| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09442587B2 |
Touch sensor controller responsive to environmental operating conditions
A touch sensor controller system for use in a vehicle of the type utilizing a software application to be interfaced with by an operator of the vehicle includes a touch sensor and a touch detector associated with the touch sensor. A touch gesture processor is provided which prevents unwanted or unintended touch gestures from being communicated to the application software during certain operating conditions of the vehicle. The touch gesture processor receives inputs of the operating conditions of the vehicle and receives touch gesture information from the touch detector, and the touch gesture processor is operative to determine the types of touch gestures to be permitted to be passed to the software application. |
| US09442582B2 |
Portable electronic device with a surface mounted technology touch pad
A portable electronic device with an SMT touch pad comprises a main printed circuit board and an SMT touch pad. The main printed circuit board has a top surface arranged thereon an SMT area, and a bottom surface, wherein the SMT area has a plurality of conductive pads arranged in a first pattern. The SMT touch pad has a touch surface and a mounting surface formed thereon a plurality of conductive pads with solder arranged in a second pattern that is a mirror of the first pattern on the main printed circuit board. The mounting surface of the SMT touch pad is placed onto the top surface of the main printed circuit board and the SMT touch pad is soldered onto the SMT area of the main printed circuit board. |
| US09442578B2 |
Capacitive type stylus and mobile terminal comprising the same
A capacitive type stylus is provided. The stylus includes a body made of a conductive material, the body being configured to be elastically deformed and, once deformed, to maintain a deformed shape until deformed again, a cover configured to cover at least a portion of the body and a pen tip connected to a first end of the body. |
| US09442573B2 |
Handheld electronic device and method for disambiguation of text input and providing spelling substitution
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate text input. The device is structured to identify and output representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input. The device is additionally structured to identify and output representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a known spelling substitution particular to a language active on the handheld electronic device. |
| US09442572B2 |
5-key data entry system and accompanying interface
A data entry system is disclosed. Some embodiments of the data entry system utilize an input device and a user interface. In some embodiments, a user can actuate keys on an input device to activate and/or select from the user interface cells associated with symbols, such as letters. A user can input different symbols quickly and efficiently. In some embodiments, users can input the most common letters of a given alphabet using only a single actuation of one of four keys. |
| US09442569B2 |
Operation apparatus, display device, and imaging apparatus
An operation apparatus includes a touch detection section, a vibration section, a setting section and a control section. The touch detection section is provided on an exterior part, and outputs a signal when touched by an user. The vibration section is provided on the touch detection section in an overlapping manner, and vibrates when the touch of the user is detected by the touch detection section. The setting section is configured to set a function to be carried out when the touch detection section is touched. The control section is configured to determine a touch position of the touch detection section, provided on the touch detection section of the determined touch position, and configured to cause the vibration section to vibrate, and output a signal used to cause the function. |
| US09442567B2 |
Gaze swipe selection
Methods for enabling hands-free selection of virtual objects are described. In some embodiments, a gaze swipe gesture may be used to select a virtual object. The gaze swipe gesture may involve an end user of a head-mounted display device (HMD) performing head movements that are tracked by the HMD to detect whether a virtual pointer controlled by the end user has swiped across two or more edges of the virtual object. In some cases, the gaze swipe gesture may comprise the end user using their head movements to move the virtual pointer through two edges of the virtual object while the end user gazes at the virtual object. In response to detecting the gaze swipe gesture, the HMD may determine a second virtual object to be displayed on the HMD based on a speed of the gaze swipe gesture and a size of the virtual object. |
| US09442566B2 |
Power management in an eye-tracking system
An imaging device adapted to provide eye-tracking data by imaging at least one eye of a viewer, wherein: the imaging device is switchable between at least an active mode and a ready mode; the imaging device is configured to use active eye illumination in the active mode, which enables tracking of a corneal reflection; and the imaging device is configured, in the ready mode, to reduce an illumination intensity from a value the illumination intensity has in the active mode, and to provide eye-tracking data which include eye position but not eye orientation. |
| US09442559B2 |
Exploiting process variation in a multicore processor
A disclosed method includes accessing characterization data indicating first and second sets of performance characteristics for first and second processing cores of a processor; determining, based on a performance objective and the characterization data, a first power state for the first processing core and a second power state for the second processing core; and applying the first power performance objective to the first processing core and the second power performance objective to the second processing core. |
| US09442558B2 |
Techniques and system for managing activity in multicomponent platform
In one embodiment an apparatus includes a multiplicity of processor components; one or more device components communicatively coupled to one or more processor components of the multiplicity of processor components; and a controller comprising logic at least a portion of which is in hardware, the logic to schedule one or more forced idle periods interspersed with one or more active periods, a forced idle period spanning a duration during which the multiplicity of processor components and the one or more device components are simultaneously placed in respective idle states that define a forced idle power state during isolated sub-periods of the forced idle period. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US09442550B2 |
Techniques for placing applications in heterogeneous virtualized systems while minimizing power and migration cost
N applications are placed on M virtualized servers having power management capability. A time horizon is divided into a plurality of time windows, and, for each given one of the windows, a placement of the N applications is computed, taking into account power cost, migration cost, and performance benefit. The migration cost refers to cost to migrate from a first virtualized server to a second virtualized server for the given one of the windows. The N applications are placed onto the M virtualized servers, for each of the plurality of time windows, in accordance with the placement computed in the computing step for each of the windows. |
| US09442548B1 |
Device charging system
A computing device monitors the energy level of a rechargeable battery, from which the device draws operating power. Historic usage data is used to estimate the time remaining in a present operating period, such as a workday, as well as to estimate the battery level required to provide power during that period of time. A user is then presented with information regarding the status of the battery, as well as charging time and required battery level estimates. Information regarding charging stations within publically or otherwise user-accessible venues near to the present location of the computing device is accessed and presented to the user. Reservations may be made for a charging port within a selected venue, an order may be placed for goods or services available at that venue, or other actions may be performed. |
| US09442546B2 |
Computing system and method for respectively displaying information corresponding to host computer under booting state or standby state
A computing system and method for respectively displaying information corresponding to host computer under booting state or standby state is disclosed in the present invention. In the method, the computing system is provided to determine whether the host computer is under a booting state or a standby state. When the host computer is under the booting state, a display module of the computing system displays the control information of the baseboard management controller. When the host computer is under the standby state, the display module displays the information about BIOS Power-on self-test (POST). |
| US09442545B2 |
Server system and controlling method for operation timing after being powered up
A server system and controlling method for an operation timing after being powered up are disclosed. The sever system controls a reset signal to have a voltage lower than a first voltage value by introducing a voltage monitoring module when a work power lower than a voltage threshold. On the other hand, when the work power voltage increases to higher than the voltage threshold of the voltage monitoring module, the voltage monitoring module controls the reset signal voltage to be higher than a second voltage value, whereby achieving in a technical efficacy of stable initialization and reset of the server. |
| US09442542B2 |
Graphene heat dissipators in portable electronic devices
The disclosed embodiments relate to techniques for facilitating thermal transfer in a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a battery pack, which further includes a battery cell. The battery pack may supply power to a set of components in the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device also includes a heat dissipator composed of graphene. The heat dissipator may be in thermal contact with one or more of the components. The heat dissipator may also be disposed over a surface of the battery pack. |
| US09442539B2 |
Reduced length memory card
A reduced length memory card is provided. The memory card, comprising a memory circuit, a housing for said memory circuit, said housing defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end and insertable into a port of a digital device, and opposing sidewalls between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of electrical contacts in electrical communication with said memory circuit, said contacts exposed through apertures formed in a bottom surface of the housing extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the memory card is electrically compatible with a Secure Digital (SD) standard, and wherein a length of the card extending between the first end and the second end is less than a width of the card extending between the opposing sidewalls. The memory could comprise an extraction ridge along the first end of the card and exposed when the card is inserted into the port of the digital device. |
| US09442538B1 |
Mobile rack with lock device
A mobile rack includes a releasable casing including a front wall having opening elements; a frame member secured to the front wall and including an opening member aligned with the opening elements, a recess at a second side, and a well between the recess and the opening member; a spring-actuated door having a first side hingedly secured to a first side of the frame member and including an opening aligned with the opening member, and a latch at a second side; a spring-actuated lock activation mechanism including a key hole, a hollow shank aligned with the key hole, and a hollow lock element put on a rear portion of the hollow shank and having a projection on a first side; and a spring-actuated auxiliary lock mechanism pivotably secured to the second side of the frame member and including a hook in the well, and an extension. |
| US09442535B2 |
Touch sensor with integrated antenna
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more flexible substrates having flexible conductive material disposed thereon and a radiating element disposed on a first region of the flexible substrates. The radiating element includes a first portion of the flexible conductive material. The apparatus includes a touch-sensing area disposed on a second region of the flexible substrates. The touch-sensing area includes multiple electrodes that each include a respective second portion of the flexible conductive material disposed on the flexible substrates. The electrodes are configured to sense touch of an object at the touch-sensing area. |
| US09442533B2 |
Triaxial gear-typed hinge assembly and related electronic device
A triaxial gear-typed hinge assembly includes a first axle, a second axle, a third axle, a first supporting component, a second supporting component, a first linking component and a second linking component. The first supporting component includes a first gear hinged to the first axle. The second supporting component includes a second gear hinged to the second axle. The first linking component includes a first linking gear and a first tube connected to the first linking gear. The first linking gear is hinged to the third axle and engaged with the first gear, and the first tube is hinged to the second axle. The second linking component includes a second linking gear and a second tube connected to the second linking gear. The second linking gear is hinged to the third axle and engaged with the second gear, and the second tube is hinged to the first axle. |
| US09442531B2 |
Mobile device protecting system and method
A mobile device protecting system and method are disclosed, in which an accelerometer sensor detects a tri-axis acceleration data, a trigger signal is transmitted to the mobile device when the tri-axis acceleration data is according with a falling status, so that a data of the mobile device is acquired to serve as a backup data and the backup data is stored in a backup space of the mobile protecting device, achieving in a technical efficacy of enhancing a protection result of the mobile device. |
| US09442529B2 |
Electronic device with a fold mode and an unfold mode
An electronic device with a fold mode and an unfold mode includes a display module and an input module. The display module includes a first connecting component, a second connecting component and a flexible displaying panel. The second connecting component rotates relative to the first connecting component via a first direction to form as the fold mode or the unfold mode. The flexible displaying panel is disposed on the first connecting component and the second connecting component. The flexible displaying panel is bent to be U-shaped when the display module is formed as the fold mode. The flexible displaying panel is flat when the display module is formed as the unfold mode, and a planar normal vector points toward a second direction. The input module is rotatably connected to the display module via a third direction. |
| US09442526B2 |
System and method for mobile device docking station
Embodiments of the invention are related to systems and methods for a docking station that wirelessly connects to a mobile device, facilitates charging the mobile device, and enables the mobile device to interact with a virtual desktop infrastructure. |
| US09442514B1 |
Graphite layer between carbon layers
According to one example embodiment, a sheet may include a first carbon fiber reinforced plastic layer, a graphite layer adjacent to the first carbon fiber reinforced plastic layer, the graphite layer comprising at least one aperture, a second carbon fiber reinforced plastic layer adjacent to the graphite layer, and at least one column of plastic extending from the first carbon reinforced plastic layer, through the at least one aperture, to the second carbon reinforced plastic layer. |
| US09442513B2 |
Low-profile swing gate to support service element interface hardware
An apparatus for positioning service element interface devices is provided. A gate is affixed to a computing rack by a gate hinge that rotates on a first axis. A tray is affixed to the gate. The tray has a first side and a second side that are opposite exterior surfaces of the tray. A first display and a first keyboard are affixed to the first side. A second display and a second keyboard are affixed to the second side. The first keyboard and the first display provide a first interface that is redundant with a second interface provided by the second keyboard and the second display. |
| US09442512B1 |
Interface clock frequency switching using a computed insertion delay
An aspect includes a method of interface clock frequency switching control that includes determining a first clock delay adjustment of a clock signal for an interface at a first clock frequency. A controller determines a second clock delay adjustment for the interface operated at a second clock frequency. The controller computes an insertion delay between the clock signal and a data signal of the interface based on the first clock delay adjustment and frequency and the second clock delay adjustment and frequency. The controller also computes a third clock delay adjustment to operate the interface at a third clock frequency based on the insertion delay and a relative difference between the third clock frequency and the second clock frequency. The clock signal is adjusted based on the third clock delay adjustment to align timing of the clock signal with the data signal at the third clock frequency. |
| US09442511B2 |
Method and a device for maintaining a synchronized local timer using a periodic signal
A method is provided for maintaining a synchronized local timer by using a periodic signal which comprises: providing a value of a clock cycle, and values for a first and second timer-parameters, wherein the first timer-parameter is less than the clock cycle value and the second timer-parameter is higher therefrom; providing values for a first (“a”) and second (“b”) arbitration parameters associated with the first and second timer-parameters respectively; upon receiving a periodic signal, adding to the local timer, at least once the first and/or the second timer-parameter, so that on average over one second, the first timer-parameter is added “a” times and the second timer-parameter is added “b” times, thereby ensuring that a value of the local timer essentially overlaps the period frequency of the periodic signal; upon receiving a subsequent periodic signal, setting the value of the local timer to a propagation delay of the periodic signal. |
| US09442507B2 |
Transmission channel for ultrasound applications
A transmission channel transmits high-voltage pulses and receives echos of the high-voltage pulses. The transmission channel includes a buffer with anti-memory circuitry to couple drains of the buffer transistors to voltage reference terminals during a clamping phase. |
| US09442505B2 |
Electric power control apparatus, electric power control method, and electric power feeding system
An electric power control apparatus, an electric power control method, and an electric power feeding system by which the maximum operating point of a generating element such as a solar battery can be controlled to be maintained, and electric power loss can be avoided. The electric power control apparatus is provided with an electric power path switch unit to which a plurality of generating elements can be connected, and a voltage conversion unit that converts a voltage level which is generated by the generating elements and supplied via the electric power path switch unit. The electric power path switch unit includes a first connection switching function which switches between series connection and parallel connection for the plurality of generating elements, and a second connection switching function which switches between connected and non-connected to an input side of the voltage conversion unit for the generating elements connected in series or parallel. |
| US09442502B2 |
Voltage regulator with soft-start circuit
A voltage regulator includes an operational amplifier, a transistor, a first resistor, a second resistor, an output voltage delaying circuit and a selecting circuit. The output voltage delaying circuit receives an output voltage and generates a delayed output voltage. A first input terminal of the selecting circuit receives a reference voltage. A second input terminal of the selecting circuit receives the delayed output voltage. An output terminal of the selecting circuit generates a control voltage to a first input terminal of the operational amplifier. If the reference voltage is larger than the delayed output voltage, the selecting circuit selects the delayed output voltage as the control voltage. If the reference voltage is smaller than the delayed output voltage, the selecting circuit selects the reference voltage as the control voltage. |
| US09442495B2 |
Method for supplying a drive unit
A method supplies a gas, stored in multiple vessels, to a drive assembly of a motor vehicle. Each vessel is assigned a valve for opening and closing the vessel and a gas sensor, in the form of a temperature sensor, for determining a temperature as a state variable of the gas in the vessel. The vessels are connected to the drive assembly via a common line. Along the common line, there is arranged at least one gas sensor, which is common to all of the vessels, for determining at least one state variable of the gas. For the supply to the drive assembly, in each case only one of the valves is opened and all of the other valves are closed. The open valve is closed when at least one determined state variable deviates from a setpoint value by a tolerance value. |
| US09442494B2 |
Cosmetic blending machine for foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, nail polish, blush, hair dye, lipstick and other products
A colorimeter, webcam, camera, spectrophotometer, scanner or other instrument measures the color composition and conditions and texture of a person's body part or presented beauty product and an individual custom formulation is produced. A presented beauty product may include foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, blush, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner and eye shadow. The produced custom formulation may comprise foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, blush, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner, eye shadow or other consumer products. A computer system 301 includes a processor 501 and a non-transitory, computer readable medium 500 containing machine readable instructions that accept data from a colorimeter 300 or like instrument and uses a main executable program 502 and a subroutine 504 for color analysis. |
| US09442493B2 |
System for regulating pressure differentials on a fluid
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a system for regulating a pressure differential includes a plurality of valving elements and a valve activation system. Each of the plurality of valving elements are configured to selectively allow and restrict at least a portion of a flow of fluid between an inlet and an outlet of a conduit through a respective opening and closing of each respective valving element. The valve activation system is configured to supply a common driving pressure to the plurality of valving elements. The common driving pressure is configured to initiate at least one of the opening or closing of the plurality of valving elements or to initiate the other of the opening or closing of the plurality of valving elements. |
| US09442489B2 |
Method for coordinating the operation of motor vehicles that drive in fully automated mode
In a method for coordinating operation of motor vehicles driving fully automated, a trajectory described by a driving intervention is determined for each motor vehicle from status information of the motor vehicle, whereafter it is determined by an on-board vehicle system whether a coordination condition exists that requires coordination. If a coordination condition exists, trajectory data describing the trajectory are exchanged between the motor vehicles via a communication link through an on-board communication device and the trajectory is checked for conflicts caused by spatial and temporal overlap of the trajectories of at least two motor vehicles and/or because at least one of the motor vehicles did not reach its destination. If a conflict exists, the trajectory of a motor vehicle participating in the conflict is adjusted based on an arbitration rule evaluated by an arbitration device, whereafter the driving interventions described by the trajectory are performed by each motor vehicle. |
| US09442485B1 |
Pixel based image tracking system for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) action camera system
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may select a subject to track or follow and capture images including the subject. A visual recognition system of the UAV may generate a profile of reference images portraying the subject breaking the reference images down into pixel sets corresponding to the subject and his/her components and distinguishing characteristics (body parts, clothing, facial features, accessories). The visual recognition system may break the incoming stream of incoming images into pixel sets, analyzing the pixel sets to distinguish the subject from his/her surroundings (i.e., in a crowd) and determine movement of the subject and the current orientation of the UAV to the subject. The UAV may then change its heading, velocity, or position based on any difference between the current orientation and the desired or predetermined orientation between the UAV and the subject. |
| US09442479B2 |
Wire electric discharge machine controller, wire electric discharge machine, and wire electric discharge machining method
A wire electric discharge machining program is analyzed and a target shape for a workpiece is created. Multiple amounts of adjustment by which the amount of wire radius compensation for a wire electrode is adjusted are set. One or more desired ones are selected from the amounts of adjustment, and the amount of wire radius compensation is calculated by adding the selected amount(s) of adjustment to the amount of wire radius compensation. A machining route which is offset from the created target shape by the calculated amount of wire radius compensation is created. |
| US09442478B2 |
Systems, circuits and a method for generating a configurable feedback
A system can generate a configurable feedback. The system includes a number of circuitries that are coupled to a number of drivers and connected to each other in a chain via a single-wire connection. Control circuitry is connected to the plurality of circuitries and adapted to output configuration data to at least one circuitry of the plurality of circuitries to configure a feedback signal to be delivered by the plurality of circuitries to the control circuitry via the single-wire connection. |
| US09442475B2 |
Method and system to unify and display simulation and real-time plant data for problem-solving
A computer-based method and system brings together data from two business domains: real-time actual plant status operation data and predictive process simulation data based upon a design specification. This method and system correlates the plant data and the simulation data, and displays the results side-by-side for the user. The results assist the user, to determine whether the plant is operating properly, and to make further improvements to both the plant assets and to the simulation models. The invention assists with monitoring, maintaining, trouble shooting, and problem solving of plant operation. The invention facilitates a progressive visual collaborative environment between plant operation and process engineering teams, where engineers from respective domains may socialize and trouble shoot problems. The Progressive Visual Collaboration helps professionals with searching, sharing, mapping, analyzing, framing problems, removing ambiguity and uncertainty by considering facts and figures, and providing a progressive workflow that solves plant problems. |
| US09442474B2 |
Location-aware operation based on bluetooth positioning within a structure
In one embodiment, location aware operation is provided using Bluetooth positioning. A Bluetooth-enabled handheld device is operated within a structure. Received Bluetooth signal strengths are measured for a plurality of Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver units dispersed within the structure, where respective ones of the plurality of Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver units are located on separate floors, in separate rooms, or in different portions of a same room. Based on the received Bluetooth signal strengths, a single Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is selected. A location of the selected Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is assigned to the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device. A first electronic device is controlled based on the assigned location. In response to movement by a user of the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device within the structure, a location of a different Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is reassigned to the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device. A second electronic device is controlled based on the reassigned location. |
| US09442466B2 |
System, method and apparatus for creating and maintaining biometric secure safe deposit boxes, and similar containers and facilities
A method for commissioning a collection of electronic locks by inserting the same electronic key into each of the locks and recording in the electronic key an internal code unique to that lock which identifies the lock and is needed to open the lock and a method for biometrically permitting controlled secure access to a container having one of the commissioned electronic locks. |
| US09442465B2 |
Electronic timepiece and control method of electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece includes a solar power source, a voltage stabilizer circuit that generates a constant voltage by using power supplied from the solar power source, and a control circuit that clocks the time by driving a rotating body at first hand operation speed and at second hand operation speed which is faster than the first hand operation speed. The control circuit selects a voltage of the solar power source so as to drive the rotating body in a case of the first hand operation speed, and selects at least any one voltage of the constant voltage and the voltage of the solar power source so as to drive the rotating body in a case of the second hand operation speed. |
| US09442463B2 |
Time-to-digital converter (TDC) with offset cancellation
Described is an apparatus which comprises: a switching device to receive first and second inputs, and to generate first and second outputs; and a time-to-digital converter (TDC) core to receive the first and second outputs, and to generate a third output, wherein the switching device is operable to couple the first input to the first output or to couple the first input to the second output according to a control input. |
| US09442457B2 |
Image forming apparatus with removable process units
An image forming apparatus includes a moving member configured to be moved with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus while supporting an image bearing member and a developer bearing member and configured to move between an inner position in which the moving member is located inside the main body and an outer position in which the moving member is located outside the main body so that the developer bearing member is removable from the moving member; a transfer device provided in the main body opposite to the image bearing member when the moving member is located in the inner position, and configured to transfer a developer image formed on the image bearing member; and a biasing member provided on the moving member and configured to bias the image bearing member toward the transfer device when the moving member is located in the inner position. |
| US09442452B2 |
Image forming apparatus comprising connecting mechanism configured to electrically connect high-voltage board and unit
An image forming apparatus includes a unit, a high-voltage board and a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes a first connecting member, a first holding member, a coupling member and a second connecting member. The first connecting member includes a first spring terminal. The first spring terminal includes a first large diameter part and a first small diameter part. The first holding member has a first contact part coming into contact with an end part of the first small diameter part at a side of the first large diameter part in a state where the first holding member is coupled with the coupling member. The coupling member has a second contact part coming into contact with an end part of the first large diameter part at a side of the first small diameter part in the state where the first holding member is coupled with the coupling member. |
| US09442451B2 |
Electroconductive member for electrophotography, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image-forming apparatus
Provided is an electroconductive member for electrophotography which is suppressed in adhesion of a contaminant to a surface thereof. The electroconductive member for electrophotography includes, in this order, an electroconductive support, an electroconductive elastic layer, and a surface layer. The surface layer contains a binder resin and electroconductive fine particles having a number average particle diameter of 5.0 nm or more and 50.0 nm or less. At least part of the electroconductive fine particles are exposed from the surface layer. The surface layer has, on a surface thereof, protruded portions derived from exposed portions of the electroconductive fine particles. The surface layer has a volume resistivity of 1.0×1010 Ωcm or more and 1.0×1016 Ωcm or less and a universal hardness at a depth of 1 μm from the surface thereof of 1.0 N/mm2 or more and 7.0 N/mm2 or less. |
| US09442449B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus configured such that a primarily-transferred toner image is secondarily transferred onto a recording material at a secondary transfer portion formed between a transfer belt and a secondary transfer roller, includes a belt unit configured to support the transfer belt in a rotatable manner; and a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the recording material toward the secondary transfer portion. Both the belt unit and the sheet feeding unit are positioned and fixed on the same main stay, so that higher printing accuracy is achieved in consideration of a mutual positional relationship between the sheet feeding portion and the image forming portion. |
| US09442448B2 |
Medium transport unit, recording apparatus, and image reading apparatus
A medium transport unit includes an upstream route in which a print sheet is transported, a first switchback route, a second switchback route, a first guide route, a second guide route, a guide flap configured to switch the route so that the print sheet in the upstream route is transported either toward the first guide route or toward the second guide route, a first discharge route from which the print sheet in the first switchback route is discharged, a second discharge route from which the print sheet in the second switchback route is discharged, and a downstream route passing between the first switchback route and the second switchback route and having an upstream end connected to a junction of downstream ends of the first discharge route and the second discharge route. |
| US09442445B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image reading apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a receiving unit; a printing unit; a power feed unit including a non-power saving mode and a power saving mode, the power feed unit configured to change the mode; an input unit configured to receive an input of a switching instruction; a switching unit configured to switch the mode from the non-power saving mode to the power saving mode when a stop condition is satisfied, the switching unit configured to switch the mode when the switching instruction is input; and a change unit configured to change the stop condition to a second condition which is more likely not to be satisfied than a first condition, after the mode is changed from the non-power saving mode to the power saving mode and when the mode is switched from the power saving mode to the non-power saving mode by the switching instruction. |
| US09442444B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
In a fixing device, on a receiving surface of a separating plate provided at a downstream side of a nip part formed between the fixing roller and the pressing roller, a catch part is formed in an edge part facing the nip part. When a direction of a sheet ejected from the nip part comes close to the fixing roller, a front end part of the sheet is caught by the catch part, and the sheet is largely bent or leaps up. A position detector detects the bending or leaping up of the sheet and recognizes that the direction of the sheet ejected from the nip part comes close to the fixing roller. The controller decreases force for pressing the fixing roller and the pressing roller or a fixing temperature, whereby the direction of the sheet ejected from the nip part is deviated from the fixing roller. |
| US09442442B1 |
Image forming apparatus capable of switching a fixing temperature when recording medium is metallic paper
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section and a fixing section. The image forming section forms a toner image and transfers the toner image to a recording medium. The fixing section heats the recording medium, to which the toner image is transferred, to fix the toner image to the recording medium. The fixing section is capable of switching a fixing temperature between a first fixing temperature and a second fixing temperature lower than the first fixing temperature. If the recording medium is metallic paper including a metallic layer and a resin layer that covers the metallic layer, the fixing section heats the recording medium at the second fixing temperature to fix the toner image to the recording medium. |
| US09442441B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes a guide member including a guide portion, which is disposed downstream from a nip in a rotational direction of an endless belt and is in contact with the endless belt, and a gap forming portion, which is disposed between the nip and the guide portion in the rotational direction of the endless belt and which forms a gap from the endless belt. The gap forming portion includes an inclined surface that extends from the guide portion upstream in the rotational direction and has a predetermined area, on which a lubricant is provided. A maximum inclination angle between the predetermined area and a plane that is defined to contact a downstream end, in the rotational direction, of the contact portion of the nip member and the guide portion is less than 90 degrees. |
| US09442439B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including a windbreak plate covering a thermistor from a paper entry path side
A windbreak plate is assembled to a thermistor mounting member for mounting a thermistor to a housing, and the thermistor is covered by the windbreak plate from a paper entry path side. The thermistor mounting member has exposure parts which are exposed to the paper entry path from the windbreak plate. The exposure parts (a second plate part and a third plate part) are level with the windbreak plate and constitutes a part of the windbreak plate. |
| US09442438B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a charging device configured to uniformly charge a surface of a photoconductive element; an image writing device configured to write an image in the charged photoconductive element by light to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing device configured to visualize the formed electrostatic latent image as a toner image; a transfer device configured to transfer the toner image to a sheet recording medium; a fixing device configured to fix the transferred toner image onto the medium; and a surface information detecting device configured to detect surface information of a fixing member of the fixing device. The surface information detecting device radiates optical spots on a surface of the fixing member in a direction crossing a conveying direction, receives reflected light of each optical spot, and detects the surface information of the fixing device based on the detection results of the reflective lights. |
| US09442436B1 |
Image forming apparatus and conveyance speed control method
An image forming apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer belt to which a toner image is transferred in a primary transfer process; a transfer roller configured to transfer the toner image onto a long paper sheet in a secondary transfer process by following rotation of the intermediate transfer belt when pressed by the intermediate transfer belt; and a fixing device configured to fix the toner image transferred in the secondary transfer process by the transfer roller, onto the paper sheet; a temperature estimating unit; and a speed control unit, wherein the fixing device includes: a heating conveyance roller provided on a lower surface side of the paper sheet; and a fixing roller provided on an upper surface side of the paper sheet, the fixing roller facing the heating conveyance roller. |
| US09442435B2 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus and fixing method
In accordance with one embodiment, a fixing device comprises a pressing roller configured to be rotationally driven by a motor; an endless fixing belt configured to be driven to rotate through the rotation of the pressing roller; a fixing pad configured to be contacted with the inner periphery of the fixing belt and be pressed against the pressing roller to form a fixing nip; a lubricant configured to be coated on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt; an exciting coil configured to generate a magnetic field; a magnetic shunt alloy member configured to abut along one part of the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt; a shield member configured to face the inner side of the magnetic shunt alloy member; and a flow-out prevention section configured to prevent the lubricant from flowing into a gap between the magnetic shunt alloy member and the shield member. |
| US09442423B2 |
Developing cartridge capable of facilitating toner circulation at developing roller support portion
A developing cartridge includes: a first frame; and a second frame melt-bonded to the first frame. The first frame includes: a first melt-bonding surface; and a second melt-bonding surface closer to a developing roller than the first melt-bonding surface. The second frame includes: a third melt-bonding surface; a fourth melt-bonding surface; and a center surface facing the first frame. The center surface is closer to an axial center region of the developing roller than the fourth melt-bonding surface in the axial direction. The center surface has a first center surface and a second center surface closer to the developing roller than the first center surface in the first direction. The second center surface forms an obtuse angle with the first center surface and is separated from the first frame farther than the fourth melt-bonding surface in a direction perpendicular to the fourth melt-bonding surface. |
| US09442422B1 |
Powder storage container, developer replenishment device, and image forming apparatus
A powder storage container includes a storage container body, a movable member, and a restricting portion. The storage container body stores powder therein, and includes a supply portion that supplies the powder. The movable member is provided to the storage container body, and is movable between a closed position at which the supply portion is closed and a supply position at which the supply portion is able to supply the powder. The restricting portion is provided on an inner side with respect to an outer peripheral shape of the movable member to restrict movement of the movable member to the supply position. |
| US09442420B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a developer bearer and a toner pattern bearer rotatable in a given direction of rotation to bear an adjustment toner pattern formed with the developer bearer. A toner pattern detector detects an amount of reflection light reflected by the adjustment toner pattern on the toner pattern bearer. A controller performs an adjustment mode to convert the detected amount of reflection light into a toner adhesion amount of toner of the adjustment toner pattern adhered to the toner pattern bearer. The controller forms an adhesion amount suppressing toner image on an upstream region on the toner pattern bearer that is upstream from the adjustment toner pattern in the direction of rotation of the toner pattern bearer. The upstream region is defined by a circumferential length of the developer bearer in the direction of rotation of the toner pattern bearer. |
| US09442418B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes: a developing container for accommodating developer, a developer carrying member, and a plate-like elastic member. In a state in which the elastic member contacts the developer carrying member without being deformed, an angle formed between a flat reference surface passing through a surface of the elastic member which is continuous to a contact portion of the elastic member with the developer carrying member and which is downstream of the contact portion with respect to the movement direction and a tangent plane of the developer carrying member and a contact position between the elastic member and the developer carrying member is 10° or more and 45° or less, and the elastic member includes a first region including the contact portion and a second region which is provided continuously from the first region toward the supporting portion and which is lower in rigidity than the first region. |
| US09442414B2 |
Image forming apparatus that reduces development gap variation at both end portions of developing roller
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body, a first driving mechanism, a first drive unit, an image carrier, a developing device, and a biasing member. The first drive unit includes an input unit to which a rotary drive power is transmitted from the first driving mechanism. The developing device is removably attachable to the image forming apparatus body. The biasing member biases the developing device toward the image carrier side. The developing device includes a developing roller supplying toner onto the image carrier, and a developing unit housing and supporting the developing roller. The first drive unit is located at one end portion in an axial direction of the developing roller. The developing unit swings to come close to the image carrier by the biasing member biasing the developing unit. The developing unit is swingable with respect to the first drive unit. |
| US09442407B2 |
Apparatus, controller, and method of forming multicolor toner image
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer condition setting device to set a patch image transfer condition under which multiple patch images of respective component colors are transferred from an image bearer onto a recording medium conveyor. The transfer condition setting device sets a prescribed transfer condition that decreases a difference in transfer efficiency of toner between the respective component colors when the multiple patch images of respective component colors are transferred onto the recording medium conveyor below a difference in transfer efficiency of toner between the multiple component colors caused when transferred under the same transfer condition as a multicolor toner image is transferred onto a recording medium. A correcting device corrects an image forming condition to reduce an amount of misalignment caused in the multiple component colors of the multicolor toner image based on times of outputs from a patch image position sensor. |
| US09442406B2 |
Image forming apparatus for determining a difference in lightness between colors in toner image forming units
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member, first transfer units, and second transfer units. Images of reference colors and other colors are transferred onto the transfer member being rotated. The first transfer units each transfer the image of a corresponding one of the reference colors. The second transfer units disposed upstream of the first transfer units in a rotational direction of the transfer member each transfer the image of a corresponding one of the other colors. The image of one of the reference colors is transferred by one of the first transfer units disposed most upstream. The other colors include at least one color of lightness lower than lightness of the one of the reference colors of the image transferred by the one of the transfer units. The highest-lightness image among the other colors is transferred by one of the second transfer units disposed most downstream. |
| US09442404B1 |
Electrostatic-image-developing toner, electrostatic image developer, and toner cartridge
There is provided an electrostatic-image-developing toner containing: a toner particle which contains a binder resin containing a polyester resin, a release agent, and a styrene (meth)acrylic resin and in which the styrene (meth)acrylic resin forms a domain having a number average diameter of 300 nm to 800 nm in the toner particle; and an inorganic particle in which the number average diameter of the domain is from 1.5 times to 10 times the number average particle diameter of the inorganic particle. |
| US09442403B2 |
Toner, developer, and image forming apparatus
Provided is a toner, including: a crystalline resin; and a colorant, wherein the toner has a sea island structure in which a crystal region containing the crystalline resin is formed as a sea, and a non-crystalline region containing the colorant is formed as an island. |
| US09442400B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor including a copolymer polyarylate resin, production method therefor, electrophotographic device including the photoreceptor, and production method for the copolymer polyarylate resin
An electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer which includes, as a resin binder, a copolymeric polyarylate resin having structural units of a Chemical Structural Formula 1, a method of producing the photoreceptor, an electrophotographic device including the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a method of preparing the copolymeric polyarylate resin are provided. The electrophotographic photoreceptor reduces the amount of abrasion at the surface of a photoreceptor drum and lowers frictional resistance from the beginning until the end of printing, and moreover provides good images. |
| US09442397B2 |
Device for controlling temperature of an optical element
A device serves for controlling temperature of an optical element provided in vacuum atmosphere. The device has a cooling apparatus having a radiational cooling part, arranged apart from the optical element, for cooling the optical element by radiation heat transfer. A controller serves for controlling temperature of the radiational cooling part. Further, the device comprises a heating part for heating the optical element. The heating part is connected to the controller for controlling the temperature of the heating part. The resulting device for controlling temperature in particular can be used with an optical element in a EUV microlithography tool leading to a stable performance of its optics. |
| US09442396B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, device manufacturing method, and carrier method
An exposure apparatus is equipped with a coarse movement stage which can move along an XY plane and includes a first section and a second section that can come close to and separate from each other, a fine movement stage which holds wafer W and is supported relatively movable at least within the XY plane by the coarse movement stage, and a drive system which drives the fine movement stage supported by the coarse movement stage independently or integrally with the coarse movement stage. Further, the exposure apparatus is equipped with a relay stage which can deliver the fine movement stage to/from the coarse movement stage. |
| US09442395B2 |
Substrate holder, lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method, and method of manufacturing a substrate holder
A substrate holder for a lithographic apparatus has a main body having a thin-film stack provided on a surface thereof. The thin-film stack forms an electronic or electric component such as an electrode, a sensor, a heater, a transistor or a logic device, and has a top isolation layer. A plurality of burls to support a substrate are formed on the thin-film stack or in apertures of the thin-film stack. |
| US09442390B2 |
Fluid handling structure including gas supply and gas recovery openings, a lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method
A fluid handling structure for a lithographic apparatus, the fluid handling structure having, at a boundary from a space configured to contain immersion fluid to a region external to the fluid handling structure: a meniscus pinning feature to resist passage of immersion fluid in a radially outward direction from the space; a plurality of gas supply openings in a linear array at least partly surrounding and radially outward of the meniscus pinning feature; and a gas recovery opening radially outward of the plurality of gas supply openings in a linear array. |
| US09442387B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet lithography process
A process of an extreme ultraviolet lithography is disclosed. The process includes receiving an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask, an EUV radiation source and an illuminator. The process also includes exposing the EUV mask by a radiation, originating from the EUV radiation source and directed by the illuminator, with a less-than-three-degree chief ray angle of incidence at the object side (CRAO). The process further includes removing most of the non-diffracted light and collecting and directing the diffracted light and the not removed non-diffracted light by a projection optics box (POB) to expose a target. |
| US09442377B1 |
Wet-strippable silicon-containing antireflectant
Wet-strippable antireflective compositions comprising one or more silicon-containing polymers that are free of Q-monomers and hydridosilanes as polymerized units are provided. These compositions are useful in the manufacture of various electronic devices. |
| US09442376B2 |
Positive resist composition and patterning process
A positive resist composition is provided comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having a carboxyl or phenolic hydroxyl group substituted with an acid labile group and recurring units of furaneol ester, and having a Mw of 1,000-500,000. The resist composition has a satisfactory effect of suppressing acid diffusion and a high resolution, and forms a pattern of good profile and minimal edge roughness after exposure. |
| US09442374B2 |
Coloring composition, method for manufacturing a color filter using the same, color filter and solid-state imaging device
There is provided a coloring composition including: a colorant; and a resin, wherein a content of the colorant is 50% by mass or more based on total solids of the coloring composition, and a solid acid number of a resin having a highest solid acid number among all kinds of resins contained in the coloring composition, is 80 mg KOH/g or less. |
| US09442373B2 |
Method of producing color filter and solid-state imaging device having colored composition containing color agent
The invention is directed to a colored composition containing a coloring agent and a resin, wherein a content of the coloring agent to a total solid content of the colored composition is 50% by weight or more and a solid content acid value of the resin is more than 80 mg KOH/g, and a method of producing a color filter including forming a first colored layer containing a first colored composition and patterning with dry etching so as to from a through-hole group in the first colored layer, wherein the first colored composition is the colored composition as defined herein. |
| US09442369B1 |
Method and apparatus for lithographic mask production
An electro-deposition apparatus deposits a first pattern of a lithographic mask. The electro-deposition apparatus then deposits a second pattern of the lithographic mask, at least partially offset from the first pattern. The resulting lithographic mask includes a first pattern having a minimum feature resolution size and maximum pitch, and a second pattern having the same minimum feature resolution size and maximum pitch. The first pattern and second pattern are at least partially offset such that a fractional portion of the second pattern is realized and light transmission is more precisely controlled. |
| US09442368B2 |
Method of making an extreme ultraviolet pellicle
The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) pellicle having an pellicle film connected to a pellicle frame without a supportive mesh, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming a cleaving plane within a substrate. A pellicle frame is attached to an upper surface of the substrate, and the substrate is cleaved along the cleaving plane to form a pellicle film attached to the pellicle frame. The method forms the pellicle without using a support structure, which may block EUV radiation and cause substantial non-uniformities in the intensity of EUV radiation incident on an EUV reticle. |
| US09442366B2 |
Layout pattern and photomask including the same
A layout pattern and a photomask including the layout pattern are provided. The layout pattern includes a plurality of main patterns and at least one auxiliary pattern. The main patterns are arranged in parallel to one another and extend in a first direction. The at least one auxiliary pattern is located between two outermost main patterns and connects the two outermost main patterns. The at least one auxiliary pattern is arranged in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. |
| US09442364B2 |
Mask blank for reflection-type exposure, and mask for reflection-type exposure
A reflective exposure mask blank and a reflective exposure mask are provided, and the mask enables accurate exposure and transcription without having light being reflected from areas other than a circuit pattern area. The reflective mask blank has, on a substrate (11), a multilayer reflective film (12), a protective film (13), an absorption film (14), and a reverse-surface conductive film (15). A reverse-surface conductive film is formed from indium tin oxide. The substrate contains SiO2, TiO2, and at least one oxide of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), gold (Au), and neodymium (Nd). The reflective mask is manufactured by forming a circuit pattern by selectively stripping the absorption film on the reflective mask blank, and forming a light-shielding frame by stripping the multilayer reflective film, the protective film, and the absorption film around the circuit pattern. |
| US09442357B2 |
Spectral filtering of phosphor color wheels
A projection light source has a source of laser light of a first color. A first member has first and second phosphor material segments respectively configured to emit light of second and third colors when illuminated by the laser light of the first color. A second member has first and second dichroic filter segments respectively configured to pass the light of the second and third colors emitted by the first and second phosphor material segments, while blocking light of the others of the first, second and third colors. Relative placements of the first and second members are synchronized to periodically align the first member with the laser light source and the second member with the first member, so that the first dichroic filter segment will pass the second color along a path at first time intervals when the second color is emitted by the first phosphor material and the second dichroic filter segment will pass the third color along at least a same portion of the path at second time intervals when the third color is emitted by the second phosphor material. |
| US09442354B2 |
Optical projection device for an icon display element
A simple optical projection device with a high luminous efficacy has a point light source, a projection screen, a mask that is arranged in the light path upstream of the projection screen and is light-transmissive in some areas, and a light focusing optical lens arranged between the point light source and the mask. The optical lens is selected such that the prolongations of the emerging beams of the optical lens on the side thereof facing the point light source intersect in a virtual perspective center which is more remote from the lens than the point light source. |
| US09442348B2 |
Imaging device and interchangeable lens arranged to have a reduced amount of magnetic field reaching an image pickup element
A first magnetic body is arranged between a coil and an image pickup element, and has an opening through which light directed from an imaging optical system toward the image pickup element passes. A second magnetic body is arranged at a position on the coil side with respect to the first magnetic body in an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system. The second magnetic body is arranged such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the first magnetic body when seen in the optical axis direction, at a position on the coil side with respect to the opening. The second magnetic body is made of a ferromagnetic material having higher relative permeability than that of the first magnetic body, and has a smaller area than that of the first magnetic body when seen in the optical axis direction. |
| US09442346B2 |
Lighting and power devices and modules
Electronic device cases and lighting and power devices and modules are described. A case for a portable electronic device may include a rim portion defining an opening for a display of the portable electronic device and one or more light sources adjacent to the rim portion. A lighting device may include one or more light sources for illuminating a user's face during use of a camera of a portable electronic device, and a power member for providing power to the one or more light sources. A lighting module may include a plurality of lighting devices. A power module having a battery may be configured to provide power to a portable electronic device. |
| US09442342B2 |
Electro-optic system configured to reduce a perceived color change
An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (hab) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (hab′) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (Δhab) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees. |
| US09442341B2 |
Onboard controller for multistate windows
Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. |
| US09442337B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and including a first subpixel electrode including a plurality of first branch electrodes and a second subpixel electrode which is separated from the first subpixel electrode, includes a plurality of second branch electrodes, and encloses the first subpixel electrode, a compensation electrode positioned between the first subpixel electrode and the second subpixel electrode, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US09442336B2 |
Liquid crystal display device preventing destruction by electro static charge
This invention envisages having flexible wiring substrate terminals serving to connect with the wires for preventing dielectric breakdown caused by static electricity during the manufacturing process, and reducing the number of the flexible wiring substrate terminals. On a mother TFT substrate, signal lines extend over each liquid crystal cell in a manner flanking a scribe line between the adjacent liquid crystal cells. The signal lines of each liquid crystal cell are connected with connecting lines striding the scribe line. This reduces the number of static electricity countermeasure wires extending from the flexible wiring substrate terminals of each liquid crystal cell. Once completed, the individual liquid crystal cells are separated from one another, with no adverse effects caused by the connecting lines. |
| US09442334B2 |
Array substrate and liquid crystal display panel
The present invention proposes an array substrate includes two or more pixel structure areas formed by different lenses, with each pixel structure area comprising a plurality of sub-areas, and each sub-area comprising a plurality of pixel structures. Since pixel structures in the sub-areas next to a junction of two pixel structure areas are distributed based on density, a brightness of sub-areas next to the junction can be displayed in uniformity. |
| US09442332B2 |
Phase modulator for the modulation of light which interacts with the phase modulator
A phase modulator for the modulation of the phase of circular polarised light which interacts with the phase modulator. The phase modulator has a first and a second substrate, an electrode arrangement and a liquid crystal layer with liquid crystal molecules. The first substrate is disposed adjacent to the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the two substrates. The first substrate has a first surface, and the second substrate has a second surface. The liquid crystal molecules situated next to the first surface are oriented substantially parallel to the first surface. The liquid crystal molecules situated next to the second surface are oriented substantially perpendicular to the second surface. An in-plane component of the liquid crystal molecule orientation can be set within an angular range of about 180°, e.g. between −90° and +90° related to a specifiable central orientation. |
| US09442330B2 |
Embedded touch screen liquid crystal display device and touch drive method thereof
An in-cell touch panel liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The display device also includes a common electrode layer disposed on a side of the second substrate facing the first substrate, where the common electrode layer includes a plurality of first common electrodes and a plurality of second common electrodes both arranged in a matrix. In addition, the first common electrodes and the second common electrodes are configured to detect a touched position on the in-cell touch panel liquid crystal display device. |
| US09442328B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device may include a substrate, a first roof layer formed of a material, a second roof layer formed of the material and spaced from the substrate, and a subpixel electrode disposed between the substrate and the first roof layer. The display device may further include a common electrode member disposed between the subpixel electrode and the first roof layer. The common electrode member may overlap the first roof layer in a first direction without extending beyond the first roof layer in a second direction. The first direction may be perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. The second direction may be parallel to the surface of the substrate. The display device may further include a liquid crystal set disposed between the subpixel electrode and the common electrode member. |
| US09442327B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device can include a first substrate including first and second pixel regions; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a thin film transistor in each of the first and second pixel regions; a pixel electrode on the first substrate and in each of the first and second pixel regions, the pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a common electrode on the first substrate or the second substrate; first and second column spacers on the second substrate and corresponding to the first and second pixel regions, respectively; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein a first relative position of the first column spacer in the first pixel region is different from a second relative position of the second column spacer in the second pixel region. |
| US09442326B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An array substrate including a first substrate, an under-resin layer formed on one surface of the first substrate, a display area, and an integrated circuit mounted on a mounting portion located apart from the under-resin layer. A counter substrate is arranged facing the array substrate and includes a second substrate and a shield layer formed on the second substrate for shielding a peripheral area surrounding the display area. A plurality of pillar-shaped spacers is arranged on the under-resin layer in the peripheral area, the pillar-shaped spacers formed in the seal material. Spacer area density of the pillar-shaped spacers arranged in the peripheral area adjacent to the mounting portion seen from the counter substrate side is larger than that of the pillar-shaped spacers arranged in the peripheral area not adjacent to the mounting portion. |
| US09442323B2 |
Liquid crystal panel, display device and method of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel
A liquid crystal panel, a display device and a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel are provided. In the liquid crystal panel according to the embodiments, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules (40) corresponding to a pixel display region (1) is different from the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules (40) corresponding to a wiring region (2), such that the deflection angle of the liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the pixel display region is inconsistent with that of the liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the wiring region upon the liquid crystal panel being supplied with power. The display device according to the embodiments comprises the liquid crystal panel of the present invention. The method of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel according to the embodiments comprises making the pretilt angle of the alignment layer of the wiring region (2) on the array substrate (10) larger than that of the alignment layer of the pixel display region (1). |
| US09442322B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate, a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, a first alignment layer disposed on the first substrate and the pixel electrode, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, a second alignment layer disposed on the second substrate and the common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, in which the common electrode has a first opening having a cross shape, an edge of the first opening protrudes beyond an edge of the pixel electrode, and the pixel electrode includes a second opening disposed adjacently to at least one of the edges of the pixel electrode. |
| US09442320B2 |
Display panel and display apparatus including the same
A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate which faces the first substrate and includes a light blocking pattern including a light blocking portion disposed in a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, and a light transmitting portion which is disposed in the peripheral area and includes the same material as that of the light blocking portion, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, where a thickness of the light transmitting portion taken along a vertical direction in a cross section is less than a thickness of the light blocking portion taken along the vertical direction in the cross section. |
| US09442316B2 |
Display device comprising a light-transmitting cover having a lens portion
This display device (100) includes: a display panel (10); a light-transmitting cover (20) which is arranged closer to a viewer than the display panel is so as to cover the display panel and which includes a lens portion at a position corresponding to an end portion of the display panel; and a bezel (30) including a side frame portion which covers the side surface of the display panel at least partially. The bezel (30) further includes a fixing portion (34) which is arranged at the tip of the side frame portion and in the vicinity of the side surface of the light-transmitting cover. The light-transmitting cover (20) and the fixing portion (34) of the bezel (30) are directly fixed to each other. |
| US09442312B2 |
Clip eyeglasses using goggles lens
Clip eyeglasses detachably mounted on prescription glasses, including: a goggles lens whose left and right sides are formed unitarily with each other, without having any frame, the goggles lens being made of synthetic resin in such a manner as to have higher curvature and elastic force than the prescription glasses; and fixtures mounted at both sides of the goggles lens in such a manner as to be supported against the prescription glasses, wherein the goggles lens is stretched and attached to the prescription glasses by means of the elastic force thereof, and the goggles lens is applied to the prescription glasses having different shapes and sizes. |
| US09442311B2 |
Contact lens with capacitive gaze tracking
An eye-mountable device includes an enclosure material, a capacitive sensor system, and a controller. The enclosure material has a concave surface and a convex surface. The concave surface is configured to be removeably mounted over a cornea and the convex surface is configured to be compatible with eyelid motion when the concave surface is so mounted. The capacitive sensor system is disposed within the enclosure material. The capacitive sensor system has at least one capacitance value that varies with changes in a gazing direction of the cornea. The controller is disposed within the enclosure material and electrically connected to the capacitive sensor system. The controller is configured to measure the capacitance value of the capacitive sensor system to detect the changes in the gazing direction. |
| US09442310B2 |
Capacitive gaze tracking for auto-accommodation in a contact lens
A method of capacitive gaze detection for accommodation includes monitoring at least one capacitance value of a capacitive sensor system disposed within a contact lens. The at least one capacitance value varies in response to changes in a gazing direction of a cornea upon which the contact lens is removeably mounted. The changes in the gazing direction of the cornea are detected in real-time based upon changes in the at least one capacitance value. An accommodation actuator disposed within the contact lens is manipulated to automatically change an optical power of the contact lens in response to detecting changes in the gazing direction. |
| US09442307B2 |
Multicomponent optical device having a space
The present disclosure relates generally to multicomponent optical devices having a space within the device. In various embodiments, an optical device comprises a first posterior component having an anterior surface, a posterior support component, and an anterior component having a posterior surface. An optical device can also comprise an anterior skirt. The first posterior component and the anterior skirt can comprise gas-permeable optical materials. An optical device also comprises a primary space between the posterior surface and the anterior surface, with the primary space configured to permit diffusion of a gas from a perimeter of the primary space through the space and across the anterior surface of the first posterior component. A method of forming a multicomponent optical device having a space is also provided. |
| US09442306B1 |
Lens protection systems
The present disclosure features lens protection systems that comprise multi-layer film laminates that include an optically clear protective film, which remains on the lens during use and carrier layers that are used to assist the user with applying the protective film to the lens. These systems are suitable for use with a wide variety of eyewear, including but not limited to ski goggles, tactical goggles, diving goggles, protective eyewear such as safety glasses, sun glasses, helmet visors (e.g., for football, hockey, or motorcycle helmets), and paintball masks. |
| US09442295B2 |
Beam-shaping device
A beam shaping device includes a first phase modulation unit including a phase-modulation type SLM, and displaying a first phase pattern for modulating a phase of input light, a second phase modulation unit including a phase-modulation type SLM, being optically coupled to the first phase modulation unit, and displaying a second phase pattern for further modulating a phase of light phase-modulated by the first phase modulation unit, and a control unit providing the first and second phase patterns to the first and second phase modulation units, respectively. The first and second phase patterns are phase patterns for approximating an intensity distribution and a phase distribution of light output from the second phase modulation unit, to predetermined distributions. |
| US09442294B2 |
Image display device in the form of a pair of eye glasses comprising micro reflectors
The present invention relates to an image display device (1) comprises at least one spatial light modulator (2), at least one point light source (3), wherein the light source (3) is placed in front of the spatial light modulator (2). The display device is suitable for wearable Augmented Reality (AR) and 3D displays. |
| US09442289B2 |
Display apparatus for vehicle
An display apparatus, for a vehicle, according to one embodiment includes a substrate housing portion, an optical unit, a turning member, and a plate-like attachment plate. The substrate housing portion contains a circuit substrate for outputting an image signal of an image to be displaced. The optical unit generates an image based on the image signal outputted from the circuit substrate and projects the generated image. The combiner is provided at one end of the optical unit, and the image is projected onto the combiner. The turning member connects the optical unit to the substrate housing portion in a freely rotatable manner. The plate-like attachment plate is used to mount the substrate housing portion to a rear-view mirror such that the optical unit is freely rotatable without coming into contact with the rear-view mirror inside a vehicle. |
| US09442288B2 |
Method of assembling and adjusting a multi-beam scanning optical apparatus and method of manufacturing a multi-beam scanning optical apparatus
Provided is a method of assembling and adjusting multi-beam scanning optical apparatus including a light source unit having multiple light emitting points, a deflecting unit configured to deflect multiple light beams emitted from the light source unit, and an imaging optical system configured to image the multiple light beams deflected by the deflecting unit on a surface to be scanned, the method including: adjusting incident positions of the multiple light beams in a sub-scanning direction, which are entered into an imaging optical element constituting the imaging optical system to adjust irradiated positions of the multiple light beams on the surface to be scanned; and adjusting the irradiated positions of the multiple light beams on the surface to be scanned in the sub-scanning direction without changing the incident positions. |
| US09442284B2 |
Substrate having fluid dam adapted for use an electro wetting display device
An electrowetting display device includes a first substrate comprising a wall pattern surrounding a pixel electrode disposed in a display area of the first substrate, a spaced apart second substrate comprising a common electrode and a dam member disposed in a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The dam member has sealable openings (a.k.a. sealable dam spillways) through which there is discharged an excess portion of an excessively supplied wetting layer, the discharge of the excess occurring while the first and second substrates are brought together about top and bottom portions of a sealing ring that seals them together. |
| US09442281B2 |
Microscope and shutter mechanism
To provide a shutter mechanism that has high durability and is capable of operating at high speed and a microscope that includes the shutter mechanism. A microscope according to the present technology includes an optical system, a first light-receiving element, and a shutter mechanism. The shutter mechanism includes a rotation power source that generates rotation power, a crank that converts the rotation power generated by the rotation power source into a back-and-forth movement, and a shutter connected to the crank, the shutter moving back and forth according to the crank between a first position at which a first optical path from the optical system to the first light-receiving element is blocked and a second position at which the first optical path is not blocked. |
| US09442279B2 |
Open architecture structure for trough shaped solar concentrators
A method to manufacture and produce trough shaped solar concentrators and concentrating solar collectors that have reduced wind loading compared to comparable prior art trough concentrators is disclosed. Shown are several different types of trough shaped concentrating solar collectors incorporating Open Architecture lattice geometric support structures with aerodynamic treatment of the lattice structural members. |
| US09442273B2 |
Optimized imaging apparatus for iris imaging
The invention comprises a method for configuring an imaging apparatus having an image sensor and an optical assembly. The method modifies a first imaging configuration of the imaging apparatus to achieve a second imaging configuration of said imaging apparatus, by interposing a refractive optical element between an image-side surface of the optical assembly and an imaging surface. In another embodiment, the method modifies a first imaging configuration of the imaging apparatus to achieve a second imaging configuration of said imaging apparatus by removing the refractive optical element from between an image-side surface of the optical assembly and an imaging surface. The invention additionally includes an imaging apparatus configured for switching from a first imaging configuration to a second imaging configuration. At least one of the first imaging configuration and the second imaging configuration may be configured for iris imaging. |
| US09442272B2 |
F-theta objective
An F-theta objective is provided that has five individual lenses with a first individual lens as biconcave lens with a focal length, a second individual lens as meniscus with a focal length, a third individual lens as meniscus with a focal length, a fourth individual lens as a biconvex lens with a focal length and a fifth individual lens as a plano-convex lens with a focal length and a total focal length f of the F-theta objective. A ratio between the focal lengths to the total focal length satisfies predetermined conditions. |
| US09442270B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes a barrel body, an optical system disposed inside the barrel body, a zoom motor, a focus motor, a zoom lever switch disposed on the outer circumference of the barrel body and configured to transmit a user's operation instruction to the zoom motor, and a focus lever switch disposed on the outer circumference of the barrel body and configured to transmit a user's operation instruction to the focus motor. The zoom lever switch and the focus lever switch are arranged in a region formed of first and fourth quadrants of the lens barrel. |
| US09442269B2 |
Independently adjustable mount assembly for two optical components
The invention relates to a mount assembly comprising two monolithic mounts in which optical components (1.3, 2.3), which can be translationally and rotationally adjusted in relation to each other, are held. The adjustment movements can be carried out without influencing one another, by providing one of the mounts as a rotational mount (1) and the other as a translational mount (2), which substantially only permit a translational and/or a rotational movement within the adjustment region provided. |
| US09442268B2 |
Annular optical element and optical photographing lens assembly
An annular optical element having a central opening includes, in order from the central opening to an outer boundary, an inner annular part, and an outer annular part connected to the inner annular part. A thickness of the annular optical element is uniform. |
| US09442267B2 |
Cable management panel with sliding drawer and methods
An optical fiber cable management panel includes drawer assemblies, each including a drawer slidable within a chassis. Each drawer assembly defines a storage interior and a first cable access entry to permit optical fiber cables to enter into the storage interior. A cable radius limiter is slidably mounted relative to the drawer assembly, the cable radius limiter defining a curved cable trough. A control mechanism controls movement of the radius limiter relative to the drawer assembly. The control mechanism includes a rotating member that has an axis of rotation transverse to the slidable motion of the radius limiter and normal to the radius limiter. |
| US09442259B2 |
Method for producing optical assembly and optical assembly
A method for producing an optical assembly includes the steps of forming an optical semiconductor device including a substrate, a recess and an first optical waveguide, the optical semiconductor device having a principal surface, the recess extending from the principal surface to a middle portion of the substrate; forming an optical waveguide device including a through-hole and a second optical waveguide; positioning the optical semiconductor device and the optical waveguide device so that the principal surface of the optical semiconductor device and a back surface of the optical waveguide device face each other; aligning the optical semiconductor device and the optical waveguide device by inserting a guide pin into the through-hole and the recess so that the first optical waveguide is optically coupled with the second optical waveguide; and joining the optical semiconductor device and the optical waveguide device to each other. |
| US09442257B2 |
Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector. The cable includes a jacket having an elongated transverse cross-sectional profile that defines a major axis and a minor axis. Strength components of the cable are anchored to the connector. The fiber optic connector includes a multi-fiber ferrule defining a major axis that is generally perpendicular to the major axis of the jacket and a minor axis that is generally perpendicular to the minor axis of the jacket. Certain types of connectors include a connector body defining a side opening that extends along a length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule configured for lateral insertion into the connector body through the side opening; and a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening. |
| US09442254B2 |
Method and apparatus for beam control with optical MEMS beam waveguide
A high density, low power, high performance information system, method and apparatus are described in which perpendicularly oriented processor and memory die stacks (130, 140, 150, 160, 170) include integrated deflectable MEMS optical beam waveguides (e.g., 190) at each die edge (e.g., 151) to provide optical communications (184) in and between die stacks by using a beam control method and circuit to maintain and adjust alignment over time by calibrating and updating X and Y counter values stored in deflection registers (541-542) to control DAC circuitry (546, 548) which generates and supplies deflection voltages to charging capacitors (551, 552) connected to deflection electrodes (195-197) positioned on and around each MEMS optical beam waveguide (193-194) to provide two-dimensional alignment and controlled feedback to adjust beam alignment and establish optical communication links between die stacks. |
| US09442252B2 |
Light diffusing fibers with integrated mode shaping lenses
A method including the steps of providing a light-diffusing optical fiber (12a) having a glass core (20), a cladding (40) surrounding the core (20), and a plurality of nano-sized structures in the form of voids (32) situated within said core (20) or at a core-cladding boundary; cleaving the light-diffusing fiber (12a), thereby forming a cleaved end face (66); and applying energy to one or more of 1) the cleaved end face (66) and 2) the light-diffusing fiber (12b) along a portion of the length thereof adjacent the cleaved end face (66), the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids (32) exposed at the cleaved end face (66), leaving a sealed cleaved end face (68). A lens may then be attached to the sealed cleaved end face (68), or the sealed cleaved end face (68) may be softened sufficiently to induce formation of a lensing surface such as a convex lensing surface (60) on the sealed end face (68). |
| US09442249B2 |
Method for processing silicon-based wire optical waveguide
A method is provided for processing a silicon-based wire optical waveguide, by which an optical transmission loss of the silicon-based wire optical waveguide due to ion irradiation with high energy is suppressed, and an end portion of the silicon-based wire optical waveguide that is three-dimensionally curved in a self-aligning manner is obtained. According to the method a protective film is selectively formed on the silicon-based wire optical waveguide exclusive of the end portion of the silicon-based wire optical waveguide; and ions are implanted to the silicon-based wire optical waveguide in a particular direction, so as to curve the end portion of the silicon-based wire optical waveguide to the particular direction in a self-alignment manner. |
| US09442241B2 |
Optics for illumination devices
Optics are provided for use in illumination devices the optics having a light guide, a redirecting layer including a plurality of lenses, and a plurality of reflector elements. Light from a light source enters the light guide and is guided therein until it escapes into a reflector element, which reflects at least some of the light received by the reflector element toward a corresponding lens for emission from the illumination device. |
| US09442238B2 |
Backlight module
A background module includes a light-emitting element, a light guide plate, and a light shielding structure. The light guide plate includes a reflective material layer. The reflective material layer is disposed on a top surface of the light guide plate and located near the light-emitting element. After a light beam emitted by the light-emitting element is introduced into the light shielding structure, a portion of the light beam is reflected back into the light shielding structure by the reflective material layer. On the other hand, a portion of the light beam is transmitted through the reflective material layer and absorbed by the light shielding structure. Consequently, the possibility of causing light leakage will be minimized. |
| US09442237B2 |
Method for producing light guide bodies and use thereof in lighting unit
The present invention relates to a method for producing light guide bodies and to their use in lighting units, for example for liquid crystal displays or for monitors.In particular, the present invention relates to a method for producing light guide bodies which have a thickness of at most 1 mm and contain at least 80 wt % of polymethyl methacrylate and no light-scattering constituents. |
| US09442236B2 |
Liquid crystal display including wire grid polarizer and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate. A plurality of fine metal lines is disposed on the first substrate. The plurality of fine metal lines including a plurality of small regions. A second substrate is aligned with the first substrate. A light blocking portion is disposed on the second substrate. The light blocking portion is disposed in a region between the small regions of the plurality of small regions of the plurality of fine metal lines. |
| US09442234B2 |
Method of producing roll of laminate strip with polarizing film
A method of producing a roll of an optical film laminate strip including a polarizing film includes the steps of: forming a continuous web of optical film laminate including a polarizing film which consists of a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer and has a thickness of 10 μm or less, wherein the polarizing film is formed by performing an stretching sub-step of subjecting a laminate comprising a continuous web of thermoplastic resin substrate and a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer formed on the substrate, to a uniaxial stretching in a lengthwise direction of the laminate based on 2-stage stretching consisting of preliminary in-air stretching and in-boric-acid-solution stretching; cutting the continuous web of optical film laminate along a direction parallel to the length direction to form at least one continuous web of laminate strip having a given width; and winding the continuous web of laminate strip having the given width into a roll. |
| US09442231B2 |
Colored composition, cured film, color filter, method for producing color filter, solid-state image sensor, and image display device
Provided are a colored composition which can maintain good light fastness even when placed under an environment having a low oxygen concentration for a long period of time, a cured film, a color filter, a method for producing a color filter, a solid-state image sensor, and an image display device.The colored composition includes a dye multimer (A) and a solvent (B), in which the dye multimer (A) has a partial structure derived from a xanthene dye having a cationic moiety, and also has an anionic moiety, and the content of water in the colored composition is 0.01% by mass to 3.0% by mass. |
| US09442230B2 |
Sub-wavelength extreme ultraviolet metal transmission grating and manufacturing method thereof
A method of manufacturing a sub-wavelength extreme ultraviolet metal transmission grating is disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises forming a silicon nitride self-supporting film window on a back surface of a silicon-based substrate having both surfaces polished, then spin-coating a silicon nitride film on a front surface of the substrate with an electron beam resist HSQ. Then, performing electron beam direct writing exposure on the HSQ, developing and fixing to form a plurality of grating line patterns and a ring pattern surrounding the grating line patterns. Then depositing a chrome material on the front surface of the substrate through magnetron sputtering. Then, removing the chrome material inside the ring pattern. Then, growing a gold material on the front surface of the substrate through atomic layer deposition. Lastly, removing the gold material on the chrome material outside the ring pattern as well as on and between the grating line patterns, thereby only retaining the gold material on sidewalls of the grating line patterns. |
| US09442227B2 |
Planar solar concentrators using subwavelength gratings
Light concentration of order more than 10 times using sub-wavelength diffraction gratings integrated on top and bottom surface of a planar glass substrate is claimed. The invention discloses designing of subwavelength gratings, with period less than the wavelength of light, which can effectively guide the incoming solar radiation into the glass substrate. The subwavelength gratings so designed eliminate long wavelength IR light with energy below the band gap of solar cell completely thus reducing the heating of the solar cell and eliminating the extra cooling requirement (size) thus increasing the efficacy. The subwavelength gratings integrated on top of low cost planar glass substrates and can be used for solar photovoltaic and other applications for heating/cooling purposes. |
| US09442224B2 |
Methods for producing lens arrays
A lens array for imaging image elements in an object plane, and a method of making a lens array. The lens array includes lenslets formed in or on one side of a transparent or translucent material with the image elements disposed on the opposite side, and has a gauge thickness corresponding to the distance from the apex of each lenslet to the object plane. Each lenslet has a set of lens parameters. The gauge thickness and/or at least one lens parameter is or are optimized such that each lenslet has a focal point size in the object plane which is either substantially equal to the size of the image elements in the object plane, or varies from the size of the image elements by a predetermined amount. |
| US09442221B2 |
Precursor sol of aluminum oxide, optical member, and method for producing optical member
A precursor sol of aluminum oxide contains a polycondensate formed by the hydrolysis of an aluminum alkoxide or an aluminum salt, a solvent, and an organic aluminum compound having a specific structure. An optical member is produced by a process including a step of immersing an aluminum oxide film in a hot water with a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C. to form a textured structure made of aluminum oxide crystals, the aluminum oxide film being formed by feeding the precursor sol of aluminum oxide onto a base. A method for producing an optical member includes a step of immersing an aluminum oxide film in a hot water with a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C. to form a textured structure made of aluminum oxide crystals, the aluminum oxide film being formed by feeding the precursor sol of aluminum oxide onto a base. |
| US09442220B2 |
Composition for polarizing film, polarizing film, method of manufacturing the same, and liquid crystal display provided with the polarizing film
A composition for a polarization film including a polyolefin component including polypropylene and a polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer; and a dichroic dye. |
| US09442218B2 |
Gas trap with gas analyzer system for continuous gas analysis
A gas trap with a gas analyzer for continuous gas analysis can include a sample chamber, means for agitating and creating a vortex, gas capturing chamber for receiving liberated gas, gas analyzer for providing real-time gas speciation of the liberated gas. A suction pump can pull the liberated fluid, a filtration means can condition the liberated fluid, and an exhaust port can exhaust analyzed fluid. An exhaust line can flow non-analyzed fluid to a drilling fluid storage chamber, drilling fluid stream, or both. |
| US09442213B2 |
Method of electron beam transport in an X-ray scanner
The present invention provides a multi-view X-ray inspection system. In one embodiment, a beam steering mechanism directs the electron beam from an X-ray source to multiple production targets which generate X-rays for scanning which are subsequently detected by a plurality of detectors to produce multiple image slices (views). The system is adapted for use in CT systems. In one embodiment of a CT system, an electron beam generated by a single radiation source is steered by an electron beam transport mechanism comprising at least two dipoles and a quadrupole on to a target arranged in an approximated arc. The inspection system, in any configuration, can be deployed inside a vehicle for use as a mobile detection system. |
| US09442212B2 |
Methods and devices for inspecting liquid
Methods and devices for inspecting liquid are disclosed. According to the method, it is firstly determined whether the package of the liquid is transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque; in a case that the package of the liquid is transparent or semi-transparent, Raman spectrum analysis is implemented by a Raman spectrum module on the inspected liquid to judge whether the inspected liquid is dangerous or is suspected; and in a case that the package of the inspected liquid is opaque, the inspected liquid are inspected by using an X-ray dual-energy scanning technology to judge whether the inspected liquid is dangerous or is suspected. The above solution has advantages that the inspection speed is high, the material can be recognized, it is suitable for various packing materials with various shapes, the accuracy of the inspection result is high or the like. Therefore, the solution is suitable for security inspection in public places with high security inspection requirements, complicated inspected liquids, high personnel flow rate or the like. |
| US09442211B2 |
Look ahead logging system
A technique utilizes the acquisition of data from desired subterranean regions via a logging system. The logging system is constructed for use in a wellbore and comprises a transmitter module having a transmitter antenna. Additionally, the logging system utilizes a receiver module spaced from the transmitter module and having a receiver antenna. The transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna are oriented to enable sensitivity in desired directions, such as ahead of the logging system. |
| US09442209B2 |
Methods and systems for reconstruction of low frequency particle velocity wavefields and deghosting of seismic streamer data
Computational methods and systems for deghosting marine seismic streamer data are described. In particular, an exploration-seismology vessel tows a number of streamers that form a data acquisition surface located beneath a free surface. The methods computationally deghost or substantially remove receiver ghost signals from seismic data recorded by steamer receivers. The deghosting methods include low frequency compensation to recover vertical velocity wavefield information that is typically lost due to a low signal-to-noise ratio over a low frequency range independent of the free surface conditions or the shape of the data acquisition surface. |
| US09442203B2 |
Neutron monitoring system
A neutron monitoring system for a nuclear reactor can correct measured neutron flux by taking into consideration neutron moderation based on whether a neutron detector is fully immersed in coolant water or exposed above the water level. The neutron detector and a water detection sensor are mounted at the same height in the nuclear reactor. The water detection sensor includes a thermocouple and a heating element positioned to heat the thermocouple. A temperature measuring component is connected to the thermocouple. A water existence determining component can determine, based on temperature measured by the temperature measuring component, whether the water detection sensor (and thus the neutron detector) is underwater. A correction component can correct a neutron detection signal from the neutron detector in accordance with whether the neutron detector is below or above the water level. |
| US09442196B2 |
Demodulation sensor with separate pixel and storage arrays
A demodulation image sensor, such as used in time of flight (TOF) cameras, extracts all storage- and post-processing-related steps from the pixels to another array of storage and processing elements (proxels) on the chip. The pixel array has the task of photo-detection, first processing and intermediate storage, while the array of storage and processing elements provides further processing and enhanced storage capabilities for each pixel individually. The architecture can be used to address problems due to the down-scaling of the pixel size. Typically, either the photo-sensitivity or the signal storage capacitance suffers significantly. Both a lower sensitivity and smaller storage capacitances have negative influence on the image quality. The disclosed architecture allows for keeping the storage capacitance unaffected by the pixel down-scaling. In addition to that, it provides a high degree of flexibility in integrating more intelligence into the image sensor design already on the level of the pixel array. In particular, if applied to demodulation pixels, the flexibility of the architecture allows for integrating on sensor-level concepts for multi-tap sampling, mismatch compensation, background suppression and so on, without any requirement to adjust the particular demodulation pixel architecture. |
| US09442193B2 |
Radar system and data processing device
An observation device 1 includes a transmitter and receiver (a transmitter 11, a transmission/reception switch 12, an antenna 13, and a receiver 14) that emits a predetermined radar wave to outside the observation device, and that receives the radar wave scattered by an object existing outside the observation device and acquires a received signal, a temporary image generator 15 that generates a temporary image from the received signal acquired by the transmitter and receiver, and a data transmitter 17 that transmits the temporary image generated by the temporary image generator 15 to a data processing device 2. The data processing device 2 includes a data receiver 21 that receives the temporary image transmitted by the data transmitter 17, and an image generator 24 that generates an image from both the temporary image received by the data receiver 21 and orbit data about a moving object. |
| US09442187B2 |
Object information obtaining apparatus, display method, and storage medium
An object information obtaining apparatus according to the present invention includes a fixed signal processing unit configured to perform addition processing with a predetermined weight by using a plurality of receiving signals to obtain first distribution information, and an adaptive signal processing unit configured to perform adaptive signal processing with a weight adaptively changing according to the receiving signals by using the plurality of receiving signals to obtain second distribution information, wherein the display control unit, upon reception of information about a specified area in the image of the first distribution information input by the user in a state where the image of the first distribution information is displayed, is configured to output image information for displaying on the display unit an image of the second distribution information or the combined image for the first and second distribution information, corresponding to the specified area. |
| US09442186B2 |
Interference reduction for TOF systems
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to time-of-flight (TOF) systems, and methods for use therewith, that substantially reduce interference that the TOF system may cause to at least one other system that is configured to wirelessly receive and respond to IR light signals. Some such embodiments involve emitting IR light having a low frequency (LF) power envelope that is shaped to substantially reduce frequency content within at least one frequency range known to be used by at least one other system that may be in close proximity to the TOF system. Such embodiments can also involve detecting at least a portion of the emitted RF modulated IR light that has reflected off one or more objects. A TOF system can produce depth images in dependence on results of the detecting, as well as update an application in dependence on the depth images. |
| US09442185B2 |
Non-contacting electro-magnetic spherical planar motor providing 3-axis control of a ball joint gimbal mounted electro-optic system
A ball gimbal electro-optic system comprises a ball gimbal mounted on a platform. The gimbal includes a socket mounted on the platform and an inner ball captured within the socket and free to rotate about combinations of three orthogonal axes to point a pointing axis. A directional electro-optic element is mounted within the inner ball to transmit or receive an optical beam along the pointing axis. A spherical planar motor comprises a plurality of two-dimensional drive elements configured to apply non-contacting electro-magnetic forces in planes tangential to the inner ball at at least two control points on different diameters of the inner ball in commanded two-dimensional directions within the tangential planes to rotate the inner ball within the socket to point the pointing axis. In different embodiments, the spherical planar motor may be configured as a spherical planar DC motor or a spherical planar induction motor. Other systems such as power, ball position readout and data I/O may also be configured as “non-contacting” systems to maintain the inertial stabilization of the inner ball. |
| US09442180B2 |
RFID tag distance measurer
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag distance measuring system and method is disclosed. One example includes a first replica path that receives a signal that is simultaneously transmitted to an RFID tag. The first replica path includes a plurality of taps at known distances along the first replica path. Each of the plurality of taps has a first tap input coupled with the first replica path. In addition, an RFID signal receiver receives a return signal from the RFID tag and provides the return signal along a measurement input, wherein each of the plurality of taps have a second tap input coupled with the measurement path. A distance determiner detects at least the first of the plurality of taps to have an output and determine a distance measurement to the RFID tag based thereon. |
| US09442178B2 |
Hybrid tracking device
Apparatus and methods for tracking various assets. The apparatus includes a hybrid tracking device (HTD) for tracking an associated asset. The HTD includes a personal area network (PAN) transceiver to couple the HTD to a gateway, proxy or slave HTDs. The HTD may include a sensor to generate sensor information. Alternatively, the sensor information is generated remotely. The sensor information includes a determined location and/or information characteristic of an HTD or its environment. Sensor information from one sensor is used to represent HTDs separated by the PAN. The HTD may also include a wide area network (WAN) transceiver to communicate with an asset tracking server. |
| US09442175B2 |
Capacitive sensor device and method for calibrating a capacitive sensor device
A capacitive sensor device for approach and/or contact detection has at least one generator electrode, at least one measurement electrode and at least one calibration electrode, wherein the at least one calibration electrode is arranged in a predefined distance adjacent to the at least one measurement electrode, wherein the at least one measurement electrode and the at least one calibration electrode are assigned to the generator electrode, wherein the at least one generator electrode may be loaded with a generator voltage and the at least one calibration electrode may be loaded with a calibrating voltage, and wherein the at least one calibration electrode at least may be operated in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein in each of the operating modes the calibrating voltage lies between a ground voltage and the generator voltage, and the calibrating voltage is different in each operating mode. |
| US09442171B2 |
Magnetic sensing device with reduced shield-to-shield spacing
A magnetic sensor assembly includes first and second shields each comprised of a magnetic material. The first and second shields define a physical shield-to-shield spacing. A sensor stack is disposed between the first and second shields and includes a seed layer adjacent the first shield, a cap layer adjacent the second shield, and a magnetic sensor between the seed layer and the cap layer. At least a portion of the seed layer and/or the cap layer comprises a magnetic material to provide an effective shield-to-shield spacing of the magnetic sensor assembly that is less than the physical shield-to-shield spacing. |
| US09442170B2 |
Systems and methods for processing temperature data or other signals
In an embodiment, a circuit is configured to produce a magnetic field signal having a frequency spectrum. The circuit may also produce a temperature signal. A modulation circuit may modulate the temperature signal with a frequency outside the frequency spectrum of the magnetic field signal. The modulated signal and the magnetic field signal may be combined to produce a combined signal. A separation circuit may be configured to separate component signals from the combined signal. The separation circuit may include a first filter, which, when applied to the combined signal, produces a filtered signal; a modulation circuit configured to shift the data representing the temperature signal to a baseband frequency; and a second filter configured to separate the data representing the temperature signal from the combined signal. |
| US09442168B2 |
Integrated magnetoresistive sensor, in particular three-axis magnetoresistive sensor and manufacturing method thereof
An integrated magnetoresistive device, where a substrate of semiconductor material is covered, on a first surface, by an insulating layer. A magnetoresistor of ferromagnetic material extends in the insulating layer and defines a sensitivity plane of the sensor. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material including at least one arm, extending in a transversal direction to the sensitivity plane and vertically offset to the magnetoresistor. In this way, magnetic flux lines directed perpendicularly to the sensitivity plane are concentrated and deflected so as to generate magnetic-field components directed in a parallel direction to the sensitivity plane. |
| US09442167B1 |
Method and apparatus for using tester channel as device power supply
A method and apparatus for using a tester channel as device power have been disclosed. By utilizing a tester channel output as an input, a voltage and current driver are used to boost the input which is followed by a current to voltage converter which can be used as a device power supply for a device under test. Additional tester channels may be used to sense and force voltages, measure currents, supply output voltage, and relay control, etc. for changing operation. |
| US09442159B2 |
Testing integrated circuits using few test probes
A method of testing integrated circuits, including establishing at least a first physical communication channel between a test equipment and an integrated circuit under test by having at least a first probe of the test equipment contacting a corresponding physical contact terminal of the integrated circuit under test; having the test equipment and the integrated circuit under test exchange, over said first physical communication channel, at least two signals selected from the group including at least two test stimuli and at least two test response signals, wherein said at least two signals are exchanged by means of at least one modulated carrier wave modulated by the at least two signals. |
| US09442157B2 |
Controller capable of detecting input power and generating a protection signal
A controller capable of detecting input power and generating a protection signal for a power converter, including: a high voltage start-up pin for connecting with an output terminal of an external start-up circuit; a sample-and-hold circuit for periodically sampling a voltage signal at the high voltage start-up pin to generate a detected signal; a brownout detector for generating a first power-fault signal according to the detected signal; an AC-off detector for generating a second power-fault signal according to the detected signal; and an OR gate having a first input end coupled with the first power-fault signal, a second input end coupled with the second power-fault signal, and an output end providing a third power-fault signal. |
| US09442151B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for detecting electrical disconnection between integrated circuit chip electrical connections and corresponding electrical contacts on a printed circuit board or chip socket during testing of the chip under environmental conditions
A method for detecting electrical disconnections of a chip during testing under environmental conditions includes providing n monitor connections on a chip from which a voltage or current can be sensed during testing of the chip under environmental conditions, where n is an integer of at least one. M sensing connections are provided on the chip, where m>n. An electrical circuit for electrically connects the n monitor connections with the m sensing connections. The electrical circuit has a characteristic that changes when one or more of the m sensing connections is disconnected from its corresponding contact on the printed circuit board or chip socket. The electrical circuit is monitored via the n monitor connections during the testing. It is determined based on changes in the characteristic, whether one or more of the m sensing connections is disconnected from the printed circuit board or chip socket. |
| US09442146B2 |
Multi-mode capacitive sensing device and method with current conveyor
An apparatus for and a method of sensing capacitance of one or more sensor elements in multiple capacitance sensing modes, including a self-capacitance sensing mode and a mutual capacitance sensing mode. |
| US09442145B2 |
Capacitive sensor for a vehicle
A capacitive sensor for a vehicle includes an evaluation unit as well as a first transmission electrode and a second transmission electrode for transmitting a respectively associated first measurement signal and second measurement signal. The two transmission electrodes are connected to a respective first and second transmitter output of the evaluation unit through an assigned first and second transmission line respectively. The evaluation unit alternately outputs the first measurement signal via the first transmitter output and the second measurement signal via the second transmitter output. The evaluation unit also connects the respective non-transmitting second or first transmitter output to reference potential. Alternatively, a common transmission electrode may output the measurement signal which is then picked up by first and second receiver electrodes. |
| US09442142B2 |
Sensor arrangement and method for operation of a sensor arrangement
A sensor arrangement, in particular for a non-contacting measurement, comprises a signal generator (SRC) which is connected to a first electrode (EL1). A first detector (Det1) is connected to the first electrode (EL1), and is designed for a capacitive measurement by means of the first electrode (EL1). A second detector (Det2) is connected to a second electrode (EL2) and is designed to use the first and the second electrodes (EL1, EL2) to carry out a capacitive measurement. A method for operation of the sensor arrangement is likewise specified. |
| US09442140B2 |
Average current mode control of multi-phase switching power converters
Exemplary embodiments are related to switching power converters. A switching power converter may comprise a plurality of control unit configured for average current mode control, wherein each control unit of the plurality comprises a dedicated proportional control unit. The switching power converter may further comprise an integrator coupled to each control unit of the plurality of control unit and configured to convey a signal to each control unit. |
| US09442137B2 |
Method and arrangement for determining an electrical characteristics at a regulation point
A method for determining electrical characteristics at a point of regulation to which plural energy providing/production units are connected via a common node is provided. The electrical characteristics at an output terminal of each of the plural energy providing/production units are measured in order to obtain plural measured electrical characteristics. Circuit configuration information about a configuration of a circuitry connected between the plural energy providing/production units and the point of regulation is obtained. Electrical characteristics at the point of regulation are calculated based on the plural measured electrical characteristics and the circuit configuration information. |
| US09442134B2 |
Signal path switch and probe card having the signal path switch
A probe card, which is between a tester and a device under test (DUT), includes two first electrical lines, two second electrical lines, two inductive elements, and a capacitor. The first electrical lines are electrically connected to the probes respectively. The second electrical lines are electrically connected to the first electrical lines respectively. The inductive elements are electrically connected to the first electrical lines and the tester respectively; and the capacitor has opposite ends connected to the second electrical lines respectively. |
| US09442129B2 |
Automatic analyzer
An automatic analyzer cleans dispensing nozzles that dispense a sample or reagent using a rinse tank. The rinse tank includes first and second rinse liquid discharge ports arranged along the bottom and top of the rinse tank, respectively. The first rinse liquid discharge ports face the top of the rinse tank. The second rinse liquid discharge ports supply rinse liquid to flow to an exterior of the dispensing nozzles when aligned therewith. Each dispensing nozzle is rinsed by moving from a first position aligned with one of the first rinse liquid discharge ports to a second position aligned with one of the second rinse liquid discharge ports. |
| US09442125B2 |
Method and a device for characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as blood or blood plasma
A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma, the method including: illuminating a sample of the fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between the sample and the spatially coherent light beam; and processing the time series of images; wherein the processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in the speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method. |
| US09442123B2 |
High-molecular-weight adiponectin measurement method
Provided is a method of separating and measuring highly active HMW adiponectin in adiponectin multimers. A method of measuring high-molecular-weight adiponectin in a sample, wherein adiponectin multimers are separated by use of a protease and measured immunologically, the method comprising reacting a sample containing adiponectin multimers with chymotrypsin. |
| US09442117B2 |
Method for the detection of biological molecules using a two particle complex
Methods, compositions and kits for detecting analytes of interest in a sample using electrogenerated chemiluminescence are provided. Compositions comprising at least one solid support that entraps or contains an electrogenerated chemiluminescent moiety also provided. |
| US09442115B2 |
Method of analyzing binding efficiency of adhesive nanoparticles
Provided is a method of analyzing binding efficiency of adhesive nanoparticles. The method includes (a) injecting a solution containing nanoparticles into a first chamber slide, (b) evaporating only the solution from the first chamber slide into which the solution containing the nanoparticles is injected, and measuring a saturation temperature using a thermal imager while radiating light from a light source, (c) injecting cells into a second chamber slide, (d) injecting a solution containing nanoparticles into the second chamber slide in which the cells are cultured, (e) removing nanoparticles which are not bound to the cells from the second chamber slide into which the cells and the nanoparticles are injected, and (f) evaporating only the solution from the second chamber slide from which the nanoparticles are removed, and measuring a saturation temperature using a thermal image while radiating light from the light source. |
| US09442114B2 |
Isolated and purified strains of Chikungunya virus and polynucleotides and polypeptides sequences, diagnostic and immunogenical uses thereof
The present invention concerns wild-strains of Chikungunya virus isolated from patients exhibiting severe forms of infection and stemming from a human arbovirosis epidemy. The present invention also concerns polypeptide sequences and fragment thereof derived from their genome, the polynucleotide encoding same and their use as diagnostic products, as vaccine and/or as immunogenic compositions. |
| US09442113B1 |
Method to identify antigen-specific immune cells for therapeutic development
This disclosure is directed to methods for retrieving and using at least one lymphocyte. Additionally, cell receptor sequences identified with this strategy could be used for antibody development, TCR discovery, or appropriate therapeutics development or evaluation. |
| US09442112B2 |
Compositions and methods for identifying Ehrlichia species
The invention provides methods, kits, compositions, and devices useful for detection of antibodies that bind to Ehrlichia antigens and/or for differentiation of certain Ehrlichia species from others. In particular, the invention provides methods and kits useful for identifying species of Ehrlichia using populations of isolated peptides. |
| US09442111B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring phosphorylation kinetics on large arrays
The disclosure provides for methods and apparatuses relating to technology for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to utilization of NAPPA technology to create large protein arrays suitable for use in combination with various ISFET arrays to enable massive parallel assays of kinase activity and inhibition. Some devices provided herein relate to CMOS chips which utilize the NAPPA array technology to build protein inventories of interest upon an ISFET architecture. Further devices provided herein are capable, inter alia, of processing the arrays created by the combination of NAPPA technology and ISFET architecture. |
| US09442105B2 |
Engineered liver tissues, arrays thereof, and methods of making the same
Engineered, living, three-dimensional liver tissue constructs comprising: one or more layers, wherein each layer contains one or more liver cell types, the one or more layers cohered to form a living, three-dimensional liver tissue construct. In some embodiments, the constructs are characterized by having at least one of: at least one layer comprising a plurality of cell types, the cell types spatially arranged relative to each other to create a planar geometry; and a plurality of layers, at least one layer compositionally or architecturally distinct from at least one other layer to create a laminar geometry. Also disclosed are arrays and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are engineered, living, three-dimensional liver tissue constructs for use in the augmentation or restoration of one or more liver functions, by in vivo delivery of tissue or utilization of tissue in an extracorporeal device. |
| US09442100B2 |
Caloric intake measuring system using spectroscopic and 3D imaging analysis
This invention is a caloric intake measuring system comprising: a spectroscopic sensor that collects data concerning light that is absorbed by or reflected from food, wherein this food is to be consumed by a person, and wherein this data is used to estimate the composition of this food; and an imaging device that takes images of this food from different angles, wherein these images from different angles are used to estimate the quantity of this food. Information concerning the estimated composition of the food and information concerning the estimated quantity of the food can be combined to estimate the person's caloric intake. |
| US09442098B2 |
Chromatographic system quality control reference materials
The invention provides compositions and methods for chromatographic analysis and system quality control. Compositions can include a reference material that comprises a standardized formulation of two or more compounds that can be used for benchmarking and troubleshooting the chromatographic system (e.g., which is not simply a standard solution for a particular analyte of interest). Methods can include obtaining a chromatogram from a reference material using a chromatographic system, wherein the reference material comprises a standardized formulation of two or more compounds that can be used for benchmarking and troubleshooting the chromatographic system; evaluating a difference between the chromatogram and a benchmark for the reference material on the chromatography system; and (i) analyzing a sample potentially comprising an analyte of interest, wherein the analyte of interest does not comprise any of the two or more compounds of the standardized formulation, or compounds substantially similar thereto, if the difference between the chromatogram and the benchmark is within a predetermined tolerance, or (ii) troubleshooting the chromatography system using the chromatogram if the difference between the chromatogram and the benchmark is not within the predetermined tolerance. |
| US09442093B2 |
Tire metallic cable anomaly detection method and apparatus
Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for detecting anomalies in cables within a tire structure. A plurality of magnetic field sensitive sensors are aligned within a magnetic field provided by a magnet. The alignment of sensors and magnet is such that flux lines from the magnet are generally parallel to the plane occupied by the magnetic sensors. A tire cable anomaly present between the magnetic field sensitive sensors produces a detectable difference in signals produced by the magnetic field sensitive sensors as a result of the formation of perpendicular flux patterns produced by the anomaly. A signal processing circuit receiving input signals from the sensors evaluates differences between the signals from each of the plurality of sensors by pairing the output signal from each sensor with the output signal from each of the others of the plurality of sensors and produces an output signal upon the differences meeting selected criteria. The output signal may include an externally measurable signal and/or may include a visual signal indicating presence of a tire anomaly. |
| US09442090B2 |
Magnetic stimulus of ISFET-based sensor to enable trimming and self-compensation of sensor measurement errors
An ion sensor apparatus comprises at least one ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) device configured to be exposed to a liquid, a reference electrode configured to contact the liquid to which the ISFET device is exposed, and at least one magnet configured to intermittently expose the ISFET device to a magnetic field. A processor is operatively connected to the ISFET device and the reference electrode. The processor modulates the magnetic field to produce a corresponding modulated output in resistance of the ISFET device, and modulation of a reported output value of the ion sensor apparatus. |
| US09442088B2 |
Single coil magnetic induction tomographic imaging
Systems, methods, and apparatus for magnetic induction tomography imaging of specimens, such as human tissue specimens, using a single coil are provided. A plurality of coil property measurements can be obtained using the single coil at a plurality of discrete locations relative to the specimen. The single coil can be designed to be relatively easy to be placed in many different positions/orientations relative to the specimen. A three-dimensional electromagnetic property map, such as a three-dimensional conductivity map or a three-dimensional permittivity map, can be generated from the plurality of coil property measurements obtained using the single coil by accessing a model correlating coil property measurements obtained by the single coil with an electromagnetic property distribution of the specimen. |
| US09442085B2 |
Method for analysis using X-ray fluorescence
The present invention is a method to quantify biomarkers. The method uses an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to perform an X-ray fluorescence analysis on the sample to obtain spectral features derived from the biomarker; and quantifying the X-ray fluorescence signal of the biomarker. |
| US09442079B2 |
Chirped pulse frequency-domain comb for spectroscopy
A pulse train comprising chirped pulses can be used to excite a sample, such as for spectroscopic analysis. The respective chirped pulses can include a frequency sweep to establish a first frequency-domain comb. A width of frequency-domain comb peaks can be established at least in part by a total duration of the pulse train, and a bandwidth of the first frequency-domain comb can be determined at least in part by a bandwidth of the frequency sweep of the respective chirped pulses. A free-space or enclosed sample interaction region can be used. |
| US09442075B2 |
Galvanometer scanned camera with variable focus and method
A camera assembly for generating a high resolution image of an area of interest on a workpiece includes a sensor array and an optical lens that focuses light reflected from the workpiece onto the sensor array. The sensor array is inclined relative to an optical axis defined by the optical lens disposed in a fixed position relative to the optical lens. A galvanometer driven mirror assembly directs a field of view of the optical lens toward the area of interest on the workpiece translating light reflected from the area of interest of the workpiece onto the sensor array. The inclination of the sensor array provides varying degrees of resolution relative to a distance of the workpiece area of interest from the camera assembly enabling the camera assembly to generate high resolution images at varying distances from the camera assembly without adjusting the optical lens relative to the sensor array. |
| US09442074B2 |
Fibers with surface markings used for coding
Disclosed are fibers comprising one or more branded fibers which exhibit surface markings in a repeated pattern along the length of the branded fibers. The branded fibers can be incorporated into yarns or fiber bands to represent supply chain information of the yarns, fiber bands, and/or articles made from the yards or fiber bands. In a specific example, branded fibers can be incorporated into an acetate tow band. The branded fibers can be recovered from a cigarette filter, the repeated pattern decoded, and supply chain information associated with the acetate tow used to make the cigarette filter, such as manufacturer, customer, ship to location, and even the acetate tow bale, can be obtained. |
| US09442073B2 |
Sensor comprising a masking layer adhesive
Sensors (40) are described which comprise a reflective layer (52), a detection layer over the reflective layer (52), a semi-reflective layer (50) over the detection layer (48), and a masking layer (57) affixed to the reflective layer with a high Tg adhesive. |
| US09442071B2 |
Apparatus for performing a sensing application
An apparatus for performing a sensing application includes a reservoir to contain a solution, a dispenser to dispense the solution from the reservoir, and a substrate having a plurality of nano-fingers positioned to receive the dispensed solution, in which the plurality of nano-fingers are flexible, such that the plurality of nano-fingers are configurable with respect to each other. The apparatus also includes an illumination source to illuminate the received solution, an analyte introduced around the plurality of nano-fingers, and the plurality of nano-fingers, in which light is to be emitted from the analyte in response to being illuminated. The apparatus further includes a detector to detect the light emitted from the analyte. |
| US09442069B2 |
Apparatus for in-vitro imaging and analysis of dental samples
A detection system is provided for the measurement of in-vitro dental samples. The detection system includes an optical detection module that is configured for the detection of optical signals that are emitted in response to the absorption of an incident optical beam, and a control and processing unit that is configured for processing the detected optical signals and generating an image. The system also includes a sample holder may be removed and subsequently replaced without requiring recalibration of the system. In some embodiments, the optical detection module is configured for combined measurement of photothermal radiation and luminescence in response to the absorption of the incident optical beam. |
| US09442067B2 |
Plasmon sensor and manufacturing method therefor, and method for inserting sample into plasmon sensor
A plasmon sensor includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer having an upper surface facing a lower surface of the first metal layer. The upper surface of the first metal layer is configured to receive an electromagnetic wave. A hollow space is provided between the first and second metal layers, and is configured to be filled with a test sample containing a medium. This plasmon sensor has a small size and a simple structure. |
| US09442064B1 |
Photometer with LED light source
A photometer is provided for measuring the concentration of a chromophore in a fluid. The photometer includes a light source, a sample cell and a detector. The light source includes first, second, third and fourth light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each of the first and second LEDs emit light at a measurement wavelength and each of the third and fourth LEDs emit light at a reference wavelength. The first and second LEDs are arranged diagonal to each other and the third and fourth LEDs are arranged diagonal to each other. The photometer performs a routine for correcting concentration measurement for LED drift. |
| US09442063B2 |
Measurement of composition for thin films
The present invention includes generating a three-dimensional design of experiment (DOE) for a plurality of semiconductor wafers, a first dimension of the DOE being a relative amount of a first component of the thin film, a second dimension of the DOE being a relative amount of a second component of the thin film, a third dimension of the DOE being a thickness of the thin film, acquiring a spectrum for each of the wafers, generating a set of optical dispersion data by extracting a real component (n) and an imaginary component (k) of the complex index of refraction for each of the acquired spectrum, identifying one or more systematic features of the set of optical dispersion data; and generating a multi-component Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA) model utilizing the identified one or more systematic features of the set of optical dispersion data. |
| US09442058B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus for generating a gas stream having a desired particulate material concentration
A method validating a particulate monitoring device includes generating a final gas stream having a particulate material concentration that corresponds to a target particulate material concentration, using the particulate monitoring device to measure the particulate material concentration in the final gas stream, and evaluating an accuracy of the particulate monitoring device based on a comparison of the particulate concentration in the final gas stream that was measured by the particulate monitoring device with the target particulate material concentration. |
| US09442051B2 |
Methods to accelerate the binding of biological molecules
A method is provided for enhancing the binding of reagents to ligands. In the method a ligand is immobilized on a porous support and incubated with a reagent solution. The binding of the reagent to the ligand is increased by a cycling process of passing the reagent solution through the support multiple times. A device that facilitates the cycling process is disclosed. Provided is a method to detect multiple ligands using the cycling process. |
| US09442049B2 |
Efficient processing systems and methods for biological samples
Systems and methods of sample and staining processing including compression and dynamic movement of liquids in a fluidically moving substantially contained liquid bridge perhaps between a hydrophobic wand and a hydrophilic sample support element. Embodiments may include low volume reagent and perhaps even low volume buffer wash in sample processing. In addition, antibodies can be conjugated with nanoparticles and can be used in sample processing. Exposing a sample with or without movement to AC, DC, or even a permanent magnet field may improve staining. Staining with nanoparticle reagents could be quantified using a microscope with a magnetometer below the slide viewing area. The detection of nanoparticles attached to the chemistry may facilitate the quantification of cancerous cells stained in the tissue. |
| US09442048B2 |
Gas sensing system and method
Systems and methods for sensing gas are disclosed. In one aspect, a system to monitor an output of a gas source comprises a chamber comprising a plurality of input ports to receive inputs from a plurality of gas sources, and means for repeatedly blocking one of the plurality of input ports for a period of time, detecting which one of the plurality of input ports is blocked, collecting data from a plurality of samples from the enclosure while the one of the plurality of input ports is blocked, and storing the data in a memory in association with an indicator of which one of the plurality of input ports is blocked. Other embodiments may be described. |
| US09442047B2 |
Segmented online sampling apparatus and method of use
A segmented sampling apparatus is designed to extract a sample from a source and deliver the sample to a collector for storage or analysis. The sample is extracted from the source at a sample withdrawal or extraction rate but is delivered to the collector at a faster rate. Air is injected into or drawn into the apparatus which allows for an expedited sample delivery rate. |
| US09442044B2 |
Vehicle test system
In a vehicle test system, a displacement degree computing unit computes degrees of six-degree-of-freedom displacements of each of second motion bases, which correspond to external forces of respective six degrees of freedom detected by a corresponding one of six-axis force sensors, on an assumption that each of the second motion bases has a virtual mechanical impedance. A MB second target value generator generates final position and posture target values for each of the second motion bases based on the position and posture target values for each of the second motion bases and the degrees of six-degree-freedom displacements of each of the second motion bases. |
| US09442039B2 |
Equipment for measuring piston rings
A device for measuring edge and rounding features on a piston ring includes a planar support element for the piston ring, a stop operatively connected thereto for bearing defined piston ring sections thereon, and a measuring unit, which is disposed at a predefinable angle with respect to the support element or the stop. |
| US09442038B2 |
Storage apparatus, storage apparatus manufacturing method, and measurement method of the same
A storage apparatus including one or plural storage devices installed in a housing, a bag that is internally charged with a fluid and caused to contact the storage device, and an internal pressure regulator that regulates the internal pressure of the bag. |
| US09442035B2 |
Device for classifying strain gauges
A device for classifying strain gauges includes a holder capable of receiving strain gauges and capable of being rotated by a rotating device, the holder being connected to the rotating device by a linking device; and a heater capable of heating the holder and arranged about the mounting, the linking device including a cooling device capable of limiting the heating of the rotating device. |
| US09442032B2 |
Microelectromechanical pressure sensor with robust diaphragm
A microelectromechanical pressure sensor structure wherein the length of the diaphragm is at least three times the width of the diaphragm. The oblong diaphragm experiences a minimized difference between lateral bending of the wafer and of the diaphragm along the width of the diaphragm. In a perpendicular direction, the diaphragm is at least three times longer due to which it accurately aligns with the bending form of the wafer. Due to this, the total error caused by bending of the structure is significantly reduced and a more robust structure is achieved. At the same time, the longer diaphragm provides mode deflected area for detection and thus significantly improves sensitivity of the device. |
| US09442031B2 |
High integrity process fluid pressure probe
A process fluid pressure measurement probe includes a pressure sensor formed of a single-crystal material and mounted to a first metallic process fluid barrier and disposed for direct contact with a process fluid. The pressure sensor has an electrical characteristic that varies with process fluid pressure. A feedthrough is formed of a single-crystal material and has a plurality of conductors extending from a first end to a second end. The feedthrough is mounted to a second metallic process fluid barrier and is spaced from, but electrically coupled to, the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and the feedthrough are mounted such that the secondary metallic process fluid barrier is isolated from process fluid by the first metallic process fluid barrier. |
| US09442026B2 |
Load sensing on a bearing
The mechanical load on a rolling element bearing is determined from the deformation of the rolling element bearing. The local deformation caused by the rolling contact forces is used to determine an average contribution to the mechanical load in order to average out the effect on the deformation as a result of the spread in diameter of the rolling elements of the bearing. The global deformation of the rolling element bearing is determined to calculate a dynamic contribution to the mechanical load. The dynamic contribution takes into account the variations of the mechanical load on the relevant time-scales that have been omitted from the average contribution as a result of the averaging operation. The total mechanical load is the sum of the average contribution and the dynamic contribution. |
| US09442020B2 |
Method for correcting the drift of an infrared radiation detector comprising an array of resistive imaging bolometers and device implementing such a method
A method for detecting infrared radiation includes the steps of: providing a resistive bolometer retina including a plurality of resistive bolometers suspended above a substrate of a bolometric detector; acquiring the infrared radiation by the resistive bolometer retina to produce a plurality of raw read signals provided by the bolometers; correcting a response dispersion of the resistive bolometers in the raw read signals using a gain table, each gain of the gain table being associated with a bolometer of the resistive bolometer retina. |
| US09442018B2 |
Method and algorithm for self-learning/auto-commissioning by multiple sensor elements for outdoor lighting application
The invention relates to a method of controlling a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, said sensor controlling if an electrical device is on or off, wherein said PIR sensor has at least two sensor elements, each having a lens focusing IR onto them, control electronics comprising of at least one processing unit and one memory, wherein the at least two sensors cover adjacent cover areas, wherein information of detected presence from said at least two sensor elements are used to decrease false triggers by using the time period between subsequent presence detections, and identification of each of said at least two PIR sensor elements. The invention further relates to a method of controlling a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, said sensor controlling if an electrical device is on or off, wherein said PIR sensor has two or more sensor elements, each having a lens focusing IR onto them, control electronics comprising of at least one processing unit and one memory, wherein two or more sensors cover different sequentially adjacent cover areas, wherein the sensor elements have a threshold for IR detection above which threshold a positive signal of presence is provided from the sensor element, said method comprising the step of provide a signal (Pan) if all sensor elements provide a positive signal of presence during a time period shorter than a predetermined time period (T3), and if (Pall) is detected a predetermined number of times within a second predetermined time period (T4), increase said threshold by a predetermined amount. |
| US09442012B2 |
Systems and methods for overhead imaging and video
Examples of an imaging sensor include a two-dimensional staring sensor with spectral filter strips for multispectral overhead imaging. The sensor may also include a panchromatic sensor with block or strip filters. The sensor may be used to collect multispectral color image data at a sampling resolution from overhead imaging platforms such as airplanes or satellites. The sensor can be used to provide video images. If a panchromatic sensor is included, the sensor may be used to collect panchromatic image data. Examples of methods for processing the image date include using the panchromatic image data to perform multi-frame enhancement or panchromatic sharpening on spectral images to improve their quality and resolution. |
| US09442011B2 |
Methods for calibrating a multiple detector system
Methods for calibrating multiple electromagnetic radiation detectors within a detection system and methods of using such calibrated systems which include generating a calibration electromagnetic radiation beam at a first temperature. At least a portion of the calibration electromagnetic radiation beam is detected with a first electromagnetic radiation detector. An average intensity value of a plurality of pixels from the first electromagnetic radiation detector is obtained. One or more pixels of the first electromagnetic radiation detector are adjusted to decrease the difference between the intensity of an individual pixel and the average intensity value of the first electromagnetic radiation detector. Detecting at least a portion of the calibration electromagnetic radiation beam with a second electromagnetic radiation detector. One or more pixels of the second electromagnetic radiation detector are adjusted to decrease the difference between the intensity of an individual pixel and the average intensity value of the first electromagnetic radiation detector. |
| US09442009B2 |
Apparatus and method for making optical measurements of samples
An improved apparatus and method for making optical measurements of a sample is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a microvolume sampling mechanism comprised of two opposing optical measurement surfaces. A sample is held by surface tension between the two opposing optical measurement surfaces. Light is transmitted through the sample and received by optical fibers, which measure the absorbance of the sample. This absorbance can be used to determine the concentration of the sample. |
| US09442007B2 |
Method and system for monitoring ultraviolet light for a fiber cure system
A system and method for monitoring and operating one or more light emitting devices is disclosed. In one example, light intensity within a dual elliptical reflecting chamber is sensed and operation of a fiber curing system is adjusted in response to an amount of sensed light energy. |
| US09442005B2 |
Non-contact methods of measuring insertion loss in optical fiber connectors
A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a DUT connector is disclosed. The DUT connector has a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face. The method utilizes a reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules so that the first and second end faces are confronting and spaced apart to define a gap with an axial gap distance d; measuring values of the insertion loss between the first and second optical fibers for different gap distances d>0; and estimating a value for the insertion loss for a gap distance of d=0 based on the measured values of the insertion loss when d>0. |
| US09442002B2 |
Remote optical sensing of the integrity of a structure using reflected or scattered light
A method and device for remotely detecting structural integrity using reflections or scattering from windows or other portions of a structure. The long geometrical lever arm of a reflection on a building window, when viewed with suitable instruments, produces detectable modulation in the reflected light from minute vibrational changes upon the glass surface, revealing fundamental resonances and structural changes and failure in the building housing the window. By sensing very small changes in intensity and polarization, information may be obtained on fundamental resonances and structural changes, including failure or imminent failure of the structure. |
| US09442001B2 |
Liquid level monitoring for reservoirs
A system for monitoring a liquid level in a reservoir can include another reservoir and a liquid level monitoring apparatus, the apparatus including two float devices, with each of the float devices measuring the liquid level relative to a respective one of the reservoirs. Another liquid level monitoring apparatus can include two laterally spaced apart elongated float guides, two float devices at least partially reciprocably disposed relative to the respective float guides, and an alignment structure that maintains lateral separation and longitudinal alignment of the float guides. A monitoring method can include positioning one reservoir in another reservoir, and partially immersing a liquid level monitoring apparatus in both of the reservoirs, the apparatus including two float devices, each of the float devices thereby measuring a level of the liquid in a respective one of the reservoirs. |
| US09441998B2 |
Oval gear meter
Embodiments include a flow measuring system for measuring characteristics of a fluid flow. The flow measuring system can include a pair of rotating members rotating synchronously to the fluid flow. At least one rotating member can include a normally-reflecting portion and a non-normally reflecting portion. The normally-reflecting portion reflects an incident beam in a direction parallel to the normal direction of the plane of the normally-reflecting portion. The non-normally reflecting portion reflects the incident beam in a direction non-parallel to the normal direction of the plane of the normally-reflecting portion. The flow measuring system measures the optical characteristics of a beam reflected by the normally-reflecting portion and determines rotational characteristics of the rotating member. The flow measuring system determines characteristics of the flow based on the rotational characteristics of the rotating member. |
| US09441993B2 |
Flow measurement systems and methods for gas and liquid applications
A system for measuring the superposition of a plurality of sound waves propagating within a conduit containing a fluid having a plurality of transducers positioned substantially parallel to the flow direction along the wall of the conduit. The system includes means for modeling the superposition of a plurality of sound waves as they propagate within the conduit. |
| US09441991B2 |
Method for providing data using fridge's log information
This data providing method is carried out by a computer (460) built in a data processing system (1) which is designed to collect log information from electronic devices through a network (30) and provide services based on that log information for authenticated users. The method includes: receiving a fridge's (100a, 100b) log information through the network; generating display data, representing a trend of change of a recovery time that indicates how long it takes for the fridge's inside temperature to recover a preset operating temperature since the fridge's door was closed, by reference to pieces of information which are included in the fridge's log information and which indicate (i) the preset operating temperature inside the fridge, (ii) the temperature of the ambient surrounding the fridge, (iii) a temperature inside the fridge, and (iv) opening and closing history of the fridge; and providing the display data for an authenticated user's display terminal (130a, 130b). |
| US09441988B2 |
System and method for identifying likely geographical locations of anomalies in a water utility network
A computerized method for determining one or more statistically likely geographical locations of an anomaly in a region or zone of a water utility network, the water utility network comprising at least a network of pipes for delivering water to consumers and a plurality of meters positioned within the water utility network including a plurality of meters capturing data regarding the water delivering within the region or zone of the anomaly, the method comprising. The method includes receiving anomaly event data, the anomaly event data representing an indication of an anomaly occurring or having occurred within a region or zone of the water utility network, the anomaly event data being associated with meter data produced by one or more of the meters. The method also includes performing a plurality of tests on the anomaly event data each designed to statistically determine a likely geographical location of the anomaly within the region or zone, the performance of each test producing a result. The results of the plurality of tests to generate scores for the determined likely locations for the anomaly are combined. The one or more of the determined likely locations are presented to a user. |
| US09441987B2 |
Alarming based on resource consumption data
Consumption data of utility resources such as gas and water may be used to detect conditions that, left unchecked, may lead to a natural gas explosion, flood, or other event. A data collection device may be configured to monitor consumption of a resource through a utility meter at a location in substantially real time. The data collection device may detect abnormal consumption of the resource at the location, and transmit an alert indicating the abnormal consumption of the resource to a remote computing device. The data collection device may additionally initiate a mitigating action to prevent an event based on the abnormal resource consumption. |
| US09441985B2 |
Future scene generating system, device, and method for a remotely-operated vehicle
A present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating a future scene of a remotely-operated vehicle (“ROV”) are disclosed. A future scene generator (“FSG”) may receive remote navigation data from the ROV; receive engine control and steering control (“ECSC”) data representative of engine and steering commands; predict future navigation data based upon the remote navigation data, the ECSC data, and a time delay; retrieve object data corresponding to the future navigation data; generate an image data set based upon the future navigation data and the object data, where the image data set is representative of an image of a future scene located outside the remote vehicle; and provide the image data set to a display unit. If the ROV is an unmanned aerial vehicle, the ECSC data could be engine control and flight controls data, and the image of a future scene could be a three-dimensional perspective. |
| US09441983B2 |
Navigation system with content curation mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a point of interest record based on normalizing an entry record; calculating a similarity score based on comparing a plurality of the POI record to each other; and generating an affinity group with a control unit based on the similarity score meeting or exceeding an edge weight threshold for displaying on a device. |
| US09441982B2 |
Navigation system with non-native dynamic navigator mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving a destination; generating a route to the destination; and generating a non-native dynamic navigation based on the route for displaying on a device. |
| US09441981B2 |
Variable bus stops across a bus route in a regional transportation network
Disclosed are a method and a system of variable bus stops across a bus route in a regional transportation network, according to one embodiment. A method of a bus server includes analyzing a current geospatial location of a mobile device responsive to a pick up request of a prospective bus passenger, associating a closest street intersection with the current geospatial location of the mobile device, and determining if a bus route traverses the closest street intersection associated with the current geospatial location of the mobile device. A message may be communicated to the mobile device based on the determination of whether the bus route traverses the closest street intersection. A bus associated with the bus route may be instructed to pick up the prospective bus passenger when the bus route traverses the closest street intersection associated with the current geospatial location of the mobile device. |
| US09441976B2 |
Methods and systems for collaborative navigation and operation with a mobile device and a wearable device
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for collaborative navigation and operation on two mobile devices. The method may include establishing a wireless connection between a first mobile device and a second mobile device, and generating navigation data by the first mobile device for collaborative navigation based on a location of the first mobile device. The method may also include selecting a first subset of the navigation data for display by the first mobile device, and selecting a second subset of the navigation data for display by the second mobile device. The method may also include transferring the second subset of navigation data to the second mobile device and coordinating the display of the first subset of navigation data on the first mobile device with display of the second subset of navigation data on the second mobile device. |
| US09441975B2 |
System and method for generating signal coverage information from client metrics
Embodiments may include receiving signal strength information reported by multiple client communication devices. The signal strength information reported by a given client device may indicate one or more locations detected by the given client device. The signal strength information may also indicate, for each location, a respective measure of signal strength for a communication signal detected at that location by the client device. Embodiments may also include generating a signal strength map for a region based on the client-reported signal strength information. Generating the signal strength map may include, for each location of multiple locations within the region, generating an expected signal strength value for that location based on an evaluation of the signal strength information received for that location. The generation of the signal strength map for the region may also be based on the expected signal strength values for the locations within the region. |
| US09441966B2 |
Measurement device and method for measuring
A measuring device includes a pair of sensors, an actuator, a noise extraction unit and a low frequency noise (LFN) estimator. The sensors each generate with sample time Ts a sense signal indicating a value of a component of a vectorial physical quantity. The sensors have an Allan variance curve with a minimum value for a first integration time T1. The curve has a first and second tangent line being tangent at integration time 0, and integration time T1 respectively. The tangent lines intersect each other at an intersection point for a second integration time T2. The estimator having an effective integration time Teff determined by, Ts, T1 and T2, generates an estimated noise signal indicative for the estimated value of the noise component from the difference signal and from information about the relative rotation between the sensors. |
| US09441961B2 |
System and method for correcting caliper measurements of sheet products in sheet manufacturing or processing systems
A method includes measuring a caliper of a sheet of material using a caliper sensor having first and second sensor modules. The method also includes adjusting the caliper measurement based on a transverse displacement between a first sensor component in the first sensor module and a second sensor component in the second sensor module to generate a corrected caliper measurement. Adjusting the caliper measurement can include applying a corrector function that adjusts the caliper measurement based on the measured transverse displacement. The corrector function can be identified by repeatedly creating misalignment between the first and second sensor components, measuring a known distance using the caliper sensor, and identifying an error between the measurement of the known distance and the known distance. |
| US09441956B2 |
System and method for inspecting railroad ties
A system for inspecting railroad ties in a railroad track includes a light generator, an optical receiver and a processor. The light generator is oriented to project a beam of light across the railroad track while moving along the railroad track in a travel direction. The optical receiver is oriented to receive at least a portion of the beam of light reflected from the railroad track and configured to generate image data representative of a profile of at least a portion of the railroad track. The processor is configured to analyze the image data by applying one or more algorithms configured to find boundaries of a railroad tie and determine one or more condition metrics associated with the railroad tie. |
| US09441953B2 |
Optical measuring apparatus and method of stereoscopic display device
An optical measuring apparatus for measuring optical characteristics of a stereoscopic display device includes a test image supplier for generating a 3D test signal, a 3D display for displaying left-eye image and/or right-eye image based on the 3D test signal supplied from the test image supplier, a image selection member for selectively transmitting the left-eye image and right-eye image to be displayed on the 3D display, and a light measuring device for measuring intensity or color information of the image transmitted via the image selection member. |
| US09441949B2 |
Method for generating M demodulation signals using at least one primary interferometer
A method for generating M demodulation signals is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes: providing M input signals, injecting each input signal into at least one first interferometer, and detecting M demodulation signals. The method also includes choosing M positive integers that are not all equal to zero and computing M demodulation signals. The ith demodulation signal being the product of Ri+1 functions, Ri being the chosen integer that corresponds to the first delay of the ith first interferometer, and the pth function being equal to St,p(t)=S(t=pτi), where p is an integer between 0 and Ri, τi is the first delay introduced by the delay line of the ith first interferometer, and S is a transform of the signal at the output of the ith first interferometer. |
| US09441942B2 |
Resolver and multiple-rotation detector
A stator includes: a core formed by laminating magnetic steel sheets; and an excitation coil and a detection coil which are wound around teeth provided at the core. The core includes a peripheral section which is disposed to surround the rotor and a detection section which is disposed at the interior of the peripheral section and has the teeth. When the magnetic steel sheets are laminated, each of the magnetic steel sheets forming the core includes a portion which constitutes the peripheral section and a portion which constitutes the detection section. The detection section is substantially U-shaped, and both sides of the U-shape become a pair of teeth which form one phase. A base portion of the substantially U-shape of the detection section connects with the peripheral section, and gaps are provided between the peripheral section and a part of the base portion which is the root of the teeth. |
| US09441939B2 |
System for object detection using radio frequency reflection
A radio frequency (RF) object detector is disclosed. The RF object detector in example embodiments transmits an RF signal. A receiver measures the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and phase of the signal as reflected from objects in an interrogation zone. The RF object detector can be deployed in a combined system that performs multiple functions. For example, the RF object detector can be integrated with an EAS system that also sends RFID commands and receives RFID responses. In some embodiments the object detector can discriminate between moving objects and stationary objects, and/or discriminate between objects in the interrogation zone and objects outside the interrogation zone, and/or provide location estimates. An antenna or antennas can be connected in a mono-static or bi-static configuration and the phase and/or amplitude signals can be either DC-coupled or AC-coupled into the system through a mixer. |
| US09441938B1 |
Test structures for measuring near field transducer disc length
Systems and methods for using NFT disc test structures for controlling NFT disc length during manufacture of an HAMR writer are disclosed. An NFT is manufactured concurrently with one or more pairs of pin-disc and disc-less test structures. The NFT disc and pin dimensions may be substantially similar to the pin and disc dimensions of the pin-disc test structure. The disc length of the pin-disc test structure is measured as a function of the difference in resistance between the two test structures and other parameters. Capturing the disc length variation subsequently enables adjustment of the NFT electronic lapping guide stripe height to reduce length variation in the NFT pin. |
| US09441937B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring thickness of an object
An apparatus for measuring thickness of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a compression control system which further includes a movable platform, a compression sensor, and a switching device operatively coupled to the compression sensor. The apparatus also includes a measurement system operatively coupled to the switching device for receiving a signal representative of a toggle event at the switching device and configured to measure a gradient. The apparatus also includes a processing circuit operatively coupled to the switching device and the measurement system for measuring a thickness of the object upon receiving the signal representative of the toggle event at the switching device by using the gradient and a communication circuit for transmitting a measured thickness of the object to a remote database. |
| US09441935B2 |
Three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine
A three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine includes a base, a moving mechanism provided on the base, and a probe moved by the moving mechanism, the three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine measures coordinates of a surface position of an object to be measured by using the probe, the moving mechanism includes: a linear guide using a mechanical bearing; and an air bearing mechanism provided in parallel to the linear guide, one of ends of the moving part is attached to a linear moving unit that moves by the linear guide and the other is attached to the air moving part so that the other end can swing with respect to the air moving part, and the air bearing mechanism absorbs a difference in the height change between the linear guide and the air bearing mechanism by the air bearing. |
| US09441931B1 |
MEMS rotary fuze architecture for out-of-line applications
An apparatus used in a fuze device, which includes a MEMS micro-rotor. The micro-rotor of the apparatus may move an explosive material, for example, a fuze material, from an out-of-line position to an in-line position. The micro-rotor includes an integral cavity in which the material may be safely loaded and held in the out-of-line position. At an appropriate time, the fuze device of a fully assembled ordnance may be armed. When the apparatus is activated, the micro-rotor carefully moves the explosive material to the in-line position, where the ordnance is armed. |
| US09441923B2 |
Shooting target management systems and related methods
A shooting target management system and related methods are provided. The system includes at least one target dispensing device having a plurality of targets. A user control unit is in communication with the at least one target dispensing device and is positioned remotely therefrom. At least one switch is in communication with the user control unit, wherein at least one of the plurality of targets is dispensed from the at least one target dispensing device upon activation of the switch. A user identification (ID) device has a wireless communication system thereon for wireless communication with at least the user control unit. The user ID device stores a quantity of user ID information and a quantity of user target information, wherein at least a portion of the quantity of user target information is updated based on activation of the switch by the user. |
| US09441920B2 |
Armor materials and structures and methods
Armor material, armor shields and other armor structures are composed of a continuous piece of material that is pressed and molded or otherwise processed to have two or more panels connected together at hinge portions, to form a foldable (or partially foldable) configuration. In a folded state the armor structure can provide a greater penetration stopping capability or NIJ rating, or both, as compared to an unfolded state. Such multi-panel armor structures are configured as foldable shields, walls, and enclosures. |
| US09441916B2 |
Body armor plate and plate carrier system
Individual body armor plates have an integral hook and/or loop pile coverings that allow the plates to directly affix to the mating hook and loop material of the plate carrier apparatus. The use of hook and loop fastener materials to directly affix and support the armor plates to the carrier apparatus eliminates the need for enclosed internal pouches or pockets, thereby greatly reducing overall weight and bulk of the armor plate carrier system. Integrating hook and loop fastener materials into the covering of armor plates also allows the armor plates to be suspended for a wearer with only shoulder straps, harnesses and cummerbunds having corresponding hook and look fastener materials. |
| US09441915B2 |
Modular scope mount assembly
Implementations of a modular scope mount assembly are provided. In some implementations, the modular scope mount assembly may be used to secure a telescopic sight to a firearm (e.g., a rifle and/or a carbine). In some implementations, the modular scope mount assembly may be used to co-mount a telescopic sight and a reflex sight to a firearm. In some implementations, the modular scope mount assembly may be configured to place a reflex sight on the right side and/or left side of a co-mounted telescopic sight. In some implementations, the modular scope mount assembly may be configured to allow a user to change (increase or decrease) the eye relief between the user and the co-mounted reflex sight(s). |
| US09441902B2 |
Articulating aiming support
An articulating aiming support for use in an elevated stand enables a marksman to stabilize shots for increased accuracy while reducing fatigue from holding a rifle in a free position. The rest may also be used for photographic uses by using a camera mount in place of a shooting stick. The firearms rest comprises of two sections of tubing which slide into one another with a pivot mounted to one end, which is used to mount the rest onto a tree stand, while the tube which extends has a plurality of supports on the other end. These supports have mounting pads located on the ends, which are adjustable for height, which the marksman uses mount the apparatus to base of a tree stand, steadying their shots. The firearms rest collapses down for ease of transport and storage and may be made from any, strong lightweight material. |
| US09441896B2 |
Apparatus for firearm safety
An apparatus comprises a trigger assembly for initiating a firing of a firearm. The trigger assembly comprises a trigger blocking portion. A safety selector lever is configured for joining to the firearm. The safety selector lever has an on position with the safety selector generally in a downward position and accessible to a user's thumb of a hand gripping a grip of the firearm. The safety selector is rotatable by the user's thumb to an off position where the user operates the trigger assembly while maintaining the safety selector in the off position. A safety cam is in engagement with a pivot end of the safety selector. The safety cam is configured for engaging the trigger blocking portion in the on position to inhibit the firing and for engaging the trigger blocking portion in the off position to enable the firing. |
| US09441889B2 |
Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and thermal energy storage device monitoring methods
Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and thermal energy storage device monitoring methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage device includes a reservoir configured to hold a thermal energy storage medium, a temperature control system configured to adjust a temperature of the thermal energy storage medium, and a state observation system configured to provide information regarding an energy state of the thermal energy storage device at a plurality of different moments in time. |
| US09441887B2 |
Heat removal and recovery in biomass pyrolysis
Pyrolysis methods and apparatuses that allow effective heat removal, for example when necessary to achieve a desired throughput or process a desired type of biomass, are disclosed. According to representative methods, the use of a quench medium (e.g., water), either as a primary or a secondary type of heat removal, allows greater control of process temperatures, particularly in the reheater where char, as a solid byproduct of pyrolysis, is combusted. Quench medium may be distributed to one or more locations within the reheater vessel, such as above and/or within a dense phase bed of fluidized particles of a solid heat carrier (e.g., sand) to better control heat removal. |
| US09441883B2 |
Laundry treating machine
The present invention relates to a laundry treating machine, and more particularly, a laundry treating machine including an air supply unit for supplying air, a tub for having the air supplied thereto from the air supply unit to treat the laundry, the tub having an air recovery opening formed in an outside circumferential surface thereof for recovery of the air to the air supply unit, a lint filter mounted to an inside of the air recovery opening for filtering the lint from the air, and a filter cleaning unit for spraying cleaning water toward the lint filter to separate the lint from the lint filter, wherein the filter cleaning unit is extended and branched to the inside of the air recovery opening for spraying the cleaning water to the lint filter. |
| US09441882B2 |
Gas feeding apparatus for powder and granular material feeder
In a gas feeding apparatus for a powder and granular material feeder, in which a powder and granular material 3 supplied to an upper portion tubular hopper 11 is continuously supplied and discharged downward by a powder and granular material feeder provided below the tubular hopper 11, a first feed port 20 for a gas is provided in an upper surface 1a of a bottom plate 1′ on a lower surface of a boss portion for a set of rotary blades 8 of the powder and granular material feeder so that the gas can be fed to a space S between the upper surface 1a of the bottom plate 1′ of the powder and granular material feeder and the lower surface of the boss portion. Further, an annular damming plate 22 is formed on the lower surface of the boss portion on the outer side of the first feed port 20 so that the gas fed into the space S through the first feed port 20 can be fed in a radial direction into the powder and granular material feeder via slits 23, 24 provided around the annular damming plate 22. |
| US09441880B2 |
Laundry treating appliance with bulky item detection
A laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation by determining the presence of a bulky laundry item based on image data of the laundry within the treating chamber. |
| US09441878B2 |
Air separation apparatus
A cryogenic air separation method and apparatus in which first and second liquid streams are produced. The first liquid stream has a higher oxygen content than air and can consist of a higher pressure distillation column bottoms and the second liquid stream, for instance, air, has a lower oxygen content than the first liquid stream and an argon content no less than the air. The second liquid stream is subcooled through indirect heat exchange with the first liquid stream and both of such streams are introduced into the lower pressure column. The second liquid stream is introduced into the lower pressure column above that point at which the crude liquid oxygen column bottoms or any portion thereof is introduced into the lower pressure column to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below the introduction of the second liquid stream and therefore, reduce the oxygen present within the column overhead. |
| US09441872B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage chamber, a main door pivotably mounted to the cabinet while including an opening provided at an inside of the main door, and a stepped portion provided around the opening, a sub-storage chamber mounted at the inside of the main door, a sub-door mounted to the main door, to allow a user to have access to the sub-storage chamber, the sub-door having opposite side surfaces with front portions protruding forwards of a front surface of the main door while having a greater width than the opening and stepped portion between the front portions of the side surfaces, to cover the stepped portion by the side surfaces, and a hinge pivotably mounted to the main door and coupled to the sub-door while being bent at an intermediate portion thereof, to pivotably support the sub-door with respect to the main door. |
| US09441871B2 |
Shaping device for a shaved ice or snow cone product
The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and devices for producing a shaved ice or snow cone product. The system may comprise an ice shaving or snow cone machine, a shaping device, and a blade for producing a shaved ice or snow cone product. |
| US09441870B2 |
Snow making apparatus
A snow making apparatus is provided that includes a manifold, a nucleator annular chamber, and a plurality of nucleator nozzles. The manifold is configured to receive water from a water source and air from an air source. The nucleator annular chamber is configured to receive an air-water mixture from first passages, which first passages are oriented to direct the air-water mixture tangentially into the nucleator annular chamber for subsequent circumferential and axial travel within the annular chamber. The plurality of nucleator nozzles is positioned to receive the air-water mixture from the nucleator annular chamber. |
| US09441869B2 |
Control circuit
A circuit allows an energy efficient DC design to drop in to an AC application and interface directly with the AC signals in a cost effective manner. The circuit is implemented without any use of mechanically switched contacts. All switching of current is done through solid state devices. Positional feedback and speed of the motor is provided through an optically encoded output gear eliminating the need for mechanical position switches to determine motor rotational position. |
| US09441861B2 |
Systems and methods implementing robust air conditioning systems configured to utilize thermal energy storage to maintain a low temperature for a target space
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement air conditioning systems that are operable to establish/maintain a desired temperature for a target space and simultaneously establish/maintain a temperature lower than the desired temperature for the target space for an included cold thermal energy storage unit. In one embodiment, an air conditioning system includes: a condensing unit; a liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble; a cold thermal energy storage unit; a target space; and a suction gas/equalizer; where the listed components are operatively connected by piping such that vapor compression cycles can be simultaneously implemented that result in the cooling of the cold thermal energy storage unit and the target space; and the air conditioning system is configured such that the simultaneous implementation of vapor compression cycles results in cooling the cold thermal energy storage unit to a greater extent relative to the target space. |
| US09441860B2 |
Double-medium circulation air conditioner for cooling, heating and humidifying
A double-medium circulation air conditioner for cooling, heating and humidifying comprises: a machine body having an air inlet and an air outlet provided thereon. A heat exchanging fan, a water circulation system, a refrigerant circulation system, a heat exchanger and a humidification system are provided in the machine body. The heat exchanger comprises a water heat exchanging pipe and a refrigerant heat exchanging pipe, which are winded or overlapped together without communicating with each other. The water circulation system is communicated with the water heat exchanging pipe of the heat exchanger. The refrigerant circulation system is communicated with the refrigerant heat exchanging pipe of the heat exchanger. The water circulation system comprises a downhole exchanger, and the humidification system comprises a humidifying water-storage grill set. |
| US09441857B2 |
Low-noise, gas-type, instantaneous water heater
The invention relates to a low-noise gas instantaneous water heater, belonging to the technical field of gas appliances. The low-noise gas instantaneous water heater comprises a combustion device, a heat exchanger and a blower; wherein the combustion device, the heat exchanger and the blower are arranged such that a combustion flue gas is discharged after passing sequentially through the heat exchanger and the blower; the blower comprises a stepless speed regulating motor with a motor control panel and an impeller driven by the motor, and at least one thermal insulation device is arranged between the motor control panel and the combustion flue gas generated by the combustion device. The low-noise gas instantaneous water heater is capable of combining the advantages of an updraught structure and a stepless speed regulating blower, effectively solving the problem of loud noise in the operation process of the heater, and reaching the requirements of the constant temperature performance, exhaust gas indexes and reliability of the gas instantaneous water heater. |
| US09441856B2 |
Steam generator
A steam generator having a channel for circulating heated fluid through a heat exchanger and having a channel for supplying water through the heat exchanger. The steam side of the heat exchanger is maintained at a pressure lower than the outside atmosphere and is heated by the heating fluid to a temperature more than the boiling point of the water at the lowered pressure. The water being introduced to the heat exchanger is heated to a boil. The steam produced is less than the boiling point of water in the atmosphere. A vacuum pump draws the steam from the heat exchanger and ejects the steam through a steam hose into atmospheric pressure. This rise in pressure is accompanied by a rise in temperature of the steam above the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure. |
| US09441855B2 |
Adaptable HVAC unit base
An adaptable base of the HVAC unit can allow an HVAC unit to align and seal with multiple duct opening configurations. Such opening configurations may be different footprints in different HVAC systems, such as may be employed for example in different roof curbs of rooftop HVAC units. The adaptable base includes a base plate, a supply air duct opening, a return air duct opening, where there is at least one additional opening for one or both of the supply air opening and the return air duct opening. Each opening has a seal around its perimeter. A seal is also arranged and located on the base plate about a perimeter around the supply air duct opening(s) and the return air duct opening(s). A cover can be connected to close one or more openings that are not being used with the unit. |
| US09441854B2 |
Exhaust vent
An exhaust which comprises a mounting plate mountable onto the external wall of the building and having an opening therein. The exhaust vent also comprises a main body attachable to the mounting plate and having a rear face, a front face, and an aperture extending from the rear face to the front face in fluid communication with the opening of the mounting plate and the conduit. The exhaust vent also comprises a flap pivotally attached to the main body and movable between a closed position, where the aperture is blocked by the flap, and an opened position where the flap extends away from the aperture. Finally the exhaust vent comprises a first seal which surrounds the aperture when the flap is in the closed position, the seal being located on either one of the flap or the main body. This invention aims at improving air-tightness of the exhaust vent when in the flap is in the closed position. |
| US09441853B2 |
Teflon pocket slide gate and method of assembly
A frame assembly that includes a frame side, a channel disposed in the frame side and a Teflon guide disposed in the channel, the Teflon guide having a seal feature and a guide feature. |
| US09441852B2 |
Prefabricated, modular, fire resistance and non-fire resistance rated ventilation duct assembly with integral subducts
A prefabricated, modular, duct assembly comprising a main duct having an outer wall, an inner wall, a first end and a second end. A horizontal duct assembly extending through the main duct between the first end and the second end. A vertical duct assembly extending along the inner wall from the horizontal duct assembly to the first end. |
| US09441851B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
When using at least one of heat exchangers related to heat medium that exchange heat between a heat source side refrigerant and a heat medium as an evaporator, in a case where an air-conditioning apparatus has detected, in the heat exchanger related to heat medium that functions as the evaporator, an evaporating temperature of the heat source side refrigerant which causes the temperature of the heat medium passing through this heat exchanger related to heat medium to become equal to or lower than a freezing temperature, the air-conditioning apparatus performs a heat medium anti-freezing operation by blocking entry of the heat source side refrigerant into the heat exchanger related to heat medium that functions as the evaporator, and causing the heat source side refrigerant to flow to a bypass pipe. |
| US09441846B2 |
HVAC unit, a method of generating a network address for a HVAC unit and a HVAC controller therefor
An HVAC controller, a method for operating a HVAC unit and a HVAC unit are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a memory configured to store a unique default network address for the controller and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate the unique default network address based on a seed value that is uniquely associated with the HVAC unit. |
| US09441840B2 |
Heating apparatus with fan
A heating apparatus can have a sealed combustion chamber and a burner. The heating apparatus can have an air shutter that controls the amount of air that mixes with fuel directed toward the burner. The air shutter can be controlled by rotating a shaft that connects to the air shutter. The heating apparatus can also have a system of channels along its front face which direct air along the front face. |
| US09441839B2 |
Heating apparatus with fan
A heating apparatus can have a sealed combustion chamber, a burner, and various air channels to direct air into the sealed combustion chamber and to provide heated air to the desired area or environment such as an interior room. A channel can direct a flow of air along a face of the sealed combustion chamber to cool the face. The channel can be within or outside of the sealed combustion chamber. Alternatively, or in addition, the heating apparatus can be capable of operating as a direct vent device or as a vent free device. |
| US09441838B2 |
Pellet bin insert and storage system for smoker grills
A pellet bin insert system for a wood smoker grill includes a container with an open top, first and second parallel opposing sidewalls, a back wall, a front wall, a bottom surface and an inclined panel affixed around its perimeter to the side walls, the front wall and the bottom surface. The container includes a feeder opening in the bottom surface. A slide bar is slideably coupled to a portion of the inclined panel adjoining the bottom surface and has a bottom end slideably coupled to cover the feeder opening in a first position and to open the feeder opening when moved to a second position. The container is adapted to be inserted into a pellet hopper with the feeder hole aligned to drop pellets into a feeder mechanism when the feeder opening is uncovered. |
| US09441835B2 |
System and method for fuel and steam injection within a combustor
A system includes a gas turbine combustor configured to combust a fuel and an oxidant, such as O2 and O2 mixtures. The system also includes an aerodynamic peg disposed in the gas turbine combustor. The aerodynamic peg includes a first passage configured to convey a first fluid into the gas turbine combustor and a second passage configured to convey a second fluid into the gas turbine combustor. The first fluid and second fluid are different from one another. |
| US09441830B2 |
Display device with chain for actuating light source on the display device
In one aspect, a device includes a housing with a top portion and a bottom portion, a display coupled to at least a portion of the housing, at least one light source coupled to at least a portion of the bottom portion of the housing, and a cord coupled to at least a portion of the device. The cord protrudes from at least a portion of the device and is manipulable to actuate the light source to project light downwardly at an oblique angle with respect to a top to bottom dimension established between the top portion and the bottom portion. |
| US09441829B2 |
Portable electronic device
Portable electronic devices are provided. A device may include cover glass with a light mask. The light mask may be microperforated to allow light to pass through the light mask. The microperforations may allow light to pass through the light mask. The devices may include sensors and light emitters that receive and transmit light through the microperforations. The devices may include a variable cantilever spring as part of a button assembly. The spring may be flattened against itself without exceeding its elastic limit. The devices may include display modules. The display module may include structures that block light from leaking out of the module. The structures may include opaque tapes, opaque enclosures for the display module, and other suitable structures. |
| US09441827B2 |
Illuminated protection disk
A protective disk that is operable to be releasably secured to a glass vessel wherein the protective disk is configured to provide illumination projected into the glass vessel. The protective disk further includes a body that is annular in shape. The body includes a first layer and second layer contiguously formed. The second layer of the body has a light assembly disposed therein and is manufactured from a translucent impact absorbing material. The protective disk further includes an adhesive layer disposed on the first layer of the body opposite the second layer that functions to releasably secure the protective disk to a glass vessel. A power supply and controller are further included to provide power and control the operation of the protective disk. Additionally included is a reflective surface disposed on the second layer adjacent the first layer. |
| US09441823B1 |
Modular lighted artificial tree
A modular, lighted artificial tree that includes a base portion for supporting the artificial tree and a first tree portion. The first tree portion includes a trunk portion having a first end and a second end, and forms a trunk wall, the trunk wall defines a trunk cavity and a plurality of apertures. The first end of the trunk portion is configured to couple with the base portion. The first tree portion also includes a plurality of branches coupled to the trunk portion; a first tree portion power-supply wiring harness within the trunk cavity and extending from the first end of the trunk portion to the second end of the trunk portion; a first light string operably coupled to the power-supply wiring harness. The first wire and the second wire pass through a common aperture to electrically connect to the wiring harness. |
| US09441821B2 |
Illumination light source and lighting apparatus
An LED unit which serves as an illumination light source includes: a light-emitting element; a circuit board provided in a drive circuit which drives the light-emitting element; a lead wire electrically connecting the light-emitting element and the drive circuit; and a case including a first opening which is an elongated opening into which the lead wire is inserted. The circuit board includes a second opening which is an elongated opening into which the lead wire is inserted, and the first opening and the second opening are disposed so that a straight line extending in a lengthwise direction of the first opening and a straight line extending in a lengthwise direction of the second opening three-dimensionally cross each other. |
| US09441818B2 |
Uplight with suspended fixture
This disclosure relates to lighting fixtures, such as suspended lighting fixtures. Devices according to the present disclosure provide lighting fixtures capable of emitting in one or more primary directions, while simultaneously emitting in a direction toward a mount surface, reducing undesirable areas of insufficient light and more efficiently illuminating a space. Lighting fixtures disclosed herein can achieve this increase in illumination efficiency in many ways, including utilizing various lighting element arrangements, such as dual-sided lighting elements, and various lens arrangements, such as lens shape affecting the direction of emitted light. |
| US09441816B2 |
Lighting arrangement having a resilient element
A lighting arrangement (1) is disclosed. The lighting arrangement (1) has a circuit board (2), a support (3) for supporting the circuit board (2) and at least one light source (4) mounted on the circuit board (2). The lighting arrangement also has at least one abutment (6) which is fixed relative to the support (3) and at least one resilient element (5) which is sandwiched between the at least one abutment (6) and the circuit board (2), whereby the resilient element (5) presses against the circuit board (2). |
| US09441813B2 |
Radiation-emitting apparatus and use of an apparatus of this kind
The invention specifies a radiation-emitting apparatus (10) having a separating optics system (3) which is arranged downstream of a first radiation-emitting region (1a) and a second radiation-emitting region (1b) in the emission direction and which is suitable for separating radiation (11) which is emitted from the first radiation-emitting region (1a) and radiation (12) which is emitted from the second radiation-emitting region (1b) from one another. A secondary optics system (4) is arranged downstream of the separating optics system (3), wherein the radiation (11) which is emitted from the first radiation-emitting region (1a) is associated with a first region (4a) of the secondary optics system (4) and the radiation (12) which is emitted from the second radiation-emitting region (1b) is associated with a second region (4b) of the secondary optics system (4) which is separate from the first region (4a). The invention also specifies uses for an apparatus (10) of this kind. |
| US09441804B2 |
Vehicle lamp
In a headlight of a motorcycle, a holder, first light sources and second light sources are arranged inside a lamp unit. The lamp unit is formed with a housing and an outer lens. The first light sources are main low beam light sources supported by the holder. The second light sources are subordinate low beam light sources that are supported independently by a housing other than the holder, the housing not permitting adjustment of the optical axis, and produce a smaller amount of light than the first light sources. |
| US09441801B1 |
Flat panel lighting device and driving circuitry
The light fixture includes a frame configured to define a first channel, and a substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel disposed within the frame. Power circuitry is disposed within the first channel, the power circuitry being configured to electrically couple the substantially flat LED panel to an external AC power supply. The power circuitry is sized to be positioned within the first channel and has a length and a width, the length-to-width ratio being at least 5 to 1, and optionally at least 10 to 1. The power circuitry is configured to convert an AC input into a DC output suitable for powering the substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel. The substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel includes an optically transmissive panel, and an array of LEDs disposed adjacent to an edge of the optically transmissive panel and disposed adjacent at least one edge of the frame. |
| US09441797B2 |
Lens device and light source module using the same
A lens device and a light source module using the same are provided. The lens device comprises a lens and a patterned light shielding layer. The lens has a middle light emitting surface and a periphery light emitting surface surrounding the middle light emitting surface. The patterned light shielding layer is formed on the periphery light emitting surface of the lens. |
| US09441796B2 |
Luminaire with long chains of lower power LEDs and multiple on-board LED drivers
A luminaire may include an input connection that receives AC line voltage, one or more chains of LEDs, and one or more drivers for driving each chain of LEDs, all within a housing, which may be in the form of a canopy. Each chain of LEDs may contain at least 36 LEDs connected in series. Each LED may have a power rating of no more than 1 watt and may be oriented to direct light outside of the housing when illuminated. Each driver may receive power that is extracted from AC line voltage connected to the input connection and provide one or more outputs that drive at least one of the chains of LEDs. |
| US09441793B2 |
High efficiency lighting device including one or more solid state light emitters, and method of lighting
There is provided a lighting device that comprises at least one 600-630 nm solid state light emitter and at least one light source emitting light within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram defined by a first set of points having x, y coordinates of (0.32, 0.40), (0.36, 0.48), (0.43, 0.45), (0.42, 0.42), (0.36, 0.38), or a second set of points having x, y coordinates of (0.29, 0.36), (0.32, 0.35), (0.41, 0.43), (0.44, 0.49), (0.38, 0.53). Some embodiments further comprise at least a first power line. Also provided are methods that comprise illuminating at least one light source to emit light within one of the areas defined above, and illuminating at least one 600-630 nm emitter. |
| US09441791B2 |
Gas supply unit, substrate processing apparatus and supply gas setting method
A gas supply unit, for supplying a gas into a processing chamber in which a substrate is processed, includes a plurality of gas supply sources, a mixing line for mixing a plurality of gases supplied from the gas supply sources to make a gaseous mixture, a multiplicity of branch lines for branching the gaseous mixture to be supplied to a multiplicity of places in the processing chamber, and an additional gas supply unit for supplying a specified additional gas to a gaseous mixture flowing in at least one branch line. The gas supply unit also includes pressure gauges and valves for adjusting gas flow rates in the branch lines, respectively, and a pressure ratio controller for controlling that gaseous mixtures branched into the branch lines to have a specified pressure ratio by adjusting opening degrees of the valves based on measurement results obtained by using the pressure gauges. |
| US09441789B2 |
Pressure tank with plug and welding connection for the connector
Pressure tank, comprising a hollow body of thermoplastic material with at least one outlet, into which one connector each is inserted, which has at least one aperture each to the interior of the hollow body, with a sealing flange which is integrally formed around the outlet to the connector. This sealing flange is visible to the outside and is welded and/or bonded to the hollow body, on which at least one torque coupling is integrally formed, whose cross-section is polygonal or non-circular and which is inserted in a complementary coupling socket in the hollow body, running around the outlet. |
| US09441786B2 |
Device and method for preserving fluid systems and an engine
Disclosed is a device for preserving fluid systems, for example of a fuel system and an oil system of a turbine engine, with at least one drive for driving at least one fuel pump and at least one oil pump, wherein a valve arrangement is provided, which makes transfer-pumping a fluid between the fluid systems possible, an engine having such a device as well as a method for triggering such a device or for preserving fluid systems. |
| US09441783B2 |
Mounting structure for keypads
An improved mounting structure for keypads is provided. The mounting structure can include first and second frame members and first and second spring-loaded members. Respective first and second ends of the first spring-loaded member can couple a first end of the first frame member to a first end of the second frame member, and respective first and second ends of the second spring-loaded member can couple a second end of the first frame member to a second end of the second frame member. Each of the first and second frame members can include at least one mounting device for mounting a second device thereto, and each of the first and second spring-loaded members can include at least one affixation mechanism for affixing the apparatus to a third device. |
| US09441780B2 |
Unbonded flexible pipe and pipe system
The invention relates to an unbonded flexible pipe comprising a first pipe end, and a second pipe end. The pipe comprises a plurality of whole length layers extending from the first pipe end to the second pipe end and comprising at least a tubular inner sealing sheath, at least one armor layer, an outer protective layer and at least one thermally insulating layer arranged between the internal sealing sheath and the outer protective layer in an insulated length section. The at least one thermally insulating layer is terminated at a distal termination point in a distance from at least one of the first and the second pipe end of the unbonded flexible pipe. |
| US09441777B2 |
Multi-stream multi-channel process and apparatus
Provided is a process and apparatus for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a millichannel apparatus, which millichannel apparatus may comprise a heat exchanger which may be integrated with a millichannel reactor to form an integrated millichannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated millichannel apparatus to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the millichannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc. |
| US09441773B2 |
Pipe clamp with self-aligning mechanism while closiing of same
An annular band is adapted for wrapping around an outer diameter of a pipe. The band has two end members including tightening fasteners, which when tightened together, tighten the and against the pipe. The end members include alignment elements that mate with each other upon tightening of the tightening fasteners. The alignment elements axially align the end members with each other. |
| US09441770B2 |
Media distribution apparatus
A sealing device with a bearing unit for a distribution apparatus for media may include a shaft sleeve arranged in a stationary manner and inside which at least one supply line for a medium can be guided and a housing rotatable with respect to the shaft sleeve and arranged radially outside the shaft sleeve with respect to a rotation axis of the housing. The bearing unit bears the housing such that it can rotate with respect to the shaft sleeve, and the bearing unit is offset with respect to the sealing device in the direction of the rotation axis. |
| US09441768B2 |
Pipe-joining apparatus for producing underwater pipelines
A field joint coating unit for coating a cutback area along a pipeline in which the apparatus includes an extruder having an extrusion outlet positioned adjacent and facing the cutback area so that a protective sheet can be extruded having a width that exceeds an axially extending width of the cutback area, and a mechanism supporting the extruder and its tank, the extrusion outlet, and a roller for compressing the protective sheet onto the cutback area in which the mechanism rotate the extruder, the tank, the extrusion outlet, and the roller about the pipeline as the protective sheet is extruded while maintaining the position of the extrusion outlet relative to the cutback area. |
| US09441764B2 |
Cable fastener, image forming apparatus
In a cable fastener, a fixing portion is a projection projecting from a second surface of a base portion that is opposite to a first surface for supporting a cable, and when the fixing portion is inserted into a hole of a plate-like support portion and then the base portion is rotated, fixes the base portion to the plate-like support portion. Two cable holding portions extend from the base portion toward opposite sides of the base portion, and are configured to be bendingly deformed toward the first surface of the base portion. Two engaging portions are configured to be engaged with each other such that the base portion and the two cable holding portions are kept to be in an annular state. |
| US09441761B2 |
Telescoping mast cable management system
A telescoping mast with a cable system configured to secure the cable within the space between mast sections, wherein in the stowed configuration, the cable has an expanded zigzag arrangement, and in the deployed configuration, the cable has a compressed zigzag arrangement. |
| US09441759B1 |
Positionable mechanism for dust collection port and lathe accesories
An improved device which attaches to the back of a lathe or workbench which provides variable positionability of a dust collector port or other accessories. The device utilizes a track with a sliding bracket and an adjustable arm attached to the sliding bracket. The improved device allows for better positioning of any accessory and does not inhibit any other operation at the work station. |
| US09441749B1 |
Vacuum relief valve
The invention described herein is a vacuum relief valve for rail way tanks, truck tanks, or any other analogous closed containers in which a valve prevents implosions from an interior vacuum pressure. The valve contains a novel biasing assembly and spring housing with constant force springs and this assembly is operatively attached to the tank. The pressure from these springs is such that only when the interior tank vacuum becomes greater than the springs' preset value will air enter the valve and the operatively attached tank. No increasing pressure from the biasing assembly is necessary to maintain the air flow into the valve at the air flow's initial rate. |
| US09441746B2 |
Piston-controlled anti-siphon valve
The present application relates to an anti-siphon valve for a tank including a body with an inlet, an outlet, and a passage for the fluid, the passage connecting the inlet to the outlet. The anti-siphon valve further includes a movable cut-off device interacting with a seat to close the passage. The cut-off device normally remains in the closed position and is designed to open the passage in the presence of a positive pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet. The anti-siphon valve further includes an auxiliary control mechanism for the cut-off device towards the passage opening, the control mechanism being designed to act on the cut-off device only to open the passage, so as to enable the cut-off device to move under the effect of pressure at the outlet independently of the mechanism. |
| US09441740B2 |
Cartridge seated plug valve
A cartridge seated plug valve includes a hollow body with an inlet, an outlet, and a cylindrical valve chamber. A C-shaped rotor with an elastomeric coating is rotatably held in the valve chamber by a valve cover and a base. A valve facing with an elastomeric gasket is held adjacent to the inlet, with a central aperture of the valve facing aligned with the inlet, and the elastomeric gasket held in compression about an inlet seal surface at a perimeter of the inlet, by facing channels in the cover and base. In a closed position, the rotor is oriented with the elastomeric coating of the plug segment sealing the central aperture. The valve is opened by rotating the main stem, changing an orientation of the rotary plug, and moving the plug segment away from the inlet. |
| US09441738B2 |
Rotary slide valve
The invention relates to a rotary slide valve comprising a housing, a valve slide, a valve seat having a sealing surface, against which the valve slide rests and in which a flow opening is provided, which has a curved outer contour at least in substantial parts, wherein the valve slide can be pivoted about an axis that is eccentric to the center of curvature of the outer contour on the side of the center of curvature that faces away from the flow opening, and a drive that can adjust the valve slide between a closed position and an open position. |
| US09441731B2 |
Shift control device and shift control method for vehicle
Torque shares that express an exchange of torque are set as a constraint condition of an equation of motion of an automatic transmission, so it is suitable to control an exchange of torque between engagement devices, which is difficult in shift control, and it is possible to solve the equation of motion. In other words, it is possible to handle any shift pattern with the use of a predetermined shift model. Furthermore, at the time of a shift in which two elements are released and two elements are engaged, a first shift and a second shift in each of which one element is released and one element is engaged are carried out, so three control operation amounts are used in each of the first shift and the second shift, with the result that it is possible to solve the equation of motion. |
| US09441729B2 |
Gear change actuator
A gear change actuator (40) including first and second rotary members (54) each rotatable in opposite first and second directions, the rotary members (54) engaged with a select unit (60), which is engaged with an output member (162) having an output axis. The select unit (60) has opposite first and second input motions, and opposite third and fourth input motions, induced by simultaneous rotation of the first and second rotary members (54. The select unit (60) has opposite first and second output movements that are transmutations of the select unit (60) first and second input motions, respectively. The select unit (60) also has opposite third and fourth output movements that are transmutations of the select unit third and fourth input motions, respectively. The output member (162) has movements, respectively imparted by the select unit (60) output movements, that are one of rotationally about the output axis and axially along the output axis. |
| US09441725B2 |
Transmission fluid warm-up system and method
A vehicle includes a transmission having gears lubricated by oil and a variable voltage converter (VVC). The VVC includes an inductor arranged such that the oil contacts the inductor. The vehicle also includes at least one controller configured to operate the VVC to output a desired power. The controller, in response to a temperature of the oil being less than a threshold, alters a voltage and current of the VVC while maintaining the desired power to increase heat output by the inductor. |
| US09441723B2 |
Steel gear and manufacturing method for the same
A steel gear 1 includes a generally cylindrical outer peripheral ring portion 2, on an outer peripheral surface 20a of which a toothed shape 10 is formed, and a flange portion 3 provided to extend radially inward from an inner peripheral surface 20b of the outer peripheral ring portion 2. The outer peripheral ring portion 2 includes a first projecting portion 21 that projects toward one side in the axial direction with respect to a coupling position at which the first projecting portion 21 is coupled to the flange portion 3, and a second projecting portion 22 that projects toward the other side in the axial direction with respect to a coupling position at which the second projecting portion 22 is coupled to the flange portion 3. The axial length of the first projecting portion 21 is longer than the axial length of the second projecting portion 22. The outer peripheral ring portion 2 includes a carburized layer 4 formed in a surface layer of the toothed shape 10, and a thermal history layer 5 formed in a region including the carburized layer 4 and at a depth, in the inward direction from the outer peripheral surface 20a, larger than the depth of the carburized layer 4, the thermal history layer 5 having a history of being heated through high-frequency induction heating until becoming austenite. The depth T of the thermal history layer 5 in the inward direction from a tooth bottom 104 of the toothed shape 10 is larger at the second projecting portion 22 than at the first projecting portion 21. |
| US09441722B2 |
Mechanical system forming a cam follower or a rocker arm, including an inner cavity adapted to contain an oil bath
A mechanical system, forming a cam follower or a rocker arm, the mechanical system comprising: a support element; a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element; and a roller movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element includes an inner cavity in which the roller is at least partially arranged and which is adapted to contain an oil bath for lubricating the roller. Examples of applications for the mechanical system include a follower device, an injection pump or a valve actuator. |
| US09441718B2 |
Hydrokinetic torque coupling device having turbine-piston lockup clutch, and related methods
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device features a casing including an impeller shell, a casing shell, and an intermediate casing component connecting the impeller and casing shells. The intermediate casing component includes a casing wall portion and a piston engagement portion extending inward from and being non-rotatable relative to the casing wall portion. The device further features an impeller including the impeller shell. The turbine-piston is coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and includes a turbine-piston shell having a turbine-piston flange with an engagement surface that is movable axially toward and away from an engagement surface of the piston engagement portion to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device respectively into and out of a lockup mode. |
| US09441713B2 |
Vehicle braking system brake bias adjuster having a visible brake bias ratio indicator and method and apparatus for retrofitting a vehicle with a vehicle braking system brake bias adjustment knob assembly having a visible brake bias ratio indicator
A vehicle braking system bias adjuster which includes a brake bias adjustment knob assembly which enables the driver of the vehicle to quickly and easily set, adjust, and visually and quickly determine the relative front to rear (or right front to left front) brake bias or brake bias setting of the vehicle before and while driving the vehicle. The brake bias adjustment knob assembly visually indicates the exact amount of brake bias, or if there is no bias at all. The ratio is expressed in numbers to enable the driver to reset the brake bias to a known value of ratio as needed for track conditions and vehicle weight changes. The value in numbers is reproducible. The present disclosure also provides a method and apparatus for retrofitting an existing vehicle with a brake bias adjustment knob assembly which enables the driver of the vehicle to quickly and easily set, adjust, and visually determine the relative brake bias or brake bias setting (i.e., the ratio of front to rear brake biasing or the ratio of side to side brake biasing) of the vehicle before and while driving the vehicle. |
| US09441710B2 |
Multi-speed gearbox
A multi-speed transmission includes at least four planetary gear sets, eight rotatable shafts and six shifting elements. Selective actuation of the shifting elements brings about different transmission ratio relationships between an input shaft and an output shaft, such that ten forward gears and one reverse gear are able to be realized. |
| US09441709B2 |
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission includes plural planetary gear mechanisms rotatably supported by a housing to be coaxial to a rotation axis, a ring gear of the foremost planetary gear mechanism being connected to a sun gear of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism, an input shaft being connected to a carrier of the foremost planetary gear mechanism, an output shaft being connected to a carrier of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism, a rotation member positioned at a radially outward of the ring gear of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism to be rotatable coaxially to the ring gear of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism, a brake selectively fixing the rotation member to the housing, a clutch selectively connecting the rotation member and a carrier of the planetary gear mechanism positioned at front relative to the rearmost planetary gear mechanism by one, and a dog clutch selectively connecting the ring gear of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism and the rotation member. |
| US09441708B2 |
High-efficiency drive system including a transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle
A high-efficiency drive system including a transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The system includes a gear set having first, second and third elements. A non-friction clutch assembly is non-hydraulically controlled to change between a first coupling state for coupling the output shaft of an electrical machine to a transmission output shaft and an uncoupling state for uncoupling the output shaft of the electrical machine from the transmission output shaft. The clutch assembly is also non-hydraulically controlled to change between a second coupling state for coupling the output shaft of a non-electrical machine to the transmission output shaft and the uncoupling state for uncoupling the output shaft of the non-electrical machine from the transmission output shaft. |
| US09441696B2 |
Cushioning system for trailer drawbar
A trailer drawbar has a housing with a cylindrical outer chamber and a cylindrical inner chamber separated from one another by a stop. First and second compressible bushings respectively fit in the outer and inner chambers. The bushings have aligned bores. A rod extends through the bores in the bushings. One rod end contains an annular base, which abuts the first bushing, and a drawbar eye. The other rod end is threaded. An annular seal is positioned on the rod adjacent to the second bushing. The first bushing has a length and compressibility such that the seal remains entirely within the inner chamber when the first bushing is compressed to a pre-determined level. The second bushing has a length and compressibility such that the first seal is not located completely inside of the inner chamber when the second bushing is compressed up to a second pre-determined level. |
| US09441693B2 |
Non-asbestos friction material composition, and friction material and friction member using same
A non-asbestos frictional material composition containing a binder, an organic filler, an inorganic filler, and a fiber base material includes: copper in a content of 0.5 mass % or less as a copper element; a metal fiber other than a copper fiber and a copper alloy fiber in a content of 0.5 mass % or less; cashew dust in a content of 3.5-10.0, wollastonite, and mica. The non-asbestos frictional material composition can provide a frictional material with excellent friction coefficient, anti-crack properties, and abrasion resistance even with the reduced content of copper and a copper fiber possibly causing environmental pollution. The frictional material and the friction member are formed by using the above-mentioned non-asbestos frictional material composition. |
| US09441692B2 |
Proximity sensor for brake wear detection
A proximity sensor 20, 21, 22 and method for detection of wear in a brake disc stack 55 on an aircraft including a wear pin 40, 43, 50 for moving in a first direction as the brake wears, and a switch 20, 21, 22 for measuring movement of the wear pin in the first direction. When the wear pin 40, 43, 50 moves in the first direction to a predetermined position, the switch 20, 21, 22 signals that the brake disc stack 55 has worn the predetermined amount. |
| US09441691B2 |
Electric disk brake
Disclosed herein is an electric disk brake including: a carrier in which a pair of pad plates for pressing both sides of a rotating disk together with wheels are installed to make advance and retreat; a caliper housing that is slidably installed in the carrier and has a cylinder in which a piston is installed to make advance and retreat due to brake hydraulic pressure; an adjuster disposed in the piston; a push rod that is installed in the cylinder and is screw-coupled to the adjuster; a ramp unit that is installed to penetrate the rear of the cylinder, converts a rotation motion into a rectilinear motion by receiving a rotation force from an actuator that generates a parking brake force, and presses the push rod toward the piston; and an elastic member that is disposed in a spring case formed between an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder and the push rod and provides an elastic force to the push rod, further including a connector having one end coupled to a rotating ramp plate of the ramp unit so that the connector is rotated together with the rotating ramp plate, and having the other end connected to a final output gear among a plurality of gears configured to decelerate a rotation force generated from the actuator so that the rotation force is transferred only in a direction in which a brake force is generated in the rotating ramp plate, wherein at least one hole is spaced by a predetermined distance apart from a center of the connector in a radial direction and is formed in an arc shape, and protrusions are formed in the final output gear to penetrate the at least one hole and to rotate, and the connector includes: a first coupling part that penetrates a center of the final output gear and is coupled to the rotating ramp plate; and a second coupling part, which extends from the first coupling part in a radial direction and in which the at least one hole is formed in the radial direction of a center of the second coupling part. |
| US09441690B2 |
Air cooled piston cap assembly
An air-cooled piston cap assembly is provided for use in a disc brake caliper that includes a piston cap, and a piston body having a proximal end and a distal end which is slidably movable within a caliper bore along an axis. The piston cap includes a retention portion mounted within the distal end of the piston body, a contact portion located opposite from the retention portion that contacts a brake pad assembly, and an intermediate portion connecting the retention portion with the contact portion. The outer surface of the intermediate portion defines an extended heat exchange path between the contact portion and the retention portion, and may for example hourglass-shaped. An air gap is provided between a top edge of the piston body and an undersurface of the contact portion of the piston cap that allows air to circulate over the extended heat transfer path defined by the outer surface of the contact portion and intermediate portion to cool the cap from frictional heat generated during braking. The contact portion of the piston cap is shaped such that only a part of the surface of the contact portion contacts the brake pad assembly to advantageously reduce both conductive heat transfer and noise during a braking operation. |
| US09441685B2 |
Disc brake for a motor vehicle and brake lining
A disc brake for a motor vehicle and a corresponding brake lining are provided. The disk brake includes a brake caliper straddling a brake disc, at least one brake lining with a lining carrier plate and friction lining, and a brake carrier fixed to the vehicle having carrier flanges supporting the lining carrier plate on entry and exit sides. The entry-side carrier flange and the adjacent lining carrier plate support surface interlockingly engage with one another, and the exit-side carrier flange and a corresponding contact contour of the lining carrier plate form a support surface inclined at an angle relative to the Y-axis in certain areas or at least in the radially highest area of the lining support on the brake carrier. |
| US09441684B2 |
Parking lock device for vehicle
A parking pawl achieves a parking locked state by engaging with a parking gear. A parking rod is configured to move along the axial direction of the parking rod. The parking rod passes through a cam member. The cam member is configured to move from a first position to a second position in accordance with movement of the parking rod. The cam member includes a tapered portion that presses the parking pawl such that the parking pawl is engaged with the parking gear when the cam member moves from the first position to the second position. The parking rod includes a protruding portion that protrudes from the cam member. A guide member is configured to guide the cam member, and is configured to support the protruding portion and the tapered portion when the cam member is at the first position. |
| US09441683B2 |
Hydraulic auxiliary brake device of motor used for oil production
A hydraulic auxiliary brake device of a motor used for oil production is provided. A turning shaft and an oil extraction pump of the motor are provided with a brake disc. The motor is provided with a hydraulic brake. The hydraulic brake is connected with an oil pressure pipe, a one-way clutch gear, and an oil pump. The one-way clutch gear meshes with the brake disc. When the turning shaft and the oil extraction pump of the motor are turned normally for oil production, the one-way clutch idles so that the oil pump doesn't output oil pressure, and the hydraulic brake doesn't activate to brake the brake disc. In case of a power failure, the oil pump is opened to output oil pressure and the hydraulic brake is activated to brake the brake disc, such that the turning shaft and the oil extraction pump are stopped from turning. |
| US09441682B1 |
Ratchet mechanism for a bicycle hub assembly
A hub assembly includes a first and second pawl units respectively connected to the tubular portion of the hub. A toothed collar is mounted to the first and second pawl units, and has ratchet teeth defined therein. The first pawl unit has three first pawls which are located at equal angle to each other. The second pawl unit has three second pawls which are located at equal angle to each other. An angle is defined between the first and second pawls next to each other, and the angle is smaller than the angle of each ratchet teeth of the toothed collar. The first and second pawls are engaged with the ratchet teeth not simultaneously so as to effectively drive the bicycle and the strength of the pawls is maintained. |
| US09441680B2 |
Clutched driven device and associated clutch mechanism
A driven accessory comprising a first rotary clutch portion, a second rotary clutch portion, a wrap spring and an actuator. The actuator is selectively operable for generating a force that is applied to a second end of the wrap spring. The actuator includes an actuator input member that is rotatable about a rotary axis relative to the first rotary clutch portion. The actuator input member is axially movable along the rotary axis between a first position, in which the actuator input member is drivingly engaged to the first rotary clutch portion to cause the wrap spring to uncoil against a clutch surface on the first rotary clutch portion such that rotary power is transmitted between the first rotary clutch portion and the second rotary clutch portion, and a second position in which the actuator input member is disengaged from first rotary clutch portion. |
| US09441678B2 |
Shearable drive coupling assembly
A shearable drive coupling assembly includes an adapter having a top end with a drive shaft well extending downwardly therein. A plurality of spindle splines extends outwardly from an outer surface of the adapter and a plurality of shaft splines extends inwardly from an inside surface of the adaptor. The plurality of spindle splines engage a receiver of an article of powered equipment. A drive shaft of a drive motor engages the shaft splines so that the adapter is coupled to the drive shaft and transfers a rotational torque between the drive shaft and the receiver. The plurality of spindle splines or the plurality of shaft splines shears away from the adapter to decouple the drive shaft from the receiver when the receiver is exposed to a trigger counter-rotational force to protect the receiver and the drive shaft from damage. |
| US09441675B2 |
Water pump of internal combustion engine with a slinger sealing the bearing
A water pump of an internal combustion engine, including a pump housing having a cylindrical portion constructed so as to surround an outer peripheral side of a drive shaft, the cylindrical portion being integrally formed of an aluminum-based metal material, and a stepped portion provided on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion. A bearing is provided having an outer race fixed to a pulley and an inner race made of an iron-based metal material and fixed to an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion. Additionally, a shielding member is provided having an inner peripheral side sandwiched between the inner race and the stepped portion, an outer peripheral side having a plate shape and extending to side of the outer race, and an end-face seal structure portion formed of an elastic material and formed on at least one of opposite surfaces of the sandwiched inner peripheral side. |
| US09441674B2 |
Ball bearing
A ball bearing includes an outer ring; an inner ring; a plurality of balls; and a cage that has an annular shape. Oil flows into an area between the outer ring and the inner ring from one side in an axial direction and flows out from the other side in the axial direction. The cage includes an annular portion provided on an oil inflow side, and bar portions extending from the annular portion toward an oil outflow side. An outer peripheral end portion of the annular portion is constituted by a corner portion at which an axial outer end face intersects with an outer peripheral surface. An axial position of a tip end of the corner portion is substantially same as an axial position of a side surface of the outer ring. |
| US09441672B2 |
Method for producing holder and holder
A method for producing a holder in which sagging is suppressed in a bent part to be formed into a flange portion, without using bulge forming and a split mold that restrains the inside of a working target article; and a holder. An upper punch presses and bends one end portion of a working target article inward, whereby a flange portion is formed in the one end portion. A smaller-diameter portion of the working target article is restrained from the inside and outside by a lower punch and split mold portions. Then, a peripheral surface portion of a convex portion of the upper punch receives the end portion of the working target article and applies an outward pressure to the end portion. A bent part is pushed toward a larger-diameter portion restraining part of a split die, so that sagging is prevented from occurring in the bent part. |
| US09441671B2 |
Bearing with K-type cage
A K-type cage bearing having two coaxial lateral rings; and a plurality of transverse bars set between the rings and spaced along the circumferential direction, two ends of each transverse bar are respectively connected with the two lateral rings, and two of the bars located adjacent to the opening of the cage are respectively defined as first and second transverse bars. Both the first and second transverse bars are configured with at least one connection element, all the connection elements extend into the opening of the cage, and the connection element on the first transverse bar faces the connection element on the second transverse bar in a one to one manner along the circumferential direction of the cage; one is configured with an inserting block, while the other has a groove. The inserting block is insertable into the groove; and the groove includes first and second side surfaces, the first side surface faces to the transverse bar where the groove is located along the circumferential direction of the cage and is adapted to limit the inserting block from moving along the circumferential direction. The second side surface faces to one of the two lateral rings along an axial direction and limits the inserting block axially so the cage does not tend to loosen at the engaging position of the connection elements. |
| US09441670B2 |
Sintered bearing
Provided is a sintered bearing (1) including an inner layer (2) and an outer layer (3) formed by integral molding, the sintered bearing (1) having a bearing surface (A) formed on an inner peripheral surface (2a) of an inner layer (2). The inner layer (2) is made of sintered metal containing Fe and a hardness increasing element (such as Ni or Mo). The outer layer (3) is made of sintered metal containing Fe and no hardness increasing element. A concentration gradient of the hardness increasing element is present at an interface between the inner layer (2) and the outer layer (3). |
| US09441668B2 |
Air bearing for use as seal
In order to effect a seal; a porous material which comprises one side of two opposing surfaces is used to restrict and evenly distribute externally pressurized gas, liquid, steam, etc. between the two surfaces, exerting a force which is opposite the forces from pressure differences or springs trying to close the two faces together and so may create a non contact seal that is more stable and reliable than hydrodynamic seals currently in use. |
| US09441667B2 |
Bearing assembly
A bearing assembly for use in an apparatus having a housing and a shaft which is rotatably connected with the housing. A shaft extension extends from the interior of the housing at a first housing end. The shaft extension defines a first bearing shaft surface. The bearing assembly includes a first thrust bearing for transferring a first axial load between the shaft and the housing. The first thrust bearing is located axially between the first housing end and the first bearing shaft surface. The bearing assembly also includes a radial bearing for transferring a radial load between the shaft and the housing. The radial bearing is located within the interior of the housing. |
| US09441662B2 |
Joint construction and method of making same
A method of joining a first workpiece having a first surface and a second surface angularly disposed relative to such first surface, and a second workpiece having a surface disposable in abutting relation relative to the second surface of such first workpiece, comprising forming a recess in the first surface of such first workpiece, sloped toward and spaced from the second surface of such first workpiece, producing an end surface thereof disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal centerline of such recess; forming a notched ledge on the end surface of such recess; positioning a threaded fastener in the sloped recess with a head portion thereof resting on a bottom surface of the recess and the threaded portion thereof disposed along the centerline with the end thereof resting on such ledge; disposing the surface of the second workpiece in abutting relation with the second surface of the first workpiece; and threading the threaded fastener along the longitudinal centerline of such recess, through such abutting surfaces of such workpieces to join such workpieces together. |
| US09441661B2 |
Microscale and millimeter scale devices including threaded elements, methods for designing, and methods for making
Embodiments of the invention provide threaded elements alone, in mating pairs, or in conjunction with other elements. Embodiments of the invention also provide for design and fabrication of such threaded elements without violating minimum feature size design rules or causing other interference issues that may result from the fabrication of such thread elements using a multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication process. |
| US09441658B2 |
Structural tube
Provided is a structure that may include a structural tube having at least one slot extending from an end thereof, an end plate attached to the end of the structural tube, and at least one cross member extending through the at least one slot, the at least one cross member including a first region outside of the structural tube and a second region inside the structural tube. |
| US09441650B2 |
Fluid resistance reducing method and resistance reducing propulsion device
A fluid resistance reducing method and a resistance reducing propulsion device are disclosed, wherein vane-shaped devices are inserted in the fluid at a certain interval along a vertical direction to a moving velocity direction of the fluid, and thus the fluid is divided into several limited zones to limit the fluid and solidify moving state; resultantly the fluid is prevented from directly crashing with fixed wall of a surface of an object to be resistance-reduced and thus a moving velocity direction of the vane-shaped device accords with a predetermined direction of a tangent line of the fixed wall and reaction force on the fluid provides a centripetal force for the fluid to turn, so as to force the fluid to gradually change the velocity direction along the fixed wall and manually intervene with parts of the object to force the fluid near a boundary face to moves stratifiedly and orderly. |
| US09441646B2 |
Hydraulic system for construction machine including emergency control unit for electric hydraulic pump
The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic system for a construction machine which uses an electric hydraulic pump, and more particularly, to a hydraulic system including an emergency control unit for temporarily driving the construction machine when an electronic control unit controlling the electric hydraulic pumps fails to operate. To this end, disclosed is the hydraulic system including the electric hydraulic pump, the electric control unit for controlling the electric hydraulic pump, and the emergency control unit, which operates when the electric control unit fails to operate, so as to temporarily control the electric hydraulic pump in accordance with to a predetermined condition, which can effectively respond to a low load work corresponding to predetermined pressure and to a high load work corresponding to higher pressure, by selectively operating the emergency control unit according to different optional conditions, based on the amount of load (low load, high load) of the working machine that is required when the electric control unit fails to operate. |
| US09441645B2 |
Proportional servo hydraulic control valve
A system has an actuator having a rotor or a linear piston, and ports for hydraulic fluid, an electro-mechanical sensor sensing position of the rotor or linear piston, a valve having a 1 plug in a bore of a valve body, the plug having cross bores aligning with passages within the valve body communicating inlet and outlet ports depending on relative position of the plug in the bore of the valve body, a servo motor to move the plug around or along the axis to different positions to align individual ones of the cross bores with individual ones of the passages communicating with individual ones of the ports, and a programmable controller coupled to the electro-mechanical sensor and to the servo motor, the controller enabled to control the servo motor to accomplish programmed movement and position of the rotor or linear piston of the hydraulically-driven actuator. |
| US09441643B2 |
Hydraulic oil storage device and injection molding device
A hydraulic oil storage device and an injection molding device are provided with a connection box that partitions a storage region of a sub-tank into a first region that includes a flow channel opening portion for a coupling tube and a second region other than the first region, in which the connection box is provided with an internal region communication portion that brings the first region and the second region into communication, and causes a pressure loss equal to the pressure loss of the coupling tube, or a pressure loss greater than that pressure loss, and a return tube is connected to the sub-tank so that the flow channel outlet faces the first region. |
| US09441640B2 |
Pump for water cooler
A pump for a water cooler is positioned inside or outside an electronic device having heating parts in order to cool heat generated by the heating parts via a circulating refrigerant. |
| US09441638B2 |
Oil-cooled gas compressor
An oil-cooled gas compressor provided with: a compressor body (3); an oil separator (6) that separates out oil from a compressed gas; a gas pipe (8) for sending the compressed gas, from which oil has been separated out by the oil separator, to a user; and an oil pipe (7) for returning, to the compressor, the oil separated out by the oil separator. The following are also provided: an air-cooled heat exchanger (13) for cooling the aforementioned oil; a controllable-speed cooling fan (14) for blowing cooling air at said air-cooled heat exchanger; and a waste-heat-recovery heat exchanger (10), provided upstream of the air-cooled heat exchanger, for recovering heat from the oil flowing through the abovementioned oil pipe. The speed of the cooling fan is controlled so as to bring the temperature of the compressed gas discharged from the compressor body to within a prescribed range. This makes it possible both to recover waste heat from the oil heated by being used to cool the compressor, and to suppress compressor temperature fluctuations even if the load on the waste-heat-recovery equipment varies. |
| US09441633B2 |
Detection of well fluid contamination in sealed fluids of well pump assemblies
A submersible well pump assembly include a rotary pump driven by an electrical motor. A seal section operably connects between the motor and the pump for reducing a pressure differential between motor oil in the motor and well fluid surrounding the pump assembly. The pump assembly contains a sealed fluid. A sensor mounted to the well pump assembly detects contamination of the sealed fluid by well fluid encroaching into contact with the sealed fluid. The sensor may be mounted in the motor or the seal section to detect well fluid contamination of motor oil. The sensor may be mounted in a secondary pump that has that has temporary barriers to block the entry of well fluid into a buffer fluid contained in the secondary pump while the secondary pump is in a storage condition within a well. |
| US09441632B2 |
Sump pump remote monitoring systems and methods
Systems and methods for sump pump remote monitoring can include control circuitry integrated into a portable housing, with a backup sump pump connected to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can be powered by a line power and when the line power is not available, the control circuitry can be powered by a battery power. The control circuitry can be connected to a control panel, and the control circuitry can include a pressure transducer, the pressure transducer to measure a pressure in a fluid level sensor, and based on the measured pressure, the control circuitry to adjust the speed of the backup sump pump. A wireless controller can be connected to the control circuitry, the wireless controller for wirelessly receiving monitoring instructions and wirelessly transmitting backup sump pump status data, with the control circuitry providing an indication of the backup sump pump status data to the control panel. |
| US09441631B2 |
Suction duct with heat-staked screen
A suction duct for a compressor such as a scroll compressor may include a plastic ring body with a metal screen heat staked in a window of the ring body to filter refrigerant gas entering the motor cavity. the ring body may be in surrounding relation of the motor and resiliently compressed in the housing through intermittent contact with the inner housing surface to better seal around the inlet port. Oil drain channels and stabilizing ribs may be along the outside surface of the ring body. |
| US09441627B2 |
Lightweight and flexible rotors for positive displacement devices
A rotor for a progressive cavity device has a central axis and includes an outer tubular. The outer tubular has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface defining a rotor cavity. The outer surface includes at least one helical rotor lobe. The rotor also includes a filler structure disposed within the rotor cavity. The outer tubular is made of a first material having a first density and the filler structure is made of a second material having a second density that is less than the first density. |
| US09441624B2 |
Solid state fluid level sensor
A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.” |
| US09441622B2 |
Structure of trigger-boosting pulling device
A trigger-boosting pulling device includes an elongate shank, which receives a backward ram to slidably fit thereon, a suction cup, which is fixed to a rear end of the elongate shank, a hand-operating pump structure, which is fixed to a front end of the elongate shank and includes a T-shaped pull grip that is connected by a connection bar to a piston assembly. The connection bar includes a spring fit thereon for position restoration of the pull grip. The pump cylinder includes a handle mounted thereto. The handle has a trigger that is arranged to drive, via a connection lever, the connection bar. As such, the T-shaped pull grip can be first pulled to induce a suction force to reach an initial level and then the handle is held by a hand and the trigger is pulled to drive the connection lever for doubling the force so as to induce enhanced vacuum suction force in the suction cup. |
| US09441614B2 |
Wind energy power plant equipped with an optical vibration sensor
A wind energy power plant optical vibration sensor is described, using two light sources 15, 16 that emit light at different respective frequencies. The light from the first light source falls on a surface 44 of the wind energy power plant at a detection site. Movements in the surface result in changes to the phase of the light reflected back from the surface which can be detected by mixing the first light with the light emitted from the second light source. The difference in frequencies between the two light sources results in a beating of the resulting interference signal, whereas movements in the sensor surface result in changes in the phase timing and frequency of the beats. |
| US09441613B2 |
Methods of controlling a lubricator apparatus, methods of communication, and apparatuses and systems
A method of controlling a lubricator apparatus, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises: receiving a signal representing rotation of a lubricant applicator in rotatable engagement with an object to be lubricated; and causing the lubricator apparatus to dispense lubricant through the lubricant applicator to the object to be lubricated in response to the signal. A method of communication, according to another illustrative embodiment, comprises: receiving, at a communication apparatus, a plurality of input operational property signals; transmitting an output operational property signal from the communication apparatus to a data collection apparatus, the output operational property signal representing at least one of the measurements; receiving, at the communication apparatus, an input control signal; and controlling at least one device of the system in response to the input control signal. Other illustrative embodiments include a computer-readable medium, a lubricator apparatus, a system, and a communication apparatus. |
| US09441612B2 |
Transportable system for self-contained energy micro-grid with wind turbine
An energy unit capable of being configured in a transportation configuration and in an operational configuration. The unit comprises a container having first and second ends opposing a longitudinally-extending central section. In the transportation configuration, the container's central section is positioned generally parallel with a supporting ground surface. In the operational configuration the container is configured to be positioned with the first end on the supporting ground surface such that the second end is set apart in an upward direction from the supporting ground surface. The energy unit additionally comprises a wind turbine for generating electrical energy. In the operational configuration, the wind turbine is configured to be received within the interior space of the container, while in the transportation configuration the wind turbine is configured to extend from the exterior surface of the container. |
| US09441605B2 |
Corona ignition system and method for controlling a corona ignition device
A corona ignition system that can be operated with relatively low expenditure in the vicinity of its resonant frequency. For each ignition, impedance and frequency values are stored in a data structure and are allocated to a respective voltage value. The data structure is complemented by an adjustment variable whose value specifies whether the present frequency value of the present engine cycle has been classified as too high or too low. The value of the adjustment variable is determined anew in each engine cycle. To that end, a comparison is made between a present frequency value with an earlier frequency value and a present impedance value with an earlier impedance value. Based upon the comparison, a value can be assigned to the adjustment value to cause a lower or higher frequency value of the corona discharge in the next cycle. |
| US09441600B2 |
Motor vehicle electrical system and method for operating a motor vehicle electrical system
A motor vehicle electrical system, wherein a control unit senses or detects a start-stop command for the internal combustion engine, wherein when a start-stop command is sensed or detected a switching element is switched into the first switching state and the voltage at the DC/DC output, which is connected to the switching element, is increased by a control unit by means of a control command, wherein a measuring unit senses and evaluates the voltage condition over the switching element, wherein depending upon the evaluation the start-stop command is or is not carried out by a control unit using a control command. Also disclosed is a method for operating a motor vehicle electrical system. |
| US09441599B2 |
Induction motor-permanent magnet generator tandem configuration starter-generator for hybrid vehicles
Disclosed in the present invention is a tandem starter-generator construction that includes an induction motor-generator, a permanent magnet motor-generator and power transmission unit disposed adjacent to the motor-generators. The induction motor-generator is utilized predominantly as a motor to provide mechanical power at relatively high efficiency as a motor, and as a generator to provide electrical power during regenerative braking. The permanent magnet motor-generator is used predominantly as a generator for very high efficiency power conversion and to capture additional electrical power during regenerative braking to compensates for the regenerative energy captured at lower efficiency by the induction motor-generator. Accordingly, the tandem motor-generator construction disclosed herein overcomes the drawbacks of low efficiency of an induction motor-generator operating in regenerative mode and a permanent magnet motor-generator magnetic drag losses during periods of non-utilization at high speeds in order to improve fuel efficiency of a parallel hybrid vehicle. |
| US09441598B2 |
Aircraft fuel filter impending and actual bypass indication system
A fuel supply system includes a fuel supply line, a fuel filter, a filter bypass line, a first differential pressure sensor, a second differential pressure sensor, and a filter bypass valve. The fuel filter is disposed in series in the fuel supply line to remove particulate from the fuel. The filter bypass line has a fuel inlet upstream of the fuel filter, and an outlet that is downstream of the fuel filter. The first differential pressure sensor continuously senses differential pressure across the fuel filter, and the second differential pressure sensor selectively senses differential pressure across the fuel filter. The filter bypass valve is movable between a first non-bypassing position and a second bypassing position and controls whether only the first differential pressure sensor or both the first and second differential pressure sensors sense the differential pressure across the fuel filter. |
| US09441594B2 |
Valve actuator assembly with current trim and fuel injector using same
A valve actuator assembly includes a valve member movable between a first seat and a second seat. A spring member biases the valve member toward the first seat, and an actuator is positioned to move the valve member toward the second seat against the bias of the spring member when the actuator is energized. A controller is in control communication with the actuator and is configured to provide a first current to the actuator for an energizing period, identify a lack of return contact between the valve member and the first seat during a post-energizing period, and provide a second current to the actuator that is higher than the first current in response to the lack of return contact. |
| US09441593B2 |
Fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine
In a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a combustion chamber with at least one intake valve at an intake side and with at least one exhaust valve at an exhaust side of the combustion chamber and a central injection nozzle for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, the injection nozzle has injection orifices which are designed and oriented in such a way that a first quantity of fuel is injected into the intake side, a second quantity of fuel injected is into the exhaust side, and a third quantity of fuel which is about equal to the first quantity and greater than the second quantity is injected into a boundary area between the intake and the exhaust sides, providing for a low-emission operation of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09441592B2 |
Activation unit with an actuator
An activation unit is disclosed having at least one actuator having a variable length disposed around at least one first axis. The activation unit operatively interacts with an activation element mounted so that it can be bi-directionally deflected along a second axis. The front side of the actuator is indirectly or directly engaged with a first piston, which can be deflected along the first axis in a mechanically positively driven manner. The first piston has a front side facing away from the actuator which axially borders at least regions of a transfer medium on one side. The transfer medium is radially surrounded relative to a first axis by a housing radially to the first axis, and axially borders at least regionally a front side of at least one second piston. The at least second piston can be deflected in a mechanically positively driven manner, and engages the activation element directly or indirectly. An actively variable and/or passive temperature control medium is provided on and/or in the housing that is in indirect or direct thermal contact with the transfer medium. |
| US09441590B2 |
Fuel injection valve
The invention relates to a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, having a nozzle needle (1) which is guided, such that it can perform a stroke movement, in a central bore (2) of a nozzle body (3) in order to open up or close off at least one injection opening (4), wherein the nozzle needle (1) interacts, by means of an encircling sealing region (5) formed on the combustion-chamber-side end thereof, with a sealing seat (6) that runs conically and is formed on the combustion-chamber-side end of the nozzle body (3). According to the invention, the sealing seat (6) that runs conically has an opening angle (α1) of between 30° and 50°, preferably of between 40° and 50°. |
| US09441589B2 |
Fuel injector
In a fuel injector, a first surface 39 of a valve seat 38 and a second surface 31 of a valve 26 are facing each other. In the first surface or the second surface, a seal member 32 disposed between the valve seat and the valve is provided. One of the first surface and second surfaces includes a protruding portion 31a that protrudes toward the other surface, and the protruding portion contacts a contact portion 39a of the other surface. The surface hardness of the protruding portion 31a disposed on either of the first surface and second surface is lower than that of the contact portion 39a of the other surface. |
| US09441583B2 |
Air filter assembly for a machine
An air filter assembly for a machine is disclosed. The air filter may have a filter medium, and a side wall connected to the filter medium on a first side of the filter medium. The side wall may have a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature. At least one of the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may project from the side wall. The first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may be configured to slidingly engage a filter housing. |
| US09441577B2 |
Pressure reducing system for fuel gas and natural gas dewaxing vehicle
A pressure reducing system for fuel gas and a natural gas dewaxing vehicle are provided. The pressure reducing system includes fuel gas pipelines which consist of successively connected a high pressure pipeline, a medium pressure pipeline and a low pressure pipeline in the flow direction of fuel gas. The tail end of the low pressure pipeline connects with a combustion apparatus. A high pressure relief valve, a high pressure air feed valve, a heat exchanger and a primary pressure reducing valve subassembly are connected on the high pressure pipeline. The heat exchanger is provided with a hot fluid inlet and a hot fluid outlet, where the hot fluid inlet connects with a hot water apparatus, and the hot fluid outlet connects with a water storage apparatus. The medium pressure pipeline is equipped with a medium pressure relief valve and a secondary pressure reducing valve. |
| US09441574B2 |
Engine spacer plate gasket
A sealing assembly for establishing a gas and fluid tight seal in an internal combustion engine is provided. The sealing assembly includes a plate of metal which has a plurality of openings and at least one generally flat surface. The plate also has at least one shelf which circumferentially surrounds one of the openings and which opens to the generally flat surface and the opening. The sealing assembly further includes at least one sealing bead of an elastically compressible material which is engaged with the shelf and extends outwardly therefrom past the generally flat surface for sealing the plate with another component in the internal combustion engine. |
| US09441571B2 |
Self-tuning electronic fuel injection system
A self-tuning fuel injection system and method having a first long-term fuel trim correction algorithm to selectively replace an operating zone within a volumetric efficiency look-up table based with a proposed correction only if mathematical comparisons with a surrounding determinative zone reveal that the correction will not result in an abrupt discontinuity. Mathematical comparison models may include absolute values of the differences or percent differences of each proposed cell and its neighbors, the difference of each proposed cell and the mean of its eight neighbors, and standard deviation of each proposed cell and its neighbors. A second repair algorithm repairs values surrounding an operating zone that have such a dissimilar magnitude as to cause poor engine performance using linear interpolation, for example. According to the invention, either the correction or the repair algorithm, or both, are executed in series or in parallel. |
| US09441563B2 |
Vehicle control device
A control device is configured that can shorten the time required for a system to stop due to an ignition switch operation in a situation in which the internal combustion engine is stopped due to stop control. The control device includes a control unit that, in the situation in which the internal combustion engine is stopped due to stop control, if the transmission mechanism is operated to a second shift position that is different from a first shift position in which the vehicle can travel, executes phase conversion control to shift a valve opening/closing timing control mechanism from a first lock phase to a second lock phase. |
| US09441562B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine and corresponding internal combustion engine
A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes the steps of determining an oxygen filling state of an oxygen storage of a catalytic converter by way of a first lambda signal provided by a first lambda probe and an offset value, the first lambda probe being arranged in an exhaust gas stream upstream of the catalytic converter; when a second lambda signal provided by a second lambda probe arranged in the exhaust gas stream upstream of the catalytic converter falls below a lower lambda signal threshold, setting the oxygen filling state to a first value corresponding to an empty oxygen storage and/or when the second lambda signal exceeds a upper lambda signal threshold setting the oxygen filling state to a second value corresponding to a full oxygen storage; immediately thereafter regulating the oxygen filling state during at least one regulation time period to a target filling state; and after expiration of the regulation time period adjusting the offset value by way of the second lambda signal. |
| US09441558B2 |
Controller for internal combustion engines
An object of this invention is, with respect to a torque-demand-control type controller that subjects two kinds of actuators provided upstream and downstream in an intake passage to coordinated operations based on a requested torque for an internal combustion engine, to enable realization of a pulse-like torque change in a torque decreasing direction that is requested, for example, when performing an upshift operation in an electronically controlled automatic transmission. To achieve this object, according to a controller for an internal combustion engine of this invention, when a pulse component in a torque decreasing direction is included in a requested torque, a second requested torque that does not include the pulse component is generated. In this case, a first actuator provided on the downstream side in the intake passage is operated based on the requested torque. On the other hand, although a second actuator provided on the upstream side in the intake passage is operated based on the requested torque when there is not a valid value of the second requested torque, the second actuator is operated based on the second requested torque when there is a valid value of the second requested torque. |
| US09441552B2 |
Method of injecting fuel into an engine
A method of operation of a dual fluid fuel injection system arranged to supply fuel to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the dual fluid fuel injection system being controllable to effect fuel metering events and fuel delivery events. The method comprises operating the dual fluid fuel injection system so as to have at least one fuel delivery event during each engine cycle and to have fewer than one fuel metering event, on average, per engine cycle. An electronic control unit for implementing the method is also described. The method and control unit allow dynamic range of a fuel metering injector, where included within the dual fluid fuel injection system, to be extended. |
| US09441551B2 |
Method for a variable displacement engine
Various systems and methods are described for controlling engine operation. One method comprises, during a first variable displacement engine (VDE) mode in an engine having four cylinders, deactivating a first cylinder of the four cylinders and firing a second, third, and fourth cylinder of the four cylinders, each firing event separated by 240 degrees of crank angle (CA). The engine may be operated in a non-VDE mode by activating the first of the four cylinders and firing the first cylinder between the third and fourth cylinders. |
| US09441546B2 |
Laser-ignition combustor for gas turbine engine
The combustor has a laser ignitor mounted to the casing, remotely from the liner of the combustion chamber. The laser ignitor has an igniter beam path for igniting the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber, the igniter beam path extending at least partially across the air plenum surrounding the liner and into the combustion chamber through a corresponding beam path aperture provided in the liner. |
| US09441542B2 |
Ultrasonic water atomization system for gas turbine inlet cooling and wet compression
The present application provides an inlet air cooling system for cooling a flow air in a gas turbine engine. The inlet air cooling system may include an inlet filter house, a transition piece, an inlet duct, and an inlet ultrasonic water atomization system positioned about the inlet filter house, the transition piece, or the inlet duct to cool the flow of air. |
| US09441540B2 |
Inducer guide vanes
According to one embodiment, there is disclosed an inducer assembly for use with a gas turbine engine. The inducer assembly may include a cavity. The inducer assembly may also include an inducer in fluid communication with the cavity. Moreover, the inducer assembly may include at least one guide vane disposed within the cavity. |
| US09441535B2 |
Rotary internal combustion engine
This invention is to provide a rotary internal combustion engine, which comprises a stationary cylinder connected with a shell, a plurality of piston claw clamps being movably provided on said stationary cylinder, a rotatable power output shaft pivotally provided on said shell, and an are plate being fixed on said power output shaft within said shell, and a plurality of piston claw clamps being movably provided on a movable cylinder; wherein three pistons are rotating circumferentially in said movable cylinder and are clamped and released in turn cyclically by said piston claw clamps upon running, respectively, so as to switch working modes sequentially; and a plurality of spring cups are provided outside of said movable cylinder and each has a spring with a push rod provided therein such that said piston claw clamps can be controlled by said arc plate through said spring cups and said push rods. |
| US09441534B2 |
Cooled two-stage turbocharging system
An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining a cylinder, a cylinder head, and an exhaust manifold operatively connected to the cylinder head and configured to exhaust post-combustion gasses from the cylinder. The engine also includes a turbocharging system configured to pressurize an airflow for delivery thereof to the cylinder. The turbocharging system includes a low-flow turbocharger having a first turbine housing and a high-flow turbocharger having a second turbine housing. Each turbocharger is configured to be driven by the post-combustion gasses from the exhaust manifold in order to pressurize the airflow and discharge the pressurized airflow to the cylinder. The turbocharging system also includes a flow control device for selectively directing the post-combustion gasses to the low-flow and high-flow turbochargers. The turbocharging system additionally includes a cooling module configured to cool the second turbine housing. A vehicle employing such an engine is also disclosed. |
| US09441533B2 |
Method and system for binary flow turbine control
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control. |
| US09441529B2 |
Fuel system having sealed injection port
A nozzle assembly for a gaseous fuel injector of an engine is disclosed. The nozzle assembly may include a gaseous fuel injector having a nozzle with a tip end. The nozzle assembly may also include a blocking member having an inner contact surface configured to receive a periphery of the nozzle at the tip end, and an outer contact surface configured to engage an air intake port of a cylinder and create a hermetic seal between the gaseous fuel injector and the air intake port. |
| US09441527B2 |
Supporting mechanism, exhaust treatment unit, and wheel loader
A supporting mechanism supports a first and second exhaust treatment devices for treating exhaust gas from an engine and is provided with a base member, a first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The base member includes first and second connecting parts, and first and second pipe members. The base member supports the first and second exhaust treatment devices. The first supporting member supports one side of the base member. The second supporting member supports the other side of the base member. The first connecting part is joined with the first supporting member. The second connecting part is joined with the second supporting member. The first and second pipe members are disposed side by side on a common horizontal plane. An opening section is formed by the edges of the first pipe member, the second pipe member, the first connecting part, and the second connecting part. |
| US09441526B2 |
Construction machine
A regeneration device that performs regeneration treatment of a particulate matter removing filter estimates a trapping amount of particulate matter trapped in the filter by two systems. Specifically, there are provided an estimating unit that estimates a first estimated trapping amount based upon a rotational speed of an engine and a fuel injection quantity and an estimating unit that estimates a second estimated trapping amount based upon a differential pressure across the particulate matter removing filter. The regeneration device determines whether or not the regeneration treatment is executed based upon whether or not at least one of the two estimated trapping amount is equal to or more than a preset trapping amount threshold value. Further, the regeneration device determines that there is a malfunction in the regeneration device in a case where the second estimated trapping amount is larger than the first estimated trapping amount. |
| US09441518B2 |
Diaphragm pump system having re-priming capabilities
An example system includes a diaphragm pump having a suction port and a discharge port, a urea suction line fluidly coupling a urea supply to the suction port, and a urea discharge line fluidly coupled to the discharge port. A recirculation line fluidly couples the urea discharge line to the urea suction line, and has a flow regulator operationally coupled thereto. A controller is configured to interpret a prime loss condition of the diaphragm pump, and to provide a flow regulator command in response to the prime loss condition. |
| US09441517B2 |
Diesel engine exhaust treatment system
A diesel engine exhaust treatment system is provided which includes a diesel oxidation catalyst and a diesel particulate filter, where a first SCR catalyst is positioned at the inlet of the diesel particulate filter, and a second SCR catalyst is coated on the filter. The first and second SCR catalysts each have a low loading, such that a lower backpressure is achieved over the use of a single SCR-coated diesel particulate filter at higher catalyst loadings. The exhaust treatment system also provides effective catalyst efficiency for removal of NOx and other gaseous emissions. |
| US09441515B2 |
Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
A hydrocarbon feed valve and an exhaust purification catalyst are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. A first NOX purification method which injects hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve by a predetermined period to thereby remove NOX which is contained in the exhaust gas and a second NOX purification method which makes the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst rich to make the exhaust purification catalyst release the stored NOX when the NOX which is stored in the exhaust purification catalyst exceeds a first allowable value are selectively used. Hydrocarbons are injected from the hydrocarbon feed valve by the predetermined period, and when the NOX which is stored in the exhaust purification catalyst exceeds a second allowable value which is smaller than the first allowable value, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst is made rich. |
| US09441514B2 |
Diesel engine
It is an object of the present invention to provide a diesel engine in which an engine body, a DPF case and an SCR catalyst case can be placed compactly. In the diesel engine including the engine body, the DPF case and the SCR catalyst case, a DPF is accommodated in the DPF case and an SCR catalyst is accommodated in the SCR catalyst case, the DPF case and the SCR catalyst case are mounted on the engine body, the DPF case is supported by the engine body through an exhaust gas introducing pipe, and the SCR catalyst case is supported by the DPF case through an exhaust gas relay pipe. |
| US09441511B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting temperature of oil for vehicle and method for controlling the apparatus
Disclosed are an apparatus for adjusting temperature of oil for a vehicle, and a method for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus includes an EGR valve installed on a fluid channel branching off from an exhaust pipe, a complex heat exchanger structured to transfer exhaust gas having passed through the EGR valve to an engine intake pipe via an EGR cooling path in which the exhaust gas having passed through the EGR valve performs heat exchange with coolant, an oil heating path in which the exhaust gas having passed through the EGR valve performs heat exchange with oil, and a bypass path in which the exhaust gas having passed through the EGR valve does not perform heat exchange, an NOx sensor installed in the exhaust pipe, and a controller that controls the complex heat exchanger in response to a signal from the NOx sensor. |
| US09441509B2 |
Internal-combustion engine having a system for variable actuation of the intake values, provided with three-way solenoid valves, and method for controlling said engine in “single-lift” mode
An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, having an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating with an actuator of another intake valve of a cylinder and the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of the intake valve and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. During at least part of an active stroke of a tappet, the solenoid valve is kept in the third position to render the first intake valve active. During the active stroke of the tappet, the solenoid valve is never brought into the second position so that the second intake valve always remains closed. |
| US09441508B2 |
Camshaft adjuster
A camshaft adjuster having a stator drivable by a crankshaft, and a rotor which can be rotationally fixedly connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes projecting radially outward from a radially inner ring, and a torsion spring acting between the rotor and the stator and having spiral turns, which is connected to the rotor by a first radially inner spring end, and to the stator by a second radially outer spring end, and arranged at an axial end of the rotor and of the stator and is secured by a securing part covering the turns laterally toward the outer side, wherein on the rotor, in a radially inner section of the vanes axially projecting pins are provided, arranged on a radially inner section of the rotor and, on the radially inner side of the innermost turn, projecting through the torsion spring. |
| US09441507B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
A valve timing control apparatus is provided with at least one of: an advance-angle control starting device configured to start to control a relative rotational phase of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft to an advance side when an internal combustion engine starts and when a valve lift amount associated with an intake valve or an exhaust valve increases; and a delay-angle control starting device configured to start to control the relative rotational phase to a delay side when the internal combustion engine starts and when the valve lift amount associated with the intake valve or the exhaust valve decreases. It is possible to appropriately release engagement by a locking mechanism between a first rotating body configured to rotate synchronously with the camshaft and a second rotating body configured to rotate synchronously with the crankshaft. |
| US09441504B2 |
System and method for managing thermal issues in one or more industrial processes
The present invention generally relates to a system that enables one to both: (i) address various thermal management issues (e.g., inlet air cooling) in gas turbines, gas turbine engines, industrial process equipment and/or internal combustion engines; and (ii) yield a supercritical fluid-based heat engine. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes at least one working fluid selected from ammonia, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other suitable working fluid medium. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes carbon dioxide or ammonia as a working fluid to achieve a system that enables one to address inlet cooling issues in a gas turbine, internal combustion engine or other industrial application while also yielding a supercritical fluid based heat engine as a second cycle using the waste heat from the gas turbine and/or internal combustion engine to create a combined power cycle. |
| US09441500B2 |
Steam turbine casing position adjusting apparatus
A steam turbine casing position adjusting apparatus capable of employing a compact low-resolution actuator is provided. A steam turbine casing position adjusting apparatus 40 includes turbine casings 21 and 37, a rotor 23, and actuators 14 and 15 that move the turbine casings 21 and 37 in the axial direction. The actuators 14 and 15 are disposed radially outside outer peripheries forming the turbine casings 21 and 37 . |
| US09441498B2 |
Process and tool for aligning a seal housing assembly with a casing of a gas turbine engine
A process is provided for aligning a seal housing assembly with a casing of a gas turbine engine. The casing may comprise a plurality of connecting portions and the seal housing assembly may comprise a plurality of connecting sections. The process may comprise: providing an adjustment tool comprising: a main housing including a first bore and a threaded bore, a first bolt capable of extending through the first bore, and a second bolt capable of threadedly engaging the threaded bore. The process may further comprise mounting the adjustment tool to one of the seal housing assembly connecting sections via the first bolt and adjusting the position of the seal housing assembly relative to the casing by causing the second bolt to move. |
| US09441496B2 |
Structural guide vane internal topology
A disclosed structural guide vane for a gas turbine engine includes a strut defining a plurality of channels and a cover attached over the plurality of channels. The strut includes a first side defining a first surface of an airfoil and a second side including a plurality of channels. At least one of the plurality of channels defines a wall thickness of a portion of the first side that varies in a chord wise direction. |
| US09441495B2 |
Rotary wing aircraft pitch beam attachment with anti-rotation plate design
A retaining assembly for a tail rotor system is provided including a washer having a plurality of splines. The washer is configured to couple to an adjacent pitch change shaft. A retaining nut includes a self-locking feature and a flange arranged at a first end. The retaining nut is configured to threadably couple to the pitch change shaft such that the flange is in contact with the washer. The flange includes a plurality of first holes configured to at least partially align between the splines of the washer. A lock plate includes a body and a plurality of tabs extending generally perpendicularly from the body. The lock plate is slidably positioned about the pitch change shaft adjacent the flange. The lock plate is operably coupled to the retaining nut and the washer to limit rotational movement thereof relative to the pitch change shaft. |
| US09441494B2 |
Turbomachine rotor with a means for axial retention of the blades
A rotor of a turbomachine, such as a multi-flow turbojet engine fan, has a disc including, on the rim thereof, substantially axial slots with a dovetailed cross-section, and blades mounted individually in the slots, an axial wedge positioned between the root of the blades and the bottom of the slots, and a transverse lock providing upstream axial immobilization of the blades in the slot thereof. The lock is guided in radial notches formed in the flanks of the slots and radially supported against the wedge. The axial wedge is immobilised in the upstream direction, butting up against a transverse annular component secured to the disc. |
| US09441492B2 |
Aircraft rotor blade and relative forming method
An aircraft rotor blade having a root portion having a through seat and designed for connection to the rotor; and a main portion extending from the root portion. The blade is produced by polymerizing an assembly having a main structure of composite material, and a composite material covering defining the outer surface of the blade. At the root portion, the main structure has a contoured block; and a lamina member extending about at least part of the block, and having a first part adhering to a first peripheral portion of the block, and a second part spaced apart from and facing a second peripheral portion of the block to form the seat; the lamina member having a pre-preg of continuous unidirectional fibers. |
| US09441491B2 |
Shroud impeller of centrifugal compressor and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a shroud impeller of a centrifugal compressor and a method of manufacturing the same where the shroud impeller includes a rotary hub connected to a driving shaft, a plurality of blades radially provided about a rotational axis of the rotary hub, and an integral shroud bonded onto top ends of the blades. |
| US09441490B2 |
Blade row for a turbomachine
A blade row for a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, is disclosed. The blade row has a number of first blade arrangements each having at least one first blade and a first shroud with a first extension in the circumferential and/or axial direction and at least a number of additional blade arrangements each having at least one additional blade and one additional shroud with an additional extension in the same direction, which is different from the first extension. |
| US09441480B2 |
Wavelength-selective, high temperature, near infrared photodetectors for downhole applications
An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth, a fluid extraction device disposed at the carrier and configured to extract a sample of the downhole fluid, and a probe cell having a window to receive the sample. The apparatus further includes a light source to illuminate the sample through the window with light photons, and a photodetector to receive light photons through the window that have interacted with the downhole fluid and generate a signal indicative of an amount of the received light photons. The generated signal is indicative of the property. The photodetector has an optical cavity having a semiconductor that has a difference between a valence energy band and a conduction energy band for electrons that is greater than the energy of each of the received light photons. |
| US09441479B2 |
Mechanical filter for acoustic telemetry repeater
A subsea installation kit is described. The kit is provided with a subsea tree, a plurality of tubing sections, a plurality of acoustic repeaters and a mechanical filter. The subsea tree is configured to be coupled to a subsea well having a wellbore. The tubing sections are configured to be connected together to form a tubing string extending from above the tree into the wellbore. The acoustic repeaters are configured to be attached to the tubing string in a spaced apart manner. One of the acoustic repeaters is a last acoustic repeater configured to be attached to the tubing string within or above the tree. The mechanical filter is configured to be connected into the tubing string and form a part of the tubing string above the last acoustic repeater, the mechanical filter configured to cause an attenuation to acoustic signals propagating in the tubing string above the tree. |
| US09441475B2 |
Heat dissipation in downhole equipment
A downhole assembly may include a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface adapted for contact with a downhole fluid, the inner surface defining an interior volume. One or more heat producing components may be disposed within the interior volume and in thermal contact with a structural component (e.g., chassis). One or more thermal dissipation members may be disposed within the housing, the one or more thermal dissipation members in thermal contact with the chassis and in thermal contact with the inner surface of the housing. |
| US09441471B2 |
In situ heat generation
Introducing a fluid composition and a heat-generating fluid into a wellbore may improve timing and/or conditions of generating in situ heat downhole. The generated heat may be used to melt wax, and dissolve paraffins and asphaltenes or other deposits within the wellbore or in the reservoir itself. The fluid composition may include a base fluid and a metallic powder having a plurality of metallic powder particles. The base fluid may be or include a drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a stimulation fluid, a workover fluid, an activation fluid, and mixtures thereof. Each metallic powder particle may have a metallic particle core, and a coating disposed on the metallic particle core having a coating material. The metallic particle core may be released from the metallic powder particle. A heat-generating fluid may contact the released metallic particle core and thereby generate heat. |
| US09441470B2 |
Self-locating downhole devices
A technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a plurality of location markers in a passageway of the well and deploying an untethered object in the passageway such that the object travels downhole via the passageway. The technique includes using the untethered object to sense proximity of at least some of the location markers as the object travels downhole, and based on the sensing, selectively expand its size to cause the object to become lodged in the passageway near a predetermined location. |
| US09441468B1 |
Jet pump system for well
Method and apparatus for a hydraulic jet pump housing system for selective positioning of a slidable, ported inner sleeve using wireline shifting tools in a downhole condition which allows flow between the annulus and tubing string through the ported outer sleeve housing and ported inner sleeve when in the open position. When the ported inner sleeve is in the closed position, the annulus and tubing string are isolated from each other. The open position permits normal functioning of a hydraulic jet pump when seated in a standing valve in the same manner as a conventional hydraulic jet pump cavity assembly. The hydraulic jet pump can be extracted and inner sleeve shifted closed without using a blanking tool so that annular fluids are prevented from flowing into the production formation through the tubing string when the standing valve is removed. |
| US09441465B2 |
Electromechanical assembly for connecting a series of perforating guns for oil and gas wells
Mechanical connector for the connection and assembly of guns used in the perforation of petroleum producing wells. Each gun has a hollow cylindrically shaped housing whose ends have threaded joints. Explosive shipped-charges are radially set in respective peripheral slots of the gun. Guns are coaxially joined in vertical position within the casing of the well, forming an assembly that includes the firing head and a bottom sub. The joints between consecutive guns and between the bottom sub and the lowermost gun, include tubular adaptor pieces and intermediaries that have respectively a threaded joint end and an opposing end constituted by a bayonet-type locking joint formed by a single reinforced latching bayonet locking tab. |
| US09441464B2 |
Bendable strain relief fluid filter liner, method and apparatus
A method of forming a bendable slotted liner with multiple circumferentially overlapping non-axial keystone slots comprising: transversely profiling a rod to form a profiled rod, having bending members outwardly profiled wider than intermediate and inward widths, interspersed with bases profiled to bondably mate with axially adjacent bases on a neighboring winding; forming the profiled rod into alternating port and starboard bending members and base pairs, by one of, bonding transverse spacers to the rod, transversely corrugating the rod, and forming the rod with one of transverse outdents and indents; winding the profiled rod to the outer diameter; and bonding axially paired bases together; wherein configuring the non-axial slot circumferential length greater than the circumferential base length on adjacent rod windings, forming non-axial keystone slots between bending members providing axial strain relief, with outer slot widths within a prescribed slot range and axial strain relief capacity greater than 0.1%. |
| US09441460B2 |
Completion fluid for reducing friction between metal surfaces
A liquid mixture reduces the friction between two surfaces, at least one of which is moving with respect to the other such as tubing moving within the casing of an oil or gas well. The mixture includes an oil, a suspending agent, polymer particles and a surfactant. |
| US09441455B2 |
Cement masking system and method thereof
A cement masking system includes a tubular having a wall with at least one radial port. At least one swellable member is arranged to cover the at least one port. The at least one swellable member is configured to at least partially displace cement radially of the tubular during radial expansion of the at least one swellable member. A method of masking ports in a tubular from cement employs the cement masking system. |
| US09441454B2 |
Gravel pack apparatus having actuated valves
A device and method allows a bore valve in the washpipe and in certain instances a port valve or sliding sleeve to open or close upon command from the surface so that gravel slurry may be placed in a wellbore. |
| US09441453B2 |
Safety valve control system and method of use
A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition. |
| US09441450B2 |
Wellbore cementing tool
A wellbore cementing tool configured for placement in a drill string, and method of using same. The tool is lowered on a hollow, small-diameter stem into the drill string and contacts the bit, such that the downward pressure on the tool causes a shear pin to shear, resulting in upward movement of an outer sleeve relative to the central body of the tool. The outer sleeve normally holds outwardly biased locking members in a retracted position, but when the outer sleeve is upwardly displaced, slots in the outer sleeve align with the locking members and allow the locking members to extend outwardly through the slots to engage the inner wall of the drill string thereby locking the tool in place. When in position, cement can be injected through the tool and the bit, circulating up the wellbore annulus. The tool does not require rotation to engage the drill string. |
| US09441448B2 |
Down hole tool having improved segmented back up ring
A down hole tool or plug includes a segmented back up ring acting to minimize extrusion of a seal in an axial direction thereby promoting radial expansion of the seal into engagement with the internal diameter of a casing string. The segments of the ring are joined to a ring body having a passage thereby by a junction having, as its outer dimension, the outside diameter of the tool and an inside dimension provided by a groove opening into the passage. |
| US09441444B2 |
Modular subsea stripper packer and method of using same
A stripper packer for sealing a tubular of a wellsite is provided. The stripper packer includes an extendable housing, a packer, and a sliding window. The extendable housing has a passage therethrough to receive the tubular, and includes a piston operatively connectable between an upper and a lower portion of the extendable housing for selective movement therebetween. The packer is positionable within the extendable housing and sealingly engageable with the tubular. The sliding window is slidably positionable in the passage of the extendable housing and engageable with the packer. The sliding window is movable with the piston in response to pressure whereby the packer is sealable with the tubing. |
| US09441443B2 |
Compound blowout preventer seal and method of using same
The disclosure relates to a seal assembly for a ram of a blowout preventer for sealing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The wellbore has a tubular to pass fluid therefrom. The rams are positionable about the tubular. The seal assembly includes a compound seal carried by the ram. The compound seal includes a face seal having a sealing surface sealingly engageable about the tubular and a support seal positionable adjacent to the face seal a distance from the sealing surface. The sealing surface extends along a front face thereof engageable with at least one of the tubular and the face seal of another ram. The support seal is non-engageable with the tubular during sealing and is more deformable than the face seal whereby the compound seal is supported during sealing. |
| US09441441B1 |
Wellsite connector apparatus and method
A wellsite connector apparatus and related method. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes connecting a base plate to a first member via a first weld-less connection, the first member defining a first fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a first wellsite component; connecting a flange to a second member via a second weld-less connection, the second member defining a second fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a second wellsite component; and connecting the flange to the base plate via a third weld-less connection; wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; and the first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively. |
| US09441438B2 |
Perforating gun assembly and method of forming wellbore perforations
A perforating gun assembly used to form perforations in a wellbore includes a charge carrier having a longitudinal axis, and multiple groups of shaped charges that are disposed on the charge carrier. Two or more of the shaped charges within each group are arranged to generate jets oriented substantially along respective axes that converge towards one another. Also, two or more of the groups of shaped charges overlap one another in a longitudinal direction of the charge carrier. |
| US09441435B2 |
Downhole apparatus and method
A downhole apparatus comprising a body (12) configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First (28a) and second (28b) flow paths are provided between the upper opening (22) and the lower opening (24) in the body, and a flow diverter (34) is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device (31) in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a down-hole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described. |
| US09441434B2 |
Pressure core barrel for retention of core fluids and related method
A pressure coring apparatus comprises a housing having an upper end and a lower end. A valve is coupled to the lower end of the housing and has an open position for entrance of a core and a closed position for retaining and sealing the core within the housing. A piston assembly is moveably disposed within the housing. A first volume is defined within the housing and between the upper end of the housing and the piston assembly. A second volume is defined within the housing between the lower end of the housing and the piston assembly. A pressure relief device is disposed through the housing and operable to maintain pressure within the first volume and the second volume below a target pressure. |
| US09441432B2 |
Downhole tool with erosion resistant layer
This disclosure is related to downhole tool having an erosion resistant material metalurgically bonded to portions of the downhole tool. The downhole tool can have the erosion resistant material can be disposed on predetermined portions of inner and outer surfaces of the downhole tool. The disclosure is also related to a method of using the downhole tool described herein. |
| US09441423B2 |
Drilling rig masts and methods of assembly and erection
A system for erecting a drilling rig mast includes a substructure having an open area that is defined therein by two laterally spaced-apart substructure sides and a first mast section that is adapted to be positioned at least partially within the open area of the substructure after the first mast section has been removably connected to the substructure. The system further includes, among other things, a second mast section that is adapted to be removably connected to the first mast section the said first mast section has been removably connected to the substructure, and a mast connection apparatus that is adapted to removably connect the second mast section to the first mast section when an upper end of the first mast section is raised relative to a lower end of the second mast section. |
| US09441422B2 |
Cutting insert for a rock drill bit
A cutting insert for a rock drill bit having a ridge formed on a cutting face that splits extrudate formed during drilling thereby reducing the mechanical specific energy that may be expended to move the extrudate across the cutting face. The cutting insert may have a cutting edge which forms the extrudate during drilling and a face having two opposing, generally symmetrical, concave regions that define an elongated ridge therebetween. The ridge may extend across a substantial portion of the face. |
| US09441421B2 |
Tooth for roller crusher
An improved tooth for a roller crusher is presented. The tooth can include a first tungsten carbide overlay layer plasma-transfer arc welded on a recessed hemispherical end of the tooth, which is covered by a wearable cap placed over the first overlay layer, the cap welded to the tooth. A second tungsten carbide overlay layer can then be plasma-transfer arc welded over the cap to, thereby, provide a tooth having two tungsten carbide overlay wear layers. |
| US09441420B2 |
System and method for forming a lateral wellbore
A lateral wellbore is formed from a high side of a horizontal portion of a primary wellbore with a drill bit assembly that has a selectively extendable pilot bit. The drill bit assembly is mounted on a lower end of a drill string. A bit guide is disposed adjacent the drill bit assembly for urging the drill bit assembly in a lateral direction against the high side of the primary wellbore. Rotating the drill bit assembly while urging the drill bit assembly upward creates a groove in a subterranean formation adjacent the primary wellbore. This forms a ledge at a far end of the groove. The drill string is then drawn back from the groove, and the pilot bit is deployed. Urging the drill bit assembly forward engages the pilot bit with the ledge, providing leverage for retaining the drill bit assembly in an orientation for excavating the lateral wellbore. |
| US09441419B2 |
Optimized soil penetrating machine
The optimized soil penetrating machine is characterized by parameters that are optimized with respect to maximum kinetic energy that the machine cyclically obtains for soil deformation during the forward mode of operation. The optimization of the parameters is based on the author's analytical investigation that revealed the existence of the optimal values of the lengths of the striker and its forward stroke at which the machine's kinetic energy reaches its maximum value, resulting in the maximum performance efficiency. The investigation shows that the optimal value of the length of the striker is shorter than the length of its forward stroke. In the existing machines the striker is longer than its forward stroke. This investigation also shows that the efficiency of the existing machines is about 2.5 times less than for their optimized hypothetical counterparts. Since the existing machines cannot be optimized it is required to implement new design concepts. |
| US09441414B2 |
Sliding sash secondary lock
A sliding fenestration sash assembly includes a sliding sash and a frame having a first longitudinal member including at least one aperture. A pin is operatively connected to a handle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The pin is biased toward the first longitudinal member by a biasing member. The pin being biased into the aperture by the biasing member when the pin is aligned with the aperture. |
| US09441413B1 |
Multilayer kick plate and method for preparing the same
Provided is a multilayer kick plate, comprising a thin strip, a supporting strip, and a bonding film. The thin strip has a front surface and a back surface, and the front surface of the thin strip is polished by abrasive paper ranging from #800 to #890. The supporting strip has a bonding surface. The bonding film is mounted between the back surface of the thin strip and the bonding surface of the supporting strip. With said supporting strip and bonding film, the thin strip can be designed to be much thinner than the conventional thin strip, such that the production cost of the multilayer kick plate is reduced. |
| US09441412B1 |
High thermal performance window frame
A composite construction for windows and doors has one or more components of the frame and/or window unit fabricated as a composite having a structural foam intermediate member onto which exterior and interior aluminum extrusions are mechanically and adhesively attached. The foam member functions as a structural bridge between the extrusions, as a thermal break and may also provide support for an internal seal to prevent air infiltration. |
| US09441408B2 |
Protector with sensor
A protector having a hollow part with a sensor that detects an object between two conductive parts. The two conductive parts having a space therebetween. The hollow part has a wall having a horseshoe shaped cross section. Both ends of the wall are connected with an installation base member. The two conductive parts including a conductive part having a convex shape and a conductive part having a concave shape. The conductive parts are positioned in a manner such that the space substantially has a V-shaped cross section and a uniform width in cross section. Both ends of the V-shaped cross section terminate on an inner surface of the wall. |
| US09441407B2 |
Snap hinge with damped closing
A snap hinge with damped closure is provided, including a first articulated quadrilateral and a second articulated quadrilateral which share a first lever and a second lever and are provided respectively with a plate for coupling to a first element and with a plate for fixing to a second element. The hinge is movable alternately between an open configuration and a closed configuration, in which the plates have different arrangements with respect to each other. At least one damping element is interposed at least between the first quadrilateral and the coupling plate or between the second quadrilateral and the fixing plate for damped transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration or vice versa. |
| US09441404B2 |
Translating hinge
A translating hinge includes a translation element which provides translational movement between two objects coupled by the translating hinge and a rotating assembly coupled to the translation element. |
| US09441403B2 |
Power locking door handles with integrated keypad
A power locking pull or push button handle assembly is provided for a vehicle door having a lock and a latch. The handle assembly includes a base with a housing. A handle is pivotally mounted on the base, a power lock assembly is mounted within the housing on the base, and a keypad on the handle is operatively connected to the power lock assembly for keyless unlocking of the door. The handle includes a cover and backbone secured together, with the keypad sandwiched between the cover and backbone. The keypad is reinforced with a steel plate. Loads on the handle are shared by the backbone, cover, and keypad. |
| US09441401B2 |
Lock devices, systems and methods
Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A lock of the application can include an internal mechanism to permit backdriven operation and lost motion operation. In one form the lock can be made from an assembly of parts that have locating features that require one way installation/assembly. The lock can include an internal power source capable of driving electronics used to determine handedness of a door. |
| US09441398B2 |
Arrangement for a lock
A lock includes a first lock part and a second lock part which is rotatably arranged in the first lock part and includes a plurality of lock elements for cooperation with the first lock part and a key. First and second groups of lock elements have a first position relative to the second lock part absent actuation of the key and are moved from the first position into a third position via a second intermediate position, and to prevent rotation of the second lock part in a first position. The lock elements in the first group are arranged to prevent rotation of the second lock part from a second position and, in the third position, allow rotation of the second lock part. Likewise, each lock element in the second group allow rotation of the second lock part and, in the third position, prevent rotation of the second lock part. |
| US09441392B2 |
Partition mount with integrated plunger assembly
A partition mount system includes an integrated plunger assembly. The integrated plunger assembly is constructed and arranged to be integrated into an interior of an end of an extension pole, for example a standard telescoping extension pole. Mounting of the plunger in an interior portion of the pole in this manner provides for a sleek design that is relatively lightweight. Assuming that the pole in which the anchor is mounted is part of a telescoping pole system, the anchor and plunger do not interfere with full travel of the interior pole with respect to other poles in the telescoping system. In this manner, operation of the telescoping pole system is not inhibited by the integrated plunger assembly. |
| US09441389B2 |
Method for constructing cylindrical tank
A method of constructing a cylindrical tank that has an inner tank made of metal and an outer tank made of concrete has a step of building a PC wall (3) by erecting lateral liners (4) sequentially from the bottommost layer to the topmost layer on an outer circumferential edge portion of a base plate, and pouring concrete (5) so as to follow the erecting of the lateral liners (4) with the lateral liners (4) being used as an inner side forming frame. |
| US09441387B1 |
Building structure including adaptable enclosures
A building structure and a method for incorporating flexibility of intended use into the building are disclosed. The building structure includes a plurality of enclosures which are individually permitted for use as either of a residence or commercial space, or as a combined live/work space. Each of the plurality of enclosures is compliant with the applicable legal requirements for use as either of a residence or a commercial space, including the applicable local zoning requirements. The enclosures may include movable interior walls which are designed to facilitate conversions between residential use and commercial use. |
| US09441381B2 |
Construction element
A generally stainless steel construction element, such as baseboard trim, crown molding, or wainscoting, comprises a span of continuous sheet material having a leading top edge folded back upon itself in a fashion to form an integrated leading top edge groove to accept an edge of a first planar material, such as a wall board, within the leading top edge groove. The construction element may further comprise a leading bottom edge folded back upon itself in a fashion to form an integrated leading bottom edge groove to accept an edge of a second planar material, such as flooring, within the leading bottom edge groove. In an embodiment, the construction element, the first planar material, and the second planar material assemble to comprise a continuous surface barrier. The construction element may alternately comprise one of the leading edges to be folded back upon itself in a bull nosed fashion. |
| US09441374B2 |
Struts and methods utilizing a compression collar
Composite tube assemblies comprising a composite tube comprising a distal end having a first conical section and a second conical section, wherein a distal end of the first conical section is in contact with a proximal end of the second conical section having the same outer diameter as the distal end of the first conical section, wherein a proximal end of the first conical section and a distal end of the second conical section have a smaller outer diameter than the distal end of the first conical section, a locking ring disposed around the first conical section, an end fitting disposed around the second conical section, wherein the end fitting is coupled to the locking ring, and a retaining ring circumferentially disposed around the locking ring are provide. |
| US09441367B2 |
Supporting element for pipes in buildings and application method of a pipe supporting element in a flagstone
This relates to a pipe supporting element (1) used to contain a pipe (15) that is used in buildings for hydraulic, electrical and other pipes. In one preferred arrangement, the aforementioned pipe supporting element comprises polyethylene foam, is as thick as a partition (wall or paving slab), has at least two anchoring points located on the side faces (3) thereof, and includes at least one through hole (2) between a first face (1) and a second face (2). |
| US09441366B2 |
Joist subframing systems and methods
Joist subframe systems including vertically arranged support members each having adjustable height securing members coupled with the support member in a fixed position and horizontally arranged elongate frame members configured to support one or more overlying surface members and shown and described. Each of the elongate frame members including an elongate body with at least one horizontal wall and one or more support member attachment mechanisms configured to couple one of the support members to the elongate body. In some examples, the adjustable height securing members are selectively tightenable and loosenable to the support members for adjustable coupling to the support member and to releasably fix a position of the support member to one of the plurality of elongate frame members. |
| US09441364B2 |
Support framework for building casing, building casing, building structure and method for manufacturing thereof
A support framework (101) for building casings (200) using pultruded uprights, a building casing (200) and a building structure (300). Also described are a process for realizing and installation of the building structure (300), as well as manufacturing processes of the various components of the framework. |
| US09441360B2 |
Yield link for providing increased ductility, redundancy, and hysteretic damping in structural bracing systems
A yield link connection for use in bracing structures against lateral loads, the connection comprising a first structural member fixed to a base or foundation, and to which a yield link is connected. The yield link connects the first structural member to the structure in need of bracing. The yield link is created by cutting out a portion of material from a standard rolled steel structural section. The shape and dimensions of the cutout are designed so that the remaining elements of the yield link become separate bending elements. These separate elements behave as fixed-fixed members with predictable yielding, creating four plastic hinge zones around the cutout. High hysteretic damping is achieved through designing the cutout so yielding occurs in a large amount of the steel volume remaining adjacent to the cutout. The cutout is further designed so that yielding occurs in the yield link before it occurs in the first structural member. Clearance is provided between the first structural member and the yield link to limit relative movement between the members to a predetermined amount. Should the yield link need to be replaced after an episodic event, removal of the damaged yield link is easy compared to prior art. |
| US09441359B1 |
Structurally independent frame for component based multi-unit buildings
A structural frame unit for use in constructing a multi-unit building. The structural frame unit includes a plurality of connectors, beams, columns and cross bracings to define a load bearing, structurally stable three-dimensional structure. At least a subset of the components of a structurally stable three-dimensional structure define connectors configured to secure non-structural wall panels, utilities and exterior cladding relative to the structurally stable three-dimensional structure. |
| US09441355B2 |
Method and apparatus for fluid retention or detention
In a system and method for retaining or detaining a fluid beneath a ground surface, a plurality of modules, each having at least one vertically disposed side portion supporting a horizontally disposed roof are provided. The plurality of modules, each being in fluid communication, either directly or indirectly, with each of the other modules, are arranged in an assembly having a plurality of rows and columns. Each of the rows and columns contain at least one flow obstructer such that fluid flow through each of said rows and columns is circuitous. |
| US09441345B2 |
Hybrid excavator and method of controlling hybrid excavator
A hybrid excavator includes a control unit that is arranged at an upper turning body and is configured to supply a drive signal to at least one of a motor generator control part and a charge/discharge control part. During a regeneration operation performed by a motor, the control unit sets an electrical energy storage target value for a second electrical energy storage device to a higher value than an electrical energy storage target value for a first electrical energy storage. |
| US09441344B2 |
Controller assembly, cab for work machine, and work machine
A controller assembly includes a base plate, a bracket, and a first controller main body. The base plate includes a through hole and a frame having an upper surface and a lower surface and surrounding the through hole. The bracket has first and second flange portions supported on the upper surface of the frame at positions opposite to each other over the through hole, first and second side portions coupled respectively to the first and second flange portions and passing through the though hole; and a bottom portion coupled to both of the first and second side portions on the side of the lower surface of the frame. The first controller main body is mounted on a bottom portion of the bracket. Accordingly, a controller assembly which can be readily assembled, a cab of a work implement, and a work machine can be obtained. |
| US09441343B2 |
Work vehicle and operator protective guard
Provided is a work vehicle capable of expanding a field of vision from inside a cab equipped with an operator protective guard. A front guard provided on a front side of a cab has a frame constituting an outer edge of the front guard. The frame is formed by framing an upper frame, a lower frame, a right vertical frame, and a left vertical frame. The right vertical frame has a vertical frame bent portion, and extends rearward toward the cab as it comes close to the lower frame from the vertical frame bent portion. |
| US09441341B1 |
Trench shield spreader coupling
A coupling unites two short segments of trench shield spreader tubing into a single spreader tube of desired length. The coupling comprises a cylindrical insert adapted to fit snugly within and to extend a short distance into the interiors of two spreader tube segments abutted end-to-end, the total length of which becomes the spreader. Each coupling includes transverse retainer pin holes which align with like holes through the abutted ends of the spreader tube segments to admit a retainer pin. The coupling may include stiffener and spacer straps disposed on either side of the retainer pin holes that extend substantially the length of the coupling. |
| US09441339B2 |
Brine maker
Provided herein is an admixing apparatus and system that in various arrangements may be utilized to produce deicing solutions including salt brines. To facilitate cleaning of the interior of the device, a mixing hopper is utilized that includes a side access opening that allows for readily accessing the interior of the hopper and removing any sediment that has accumulated herein. |
| US09441331B2 |
Stacked city road
A three-dimensional urban road system capable of intensively utilizing land and avoiding traffic jam, including a straight section, a longitudinal slope section and an intersection. The straight section and the intersection are connected to form a road network. The longitudinal slope section is connected with the straight section, realizing connection between the straight section and the ground. The straight section includes a bottom road, a parking layer and a running layer; parallel ramps for small cars only arranged such that small cars in the straight section can switch among the three layers. Roads are changed into three layers: the upper running layer for small cars; the middle parking layer, a transfer layer for parking and connecting the ground road and the upper running layer; and the bottom road for large vehicles. Large vehicles and small cars are completely shunted, thus effectively solving the problem of traffic jam. |
| US09441328B2 |
Soft bath tissues having low wet abrasion and good durability
A multi-ply bath tissue includes a first ply forming a first surface of the bath tissue, the first ply including first and second layers, and a second ply forming a second surface of the bath tissue, the second ply including first and second layers. At least one of the first and second layers of at least one of the first ply and the second ply includes a temporary wet strength resin, at least another one of the first and second layers of at least one of the first ply and the second ply is free from a temporary wet strength resin. The bath tissue has a cross machine direction (CD) wet tensile strength of between about 50 grams to about 90 grams. |
| US09441327B2 |
Dimensionally stable paper and production method thereof
A dimensionally stable paper and paper products, a production method for such paper, and uses of substances for conveying, modifying or improving dimensional stability of paper. |
| US09441322B2 |
Dryer with a waste heat recovery means
A dryer having a waste heat recovery device includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet and having a front surface and a rear surface, an intake duct configured to provide an intake flow path through which air flows into the drum, an exhaust duct configured to exhaust air coming from the drum out of the cabinet, a heater configured to heat air flowing into the drum, and an ambient air duct configured to inhale air from outside the cabinet and supply the air from outside the cabinet into the drum. The waste heat recovery device includes an evaporation unit configured to absorb heat from air that is exhausted from the drum, a condenser unit configured to transfer heat absorbed from the evaporation unit to ambient air that flows into the ambient air duct, and a heat transfer medium configured to transfer heat between the evaporation unit and the condenser unit. The ambient air duct is configured to communicate air from the ambient air duct into the intake duct at a point along a flow path between the drum and the heater. |
| US09441320B2 |
Cloth presser for handicraft
A cloth presser includes a grip portion, a first press end and a second press end. The grip portion is elongated, having a straight longitudinal axis. The first press end and the second press end are spaced apart from each other, with the grip portion intervening between the first press end and the second press end. The first press end is configured to make point contact with an object such as a piece of cloth, and the second press end is configured to make surface contact with the object. |
| US09441319B2 |
Embroidery data generating device and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing embroidery data generating program
An embroidery data generating device has a hole data acquisition portion, an embroidery data acquisition portion, a polygon acquisition portion, a line segment generating portion and a bridge data generating portion. The hole data acquisition portion acquires hole data to form a hole in a sewing workpiece. The embroidery data acquisition portion acquires embroidery data corresponding to an embroidery pattern that is arranged on the inside of the hole. The polygon acquisition portion acquires a minimum polygon that encompasses the embroidery pattern, based on the acquired embroidery data. The line segment generating portion generates a line segment that joins the polygon and a peripheral edge portion of the hole. The bridge data generating portion generates bridge data to form bridge stitches between the embroidery pattern and the peripheral edge portion of the hole, based on the generated line segments. |
| US09441314B2 |
Spandex from high molecular weight poly (tetramethylene-co-ethyleneether) glycols
The invention provides polyurethaneurea compositions comprising poly(tetramethylene-co-ethyleneether) glycol having high number average molecular weight, from about 1900 to about 4000 Dalton. The invention further relates to the use of high number average molecular weight poly(tetramethylene-co-ethyleneether) glycol as the soft segment base material in spandex compositions. The invention also relates to new polyurethane compositions comprising poly(tetramethylene-co-ethyleneether) glycols with such high number average molecular weight, from about 1900 to about 4000 Dalton, and their use in spandex. |
| US09441309B2 |
Electrode and method of forming the master electrode
An electrode for forming an electrochemical cell with a substrate and a method of forming said electrode. The electrode comprises a carrier provided with an insulating layer which is patterned at a front side. Conducting material in an electrode layer is applied in the cavities of the patterned insulating layer and in contact with the carrier. A connection layer is applied at the backside of the carrier and in contact with the carrier. The periphery of the electrode is covered by the insulating material. |
| US09441303B2 |
Microetching solution for copper, replenishment solution therefor and method for production of wiring board
Disclosed is a microetching solution for copper, a replenishment solution therefor and a method for production of a wiring board. The microetching solution of the present invention consists of an aqueous solution containing a cupric ion, an organic acid, a halide ion, an amino group-containing compound having a molecular weight of 17 to 400 and a polymer. The polymer is a water-soluble polymer including a polyamine chain and/or a cationic group and having a weight average molecular weight of 1000 or more. When a concentration of the amino group-containing compound is A % by weight and a concentration of the polymer is B % by weight, a value of A/B of the microetching solution of the present invention is 50 to 6000. According to the present invention, an adhesion between copper and a resin or the like may be maintained even with a low etching amount. |
| US09441299B2 |
Method for activating a copper surface for electroless plating
The present invention relates to method for activating a copper or copper alloy surface for depositing a metal or metal alloy layer by electroless (autocatalytic) plating thereon wherein the formation of undesired voids is suppressed. The copper or copper alloy surface is contacted with palladium ions, at least one phosphonate compound and halide ions followed by electroless (autocatalytic) deposition of a metal such as palladium or a metal alloy such as a Ni—P alloy. |
| US09441297B2 |
Process and apparatus for the application of solid layers
The invention relates to a process for applying solid layers (14) to an object (12) to be coated by means of at least one radiation source (2), in particular a laser radiation source, which comprises at least the step of removal of a sample (4) in the solid state in at least partially different sections (6) by means of at least one beam (8) emitted by the radiation source (2) to at least partly convert the sample (4) into a gaseous state (10) which deposits at least partially on the object (12) to be coated in order to form a solid layer (14), where at the same time the alignment of a trace of the emitted beam (8) is altered during the step of removal of the sample and the sample (4) is moved. |
| US09441296B2 |
Hybrid ceramic showerhead
Various implementations of hybrid ceramic faceplates for substrate processing showerheads are provided. The hybrid ceramic showerhead faceplates may include an electrode embedded within the ceramic material of the faceplate, as well as a pattern of through-holes. The electrode may be fully encapsulated within the ceramic material with respect to the through-holes. In some implementations, a heater element may also be embedded within the hybrid ceramic showerhead faceplate. A DC voltage source may be electrically connected with the hybrid ceramic showerhead faceplate during use. The hybrid ceramic faceplates may be easily removable from the substrate processing showerheads for easy cleaning and faceplate replacement. |
| US09441286B2 |
Oil-impregnated sintered bearing and production method therefor
An oil-impregnated sintered bearing which does not tend to produce squealing noises is provided. The oil-impregnated sintered bearing can be used as a bearing of an electric motor that may be intermittently used for a short time, such as a bearing of a window regulator motor. The oil-impregnated sintered bearing includes pores that include middle-sized pores with circle-equivalent diameters of 45 to 63 μm at 0.9 to 2.5%, interparticle pores with circle-equivalent diameters of 63 to 75 μm at 0.1 to 1.2%, and large interparticle pores with circle-equivalent diameters of larger than 75 μm at not more than 3%, with respect to the total number of the pores. |
| US09441284B2 |
Precious metal recovery
A process for treating an off-gas from the thermal processing of a precious-metal-containing feedstock, the process comprising cooling the off-gas to a temperature of from 300 to 500° C.; passing the cooled off-gas through a first particulate filter to recover particulate material; and dosing the off-gas from the first particulate filter with a sorbent material and passing the dosed off-gas through a second particulate filter; wherein at least a portion of the particulate material recovered from the first particulate filter is recycled into the thermal processing of the precious-metal-containing feedstock. |
| US09441281B2 |
Method for manufacturing an austenitic steel object
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a ductile, high strength austenitic stainless steel object from an austenitic stainless, steel strip, in which method the strip is cold worked in order to promote the formation of martensite into the microstructure of the strip, and the strip having a dual-phase microstructure is further processed. The strip is then shaped to a desired object having at least one curved or arcuate area and during the shaping of the object the different areas of the strip are deformed in different degrees. The desired object is further reversion annealed in order to reverse martensite back to the austenite form and a hardening effect is achieved in order to have an essentially fine grain microstructure for at least the curved or arcuate area of the object. |
| US09441280B2 |
Chromatographic separation of sugars using blend of cation exchange resins
A chromatographic method for separating a sugar from a sugar-containing liquid feed mixture by: contacting the liquid feed mixture with a stratum of cation exchange resin comprising a crosslinked copolymer matrix functionalized with sulfonic acid groups, and recovering a first product stream from the stratum that has a higher purity of the sugar than present in the liquid feed mixture. The method is characterized by the stratum of cation exchange resin including: i) at least 80 wt % of cation exchange resin including alkaline earth counter ions, and ii) at least 5 wt % of cation exchange resin including alkali earth counter ions. |
| US09441279B2 |
Maple or birch water evaporator system
A system for producing maple syrup or birch syrup from maple or birch water, comprising an evaporating pan under controlled pressure, a condenser immersed in maple or birch water in the evaporating pan, and a compressor, pressurizing vapor generated by evaporation of maple or birch water in the evaporating pan, the condenser directing the pressurized vapor provided by the compressor to the maple or birch water within the evaporating pan, thereby further evaporating the maple or birch water and further generating vapor. |
| US09441277B2 |
Compositions and methods for detecting cancer metastasis
The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for detecting cancer metastasis. |
| US09441262B2 |
MASP-2, a complement fixing enzyme, and uses for it
The invention relates to the discovery and characterization of mannan binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2), a new serine protease that acts in the MBLectin complement fixation pathway. |
| US09441256B2 |
Lignases and aldo-keto reductases for conversion of lignin-containing materials to fermentable products
Termites have specialized digestive systems that overcome the lignin barrier in wood to release fermentable simple sugars. Using the termite Reticulitermes flavipes and its gut symbionts, high-throughput titanium pyrosequencing and proteomics approaches experimentally compared the effects of lignin-containing diets on host-symbiont digestome composition. Proteomic investigations and functional digestive studies with recombinant lignocellulases conducted in parallel provided strong evidence of congruence at the transcription and translational levels and provide enzymatic strategies for overcoming recalcitrant lignin barriers in biofuel feedstocks. Briefly described, therefore, the disclosure provides a system for generating a fermentable product from a lignified plant material, the system comprising a cooperating series of at least two catalytically active polypeptides, where said catalytically active polypeptides are selected from the group consisting of: cellulase Cell-1, β-glu cellulase, an aldo-keto-reductase, a catalase, a laccase, and an endo-xylanase. |
| US09441255B2 |
Transcription factors for cellulosic enzyme production
Provided herein are methods and compositions for increasing the production of one or more cellulases from a fungal host cell. The disclosure is based, on the surprising discovery that mis-expression of the transcriptional regulator clr-2 in a filamentous fungal cell was able to induce expression of cellulase genes under non-inducing or starvation conditions, resulting in increased secretion of cellulases from the cell. Advantageously, mis-expression of the transcription factor clr-2 in a filamentous fungal cell cultured in the absence of cellulose or cellobiose results in increased secretion of cellulases. The disclosure relates inter alia to a method of degrading cellulose-containing material, to a method of increasing the production of one or more cellulases from a fungal cell and to a method of reducing the viscosity of a pretreated biomass material, by contacting pretreated biomass material with a fungal host cell containing at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding clr-2 or a related transcription factor. |
| US09441249B2 |
Method for producing ethanol from biomass
Provided is a method for efficiently producing ethanol by ethanol fermentation from xylose using a saccharified biomass, which contains various fermentation inhibitors. A method for producing ethanol from biomass of the present invention includes the step of culturing a xylose-utilizing yeast transformed so as to overexpress a gene for an acetic acid-responsive transcription factor in combination with a saccharified biomass. |
| US09441248B2 |
Engineered photosynthetic bacteria, method of manufacture of biofuels
The invention provides for a novel type of biofuel; a method for cleaving anchors from photosynthetic organisms; and a method for producing biofuels using photosynthetic organisms, the method comprising identifying photosynthesis co-factors and their anchors in the organisms; modifying the organisms to increase production of the anchors; accumulating biomass of the organisms in growth media; and harvesting the anchors. |
| US09441245B2 |
Stable production of lentiviral vectors
The present invention provides new stable packaging cell lines and producer cell lines as well as methods to obtain them, and a new method to produce lentiviral vectors using such cell lines. New methods and packaging cell lines of the invention are generated using a baculo-AAV hybrid system for stable expression of structural and regulatory lentiviral proteins, such system comprising a baculoviral backbone containing an integration cassette flanked by AAV ITR, in combination with a plasmid encoding rep protein. This system allows to obtain a stable integration of the structural and regulatory HIV-1 proteins gag/pol and rev. The system allows to obtain a first intermediate including only the structural and regulatory HIV proteins gag/pol and rev, to be used as starting point to obtain stable packaging cell lines as well as producer cell lines. |
| US09441244B2 |
Mutant adeno-associated virus virions and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides mutant adeno-associated virus (AAV) that exhibit altered capsid properties, e.g., reduced binding to neutralizing antibodies in serum and/or altered heparin binding and/or altered infectivity of particular cell types. The present invention further provides libraries of mutant AAV comprising one or more mutations in a capsid gene. The present invention further provides methods of generating the mutant AAV and mutant AAV libraries, and compositions comprising the mutant AAV. The present invention further provides recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions that comprise a mutant capsid protein. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that encode mutant capsid proteins, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof. |
| US09441242B1 |
AXMI253 and AXMI254 toxin genes and methods for their use
Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a toxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated toxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4-7, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, or 3, as well as variants and fragments thereof. |
| US09441230B2 |
Shuttle vector for Corynebacterium or E. coli
Disclosed is a shuttle vector that can be used for Corynebacterium and E. coli, containing: a repressor selected from a group consisting of a lacI repressor and a tetR repressor; a promoter selected from a group consisting of a trc promoter, a tetA promoter and a LacUV5 promoter; a replication origin pBL1 derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum; and a replication origin ColE1 of E. coli. A host cell transformed with the shuttle vector can effectively produce industrially useful substances. Also, the shuttle vector may be used to easily insert various combinations of target genes and, as a result, a variety of vectors can be prepared effectively. |
| US09441229B2 |
Antisense oligonucleotides for inducing exon skipping and methods of use thereof
An antisense molecule capable of binding to a selected target site to induce exon skipping in the dystrophin gene, as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 202. |
| US09441228B2 |
Post-synthetic chemical modification of RNA at the 2′-position of the ribose ring via “click” chemistry
This invention relates to a 2′-modified RNA agent comprising at least one RNA strand containing a 2′-O substituent having an alkyne functional group attaching to the O atom at the 2′-position on one or more ribose rings, wherein the 2′-O substituent is located at one or more of positions 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, and 16, from 5′-end of the RNA strand. This invention also relates to a 2′-modified RNA agent comprising at least one RNA strand containing a 2′-O substituent having a triazole functional group attaching to the O atom at the 2′-position on one or more ribose rings, wherein the 2′-O substituent is located at one or more of positions 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, and 16, from 5′-end of the RNA strand. |
| US09441227B2 |
Methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of gene expression by double-stranded RNA
The invention is directed to compositions and methods for selectively reducing the expression of a gene product from a desired target gene in a cell, as well as for treating diseases caused by the expression of the gene. More particularly, the invention is directed to compositions that contain double stranded RNA (“dsRNA”), and methods for preparing them, that are capable of reducing the expression of target genes in eukaryotic cells. The dsRNA has a first oligonucleotide sequence that is between 25 and about 30 nucleotides in length and a second oligonucleotide sequence that anneals to the first sequence under biological conditions. In addition, a region of one of the sequences of the dsRNA having a sequence length of at least 19 nucleotides is sufficiently complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the RNA produced from the target gene to trigger the destruction of the target RNA by the RNAi machinery. |
| US09441222B2 |
MiRNA for treating diseases and conditions associated with neo-angiogenesis
The invention relates to the diagnostic and therapeutic uses of a miRNA molecule, an equivalent or a source thereof in a disease and condition associated with neo-angiogenesis. |
| US09441213B2 |
Constructs and methods for the production and secretion of polypeptides
Described herein are molecules, constructs and methods for the production and secretion of polypeptides of interest by host cells, preferably bacterial host cells, and more particularly gram positive bacteria. In particular, the present invention is related to a polynucleic acid encoding a fusion protein and to uses thereof for the secretion of heterologous or homologous polypeptides of interest by a bacterial host cell, preferably Clostridium bacteria. The present invention further relates to methods and constructs for the production and secretion of heterologous or homologous polypeptides of interest proteins by host cells using such polynucleic acids and fusion proteins. |
| US09441212B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding D4 desaturases and D5 elongases
Disclosed are methods and compositions related to ONC-T18, D4-desaturases, D5 elongases, their isolation, characterization, production, identification, and use for fatty acid production, as well as organisms containing these compositions and organisms expressing them. |
| US09441211B2 |
Fucosyltransferases and their applications
The present invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences from Akkermansia muciniphila and from Bacteroides fragilis, coding for/representing novel alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferases. The invention also provides uses and methods for using the alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferases to generate fucosylated products, such as oligosaccharides, (glyco)proteins, or (glyco)lipids, in particular of 3-fucosyllactose. |
| US09441210B2 |
Method of reducing levels of uric acid
The present invention relates to a method of reducing the level of uric acid in a subject, which comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of a fermentation product of Tenacibaculum sp. Also provided are a method of preventing and/or treating a disease or disorder related to hyperuricemia, a method of increasing the digestion of uric acid and a method of producing uricase. |
| US09441204B2 |
Compositions and methods for detecting Yersinia pestis bacteria
Genetically modified bacteriophage and methods of using the same to detect bacterial types of interest are provided. |
| US09441197B2 |
Methods of microalgae cultivation for increased resource production
Methods of inducing or increasing lipid and protein production in microalgae are disclosed. Methods of enhancing microalgae biomass are also disclosed. The methods may comprise inoculating a culture media with microalgae and propagating the microalgae under heterotrophic growth conditions. The heterotrophic growth conditions may comprise inhibiting exposure of the inoculated culture media to light. The methods may further comprise delivering oxygen into the inoculated culture media. Additionally, lipids, proteins, and other cellular components may be isolated and purified from microalgae cultivated under the disclosed methods. |
| US09441195B2 |
Method and system for the production of cells and cell products and applications thereof
A cell culture system for the production of cells and cell derived products includes a reusable instrumentation base device incorporating hardware to support cell culture growth. A disposable cultureware module including a cell growth chamber is removably attachable to the instrumentation base device. The base device includes microprocessor control and a pump for circulating cell culture medium through the cell growth chamber. The cultureware module is removably attached to the instrumentation base device. Cells are introduced into the cell growth chamber and a source of medium is fluidly attached to the cultureware module. Operating parameters are programmed into the microprocessor control. The pump is operated to circulate the medium through the cell growth chamber to grow cells or cell products therein. The grown cells or cell products are harvested from the cell growth chamber and the cultureware module is then disposed. |
| US09441193B2 |
Cell culture apparatus, cell culture system and cell culture method
By maintaining the cell density during culture at an appropriate level and eliminating the procedure of transferring cells from a container to another container when a large amount of cells are cultured, damage on cells can be reduced, risk of contamination can be lowered, labor saving can be attained and automation can be attained.A cell culture apparatus including: a culture container 11 formed of a soft packing material and having an enclosure part 11-1 in which a culture medium and/or cells being cultured are enclosed is placed; a container table 12 on which the culture container 11 is placed; a roller 13 which is placed on the upper surface of the culture container 11 and divides the enclosure part 11-1 into two or more chambers; and a driving means 15 which relatively moves the roller 13 or the culture container 11, thereby to change the volume of the culture part 11-11 in the enclosure part 11-1 in which a culture medium or cells being cultured are enclosed. |
| US09441188B2 |
Fabric conditioning composition
A fabric conditioning composition comprising an emulsion of particles in an aqueous vehicle, the particles comprising (a) fatty acid triglyceride, and (b) a water swellable cationic polymer. |
| US09441187B2 |
Fabric softener active composition and method for making it
Reacting at least one tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amine fatty acid ester with dimethylsulfate at a molar ratio of dimethylsulfate to amine nitrogen of from 0.79 to 0.94 until the reaction mixture has a total amine number of from 7 to 20 mg KOH/g provides novel fabric softener active compositions with a low content of methanol, comprising from 65 to 98% by weight of tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)-methylammonium methylsulfate fatty acid esters and from 1 to 1500 ppm methanol. |
| US09441186B2 |
System and method for manufacturing a candle with wax beads and solid wax topping
The candle uses wax beads produced using existing equipment. The wax beads are transported to a bead hopper and the bead hopper deposits a volume of wax beads into jars prepared with a wick. Concurrently the jars are vibrated using a continuous vibratory motor to settle the wax beads for increased wax bead density. The filled jars are then transported to an in-container wax bead compression system where an automated plunging device compresses the wax beads. Jars are then transported by in-line conveyor to a wide conveyor. The jars are then filled at a liquid wax depositing station where the wax has been heated to its melting point and deposited into the jar to fill the void left by the in-container wax bead Compression system. The filled candle is then cooled to solidification. The finished candle is then ready for packing, distribution, sale, and use. |
| US09441182B2 |
Wear-resistant antifriction lacquer for coating engine pistons
A piston coating is described that comprises a phenolic resin, at least one solid lubricant selected from among the group including graphite, MoS2, WS2, BN, and PTFE, as well as carbon fibers. Said coating has an advantageous wear resistance and an advantageous coefficient of friction. |
| US09441181B2 |
Lubricant and synergistic additive formulation
A friction modifying lubricant additive is provided comprising a base oil, colloidal nanocarbon particles, and a fluorine containing oligomeric dispersant. The fluorine containing oligomeric dispersant includes an anchoring group, a lipophilic hydrocarbon group, and a fluorinated oleophobic group. Further, a friction modifying lubricant additive is provided comprising a base oil, colloidal nanocarbon particles, a fluorine containing oligomeric dispersant, and at least one component selected from the group consisting of an antifriction component, an antiwear component, and an extreme pressure component. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a lubricant additive is provided, the method comprising the step of mixing together a fluorine containing oligomeric dispersant, a dispersion of colloidal nanocarbon particles in a first base oil, and a second base oil. |
| US09441177B2 |
Lubrication with oil-compatible polymer brushes
A polymer-brush-based, surface-modification strategy for friction and wear reduction in hard contact under boundary-lubrication conditions is proposed, specifically for a non-aqueous environment. Surface-initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (SI-ATRP) was employed for the synthesis of three different oil-compatible, hydrophobic polymer brushes based on alkyl methacrylates. This study presents polymerization kinetics, chemical characterization by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and surface morphologies observed in atomic force microscopy (AFM). The lubrication properties of the anchored polymers were evaluated macroscopically by means of ball-on-disk methods and on the nanonewton scale by lateral force microscopy (AFM/LFM) and showed significant reduction in friction up to contact pressures as high as 460 MPa. The frictional response of surface-grafted polymers is shown to depend strongly on the compatibility of the polymer with the chosen lubricating fluid. Their good tribological performances have also been proven with watchmaking lubricants. These results do make the prevent invention a suitable candidate for a watchmaking application (such as at the balance pivot or the escapement) in order to increase the efficiency and reliability of the movements. |
| US09441176B2 |
Process for removing siloxane-based derivatives from a liquid organic phase
A method for mineralizing siloxane derivatives from a liquid organic phase by adding a base in the form of an alkaline hydroxide. |
| US09441175B2 |
Process for production of low ash clean coal from high ash coal with total solvent recovery
A process to produce low ash clean coal from high ash coal with substantially complete solvent recovery, the process including: forming a slurry of coal fines in a N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and Ethylenediamine (EDA) solution; maintaining said slurry in a reactor at a temperature range of 100° C. to 240° C. and a pressure range of 1 to 4 gauge (kg/cm2) for a period of about 15 minutes to 4 hours; separating the produced sample withdrawn from the reactor, one part being a filtrate and the other a reject; feeding the filtrate into an evaporator to recover 80-85% solvent; precipitating the concentrated filtrate material in an anti-solvent tank to separate coal from solvent; separating the coal by filtration, said separated coal having a reduced ash content; feeding the anti-solvent and solvent mixture into a distillation column to separate remaining solvent from the anti-solvent for reuse in the process. |
| US09441172B2 |
Petroleum refinery mercury control
The mercury in crude oils is managed during the refining process to reduce its occurrence in refined petroleum products as well as in refinery emissions and wastes by converting the mercury, which may typically be present in the crude in elemental, ionic or combined organic (organomercury) forms, by operating the refinery on a blend of crudes comprising a mercury-containing crude of low sulfur content and a high sulfur crude. For optimal mercury control, the refinery should be operated in a high conversion regime, preferably with hydroprocessing (severe hydrotreating, hydrocracking) suitable for converting refractory, non-reactive sulfur compounds in the high sulfur crudes to more reactive forms including, for example, hydrogen sulfide, which will combine with the mercury present from the mercury-containing crude to form solid mercury sulfides which may be removed as solid waste by-products and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner. |
| US09441169B2 |
Process for removing sulphur compounds from hydrocarbons
Processes are disclosed for reducing the sulphur content of a hydrocarbon material containing sulphur compounds. |
| US09441168B2 |
Low interfacial tension surfactants for petroleum applications
The invention relates to a class of novel surfactants that have utility in the recovery and/or extraction of oil. |
| US09441166B2 |
Pyrolysis reactor materials and methods
In one aspect, the invention includes a reactor apparatus for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock, the apparatus including: a reactor component comprising a refractory material in oxide form, the refractory material having a melting point of at least 2060° C. and which remains in oxide form when exposed to a gas having an oxygen partial pressure of 10−15 bar, a carbon partial pressure above the carbon partial pressure of the zirconium carbide and zirconium oxide phase transition at the same temperature, and at temperatures below the temperature of the zirconium triple point at the oxygen partial pressure of 10−15 bar; and ii) when exposed to a gas having an oxygen partial pressure of 10−15 bar and at temperatures above the zirconium triple point at the oxygen partial pressure of 10−15 bar. In some embodiments, the reactor comprises a regenerative pyrolysis reactor apparatus and in other embodiments it includes a reverse flow regenerative reactor apparatus. In other aspects, this invention includes a method for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock using a pyrolysis reactor system comprising the step of providing in a heated region of a pyrolysis reactor system for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock, apparatus comprising the above refractory material. |
| US09441163B2 |
Photoalignment of materials including liquid crystals
Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for the alignment of certain materials including liquid crystals. In some cases, a photoresponsive material include a moiety capable of undergoing a di-pi-methane rearrangement. Methods described herein may provide chemically and/or thermally stable alignment materials for use in a various technologies, including transistors, luminescent devices, and liquid crystal devices. |
| US09441162B2 |
Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
To provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one or having a suitable balance regarding at least two of characteristics such as high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, low minimum temperature thereof, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large negative dielectric anisotropy, large specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet light and heat; and an AM device having characteristics such as short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, low threshold voltage, a large contrast ratio and a long service life. A liquid crystal composition has negative dielectric anisotropy and a nematic phase, and contains a compound contributing to high stability to heat or ultraviolet light. The composition may contain a specific compound having large negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component, a specific compound having high maximum temperature or small viscosity as a second component, and a specific compound having a polymerizable group. |
| US09441161B2 |
Liquid crystal compound, liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
To provide a liquid crystal compound satisfying at least one of physical properties such as high stability to light, a high clearing point, low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant, excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds and a large dielectric constant in a minor axis direction.The compound is represented by formula (1). For example, R1 is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons; rings A1 to A4 are 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; W1 is a group represented by formula (1a) or (1b); W2 is a group represented by formula (1c) or (1d); Y1 to Y5 and L1 to L5 are fluorine; Z1 to Z5 are —(CH2)2— or —OCH2—; X1 is fluorine, —CF3 or —OCF3; and a to d are 0 or 1, and a sum of a to d is 3 or less. |
| US09441158B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which prevents a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and an increase in ion density (ID) therein and which overcomes problems of defective display such as dropouts, uneven alignment, and screen burn-in. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention prevents a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and an increase in ion density (ID) therein and reduces defective display such as screen burn-in; hence, such a liquid crystal display device is properly used as liquid crystal display devices of a VA mode and PSVA mode which involve active matrix driving and can be applied to liquid crystal display devices of liquid crystal TV sets, monitors, mobile phones, and smartphones. |
| US09441155B2 |
Wavelength converting member, light-emitting device, illuminating device, vehicle headlight, and method for producing wavelength converting member
The light-emitting section contains a fluorescent substance which is a YAG:Ce fluorescent substance. An average particle size of the fluorescent substance is 1·m or larger and 50·m or smaller, and a sealing material for sealing the fluorescent substance has a density of 2.0 g/cm3 or higher and 7.0 g/cm3 or lower. |
| US09441154B2 |
Barium iodide and strontium iodide crystals and scintillators implementing the same
In one embodiment, a crystal includes at least one metal halide; and an activator dopant comprising ytterbium. In another general embodiment, a scintillator optic includes: at least one metal halide doped with a plurality of activators, the plurality of activators comprising: a first activator comprising europium, and a second activator comprising ytterbium. In yet another general embodiment, a method for manufacturing a crystal suitable for use in a scintillator includes mixing one or more salts with a source of at least one dopant activator comprising ytterbium; heating the mixture above a melting point of the salt(s); and cooling the heated mixture to a temperature below the melting point of the salts. Additional materials, systems, and methods are presented. |
| US09441153B2 |
UV photoexcited red light-emitting material and light emitting apparatus
A UV photoexcited red light-emitting material comprising a fluoride single crystal represented by the chemical formula: M1−xRExF2+x−w, wherein M is at least one metal element belonging to Group 2 of the Periodic Table selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, RE is a rare earth element, and the relationships: 0 |
| US09441146B2 |
Process for extracting materials from biological material
The invention is directed to a process for extracting materials from biological material, which process is characterized in that the naturally occurring biological material is treated with an extractant consisting of a deep eutectic solvent of natural origin or a an ionic liquid of natural origin to produce a biological extract of natural origin dissolved in the said solvent or ionic liquid. |
| US09441145B2 |
Curable material comprising silylated polymers containing urethane groups, and use thereof in sealants, adhesives, binders and/or surface modifiers
Curable material comprising silylated polymers containing urethane groups, and use thereof in sealants, adhesives, binders and/or surface modifiers. |
| US09441140B2 |
Asphaltic sheet materials including expandable graphite
An asphaltic sheet comprising an asphaltic component including an asphalt binder and expandable graphite. |
| US09441138B2 |
Blocked polyisocyanate composition, prepolymer composition, and method of manufacturing them, and thermally dissociative blocking agent for blocked polyisocyanate composition
A prepolymer composition and a method for manufacturing them each of which is able to impart a low temperature thermosetting property surpassing the prepolymer of the phenolic resin to a prepolymer as a mixture of a blocked polyisocyanate compound and a polyisocyanate reactive compound, while suppressing generation of a toxic gas impacting on the environment and an unpleasant odor at the time of manufacturing or at the time of thermal curing, and each of which is capable of providing a thermosetting plastic as a thermally cured product thereof to the market at a cost comparable to the phenolic resin, while restraining divergence of the formaldehyde. |
| US09441137B2 |
Easily dispersible formulations of pigments and their use in tinting base media
Formulations of easily dispersible (ED) pigments comprising a combination of a carboxylic acid polymer and a non-ionic alkoxylated surfactant are disclosed. The combination is used in the formulation of a plurality of pigments. The formulations are suitable for mixing with a base medium at the point-of-sale (PoS) or by the end user. |
| US09441136B2 |
Structural barrier system
An environmental barrier composition and method of use for forming a structural barrier system to seal structural openings such as doors and windows is provided. The composition includes a liquid rosin that is silyl-terminated polyether, a filler material, and a curing catalyst. The method includes applying the composition to a prepared through-hole in combination with flashing material at least along a bottom surface of the through-hole and installation of a window or door into the prepared through-hole to form a barrier system in which a continuous film can be easily inspected, is waterproof, meet air barrier requirements of ASTM E2178, has elastomeric properties, allows substrate expansion, contraction, and movement, does not shrink or lose volume as it cures, and cures rapidly with sufficient adhesion to transition flashing to incorporate into a designed drainage plane and allow integration of a continuous air barrier system where the barrier is at least semi-vapor-permeable. |
| US09441123B2 |
Cationic water based polymers for ink, coating, and film applications
The present invention provides a durable, external surfactant free, cationic, water based jet ink polymer which when formulated into an ink jet ink results in a printing that has an excellent adhesion to metal or plastic substrates. Such a jet ink polymer is suitable performance replacement of solvent soluble polymers currently in commercial use. The hybridized copolymer comprises a hydrophobic functional polymeric backbone comprised of a polysiloxane polymer, a polyolefin polymer, or a functional polyvinyl polymer. The hybridized copolymer also comprises a plurality of copolymeric side chains attached to the backbone, comprising a polymerizable amine-containing unsaturated monomer, and a polymerizable unsaturated monomer. The use of the inks of the present invention enhances performance criteria such as print-head open time, ink stability, and resistance to typical water based cleaners. |
| US09441120B2 |
Lithographic offset inks with water and filler content
Lithographic printing inks are described, which are characterized by the inclusion of both water, in a substantially emulsified form, and inorganic filler. Inks of the present invention show improved printing properties in offset lithography, including improved transfer, reduced piling and improved mileage. They also offer cost advantages over currently available inks and the ability to minimize or eliminate entirely mineral oil from their compositions. The inks of the present invention may be used in both web-based print processes including coldset and heatset, as well as in sheetfed printing. The inks may be dried to a durable ink film at ambient temperature, with thermal energy or with actinic or electron beam radiation, or with any combination thereof. |
| US09441119B2 |
Sol-gel transition control of coatings by addition of solidifiers for conformal coatings on textured glass
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and compositions for forming conformal coatings on textured substrates. More specifically, embodiments of the invention generally relate to sol-gel processes and sol-gel compositions for forming low refractive index conformal coatings on textured transparent substrates. In one embodiment a method of forming a conformal coating on a textured glass substrate is provided. The method comprises coating the textured glass substrate with a sol-gel composition comprising a solidifier. It is believed that use of the solidifier expedites the sol-gel transition point of the sol-gel composition leading to more conformal deposition of coatings on textured substrates. |
| US09441116B2 |
Aqueous polymer dispersion
The present invention relates generally to an aqueous polymer dispersion and a coating composition made thereof, especially to a “green” antibacterial polymer dispersion with improved color stability property upon exposure to heat and/or light, and the coating composition made thereof. |
| US09441113B2 |
Pyrolytic carbon black composite and method of making the same
A method of recovering carbon black includes the step of providing a carbonaceous source material containing carbon black. The carbonaceous source material is contacted with a sulfonation bath to produce a sulfonated material. The sulfonated material is pyrolyzed to produce a carbon black containing product comprising a glassy carbon matrix phase having carbon black dispersed therein. A method of making a battery electrode is also disclosed. |
| US09441110B2 |
Fire resistant, high flow poly(aryl ether sulfone) composition
Polymer composition (C) containing (i) a poly(aryl ether sulfone) material (M12) composed of a poly(biphenyl ether sulfone) (P1) and, optionally in addition, a poly(aryl ether sulfone) (P2) containing recurring units with arylene groups linked to each other via a secondary, ternary or quaternary carbon atom, and (ii) a per(halo)fluoropolymer material (M34), composed of a per(halo)fluoropolymer (P3) of which at least 2.0 wt. % of the recurring units are derived from a per(halo)fluoromonomer other than tetrafluoroethylene, and a polytetrafluoroethylene (P4).Shaped article, especially aircraft interior component, comprising the polymer composition (C). |
| US09441107B2 |
Shaped product suppressed in bleeding and production process therefor
A shaped product obtained by allowing a polymer (A) and a compound (B) to undergo hydrosilylation reaction, the polymer (A) and the compound (B) being contained in an uncrosslinked composition including the polymer (A), the compound (B) and a functional filler (C), wherein the polymer (A) is crosslinked by the compound (B) and the resulting crosslinked product is filled with the functional filler (C) dispersed therein, the polymer (A) includes (A1) a polymer of a perfluoropolyether skeleton having one alkenyl group and (A2) a polymer of a perfluoropolyether skeleton having two hydrosilyl [SiH] groups, the compound (B) includes (B1) a compound having two alkenyl groups and/or (B2) a compound having three hydrosilyl groups, and in the uncrosslinked composition, the content of the polymer (A) is 50 to 98 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the polymer (A) and the compound (B), and the content of the functional filler (C) is 50 to 500 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the polymer (A) and the compound (B). |
| US09441103B2 |
Tin-free catalysts for cross-linked polyethylene pipe and wire
A composition includes an first anhydride-grafted polyethylene; and a cross-linking agent that includes a second anhydride; and a first material including minoxidil, melatonin; pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate); or a (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl derivative, where the composition is a master batch configured to cross-link a silane-grafted polyethylene material; and the composition is tin-free. |
| US09441102B2 |
Opacifying pigment particle
An opacifying pigment encapsulated in polymer including a pigment particle having an average particle diameter of from 0.005 to 5 microns and an index of refraction of at least 1.8; an aminophosphorus acid-functional first polymer having been used to disperse the pigment particle in an aqueous medium; and a second polymer that at least partially encapsulates the dispersed pigment particle is provided. A process for forming the opacifying pigment encapsulated in polymer and compositions including the particles are also provided. |
| US09441100B2 |
Blends of ethylene copolymers with high-frequency weldability
Disclosed are high frequency-active blends comprising (a) ethylene copolymers with polar comonomers such as ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymers and ethylene/(meth)acrylate/carbon monoxide terpolymers; (b) copolymers of ethylene and maleic anhydride or its functional equivalents and (c) a short chain polymer containing one primary amine, the remainder comprising propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, or mixture thereof; and films, powders, multilayer structures, and articles prepared therefrom. |
| US09441098B1 |
Tire with tread for low temperature performance and wet traction
This invention relates to a tire for promoting a combination of winter service at low temperatures and for promoting wet traction with tread of rubber composition containing blend of high Tg and low Tg synthetic elastomers. The high Tg elastomer is comprised of high vinyl polybutadiene rubber and the low Tg elastomer is comprised of cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber. |
| US09441096B2 |
Resin composition and resin shaped product
There is provided a resin composition which contains a cellulose ester resin, a polyether ester compound, and an additive if necessary, the resin composition being capable of providing a resin shaped product with excellent transparency, tensile fracture energy property, and the like, and of being suppressed from deterioration of flowability. |