. |
| US09404314B2 |
Reciprocating debris exclusion device for downhole connectors
The invention addresses ways to protect the free ends of communication lines from debris during downhole connection. A lower assembly, positioned downhole, has a lower connector with a free end of a communication line. An upper assembly is moved downhole and has an upper connector. A reciprocating member with attached protective cover is mounted for movement on the lower assembly. A second reciprocating member with attached protective cover is mounted for reciprocating movement on the upper assembly. The free ends are connected as the upper and lower assemblies are moved toward one another. Upon disconnection, the upper and lower connectors are moved apart and the reciprocating members return to their initial positions, again protecting the free ends of the communication lines. The covers are preferably biased towards a closed position and return to a closed state upon disconnection. |
| US09404312B2 |
Cutting structures for fixed cutter drill bit and other downhole cutting tools
A downhole cutting tool may include a tool body; a plurality of blades extending azimuthally from the tool body; and a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the plurality of blades, the plurality of cutting elements comprising: at least two conical cutting elements comprising a substrate and a diamond layer having a conical cutting end, wherein at least one of the at least two conical cutting elements has a positive back rake angle, and at least one of the at least two conical cutting elements has a negative back rake angle. |
| US09404310B1 |
Polycrystalline diamond compacts including a domed polycrystalline diamond table, and applications therefor
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a domed polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table that exhibit improved wear resistance and/or thermal stability. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate having an interfacial surface, and a domed PCD table bonded to the interfacial surface of the substrate. The domed PCD table includes an exterior, convex generally cylindrical peripheral surface extending away from the interfacial surface of the substrate. The domed PCD table further includes a domed portion defining an upper, convex generally spherical surface, and an optional chamfer extending between the exterior, convex generally cylindrical peripheral surface and the upper, convex generally spherical surface. |
| US09404309B2 |
Diamond bonded construction with thermally stable region
Diamond bonded constructions comprise a polycrystalline diamond body having a matrix phase of bonded-together diamond grains and a plurality of interstitial regions between the diamond grains including a catalyst material used to form the diamond body disposed within the interstitial regions. A sintered thermally stable diamond element is disposed within and bonded to the diamond body, and is configured and positioned to form part of a working surface. The thermally stable diamond element is bonded to the polycrystalline diamond body, and a substrate is bonded to the polycrystalline diamond body. The thermally stable diamond element comprises a plurality of bonded-together diamond grains and interstitial regions, wherein the interstitial regions are substantially free of a catalyst material used to make or sinter the thermally stable diamond element. A barrier material may be disposed over or infiltrated into one or more surfaces of the thermally stable diamond element. |
| US09404307B2 |
Method and system for directional drilling
A method and system for directionally drilling a wellbore. The method includes measuring an off-bottom rotating torque applied to a drill string in the wellbore. A steerable drilling motor is oriented proximate a bottom of the drill string in a selected direction, and a surface rotational orientation of the drill string is measured. Torque is applied to the drill string at the surface to maintain the surface rotational orientation. The applied torque is automatically increased and decreased by a selected amount related to the measured off-bottom rotating torque. |
| US09404305B1 |
Portable and adaptable platform
A platform apparatus comprising: a deck structure; a ladder structure; and at least one hinge element which pivotably connects the ladder structure to the deck structure. The hinge element can be locked in a plurality of pivot angles of the ladder structure with respect to the deck structure in a range of from about 105° to about 150°. |
| US09404299B2 |
Home appliance with adjustable hinges
A home appliance having an adjustable door and including an appliance body defining a cavity therein, defining an access opening to the cavity and carrying the door, with the door being movable between a generally vertical covering relationship with the access opening and a generally horizontal open relationship with the access opening; and at least one hinge assembly operatively associated with the door, the hinge assembly including an adjustable hinge receiver and a claw mounted to the hinge receiver and the door to extend therebetween, the hinge receiver including an adjustment assembly operatively connected to the claw for at least one of raising the door and lowering the door with respect to the appliance body, the adjustment assembly including a user-accessible adjustment member, wherein the adjustment member and the claw are in general vertical alignment and the adjustment member is disposed above the claw. |
| US09404294B1 |
Astragal with adjustable length shoot bolt drive linkage
An adjustable length astragal having a housing with an upper shoot bolt and a lower shoot bolt positioned adjacent opposite ends of the housing. An actuator is attached to the housing, connected to and configured to simultaneously extend or retract the upper and lower shoot bolts. An adjustable connection assembly is provided between the actuator and at least one of the shoot bolts. The connection assembly adjusts the distance between the actuator and the respective shoot bolt in each of the shoot bolt's extended and retracted positions. |
| US09404292B2 |
Vehicular door handle assembly with deployable latch connection
When activated, a handle assembly selectively allows the door latch of a door of a motor vehicle to be released. The handle assembly includes a base fixedly secured to the door and a handle assembly which in its passive state has minimal to no presence in the opening chain of the door latch. The handle assembly includes a handle strap with a handle grip or activation lever which allows completion of the force chain to the latch, thus selectively allowing desired door opening. |
| US09404289B2 |
Anti-theft device
An anti-theft tag that has a fixed component and a moving component, with the moving component moved to frictionally clamp and secure the anti-theft tag onto an article without damaging the article. |
| US09404285B2 |
Cylinder guard for deadbolt lock
A cylinder guard for a deadbolt lock having a face portion and an inner portion. The inner portion includes a radial flange and an axial flange created by forming the wall of the guard into a doubled portion. Indentations are formed in the axial flange which enhances the resistance of the guard to an attack upon the deadbolt. The guard also includes a tapered blow-deflecting portion between the inner portion and face portion. A crush zone may be formed between the inner and face portions to attenuate the energy from an attack that is transferred to the axial and radial flanges. A method for making the guard includes stamping a body from steel strip using a multi-station press. |
| US09404279B1 |
Fitness walking facility
An indoor facility includes an enclosed arena; an entrance for patrons to enter and exit the facility; a reception counter to receive patrons and collect money; a track inside the facility, the track having a plurality of lanes and dividing lines therebetween; a plurality of dividers along the dividing lines, the dividers comprising walls that are at least partially opaque; a plurality of lockers with adjacent seating; a plurality of customer seating areas comprising at least seating inside the entrance and in the middle of the track; a plurality of pet locations including a pet training area, a pet dog relief park, a pet party room, and a pet shop with accessories, toys and treats; and advertising and information walls. |
| US09404277B2 |
Apparatus for positioning anchor bolts
Apparatus for positioning anchor bolts in formwork comprises a main body having a longitudinal slot, one or more bolt holders slidable within the slot and each adapted to hold a bolt, and two abutments slidable within the slot outboard of the bolt holders. The main body may be positioned on the formwork, with the abutments outboard of the formwork, and with the bolt holders in the main body slot. After the bolt holders have been laterally positioned relative to the formwork, with their abutments positioned against the formwork, the bolt holders and abutments may be fastened to the main body, and the main body attached to the formwork, thus holding the bolts in position relative to the formwork. In variant embodiments, either or both of the abutments may fixed to or integral with the main body, as may be the bolt holder. |
| US09404276B2 |
Aid for laying flooring tiles
An aid for laying floor tiles on an adhesive bed applied to a floor surface including a support handle having a first and second end, as well as a supporting surface provided at each end, wherein each supporting surface can be supported on the floor surface and wherein each supporting surface is provided with several projections spaced apart such that a support is realized by means of which the tiler can be supported on the floor surface while carrying out work, so that the occurrence of injuries and other physical discomfort can be reduced as much as possible, and wherein furthermore undesirable disturbance of or damage to the adhesive bed on which the flooring tiles are to be placed is prevented. |
| US09404270B2 |
Panel and mounting system
A composite panel system for attaching to a wall system includes a layer of continuous insulation covering the wall system and a plurality of vertical girts affixed the wall system such that the continuous insulation lays between the wall system and the vertical girts. Composite panels are mounted to a perimeter frame of extrusions, generally two horizontal and two vertical. The panel frame horizontal extrusions are mounted to the vertical girts by fasteners. In some embodiments, gypsum and a membrane are used in lieu of continuous insulation. |
| US09404269B2 |
Exterior wall assembly systems
An attachment strip for attaching lath to a wall and a system for attaching lath to a wall with increased water resistive characteristics. The attachment strip has protruding teeth on an attachment plate that holds the lath in place, and a mounting plate that secures the lath furring strip against the wall and framing. In addition, since attachment strip, instead of the lath directly, is secured to the sheathing, fewer mounting devices are needed compared to when a lath is directly secured to a sheathing, where substantially more mounting devices would be needed. Thus in this arrangement, fewer penetrations are created when installing the lath. Additional water resistive features, such insulation layers, and a drainage space surrounded by two water resistive barriers, create space that not only increases insulation, but protects the inner layers of a wall from damage. |
| US09404267B2 |
Interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance
An interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance includes an extension assembly having a first fitting at a distal end, a holder having a second fitting at its proximal end and a gutter tool interface at its distal end, and an interchangeable gutter tool. The second fitting is coupled to the first fitting of the extension assembly. The interchangeable gutter tool is installed on the gutter tool interface by inserting the gutter tool interface into a mounting assembly in the interchangeable gutter tool, and the interchangeable gutter tool is removed from the gutter tool interface by removing the mounting assembly from the gutter tool interface. |
| US09404266B2 |
Covered gutter system
A gutter system having a gutter body including a cover surface extending from a rear edge to a forward edge, a return surface extending from a rear edged to a forward edge, and a channel portion including a rear wall, a forward wall and a channel portion therebetween whereby the channel portion defines a collection chamber. The cover surface forward edge and the return surface forward edge meet at a curved wicking edge. The return surface rear edge is connected to an upper edge of the rear wall and the forward wall terminates at an upper edge spaced from the wicking edge to define a water receiving gap. |
| US09404264B2 |
Roof support system
A support foot (1) for supporting a free standing structure on a flat roof includes a holding means (34; 62; 63) for holding a profiled section (40) to which other parts of said structure can be mounted. The support foot comprises a base part (2) with a guiding structure (22). The support foot (1) furthermore comprises a skid part (3; 6), which includes the holding means (34; 62; 63) for the profiled section (40) and which is slidably mounted on the guiding structure (22) of the base part (2) so as to position the holding means (34; 62,- 63) for the profiled section (40) in a desired angular position allowing to compensate for a possible slope of the flat roof. The support foot (1) also includes securing means for securing the skid part (3, 6) in said desired angular position on the base part (2). |
| US09404260B2 |
Roofing shingle system and shingles for use therein
A roofing shingle is disclosed comprising a headlap portion with a non-straight longitudinal edge and a buttlap portion with a plurality of tabs with a non-straight longitudinal edge and spaced apart by openings, wherein the non-straight longitudinal edges do not shadow each other laterally across the shingle. A roofing system is disclosed wherein at least a portion of the headlap portion of such shingle from a subsequently installed course overlaps at least a portion of the headlap portion of a shingle from a previously installed course. The maximum headlap overlap dimension is beneath the subsequently installed shingle laterally proximate the openings in the buttlap portion of the subsequently installed shingle. A method for making the shingle is disclosed comprising cutting a sheet of roofing material longitudinally along non-straight lines wherein at least a portion of each formed shingle has a width of about twelve inches. |
| US09404255B1 |
Light-in-weight concrete blocks and method
Construction blocks include transversely disposed first and second end walls, longitudinally disposed first and second sidewalls, and longitudinally disposed top and bottom walls. A recess is formed in a first end wall, a protuberance is formed in a second end wall and the recess receives the protuberance when the blocks are laid end-to-end. A longitudinally-extending protuberance is formed in the top wall, and a longitudinally-extending recess is formed in the bottom wall and receives the top wall protuberance when the blocks are vertically stacked. A pair of parallel, longitudinally-extending ledges is formed in the top wall of each block by the top wall protuberance and each ledge receives an associated bottom edge of a sidewall when the blocks are vertically stacked. |
| US09404253B2 |
Boards comprising an array of marks to facilitate attachment
A board includes a pattern to facilitate attachment of the board to a frame structure using fasteners. The pattern comprises a first array of first marks disposed in rows spaced apart a first predetermined distance, and a second array of second marks disposed in rows spaced apart a second predetermined distance apart, with the first and second marks being different, and with the first and second distances being different. The board may be used in a variety of construction applications, with the pattern facilitating the quick attachment of the board to the underlying frame by placing the fasteners using the first markings of the first array or the second markings of the second array. |
| US09404248B1 |
Sewage stopper systems
A sewage backflow assembly of sewage stopper systems is a check valve designed to operate with low flows such as is found in sewage drain pipes. The check valve disc is light weight plastic and easily lifts when outgoing flow is present but closes when backflow occurs to prevent flooding of building structures. The device has an inlet pipe segment, a flapper housing with a flapper, and an outlet pipe segment. The sewage backflow assembly may be glued into a pipe using glue type slip couplers or may be installed using re-useable pipe clamps. |
| US09404247B2 |
Manual toilet flushing apparatus with an odor reducing fresh water inlet valve assembly
A manual toilet flushing apparatus including an integral inlet fresh water valve assembly (IIFWVA) and a waste water discharge pump assembly (WWDPA) operably isolated from the IIFWVA is provided to preclude waste water from contaminating pressurized fresh water (PFW). The IIFWVA includes a pressurized fresh water inlet port to receive the PFW, an inlet valve body defining an inlet valve cavity (IVC), a second plunger in communication with a first plunger to actuate a check valve to direct a flow of the PFW into the IVC, and an outlet port. The PFW flows through the outlet port to a rim of a toilet bowl. The WWDPA includes a waste water inlet port to receive waste water, a discharge pump body, and a connecting rod in communication with a retractable handle to actuate a piston in backward and forward directions to suction and discharge the waste water through a discharge port. |
| US09404246B2 |
Self-closing water saving device, method and toilet
Disclosed are a self-closing water saving device, method, and toilet. The self-closing water saving device for mounting in a tank of a toilet bowl is used for supplying water to the tank, and is characterized by comprising: a water inlet adapted to be connected to an external water source, a water outlet adapted to provide water to the tank, and a jet-propelling port for jetting water to the bottom of a water trap of the toilet bowl or the bottom of a sewer; wherein, when the tank discharges water to the water trap, the water jetted from the jet-propelling port is used to propel the water which is discharged from the tank and flows into the water trap, the bottom of the water trap, or the bottom of the sewer. |
| US09404245B2 |
Sink plunger assist
An apparatus for effectively plunging a drain by blocking the redirection of water is provided. The apparatus includes a pipe mainframe defining an enclosed area. The pipe mainframe includes a plurality of piping having a front portion and a rear portion. Tee pipes are outwardly disposed on the front portion and the rear portion of the pipe mainframe. The rear portion includes an adjustable connector attached to the outward end of the tee pipe. The adjustable connector can modify the length of the pipe mainframe to accommodate sinks or basins of various lengths. The apparatus further includes a rubber pipe cap at a distal end of the front portion of the pipe mainframe to effectively block the flow of water and provide support for the device. |
| US09404242B2 |
Magnetic coupling for sprayheads
A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body. |
| US09404240B2 |
Bucket lip protection assemblies and lip adapters for same
Various exemplary embodiments of a bucket lip protection assembly are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the bucket lip protection assembly may include a bucket lip protector. The lip protector may include a front portion for engaging material being moved. The lip protector may also include a rear portion opposite the front portion. In addition, the bucket lip protection assembly may include a lip adapter for stabilizing the lip protector relative to a bucket lip. The lip adapter may include a plurality of lip protector engagement surfaces, which may define at least two recessed portions and at least one non-recessed portion of the lip adapter. The lip adapter may also include a bucket lip attachment portion. |
| US09404236B2 |
Thumb assembly having a stop
Mechanical stops in the linkage of a hydraulic thumb for a materials handling machine protect the hydraulic thumb actuator from damage. |
| US09404233B2 |
Stabilized and reinforced civil constructions and method of making same
Described herein is woven geotextile formed of a plain six-pick weave fabric having an apparent opening size (AOS) of at least 40 as measured in accordance with ASTM International Standard D4751, a water flow rate of at least 35 gpm/ft2 as measured in accordance with ASTM International Standard D4491, a 12% strain at a tensile load of at least 300 lb/in as measured in accordance with ASTM International Standard D4595 in the warp direction, and a 12% strain at a tensile load of at least 270 lb/in in accordance with ASTM International D4595 at 270 lb/in in the fill direction. Also described herein is a reinforced civil structure having a subgrade formed at least partially of soil; a base course; and a woven geotextile disposed between the subgrade and the base course. |
| US09404231B2 |
Module for use in a crash barrier and crash barrier
A module suitable for use in a crash barrier has a diaphragm with opposite first and second sides. First and second cellular foam blocks are coupled to the first and second sides of the diaphragm respectively. A wrap layer surrounds a periphery of the first and second cellular foam blocks. A sealant layer may be applied to the wrap layer. The wrap layer is configured as a metal cover member. A crash barrier may be configured with one or more modules. A method of manufacturing a module includes adhering first and second cellular foam blocks to opposite sides of a diaphragm and wrapping a wrap layer around a periphery of the first and second cellular foam blocks. A transition rail may be connected between first and second crash barriers. |
| US09404223B2 |
Process for the manufacture of paper and paperboard
The present invention relates to a process of making paper or paperboard in which a cellulosic thin stock is provided and subjected to one or more shear stages and then drained and a moving screen to form a sheet which is dried, wherein the process employs a retention system which is applied to the thin stock, said retention system comprising as components i) a blend of different cationic polymers and ii) a microparticulate material, in which the blend of cationic polymers comprises, a) a cationic polymer having a charge density of at least 3 mEq per gram and a molar mass of greater than 700,000 Da, b) a cationic polymer having a charge density of below 3 mEq per gram and an intrinsic viscosity of at least 3 dl/g, wherein one of the components of the retention system is dosed into the thin stock after the final shearing stage and the other is dosed into the thin stock before the final shearing stage. |
| US09404215B2 |
Stretch composites and methods of making the composites
A stretch composite having one or more elastomeric members disposed on at least one region of an extensible fibrous substrate to provide stretch properties to a targeted region of the substrate. The composite has been incrementally stretched to at least partially break up the structure of the substrate in order to reduce its resistance to stretch. The stretch composites are useful for disposable and durable articles, such as disposable absorbent articles including diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, incontinence briefs, catamenial garments, baby bibs, and the like, and durable articles like garments including sportswear, outerwear and the like. Also disclosed are methods of forming such stretch composites. |
| US09404213B2 |
Laundry appliance storage container and method for freshening contents thereof
A removable storage container that may be stored inside an appliance when the appliance is not in use or when the appliance is operated in a freshening mode, a laundry appliance that incorporates such storage container, and a method for freshening the clothes and/or other articles. |
| US09404212B2 |
Exhaust air dryer having a fan
An exhaust air dryer having a housing that encloses an inner space, wherein the following structures are arranged in the inner space: a drying chamber for items to be dried; a supply air duct between a first supply air inlet and the drying chamber to supply air; a heater to heat the supply air in the supply air duct; a fan to guide heated supply air through the drying chamber; and an exhaust air duct arranged between the drying chamber and an exhaust air outlet on the housing to exhaust air. The fan is a dual-flow fan having a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein the first flow path is arranged in the exhaust air duct and the second flow path is arranged in the supply air duct. |
| US09404207B2 |
Melt-blown nonwoven fabric, and production process and apparatus for the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable production process for a melt-blown nonwoven fabric comprising thin fibers and having extremely few thick fibers [number of fusion-bonded fibers] formed by fusion bonding of thermoplastic resin fibers to one another, and an apparatus for the same. The present invention relates to a melt-blown nonwoven fabric comprising polyolefin fibers and having (i) a mean fiber diameter of not more than 2.0 μm, (ii) a fiber diameter distribution CV value of not more than 60%, and (iii) 15 or less fusion-bonded fibers based on 100 fibers; a production process for a melt-blown nonwoven fabric characterized by feeding cooling air of not higher than 30° C. from both side surfaces of outlets of slits 31 from which high-temperature high-velocity air is gushed out and thereby cooling the spun molten resin; and a production apparatus for the same. |
| US09404206B2 |
Feeder for knitting machine having pushing member
A feeder for a knitting machine includes a feeder arm with a dispensing area configured to feed a strand toward a knitting bed of the knitting machine. The feeder also includes a pushing member that is operably supported by the feeder arm. The pushing member is configured to push a portion of the knit component to provide clearance for the strand to be incorporated in a knit component. |
| US09404204B2 |
Flexible, abrasion resistant textile sleeve and method of construction thereof
A textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve has a flexible, abrasion resistant, self-curling elongate wall constructed from woven monofilament and multifilament yarns. The wall has opposite edges extending parallel to a central axis of the sleeve. The wall is woven with warp yarns extending parallel to the central axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns. The warp yarns are provided at least in part as first monofilament yarns and the fill yarns are provided as second monofilament yarns and second multifilament yarns. The second monofilament yarns have a larger diameter than the first monofilament yarns. |
| US09404201B2 |
Metallic card wire
A metallic card wire has an elongated rib portion and teeth. The teeth have a front segment, a top segment and a back segment. The front segment has the connection of the tooth from the elongated rib portion and the front segment including a tip which is actively taking fibers in carding. The top segment has at least one hunch after the tip in the direction of the back segment. If more than one hunch is present the first hunch is the hunch positioned closest to the tip; if only one hunch is present this hunch is the first hunch. The back segment forms the connection of the top segment towards the elongated rib portion and the front segment of the next tooth. |
| US09404190B2 |
End pressure plate for electrolysers
An end pressure plate is provided for an electrochemical cell stack or an electrolyzer module. The end pressure plates comprise a load transfer plate for maintaining even pressure over the faces of the structural plates, and a backing plate for supporting load transferred from the load transfer plate. |
| US09404186B2 |
Pre-formed controlled particles formed of fine particles non-chemically bonded together, pre-formed controlled particles for use in an aerosol deposition method, and composite structure formation system involving controlled particles
A plurality of pre-formed controlled particles for use in an aerosol deposition method by which an aerosol with brittle material fine particles dispersed in a gas is sprayed toward a substrate to form a structure made of the brittle material fine particles. Each of the controlled particles includes an assembly packed with a plurality of fine particles which are not chemically bonded together, which include the brittle material fine particles, and have a mean primary particle diameter of 0.1 μm or more and 5 μm or less. The controlled particles have a mean circle-equivalent diameter of 20 μm or more. |
| US09404183B2 |
Diagnostic and control systems and methods for substrate processing systems using DC self-bias voltage
A substrate processing system includes a processing chamber including a showerhead, a plasma power source and a pedestal spaced from the showerhead to support a substrate. A filter is connected between the showerhead and the pedestal. A variable bleed current circuit is connected between the filter and the pedestal to vary a bleed current. A controller is configured to adjust a value of the bleed current and configured to perform curve fitting based on the bleed current and DC self-bias voltage to estimate at least one of electrode area ratio, Bohm current, and radio frequency (RF) voltage at a powered electrode. |
| US09404171B2 |
Rare earth oxide-containing sprayed plate and making method
A rare earth oxide-containing sprayed plate is prepared by thermally spraying a rare earth oxide on a support to a thickness of up to 5 mm and peeling the sprayed coating from the support. Thin plates of rare earth oxide ceramics can be prepared without molding, firing and sintering steps. |
| US09404167B2 |
Production of nano sized ferrite comprising oxidizing a molten slag
Method for producing nano sized ferrite particles from a metallurgical slag, the method including the steps of: a) providing a ladle with a molten slag including CaO, SiO2, FeO, and at least one of MnO, Cr2O3, V2O3. b) oxidizing the slag at a temperature in the interval of 1573K-1773K (1300-1500° C.) for 10-90 minutes, c) removing at least a portion of the slag from the ladle d) cooling the removed slag portion to a temperature below 373K (100° C.), e) extracting nano sized manganese ferrite and/or chromium ferrite and/or vanadium ferrite particles from the cooled portion. |
| US09404166B2 |
Composition and method for removing metal contaminants
A composition comprising a substrate, an organic ion, and a metal binding agent, wherein the substrate comprises a natural clay, a synthetic clay, a natural zeolite, a synthetic zeolite, a polymer resin, lignite, kaolinite, serpentine, illite, chlorite, smectite, montmorillonite, saponite, sepiolite, nontronite, beidellite, hectorite, fuller's earth, attapulgite, bentonite, analcime, chabazite, heulandite, natrolite, phillipsite, stilbite, diethyl aminoethyl, quaternary aminoethyl, or combinations thereof, wherein the organic ion comprises quaternary amines, imidazolium salts, phosphonium salts, tetra alkyl ammonium, bis-(hydrogenated tallow)-dimethyl-ammonium chloride, bis-(hydrogenated tallow)-benzyl-methyl-ammonium chloride, 4,5-dihydro-1-methyl-2-nortallow-alkyl-1-(2-tallow-amidoethyl)-imidazolium methyl sulfate, 1-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(8-heptadecenyl)-imidazolium ethyl sulfate, or combinations thereof, and wherein the metal-binding agent comprises mercaptan, carboxylic acid, chelating agents, amines, esters, carboxylic acids, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, alkenes, alkynes, mercaptans, thiols, tert-dodecanethiol, nonanethiol, octanethiol, n-stearic acid, iso-stearic acid, palmitic acid, or combinations thereof. |
| US09404165B2 |
Producing of pig iron from iron-containing materials
A process for recovering pig iron from iron-containing concentrates produced from iron-containing ores and sands by forming agglomerates and reducing them in a natural gas smelter, in which the process makes maximum utilization of heat created in and by the process. |
| US09404164B2 |
Protease enzyme and uses thereof
The present invention is related to a fungal serine protease enzyme, which said enzyme has serine protease activity and comprises an amino acid sequence of Malbranchea ALKO4122 mature protease as defined in SEQ ID NO:18 or an amino acid sequence having at least 66% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18. Also disclosed is an isolated nucleic acid molecule, comprising a polynucleotide sequence which encodes a fungal serine protease enzyme, nucleic acid sequences encoding said protease, a host cell and a process of producing a polypeptide having serine protease activity. Said protease is useful as an enzyme preparation applicable in detergent compositions and for treating fibers, wool, hair, leather, or silk, for treating food or feed, or for any applications involving modification, degradation or removal of proteinaceous material. |
| US09404159B2 |
TMPRSS2 for the diagnosis of prostate disease
Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection the 5′ portion of TMPRSS2 mRNA for the detection and diagnosis of prostate disease including prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. |
| US09404152B2 |
Microfluidic flow monitoring
The present invention relates to systems and methods of monitoring velocity or flow in channels, especially in microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods of monitoring velocity or flow rate in systems and methods for performing a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a continuous-flow microfluidic system. |
| US09404149B2 |
Composition, kits and methods for the detection of point mutations and SNPs
The present invention refers to a method for detecting a point mutations of a nucleotide sequence by an improvement of the LAMP (loop amplification mediated polymerization) amplification method, as well as to a set of primers and kit therefor. As a non limitative embodiment, the invention refers to the G1849T mutation of the JAK2 gene. |
| US09404146B2 |
Compositions and methods for nucleic acid sequencing
Compositions and methods for nucleic acid sequencing include template constructs that comprise double stranded portions in a partially or completely contiguous constructs, to provide for redundant sequence determination through one or both of sequencing sense and antisense strands, and iteratively sequencing the entire construct multiple times. Additional sequence components are also optionally included within such template constructs. Methods are also provided for the use and preparation of these constructs as well as sequencing compositions for their application. |
| US09404139B2 |
Mutated cephalosporin hydroxylase and its application in deacetylcephalosporanic acid synthesis
A mutant hydroxylase with increased activity and greater substrate specificity towards phenylacetyl-7-ADCA derivatives for the production of phenylacetyl-7-HACA derivatives, which carries one or more amino acid modification at residue positions when compared with certain wild type hydroxylase from certain groups of residues. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of deacetyl cephalosporanic acid from the corresponding deacetoxy cephalosporanic acid that includes an enzyme of the present invention. Also provided is a method for the production and processing of such enzymes. |
| US09404134B2 |
Thermophilic and thermoacidophilic biopolymer degrading genes and enzymes from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and related organisms, methods
Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods of at least partially degrading, cleaving, or removing polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. |
| US09404132B2 |
Method for producing 1,5-pentamethylenediamine, 1,5-pentamethylenediamine, 1,5-pentamethylene diisocyanate, method for producing 1,5-pentamethylene diisocyanate, polyisocyanate composition, and polyurethane resin
In a method for producing 1,5-pentamethylenediamine, a lysine decarboxylase-expressing microorganism that is subjected to a treatment is used. |
| US09404130B2 |
Microbial engineering for the production of chemical and pharmaceutical products from the isoprenoid pathway
The invention relates to the production of one or more terpenoids through microbial engineering, and relates to the manufacture of products comprising terpenoids. |
| US09404127B2 |
Non-liposomal systems for nucleic acid delivery
The present invention provides novel, stable lipid particles having a non-lamellar structure and comprising one or more active agents or therapeutic agents, methods of making such lipid particles, and methods of delivering and/or administering such lipid particles. More particularly, the present invention provides stable nucleic acid-lipid particles (SNALP) that have a non-lamellar structure and that comprise a nucleic acid (such as one or more interfering RNA), methods of making the SNALP, and methods of delivering and/or administering the SNALP. |
| US09404126B2 |
Processes for packaging aggregated oligonucleotides into virus-like particles of RNA bacteriophages
The invention provides processes for the producing compositions comprising (i) a virus-like particle, wherein said virus-like particle is a virus-like particle of an RNA bacteriophage, and (ii) an oligonucleotide, wherein said oligonucleotide is packaged into said virus-like particle. The invention further provides processes for producing nucleotide compositions comprising oligonucleotides suitable to be used in the processes mentioned before. The invention further provides nucleotide compositions obtainable by the processes of the invention and uses thereof. The invention further provides compositions comprising (i) a virus-like particle, wherein said virus-like particle is a virus-like particle of an RNA bacteriophage, and (ii) an oligonucleotide, wherein said oligonucleotide is packaged into said virus-like particle, wherein said compositions are obtainable by the processes of the invention and wherein said compositions preferably comprises a purity of at least 98%, most preferably of at least 99%. |
| US09404125B2 |
Transgenic animal for production of antibodies having minimal CDRs
A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region. |
| US09404123B2 |
Nucleic acid assembly, vector, cell, methods and kit thereof
The present disclosure relates to a nucleic acid assembly (NAA), comprising sensor domain and handle domain; an assembly interfaceable motif (AIM) sequence optionally along with intracellular targeting motif (ITM) sequence; and an AIM-NAA complex. It also relates to a vector comprising assembly interfaceable motif sequence optionally along with intracellular targeting motif sequence and a cell comprising the vector. Further, the instant disclosure also provides a method to obtain the nucleic acid assembly, method of intracellular targeting and kit thereof. |
| US09404114B2 |
Antisense modulation of GCGR expression
Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of GCGR mRNA and protein in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate metabolic disease, for example, diabetes, or a symptom thereof. |
| US09404113B2 |
Antisense modulation of PTP1B expression
Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of PTP1B mRNA and protein in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate metabolic disease, for example, diabetes, or a symptom thereof. |
| US09404112B2 |
Modified oligonucleotides for telomerase inhibition
Compounds comprising an oligonucleotide moiety covalently linked to a lipid moiety are disclosed. The oligonucleotide moiety comprises a sequence that is complementary to the RNA component of human telomerase. The compounds inhibit telomerase activity in cells with a high potency and have superior cellular uptake characteristics. |
| US09404108B2 |
Micro-RMA inhibitor
The invention provides a microRNA inhibitor that has two or more sequences complementary to the sequence of microRNA to be the target of inhibition, which two or more complementary sequences are linked via one or more linker residues. |
| US09404106B2 |
Method for preventing, reducing and/or eliminating the fouling of a composite material
A method for preventing, reducing and/or eliminating the fouling of a composite material is provided, the composite material comprising (1) a plurality of conductive or semiconductive nanotubes, which are aligned parallel to one another, and (2) a matrix arranged between the conductive or semiconductive nanotubes, the composite material in the form of an isoporous membrane with nanopores which correspond to the pores of the conductive or semiconductive nanotubes and optionally to the pores of the matrix arranged between the conductive or semiconductive nanotubes, the method comprising applying an electric field to the composite material, wherein the fouling is prevented, reduced and/or eliminated at the surface, at and in the pores of the composite material. |
| US09404098B2 |
Method for cleaving a target RNA using a Cas6 polypeptide
Provided herein are methods for cleaving a target RNA polynucleotide. The target RNA polynucleotide includes a Cas6 recognition domain and a cleavage site, and may be based on a repeat from a CRISPR locus. The methods may be practiced in vivo or in vitro. Also provided are polypeptides that have Cas6 endoribonuclease activity in the presence of a target RNA polynucleotide, and methods for using the polypeptides. |
| US09404092B2 |
Ketoreductase-mediated stereoselective route to alpha chloroalcohols
The present disclosure relates to engineered ketoreductase polypeptides and uses thereof for the preparation of α-chloroalcohols from α-chloroketones. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase polypeptides and host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase polypeptides. |
| US09404088B2 |
Chitosan-based non-viral methods for transfecting gut cells in vivo
The present invention provides chitosan-based nanoparticles that can protect nucleic acids and deliver the same into gut mucosal cells. Compositions and methods for the expression of therapeutic nucleic acids in cells of the gut mucosa are provided. Compositions and methods for delivering therapeutic proteins systemically from cells of the gut mucosa are also provided. |
| US09404085B2 |
Direct differentiation of cardiomyocytes from embryonic stem cells
The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), Fgf 9, Bmp6, Bmp4, Scf, Igf2, and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from hES cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. Genes that are upregulated in the process of cardiomyocyte differentiation are also provided. |
| US09404083B2 |
Method for amplifying NK cells
A technique is needed which can amplify NK cells in vitro and prepare optimum number of NK cells for the adoptive immunotherapy.A method for amplifying NK cells is provided which comprises steps of: preparing cell population which is comprised of NK cells, removing T cells from the cell population which is comprised of NK cells, and, after removal of T cells, cultivating the remaining cells in a medium supplemented with 2500 to 2831 IU/mL of IL-2. The method for amplifying NK cells of the present invention may comprise a step of removing hematopoietic progenitor cells from the cell population. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for adoptive immunotherapy, comprising NK cells which are prepared by the amplifying method of the present invention. |
| US09404082B2 |
Method for production of eosinophil from pluripotent stem cell
The present invention relates to a method for producing human eosinophils from human pluripotent stem cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for producing human eosinophils from human pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises the steps of: (1) co-culturing, in the presence of VEGF, human pluripotent stem cells with cells separated from the AGM region of a mammalian fetus; (2) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, IL-6, Flt3 ligand, SCF, TPO and serum; (3) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, SCF, GM-CSF and serum; and, optionally, (4) performing suspension culture using a medium comprising IL-3, IL-5 and serum. |
| US09404080B2 |
Human taste cells capable of continuous proliferation
The present invention relates to proliferating human taste cells, wherein the cells are the cells deposited under the DSMZ deposit accession number DSM ACC3169 or taste cells derived thereof. The present invention further relates to the proliferating human taste cells of the invention for use in research. Further, the present invention relates to in vitro methods for analyzing the signalling response of taste cells to a molecule involved in taste signalling, in vitro methods of identifying agents capable of eliciting a taste response in taste cells as well as in vitro methods of identifying modulators of taste signalling. |
| US09404077B2 |
Hemostatic device
A hemostatic device, method of making, and method of using for internal and external applications to wounds in the body of a patient to induce hemostasis at an anatomical site. |
| US09404076B2 |
S-adenosyl-L-methionine-containing dry yeast composition with excellent storage stability and process for producing same
A dry yeast composition which includes 5-adenosyl-L-methionine and a thickener and has excellent storage stability. A thickener is added to a yeast cell concentrate obtained by culturing yeast which has SAMe-producing ability and collecting the cells, and the resultant mixture is dried. Thus, a dry yeast containing a high concentration of 5-adenosyl-L-methionine which has excellent storage stability and excellent bioabsorbability can be easily and profitably produced. It is hence possible to supply a market with a dry yeast composition that contains a high concentration of 5-adenosyl-L-methionine, which is useful as a water-soluble physiologically active substance, and that has excellent storage stability and bioabsorbability. |
| US09404075B2 |
Device and method for treating a filtration medium
A device for processing a porous filtration medium has a holding part that can be mounted on a lower part with the porous filtration medium. An outer wall of the holding part can be positioned outside a surface, of the filtration medium, and a fixing edge arranged in the holding part can be positioned on an edge of the filtration medium. The holding part has a filtration support which, on its side facing away from the filtration medium, is connected to an outlet for reverse flushing. |
| US09404072B2 |
Near-infrared optical interfaces for disposable bioprocessing vessels
An optical sampling apparatus for disposable flexible bioprocessing vessels includes features for optical interrogation of the vessel contents by means of transmission or transflection spectroscopy. This optical interrogation allows for the determination of quantities and parameters of substances in fluids contained within the vessels during bioprocesses. |
| US09404071B2 |
Use of composition to reduce weeping and migration through a water soluble film
The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising a) anionic surfactant; and b) solvent system comprising at least one primary solvent having Hansen solubility (δ) of less than 29 said composition being encapsulated in a water soluble film pouch, for reducing migration and weeping of said composition through said film. |
| US09404062B2 |
Lubricant oil composition
The invention provides a lubricating oil composition comprising a lubricating base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 1-10 mm2/s, a % Cp; of 70 or greater and a % CA of no greater than 2 and a viscosity index improver having a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater and a ratio of weight-average molecular weight to PSSI of 1.0×104 or greater, at 0.1-50% by mass based on the total amount of the composition, and having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 9.0-12.5 mm2/s and a HTHS viscosity at 150° C. of 2.8 mPa·s or greater. It further provides a lubricating oil composition comprising a lubricating base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 1-6 mm2/s, a % Cp of 70 or greater and a % CA of no greater than 2, a hydrocarbon-based viscosity index improver with a PSSI of no greater than 20, and a poly(meth)acrylate-based viscosity index improver. |
| US09404061B2 |
Grease composition
Provided is a grease composition containing a urea thickener represented by formula (1): R1—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R3 (1) (wherein R2 is a bivalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms; and R1 and R3, which may be the same or different from each other, represent an alkyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl group or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms); and a base oil containing at least one compound represented by formula (3): (wherein R6 and R7, which may be the same or different from each other, represent a branched alkyl group having 10 to 26 carbon atoms, with the ratio of the number of moles of the alkyl groups represented by R6 and R7 being defined; and m and n are real numbers of 0 or more so as to satisfy the condition of 1.0≦m+n≦3.0). |
| US09404060B2 |
Diesel engine oil composition for improving fuel efficiency and endurance performance
Disclosed is a novel diesel engine oil composition for fuel efficiency and endurance performance. The diesel engine oil composition may maximize frictional resistance and wear resistance by facilitating the formation of a lubricating film on a metal surface, extend an oil change cycle with excellent engine protection ability, and improve fuel efficiency due to friction reduction. The diesel engine oil composition include: base oil; a calcium-based or magnesium-based sulfonate detergent dispersant; a viscosity index improver selected from the group consisting of a diene copolymer, a polystyrene-diene copolymer and a hydrogenated polystyrene-diene copolymer; and a low friction agent including molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) and glycerol monooleate (GMO). |
| US09404056B2 |
Apparatus for converting carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen with the removal of at least one product gas
An apparatus for carrying out a carbon monoxide shift reaction, which includes converting carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, the converting proceeding in a liquid phase with removal of a product gas including carbon dioxide and hydrogen, is provided. The apparatus includes dry methanol, as a first solvent in a first region for an absorption of carbon monoxide with simultaneous formation of methyl formate, and water, as a second solvent in a second region for a liberation of the product gas in order to avoid losses of hydrogen in a carbon dioxide region. |
| US09404053B2 |
Low-pressure process utilizing a stacked-bed system of specific catalysts for the hydrotreating of a gas oil feedstock
A low-pressure process for hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodesulfurization of a gas oil feedstock. The process uses a multi-bed, stacked-bed reactor system. The first and third beds of the multi-bed, stacked-bed reactor system include catalysts that comprise cobalt and molybdenum supported on alumina. The middle, second bed, includes a catalyst comprising nickel and molybdenum supported on alumina that preferably includes an additive. The stacked bed arrangement with the use of the specific catalysts provides for the low-pressure operation and significantly improved HDN and HDS activity with relatively insignificant differences in hydrogen consumption. |
| US09404051B2 |
Petroleum bioprocessing to prevent refinery corrosion
The present invention relates to the bioupgrading of crude oil is directed to a process for decreasing the acidity of an acidic crude oil, comprising contacting an acidic crude oil with a mixture nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group comprising ammonia, ammonia hydroxide, amines and the salts thereof, and in the presence of lipase enzyme, under conditions of suitable temperature and pressure sufficient to form the corresponding amide. The resulting naphthenic acid derived amides can then be processed normally in a refinery using such processes as cracking or hydrotreating and converted to hydrocarbon, ammonia and carbon dioxide without causing damage to the refinery infrastructure. This enzyme process is done at reduced temperatures (40-60° C.) and pressures requiring less energy. |
| US09404049B2 |
System for blending synthetic and natural crude oils derived from offshore produced fluids
A process and system are described for the processing of gas associated with crude oil production, i.e. associated gas. A separation complex is used to separate produced fluids produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir into crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, water, and natural gas. At least a portion of the natural gas is converted into synthesis gas in a synthesis gas generator. A combination of a synthesis gas conversion catalysts and hydroconversion catalysts are used in a synthesis gas reactor to convert the synthesis gas into a liquid effluent stream containing liquefied petroleum gas and a synthetic crude oil. The liquefied petroleum gas and synthetic crude oil from the synthesis gas reactor is sent to the separation complex. Liquefied petroleum gas is separated both from the synthetic crude oil and a natural crude oil obtained from the produced fluids. The system and process permits synthetic crude oil to be blended with the natural crude oil producing a blended stabilized crude oil having 2 wt % or more of the synthetic crude oil and with a pour point of 60° C. or less. Use of a common facility for separation operations on the natural crude oil and synthetic crude oil thus reduces capital costs and allows converted associated gases to be shipped with the natural crude oil on a conventional crude oil tanker. |
| US09404048B2 |
Catalysts and process for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production
The present invention provides a novel process and system in which a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen synthesis gas, or syngas, is converted into hydrocarbon mixtures composed of high quality distillates, gasoline components, and lower molecular weight gaseous olefins in one reactor or step. The invention utilizes a novel supported bimetallic ion complex catalyst for conversion, and provides methods of preparing such novel catalysts and use of the novel catalysts in the process and system of the invention. |
| US09404044B2 |
Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion
A selective removal of chlorine and phosphorus that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided. |
| US09404043B2 |
Air distributing device for primary air in coke ovens
A device for introduction of primary combustion air into the primary heating space of a coke oven chamber admits primary air through ports in the top of a oven chamber or in the oven chamber walls above the door or in the chamber door or in several or all of the mentioned positions These ports have inserts that are equipped with spouts, with the spouts having an opening through which primary air is conducted at a chamfered angle onto the coke cake. The primary air from the opening ports in the coke oven chamber top streams to the coke oven at an angle of less than 90° and primary air from the opening ports in the chamber wall above the door or in the door streams to the coke oven at an angle of greater than 0°. Also shown is a method for use with the described device. |
| US09404041B2 |
Liquid crystal alignment agent, liquid crystal alignment film, and liquid crystal display element
A liquid crystal alignment agent capable of forming a liquid crystal alignment film having good ultraviolet reliability, the liquid crystal alignment film, and a liquid crystal display element having the same are provided. The liquid crystal alignment agent includes a polymer (A) and a solvent (B). The polymer (A) is obtained by reacting a mixture. The mixture includes a tetracarboxylic dianhydride component (a) and a diamine component (b). The diamine component (b) includes a diamine compound (b-1) represented by formula (1) and a diamine compound (b-2) represented by formula (2). |
| US09404039B2 |
Nematic liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device using the same
A composition contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (i) and one or more compounds represented by general formula (ii), where a content of the compounds represented by general formula (i) is 5% to 30% and a content of the compounds represented by general formula (ii) is 5% to 25%: (In the formulae, Ri1, Ri2, and Rii1 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms where one —CH2— or two or more non-adjacent —CH2— in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO—, or —OCO—, Xi1 to Xi6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, and Xii1 represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a chlorine atom.). |
| US09404037B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and useful liquid crystal composition
Provided is a liquid crystal display device of the VAIPS mode which uses a liquid crystal material having positive dielectric anisotropy and which has a fast response speed and excellent viewing angle characteristics without having a special cell structure such as pixel partitioning. Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device including: a plurality of independently controllable pixels; and a liquid crystal composition layer having positive dielectric anisotropy, wherein electrodes for controlling the pixels are provided on at least one of first and second substrates that interpose the liquid crystal phase, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal composition layer is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the substrate surface or is in a hybrid alignment, the liquid crystal composition contains one kind or two or more kinds of compounds selected from a specific liquid crystal compound group, and the transmittance of the light that penetrates through the liquid crystal composition layer is modulated at the electric field generated by the electrode structure. |
| US09404036B2 |
Alkali metal and alkali earth metal gadolinium halide scintillators
The present invention provides for a composition comprising an inorganic scintillator comprising a gadolinium halide, optionally cerium-doped, having the formula AnGdXm:Ce; wherein A is nothing, an alkali metal, such as Li or Na, or an alkali earth metal, such as Ba; X is F, Br, Cl, or I; n is an integer from 1 to 2; m is an integer from 4 to 7; and the molar percent of cerium is 0% to 100%. The gadolinium halides or alkali earth metal gadolinium halides are scintillators and produce a bright luminescence upon irradiation by a suitable radiation. |
| US09404032B2 |
Polylactide fibers
Polylactide fibers are made from a blend of polylactides. One of the polylactides has a ratio of R-lactic and S-lactic units from 8:92 to 92:8. The second polylactide has a ratio of the R-lactic and S-lactic units of >97:3 or <3:97. The ratio of the R-lactic units to S-lactic units in the blend is from 7:93 to 25:75 or from 75:25 to 93:7. The polylactide fiber contains at least 5 Joules of polylactide crystallites per gram of polylactide resin in the fiber. |
| US09404030B2 |
Swellable article
A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included. |
| US09404029B2 |
Rheology modifiers
A non-aqueous wellbore servicing fluid comprising a rheology modifier wherein the rheology modifier comprises a reaction product of a polysulfide, a dimer acid and a polyfunctional amine. A method of conducting an oilfield operation comprising placing an oil-based mud comprising a rheology modifier into a wellbore wherein the rheology modifier comprises a reaction product of a polysulfide, a dimer acid and a polyfunctional amine. |
| US09404023B2 |
Pressure-sensitive adhesive for PVC foils
An adhesive is described, in particular for applications on substrate materials made of flexible PVC, comprising a polymer which is obtainable via free-radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated compounds and which is composed of at least 50% by weight of soft acrylate monomers with glass transition temperature below 0° C., at least 1% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated nitriles, at least 1% by weight of hard acrylate monomers with glass transition temperature of at least 60° C., at least 0.1% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated acid monomers, and at least 0.01% by weight of monomers having at least two non-conjugated, polymerizable vinyl groups, where the polymerization reaction takes place via staged polymerization, and at least one portion of the soft acrylate monomers is polymerized in a first polymerization stage, and at least one portion of the hard acrylate monomers is polymerized in a second or subsequent polymerization stage. Uses of the adhesive for the bonding of substrates made of flexible PVC are also described, as also are self-adhesive items with a PVC foil as substrate material and with a coating of the adhesive of the invention. |
| US09404020B2 |
Aqueous blocked polyurethane-urea dispersion
The present invention relates to an aqueous blocked polyurethaneurea dispersion which is obtainable by reacting at least one polyisocyanate, one blocking agent for isocyanate groups, one polyamine having at least one carboxyl and/or carboxylate group, and water. Additionally provided by the invention are a coating composition comprising the aqueous blocked polyurethaneurea dispersion, the use of the aqueous blocked polyurethaneurea dispersion or of the coating composition for producing a coating, a coating obtainable using the aqueous blocked polyurethaneurea dispersion or the coating composition, and a method for producing the aqueous blocked polyurethaneurea dispersion. |
| US09404016B2 |
Laminated body
The invention makes it possible to use a coating liquid of a fine cellulose fiber (a natural material) and to form a coated layer which can be used as a various-functions layer such as a gas barrier layer and water vapor barrier layer etc. by achieving good adhesiveness and coatability of the coating liquid, and as a result, provides a laminated material in which temporal degradation of a substrate and the fine cellulose fiber layer is prevented. The laminated body includes a substrate, an anchor layer arranged on a surface the substrate, and a fine cellulose fiber layer containing a fine cellulose fiber having a carboxy group, wherein the anchor layer contains at least one resin having a carboxy group, sulfonate group, amino group or hydroxyl group. |
| US09404012B2 |
Article comprising a flexible material of a non-woven, the flexible material treated with polycarboxy emulsion copolymer binder compositions
The present invention provides flexible binder compositions comprising one or more polycarboxy emulsion copolymer has a measured Tg of 40° C. or less, such as from −45° C. to 25° C., and a polyol crosslinker. In one embodiment, the binder compositions comprising the polycarboxy emulsion copolymer can be used in making pultruded composites, such as sheets, for example, flexible gypsum board facing sheets, and flexible non-woven articles such as, for example, carpet backing. |
| US09404010B2 |
Method for forming multilayer coating film
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a multilayer coating film, capable of achieving excellent curability under low-temperature, short-time conditions, and forming a multilayer coating film having excellent chipping resistance and an excellent finished appearance. This method comprises sequentially applying an aqueous first colored coating composition (X), an aqueous second colored coating composition (Y), and a clear coating composition (Z) to a substrate, and simultaneously bake-curing the resulting multilayer coating film. In this method, the aqueous first colored coating composition (X) comprises an aqueous film-forming resin (A) and a specific blocked polyisocyanate compound (B), and the clear coating composition (Z) comprises a hydroxy-containing acrylic resin (K) having a hydroxy value in a specific range, a polyisocyanate compound (L), and an organometallic catalyst (M) containing a metal compound (M1) selected from a specific range and an amidine compound (M2). |
| US09404007B2 |
Wax dispersion formulations, method of producing same, and uses
Aqueous wax dispersions useful as surface modifiers for paints, inks and coatings. More particularly, aqueous particulate wax dispersions useful as surface modifiers to provide improved properties in primers, paints, inks and other coating formulations. The dispersions are stable, substantially homogenous, have a high solids concentration at low viscosities, and comply with the applicable FDA regulations for use in food packaging applications. |
| US09404003B2 |
Polyamine curable, highly saturated nitrile rubber composition
A polyamine curable, highly saturated nitrile rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polyamine curable, highly saturated nitrile rubber having an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer unit, a diene-based monomer unit, an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monoester monomer unit, and an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester monomer unit other than the α,β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monoester monomer unit, and having an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer unit content of 22.0 to 24.5 wt. %, preferably 22.5 to 24.5 wt. %, and an iodine value of 120 or less, and 4 to 31 parts by weight of an aliphatic carboxylic acid diester compound of polyalkylene glycol. The polyamine curable, highly saturated nitrile rubber composition is used as a cure molding material of a sealing material that can be suitably used even in an environment in which the sealing material is exposed to polycyclic aromatic compound. |
| US09404001B2 |
Photochromic latex ink
A photochromic latex ink includes an organic polymer; optionally a colorant, and a photochromic compound. The photochromic ink composition has an average particle size from about 20 nm to about 600 nm. The photochromic ink composition is capable of reversibly converting from a first color to a second color in response to a predetermined wavelength scope. |
| US09403997B2 |
Non-VOC neutralizing agents for coatings
Paint formulations are neutralized with a non-VOC neutralizing agent. The neutralizing agent is a neutralized amino acid or intermediate, an amino phosphate, an amino phosphonate, amino sulfate, or amino sulfonate wherein the neutralizing agent has a pKa2 of at least 9. These neutralizing agents can be used to provide a paint formulation within a pH range of 8 to 10 and do not add any volatile organic compounds to the paint formulation. |
| US09403993B2 |
Silane containing coatings
Disclosed are corrosion resistant compositions and processes for the preparation thereof that involve the application of a plurality of layers comprised of at least one tetraalkoxysilane and at least one functionalized silane layer to a supporting substrate. |
| US09403991B2 |
Hard coating composition
The present invention relates to a hard coating composition, and, more particularly, to a hard coating composition used in forming a hard coating film exhibiting high hardness and excellent properties. The hard coating composition can be used to form a high-hardness hard coating film that is not easily curled. |
| US09403989B2 |
Production process for self-dispersible pigment, self-dispersible pigment, ink, ink cartridge and ink jet recording method
The invention provides a production process for a self-dispersible pigment, including a step of bonding a functional group containing a hydrophilic group to a particle surface of a pigment by causing a compound represented by the following general formula (1) (R1 is a halogen atom, R2 is an alkali metal, R3 is a single bond, —CO—, —CONH— or —SO2—, and R4 is a group having at least one of an aliphatic group and an aromatic group and being substituted with a hydrophilic group such as a carboxylic acid group) to react with the particle surface of the pigment: |
| US09403987B2 |
Charged particles
Disclosed is a composition comprising a charged particle of volume 5 nm3 to 50 million nm3 preferably having an inorganic core of SiO2, AI2O3, and/or TiO2, or a core essentially consisting of an organic pigment and/or pigment derivative, and a counter ion which is separable from the particle and is not covalently linked to the particle, said counter ion comprising a silicon atom which is directly bound to a carbon atom. Preferably, said charged particle comprises a dye attached to said inorganic core and said counter ion comprises a (poly)siloxane moiety linked via suitable bridge members to a quaternary, positively charged, nitrogen or phosphorus atom, or to a moiety carrying an anionic functional group. Said composition may be used e.g. in the form of a homogenous dispersion in an electrophoretic display. |
| US09403985B2 |
Methine-substituted cyanine dye compounds
Cyanine dye compounds having a substituted methine moiety that are nucleic acid stains, particularly for fluorescent staining of RNA, including compounds having the formula where R1 is a C1-C6 alkyl, sulfoalkyl, carboxyalkyl or C1-C6 alkoxy; each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, fused benzo, trifluoromethyl, amino, sulfo, carboxy and halogen, that is optionally further substituted; at least one of R3, R4, and R5 is an alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cyclic, or heterocyclic moiety that is optionally substituted by alkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, carboxy, nitro, or halogen; and the remaining R3, R4 or R5 are hydrogen; X is S, O, or Se; and D is a substituted or unsubstituted pyridinium, quinolinium or benzazolium moiety. |
| US09403979B2 |
Resin composition and resin molded article
A resin composition includes a polycarbonate resin, an aromatic polyester resin, a glycidyl group-containing polyethylene copolymer, and red phosphorus of which particle surfaces are covered with at least one of a thermosetting resin and an inorganic substance, and a volume average particle diameter is 15 μm or less. |
| US09403976B2 |
Semicarbazones as accelerators for curing epoxy resins
The present invention describes the use in epoxy resin compositions of semicarbazones of the general formula (I) having the meanings stated for the residues R1, R2, R3 and R4. These semicarbazones exhibit elevated latency in epoxy resin compositions and are thus outstandingly suitable as latent curing accelerators for single-component epoxy resin compositions. |
| US09403970B2 |
Styrene based resin composition, formed particle thereof, and optical element
A styrene based resin composition having a low linear thermal expansion coefficient and high formability, a formed article thereof, and an optical element made from the formed article are provided. The formed article is produced by forming a styrene based resin composition containing a styrene based resin and silica particles, wherein the number average particle diameter of primary particles of the silica particles is 0.5 nm or more and 40 nm or less, and the content of the silica particles is 40 percent by volume or more and 75 percent by volume or less relative to a total of the styrene based resin and the silica particles. |
| US09403964B2 |
Hydroquinone compounds for reducing photoblueing of halogen-containing polymers
The present invention relates to a stabilizer composition for halogen-containing polymers and polymer mixtures, comprising at least one hydroquinone compound to prevent or reduce photoblueing of the polymers, polymer compositions comprising the stabilizer compositions, and to methods of using the stabilizer compositions. |
| US09403961B2 |
Flame resistant flexible polyurethane foam
The present invention relates to a reactive formulation used to make a flame resistant flexible polyurethane foam which is particularly suited for use in under the hood vehicle applications. In particular, the flame resistant flexible polyurethane foam is made from a reactive formulation comprising an A side comprising (i) an organic isocyanate and a B side comprising (ii) an isocyanate-reactive component, (iii) a flame retardant component comprising a combination of red phosphorus, expandable graphite, and optionally sodium citrate wherein the resulting foam achieves a V-0 rating at 0.5 inch according to Underwriters' Laboratories Standard 94 Flammability Test. |
| US09403958B2 |
Process for producing a foamed material,composition in the form of emulsion used therein and foamed material obtainable therefrom
The present invention relates to a process for producing a foamed material, wherein a composition in the form of emulsion with a matrix-forming component, a surfactant component and a near-critical or supercritical blowing agent component is submitted to a lowering of pressure. The blowing agent component further comprises a hydrophobic co-component, which is soluble in supercritical CO2 at a pressure of ≧150 bar, is insoluble in subcritical CO2 at a pressure of ≦40 bar and is insoluble in the matrix-forming component and furthermore is present in a proportion from ≧3 wt % to ≦35 wt % of the blowing agent component. It further relates to a composition in the form of emulsion to be used herein and a foamed material obtainable by the process according to the invention. |
| US09403951B2 |
Flame-retardant polyester
The present invention is directed to a flame-retardant polyester having a structure of formula (I): where each A′ is, independently, a residue of a diol, each B′ and each B″ may be identical or different and are, independently, a residue of a saturated or unsaturated anhydride or acid, and C′ and C″ may be identical or different and are independently selected from hydrogen, a residue of an epoxy acrylate compound or a residue of an epoxy silicon-containing compound, with the proviso that C′ and C″ are not both hydrogen, where a is an integer of from 1 to 30, b is an integer of from 1 to 30, and c is an integer of from 1 to 15, and where the flame-retardant polyester has an acid value of from 20 to 40. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing the flame-retardant polyester and a composition including the same. |
| US09403948B2 |
Salt byproduct separation during formation of polyarylene sulfide
Methods of forming a polyarylene sulfide and systems as may be utilized in carrying out the methods are described. Included in the formation method is a filtration process for treatment of a mixture, the mixture including a polyarylene sulfide, a salt byproduct of the polyarylene sulfide formation reaction, and a solvent. The filtration process includes maintaining the downstream side of the filter medium at an increased pressure. The downstream pressure can such that the boiling temperature of the mixture at the downstream pressure can be higher than the temperature at which the polyarylene sulfide is insoluble in the solvent. |
| US09403945B2 |
High-performance, filler-reinforced, recyclable composite materials
Polyhexahydrotriazine (PHT) and polyhemiaminal (PHA) materials form highly cross-linked polymers which can be used as binder resins in composite materials. A filler element functionalized with a primary amine group can be covalently bonded to the PHA/PHT polymer resins. Example filler elements include, without limitation, carbon nanotubes, silica materials, carbon and glass fibers, and nanoparticles. Filler materials are incorporated into polymeric materials to improve the mechanical strength or other characteristics of the polymeric material for various applications. Typical composite materials use thermosetting materials that, once set, are intractable. PHT and PHA materials can be reverted to starting materials by exposure to acids. Thus, composite components formed using these materials are recyclable. |
| US09403944B2 |
Antipathogenic guanidinium copolymer
An antipathogenic copolymer 122, formed by the process of heating hexamethylenediamine HMDA 102, bis(hexamethylene)triamine BHMT 104, guanidinium hydrochloride 106. |
| US09403942B2 |
Transparent, amorphous polyamide moulding compounds and use thereof
A transparent, amorphous polyamide molding compound contains polyamides which are formed by polycondensation of a linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with a cycloaliphatic diamine and also blends thereof, and also additives and/or colorants. The linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is selected from dicarboxylic acids with 17 to 21 C atoms and the diamine is bis(3-methyl-4-aminocyclohexyl)methane (MACM) and cross-linking additives, in the case of the additives, and photochromic colorants, in the case of the colorants, are precluded. |
| US09403933B2 |
Curable compositions containing isocyanate functional components having improved durability
A composition comprising a) one or more isocyanate functional components, one or more oligomers or prepolymers containing isocyanate functional groups and alkoxysilane groups, or prepolymers having a flexible backbone and silane moieties capable of silanol condensation: b) one or more catalysts for the reaction of isocyanate moieties with active hydrogen atom containing groups or for silanol condensation; c) one or more compounds comprising a dihydrocarbyl hydroxyl amine, an alicyclic hydroxyl amine, a nitrile oxide of a dihydrocarbyl hydroxyl amine or a nitrile oxide of an alicyclic hydroxyl amine in a sufficient amount to enhance the ultraviolet stability of the composition in a cured state; and d) a pigment that does not have reinforcing properties or the composition contains one of one or more oligomers or prepolymers containing isocyanate functional groups and alkoxysilane groups, or prepolymers having a flexible backbone and silane moieties capable of silanol condensation. The compositions are useful as adhesives and sealers. |
| US09403931B2 |
Iron(III) complexes as catalysts for polyurethane compositions
The present invention relates to iron (III) complexes of the formula Fe(L)x(Y)3-x, where the ligand L has the formula (I). Such complexes are especially suitable as a catalyst for two-component polyurethane compositions. The invention also relates to two-component polyurethane compositions comprising at least one polyisocyanate as the first component, at least one polyol as the second component and at least one iron (III) complex of this kind as a catalyst. In addition, the invention relates to various uses of these two-component polyurethane compositions. |
| US09403930B2 |
Polyisocyanate polyaddition products, a process for preparation thereof and use thereof
The invention relates to polyisocyanate polyaddition products, to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof. |
| US09403927B2 |
Process for the production of a polymer in a gas phase fluidised bed reactor
Method for operating a process for producing a polymer by polymerization of a monomer and an optional comonomer in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor during steady-state and non-steady-state conditions. |
| US09403925B2 |
Curable composition and cured article
Provided are: a curable composition from which a cured article having excellent molding processability and high heat resistance as well as such a high Tg that it can be used as a molding resin for a SiC power semiconductor can be obtained; and a cured article thereof. The curable composition comprises: 100 parts by mass of a compound having at least two partial structures represented by the following Formula (1) in the molecule as a component (A); 0.5 to 3 parts by mass of a thermal radical generator as a component (B); and 0 to 50 parts by mass of other radical-reactive compound as a component (C): (wherein, ring A represents a benzene ring or a cyclohexyl ring; R1 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a represents a number of 0 or 1; b represents an integer of 0 to 3; and c represents a number of 1 or 2). |
| US09403923B2 |
Process for preparing synthetic polyethylene waxes having a high crystallinity and low viscosity
A process for preparing a polyethylene wax by polymerization of ethylene in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system composed of titanium tetrachloride and dialkylaluminium halide, wherein the polymerization temperature is in the range from 170 to 200° C., the polymerization is carried out essentially in the absence of solvents and the Al/Ti molar ratio is less than 1.6, gives a wax having the following property profile: dropping point of from 115 to 125° C.; penetration number of not more than 1 mm·10−1; viscosity at 150° C. of less than 60 mPas; density of from 0.945 to 0.960 g/cm3 at 23° C.; molar mass of less than 1500 g/mol and crystallinity of more than 70%. |
| US09403921B2 |
Chain transfer agent removal between polyolefin polymerization reactors
A system and method for polymerizing olefin in the presence of a chain transfer agent in a first reactor to form a first polyolefin, discharging from the first reactor a transfer slurry having the first polyolefin and the chain transfer agent, and processing the transfer slurry in a separator to remove chain transfer agent and to provide a fluff slurry having the first polyolefin and a lower content of chain transfer agent than in the transfer slurry. The system and method provide for feeding the fluff slurry to a second reactor, polymerizing olefin in the second reactor to form a second polyolefin, and discharging from the second reactor a slurry having the second polyolefin. |
| US09403919B2 |
Polymers functionalized with a carboxylic or thiocarboxylic ester containing a silylated amino group
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with an anionic initiator to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a carboxylic or thiocarboxylic ester containing a silylated amino group, where the silylated amino group is directly attached to a moiety selected from the group consisting of acyclic moieties, heterocyclic moieties, and nonaromatic cyclic moieties. |
| US09403918B2 |
Oxidized derivative of hyaluronic acid, a method of preparation thereof and a method of modification thereof
The invention relates to a hyaluronic acid derivative and methods of preparation and modification of a hyaluronan derivative with an aldehydic group in the position (6) of the polysaccharide glucosamine part. The oxidation of the hyaluronic acid can be performed by means of Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP) agent. The prepared aldehyde can be used for binding amine, diamine, amino acid, peptide and other compounds containing an amino group, e.g. by means of the reductive amination with NaBH3CN in water or in a water-organic solvent system. When a diamine or compounds containing three or more amino groups are used, cross-linked hyaluronan derivatives can be prepared. Cross-linked derivatives can also be prepared by the reaction of the aldehyde with a hyaluronan substituted by an amino-alkyl group HA-alkyl-NH2. |
| US09403915B2 |
Compositions and methods useful for ionic liquid treatment of biomass
The present invention provides for novel compositions and methods for recycling or recovering ionic liquid used in IL pretreated cellulose and/or lignocellulosic biomass (LBM). |
| US09403914B2 |
Anti-CD27 humanized monoclonal antibody
The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes CD27 containing an O-linked sugar chain to which galactose is not bound and binds to its extracellular region, or a method for using the same. The present invention can provide a monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment thereof, which specifically recognizes a polypeptide encoded by CD27 gene containing an O-linked sugar chain to which galactose is not bound, and binds to its extracellular region; a hybridoma which produces the antibody; a DNA which encodes the antibody; a vector which comprises the DNA; a transformant obtainable by transforming the vector; a process for producing an antibody or an antibody fragment thereof using the hybridoma or the transformant; and a diagnostic agent or a therapeutic agent comprising the antibody or the antibody fragment thereof as an active ingredient. |
| US09403912B2 |
Anti-ErbB2 antibody variants
The present invention relates to anti-ErbB2 antibody variants or antigen-binding fragments thereof, nucleic acid molecules encoding them, and their uses. The antibody variants of the present invention are capable of binding to ErbB2 with high affinity. Therefore, the antibody variants are ability to effectively prevent or treat various cancers with a low amount. |
| US09403910B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding an actriib antibody
The disclosure provides, among other aspects, neutralizing antibodies and portions thereof that bind to ActRIIB and uses for same. |
| US09403909B2 |
Anti-MST1R antibodies and uses thereof
The present disclosure provides recombinant antigen-binding regions and antibodies and functional fragments containing such antigen-binding regions that are specific for MST1R, which plays an integral role in various disorders or conditions, such as cancer. These antibodies, accordingly, can be used to treat these and other disorders and conditions. Antibodies of the disclosure also can be used in the diagnostics field, as well as for further investigating the role of MST1R in the progression of disorders associated with tumors. The disclosure also provides nucleic acid sequences encoding the foregoing antibodies, vectors containing the same, pharmaceutical compositions and kits with instructions for use. |
| US09403908B2 |
Method for altering hematopoietic progenitor cell adhesion, differentiation, and migration
The present invention satisfies the need in the art by providing methods for altering hematopoietic progenitor cell adhesion and/or migration to a target tissue, and for altering hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation into a second cell type. The invention also provides methods for screening test compounds for altering the level of hematopoietic progenitor cell adhesion and/or migration to a target tissue, and for altering hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation into a second cell type. The invention further provides methods for isolating hematopoietic progenitor cells. |
| US09403904B2 |
Anti-DLL4 antibodies and uses thereof
Provided herein are anti-DLL4 antibodies and methods of using anti-DLL4 antibodies as therapeutic agents in diseases or disorders associated with DLL4. |
| US09403903B2 |
Acceptor framework for CDR grafting
The present invention relates to an antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a particularly well suited antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. |
| US09403892B2 |
Therapeutic TRAIL fusion protein and preparation and use thereof
This invention relates to the biotechnology area, and provides a kind of TRAIL chimeric protein, DNA sequence encoding this chimeric protein, vectors comprising this DNA, host cells or transgenic animals that contain one of the vectors, and preparation methods for the said chimeric protein and its applications. The said TRAIL fusion protein from the N to C terminal comprises human leucine zipper sequence, human TRAIL protein, human TRAIL extracellular domain or a fragment thereof. The chimeric protein has significantly enhanced stability, prolonged half-life in animals, increased efficacy and thus has broad application future. |
| US09403889B2 |
Diagnostic lung cancer panel and methods for its use
Disclosed herein are novel diagnostic lung cancer panels and the use of these panels to diagnose, predict, and characterize lung cancer and to monitor or predict treatment efficacy. |
| US09403885B2 |
Wnt compositions and therapeutic uses of such compositions
The invention provides novel Wnt polypeptides that have enhanced solubility and improved biologic drug-like properties, and polynucleotides encoding the Wnt polypeptides of the invention. The Wnt polypeptides of the invention can be used therapeutically, such as, for example, in methods of preventing or treating muscle loss and/or promoting muscle hypertrophy and growth. |
| US09403883B2 |
Protein having affinity for immunoglobulin, and immunoglobulin-binding affinity ligand
An object of the present invention is to create a novel engineered Protein A ligand having better antibody dissociation properties in the presence of an acid than conventional engineered Protein A ligands and a further object of the present invention is to create a novel engineered Protein A ligand having higher alkali resistance. The present invention is to provide a protein having an affinity for an immunoglobulin, including an amino acid sequence derived from any of E, D, A, B and C domains of Protein A, wherein at least one Gly residue in the amino acid sequence is replaced with an amino acid other than Ala, and the protein has a lower affinity for an Fab region of an immunoglobulin than a protein including an amino acid sequence in which the Gly residue is replaced with Ala. Also, the present invention is to provide the protein having an affinity for an immunoglobulin, which has improved chemical stability in an alkaline condition compared to the corresponding domain. |
| US09403881B2 |
Insecticidal proteins and methods of use
Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are isolated insecticidal proteins and nucleic acids. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The insecticidal proteins find use in controlling or killing lepidopteran, coleopteran, dipteran, fungal, hemipteran, and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity. |
| US09403875B2 |
Cage-like bifunctional chelators, copper-64 radiopharmaceuticals and PET imaging using the same
Disclosed is a class of versatile Sarcophagine based bifunctional chelators (BFCs) containing a hexa-aza cage for labeling with metals having either imaging, therapeutic or contrast applications radiolabeling and one or more linkers (A) and (B). The compounds have the general formula where A is a functional group selected from group consisting of an amine, a carboxylic acid, an ester, a carbonyl, a thiol, an azide and an alkene, and B is a functional group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an amine, a carboxylic acid, and ester, a carbonyl, a thiol, an azide and an alkene. Also disclosed are conjugate of the BFC and a targeting moiety, which may be a peptide or antibody. Also disclosed are metal complexes of the BFC/targeting moiety conjugates that are useful as radiopharmaceuticals, imaging agents or contrast agents. |
| US09403871B2 |
Methods for treating pain by administering peptides derived from human basic proline-rich lacrimal protein
The invention relates to an in vitro method for prognosis, diagnosis or determination of the evolution of a condition involving an altered production of Basic Proline-rich Lacrimal Protein (BPLP) or of any of its maturation products, by detecting, or quantifying in a biological sample of a test subject, a BPLP protein or a maturation product thereof, and comparing the production of BPLP protein or maturation product with the production of the same in a biological sample of a control subject. |
| US09403868B2 |
Crystalline tripeptide epoxy ketone protease inhibitors
The invention relates to crystalline tripeptide keto epoxide compounds, methods of their preparation, and related pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US09403866B2 |
Compositions and methods for increasing telomerase activity
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing telomerase activity in cells. Such compositions include pharmaceutical formulations. The methods and compositions are useful for treating diseases subject to treatment by an increase in telomerase activity in cells or tissue of a patient. They are also useful for enhancing replicative capacity of cells in culture, as in ex vivo cell therapy and for enhancing proliferation of stem and progenitor cells. |
| US09403863B2 |
Substituted carbonyloxymethylphosphoramidate compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of viral infections
Provided herein are compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of liver disorders, including HCV infections. In certain embodiments, compounds and compositions of nucleoside derivatives are disclosed, which can be administered either alone or in combination with other anti-viral agents. In certain embodiments, provided herein are compounds according to Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, tautomeric or polymorphic form thereof. |
| US09403859B2 |
Iridium-based complexes for ECL
The present invention relates to novel iridium-based Ir(III) luminescent complexes, conjugates comprising these complexes as a label and their application, e.g. in the electrochemiluminescence based detection of an analyte. |
| US09403858B2 |
Platinum compounds, compositions, and uses thereof
The present teachings relate to compounds and compositions for treatment of cancers. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a platinum (IV) complex having at least one reacting group for reacting with a functional group on a protein, engineered protein, antibody, antibody fragment, peptide, agonist, antagonist, aptamer or ligand which may be capable of recognizing a selected target cell population, and/or derivatives/analogs/mimics thereof. |
| US09403855B2 |
Zanamivir phosphonate congeners with anti-influenza activity and determining oseltamivir susceptibility of influenza viruses
Methods and compositions for detection of drug resistant pathogens and treatment against infections thereof are provided. Methods for detection of oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses by competitive binding assays utilizing non-oseltamivir influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitors and oseltamivir carboxylate are provided. Influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitors coupled to sensors and useful for employment in the methods of the invention are disclosed. Novel phosphonate compounds active as neuraminidase inhibitors against wild-type and oseltamivir-resistant influenza strains of H1N1, H5N1 and H3N2 viruses are disclosed. An enantioselective synthetic route to preparation of these phosphonate compounds via sialic acid is provided. |
| US09403854B2 |
Cross-metathesis reaction of functionalized and substituted olefins using group 8 transition metal carbene complexes as metathesis catalysts
The invention pertains to the use of Group 8 transition metal carbene complexes as catalysts for olefin cross-metathesis reactions. In particular, ruthenium and osmium alkylidene complexes substituted with an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand are used to catalyze cross-metathesis reactions to provide a variety of substituted and functionalized olefins, including phosphonate-substituted olefins, directly halogenated olefins, 1,1,2-trisubstituted olefins, and quaternary allylic olefins. The invention further provides a method for creating functional diversity using the aforementioned complexes to catalyze cross-metathesis reactions of a first olefinic reactant, which may or may not be substituted with a functional group, with each of a plurality of different olefinic reactants, which may or may not be substituted with functional groups, to give a plurality of structurally distinct olefinic products. The methodology of the invention is also useful in facilitating the stereoselective synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted olefins in the cis configuration. |
| US09403853B2 |
Trimethylolpropane core, phosphonic acid terminated dendrimer and its preparation method
A trimethylolpropane core, phosphonic acid terminated dendrimer and its preparation method are provided, And a preparation method thereof comprises steps of processing Michael addition reaction on trimethylolpropane triacrylate (CH3CH2C(CH2OCOCH2═CH2)3) and alkylidene diamine (NH2CH2(CH2)nNH2), wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5, so as to obtain trimethylolpropane core, amino group terminated dendrimer, and modifying the amino group by methylene phosphonic acid to obtain the trimethylolpropane core, phosphonic acid terminated dendrimer having a chemical formula of CH3CH2C[CH2OCOCH2CH2N(CH2PO3H2)CH2(CH2)nN(CH2PO3H2)2]3, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5. The trimethylolpropane core, phosphonic acid terminated dendrimer has high calcium tolerance, and excellent inhibiting efficiency of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate and barium sulfate, which is applied in inhibiting the formation and deposition in industrial water systems of circulating cooling water, oilfield flooding and reverse osmosis, and particularly suitable for water treatment with high calcium tolerance. |
| US09403852B2 |
Nitric oxide-releasing particles for nitric oxide therapeutics and biomedical applications
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to nitric oxide-releasing particles for delivering nitric oxide, and their use in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. |
| US09403851B2 |
Nitric oxide-releasing particles for nitric oxide therapeutics and biomedical applications
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to nitric oxide-releasing particles for delivering nitric oxide, and their use in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. |
| US09403850B2 |
Beta-lactamase inhibitors
Described herein are compounds and compositions that modulate the activity of beta-lactamases. In some embodiments, the compounds described herein inhibit beta-lactamase. In certain embodiments, the compounds described herein are useful in the treatment of bacterial infections. |
| US09403847B2 |
Substituted heteroaryl fused derivatives as P13K inhibitors
The present invention provides fused derivatives of Formula I: that modulate the activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and are useful in the treatment of diseases related to the activity of PI3Ks including, for example, inflammatory disorders, immune-based disorders, cancer, and other diseases. |
| US09403834B2 |
Pyrrolotriazines as potassium ion channel inhibitors
A compound of formula (I), wherein A, R1, R3, and R24 are described herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of potassium channel function and in the treatment and prevention of arrhythmia, IKur-associated disorders, and other disorders mediated by ion channel function. |
| US09403833B2 |
Carboxamide derivatives
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or co-crystal thereof; a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition. |
| US09403831B2 |
Triazolopyrazine derivative and use thereof
The present invention relates to a novel triazolopyrazine derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same as an active ingredient for preventing or treating hyper proliferative disorder. The present invention can be useful as a therapeutic agent for various hyper proliferative disorders associated with excessive cell proliferation and growth caused by abnormal kinase activity, such as cancer, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetic retinopathy, by efficiently inhibiting c-Met tyrosine kinase activity. |
| US09403829B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions of 7-(6-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl)-1-((trans)-4-methoxycyclohexyl)-3,4-dihydropyrazino [2,3-b]pyrazin-2(1H)-one, a solid form thereof and methods of their use
Provided herein are compositions of 7-(6-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl)-1-((trans)-4-methoxycyclohexyl)-3,4-dihydropyrazino[2,3-b]pyrazin-2(1H)-one, solid forms, isotopologues and metabolites thereof, and methods of their use for the treatment of a disease, disorder, or condition. |
| US09403827B2 |
Substituted purinone compounds
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): (I) as described herein, pharmaceutical preparations comprising such compounds, uses and methods of use for such compounds in the treatment of a disorder or a disease mediated by the activity of as MDM2 and/or MDM4, and combinations comprising such compounds. |
| US09403817B2 |
Methods and compositions for preparing noribogaine from voacangine
Disclosed are methods and compositions for preparing and purifying the non-addictive alkaloid noribogaine. |
| US09403812B2 |
Triazole derivatives as Wnt signaling pathway inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I, to processes for their preparation, to pharmaceutical formulations containing such compounds and to their use in therapy: Such compounds find particular use in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions or diseases which are affected by over-activation of signaling in the Wnt pathway and increased presence of nuclear β-catenin. For example, these may be used in preventing and/or retarding proliferation of tumor cells and metastasis, for example carcinomas such as colon carcinomas. |
| US09403809B2 |
Synthesis of raltegravir
The present invention relates to a novel synthetic route for the preparation of raltegravir and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, starting from 2-amino-2-methylpropanenitrile and oxadiazole carbonyl chloride, through the formation of a pyrimidinone intermediate of formula (V). |
| US09403808B2 |
Pyrazine derivatives
The invention relates to a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 to R4 are defined as in the description and in the claims. The compound of formula (I) can be used as a medicament. In particular, the compound may be used as a preferential agonist of Cannabinoid Receptor 2. |
| US09403804B2 |
Inhibitors of c-fms kinase
The invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: wherein Z, X, J, R2 and W are set forth in the specification, as well as solvates, hydrates, tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that inhibit protein tyrosine kinases, especially c-fms kinase. Methods of treating autoimmune diseases; and diseases with an inflammatory component; treating metastasis from ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, hairy cell leukemia; and treating pain, including skeletal pain caused by tumor metastasis or osteoarthritis, or visceral, inflammatory, and neurogenic pain; as well as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and other diseases in which bone resorption mediates morbidity including rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, prosthesis failure, osteolytic sarcoma, myeloma, and tumor metastasis to bone with the compounds of Formula I, are also provided. |
| US09403799B2 |
Pyrimidinyl-pyridazinone derivatives for treating a disease which is influenced by inhibition of met kinase
Compounds selected from the group according to claim 1 are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular of Met kinase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumors. |
| US09403793B2 |
Compositions and methods for the treatment of moderate to severe pain
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I; and methods for treating or preventing moderate to severe pain, may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of muscle pain, spasticity, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, post-operative pain, muscle spasticity, headache, chronic pain, sub-chronic pain and local pain. |
| US09403791B1 |
Coumarin derivatives for cancer therapy
The disclosure provides methods and compositions for treating and preventing cancer using 6-substituted coumarin derivatives. The coumarin derivatives of the disclosure have substituents at the 6-position with five carbon atoms or greater. The coumarin derivatives may be further substituted and may be 3,4-dihydrocoumarins. In preferred embodiments, the coumarin derivatives of the disclosure are used to treat pancreatic cancer. |
| US09403790B2 |
Aminotetrahydropyrans as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of diabetes
The present invention is directed to novel substituted aminotetrahydropyrans of structural formula I which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved. |
| US09403786B2 |
Anti-inflammatory compounds
New clerodane compounds isolated from plant material from Dodonaea polyandra are disclosed. The compounds have anti-inflammatory activity. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing the compounds, as well as methods of treating inflammation using the compounds, are also disclosed. |
| US09403780B2 |
Pyridine- or pyrazine-containing compounds
Described herein are selective bis-alkynyl pyrazines, bis-alkynyl pyridines, bispyridine substituted ellagic acid derivatives, and pyridine-substituted coumarin derivatives and methods of making thereof. |
| US09403778B2 |
Agents that prevent or repair skin damage
The invention provides compounds of formula I: or a salt thereof as described herein. The invention also provides dermatological compositions comprising a compound of formula I or mixtures of one or more compounds of formula I, processes for preparing compounds of formula I, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I and therapeutic methods for protecting skin or DNA from photodamage or repairing photodamaged skin or DNA. |
| US09403775B2 |
AZA spiro alkane derivatives as inhibitors of metalloproteases
The present invention provides a compound of Formula I or Formula II: enantiomer, diastereomer, prodrug, solvate, metabolite, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein constituent variables are provided herein. The compounds of Formula I and II are modulators of metalloproteases and are useful in treating diseases associated with metalloprotease activity such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, skin disorders, inflammation and allergic conditions. |
| US09403774B2 |
Guanidine and amine substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds as factor xia inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): (Formula (I)) or stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are inhibitors of factor XIa and/or plasma kallikrein which may be used as medicaments. |
| US09403771B2 |
Fused heterocyclic compound
There is provided a compound having an excellent controlling effect on pests represented by the formula (1): wherein, A1 represents —NR7—, etc., A2 represents a nitrogen atom, etc., A3 represents a nitrogen atom, etc., R1 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group X, etc., R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and each represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms, etc., R5 and R6 are the same or different and each represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group X, etc., R7 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group W, etc., n represents 0, 1 or 2, or an N-oxide thereof. |
| US09403768B2 |
Indolines
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein W, Y, Z, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as described in this application, and methods of using said compounds in the treatment of cancer. |
| US09403767B2 |
Substituted 4-aminocyclohexane derivatives
The invention relates to compounds that have an affinity to the μ-opioid receptor and the ORL 1-receptor, methods for their production, medications containing these compounds and the use of these compounds for the treatment of pain and other conditions. |
| US09403766B2 |
Intermediates for producing NEP inhibitors or prodrugs thereof
The invention relates to a new process for producing NEP inhibitors or prodrugs thereof, in particular NEP inhibitors comprising a γ-amino-δ-biphenyl-α-methylalkanoic acid, or acid ester, backbone. In detail, the new processes, according to the present invention, are ultimately related to the synthesis of intermediates to prepare the above NEP inhibitors, namely compounds according to formula (1), or salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are, independently of each other, hydrogen or a nitrogen protecting group, and R3 is a carboxyl group or an ester group, preferably carboxyl group or alkyl ester. |
| US09403765B2 |
Retinal derivatives and methods for the use thereof for the treatment of visual disorders
Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinal derivatives as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided. |
| US09403764B2 |
Method of production of a methionine salt
A method for production of a methionine salt in a reactive rectification column containing a weir having a height of 100 mm or more is provided. |
| US09403762B2 |
Reaction products of guanidine compounds or salts thereof, polyepoxides and polyhalogens
Reaction products of guanidine compounds or salts thereof, polyepoxide compounds and polyhalogen compounds may be used as levelers in metal electroplating baths, such as copper electroplating baths, to provide good throwing power. Such reaction products may plate with good surface properties of the metal deposits and good physical reliability. |
| US09403761B2 |
Aminocarbonylcarbamate compounds
The present disclosure provides a compound represented by Formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt which are effective as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and a method of using the compound: wherein X is independently halo, alkyl, alkoxy or nitro; m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; n is 1 or 2; R1 and R2 are independently H— or alkyl; R3 is H—, alkyl or aralkyl; and R4 is H— or aryl. |
| US09403758B2 |
Antibacterial agents
Antibacterial compounds of formula (I) are provided: as well as stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of treating bacterial infections by the administration of such compounds; and processes for the preparation of such compounds. |
| US09403753B2 |
Dual site catalyst for mild, selective nitrile reduction
A ruthenium bis(pyrazolyl)borate scaffold that enables cooperative reduction reactivity in which boron and ruthenium centers work in concert to effect selective nitrile reduction is provided. The pre-catalyst compound [κ3-(1-pz)2HB(N═CHCH3)]Ru(cymene)+ TfO− (pz=pyrazolyl) was synthesized using readily-available materials through a straightforward route, thus making it an appealing catalyst for a number of reactions. |
| US09403748B2 |
Synthesis of short chain carboxylic acids from carbohydrate biomass
The current disclosure provides methods for producing C2-C5 carboxylic acids from a carbohydrate source. In some embodiments, the method may be: (a) contacting the carbohydrate source with an alkali to form a plurality of intermediate compounds; and (b) reducing the intermediate compounds to form at least one C2-C5 carboxylic acid. In some embodiments, the carbohydrate source may be organic waste. |