| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09411552B2 |
Bezel pixel layer in multi-panel display
A multi-panel display system includes an array of display panels arranged to be viewed as a multi-panel display. The multi-panel display includes a bezel pixel layer covering a bezel region of the multi-panel display. The bezel region is between pixel regions of the display panels in the array. The multi-panel display system also includes a display engine communicatively coupled to drive the display panels to display image sections and communicatively coupled to drive the bezel pixel layer to display a bezel shaped image section. The image sections and the bezel shaped image sections are subsections of a unified overall-image to be displayed on the multi-panel display. |
| US09411551B2 |
Docking station having multiple modes
An exemplary docking station includes a first computer port, a second computer port, and a controller. The first computer port is provided to receive a first video signal. The second video port is provided to receive a second video signal. The controller is provided to selectively drive displays of a first monitor and a second monitor according the first and second video signals. In particular, the controller configured to selectively operate in one of a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. In the first mode, the controller drives the display of the first monitor according to the first video signal and drives the display of the second monitor according to the second video signal. In the second mode, the controller drives the displays of the first and second monitors according to the first video signal. In the third mode, the controller drives the displays of the first and second monitors according to the second video signal. |
| US09411549B2 |
Dynamic generation of test images for ambient light testing
In a remote access environment that includes a server, a client device may remotely access, e.g., medical images from the server and may be provided with a mechanism to retrieve a test image, such as the TG-18 CT or TG-18 MP sample test patterns. The client device communicates display size information to the server, which generates the test image on-the-fly for the particular display size of the client device. For example, components in the test image and borders may be scaled to create an appropriate test image for any client device. |
| US09411547B1 |
Compensation for print shift in standardized forms to facilitate extraction of data therefrom
A method comprising receiving a candidate image, including a first field, a second field, a first data element, and a second data element. The processor receives a definition of first and second form zones. The processor evaluates the first data element to determine a first measure of a similarity and the second data element to determine a second measure of a similarity. The processor computes a similarity value indicative of an overall similarity, iteratively compares the overall similarity to a previous iteration, modifies the positions of the form zones, and repeats the evaluating and computing based on the modified positions until the computed similarity value meets a threshold. |
| US09411545B1 |
Synchronization of different communication channels established between one or more managing servers and one or more remote devices
Apparatus and methods for carrying out tasks using transactions with print devices are provided. A transaction can be opened between one or more managing servers and one or more print devices, where the transaction is associated with one or more tasks. As part of the transaction, the tasks can be performed using the managing servers and the print devices. A source device can communicate each task to one or more destination devices, where the source device can be selected from among the managing servers and the print devices, where the destination devices can be selected from among the managing servers and the print devices, and where the source device is not one of the destination devices. Each of the destination devices can communicate a reply to the communicated task. The transaction between the managing servers and the print devices can be closed. |
| US09411543B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus comprising: a processor; and memory storing instructions causing the image processing apparatus to execute: acquiring target data representing a target image; performing determination for each of a plurality of target pixels forming the target data about whether or not the target pixel is an object pixel which has density equal to or higher than predetermined density; selecting first color as a conversion color for a first object pixel of object pixels, and selecting a second color as a conversion color for the second object pixel of object pixels; converting a pixel value of the first object pixel to a first value indicative of the first color, and converting a pixel value of the second object pixel to a second value indicative of the second color to generate first converted data; and outputting the first converted data. |
| US09411534B2 |
Time stamp generation for virtual disks
An administrator provisions a virtual disk in a remote storage platform and defines policies for that virtual disk. A virtual machine writes to and reads from the storage platform using any storage protocol. Virtual disk data within a failed storage pool is migrated to different storage pools while still respecting the policies of each virtual disk. Snapshot and revert commands are given for a virtual disk at a particular point in time and overhead is minimal. A virtual disk is cloned utilizing snapshot information and no data need be copied. Any number of Zookeeper clusters are executing in a coordinated fashion within the storage platform, thus increasing overall throughput. A timestamp is generated that guarantees a monotonically increasing counter, even upon a crash of a virtual machine. Any virtual disk has a “hybrid cloud aware” policy in which one replica of the virtual disk is stored in a public cloud. |
| US09411533B2 |
Snapshots and versioning of transactional storage class memory
A system and method enables efficient implementation of snapshots of data organized as arbitrary data structures on a byte-addressable persistent memory of a host computer. A user-level library of the host computer may configure the persistent memory as a software transactional memory (STM) system defined by operations, such as a STM commit operation, that ensure safe and consistent storage of the data (i.e., the data structures) within a region of the persistent memory. The library may then cooperate with an application executing on the host computer to control access to a data structure, e.g., to change a datum, stored in the region of the persistent memory as a transaction using the STM commit operation. Within a context of the transaction, the library may precisely determine which byte or bytes of the datum have changed within the region, as well as how and when the bytes have changed. Armed with precise knowledge of the context of the transaction, the library may efficiently implement a snapshot (i.e., point-in-time copy) of the changed datum and its associated data structure at the granularity at which it was modified, e.g., at the byte-addressable granularity. |
| US09411531B2 |
Managing memory and storage space for a data operation
Processing a plurality of data units to generate result information, includes: performing a data operation for each data unit of a first subset of data units from the plurality of data units, and storing information associated with a result of the data operation in a first set of one or more data structures stored in working memory space of a memory device; after an overflow condition on the working memory space is satisfied, storing information in overflow storage space of a storage device; and repeating an overflow processing procedure multiple times during the processing of the plurality of data units, the overflow processing procedure including: updating a new set of one or more data structures stored in the working memory space using at least some information stored in the overflow storage space. |
| US09411526B1 |
Filesystem management
A method for managing a filesystem by a storage system, the method may include maintaining, by a storage system, a filesystem data structure that comprises filesystem pathnames metadata related to a filesystem that is stored in the storage system; receiving, from a client that is coupled to the storage system via a network, a request to obtain a client filesystem object list related to at least a certain portion of the filesystem; generating, in response to the request and in response to the filesystem data structure, the client filesystem object list, wherein the client filesystem object list comprises at least one pathname of at least one filesystem object that belongs to the at least certain portion of the filesystem; and sending the client filesystem object list to the client. |
| US09411523B2 |
Redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system backup management
Disclosed herein are RAID backup management systems and methods. According to an aspect, a method may include identifying portions of data in each of multiple storage units of a RAID system. The method may also include backing up data in the identified portions to a hot spare. Further, the method may include allocating storage space in the hot spare for the backup based on detection of errors among the storage units. |
| US09411519B2 |
Implementing enhanced performance flash memory devices
A method and apparatus for implementing performance in a flash memory system in a computer system. A flash memory chip includes a function engine performing garbage collection and scrub operations using an internal bus for data movement. The system includes an on-flash chip memory buffer buffering garbage collection and scrub requests. Garbage collection and scrub operations are interleaved with mainline reads and writes. |
| US09411516B2 |
Storage controller configured to transfer data stored by first storage device to second storage device during a period of inactivity based at least on write speeds
Provided is an apparatus including a first storage device having a first write speed and a second storage device having a second write speed. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to manage a transfer of data to the first storage device or the second storage device. The amount of data stored on each of the first and second storage devices is based on the first write speed and the second write speed. |
| US09411511B1 |
Three-dimensional display devices with out-of-screen virtual keyboards
Certain aspects direct to a three-dimensional display device, which includes a display module defining a plurality of pixels, a barrier module, a sensing module, and a controller. For a viewer of the display module, the barrier module allows the viewer to perceives light emitted from the display module to form left-eye and right-eye views to form a three-dimensional virtual image. The sensing module generates sensing signals in response to detecting an object. The controller is configured to generate display signals for the display module to control the pixels, receive the sensing signals from the sensing module, and generate an object coordinate according to the sensing signals. In response to a display instruction, the controller controls the display module to display a three-dimensional virtual input device. In response to the object coordinate matching coordinates of an input region of the three-dimensional virtual input device, the controller generates an input command. |
| US09411510B2 |
Techniques for preventing typographical errors on soft keyboards
Techniques for preventing typographical errors on digital soft keyboards are implemented by a computing device with a touch-screen display. According to one technique, a plurality of soft keys of a soft keyboard is displayed on the touch-screen display. Each soft key covers an area of the touch-screen display. One or more occurrences of a particular typographical error in which a user erroneously selects an adjacent soft key in addition to or instead of an intended soft key are detected. In response, an activation region of the intended soft key is changed to decrease the probability of the user making the same typographical error in the future. |
| US09411509B2 |
Virtual controller for touch display
Systems and methods are provided for use with a computing device having a touch sensitive display including a touch sensor configured to detect touches of a digit of a user. The method may include detecting an initial digit down position on the display via the touch sensor, and establishing a neutral position for a virtual controller at the digit down position. The method may further include detecting a subsequent movement of the digit relative to the initial digit down position, and determining a controller input parameter based on the subsequent movement of the digit relative to the initial digit down position. The method may further include generating a controller input message indicating the determined controller input parameter. |
| US09411497B2 |
Method for providing graphical user interface for changing reproducing time point and imaging apparatus therefor
A method for providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for changing a reproducing time point, and an imaging apparatus incorporating the same are provided. The GUI for changing a reproducing time point displays reduction images of specific time points within a time period including a specific time point selected by a pointer, and changes the reproducing time point to the time point represented by the reduction image selected from the displayed reduction images. Accordingly, a user is able to search for a desired time point without going through a plurality of manipulations to change the reproducing time point on the progress bar using the pointer. |
| US09411488B2 |
Display apparatus and method for controlling display apparatus thereof
A display apparatus and a method for controlling a display apparatus thereof are provided. The method for controlling the display apparatus includes: receiving a mode start command from one of a plurality of input units to control a pointer; determining a type of an input unit through which the mode start command is input; and displaying the pointer on a display screen based on a result of the determining. Accordingly, a user may perform the functions of the display apparatus more conveniently according to each input apparatus. |
| US09411479B2 |
Touch panel including touch sensor
A touch panel including a touch sensor is disclosed. In one aspect, the touch panel includes a substrate, a first touch electrode layer and a second touch electrode layer formed over the substrate and an insulating layer interposed between the first and second touch electrode layers. The first touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes each configured to independently receive a driving signal. Each of the first touch electrodes includes a plurality of sub-electrodes arranged at a predetermined interval and a plurality of sub-electrode connectors electrically connecting the sub-electrodes to each other. |
| US09411478B2 |
Display device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a display panel having a counter substrate, an array substrate and a liquid crystal layer held therebetween, a counter electrode provided on the counter substrate, a pixel electrode arranged on the array substrate in a matrix, a sensor circuit arranged between rows of the plurality of pixel electrodes and configured to read out intensity of capacitive coupling between the sensor circuit and a dielectric, and a counter electrode drive circuit configured to pulsatively drive a common voltage added to the counter electrode during a period of driving the sensor circuit, wherein the sensor circuit comprises a detection electrode configured to form capacitance between the sensor circuit and the dielectric and to form capacitance between the sensor circuit and the counter electrode, and wherein the counter electrode comprises an aperture including at least a portion opposed to the detection electrode. |
| US09411469B2 |
Touch screen device, and driving device and driving method for touch panel using predetermined waveforms
A driving circuit outputs driving waveforms to operation signal lines. The waveforms are formed by combining a first-mode waveform for charging a node capacitor with a positive voltage and a second-mode waveform for charging the node capacitor with a negative voltage in a predetermined binary sequence. A sensing circuit is electrically connected with a plurality of sense signal lines and measures sense voltages delivered to one integration capacitor from a plurality of node capacitors which are electrically connected with the sense signal lines. A sense detector adds or subtracts the sense voltages which are measured by the sensing circuit at driving time points to measure capacitances of the node capacitors. Accordingly, an autocorrelation technique which is generally used in communication systems is applied to driving a touch screen device. |
| US09411466B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device, a second substrate includes a detection electrode of a touch panel, pixels include pixel electrodes and counter electrodes, the counter electrodes are divided into a plurality of blocks, the counter electrodes of the divided blocks are provided in common to the pixels on a plurality of display lines being side by side, the counter electrodes of the divided blocks are used as scanning electrodes of the touch panel as well, the liquid crystal display device includes a semiconductor chip configured to supply a counter voltage and a touch panel scanning voltage to the counter electrodes of the divided blocks, the semiconductor chip includes a first terminal group formed on a side of a display area side configured by the plurality of pixels. |
| US09411464B2 |
Touch determination with signal compensation
A multi-touch system includes a panel for conducting signals, e.g. by FTIR, from incoupling points to outcoupling points, to define detection lines across the panel. A signal processor operates in a repeating sequence of iterations to obtain an output signal from a detector coupled to the outcoupling points and generate a formatted signal value for each detection line, and operate a reconstruction algorithm on the formatted signal values to determine an interaction pattern on the panel. The signal processor also, at least intermittently in the sequence of iterations, operates compensation data on the formatted signal values to compensate for contaminations on the panel, and calculates updated compensation data based on an interference pattern determined as a function of the interaction pattern, the interference pattern being a 2D representation of contamination-induced signal interferences. The influence of contaminations in the interaction pattern is thereby suppressed. |
| US09411461B2 |
Moveable interactive shortcut toolbar and unintentional hit rejecter for touch input devices
Techniques and systems for facilitating the creation of electronic content on an editing canvas are disclosed. One example involves displaying an editing canvas on a touch screen of an electronic device, displaying a touch block object overlaying a portion of the editing canvas, wherein the touch block object blocks unintentional touches in an area of the touch screen associated with the touch block object, and changing a position of the touch block object with respect to the editing canvas responsive to receiving touch input on the touch screen to change the position of the touch block object. The touch block object may provide easy and convenient access to one or more editing tools or other feature for editing content on the canvas. |
| US09411460B2 |
Method and device for detecting the orientation of an area of the body of an individual placed on an apposition area of a biometric sensor mounting
The present invention concerns a method and device for detecting the orientation of an area (DO) of the body of an individual placed on an apposition area (AP) of a biometric sensor mounting (P) designed to form a first image (I1) of the area (DO) of the body by total reflection of radiation on the apposition area (AP), and a second image (I2) of the area (DO) of the body from radiation able to pass through the tissues of the body and to be reflected on haemoglobin. The method is characterized in that it comprises a step of determining in a reference frame firstly the longitudinal axis (A) of the area of the body depicted in the first image and secondly two longitudinal edges (B1, B2) of the area of the body depicted in the second image, and a step of determining the orientation of the area of the body with respect to the mounting from the measurement of the relative positions of the two edges (B1, B2) and the axis (A) thus determined in the reference frame. The present invention also concerns a biometric sensor and an installation for identifying an individual comprising such a device. |
| US09411459B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal in which a touch input is automatically recognized as a touch by a user's grip on a display unit having a touch screen when a partial region of the display unit is touched by the user's grip, and a control method thereof are discussed. The control method of a mobile terminal includes generating, by the mobile terminal, a first signal corresponding to a first touch input on a display region of a display unit of the mobile terminal, calculating, by the mobile terminal, a first coordinate value corresponding to the generated first signal, determining, by the mobile terminal, whether or not the first coordinate value is located within a first preset region of the display region, and reconfiguring, by the mobile terminal, the display region of the display unit based on the calculated first coordinate value when the calculated first coordinate value is determined to be located within the first preset region. |
| US09411457B2 |
Sensor having a set of plates, and method
A sensor having a set of plates that are in contact from their bottom at the corners with a set of protrusions that are in contact from above with a plurality of intersections, each having a sensing element, of a grid of wires disposed on a base, and a top surface layer that is disposed atop the set of plates, so that force imparted from above onto the top surface layer is transmitted to the plates and thence to the protrusions, and thence to the intersections of the grid of wires which are thereby compressed between the base and protrusions; and that the protrusions above thereby focus the imparted force directly onto the intersections. A sensor includes a computer in communication with the grid which causes prompting signals to be sent to the grid and reconstructs a continuous position of force on the surface from interpolation based on data signals received from the grid. A method for sensing. |
| US09411456B2 |
Embedded light-sensing component
In embodiments of an embedded light sensing component, a lens assembly includes a display component to display a user interface, such as when implemented in a wearable device. The lens assembly has a lens structure that covers the display component. The lens assembly also includes a light sensor that is implemented to sense ambient light in an environment proximate the lens structure, where the light sensor is embedded between the display component and the lens structure of the lens assembly. |
| US09411453B2 |
Touch-controlled display panel and touch-controlled display device
The present invention provides a touch-controlled display panel, which comprises an array substrate, a color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate. The array substrate comprises a scan line, a data line, a pixel electrode, a first touch-controlled driving line, and a touch-controlled sensing line. The present invention further provides a touch-controlled display device. The present invention integrates the common line with the touch-controlled driving line and the touch-controlled sensing line, thereby improving the efficiency in manufacturing the touch-controlled display panel and reducing the manufacture cost thereof. |
| US09411452B2 |
System and method for improving impact safety
A system for improving the impact safety and methods for manufacturing and using same. The system includes a panel that comprises a panel surface having a frangible region. The panel can be formed from a translucent material, such as glass. The frangible region is indistinguishable from the remainder of the panel during normal conditions but enables the panel to break in a safe, predictable manner when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the frangible region. Thereby, the panel does not shatter or form sharp shards. Instead, the frangible region breaks away from the panel as an intact unit without internal fracturing. Risk of personal injury thereby can be minimized. The lack of sharp shards likewise facilitates clean up and replacement of the broken panel. The panel advantageously can be applied in video monitors and emergency equipment such as fire extinguisher cabinets disposed aboard passenger vehicles and in stationary environments such as the home or office. |
| US09411444B2 |
Touch determination by tomographic reconstruction
A touch-sensitive apparatus comprises a panel for conducting signals from incoupling points to outcoupling points. Detection lines are defined between pairs of incoupling and outcoupling points. A signal generator is coupled to the incoupling points to generate the signals. A data processor processes the output signal to generate a set of data samples, which are non-uniformly arranged in a two-dimensional sample space. Each data sample is indicative of detected energy on a detection line and is defined by a signal value and first and second dimension values defining the location of the detection line on the surface portion. Adjustment factors are obtained for the data samples, each adjustment factor being representative of the local density of data samples in the sample space. The data samples are processed by tomographic reconstruction, while applying the adjustment factors, to generate a reconstructed distribution of an energy-related parameter within the surface portion. |
| US09411436B2 |
Input device backlighting
Input device backlighting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a light guide configured to transmit light, a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs, a connection portion configured to form a communicative coupling to a computing device to communicate the one or more inputs received by the sensor assembly to the computing device, and an outer layer. The outer layer has a plurality of indications of inputs formed using openings in the outer layer such that light from the light guide is configured to pass through the openings to function as a backlight. The outer layer also has a plurality of sub-layers arranged to have increasing levels of resistance to transmission of the light from the light guide, one to another. |
| US09411434B2 |
User interface for operating a computer from a distance
Switching between an arm's length user interface and a distance user interface is provided. A first user interface optimized to operate a computer from an arm's-length distance is presented on a display. A command is received. It is determined whether the command is from a wired device or a wirelessly-connected device. When the command is from a wired device, then the first user interface continues to be presented. When the command is from a wirelessly-connected device, then the display is toggled from the first user interface to the distance user interface. The distance user interface is optimized for operating the computer from a television-viewing distance. The television-viewing distance measured in feet is approximately half of a diagonal measure of the image displayed on the display device measured in inches. |
| US09411432B2 |
Systems and methods for enabling gesture control based on detection of occlusion patterns
Described is an approach to enabling gesture interactions for the viewport widget in a graphical user interface (GUI) library. The gesture interactions may include continuous operations such as panning, zooming and rotating of the viewport's content with fingers (or styluses). The approach is based on using a camera to detect occlusion patterns in a sensor grid rendered over the viewport. The sensor grid consists of sensor blobs, which are small blobs of pixels with a distinct color. A sensor blob is aware of its location in both the viewport's coordinate system and the camera's coordinate system, and triggers an occlusion event at the location when it is occluded by a finger (or stylus). Robust techniques are devised to eliminate unintentional gestures, provide visual guidance and feedback for interactions, and minimize the visual interference of the sensor grid with the viewport's content. |
| US09411429B2 |
Rotary controller arrangement
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for a rotary controller arrangement. A method may include receiving an indication that a rotary control element is moved to a first end position. A first action may be performed based on a selection of the first action at the first end position. An indication that the rotary control element is moved to a second end position may be received. A second action may be performed based on a selection of the second action at the second end position. The disclosed rotary controller arrangement includes assigning an action to the end point of rotation of a rotary control element. By assigning an action to an end point of rotation, a user may rotate the rotary control element to a particular end point to easily find and select the desired action. |
| US09411425B2 |
Input device, input method, and computer program for inputting characters, numbers, or symbols by using an on-screen keyboard
An input control unit includes: a keyboard display unit configured to display a keyboard that shows a set of a plurality of characters or symbols that can be input on a screen and receive a user's selection of a character or a symbol so as to enter the character or the symbol received from the user on a mobile terminal; an input receiving unit configured to receive the character or the symbol selected by the user from among the plurality of characters or symbols; and a screen control unit configured to change a priority of displaying the keyboard screen if an operation is received from a rear touch panel provided on the rear face of a mobile terminal. |
| US09411424B2 |
Input device for operating graphical user interface
An input device includes an input unit for inputting a predetermined motion image signal, a motion detector for detecting a motion on the basis of the motion image signal inputted into the input unit, a video signal processor for outputting a predetermined video signal, and a controller. The controller controls the video signal processor so that, when a motion detector detects a first motion, the video signal processor outputs a video signal to explain a predetermined second motion to be next detected by the motion detector after the detection of the first motion to a user. |
| US09411422B1 |
User interaction with content markers
Systems and methods are provided for enabling user interaction with content markers of a content item. Content markers can generally correspond to any point of interest in the content item. In one embodiment, a scrub bar is provided enabling user navigation to locations within the content item. As a user utilizes the scrub bar to select a location corresponding to a content marker, a haptic notification is provided to the user indicative of a corresponding point of interest. Thereafter, the user may halt interaction with the scrub bar to being playback of the content item at the point of interest. In another embodiment, a user is enabled to provide input perpendicular to a displayed scrub bar to alternate between multiple available scrub bars and/or points of interest. For example, multiple scrub bars may be provided, each associated with a given type of point of interest. |
| US09411416B2 |
Computer device operable with user's eye movement and method for operating the computer device
The present invention relates to a method for operating a computer device with user's eye movement. The method comprises the steps of detecting the user's eye movement, analyzing the user's eye movement to specify an eye movement pattern in the detected user's eye movement and a time period for completing the eye movement pattern, determining a command associated with a combination of the eye movement pattern and the time period and operating the device according to the command. |
| US09411413B2 |
Three dimensional user interface effects on a display
The techniques disclosed herein may use various sensors to infer a frame of reference for a hand-held device. In fact, with various inertial clues from accelerometer, gyrometer, and other instruments that report their states in real time, it is possible to track a Frenet frame of the device in real time to provide an instantaneous (or continuous) 3D frame-of-reference. In addition to—or in place of—calculating this instantaneous (or continuous) frame of reference, the position of a user's head may either be inferred or calculated directly by using one or more of a device's optical sensors, e.g., an optical camera, infrared camera, laser, etc. With knowledge of the 3D frame-of-reference for the display and/or knowledge of the position of the user's head, more realistic virtual 3D depictions of the graphical objects on the device's display may be created—and interacted with—by the user. |
| US09411412B1 |
Controlling a computing device based on user movement about various angular ranges
A computing device can be controlled based on changes in the angle of a user's head with respect to the device, such as due to the user tilting the device and/or the user tilting his head with respect to the device. Such control based on the angle of the user's head can be achieved even when the user is operating the device “off-axis” or when the device is not orthogonal and/or not centered with respect to the user. This can be accomplished by using an elastic reference point that dynamically adjusts to a detected angle of the user's head with respect to the device. Such an approach can account for differences between when the user is changing his natural resting position and/or the resting position of the device and when the user is intending to perform a gesture based on the angle of the user's head relative to the device. |
| US09411411B2 |
Wearable electronic device having touch recognition unit and detachable display, and method for controlling the electronic device
An electronic device includes: a touch recognition unit provided on at least one side of the frame; a sensing unit that detects where the frame is worn; and a controller that detects, through the sensing unit, at least one of a first position where the frame is worn on the user's head, a second position where the frame is worn around the user's neck, and a third position where the frame is separate from the user, detects a touch input on the touch recognition unit, and controls call-related operations based on at least either the detected position where the frame is worn or the detected touch input. Accordingly, a variety of call-related or multimedia data-related functions can be used efficiently by changing the position where a frame wearable around the neck or on the head is worn. |
| US09411409B2 |
Data processing system having power capping function in response to output state of power supply module
A data processing system includes a plurality of power supply modules each having a comparing unit for comparing an output-current value supplied to a computer with a threshold value, the plurality of power supply modules continue the comparison when the output-current value is equal to or less than the threshold value and outputs an output-current excess signal to a plurality of server blades when the output-current value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the plurality of server blades control respectively power consumptions of the server blades to make a power consumption value of the server blades to an equal to or less than a predetermined value on a power source non-redundancy. |
| US09411408B2 |
Load optimization using cable-associated voltage drop
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for load optimization using cable-associated voltage drop is provided. The method may include receiving a plurality of tasks for processing by a plurality of electronic devices. The method may also include determining a power loss value for one or more power cables powering each of the plurality of electronic devices. The method may further include assigning the plurality of tasks to one or more of the plurality of electronic devices based on the power loss value for the one or more power cables powering each of the plurality of electronic devices. |
| US09411407B2 |
Sequential power up of devices in a computing cluster based on relative commonality
A computer program product includes computer usable program code for: identifying a plurality of power distribution units (PDUs) disposed in a rack, wherein each PDU receives power from a main power source and includes a circuit breaker; identifying a plurality of devices disposed in the rack, wherein each device receives power from one of the PDUs, and wherein the plurality of devices are selected from server nodes, network switches and external data storage devices; obtaining vital product data from a service processor in each device, wherein the vital product data identifies the device by a model identification code; and powering on, for each of the PDUs, the plurality of devices that are connected to the PDU in a sequence to prevent an inrush current from tripping the circuit breaker within the PDU, wherein the sequence powers on devices in order of ascending commonality of the model identification code. |
| US09411404B2 |
Coprocessor dynamic power gating for on-die leakage reduction
An apparatus is disclosed for managing operational modes of a processor. The apparatus may include the processor which may include a coprocessor, an instruction queue, and a monitoring circuit for detecting instructions for the coprocessor in the instruction queue. The monitoring circuit may detect when the instruction queue holds no instructions for the coprocessor. If the instruction queue holds no instructions for the coprocessor, the coprocessor may be placed into a mode in which the coprocessor consumes less power. The monitoring circuit may detect an instruction for the coprocessor in the instruction queue. In response to the instruction for the coprocessor, the coprocessor may be placed into a mode in which the coprocessor may execute the instruction. |
| US09411399B2 |
Portable electronic device and method of providing remaining amount of electric power of battery in portable electronic device
A portable electronic device is provided, and includes a function key that outputs a predetermined key signal; a key signal regulation unit that regulates a voltage of the predetermined key signal; a Power Management IC (PMIC) that powers on the portable electronic device and identifies a remaining amount of electric power of a battery when receiving the key signal of which a voltage is regulated by the key signal regulation unit in a power-off state; and a controller that controls to perform booting of the electronic device for displaying the remaining amount of electric power of the battery according to the power-on and to display the remaining amount of electric power of the battery. |
| US09411395B2 |
Method and apparatus to control current transients in a processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes at least one core. The at least one core includes an execution unit and a current protection (IccP) controller. The IccP controller may receive instruction width information associated with one or more instructions of an instruction queue prior to execution of the instructions by the execution unit. The IccP controller may determine an anticipated highest current level (Icc) for the at least one core based on the instruction width information. The IccP controller may generate a request for a first license for the at least one core that is associated with the Icc. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09411394B2 |
PHY based wake up from low power mode operation
Apparatus and method for supplying electrical power to a device. A system on chip (SOC) integrated circuit includes a first region having a processing core and a second region characterized as an always on domain (AOD) power island having a power control block with an energy detector coupled to a host input line. First and second power supply modules respectively supply power to the first and second regions. The second power supply module includes a main switch between the first power supply module and a host input voltage terminal. The power control block opens the main switch to enter a low power mode during which no power is supplied to the first region, and the power control block closes the main switch to resume application of power to the first region responsive to the energy detector detecting electrical energy on the host input line. |
| US09411391B2 |
Multistage low leakage address decoder using multiple power modes
A system and method for managing power in a memory, wherein the system may include a processor and a memory unit coupled to the processor. The memory unit may initialize an address decoder into a first power mode. In response to receiving a command and an address corresponding to a location within the memory unit, the memory unit may use the first stage of the address decoder to decode at least a portion of the address. The memory unit may further switch a selected portion of a second stage of the address decoder from the first power mode to the second power mode, wherein the selected portion of the second stage of the address decoder is selected dependent upon an output signal of the first stage of the address decoder. |
| US09411389B2 |
Distributed generation control for microgrid during islanding
System and methods are disclosed to handle power imbalance in one or more distributed generation (DG) units: detecting islanding at time t1; selecting Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) measurements during a pre-defined time window [t1-τ, t1]; checking the time window for an abrupt voltage change; if no sudden change of voltage is detected, determining an average value of sPMUt between t1-τ and t1 and using the average as a best estimate of a system power imbalance; if a sudden change of voltage is detected at time instant t2, determining the average value of sPMUt between t1-τ and t2 and using the average as a best estimate of the system power imbalance; and adjusting a power reference of the DG units based on the best estimated system power imbalance. |
| US09411381B2 |
Portable keyboard
A portable keyboard is disclosed, by which portability can be enhanced with a simple configuration. The present invention includes a plurality of key assemblies, a body part and a flexible connecting member. When the portable keyboard is carried, a plurality of the key assemblies are rolled up around an outer circumference of the body part in a manner that the flexible connecting member between a plurality of the key assemblies is folded. When the portable keyboard is used, a plurality of the key assemblies are unfolded by being rolled down centering on the body part in a manner that the flexible connecting member between a plurality of the key assemblies is unfolded. |
| US09411379B2 |
Portable electronic device privacy system
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for inhibiting, preventing and/or hindering eavesdropping or accidental use of cameras and microphones of a portable electronic device (PED), in order to assist the user with maintaining their personal privacy. |
| US09411378B1 |
Protection layer on a flexible substrate
An information handling system includes a flexible display screen, first and second display platforms, and a plurality of micro-beads. The flexible display screen is movably mounted to the first and second display platforms. The plurality of micro-beads is coated on the flexible display screen, and the plurality of micro-beads comprises a protective layer of increase hardness relative to the flexible display screen. |
| US09411376B2 |
Display module including flexible panel
A display module may include a flexible panel that is bent in a direction such that a compressive stress is exerted on a display unit within a housing. |
| US09411374B2 |
Electronic device display stack
This disclosure describes electronic devices that include displays for rendering content, touch sensors disposed beneath the displays for detecting touch inputs, and antiglare components for reducing glare caused by ambient light. In some embodiments, the displays include a single transparent substrate, a thin film transistor array connected to a bottom surface of the transparent substrate, a conductive substrate, and a front plane laminate connected to the conductive substrate. In such embodiments, the front plane laminate is connected to the thin film transistor array, and the array comprises a plurality of transparent electrodes. This disclosure also describes techniques for manufacturing displays utilized with electronic devices. |
| US09411373B2 |
Arrangement of portable display system for radiation detection
Arrangement of a portable display System for radiation detection, includes an adaptation board (3) with minicomputer (4) including a processor (43), while the adaptation board (3) is connected via the earth connector (31) and signal connector (33) with at least one radiation detector (1) arranged on the stack board (2) and connected via signal connector (33) by pins to the interconnection (5), while the adaptation board (3) itself is connected with the mini computer (4) by pins of the interconnection (5). |
| US09411369B2 |
Power distribution in a docking station
Docking stations that may facilitate the sharing or transfer of power among a portable computing device, a docking station, and an accessory. One example may provide power from an accessory to a portable computing device. Switches may be used to avoid harm from inadvertent contact with voltages on exposed terminals. Another example may provide power directly from a battery on a portable computing device to an accessory. Another may limit this direct connection to a first type of accessory. Examples may limit a power connection to another type of accessory through a regulator. Another example may power one or more internal circuits either through a portable computing device or an accessory, depending on a mode of operation of the portable computing device. |
| US09411362B2 |
Storage circuitry and method for propagating data values across a clock boundary
A storage circuit and method are provided for propagating data values across a clock boundary between a first clock domain and a second clock domain. A storage structure is provided with at least one entry, and write circuitry performs write operations in the first clock domain, where each write operation writes a data value into an entry of the storage structure identified by a write pointer. The write circuitry alters the write pointer between each write operation. Write pointer synchronization circuitry then receives the write pointer and synchronizes the write pointer indication to the second clock domain over a predetermined number of clock cycles of the second clock domain. Read circuitry performs read operations in the second clock domain, with each read operation reading a data value from an entry of the storage structure identified by a read pointer. However, for a read operation to be performed, it is necessary that the synchronized write pointer indication indicates that there is a data value written into the storage structure that is available to be read. Early update circuitry is configured, for a write operation, to alter the write pointer indication provided to the write pointer synchronization circuitry a number of clock cycles of the first clock domain before the write operation is performed. That number of clock cycles is chosen dependent on the difference in clock speed between the first clock domain and the second clock domain, and the predetermined number of clock cycles of the second clock domain taken by the write pointer synchronization circuitry to synchronize the write pointer indication to the second clock domain. Such an approach enables at least a part of the latency of the write pointer synchronization circuitry to be hidden, thereby improving performance of the storage circuitry. |
| US09411360B2 |
Method to manage current during clock frequency changes
A system for managing a change in a frequency of a clock signal, including a clock generator configured to output the clock signal, a clock divider coupled to the output of the clock generator, a processor configured to select the frequency of the clock signal, and a clock management circuit. The clock management circuit may be configured to set the clock generator to adjust the clock signal to the selected frequency. The clock management circuit may be further configured to adjust a divisor value of the clock divider in a plurality of steps in response to a determination the clock signal stabilized at the selected frequency. A new divisor value may be selected during each step in the plurality of steps and each step may occur after a given time period. |
| US09411359B2 |
Accelerator pedal apparatus for vehicle
An apparatus may include a pedal pad located on a front lower side of a driver seat so as to be depressed by a driver, a first hinge pivotally coupling the pedal pad to a pedal bracket fixedly mounted to the front lower side of the driver seat, and a second hinge having an elastically-operated articulated structure and mounted to the pedal bracket in such a manner as to be connected to the pedal pad, the second hinge being spaced apart from the first hinge. |
| US09411358B2 |
Multiple axis handle and mechanism
A control mechanism for manually adjusting a plurality of control parameters, the control mechanism including a mechanical multiple axis handle movable about a plurality of axes of rotation for operating an operated device, wherein each of the axes of rotation pass through the handle, and a movement transformation assembly to transform rotational movements of the handle to control commands to the operated device. |
| US09411353B2 |
Method and circuitry for regulating a voltage
In response to a first reference voltage, a regulator regulates an output voltage of a line, so that the output voltage is approximately equal to a target voltage. In response to the output voltage rising above a second reference voltage, pull down circuitry draws current from the line. In response to the output voltage falling below the second reference voltage by at least a predetermined amount, the pull down circuitry ceases to draw current from the line. The first and second reference voltages are based upon a same band gap reference as one another. |
| US09411351B2 |
DC-to-DC converter
According to an embodiment, a direct current to direct current (DC-to-DC) converter includes a power stage, a generating circuit, a voltage dividing circuit, a subtractor and a controller. The power stage converts an input voltage to a first output voltage. The generating circuit generates a reference voltage by selecting one of candidate voltages in accordance with a level of the first output voltage. The voltage dividing circuit divides the first output voltage to obtain a second output voltage. The subtractor calculates a differential voltage between the reference voltage and the second output voltage. The control circuit generates a control signal to control the level of the first output voltage based on the differential voltage. |
| US09411350B1 |
Voltage conversion apparatus and power-on reset circuit and control method thereof
The present invention discloses a voltage conversion apparatus and a power-ON reset (POR) circuit and a control method thereof. The voltage conversion apparatus includes: a conversion circuit, an input status detection circuit, an output status detection circuit, a status feedback circuit, and a POR circuit. The POR circuit generates a POR signal according to an input status signal, an output status signal, and a feedback signal, to indicate whether a POR procedure is completed. The POR circuit includes: a logic circuit, for generating a reset signal indicating whether both the input and output voltages are ready; and a delay circuit, for generating the POR signal by delaying a predetermined time period according to the reset signal and a feedback signal related to the POR signal. |
| US09411348B2 |
Programmable low-dropout regulator and methods therefor
A low-dropout (LDO) regulator includes a voltage reference circuit to provide a reference voltage, a pass device including an input terminal coupled to a voltage input, an output terminal to provide an output voltage and a control terminal, and an error amplifier including a first amplifier input for receiving the reference voltage, a second amplifier input, an amplifier output coupled to the control terminal of the pass device. Additionally, the LDO regulator includes a feedback circuit including a feedback input coupled to the output terminal of the pass device and a feedback output coupled to the second amplifier input to provide a feedback signal. The LDO regulator further includes a control circuit including a non-volatile memory to store configuration data to control operation of the voltage reference circuit, the pass device, the error amplifier, and the feedback circuit to produce the output voltage. |
| US09411347B2 |
Semiconductor device having internal voltage generating circuit
A semiconductor device including a first internal voltage generating circuit that includes a capacitor including a first electrode and a second electrode, and the first internal voltage generating circuit to generate an internal voltage by charging the capacitor to a first voltage and applying a second voltage to the first electrode of the capacitor to generate a third voltage that is greater than the first and the second voltages on the second electrode in absolute value, and a control circuit to perform a control by applying a fourth voltage that is less than the first voltage to the capacitor when the first internal voltage generating circuit is in a standby state. |
| US09411341B2 |
Vacuum pump controller
A vacuum pump controller and a method of making a devise using the same are presented. The vacuum pump controller comprises detectors for detecting whether a cassette is present in a semiconductor processing load lock; and controllers for sending control signals to a vacuum pump to control the speed voltage of the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump controller may further send control signals to control the supply of N2/H2 gas, cooling water and other vacuum pump accessories. |
| US09411338B2 |
Surrounding environment recognition device, autonomous mobile system using same, and surrounding environment recognition method
A cleaning robot (1) which is an autonomous mobile system performs coordinate conversion of three-dimensional coordinate data acquired by measurement in a distance image sensor (20) which is arranged in a frontward and obliquely downward direction to generate three-dimensional coordinate data of a floor surface reference. Labels are applied to this data by judging a level difference or an obstacle according to height from a floor surface (F) to create overhead view image data seen from directly above a cleaning robot main body. The overhead view image data is scanned, and only when the labels are arranged in a specific order, processing for substituting an unspecified area with a level difference is performed. Thereby, positional deviation of an edge of the level difference, which is caused by a blind spot, is corrected and a position of the level difference is able to be grasped accurately. |
| US09411337B1 |
Method and device for accommodating items
A device and method are provided, the method including providing a device capable of at least semi-autonomous operation and enabling the device to autonomously gather at least one item and secure that item against unauthorized access while providing selective authorized access to the item while the item is in possession of the device. |
| US09411335B2 |
Method and apparatus to plan motion path of robot
A suitable waypoint is selected using a goal score, a section from a start point to a goal point through the waypoint is divided into a plurality of sections based on the waypoint with a solution of inverse kinematics, and trees are simultaneously expanded in the sections using a Best First Search & Rapidly Random Tree (BF-RRT) algorithm so as to generate a path. By this configuration, a probability of local minima occurring is decreased compared with the case where the waypoint is randomly selected. In addition, since the trees are simultaneously expanded in the sections each having the waypoint with a solution of inverse kinematics, the solution may be rapidly obtained. A time consumed to search for an optimal motion path may be shortened and path plan performance may be improved. |
| US09411332B2 |
Automated mechanical handling systems for integrated circuit fabrication, system computers programmed for use therein, and methods of handling a wafer carrier having an inlet port and an outlet port
Automated mechanical handling systems (AMHS) for integrated circuit fabrication, system computers programmed for use in the AMHSs, and methods of handling a wafer carrier having an inlet port and an outlet port are provided. An exemplary method of handling the wafer carrier includes providing a plurality of carrier storage positions that are adapted to receive the wafer carrier. The carrier storage positions include a presence sensor and a gas nozzle. The wafer carrier is loaded into one of the carrier storage positions. The presence of the wafer carrier in the carrier storage position is sensed with the presence sensor. A malfunction in gas flow through the inlet port is identified in the carrier storage position that contains the wafer carrier. The wafer carrier is relocated to another carrier storage position in response to identifying the malfunction. |
| US09411328B2 |
Remote control device
A remote control device includes operation buttons, detectors, a power generator, a controller, and an output unit. The operation buttons are movable between an ordinary position and a lowermost position and are configured to move from the ordinary position to the lowermost position in response to a push operation. The detectors are configured to detect the respective push operation of the operation buttons. The power generator is configured to generate a power in response to the push operation. The controller is driven by the power. The controller is configured to determine the pushed operation button based on a detection result of the detectors. The controller remotely controls a toilet device by transmitting a wireless signal toward the toilet device. The wireless signal corresponds to the determined operation button. The output unit is configured to produce an output when the power generator has generated the power. |
| US09411327B2 |
Systems and methods for classifying data in building automation systems
A computerized method of assigning a building automation system point type to a plurality of unclassified data points is provided. The method includes receiving unclassified data points and attributes for each data point. The method includes receiving classifications for a first subset of the unclassified data points. Each classification associates a data point with a building automation system point type. The method includes generating a term set containing substrings that appear in the attributes. The method includes generating a first matrix describing a frequency that the substrings appear in the attributes. The method includes calculating an indicator of a probability that the presence of the selected substring results in the data point belonging to the selected point type. The method includes assigning a point type to a second subset by finding the substring and potential point type pair having the greatest indication of probability. |
| US09411326B2 |
Plant control optimization system including visual risk display
Systems and methods provided herein output an operational advisory based upon a plurality of models derived from a plurality of data, in which the plurality of models comprise at least one of a plant transfer function, a degradation contributor model, or a plant level cost model, and in which the plurality of data is derived from at least one of current plant data, historical plant data, business data, environmental data, component data, degradation contribution data, an optimization goal, or a combination thereof. |
| US09411325B2 |
Excavation control system for hydraulic excavator
An excavation control system includes a global coordinate computing device, a prediction correcting part, a cutting edge position data generating part, and a designed terrain data generating part. The global coordinate computing device generates revolving unit orientation data (Q) that indicates an orientation of a revolving unit. The prediction correcting part generates corrected revolving unit orientation data (R) by predictively correcting the revolving unit orientation data (Q) based on a delay time (t) and revolve angle speed data (Dω) that indicates a revolve angle speed (ω) of the revolving unit. The cutting edge position data generating part generates cutting edge position data (S) that indicates a position of a cutting edge based on reference position data (P1), the revolving unit orientation data (Q), and the corrected revolving unit orientation data (R). The designed terrain data generating part generates designed terrain data (U) based on the cutting edge position data (S) and stereoscopic designed terrain data (T). |
| US09411319B1 |
Electronic apparatus
A display section that displays, based on an hour display table, an hour image data and a minute image data representing numerals corresponding to an hour and a minute measured by a time measurement section is provided, and the hour display table contains information that identifies a position different from a predetermined standard position as a display position of a numeral specified by at least one of the hour image data and the minute image data in accordance with the hour and minute even for the same hour or minute. |
| US09411318B2 |
Electronic timepiece and time difference correction method
When an operation button is pressed for three seconds, a second hand is reversed and fast-forwarded to the position of a currently set time difference. After the second hand stops, the second hand is moved stepwise to time difference display positions to continuously display time difference correction candidates. In this state, when the operation button is pressed, the second hand is caused to stop, and an hour hand is moved to the position of time determined in consideration of the time difference at which the second hand points. The time difference at which the second hand points is stored as a time difference set value, and an action mode is switched to a normal time display mode for time-difference time display based on the time difference set value. |
| US09411314B2 |
Integral assembly of a hairspring and a collet
An integral assembly of a single or double hairspring and an unsplit collet including two portions opposite one another for receiving the balance staff, one portion including one of the bearing surfaces (2 or 3) for the balance staff and a point (10, 11) for attaching the hairspring, and the other portion including another bearing surface (4, 5 or 14) for the balance staff, the two portions being connected together by two linking portions that are less rigid than the receiving portions so as to be capable of elastically deforming during the fitting of a balance staff. According to another aspect, the invention also relates to an integral assembly of a hairspring and a collet, including at least two stages, as well as to a method for manufacturing such an assembly. |
| US09411312B2 |
Silicon overcoil balance spring
A method of producing unitary formed silicon balance spring having an overcoil portion for regulation of a mechanical timepiece, said method including the steps of providing a silicon balance spring having a main body portion, and an outer portion for formation as an overcoil portion, wherein the outer portion extends radially outward from an outermost turn of the main body portion, and wherein said main body portion and said outer portion are integrally formed from a silicon based material and are formed in a co-planar configuration; moving said outer portion in a direction relative to and out of the plane of said main body portion, and in a direction towards over said main body portion and towards the plane of the main body portion; and providing a stress relaxation process to the balance spring so as to relieve internal stresses induced within the balance spring from step (ii); wherein upon movement of said outer portion into the plane of said main body portion, the outer portion is located in an overcoil configuration relative to said main body portion. |
| US09411310B1 |
Cooling device, image forming apparatus, and cooling method
A cooling device cools a continuous resin film, which is transported and onto which a toner image is transferred, after the toner image is heated so that the toner image is fixed to the resin film. The resin film to which the toner image is fixed is cooled in such a manner that an image surface side of the resin film is convexly curved. |
| US09411309B1 |
Image forming apparatus
According to one embodiment, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a fan and a duct. The fan and the duct are provided in a housing. If the fan is driven, the duct guides the air flowing into the housing from an intake port of the housing toward components in the housing. The duct includes a bent section that changes a flowing direction of the air. The bent section includes holes. |
| US09411300B2 |
Image forming apparatus and cleaning blade
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable image bearing member; an image forming portion; and a cleaning blade. The cleaning blade has an edge layer which includes an edge portion contacting the image bearing member and which is formed of a first resin material, and has a base layer which is provided superposedly on the edge layer so as to support the edge layer with respect to a thickness direction of the cleaning blade and which is formed of a second resin material different from the first resin material. The cleaning blade includes a hardened portion, at a part of the edge layer including the edge portion, subjected to hardening so as to be harder than another portion of the edge layer. The hardened portion has a length shorter than a length of the edge layer with respect to the thickness direction. |
| US09411299B2 |
Lubricant supply device, image forming apparatus, and pressing device
A lubricant supply device includes a solid lubricant, a supply member contacting and rubbing the solid lubricant and thereby scraping a lubricant off the solid lubricant and supplying the lubricant to a lubricant supplying target, and a pressing mechanism pressing the solid lubricant against the supply member. The pressing mechanism includes a biasing device, and a plurality of pressing members receiving a biasing force of the biasing device and thereby pressing places of the solid lubricant at symmetrical positions with respect to a center of a contact part of the solid lubricant contacting the supply member, respectively. |
| US09411295B2 |
Recording medium determination apparatus and image forming apparatus
The timing of obtaining an output value for use in a determination of a recording medium is generated from a received ultrasonic wave and a waveform generated by delaying the ultrasonic wave, whereby it is possible to reduce an influence of a reflection wave from the peripheral members and an influence of a change in the environment to improve the accuracy of determination of the recoding medium. |
| US09411292B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer-readable recording medium
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit forming an image on a first recording medium based on image data, a measurement unit being positioned in an immediate vicinity of the image forming unit, being arranged upstream of a sheet-conveyance path than the image forming unit, and measuring a size of the first recording medium, an expansion ratio calculation unit calculating an expansion ratio of the first recording medium based on a first size of the first recording medium obtained before the first recording medium is passed through the image forming unit and a second size of the first recording medium obtained after the first recording medium is passed through the image forming unit, and a correction unit correcting the image data used for forming another image on a second recording medium conveyed after the first recording medium based on the expansion ratio. |
| US09411291B2 |
Multifunctional magnetic reading device and control method thereof as well as printer
Disclosed are a multifunction magnetic reading device and a control method thereof as well as a printer. The multifunction magnetic reading device comprises a magnetic head component, a driving mechanism and a controller. The magnetic head component comprises a first magnetic head and an electromagnet. The first magnetic head comprises a first sub-head and a second sub-head. The electromagnet is configured to magnetize the MICR character. The driving mechanism is configured to drive the magnetic head component to reciprocate horizontally along a medium path in the medium path. According to the disclosure, a check and passbook processing device is also capable of reading a check inserted horizontally, and a user does not need to perform complex operations, which makes the multifunction magnetic reading device to be used conveniently. |
| US09411290B2 |
Image forming apparatus configured to set an initial value of an amount of recording material remaining in a containing unit, associated control method, and storage medium
When a toner cartridge is mounted to an image forming apparatus, if the toner cartridge is new, the image forming apparatus sets a value calculated from cartridge capacity as an initial value of a toner remaining amount. If, when the toner cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge is not new, the image forming apparatus sets a value calculated from a page count number as the initial value of the toner remaining amount. Furthermore, when the toner cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus acquires a sensor value, and if the acquired sensor value is an indefinite value, the image forming apparatus determines an alternative value according to sensor ability as the initial value of the toner remaining amount. |
| US09411289B1 |
Abnormality detection apparatus and image forming apparatus
An abnormality detection apparatus includes a transfer output unit configured to output a voltage for image transfer and a voltage having a first value for detection of an internal resistance thereof, which is within a first range, an electrification output unit configured to electrify drums that are included in each of a plurality of color stations at a predetermined potential, a plurality of abnormality detection units configured to output a plurality of abnormality detection signals that indicate existence or nonexistence of abnormality in the color stations, a voltage value output unit configured to output a voltage having a second value that represents signal levels of the plurality of abnormality detection signals, the second value being within a second range different from the first range, and an output circuit configured to output a voltage having the first or second value through a signal line. |
| US09411288B2 |
Toner detection sensor and image forming apparatus
A toner-amount detection sensor includes a light-emitting element, a first light-receiving element, and a toner-amount calculating unit. The light-emitting element emits light toward the surface of the transfer body at a predetermined incident angle. The first light-receiving element is disposed on a side opposite to the light-emitting element with respect to a plane normal to the surface of the transfer body. The first light-receiving element receives light reflected from the surface of the transfer body. The toner-amount calculating unit calculates the amount of toner from the quantity of the reflected light received by the first light-receiving element. The sensor has a relationship of A1 |
| US09411282B2 |
Film and image heating device using film
A cylindrical film used in an image heating device heating a recording material, on which an image has been formed, has a resin layer, this resin layer being made from a resin in which a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin having a higher glass transition temperature than the crystalline resin are blended, wherein a volume ratio of the crystalline resin with respect to the amorphous resin in the resin layer is 70/30 to 99/1. |
| US09411280B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a first rotator, a second rotator pressed against the first rotator, and a heater to heat the first rotator. The heater includes an elongated substrate extending in an axial direction of the first rotator, a heat generator disposed on a surface of the substrate facing the first rotator, at a position downstream in a rotational direction of the first rotator, a plurality of first conduction paths connected to the heat generator and grounded downstream of the heat generator in the rotational direction of the first rotator, and a second conduction path on which the plurality of first conduction paths are grounded. The heat generator has a heat-generating area divided into a plurality of sub-heat-generating areas in the axial direction of the first rotator. The plurality of sub-heat-generating areas are grounded on the second conduction path via the plurality of first conduction paths. |
| US09411279B2 |
Image forming and fixing apparatuses having fixing and pressing rotating member and rectification element
By connecting a first diode between a conductive heating element of a fixing roller and ground, electric charge with the same polarity as the charged polarity of toner can be held on the surface of the fixing roller. Meanwhile, by connecting a second diode between the surface of a pressing roller that does not contact an un-fixed toner image and ground, electric charge with the reverse polarity of the charged polarity of the toner can be held at the surface of the pressing roller. The polarity of the electric charge induced by electromagnetic induction is held at the polarity determined by the two diodes, and as a result the fixing offset can be suppressed without adding a collector member or a charging capacitor. |
| US09411276B2 |
Fixing device and fixing temperature control method of fixing device
According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes determination means for determining the size of an image forming area of a medium, heating means for including an endless rotating body, plural heat-generating members which are formed in a perpendicular direction to a transporting direction, inclined by a predetermined angle, and divided by a predetermined length, and are disposed so as to come into contact with an inner side of the rotating body, and a switching unit which switches individual conduction, and heats the medium, pressing means for forming a nip by performing pressing and contact at a position of the plural heat-generating members, and nipping and carrying the medium in the transporting direction along with the heating means, and heating control means for controlling the switching unit to select and conduct heat-generating members and controlling the heating means to heat the medium. |
| US09411275B2 |
Image forming apparatus having partition configured to separate air flow and sheet feeding paths
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device configured to form, in a first position, a toner image on a sheet using toner containing a parting material; a fixing device configured to fix the toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming device in a second position, by heat and pressure; a fan configured to flow air along an air flow path between the image forming device and the fixing device; and a partition configured and positioned to substantially separate between the air flow path and a sheet feeding path from the first position to the second position. |
| US09411269B2 |
Image forming apparatus and developing agent cartridge
An image forming apparatus may include a casing, and a plurality of image carriers arranged in parallel along one direction in the casing and formed with an electrostatic latent image. The apparatus can further include a plurality of developing agent carriers opposed to the image carriers, for visualizing the electrostatic latent image by feeding a developing agent to the image carriers, and a plurality of developing agent cartridges, arranged in parallel in the one direction to be opposed to the developing agent carriers in the longitudinal direction of the developing agent carriers, and configured to be together attachable/detachable to/from the casing along the one direction, for accommodating the developing agent fed to the developing agent carriers. |
| US09411263B2 |
Image forming apparatus that applies a powder to reduce adhesion of an adhesive layer
Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and an applying unit that causes powder included in a liquid mixture to be interposed between the recording medium and the image forming unit by applying the liquid mixture to the recording medium, or to the image forming unit which comes into contact with the recording medium, wherein the recording medium includes an image forming layer, an adhesive layer, and a base layer, and the liquid mixture includes the powder reducing adhesion of the adhesive layer and volatile liquid. |
| US09411259B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a developer bearing member, a developing bias application unit, a developer supply member, and a supply bias application unit that applies a supply bias to the developer supply member. In a predetermined period before a start of image formation during an image forming operation for an image formed on one recording material, the supply bias application unit applies a supply bias of which the magnitude of an absolute value is smaller than that of a developing bias, to the developer supply member. In a period between the start of image formation and an end of image formation during the image forming operation, the supply bias application unit applies a supply bias to the developer supply member so that a difference in the magnitude of the absolute value from the supply bias in the predetermined period before the start of image formation increases gradually. |
| US09411258B1 |
Image forming apparatus
There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image supporting member having a first circumferential surface; an exposure section performing exposure of the first circumferential surface and thereby form latent images; a developer supporting member developing the latent images; a feeding member feeding a developer; and a control section controlling, while controlling exposure operation to allow the latent images to be formed side by side on the first circumferential surface, varying timing of a development voltage or both of the development voltage and a supply voltage to allow a portion P1 or both of the portion P1 and a portion P2 to be located within a gap between the latent images. The portion P1 is a portion, in the first circumferential surface, opposed to the developer supporting member. The portion P2 is a portion, in the first circumferential surface, opposed to a portion P3 of the developer supporting member. |
| US09411257B2 |
Apparatus for increasing the lifespan of light emitting units and image forming apparatus having the same
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a light source including a plurality of light emitting units to emit light corresponding to image data, and a light source controller to independently control lighting of each one of the light emitting units. The light source controller switches activation and deactivation of one or more of the light emitting units when the number of to-be-used light emitting units is smaller than the total number of the light emitting units included in the light source. |
| US09411254B2 |
Charging device with charging and cleaning members
A charging device includes a charging member and a cleaning member. The charging member is driven and rotated while in contact with an outer peripheral surface of an image carrier which rotates, and charges the image carrier. The cleaning member is driven and rotated while in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the charging member and cleans the outer peripheral surface of the charging member. In the charging device, a radius of the charging member is less than a radius of the cleaning member. |
| US09411250B2 |
Radiation system and lithographic apparatus
A radiation system is configured to generate a radiation beam. The radiation system includes a radiation source configured to generate a plasma that emits radiation and debris, and a radiation collector configured to direct collected radiation to a radiation beam emission aperture. A magnetic field generator is configured to generate a magnetic field with a gradient in magnetic field strength to direct the plasma away from the radiation collector. |
| US09411243B2 |
Image forming apparatus having detachably mountable image forming unit
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units that are each configured to be detachably mountable and include an image carrier; an irradiation unit configured to irradiate respective image carriers of the plurality of image forming units with light to form one or more electrostatic latent images along a direction of the rotational driving; a detection unit configured to detect the electrostatic latent images; a determination unit configured to determine mounted states of the plurality of image forming units based on a detection result by the detection unit; and a control unit configured to perform control such that, for each of the image carriers, the electrostatic latent images are not formed on an image carrier in a period in which at least one of the one or more electrostatic latent images is formed on a different image carrier. |
| US09411241B2 |
Facet mirror for use in a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography
A facet mirror is to be used as a bundle-guiding optical component in a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. The facet mirror has a plurality of separate mirrors. For individual deflection of incident illumination light, the separate mirrors are in each case connected to an actuator in such a way that they are separately tiltable about at least one tilt axis. A control device, which is connected to the actuators, is configured in such a way that a given grouping of the separate mirrors can be grouped into separate mirror groups that include in each case at least two separate mirrors. The result is a facet mirror which, when installed in the projection exposure apparatus, increases the variability for setting various illumination geometries of an object field to be illuminated by the projection exposure apparatus. Various embodiments of separate mirrors for forming the facet mirrors are described. |
| US09411239B2 |
Illumination optical unit for EUV projection lithography
An illumination optical unit for EUV projection lithography has a first and second facet mirrors, each with a plurality of reflecting facets on a support. The facets of the first facet mirror can be switched between various tilt positions. In each tilt position, the tiltable first facet is assigned to a second facet of the second facet mirror for deflecting EUV radiation in the direction of this second facet. Each of the first facets is assigned to a set of second facets by its tilt positions. The two facet mirrors are arranged so that an arrangement distribution of second facets, impinged upon via the first facets, results in an illumination-angle distribution of an illumination of an illumination field. |
| US09411237B2 |
Resist hardening and development processes for semiconductor device manufacturing
In some embodiments, a method of forming an etch mask on a substrate is provided that includes (1) forming a resist layer on a substrate; (2) exposing one or more regions of the resist layer to an energy source so as to alter at least one of a physical property and a chemical property of the exposed regions; (3) performing a hardening process on the resist layer to increase the etch resistance of first regions of the resist layer relative to second regions of the resist layer, the hardening process including exposing the resist layer to one or more reactive species within an atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber; and (4) dry etching the resist layer to remove the one or more second regions and to form a pattern in the resist layer. Other embodiments are provided. |
| US09411236B2 |
Patterning method using electron beam and exposure system configured to perform the same
A patterning method may employ a particle beam, such as an electron beam (E-beam) and an exposure system that may include preparing an exposure layout defining a spatial distribution of an E-beam, performing an E-beam exposure process to a mask layer, based on the exposure layout, performing a developing process to the mask layer to form mask patterns including a first pattern. The first pattern may be a single solid pattern, and the exposure layout may include a first data associated with a plurality of E-beam conditions defined for a first region corresponding to the first pattern. |
| US09411234B2 |
Writer pole formation
Implementations disclosed herein provide a method of reducing the topography at the alignment and overlay marks area during the writer pole photolithography process in order to reduce the wafer scale variation and reduce the writer pole photolithography process rework rate. In one implementation, an intermediate stage of a wafer for writer pole formation is generated by removing a part of at least one metallic writer pole layer on top of an intermediate stage writer pole wafer to form a recovery trench, depositing an optically transparent material on top of the wafer, wherein the thickness of the optically transparent material is higher than a target recovery trench topography, forming a photoresist pattern on top of the optically transparent material over the recovery trench, etching the optically transparent material, and removing the photoresist pattern and at least part of the remaining optically transparent material. |
| US09411225B2 |
Photo acid generator, chemically amplified resist composition, and patterning process
A photo acid generator represented (1a), wherein R01 and R02 each independently represent a linear monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or a branched or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted with or interposed by a heteroatom; R03 represents a linear divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a branched or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a heteroatom, or interposed by a heteroatom; and R01 and R02 may be mutually bonded to form a ring together with the sulfur atom in the formula. A photo acid generator can give a pattern excellent in resolution and LER and having a rectangular profile in the photolithography using a high energy beam like ArF excimer laser light, EUV, and electron beam as a light source. |
| US09411222B2 |
Photo-masks for lithography
A photo-mask for use in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, in which the photo-mask has low coefficient of thermal expansion and high specific stiffness. |
| US09411221B2 |
Multi-projection system capable of refracting projection light of projection device
The present invention provides a “multi-projection system” including a plurality of projection surfaces arranged so as not to be parallel to each other and two or more projection devices for projecting images on the plurality of projection surfaces, in which the two or more projection devices include a refraction projection device in which projection light is refracted before it reaches a projection surface. |
| US09411219B2 |
Excitation light synthesizing unit, light source unit, and projection-type display apparatus
Provided is an excitation light synthesizing unit capable of emitting, in one direction, excitation light incident from a plurality of difference directions. The excitation light synthesizing unit includes polarization splitter film (15), first and second ¼ wavelength plates (13 and 14), and reflection member (19). Polarization splitter film (15) transmits excitation light that is P-polarized light while reflecting excitation light that is S-polarized light. First and second ¼ wavelength plates (13 and 14) are arranged on the path along which first excitation light (L1), which is directed toward polarization splitter film (15), travels. Reflection member (19) disposed between first and second ¼ wavelength plates (13 and 14). Reflection member (19) reflects second excitation light (L2) incident via polarization splitter film (15) toward polarization splitter film (15). Reflection member (19) includes hole (20) formed to pass first excitation light (L1). |
| US09411202B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device less influenced by static electricity comprises a liquid crystal display element which forms a display part having inner surfaces of a pair of insulating substrates provided with transparent electrodes; a circuit substrate conductively connected to the liquid crystal display element via a lead terminals; and a conductive part formed to surround the transparent electrode. The conductive part is provided on the insulating substrate so as to avoid the positions where the lead terminals are arranged. Further included are a display panel through which the display part is visible; a first earth terminal conductively connected a first conductive pattern of the conductive part and in contact with the display panel; and a second earth terminal of which is conductively connected to a seventh conductive pattern of the conductive part to a grounding part. |
| US09411200B2 |
Liquid crystal display
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display including: an insulating substrate; and a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape over the insulating substrate. The pixels include a display pixel disposed in a display region and a dummy pixel disposed in a dummy region, the dummy region is disposed outside the display region, and the display pixel includes a liquid crystal layer injected into a microcavity. |
| US09411198B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a pixel electrode disposed on an insulating substrate; a plurality of microcavities disposed over the pixel electrode; a plurality of liquid crystal injection holes connected to the plurality of microcavities that form a path through which a liquid crystal is injected; a common electrode that covers the microcavities; a partition wall structure that divides the plurality of liquid crystal injection holes; and a roof layer disposed over the common electrode that covers the common electrode and the microcavities, and comprises an organic material. |
| US09411197B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
This liquid crystal display panel (100A) includes: first and second substrates (10A, 20A) which are arranged to face each other with a liquid crystal layer (30A) interposed between them; a counter electrode (24) formed on one of the first and second substrates (10A, 20A); a first alignment film (16a) formed on one side of the first substrate (10A) to face the liquid crystal layer (30A); and a second alignment film (26a) formed on one side of the second substrate (20A) to face the liquid crystal layer (30A). In a pixel, the liquid crystal layer (30A) has a low-pretilt region (R1a) and a high-pretilt region (R2a) in which liquid crystal molecules (32) have mutually different pretilt angles. The counter electrode (24) includes a plurality of sub-counter electrodes which are electrically independent of each other. And the plurality of sub-counter electrodes include a first sub-counter electrode (24ab) associated with the low-pretilt region (R1a) and a second sub-counter electrode (24b) associated with the high-pretilt region (R2a). |
| US09411195B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
To increase production efficiency while retaining the display quality of a liquid crystal display apparatus. The apparatus comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode on the first substrate extending in a first direction, a second electrode on the second substrate extending in a second direction which intersects to the first direction, a liquid crystal layer provided between the two substrates. A pixel is configured where the two electrodes intersect and an orientation process is performed perpendicular to the second direction on one of the substrates. The electrode edge shape of the second electrode includes lines that are obliquely crossed relative to the direction of orientation process and periodically bend back. The pixel edges of the pixel are demarcated including the lines obliquely crossed, and all change points where the lines of the electrode edge of the second electrode interconnects are disposed to superimpose with the first electrode. |
| US09411193B2 |
Backlight module and display device
The present invention relates to a backlight module for providing light to a liquid crystal panel and a display device. The backlight module comprises an optical membrane material arranged at a back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and a module frame surrounding the optical membrane material. An end surface of the module frame facing the liquid crystal panel is located at the back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the module frame supports the liquid crystal panel through the end surface. The display device comprises a liquid crystal panel and the backlight module. According to the present invention, the end surface of the module frame facing the liquid crystal panel is located at the back surface of the liquid crystal panel. As a result, it is able to provide a very narrow end surface of the module frame, thereby to narrow a bezel of the display device. |
| US09411191B2 |
Manufacturing method for linear-grid of display panel
A method of manufacturing a linear grid for a display panel, the method including: applying a material layer for the linear grid to a substrate; laminating a negative photoresist layer having a pattern of the linear grid to a target area within an entire area of the material layer; laminating a positive photoresist layer to the entire area of the material layer; covering, with a mask for blocking ultraviolet light, areas within the entire area not including the target area, and emitting the ultraviolet light; etching the material layer according to the negative photoresist layer exposed by the ultraviolet light; and forming the pattern of the linear grid on the material layer by removing the negative photoresist layer and the positive photoresist layer from the entire area. |
| US09411184B2 |
Back plate splicing structure for large-size backlight modules and liquid crystal display
The present disclosure provides a back plate splicing structure for large-size backlight modules. The back plate includes a bottom flat plate and a splicing member joined to an end of the bottom flat plate, wherein the splicing member includes a side plate, and an upper supporting plate and a lower supporting plate configured on a same side of the side plate; the upper supporting plate, the lower supporting plate, and the side plate cooperatively define a clamping opening clamping the bottom flat plate therein; the upper supporting plate fixes the bottom flat plate in the clamping opening, and at least one fixing screw is configured between the bottom flat plate and the splicing member. |
| US09411182B2 |
Signal processing device, signal processing method, liquid crystal device, and electronic apparatus
A signal processing device, on the basis of signals that control voltages to be applied to pixels, a boundary between a first pixel corresponding to a first signal that applies a first voltage and a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel and corresponding to a second signal that applies a second voltage different from the first voltage at least by a predetermined threshold. The first signal is corrected to a third signal that applies a third voltage higher than the first voltage, and the second signal is corrected to a fourth signal that applies a fourth voltage higher than the second voltage. The second voltage is higher than the first voltage, the fourth voltage is higher than the third voltage, and a potential difference between the first voltage and the third voltage is larger than a potential difference between the second voltage and the fourth voltage. |
| US09411179B2 |
Assembly apparatus for a display device
An assembly apparatus for a display device includes a panel support member for supporting a display panel; a tape attaching module for attaching a cover panel tape to the display panel; and a pocket member holding a connector of a flexible printed circuit board attached to the cover panel tape. |
| US09411177B2 |
Integrated electro-absorption modulator
An integrated optical device includes an electro-absorption modulator disposed on a top surface of an optical waveguide. The electro-absorption modulator includes germanium disposed in a cavity between an n-type doped silicon sidewall and a p-type doped silicon sidewall. By applying a voltage between the n-type doped silicon sidewall and the p-type doped silicon sidewall, an electric field can be generated in a plane of the optical waveguide, but perpendicular to a propagation direction of the optical signal. This electric field shifts a band gap of the germanium, thereby modulating the optical signal. |
| US09411176B2 |
Oxide capacitor electro-optical phase shifter
An electro-optical phase shifter to be located in an optical waveguide may include a rib of a semiconductor material extending along a length of the optical waveguide and a control structure configured to modify a concentration of carriers in the rib according to a control voltage present between first and second control terminals of the phase shifter. The control structure may include a conductive layer covering a portion of the rib and electrically connected to a first of the control terminals. An insulating layer may be configured to electrically isolate the conductive layer from the rib. |
| US09411175B2 |
Eyeglass cleaning apparatus
An eyeglass cleaning apparatus employing a non-liquid cleaning composition is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hand-held cleaning instrument and a housing for receiving the cleaning instrument. The cleaning instrument includes at least one cleaning surface containing the cleaning composition and the housing includes at least one replenishment pad which may also contain the cleaning composition. The instrument is movable between a stowed position at least partially inserted within the housing and a deployed position at least partially withdrawn from the housing. The cleaning surface contacts the replenishment surface when the cleaning instrument is moved between the deployed and stowed positions to reorient the cleaning composition particles on the surface of the cleaning surface and hence replenish the cleaning capacity of the cleaning instrument. In one embodiment the cleaning instrument may comprise a pair of cleaning surfaces each mounted on a respective arm. The arms may be operatively coupled together, for example in a tweezer-like fashion at one end thereof. In this embodiment the cleaning instrument may be manually used to enable simultaneous cleaning of inner and outer surfaces of an eyeglass lens. In one particular embodiment of the invention the cleaning composition is a combination of carbon black and a hemihydrate of calcium sulfate. |
| US09411166B2 |
Display device
Provided is a display device. An illustrative display device of the present application may display three-dimensional images or two-dimensional images, which may be enjoyed without glasses. |
| US09411165B2 |
Display device and electronic device
A display device has an NTSC ratio of higher than or equal to 80% and a contrast ratio of higher than or equal to 500 and includes a display portion. In the display portion, pixels are provided at a resolution of greater than or equal to 80 ppi, and the pixels each includes a light-emitting module capable of emitting light with a spectral line half-width of less than or equal to 60 nm in a response time of shorter than or equal to 100 μs. Further, transient characteristics of the emission intensity of the light-emitting module have a projecting portion higher than other portions in a portion rising in response to an input signal. |
| US09411164B2 |
Optical filter
Provided is an optical filter and a display device. The illustrative optical filter may be applied to a stereoscopic image display device so that the stereoscopic image display device can display a 3D image at a wide viewing angle without loss of brightness. |
| US09411161B2 |
Display system comprising a screen comprising an array of three-dimensional scattering patterns
The general field of the invention is that of display systems comprising an image projector and an associated display screen, the said display system being designed to be used by an observer situated at a given location, the said display screen comprising two transparent and substantially parallel faces, the said display screen comprising, on at least one of its transparent faces, a plurality of regularly distributed light-scattering patterns. The image projector according to the invention illuminating the screen under a plurality of angles of incidence determined by the position and the size of the display screen, the said angles of incidence being centered on a mean angle of incidence, the scattering patterns comprise at least one scattering surface oriented in such a manner as to diffuse the light rays having at least the mean angle of incidence in one or more directions corresponding to the said given location of the observer. Several embodiments are described. |
| US09411159B2 |
Low cost window production for hermetically sealed optical packages
Disclosed embodiments demonstrate batch processing methods for producing optical windows for microdevices. The windows protect the active elements of the microdevice from contaminants, while allowing light to pass into and out of the hermetically sealed microdevice package. Windows may be batch produced, reducing the cost of production, by fusing multiple metal frames to a single sheet of glass. In order to allow windows to be welded atop packages, disclosed embodiments keep a lip of metal without any glass after the metal frames are fused to the sheet of glass. Several techniques may accomplish this goal, including grinding grooves in the glass to provide a gap that prevents fusion of the glass to the metal frames along the outside edges in order to form a lip. The disclosed batch processing techniques may allow for more efficient window production, taking advantage of the economy of scale. |
| US09411156B2 |
Optical scanner
The optical scanner comprises: a rotor being attached to one end part of a rotor shaft; a polygon mirror having reflective surfaces and being attached to the rotor shaft; and a bearing section being provided to a stator housing and capable of rotatably holding the rotor shaft. A recessed part, through which the rotor shaft is penetrated, is formed in a top part of the polygon mirror. A retainer section of the rotor shaft, which is provided in the recessed part, and an elastic member, which is provided between the retainer section and an inner bottom part of the recessed part and which always biases the polygon mirror toward the rotor, are accommodated in the recessed part together with an end part of the rotor shaft. |
| US09411151B2 |
Bangle with magnifying lens and illumination device
A bangle is provided having a toroidal, tubular or cylindrical main body with at least inner and outer surfaces. A cut-out portion is provided in the main body extending from the outer surface towards the inner surface. A cavity extends at least partially through the main body and communicates with an opening formed in a wall of the cut-out portion. A magnifying lens is removably disposed in the cavity. An end of the magnifying lens is coupled to an illumination housing having an illumination device disposed therein. The illumination housing is configured to be placed in the cut-out section of the main body and substantially complete the shape of the main body. A protrusion is formed on an outer surface of the illumination housing for retracting the magnifying lens and the illumination housing from the cavity and cut-out portion, respectively. |
| US09411148B2 |
Image deflector for gun sights
Optical apparatus in which a beam deflector is used to reposition the sight beam from a reflex sight. In one example, an optical apparatus includes a reflex sight configured to produce a collimated reflex sight beam directed along an optical axis, and a beam deflector coupled to an output of the reflex sight and configured to deflect the reflex sight beam by a selected angle of deflection relative to the optical axis to reposition an eyebox of the reflex sight off-axis with respect to the optical axis and remote from the reflex sight. In certain examples, the optical apparatus also includes a telescopic sight, and the beam deflector is configured to deflect the collimated reflex sight beam to overlap the reflex sight beam with the exit pupil of the telescopic sight. |
| US09411145B2 |
Test sample device and test method for an optical microscope with subwavelength resolution
A test sample device for an optical microscope which images a sample in different light states with a local resolution in the subwavelength range of the visible spectral range, wherein the test sample device comprises: a test piece, which is designed to be microexamined with the microscope and has a surface on which nanostructures are arranged, wherein each nanostructure, viewed along the surface, has a dimension in the subwavelength range, wherein the nanostructures are spaced apart from one another by an amount which lies above the wavelength of the visible spectral range, and wherein the nanostructures are switchable collectively between a bright state, in which they illuminate, and a dark state, in which they do not illuminate, and a drive, which is designed to move the test piece in the subwavelength range, whereby the different light states can be realized by different movement states of the test piece. |
| US09411135B2 |
Imaging optical system
An imaging optical system includes sequentially from an object side a front group configured to include a positive lens disposed at a position nearest a diaphragm; the diaphragm; and a rear group configured to include a negative lens disposed at a position nearest the diaphragm. The imaging optical system satisfies a conditional expression (1) 0.27≦|θ3/θ2|≦1.80, where θ3 represents temperature-dependent variation of relative refractive index for d-line of the negative lens and θ2 represents temperature-dependent variation of relative refractive index for d-line of the positive lens. |
| US09411131B2 |
Optical image capturing system
An optical image capturing system, in order from an object side to an image side, the optical image capturing system comprising 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 refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements have a refractive power, and the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the above lens elements are aspheric. The sixth lens element with a negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface, the object-side surface and an image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric, and at least one of the object-side and the image-side surfaces has an inflection point. When satisfying the specific conditions, the optical image capturing system may have a better optical path adjusting ability to acquire better imaging quality. |
| US09411129B2 |
Imaging lens, and electronic apparatus including the same
An imaging lens includes an aperture stop and first to fourth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side of the imaging lens. Through designs of surfaces of the lens elements and relevant optical parameters, a short system length of the imaging lens may be achieved while maintaining good optical performance. |
| US09411123B2 |
Optical apparatus and image pickup apparatus
An optical apparatus includes a base member (101) including a first rotation limiting end and a second rotation limiting end, a cylindrical member (113) rotatable relative to the base member in a circumferential direction, an abutting member (128) fixed on the cylindrical member, capable of abutting on each of the first and second rotation limiting ends, and rotatable, along with the cylindrical member, between the first and second rotation limiting ends, a first rolling support member (107) fixed on the base member to support the cylindrical member, rotatable around an axis that is parallel to a rotation center axis of the cylindrical member, and rotatable in a direction orthogonal to the rotation center axis, and the first rolling support member is disposed in a third region where a first region and a second region in a region around the rotation center axis overlap each other. |
| US09411118B2 |
Fiber distribution hubs and storage retaining modules
A fiber distribution hub (FDH) can include an enclosure defining an interior region and a frame body having a longitudinal axis. The frame body is rotatably mounted within the interior region of the enclosure such that the frame body can rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to the enclosure. The FDH further includes a plurality of splitters coupled to the frame body. Each splitter module has at least one splitter input and at least two splitter outputs. The FDH also includes a first plurality of adapters coupled to the frame body. The first plurality of adapters is configured to optically couple to splitter output cables. Additionally, the FDH can also include a storage retaining module configured to be selectively coupled to the frame body. The storage retaining module includes a storage retaining structure configured to selectively secure a cable portion of a connectorized end of a splitter output cable. |
| US09411110B2 |
Fiber optic connector cover and fiber optic assembly including same
A fiber optic assembly includes a connector and a cover received over an end face of the connector. The connector includes a ferrule through which an optical fiber extends to the end face of the connector. An end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face. The cover the cover includes a rigid end cap and a form-fitting material within the end cap overlaying the polished end of the optical fiber. The cover is configured to limit access of particulates to the end face of the connector and draw loose particulates of dust and debris from the end face of the connector upon removal from the connector. |
| US09411109B2 |
Optical fiber mount
The present invention relates generally to a mount for securely holding an optical fiber in place, for example, on an optical bench or a translation stage. In one embodiment, the mount includes a lower block having a first portion, which has an upward-facing channel formed in the top surface thereof and extending from the front surface to the rear region. The channel forms a groove at its bottom. The mount further includes an upper block disposed over the first portion of the lower block. The upper block has a downward-facing ridge that includes one or more holding surfaces disposed adjacent the groove and extending along the downward-facing ridge. The upper block is held against the first portion of the lower block, such that the one or more holding surfaces are positioned to hold the optical fiber in the groove. |
| US09411108B2 |
Scalable and modular automated fiber optic cross-connect systems
This invention discloses patch-panel systems for organized configuration management of large numbers of fiber optic interconnection strands, wherein each strand transmits high bandwidth signals between devices. In particular, a system for the programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fiber strands is provided, whereby strands connecting a two-dimensional array of connectors are mapped in an ordered and rule based fashion into a one-dimensional array with substantially straight lines strands there between. The braid of fiber optic strands is partitioned into multiple independent, non-interfering zones or subbraids. The separation into subbraids provides spatial clearance for one or more robotic grippers to enter the free volume substantially adjacent to the two-dimensional array of connectors and to mechanically reconfigure one or more optical fiber strands without interrupting or entangling other fiber optic strands. |
| US09411104B2 |
Broadband waveguide based optical coupler
An apparatus having a first waveguide, a second waveguide, a third waveguide, a fourth waveguide, and a fifth waveguide is described. A symmetric coupler has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the symmetric coupler is coupled to and in optical communication with the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The distal end of the symmetric coupler is coupled to and in optical communication with the fourth waveguide. An asymmetric coupler has a proximal end and a distal end. The asymmetric coupler is in a cascaded configuration with the symmetric coupler. The cascaded configuration has the proximal end of the asymmetric coupler coupled to and in optical communication with the fourth waveguide and the third waveguide. The distal end of the asymmetric coupler is coupled to and in optical communication with the fifth waveguide. |
| US09411097B2 |
Optical module
Provided herein is an optical module including an optical bench having a first step with a first depth and a second step with a second depth that is smaller than the first depth; a silicon carrier disposed above the first step, and where at least one semiconductor chip is installed; an AWG chip (Arrayed Waveguide Grating chip) secured to the second step, extends up to the first step, and is chip-to-chip bonded with the silicon carrier above the first step; a lens disposed on an upper surface of the optical bench where the first step and the second step are not formed; and a metal package surrounding the optical bench, silicon carrier, AWG chip and lens, wherein at one side of the metal package, a double slit that includes an upper slit and a lower slit are formed, a DC FPCB (Direct Current FPCB) extends from outside towards inside the metal package through the upper slit and is secured to a support formed on an inner surface of the upper slit, and an RF FPCB (Radio Frequency FPCB) extends from outside towards inside the metal package through the lower slit and is secured to an upper portion of the silicon carrier, and the upper slit and the lower slit of the double slit being sealed by an elastic epoxy. |
| US09411093B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus includes a transmissive image panel configured to display a multi-view image, and a first transmissive backlight panel and the second transmissive backlight panel arranged at a predetermined distance from the transmissive image panel, and the first transmissive backlight panel and the second transmissive backlight panel are in parallel to the transmissive image panel, wherein the first backlight panel distributes the multi-view image in a first viewing zone differently from the second backlight panel distribution of the multi-view image in a second viewing zone. |
| US09411092B2 |
Reflection type display module and electronic device using the same
An electronic device includes a housing and a display module received in the housing. The display module includes a display panel, a touch panel positioned on the display panel, a light guide plate positioned on the touch panel, a light source positioned at a side of the light guide plate, and a hardened layer positioned on the light guide plate. The light guide plate and the display panel are respectively positioned at opposite sides of the touch panel. The hardened layer covers a surface of the light guide plate away from the touch panel. |
| US09411090B2 |
Backlight system
Backlight systems including a core layer, configured to be flexible, and at least one light source are described. The core layer contains at least one light-excited fluorophore. The light source is arranged on an edge of one side of the core layer. Further, the light source is configured to emit first light into the core layer through the edge of the one side of the core layer. The core layer is configured to transmit the first light therein and to emit second light caused by the light-excited fluorophores irradiated by the first light from a first surface of the core layer. |
| US09411089B2 |
Light source module and backlight unit having the same
A light source module includes a circuit board, board pads disposed on the circuit board, and a light emitting diode chip disposed on the board pads. The light emitting diode chip includes a substrate and a semiconductor stacking part disposed between the substrate and the circuit board, and the substrate includes an inclined part disposed at an upper portion thereof and a discharging part disposed at one side surface thereof. |
| US09411088B2 |
Illumination module
The invention relates to an illumination module (1) comprising a plurality of light sources (2) distributed over a light guiding plate (3) accommodating said light sources and capable of guiding light of said light sources through at least a portion of said plate. The light guiding plate has one or more out-coupling structures (4), preferably arranged around each light source, so that at least a portion of the light emitted by a first light source (2A) and at least a portion of the light emitted by a second adjacent light source (2B) mix within said light guiding plate before leaving said illumination module as a single substantially collimated mixed light beam. The invention further relates to a lamp and a display apparatus comprising such an illumination module. |
| US09411087B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
Disclosed herein is a backlight unit in which a viewing angle of a liquid crystal display device may be easily enlarged or changed. The backlight unit includes a light source, a light guide plate formed below a liquid crystal panel and including a light emitting surface through which incident light supplied from the light source is emitted toward the liquid crystal panel, a prism sheet formed between the light guide plate and the liquid crystal panel, and a plurality of protrusion patterns formed on one surface of the light guide plate which is opposite to the light emitting surface thereof, each of the plurality of protrusion patterns including a first prism which extends in a first direction and at least one second prism which extends in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, comes into contact with the first prism, and is shorter than the first prism. |
| US09411085B2 |
Light guide plate
A large-sized thin light guide plate has a first layer on a light exit surface side and a second layer on a rear surface side containing scattering particles at a higher particle concentration than the first layer. Thicknesses of the layers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the light exit surface change to change a combined particle concentration. The scattering particles, obtained by mixing a particle group with an average particle size Ds of less than 7 μm having one or more local maximum values and a particle group with an average particle size Db of more than 7 μm having one or more local maximum values, satisfy 1 μm≦Ds<7 μm, 7 μm |
| US09411081B2 |
Method of manufacturing polarizing plate
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a polarizing plate having sufficient heat resistance, without deteriorating the dye-affinity and the like of the polarizing film and without the necessity of transferring or detaching the polarizing film. Provided is a method of manufacturing a polarizing plate (10) that includes a polyester resin base (11) and a polarizing film including a polyvinyl alcohol resin laminated on the polyester resin base. The method includes the steps of: stretching a laminate that includes a polyvinyl alcohol resin layer (12) laminated on the polyester resin base (11); dyeing the polyvinyl alcohol resin layer (12); and crystallizing the polyester resin base (11). The crystallization step is performed after the dyeing step. |
| US09411080B2 |
Method for manufacturing conductive member, conductive member, and touch panel using same
A method for manufacturing of a conductive member include forming one of a conductive layer including metal nanowires or a light-scattering layer including insulating light-scattering fine particles on a substrate in a pattern shape; and forming the other of the conductive layer including metal nanowires or the light-scattering layer including insulating light-scattering fine particles on a space of the substrate wherein the one of the conductive layer or the light-scattering layer is not formed. |
| US09411073B1 |
Computer-implemented system and method for correlating satellite imagery for use in photovoltaic fleet output estimation
The calculation of the variance of a correlation coefficient matrix for a photovoltaic fleet can be completed in linear space as a function of decreasing distance between pairs of photovoltaic plant locations. When obtaining irradiance data from a satellite imagery source, irradiance statistics must first be converted from irradiance statistics for an area into irradiance statistics for an average point within a pixel in the satellite imagery. The average point statistics are then averaged across all satellite pixels to determine the average across the whole photovoltaic fleet region. Where pairs of photovoltaic systems are located too far away from each other to be statistically correlated, the correlation coefficients in the matrix for that pair of photovoltaic systems are effectively zero. Consequently, the double summation portion of the calculation can be simplified to eliminate zero values based on distance between photovoltaic plant locations, substantially decreasing the size of the problem space. |
| US09411070B2 |
Extendable wireless soil measurement apparatus
A two-tier wireless soil measurement apparatus is disclosed, including a top head and a plurality of sensors, wherein the top head being placed on or above the ground and the plurality of sensors being buried under the soil for sensing soil conditions, generating soil data representing the sensed soil conditions, and transmitting generated soil conditions to the top head; the plurality of sensors able to be assembled into a pole and each of the plurality of sensors including a sensor unit for sensing a soil condition; a circuit module connected to the sensor unit for transmitting sensed soil condition to the top head, a sensor housing for housing the sensor unit and the circuit module; and an engaging element for engaging two sensors in a head-to-tail manner for form a pole. |
| US09411068B2 |
3D borehole imager
Logging tools and methods for obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) image of the region around a borehole. In at least some embodiments, a 3D imaging tool rotates, transmitting pulses that are approximately a nanosecond long and measuring the time it takes to receive reflections of these pulses. Multiple receivers are employed to provide accurate triangulation of the reflectors. In some cases, multiple transmitters are employed to obtain compensated measurements, i.e., measurements that compensate for variations in the receiver electronics. Because reflections occur at boundaries between materials having different dielectric constants, the 3D imaging tool can map out such boundaries in the neighborhood of the borehole. Such boundaries can include: the borehole wall itself, boundaries between different formation materials, faults or other discontinuities in a formation, and boundaries between fluids in a formation. Depending on various factors, the size of the borehole neighborhood mapped out can be as large as 1 meter. |
| US09411067B2 |
Ground-tracking systems and apparatus
A ground tracking system including a ground follower assembly for use with a locator or other device for determining position, motion, and/or orientation information is disclosed. The ground follower assembly may include a wheel assembly coupled to a locator and configured to swivel and/or pivot relative to an antenna node of the locator to generate signals for use in determining position information during a locate operation, such as from a sonde array. |
| US09411065B2 |
Measurement while drilling spontaneous potential indicator using differential magnetometers
A drilling system, method and drilling apparatus for determining a parameter of a formation at a downhole location is disclosed. A member having a longitudinal axis is disposed in a borehole at the downhole location. A first magnetometer and a second magnetometer are disposed at an axial location of the member as separate azimuthal locations around the member and oriented tangential to a circumference of circle in a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the member. Magnetic fields resulting from a current flowing longitudinally through the member due to a spontaneous potential in the formation are measured to determine the spontaneous potential. The parameter of the formation is determined from the determined spontaneous potential. |
| US09411064B2 |
Testers for acoustic sensors
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to test an acoustic sensor. Apparatus and methods can include collecting an acoustic wave from a transmitter of the acoustic sensor and directing the acoustic wave to a receiver of the acoustic sensor along a path different from the acoustic sensor. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09411063B2 |
Method and device for managing the acoustic performances of a network of acoustic nodes arranged along towed acoustic linear antennas
A method and apparatus are provided for managing the acoustic performances of a network of acoustic nodes arranged along towed acoustic linear antennas. The network of acoustic nodes is adapted to determine inter-node distances allowing to locate the acoustic linear antennas. The method includes: obtaining a determined layout of the network of acoustic nodes; obtaining at least one marine environment property relating to an area of performance of a survey with the network of acoustic nodes; and quantifying the acoustic performances of the network of acoustic nodes, using a sound propagation model, the at least one marine environment property and the determined layout. |
| US09411058B2 |
Polymer composite based thermal neutron detectors
Polymer composite neutron detector materials are described. The composite materials include an aromatic polymer matrix, such as an aromatic polyester. Distributed within the polymer matrix are neutron capture agents, such as 6LiF nanoparticles, and organic or inorganic luminescent fluors. The composite materials can be formed into stretched or unstretched thin films, fibers or fiber mats. |
| US09411057B2 |
X-ray imaging system and method
An X-ray imaging system can include an X-ray source that projects a beam of X-ray radiation and an X-ray detector positioned to receive the beam of X-ray radiation at a location. The X-ray detector can include: (i) a monolithic substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, (ii) a scintillation layer arranged upon the first side and including a first region and a second region, the first region having a first X-ray sensitivity and the second region having a second X-ray sensitivity different than the first X-ray sensitivity, and (iii) a photosensor array arranged upon the second side. The X-ray source and X-ray detector can be configured to adjust the location at which the X-ray detector receives the beam of X-ray radiation such that the location is primarily within the first region or the second region. |
| US09411056B2 |
Wide dynamic range bidirectional integrating electrometer with low leakage solid-state reset and range change operating over an extended temperature range
A radiation monitor includes an ionization chamber for detecting radiation that passes into the ionization chamber. The ionization chamber generates a current flow in response to the detected radiation. An electrometer is electrically connected to the ionization chamber for measuring the current flow generated by the ionization chamber. The electrometer is operable in a plurality of modes based on a magnitude of the current flow generated by the ionization chamber. A method of measuring current flow through an electrometer of a radiation monitor is also provided. |
| US09411051B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for a satellite navigational system receiver to select a subset of tracking satellites
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for a satellite navigational system receiver to select a subset of tracking satellites from the satellites in view are described. In one method, after selecting the satellite with a highest elevation, satellites are selected for the tracking subset by searching the sectors of an azimuth plane map in sequence. |
| US09411050B1 |
Global positioning system device for providing position location information to a smart device
A global positioning system (GPS) device for providing position location information (PLI) to a smart device includes a GPS receiver; a signal interpreting device; and, a GPS device interface. The GPS receiver receives satellite signals and derives PLI. The signal interpreting device utilizes the derived PLI to provide an analog audio signal. The GPS device interface is configured to receive the analog audio signal. The GPS device interface is adapted for use with an audio interface of a smart device to transmit the analog audio signal to the smart device. |
| US09411047B2 |
Searchlight sonar
A searchlight sonar is installed on a ship (11) and searches under water around the ship (11) while changing the transmitting direction of an ultrasonic beam (TB) at a predetermined split rotation (Mn) in the circumferential direction around the ship (11). The split rotation (Mn) is set to increase as the depression angle of the transmitting direction of the ultrasonic beam (TB) is increased. |
| US09411033B2 |
Methods and apparatus for imaging with magnetic induction
An apparatus includes a magnetic energy source to provide a magnetic signal and a detector to detect an acoustic energy signal from a sample stimulated by the magnetic energy signal. A method includes applying a magnetic signal to a biological sample, detecting an acoustic signal from the sample, and processing the acoustic signal to determine the electrical impedance distribution of the sample, and identify disease in the biological sample. A method includes applying a magnetic signal to a sample, detecting a magnetic or electrical signal within the sample, and processing the magnetic or electrical signal to reconstruct electrical impedance distribution of the sample. |
| US09411032B2 |
Sensitivity distribution generating apparatus, magnetic resonance system, sensitivity distribution generating method, and program
A sensitivity distribution generating apparatus configured to generate sensitivity distribution data of a coil for receiving magnetic resonance signals from an imaging region including a first substance and a second substance different in resonant frequency is provided. The sensitivity distribution generating apparatus includes a reference image data generating unit configured to generate reference image data in which a region of the first substance is suppressed and a region of the second substance is emphasized, based on data obtained by executing a separation sequence for separating the first substance and the second substance from each other, and an estimating unit configured to estimate a sensitivity of the coil in the region of the first substance, based on a signal value of the region of the second substance in the reference image data. |
| US09411030B2 |
Apparatus and method for decreasing bio-effects of magnetic gradient field gradients
An apparatus and a method for increasing the magnitude of the magnetic gradient for MRI without causing nerve stimulation. As an example, the short ramp time of magnetic gradients, for example less than 150 microseconds is contemplated. These short ramp-time magnetic gradients are used for the imaging of structures with short relaxations times, such as teeth, without causing nerve stimulation. The apparatus comprises a generator of magnetic gradients of at least 1 milliTeslas in magnitude with at least one gradient ramp time shorter than 150 microseconds and which induces no peripheral nerve stimulation. |
| US09411026B2 |
Ising model quantum computation device and Ising model quantum computation method
This computation device and method exponentially shortens a computation time of an NP-complete problem or the like mapped into an Ising model by exponentially shortening a computation time of the Ising mode. For each pair of a plurality of slave lasers, by controlling the intensity, the polarization, and the phase of light exchanged between two slave lasers using an attenuator and a wave plate, the magnitude and the sign of pseudo Ising interaction between two slave lasers are implemented. Then, after the plurality of slave lasers arrive at a steady state, by measuring the polarization of light generated by each slave laser with left-handed circular polarization and right-handed circular polarization used as bases, a pseudo spin of each slave laser is measured. |
| US09411024B2 |
Magnetic field sensor having XMR elements in a full bridge circuit having diagonal elements sharing a same shape anisotropy
Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor includes at least four XMR elements connected in a full bridge circuit including parallel branches. The at least four XMR elements are GMR or TMR elements (GMR=giant magnetoresistance; TMR=tunnel magnetoresistance). Two diagonal XMR elements of the full bridge circuit include the same shape anisotropy, wherein XMR elements in the same branch of the full bridge circuit include different shape anisotropies. |
| US09411019B2 |
Method and system for estimating state of health of battery set
A method and a system for estimating the State of Health (SOH) of a battery set are disclosed. The method utilizes a discrete quantization algorithm to estimate the SOH of the battery set, wherein the voltage standard deviations are calculated according to the loop voltages of the battery cells, and comparing the rated discharge capacity with the voltage standard deviations for estimating the SOH of the battery set. |
| US09411018B2 |
Voltage monitoring device
Device to monitor the voltage of battery cells. The device includes a control device, voltage taps configured to tap the voltages of the battery cells, a holding plate having a first holding plate part and a second holding plate part, and a stamped-out circuit having measuring lines configured to electrically connect the control device to the voltage taps, the stamped-out circuit being arranged in cut-outs of the first holding plate part and the cut-outs being covered by the second holding plate such that the measuring lines are fixedly positioned in the cut-outs. |
| US09411015B2 |
Semiconductor device having penetrating electrodes each penetrating through substrate
Disclosed herein is a device that includes a semiconductor substrate, a check circuit and a through-substrate via. The check circuit includes a check line formed over the semiconductor substrate and including first and second parts each extending in a first direction and a third part extending in a second direction that crosses the first direction, the first and second parts being opposite to each other, the third part connecting one end of the first part with one end of the second part, a charge circuit coupled to a one end of the check line, and a comparator coupled to the other end of the check line at a first input node thereof. The through-substrate via penetrates through the semiconductor substrate and is located in an area that is between the first and second parts of the check line. |
| US09411010B2 |
System for introspection and annotation of electronic design data
A system for introspection and annotation of electronic design data includes a tracked probe that interacts with an electronic circuit, a tracking system, schematics, design files, or models for the circuit, electronic design system software, and a user interface. The probe has a sensor that tracks the position of the probe within the circuit. The tracking system receives data from the sensor and translates it into coordinates reflecting the location of the probe within the circuit. The software uses the probe coordinates to locate the position of the probe on the circuit schematic, identify the circuit component at the probe location, and display information about the identified component. The displayed information preferably includes an annotated version of the circuit schematic. The system may include a measurement or instrumentation device, the probe may include at least one parameter measurement device, and the display may include information derived from the parameter measurements. |
| US09411006B1 |
Method of locating a fault in a power distribution system comprising at least one microturbine distributed resource
The present invention provides a method to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resources is a microturbine. |
| US09411005B1 |
Method of locating a fault in a power distribution system comprising at least one DC voltage distributed resource having a controllable voltage source converter
The present invention provides a method to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resources is a DC voltage distributed resource comprising a controllable voltage source converter. |
| US09411004B2 |
Continuous leakage detection circuit with integrated robustness check and balanced fault detection
A leakage detection circuit with integrated robustness check provides leakage detection and continuous robustness check capability. A circuit can include a first voltage divider coupled to a chassis ground and a positive terminal of a traction energy storage device (ESD). A second voltage divider, connected in series to the first voltage divider, can be coupled to the chassis ground and a negative terminal of the ESD. A third voltage divider can be coupled to both the positive and negative ESD terminals. A checkproduct based on a voltage detected at the third voltage divider can be compared to a sum VS of voltages detected at first and second voltage dividers to check for a circuit fault. Voltages detected at the first and second voltage dividers, and SOC values, can be used to detect leakage faults, including balanced leakage faults, and a fault response can be performed. |
| US09410998B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for capacitive sensing
A system for obtaining incremental and absolute displacement measurements using systems of electrodes that interact to form variable capacitors and systems that facilitate implementation of the method along with exemplary embodiments of these systems. The capacitors created by the disclosed method have known physical properties and corresponding known mathematical relationships. These laws are exploited in such a way by our method as to overcome inadequacies in existing systems and create superior systems. These superior systems improve upon the existing art by including economically and reliably made sensors based on the area varying principle which eliminate dead zone issues and increase accuracy through a reduction of the influence of gap variations on capacitive systems through the use of compensatory geometrical arrangements of multiple capacitive systems. |
| US09410996B2 |
Method and system employing finite state machine modeling to identify one of a plurality of different electric load types
A system is for a plurality of different electric load types. The system includes a plurality of sensors structured to sense a voltage signal and a current signal for each of the different electric loads; and a processor. The processor acquires a voltage and current waveform from the sensors for a corresponding one of the different electric load types; calculates a power or current RMS profile of the waveform; quantizes the power or current RMS profile into a set of quantized state-values; evaluates a state-duration for each of the quantized state-values; evaluates a plurality of state-types based on the power or current RMS profile and the quantized state-values; generates a state-sequence that describes a corresponding finite state machine model of a generalized load start-up or transient profile for the corresponding electric load type; and identifies the corresponding electric load type. |
| US09410995B2 |
Measurement devices and measurement methods for power consumption
A measurement device is provided. The measurement device comprises a power controller, a detector, a temperature sensor, and a processor. The power controller receives alternating-current (AC) power and transforms the AC power to direct-current (DC) power. The detector detects the DC power to generate a voltage value and a current value. The temperature sensor senses an environment temperature of the measurement device. The processor reads the voltage value, the current value, and the environment temperature and obtains an efficiency coefficient of the power controller according to the voltage value, the current value, and the environment temperature. The processor further obtains a real power consumption value corresponding to the AC power according to the efficiency coefficient. |
| US09410989B2 |
Oscilloscope with integrated generator and internal trigger
An apparatus, includes an oscilloscope and a waveform generator. The waveform generator is integrated in a common housing with the oscilloscope, and configured to provide a stimulus signal as an output of the apparatus and to provide a trigger signal that is connected internally to the oscilloscope for triggering the oscilloscope. |
| US09410986B2 |
Testing jig
A testing jig includes a substrate, a carrier provided on the substrate, two conductive members made of a conductive material, and a compensation member made of a conductive material. The substrate has a signal circuit and a grounding circuit thereon. The carrier has a base board made of an insulating material and a conductive circuit made of a conductive material provided thereon. The base board has a signal perforation aligning with the signal circuit, a grounding perforation aligning with the grounding circuit, and multiple compensation holes. The conductive members both have an end exposed out of the carrier, and are respectively fitted in the signal perforation and the grounding perforation to make another end thereof contact the signal circuit or the grounding circuit. The compensation member is fitted in one of the compensation holes to be electrically connected to the conductive member in the grounding perforation through the conductive circuit. |
| US09410985B2 |
Printed circuit board and magnetic field or current sensor
A printed circuit has a creep suppressor and a stack of metallization layers separated by electrically insulating layers. A metallization layer arranged above the insulating layer at least partially covers a cavity formed in the latter's top face. Prepreg arranged directly on the insulating layer below the metallization layer bonds the layers together. A magnetic core is housed in the cavity leaves at least a five micrometer gap between the cavity's vertical walls and roof and the core's facing vertical and top faces. During stack assembly, the creep suppressor prevents prepreg from flowing, by creep, into the cavity until it contacts more than 20% of the core's top face. |
| US09410976B2 |
Process analytic instrument with encapsulated flame-quenching connection
A process analytic instrument and tube carrier are provided. The process analytic instrument includes an analytic module having a plurality of inlets and configured to analyze a process gas. The tube carrier is coupled to the analytic module and has a shell defining an interior therein. A plurality of tubes terminates in the tube carrier. At least one of the tubes has an integral flame-quenching pathway and the interior of the shell proximate the integral flame-quenching pathway is filled with a solid. |
| US09410974B2 |
Gel card filling device comprising an ionizer
A device for filling at least one receptacle (12) of gel card type initially sealed by a cap. The filling device comprises a piercing member (110) for perforating the cap, an ionization ramp (122) for eliminating the electrostatic charges capable of being borne by the receptacle, and filling means (130) one or more pipettes (132) for filling the receptacle after perforation of the cap and elimination of the electrostatic charges. |
| US09410970B2 |
Cellarium: thin-film sensor with microarray seal
A triple sensor structured for simultaneous measurement of glucose, oxygen, and pH. The sensor components are in thin film states such as sensing films or membranes, with a glucose probe associated with emission of radiation in the blue part of the spectrum, an oxygen probe associated with radiation in red portion of the spectrum, and a pH probe—with a green portion of the spectrum. The optical probes are chemically grafted or immobilized in a suitable polymer matrix, alleviating the leaching of the probes from the matrix, improving the thin film sensing stability, and enabling the repeatable use of the same sensing films. |
| US09410966B2 |
Isotopic recoding for targeted tandem mass spectrometry
Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for detecting a low abundance protein and methods for identifying a site of N-glycosylation on a protein. In practicing methods according to certain embodiments, a eukaryotic cell is contacted with an isotopic labeling composition and isotopically labeled N-glycosylated peptides obtained from the eukaryotic cell are assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A predetermined isotopic pattern in the mass spectrum is identified and amino acid sequences of the peptides containing the predetermined isotopic pattern are determined. Systems for identifying a predetermined isotopic pattern in mass spectra and determining amino acid sequences of peptides containing the predetermined isotopic pattern are also described. |
| US09410965B2 |
Identification of discriminant proteins through antibody profiling, methods and apparatus for identifying an individual
A method for determining a plurality of proteins for discriminating and positively identifying an individual based from a biological sample. The method may include profiling a biological sample from a plurality of individuals against a protein array including a plurality of proteins. The protein array may include proteins attached to a support in a preselected pattern such that locations of the proteins are known. The biological sample may be contacted with the protein array such that a portion of antibodies in the biological sample reacts with and binds to the proteins forming immune complexes. A statistical analysis method, such as discriminant analysis, may be performed to determine discriminating proteins for distinguishing individuals. Proteins of interest may be used to form a protein array. Such a protein array may be used, for example, to compare a forensic sample from an unknown source with a sample from a known source. |
| US09410962B2 |
Determination of levels of immunogenic gluten peptides in human samples
The present invention, fitted in the medical-clinical sector, shows a method for monitoring the ingestion of gluten by measuring protein/gluten peptides present in fecal samples with antibodies against immunogenic peptides resistant to gastrointestinal digestion. The presence or absence of said immunogenic peptides is controlled by immunological assays based on reactive antibodies against immunogenic gluten peptides that are resistant to proteolysis. These assays may be quantitative techniques as ELISAs, or qualitative as rapid immunochromatographic assays, immunoblots, etc. These measures may also be applied to verify compliance with the gluten-free diet, to improve diagnosis in cases of refractory or severe symptoms of celiac disease, in cases in which a gluten-free diet is supposedly being respected, or to clinical research on the effectiveness of enzymatic therapies related with prolamin detoxification. |
| US09410961B2 |
Methods of indexing a test-sensor cartridge
A method of indexing and excising a test sensor from a test-sensor cartridge including rotating an indexer in a first direction such that a flexible pawl thereon is positioned between a first and second notch of the test-sensor cartridge. Rotating the indexer in a first direction, but not in a second generally opposite direction, likewise rotates the cartridge. The method further includes rotating the indexer in the second direction such that the flexible pawl is positioned between the second notch and a third notch, and an aperture of the indexer face is generally aligned with a first cavity of the test-sensor cartridge. The method further includes moving an excise mechanism such that a push rod extends through the second aperture and through the first cavity until the first test sensor is excised through an opposing end of the first cavity into a read position. |
| US09410959B2 |
Devices comprising coated semiconductor nanocrystal heterostructures
A semiconductor nanocrystal heterostructure has a core of a first semiconductor material surrounded by an overcoating of a second semiconductor material. Upon excitation, one carrier can be substantially confined to the core and the other carrier can be substantially confined to the overcoating. |
| US09410958B2 |
Alkyne-activated fluorogenic azide compounds and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure provides fluorogenic azide compounds. Also provided are methods of using the subject compounds for labelling a target biomolecule that includes an alkyne. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the biomolecule with a fluorogenic azide compound, wherein the contacting results in covalent linkage of the compound with the alkyne moiety of the target biomolecule. |
| US09410954B2 |
Human papilloma virus as predictor of cancer prognosis
Methods of treating a head and neck cancer are disclosed. |
| US09410953B2 |
Use of non-nucleophilic additives for reduction of surface morphological anomalies in probe arrays
The present invention relates to a formulations and methods for coupling a reactant (or probe precursor) to a functionalized surface for purposes of forming an arrayed sensor. This method includes the steps of: providing a surface having a reactive functional group; and introducing onto the surface, at a plurality of discrete locations, two or more compositions of the invention, which include a different reactant (probe precursor) and a non-nucleophilic additive, wherein such introduction is carried out under conditions effective to allow for covalent binding of the reactant to the surface via the reactive functional group. This results in a probe-functionalized array that substantially overcomes the problem of surface morphological anomalies on the array surface. Use of the resulting arrays in various detection systems is also encompassed. |
| US09410938B2 |
Biomarkers for asthma
The present invention provides methods, kits, and compositions related to testing a sample for the level of a biomarker related to asthma, wherein the biomarker is selected from: taurine, maltose, maltotriose, adenosine 5′-monophosphate, phosphoethanolamine, glycerophosphorylcholine, arachidonate, heptanoate, pelargonate, and nicotinamide. In certain embodiments, the level of the biomarker is used to identify therapy effective for treating asthma. In other embodiments, the level of the biomarker is used to identify the presence, severity, or risk of exacerbation of asthma. In further embodiments, the level of the biomarker is used to monitor the response to on-going therapy (e.g., adjust the dosage of the asthma therapy). |
| US09410936B2 |
Methods and apparatus for characterization of petroleum fluid employing analysis of high molecular weight components
A methodology that performs downhole fluid analysis of fluid properties of a reservoir and characterizes the reservoir based upon such downhole fluid analysis. The methodology acquires at least one fluid sample at a respective measurement station and performs downhole fluid analysis to measure properties of the fluid sample, including concentration of a plurality of high molecular weight components. For each of a plurality of type classes corresponding to different subsets of a predetermined set of high molecular weight components, a model is used to predict the concentration of the components of the given type class for the plurality of measurement stations. The predicted concentrations of the high molecular weight components for the plurality of type classes are then compared with corresponding concentrations measured by downhole fluid analysis for the plurality of measurement stations to identify the best matching type class. The results of the comparison are used for reservoir analysis. |
| US09410934B2 |
Nanoparticle probes, methods, and systems for use thereof
Methods of identifying geological materials of interest comprising (i) providing a nanoprobe composition comprising one or more nanoprobes; wherein the nanoprobe includes (a) at least one tag; and (b) at least one signal generator; (ii) introducing the nanoprobes to a geological material; and (iii) detecting the presence of a signal generated by the signal generator on association of the tag with a target. Nanoprobe compositions identify geological materials, systems include such nanoprobe compositions, and methods use such nanoprobe compositions for the evaluation of geological materials. |
| US09410933B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the salinity of a sample
An apparatus for determining the salinity of an ionic sample consisting essentially of: a single current probe having a central aperture large enough to accommodate a tube that contains the ionic sample; a network analyzer electrically coupled to the current probe, wherein the network analyzer is configured to transmit power into the ionic sample when the tube containing the ionic sample is positioned within the central aperture and then further configured to measure the return loss parameter of a signal voltage waveform reflected from the ionic solution; and a reference table of reference sample properties to which the measured return loss parameter may be compared to determine the level of salinity of the ionic sample. |
| US09410931B1 |
Miniaturized photoacoustic spectrometer
A low-power miniaturized photoacoustic sensor uses an optical microphone made by semiconductor fabrication techniques, and optionally allows for all-optical communication to and from the sensor. This allows integration of the photoacoustic sensor into systems with special requirements, such as those that would be reactive in an electrical discharge condition. The photoacoustic sensor can also be operated in various other modes with wide application flexibility. |
| US09410923B2 |
Ultra-fast nucleic acid sequencing device and a method for making and using the same
A system and method employing at least one semiconductor device, or an arrangement of insulating and metal layers, having at least one detecting region which can include, for example, a recess or opening therein, for detecting a charge representative of a component of a polymer, such as a nucleic acid strand proximate to the detecting region, and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. The system and method can thus be used for sequencing individual nucleotides or bases of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The semiconductor device includes at least two doped regions, such as two n-typed regions implanted in a p-typed semiconductor layer or two p-typed regions implanted in an n-typed semiconductor layer. The detecting region permits a current to pass between the two doped regions in response to the presence of the component of the polymer, such as a base of a DNA or RNA strand. The current has characteristics representative of the component of the polymer, such as characteristics representative of the detected base of the DNA or RNA strand. |
| US09410918B2 |
Water analysis sensor electrode
A water analysis sensor electrode for determining an analyte in water includes a sensor electrode housing which is configured to be closed. The sensor electrode housing comprises an inner wall and an ion-selective sensor electrode diaphragm arranged at a lower distal end of the sensor electrode housing. An electrolyte solution is in the sensor electrode housing. A measuring electrode is arranged in the sensor electrode housing. A gas bubble is enclosed by the sensor electrode housing. A rigid rod element having a round cross section is arranged in the sensor electrode housing so that a continuous open capillary channel extends over a length of the sensor electrode housing between the rigid rod element and the inner wall. |
| US09410916B2 |
Biological information measurement device and biological information measurement method using same
In a biological information measurement device for measuring, for example, a blood glucose level, it is intended to improve measurement accuracy. In a voltage sweep mode A (a biological information characteristic detection mode), different voltage values are applied between a first input terminal and a second input terminal from a voltage applying unit 15 in a first period and a second period, a plurality of various factors that affect variation in the measurement of biological information are considered as changes in the current value in the voltage sweep mode A (the biological information characteristic detection mode), thereby a biological information correction value is calculated from the changes in the current value, and the biological information measurement value measured during the biological information measurement mode C is corrected by the biological information correction value. Thus, the measurement accuracy can be improved. |
| US09410915B2 |
System and method for quality assurance of a biosensor test strip
The present invention provides a test strip for measuring a signal of interest in a biological fluid when the test strip is mated to an appropriate test meter, wherein the test strip and the test meter include structures to verify the integrity of the test strip traces, to measure the parasitic resistance of the test strip traces, and to provide compensation in the voltage applied to the test strip to account for parasitic resistive losses in the test strip traces. |
| US09410913B2 |
Methods and systems for measuring and using the oxidation-reduction potential of a biological sample
Methods and systems for measuring and using the oxidation-reduction characteristics of a biological sample are provided. The system generally includes a test strip and a readout device. A fluid sample is placed in the test strip, and the test strip is in turn operatively connected to the readout device. The readout device provides a controlled current that is sent across the fluid in the sample chamber. In addition, the readout device identifies an inflection point or transition time at which the voltage between contacts of the test strip is changing at the highest rate. The oxidation-reduction capacity of the sample is taken as the integral of the current profile from the time at which current begins to be supplied to the sample to the identified transition time. |
| US09410910B1 |
Hybrid conductivity sensor
A sensor for measuring conductivity of a fluid containing dissolved ions, particularly for measuring conductivity of salt water, features a cylindrical tube (57) of poorly conductive material such as glass, a first electrode (51A) and a second electrode (51B) inside the tube, connected together (56) to maintain a common electrical potential, a first transformer (52,53) concentrically arranged around the tube (57) to drive current through the fluid in the tube, and a second transformer (54, 55) arranged to sense a value of the current flowing in the fluid, and a digital processing circuit (62) coupled to receive an output signal of the second transformer, and to derive therefrom a value representing the conductivity of the fluid. The sensor is adapted to be towed behind a research ship, or to be deployed on an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or the like. Current signals are preferably processed by digital switching measurement technology (dMST). |
| US09410906B2 |
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer comprising a temperature sensor, two external-air fans, and a circulation fan
An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer includes: an X-ray source which irradiates a sample with primary X-rays; a light condensing device which condenses the primary X-rays to reduce an irradiation area on the sample; a detector which detects fluorescent X-rays produced from the sample irradiated with the primary X-rays; a housing which accommodates the X-ray source and the light condensing device; a temperature sensor which is disposed in at least one of the X-ray source and the periphery of the X-ray source; at least one external-air fan which is disposed on the housing, and which can exchange internal air with external air; and a control section which drives the external-air fan based on temperature information detected by the temperature sensor, to adjust the ambient temperature around the X-ray source to a constant temperature. |
| US09410895B2 |
Process and apparatus for inspecting a high volume material jointing operation
A method of sequentially performing a plurality of jointing operations includes positioning an automated device to form a mechanical joint into a workpiece and forming a mechanical joint into the workpiece. Once the mechanical joint is formed, the workpiece is scanned to generate data indicating the surface geometry of the workpiece at a location including the mechanical joint. One or more geometric features of the surface geometry are identified, and if the identified geometric features are within respective predetermined specification thresholds, the automated device is repositioned to form a subsequent mechanical joint into the workpiece. |
| US09410892B2 |
Nanoscale optofluidic devices for molecular detection
An optofluidic architecture for label free, highly parallel, detection of molecular interactions is based on the use of optically resonant devices whose resonant wavelength is shifted due to a local change in refractive index caused by a positive binding event between a surface bound molecule and its solution phase target. These devices have an extremely low limit of detection and are compatible with aqueous environments. The device combines the sensitivity (limit of detection) of nanosensor technology with the parallelity of the microarray type format. |
| US09410891B2 |
Optics collection and detection system and method
Optics collection and detection systems are provided for measuring optical signals from an array of optical sources over time. Methods of using the optics collection and detection systems are also described. |
| US09410890B2 |
Methods and apparatus for spectral luminescence measurement
One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented method of processing spectral luminescence mapping data obtained from a substrate, the substrate having an epitaxial layer stack that includes a multiple quantum well. A spectral luminescence and an epi thickness at a location on the substrate are obtained. A spectral modulation for the location may be computed given the epi thickness and material indices of refraction. The underlying luminescence spectrum may then be generated by dividing the measured spectral luminescence by the spectral modulation. Subsequently, a peak wavelength and other parameters may be obtained from the underlying luminescence spectrum. In another embodiment, the underlying luminescence spectrum may be determined, without the epi thickness measurement, using a self-consistent technique. Another embodiment relates to an apparatus for spectral luminescence mapping and epitaxial thickness measurement. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US09410889B2 |
Method and system for multiplex genetic analysis
The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems and method for detecting separately and substantially simultaneously light emissions from a plurality of localized light-emitting analytes. A system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a sample holder having structures formed thereon for spatially separating and constraining a plurality of light-emitting analytes each having a single nucleic acid molecule or a single nucleic acid polymerizing enzyme, a light source configured to illuminate the sample holder, an optical assembly configured to collect and detect separately and substantially simultaneously light emissions associated with the plurality of light emitting analytes. The system may further include a computer system configured to analyze the light emissions to determine the structures or properties of a target nucleic acid molecule associated with each analyte. |
| US09410888B2 |
Methods, systems and devices for detecting insects and other pests
We describe a method for detection of the presence of an invertebrate or an invertebrate component in a sample of substantially non invertebrate material, comprising impinging said sample with a source of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of at least 600 nm and detecting Raman scattering/fluorescence of said invertebrate or a component of said invertebrate at a wavenumber where the non-invertebrate components of said sample either do not fluoresce or fluoresce with sufficiently low intensity wherein the non invertebrate material is edible and/or living. |
| US09410884B2 |
Component measurement device
A component measurement device, namely a blood-glucose measurement device, that has a measurement unit that focuses measurement light on a test paper through an illumination lens and receives reflected light from the test paper. The blood-glucose measurement device measures blood components on the basis of results from detecting the reflected light. The illumination lens is provided in the measurement unit such that the focal point of the measurement light is beyond the test paper. |
| US09410881B2 |
Photo-coupled data acquisition system and method
The photo-coupled data acquisition system can have a container having a contour wall extending upwardly from a closed bottom, for containing a sample therein, a light emitter operable to emit diffused light into the container at an initial intensity, a photodetector operable to detect a reflected intensity of the diffused light, and a structure connected to the contour wall and holding the light emitter and the photodetector at a predetermined height above the bottom of the container and in an orientation facing inside the container, wherein during operation of the system, the initial light intensity is attenuated by the sample and the reflected intensity thereof can be correlated to an information value concerning a variable of interest of the sample. |
| US09410878B2 |
Portable ultrafine particle sizer (PUPS) apparatus
The Portable Ultrafine Particle Sizer (PUPS) invention is provided. The PUPS is an instrument which can measure particle number concentration for particle sizes under 200 nanometers in-situ. The PUPS is a compact design for quick mounting on vehicles. Size discrimination is accomplished using a compact reverse Differential Mobility Analyzer (rDMA). Particle charging is accomplished using corona ionization. Concentration measurements are completed using a unique flexible printed circuit board electrode which can be removed for cleaning, disposal or chemical analysis of collected particles at the end of its in situ measurement life. |
| US09410874B2 |
Simulated impact-type rock burst experiment apparatus
A simulated impact-type rock burst experiment apparatus includes a bracket, a specimen box assembly, an X-direction, Y-direction and Z-direction loading mechanisms mounted on the bracket, and control systems. Each loading mechanism includes four supporting posts in a rectangular arrangement, a first and second frames aligned with each other and fixedly connected to both ends of the four supporting posts, a loading hydraulic cylinder and a lead screw mounted on the two frames respectively. |
| US09410873B2 |
Fluidics apparatus for surface acoustic wave manipulation of fluid samples, use of fluidics apparatus and process for the manufacture of fluidics apparatus
A fluidics apparatus for manipulation of at least one fluid sample is disclosed. A manipulation surface locates the fluid sample. A surface acoustic wave (SAW) generation material layer is provided. This is a polycrystalline material, textured polycrystalline material, biaxially textured polycrystalline material, microcrystalline material, nanocrystalline material, amorphous material or composite material. A transducer electrode structure arranged at the SAW generation material layer provides SAWs at the manipulation surface for interaction with the fluid sample. The manipulation surface has a phononic structure, for affecting the transmission, distribution and/or behavior of SAWs at the manipulation surface. The apparatus is typically manufactured by reel-to-reel processes, to reduce the unit cost to a level at which the apparatus can be considered to be disposable after a single use. |
| US09410871B1 |
Apparatus for analytical sampling and/or conditioning of a process gas with selective isolation capability, and method therefore
A system for sampling and/or conditioning a process gas such as natural gas or the like with selective isolation capability. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed to be OSHA compliant, contemplating a system to insert, retract, maintain and service analytical sample conditioning components or the like in fluid communication with a pressurized pipeline, but upstream an isolation component such as, for example, a double block and bleed sample valve or the like. The preferred embodiment of the present invention thereby provides an apparatus and method for selective isolation of existing or potential hazardous energies which may be associated with the pressurized pipeline and fluids therein from upstream the modular sample component(s) or the like therein. |
| US09410870B2 |
Method and system for data redundancy storage
A computer-implemented method includes a first controller configured to receive and record operational data associated with operation of a locomotive, process, via a processor, the operational data, and determine, using the processor, a data storage plan for the operational data. The data storage plan can dynamically change based on the operational data. The system may be further configured to store the operational data with a second controller associated with a second locomotive according to the data storage plan. |
| US09410863B2 |
Torque tool calibration fixture
A torque tool calibration fixture includes a support and a mounting plate movably secured thereto. The plate is configured to have a torque tool mounted thereto for calibration. A transducer is secured to the mounting plate for movement therewith. The transducer has one end portion configured to be coupled to a drive end of a head portion of the associated torque tool and an opposite end portion. A joint assembly is fixed to the support and coupled to the opposite end portion of the transducer. The joint assembly defines a rotational axis and the mounting plate is movable along the rotational axis. A torque analyzer is in communication with the transducer. Rotation of the joint assembly results in the joint assembly forming a hard joint where further rotation of the joint assembly is prevented. The analyzer indicates actual exerted torque on the hard joint as measured by the transducer. |
| US09410859B2 |
Biaxial torque measuring device
A biaxial torque measuring device includes a base and two torque sensing shafts. The torque sensing shafts are disposed on the base, wherein one of the torque sensing shafts is axially parallel to a surface of the base, the other torque sensing shaft has an angle relative to the surface of the base, the angle is greater than 0 degree and smaller than 180 degrees, and each of the torque sensing shafts has a sensing portion for sensing a torque value. |
| US09410850B2 |
Infrared imager readout electronics
Readout integrated circuits placed underneath the suspended sensing elements detect changes of electrical resistance of sensing elements and digitize the signals with digital to analog convertor for each element. Readout electronics provides low parasitics, high signal to noise ratio, high data rate, high dynamic range and instantaneous global readout. |
| US09410848B2 |
Motion and gesture recognition by a passive thermal sensor system
Systems and methods for recognizing motion made by a moving person are presented. The system includes a thermal sensor configured to generate a low frequency or direct current signal upon receiving thermal energy. A spatially modulating optic is disposed between the thermal sensor and the warm object. The optic is configured to modulate the thermal energy received by the thermal sensor as a function of an orientation of the moving person with respect to the thermal sensor. An electronics unit in communication with the thermal sensor includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured by the memory to detect a change in the thermal sensor signal and recognize a characteristic of the thermal sensor signal. |
| US09410845B1 |
Laser detecting screen
A substantially planar or curved panel having a plurality of radiant energy sensors disposed about the periphery of the panel which sensors detect a portion of radiant (e.g. laser) energy incident on to the planar panel reflected or refracted to the planar panel periphery or non-periphery surface. From the radiant energy detected by a plurality of peripherally (or other surface) disposed sensors, information such as intensity, may be rapidly determined in a non-destructive environment and related instrumentation is controlled. In one embodiment, the source of radiant energy is controlled, e.g. turned off, in response to radiant energy deemed excessive, received on the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. |
| US09410843B2 |
Nanowire arrays comprising fluorescent nanowires and substrate
Described herein is a nanowire array, comprising a substrate, a plurality of fluorescent nanowires extending essentially perpendicularly from the substrate and a reflective layer disposed on the substrate in areas between the fluorescent nanowires; wherein the fluorescent nanowires are operable to fluoresce at a wavelength of a collective mode of the nanowire array. |
| US09410842B2 |
Photoacoustic wave measurement device
A photoacoustic wave measurement device according to the present invention includes: an optical fiber that outputs pulsed light; an external spacer that is disposed between a pulsed-light output end of the optical fiber and a measurement object, and which is adapted to allow the pulsed light to pass therethrough; a piezoelectric element that receives a photoacoustic wave generated by the pulsed light from the measurement object and converts the photoacoustic wave into an electric signal; and a spacer that is disposed between the external spacer and the piezoelectric element, and which is adapted to allow the photoacoustic wave to pass therethrough. The piezoelectric element is farther from the measurement object than the pulsed-light output end. A part of the optical fiber is disposed within the spacer. |
| US09410840B2 |
Multi-variable yield monitor and methods for the same
A dynamic yield monitor system includes a plurality of instruments to measure harvested crop characteristics while a crop is in-flow within a harvester elevator. The system includes a volume instrument that measures a harvested crop volume from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator, and a weight instrument that measures a harvested crop weight from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator. Optionally, the system includes other instruments including a moisture and temperature instrument. A receiver and processing node communicates with the instrument. The receiver and processing determines variable harvested crop test weight based on at least the measured harvested crop volume and measured harvested crop weight of the in-flow crop. The receiver and processing node further determines a variable yield of the harvested crop based on the measured harvested crop volume, the measured harvested crop weight, and the variable harvested crop test weight. |
| US09410839B2 |
Flow sensor
A method and apparatus for measuring the rate of flow of an ion-containing fluid in a channel are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a captive sensor operable to detect changes in capacitance value due to the deflection of the ions in the fluid by a magnetic field, and a processor operable to determine a flow speed of fluid from the detected change in capacitance value and a predetermined value of magnetic field strength. Such apparatus may be implemented using CMOS technology. The apparatus may operate in a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet and measure the flow reliably. |
| US09410834B2 |
System and method for providing a self validating mass flow controller or a mass flow meter utilizing a software protocol
The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for verifying a performance of a mass flow controller or mass flow meter on a tool. For example, the disclosed embodiments include a method and a mass flow controller configured to perform, in-situ, by the mass flow controller, a rate of decay measurement during on-line operation of the tool to identify valve leak issues and/or for performing a flow measurement. |
| US09410832B2 |
Microfluidic device, microfluidic dosing system and method for microfluidic flow measurement and dosing
A microfluidic device for detecting a flow parameter, includes a channel configured within a base body, the channel including a first inlet for feeding a first fluid and a second inlet for feeding a second fluid so as to form a fluid stream having the first and second fluids within the channel, and further including an output for providing the fluid stream on the output side, a first feeder including a micropump associated with the first inlet for selectively feeding the first fluid to the channel, a second feeder associated with the second inlet for feeding the second fluid to the channel; and a detector for detecting, on the basis of a different physical property of the first fluid and the second fluid within the channel, a measurement value dependent on a current flow parameter of the first or second fluid. |
| US09410831B2 |
Magnetic flowmeter flowtube assembly with spring-energized seal rings
A magnetic flowmeter flowtube assembly includes a conduit having a first end with a first flange and a second end with a second flange. A fluoropolymer liner is disposed within and extending through the first flange, the conduit and the second flange. A first lining protector is mounted to the first flange and a second lining protector mounter to the second flange. A first spring-energized seal is disposed between the first lining protector and the fluoropolymer liner. A second spring-energized seal is disposed between the second lining protector and the fluoropolymer liner. |
| US09410829B2 |
Method for producing a pressure sensor with an optical fiber on the measuring diaphragm for detecting deflections
A vortex flowmeter having a measuring tube through which a medium can flow, a bluff body in the measuring tube and a pressure sensor in the effective range of the bluff body. The pressure sensor has a deflectable measuring diaphragm for determining the pressure in the medium neighboring the measuring diaphragm, at least one optical fiber being arranged on and/or in the measuring diaphragm for detecting the deflection of the measuring diaphragm. The optical fiber is at least partially effectively connected to the measuring diaphragm along its length so that a deflection of the measuring diaphragm caused by the medium pressure leads to an extension and/or compression of the optical fiber. The pressure sensor has a pocket that can be deflected by the pressure of the medium and which surrounds the measuring diaphragm and optical fiber to protect them from the medium. The measuring diaphragm is deflected with the pocket. |
| US09410820B2 |
Stress compensation systems and methods in differential sensors
Embodiments relate to stress compensation in differential sensors. In an embodiment, instead of compensating for stress on each sensor element independently, stress compensation circuitry aims to remove stress-related mismatch between two sensor elements using the sensor elements themselves to detect the mismatch. A circuit can be implemented in embodiments to detect mechanical stress-related mismatch between sensor elements using the sensor elements, and tune the output signal by a compensation factor to eliminate the mismatch. Embodiments are therefore less complicated and less expensive than conventional approaches. While embodiments have applicability to virtually any differential sensor, including magnetic field, pressure, temperature, current and speed, an example embodiment discussed herein relates to magnetic field. |
| US09410815B1 |
System and method for displaying dynamic text content with a digital map
An entry point card displayed within a mapping application viewport may display context and other data based on a calendar appointment and other data that the user might, predictably, want to search for upon opening the mapping application. Using appointment information from a calendar application, an entry point card might display a time the user must leave his current location in order to make the appointment on time. Or, using a history of the user's routine errands or trips, the entry point card may display predicted information. For example, the card may display an amount of time to get to work or other information. |
| US09410813B2 |
Course-based place searching
Course-based place searching systems and methods are described. In an embodiment, a system for performing a course-based place search may include a navigation device, a processing device, and a display. The navigation device may be configured to track a location and a course of the vehicle. The processing device may be communicatively coupled to the navigation device and may be configured to request places from a resource based at least in part on the location of the vehicle and the search criterion and to return a first one or more places received from the resource to an occupant of the vehicle. The first one or more places may be based at least in part on the course of the vehicle. The display may be communicatively coupled to the processing device. The first one or more places may be displayed on the display. |
| US09410801B2 |
Scanner
A method for 3D imaging using phase shifted structured light, in which projection means project multiple phase shifted mask images of a transmission mask on to an object scene, the mask images being captured by a camera to form a camera image, depth information being derived from the camera image by measurement of the camera image and computation from the measurement for each of the phase shifted fringe patterns and a 3D scanner carrying out the method. |
| US09410800B1 |
3D TOF camera with masked illumination
A method and system for reducing multi-path effects (stray light and multiple reflections) in 3D time of flight cameras by partly masking the camera's illumination elements. |
| US09410797B2 |
Optical position-measuring device
A position-measuring device for detecting the position of two objects movable relative to each other, includes a measuring standard that is joined to one of the two objects, as well as a scanning system for scanning the measuring standard, the scanning system being joined to the other of the two objects. The scanning system permits a simultaneous determination of position along a first lateral shift direction and along a vertical shift direction of the objects. To that end, on the part of the scanning system, two scanning beam paths are formed, in which a group of phase-shifted signals is able to be generated in each case at the output end from interfering partial beams of rays. In addition, via the scanning system, at least a third scanning beam path is formed, by which it is possible to determine position along a second lateral shift direction of the objects. The beam from a light source is able to be supplied to the scanning system via a first light guide and coupling-in optics in common for all three scanning beam paths. The interfering partial beams of rays produced in the three scanning beam paths are able to be coupled via common coupling-out optics, into a second light guide which supplies these beams of rays to a detector system. |
| US09410789B2 |
System and method for using electromagnet arrays to determine 3D relative position of electronic device corresponding to object
A method for using electromagnet arrays to determine a 3D relative position of an electronic device corresponding to an object is provided. The method includes: providing an object using an electromagnet array composed of a plurality of electromagnets, wherein each electromagnet corresponds to one of a plurality of XY plane position information; sensing, by a magnetic sensor of an electronic device, a magnetic signal generated by the electromagnet array; determining, by a processing unit of the electronic device, the XY plane position information of the electronic device corresponding to the object according to the magnetic signal and the XY plane position information; sensing, by the magnetic sensor, a magnetic variation corresponding to the magnetic signal; and obtaining, by the processing unit, a Z-axis position information of the electronic device corresponding to the object according to the magnetic variation. |
| US09410787B2 |
Portable coordinate measurement machine having a bearing assembly with an optical encoder
A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine having an articulated arm that includes a first arm connected to a second arm segment by a connecting segment. An assembly is provided having a first pair of bearings and a first optical encoder and a second pair of bearings and a second optical encoder The first optical encoder includes a first patterned disk and a first read head. The second optical encoder includes a second patterned disk and a second read head. The first and second patterned disks are both fixed with respect to the connecting segment. An electronic circuit is operably coupled to the first read head and the second read head, the electronics being configured to determine three-dimensional coordinates of the probe based at least in part on a first angle and a second angle measured by the first and second optical encoders. |
| US09410785B1 |
Tape measure device and attachment for measuring and cutting drywall
A tape measure attachment device having a securing portion shaped to receive a portion of a tape member of a tape measure, an extension member coupled to the securing portion to form a joint and disposed at a substantially perpendicular orientation to the securing portion, the extension member having an outer face, and having a tab coupled to the extension member and having an upper face defining at least one aperture, a first position along a tab translation path with the tab disposed at a substantially perpendicular orientation to the extension member and extending in a direction away from the outer face of the extension member, and a second position along a tab translation path with the tab disposed at a substantially parallel orientation to the extension member. |
| US09410768B2 |
Thermal marking systems and methods of control
A target marking system includes a light source emitting a thermal beam and an optics assembly directing the thermal beam to impact a target, the target directing radiation to the optics assembly in response to the impact. The target marking system further includes a detector, and an optics assembly optically connected to the detector. |
| US09410766B1 |
Sling
A sling having an elongate primary webbing portion and webbing extension portions, wherein each webbing extension portion has a width greater than the primary webbing portion, and wherein a webbing extension portion is attached or coupled proximate a first end and a second end of the primary webbing portion. A tubular webbing portion, wherein a portion of the primary webbing portion is slidable within the cavity of the tubular webbing portion. A ladder lock buckle attached or coupled proximate the second end of the primary webbing portion. An extended webbing portion attached or coupled to the primary webbing portion by interaction with the ladder lock buckle, wherein the extended webbing portion interacts with the ladder lock buckle such that the extended webbing portion can be shortened or extended. A webbing grip portion formed proximate the second end of the extended webbing portion. |
| US09410765B2 |
Crossbow integrated grip guard
A grip guard may be used with a crossbow that has a main beam including a stock and a barrel. The grip guard may have a first wall that is positioned between the stock and the barrel and a second wall that extends outwardly from the main beam. The first wall may have dampening properties to attenuate sounds and vibrations caused by firing the crossbow and the second wall may prevent a user's fingers from inadvertently extending from the handle toward the barrel. |
| US09410756B2 |
Gas flow volume control apparatus
A gas flow volume control apparatus includes an adjustable gas block and a securing member as the securing member fixes the adjustable gas block onto a barrel of a firearm. The adjustable gas block is in fluid communication with the barrel so that generated gas of a propelling bullet can be recycled within a gas-operated reloading system. The generated gas is rerouted from the barrel to the gas-operated reloading system through a gas flow channel and a gas-tube channel of the adjustable gas block. An adjustment channel of the adjustable gas block also allows a user to control the rerouted amount of generated gas in order to optimize the performance of the firearm. |
| US09410743B2 |
Metal melting furnace vortex chamber body and metal melting furnace using the same
A metal melting furnace vortex chamber body having a vortex chamber capable of communicating with a storage space of a furnace body having the storage space storing molten metal. The metal melting furnace vortex chamber body has a drop weir part which switches a communication state and an interruption state between the storage space and the vortex chamber. The drop weir part includes a blind drop weir and an opening type drop weir which are formed as separate members. At least the blind drop weir is movable up and down with respect to the vortex chamber body and is selectively positioned at an upward movement position and a downward movement position so as to switch the communication state and the interruption state. |
| US09410742B2 |
High capacity magnetic annealing system and method of operating
An annealing system and method of operating is described. The annealing system includes a vertical furnace having an inner cylindrical insulating tube and at least one heating element surrounding an outer surface thereof, wherein the inner cylindrical insulating tube defines a processing space into which a plurality of workpieces may be vertically translated and subjected to thermal and/or magnetic processing. The annealing system further includes a workpiece boat for carrying at least one hundred workpieces, a boat loader arranged beneath the vertical furnace, and configured to vertically translate the workpiece boat and position the workpieces within the processing space, and a magnet system arranged outside the vertical furnace and configured to generate a magnetic field within the processing space. |
| US09410737B2 |
NGL recovery methods and configurations
Contemplated NGL plants include a feed gas bypass circuit through which a portion of the feed gas is provided downstream to a vapor portion of the feed gas to thereby increase turbo expander inlet temperature and demethanizer temperature. Contemplated configurations are especially advantageous for feed gases with relatively high carbon dioxide content as they entirely avoid carbon dioxide freezing in the demethanizer, provide additional power production by the turboexpander, and recover C2+ components to levels of at least 80% while achieving a low carbon dioxide content in the NGL product. |
| US09410735B2 |
Refrigeration appliance
A refrigeration appliance includes a body having an interior sealed by a closeable door by a seal disposed between the door and the body, and at least one control unit for actuating an opening mechanism acting on the door, whose control signal, which triggers the opening of the door, is configured to be generated by at least one sensor cooperating with a plunger, wherein the plunger has a contact surface for engagement of the sensor, and the plunger is supported in a passage of the door or of the body so that it is configured to be movable, together with the sensor engaged against the contact surface, in an axial longitudinal direction of the plunger and against a force of a spring element. |
| US09410727B1 |
Systems and methods for defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration system
A gas defrosting method is disclosed which provides a distinct two-step process for defrosting a frosted evaporator. In deliberate fashion, the method assures that only refrigerant vapor returns to the compressor and thereby protects the compressor from damage due to receiving liquid refrigerant. The method optimizes the heat transfer process by maintaining full refrigerant flow through the condenser and by controlling the vapor in a nearly saturated state, high density state. In addition, the method strives to minimize the compressor power expended during the defrosting process. |
| US09410726B2 |
Valve device, in particular for a refrigerating machine
The invention relates to a valve device for a refrigerating machine that circulates a refrigerant, include at least one condenser and at least one evaporator. The valve device comprises at least one inlet, at which the refrigerant in the condenser can be fed to the valve device, at least three outlets, through which the refrigerant in the valve device can be discharged into the evaporator, and a valve element, which is rotatably arranged about an axis and can be brought into a plurality of positions. In a first position, the first outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant. In a second position, the second outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant. In a third position, the third outlet is connected to the inlet in order to convey refrigerant. |
| US09410723B2 |
Ice maker with rocking cold plate
An ice maker assembly includes an ice forming plate and a cooling source thermally engaged to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The cooling source is configured to freeze water coming into contact with a top surface of the ice forming plate. A containment wall surrounds the top surface of the ice forming plate to define an ice tray that is configured to retain water. An electrical drive body is rotatably coupled to the ice tray and is configured to oscillate the ice-forming plate in a rocking cycle about a transverse axis of the ice tray. A median wall divides the ice tray along the transverse axis into a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The rocking cycle causes water to repeatedly move over the median wall to form layers of an ice piece within each reservoir of the ice tray. |
| US09410721B2 |
Ceramic heating element
A heating element that includes a ceramic material doped with various elements is described. The heating element can be heated by forcing a fuel to flow through the ceramic material, where the fuel interacts with the dopants. The interaction can produce energy in the form of heat. Inventive aspects of the present material include apparatus and methods for modulation of the heat energy, physical features providing for an increase in the rate of heat release, optimization of materials and material morphology for quantity and efficiency of heat release and provision for fueling and maintenance. |
| US09410718B2 |
Device for preheating a fluid, notably a combustion engine coolant fluid
The invention relates to a device for heating a fluid, essentially comprising a heating body with a solid element and one or more electric resistors of rectangular section of the PTC type which are arranged in grooves on the exterior surface of the solid element. The latter comprises a U-shaped passage for fluid. The invention also relates to a vehicle engine fitted with such a device for preheating or heating the coolant. The invention also relates to a method for preheating or heating using such a device. |
| US09410717B2 |
Powered diaphragm air extractor and control system
An air extractor assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a diaphragm seat attached to a panel of the vehicle's interior, a diaphragm movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the diaphragm seat, and a position controller that regulates movement of the diaphragm. The position controller may be any one of a variety of linear movers and may be selected from the group consisting of a solenoid, a motor, a vacuum, and a plunger. The diaphragm includes a resilient member so that when the diaphragm is in its closed position, a tight seal is formed between the diaphragm seat and the diaphragm. The position controller is by any one of a variety of several regulating mechanisms operating alone or in combination. The regulating mechanism may include but is not limited to the vehicle HVAC system, an oxygen sensor, door latches, and a humidity sensor. |
| US09410715B2 |
Air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus has a refrigerant circuit made up of plural indoor units connected to an outdoor unit, and the air conditioning apparatus has a capacity controlling part and a target refrigerant temperature mode setting part. The capacity controlling part controls the air conditioning capacity of the outdoor unit in such a way that the evaporation temperature of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit becomes a target evaporation temperature, or in such a way that the condensation temperature of the refrigerant becomes a target condensation temperature. The target refrigerant temperature mode setting part is configured to seta target refrigerant temperature mode to either a target refrigerant temperature changing mode or a target refrigerant temperature fixing mode. The target refrigerant temperature changing mode changes the target evaporation temperature or the target condensation temperature, and the target refrigerant temperature fixing mode fixes the target evaporation temperature or the target condensation temperature. |
| US09410711B2 |
Fan assembly
Humidifying apparatus includes a body comprising a chamber into which water is supplied by a water tank. An air flow is generated over water stored in the chamber, and a humidifying system humidifies the air flow with water from the chamber. Water in the chamber is irradiated by an ultraviolet radiation emitting lamp. The lamp forms part of a cartridge removably locatable within the body so that the lamp is received within an ultraviolet radiation transparent tube of the chamber. The body includes a plurality of supports for supporting the cartridge therebetween. Each support has a curved track for guiding movement of the cartridge towards the tube, the tracks being shaped to orient the cartridge for insertion of the lamp into the tube as the cartridge moves along the tracks towards the tube. |
| US09410710B2 |
Purified air discharge device
A purified air discharge device includes a push hood (2) having an air flow discharge surface (23) discharging a uniform purified air flow. The push hood (2) is provided with a lateral air discharger (28) for creating a purified air flow that collides against a surrounding wall that is formed as the push hood (2) is installed and that is situated close along the circumferential direction of the air flow discharge surface (23) of the push hood (2). |
| US09410708B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic descaling of tankless water heaters
A system for descaling a water heating unit, said system comprising (so that the abstract is directed to the presently allowed apparatus, rather than a method): a pump; a descaling solution source; a plurality of valves; a programmable control module operatively coupled to said pump, said descaling solution source, and said valves, said programmable control module adapted to selectively receive a user-defined descaling operation start date and time, monitor for the advent of a descaling operation start date and time, and upon the advent of the descaling operation start date and time, automatically shut off via at least one valve, a supply of heated water, and automatically activate said pump; said pump adapted to automatically pump stored descaling solution, and further adapted to automatically rinse a water heating unit; and said programmable control module further adapted to cause said valves to discharge solution from said water heating unit, restore a supply of heated water, and return said water heating unit to normal operation mode. |
| US09410707B2 |
Heat pump hot-water supply system
A heat pump hot-water supply system includes a heat pump hot-water supply device, a storage tank for storing hot water obtained by operating the heat pump hot-water supply device, and a control device for controlling starting/stopping of the heat pump hot-water supply device. The control device estimates an outside air temperature of a place where the heat pump hot-water supply device is installed and determines an operating time zone of the heat pump hot-water supply device based on an estimated value of the outside air temperature. |
| US09410705B2 |
Gas cooker
Provided is a gas cooker. When foods are cooked using a top burner, inclinations of main flame holes defined in the top burner are different according to positions of the main flame holes to prevent textile disposed adjacent to a front end of a top plate from burning. Thus, a user may further safely cook the foods. |
| US09410703B2 |
Device for injecting a mixture of air and fuel into a turbine engine combustion chamber
A device for injecting a mixture of air and fuel into a turbine engine combustion chamber, the device including a mechanism for centering a fuel injector, which mechanism is movable radially in a support mechanism fastened to a wall of the chamber, the support mechanism carrying a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the centering mechanism on a side opposite from the chamber wall, the retaining mechanism being fastened in releasable manner to the support mechanism. |
| US09410702B2 |
Gas turbine engine combustors with effusion and impingement cooling and methods for manufacturing the same using additive manufacturing techniques
Disclosed in various exemplary embodiments are turbine engine combustors with effusion and impingement cooling and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, disclosed is a combustor for a turbine engine that includes an annular liner portion including a first metering hole positioned on a cold side annular surface of the annular liner portion and an impingement chamber positioned in the annular liner. The impingement chamber connects to an entry hole on the cold side annular surface and includes a cooling air outlet passageway that is angled with respect to a hot side annular surface of the annular liner portion and that connects to an exit hole positioned on the hot side annular surface of the annular liner portion. The first metering hole is connected to the impingement chamber. The cooling air outlet passageway directs the air onto the hot side annular surface and spreads the airflow axially and laterally parallel to the hot side annular surface. Furthermore, a ratio of a radial thickness of the annular liner portion to a diameter of the entry hole is from about 2 to about 6. |
| US09410694B2 |
Illuminated vest
An illuminated vest comprises an enclosure including a light-emitting diode and control electronics that control the light emitting diode. Coupled to the enclosure is a belt made of passive material. A limb loop is created by an optical fiber structure that includes a first end and a second end. The light-emitting diode is optically coupled to the first end of the fiber optic structure. The optical fiber structure is also independent of passive material, such that the optical fiber structure forms a structure for the vest. |
| US09410693B2 |
Solar-powered, illuminated decorator balls
Decorator balls are illuminated from the inside-out using a self-contained, battery-powered LED module. The decorator ball itself is made from one or more elongated elements creating a hollow form with gaps or apertures in areas where the elements do not overlap. The module has a battery powered light-emitting diode (LED) and a solar panel to charge the battery. The module is coupled to the decorator ball such that the LED illuminates the decorator ball from the inside-out. White LEDs, LEDs of a particular color, or color-changing LEDs may be used. Either the solar panel or an additional photodetector may communicate with electronic circuitry within the module to activate the LED when ambient light falls below a predetermined level. The module may include a hanger for hanging the decorative article, and a reflector may be provided within the decorator ball to diverge and disperse the light from the LED. |
| US09410687B2 |
LED lamp with filament style LED assembly
A lamp has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base. A tower extends from the base into the enclosure and supports an LED assembly in the enclosure. The LED assembly comprises a plurality of LEDs operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. The tower and the LED assembly are arranged such that the plurality of LEDs are disposed about the periphery of the tower in a band and face outwardly toward the enclosure to create a source of the light that appears as a glowing filament. The tower forms part of a heat sink that transmits heat from the LED assembly to the ambient environment. The LED assembly has a three-dimensional shape. An electrical interconnect connects a conductor to the heat sink where the conductor is in the electrical path between the LED assembly and the base. |
| US09410685B2 |
Light emitting module having heat conductive substrate
A lighting apparatus including a plurality of light-emitting elements mounted on a first surface of a substrate, a heat conducting layer disposed on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface, and one or more holes extending from the first surface to the second surface of the substrate. A heat conductive and electrically non-conducting material covers an inner surface of the one or more holes, and is thermally connected to the heat conductive layer. |
| US09410683B2 |
Modular LED lighting systems
In accordance with various embodiments, a modular lighting system features multiple light panels each having multiple light-emitting elements thereon, as well as connectors for electrically and mechanically interconnecting the light panels. |
| US09410682B1 |
Assembled lighting structure for a panel of a shelf
An assembled lighting structure for a panel of a shelf is provided. The structure comprises a connection unit, a receiving unit, a LED assembly, a first clip unit, and a second clip unit. The connection unit is connected with an outside of a front-edge groove. The receiving unit is connected with one side of the panel distant from the connection unit and inclined upwardly and outwardly. The LED assembly is arranged at an upper surface of the receiving unit. Lights of the LED assembly are emitted toward inside the panel. The first clip unit is connected with one end of the receiving unit distant from the connection unit for providing a first display strip to be removably clipped and fastened. The second clip unit is extended from a bottom end of the receiving unit downwardly for providing a second display strip to be removably clipped and fastened. |
| US09410679B2 |
Securing a support and covering a lighting device
A lighting device may include: a mount, which is populated with at least one electronic component and with at least one semiconductor light source, a cover for covering at least one electronic component and at least one connecting element for fastening the cover to the mount, wherein the connecting element is connected to the mount by means of a non-latching connection and to the cover by means of a latching connection. |
| US09410670B2 |
Animated gobo
An automated luminaire, that combines outputs from two different gobo assemblies. A first gobo assembly has a combined sectional frame that is a combination of a plurality of different frames, each frame representing a different individual image. The combined sectional frame includes different optical codings for the different views of the image. A second gobo assembly includes an interference pattern which is coded at different orientations to allow only one of the images to be seen at any of a plurality of different orientations of the interference pattern. At least one of the first and second gobo assemblies being rotatable, and commanded by the commands received by the computer to different orientations relative to one another, to allow the only one of the images to be seen at anyone time. |
| US09410669B2 |
Multi-lamp solar simulator
A solar simulator including an array of lamp modules, wherein each lamp module of the array includes a lamp configured to generate light, a homogenizer having an input end and an output end, a beam divergence lens positioned to focus the light onto the input end of the homogenizer, and an imaging lens positioned to receive the light from the output end of the homogenizer and image the light onto a target plane. |
| US09410665B2 |
Flexible ribbon LED module
The invention described herein is directed to different embodiments of a low profile lighting unit that in some embodiments is adapted to conform to the shape of the mounting surface and/or adapted to be adjustable so as to be arranged in different configurations to accommodate various lighting applications. |
| US09410664B2 |
Circadian friendly LED light source
Methods and apparatus for providing circadian-friendly LED light sources are disclosed. A light source is formed to include a first LED emission (e.g., one or more LEDs emitting a first spectrum) and a second LED emission (e.g., one or more LEDs emitting a second spectrum) wherein the first and second LED emissions are combined in a first ratio and in a second ratio such that while changing from the first ratio to the second ratio the relative circadian stimulation is varied while maintaining a color rendering index above 80. |
| US09410661B2 |
Holding device and medical device for extracorporeal blood treatment including holding device
Holding devices for a medical device including a holder and a second component part by which the holder is coupled or adapted to be coupled are disclosed. The holder has a receiving portion into which a functional member can be detachably introduced. The holder further includes a pivot portion about which the holder is pivoted about an axis of rotation to a support of the second component part, wherein the support is movable vis-à-vis the second component part in a spring-loaded manner. The second component part includes a recess within which the pivot portion and the support are arranged so that upon pivoting the holder about the axis of rotation merely the receiving portion protrudes from the recess. Medical devices for extracorporeal blood treatment including a holding device of this type are also disclosed. |
| US09410655B2 |
Pipe sealing tool with external and internal clamp
An apparatus for sealing an open end of a pipe includes an external clamp for frictionally being secured to the exterior surface of the pipe and an internal clamp for frictionally being secured to the interior surface of the pipe. A sealing plate, connected to one or both of the clamps seals the open end of the pipe. The apparatus further includes a means for pressurizing the interior of the pipe. A method of sealing and pressurizing the pipe is also provided. |
| US09410646B2 |
Method for producing a pipe connection by means of press fitting, and pressing tool
In a method for producing a pipe connection by press fitting, the following steps are carried out to increase the burst pressure: placing a press fitting onto two pipe ends to be connected to one another; compressing the press fitting against one of the two pipe ends by plastically deforming the press fitting and the pipe end to form a bulge and a first indentation; once again compressing the press fitting against the same pipe end at a distance (a) from the first compression point by plastically deforming the press fitting and the pipe end, thereby forming a second indentation; and connecting the press fitting to the second pipe end. |
| US09410644B2 |
Subsea pipe section with reinforcement layer
Subsea pipe sections and methods for forming subsea pipe sections are disclosed. A subsea pipe section includes a hollow body formed from a polymer material, the hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an interior. The subsea pipe section further includes a reinforcement layer surrounding and bonded to the hollow body, the reinforcement layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The reinforcement layer is formed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic material and has a resin rich portion and a fiber rich portion. The resin rich portion includes the inner surface of the reinforcement layer and is in contact with the hollow body. The fiber rich portion is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcement layer. |
| US09410641B2 |
Method for manufacturing a bending transducer, a micro pump and a micro valve, micro pump and micro valve
A method of manufacturing a bending transducer having a drive element and a membrane includes providing the membrane and the drive element and applying a production signal to the drive element during a bonding of the drive element to the membrane such that the drive element is pre-stressed after the bonding, wherein the production signal is of a same kind as an operation signal to operate the bending transducer. |
| US09410639B2 |
Spool valve
A spool valve is equipped with a valve body, a spool arranged in a valve chamber such that the spool can be displaced between a first position, which allows communication between an inlet port and an outlet port, and a second position, which blocks communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, a pilot valve mechanism disposed in the valve body and which causes displacement of the spool along an axial direction under the pressure of a pilot fluid that acts on one end surface of the spool, and a spring that biases the spool toward one side in the axial direction. |
| US09410636B2 |
Flow control/shut-off valve assembly
A flow valve assembly includes a valve operable between an open position and a closed position and a controller operatively coupled to the valve to operate the valve between the open position and the closed position. A mechanically or electrically operated assembly is provided to determine an amount of fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the open position. A mechanically or electrically operated mechanism moves the valve from the open position to the closed position when the amount of fluid flow exceeds a predetermined value. A method of operating the valve is also provided. |
| US09410633B2 |
Remotely-actuated dual-pressure relief valve
A relief valve assembly includes an actuating assembly, a relief valve, and a check valve. The actuating assembly includes a housing forming a cylinder, and a pilot piston within the cylinder. The relief valve includes a housing forming opposed first and second blind bores, a relief valve piston within the first bore and carrying a relief valve member, and a first spring acting between the pilot piston and the relief valve piston to bias the relief valve member toward a valve seat to close the valve seat. A pilot pressure is selectively applied to move the pilot piston toward the first spring to selectively increase the relief pressure of the relief valve from a first relief pressure to a second relief pressure. The check valve includes a check valve member within the second blind bore, a second spring biasing the check valve member away the second blind bore. |
| US09410631B1 |
Valve
A valve for use between a first fluid side and a second fluid side is disclosed herein. The valve comprises a pair of subassemblies, each one slidable between a closed position and an open position. Each subassembly comprises a first component comprising a first component main body, a first component first end and a first component second end opposite the first component first end. A first component first extension is formed on each first component first end, the first component first extension comprising a diameter that is less than the diameter of the first component main body. Hydraulic pressure causes one subassembly to slide to its closed position, and causes it to engage the second subassembly, sliding the second subassembly to its open position. |
| US09410629B2 |
Vehicle vent valve assembly
An apparatus includes a vent valve movable between a closed condition blocking air flow through a vent opening and an open condition enabling air flow through the vent opening. A door position sensor assembly is operable from a first condition to a second condition in response to movement of a vehicle door from a closed position to an open position and is operable from the second condition to the first condition in response to movement of the vehicle door from the open position to the closed position. An actuator assembly operates the vent valve from the closed condition to the open condition upon operation of the door position sensor assembly from the first condition to the second condition and releases the vent valve for movement from the open condition to the closed condition upon operation of the door position sensor assembly from the second condition to the first condition. |
| US09410628B2 |
Valve device
A valve arrangement having a valve, in particular, a disk valve, is provided which has a first housing with several connections for a fluid or a gaseous medium, and with a drive unit, which has a second housing with a drive mechanism arranged therein. The housings are at least essentially spaced apart from one another. The valve has a control shaft and the drive unit and a drive shaft that is operatively connected to the drive mechanism and operatively connected or operatively connectable to the control shaft by means of a coupling device. The coupling device is arranged between the first and the second housing. |
| US09410627B2 |
Seal arrangement with improved shaft bushing for a rotating ship propeller shaft
A seal arrangement for sealing a propeller shaft where it penetrates through the hull of a watercraft includes a shaft bushing around this portion of the shaft, one or more seal rings forming a seal around the shaft bushing, and a stationary support holding the seal ring or rings. The shaft bushing includes an outer bushing part made of a wear-resistant material, arranged coaxially around an inner bushing part made of a material having a high thermal conductivity. The thickness of the outer part relative to the thickness of the inner part is a ratio in a range from 1:10 to 1:3. The two-part shaft bushing can provide optimized thermal conductivity and heat dissipation away from the seal rings to the cool exterior water environment, as well as optimized wear-resistance, corrosion resistance and reduced friction for the seal rings. |
| US09410626B2 |
Sensor probe seal
A sealing system is provided for preventing leakage of a fluid from a fluid-containing chamber when a sensor probe for measuring fluid conditions within the chamber is inserted into the chamber. The sealing system has at least one port in fluid communication with the fluid-containing chamber. The port has a stem projecting outwardly from the chamber, a tapered flange, and a stem passageway in fluid communication with the chamber interior. A probe seal which is adapted to attach to the stem forms a seal between the port and the sensor probe and prevents fluid in the processing chamber from leaking past the probe seal. The probe seal has spaced-apart inner and outer skirts. The inner skirt forms a seal passageway which is in fluid communication with the chamber, and an inner end disposed to enter the stem passageway when the probe seal is attached to the stem. The inner skirt has a seal member disposed near the inner end for sealably compressing against the probe sensor and the stem passageway to form a leak-tight seal in response to insertion of the sensor probe into the seal passageway. The inner and outer skirt also form a skirt channel adapted to receive the tapered flange of the stem when the inner skirt is inserted into the stem passageway. |
| US09410625B2 |
Combined oil control ring
To provide a combined oil control ring with a function of preventing the separate rotation of side rails for a long period of time even under fretting fatigue, seating tabs of a spacer expander are provided with substantially longitudinal projections and recesses on their side-rail-pushing surfaces in a circumferential direction, the width m of a bottom surface being larger than the circumferential length m′ of the top surface in each projection, and a surface connecting the top surface to a recess surface having a bulging shape. |
| US09410623B2 |
Seal arrangement for a piston rod
The invention relates to an arrangement for sealing off a piston rod, which moves substantially rectilinearly in a reciprocating manner with respect to a passage opening, of a reciprocating-piston machine, having at least two internally clamping sealing rings, which surround the piston rod and are arranged in the region of the passage opening so as to be substantially fixed with respect to a seal housing, and are mounted in the seal housing so as to be movable in a radial direction, and between at least two seal rings there is arranged a spacer ring which is arranged spaced apart from the piston rod, so as to form, together with the seal rings and the piston rod, an accumulation chamber for medium to be sealed off, for example for oil, and the spacer ring has at least one passage for discharging medium out of the accumulation chamber. |
| US09410615B2 |
Activation apparatus for a transmission of a motor vehicle
An activation apparatus is provided for a transmission of a motor vehicle, having a gear selector that is moveable in at least one shift gate for selecting different drive program of the transmission, a control device with which the selection of at least one drive program of the transmission can be locked, and at least two sensors designed for detecting a gear selector activation. The control device is designed for determining the plausibility of signals detected by the sensors and for enabling the selection of the drive program on the basis of the plausibility determination. |
| US09410612B2 |
Shift lever assembly for automatic transmission vehicle and assembling method thereof
A shift lever assembly and assembling method for an automatic transmission vehicle may include a shift lever housing including divided components to be assembled, a shift lever, when assembled, one end of which is disposed in the divided components and connected pivotably to one or more of the divided components and the other end of which is arranged to protrude outside through a range hole formed in one of the divided components, and a plurality of elastic pins that are fitted cooperatively into the divided components when assembled to connect integrally the divided components. |
| US09410609B1 |
Passively fed bypass filter for splash lubrication
An apparatus for reducing contaminants in lubrication for a transfer case. The apparatus utilizes the tendencies of a transfer case to splash and otherwise project internal sealed lubricant in numerous directions within the case, along with gravitational forces acting on the lubricant, to passively filter and otherwise remove particulate contaminates from the lubrication. The apparatus for containing lubricated mechanical components comprising a housing and a vessel. The vessel has an open top. The vessel is located proximate an inside surface of the housing. A filter is secured to the vessel. Lubrication contained within the housing flows along an inside surface of the housing into the vessel through the open top, and further flows out of the vessel through the filter. |
| US09410606B2 |
Gear arrangement
A gear arrangement has a split spur gear toothing, including a main gear and a gear rotatable relative to it in the circumferential direction, and the main gear has a hub on which the rotatable gear is mounted, and a spring element is disposed between the main gear and the rotatable gear and biases the rotatable gear in the circumferential direction towards the main gear, and a first spur gear toothing part is provided on the main gear and a second spur gear toothing part is provided on the rotatable gear. The rotatable gear is guided by at least one at least approximately annular guide web in the region of the spur gear toothing. |
| US09410602B2 |
Transmission-preloading method for measuring and testing a transmission, in particular a double clutch transmission, which has at least two sub-transmissions
A method for testing a transmission, in particular a double clutch transmission, is provided. A torque is introduced into the transmission by means of a drive unit that is external relative to the transmission, and the transmission is switched to an operating state in which an internal component of the transmission functions as a brake in order to simulate an output unit. |
| US09410601B2 |
Hybrid transmission for a motor vehicle, and control method
A hybrid transmission for a motor vehicle including a heat engine and a driving electrical machine, including two concentric primary shafts, each of which includes at least one intermediate drive on a secondary shaft connected to wheels of the vehicle. The transmission includes a first mechanism for coupling the two primary shafts together, and capable of assuming at least three positions, of positions in which: the heat engine is separated from the drive train connecting the electrical machine to the wheels; the heat engine drives the wheels with or without the assistance of the electrical machine; and the heat engine and the electrical machine are coupled together to add respective torques thereof to the wheels. |
| US09410599B2 |
Roll control device for a vehicle curtain
A roll control device for a vehicle curtain has a unidirectional transmission device and a damping assembly. The unidirectional transmission device has a gear base, multiple planet gears and a transmission wheel. The gear base has a connecting segment, a driving segment formed on a side of the connecting segment and an axle. The driving segment has multiple receiving recesses and multiple limiting segments. The planet gears are mounted rotatably and slidably in the receiving recesses respectively and are selectively limited by the limiting segments respectively to rotate with the gear base. The transmission wheel is rotatably combined with the gear base, encloses the planet gears and has a transmission gear. The damping assembly is connected with the unidirectional transmission device and has a driven gear and a damper. The driven gear engages the transmission gear on the transmission wheel. The damper is connected with the driven gear. |
| US09410598B2 |
Drive assembly for machine
A final drive assembly for a machine includes an input shaft drivably coupled to a prime mover. The input shaft is coupled to and drives a first stage gear assembly. The first stage gear assembly further drives a second stage gear assembly. The first and second stage gear assemblies drive a ring gear which is coupled to a wheel of the machine. The first and second stage gear assemblies are disposed between a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly. A spring member preloads the first bearing assembly to limit an axial movement of the first and second stage gear assemblies. |
| US09410597B2 |
Radial vibration dampers for rotating shafts
Radial vibration dampers (RVD's) press-fittable to a shaft and shaft systems incorporating RVD's are disclosed herein. The RVD's include a first inertia member and a second inertia member fixedly connected to one another to define an annular channel having a radially facing, open side and a spring damper material seated in the annular chamber and axially compressed between the two inertia members. The spring damper material has a compressible portion protruding from the radially facing, open side so that, when the compressible portion is compressed against a shaft, the spring damper material defines a gap between the shaft and the inertia members. The RVD may be press-fittable inside a hollow shaft or to the outside of a hollow or solid shaft. The RVD's disclosed herein have first vibration mode shapes that are radial in nature and decoupled from latter vibration modes. |
| US09410594B2 |
Dampening mechanism for coaxially aligned relatively translatable components
A dampening mechanism includes a pair of coaxially aligned inner and outer components with ends disposed in telescoping relation with an interposed resilient elastomeric member comprising a monolithic polymeric structure comprising a hollow body within the end of the outer component, and receiving the end of the inner component with the body including an attachment portion secured to the outer component, and a support portion supporting the inner component. The body portion includes a plurality of equally spaced webs extending between the attachment portion and support portion. In one form, the body is generally cylindrical and disposed between the inner surface of the outer component and the outer surface of the inner component in telescoping relation and frictionally engaging the telescoping components. |
| US09410593B2 |
Nodal spring assembly for an electronic toothbrush
A nodal-mounted spring arrangement for an electronic toothbrush includes a V-shaped spring member secured at both ends so that it can operate in out-of-phase torsion mode along the axial dimension thereof. In one embodiment, the V-shaped spring member includes two extended end regions, which extend below a longitudinal edge of the middle portion of the V-spring. The free ends of the extended portions are joined by a flat cross-piece. This “closed end” region is present at both ends of the V-spring. |
| US09410581B2 |
Fixed type constant velocity universal joint
In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions positioned on interior and open sides, respectively. Each of the first track groove portions includes an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions opposite to each other in the first track groove portions, which are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member. Each of the second track groove portions includes a ball raceway center line having a straight part when being projected onto corresponding one of the planes. |
| US09410574B2 |
Linear ball bearing guideway
A linear ball bearing guideway is provided with six rows of balls disposed between the slider and the rail, so as to improve the overall load capacity. The six rows of balls are symmetrically disposed at two sides of the head portion of the rail, and the three of the six rows of balls at each side are located at different heights. The neck-portion width of the head portion is smaller than a distance between the two rows of balls disposed at the lowest rail rolling grooves, but larger than the value of a distance between the two rows of balls in the highest rail rolling grooves minus a diameter of the balls, which ensures that the neck-portion width is overly small and affect the stiffness of the rail. |
| US09410571B2 |
Vacuum triple-structure suction plate
The present invention relates to a vacuum triple-structure suction plate, and more particularly, to a vacuum triple-structure suction plate that is detachably attached to the walls in a bathroom or a kitchen by vacuum pressure and has a suction plate 110 recessed downward so that when the suction plate 110 is pulled up to be sucked by vacuum, the bottom is brought in close contact with a surface from the middle portion into a vacuum state and is then completely brought in close contact with the surface by stress in the body 300. |
| US09410569B2 |
Removable panel fastener
There is disclosed a panel fastener and method of attaching multiple panels. A panel fastener may include a pin and a receptacle, the pin having a head and a shank extending from the head and the receptacle having an aperture to receive the shank and a retainer configured to engage the shank to prevent the shank from being withdrawn from the aperture. The head and the receptacle may have respective openings to receive a key to disengage the retainer from the shank. |
| US09410568B2 |
Rail attachment device
A strong and repeatedly adjustable butt joint is provided between two members using an apparatus comprising an elongate connecting screw extending from one of the two members to be joined and through a through hole and into an access opening of the other of the two members to be joined. Positioned within the access opening is a lock comprising a housing, wedge and drive screw. The drive screw moves and then holds the wedge in a locked position capturing the connecting screw to create the butt joint. |
| US09410566B2 |
Fixing device for panel
A fixing device for a panel which can absorb a dimensional change due to expansion of the siding board is provided. A comb-shaped slit is formed at an area from the intermediate line C defined between opposed two sides of a rectangular metal plate to form leaf spring-shaped strip plates 41, 42 and 43. The strip plates are bent at the intermediate line C and a bend line F to form fixing pieces 41a, 42a and 43a and lock pieces 41b, 42b, and 43b so as to lock fixing ends 51a and 52b of the siding board 50. Moreover, an inclined angle θ1 of the fixing piece 41a disposed at the strip plate 41 is formed to have a different angle from an inclined angle θ2 of the fixing pieces 42a, 43a disposed at the remaining strip plates 42 and 43. Thereby the strip plates can be elastically deformed. |
| US09410562B2 |
Hydraulic power system
A hydraulic actuation system includes a differential unit having a hydraulically-actuated differential, a power steering unit, a hydraulic pump, a reservoir, a controller, an electronically-controlled flow control manifold, and a proportional pressure control solenoid valve. A flow control manifold may control fluid flow to the power steering unit and the differential. The manifold may include a manifold inlet connected to a pump; first manifold outlet connected to a differential; second manifold outlet connected to a reservoir; third manifold outlet connected to a power steering unit; two-way solenoid valve connected to a manifold inlet and controlled by a controller; flow control valve connected to a two-way solenoid valve and a first manifold outlet; and a pressure differential sensing valve connected to a two-way solenoid valve, the manifold inlet, and the third manifold outlet. A proportional pressure control solenoid valve may connect the first manifold outlet and the differential. |
| US09410559B2 |
Energy-accumulation apparatus
An energy-accumulation apparatus includes a variable-buoyancy assembly configured to be selectively buoyant in a body of water. The energy-accumulation apparatus also includes a delivery assembly coupled to the variable-buoyancy assembly. The delivery assembly is configured to deliver the variable-buoyancy assembly within the body of water between a first position to a second position. |
| US09410558B2 |
Apparatus for recovering energy
Hydraulic apparatus for recovering energy, said apparatus comprising a hydraulic motor, and a high-pressure fluid source and a low-pressure fluid source. The apparatus has: an energy consumption mode, in which the fluid is transferred from the high-pressure fluid source to the low-pressure fluid source while driving the motor in rotation; and an energy accumulation mode, in which, by the action of the motor operating as a pump, the fluid is transferred from the low-pressure source to the high-pressure fluid source. The apparatus further comprises a pressure reducer disposed on a duct interconnecting the two fluid sources. In energy accumulation mode, if the level of the low-pressure source is tending to become excessively low, the reducer opens, enabling fluid to reach the low-pressure fluid source via the first duct. |
| US09410557B2 |
Cooling fan with variable blade surface area
A fan module including a first fan, a second fan and an actuator is provided. The first fan has a first pivot portion and a plurality of first fan blades. Each first fan blade has a first blade face. The second fan has a second pivot portion and a plurality of second fan blades corresponding to the first fan blades. Each second fan blade has a second blade face. The second pivot portion is slidably disposed at a containing cavity of the first pivot portion. The actuator is adapted to drive the first fan to rotate. The first fan is adapted to drive the second fan to rotate. When the second pivot portion protrudes out of the containing cavity, a part of each of the second blade faces does not overlap with the corresponding first blade face along a direction perpendicular to the corresponding first blade face. |
| US09410556B2 |
Ring seal midplate
A seal assembly for a rotary machine which includes a rotor assembly having a rotatable rotor shaft is disclosed. The seal assembly may comprise a spacer, a seal plate, a ring seal, and a ring seal midplate. The spacer, the seal plate, and the ring seal midplate may be rotatable with the shaft and extend outwardly from the shaft. The ring seal is free and provides a seal for a bearing compartment of the rotary machine. The ring seal midplate is not attached to the spacer or the seal plate during a hardface process which is applied to any component of the seal assembly. The ring seal midplate may be longitudinally located between the spacer and the seal plate and be radially spaced between the ring seal and the shaft. |
| US09410552B2 |
Current switch with automatic calibration
A current switch that can be reset when it is not powered automatically calibrates itself when the circuit monitored by the current switch is energized. |
| US09410549B2 |
Centrifugal pump apparatus
In this centrifugal blood pump apparatus, one permanent magnet is provided in one surface of an impeller, a second permanent magnet is provided in an inner wall of a blood chamber, a third permanent magnet is provided in the other surface of the impeller, and a fourth permanent magnet and a rotor for driving the impeller to rotate are provided, with an diaphragm being interposed. An amount of change in attractive force between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet and an amount of change in attractive force between the third and fourth permanent magnets when the impeller is eccentric are made substantially equal to each other. Therefore, a levitation position of the impeller can always be maintained at a substantially central position in a housing. |
| US09410548B2 |
Pumping device
A pump is disclosed, with a casing comprising a substantially circular body having at least two radial inlets, at least one peripheral outlet and a transversal aperture. The casing further comprises a substantially circular impeller mounted within the body for rotation about the aperture. The impeller has a substantially uninterrupted sinusoidal profile. A pumping system and a method of pumping are also disclosed, which use the pump configuration. |
| US09410543B2 |
Pump for liquid chromatograph, and liquid chromatograph
A pump controller causes a first plunger pump and a second plunger pump connected in series or in parallel to perform intake and compression actions alternately at substantially constant cycles, sets a pressurizing chamber of one of the plunger pumps to a state of a higher pressure than the pressurizing chamber of the other plunger pump, and performs flow rate control by adjusting lift amounts of the first plunger and the second plunger. Thus, it is possible to provide a pump for liquid chromatograph, and a liquid chromatograph, which are capable of reducing pulsations even when an ejection flow rate is changed. |
| US09410539B2 |
Micro-nozzle thruster
A micro-nozzle thruster comprising a micro-nozzle having an inlet at a first end perpendicularly aligned gas supply channel at a first end, and a thruster outlet at a second opposed end; said inlet in fluid communication with a gas supply channel, said gas supply channel perpendicularly aligned with a longitudinal axis of the micro-nozzle; a cathode within the gas supply channel and an anode external to the gas supply channel and proximate to the inlet, so as to create a plasma flow from said gas. |
| US09410532B2 |
Cooling arrangement
A cooling arrangement configured for use with a direct-drive wind turbine with an outside rotor carrying a plurality of magnets, which cooling arrangement includes a number of exterior cooling elements arranged about an exterior of the outside rotor, wherein a cooling element is configured to guide a cooling airflow over the outside rotor and to transfer heat from the plurality of magnets to the cooling airflow, is provided. A direct-drive wind turbine including an outside rotor carrying a plurality of magnets, and a cooling arrangement for transferring heat from the magnets to an exterior cooling airflow, is further provided. |
| US09410531B2 |
Wind turbine generator
A wind turbine generator includes a plurality of blades that radially protrude from a rotor head about an axis of a main shaft, and a pitch axis rotation mechanism that is provided in the rotor head to rotate the blade about a pitch axis P. The pitch axis rotation mechanism includes an actuator that is supported by the rotor head, and has a stretchable rod which is supported by the rotor head, and a link structure that links the rod to the blade. The actuator extends on the axis of the main shaft. |
| US09410528B2 |
Method for assembling and transporting an offshore wind turbine
A method for assembly and installation of an offshore wind turbine, where components such as a nacelle, one or more tower sections and/or blades for at least one wind turbine is manufactured, assembled at or transported to a harbor area, where said components are loaded onto a transport and installation vessel and subsequently transported to an erection site. The method involves at least the steps of assembling at least one nacelle for a two-bladed wind turbine having hub with two sets of blade installation interfaces facing in a radial direction, the blade installation interfaces having a 180 degree angular distance therebetween, installing at least one, but preferably two inner blade parts to the hub, and arranging the at least one nacelle with the at least one inner blade part attached to the hub on the deck of a transport and installation vessel. |
| US09410523B2 |
Engine automatic stop/start mechanism
An inventive system and method for managing vehicle power is presented. The novel technology provides a means to automatically shutdown a vehicle's engine when conditions are such that engine power is not needed, reducing fuel consumption as well as lowering noise and emissions. A series of conditions are examined to determine whether engine power is needed and hence whether shutdown can be safely performed. The inventive system and method can also determine when power is again needed by the engine and can re-start the engine automatically at such times. |
| US09410510B2 |
Air cleaner arrangement
An air cleaner arrangement for filtering air includes a filter element receivable inside a housing. The filter element longitudinally extends along an axis line between a first end surface and a second end surface. The filter element can be shaped as a tapering polyhedron including at least one planar exterior surface that depends from the first end surface to the second end surface with respect to the axis line. When received in the housing, the depending exterior surface diverges away from the sidewall of the housing to create an expanding plenum. The plenum facilities even distribution of air along the axial length of the filter element. |
| US09410509B2 |
Adaptive individual-cylinder thermal state control using intake air heating for a GDCI engine
A system for a multi-cylinder compression ignition engine includes a plurality of heaters, at least one heater per cylinder, with each heater configured to heat air introduced into a cylinder. Independent control of the heaters is provided on a cylinder-by-cylinder basis. A combustion parameter is determined for combustion in each cylinder of the engine, and control of the heater for that cylinder is based on the value of the combustion parameter for combustion in that cylinder. A method for influencing combustion in a multi-cylinder compression ignition engine, including determining a combustion parameter for combustion taking place in a cylinder of the engine and controlling a heater configured to heat air introduced into that cylinder, is also provided. |
| US09410507B2 |
Method and system for detecting PHEV EVAP system recirculation tube reliability
A method for detecting blockage within a recirculation tube of the evaporative emission control system of a PHEV measures the rise in interior temperature of a canister of the EVAP system, during the process of refueling, and notes an initial state of loading of the canister before refueling, indicative of the amount of hydrocarbons contained within the canister It is inferred that the recirculation tube is operative reliably if the rise in canister temperature is below a pre-determined temperature value. |
| US09410506B2 |
EGR constructions for opposed-piston engines
A two-stroke, opposed-piston engine with one or more ported cylinders and uniflow scavenging includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) construction that provides a portion of the exhaust gasses produced by the engine for mixture with charge air to control the production of NOx during combustion. |
| US09410504B2 |
Mixer for pulsed EGR
A mixer for pulsed exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) includes a fresh intake air conduit having an inlet opening configured to be placed into fluid communication with a fresh intake air source, an EGR pocket having an upstream opening in fluid communication with an upstream air source and a downstream opening in fluid communication with the fresh intake air conduit, and an EGR conduit configured to introduce pulsed EGR into the EGR pocket. |
| US09410502B2 |
Self-mounted cascade for a thrust reverser
The present disclosure relates to a self-mounted cascade for a thrust reverser of an airplane jet engine nacelle. The cascade includes an upstream portion and an opposite downstream portion, along with respective connection means so that two adjacent cascades are directly connected to one another only in the respective downstream portions by downstream connection means thereof. The downstream portion corresponds to an area extending from a downstream side edge over a length less than or equal to N times the length of the last cavity located along said downstream side edge, where N is less than 3. The present disclosure is of use in the field of airplane jet engine nacelles. |
| US09410501B2 |
Translating sleeve actuation system and apparatus
A translating sleeve actuation system is provided. The translating sleeve actuation system may be configured with one or more screws coupled to one or more motors configured to drive the screws. The screws may be disposed in channels defined in the track beams. The translating sleeve actuation system may also comprise one or more shuttles configured to translate forward and aft along the screw in the track beam channels. |
| US09410497B2 |
Electrical control unit
An electrical control unit includes a constant voltage supply unit which supplies a constant voltage to a fuel injector, a boosted voltage supply unit which supplies a boosted voltage to the fuel injector, a control unit which controls supply timings of the constant voltage supply unit and the boosted voltage supply unit, and an interrupter which interrupts electric current when a short-circuit occurs in the boosted voltage supply unit. When an interruption of the interrupter is not detected, the boosted voltage supply unit supplies boosted voltage to start a fuel injection and the constant voltage supply unit supplies constant voltage to continue the fuel injection. When an interruption of the interrupter is detected, the constant voltage supply unit and the boosted voltage supply unit advance an interrupted power supply start timing relative to a non-interrupted power supply start timing to prevent delay of a fuel injection start timing. |
| US09410496B1 |
Apparatus and method for use of an O2 sensor for controlling a prime mover
A control system for an internal combustion engine that utilizes an oxygen sensor signal to control at least one fuel injector while generating a false oxygen sensor signal for input to an engine control unit. |
| US09410494B2 |
Method of assessing the functioning of an EGR cooler in an internal combustion engine
A method of assessing the functioning of an EGR cooler of an EGR system in an internal combustion engine, wherein the EGR cooler can be selectively operated in a first and a second operating condition; and wherein the engine comprises at least one cylinder equipped with a pressure sensor. The assessment of the functioning of the EGR cooler is based on the variation of a combustion characteristic value depending on cylinder pressure (CA50), upon switching of the EGR cooler from a first to a second operating condition. |
| US09410492B2 |
Engine start control device
An engine start control device includes: a control valve which adjusts a gas flow rate of a gas channel provided so as to bypass a throttle valve of an engine; a starter motor capable of driving a crankshaft of the engine; a control unit which controls an opening degree of the control valve and a current supply to the starter motor; and a latch circuit which holds a command for current control from the control unit to the starter motor, wherein the control unit performs the control so as to cause the current supply to the starter motor to start after the opening degree of the control valve reaches a target opening degree for an engine start time, and even when the control unit is reset, the latch circuit continues the current supply to the starter motor according to the command for current control that the latch circuit keeps holding. |
| US09410488B2 |
Variable valve timing control device for internal combustion engine, and control method
The present invention relates to variable valve timing control device and control method, which change valve timing of an internal combustion engine. An operation amount for controlling the valve timing is computed, and an operation amount computed at position detection timing of a valve timing control system is divided and output until next position detection timing. |
| US09410486B2 |
System and method for washing and purging the liquid fuel system of a turbine with water
This system for supplying a turbine with liquid fuel comprises a liquid fuel inlet (3), a piping assembly (4) connecting the inlet to the turbine, and draining means for draining at least a portion of the said piping assembly.The draining means comprise water inlet means (9) and a system of controllable valves suitable for injecting water into at least one of the said portions of the piping assembly. |
| US09410485B2 |
Composite panel having a built-in duct
A composite panel includes an inner skin and an outer skin and has an opening for receiving a sampling scoop, which forms a channel and the sampling opening of which is in communication with the outer skin. In particular, the outer skin is shaped such that, at the opening, same forms at least a portion of a flow surface of the sampling scoop. |
| US09410484B2 |
Cooling chamber for upstream weld of damping resonator on turbine component
A cover (54, 54A-B) enclosing with clearance (65) an acoustic damping resonator (24) on a working gas path liner (22) of a gas turbine component (28). The cover includes a coolant inlet chamber (56, 56B) with a top wall (58, 58B) that is closer to the liner than a top wall (32) of the resonator, and extends upstream from the resonator relative to the working gas flow (48). Compressed air (26) surrounds the cover at a higher pressure than the working gas and flows (44) into and through the coolant inlet chamber, then through holes (34) in the resonator, then exits through holes (38) the liner into the working gas. The coolant inlet chamber directs the flow of compressed air over a weld (50) of the upstream wall (40) of the resonator to cool it. The cover may be formed as a box (57) or a sleeve (69). |
| US09410483B2 |
Gas turbine engine forward bearing compartment architecture
A gas turbine engine includes a bearing structure mounted to the front center body case structure to rotationally support a shaft driven by a geared architecture. A bearing compartment passage structure is in communication with the bearing structure through a front center body case structure. |
| US09410481B2 |
System and method for high efficiency power generation using a nitrogen gas working fluid
A method of power production using a high pressure/low pressure ratio Brayton Power cycle with predominantly N2 mixed with CO2 and H2O combustion products as the working fluid is provided. The high pressure can be in the range 80 bar to 500 bar. The pressure ratio can be in the range 1.5 to 10. The natural gas fuel can be burned in a first high pressure combustor with a near stoichiometric quantity of pressurized preheated air and the net combustion gas can be mixed with a heated high pressure recycle N2+CO2+H2O stream which moderates the mixed gas temperature to the value required for the maximum inlet temperature to a first power turbine producing shaft power. |
| US09410480B2 |
Method for use of the synthesis gas that comes from a gasifier
A synthesis gas (H2+CO) that comes from a gasifier is supposed to be used in more efficient and optimal manner, particularly for generating electricity, whereby then, CO2 that occurs at the same time is supposed to be passed to storage. This is achieved in that—the synthesis gas (H2+CO) and oxygen (O2) from an air separation system are combusted in a burner, and relaxed by way of a gas turbine (driving a generator), —CO2 is separated in the waste gas stream and passed to a compressor driven by the gas turbine, and—passed to CO2 storage as compressed CO2. |
| US09410477B2 |
Power delivery devices for reciprocating engines and related systems and methods
In some aspects, a power delivery device configured to couple to a reciprocating element of a reciprocating engine is configured to couple to a power output element via a substantially steady, invariant (e.g., constant) moment arm in order to generate increased torque and power. |
| US09410470B2 |
Exhaust manifold
An exhaust manifold for installation onto a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes a housing having plural inlet openings and an outlet opening. The housing includes an inner shell and an outer shell in surrounding relationship to the inner shell to define a gap there between. The inner shell is floatingly arranged in the outer shell and rests at a side of the cylinder head upon a guide plate which is formed with the plural inlet openings and includes guide members respectively arranged about a circumference of the inlet openings. The outer shell has a cylinder-head-proximal marginal region formed with an outwardly bent flange that rests upon the guide plate and is joined in gastight manner to the guide plate by a material joint. The flange has an outer side in opposition to the guide plate, with a collar being arranged on the outer side of the flange. |
| US09410469B2 |
Valve device for an internal combustion engine
A valve device for an internal combustion engine includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a passage opening which fluidically connects the inlet with the outlet, a first valve-closing member which controls the passage opening, an actuator, a valve rod on which the first valve-closing member is arranged, a stop element, a spring surrounding the valve rod, and an element. A first end of the spring is supported against the first valve-closing member, and a second end of the spring is supported against the stop element. The element substantially surrounds the spring. The element comprises a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface in mutual engagement with each other. The first lateral surface abuts against the first valve-closing member and is movable therewith. The second lateral surface abuts against the stop element. The first valve closing member moves relative to the stop element. |
| US09410467B2 |
Methods and systems for humidity detection via an exhaust gas sensor
Various methods and system are described for determining ambient humidity via an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a reference voltage of the sensor is modulated between a first and second voltage during non-fueling conditions of the engine. The ambient humidity is determined based on an average change in pumping current while the voltage is modulated. |
| US09410464B2 |
Perforated mixing pipe with swirler
An aftertreatment system may include an exhaust pipe and a mixing pipe. The exhaust pipe may receive exhaust gas from an engine and may include a first portion defining a first longitudinal axis and a second portion defining a second longitudinal axis that is angled relative to the first axis. The mixing pipe may be disposed in the exhaust pipe and may include a tubular portion and a collar extending radially outward from the tubular portion. The tubular portion may include a plurality of openings and a plurality of deflectors. The plurality of openings may extend through inner and outer diametrical surfaces of the tubular portion. Each of the plurality of deflectors may be disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the plurality of openings. |
| US09410463B2 |
Composite particles, honeycomb structure, method for manufacturing honeycomb structure, and exhaust gas purifying apparatus
An object of the invention is to provide composite particles that have excellent NOx purification performance and can suppress water adsorption-caused contraction and water desorption-caused expansion and to provide a honeycomb structure that has excellent NOx purification performance and can suppress the breakage of the honeycomb unit due to the adsorption or desorption of water, a method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure, and an exhaust gas purifying apparatus including the honeycomb structure. The composite particles of the invention are composite particles having a metallic oxide attached to silicoaluminophosphate particles with a ratio of an amount of Si to a sum of amounts of Al and P in a range of 0.16 to 0.33, in which a specific surface area is in a range of 250 m2/g to 450 m2/g, and an external surface area is in a range of 30 m2/g to 90 m2/g. |
| US09410461B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine, in particular a large multi-fuel diesel internal combustion engine, and includes an SCR catalytic converter that can be bypassed, and at least one control element for switching the flow in an exhaust gas line between a first position where the SCR catalytic converter is active and a second position where the SCR catalytic converter is bypassed, and at least one flow path bypassing the SCR catalytic converter. |
| US09410459B2 |
Engine system
A diesel engine having improved particulate emissions for particle material (PM) reduction for off-highway engine systems includes a reductant introduction point downstream of the diesel engine and in fluid flow communication therewith with no intervening treatment systems; a conduit immediately downstream of the reductant introduction point having sufficient length to enable mixing of the reductant with exhaust gases of the engine, an SCR immediately downstream of the conduit, the with good low temperature activity such that a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is not needed an ammonia slip catalyst (ASC) downstream of the SCR acting to remove excess ammonia to meet the relevant limits for ammonia; and wherein the ASC and the SCR in combination act to remove excess PM. |
| US09410451B2 |
Gas turbine engine with integrated bottoming cycle system
The present application provides an integrated bottoming cycle system for use with a gas turbine engine. The integrated bottoming cycle system described herein may include a compressor/pump, a cooling circuit downstream of the compressor/pump, a bottoming cycle heat exchanger, a heating circuit downstream of the bottoming cycle heat exchanger, and a number of turbine components in communication with the cooling circuit and/or the heating circuit to maximize the overall plant efficiency and economics. |
| US09410449B2 |
Driven starter pump and start sequence
Aspects of the disclosure generally provide a heat engine system with a working fluid circuit and a method for starting a turbopump disposed in the working fluid circuit. The turbopump has a main pump and may be started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump reaches a self-sustaining speed of operation, a series of valves may be manipulated to deactivate the starter pump and direct additional working fluid to a power turbine for generating electrical power. |
| US09410448B2 |
Auxiliary oil system for negative gravity event
A lubrication system includes a bearing compartment. A main reservoir is fluidly connected to the bearing compartment by a main supply passage. A main pump is arranged in the main supply passage configured to provide fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment during a positive gravity condition. A secondary supply passage fluidly connects the main reservoir to at least one segment of the main supply passage, thereby providing fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment during a negative gravity condition. A method of supplying a bearing compartment with fluid includes pumping a fluid from a main reservoir to a bearing compartment through a main supply passage during a positive gravity condition, and providing fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment through a secondary supply passage, fluidly connected to at least one segment of the main supply passage, in response to a negative gravity condition. |
| US09410447B2 |
Forward compartment service system for a geared architecture gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a jumper tube that extends through a first passage and a second passage. |
| US09410443B2 |
Variable vane damping assembly
A variable vane damping assembly includes an inner bushing and an outer bushing. The inner bushing comprises an elastomeric material. |
| US09410442B2 |
Turbomachine
A turbomachine having a rotor assembly, a stator assembly and a toroidal inductor. The rotor assembly includes an impeller. The inductor is located between the impeller and the stator assembly, and is exposed to an airflow generated by or acting upon the impeller. |
| US09410441B2 |
Turboprop engine with compressor turbine shroud
A turboprop engine including an annular outer case including a mount ring for attachment to an aircraft along a plane to transfer loads from a propeller and having an annular flange extending radially inwardly therefrom within the plane, an annular turbine support case received within the outer case and connected to the outer case only through a direct connection with the annular flange allowing a limited relative pivoting motion between the turbine support case and the mount ring, and a turbine section including a rotor closely surrounded by a shroud with an annular tip clearance being defined therebetween, the shroud being directly connected to and located by the turbine support case. A method of isolating a turbine shroud from propeller loads in a propeller engine is also disclosed. |
| US09410435B2 |
Gas turbine engine component with diffusive cooling hole
A component for a gas turbine engine includes a gas path wall having a first surface, a second surface exposed to hot gas flow, and a cooling hole extending through the gas path wall. The cooling hole includes an inlet formed in the first surface, an outlet formed in the second surface, cooling hole surfaces that define the cooling hole between the inlet and the outlet, and a longitudinal ridge formed along at least one of the cooling hole surfaces. The longitudinal ridge separates the cooling hole into first and second lobes. The cooling hole diverges through the gas path wall, such that cross-sectional area of the cooling hole increases continuously from the inlet through the cooling hole to the outlet. |
| US09410434B2 |
Propeller blade with spar rib
A propeller blade includes a foam core having a groove formed therein, a fibrous material filling at least a portion of the groove and a structural layer that surrounds the fibrous material and at least a portion of the foam core. |
| US09410430B2 |
Turbine apparatus with counter-rotating blades
A turbine apparatus has a main shaft, a first set of blades mounted to the main shaft, a second set of blades, and a barrel affixed to a periphery of the second set of blades. The barrel is rotatably mounted independent of a rotation of the main shaft. The barrel and the second set of blades rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first set of blades and the main shaft. A third set of blades is mounted to the main shaft such that the second set of blades is interposed between the first and third sets of blades. An outer shell extends over and an outer surface of the barrel such that the barrel is rotatable interior of the outer shell. |
| US09410429B2 |
Air cooling shaft at bearing interface
A gas turbine engine including a compressor rotor and a turbine rotor connected by a compressor shaft portion connected to the compressor rotor and a turbine shaft portion connected to the turbine rotor. The compressor shaft portion and the turbine shaft portion are connected axially together by a shaft coupling, between the compressor rotor and the turbine rotor, and at least a bearing rotatably coupled to the compressor shaft portion adjacent the shaft coupling. The compressor shaft and/or the turbine shaft are provided with openings permitting cooling air to enter air passages in the area of the shaft coupling and surrounding the end of the turbine shaft portion, in order to dissipate heat originating at the turbine rotor and thus reducing the thermal stresses at the bearing. |
| US09410428B2 |
Turbomachine with clamp coupling shaft and rotor hub together
A turbomachine includes a rotor hub that has a central opening there through. A shaft extends through the central opening. A clamp is coupled with the shaft and the rotor hub such that the rotor hub is rotatable with the shaft. |
| US09410423B2 |
Coring tools and related methods
Disposing a coring tool in a borehole adjacent a subterranean formation to be sampled. Determining a property of the formation and selecting a coring tool operational mode based on the property of the formation. Obtaining a sample from the formation using the coring tool operational mode. A type of coring shaft also may be selected based on the property of the formation. |
| US09410416B2 |
Subsea flow splitting arrangement
A subsea system and an oil/gas outlet arrangement for splitting of oil and gas. The subsea system comprising a separator (1), the separator (1) comprising; at least one well flow inlet (13) for a multiphase flow mixture of at least oil and gas, an oil/gas outlet arrangement (15) arranged in a distance from the well flow inlet (13) over which distance the multiphase flow mixture separates in at least an oil phase (O) and a gas phase (G), the oil/gas outlet arrangement (15) comprising; at least one conical crown device (2), the conical crown device (2) having an outer wall with at least one cutout (4) extending through said outer wall, through which cutouts (4) the oil and gas flow into the crown device (2), each crown device (2) is in fluid connection with at least one fluid outlet (5, 6), and wherein the oil/gas outlet arrangement (15) comprises at least two fluid outlets (5, 6). |
| US09410410B2 |
System for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid using electric pumps
A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation. The system includes a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the well, and configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the and fractures the formation. The system can also include a plurality of natural gas powered generators electrically connected to the plurality of electric pumps to provide electrical power to the pumps. |
| US09410408B2 |
Electrical heating of oil shale and heavy oil formations
A method (and system) is provided that enhances production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation by identifying at least one target interval of the subterranean formation that is in proximity to a pay interval, wherein the at least one target interval has an electrical resistance less than electrical resistance of the pay interval. A plurality of electrodes are placed in positions spaced apart from one another and adjacent the at least one target interval. Electrical current is injected into the target interval by supplying electrical signals to the plurality of electrodes. The electrical current injected into the at least one target interval passes through at least a portion of the at least one target interval in order to heat the at least one target interval and heat the pay interval by thermal conduction for enhancement of production of hydrocarbons from the pay interval. |
| US09410407B2 |
Gas evolving oil viscosity diminishing compositions for stimulating the productive layer of an oil reservoir
Disclosed is a chemical system of gas evolving oil viscosity diminishing compositions (GEOVDC) for stimulating the productive layer of an oil reservoir, that is to chemical compositions for a thermochemical treatment of an oil reservoir, more specifically for initiating a chemical reaction in the productive layer zone of the oil reservoir to produce heat and evolve gases so that the extraction of oil (petroleum) is improved. Further disclosed is a method of thermochemically treating an oil reservoir by means of this chemical system, and an apparatus for performing thermochemical treatment of an oil reservoir. |
| US09410406B2 |
Targeted oriented fracture placement using two adjacent wells in subterranean porous formations
A method is taught of creating one or more targeted fractures in a subterranean formation. The method comprises the steps of drilling and completing two wells in the formation, conditioning said wells to create a stress condition favorable for forming a fracture zone connecting said two wells and initiating and propagating the fracture zone in said formation. |
| US09410405B2 |
Compositions and methods for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery
A method of using a fluid formulation for increasing flow, production, or recovery of oil and gas hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. Components including a peroxygen, surfactant, alkali metal chelate, and a cosolvent into a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation having a blockage or accumulation of material. Oxygen or carbon dioxide gas is generated by decomposition of the peroxygen which creates gas pressure in the formation. The formed gas pressure mobilizes, degrades, removes, releases, realigns or redistributes the material causing the blockage or accumulation physically. The aggregate pH of the components is less than about 10 or a concentration of alkali metal chelate is greater than about 0.2% and less than about 5% by weight of non-water components. |
| US09410402B2 |
Method for sweeping solids or displacing a fluid in a wellbore
A method and system for removing solids or displacing a fluid from a wellbore wherein a plurality of resilient rubber-like flexible reticulated open cell foam elements are dispersed in a fluid and pumped through drill pipe and into the annulus between the wellbore and the drill pipe. In the annulus, the foam elements impact and dislodge solids such as proppants, gravels, drilled cuttings and other solids or a fluid to be displaced and the proppants, etc. or the fluid are carried by the fluid containing the foam elements back to the surface or a different location in the wellbore. At the surface, the fluid containing the foam elements and the proppants, etc., is carried to a shale shaker where the solids and the foam elements are separated from the fluid. The separated solids and foam are collected for disposal and, after adding new foam elements, the fluid can be recirculated down hole. |
| US09410400B2 |
Downhole completion
A downhole completion includes a production casing and a sliding sleeve assembly connected as part of the production casing. The completion includes a tubular part and a tubular sleeve. |
| US09410397B2 |
Solenoid-operated valve
A solenoid-operated valve of the kind that is used in a subsea control pod comprises a valve assembly (2) and a solenoid assembly (1). The valve assembly (2) comprising has fluid ports (P, S, T) for the receipt and delivery of hydraulic control fluid and a valve element (37, 38, 39) that is actuable between open and closed positions in order to control the flow of hydraulic control fluid between the fluid ports. The valve element (37, 38, 39) is actuable by an actuating member of the solenoid assembly (1). The solenoid chamber (A) is filled with oil and sealed against ingress of hydraulic control fluid from the valve chamber (36) and from the ingress of oil and/or seawater from the control pod. A movable pressure balancing device (30) is provided in the solenoid assembly (1) so as to ensure that the internal pressure of the oil in the solenoid chamber (A) and the external pressure of the oil in the control pod are balanced. |
| US09410396B2 |
Gate valve
The invention provides a gate valve for control of production of petroleum, distinctive in that the valve comprises a coating or hard facing on the internal bore surface exposed to flow of petroleum and associated fluids and solids. |
| US09410395B2 |
Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ball
An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members. |
| US09410394B2 |
Methods for minimizing overdisplacement of proppant in fracture treatments
A method of treating a subterranean formation comprising generating a fracture in the subterranean formation, introducing a predetermined amount of proppant into a treatment fluid, and subsequently introducing a plugging agent into the treatment fluid before the entire predetermined amount of proppant reaches the fracture, minimizing overdisplacement of the proppant from the fracture. |
| US09410389B2 |
Self-cleaning fluid jet for downhole cutting operations
Devices and methods for cutting a workpiece. A cutter is provided with a fluid jet generator that creates and projects a jet of fluid proximate the cut being made in a workpiece. |
| US09410372B2 |
Alarm system for rolling shutters
An alarm system for rolling shutter comprised of plurality of alarm sensors is described. An alarm sensor is comprised of a conductive wire that is threaded within a slat and is connected in both sides to slat edge elements. The slat edge elements have a moving electrical contact that can be pulled out towards the inner wall of the shutter rail by a magnet. In selected heights along the rails, on both rails, a rail electric element comprising a magnet and a rail electrical contact are installed. A wire is connected from each rail electrical contact to an alarm control box. When the slat, which includes the slat-wire, is positioned in the same height as the rail electric elements, the moving contact on the slat makes a contact with the rail electric contact, thus creating a continuous electrical circuit from one rail electrical contact, through the slat, to the second rail electric contact. An attempt to move a slat, move the rails or cut the slat, will open the electrical circuit and generate an alarm, signal. An attempt to bypass the electrical circuit is detected by the change in the line resistance. |
| US09410371B2 |
Noise dampening motor drive system for retractable covering for architectural openings
A motor-drive system for retractable covering having a headrail with a horizontally disposed roller supporting a top edge of a flexible fabric material includes an electric motor mounted within a housing and interconnected to the roller to selectively rotate the roller in opposite directions while minimizing noise created from vibrations within the system. This system includes motor mounts within the housing which separate and absorb vibrations of the motor within the housing and a drive disk of a moderately soft material, which is firm enough to transfer torque from the motor to the roller while being soft enough to absorb vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted from the motor to the roller. An interconnect mounting the drive disk to the drive shaft of the motor is also made of a third relatively soft material, which is harder than the drive disk to more ably transmit torque but soft enough so as not to unduly transmit noise. |
| US09410370B2 |
Electric curtain
An aspect of the invention provides an electric curtain. The electric curtain includes a sunlight detector for obtaining light information of sunlight and a light modulation device capable of receiving the sunlight and for adjusting an emergent angle of the sunlight to refract the sunlight to a ceiling of a room. |
| US09410369B2 |
High efficiency roller shade and method for setting artificial stops
The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket. |
| US09410361B2 |
Gypsum composites used in fire resistant building components
A composite product includes gypsum in an amount of 60 to 90% by weight, fibers in an amount of 1.5 to 26% by weight substantially homogeneously distributed through the composite, and a rheology-modifying agent in an amount of 0.5 to 6% by weight. The composite is caused or allowed to cure to form a cured composite. The cured composite is a fire resistant component used in a fire-rated door core, a fire-rated door or a fire-rated building panel. The fire resistant component may include a building panel, a door panel, a door core, a door rail, a door stile, a door lock block, a door border, or a door insert. |
| US09410359B2 |
Low-e panels and methods for forming the same
Embodiments provided herein describe low-e panels and methods for forming low-e panels. A transparent substrate is provided. A low-e stack is formed above the transparent substrate. Each of the layers of the low-e stack are formed to have a specific thickness to tune the performance characteristics of the low-e panel. |
| US09410357B2 |
Connecting joint for glazed wall and glazed wall
A connecting joint between two panels of a glazed wall is intended to cooperate with a face of each panel and includes: at least one support having a first external face and a second external face; a first fastener arranged on the first external face of the support; a second fastener arranged on the second external face of the support. The right-angle separation force of the first fastener, measured on a glass panel with a mobile-jaw tensile testing machine with a 100 mm/min displacement speed of the mobile jaw, lies between 3 and 20 N/cm, while the right-angle separation force of the second fastener, measured on a glass panel with a mobile-jaw tensile testing machine with a 100 mm/min displacement speed of the mobile jaw, is greater than or equal to 30 N/cm. |
| US09410353B2 |
Door closer
Disclosed is a door closer of which the inside of a housing is made compact and thus is easily made smaller. The disclosed door closer is comprised so that movement of one end of a coil spring, which is relatively close to a link shaft, toward the link shaft inside of the housing is limited, and the other end of the coil spring, which is relatively far from the link shaft, moves toward the link shaft by being pushed by a piston base portion, thereby compressing the coil spring. |
| US09410350B2 |
Locking device with striking arrangement and automatic locking
The present invention relates to a locking device suitable for allowing or restricting access into an area or space, the locking device (1) comprising at least one locking element (9) arranged to, in a first locking state, engage a striking arrangement (11), such as a strike plate, for holding a closing element (3), such as a door, locked, and, in a second, non-locking state, to allow movement of the closing element. |
| US09410349B2 |
Appliance latch with improved door retention at elevated temperatures
A door latch for an appliance provides a U-shaped spring for engaging a strike having an expanded tip and passing between the arms of the U-shaped spring in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extent of those arms. Locking of the latch may be provided by collaring the distal ends of the arms to prevent their expansion once the strike is engaged. |
| US09410347B2 |
Short drop mechanism for vehicle door
A short drop apparatus for a vehicle door may include a door handle rotatably mounted to a door panel at a front side thereof and having an inner engaging part at a rear side thereof, a door lever including a guide to be engaged with the engaging part of the door handle to operate in response to a rotation of the door handle, a switch positioned in front of the door lever to selectively transmit a signal to open or close a window glass with a turning ON or OFF state of the switch, and a switch lever engaged to the switch and coming into contact with a front side of the door lever at front and rear sides of the switch lever, respectively, the switch lever operating simultaneously with the door lever when the door handle may be manipulated, to turn on the switch. |
| US09410346B2 |
Vehicle door handle and sensor device thereof
A vehicle door handle includes a case, a first detector and a second detector. The first detector includes a core and a coil that is wound around the core. The second detector is disposed side by side with the first detector, and includes a sensor electrode that has a wavy geometry and that has an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the core. The sensor electrode includes a first wavy segment and a second wavy segment. The first wavy segment corresponds in position to the coil and has a first linear density, and the second wavy segment has a second linear density that is greater than the first linear density. |
| US09410333B2 |
Work platform system including suspended paneled portion and method of implementing same
A work platform system for implementation in relation to a structure, as well as subsystems and components thereof and methods of implementation and use relating thereto, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the work platform system includes a first pair of flexible elements and a second pair of flexible elements, where a respective first end of each of the flexible elements is coupled at least indirectly to a first support component and a respective second end of each of the flexible elements is coupled at least indirectly to a second support component. The work platform system can further include a plurality of panel structures supported upon the flexible elements, a suspension component, and a suspender structure coupled to at least one of the first pair of flexible elements and the second pair of flexible elements. The work platform system can include one or more support extension. |
| US09410331B2 |
Magnetic anchor system for suspension work equipment, method of remotely attaching a suspended work platform to a work structure, and a system and device for same
A magnetic anchor system, method, and device for attaching a rigging line to an elevated work structure. A transport vehicle may be used to position and attach at least one magnetic anchor to the elevated work structure, while being operated by a user at a safe location. Upon attachment of the magnetic anchor the strength of the magnetic connection of the primary magnetic anchor to the work structure is tested before anything is attached to a rigging line secured to the magnetic anchor. |
| US09410329B2 |
Lift unit for ascending and descending a scaffold
Described is a lift unit for ascending and descending in a shaft formed by a scaffold column of a scaffold, the scaffold column comprising at least one scaffold section, each scaffold section being defined by uprights and ledgers, comprising a first part adapted to be fixed at different heights to the scaffold by means of a first set of fixing means; a second part adapted so that it can be fixed at different heights to the scaffold by means of a second set of fixing means; a distance control means adapted to drive a variation in the distance between the first set of fixing means and the second set of fixing means; and methods for use of the lift unit. |
| US09410328B2 |
Floorboard and method for manufacturing thereof
Floorboards with a surface of flexible fibers for laying a mechanically joined floating floor, and methods for manufacturing and providing floorings containing such floorboards. For example, floorboards including a surface layer and a core, for making a floating flooring, which floorboards are mechanically lockable and which along their edge portions have pairs of opposing connectors for locking similar, adjoining floorboards to each other both vertically and horizontally, wherein the surface layer comprises flexible resilient fibers. |
| US09410326B2 |
Awning system
A retractable awning system includes an awning and a support structure therefor. The support structure includes a base and first, second, and third support arms. The awning is attached to a roller connected to the third support arm and to another structure. A telescopic actuator coupled to the first and second support arms is configured to bias the first, second, and third support arms to a deployed state. The awning may be wound onto the roller. Tension in the awning resulting from the rolling process causes the support structure to transition to a collapsed position. |
| US09410323B1 |
Roofing shingle system and shingles for use therein
A roofing system is provided comprising a multiplicity of courses of roofing shingles having a reduced-width headlap portion and a non-straight longitudinal front edge, wherein a lateral trailing edge of a shingle in a single course overlaps (side-laps) an adjacent previously installed shingle, and where the buttlap portion includes an exposed buttlap portion having a surface area that is greater than the surface area of the headlap portion. |
| US09410322B1 |
Damping splice sleeve
A damping splice sleeve may include an outer cylinder, a damping material, an inner cylinder. The outer cylinder is a hollow cylinder with partition. The partition divides the cylinder into two smaller cylinders. The two smaller cylinders have no connection with each other. Both ends of the outer cylinder are open. The inner cylinder includes two hollow cylinders with one end closed and the other end open. The damping material is installed between inner cylinder and outer cylinder. The damping splice sleeve can be used for the components' connections of precast building structures with vibration control requirements. When the load effects make the components have relative displacement, the damping material in the damping splice sleeve can have shear deformation and then dissipate energy. |
| US09410318B2 |
Housing construction system
A wall surfacing system for providing a secondary ceiling or wall covering structure adjacent a primary structure. The system provides a plurality of elongated structural support rails, each of these support rails have a coupling web with a bearing surface for attachment to the primary structure, a coupling mechanism, and a portion integrally formed with and connecting the coupling web to the coupling mechanism. A plurality of generally planar surface panels are provided. Each panel has an integral interlocking member configured to mate with the coupling mechanism on the support rail. The elongated support rails are secured to primary structures, thereby extending the surface panels to form an aesthetically pleasing covered surface. |
| US09410310B1 |
Vertically and horizontally adjustable sink system for use by persons using a wheelchair and/or a walker
The sink system (10) includes a sink support frame (12) for supporting a sink (24). A vertical adjustment mechanism (30) secured between the sink support frame (12) and a rear wall (32) permits selective vertical movement of the sink support frame (12). A horizontal adjustment mechanism (40) secured between the sink support frame (12) and the sink (24) permits selective horizontal movement of the sink (24) away from and toward the rear wall (32). Flexible cold and hot water delivery lines (44, 46) and a flexible drain pipe (54) are secured between the rear wall (32) and a bottom surface of the sink. Vertical and horizontal movement of the sink (24) greatly facilitates use of the sink (24) by elderly and disabled persons using a wheelchair (56) and/or a walker. A two-sink cabinet embodiment (130) is also disclosed. |
| US09410308B2 |
Shower arm leak detection device with adjustable sleeves
A shower arm leak detection device with adjustable sleeves is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the shower arm leak detection device includes a tubular sleeve having a first end and a second end, where the first end is adapted to be secured over a drop ear 90° plumbing fitting on an interior side of a wall and the second end is adapted to be open to an exterior side of the wall. The drop ear 90° fitting includes a port adapted to be secured to a shower arm, where a connection at the port and threading of the shower arm is susceptible to leakage. An outer sleeve is adapted to slide partially over the tubular sleeve, where the outer sleeve allows for adjustment to the width between the connection of the port and the shower arm and the exterior side of the wall in telescoping fashion. |
| US09410307B2 |
Hybrid construction machine
A hybrid construction machine includes first and second main pumps, first and second supply passages, first and second circuit systems, a hydraulic motor, a motor generator, an assist pump, a joint passage connected to the assist pump and branched off, first and second logic valves, a switching valve disposed in the other branch passage and switchable to a state where the assist pump is connected to the second supply passage on the upstream side of the second logic valve and a state where the second main pump is connected to the hydraulic motor, and a check valve. A poppet diameter of the first logic valve is smaller than that of the second logic valve. |
| US09410306B2 |
Hydraulic excavator
A hydraulic excavator capable of suppressing deterioration of a reducing agent stored in a reducing agent tank is provided. The hydraulic excavator includes: a main valve supplying a hydraulic oil to a work implement; an exhaust gas treatment device treating an exhaust gas from an engine through a reduction reaction; the reducing agent tank arranged forward of the main valve and storing the reducing agent to be supplied to the exhaust gas treatment device; and a partition plate arranged between the reducing agent tank and the main valve. |
| US09410305B2 |
Excavation control system for hydraulic excavator
An excavation control system includes a working unit having a bucket, a designed landform data storage part storing designed landform data, a bucket position data generation part that generates bucket position data, a designed surface data generation part, and an excavation limit control part. The designed surface data generation part generates superior and subordinate designed surface data based on the designed landform and bucket position data. The superior designed surface data indicates a superior designed surface corresponding to a position of the bucket. The subordinate designed surface data indicates a first subordinate designed surface linked to the superior designed surface. The designed surface data generation part generates shape data indicating shapes of the superior designed surface and the first subordinate designed surface. The excavation limit control part automatically adjusts a position of the bucket. |
| US09410304B2 |
Lift assembly for a work vehicle
In one aspect, a lift assembly for a work vehicle may include a loader arm and a control arm extending between first and second ends. The first end may be coupled to a chassis of the vehicle at a first pivot point and the second end may be coupled to a rear end of the loader arm at a second pivot point. Additionally, the lift assembly may include a lift cylinder coupled between the loader arm and the chassis and a control cylinder extending between upper and lower ends, with the upper end being coupled the control arm and the lower end being coupled to the chassis at a third pivot point. |
| US09410302B2 |
Tank base
A method for the construction of an improved tank base. A tank base is constructed for protection against accidental spills and/or leaks associated with a tank battery. The improved tank base comprises at least one part of a suitable substrate, which allows for the adhesion of an elastomer such as polyurea. Polyurea is preferably applied using a spray device which yields an average coverage of about 50-80 mils, and most preferably 60 mils. If more than one substrate is used, one or more substrates can be bound together with a fastening system. Once pressure is applied in the form of weight, the fastening system can be removed, resulting in an improved tank base having at least one seam and impervious to the fluid of the tank battery. |
| US09410299B2 |
Wave suppressor and sediment collection system for use in shallow and deeper water environments
A transportable wave suppressor and sediment collection system for suppressing wave action along the shore of a body of water, which includes a plurality of interconnected sections, each section including a base, a forward wall, and a rear wall, and having a plurality of flow pipes extending from the forward wall to the rear wall, and further including a plurality of shelves on the forward wall for dispersing wave energy, while redirecting and using the wave energy to allow water and sediment to flow into the flow pipes and for collecting sediment that is not carried into the flow pipes and settles on the shelves for being contacted by a following wave to carry the sediment into the flow pipes. In some deeper water embodiments, the sections may include a base portion, a top portion and one more spacer portions to enable raising or changing the height of the system. |
| US09410286B2 |
Screening apparatus, rotor, wing package and method for manufacture
Screening apparatus for screening pulp suspensions are provided. The screening apparatus includes a casing, a cylindrical screen member is arranged on the casing for dividing the pulp into accept and reject portions, an inlet for the pulp, an outlet for the accept, an outlet for the reject, a rotor with a rotor body, and at least one pulsator located on the inside of the screen, so that a screening chamber is formed between the rotor and the screen. The rotor is provided with a detachable pulsator package including at least one attachment ring attached to the rotor body, at least one support ring attached to or supported by the rotor body and the at least one pulsator attached to the at least one attachment ring and the at least one support ring. |
| US09410283B1 |
Portable clothes steaming assembly
A portable clothes steaming assembly for removing wrinkles from clothing after traveling includes a housing and a nozzle coupled to a front end of the housing. A tank is positioned in the housing to hold a liquid within the housing. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the tank. A heating element is positioned in the housing to heat the liquid in the tank whereby steam is expelled from the tank through the nozzle. An actuator is coupled to the housing and operationally coupled to the heating element for selectively heating the liquid. A power source is positioned in the housing and electrically coupled to the heating element. |
| US09410282B2 |
Method and apparatus for drying articles
A method and apparatus for drying textile material with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes energizing the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), measuring a parameter related to the energization of the RF applicator, determining a drying cycle of operation in the controller based on the measured parameter, and controlling the energization of the RF applicator according to the determination of the drying cycle of operation, wherein the textile material is dried. |
| US09410279B2 |
Washing machine with water storage tank
A washing machine comprises a tub in which a drum is rotatably mounted, and a storage tank having a flow connection to the tub via a feeding line provided with a discharge pump and a three-port valve adapted to drive the flow to a drain or to the storage tank, rinsing fluid being stored in the storage tank for subsequent reuse. The washing machine further comprises an automatic valve connected to a drain line downstream the three-port valve and to an overflow line downstream the storage tank, said automatic valve being provided with means for avoiding any mixture of flows in the different configurations of the washing machine cycles. |
| US09410277B2 |
Apparatus for use in laundering garments having cups and methods therefor
An apparatus for use in laundering a garment having cups comprising a flexible panel, a pair of cup supports attached to the flexible panel, and a pair of retainer rings attached to the cup supports to hold each cup of the garment against a corresponding cup support. Each cup support comprises a convex member. Each cup support may include a plurality of apertures formed through the convex member. Each cup may further include a plurality of protrusions to space the cups of the garment away from the convex member. The apparatus includes a water permeable bag extending around the flexible panel. In this case, the flexible panel may be attached to the water permeable bag. |
| US09410276B2 |
Yarn color placement system
A yarn color placement system for a tufting machine including a series of different color yarns being fed to the needles of the tufting machine by yarn feed mechanisms. A backing material is fed through the tufting machine at an increased stitch rate as the needles are shifted according to the programmed pattern steps. A series of level cut loop loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles, with the clips of the level cut loop loopers or hooks being selectively actuated to form cut pile tufts, while the remaining loops of yarns can be back-robbed so as to be hidden from view in the finished patterned tufted article. |
| US09410267B2 |
Methods and devices for the fabrication of 3D polymeric fibers
The present invention provides methods and devices for the fabrication of 3D polymeric fibers having micron, sub-micron, and nanometer dimensions, as well as methods of use of these polymeric fibers. |
| US09410266B2 |
Process for producing multicrystalline silicon ingots by the induction method, and apparatus for carrying out the same
An apparatus and continuous stable process for producing multicrystalline silicon ingots with large cross-sections by an induction method, by maintaining surface temperature of the ingot at the output of the crucible within the range of 900-1150° C., and by heating the ingot at the output of the upper zone of the controlled cooling compartment to a temperature of 1200-1250° C., followed by cooling of the ingot at a rate of no more than 10° C./cm. |
| US09410265B2 |
Method for producing a semiconductor wafer composed of silicon with an epitaxially deposited layer
Semiconductor wafers composed of silicon with an epitaxially deposited layer, are prepared by: placing a dummy wafer on a susceptor of an epitaxy reactor; conducting an etching gas through the epitaxy reactor in order to remove residues on surfaces in the epitaxy reactor through the action of the etching gas; conducting a first deposition gas through the epitaxy reactor in order to deposit silicon on surfaces in the epitaxy reactor; replacing the dummy wafer by a substrate wafer composed of silicon; and conducting a second deposition gas through the epitaxy reactor in order to deposit an epitaxial layer on the substrate wafer. |
| US09410261B2 |
Two mask process for electroplating metal employing a negative electrophoretic photoresist
A negative electrophoretic photoresist is applied over a plurality of protruding disposable template portions on a substrate. A silo structure is placed on planar portions of the negative electrophoretic photoresist that laterally surround the plurality of protruding disposable template portions. The negative electrophoretic photoresist is lithographically exposed employing the silo structure and a first lithographic mask, which includes a transparent substrate with isolated opaque patterns thereupon. After removal of the silo structure, the negative electrophoretic photoresist is lithographically exposed employing a second lithographic mask, which includes a pattern of transparent areas overlying the planar portions of the negative electrophoretic photoresist less the areas for bases of metal structure to be subsequently formed by electroplating. The negative electrophoretic photoresist is developed to form cavities therein, and metal structures are formed by electroplating within the cavities. The negative electrophoretic photoresist and the plurality of protruding disposable template portions can be subsequently removed. |
| US09410256B2 |
Ultrasound and acoustophoresis for water purification
Provided herein are systems and methods for separation of particulate from water using ultrasonically generated acoustic standing waves. |
| US09410255B2 |
System and method for generating and dispensing sodium hydroxide solutions
A system and method for generating and dispensing a diluted sodium hydroxide solution, the system including an electrolysis unit configured to electrochemically generate a concentrated sodium hydroxide solution from an anolyte solution formed with a non-chlorinated electrolyte. The system also including a dosing pump configured to receive dilution water and the concentrated sodium hydroxide solution at a high dilution ratio to produce the diluted sodium hydroxide solution, and a dispenser configured to dispense the diluted sodium hydroxide solution. |
| US09410254B2 |
HHO system, high production of hydrogen gas
The invention discloses a hydrogen/oxygen (HHO) system containing a HHO generator and a Zeer pot which is configured to reduce a temperature inside the HHO generator by evaporation of water on a surface of the Zeer pot. The Zeer pot contains a radiator which cools an electrolytic solution for the HHO generator. The HHO system also contains a pump and a reservoir tank which is in fluid communication with the radiator to pump the electrolytic solution from the radiator back to the HHO generator, and a demister which is installed downstream of the HHO generator to remove steam from hydrogen and oxygen gas generated in the HHO generator. |
| US09410251B2 |
Resin-coated aluminum alloy sheet and formed body using resin-coated aluminum alloy sheet
A resin-coated aluminum alloy sheet which has a chromium-free surface treatment layer and has a coating film formed by applying an organic resin, and which exhibits excellent adhesiveness and excellent corrosion resistance even after being subject to severe forming such as drawing is provided. A resin-coated aluminum alloy sheet includes: an aluminum substrate having a surface treatment film on at least one surface thereof; and an organic resin film layer formed on the surface of the aluminum substrate. The surface treatment film includes 2 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2 of zirconium in terms of metal atoms and at least any one of a polyitaconic acid, monosaccharide alcohol and disaccharide alcohol as an aluminum-ion-trapping agent. |
| US09410247B2 |
Chemical vapor deposition apparatus
A chemical vapor deposition apparatus can include a reaction chamber having a reaction space therein; a wafer boat disposed in the reaction space, the wafer boat arranged and structured to support a plurality of wafers; and a gas supplying part disposed in the reaction chamber to supply two or more reaction gases to the plurality of wafers. The gas supplying part can include a plurality of gas pipes disposed in the reaction chamber to supply the two or more reaction gases from outside to the reaction space; and a plurality of supplying pipes disposed around the wafer boat, wherein each of the supplying pipes is connected to two or more corresponding gas pipes, and wherein each supplying pipe is configured to supply the two or more reaction gases supplied by the two or more corresponding gas pipes to a corresponding one of the wafers. |
| US09410243B2 |
Method for forming monolayer graphene-boron nitride heterostructures
A method for fabricating monolayer graphene-boron nitride heterostructures in a single atomically thin membrane that limits intermixing at boundaries between graphene and h-BN, so as to achieve atomically sharp interfaces between these materials. In one embodiment, the method comprises exposing a ruthenium substrate to ethylene, exposing the ruthenium substrate to oxygen after exposure to ethylene and exposing the ruthenium substrate to borazine after exposure to oxygen. |
| US09410239B2 |
Sputtering target and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to provide a deposition technique for depositing an oxide semiconductor film. Another object is to provide a method for manufacturing a highly reliable semiconductor element using the oxide semiconductor film. A novel sputtering target obtained by removing an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, and hydrogen that are impurities in a sputtering target used for deposition is used, whereby an oxide semiconductor film containing a small amount of those impurities can be deposited. |
| US09410235B2 |
Hard coating film having anti-adhesion property to soft metal
The invention provides a hard coating film insusceptible to adhesion to a soft metal, the hard coating film being suitable for use as a coating on the surface of, for example, a die in contact with the soft metal. Further, the hard coating film includes a metal element containing at least two species of elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, and Cr, and a non-metal element containing O (oxygen) only, or O and at least one species selected from the group consisting of C and N. A proportion accounting for the O in the total non-metal element is not less than 0.2, in atom ratio. |
| US09410234B2 |
Sputtering device and method of forming layer using the same
Provided are a sputtering device and a method of forming a layer using the same.The method of forming a layer using the sputtering device includes: placing a substrate within a chamber; depositing target particles emitted from a target, which faces the substrate, on the substrate using a sputtering process; and horizontally moving a plurality of shield rods, which are installed in a shield mask disposed between the substrate and the target and are separated from each other along a first direction, during the sputtering process. |
| US09410233B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and wafer
A method of manufacturing semiconductor device and a wafer are provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, which relates to semiconductor technology. The method includes: providing a substrate, and forming a gate oxide layer and a polysilicon layer on a first surface of the substrate; etching the polysilicon layer by use of a patterned mask so as to form a polysilicon gate with reentrants; depositing a tensile stress film on a second surface of the substrate before etching the polysilicon layer. The tensile stress film can be deposited on the second surface of the substrate for generating the tensile stress for the wafer. Thus, a polysilicon gate with reentrants can be formed in etching process. In this way, semiconductor devices can have smaller gate-source/drain overlap capacitance and better TDDB parameters, and the performance of the devices can be improved. |
| US09410224B2 |
Pre-treatment for conventional cyanidation for silver recovering from manganese-argentiferous ores containing occluded silver
The present invention discloses a treatment for recovering silver from ores containing occluded silver, predominantly pyrolusite, which includes a pre-treatment of the manganese-argentiferous ore with sulfur dioxide produced by roasting elemental sulfur, generating manganese sulphate, and pregnant solution with more than 90% silver recovery. |
| US09410222B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating a steel article
A method for forming and treating a steel article of a high strength and ductile alloy. The method includes the steps of providing a starting steel composition for the steel article, preheating the composition, heating the starting material to a peak temperature range in less than forty seconds, holding the heated steel composition at the peak temperature range for between two and sixty seconds, quenching the heated steel composition from the peak temperature range to below 177° C. (350° F.) at a temperature rate reduction of 200 to 3000 ° C./sec (360 and 5400° F./sec), removing residual quench media from the surface of the quenched steel composition, tempering the quenched steel composition at a temperature of 100 to 704° C. (212 to 1300° F.); and air cooling the tempered steel composition to less than 100° C. (212° F.) to form a steel having desired mechanical properties. |
| US09410213B2 |
Bacillus strains and compositions
In one aspect, the present invention relates to novel Bacillus strains ENV 734 (NRRL B-50800), ENV 735 (NRRL B-50801), ENV 736 (NRRL B-50802), and ENV 737 (NRRL B-50803). These strains possess a high degree of homology with both Bacillus simplex and Bacillus butanolivorans, but unexpectedly exhibit desirable high salt tolerance as well as low temperature growth and urease production. In another aspect, the present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one of such strains and an acceptable carrier, and methods of preparing the compositions. Such compositions are suitable for use in industrial, agricultural, aquacultural, environmental, wastewater treatment and/or probiotic applications. Methods for enhancing the growth of a plant propagative material and methods for treating wastewater are also provided. |
| US09410211B2 |
Gardnerella vaginalis assay
The present invention relates to nucleic acid amplification assays for the detection of nucleic acid sequences of Gardnerella vaginalis. The present invention provides oligonucleotides that are complementary or that anneal to nucleic acid sequences of the vly gene of GV. The present invention also provides internal amplification controls (IACs) that can be used in nucleic acid amplification reactions. |
| US09410209B2 |
Test for detecting Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. allii
The present invention relates to novel tools for detecting Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. allii, in particular the molecular detection of specific polynucleotide sequences of said strain. |
| US09410208B2 |
Marker and reagent for detection of human IL-17-producing helper T cells, and method for detection of human IL-17-producing helper T cells
The present invention relates to a marker allowing specific detection of human IL-17-producing helper T-cells (human Th17 cells), a method for specifically detecting human Th17 cells and a reagent for detecting human Th17 cells. |
| US09410198B2 |
Compostions and methods of nucleic acid-targeting nucleic acids
This disclosure provides for compositions and methods for the use of nucleic acid-targeting nucleic acids and complexes thereof. |
| US09410193B2 |
DNA amplification and sequencing using DNA molecules generated by random fragmentation
The present invention is directed to methods to prepare a DNA molecule or a plurality of DNA molecules by random fragmentation. In some embodiments, the present invention regards preparing a template for DNA sequencing by random fragmentation. In specific embodiments, the random fragmentation comprises chemical fragmentation, mechanical fragmentation, or enzymatic fragmentation. In further specific embodiments, a universal sequence is attached to the 3′ end of the DNA fragments, such as by ligation of an adaptor sequence or by homopolymeric tailing with terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase. In other embodiments, a library is prepared with methods of the present invention. |
| US09410192B2 |
Chemically-enhanced primer compositions, methods and kits
A composition is provided comprising a negatively charged group, an oligonucleotide sequence and at least none or one nuclease-resistant linkage group to form a chemically-enhanced primer. The chemically-enhanced primer can be used for sequencing and fragment analysis. Methods for synthesizing the primer as well as a method of preparing DNA for sequencing and a method of sequencing DNA and kits containing the chemically-enhanced primer are also provided. The method of sequencing DNA can comprise contacting amplification reaction products with the composition under conditions in which excess amplification primer is degraded by the nuclease and the chemically-enhanced primer is essentially non-degraded. |
| US09410189B2 |
Methods of preventing non-specific reactions of nucleotide sequences
Disclosed herein are methods of nucleic acid amplification, including methods of preventing non-specific reaction of a nucleotide sequence with a DNA modifying enzyme. |
| US09410187B2 |
Methods of using FET labeled oligonucleotides that include a 3′→5′ exonuclease resistant quencher domain and compositions for practicing the same
Methods and compositions are provided for detecting a primer extension product in a reaction mixture. In the subject methods, a primer extension reaction is conducted in the presence of a polymerase having 3′→5′ exonuclease activity and at least one FET labeled oligonucleotide probe that includes a 3′→5′ exonuclease resistant quencher domain. Also provided are systems and kits for practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, and are particularly suited for use in high fidelity PCR based reactions, including SNP detection applications, allelic variation detection applications, and the like. |
| US09410183B2 |
Methods and kits for detection of O-GlcNAc and N-GlcNAc modification of peptides and proteins
Methods and kits for detecting the presence of GlcNAc modification of a peptide or protein. The steps of detection may include combining the peptide or protein with PAP35S and a sulfotransferase to produce a reaction product including 35S labeled GlcNAc modified protein or peptide, removing background labeling with a glycosidase, separating the 35S labeled GlcNAc modified protein or peptide from PAP35S, free S-35 sulfate and labeled oligosaccharides if present, and detecting isotopic emissions from the 35S labeled GlcNAc modified peptide or protein. The detection may further include, prior to detection, the step of combining the peptide or protein with a GlcNAc transferase and UDP-GlcNAc under appropriate conditions for the GlcNAc transferase to transfer a GlcNAc to the peptide or protein. |
| US09410181B2 |
Method and unit for preparing a sample for the microbiological analysis of a liquid
The preparation unit comprises a body (2) within which are fixed a first (3) and a second (4) membrane, said first membrane (3) having a first predetermined pore diameter and said second membrane (4) a second predetermined pore diameter smaller than said first predetermined pore diameter of said first membrane (3), said body also comprising means (16, 20) for retrieving said sample collected on said second membrane (4).The method of preparing such a sample comprises the step of procuring such a preparation unit (1), the step of passing a predetermined volume of said liquid through said first membrane and through said second membrane (4) in order to collect a sample on said second membrane (4); and the step of retrieving said sample so collected on said second membrane (4). |
| US09410178B2 |
Biological particle analyzer and method of analyzing biological particles
A biological particle analyzer is disclosed and includes a microchannel including an end coupled to a first drive electrode, another end coupled to a second drive electrode, a first detection area at an upstream location and an excitation area at a downstream location for containing particles flowing from the upstream location to the downstream location inside the microchannel, a first detection circuit coupled to the first detection area for outputting a first detection result when at least one particle has arrived at the first detection area, a light emission source, and a control module coupled to the first detection circuit and the light emission source for determining when to turn on or off the light emission source according to the first detection result. |
| US09410171B2 |
Non-thermal cycling for polymerase chain reaction
Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for non-thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In one aspect, a method for cycling PCR includes receiving an electrolytic fluid including ions, primers, polymerase enzymes, nucleotides, and a double-stranded nucleic acid in a fluid chamber having a first electrode and a second electrode, applying an electric field across the first and the second electrodes to generate a first pH level of the electrolytic fluid to denature the double-stranded nucleic acid to at least partial single strands, and applying a second electric field across the first and second electrodes to produce a second pH level of the electrolytic fluid, in which the second pH level enables binding of a polymerase enzyme and a primer with a corresponding segment of the single strands. |
| US09410170B2 |
Methods of in vitro protein synthesis
Improved methods are provided in vitro synthesis of biological molecules, providing for improved yields, lowered costs, and enhanced utility. Improved yield and lowered cost is obtained by the use of a phosphate free energy source in the presence of exogenous phosphate, and optionally in the absence of exogenous nucleoside triphosphates. |
| US09410164B2 |
Biosynthesis pathway for prenol in a recombinant microorganism
The present invention concerns a method for the biological preparation of prenol comprising culturing a microorganism genetically modified for the bioproduction of prenol, wherein the microorganism comprises a metabolic pathway for conversion of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into prenol by the action of an alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme and of an aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme. |
| US09410163B2 |
Promoter-regulated differentiation-dependent self-deleting cassette
Targeting constructs and methods of using them are provided for differentiation-dependent modification of nucleic acid sequences in cells and in non-human animals. Targeting constructs comprising a promoter operably linked to a recombinase are provided, wherein the promoter drives transcription of the recombinase in an differentiated cell but not an undifferentiated cell. Promoters include Blimp1, Prm1, Gata6, Gata4, Igf2, Lhx2, Lhx5, and Pax3. Targeting constructs with a cassette flanked on both sides by recombinase sites can be removed using a recombinase gene operably linked to a 3′-UTR that comprises a recognition site for an miRNA that is transcribed in undifferentiated cells but not in differentiated cells. The constructs may be included in targeting vectors, and can be used to automatically modify or excise a selection cassette from an ES cell, a non-human embryo, or a non-human animal. |
| US09410159B2 |
Chimeric promoters capable of mediating gene expression in plants upon pathogen infection and uses thereof
Described are synthetic promoters capable of mediating gene expression in plants upon pathogen infection. Furthermore, recombinant genes and vectors comprising said chimeric promoters as well as host cells transformed with such chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, or vectors are provided. Additionally, diagnostic compositions and kits comprising such chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, vectors or cells are described. Provided are further methods for the identification of compounds being capable of activating or inhibiting genes that are specifically expressed in plants upon pathogen infection employing the above described means. Furthermore, transgenic plant cells, plant tissue, and plants containing the above-described chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, and vectors as well as the use of the aforementioned chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, vectors and/or compounds identified by the method of the invention in plant cell and tissue culture, plant breeding, and/or agriculture are described. |
| US09410155B2 |
Treatment of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) related diseases by inhibition of natural antisense transcript to VEGF
Oligonucleotide compounds modulate expression and/or function of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) polynucleotides and encoded products thereof. Methods for treating diseases associated with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) comprise administering one or more Oligonucleotide compounds designed to inhibit the VEGF natural antisense transcript to patients. |
| US09410151B2 |
Microfluidic devices and methods of use in the formation and control of nanoreactors
The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library. |
| US09410149B2 |
Compositions and methods for intramolecular nucleic acid rearrangement
Aspects of the present invention are drawn to processes for moving a region of interest in a polynucleotide from a first position to a second position with regard to a domain within the polynucleotide, also referred to as a “reflex method”. In certain embodiments, the reflex method results in moving a region of interest into functional proximity to specific domain elements present in the polynucleotide (e.g., primer sites and/or multiplex identifier). Compositions, kits and systems that find use in carrying out the reflex processes described herein are also provided. |
| US09410145B2 |
Method for the isolation of nucleic acids
The present invention concerns an improved method for the isolation of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA from bacterial, plant, animal or human cells as well as from cell cultures and virus cultures, wherein the nucleic acid is immobilised on a matrix having a silicon-oxygen compound in the presence of a chaotropic agent and an alkanol, carried out in a temperature range of 36° to 75° C. |
| US09410143B1 |
Biological molecules produced by electromagnetically stimulating living mammalian cells
The disclosure describes a method for producing native mammalian biological molecules by electromagnetically stimulating mammalian cells using an electromagnetic field. The mammalian cells can be grown in a chamber that is exposed to a time varying electromagnetic force. The biological molecules can be isolated from the cells. |
| US09410138B2 |
Asparaginase from basidiomycetes
An asparaginase enzyme derived from the fungi Basidiomycete, in particular the Basidiomycete is Flammulina velutipes. A method for hydrolysing at least one of L-asparagine or L-glutamine. A method for reducing acrylamide formation in a substance comprising L-asparagine is also described. |
| US09410136B2 |
Methods for enhancing the degradation or conversion of cellulosic material
The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material and for producing a substance from a cellulosic material. |
| US09410135B2 |
Thermophilic mutants of Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I
The present disclosure relates to mutant thermostable glycosyl hydrolases family 7 enzymes, including mutant Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I. In particular, the present disclosure relates to mutant thermostable enzymes, compositions containing the enzymes, and methods of use thereof. |
| US09410134B2 |
Protein having nuclease activity, fusion proteins and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding (I) a polypeptide having the activity of an endonuclease, which is (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (c) a nucleic acid molecule encoding an endonuclease, the amino acid sequence of which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (d) a nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence which is at least 50% identical to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (e) a nucleic acid molecule which is degenerate with respect to the nucleic acid molecule of (d); or (f) a nucleic acid molecule corresponding to the nucleic acid molecule of any one of (a) to (e) wherein T is replaced by U; (II) a fragment of the polypeptide of (I) having the activity of an endonuclease. Also, the present invention relates to a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule and a protein encoded by said nucleic acid molecule. Further, the invention relates to a method of modifying the genome of a eukaryotic cell and a method of producing a non-human vertebrate or mammal. |
| US09410132B2 |
Acyl-CoA: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1-like gene (PtDGAT1) and uses thereof
An isolated protein which is at least partially encoded by a polynucleotide sequence encoding a novel acyl-CoA: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1-like gene (PtDGAT1) from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricomutum is provided together with a composition which includes the isolated protein and a transgenic organism transformed by a polynucleotide encoding same. The invention also provides a method for producing or enhancing the production of oil or triacylglycerols with high saturated fatty acids content. |
| US09410131B2 |
Enzymatic systems for carbon fixation and methods of generating same
A system for carbon fixation is provided. The system comprises enzymes which catalyze reactions of a carbon fixation pathway, wherein at least one of the reactions of the carbon fixation pathway is a carboxylation reaction, wherein products of the reactions of the carbon fixation pathway comprise oxaloacetate and malonyl-CoA, wherein an enzyme which performs the carboxylation reaction is selected from the group consisting of phophoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxlase, pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase and wherein an export product of the carbon fixation pathway is glyoxylate. Additional carbon fixation pathways are also provided and methods of generating same. |
| US09410126B2 |
Carbohydrate profile compositions from human cells and methods for analysis and modification thereof
The invention describes methods for production of novel composition of glycans, glycomes, from human multipotent stem cells. The invention is further directed to methods for modifying the glycomes and analysis of the glycomes and the modified glycomes. Furthermore the invention is directed to stem cells carrying the modified glycomes on their surfaces. |
| US09410118B2 |
Cell culture media and methods
Compositions and methods are described for preparing media, feeds, and supplements. Such methods and medias may display increased stability of labile components and may use, for example, microsuspension and/or encapsulation technologies, chelation, and optionally, coating and/or mixing the labile compounds with anti-oxidants. The compositions may withstand thermal and/or irradiation treatment and have reduced virus number. These techniques may result in product with extended shelf-life, extended release of their internal components into culture, or in product that can be added aseptically into a bioreactor using minimal volumes. The compositions and methods may optimize the bioproduction workflow and increase efficiency. |
| US09410110B2 |
High performance low viscoelasticity foaming detergent compositions employing extended chain anionic surfactants
The invention meets the needs above by providing a surfactant system, mixture or blend that can be used as a part of a soaking composition. The surfactant system is capable of forming emulsions with, and thus removing, oily and greasy stains. In a preferred embodiment the surfactant compositions of the invention can remove non-trans fat and fatty acid stains. The invention involves foaming soaking compositions that have some or part of the anionic surfactant present in the same replaced with an extended chain anionic surfactant. |
| US09410109B1 |
Methods for degumming oils
Processes and systems are provided for effectively degumming vegetable oils with the use of an acid and base pretreated mixture of vegetable oil. The pretreated mixture is subjected to compression and one or more intervals of explosive decompression of the compressed mixture to form a degummed vegetable oil. Also provided are compression and decompression rates and conditions that can be used to effectively degum vegetable oil to achieve reduced levels of phosphorus and metals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. |
| US09410108B2 |
Seed oil compositions
The present invention is directed to seed oil compositions that can be used for cooking and frying applications. These oil compositions of the present invention have advantageous stability characteristics. In some embodiments, the oil compositions have a low concentration of α-linolenic acid. |
| US09410107B2 |
Grease composition and grease-packed rolling bearing
A grease composition for a rolling bearing for a motor to support a rotor of the motor, containing a pentaerythritol ester base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 20 to 55 mm2/s; 7 to 13 mass % of a diurea thickener represented by formula (A) where each R group is defined; and a rust inhibitor mixture selected from the group consisting of polyol ester type rust inhibitors and organic sulfonate type rust inhibitors. The grease composition can prevent a peculiar noise from being produced at low temperatures, satisfy the low torque performance over a wide temperature range, extend the bearing lubrication life even under the circumstances of high temperature, and exhibit excellent rust inhibiting effect on varnish. |
| US09410104B2 |
Star polymer lubricating composition
The invention provides a lubricating composition containing (a) a polymer derived from greater than 50 wt % or more of a non-diene monomer, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 2000 to about 200,000, and wherein the polymer has a shear stability index of about 0 to about 25; (b) a phosphorus-containing acid, salt, or ester; (c) an extreme pressure agent, other than a phosphorus-containing acid, salt, or ester; and (d) an oil of lubricating viscosity. The invention further provides a method for lubricating a mechanical device with the lubricating composition. |
| US09410103B2 |
Hydroxy estolides, poly-capped estolides, and methods of making the same
Provided herein are poly-capped estolides, including those of the Formula IV in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 2; R1 is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Hydroxy estolides are also described herein, which may be suitable end products, or serve as intermediates to provide poly-capped estolides. Also provided are compositions containing poly-capped estolides and methods of making both said poly-capped estolides and compositions thereof. |
| US09410102B2 |
Glycerol containing fuel mixture for direct injection engines
The invention provides fuel mixtures containing fuel oil, glycerol, glycerol impurities and non-ionic surfactants. The mixtures remain homogeneous longer and are more chemically stable than previous mixtures. Upon combustion, the mixtures generate reduced SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions compared to residual fuels and offer improved engine performance over previous mixtures. |
| US09410101B2 |
Process for obtaining energy from organic-containing waste materials
A process is disclosed for obtaining energy from organic-containing waste materials by (1) precomminuting the waste material and determining its ratio of carbonaceous material and silicatic material; (2) further measuring the constituents in the waste material to determine the ratio of carbonaceous material and silicatic material; (3) maintaining the ratio of carbonaceous material and silicatic material at about 90% to 10%; (4) adding phyllosilicate to the waste material, separating the resulting mixture into solid, liquid and gaseous phases, and pelletizing the solid phase; (5) pyrrolizing the pellets forming a second gaseous phase and a second solids phase; and (6) supplying the second gaseous phase to a tank, and separating the second solids phase into end product carbonaceous and silicatic materials, and recovering the carbonaceous materials. |
| US09410097B2 |
Methods and systems of producing a particulate free, cooled syngas product
Methods and systems for gasifier system are provided. The system includes a two-stage particulate separator having a side draw-off connector configured as a first virtual impactor, the first virtual impactor configured to separate a substantially particulate free flow of a reaction product from a particulate laden flow of the reaction product. The two-stage particulate separator also includes a transfer line coupled downstream of said draw-off connector, a second virtual impactor coupled downstream of the transfer line, and a quench chamber coupled downstream from the second virtual impactor, such that the quench chamber is configured to receive at least the particulate laden flow of the reaction product. |
| US09410096B2 |
Method and system for cooling and washing biomass syngas
A method for cooling and washing biomass syngas, the method including the following steps: 1) introducing biomass syngas having a temperature of between 1000 and 1100° C., a dust content of less than 20 g/Nm3, and a tar content of less than 3 g/Nm3 to a quench tower for condensing a slag; 2) introducing the biomass syngas after slag condensation to a waste heat boiler for recovering waste heat and condensing a heavy tar in the syngas; 3) introducing the biomass syngas from the waste heat boiler to a scrubbing-cooling tower for removing dust and decreasing a temperature of the syngas; and 4) introducing the biomass syngas after dust removal and temperature decrease from the scrubbing-cooling tower to an electro-precipitator for further removal of the dust and the tar. |
| US09410094B2 |
Pyrolysis waste and biomass treatment
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for treating waste, such as municipal waste via pyrolysis and yielding one or more of heat energy, electrical energy and fuel. In some embodiments, waste feed stock can be municipal waste in black bag form. In some the present invention additionally provides for processing of thousands of tons of municipal waste each day. |
| US09410093B2 |
Heavy oil hydrocracking process
A process for the production of high yields of high quality products from heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock comprising a two-stage, close-coupled process. The first stage comprises a thermo-catalytic zone into which is introduced a mixture comprising the feedstock, coal, a liquid catalyst precursor, and hydrogen. The second, close-coupled stage comprises a catalytic-hydrotreating zone into which substantially all the effluent from the first stage is directly passed and processed under hydrotreating conditions. |
| US09410092B2 |
Refinery desalter improvement
The improved methods relate to desalting hydrocarbon feeds using a separator with a stacked disk centrifuge to separate an emulsified oil and water rag layer. This method is effective for desalting heavy, high ionic, and non-traditional crude oils. |
| US09410091B2 |
Preparing a fuel from liquid biomass
The present application generally relates to methods to prepare a fuel from a liquid biomass by first producing the liquid biomass from a solid biomass by a thermal process, and then processing the liquid biomass with a petroleum fraction in the presence of a catalyst. |
| US09410089B2 |
Propane process for producing crude oil and bitumen products
Disclosed are processes for producing bitumen-derived crude oil and heavy bitumen compositions from oil sand. The processes involve treating oil sand feedstock with a first hydrocarbon solvent comprised of propane to produce the bitumen-derived crude oil composition having an asphaltene content of not greater than 5 wt % pentane insoluble, and an oil-depleted oil sand. The oil-depleted oil sand is treated with a second hydrocarbon solvent comprised of propane and a fraction of the bitumen-derived crude oil composition to produce the heavy bitumen composition and oil sand tailings. The oil sand tailings are dried by contacting the tailings with a drying composition comprised of a majority of propane. |
| US09410087B2 |
Fungicidal and parasiticidal fire-retardant powder
Fire-retardant powder comprising at least 30% by weight of mono ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and/or di-ammonium monohydrogen phosphate, at least 5% by weight of alkaline bicarbonate, at least 3% by weight of silica, and at least 5% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, potassium sulfate, magnesium carbonate hydroxide pentahydrate, magnesium chloride hexahydrate, iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate, zinc (II) chloride, and combinations thereof. The invention also relates to building materials preferably comprising natural fibers and comprising at least 5% by weight, and at most 30% of a powder according to the invention. |
| US09410084B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device that prevents a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) and an increase in the ion density (ID) in the liquid crystal layer, and resolves the problems of display defects, such as white streaks, variations in alignment, and image sticking. Since a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has a feature of preventing a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) and an increase in the ion density (ID) in the liquid crystal layer, and suppressing the occurrence of display defects such as image sticking, the liquid crystal display device is particularly useful for active matrix driving liquid crystal display devices with an IPS mode or an FFS mode and can be applied to liquid crystal display devices such as liquid crystal televisions, monitors, cellular phones, and smart phones. |
| US09410081B2 |
Luminescent materials
The invention provides photoluminescent compounds, reactive intermediates used to synthesize photoluminescent compounds, and methods of synthesizing and using photoluminescent compounds, among others. The compounds comprise phenanthrene and dipyridylamine moieties. The compounds are colored and fluoresce upon excitation. Methods are included for using the compounds to detect metal ions by spectral changes of wavelength shift or a change in fluorescence intensity. Compositions in polymers and solvents are provided for use as a film, paint, reflective surfaces, and electroluminescent devices are provided. |
| US09410078B2 |
Ceramic particles with controlled pore and/or microsphere placement and/or size and method of making same
The present invention relates to lightweight high strength microsphere containing ceramic particles having controlled microsphere placement and/or size and microsphere morphology, which produces an improved balance of specific gravity and crush strength such that they can be used in applications such as proppants to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more microsphere containing ceramic particles of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the microsphere containing ceramic particles of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the microsphere containing ceramic particles. |
| US09410071B1 |
Oil-based viscosifier of drilling fluid and the preparation method thereof
The present subject matter relates to the drilling fluid field, and discloses a viscosifier for oil-based drilling fluids and a method for preparing the viscosifier for oil-based drilling fluids. The preparation method comprises the following steps: (1) mixing an initiator with an unsaturated amide, an unsaturated organic sulfonic acid, and an unsaturated organic carboxylic acid in an aqueous phase solution and initiating a polymerization reaction with an oil phase solution that contains emulsifier and base oil, to obtain a polymer emulsion; (2) purifying and drying the polymer emulsion to obtain a composition; (3) mix the composition, sepiolite powder, and an acid while stirring, and then drying the obtained mixture. The viscosifier for oil-based drilling fluids disclosed in the present subject matter can make up for the shortage of viscosifiers for oil-based drilling fluids in the art, and has favorable temperature tolerance property, viscosity improvement property and environmental friendliness. |
| US09410069B2 |
Ethylene viscosifier polymer for treatment of a subterranean formation
Various embodiments disclosed relate to a viscosifier polymer for treatment of a subterranean formation, and methods and systems including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include obtaining or providing a composition including a viscosifier polymer. The method can also include placing the composition in a subterranean formation. |
| US09410067B2 |
Biomimetic polymer for stabilizing wellbore and method for preparation of the same and drilling fluid
The present invention provides a biomimetic polymer for stabilizing wellbore, a method for preparation of the biomimetic polymer, and a drilling fluid. The polymer contains carboxymethyl chitosan that serves as a backbone and dopamine-derived groups grafted on the backbone. The polymer provided in the present invention can improve the strength of shale in the wellbore, seal the shale pores and reduce the filter loss of drilling fluid, and thereby attains an effect of stabilizing the wellbore in shale formation in drilling process. |
| US09410064B2 |
Compositions comprising fluoroolefins and uses thereof
The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential. |
| US09410063B2 |
Polishing slurry including zirconia particles and a method of using the polishing slurry
A polishing slurry can include zirconia particles. The polishing slurry can be used to polish conductive and insulating materials, and is particularly well suited for polishing oxide materials as well as metals. The characteristics of the zirconia particles can affect the polishing of workpieces. By selecting the proper characteristics, the polishing slurry can have a good material removal rate while still providing an acceptable surface finish. The zirconia particles can be used as a replacement for, or in conjunction with, ceria or other abrasive particles. The content of zirconia particles in the polishing slurry may be less than a comparable polishing slurry having silica or alumina particles. |
| US09410062B1 |
Moisture cure asphaltic material and methods of use
An adhesive composition has an asphaltic base. A plasticizer, solvent, resin, calcium carbonate, fumed silica, talc an adhesion promoter, a moisture scavenger and a catalyst are included in the adhesive. The resin may be a silylated prepolymer, two part urethane, one part urethane prepolymer, or two part epoxy. Optionally a micronized polyamide wax is added to the composition. Further optionally, an asphalt hardener and/or a silica flour may be included in the mix. |
| US09410060B2 |
Low radio frequency loss, static dissipative adhesives
Low radio frequency loss, static dissipative adhesives are disclosed that have at most 2 percent by weight amorphous carbon dispersed in a cyanate ester resin. The adhesive has an electrical conductivity that dissipates static charge with an electrical resistivity of about 3.0×105 ohms to about 3.0×1010 ohms, and low radio frequency loss with a dielectric constant of about 1.3 to about 1.7 and a loss tangent of at most 0.006 measured at 2 gigahertz. |
| US09410052B2 |
Reduced salt precipitation in carbohydrate containing binder compositions
Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition. |
| US09410050B2 |
Compositions and methods to improve the setting properties and rub resistance of printing inks
Provided are high viscosity essentially non-aqueous dispersions containing acrylic core/shell polymer particles in a non-aqueous solvent; sheetfed, heatset and coldset lithographic ink compositions containing the dispersions; and methods of printing with ink containing the dispersions to improve the setting and drying properties and rub resistance of sheet fed offset, heatset and coldset lithographic inks. The lithographic inks containing the dispersions set quickly enough to allow processing of printed sheets soon after printing. |
| US09410043B2 |
Reactive mixture for coating molded objects by means of reaction injection molding and coated molded object
A reactive mixture for coating mouldings by means of reaction injection moulding, containing at least 40% by weight of (meth)acrylates having at least two double bonds. The reactive mixture contains at least one photoinitiator and at least one thermal initiator. The present invention furthermore describes a coated moulding including a moulding which is obtainable by injection moulding processes and includes at least one polymer selected from polymethyl methacrylate, polymethylmethacrylimide, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer and polymethyl methacrylate copolymers, and a coating which is obtainable by polymerization of (meth)acrylates having at least two double bonds. The coating has an adhesive strength rating of not more than 1 according to the cross hatch test and a decrease in gloss at 20° after a scratch resistance test according to ASTM 1044 (12/05) (applied weight 500 g, number of cycles=100) of not more than 10%. |
| US09410041B1 |
Method of surface modifying graphene
A method of surface modifying graphene is disclosed and includes placing powder-like graphene into a closed container, heating up to a preset impurity detaching temperature higher than 100° C. so as to detach the impurity from the surface of graphene, further adjusting the treatment temperature to a preset surface modifying temperature, and injecting the gaseous surface modifying agent to be physically adsorbed by the surface of graphene. Thus, surface modified graphene is formed. The surface modifying temperature is higher than the sublimation temperature of the surface modifying agent and less than the decomposition temperature of the surface modifying agent. Therefore, the present invention is simpler and safer because of only physical adsorption used and no chemical reaction involved. Dispersibility of surface modified graphene in the solution is greatly increased to improve uniformity and enhance the performance of the final product formed of surface modified graphene. |
| US09410036B2 |
Functionalized polymer compositions
The invention relates to functionalized polymers including homopolymers and copolymers and their uses in industrial applications and in agricultural applications. In particular, the homopolymers and copolymers may be, for example, used in polymer blends, used as nutritives and in feed compositions, and used in combination with a pharmaceutical or nutritive. |
| US09410035B2 |
Modified heterophasic polyolefin composition
A heterophasic polymer composition comprises a propylene polymer phase, an ethylene polymer phase, and a compatibilizing agent. The compatibilizing agent comprises (i) an acyclic carbon-carbon double bond having a first carbon atom and a second carbon atom, (ii) an electron withdrawing group directly bonded to the first carbon atom in the acyclic carbon-carbon double bond, and (iii) a second carbon-carbon multiple bond in conjugation with the acyclic carbon-carbon double bond, wherein the second carbon-carbon multiple bond is linked to the acyclic carbon-carbon double bond through the second carbon atom. |
| US09410034B2 |
High melt strength polypropylene of improved quality
Use of an additive mixture containing a linear polypropylene and at least one additive in a polypropylene composition comprising said additive mixture and a branched polypropylene to reduce the gel index of said polypropylene composition. |
| US09410020B2 |
Processable self-organizing nanoparticle
A method of forming a composition includes adding together a plurality of particle brush systems wherein each of the particle brush systems includes a particle and a polymer brush including a plurality of polymer chains attached to the particle. The plurality of polymer chains of the polymer brush exhibit two chain conformations as the degree of polymerization of the polymer chains increases so that the polymer brush includes a concentrated polymer brush region with stretched polymer chains and a semi-dilute polymer brush region with relaxed chains that is radially outside of the concentrated polymer brush region. The degree of polymerization of the polymer brush is no less than 10% less than a critical degree of polymerization and no more than 20% greater than the critical degree of polymerization. The critical degree of polymerization is defined as the degree of polymerization required to achieve a transition from the concentrated polymer brush region to the semi-dilute polymer brush region. |
| US09410019B2 |
Polycarbosilane and curable compositions for LED encapsulants comprising same
The present invention provides a polycarbosilane represented by the following formula (1): [R1R2R3SiX1/2]M[R4R5SiX2/2]D[R6SiX3/2]T[SiX4/2]Q (1); and a curable composition comprising: (A) said polycarbosilane of formula 1 as polycarbosilane A, (B) at least one polycarbosilane B represented by the following formula (2): [R7R8R9SiX1/2]M′[R10R11SiX2/2]D′[R12SiX3/2]T′[SiX4/2]Q′, (2), and (C) at least a catalyst. |
| US09410018B2 |
Curable composition
The present application relates to a curable composition. A curable composition may be provided; which shows excellent processability and workability; which shows excellent light extraction efficiency, crack resistance, hardness, thermal shock resistance and adhesive strength after curing; and which has excellent reliability and long-term reliability under high-temperature and/or high-moisture conditions. Also, turbidity and surface stickiness may be prevented in the cured product. |
| US09410015B2 |
Method and plant for producing polycarbonate
The invention relates to a method for producing a polycarbonate comprising at least the following steps: a) transesterification of one or more bisphenols with one or more diaryl carbonates in at least one transesterification reactor under continuous removal of the hydroxy aryl reaction product released, b) pre-polycondensation of the reaction product of the transesterification in at least one pre-polycondensation reactor under continuous removal of the hydroxy aryl reaction product released, c) polycondensation of the reaction product of the pre-polycondensation in at least one polycondensation reactor, wherein the aryl reaction product is removed during the transesterification reaction and the hydroxy aryl reaction product is removed during the pre-polycondensation reaction through a common column, wherein entrained diaryl carbonate is separated from the hydroxy aryl reaction product drawn off. |
| US09410012B2 |
Thermally stable 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 after heat aging at 150° C. for seven days a V-0 rating at 0.5 inch according to Underwriters' Laboratories Standard 94 Flammability Test. |
| US09410007B2 |
Process for making silver nanostructures and copolymer useful in such process
A process for making silver nanostructures, which includes the step of reacting at least one polyol and at least one silver compound that is capable of producing silver metal when reduced, in the presence of: (a) a source of chloride or bromide ions, and (b) at least one copolymer that comprises: (i) one or more first constitutional repeating units that each independently comprise at least one pendant saturated or unsaturated, five-, six-, or seven-membered, acylamino- or diacylamino-containing heterocylic ring moiety per constitutional repeating unit, and (ii) one or more second constitutional repeating units, each of which independently differs from the one or more first nonionic constitutional repeating units, and has a molecular weight of greater than or equal to about 500 grams per mole, is described herein. |
| US09410005B2 |
Polymer, preparation method thereof, composition and film comprising the same
Provided is a polymer, a composition and film comprising the polymer, and a preparation method of the polymer. The polymer includes a compound having a hydrophobic property at its terminal, and thus a film capable of having a hydrophobic surface can be provided at the same time when the film is formed without a separate surface treatment. Further, an effect capable of permanently hydrophobically modifying a film surface is obtained at a low cost and a composition that does not occur a phase separation phenomenon in a polymer solution state is provided. For example, the film is used as a water repellent coating film, an anti-contamination film, or the like. |
| US09410004B2 |
Aromatic polyethersulfone microparticles having narrow particle diameter distribution index
A fine polymer particle production method includes producing an emulsion in a liquid prepared by dissolving and mixing a polymer A and a polymer B in organic solvents in which a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer A and a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer B are formed as separate phases, and bringing it into contact with a poor solvent for the polymer A to precipitate the polymer A. This method serves for easy synthesis of fine polymer particles with a narrow particle size distribution and the method can be effectively applied to production of highly heat-resistant polymers that have been difficult to produce with the conventional methods. |
| US09410003B2 |
Polyoxyalkylene-modified vinyl acetal polymer, and composition comprising same
There is provided a polyoxyalkylene-modified vinyl acetal polymer which has polyoxyalkylene groups represented by general formula (I) in side chain, in which a viscosity-average polymerization degree P is 150 to 5000, an acetalization degree is 10 to 85 mol % and a polyoxyalkylene modification rate S is 0.1 to 10 mol %. Such a polymer has a feature that a film or sheet produced therefrom has improved film strength and flexibility, as well as a feature that a resin composition therefrom is free from phase separation. wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and 1≦m≦10 and 3≦n≦20. |
| US09410001B2 |
Recycle gas cooler systems for gas-phase polymerization processes
Disclosed herein are improvements in recycle gas cooler systems in gas-phase polymerization processes that reduce the tendency for cooler fouling, including a recycle gas cooler system comprising a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. One or more of the tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger may have a flared tube inlet at the tube sheet. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger may also be coupled to a straight inlet pipe having a length that is either at least about 5 times the inner diameter of the straight inlet pipe or at least about 15 feet, whichever is greater. |
| US09410000B2 |
Method to produce hyaluronic acid functionalized derivatives and formation of hydrogels
In this invention a two steps procedure is described useful to insert functional groups to the hyaluronic acid (HA), through the formation, in organic solvent, of a particular active group on hydroxyl groups of HA and subsequent substitution, on the inserted active group, with a pendant portion containing at least in its terminal portion a nucleophilic functional group, NH2—R.The group inserted by nucleophilic substitution can contain in another its terminal portion a further nucleophilic functional group, in a way to be easily exploitable to further chemical functionalizations, such as an example to obtain the methacrylation of HA functional groups, to obtain photocrosslinkable derivatives.Both direct derivatives of the proposed process and those obtained by the further functionalization can be employed to produce hydrogels. |
| US09409996B2 |
Treatment of food intolerance and food allergy with IgM
A process is provided for inhibiting symptoms of food allergy or food intolerance in a subject that includes the oral adminstration to the subject suffering from food allergy or food intolerance an IgM. When administered in a therapeutic quantity based on the subject characteristics and the type of IgM, symptoms of food allergy or food intolerance in that subject are inhibited. Even non-secretory forms of IgM are effective when administered orally. |
| US09409993B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition for treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic cancer
This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic cancer, comprising as an active ingredient an antibody or a fragment thereof which has immunological reactivity with a CAPRIN-1 protein or a fragment thereof comprising 7 to 12 or more consecutive amino acid residues. |
| US09409991B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions of antibodies for treatment of diseases caused by influenza virus
A pharmaceutical composition for prevention or treatment of viral infections including a formulation of full antibodies or fragments of antibodies specific to at least one of the following peptide sequences of toll-like receptor type 3: FYWNVSVHRVLGFKE (Seq ID NO:1), EYAAYIIHAYKD (Seq ID NO: 2), or to peptide sequence of interferon gamma receptor beta chain: LIKYWFHTPPSIPLQIEEYL (Seq ID NO: 3), or to peptide sequence of interferon gamma receptor alpha chain: SIILPKSLISW (Seq ID NO: 4). |