| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09442745B2 |
Business-to-consumer extendable base application
Techniques are presented herein to enable the storing of a base application. A plurality of program modules are stored with the base application, where the plurality of program modules comprise a first module and second module. User instructions are received to form a configuration file containing interaction rules, wherein the interaction rules define, for the base application, how the first module interacts with the second module to form a configured first module. The base application is then executed along with the configured first module on behalf of a user. |
| US09442743B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a storage unit in which a first operating system (OS) and a second OS are loaded; a first display allocated to the loaded first OS and a second display allocated to the loaded second OS; and a controller configured to receive an indication signal indicating a second OS related event has occurred on the mobile terminal, and to selectively execute a second operation corresponding to the second OS related event using the first OS and allocate at least a portion of the first display to an output of the executing second operation. |
| US09442741B2 |
Method, terminal, server, and system for data processing
Methods, terminals, servers, and systems for data processing are provided. After establishing a connection with a first terminal, a second terminal obtains identification information of the first terminal and sends a driving request containing the identification information of the first terminal to a back-end server, such that the back-end server determines for the first terminal a driving data address matched with the identification information of the first terminal according to the identification information. The second terminal receives the driving data address sent from the back-end server, and obtains driving data corresponding to the driving data address. The second terminal sends the driving data to the first terminal for the first terminal to load the driving data. |
| US09442735B1 |
Method and apparatus for processing speculative, out-of-order memory access instructions
Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprise: a speculative store buffer memory; and a speculative store buffer controller comprising a store address comparator to compare an address of a received store instruction with addresses of store instructions allocated in the speculative store buffer memory, and a store age comparator to compare an age of the received store instruction with an age of a matching store instruction allocated in the speculative store buffer memory, wherein the speculative store buffer controller replaces the store instruction allocated in the speculative store buffer memory with the received store instruction responsive to the store instruction allocated in the speculative store buffer memory being younger than the received store instruction. |
| US09442734B2 |
Completion time determination for vector instructions
In an embodiment, a processor may include a completion time determination circuit. The completion time determination circuit may be configured to receive one or more source operands of a vector memory operation used to produce the addresses of the vector elements accessed by the vector memory operation. The completion time determination circuit may be configured to determine a completion time for the vector memory operation (e.g. based on a number of TLB accesses, a number of cache accesses, and/or other aspects of the vector memory operation). The completion time determination circuit may provide the completion time to an issue circuit, which may use the completion time to schedule operations dependent on the vector memory operation, if any. |
| US09442732B2 |
Running state power saving via reduced instructions per clock operation
A microprocessor includes functional units and control registers writeable to cause the functional units to institute actions that reduce the instructions-per-clock rate of the microprocessor to reduce power consumption when the microprocessor is operating in its lowest performance running state. Examples of the actions include in-order vs. out-of-order execution, serial vs. parallel cache access and single vs. multiple instruction issue, retire, translation and/or formatting per clock cycle. The actions may be instituted only if additional conditions exist, such as residing in the lowest performance running state for a minimum time, not running in a higher performance state for more than a maximum time, a user did not disable the feature, the microprocessor supports multiple running states and the operating system supports multiple running states. |
| US09442727B2 |
Filtering out redundant software prefetch instructions
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that selectively filters out redundant software prefetch instructions during execution of a program on a processor. During execution of the program, the system collects information associated with hit rates for individual software prefetch instructions as the individual software prefetch instructions are executed, wherein a software prefetch instruction is redundant if the software prefetch instruction accesses a cache line that has already been fetched from memory. As software prefetch instructions are encountered during execution of the program, the system selectively filters out individual software prefetch instructions that are likely to be redundant based on the collected information, so that likely redundant software prefetch instructions are not executed by the processor. |
| US09442726B1 |
Perceptron branch predictor with virtualized weights
According to an aspect, virtualized weight perceptron branch prediction is provided in a processing system. A selection is performed between two or more history values at different positions of a history vector based on a virtualization map value that maps a first selected history value to a first weight of a plurality of weights, where a number of history values in the history vector is greater than a number of the weights. The first selected history value is applied to the first weight in a perceptron branch predictor to determine a first modified virtualized weight. The first modified virtualized weight is summed with a plurality of modified virtualized weights to produce a prediction direction. The prediction direction is output as a branch predictor result to control instruction fetching in a processor of the processing system. |
| US09442725B2 |
Branch trace compression
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems assign a plurality of branch instructions within a computer program to a plurality of prime numbers. Each branch instruction is assigned a unique prime number within the plurality of prime numbers. A run-time branch trace value is determined to be divisible, without a remainder, by a first prime number of the plurality of prime numbers. The run-time branch trace value was generated during execution of the computer program. An output is generated indicating that a first branch instruction assigned to the first prime number was executed. |
| US09442721B2 |
Method and system to provide user-level multithreading
A method and system to provide user-level multithreading are disclosed. The method according to the present techniques comprises receiving programming instructions to execute one or more shared resource threads (shreds) via an instruction set architecture (ISA). One or more instruction pointers are configured via the ISA; and the one or more shreds are executed simultaneously with a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor includes multiple instruction sequencers. |
| US09442718B1 |
System for assisting in locating changes in source code version control system
A method for providing a source code version control system may comprise parsing source code of a software product to format the software product into a tree structure comprising a plurality of components. The method may comprise separating each of the plurality of components among the tree structure based upon respective content, and receiving an updated version of a component. In addition, the method may comprise comparing the updated version of the component to a previously checked-out version of the component to identify changes, and associating the changes with the respective content of the updated version of the component. Further, the method may comprise storing the identified changes of the updated version of the component, updating the tree structure, and presenting, based on a selected component, the updated version of the component, the identified changes with the updated version of the component, and the previously checked-out version of the component. |
| US09442710B2 |
Method for using shared installation session environment to duplicate installs
A method for utilizing a partial active installation session on a first computer system for an active installation session of a program product on a second computer system. Active installation of the program product having a plurality of components is initiated on the first computer system. A plurality of deployed components installed during the partial active installation session is duplicated. The deployed software components are archived into a new installation package. The new installation package is copied and deployed to the second computer system. Installation of the active product installation is completed on the second system. |
| US09442708B1 |
System and method for installing, updating and uninstalling applications
One method includes mapping a set of environment independent attributes and tokenizing a set of environment dependent attributes in a user selected format. Optionally, the tokens may be replaced with values for the environment dependent attributes. The mapped attributes and the values for the environment dependent attributes may then be used to configure an environment(s). In one embodiment, the configuration is a transaction in a J2EE environment and the format is XML. Additionally, the transaction may tolerate the presence/absence of attributes which are to be installed/deleted. Moreover, the method may support uninstalling applications, change logging, version skipping, and generating prospective change and state reports. The mapping may be from an operational or development server. Likewise, the configuration can occur to an operational or development server. The sets of attributes may be identified by, for example, using predefined rules. |
| US09442703B2 |
Defining an interactive user interface
A system and method for defining an interactive user interface having one or more states and one or more interactive elements. An exemplary implementation of the method comprises the steps of inputting one full screen graphics of an interactive user interface for each state of the interactive user interface; defining an area within the interactive user interface for each of the one or more interactive elements, and automatically generating computer readable code or graphics enabling a graphic display of each state of each interactive element. The method may further comprise the step of storing the geometric properties and positional information of the defined area of the interactive user interface corresponding to each of the one or more interactive elements. The stored geometric properties and positional information can be used to facilitate the editing and modification of the interactive user interface. |
| US09442701B1 |
Verifying models for exceptional behavior
A computer-implemented method may include receiving a specification including one or more instances of a language construct, the language construct having an exceptional behavior; identifying in the specification the one or more instances of the language construct having the exceptional behavior; applying a modification to the one or more instances of the language construct having the exceptional behavior, the modification making the exceptional behavior explicit; analyzing the specification for dynamic occurrences of the explicit exceptional behavior; and generating information identifying the dynamic occurrences of the explicit exceptional behavior. |
| US09442699B2 |
Model elements in software tools as automatons in a software customization system and method
Presented is a system and method for the integration of existing software development tools into a software customization system, where each software development tool has its own model of its software artifacts. The invention allows models in an external software development tool to become software artifacts within a software customization system, and also allows the model elements of the existing tools to become automatons. |
| US09442694B1 |
Method for storing a dataset
Sorting and storing a dataset, the dataset comprising at least one attribute. The method includes defining a set of data blocks and assigning to each data block a predefined maximum number of entries or a predefined maximum amount of storage, dividing the dataset into a sequence of multiple sub-datasets each having one value or a range of values of the attribute, wherein each pair of successive sub-datasets of the sequence are non-overlapping or overlapping at their respective extremum value of the attribute, for each sub-dataset of the multiple sub-datasets: in case the sub-dataset fully or partially fits into a data block of the defined data blocks storing the sub-dataset into at least the data block, the sub-dataset that partially fits into the data block comprising a number of entries that is smaller than a predefined maximum threshold. |
| US09442693B2 |
Reducing speech session resource use in a speech assistant
A method of utilizing a speech assistant, the speech assistant designed to provide a voice input and speech output capability, the method comprising, enabling the use of the speech assistant for communication with a user, and terminating the speech assistant when the communication is complete. The method further comprises receiving a notification from a native application associated with the communication, and activating a sub-portion of the speech assistant, to enable outputting of the notification using speech output, thereby enabling the use of speech output for periodic announcements without enabling the speech assistant. |
| US09442687B2 |
Method and apparatus for moving web object based on intent
A method and apparatus for moving a web object based on an intent is provided. A primary device may identify a web object supporting movability on a loaded web page, and may determine whether the identified web object can be moved to a secondary device based on movability information of the identified web object. The primary device may re-render the web page in a web browser, aside from the web object supporting movability, while maintaining a full layout of the web page. In the movement of the web object, the primary device may push, to a push server, movement of the web object to the secondary device. |
| US09442685B2 |
Control method of a printer, a printer, and a printing system
A printer, a control method of a printer, and a control system enable a printer to efficiently inform a control device that cancelling a print job was instructed by operation of an operating unit. The printer detects if a cancel button was operated, stores button operation information indicating if the cancel button was operated based on the detection result, and if a status response request is received from a host computer, adds and returns button operation information in status information indicating the requested status. |
| US09442684B2 |
Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program, device, and method for information processing device with a plurality of communication interfaces
An information processing device may select a communication target device that is to communicate with the information processing device. The information processing device may store received first communication device identification information in the storage in a case that the first communication device identification information is received. The information processing device may store received second communication device identification information in the storage in a case that the second communication device identification information is received. The information processing device may perform the communication with the communication target device in a case that particular first communication device identification information is stored in the storage. The information processing device may perform the communication with the communication target device in a case that only the particular second communication device identification information is stored in the storage but the particular first communication device identification information is not stored in the storage. |
| US09442683B2 |
Printing device, printing method, computer program product, and recording medium
A printing device includes a print data management unit that is capable of storing and managing print data so as to be associated with corresponding identification information used in user identification; an identification information storing unit that stores the identification information; a receiving unit that receives the print data; an identification information obtaining unit that obtains the identification information included in the print data; a registration determining unit that determines whether the obtained identification information is already registered in the identification information stored in the identification information storing unit; an identification information registering unit that registers in the identification information storing unit the obtained identification information when the registration determining unit determines that the obtained identification information is unregistered; and a print data storing unit that stores the received print data in the print data management unit so as to be associated with the obtained identification information. |
| US09442680B2 |
Image forming apparatus having toner saving function and method for printing
An image forming apparatus having a toner saving function is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a printer configured to perform a printing job, a communicator configured to communicate with a host device, a storage configured to store information of a toner saving option which is differently set to respective data characteristics, and a controller configured to, in response to a print data being received from the host device through the communicator, control the printer to detect characteristics of the print data, and print the print data according to the toner saving option which is set to correspond to the detected characteristics. |
| US09442677B2 |
Access of a digital version of a file based on a printed version of the file
Example embodiments relate to access of a digital version of a file. In example embodiments, a location identifier printed in association with a printed version of a file is received. A digital storage location on a server computing device corresponding to the location identifier may then be accessed. A digital version of the file corresponding to the printed version of the file may then be accessed from the digital storage location. |
| US09442676B2 |
Method, device, and system for determining drive letter
The present disclosure discloses a method for determining a drive letter, including: obtaining a number of a port connecting a redundant array of independent disk RAID controller to an exchange chip and a location number, of a disk, meeting a report condition in each RAID group under the control of the RAID controller, where the location number, of the disk, meeting the report condition is a location number, of a disk, on a preset location after location numbers of all disks included in each RAID group when each RAID group is configured, are sorted according to a preset sequence; and determining a drive letter corresponding to each RAID group according to the number of the port connecting the RAID controller to the exchange chip and the location number, of the disk, meeting the report condition in each RAID group. |
| US09442671B1 |
Distributed consumer cloud storage system
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for distributively storing a data object from a client node to a logical storage group in a network. The method includes selecting a plurality of storage nodes in the network. Portions of storage available at each selected storage node are then allocated as storage units. Further, the data object may be divided by the client node into a plurality of chunks. Each respective chunk is then encoded by the client node as a plurality of fragments. Storage units allocated at each selected storage node are then assigned to the logical storage group to store respective fragments of the data object. |
| US09442668B1 |
Adaptive power management control with performance feedback
Adaptive power management for a data storage device (DSD). A command rate is determined for service requests received by the DSD and a latency is determined for the DSD in performing service requests. The command rate and the latency are used to determine a probability of receiving no service requests within a time interval and power states of the DSD are managed based on the probability of receiving no service requests. |
| US09442665B2 |
Space reservation in a deduplication system
A calculated factoring ratio is determined as a weighted ratio of current nominal data to physical data. A maximal nominal estimated space in the computing storage environment is calculated. A remaining space, defined as the maximal nominal estimated space minus a current nominal space in the computing storage environment, is calculated. Data replication operations are accepted and stored in the computing storage environment if the remaining space is below a predetermined threshold of space for backup operations. |
| US09442663B2 |
Independent set/reset programming scheme
Methods for operating a non-volatile memory that includes a plurality of memory arrays in which each memory array of the plurality of memory arrays may independently perform a SET operation, a RESET operation, or a read operation are described. The ability to independently SET or RESET memory arrays allows a SET operation to be performed on a first set of memory cells within a first memory array at the same time as a RESET operation is performed on a second set of memory cells within a second memory array. In some cases, the first memory array may be associated with a first memory bay and the second memory array may be associated with a second memory bay. Each memory bay may include a memory array, read/write circuits, and control circuitry for determining memory cell groupings and programming memory cells within the memory array based on the memory cell groupings. |
| US09442659B2 |
Data backup storage system
The invention provides a storage subsystem in which a system administrator and a user can accurately comprehend the used storage capacity. Therefore, according to the backup of the present invention, a process for adding new data and a process for updating already existing data are distinguished, and a management to increase a capacity used by the user is performed only when adding new data. |
| US09442654B2 |
Apparatus and method for conditionally enabling or disabling soft buttons
A method of operating a multifunction device includes displaying a soft keyboard having a plurality of buttons including one or more unconditionally enabled buttons and one or more conditionally enabled buttons. The method further includes detecting a first input with a first button at a first time; detecting a second input with a second button at a second time after the first time, where the second button is a conditionally enabled button; and in response to the detecting the second input with the second button at the second time: in accordance with a determination that the period of time between the first time and the second time is above a predefined threshold, activating the second button; and in accordance with a determination that the period of time between the first time and the second time is below the predefined threshold, preventing the second button from being activated. |
| US09442652B2 |
General user interface gesture lexicon and grammar frameworks for multi-touch, high dimensional touch pad (HDTP), free-space camera, and other user interfaces
A method for a multi-touch gesture-based user interface wherein a plurality of gestemes are defined as functions of abstract space and time and further being primitive gesture segments that can be concatenated over time and space to construct gestures. Various distinct subset of the gestemes can be concatenated in space and time to construct a distinct gestures. Real-time multi-touch gesture-based information provided by user interface is processed to at least a recognized sequence of specific gestemes and that the sequence of gestemes that the user's execution a gesture has been completed. The specific gesture rendered by the user is recognized according to the sequence of gestemes. Many additional features are then provided from this foundation, including gesture grammars, structured-meaning gesture-lexicon, context, and the use of gesture prosody. |
| US09442651B2 |
Method and apparatus for text selection
A method includes, displaying a content selection icon on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, detecting touch input at a touch location on the display operable to select a content selection function associated with the content selection icon, and, modifying the displayed content selection icon to display a touch portion at a location on the display corresponding to said detected touch location and a content selection portion operatively coupled to, but spatially separated from, the touch portion. |
| US09442646B2 |
Numeric input control through a non-linear slider
The disclosed non-linear slider control enables a single control to rapidly change orders of magnitude in the scale of control by varying the bounds and quantization interval based on the value before the user begins a slide operation. The bigger the value is at the start, the larger the bounds and the interval. At the end of the slide operation, the bounds and step interval value are recomputed such that the end of the slider operation is centered in the new bounds. |
| US09442642B2 |
Tethered selection handle
Technologies are generally described for providing a tethered selection handle for direct selection of content on a touch or gesture interface. Touch or gesture input on a computing device may be detected to begin content selection, and a start handle may be displayed near the initial input location. An end handle may be displayed to indicate an end of the selection. After the selection, the end handle, a portion of the end handle, or a separate indicator may be displayed at a location of user's current interaction point to indicate to the user that the computing device is aware of the movement of the user's interaction point away from the end handle, but the content selection had not changed. The newly displayed indicator may be tethered to the end handle to further indicate the connection between the end of the selected content and the user's current interaction point. |
| US09442639B2 |
Method and system for providing ambiance settings in a bathing system
A method, device and system for displaying, via a user interface, an ambiance setting for a bathing system. The user interface is configured to display at least one display page on a display screen. The method comprises displaying on the display screen, a plurality of ambiance settings selectable by a user of the user interface, receiving, at a processor, an indication of a selected ambiance setting from the plurality of ambiance settings displayed on the display screen and in response to the selected ambiance setting, displaying on the display screen a first operational setting for at least one first type of bathing unit component and a second operational setting for at least one second type of bathing unit component. The first operational setting and the second operational setting are pre-programmed in association with the selected ambiance setting. |
| US09442635B2 |
Testing user interface layout or language compatibility
A computer-implemented method for testing a user interface includes: receiving, in a computer system, a first manual check result from a first manual check of a user interface of an application; generating a first markup-language record from the user interface and associating the first markup-language record with the first manual check result; after one or more changes are made in the application, generating a second markup-language record from the user interface; performing, in the computer system, at least one test on the user interface that involves a comparison of the first markup-language record with the second markup-language record; and performing, in the computer system, an action based on a result from the performed at least one test. |
| US09442631B1 |
Methods and systems for hands-free browsing in a wearable computing device
Methods and systems for hands-free browsing in a wearable computing device are provided. A wearable computing device may provide for display a view of a first card of a plurality of cards which include respective virtual displays of content. The wearable computing device may determine a first rotation of the wearable computing device about a first axis and one or more eye gestures. Based on a combination of the first rotation and the eye gestures, the wearable computing device may provide for display the navigable menu, which may include an alternate view of the first card and at least a portion of one or more cards. Then, based on a determined second rotation of the wearable computing device about a second axis and based on a direction of the second rotation, the wearable computing device may generate a display indicative of navigation through the navigable menu. |
| US09442627B2 |
Expandable two-dimensional flow for container hierarchy
Presenting items in a two-dimensional access pane includes presenting a first set of icons arranged contiguously and in two dimensions of the access pane, where each of the icons corresponds to an item and at least some of the items are container icons that represent containers that contain other items and expanding at least one of the container icons to show a first container pane having icons corresponding to items contained in a corresponding container, where icons in the first container pane are arranged contiguously and in two dimensions of the first container pane. At least some of the icons in the first container pane may be container icons that represent containers that contain other items. The items may be files in a file system provided in connection with a personal computer that runs Macintosh OS, MS Windows, and Linux. The items may be data in a database system. |
| US09442626B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatuses for facilitating content consumption and sharing through geographic and incentive based virtual networks
Consumption and sharing of content, including music, is facilitated by an apparatus and a network configured to collect location information related to users of the network and the content. Users are provided with the capability to create playlists of content portions which may be graphically displayed atop a map. Location, playing and sharing information is used to evaluate the content portions, users and playlists. Content may be selected for playing by a user based on the evaluation. |
| US09442623B2 |
Guide line snapping
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to determine a substantially perpendicular current distance from a cursor guide line that passes through a given current cursor location, to a reference point. Additional activity may include determining candidate guide lines that comprise a subset of a larger group of guide lines and that are associated with at least one drawing object, each one of the subset having a substantially perpendicular reference distance to the reference point that is within a range defined by a snapping tolerance and the current distance. A snapping location can be displayed on the closest one of the subset as measured from the current cursor location. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09442622B2 |
Window grouping
A framework is provided for obtaining window information. The window information can be applied to different assignment models to assign windows to different groups. A group may correspond to a task being performed by a user. The window information can be semantic or temporal information captured as window events and properties of windows whose events are captured. Temporal information can be information about switches between windows. Semantic information can be window titles. Temporal information, semantic information, or both, can be used to assign windows to groups. |
| US09442613B2 |
Touch window
A touch window includes a substrate, and an electrode part provided on the substrate. The electrode part includes a first sub-pattern, an electrode layer provided in the first sub-pattern, a second sub-pattern adjacent to the first sub-pattern, and a third sub-pattern provided on a top surface of the first sub-pattern. |
| US09442612B2 |
Touch panel display device and touch panel controller
A common touch panel controller is used for performing touch detection by driving both a touch panel superimposed on a display panel of a touch panel display portion for display, and a touch sensor superimposed on a touch key pattern of a touch key input portion for buttons. A control circuit capable of switching detection characteristics of a detection circuit common to the both in accordance with detection from the touch panel display portion and detection from the touch key input portion is adopted in the touch panel controller. |
| US09442609B2 |
Sensing method and circuit for use with capacitive sensing devices
A sensing method is used for a capacitive sensing device, wherein the capacitive sensing device has a plurality of capacitive sensing components, each of which is charged or discharged by a charging component respectively. The sensing method comprises the steps of: a first sampling step of sampling at least one of charging or discharging time of a capacitive sensing component of the plurality of capacitive sensing components to determine a first sample time for the component sampled, wherein the component sampled and at least one another component of the plurality of capacitive sensing components are charged or discharged simultaneously during the first sampling step; a first comparing step of comparing the first sample time for the component sampled with a reference time; and an outputting step of outputting a trigger signal in the event that the first sample time exceeds the reference time. |
| US09442602B2 |
Interactive input system and method
An interactive input system comprises an interactive surface; at least one proximity sensor in proximity with the interactive surface and generating output signifying user proximity to the interactive surface; and processing structure configured to process user input generated in response to user interaction with said interaction input system and output from the at least one proximity sensor, said processing structure controlling interactive input system operation based upon at least one of said user input and proximity sensor output. |
| US09442592B2 |
Module structure of touch display panel
A module structure of touch display panel is provided. The module structure comprises a backlight module, a liquid crystal panel, a touch layer, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a protection layer. The liquid crystal panel is disposed above the backlight module; the touch layer is disposed on the liquid crystal panel. The first circuit board is disposed on the liquid crystal panel, and is further disposed with a first side of the liquid crystal panel and a first side of the touch layer. The second circuit board is disposed on the liquid crystal panel, and is further disposed with a second side of the liquid crystal panel and a second side of the touch layer. Additionally, the protection layer is disposed above the touch layer, the first circuit board, and the second circuit board. |
| US09442584B2 |
Electronic device with reconfigurable keypad
A reconfigurable keypad for enhancing user experience of an electronic device. The keypad includes a keypad display implemented as any type of display devices that can display different configurations of characters, symbols or images. The keypad display is placed adjacent an application display module. Both the keypad display and the application display module are covered with a common protective film, giving an appearance of a continuous top surface. The keypad also has a mechanism for providing tactile feedback to the user indicating whether the keypad was properly pressed. |
| US09442583B2 |
Optical mouse apparatus and data compression method used in optical mouse apparatus
An optical mouse apparatus includes a light source circuit, a sensing circuit, and a processing circuit. The light source circuit is used for generating and emitting a light signal onto a surface so as to generate a light reflected signal. The sensing circuit is used for estimating an image offset of the optical mouse apparatus. The processing circuit is coupled to the light source circuit and the sensing circuit and used for generating and outputting a control signal to a terminal according to the image offset outputted by the sensing circuit. The sensing circuit is further used for detecting at least one of a moving speed or an offset direction of the image offset of the optical mouse apparatus, so as to dynamically determine whether to compress data of the image offset outputted to the processing circuit, for reducing data amount read by the processing circuit. |
| US09442581B2 |
Touch pen for a capacitive touch pad
A touch pen includes a sleeve, a contact element, a sensing device and a buffering element. The contact element is penetrated through the sleeve and movably relative to the sleeve. The sensing device is disposed within the sleeve. The buffering element is disposed within the sleeve. The contact element and the sensing device are separated from each other by the buffering element. While the contact element is moved in response to an external force applied to touch pen, the impact of the contact element on the sensing device is largely reduced because the contact element and the sensing device are separated from each other by the buffering element. Moreover, since the external force is received by the buffering element, the sensing device can be protected by the buffering element. Consequently, the failure probability of the touch pen is reduced. |
| US09442580B2 |
Electronic apparatus and touch operating method thereof
An electronic apparatus and a touch operating method thereof are provided. The touch operating method is adapted to an electronic apparatus having a touch display and includes the following steps. A touch performed on the touch display by a touch input device is detected. According to this touch, a dielectric parameter of the touch input device is determined. An operating function corresponding to the dielectric parameter is executed. |
| US09442577B2 |
System for inputting graphical elements
A system for inputting graphical elements Includes a substantially pen-shaped peripheral device (PD); means (DIG) for digitizing graphical elements produced by a first end (END1) of the peripheral device (PD); and display means (DISP) suitable for displaying the said graphical elements produced. The system also includes means (MSR) for measuring signals representative of the movement executed by the peripheral device (PD), which includes a gyrometer (G) with at least two measurement axes providing angular speeds according to the said axes, linked in a fixed manner to the said peripheral device (PD). Means (POS) for positioning, on the display means (DISP), a pointing element (PT), based on the said angular speeds, is also provided, together with means (ACT) for activating/deactivating the positioning means (POS). |
| US09442576B2 |
Method and system for combining paper-driven and software-driven design processes
A method and system for combining paper-driven and software-driven design processes is provided. An example system comprises a request detector, a stroke analyzer, and a UI definition updater. The request detector may be configured to detect a request to process a change to a UI definition. The stroke analyzer may be configured to access a stroke generated by a digital pen and determine, from the stroke, a new element to be appended to a page in the UI definition. The UI definition updater may be configured to update the UI definition, e.g., by including the new element at the target location. |
| US09442575B1 |
Method and apparatus for applying free space input for surface constrained control
A free space input standard is instantiated on a processor. Free space input is sensed and communicated to the processor. If the free space input satisfies the free space input standard, a touch screen input response is invoked in an operating system. The free space input may be sensed using continuous implicit, discrete implicit, active explicit, or passive explicit approaches. The touch screen input response may be invoked through communicating virtual touch screen input, a virtual input event, or a virtual command to or within the operating system. In this manner free space gestures may control existing touch screen interfaces and devices, without modifying those interfaces and devices directly to accept free space gestures. |
| US09442571B2 |
Control method for generating control instruction based on motion parameter of hand and electronic device using the control method
A control method and an electronic device are described where the method includes acquiring a real-time collection image regarding a space operation area; according to the real-time collection image, determining whether a first finger and a second finger belonging to a same hand of a user are present in the space operation area; acquiring a first distance between a first fingertip portion of the first finger and a second fingertip portion of the second finger, and generating a first determination result according to the first distance; determining whether the first fingertip portion leaves the second fingertip portion along a direction away from the user's body or approaches the second fingertip portion along a direction approaching the user's body; acquiring a motion parameter of the first fingertip portion; and generating a control instruction according to the motion parameter of the first fingertip portion. |
| US09442570B2 |
Method and system for gesture recognition
A method and system for recognizing gestures on an electronic device, such as a mobile device (e.g., watch), are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the method includes obtaining a gesture template, determining a first mean value based upon the gesture template, obtaining gesture data by way of a motion sensing component of the electronic device, and calculating (by way of a processing device) a correlation metric based at least indirectly upon the gesture data and the gesture template, where the correlation metric is calculated based at least in part upon the first mean value. The method also includes determining based at least in part upon the correlation metric that a first of the gestures has occurred, and taking at least one additional action based at least in part upon the determining. |
| US09442568B2 |
Input apparatus
Provided is an input apparatus having a touch sensor to detect a contact operation to a slide bar displayed and to provide a tactile sensation of shift of the slide bar.An input apparatus 1 has a touch sensor 11 configured to detect a contact, a load detection unit 12 configured to detect a pressure load on a touch face of the touch sensor 11, a display unit 14 configured to display the slide bar, a tactile sensation providing unit 13 configured to vibrate the touch face, and a control unit 15 configured to control the tactile sensation providing unit 13 such that a tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch face based on a position of a knob of the slide bar shifted in response to the contact detected by the touch sensor 11 while the pressure load detected by the load detection unit 12 satisfies a predetermined standard. |
| US09442563B2 |
Wireless devices with flexible monitors and keyboards
A portable device (e.g., a wireless device such as a cell phone) is provided with a flexible keyboard and a flexible display screen. Such flexible components may be stored in the housing of the portable device when not in use. The flexible display screen and flexible keyboard may be expanded from the housing when the flexible components are utilized by a user. Non-flexible display and input components may be provided on the exterior of the portable device such that the device may be used, in some form, while the flexible components are stored. In one embodiment, a portion of the flexible display (or flexible keyboard) may be utilized when the flexible display (or flexible keyboard) is stored in said first housing. |
| US09442562B2 |
Systems and methods of image processing that adjust for viewer position, screen size and viewing distance
Several embodiments of image processing systems and methods are disclosed herein whereby at least one characteristic of an image displayed on a target display is changed according to information regarding the viewer's position—e.g. distance to the target display, the visual angle the target display's subtends of the viewer's field of view. In one embodiment, luminance and/or contrast may be changed depending on the information regarding viewer's position relative to the target display. |
| US09442561B2 |
Display direction control for directional display device
An information processing device connected to a display device capable of varying display contents according to display directions, the information processing device including: a position information acquiring unit to acquire position information on an object within a range from which the display device is viewable; a display direction determining unit to determine, based on the position information, a first display direction in which a first partial area of the display device is viewable from a position of the object and a second display direction in which a second partial area of the display device is viewable from the position of the object; and a display control unit that causes the display device to display contents so that the contents are displayed in the first display direction in the first partial area and the contents are displayed in the second display direction in the second partial area. |
| US09442555B2 |
Method of control of an access point of a home gateway of a home network
A method of controlling a domestic gateway, intended to connect at least one domestic terminal of a domestic computer network to a telecommunication network. The domestic gateway includes an access point configured so as to establish a connection between the domestic terminal and the domestic gateway. Method includes: a step of verifying the state of the connection between the domestic gateway and the domestic terminal via the access point, and a step of cyclically placing the access point on standby if the connection is inactive, in which the access point is alternately enabled for a duration of activity and disabled for a duration of sleep. |
| US09442554B1 |
System and method for automatically adjusting an idle time of a computing device based on a pattern of user activity that indicates a period of time that the user is not in a predetermined area
A system and method is disclosed for adjusting power consumption of a computing device. The computing device is configured with one or more sensors to sense when a user moves away and returns to the computing device. Over a period of time, the computing device determines a pattern of activity related to how long the user is normally away from the computing device during particular times of the day. The computing device may then adjust power consumption of the device or associated components during times of the day for which a pattern of activity has been determined. For example, the computing device may adjust a duration that the computing device will remain idle before power to the computing device is limited. |
| US09442552B2 |
Regulating the activity of a core
It is proposed a method for regulating the activity of a core running at a given clock rate. The method comprises: monitoring (S100) a value of a parameter of the core, the parameter being a critical parameter for a safe operating of the core; determining whether the monitored value reaches a trigger value; when the monitored value reaches the trigger value (S120): modifying the clock rate of the core (S130) by decreasing the ratio of active cycles of the clock; and running the core at the clock rate modified (S140) by decreasing the ratio of active cycles of the clock; when the monitored value reaches a second time the trigger value (S170): modifying the clock rate of the core (S180) by increasing the ratio of active cycles of the clock; and running the core at the clock rate (S190) modified by increasing the ratio of active cycles of the clock. |
| US09442547B2 |
Method and system for automatically returning an information processing apparatus to a state before power outage
An information processing apparatus includes a first control unit configured to control a processing unit; a first power supply that supplies power to the first control unit; a switching unit configured to switch on or off the first power supply; a second control unit configured to operate according to a setting and control the switching unit; a second power supply that supplies power to the second control unit; and a setting change unit configured to perform the setting of the second control unit so that the switching unit switches off the first power supply when a voltage of the second power supply is lower than a preset voltage, and perform the setting of the second control unit so that the switching unit switches on the first power supply when the voltage of the second power supply is equal to or higher than the preset voltage. |
| US09442537B2 |
Server with detachable panel module and detachable module structure
A server with a detachable panel module includes a case with an accommodating space, a circuit board module and a panel module. The circuit board module includes a circuit board, a first assembling frame and a button. The first assembling frame includes a first plate. The first plate is installed in the accommodating space. The circuit board is installed on the first plate. The button is movable relative to the first plate. The panel module includes a panel and a second assembling frame. The second assembling frame includes a second plate, a plurality of elastic arms. The plurality of elastic arms is connected to the second plate. The panel is installed on the second plate. When the button is separated from the second plate, the elastic force of the plurality of elastic arms making the panel module leaves the accommodating space. |
| US09442536B1 |
Computer case
A computer case includes a chassis and at least one side plate. The chassis includes a base plate, an upper frame corresponding to the base plate, and two side frames connected to the base plate and the upper frame. Each of the side frames forms an opening. The base plate includes a hook portion bent inwardly adjacent to one side of the opening. At least one side plate is assembled to one of the two side frames and covers the opening. The at least one side plate includes a clasp member disposed protrudingly. The clasp member is movable with respect to the hook portion and engages with the hook portion, thereby allowing the other end of the at least one side plate, opposite to the clasp member, to open to form an open angle with respect to the upper frame. |
| US09442528B2 |
Docking system
A docking system includes a base, a deck having an upper surface configured to contact a computing device resting upon the deck, wherein the upper surface includes at least one aperture therethrough, and projections extending upwardly from a surface of the base. The deck is movable along a plane that is inclined with respect to the surface of the base between a first position and a second position, the at least one aperture of the deck when in the first position being located away from the projections such that the deck conceals the projections, and the at least one aperture of the deck when in the second position exposing the projections to allow engagement of the projections with the computing device. |
| US09442524B2 |
Bracelet-type electronic apparatus and frame thereof
A frame of a bracelet-type electronic apparatus includes a plurality of main frame bodies, at least one elastic member and at least one first stopping member. The main frame bodies are arranged to form an arc-shaped structure, and two main frame bodies adjacent to each other define an interval. The arc-shaped structure defines a wearing space. Each of the main frame bodies has an inner side, exposed in the wearing space. The elastic member is connected to two adjacent main frame bodies. The elastic member is disposed on the inner sides of the main frame bodies. The first stopping member is protruded from one main frame body toward another main frame body adjacent to each other. |
| US09442523B2 |
User-wearable devices with power conserving features
A user-wearable devices includes an on-body detector that uses one or more sensors of the device to detect whether or not the user-wearable device is being worn by a user. When the user-wearable device is detected as being worn by a user it is operated in a first mode, and when the user-wearable device is detected as not being worn by a user it is operated in a second mode that consumes less power than the first mode. Operating the user-wearable device in the first mode can include enabling wireless communication between the user-wearable device and a base station. Operating the user-wearable device in the second mode can include disabling wireless communication between the user-wearable device and a base station. Operating the user-wearable device in the second mode can also include disabling sensors of the user-wearable device and/or placing sensors of the user-wearable device in a low power mode. |
| US09442518B2 |
Mounting wedge for flexible material
Implementations of a mounting wedge for a flexible material are described. According to various embodiments, a flexible material such as a fabric is laminated to a surface of a device, such as a portable computing device. At least some embodiments utilize a mounting wedge to secure an edge of the flexible material to the device, as well as for a mounting surface for a component of the device. |
| US09442517B2 |
Input gestures using device movement
A handheld electronic device has a cursor which is moved by tilting and or accelerating the device, where the cursor movement correlates to a bubble in a bull's eye level. Gestures include flicking, shaking, and reversing an acceleration or tilting, to control movement of the cursor, and to execute instructions corresponding to a position of the cursor. These gestures may be combined with touch, speech, buttons, or other known methods of communication between users and devices. |
| US09442516B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for navigating through an electronic document
An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface stores a document having primary content, supplementary content, and user-generated content. The device displays a representation of the document in a segmented user interface on the display. Primary content of the document is displayed in a first segment of the segmented user interface and supplementary content of the document is concurrently displayed in a second segment of the segmented user interface distinct from the first segment. The device receives a request to view user-generated content of the document. In response to the request, the device maintains display of the previously displayed primary content, ceases to display at least a portion of the previously displayed supplementary content, and displays user-generated content of the document in a third segment of the segmented user interface distinct from the first segment and the second segment. |
| US09442509B2 |
Electronic circuit with self-calibrated PTAT current reference and method for actuating the same
The electronic circuit with a self-calibrated PTAT current reference includes a PTAT current generator dependent on at least one integrated resistor for supplying a PTAT output current. It further includes a reference current generator dependent on at least one switched capacitor resistor, for supplying a reference current. The reference current and the PTAT output current are compared in a comparator so as to digitally adapt the programmable integrated resistor, or to digitally adapt the dimensional ratio of the transistors of a current mirror in the PTAT current generator, to supply the adapted PTAT output current. |
| US09442504B2 |
Methods and apparatus for adaptive operation of solar power systems
Methods and apparatus may provide for the adaptive operation of a solar power system (3). Solar energy sources (1) and photovoltaic DC-DC power converters (2) may be interconnected in serial, parallel, or combined arrangements. DC photovoltaic power conversion may be accomplished utilizing dynamically adjustable voltage output limits (8) of photovoltaic DC-DC power converters (2). A photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (2) may include at least one external state data interface (7) receptive to at least one external state parameter of a solar power system (3). A dynamically adjustable voltage output limit control (12) may be used to relationally set a dynamically adjustable voltage output limit (8) of a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (2). Dynamically adjusting voltage output limits (8) may be done in relation to external state parameter information to achieve desired system results. |
| US09442501B2 |
Systems and methods for a low dropout voltage regulator
A semiconductor device including a voltage regulator is disclosed. The voltage regulator may include a multipath amplifier stage, a driver stage coupled to the multipath amplifier stage, a dynamic compensation circuit coupled to the multipath amplifier stage, and a current compensation circuit. The dynamic compensation circuit may be operable to provide a varying level of compensation to the multipath amplifier stage, where the varying level of compensation proportional to a current level associated with the load; and the current compensation circuit may be operable to allow a minimum current level at the driver stage. |
| US09442500B2 |
Systems and methods for associating wireless devices of an HVAC system
A building control network may have a first central device, a second central device and one or more peripheral devices. An illustrative method may include placing the second central device into an associate mode, and sending an associate command from a perimeter device to associate the perimeter device with the second central device. The associate command may be received by the first central device. The first central device may send one or more commands to the second central device, where the one or more commands may cause the second central device to be taken out of its associate mode and to reconfigure the second central device to a perimeter device. The first central device may then be put in an associate mode, and both the second central device and the perimeter device may be associated as perimeter devices with the first central device. |
| US09442498B2 |
Water heating apparatus for continuous heated water flow and method for use in hydraulic fracturing
A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a mixer, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The mixer has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the mixer, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+(4.4-48.9 C+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool and hot water to surge tanks or to mixing tanks In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the mixing tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation. |
| US09442497B2 |
Air-conditioning management device, air-conditioning management method, and program
An air conditioning management device is mutually communicably connected to multiple air conditioners, and is equipped with: a storage that stores connection information that indicate remote control devices respectively controlling the plurality of air conditioners, the air conditioners connected thereto; a wasteful operation determiner that determines whether or not any of the plurality of air conditioners are in a wasteful operating state; and a wasteful operation notifier which, in the case where wasteful operation determiner determines that at least one of the plurality of air conditioners is in a wasteful operating state, notifies that the air conditioner is in a wasteful operating state to the remote control device connected to that air conditioner, on the basis of the connection information stored in the storage. |
| US09442496B1 |
Active airborne noise abatement
Noises that are to be emitted by an aerial vehicle during operations may be predicted using one or more machine learning systems, algorithms or techniques. Anti-noises having equal or similar intensities and equal but out-of-phase frequencies may be identified and generated based on the predicted noises, thereby reducing or eliminating the net effect of the noises. The machine learning systems, algorithms or techniques used to predict such noises may be trained using emitted sound pressure levels observed during prior operations of aerial vehicles, as well as environmental conditions, operational characteristics of the aerial vehicles or locations of the aerial vehicles during such prior operations. Anti-noises may be identified and generated based on an overall sound profile of the aerial vehicle, or on individual sounds emitted by the aerial vehicle by discrete sources. |
| US09442490B2 |
System and method for aircraft performance predictions for descent and approach phases
A system and method for aircraft performance predictions for descent and approach phases are disclosed. In one embodiment, cruise computation is stopped substantially around a default distance from a destination. Further, current predicted aircraft state is determined using a total energy of the aircraft starting from the default distance. Furthermore, descent and approach phase profiles are computed using the determined current predicted aircraft state. In addition, the aircraft performance predictions are obtained using the computed descent and approach phase profiles. |
| US09442484B2 |
Apparatus for switching driving modes of vehicle and method of switching between modes of vehicle
An apparatus for switching between driving modes of a vehicle with an automatic driving system, including: an input unit for receiving an input to switch from automatic driving mode to manual driving mode; a speed sensor for determining a current speed of the vehicle; a display unit on which a first indicator indicating a current speed of the vehicle when the vehicle is in an automatic driving mode is displayed; a pedal sensor for determining a current displacement distance of an accelerator pedal; a controller for determining a virtual speed according to the current distance displacement of the accelerator pedal when an input is received that requests switching of the automatic driving mode of the vehicle to a manual driving mode if the vehicle is in the automatic driving mode and displays a second indicator indicating the virtual speed on the display unit, and for switchings the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode when the virtual driving speed is similar to the current speed of the vehicle. |
| US09442483B2 |
Manufacturing control apparatus and manufacturing control system
A manufacturing control apparatus of an electronic device is configured to implement processing to generate a first model function relating to a relationship between a characteristic of a component included in the electronic device. The apparatus is configured to implement processing to determine a first manufacturing condition value to obtain the characteristic of the component based on the first model function. The apparatus is configured to implement processing to calculate a squared prediction error of a measured value of the characteristic of the component. The apparatus is configured to implement processing to determine a second manufacturing condition value of the next electronic device according to the calculated squared prediction error. |
| US09442482B2 |
System and method for monitoring wafer handling and a wafer handling machine
Systems, machines, and methods for monitoring wafer handling are disclosed herein. A system for monitoring wafer handling includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is capable of being secured to an assembled wafer handling machine. The controller is in electronic communication with the sensor and includes control logic. The control logic is configured to store a reference output of the sensor when the wafer handling machine is aligned and is configured to generate an indication signal when a difference between the reference output and a current output of the sensor exceeds a threshold. |
| US09442480B2 |
Laser output control device, laser oscillator, and laser output control method
A laser output control device controlling a laser oscillator includes: a switching section that switches, based on the basis of the size of a pulse width of a laser output command, a current command value used for controlling output of the laser light to either one of peak value control and average value control; a peak value command generating section generating a current command value for performing peak value control; and an average value command generating section generating a current command value for performing average value control; wherein an output value of the laser light measured by one measuring section is input to the peak value command generating section and the average value command generating section, and the current command value is generated such that the output value of the laser light becomes a value that corresponds to the laser output command. |
| US09442477B2 |
Automation technology autarkic field device
An automation technology, autarkic, field device, which is connected via two connecting terminals to an I/O module. The I/O module is embodied as a 4-20 mA/HART I/O module. The I/O module is associated with a controllable energy source via which the field device is supplied with energy. An electrical current measuring unit is provided which ascertains the electrical current supplied by the energy source. In the I/O module, internal resistors are provided, across which occurs in each case a voltage drop dependent on the flowing electrical current. A control unit is provided, which operates the energy source in such a way that a predetermined terminal voltage is supplied on the connecting terminals for powering the field device. |
| US09442473B2 |
Remote object data property replication method and system
In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes designating a visual representation of an object in a display screen of a human machine interface, accessing any properties, connections, and text associated with the object in response to a trigger event, and creating an identical copy in response to the trigger event, wherein the identical copy includes any properties, connections and text associated with the object. An interface system that includes a machine readable medium having programming code implementing the method. An industrial automation device is also provided. |
| US09442472B2 |
Engine control device
Multiple lattice points arranged in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system that takes first, second and third operating conditions as axes are associated with cores arranged in a lattice shape. A program for calculating a control value at the associated lattice points is allocated to the cores. Each core with which a lattice point is associated is configured so that, in a case where an operation space on the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system to which a current operating point belongs is a space defined by eight adjacent lattice points including a lattice point associated with the relevant core, the relevant core calculates a control value at the lattice point associated therewith by means of the calculation program and sends the control value to an interpolation calculation core. Further, if the operation space is not defined by the eight adjacent lattice points, the relevant core suspends calculation of the control value. |
| US09442470B2 |
Methods for planning and retrofit of energy efficient eco-industrial parks through inter-time-inter-systems energy integration
Methods of providing enhanced energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gases for an eco-industrial park with retrofit in mind and eco-industrial park retrofit with retrofit in mind, are provided. An exemplary method includes identifying hybrid inter-time zones inter-area matching solutions through selecting best energy efficient routes, generating technically viable energy efficient eco-industrial parks alternatives, identifying best generation and allocation of energy utilities, and synthesizing a combined heat and power utility system that satisfies the eco-park demands during each time zone as well as rendering its best operating scenario at each specific time-zone. This inter-time-zones inter-area integration can include identifying the best and the second best matching solutions among processes in the eco-industrial park for spatial energy integration and the best and second best matching solutions among all time-zones for temporal energy integration and greenhouse gas emissions reduction for the optimal synthesis or retrofit of eco-industrial parks. |
| US09442469B2 |
Household electrical appliance and method for controlling household electrical appliance
A washer-dryer is provided with a time shift function for performing timer presetting processing on the basis of a time shift computation result which indicates an operation start time suitable for operation. The washer-dryer includes: an input operation unit for allowing a user to perform operations for operating the washer-dryer; a display unit for displaying information relating to the operation of the washer-dryer; and an operation control unit for controlling the operation of the washer-dryer on the basis of the time shift computation result. When a start button on the input operation unit is operated by the user, the operation control unit automatically performs the timer presetting processing on the basis of the time shift computation result and also displays a timer preset time at the display unit. |
| US09442460B2 |
Digital hologram display device
The present disclosure relates to a digital hologram display device displaying 3D image as a hologram by using a complex modulation. The digital hologram display device comprising a spatial light modulator including a first pixel outputting a first modulation light by modulating a phase of a first plane-polarized light and a second pixel outputting a second modulation light by modulating the phase of the first plane-polarized light, wherein the second pixel is adjacent to the first pixel; and a light combiner changing a path of the first modulation light outputted from the first pixel so that the path of the first modulation light corresponds to a path of the second modulation light outputted from the second pixel for combining the first modulation light with the second modulation light, wherein a phase of the first modulation light is different from a phase of the second modulation light. |
| US09442458B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion where an image forming unit, detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus, for forming an image is mounted; an inserting opening for permitting insertion of the image forming unit into the mounting portion; a cover portion for opening and closing the inserting opening; a locking portion capable of being elastically displaced between a locking position where the image forming unit is locked at an image formable mounting position and a releasing position where locking is released; and a limiting mechanism for limiting movement of the locking portion by moving to a first position where the movement of the locking portion to the releasing position is prevented when the cover portion is closed and by moving to a second position where the movement of the locking portion to the releasing position is permitted when the cover portion is opened. |
| US09442453B1 |
Cleaning device, image forming apparatus including cleaning device, and end-sealing member for cleaning device
A cleaning device that removes a residual substance from an image carrier includes a cleaning container having an opening that faces the image carrier, the cleaning container extending in an axial direction of the image carrier and receiving the residual substance; a scraping member that extends in a longitudinal direction of the opening and scrapes off the residual substance by coming into contact with the image carrier; and an end-sealing member that is fixed to the cleaning container at least at one end of the opening, that is in contact with a surface of the image carrier, and that seals a gap between the cleaning container and the image carrier at an end of the scraping member. A surface of the end-sealing member that is in contact with the image carrier has a void in a region isolated from a surrounding region. |
| US09442443B2 |
Roller having core with an elastic layer including tapered portion and fixing apparatus with such roller
A roller used for a fixing apparatus has: a core; a first elastic layer that is formed outside the core and includes a first tapered portion on an edge of the roller in an axis direction; and a second elastic layer that is formed outside the first elastic layer and includes a second tapered portion on the edge in the axis direction on the same side as the first elastic layer. The second elastic layer has a hardness that is higher than the hardness of the first elastic layer. A second start point, which is a start point of the second tapered portion, is set in a position closer to the center of the roller in the axis direction than a first start point, which is a start point of the first tapered portion. |
| US09442440B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device fixes an image on a sheet, and includes a rotatable member having an electroconductive layer; a helical coil provided inside the rotatable member and having a helix axis extending in a generatrix direction of the rotatable member; a magnetic member provided inside a helical configuration portion formed by the coil, the magnetic member not forming a loop outside the rotatable member; and a controller for controlling electric power supplied to the coil. The electroconductive layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction caused by the magnetic flux produced by an alternating current through the coil to fix the image on the sheet by the heat from the rotatable member. The controller limits the maximum electric power supplied to the coil, in accordance with the temperature of the magnetic member. |
| US09442434B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes: a fusing member; a heater; a nip member; a reflection member; a stay; and a backup member. The fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and is circularly movable. The inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection member reflects a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The reflection member includes a reflection portion and an extending portion. The stay covers the reflection portion and supports the nip member. The extending portion extends outside of the stay. The backup member provides a nip region in cooperation with the nip member upon nipping the tubular flexible fusing member between the backup member and the nip member. The extending portion extends between the nip member and the stay. The extending portion is positioned exclusively downstream of the reflection portion in a sheet feeding direction. |
| US09442433B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer section, a transfer bias applying section, a conveyance section, an element, a current measurement section, and a control section. The transfer section forms, in conjunction with the image bearing member, a pressing part where a recording medium is pressed. The transfer bias applying section supplies transfer current to the transfer section to apply a transfer bias to the transfer section. The element conducts when a voltage equal to or greater than a prescribed value is applied thereto. The current measurement section measures a value of leak current. The leak current is a current flowing through the element. The control section controls a value of the transfer current. The control section changes the absolute value of the transfer current based on the absolute value of the leak current. |
| US09442429B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of switching collected developer route in image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a developing device; a transfer device; a waste-developer container; a developer collecting device including a collected-developer conveyor, a waste channel, a reuse channel, and a channel switching member to switch a route between the waste channel and the reuse channel; a switching determiner to determine whether to dispose or reuse collected developer; an operating condition data collector to collect and store operating condition data used as a degradation speed index of developer in the developing device; a determination type selector to select, according to the degradation speed index, one of a first determination type based on an operating amount and a second determination type based on developer replacement data indicating an amount of developer replaced with supplied developer in the developing device; and a switching controller to control the channel switching member according to determination made by the switching determiner. |
| US09442427B2 |
Developing device
A developing device includes a developer carrying member and first and second chambers. A feeding member provided in the second chamber includes a normal feeding portion, a reverse feeding portion, and a discharging portion. An opposing portion in the second chamber opposes a peripheral surface of the reverse feeding portion and is formed so that a first region of an upper half of the reverse feeding portion is broader in clearance with the second chamber than a second region, and includes a projected portion for forming a predetermined clearance with the reverse feeding portion by being projected from a side surface of the second chamber in a horizontal direction. The projected portion is disposed higher than a rotation center of the reverse feeding portion and lower than a top of the reverse feeding portion and is more remote from the first chamber than a rotation center of the feeding member. |
| US09442426B2 |
Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus using the same
An image forming apparatus includes a developing apparatus that develops a toner image on a photoreceptor drum. In the developing apparatus, a first transporting member that transports a developer stored in a developer vessel while churning and a second transporting member are provided in parallel with each other, and the developer that is transported by the first transporting member is supplied to a developing roller from the second transporting member. The first transporting member churns a new toner and carrier that are resupplied with the developer. In the second transporting member, the developer that a waste toner passing a developing process is churned and the developer that the new toner being resupplied is churned are face and collide with each other. Accordingly, the new toner gets into the developer. |
| US09442425B2 |
Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A developing apparatus includes a developer bearing member which bears a developer, a developing container that includes a developer circulation path, a conveying member which is rotatably installed in the circulation path, and an outlet which is formed on a side surface of the circulation path facing the conveying member to discharge the developer. The conveying member includes a rotating shaft and a helical blade portion which is formed around the rotating shaft. The conveying member has a first region including a region facing the outlet and a second region adjacent to the first region at an upstream in a conveying direction of the conveying member. The helical blade portion is not formed in the first region, a protruding portion protruding from the rotating shaft is formed in at least a part of the first region, and the helical blade portion is formed in the second region. |
| US09442421B2 |
Rotatable powder storage container
A powder storage device includes a powder container that has an opening at one end, stores powder therein, and has, on an inner peripheral surface, a rib configured to transport the powder toward the opening with rotation of the powder container, a lid member that is configured to cover the opening, has an outflow opening through which the powder flows, and is held in a non-rotatable state, and a driving-force transmission member interposed between the powder container and the lid member and having a driving-force receiving portion penetrating the lid member in a rotation axis direction, the driving-force transmission member transmitting a rotating force to the powder container. |
| US09442419B2 |
Developing apparatus, developing method, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
A developing apparatus and a developing method that significantly suppress generation of fogging and form a high-quality electrophotographic images under any environments such as a high temperature and high humidity environment and a low temperature and low humidity environment are provided.A toner wherein a covering rate X1 of the surface of a toner particle with silica fine particles, which is determined by ESCA, is 40.0 to 75.0 area %, and the diffusion index represented by (Expression 1) diffusion index=X1/X2 satisfies (Expression 2) diffusion index≧−0.0042×X1+0.62 where in the theoretical covering rate with the silica fine particles is defined as X2; and a developing apparatus including a developing carrying member which is a surface layer formed of a urethane resin having a partial structure derived from a reaction of a polyisocyanate with a compound represented by Formula 1. |
| US09442417B2 |
Developing device, developer regulating process, and image forming device
A developing device includes a developer bearing member that bears a developer, a developer regulating member having a regulation portion comprised of an elastic member contacting the developer bearing member, and a supporting portion supporting the regulation portion, a longitudinal direction of the regulation portion being along that of the developer bearing member, the regulation portion having a base portion and tip portion, the base portion being an end portion on a side of a portion connected with the supporting portion in a transverse direction, the base portion being opposite to the tip portion, the tip portion being disposed on an upstream side in a moving direction of the developer bearing member, the developer regulating member regulating a developer on the developer bearing member, and a sealing member contacting a regulation portion's surface, the surface being on an opposite side of the regulation portion to the developer bearing member. |
| US09442415B2 |
Image formation apparatus with initial voltage polarity setting
An image formation apparatus includes an image carrier; a charge member; an exposure unit; a development member; a measurement unit that measures a stop time period when a rotation of the image carrier is being stopped, or a physical amount that varies as the stop time period increases; a setting unit that sets a polarity of an initial voltage to be applied to the development member, the polarity being determined based on the stop time period or the physical amount measured by the measurement unit; and a power source unit that applies the initial voltage with the polarity set by the setting unit to the development member, at rotation start time of the image carrier. |
| US09442413B2 |
Image forming apparatus and exposure position adjusting method
In one aspect of the present invention, exposure timings for a plurality of light beams are adjusted on the basis of a toner concentration of a boundary part between line images formed by one light beam and line images formed by another light beam neighboring the one light beam and a toner concentration of a part except the boundary part in a pattern image. Here, in the pattern image, line images extending in the main-scan direction of a photoreceptor are formed while having a predetermined pitch in the sub-scan direction of the photoreceptor and also the boundary part is arranged so as to be shifted from the sub-scan direction of the photoreceptor, by an image forming section. |
| US09442409B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes, a unit including at least a photosensitive member and a charging member detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus, a current detection unit configured to detect a current flowing between the charging member and the photosensitive member, an operation unit configured to be operated by an operator to give an instruction to the image forming apparatus, a display unit provided in the operation unit, and a control unit configured to apply to the charging member a predetermined test voltage having an absolute value greater than a discharge starting voltage based on the instruction from the operation unit, and to perform an operation in a mode for causing the current detection unit to detect a current, wherein the control unit determines, based on the current detected in the mode, whether an error indication is to be given on the display unit. |
| US09442408B2 |
Member for electrophotography, method for producing the same, and image forming apparatus
A member for electrophotography for use in forming a high quality electrophotographic image for a long period is provided. The member for electrophotography includes a support, an elastic layer on the support, and a surface layer on the elastic layer. The elastic layer includes a quaternary ammonium salt and an epichlorohydrin rubber. The surface layer includes a material having a specific structure. A universal hardness a surface of the surface layer is 1.0 N/mm2 or more and 5.0 N/mm2 or less. |
| US09442402B2 |
Method of making a phosphorescent toner
A method of making a toner composition including at least one phosphorescent pigment that absorbs energy released by natural or artificial light, and is able to be seen in a dark environment through luminescence of a certain color created by the energy released as light, is described. The phosphorescent toner has a particle size in the range of about 15 to 40 microns, which allows the toner to have the ability to absorb and then release the needed amount of light energy to be noticeable in a dark environment. |
| US09442401B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, electrophotographic apparatus, and imide compound
An electrophotographic photosensitive member including: a support; an undercoat layer formed on the support; and a photosensitive layer formed on the undercoat layer. The undercoat layer contains a polymerized product of a composition containing a compound represented by formula (1). |
| US09442391B2 |
Overlay sampling methodology
One embodiment relates to a method to achieve enhanced overlay control while maintaining manufacturing throughput for a fabrication process. Locations of a plurality of alignment structures on a wafer comprising a plurality of reticle fields are determined with a layout tool to define a layout-based wafer map. The topography of the wafer is then measured as a function of wafer position by a surface measuring tool. The layout-based wafer map is then projected onto the measured wafer topography to define a modeled wafer map. A subset of alignment structure locations are measured with an alignment tool in an in-line fabrication flow so as not to delay subsequent fabrication steps. Disagreement between the measured alignment structure locations and modeled alignment structure locations is then minimized mathematically to enhance overlay control while maintaining manufacturing throughput. |
| US09442388B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed for use with an immersion liquid positioned between the projection system and a substrate, Several methods and mechanism are disclosed to protect components of the projection system, substrate table and a liquid confinement system. These include providing a protective coating on a final element of the projection system as well as providing one or more sacrificial bodies upstream of the components. A two component final optical element of CaF2 is also disclosed. |
| US09442386B2 |
Imaging optics
An imaging optics has a plurality of mirrors to image an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. At least one of the mirrors has a through opening for the passage of imaging light. An arrangement of the mirrors is such that principal rays run parallel or divergently in the beam path of the imaging light between the object plane and the first downstream mirror. The imaging optics can have an entrance pupil plane that lies in the beam path of the imaging light in the range of between 5 m and 2000 m in front of the object plane. The imaging optics can have an entrance pupil plane that lies in the beam path of the imaging light in the range of between 100 mm and 5000 mm in front of the object plane. Imaging optics with improved imaging quality are provided. |
| US09442378B2 |
Touch panel and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of a touch panel, comprising forming a pattern of a metal connecting layer, a pattern of an insulating layer, a pattern of a driving electrode, a pattern of a sensing electrode and a pattern of a protective layer on a substrate; the pattern of the insulating layer and the pattern of the protective layer are formed through the same mask. With this method, the number of masks used during manufacture of the touch panel can be decreased, and the production cost is reduced. A touch panel is further disclosed. |
| US09442375B2 |
Superoleophobic surfaces and methods of making same
Disclosed herein is a substrate having a surface modified to impart multi-scale roughness, thereby providing superhydrophobic and/or superoleophobic properties. The surface comprises a pattern of microscale pillars topped by a plurality of nanoparticles having a re-entrant convex shape. The area fraction of the surface is also selected to provide the desired superoleophobic properties. Also disclosed herein is a process for creating the modified surface comprising photolithography, optionally followed by vapor deposition. The substrates may be formed into useful articles or applied to pre-formed articles. |
| US09442372B2 |
Pigment dispersion composition, photocurable composition and color filter
There is provided a pigment dispersion composition having high pigment dispersibility and dispersion stability and favorable color characteristics even when containing a high concentration of pigment; a photocurable composition superior in developability and pixel surface smoothness, allowing high contrast; and a color filter having high contrast. A pigment dispersion composition containing a polymeric compound having a specific group or the like dissociated by an alkali is used. |
| US09442371B2 |
Method of producing structure containing phase-separated structure, method of forming pattern and method of forming fine pattern
A method of producing a structure containing a phase-separated structure, including a step in which a layer including an Si-containing block copolymer having a plurality of blocks bonded is formed between guide patterns on a substrate; a step in which a solution of a top coat material is applied to the layer and the guide patterns so as to form a top coat film; and a step in which the layer including the Si-containing block copolymer and having the top coat film formed thereon is subjected to annealing treatment so as to conduct a phase separation of the layer; in which a solvent of the solution of the top coat material contains no basic substance. |
| US09442370B2 |
Imprinting method, imprinting apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An imprinting method of this disclosure includes supplying an imprint material on a substrate having a pattern including a mark on the substrate formed thereon; bringing a mold having a pattern including a mark on the mold into contact with the imprint material; curing the imprint material in a state in which the mold is in contact therewith; and forming a pattern including the mark on the imprint material, and characterized in that an optical system configured to form an image of the mark on the imprint material and an image of the mark on the substrate are used to detect the mark on the imprint material and the mark on the substrate after the space between the substrate and the mold has been increased until the mark on the mold is positioned out of a focal depth of the optical system, thereby obtaining a relative positional deviation between the pattern on the substrate and the pattern on the imprint material. |
| US09442367B2 |
Array substrate and mask plate
Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide an array substrate. The array substrate comprises: a plurality of electrode patterns with a predetermined shape being subsequently arranged in a predetermined direction, every two adjacent electrode patterns having a slit therebetween; a preset width of all or a part of the plurality of electrode patterns in the predetermined direction is different from a standard width of electrode pattern. The embodiments of the invention further provide a mask plate. |
| US09442361B2 |
Additional effect system and method for multi-projection
The present invention provides an additional effect system and method, the additional effect system including: a plurality of projection surfaces installed in a single theater; and an additional effect device for implementing an additional effect other than images projected on the plurality of projection surfaces, wherein the additional effect device provides the additional effect depending the images projected on the plurality of projection surfaces. |
| US09442360B2 |
Projection optical system, exposure apparatus, and exposure method
A projection objective includes at least four curved mirrors, which include a first curved mirror that is a most optically forward mirror and a second curved mirror that is a second most optically forward mirror, as defined along a light path. In addition, an intermediate lens element is disposed physically between the first and second mirrors, the intermediate lens element being a single pass type lens. The objective forms an image with a numerical aperture of at least substantially 1.0 in immersion. |
| US09442359B2 |
Dynamic vehicle display unit
A passenger vehicle includes a dynamic display unit. The dynamic display unit creates a temporary graphic display inside the passenger vehicle for presenting informational and control elements to passengers inside the passenger vehicle. |
| US09442355B2 |
Projector and method for controlling the same
A projector includes a power receiving terminal, a light source that emits light based on electric power supplied to the power receiving terminal, a light diffuser that adjusts the degree of diffusion of the light from the light source, a specifying section that alternately specifies one of illumination projection and image projection every time electric power supply to the power receiving terminal is started, and a light diffusion controller that controls the light diffuser so that when the specifying section specifies the illumination projection, the light diffuser diffuses the light from the light source, whereas when the specifying section specifies the image projection, the light diffuser transmits the light without substantially diffusing the light. |
| US09442352B2 |
Light source device including passage forming member and image projecting apparatus having the same
A light source device includes: a first light emitting unit including a light emitting element that emits light having a predetermined wavelength range; a second light emitting unit including a wavelength conversion member that receives the light from the light emitting element and emits light having a different wavelength range different than the predetermined wavelength range; an optical unit configured to define a path of the light emitted from the light emitting element and a path of the light emitted from the wavelength conversion member; an air blowing unit configured to generate a cooling air; and a passage forming member configured to form a passage through which the cooling air flows, the passage being in contact with both of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit. |
| US09442351B2 |
Optical engine module having heat-dissipating module and projection apparatus having the same
An optical engine module includes a first casing with a first enclosed space, a light source at the first casing, a phosphor wheel in the first casing, a cooling fan and a heat-dissipating module. The light source emits a light beam passing through the phosphor wheel. The cooling fan is in the first enclosed space and has an airflow outlet. The heat-dissipating module includes two heat-dissipating parts and a heat-guiding part, wherein the first and second heat-dissipating parts are respectively in and outside the first enclosed space, the heat-guiding part is connected between the first and second heat-dissipating parts and the phosphor wheel is between the airflow outlet and the first heat-dissipating part. The airflow outlet and the phosphor wheel, and the phosphor wheel and the first heat-dissipating part, are at least partially overlapped with each other along the airflow exiting direction of the cooling fan. |
| US09442350B2 |
Hidden camera assembly with microprocessor control
A hidden camera system for a vehicle includes a cover, a camera, a pulse width drive motor, a linkage connecting the drive motor to the cover and the camera and a control system. The control system modulates output of the drive motor and electronically monitors operation of the hidden camera assembly as the camera is displaced between a hidden or home position and a fully deployed position. |
| US09442345B2 |
Camera having a display member
A camera comprises a display member arranged in a finder optical system. The display member is provided in a finder of the camera and is provided with a reflective prism group including a plurality of reflective prisms and a frame line formed to surround the reflective prism group. A shape forming the frame line is constituted by a convex portion, and a ridge line of the convex portion is in a twisted position with respect to a direction of a ridge line of the reflective prism. |
| US09442339B2 |
Spacers and connectors for insulated glass units
This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g, channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device. |
| US09442338B2 |
Transparent display device and method of manufacturing the same
A transparent display device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The transparent display device includes: a display panel unit including: a first side configured to display an image, and a second side opposed to the first side, and a variable blocking film at the second side of the display panel unit, the variable blocking film including electrochromic core-shell nanoparticles. |
| US09442335B2 |
Display module having insulation portion at front frame and display device having the same
A display module and a display device are provided. The display module includes a display panel and a front frame. The display panel includes a display region and a non-display region both located at a side of a light emitting surface, wherein, the non-display region disposed at a peripheral area of the display panel and provided with a test pad electrically connected to wiring a of the display region. The front frame includes a front plate disposed opposite to at least a portion of the non-display region, and having an electric conduction portion for conducting away a current and an insulation portion for insulating the electric conduction portion from the test pad on the display panel. The present invention can avoid LCD screen noise and flicker because the test pad of the display panel contact with the front frame. |
| US09442321B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
There is provided a liquid crystal display apparatus that may limit a reduction in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and limit an increase in the ion density (ID) in the liquid crystal layer and address issues of faulty display such as white missing pixels, alignment inconsistencies, and burn-in. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal composition layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate, a color filter including a black matrix and at least RGB three-color pixel portions, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode. The liquid crystal composition layer is composed of a liquid crystal composition including one or more compounds represented by General Formula (LC1). |
| US09442317B2 |
Display device having specific structure of adhesive frame
A display device according to the present disclosure may include a display panel, a backlight source disposed at the light-entering side of the display panel and an adhesive layer laminated between the display panel and the backlight source. The adhesive layer may have a frame structure and may be disposed at the periphery of the display area of the display panel. The frame structure may have at least one opening, so that the adhesive layer may have an unclosed frame structure. |
| US09442314B2 |
Ferroelectric-enhanced tuning of ring resonators by using fields parallel to and above a top surface thereof
An integrated circuit is described. This integrated circuit includes a ferroelectric layer disposed on top of the ring resonator, which has a resonance wavelength. The ferroelectric layer is positioned between electrical contacts. Moreover, there may be amorphous semiconductor materials between the electrical contacts and the ferroelectric layer. For example, the amorphous semiconductor materials may include: p-type amorphous silicon and/or n-type amorphous silicon. By applying a reverse-bias voltage across the electrical contacts, an electric field is generated in a plane approximately parallel to a top surface of the ring resonator. This electric field electro-optically tunes the resonance wavelength. The ring resonator may operate at low voltage and can be integrated with a silicon optical waveguide on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. |
| US09442313B2 |
Thermochromic window and method of fabricating the same
A thermochromic window, the sunlight transmittance of which is adjustable depending on temperature, and a method of fabricating the same. The thermochromic window includes a substrate, a plurality of nanodots formed on the substrate, and a thermochromic thin film coating the substrate and the nanodots. The thermochromic thin film is made of a thermochromic material. The thickness of the thermochromic thin film disposed on the substrate is smaller than the thickness of the thermochromic thin film disposed on the nanodots. |
| US09442309B2 |
Method and apparatus for ophthalmic devices comprising dielectrics and nano-scaled droplets of liquid crystal
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, the liquid crystal layer may comprise droplets that are nano-scaled. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics. |
| US09442305B2 |
Electronic eyeglasses and methods of manufacturing
Disclosed herein are devices and methods for the design and manufacturing of electronic eyeglasses and associated components thereof. Electronic eyeglasses consist of electro-active lenses, receiving electrical signals that turn them on and off from an electronic control module. The electronic control module is embedded within a temple of the eyeglass frame, and is powered by a removable power source pack residing at a temple tip through a flexible cable. Various methods describe the interconnection schemes between the components of the electronic eyeglasses. |
| US09442304B2 |
Insulating article for optical devices
This disclosure provides systems and methods for using an article in connection with an optical device. Some systems may include an article configured to receive the optical device into a main body of the article. The main body may also include an access opening configured to receive a hand of the user to allow the user to operate the optical device while the device is received within the main body. The main body may include an optical aperture to allow the optical device to capture one or more spectrums of light from within the main body. The main body may also include a viewing aperture to allow a user to view a display of the optical device from outside of the main body. Some systems include an alignment apparatus configured to maintain an orientation of the optical device within the main body such that the optical device remains in alignment with both the optical and viewing apertures. Some systems include a viewing visor configured to facilitate the viewing of the display of the optical device from outside of the main body through the viewing aperture. |
| US09442303B2 |
Polarized ultraviolet light splitting element
The present application relates to a polarized ultraviolet light splitting element and to the use thereof. The present application may provide a polarized ultraviolet light splitting element which exhibits excellent splitting efficiency within a wide range of the ultraviolet light region and which has excellent durability. The element can be used, for example, in a photoalignment process of a liquid crystal alignment film. |
| US09442302B2 |
Liquid crystal lens device and image display device
A liquid crystal lens device includes first electrodes, first and second sub electrodes, an opposite electrode, and a liquid crystal layer. The first electrodes extend in a first direction and are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first sub electrode is provided between a center in the second direction of two nearest ones of the first electrodes and one of the two nearest first electrodes. The second sub electrode is provided between the center and the other of the two nearest first electrodes. The opposite electrode is opposed to each of the first electrodes, the first sub electrode, and the second sub electrode. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first electrodes and the opposite electrode, between the first sub electrode and the opposite electrode, and between the second sub electrode and the opposite electrode. |
| US09442298B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display panel and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The liquid crystal display panel includes a lens area and a peripheral area. The lens area includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses. Each of the plurality of liquid crystal lenses includes a plurality of electrodes. The peripheral area surrounds the lens area. The peripheral area includes a first bus line layer and a second bus line layer facing each other in a first direction. The first and second bus line layers include first bus lines and second bus lines, respectively. The first and second bus lines are electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes through one end of each electrode. |
| US09442291B1 |
Segmented diffractive optical elements for a head wearable display
An optical combiner for a head-wearable display includes an eyepiece body and a plurality of diffractive optical element (“DOE”) segments. The eyepiece body has an eye-ward side and an external scene side. The DOE segments are disposed within the eyepiece body and are at least partially reflective to image light incident through the eye-ward side of the eyepiece body and at least partially transmissive to external scene light incident through the external scene side of the eyepiece body. The DOE segments are disjoint from each other and each is disposed along a different disjoint surface within the eyepiece body that is oriented at a different angle relative to the other DOE segments. The plurality of DOE segments operate to magnify and reflect the image light incident from an off-axis position to an eyebox sized area. |
| US09442290B2 |
Headset computer operation using vehicle sensor feedback for remote control vehicle
A system performs stable control of moving devices (such as a helicopter or robot) with attached camera(s), providing live imagery back to a head-mounted computer (HMC). The HMC controls the moving device. The HMC user specifies a desired path or location for the moving device. Camera images enable the user-specified instructions to be followed accurately and the device's position to be maintained thereafter. A method of controlling a moving device with a headset computer includes analyzing, at the headset computer, at least one image received from the moving device to form an indication of change in position of the moving device. The method displays to a user of the headset computer the indication of change in position of the moving device. The method can additionally include enabling the user to control the moving device. |
| US09442285B2 |
Optical component array having adjustable curvature
Provided are devices, and related methods, for controlling curvature of an array of optical components on, embedded, or partially embedded in, a deformable substrate. The array of optical components, in an aspect, comprises a deformable substrate having a contact surface and an array of mechanically interconnected optical components supported by the contact surface. An actuator is operably connected to the contact surface, wherein the actuator variably controls a curvature of said contact surface. The contact surface may have a curvature that spans concave to convex, which is tunable. In an aspect, the array of optical components is part of an optical device, such as a camera with a continuously adjustable zoom whose focus is maintained by adjusting a photodetector array curvature. In an aspect, the method is adjusting the curvature of a substrate that supports the array of optical components by applying a force to the substrate. |
| US09442283B2 |
Endoscopic objective lens and endoscope
An endoscopic objective lens consists of a negative first lens group, a stop, and a positive second lens group, disposed in order from the object side. The first lens group is composed of a cemented lens formed of a first lens and a second lens with a concave surface on the image side cemented in order from the object side. The second lens group is composed of a positive single third lens and a cemented lens formed of a fourth lens and a fifth lens, either of which being a positive lens and the other being a negative lens, and having a positive refractive power, disposed in order from the object side. The endoscopic objective lens satisfies given conditional expressions related to Abbe numbers of the first and second lenses and radii of curvature of the image side and object side surfaces of the second lens. |
| US09442282B2 |
Organism sample observation device
A biological specimen observation apparatus whereby observation of a biological specimen can be performed accurately. In macro observation, a biological change region is extracted from a macro image, a micro observation point corresponding to an extracted biological change region is registered, and an object for tracking is identified. In micro observation, it is judged from the micro image whether or not biological change has continued in the biological change region at the micro observation point, and the registered micro observation point is updated on the basis of this judgment result. It is possible to carry out both macro observation for detecting a biological change region and micro observation for observing the progress of growth of a partial minute region where biological change has been exhibited, and to carry out accurate observation of a biological specimen. |
| US09442277B1 |
Wide-angle lens
A wide-angle lens includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens and a seventh lens, all of which are arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first, second lens are convex-concave lenses with negative refractive power and include a convex surface facing the object side and a concave surface facing the image side respectively. The third lens is with positive refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the image side. The fourth, seventh lens are biconvex lenses. The fifth, sixth lens are with refractive power. The fifth lens and the sixth lens satisfy: −10 |
| US09442275B2 |
Optical image capturing system
An optical image capturing system, from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has a positive refractive power and may have a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements has a refractive power and the object-side and image-side surfaces of these lens elements are aspheric. The sixth lens element has a negative refractive power and may have a concave image-side surface. The object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric, and at least one of the two surfaces has inflection points. When specific conditions are satisfied, the optical image capturing system may has a large aperture value and a better optical path adjusting ability to acquire better imaging quality. |
| US09442271B2 |
Imaging lens unit
Disclosed herein is an imaging lens unit, including: a first lens having a positive (+) power; a second lens having a negative (−) power; a third lens having power; a fourth lens having a negative (−) power; and a fifth lens having a negative (−) power, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and fifth lens are arranged in order from an object to be formed as an image, and the fourth lens is convex toward an image side. |
| US09442265B2 |
Optical fiber management system
The present disclosure includes systems and apparatuses for an optical fiber management system. One embodiment of an optical fiber management system includes a cabinet comprising a system of building blocks that make up a rail-mounting system and an optical fiber management apparatus housed within one of the building blocks. The optical fiber management apparatus can comprise a housing, an adaptor plate resiliently connected to the housing, a splice tray, a housing cover, a radius limiter, and a base configured for integrated slack storage of at least one of buffer tube and ribbon cable. |
| US09442264B1 |
Tight buffered optical fibers and optical fiber cables
Tight buffered optical fibers and cables containing tight buffered optical fibers are described. A tight buffered optical fiber may include an optical fiber, which may include a core and cladding. At least one protective layer may be formed around the optical fiber, and at least one buffer layer may be formed around the at least one protective layer. The buffer layer may include a thermoplastic polymer blended or mixed with a siloxane slip agent that permits the buffer layer to be stripped from the underlying optical fiber. |
| US09442263B1 |
Cable components formed with a thermoplastic elastomer as a nucleating agent
Components for incorporation into cable, such as communication cables, are described. At least one cable component, such as an optical fiber buffer tube, may be formed from a polymeric resin that has been nucleated or otherwise combined with a thermoplastic elastomer. The cable component may then be incorporated into a cable that includes at least one transmission element. |
| US09442262B2 |
Durable optical fiber ribbons and methods of making optical fiber ribbons
Durable optical fiber ribbons are formed by promoting a strong bond between fiber ink layers and ribbon matrix material. During curing of the ink layer desired oxygen levels are maintained in the curing environment of the manufacturing process. |
| US09442261B2 |
Devices for coupling a light-emitting component and a photosensing component
A radiation detector is provided including a photosensor, a scintillator, and a light guide arranged between the scintillator and the photosensor and configured to guide light from the scintillator to the photosensor, the light guide including a nano-composite that includes nanoparticles that determine a refractive index of the nano-composite. The nano-composite includes a polymer material and the nano-particles, wherein the nano-particles are uniformly distributed throughout the polymer material so that the refractive index of the nano-composite is uniform throughout the nano-composite. Alternatively, the nano-particles are distributed throughout the polymer material so that the refractive index of the nano-composite is equal to the refractive index of the photosensor at a first boundary of the nano-composite that contacts the photosensor, is equal to the refractive index of the scintillator at a second boundary of the nano-composite that contacts the scintillator, and varies uniformly throughout the nano-composite between the first and second boundaries. |
| US09442260B2 |
Interposer having optical interface with alignment structures formed by a resist layer of interposer and related optic assemblies
Disclosed are interposers and interposer structures having an optical interface for optical fiber connection with a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from the interposer for high-speed communication. Specifically, the interposer provides a passively aligned structure with an optical alignment structure of the interposer formed by a resist layer of the interposer. |
| US09442258B2 |
Adapter with securing cage for a multicontact connector and associated multicontact connector
The present invention relates to an adapter for a connector, notably for a multicontact connector, of the type including at least one insert, a housing containing the insert and at least one alveolus suitable for housing an alignment sleeve, notably slotted. According to the invention, each alveolus is also suitable for housing a securing cage for an alignment sleeve, by a mounting that is floating radially to its axis, over the entire length of the alignment sleeve. |
| US09442256B2 |
Optical communication connector
In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector. Such a feature may actuated by being moved from a first position to a second position relative to the communication connector. |
| US09442255B2 |
Low profile fiber-to-module interface with relaxed alignment tolerances
Systems and methods are described for creating a very cost effective optical/electrical interface connecting system with high tolerance to misalignment. Low cost sealed optical devices can be fabricated with easily detachable top cable assemblies. This approach can be used for hermetically sealed optical devices without the need for hermetic fiber feed-through. The system also has features that enable fiber optic components to operate and survive in harsh environments, particularly in large temperature extremes. |
| US09442253B2 |
Optical shuffling
Techniques relating to optical shuffling are described herein. In an example, a system for shuffling a plurality of optical beams is described. The system includes a plurality of sources to output respective beams of light. The system further includes a plurality of receivers to receive respective beams of light. The system further includes a shuffling assembly including a plurality of sub-wavelength grating (SWG) sections. Each of the plurality of SWG sections is for defining optical paths of the plurality of beams. The plurality of SWG sections includes at least one reflecting SWG section to reflect and direct light from a respective one of the plurality of sources toward a respective one of the plurality of receivers. |
| US09442251B2 |
Optical waveguide with mirror, optical fiber connector, and manufacturing method thereof
The optical waveguide with mirror 10 of the present invention includes: a lower clad layer 22; a core pattern 24 formed above the lower clad layer 22; a mirror 30 formed on the inclined surface 31 of the core pattern 24; an upper clad layer 26 covering the part other than the mirror 30 on the core pattern 24; and an opening 26a with an approximate pillar shape, the opening being formed on the upper clad layer 26, wherein the mirror 30 is formed in the opening 26a. |
| US09442250B2 |
Waveguide arrangements based on adiabatic elimination
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to nanophotonics. In one aspect, an arrangement of waveguides includes a substrate and three waveguides. Each of the three waveguides may be a linear waveguide. A second waveguide is positioned between a first waveguide and a third waveguide. The dimensions and positions of the first, the second, and the third waveguides are specified to substantially eliminate coupling between the first waveguide and the third waveguide over a distance of about 1 millimeter to 2 millimeters along lengths of the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the third waveguide. |
| US09442245B2 |
Light scaffold electric arc sound effect
A system for simulating an electric arc for use in models comprises a light source having a light output envelope and a light scaffold extending from the light source, wherein light output from the light source is transported along the scaffold to simulate the electric arc. A method for simulating an electric arc comprises emitting light through the light source wherein light output from the light source is transported along the scaffold to simulate the electric arc. The system may be located at the distal end of an hot stick and may include a switch and a transmitter for initiating a corresponding arc effect in a model. |
| US09442242B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display
A backlight module and a liquid crystal display are described. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source and a prism sheet. The light guide plate includes a light-emitting surface, a light-incident surface and an axis. The light-incident surface is connected to the light-emitting surface. The axis is normal to the light-incident surface. The light source emits light towards the light-incident surface. The prism sheet is disposed on the light guide plate and includes a first optical surface and a plurality of prism structures which are disposed on the first optical surface. Each of the prism structures has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are connected to form a ridge. The ridge is vertical to the light-incident surface, or an angle included between the ridge and the axis is smaller than or equal to 20 degrees. |
| US09442239B2 |
Illuminating device
In one embodiment, a light emitting device includes: a light source which emits light; a light guide portion which has an emission surface which emits light and a back surface which opposes to the emission surface, and which has at the back surface a reflecting portion which the light emitted from the light source enters and which reflects the entering light toward the emission surface; a heat transfer portion which opposes to the back surface of the light guide portion and is provided with an interval which is a wavelength of the light or more being spaced from the back surface; and a support portion which is provided between the reflecting portion and the heat transfer portion, and which keeps the interval between the light guide portion and the heat transfer portion. |
| US09442235B2 |
Roll of continuous web of optical film laminate and production method therefor
A method of producing a roll of a continuous web of an optical film laminate, usable in a process of laminating an optical film sheet including a polarizing film and formed to a size corresponding to that an optical panel to a surface of the optical panel being fed to a lamination position, is disclosed. The polarizing film is prepared by subjecting a laminate including a thermoplastic resin substrate and a PVA type resin layer formed on the substrate, to uniaxial 2-stage stretching to reduce a thickness of the PVA type resin layer to 10 μm or less, and causing a dichroic material to be absorbed in the PVA type resin layer. A carrier film is releasably attached to the continuous web of optical film laminate including the polarizing film, through an adhesive layer. A defect inspection is performed for the optical film laminate and the adhesive layer. |
| US09442233B2 |
Anti-reflection circularly polarizing plate for organic EL display and organic EL display
A retardation film which comprises a stretched polymer film and satisfies the following formulae (1) to (3): 0.70 |
| US09442226B2 |
Reflection plate for backlight unit and backlight unit of liquid crystal display having good thermal conductivity
The present invention relates to a reflection plate for a backlight unit in a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a reflection plate for a backlight unit in a liquid crystal display device, which is made of a thermoplastic thermal conductive resin composition having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.35 W/mK, thereby effectively solving the thermal problem of the backlight unit, and having excellent properties such as shock resistance, heat resistance, mechanical strength, and the like, as well as having excellent reflectivity, thereby improving the durability of the liquid crystal display device.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a backlight unit of a liquid crystal display device, comprising a reflection plate positioned at a lower portion of a lamp of the backlight unit for reflecting the light coming out of the lamp, a supporting rod for the lamp, and a lower plate functioning as a heat sink, wherein the reflection plate and the lower plate are made of the same material, thereby effectively solving the thermal problem of the backlight unit, and simplifying the manufacturing process. |
| US09442225B2 |
Fluidic lens with manually-adjustable focus
A fluidic lens may have a reservoir at least partially bounded by a first optical surface and a second optical surface. A fluid fills a volume of the reservoir. A piston is configured to contact a portion of the first or second optical surface from outside the reservoir. One or more of the first optical surface or second optical surface is configured to deform as a result of a change in a pressure applied to the fluid or a change in contact between the piston and the first or second optical surface. A rim is configured to contact a portion of the first or second optical surface from outside the reservoir. One or more of the first optical surface or second optical surface is configured to deform as a result of a change in a pressure applied to the fluid or a change in contact between the rim and the first or second optical surface. |
| US09442223B2 |
Polarizing plate and image display device comprising same
The present invention relates to a polarizing plate including a polarizer; and a protective layer formed on at least one surface of the polarizer, in which the protective layer is a cured product of a radical curable composition including (A) a first compound represented by [Formula 1], (B) a radical curable second compound having two or more of each of a benzene ring, a (meth)acryloyl group, and a carboxy group in a molecule thereof, and (C) a radical initiator, and an image display device including the same. |
| US09442219B2 |
Roofing granules with high solar reflectance, roofing materials with high solar reflectance, and the process of making the same
Roofing granules include a core having an average ultraviolet transmission of greater than sixty percent and an average near infrared reflectance of greater than sixty percent and a UV coating layer on the exterior surface. The coating provides UV opacity, while the core provides near infrared reflectance. |
| US09442216B1 |
Proximity sensor with light blocking compound
A sensor comprising a light emitter and light detector directly covered and encapsulated by a layer of light blocking compound. The light blocking compound can be thick enough between the light emitter and light detector to block substantially all light emitted by the light emitter from reaching the light detector directly, but be thin enough above the light emitter and light detector to allow at least some level of light emitted by the light emitter to escape out of the sensor, be reflected by another object, re-enter the sensor, and survive passing through the light blocking compound to enter the light detector. |
| US09442210B2 |
Open collar for multi-cable towing system
Disclosed are methods and systems for towing multiple source cables with spreader lines coupled to the source cables using open collars. An example system for multi-cable towing may comprise a plurality of source cables coupled to a survey vessel. The example system may further comprise a plurality of energy sources, wherein each o the energy sources is coupled to a respective one of the source cables. The example system may further comprise a plurality of spreader lines extending between the source cables. The example system may further comprise a plurality of open collars coupling the spreader lines to the source cables, wherein the open collars are slidably coupled to the source cables. |
| US09442208B2 |
Device and method for deghosting variable depth streamer data including particle motion data
Computing device, computer instructions and method for de-ghosting seismic data related to a subsurface. The method may include receiving input seismic data recorded by seismic receivers that located at different depths (zr), generating migration data (du) and mirror migration data (dd) from the input seismic data, deriving a ghost free model (m) based on simultaneously using the migration data (du) and mirror migration data (dd), generating primary (p) and ghost (g) datasets based on the ghost free model (m), simultaneously adaptively subtracting the primary (p) and ghost (g) datasets from the migration data (du) to provide adapted primary (p′1 and p′2) and adapted residual (r′1 and r′2) datasets, and generating a final image (f) of the subsurface based on the adapted primary (p′1 and p′2) and the adapted residual (r′1 and r′2) datasets. In certain embodiments, the input seismic data d includes both hydrophone data and particle motion data. |
| US09442207B1 |
System and method for computing residual moveout from seismic images
A method is described for residual moveout analysis using dynamic warping. The residual moveout curves or surfaces may be used to flatten common image gathers or derive velocity models. The method may be executed by a computer system. |
| US09442200B2 |
Radiation image detection device and method for manufacturing same
There are provided a method for manufacturing a radiation image detection device, which can cover a scintillator without damaging the scintillator and which can easily form a scintillator protection film with a peripheral portion having a high adhesion to a substrate, and the radiation image detection device. A scintillator protection film that covers a planar scintillator provided on a photoelectric conversion panel is brought into close contact with a scintillator and the photoelectric conversion panel by a planar member having a surface with an irregular shape, and an irregular shape is formed on the scintillator protection film along the irregular shape of the planar member. A distance S between recesses of the irregular shape, the diameter D of the columnar crystal, and the width W of the peripheral portion satisfy the relationship of “D≦S≦W”. |
| US09442199B2 |
Depth-of-interaction scintillation detectors
The invention disclosed herein relates to a scintillation detector for registering the position of gamma photon interactions, an comprises an array of two or more elongated first and second scintillation crystal elements connected together along their respective long sides, and an array of discrete photosensitive areas disposed on a common substrate of a solid-state semiconductor photo-detector. The array of first and second scintillation crystal elements have proximal output windows optically coupled to the array of discrete photosensitive areas in a one-to-one relationship. The invention may be characterized in that the first and second scintillation crystal elements include a rooftop portion at their distal ends, wherein the rooftop portion optically couples one of the first and second scintillation crystal elements to the other and is configured to reflect and transmit light resulting from a gamma photon interaction from one of the first and second scintillation crystal elements to the other. |
| US09442198B2 |
Optical-interface patterning for radiation detector crystals
A radiation detector is disclosed that includes a scintillation crystal and a plurality of photodetectors positioned to detect low-energy scintillation photons generated within the scintillation crystal. The scintillation crystals are processed using subsurface laser engraving to generate point-like defects within the crystal to alter the path of the scintillation photons. In one embodiment, the defects define a plurality of boundaries within a monolithic crystal to delineate individual detector elements. In another embodiment, the defects define a depth-of-interaction boundary that varies longitudinally to vary the amount of light shared by neighboring portions of the crystal. In another embodiment the defects are evenly distributed to reduce the lateral spread of light from a scintillation event. Two or more of these different aspects may be combined in a single scintillation crystal. Additionally, or alternatively, similar SSLE defects may be produced in other light-guiding elements of the radiation detector. |
| US09442197B2 |
Method and systems for a swiveling detector head
Various methods and systems are provided for nuclear medicine imaging. In one example, an imaging detector unit comprises a detector assembly to detect radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the detected radiation, and a single-dimension pinhole array to direct the radiation to the detector assembly. |
| US09442192B2 |
Method and apparatus for location determination using reflected interferometry
A system (200) and method (400) for determining the location of an object is provided. A plurality of radio transceivers (101,201,203,205) are disposed about a location of interest (221). One or more tags (102) are coupled to an object. The radio transceivers (101,201,203,205) transmit radio frequency signals (115,215,217,219) to the tag (102), which backscatters a return signal (116,216,218,220) having a unique identifier modulated therein due to a switch (108) switching between two or more loads (110,112) in accordance with a unique identification code (118). A location determination module (107) then determines the location of the tag (102) by using a course location estimate (502), a fine location estimate (503), or combinations thereof. A object modeling module (109) can create multidimensional models using the locations of the tags (102). |
| US09442191B2 |
Signal processing system and method
An FMCW radar system includes received signal processing arranged to apply multiple window functions in parallel to a received beat signal including at least one window function having a narrower main-lobe in its frequency response than at least one other window function and said at least one other window function having relatively higher side-lobe attenuation in its frequency response, transform the output of the multiple window functions from the time domain to the frequency domain, and combine the outputs of the transforms for further processing. Both narrow frequency resolution and thus good range discrimination, and also good side-lobe attenuation to avoid close interference are achieved. |
| US09442190B2 |
Method and system for a RFID transponder with configurable feed point for RFID communications
A Method and system for a RFID transponder with configurable feed point for RFID communications is provided. In this regard, an RFID transponder may receive RF signals via a leaky wave antenna and modulate an amplitude of a backscattered signal associated with the received RF signals by switching between a plurality of feed points of the leaky wave antenna to vary an input impedance of said RFID transponder. Each of the plurality of feed points may be located in a different position in the resonant cavity of the leaky wave antenna. The input impedance may be controlled by switching a load in and out of a receive path of the RFID transponder. The leaky wave antenna may be integrated within and/or on an integrated circuit, an integrated circuit package, or a combination thereof. |
| US09442189B2 |
Multichannel UWB-based radar life detector and positioning method thereof
A multichannel UWB-based radar life detector includes a transmitting antenna and three receiving antennas for forming three radar echo signal channels. A 2-dimensional positioning method thereof includes: a1) amplifying weak life signals of stationary human by the channels, providing an 8-point integration method with an interval of 4 points to radar echo signals by distance; then breaking the integrated signals for decomposition and reconstruction in such a manner that target echo signals and three distance signals are formed; providing digital filtering and differential to the target echo signals for amplifying the weak but useful life signals; a2) 1-dimensionally distinguishing the signals by distance, analyzing spatial frequency according to the filtered and differentiated target echo signals as well as the distance signals for obtaining three target projection signals in the three channels; and a3) identifying the 2-dimensional position information of the targets according to the projection signals, forming an image. |
| US09442184B2 |
Functional safety monitor pin
A radar data processing system is disclosed. The system includes a microcontroller and a data receiver-transmitter integrated circuit coupled to the microcontroller. The data receiver-transmitter integrated circuit includes a sensor and a dedicated error indicator pin. The data receiver-transmitter integrated circuit includes an inner safety monitor and the microcontroller includes an outer safety monitor. The inner safety monitor configured to receive and collate sensor data from the plurality of sensors and send, through the dedicated error indicator pin, a function warning signal to the outer safety monitor when the sensor data from the sensor is indicative of a functional irregularity. |
| US09442182B2 |
Radar device
A transmission signal generator produces N transmission pulses for every transmission period from N (N: an integer of 2 or more) kinds of transmission code sequences and (N×M) (M: an integer of 2 or more) kinds of orthogonal code sequences, the transmission pulses being obtained by multiplying transmission codes of the N kinds of transmission code sequences, with selected N orthogonal codes of the (N×M) kinds of orthogonal code sequences. In one transmission period, a radio transmitter converts the N transmission pulses to high-frequency signals, and transmits the signals through a transmission antenna. The (N×M) kinds of orthogonal code sequences are code sequences which satisfy a predetermined mathematical expression in M transmission periods. |
| US09442181B2 |
Prediction for power conservation in a mobile device
Architecture that facilitates power conservation in mobile devices such as cell phones using prediction. The architecture is an algorithmic-based solution that transforms infrequently-captured geolocation data of an entity into a continuous probable location approximation. Given the location history and additional data about the recent location of the mobile device, the current location of the device can be estimated with some probability. Additionally, given the location history and additional data about the recent location of the device, the probability of the device actually being at a given point on a map is computed. |
| US09442177B2 |
Indoor robot and method for indoor robot positioning
An indoor robot and a method for indoor robot positioning are provided in the disclosure. The indoor robot is capable of executing different positioning modes according to the number of the detected beacons for indoor robot positioning. When the number of the detected beacons is less than a positioning required number, the indoor robot moves a predetermined distance according to the detected beacons to obtain a plurality of sets of distance data, thereby positioning the location of the indoor robot. |
| US09442174B2 |
Using single continuous pulses for manipulating water and fat signals in magnetic resonance imaging
A method for manipulating magnetic resonance signals of a first chemical species and a second chemical species includes determining a time required to have spins of protons corresponding to the first chemical species acquire a phase shift of 90 degrees relative to spins of protons corresponding to second chemical species. A first pulse portion having a pulse amplitude and a first constant phase is defined. A second pulse portion having the pulse amplitude and a second constant phase, the second constant phase being different from said first constant phase by a multiple of 90 degrees is also defined. Next, a single continuous composite pulse is generated by concatenating the first pulse portion and the second pulse portion, wherein the single continuous composite pulse has a duration such that a time difference between center of the first pulse portion and center of the second pulse portion corresponds to the determined time. Then, the single continuous composite pulse is applied to a plurality of radio frequency coils. |
| US09442172B2 |
Foreign object detection in wireless energy transfer systems
A wireless energy transfer system includes a foreign object debris detection system. The system includes at least one wireless energy transfer source configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field. The foreign object debris may be detected by at least one field gradiometer positioned in the oscillating magnetic field. The voltage of the at least one field gradiometer may be measured using readout circuitry and a feedback loop based on the readings from the gradiometers may be used to control the parameters of the wireless energy source. |
| US09442169B2 |
Measuring system
A measuring system, having a magnetic device for generating a magnetic field and having a magnetic field sensor with a sensor surface for detecting a flux density of the magnetic field penetrating the sensor surface at least in a first spatial direction, whereby the magnetic field sensor is fixedly positioned relative to the magnetic device. The magnetic device can have at least one permanent magnet and a flux concentrator made of a ferromagnetic material. The permanent magnet has at least two pole surfaces and an outer surface. The flux concentrator can have a smaller dimensions than the outer surface of the permanent magnet. The flux concentrator can be positioned within the outer surface of the permanent magnet and the flux concentrator and the permanent magnet can have a magnetic force closure. |
| US09442166B2 |
Battery monitoring assembly having battery monitor module and cable for connection to a shunt of the module
A vehicle battery monitoring assembly includes a terminal connectable to a battery post, a shunt formed of a first metallic material, and a cable formed of a different second metallic material. The shunt is connected at one end to the terminal. The assembly further includes a sheet formed of the second metallic material. The sheet is attached on a portion of another end of the shunt. The cable is connected at one end to the sheet. |
| US09442165B2 |
Method for estimating battery life in presence of partial charge and discharge cycles
A management framework is disclosed that achieves maximum energy storage device lifetime based on energy storage device life estimation and the price of energy. The management framework includes a battery life estimation from a supercycle model, for a time window between two consecutive full charges of a battery, which allows assessing a worst case scenario impact of all partial cycles within a supercycle on the battery life. The battery life estimation then considers each supercycle as a single discharge unit instead of treating each individual discharge period separately. |
| US09442164B2 |
Apparatus for detecting failure in driving circuit for electric lifting-lowering device
Detecting circuits are connected in parallel to respective on/off mechanical contacts or on/off semiconductor devices of a motor contactor and/or a brake contactor of a driving circuit supplying driving electric power from a three-phase alternating-current power supply circuit to a three-phase alternating-current electric motor and a brake through the motor contactor and the brake contactor, respectively. The detecting circuits output pulse signals synchronized with the alternating current from the alternating-current power supply circuit. A signal processing circuit processes the pulse signals from the detecting circuits and detects a normal or abnormal condition of each on/off mechanical contact or on/off semiconductor device of the motor contactor and/or the brake contactor. |
| US09442162B2 |
First, second TAP address control inputs for TAP TMS input
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for making device TAPs addressable to allow device TAPs to be accessed in a parallel arrangement without the need for having a unique TMS signal for each device TAP in the arrangement. According to the disclosure, device TAPs are addressed by inputting an address on the TDI input of devices on the falling edge of TCK. An address circuit within the device is associated with the device's TAP and responds to the address input to either enable or disable access of the device's TAP. |
| US09442161B2 |
Detector device for functional certification
A detector device for functional certification includes a probe, a waveguide and a first micro-antenna. The probe includes a tip portion and a through-portion, wherein an end of the through-portion penetrates a first surface of the probe to form a first opening, and an opposite end of the through-portion penetrates the tip portion to form a second opening. The waveguide is disposed in the through-portion. The first micro-antenna is installed in the second opening and electrically connected with the waveguide. |
| US09442160B2 |
Probe assembly and probe base plate
A probe assembly includes a wiring base plate arranged on a lower surface side of a reinforcing plate and a probe base plate arranged on a lower surface side of the wiring base plate. The probe base plate includes a plurality of probes on a lower surface thereof and a plurality of anchor portions on an upper surface thereof, respectively. The anchor portions are set so that a height of the anchor portion arranged at a center portion of the probe base plate may be greater than a height of the anchor portion located at a peripheral portion of the probe base plate. Between the respective anchor portions and the reinforcing plate are arranged a plurality of brace portions corresponding to the plurality of anchor portions and determining a space between the probe base plate and the wiring base plate together with the anchor portions. |
| US09442158B2 |
Method and a system for determining between devices a reference time for execution of a task thereon
A method is disclosed for determining, between an initiating device and at least one responding device, a reference time for the execution of at least one task on one of the devices. The method includes the initiating device prompting at least one responding device to provide a respective desired reference time. The method further includes at least one responding device providing a respective desired reference time, in response to the prompting. An actual reference time is determined based on any desired reference times provided. In one embodiment, the actual reference time is the latest of all desired reference times. A system including the initiating device and a responding device is also disclosed. |
| US09442156B2 |
Alignment support device and alignment support method for probe device
The present invention provides a probe device that includes an alignment utility function. When a user inputs a condition value for a variation amount (variation range) of a contact position at which a probe is in contact with each chip, in a simulation using actual measurement data acquired by measuring a position of each of all chips in one wafer, a range of variation of each chip is calculated by changing a measurement point at which alignment is performed to calculate a setting of optimum measurement points so that the range of variation is equal to or less than the condition value and the number of measurement points is minimum. Then information on the optimum measurement point is provided to the user. |
| US09442155B2 |
System and method of testing high brightness LED (HBLED)
A system and method of testing High Brightness LED (HBLED) is provided, and more particularly, a system and method of Controlled Energy Testing of HBLED with improved accuracy and repeatability is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a programmable constant power source for providing a constant power to a Device Under Test (DUT), in this case, an HBLED, wherein the programmable constant power source adjusts an output voltage or an output current to ensure that a given amount of power is supplied to the HBLED for a predetermined amount of time and to provide precise control of a junction temperature of the HBLED for the duration of the test sequences; a Parametric Measurement Unit (PMU) including a processor for executing a plurality of HBLED test sequences, and a spectrometer for measuring a set of HBLED parameters including power and color (wavelength) of an optical output of the HBLED; and a controller for coordinating timing of acquiring the set of measured HBLED parameters. In another embodiment, a photodetector is implemented to measure the integrated power of the optical output of the HBLED. |
| US09442154B2 |
Non-contact discharge evaluation method and non-contact discharge evaluation apparatus
The magnitude (charge quantity) and energy of discharge are obtained by optical measurement based on light emission, and are evaluated. A discharge source is caused to emit discharge light by applying a voltage to the discharge source from a known power supply, the intensity waveform of the discharge light emission is measured using a light receiving element, the waveform of discharge current is simultaneously measured using a current conversion probe or a current waveform detector, and a database is created in which a relation with analysis data sets obtained by analyzing the waveforms is recorded in consideration of applied power information. The intensity waveform of discharge light emission from a piece of equipment under measurement is measured using the light receiving element, and light emission data obtained by analyzing the waveform is compared with the data recorded in the database so as to estimate the magnitude of discharge as a value. |
| US09442153B1 |
Method of locating a fault in a power distribution system using a direct current signal of a distributed resource modulated by an alternating current signal
The present invention provides a method to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject a direct current (DC) signal from the controllable voltage source converter of at least one DC voltage distributed resource into the distribution system and modulating an alternating current (AC) signal on top of the direct current (DC) signal. |
| US09442152B2 |
Fault location system and method for distribution network
A fault location system for a distribution network is disclosed. The fault location system includes at least one sensor and a fault location evaluation apparatus. The at least one sensor is located on the distribution network, for sensing current and dividing the distribution network into at least two regions. The fault location evaluation apparatus includes a fault region determination unit for determining which one of the at least two regions is a fault region where a fault occurs therein by calculating the sensed current from the at least one sensor. |
| US09442149B2 |
Measuring leakage currents and measuring circuit for carrying out such measuring
An embodiment of a measuring circuit for measuring the leakage current flowing in a portion of an electronic device when said portion is biased by a biasing unit of the electronic device is proposed. The measuring circuit includes a first section configured to generate a threshold current, a second section configured to receive the leakage current, a third section configured to compare the threshold current with the leakage current, and a fourth section configured to generate an output voltage based on the comparison between the threshold current and the leakage current. Said first section is configured to set the value of said threshold current to a different value at each reiteration of an operating cycle. Said fourth section is configured to measure said leakage current based on a detection of a change in the value of the output voltage between two reiterations of the operating cycle. |
| US09442148B2 |
ATE to detect signal characteristics of a DUT
Automatic test equipment (ATE) includes: a circuit to split a stimulus signal, which contains both deterministic and random (noise floor) spectra contents, from a device under test (DUT) into a first signal and a second signal; a first channel to receive the first signal, where the first channel adds a first noise floor to the first signal to produce a first channel signal; a second channel to receive the second signal, where the second channel adds a second noise floor to the second signal to produce a second channel signal, the first noise floor, the second noise floor and the DUT noise floor all being mutually uncorrelated; and processing logic to: estimate a first power of the deterministic stimulus signal, and estimate a second total power based on the first channel signal and the second channel signal. |
| US09442143B2 |
Capacitive proximity sensor as well as method for capacitive approximation detection
A capacitive proximity sensor has a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode, a signal generator for providing a first and a second electric alternating signal, a first load element which comprises a first and a second electric load, in which the first alternating signal by the first load can be fed to the first sensor electrode and the second alternating signal by the second load to the second sensor electrode, and wherein the electric loads each together with the capacitive load to be measured at the respective sensor electrode form a lowpass filter, and a signal processing device, which is coupled with the first sensor electrode and with the second sensor electrode, and which is adapted to form a first measurement value from the push-pull portion of a first electric parameter tapped at the first sensor electrode and a second electric parameter tapped at the second sensor electrode. |
| US09442136B2 |
Real-time oscilloscope for generating a fast real-time eye diagram
Disclosed is an improved real-time oscilloscope (“IRTO”) for generating a fast worst-case real-time eye diagram from an input signal. The IRTO may include signal conditioning circuitry, a digitizer, an acquisition memory, a clock and data recovery (“CDR”) module, a worst-case real-time eye diagram rendering (“WRTER”) module, and a display. |
| US09442135B2 |
Method of manufacturing space transformer for probe card
A method of manufacturing a space transformer for a probe card includes the steps of mounting and electrically connecting second substrates on a first substrate, forming an insulated layer with through holes on each of the second substrates, and forming electrically conductive blocks in the through holes, respectively. Because the electrically conductive blocks are formed after the second substrates are mounted to the first substrate, any unexpected relative displacement of the first and second substrates during mounting is uninfluential to positions of the electrically conductive blocks. Besides, a step of planarizing the electrically conductive blocks can be further carried out. Therefore, the positions and flatness of probe needles may not need to be adjusted after the probe needles are connected with the electrically conductive blocks of the space transformer thus obtained. |
| US09442133B1 |
Edge electrode for characterization of semiconductor wafers
A conductive conformable braided wire is used as the edge electrode for material characterization of a semiconductor wafer. The braided wire is adapted to contact the perimeter of the n-GaN layer using a retractable support structure that alternately places the electrode in contact with the edge of the n-GaN layer and retracts it during repeated cycles of operation to test a plurality of similar wafers. The braided wire produced a very stable and higher electrical contact than any prior-art edge electrode. |
| US09442132B2 |
Atomic force microscope drying system and atomic force microscope
A drying system, which can be implemented in an atomic force microscopy (AFM) machine according to the invention, includes an elastomer having elasticity and disposed between an AFM scan head device and a platen to form a chamber. A sample supporting substrate is disposed in the chamber and for placement of a specimen. A gas inlet pipeline extends from an outside of the chamber to an inside of the chamber to introduce a drying gas into the chamber. A gas outlet pipeline extends from the inside of the chamber to the outside of the chamber to exhaust the drying gas out of the chamber. Using the mechanism of introducing and exhausting the drying gas can exhaust the moisture out of the chamber, so that the relative humidity (RH) is decreased below 5% and a constant internal pressure is held in the space to become stable. |
| US09442131B2 |
System and method for run-time hermeticity detection of a capped MEMS device
Determining if a hermetically sealed MEMs device loses hermeticity during operation. In one embodiment, the MEMs device is an accelerometer. A test signal having an associated frequency above an operational frequency range for the accelerometer is provided to the accelerometer at an input during operation of the accelerometer for sensing an acceleration. The output signal of the accelerometer is filtered at least above the operational frequency range of the accelerometer producing a test output signal. The test output signal is then compared to a predetermined threshold to determine if the amplitude of the test output signal differs from the threshold. If the amplitude of the test output signal differs from the predetermined threshold, an error signal is produced indicating that hermeticity of the accelerometer has been lost. |
| US09442128B2 |
Automated analyzer
An automated analyzer maintains high processing capacity and dispensation accuracy even when items requiring dilution/pretreatment and general reaction measurement are mixed. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanisms are independently driven and each include a sample collection position, a sample nozzle for collecting the sample, and a washing tank for washing the sample nozzle. The sample dispensing mechanisms are configured to collect the sample from a plurality of sample collection positions and are operated independently to perform sample dispensation into reaction containers on a reaction disc. At least one of the sample dispensing mechanisms is provided for each of a sample requiring dilution/pretreatment and a sample that does not require dilution/pretreatment. The automated analyzer is provided with a control means for causing the respective mechanisms to be operated in a dedicated manner. The sample is dispensed such that no vacancy is created in the reaction containers. |
| US09442124B2 |
Method for determining the antioxidant power of biological or vegetal fluids
A method is described for determining the antioxidant power of biological fluids such as saliva, serum, plasma, urine, sweat, tears and vegetal fluids, such as fruit, vegetables, beverages derived therefrom. Said method proved to be particularly suitable when evaluating the antioxidant power of saliva, which presents particular complexities from the analytical viewpoint.Furthermore, the present invention concerns a specific reagent and a kit for implementing said method, which comprises said reagent. |
| US09442122B2 |
Method for assaying bilirubin and assay instrument used in bilirubin assay
A method for assaying bilirubin in which a dry reagent is used, which is capable of accelerating the reaction of bilirubin oxidase, and an assay instrument to be used in the method for assaying bilirubin, are provided. The method for assaying bilirubin is characterized in that a biological sample and a bilirubin oxidase-containing dry reagent are mixed first, and then the mixture obtained and a surfactant-containing dry reagent are mixed. An assay instrument (1) to be used in bilirubin assay is characterized in that a bilirubin oxidase and a surfactant are arranged in any of a sample supply part (11), passages (12, 13, 14), and a detection part (15) in a manner such that the bilirubin oxidase is positioned closer to the sample supply part (11) than the surfactant is. |
| US09442119B2 |
MRM/SRM assay for death receptor 5 protein
Specific peptides, and derived ionization characteristics of those peptides from Death Receptor 5 (DR5) protein are provided that are particularly advantageous for quantifying the DR5 protein directly in biological samples that have been fixed in formalin by the method of Selected Reaction Monitoring/Multiple Reaction Monitoring (SRM/MRM) mass spectrometry. Such biological samples are chemically preserved and fixed wherein the biological sample is selected from tissues and cells treated with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives including formalin-fixed tissue/cells, formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells, FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks, and tissue culture cells that have been formalin fixed and or paraffin embedded. A protein sample is prepared from a biological sample using the Liquid Tissue™ reagents and protocol, and the DR5 protein are quantitated in the Liquid Tissue™ sample by the method of SRM/MRM mass spectrometry by quantitating in the protein sample at least one or more of the peptides described for one or more of the DR5 protein. These peptides can be quantitated if they reside in a modified or in an unmodified form. An example of a modified form of a DR5 peptide is phosphorylation of a tyrosine, threonine, serine, and/or other amino acid residues within the peptide sequence. |
| US09442108B2 |
Centrifugally-enhanced capture method and device
In a centrifugal microfluidic device for conducting capture assays, a microfluidic platform rotates in a plane of rotation and has at least one capture surface for immobilizing a target particle of interest in the device. The capture surface oriented so that it is not parallel to the plane of rotation of the device and is positionally fixed in the device during operation of the device. The centrifugal force arising from rotation of the device forces the target particles against the capture surface. Capture efficiency is independent of the rate of flow of the fluid and independent of the rate of rotation of the microfluidic platform. |
| US09442107B2 |
Antibody-nanoparticle conjugates and methods for making and using such conjugates
Disclosed herein are antibody-nanoparticle conjugates that include two or more nanoparticles (such as gold, palladium, platinum, silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, iridium, or an alloy of two or more thereof) directly linked to an antibody or fragment thereof through a metal-thiol bond. Methods of making the antibody-nanoparticle conjugates disclosed herein include reacting an arylphosphine-nanoparticle composite with a reduced antibody to produce an antibody-nanoparticle conjugate. Also disclosed herein are methods for detecting a target molecule in a sample that include using an antibody-nanoparticle conjugate (such as the antibody-nanoparticle conjugates described herein) and kits for detecting target molecules utilizing the methods disclosed herein. |
| US09442106B2 |
Simple and affordable method for immunophenotyping using a microfluidic chip sample preparation with image cytometry
The system includes a simple system for CD4 and CD8 counting in point-of-care HIV staging within resource poor countries. Unlike previous approaches, no sample preparation is required with the sample added directly to a chip containing dried reagents by capillary flow. A large area image cytometer consisting of an LED module is used to excite the fluorochromes PerCP and APC labeled targets and a monochrome CCD camera with a combination of two macro lenses captures images of 40 mm2 of blood (approximately 1 micro liter). CD4 and CD8-T-lymphocyte counts correlate well with those obtained by flow cytometry. The cytometer system described in the present invention provides an affordable and easy-to-use technique for use in remote locations. |
| US09442103B1 |
Anti-circumvention apparatus and methods for use in sobriety testing systems
A method for preventing circumvention of a intoxication test includes defining a detection time envelope with a first sensor activated in response to the presence of a human test subject proximate the first sensor and sensing with a second sensor for a change from an ambient condition caused by the presence of the human test subject proximate the second sensor. The intoxication test is validated when a change from the ambient condition is detected by the second sensor during the time envelope defined by the first sensor. |
| US09442095B2 |
Optical coherence photoacoustic microscopy
A system and method for providing an optical coherence photoacoustic (OC-PAM) microscopy. An OC-PAM microscope includes a light source that outputs light, a scanner, a detector, a transducer, and an image processing module. The scanner receives the light and scans the light across a sample. The detector receives reflected light from the sample in response to the scanned light. The transducer detects photoacoustic waves induced in the sample by the scanned light. The image processing module receives output from the detector and the transducer and generates a photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) image and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image based on the received output from the detector and the transducer. The PAM and OCT image data may be fused to form a single, OC-PAM image. Additionally, a series of PAM images and OCT images, respectively, may be combined to generate three-dimensional PAM and OCT images, respectively. |
| US09442087B2 |
Organic thin-film transistor sensor arrangements
A sensor includes an organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) that operates under low voltage conditions in an aqueous environment. According to an example embodiment, an OTFT includes an organic channel that electrically connects source and drain electrodes, with a gate electrode separated from the channel by a dielectric layer. The channel, gate and dielectric layer are arranged to facilitate switching of the channel region to pass current between the source and drain electrodes, in response to a low voltage applied to the gate electrode, when the channel is exposed to an aqueous solution. The current that is passed is indicative of characteristics of the aqueous solution, and is used to characterize the same. For various implementations, the low voltage operation of the sensor facilitates such characterization with substantially no ionic conduction through an analyte in the aqueous solution. |
| US09442084B2 |
Optical axis adjustment method for X-ray analyzer and X-ray analyzer
An optical axis adjustment method for an X-ray analyzer. In a 2θ-adjustment step, a 0° position of the rotation of a receiving-side arm and a 0° position of the angle of diffraction 2θ are aligned. In a Zs-axis adjustment step, the position of an incident-side slit along a direction orthogonal to the centerline of the X-rays incident upon a sample from an X-ray source is adjusted. In a θ-adjustment step, the centerline of X-rays incident upon the sample from the X-ray source and the surface of the sample are adjusted so as to be parallel. In the 2θ-adjustment step, the Zs-axis adjustment step, and the θ-adjustment step, the capability for X-ray intensity positional resolution upon a straight line possessed by a one-dimensional X-ray detector is used to perform 2θ-adjustment, Zs-axis adjustment, and θ-adjustment. |
| US09442078B2 |
Scanning frequency comb microscopy (SFCM) for carrier profiling in semiconductors
A microwave frequency comb (MFC) is produced when a mode-locked ultrafast laser is focused on the tunneling junction of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The MFC consists of hundreds of measureable harmonics at integer multiples of the pulse repetition frequency of the laser, which are superimposed on the DC tunneling current. In Scanning Frequency Comb Microscopy (SFCM) the tip and/or sample electrode of the STM is moved vertically and laterally so that the power in the MFC may be measured at one or more locations on the surface of the sample and, from the power, carrier density, and other characteristics, of the sample may be calculated. SFCM is non-destructive of the sample. While many systems are possible to practice SFCM, a preferred apparatus is disclosed. |
| US09442068B2 |
Device and a method for detecting a transmittivity spectrum of a light guiding plate
A detect device and a detect method for transmittivity spectrum of the light guiding plate are provided. The detect device comprises a mixing cavity unit for providing a linear light source with continuous spectrum to a light guiding plate to be detected; a light guiding plate placing unit located at a side of the mixing cavity unit, on which the light guiding plate to be detected is disposed to receive light from the mixing cavity unit; and a detecting lens disposed above the light guiding plate placing unit for detect the spectrum. |
| US09442061B1 |
Tactile sensor system and method for inspecting the condition of a structure
In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D contact scanner includes a tactile sensor system having at least one tactile sensor for generating 3D data points based on tactile feedback resulting from physical contact with at least part of the structure. A 3D model is constructed from the 3D data and is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure. |
| US09442059B2 |
UV diode laser excitation in flow cytometry
The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for exciting particles, and more specifically relates to analyzers or sorters for exciting fluorescently labeled particles with a multimode diode laser and the optics for making high resolution determinations from the multimode diode laser beam excitation. |
| US09442057B2 |
Method of measuring viscosity and viscosity measuring apparatus
In a method of measuring a viscosity of a sample based on a rotation frequency ΩS of a conductive rotator rotating by applying a rotating magnetic field from outside to the rotator set in a container containing the sample and a rotation frequency ΩB of the magnetic field, a constant k1 having temperature dependency of an apparatus and a constant k2 not having the temperature dependency at each temperature are found by using a equation, η0Ωs=k1(ΩB−ΩS)−k2, where a viscosity η0 at specific temperature is known, and then a value of viscosity measured at the specific temperature is corrected by means of the constants k1 and k2, the rotation frequency ΩS of the rotator, and the rotation frequency ΩB of the magnetic field. The constant k1 may employ the temperature dependency of electric conductivity of metal used to the rotator. |
| US09442054B2 |
Hardness tester having offset correction feature
A hardness tester enabling a user to form an indentation in a desired test position, capable of performing an accurate hardness test even when center positions of an indenter and a field lens are offset. The hardness tester includes an XY stage displacing a sample stage in a horizontal direction; a CCD camera capturing images of a sample surface via a field lens; a monitor displaying the images; a turret capable of selectively positioning the indenter or the field lens in a predetermined position opposite the sample; a memory storing an amount of horizontal direction offset between the center positions of the indenter and the field lens when positioned in the predetermined position; and a CPU displaying, based on the amount of offset stored in the memory, a mark indicating the center position of the indenter on the monitor when the field lens is positioned in the predetermined position. |
| US09442053B2 |
Test sample frame and system for dynamically and/or cyclically load testing a sample
The invention relates to a test system for dynamically and/or cyclically load testing a material sample, a component, or an assembly, hereinafter referred to as sample. The test system is provided with a test frame, to which a bearing and a counter bearing are attached. At least one actuator comprising a multifunctional solid state transducer material system is connected to the counter bearing, directly or indirectly, to which, also directly or indirectly, a fastener provides firm fixation of the sample. Likewise, on the bearing side, a fastener firm fixation of the sample such that the at least one actuator is able to introduce dynamic and/or cyclical mechanical loads into the sample, which act along a load path extending lengthwise between the bearing and the counter bearing and through the sample. |
| US09442050B2 |
Reducing pH excursions in ion exchange chromatography using displacing counter ions
Provided are methods and compositions for reducing or eliminating pH excursions in cation and anion exchange chromatography. |
| US09442046B2 |
Device for sample collection
The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g., saliva, urine), which can then be subjected to processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and/or another cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as biomarker discovery. |
| US09442045B2 |
Model-based longitudinal stiffness estimation system and method
A tire-based system and method for estimating longitudinal stiffness between a tire and a road surface includes a longitudinal stiffness adaptation model for calculating longitudinal stiffness between a tire and a road surface from a plurality of scaling factors including the load level, the measured air cavity pressure of the one tire, and the measured temperature of the one tire compensated by a wear state estimation of the one tire. The wear state is obtained from a vehicle-measured vertical mode shift of the tire. |
| US09442043B2 |
Vehicle test apparatus and vehicle test system
A vehicle test apparatus includes: a test article installation vehicle body to which four axles corresponding to four wheels that are a left front wheel, a right front wheel, a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel are attached, and on which a test article is installed; a first motion base that supports the test article installation vehicle body, and that allows the test article installation vehicle body to make motions of six degrees of freedom; and four second motion bases each of which supports a corresponding one of the axles, and each of which allows a corresponding one of the axles to make motions of six degrees of freedom. |
| US09442037B2 |
System and method for storing and leak testing a radioactive materials storage canister
A system for storing radioactive materials includes a canister having a first hermetically sealed vessel having a first cavity, a second hermetically sealed vessel having a second cavity, the first vessel positioned in the second cavity, an interstitial space between the first and second vessels, and a test port through the second vessel in fluidic communication with the interstitial space. A conduit has a first end fluidically coupled to the test port, and a removable seal is operably coupled to a second end of the conduit. |
| US09442036B2 |
Methods and devices for monitoring the integrity of a fluid connection
A method of monitoring the integrity of a fluid connection between first and second fluid containing systems based on at least one time-dependent measurement signal from a pressure sensor in the first fluid containing system. The pressure sensor detects first pulses originating from a first pulse generator in the first fluid containing system and second pulses originating from a second pulse generator in the second fluid containing system. A parameter value representing a distribution of signal values within a time window is calculated by analyzing the measurement signal in the time domain and/or by using information on the timing of the second pulses in the measurement signal. The parameter value may be calculated as a statistical dispersion measure of the signal values, or from matching the signal to a predicted temporal signal profile of the second pulse. The integrity of the fluid connection is determined from the parameter value. |
| US09442030B2 |
Pedal operation amount detecting device
A pedal operation amount detecting device that is provided in an operating pedal apparatus including a transmitting member having a pedal arm of an operating pedal that is arranged so as to be pivotable about a support axis and that is depressed, and an output member to which a depression force is transmitted from the transmitting member and to which a reaction force corresponding to the depression force is applied, the pedal operation amount detecting device including a sensor member that is arranged on a load transmission path at a position offset from the transmitting member in a direction parallel to the support axis and that is deformed by the depression force and the reaction force, and the pedal operation amount detecting device electrically detecting a deformation of the sensor member. |
| US09442029B2 |
Methods of torque estimation and compensation and systems thereof
At least one example embodiment discloses a method including measuring phase currents associated with one or more stator windings of the machine, estimating terminal voltage values based on the measured phase currents representations of the machine and based on at least one of a duty cycle and a dead time ratio of the machine, transforming the terminal voltage values to derive direct and quadrature voltage representations consistent with the measured phase currents, determining a terminal power of one or more terminals of the machine, the terminal power directly based on one of the estimated terminal voltage values and direct and quadrature voltage representations of the machine and current command values and determining an estimated shaft torque of the machine based on the terminal power in accordance with at least one efficiency value based on machine parameters from a characterization of the machine. |
| US09442028B2 |
Prism coupling methods with improved mode spectrum contrast for double ion-exchanged glass
Methods of capturing improved-contrast mode spectra of a double ion-exchanged (DIOX) glass sample using prism coupling of index np. The DIOX glass sample has a refractive index profile with a first region adjacent the surface that satisfies 0.0005 ≤ λ n ⅆ n ⅆ x ≤ 0.0009 , where λ is a wavelength of measuring light. The prism-sample interface includes an interfacing liquid of index nf that differs from np by no more than 0.03, and that can exceed np. The mode spectra have a contrast that is higher than that obtained by conventional prism coupling by using gradient illumination or partially blocked illumination that reduces the amount of background reflected light from the coupling prism. The improved-contrast mode spectra can be processed using conventional means to determine at least one stress characteristic of the DIOX glass sample. |
| US09442027B1 |
Load cell having an elastic body
An elastic body load cell including a first beam and a second beam opposite the first beam, a base end and a load receiving end positioned opposite the base end. The first and second beams are connected to the base end and to the load receiving end via flexure points providing elastic deformation sections. A cavity comprising a flexible wall and sensor means is defined in the first and/or second beams with the flexible wall and sensor means placed between the flexure points. The sensor means measures elastic deformation of the elastic body in response to a load. The load cell further includes a lever having a first end connected to the flexible wall, and a second end connected to the opposite beam, the base end or the load receiving end, to transform movement of the second end into deformations of the flexible wall in response to the load. |
| US09442025B2 |
System and method for calibrating temperatures sensor for integrated circuits
In some embodiments, a method may be provided for calibrating integrated circuit temperature sensors. The method may include sensing a first temperature using a first temperature sensor and a second temperature using a second temperature sensor. The first temperature sensor may be calibrated and is external to a package of the integrated circuit. The second temperature sensor may be included in the integrated circuit. The method may include increasing a temperature of the integrated circuit. The method may include allowing the integrated circuit and the package to thermally equilibrate over a first period of time. The method may include sensing a first slope of a temperature decay by the first temperature sensor. The method may include sensing a second slope of a temperature decay by the second temperature sensor. The method may include calibrating the second temperature sensor responsive to a difference between the first and second temperatures and the first and second slopes. |
| US09442022B2 |
Temperature sensing device and method of assembling the same
A method of assembling a temperature sensing device for a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a temperature sensor and providing a housing configured to envelop the temperature sensor. The method further includes mounting the temperature sensor within the housing such that a portion of the temperature sensor is disposed outside of the housing and such that the housing is configured to receive a flow of cooling air. |
| US09442021B2 |
Uncooled IR detector arrays based on nanoelectromechanical systems
We describe the use of a high-quality-factor torsional resonator of microscale dimensions. The resonator has a paddle that is supported by two nanoscale torsion rods made of a very low thermal conductivity material, such as amorphous (“a-”) silicon. The body of the torsion paddle is coated with an infrared-absorbing material that is thin and light weight, but provides sufficient IR absorption for the applications. It may be placed above a reflecting material of similar dimensions to form a quarter wave cavity. Sensing of the response of the paddle to applied electromagnetic radiation provides a measure of the intensity of the radiation as detected by absorption, and the resulting temperature change, in the paddle. |
| US09442017B2 |
Occupancy sensor
An occupancy sensor includes a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) and an infrared sensor (IR sensor). The occupancy sensor is configured to confirm occupancy or non-occupancy in dependence on signals measured by both the PIR sensor and the IR sensor. |
| US09442016B2 |
Reflective focusing optics
A reflective optics system that preferably requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces, the application of which achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a sample, (which can be along a locus differing from that of an input beam), with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization based on adjusted angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved. |
| US09442013B2 |
Microscope spectrometer, optical axis shift correction device, spectroscope and microscope using same
A microscope spectrometer in which, when an excitation light from a light source illuminates a sample, a light emitted from the sample that enters a microscope is analyzed, may include: a first optical means that forms the light emitted from the sample as a parallel beam; a first variable bandpass filter means having a variable wavelength passband that transmits incident light, which of the parallel beam of incident light, is light of a pre-established wavelength passband; a two-dimensional array light detection means that images the light in the wavelength passband; and a control means that controls the timing of the imaging by the two-dimensional array light detection means and, in accordance with the timing, changes the wavelength passband of the first variable bandpass filter means. |
| US09442008B2 |
Method and system for determining curing tube clarity
A system and method for monitoring a fiber curing system is disclosed. In one example, transmittance of a curing tube is determined so that curing of a coating applied to a fiber may be more uniform. |
| US09442004B2 |
Long fibre optic sensor system in a wind turbine component
A sensor system for measuring an operating parameter of a wind turbine component is described. The fiber optic sensor system comprises a light source for outputting light in a predetermined range of wavelengths, and an optical fiber comprising a long Fiber Bragg Grating, extending continuously over a length of the optical fiber to provide a continuous measurement region in the optical fiber. The optical fiber is coupled to the wind turbine component such that the continuous measurement region is located at a region of the wind turbine component to be sensed, and such that the grating period at each location in the continuous measurement period is dependent upon the value of the operating parameter at that location. A light detector receives light from the optical fiber, and provides an output signal to the controller indicating the intensity of the received light; based on the detected light, a value for the operating parameter is determined. |
| US09442003B2 |
Derotation assembly and method for a scanning sensor
An assembly that enables precise mounting of a sensor with improved heat transfer and rotation compensation includes an integrated dewar cooler assembly incorporating the sensor. The dewar assembly is mated to a motorized mount that is controlled to stabilize the rotation of the scene. The sensor is radially aligned relative to the axis of rotation in two adjustment stages. A first stage of adjustment controls the radial position of the sensor inside a bearing. And a second stage of adjustment controls radial translation of the entire assembly outside the bearing. Passive heat transfer is accomplished through a pair of heat sinks that effectively sandwich a hot expander end cap of the dewar, providing multiple heat paths. The entire dewar assembly is rotated during operation to stabilize the scene. The rotating mass of a cooling compressor coupled to the dewar is counter-balanced to avoid torque due to inertia. |
| US09442000B2 |
Method for ascertaining and monitoring fill level of a medium in a container by means of a fill-level measuring device using a travel time measuring method
A method for ascertaining and monitoring fill level of a medium in a container using a travel time measuring method, wherein transmission signals are transmitted toward the medium and reflection signals are received. The received reflection signals are registered as echo signals in an echo function dependent on travel time. Based on known measuring device- and container-specific reflection planes, possible reflection regions in the echo function are calculated by means of an evaluation algorithm. In the calculated reflection regions, the disturbance echo signals and/or the multiecho signals in the echo function are classified, wherein non-classified reflection signals are ascertained and checked as wanted echo signals by means of a search algorithm, wherein, from a position and/or an amplitude of at least one wanted echo signal, fill level is determined, and wherein the measured value of fill level is output. |
| US09441997B2 |
Method of, and apparatus for, measuring the physical properties of two-phase fluids
There is provided a method of measuring the physical properties of a two-phase fluid using at least one piezoelectric oscillator immersed in the two-phase fluid, the two-phase fluid comprising a gas fraction and a liquid fraction, the method comprising: a) measuring the resonant frequency of the or each piezoelectric oscillator as a function of time; and b) determining, from the or each resonant frequency, at least one physical property of the two-phase fluid to characterize the two-phase fluid. |
| US09441996B2 |
Phase detection in multi-phase fluids
The present disclosure relates to phase detection in multi-phase fluids where two fluid phases can be present in the fluid. Phase detection apparatus and methods are disclosed for determining the phase(s) (e.g., supercritical, liquid, and/or gas) of a fluid in a multi-phase fluid system, such as carbon dioxide based separation and chromatography system. |
| US09441995B2 |
System and method for monitoring a bi-phase fluid
A measurement system and method of use include a fluid conduit for routing a base fluid therethrough, a gas conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit for mixing a gas into the base fluid to form a foamed bi-phase fluid, a foam conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and the gas conduit to receive the bi-phase fluid therein, a first sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the base fluid in the fluid conduit, a second sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the gas in the gas conduit, a third sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the bi-phase fluid in the foam conduit, and a processor for receiving data representing the measurement from at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, analyzing the data, and calculating a parameter of the bi-phase fluid based upon the data. |
| US09441994B2 |
Mass air flow sensor
A digitally based resistance element and a processor are used with a hotwire to provide a mass airflow (MAF) sensor. A temperature sensor can provide an input to the processor which can provide signals to the digital based resistance element. The digital based resistance element may be on a first leg of a Wheatstone bridge, the hotwire on a second leg. The output of the hotwire may be provided to the processor which can modify the output such as to more closely approximate a MAF curve, and/or to address step changes initiated by the digital based resistive element. |
| US09441992B2 |
Electromagnetic induction sensor, overlay member for electromagnetic induction sensor, and manufacturing method of electromagnetic induction sensor
Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic induction sensor that is used with a position indicator and includes coils for electromagnetic coupling with the position indicator. The electromagnetic induction sensor includes: a sensor board main body that includes an insulating substrate and a surface sheet attached to a side of a first surface of the insulating substrate, on which side a position is indicated by the position indicator; at least part of conductors forming the coils being formed on a second surface of the insulating substrate opposite from the first surface; and an overlay member that includes a magnetic powder material layer and is adhered to the side of the second surface of the sensor board main body. |
| US09441980B2 |
Route planning
Methods and apparatus for determining a route for a vehicle (2), the method comprising: providing a set of routes, each route from a starting location to a terminal location and determined using a first algorithm; acquiring, by a processor (6), a starting location (A); acquiring, by the processor (6), a terminal location (B); using the starting and terminal locations, selecting, by the processor (6), one or more routes from the provided set of routes dependent upon the starting location (A) and the terminal location (B); and, using the acquired starting and terminal locations, and the selected routes, performing, by the processor (6), a second algorithm to determine a route for the vehicle (2) from the starting location (A) to the terminal location (B), the second algorithm comprising an optimization process (with respect to certain objectives) using the selected routes as at least part of an initiator set of routes. |
| US09441979B2 |
Interactive applications using data from light sensory networks
In various example embodiments, a system and method for interactive applications that use location-based information from a light sensor network are presented. In example embodiments, data indicating a destination location inside a geofence is received. The geofence represents a boundary around multiple private beacon nodes, which are associated with a light sensor network, and their associated beacon communications ranges. Navigation and tracking outside the geofence is based on at least one of global positioning system (GPS) signals and beacon signals received by the mobile device from at least one public beacon device within a beacon communications range of the mobile device located outside the geofence. Navigation and tracking inside the geofence is based on the beacon signals received by the mobile device from at least one private beacon node within the beacon communications range of the mobile device located inside the geofence and a virtual map including an area within the geofence. |
| US09441978B2 |
System for outputting a three-dimensional representation of a terrain
A database for a navigation system has digital elevation model data defining a three-dimensional surface. The database stores, for plural tiles of a tiling, a first array including three-dimensional coordinates of vertices of plural triangulated irregular networks, TINs, for the respective tile, and a plurality of second arrays. Each second array respectively defines triangular faces of a TIN and includes a plurality of vertex indices of the vertices to define triangular faces of the respective TIN. A method of outputting a three-dimensional representation of a terrain and a method of generating the database are also described. |
| US09441977B1 |
Methods and systems for selectively transmitting location data from an on-board recorder to an external device
Methods and systems for transmitting location data from a collection device installed in a vehicle to an external device. One method includes receiving, with the collection device, a plurality of instances of location data for the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of instances of the location data includes a coordinate, a time, and a quality value, and storing, in a memory module of the collection device, the plurality of instances of location data. The method also includes receiving, with the collection device, a request from the external device, the request associated with a time period, determining, with the collection device, a set of location data from the plurality of instances of location data based on the time period, and transmitting the set of location data to the external device. |
| US09441972B2 |
Method of assisting in the navigation of a rotorcraft by dynamically displaying a representation of the outside world constructed in flight in instantaneous and/or deferred manner
A method of assisting in the navigation of a rotorcraft by displaying in flight a dynamic representation of the outside world (Me) in the event of a loss of visibility (brown-out/white-out). Front maps with incorporated localization are generated on the basis of front images captured by a set of front cameras. Terrain elevation data is generated from images captured by complementary sets of lateral and rear cameras. In the event of a loss of visibility, a reconstituted world (Mr) is prepared from the front maps with incorporated localization. On request of the pilot, an extrapolated world (Mex) is prepared by adding terrain elevation data to the front maps with incorporated localization, in compliance with the common time and the relative positions of the various sets of cameras between one another. |
| US09441969B2 |
Resonant fiber optic gyroscopes with multi-core transport fiber
A multi-core transport system for a resonant fiber optic gyroscope is provided. The transport system has a transport fiber configured to transmit a clockwise signal and a counterclockwise signal, wherein the transport fiber has at least a first core and a second core. The first core and second core are configured such that when the first core imparts a first effect on the clockwise signal, the second core imparts a second effect on the counterclockwise signal, wherein the second effect substantially mirrors the first effect. The system further comprises a first coupler configured to optically couple the clockwise signal to the first core, and the counterclockwise signal to the second core; and a second coupler configured to optically couple the clockwise signal from the first core to a resonator, and the counterclockwise signal from the second core to the resonator. |
| US09441965B1 |
Oceangraphic assembly for collecting data along multiple water columns
An apparatus collects data along water columns. A telescoping shell has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. An expansible chamber is defined within the outer cylinder. A fluid flow path is formed between the expansible chamber and the outer cylinder's open end. A gas source is vented to the expansible chamber. Sensors, including a pressure sensor, are coupled to the shell such that they are exposed to an ambient water environment when the apparatus is deployed therein. A vent mounted in the outer cylinder vents the expansible chamber to the ambient water environment. A controller controls the gas source and vent based on sensed pressure of the ambient water environment such that water from the ambient water environment is admitted to or expelled from the expansible chamber via the fluid flow path. |
| US09441964B2 |
Inclinometer
An inclinometer for measuring a change in the inclination of a structure from a given initial position. The inclinometer comprises a frame, a pendulum and at least three distance-measuring device. The frame is rigidly connected to the structure such that the inclination of the frame has the same changes in inclination as the structure. The pendulum is freely suspended from the frame and comprises a first end attached to the frame and a freely moving opposite end. The distance-measuring devices at the frame have respective coplanar measuring axes converging at a single point. Each measuring device measures a change in the distance separating same from the pendulum. |
| US09441963B2 |
Multifunction laser leveling tool
A multifunction laser leveling tool (1) is provided. The multifunction laser leveling tool (1) comprises: a housing (2); a pendulum (28) supported by the housing (2) via a universal joint so that the pendulum (28) is pivotable with respect to the housing (2) around a first axis (24) and a second axis (26) perpendicular to the first axis (24); a locking means (4) which is able to fixedly lock the pendulum (28) to the housing (2) and to release the pendulum (28) therefrom, wherein when the pendulum (28) is released, the pendulum (28) is in a plumb orientation and the first and second axes (24,26) lie in a horizontal plane; a first laser beam emitter (36) attached to the pendulum (28) for emitting a first laser plane; an angle sensing means (44) attached to the pendulum (28) for measuring the orientation of the pendulum (28); a display module having two sections (6,8) attached to the housing (2) for displaying the measured orientation of the pendulum (28). |
| US09441960B2 |
Device for generating an optical dot pattern
A device for capturing a three-dimensional object is presented, which allows, on one hand, a sufficiently large number of projected pixels and a high image quality of the projected pixels, and which has, on the other hand, a compact size and low assembly costs. |
| US09441959B2 |
Calibration method and shape measuring apparatus
A calibration method includes acquiring a captured image of a lattice fringe by providing a reference gauge having a reference surface whose height from a reference plane changes in a first direction, projecting a fringe pattern having the same phase along the first direction with respect to the reference surface and having a phase changing in a second direction crossing the first direction, and imaging the fringe pattern; calculating a phase of each pixel along the first direction in the captured image of the fringe pattern; and generating relational data in which the height of the reference surface corresponding to the pixel, the phase calculated with respect to the pixel, and a period of the fringe pattern at the time of calculating the phase are associated with each other. |
| US09441958B2 |
Device, method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium to calculate a parameter for calibration
A device includes a characteristic point extraction part configured to extract, as a characteristic point, a pattern projected on an object from an imaging image obtained by imaging the pattern projected on the object, and a parameter calculation part configured to calculate a parameter configured to minimize a distance between the characteristic point on an imaging image plane and a line obtained by projecting a projection light ray corresponding to the characteristic point onto the imaging image plane. |
| US09441957B2 |
Three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus
A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus includes a light source, a digital mirror device applying stripe pattern light alternately including a light portion and a dark portion with which information about the height of an inspection target portion can be acquired by reflecting light emitted from the light source, and an imaging portion imaging the inspection target portion to which the stripe pattern light is applied. The digital mirror device includes a plurality of mirrors arranged in a diamond pattern. |
| US09441951B1 |
Documenting test room configurations
Techniques are described for documenting the positions of items in a room, such as in rooms that are configured for testing automated systems that perform position-related functions. A non-contact measuring tool may be placed at different reference positions within the room. At each position, measurements are made to the room corners and to items of interest within the room. Based on this information, coordinates of the reference positions are calculated. Coordinates of the items are calculated based on the determined coordinates of the reference positions. |
| US09441946B2 |
Imaging technique for optical coherence tomography
A technique for optical coherence tomography is provided. As to a device aspect of the technique, an imaging device comprises a base defining a rotation axis, a scanning and focusing assembly mounted to the base for rotation about the rotation axis, and a drive unit for rotationally driving the scanning and focusing assembly about the rotation axis. The scanning and focusing assembly includes a focusing device for focusing a beam of imaging radiation to produce a focused beam of imaging radiation having a focus, a scanning member for scanning the beam of imaging radiation, and a controller coupled to the drive unit and the scanning member and configured to control the scanning member to cause movement of the focus along a predetermined trajectory with respect to the scanning and focusing assembly. |
| US09441943B2 |
Method of determining the position and the speed of a rotor in a synchronous electric machine using state observers
The invention is a method of determining the position and the speed of the rotor in a synchronous electric machine using a state observer of the currents of the electric machine and the injection of signals. Thus, the invention provides position information which is accurate, notably at low speed, without using a position detector. The invention also is a control method and system for controlling a synchronous electric machine which accounts for the position determined for the rotor. |
| US09441934B2 |
Protractor
A protractor, the protractor comprising: a protractor first element and a protractor second element mountable to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other about a rotation axis; the protractor first and second elements being mountable to each other in an unlocked configuration and in a locked configuration, wherein, in the unlocked configuration, the protractor first and second elements are removable from each other, and, in the locked configuration, the protractor first and second elements remain mounted to each other unless the unlocked configuration is achieved; wherein, in the locked configuration, the protractor first and second elements are biased towards each other to create a predetermined frictional force therebetween resisting a rotation of the protractor first and second elements relative to each other about the rotation axis. |
| US09441933B2 |
Method and apparatus for outlining recessed installation of a component within a surface material
Described are various embodiments of a method and apparatus for outlining recessed installation of a component within a surface material. In one embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises two or more template or alignment modules adjacently disposable against the surface material and each comprising opposed edges that can be aligned with adjacently disposed edges so to define a substantially continuous spacing along these adjacently disposed edges. This spacing is generally dimensioned so to accommodate a corresponding component dimension such that, the aligned edges guide removal of surface material along the spacing to accommodate recessed installation of the component within the surface material. |
| US09441928B1 |
Method for discriminating between military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) targets
A method of autonomously tailoring a detonation delay time of a gun launched munition by utilizing target impact signatures including but not limited to a MOUT target set; earth and timber bunker, triple brick wall, double reinforced concrete, and light armor. While the present method is applicable to countless munition configurations, the projectile architecture used to develop the discrimination algorithm includes a tandem warhead configuration. Upon target impact the forward warhead detonates and pre-damages the target to allow the rear warhead to break through. Target impact data is used to set a detonation delay in the rear warhead providing increased performance behind the target. |
| US09441926B1 |
Golf course-compatible modified golf game and safety equipment
An aerodynamic safety arrow for a modified golf game to be played with a bow upon a conventional golf course includes a shaft, wherein a spine associated with the shaft is appropriate for a pull weight associated with the bow, and a safety arrowhead disposed upon the shaft, wherein the safety arrowhead comprises a blunt front-end region and a concave rear-end region, wherein the blunt front-end region comprises a radius of curvature less than about 20 mm, and wherein the concave rear-end region is coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft and safety arrow head weigh less than about 45 g. |
| US09441922B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving gimbal stability
Enhanced stability for infrared countermeasure systems is provided by using a pair of single axis rate sensors having orthogonal active axes, preferably aligned with the elevation axis and the azimuth axis of the gimbal. The outputs of the orthogonal single axis rate sensors are used to detect instantaneous aircraft angular movement and to use the detected movement to drive the elevation and azimuth motors of the gimbal to move the output mirror for the gimbal to cancel the detected movement. |
| US09441921B2 |
Gunner accessory package
A protected firing platform protection system protects personnel from contact with the protected firing platform. In an embodiment, the protected firing platform protection system is adapted for use with a protected firing platform of a military vehicle. The protected firing platform protection system includes a protective padding attached to the protected firing platform. The protective padding includes an energy mitigation padding. |
| US09441917B1 |
Shroud and method for fixedly covering a pipe with a camouflage scheme using thermoplastic shrink wrap, hydro dipping, and a multi-layered panel
A shroud and method for fixedly covering a pipe with a camouflage scheme using thermoplastic shrink wrap, hydro dipping, or multi-layered panels. The shroud serves to securely and permanently encapsulate a substantial portion of a pipe with a camouflage scheme to make the pipe less conspicuous by blending in with the environment. Fastening mechanisms, including hook and loop fasteners, magnets, adhesives, and frictional fittings are used to fasten an inner fastening film of the shroud to an external surface of the pipe. The shroud further includes an outer film having a camouflage scheme, such as mottled camouflage. The color and pattern display on the camouflage scheme creates a visual effect that integrates the pipe with external or interior environment. In this manner, the pipe is less visible. The camouflaging effect is effective for enhancing the aesthetics of a garden, or hiding the pipe for strategic purposes. |
| US09441914B2 |
Automatic correction apparatus for trajectory of a projectile and correction method using the same
Disclosed is an automatic correction apparatus for a trajectory of a projectile from a firearm of which a sight and a gun barrel are installed in parallel, the apparatus including: a distance measurer which is installed in parallel with the sight and measures distance from a target to be hit; a central processing unit which calculates a correction value for parallelization between the gun barrel and the sight so that a trajectory curve and the target can intersect with each other on the basis of the distance measured by the distance measurer; and a parallelization adjuster which connects the sight and the gun barrel and adjusts axial parallelization between a sight line of the sight and the gun barrel on the basis of the parallelization correction value calculated by the central processing unit. With this, the trajectory of the projectile is automatically corrected in accordance with the distance from the target, and thus quick and correct aiming and firing are possible. |
| US09441913B1 |
Apparatus, system and method for archery sight settings
A non-transitory computer-readable medium whose contents cause a processing device including a touch screen display to perform a method for generating an archery sight setting, the method including acts of rendering a graphical user interface in the touch screen display, receiving a first input to the graphical user interface to select at least one archery parameter, and presenting a plurality of sight marks in the graphical user interface including at least a first sight mark and a second sight mark, the plurality of sight marks scaled within the graphical user interface to provide a 1:1 ratio between a first distance separating the first sight mark and the second sight mark in the graphical user interface and a second distance separating a first sighted-in position and a second sighted-in position in an archery sight including at least one mechanically-adjusted sight pin. |
| US09441912B2 |
Missile container and method of operating a missile container
A missile container has a container housing, a container roof, at least one canister for holding a missile which, in a storage position, is disposed on the container housing, and a movement mechanism for moving the canister from the storage position into an operating position. The elements arranged in the interior of the container housing are protected against external weather influences. In the operating position, the canister is held at least partially outside the container housing by the movement mechanism and the container roof is closed and shields a container interior against the outside. |
| US09441909B2 |
Under-fold firearm stock assembly
An under-fold firearm stock assembly includes a main body having a longitudinal channel and a firing mechanism opening, a forearm stock having an elongated quick release lever opening, and a shoulder stock that is pivotally secured along the back of the main body via a pivot assembly. |
| US09441908B2 |
Muzzle-loading firearm with a mono block and retaining nut
An improved muzzle-loading firearm with a removable, threadless breech plug retained by a breech plug retaining collar, and a barrel retaining nut for simplifying manufacture, cleaning, preventing fouling and over-pressure situations, and minimizing alignment issues during assembly of the firearm. The removable, threadless breech plug also allows for straightforward interchangeability of breech plugs for use with various primers and propellants. The muzzle-loading firearm has a barrel with a protrusion on the breech end of the barrel that fits into a matched groove within the mono block for use in aligning the barrel during assembly of the firearm. The muzzle-loading firearm has a barrel retaining nut, wherein the barrel retaining nut is internally threaded to accept the threaded end of the barrel thereby retaining the barrel in the mono block. |
| US09441906B2 |
Pole spear storage and launching device
A device for launching and storing a spear. The device includes a barrel having a muzzle end and an action end. The barrel is configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the spear through the muzzle end and the action end, such that a tip of the spear is positioned within the barrel and an end of the spear extends out of the barrel through the action end. The device also includes a handle coupled with the barrel and extending at a non-zero angle to the barrel. The handle includes a grip that is configured to be gripped by a user when launching the spear, and a protective guard coupled with the grip and extending therefrom at least partially in a direction toward the muzzle end of the barrel. |
| US09441904B2 |
Firearm training apparatus and method
This application is directed to a firearm that is functional, but is not fully functional as it is incapable of discharging ammunition, e.g., causing ammunition to ignite and discharge a bullet. Related methods, techniques, and approaches are also discussed. In embodiments, the firearm is functional, but not fully functional and it is impractical and/or irreversible to alter the firearm to make it fully functional through replacement of interchangeable parts that correspond to that particular firearm model. In embodiments, the firearm is also identifiable as being less than fully functional, e.g., it is incapable of discharging ammunition. |
| US09441898B2 |
Device for converting a semi-automatic self-loading handgun to a full automatic one
A device for converting a semi-automatic self-loading handgun into a full automatic weapon, wherein the handgun (3) comprises a slide (5) and an own trigger (11) and the handgun (3) is fixed in a front part of a case (2), in which an operating trigger (6) is arranged in a part of the case (2) behind the handgun (3), and the device comprises a means arranged between the operating trigger (6) and the own trigger (11) causing repeated and series activations of the own trigger (11) when the operating trigger (6) is in pulled state. |
| US09441895B2 |
Shotgun ammunition conversion system
A shotgun ammunition conversion system has a detachable magazine well having a sleeve defining a rectangular passage adapted to removably receive an ammunition magazine, a boss extending forward of the sleeve and at a level above at least a portion of the sleeve, the boss being adapted to be received in the rear aperture of the magazine tube, and a tang extending rearward of the sleeve and defining a tang aperture operable to receive a fastener associated with a shotgun frame to secure the magazine well to the shotgun with the sleeve proximate and aligned with the loading port when the boss is received in the rear aperture of the magazine tube. The boss may have a lower cylindrical surface portion operable to contact a lower portion of the magazine tube adjacent to the rear aperture. The boss may be a cylindrical body. |
| US09441893B2 |
Thawing vessel for biological products
Described herein are devices and methods for thawing frozen biological products efficiently without harming the products. |
| US09441892B2 |
Stacked heat exchanger system with swing-out heat exchangers
A heat exchanger system for use with heavy equipment including a heat exchanger rotatable about a horizontal axis out of a frame. |
| US09441891B2 |
LED lighting device with improved heat sink
An LED lighting device includes an LED light engine and a heat sink including a heat dissipation structure. The heat dissipation structure includes: a plurality of heat conductive rod rows including a plurality of vertical heat conductive rods; a plurality of horizontal heat conductive rods including a plurality of surfaces and attached onto one end of the vertical heat conductive rods; another end of the vertical heat conductive rods vertically attached to a back side of the LED light engine; and a plurality of fin modules attached to any one of the surfaces of the horizontal heat conductive rods. Accordingly, the heat dissipation area is increased and the heat sink is separated from the LED light engine such that heat dose not accumulate thereon and the shortcoming of airflow on the heat sink can be overcome with improvements. |
| US09441890B2 |
Heat exchanger fin with corrugated portion and louvers
A fin for a heat exchanger is provided that may include a fin body having a first heat exchange area, and a second heat exchange area, which is disposed to be adjacent to the first heat exchange area; a fin collar that passes through the fin body and protrudes from the fin body; and a plurality of fin portions formed at or on the fin body and having different shapes from each other. |
| US09441886B2 |
Work load lifting system for a vertical vacuum furnace
A lifting apparatus for a vertical vacuum furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second support modules arranged in spaced parallel alignment and first and second reversible lifting mechanisms mounted on respective ones of the first and second support modules. The apparatus also includes first and second motive means coupled to the first and second reversible lifting mechanisms for driving the reversible lifting mechanisms. First and second trolleys are operatively connected to the first and second reversible lifting mechanisms and adapted for engaging with a payload. The apparatus further includes a control system connected to the first and second motive means for controlling the operation of the first and second reversible lifting mechanisms whereby the first and second trolleys can be raised or lowered. A vertical vacuum furnace assembly including the lifting apparatus is also disclosed as well as a support module and a bottom head assembly for the lifting apparatus. |
| US09441885B2 |
Lavatory with dual plenum hand dryer
A lavatory system includes a hand dryer with a first plenum above a basin and a second plenum incorporated within the basin. A display screen, which may be a touch-screen, can display operational data such as run time, energy consumed, water consumed, soap dispensed, soap remaining, etc. A noise-cancelling feature may actively and/or passively suppress noise from the hand dryer. Electrical energy spent by the hand dryer may also be re-captured with the use of a device within the air plenums that converts the kinetic energy of moving air into electric energy. |
| US09441879B2 |
Drying method and drying device for green honeycomb molded body
The drying method for a green honeycomb molded body according to the invention is a method for drying a green honeycomb molded body having a plurality of through-holes. The method includes the steps of: mounting a green honeycomb molded body on a gas dispersion plate; and irradiating the molded body with microwaves simultaneously while supplying heated air through the gas dispersion plate into the through-holes of the molded body, in an atmosphere containing water vapor surrounding the molded body; wherein prior to the supply of heated air and the irradiation of microwaves, a sealing member is situated on the outer side of an edge of the molded body on the gas dispersion plate side, to prevent the heated air from the gas dispersion plate from contacting the outer peripheral wall of the molded body. |
| US09441873B1 |
Two-plane door for refrigerator compartment
In a refrigeration appliance, an enclosure or container defines an enclosed space. A two-plane door forms a portion of the container. The two-plane door opens along one pivot axis and allows access to the enclosed interior space. The container can be a thermally insulated in-door ice compartment of a refrigerated appliance. One example is a bottom freezer style, with the in-door ice compartment in the cold food section of the appliance. |
| US09441868B1 |
Cooling systems and methods
A method of operating a cooling system that has at least one evaporator containing a refrigerant and at least one adsorbent chamber containing adsorbent configured to provide adsorption of vaporized refrigerant from the at least one evaporator in a cooling mode and provide desorption of the refrigerant to the at least one evaporator in a recharging mode, the method including; controlling the adsorption and desorption of the refrigerant of the at least one adsorbent chamber between the cooling modes and recharging modes during a cooling cycle; ceasing desorption of the refrigerant from the at least one adsorbent chamber; allowing adsorption of the vaporized refrigerant from the at least one evaporator; and maintaining the at least one adsorbent chamber in an adsorbed state at the end of the cooling cycle in a storage mode. |
| US09441866B2 |
Variable expansion device with thermal choking for a refrigeration system
A refrigeration system including a suction line heat exchanger having a first conduit including a refrigerant liquid which flows inside of the first conduit from the condenser to the evaporator. Also the refrigeration system includes a second conduit in thermal communication with the first conduit and includes a refrigerant fluid, typically a vapor, which flows inside of the second conduit in an opposite direction of flow from the first conduit from the evaporator to the compressor. Additionally, at least one heating device is in thermal communication with at least one of the first conduit and second conduit and is configured to communicate with a refrigeration control system to apply heat along a portion of both the first conduit and the second conduit adjacent to the heating device thereby regulating the flow rate of the refrigerant liquid in the first conduit and the second conduit. |
| US09441859B2 |
Portable open-loop wellwater source heat pump for standalone and duct-connected installation
A portable, open-loop, water source geothermal heat pump unit adapted to be connected with non-permanent, non-plumbed connections to convenient water supply/discharge points such as multi-use faucets and drains in a home supplied with well water. The unit is further adapted to be supplied with power from an electrical outlet using a simple plug-in cord. The heat pump unit may be installed independently of any existing furnace system, for direct or “space” heating of a room from which it draws intake air and directly vents heated air. The heat pump unit may also be ducted to heat another room from the one in which it is installed, and may further be ducted in parallel to an existing furnace ductwork for a duct-connected heating combination with the furnace. |
| US09441858B2 |
Solar heating apparatus and methods
Solar heating systems and methods are described. In one aspect, a system is described that includes multiple mirror row holders, with each row holder configured to hold a row of mirrors at angles to track sunrays and reflect the rays onto a focal point. Each row holder has a single pinion device of multiple pinion devices associated with the multiple row holders. The system also has a sun tracking latitudinal slider (STLS) rack configured to interface with each pinion device on a respective mirror row holder. This interface tilts the mirrors in each row holder an amount to adjust mirror angles to reflect latitudinal sun motion to concentrate rays of the sun onto the focal point. The system also includes an azimuth adjustment mechanism to control mirror angles with respect to the sun to reflect sun motion during daylight. |
| US09441850B2 |
Air-conditioning management apparatus
An air-conditioning management apparatus is capable of selecting an air-conditioning device that affects an air-conditioning environment at a specific position in an air-conditioned space from a plurality of air-conditioning devices.An area that is within an air-conditioned space to which a specific position P belongs in an arrangement plan and that is within a predetermined range from the specific position is obtained as a control target range. An air-conditioning device whose installation position in the arrangement plan is included in the control target range is selected as a control target air-conditioning device. |
| US09441849B2 |
Air conditioning system and controlling method thereof
An air conditioning system and a controlling method of the same are provided. A controlling method of an air conditioning system includes an information collecting step configured to collect the state information or the operation information of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit in a preset period by using the gateway, an information transferring step configured to selectively transfer the information collected in the information collecting step to the data collecting server in a preset period, an information storing step configured to transfer the operation information or the state information of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit out of the information transferred in the information transferring step to the data storage server and to store the transferred information in a preset period; and an information outputting step configured to output the state information or the operation information of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit transferred in the information transferring step to the output unit at predetermined intervals shorter than the preset period using the data collection server, when there is information transfer requirement. |
| US09441847B2 |
System for controlling HVAC and lighting functionality
A system for automatic setup and control of Lighting, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems comprising a set of occupancy detectors and at least one controller where the controller determines various aspects of the building control based on the input of the occupancy detectors. |
| US09441845B2 |
Ion generation device
The present invention provides methods and systems for an ion generation device that includes an elongate housing having a back portion and a pair of side portions extending from the back portion and forming a cavity therein. A conductive portion is disposed within the cavity and connected to a power supply for providing power to the conductive portion. A plurality of tines are engaged to the conductive portion. |
| US09441844B2 |
Humidity controller
An on-off valve and a bypass pipe which bypasses the on-off valve are connected to an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe of a humidity control circuit. A pressure-reducing valve is connected to the bypass pipe. Before switching a four-way valve, a degree of opening of the pressure-reducing valve is reduced to reduce a pressure difference between high and low pressure in the humidity control circuit. After that, the on-off valve is closed for pressure equalization between the high and low pressure in the humidity control circuit. |
| US09441842B2 |
Indoor unit of air conditioning apparatus
An indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus includes an door unit casing and an airflow direction adjusting member. The indoor unit casing has an air inlet and an air outlet with an edge on an air inlet side forming a bulge toward the air inlet. The airflow direction adjusting member covers at least part of the air outlet. The airflow direction adjusting member has an edge on the air inlet side forming a bulge toward the air inlet. |
| US09441841B2 |
Cooking device
A door is pivotably coupled to a lower portion or an upper portion on the front side of a box so as to be opened vertically to an opening. A gap having a predetermined space is present at the lower portion or at the upper portion between the box and the door with the door closed. The box has an aperture section on the side for introducing outside air blown by an air blower mechanism into a heating chamber. The aperture section is positioned adjacent to the gap on a side surface of the heating chamber. The outside air introduced into the heating chamber through the aperture section moves so as to traverse the opening to block vapor produced from an object being cooked by heating with a heating device from leaking through the gap to the outside of the heating chamber. |
| US09441836B2 |
Fuel-air pre-mixer with prefilmer
A fuel-air premixer for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a central passage disposed along an axis and operable to communicate a first airflow and an outer annular passage about the axis operable to communicate a second airflow. The fuel-air premixer further includes an inner annular passage about the axis and between the central passage and the outer annular passage for communicating fuel flow. The inner annular passage including an inner exit angled for directing fuel flow toward the axis into a mixer passage downstream of the outer and inner exits for mixing the fuel flow with the first and second airflows. |
| US09441834B2 |
Wirelessly powered electrodynamic combustion control system
A combustion system includes an electrodynamic combustion control system that provided for electrical control of a combustion reaction. Energy is received wirelessly, and electrical energy is generated from the wirelessly received energy. The electrical energy is applied to the combustion reaction in order to control or regulate operation of first and/or second electrodes configured to apply the energy to the combustion reaction. |
| US09441832B2 |
Compact lighting system with infrared indicator
A compact lighting assembly includes a circuit board having a battery, a light, a switching circuit and a push button switch selectively powering the light with the battery via the switching circuit. The operating life of the compact lighting assembly is increased by using a rechargeable battery charged by a photovoltaic device such as a solar cell. Even greater operating life is achieved with the use of a light-actuated switch, such as a photocell or photodiode, which limits or cuts off battery draw and illumination of the light in daylight or lighted ambient conditions and enables illumination of the light in dark ambient conditions such as nighttime and low light environments. An indicator such as a visible light is provided for identifying whether or not an infrared light is on and drawing power. |
| US09441831B2 |
Laminar water fountain
A laminar water fountain device having a canister housing, a housing lid, and an adjustable jet body suspended in the canister housing for producing the water fountain. The canister housing has an inlet end through which water is supplied to the jet body and an outlet end through which the jet body ejects the water fountain. The jet body has tangentially mounted inlet ports and internal filter elements to help maintain a less turbulent water flow through the jet body, so as to help result in a laminar water fountain. The jet body is at least partially adjustable in the canister housing such that the angle of the water fountain emanating from the water fountain device is adjustable. |
| US09441828B2 |
Display device, joint display and backlight module
A display device includes a display element, an image compensation element, and a backlight module. The display element includes a main display region and a periphery display region located at one side of the main display region, each of the main display region and the periphery display region includes a plurality of pixels. The image compensation element includes a compensation portion corresponding to the periphery display region, and the image compensation element extends an image of the periphery display region to one side of the periphery display region away from the main display region. The backlight module provides first light beams to the main display region and second light beams to the periphery display region, and an intensity of the first light beams is smaller than an intensity of the second light beams. |
| US09441826B2 |
Lighting apparatus
There is disclosed a lighting apparatus including t light emitting unit including a light emitting part having a LED, a base part in which the light emitting part is mounted, a plurality of heat pipes fixed to the base part, and a plurality of heat radiation plates comprising a plurality of insertion holes to pass the plurality of the heat pipes there through and a flow hole for flowing external air there through, respectively, wherein a plurality of auxiliary pin arrays comprising a plurality of auxiliary pins inclined a preset angle are provided in each of the heat radiation plates, and a turbulence generation unit for generating turbulence flow when external air is flowing is provided in the auxiliary pin. |
| US09441820B1 |
Systems and methods for integrating lighting effects with robots
Example systems and methods may provide for coordination between one or more light sources and one or more robotic devices. One example system includes a first device actor including an end effector coupled to a robotic device, where the robotic device has two or more degrees of freedom. The system may further include a second device actor including a movable light source, where the movable light source has at least one degree of freedom. The system may additionally include a control system that is configured to control movements of at least one of the first and second device actors to coordinate movement of a light beam from the movable light source with movement of the end effector. |
| US09441817B2 |
Light-emitting structure
A light-emitting structure comprises a carrier, a light-emitting diode package, and a fixing module. The light-emitting diode package comprises a brittle substrate and a light-emitting unit. The brittle substrate is disposed on the carrier and the light-emitting unit is disposed on the brittle substrate. The fixing module comprises at least two screw units and at least two elastic members which sleeve the screw unit respectively. Each of screw units is screwed onto the carrier and applies a force on the upper surface of the brittle substrate, so as to fasten the brittle substrates to the carrier. Each of elastic members is disposed between the respective screw unit and the carrier, so as to adjust the force from the screw unit. |
| US09441811B2 |
Lighting devices utilizing optical waveguides and remote light converters, and related methods
A lighting device (100) includes a housing (104), a light converter (136), one or more light sources (132), and one or more optical waveguides (160). The housing includes a light exit (124) for outputting a combination of primary light (140) and secondary light (156,158). The light source emits a primary light beam of a primary wavelength. The optical waveguide includes an input end (162) optically coupled to the light source, and an output end (164) facing a housing interior (108) and positioned at an angle to an axial direction through the housing interior. The optical waveguide directs the primary light beam from the light source, through the housing interior and toward a luminescent material of the light converter. The luminescent material emits secondary light of one or more wavelengths different from the primary wavelength in response to excitation by the primary light beam. The light source may be mounted outside the housing interior so as not to obstruct light propagation. |
| US09441809B2 |
Illumination systems with sloped transmission spectrum front reflector
A backlight (10) includes a front and back reflectors (12,14) forming a light recycling cavity (16) and one or more light source members (24a, 24b, 24c) disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector (12) being partially reflective to provide an output illumination area. The front reflector (12) has a blue sloped transmission spectra, at normal incidence with a range among bin values from 15% to 100%. |
| US09441806B2 |
Lamp unit
A rotary shade is disposed behind a projection lens to block a portion of light emitted from a light source. The rotary shade has a twisted end surface to form an edge projected as a peripheral edge of a light distribution pattern which changes position in relation to the rotation of the shade. The twisted end surface is arranged so that the closer the twisted end surface is to the projection lens the more the twisted end surface approaches the optical axis. The twisted end surface moves from the front to the back of a rear focal point in relation to the rotation of the rotary shade in the direction in which the illumination area of the light distribution pattern increases. |
| US09441802B1 |
Dual mode backlight system and related method
The present disclosure is directed to a dual mode backlight system and related method. The system may include a circuit card including a first array of lights for use in a day mode and a second array of lights for use in a night mode. The system may also include a heat sink which may be connected to the circuit card, and a light filter assembly. The light filter assembly may include a light filter plate and a plurality of light filters disposed within the light filter plate, where the light filters are configured for filtering light from the second array of lights. The system may also include a diffuse reflector connected to the light filter assembly, wherein the light filter assembly and diffuse reflector create an optical seal between the first array of lights and the second array of lights. |
| US09441795B2 |
LED lamp with ballast detection and method thereof
An LED lamp arrangement adapted to replace a fluorescent lamp in a luminaire having a ballast for supplying power to the lamp. The LED lamp arrangement has LEDs arranged in groups. The groups of LEDs are connectable in plural circuit configurations, including at least a first circuit configuration, and a second circuit configuration having a different circuit arrangement of the groups of LEDs in which at least a portion of the groups of LEDs are connected into the circuit differently than in the first circuit configuration. The LED lamp arrangement further has a first circuit adapted to generate an output indicating whether the ballast is a magnetic ballast or a non-magnetic ballast, and a second circuit adapted to change a connection of the groups of LEDs between the first circuit configuration and the second circuit configuration on the basis of the output of the first circuit. |
| US09441785B2 |
Storage device for weave and extension hair
A storage device for weave and extension hair may include a body having downwardly curved arm portions extending in opposite directions from a central portion and a hook shaped suspending member. The body may have a plurality of nook sections. A plurality of cords having a first end and a second end may be secured along the plurality of nook sections. |
| US09441784B2 |
Support mechanism
A support mechanism (16) supports a first object (12) relative to a second object (14), in which the relative positioning is able to be changed in at least two dimensions, and preferably in three dimensions. The support mechanism (16) comprises a first fixing member (20) for fixing to the first object (12) and a second fixing member (22) for fixing to the second object (14). The support mechanism (10 also comprises a first movement mechanism (30,32, 34) which allows movement of a connection point (24) in a first direction relative to the first fixing member (20 and supports the connection point (24) relative to the first fixing member (20). The first direction may be fixed or it may be variable within a first plane. The first plane may be fixed or variable relative to the first fixing member. The support mechanism (16) also comprises a second movement mechanism (40) which allows movement of the second fixing member (22) in a second direction relative to the connection point (24) and supports the second fixing member (22) relative to the connection point (24). The second direction is at an angle to the first direction, preferably orthogonal. The second direction may be fixed or variable within a second plane. The second plane may be fixed or variable relative to the connection point (24). |
| US09441782B2 |
Tablet mounting arm systems and methods
One embodiment provides a tablet mounting system including a support having a tablet portion located near the first end of the support arm for supporting a tablet, a monitor portion located between the tablet portion and the second end of the support arm for supporting a display monitor, and a support portion located between the first end and the second end of the support arm for attaching the arm to a support object such as a desk, wall, desk stand, or display arm. In some cases, the support portion is located closer to the monitor portion of the support arm than to the tablet portion of the support arm. A tablet mount is configured to support a tablet and to attached to the tablet portion of the support arm. Methods for mounting tablets are also provided. |
| US09441779B1 |
Split hybrid insulation structure for an appliance
An insulation structure for an appliance includes a first vacuum insulated structure having a top and downward sides extending from the top and defining a lower connection surface. A second vacuum insulated structure having a bottom and upward sides extending from the bottom and defining an upper connection surface, and an intermediate insulation structure having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface engages the lower connection surface of the first vacuum insulated structure to define the first insulated interior, wherein the bottom surface engages the upper connection surface of the second vacuum insulated structure to define the second insulated interior, and wherein the intermediate insulation structure includes an appliance utility path within which at least one utility for the appliance is disposed. |
| US09441776B2 |
Manifold and methods of manufacturing same
According to one aspect, a manifold defines an internal region and a first inside surface. A fluid liner is permanently bonded to the first inside surface, and dynamically responds to pressure fluctuations within the internal region during fluid flow therethrough while the permanent bond is maintained. According to another aspect, an end cap is connected to the elongated member and defines a second inside surface. The fluid liner is engaged with each of first and second inside surfaces, and defines a third inside surface. A first thickness of the fluid liner is defined between the first and third inside surfaces, a second thickness of the fluid liner is defined between the second and third inside surfaces, and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. According to another aspect, a plug opening is formed through the fluid liner, and a liner plug extends within the plug opening. |
| US09441772B2 |
Method and apparatus for protecting pipe installed underground
A borehole pipe protection apparatus includes a sheet of material having an inner surface and an outer surface and a longitudinal direction and a width direction defined by two edges of the sheet along the longitudinal direction. A fastening structure is configured to join the two edges to form a seam as the sheet of material is wrapped in the width direction around a pipe that is configured to be installed into the borehole to form a sock along the longitudinal direction. The sock is configured to be installed in the borehole with the pipe about which it is wrapped, yet to remain for a service life in non-bonding contact with the pipe. A method for protecting pipe during and after insertion into a borehole is also described. |
| US09441767B2 |
Elongate tape and method of producing same
An elongate tape and method of producing an elongate tape are disclosed. The tape is suitable for forming a helically wound layer of interlocked windings in a flexible pipe body, and is configured for interlocking with adjacent windings, wherein the tape has a cross-sectional profile including: a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer; a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding; and a transition surface joining the first surface and further surface, wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface, and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface. |
| US09441766B2 |
Reinforced hose
A hose comprising a tubular body of flexible material arranged between an inner and outer helically wound wire. The hose further comprises an elongate member having opposing longitudinal edges, the elongate member being helically wound around the tubular body such that the opposing longitudinal edges of the layer are in an adjacent or overlapping arrangement, wherein each longitudinal edge includes a formation capable of interengaging with a cooperating formation on the opposing longitudinal edge, wherein the elongate member is provided at least one reinforcing member which extends along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. |
| US09441765B2 |
Lead-free high temperature/pressure piping components and methods of use
A piping component for controlling the flow of fluids that includes a piping body having an inlet end and an outlet end, including methods of operating such components within a piping system. The piping body may be sized for fluids operating at temperatures from approximately 350° F. up to approximately 500° F., and up to approximately 650° F. In addition, the piping body is made from a silicon-copper alloy consisting essentially of less than 16% zinc, less than trace amounts of lead, less than trace amounts of bismuth, 2 to 6% silicon and a balance of copper (by weight). In certain aspects, less than 0.09% of lead and/or less than 0.09% bismuth are contained in the silicon-copper alloy. |
| US09441763B2 |
Fastening device for fixing a cable
Fastening device for fixing at least one cable, wherein the fastening device includes a clip for receiving and/or fixing a cable, wherein the clip is designed such that it can at least partially surround the cable and clamp the cable in a force-fitting and/or interlocking manner, and wherein the fastening device has a fixing element which includes a guide element and a retaining element, wherein the guide element is mechanically connected to the clip, and the retaining element is designed such that it allows the fastening device to be mounted in a fixed position, wherein the guide element is mounted in the clip in a mount which at least partially surrounds the clip in respect of its casing surface. |
| US09441758B2 |
Valve device, valve assembly and method for calibrating a valve assembly
A valve device including a valve housing which bounds a valve chamber in which a valve member is accommodated for movement between a blocking position and a release position in order to influence a free flow cross-section for a fluid in a flow path between an inlet passage terminating into the valve chamber and an outlet passage leading from the valve chamber, further including a first absolute pressure sensor for providing a first pressure signal as a function of an operating pressure in the flow path, and further including an evaluation circuit for processing the first pressure signal. It is provided that a second absolute pressure sensor is located outside the flow path, which is designed to provide a second pressure signal as a function of an operating pressure outside the flow path and which is connected to the evaluation circuit for enabling a differential pressure between the first and second pressure signals to be determined. |
| US09441757B2 |
Load relieving stem connectors
Example apparatus include load relieving stem connectors. An example apparatus includes a connector housing including an internal cavity therein, a load relieving body disposed in the internal cavity, and a shaft coupled to the load relieving body. In the example apparatus, the shaft is to rotate the load relieving body between a first position and a second position. |
| US09441756B2 |
Valve arrangement
A valve arrangement includes at least two valves and a housing which is configured as an installation cartridge. One of the valves is configured as a pressure regulator and the other of the valves is configured as a delivery flow regulator. The valve arrangement is configured to be inserted or screwed into a variable-displacement pump, thereby minimizing the spatial requirement of the valve arrangement. |
| US09441754B2 |
Electromagnetic valve
The invention relates to an electromagnetic valve, on the magnet armature of which a circumferential annular groove is arranged and in the valve housing of which an axially movable throttle disk is arranged, the throttle disk being fundamentally positioned at the height of the annular groove. The throttle disk throttles the pressure-medium flow along the magnet armature dependent on the actuation of the magnet armature in order to damp the armature impact noise. |
| US09441753B2 |
Printed circuit board electrorheological fluid valve
A printed circuit board electrorheological fluid valve and method with spaced, bonded, epoxy printed circuit board laminates defining flow channels therebetween. Electrodes are formed on opposite surfaces of the flow channels and surface pads on a laminate are electrically connected to the electrodes for applying a voltage thereto controlling the flow of electrorheological fluid in the flow channels. |
| US09441750B2 |
Valve cartridge
In a valve cartridge for a plumbing fixture that comprises a cartridge housing that has one connection opening, each for the inflowing cold and hot water and at least one discharge opening for the outflowing water, a mixing valve with a control element/operating handle for selecting the mixing ratio of cold and hot water, and a rotary valve with a control element/operating handle for selecting the flow rate of water through the valve cartridge, wherein the mixing valve and the rotary valve and/or the control element of the mixing valve and the control element of the rotary valve are arranged in series on an axis of the cartridge housing. The control element of the rotary valve can take the form of a hollow cylinder that is coaxial to the control element of the mixing valve and is attached to the rotary valve in a rotationally fixed manner. |
| US09441745B2 |
Apparatus to interface with a corrugated diaphragm
Apparatus to interface with a corrugated profile are disclosed. An example apparatus for use with a fluid regulator includes an elastomeric ring having a corrugated profile that corresponds to a corrugated profile of a diaphragm of the fluid regulator. The elastomeric ring is to be positioned between a valve body and a bonnet of the fluid regulator to clamp the diaphragm between the valve body and the bonnet. A metallic ring positioned between the valve body and the bonnet engages the elastomeric ring to support the elastomeric ring. |
| US09441742B2 |
Membrane valve
A membrane valve for fluid media, comprising a valve body, a membrane, a pressure piece, and a drive) for the pressure piece. The membrane is coupled to the pressure piece by a connecting element, having a wall which projects from the membrane in the direction of the pressure piece. A latching hook laterally protrudes from one side and a free space is provided on the other side such that the wall. The latch hook can be deflected in order to connect the latching hook to a corresponding receiving portion on the pressure piece. A stationary pin engages into the free space when the membrane is raised from the valve seat of the valve body and protrudes out of the free space when the membrane is resting on the valve seat. |
| US09441741B2 |
Ball valve having an external seal arrangement, particularly for use in motor vehicle refrigerant circuits
A ball valve (1), particularly for use in motor vehicle refrigerant circuits, having an actuator (2), a shaft (3) including a shaft bearing (5), a ball (4) including a ball passage (16), and a valve housing (13). A fluid shaft seal (8) is arranged in the shaft bearing (5) between an upper shaft seal (6) and a lower shaft seal (7), wherein the fluid shaft seal (8) is formed by a cavity (18) in which a sealing fluid is provided, and that the sealing fluid is in contact with the shaft (3) in a sealing region (19) such that the sealing fluid has a sealing effect in the axial direction, wherein the cavity (18) is at least partially formed by a diaphragm (11) and is limited on the shaft (3) by the shaft seals (6, 7), and that the diaphragm (11) is formed in such a way that pressure can be applied to the side facing away from the sealing fluid. |
| US09441739B2 |
Mixed media orbital valve
Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide improved flush valves that are designed with improved venting features and improved inlet designs. The described venting features and inlet designs, either alone or in combination, can help prevent ingestion of waste into the interior of the valve. |
| US09441736B2 |
Radial shaft sealing ring, and method of fabricating a radial shaft sealing ring
A radial shaft sealing ring for sealing of a casing part of a motor vehicle engine or gearbox, with a supporting body and a sleeve-type sealing lip connected to the supporting body and bent towards the side to be sealed, which sealing lip lies on an axial length L on the shaft and has a conveying groove in the area of contact with the shaft for conveying of medium back into the volume to be sealed, and which sealing lip has a sufficient bending elasticity to achieve a sufficient contact pressure without the use of additional means, wherein the material of the sealing lip essentially consists of a high temperature cross-linked LSR liquid silicone material. |
| US09441735B2 |
Low-cost high-performance annular metallic seal for high pressures and large diameters
An annular metal static seal (10) comprising a first annular bearing plate (12A), a facing second annular bearing plate (12B), and an annular central portion (14) perpendicularly connecting together the first and second annular bearing plates and secured in sealed manner to each of them via a respective annular weld, the assembly thus presenting a section in the shape of the letter H on its side. |
| US09441733B2 |
Continuously variable transmission and a hydraulic control method thereof
A transmission controller determines whether a shift is a kickdown, and when the shift is determined as the kickdown, the target line pressure is increased to a first target pressure corresponding to an input torque to a continuously variable transmission increased by the kickdown; the transmission controller then determines whether the line pressure has reached the first target pressure, and if determined that the line pressure has reached the first target pressure, the target line pressure is increased to a second target pressure higher than the first target pressure. |
| US09441732B2 |
Regulator valve with integrated direct acting solenoid
A control valve for an automatic transmission includes a valve body including a chamber and a control pressure port, metering edges formed in the valve body at the control pressure port, a reference surface formed in the valve body, a spool displaceable along the chamber, and a solenoid module including a pin for displacing the spool, and located in the chamber by contact with the reference surface. |
| US09441727B2 |
Control device for a gearbox, in particular for a motor-vehicle gearbox, with a system for identifying the engaged gear
A control device includes an elongated mechanical transmission member (10; 110) interposed between the gearbox and a control member (100) for transmitting to the gearbox the commands imparted through the control member, in such a manner that the gear engaged by means of the gearbox is linked to the linear position of the transmission member (10; 110). The device is provided with a position sensor (26; 126) including a movable reference element (28; 128), the movement of which is univocally determined by the movement of a rigid end portion (14; 114) of the transmission member (10; 110), and a stationary detection element (30) for detecting the position of the reference element (28; 128). |
| US09441724B1 |
Method and system for monitoring and controlling a transmission
A method of monitoring and controlling a transmission in a marine propulsion device comprises the steps of receiving a rotational input speed of an input shaft to the transmission, receiving a rotational output speed of an output shaft from the transmission, receiving a shift actuator position value, and receiving an engine torque value. The method further comprises calculating a speed differential based on the input speed and the output speed, and generating a slip profile based on a range of speed differentials, engine torque values, and shift actuator position values. |
| US09441721B2 |
Strain wave gearing unit
A strain wave gearing unit is provided with an internal gear, which surrounds the periphery of a cup-shaped external gear, and a bearing. An annular gap is formed between the inner ring of the bearing and the internal gear. The gap communicates with the sliding portions of the bearing and the section where the two gears mesh. An annular filter member made of non-woven fabric is fitted in the gap. Foreign matter such as abrasion powder, which is contained in lubricant that flows in the gap, is trapped by the filter member. The present invention can prevent penetration of abrasion powder generated in the sliding portions into the meshing section via the gap. |
| US09441720B2 |
Torque converter with divider and stator clutch
A torque converter and torque divider assembly may receive torque from a power source and input the torque to a torque converter including an impeller, a turbine, and a stator, and a torque divider including a planetary gear system. The torque divider may also receive torque output from the turbine of the torque converter, and may output torque to a device such as a transmission. The torque converter and torque divider assembly may further include a stator clutch that is controlled to selectively lock the stator in place, and a lock-up clutch controlled to selectively lock rotating components of the torque converter and torque divider assembly, such as the impeller and the turbine of the torque converter. |
| US09441719B2 |
Lock-up device for torque converter
A lock-up device is disposed between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine. The lock-up device includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by a hydraulic pressure being increased in a space on a turbine-side of the piston to turn the clutch part from the clutch-on state to a clutch-off state and to block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine. |
| US09441716B2 |
Stepless transmission
In a stepless transmission 1, each lever crank mechanism 20 includes a rotational radius adjusting mechanism 4 capable of adjusting the radius of rotational motion of a cam shaft 51. The rotational radius adjusting mechanism 4 includes: a cam disc 5 that rotates in a state of being eccentric with respect to a rotational center axis P1; a rotary disc 6 rotatable in a state of being eccentric with respect to the cam disc 5; and a pinion shaft 7. A pair of cam discs 5 are provided in each rotational radius adjusting mechanism 4. Cam discs 5 of adjacent rotational radius adjusting mechanisms 4 are formed integrally with each other as an integral cam portion 5c so as to extend across the adjacent rotational radius adjusting mechanisms 4. |
| US09441712B1 |
Belt drive with fixed large disc
The invention relates to a transmission unit connected in one end to a driving unit, the transmission unit having a large belt disc with at least one large belt extending around and in contact with the large belt disc, and a high speed shaft. The transmission unit includes a planetary carrier being coupled to the driving unit, the planetary carrier carrying at least two planetary belt pulleys, each belt pulley having a belt pulley shaft which is in rotational coupling with the at least one large belt, each planetary pulley having at least one planetary belt, the planetary belt(s) rotationally coupling the planetary pulleys with the high speed shaft, the large belt disc being stationary mounted, the high speed shaft being coupled to a driven unit. |
| US09441706B2 |
Drive belt for transmitting a drive movement, and method for producing a drive belt
A drive belt having a belt body which is made of a flexible material and a tensile reinforcement that extends in belt axial direction and which is surrounded by said belt body in sections at least to improve the tensile strength of the body in belt longitudinal direction wherein the tensile reinforcement is a carbon cord made of a plurality of twisted carbon fibers with a plurality of cavities between the fibers which are charged with a filler material in part at least. A first portion of the carbon fiber cavities is charged with a rupture risk reducing filler of a type different from the belt body flexible material and a second portion of said cavities of the carbon fibers is filled with belt body flexible material. The carbon cord has less than 0.2 mg of belt body flexible material per one millimeter3 cord volume. |
| US09441705B2 |
Holder for fastening a unit, in particular a pump, to a motor vehicle
In the case of a holder for fastening a unit (2), in particular a pump, to a motor vehicle, with an annular damping element (1), the inner region of which is provided for accommodating the unit (2) and which has, on the outside, a block-shaped fastening part (4), under the upper side (14) of which a plate-like insert (8) which is designed for local reinforcement of the damping element (1) is arranged, it is proposed according to the invention that two opposite edges of the insert (8) each have a wing (11) running into the damping element (1). This produces an increased, but limited local minimum rigidity of the holder. |
| US09441704B2 |
Bolt through hydraulic mount with and without a decoupler
A mount having a bolt through configuration couples two components of a vehicle. The mount includes a first elastomeric member that defines a first portion of a first chamber and a second elastomeric member that defines a second portion of the first chamber and defines a second chamber. An inner tube assembly defines an opening for receiving the bolt. The first and the second elastomeric members are bonded to the inner tube assembly. An annular member is disposed between the first and the second chambers. The annular member defines a fluid-track which fluidly couples the first and the second chambers. The mount dampens vibrations at varying amplitudes by pushing fluid between the first and the second chambers via the fluid-track. The mount may also include a decoupler by way of a decoupler ring and decoupler cap to isolate the mount at a predetermined amplitude at varying frequencies. |
| US09441703B2 |
Temperature-independent vibration damper
A temperature-compensating damping element, which is suitable for the temperature-independent reduction of vibrations, which has a fixed, non-elastic outer part and a fixed, non-elastic inner part, which is either inserted fully or partly into a mating cut-out or opening of the outer part. The outer and inner parts have contact surfaces which are connected to one another by an elastic layer which comprises an elastomer material and which is, or can be, pre-tensioned with respect to a desired frequency by a tensioning element. The elastic layer which is responsible for the vibration damping is directly connected at one or more points to an additional elastic volume. The additional elastic volume is a multiple of the volume of the elastic layer, and has the effect that the excitation frequency of the damping element changes in the case of a temperature change within a temperature range. |
| US09441700B2 |
Shock absorber with frequency dependent passive valve
A shock absorber has a pressure tube with a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube and attached to a piston rod. The piston assembly divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston assembly includes a frequency dependent valve assembly attached to the piston rod which defines a housing attached to the piston rod and a spool valve assembly. The spool valve assembly includes a spool valve and a bypass valve assembly that controls fluid flow through bypass passage that bypasses the piston assembly. |
| US09441699B2 |
Orifice disc for regulating flow in damper
A shock absorber for a vehicle includes a pressure tube that defines a fluid chamber. A piston disposed within the fluid chamber divides the fluid chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston defines a compression passage and a rebound passage which extend through the piston between the upper working chamber and the lower working chamber. A valve disc assembly engages the piston and controls the flow of fluid between the upper working chamber and the lower working chamber. The valve disc assembly includes a bleed disc that defines an orifice with a substantially non-linear contour. The orifice extends to an outer diameter of the bleed disc, and forms a bleed channel between the upper working chamber and the lower working chamber. |
| US09441698B2 |
Hydraulic shock absorbing apparatus
A hydraulic shock absorbing apparatus includes: an inner tube; and an outer tube that is placed outside the inner tube, in which a space is defined between an outer circumferential surface of the inner tube and an inner circumferential surface of the outer tube, and a protruding portion protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube toward the outer tube or a protruding portion protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube toward the inner tube is provided in the space, and the protruding portion is formed over an entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube or the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube, and has a waveform when viewed from a direction crossing the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface. |
| US09441688B2 |
Brake disc
A brake disc includes a friction ring and a pot arranged concentrically in an opening of the friction ring. The pot has a pot gearing system with at least one pot tooth space, on which a flap is molded, which projects radially in the direction of a corresponding annular tooth of an annular gearing system of the friction ring and radially overlaps the annular tooth on a first axial end. |
| US09441679B2 |
Synchronised shift device for a vehicle
A synchronized shift device for locked connection of at least two shafts (30, 32), which shafts have different rotation speeds at the start of a shift procedure. An arrangement of first annular drive body (36), synchronization body (42) and first annular coupling element (44) bring about synchronization of the shaft speed prior to coupling by a synchronization sleeve (50). A further shaft (60), coaxially arranged, may be provided with a similar arrangement of annular drive body (62) and coupling element (66) for synchronized connection with one of the other shafts (32). |
| US09441677B2 |
Overrunning decoupler
A decoupler having an input member, an output member and a combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator that couples the input and output members. The combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator includes a single helical coil spring. The decoupler being designed to provide torsional damping through a range of torque transmitted through the decoupler, the range including a maximum rated torque for the decoupler. |
| US09441673B2 |
Rolling-element bearing
A rolling-element bearing includes a first rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a stationary component, a second rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a rotating component and at least one porous body disposed between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring and configured to hold a lubricant. The at least one porous body is mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring and configured such that during rotation of the second rolling-element bearing ring the at least one porous body substantially rotates with the second rolling-element bearing ring, and, due to this rotation, releases an amount of the lubricant. The at least one porous body is further configured to absorb at least a portion of the released amount lubricant when the second rolling-element bearing ring is stationary. |
| US09441663B2 |
Method of using a retention clip to close hardware
A method of using a retention clip to secure hardware is provided. The retention clip may include a support surface having an aperture extending through the support surface. The retention clip may further include two anti-rotation surfaces extending from the support surface in a non-parallel direction, and at least one angled tab extending from the support surface in a non-parallel direction towards the aperture of the retention clip. The at least one angled tab may be elastic below a preset load placed on the at least one angled tab, and the at least one angled tab may deform and lose its elasticity above the preset load. |
| US09441657B2 |
Manufacture and method for forming structures and the structures resulting therefrom
A clip for assembling corners of hollow members such as the rails and stiles of an extruded aluminum door. The clip has a double L shape. A portion of the clip inserts into the hollow of a first member and is attached thereto. Another U-shaped portion defining the bottom of the double L extends into the other hollow member for attachment thereto to form a sturdy joint without welding. The first member may have a slot that receives the clip and the clip may be shaped to conform to the internal surfaces of one or both members. Clips may be used at each corner. |
| US09441656B2 |
Strut and clip assembly for stiffening a hanger rod
The present invention is a clip for use with a strut that at least partially surrounds a hanger rod for the purpose of providing stiffness to the hanger rod. The clip includes a handle portion, a rod-clamping portion, and a fulcrum spaced away from the handle portion. The fulcrum is for being mounted to the strut. The rod-clamping portion is for forcing the hanger rod into tight engagement with an engagement surface of the strut in response to the handle being actuated to an operational position. The present invention also relates to a hanger rod stiffening system that uses a clip and a strut, whereby a handle of the clip is actuated to force a rod-clamping portion of the clip into tight engagement with an internal surface of the strut. |
| US09441652B2 |
Joint assembly and method of assembling the same
A joint assembly is that includes a first component and a second component that includes a first portion and a plurality of flexible members extending therefrom for coupling the second component to the first component. The plurality of flexible members are preloaded in a predetermined direction and are configured to flex in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction when coupling the second component to the first component. |
| US09441651B2 |
Joint assembly and method of using the same
A joint assembly includes an end portion of a first component that is accommodated within an end portion of a second component, with each respective first and second end portion having a corresponding first and second location feature, and an elongate resilient helical connection member. When the joint is assembled, the first and second location features together define an annular cavity into which is accommodated the connection member to interlock the first and second components to one another. |
| US09441649B2 |
Device for blowing gas into a face of traveling strip material
A device for blowing gas on a face of traveling strip material has at least one hollow box having its wall fitted with a plurality of blow orifices enabling gas to be directed towards the face of the strip material. The hollow box is also fitted laterally on at least one side thereof relative to a midplane (Q) perpendicular to the plane in the strip with a movable shutter member having the function of selectively shutting some of the blow orifices in order to adapt the width of the blow zone to the width of the corresponding strip material. The movable shutter member has an edge adjacent to the inside surface of the wall fitted with the blow orifices, and an edge adjacent to a side wall of the hollow box. |
| US09441648B2 |
Control system for a hybrid construction machine
A control system for a hybrid construction machine includes first and second main pumps, first and second supply passages, first and second circuit systems, a hydraulic motor, a motor generator, an assist pump, a joint passage connected to the assist pump and branching off, first and second logic valves, and a switching valve. The switching valve switches between a state where the assist pump is connected to the second supply passage and a state where the second main pump is connected to the hydraulic motor. A bypass passage branches off from the other branch passage at the downstream of the switching valve. The bypass passage is connected to the second supply passage on the downstream side of the second logic valve. |
| US09441644B2 |
Energy efficient fluid powered linear actuator with variable area
Hydraulic actuation systems having variable displacements and energy recovery capabilities include cylinders with pistons disposed inside of barrels. When operating in energy consuming modes, high speed valves pressurize extension chambers or retraction chambers to provide enough force to meet or counteract an opposite load force. When operating in energy recovery modes, high speed valves return a working fluid from extension chambers or retraction chambers, which are pressurized by a load, to an accumulator for later use. |
| US09441642B2 |
Structure for reducing noise of ventilating fan
Disclosed is a structure for reducing noise of a ventilating fan. The structure includes an orifice plate fixed on a scroll casing and is shaped to be an annular and semi-surrounding hollow structure in order to match with the shape of an air inlet of the scroll casing, and to cover only the air inlet of the scroll casing. The noise generated by an air blower of the ventilating fan can be directed along a bell mouth of the scroll casing of the ventilating fan after being emitted from the air inlet of the scroll casing, and then can be smoothly sucked by the orifice plate. The sucked-in noise can repeatedly collide with the orifice plate and be diffused, thereby the energy being gradually weakened and the sound pressure thereof being decreased. |
| US09441639B2 |
Compressor rotor heat shield
A heat shield for a rotor in a turbine engine is provided. The heat shield includes a main body having a first pair of recesses. The first pair of recesses is adapted to fit around a portion of one or more rotor blades or between two axially adjacent rotor wheels. The first pair of recesses limits axial and radial movement of the heat shield by interaction with the rotor blades or by interaction with the two axially adjacent rotor wheels. The first pair of recesses engage axially adjacent rotor blades or the axially adjacent rotor wheels. The heat shield protects the rotor from hot gas. |
| US09441637B2 |
Volute shaped pump casing with splitter rib
A volute shaped pump casing for a centrifugal pump includes a chamber for housing at least one impeller rotatable around an axis of rotation and a volute shaped chamber which forms a flow channel and which contains a splitter rib for dividing the flow channel formed wherein in a section perpendicular to the axis of rotation a mean camber line is positioned equidistantly between an inner and outer surface of the splitter rib, where the thickness of the splitter rib is varied along the mean camber line and for the mean camber line unwrapped to a straight line there is a maximum in the thickness, s, of the splitter rib, wherein said maximum is positioned at a distance L from the leading edge of the splitter rib, and wherein the distance L is in the range between 1.4 times the maximum thickness s and 6 times the maximum thickness s. |
| US09441636B2 |
Rotor for a compressor of a gas turbine
A rotor, for a compressor of a gas turbine, comprising a rotatable support for rotation about an axis of rotation and a plurality of blades. Each blade comprising a hub, a leading edge and a trailing edge and a chord is defined between the leading edge and the trailing edge. Each of the blades extends from its hub away from the rotatable support and at least one of the blades has a hub-thickness to chord ratio greater than 10 percent. The leading edge of the at least one of the blades at its hub is positioned at a leading-edge-hub-radius from a position of the axis of rotation and the trailing edge of the at least one of the blades is positioned at its hub at a trailing-edge-hub-radius from the position of the axis of rotation. The trailing-edge-hub-radius is greater than the leading-edge-hub-radius. |
| US09441634B2 |
Integrated ceiling device with mechanical arrangement for a light source
An integrated ceiling device (80, 120) includes an electronics assembly (56) and a mechanical arrangement (20). The mechanical arrangement includes a housing (22), a heat dissipating structure (24), and support arms (26). The housing is configured to retain the electronics assembly. The heat dissipating structure includes a lamp seat (50) for receiving a light source (54), and a central opening (34) surrounded by fins (36). The support arms extend between and interconnect the housing with the heat dissipating structure. The housing is positioned within the central opening and is spaced apart from the fins of the heat dissipating structure to enable a free flow of air in an air gap (42) between the housing (22) and the structure (24). The electronics assembly may include a plurality of elements (160, 162, 164, 166) retained in the housing which are spaced apart from the heat dissipating structure. |
| US09441630B2 |
Horizontal type scroll compressor having discharge guide between a main scroll and a motor housing
A horizontal type scroll compressor includes a main scroll through which a crankshaft is rotatably inserted, the main scroll having a fixed wrap formed on a front surface thereof, and an orbiting scroll coupled to the crankshaft inserted through the main scroll and having an orbiting wrap. A discharge port is formed toward one side surface in an axial direction of the main scroll facing a driving motor. A guide member is coupled to the one side surface of the main scroll, and has a discharge guide portion accommodating the discharge port. |
| US09441628B2 |
Electric pump unit
An electric pump unit for a transmission, which supplies a hydraulic pressure to the transmission, includes: a pump which takes in and discharges oil; and a pump driving electric motor including a motor shaft connected to the pump, a motor rotor fixedly provided on the motor shaft, and a motor stator disposed around a circumference of the motor rotor. The pump and the electric motor are integrated with a lid that tightly closes an opening in a recess portion which is formed on a transmission housing of the transmission and into which the oil is introduced, and are accommodated within the recess portion. |
| US09441626B2 |
Oval chamber vane pump
A rotary device for use with a fluid, having a housing, a rotor, and a vane having a respectively associated wiper. The housing has a tubular surface defining in part a tubular volume, the tubular volume segregated into at least a pumping zone and a working zone. The rotor is mounted for rotation and has a body mounted within the tubular volume and a plurality of slots. Each slot extends at least generally radially from the axis. Each vane is mounted at least partially within each slot. As the rotor rotates, each vane rotates within the tubular volume and extends and retracts within the tubular volume. The wiper contacts the tubular volume of the housing while the respectively associated vane rotates through the pumping zone, and wherein the wiper does not contact the tubular volume of the housing while the respectively associated vane rotates through the working zone. |
| US09441621B2 |
Machine including compressor controlling apparatus and method
A machine includes at least two compressors that is controlled by a compressor controlling apparatus. By using an inverter for the at least two compressors, the use of elements is minimized and the compressor capacity may be increased, and the operation efficiency of the system may be enhanced. As an example, a plurality of operation modes may be used according to a load or cooling capacity of the two compressors. The two compressors are separately or simultaneously operated by using the inverter, thus simplifying the configuration of the system, and reducing cost. |
| US09441619B2 |
Reciprocating compressor
A reciprocating compressor including a casing which has first and second cylinders, an electric motor which has a drive shaft mounted in the casing, first and second pistons fittingly inserted into the first and second cylinders respectively, so as to reciprocate therein, and first and second connecting rods attached to the first and second pistons, respectively, at ends thereof and which are situated in the crank chamber at the other ends thereof where first and second bearings are provided, respectively. A crank member is provided on the drive shaft within the crank chamber, and the crank member is fittingly inserted into the first bearing of the first connecting rod and the second bearing of the second connecting rod. The crank member has a positioning member which positions the first and second bearings with respect to an axial direction. |
| US09441615B1 |
Horizontal axis troposkein tensioned blade fluid turbine
A fluid power-generating system operatively disposed between a first support and a second support, the system characterized by an absence of a centrally disposed rotor member, and including a machine capable of acting as a motor and as a generator, the machine coupled to the first support; a flexible wing(s) having an arcuate shape, a distal end coupled to the machine and a proximal end coupled to the second support, for catching and passing a flowing fluid; a tensioned balancing system coupled to the supports for stabilizing operation of the power-generating system; and a rigid strut(s) disposed between each flexible wing and the balancing system for supporting each flexible wing. |
| US09441610B1 |
Method of stabilizing a power grid and providing a synthetic aperture radar using a radar wind turbine
A blade mounted radar system comprises a wind turbine having a hub and blades extending therefrom; a radar antenna configured to transmit and/or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal; and a processor in electrical communication with the radar antenna and configured to generate the RF signal for transmission and/or to process the received RF signal. The radar antenna is affixed to one of the blades of the wind turbine such that relative motion is defined between the radar antenna and a target within a line of sight of the radar antenna. The problem of the ground based radar line of sight being obscured by the wind turbine is mitigated in this setup, as radar and turbine coexist in the same structure. Improved performance and additional capability are enabled by elevated installation and vertical SAR imaging capability. Doppler capabilities are extended using known motion of the antenna relative to stationary objects. |
| US09441609B2 |
Torque limiter, wind turbine and wind turbine generator
In a torque limiter, wedge-shaped spaces are formed between inner and outer rings so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction. In each wedge-shaped space, there are arranged a first roller and a second roller that transmit torque between the inner and outer rings by being brought into wedge-engagement when the inner and outer rings rotate relative to each other in one direction and in the other direction, respectively. Between the first and second rollers, there is arranged an urging device that urges the first and second rollers in such directions that the first and second rollers are brought into wedge-engagement. Each wedge-shaped space is formed such that when the torque becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, a first wedge angle of the first roller or a second wedge angle of the second roller becomes such an angle that wedge-engagement of the roller is cancelled. |
| US09441607B2 |
Marine current power generation device
In one embodiment, a marine current power generation device has rotary blades, rotating shaft, power generator, guide bearings, thrust collars and thrust bearings. The guide bearing has a second slide surface being slidable relative to the first slide surface of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing has a fourth slide surface being slidable relative to the third slide surface of the rotary plate of the thrust collar. The materials of the first and third slide surfaces include ferrous materials, stainless materials, Ti, Ti alloy, Co, or Co alloy. The materials of the second and fourth slide surfaces include a resin material filled with a first fibrous member and a second fibrous member. The second fibrous member is smaller than the first fibrous member. |
| US09441606B2 |
Synergic method for hydrodynamic energy generation with neutralized head pressure pump
A synergic method for hydrodynamic energy generation includes providing a system and method utilization for producing electrical power or mechanical rotational pumping energy for pumping water to high level reservoir or to feeding a decorative water fall, providing a multi compartment housing, pumping water via the housing, providing a first vertically aligned compartment within or beside the housing, mechanically coupling a first water wheel, situated at the bottom of first compartment, to pump shaft, generating by the first wheel mechanical rotational power, providing a second vertically aligned compartment mechanically coupling a second water wheel to a generator, generating electrical or mechanical rotational power, by the generator, providing a third vertically aligned compartment providing a fourth compartment, a pump or external jet for removing water from the fourth compartment, utilizing energy and conductively coupling the hydrodynamic energy generation system with the external power source via a coupling. |
| US09441604B2 |
Multi-coil spark ignition system
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an igniter having at least two high voltage (HV) electrodes and a low voltage (LV) electrode. The at least two HV electrodes are electrically isolated one from the other and the at least two HV electrodes are electrically isolated from the LV electrode. The system includes a coil assembly having at least one primary winding and at least two secondary windings, each secondary winding having a terminal for providing a HV signal. A driver module is provided for energizing the coil assembly. A high-tension cable, comprising at least two resistive wires, connects the at least two HV electrodes to the terminals of respective ones of the at least two secondary windings. The high-tension cable further comprises a non-resistive wire connecting the LV electrode to the driver module. |
| US09441601B2 |
Dual synchronized vehicle starter motors
A vehicle starter motor arrangement comprises a battery, a first vehicle starter motor including a first pinion and a second vehicle starter motor including a second pinion. The first vehicle starter motor is connected in series to the battery and the second vehicle starter motor is connected in series to the first vehicle starter motor. Accordingly, the battery, the first vehicle starter motor, and the second vehicle starter motor are all connected in series. The first pinion gear and the second pinion gear are configured to engage an engine ring gear when electrical current flows through the first vehicle starter motor and the second vehicle starter motor. |
| US09441597B2 |
Approach for controlling fuel flow with alternative fuels
Fuel systems for supplying fuel to an engine are described. In one example, fuel is evacuated from a fuel rail upon vehicle shut-off by directing fuel from a fuel pump to provide a motive flow for an ejector to pump fuel from the fuel rail to a fuel tank. |
| US09441595B2 |
Fuel injection control device and fuel injection control method
A CNG control ECU has a pulse signal determination device determining a pulse width and an output timing of a pulse signal, an electricity control device controlling a supply of electricity to a solenoid, and a current value sensing part sensing a current value of the solenoid. Further, the CNG control ECU has an estimation part estimating an injection start timing and an injection full opening timing on the basis of a differential value of the current value, a first calculation part calculating a first correction part, and a full opening time difference calculation part calculating a full opening time difference. Still further, the CNG control ECU has a correction injection quantity calculation part calculating a correction injection quantity and a second calculation part calculating a second correction value. A correction part makes a correction of adding the first correction value to the output timing and a correction of adding the second correction value to the pulse width. |
| US09441585B2 |
Apparatus for fixing reservoir body assembly of fuel pump module into fuel tank
Provided is an apparatus for fixing a reservoir body assembly of a fuel pump module into a fuel tank. The apparatus includes: a fixed retainer fixed into the fuel tank to be integrated with the fuel tank; and a moving coupled retainer coupled with the fixed retainer in a state in which a reservoir body assembly pumping fuel in the fuel tank is disposed at an assembling location with the fixed retainer to mount the reservoir body assembly so as to fix the reservoir body assembly. |
| US09441581B2 |
Coherent-structure fuel treatment systems and methods
Fuel efficiency in a combustion engine is increased by treating the fuel in a reaction chamber prior to delivering the fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine. The method includes the step of entraining a stream of exhaust gas to travel upstream through the reactor chamber in a first flow pattern. The method also includes the step of entraining a stream of fuel to travel downstream through the reactor chamber in a second flow pattern, where at least one of the first and second flow patterns comprises a structured turbulent flow. |
| US09441580B2 |
Multi-physics fuel atomizer and methods
A fuel atomizer that includes a housing having a fuel inlet and at least one primary orifice positioned at the inlet, wherein the at least one orifice configured to disperse a stream of fuel into a plurality of fuel droplets. The plurality of fuel droplets contact a fuel impingement surface to break up the plurality of fuel droplets into a plurality of smaller secondary droplets and create a thin film of secondary droplets on the impingement surface. At least one pressurized air channel delivers an airflow into contact with the secondary droplets. The secondary droplets pass through a plurality of secondary outlet orifices to exit the housing. A size of the plurality of secondary droplets is reduced when passing out of the plurality of secondary orifices. |
| US09441578B2 |
Gas distribution manifold and corresponding gas intake module
A manifold distributes gases into intake ducts of a motor vehicle combustion engine. The intake ducts are distributed in at least two distant groups, each duct of one group supplying one and the same cylinder of the engine as a duct of the other group. The manifold includes a manifold casing through which a flow of intake gases can flow, and an injection duct for injecting a flow of recirculated exhaust gases into the flow of intake gases. The casing is capable of directing the flow of intake gases and the flow of recirculated exhaust gases toward the intake ducts of the engine, and the injection duct is arranged inside the manifold casing so as to be able to be positioned between the two groups of intake ducts. |
| US09441576B2 |
Waste heat utilization device for internal combustion engine
Control means (32) that controls the actuation of Rankine cycle (8) is provided. An evaporator (10) is capable of absorbing heat from the waste heat of the internal combustion engine (4) with an upper limit of preset maximum heat absorption amount and transferring the heat to working fluid. The control means (32) controls the flow rate of the working fluid so that the working fluid evaporated by the evaporator (10) comes into a superheated state in a heater (18), when the working fluid enters the evaporator (10) at a flow rate equal to or lower than preset flow rate at which the working fluid can absorb the preset maximum heat absorption amount of heat, and controls the flow rate of the working fluid so that the working fluid that overflows the evaporator (10) is evaporated by the heater (18) and then comes into the superheat state, when the working fluid enters the evaporator (10) at a flow rate higher than the preset flow rate. |
| US09441575B2 |
Thermal energy recovery system
A thermal energy recovery system. The system includes a Stirling engine having a burner thermal energy output. Also, a superheater mechanism for heating the thermal energy output and an expansion engine coupled to a generator. The expansion engine converts the thermal energy output from the burner to mechanical energy output. The generator converts mechanical energy output from the expansion engine to electrical energy output. The expansion engine may also includes vapor output. Some embodiments of the system further include a condenser for condensing the vapor output, a pump for pumping the vapor output and a boiler in fluid communication with the pump. The pump pumps the vapor output to the boiler. |
| US09441573B1 |
Two-stroke reciprocating piston injection-ignition or compression-ignition engine
A two-stroke reciprocating piston engine is configured with a cylinder having a cylinder head. A piston is mounted in a bore of the cylinder for reciprocating motion. A symmetrically shaped combustion chamber is defined by a crown of the piston at top dead center and the cylinder head. At least two valved inlet ports having orifices positioned in the cylinder head symmetrically with respect to the axis are connected to receive pressurized oxidizer charge. At least two unvalved exhaust ports having apertures positioned in the cylinder wall symmetrically with respect to the axis are provided. The exhaust ports are exposed with the piston proximate bottom dead center and are operatively positioned with respect to the at least two valved inlet port orifices for forced gas exchange in the cylinder. At least one fuel injection device introduces fuel symmetrically into the combustion chamber. |
| US09441572B2 |
Method for controlling and regulating the fuel pressure in the common rail of an internal combustion engine
Proposed is a method for controlling and regulating an internal combustion engine (1), in which the rail pressure (pCR) is controlled via a suction throttle (4) on the low pressure side as a first pressure-adjusting element in a rail pressure control loop. The invention is characterized in that a rail pressure disturbance variable (VDRV) is generated in order to influence the rail pressure (pCR) via a pressure control valve (12) on the high pressure side as a second pressure-adjusting element, by means of which fuel is redirected in a controlled manner from the rail (6) into a fuel tank (2), the rail pressure disturbance variable (VDRV) being calculated using a corrected target volume flow (Vk(SL)) of the pressure control valve (12). |
| US09441569B2 |
Engine system and a method of operating a direct injection engine
Systems and methods are provided for an engine. The system comprises a direct injection engine having a cylinder in which a piston is slidingly supported to form in combination with a cylinder head a combustion chamber; a fuel injector for the cylinder having a catalytic coated tip portion that projects into the combustion chamber; and an electronic controller to control the operation of the engine and operates the engine in a heating mode of operation if heating of the fuel injector tip is requested. Various methods for heating the fuel injector tip are proposed including operating the engine on a reduced number of cylinders and varying one or both of fuel injection timing and quantity of fuel injected and the ignition timing in order to increase the temperature of combustion. |
| US09441567B2 |
Method and device for detecting different exhaust gas probe errors during the operation of an internal combustion engine
To operate an internal combustion engine, a specified forced stimulation is applied to an air ratio as the basis for a target value of a lambda controller. In diagnostic operation, a diagnostic function is used to identify a probe error of the exhaust gas probe, and a value of the measurement signal is recorded as a start value in chronological correlation with an edge of the target value curve of the lambda controller and the current value of the measurement signal is recorded as an end value after a specified first time duration. The start and end values are used to determine whether a filter error or a dead time error of the exhaust gas probe exists. The first time duration is specified such that start value/end value difference for a filter error differs start value/end value difference for a dead time error by at least a specified difference value. |
| US09441566B2 |
Exhaust emission purification control device for engine
An exhaust emission purification control device for an engine that accurately estimates an accumulated oxygen amount of a catalyst at a terminating time of a reduction treatment which includes a secondary air injector that injects secondary air within an exhaust path, a sensor which detects an air-fuel ratio in a downstream side of a catylyst, a count-value accumulator which estimates an accumulated oxygen amount (a count value) in the catalyst during the secondary air injection, and a rich spike controller which performs rich injection after the secondary air injection. The device includes a count-value corrector that multiplies the count value after the secondary air injection by a correction coefficient derived from an output value SVO2 of the O2 sensor during termination of reduction treatment, so as to estimate the accumulated oxygen amount during the termination of the reduction treatment. |
| US09441564B2 |
Methods and systems for adjusting EGR based on an impact of PCV hydrocarbons on an intake oxygen sensor
Methods and systems are provided for estimating an impact of PCV hydrocarbons on an output of an intake oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include disabling EGR flow when the impact of PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor is above a threshold. The impact of the PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor may be based on a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and a DPOV sensor when EGR is flow and a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and expected blow-by when EGR is not flowing. |
| US09441561B2 |
System and method for increasing tolerance to fuel variation
A fuel control system for a multiple fuel internal combustion engine may include at least one cylinder pressure sensor associated with each cylinder of the engine. A data collection module may be configured to receive real-time cylinder pressure measurements from each of the at least one cylinder pressure sensors and calculate one or more actual combustion parameter values from the real-time cylinder pressure measurements. A comparison module may be configured to receive the calculated one or more actual combustion parameter values from the data collection module and compare the calculated one or more actual combustion parameter values for each cylinder to theoretical combustion parameter values to determine any difference therebetween, wherein the theoretical combustion parameter values are derived independently from any actual combustion parameter values based on real-time sensor measurements. A process control module may be configured to control fuel injection of at least two different types of fuel supplied to each cylinder in order to reduce any difference between the calculated actual combustion parameter values for each cylinder and the theoretical combustion parameter values. |
| US09441560B1 |
Apparatus for reducing engine emissions utilizing multiple types of fuels
The present disclosure is a method and apparatus for reducing engine emissions utilizing multiple types of fuels. Apparatus for reducing engine emissions may include a controller which may control delivery of a first fuel to be combined with a second fuel at a combustion chamber of an engine. Controller may be configured to provide a proper amount of the first fuel at the correct point in an engine cycle based upon a current engine performance data. |
| US09441559B2 |
Compressor pre-spin control method
A method is provided for controlling a pre-spin operation of a compressor of an internal combustion engine provided with a turbocharger. The presence of a turbocharger imposes additional requirements on the method. The wear of a compressor clutch is proportional to the transferred energy when the clutch is engaged. In order to reduce the wear of the compressor clutch, or increase the maximum engine speed where it is allowed to engage the compressor, a compressor pre-spin operation is used to reduce the transferred energy when the clutch is engaged. The pre-spin is achieved by controlling the air mass flow over the compressor by controlling a bypass throttle angle of a bypass throttle. The bypass throttle is provided in a parallel conduit to the compressor, bypassing the compressor. Since the air mass flow over the compressor affects the air mass flow to the turbocharger, the method takes the turbocharger into consideration. |
| US09441556B2 |
Noise updating systems and methods
A method includes: generating an indicator of present operating conditions of an engine; determining a first amount of noise based on vibration measured during a first plurality of combustion events of a cylinder; storing the first amount of noise and a first value of the indicator in a mapping based on a first engine speed and a first engine load; determining the first value of the indicator from the mapping based on a second engine speed and a second engine load; generating a trigger signal when the first value is different than a second value of the indicator; and, when the trigger signal is generated: determining a second amount of noise based on vibration measured during a second plurality of combustion events of the cylinder; and replacing the first amount of noise and the first value in the mapping with the second amount of noise and the second value. |
| US09441549B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
A control device for internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle includes a throttle valve provided in an intake passage of the internal combustion engine and capable of changing a cross-sectional area of the intake passage, a variable valve capable of changing opening and closing timings of an intake valve of the internal combustion engine, basic target torque calculation means for calculating a basic target torque of the internal combustion engine according to an operating state of the internal combustion engine, vibration control target torque calculation means for calculating a vibration control target torque of the internal combustion engine to suppress vehicle vibration according to a vibration component of the vehicle, and cylinder intake air amount control means for controlling a cylinder intake air amount by controlling one of the throttle valve and the variable valve according to the vibration control target torque and controlling the other of the throttle valve and the variable valve according to the basic target torque. |
| US09441547B2 |
Model-based optimal control for stall margin limit protection in an aircraft engine
A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command. |
| US09441544B2 |
Variable volume combustor with nested fuel manifold system
The present application provides a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles, a fuel manifold system in communication with the micro-mixer fuel nozzles to deliver a flow of fuel thereto, and a linear actuator to maneuver the micro-mixer fuel nozzles and the fuel manifold system. |
| US09441541B2 |
Oil scoop manifold
The present disclosure involves an oil scoop manifold receives and directs the oil in fore and aft directions to lubricate multiple bearing assemblies. |
| US09441538B2 |
Engine usable as a power source or pump
An engine which includes a rotor mounted relative to an output shaft, the rotor having one or more piston cylinder assembly's disposed in or on the rotor. The longitudinal axis/axes of the one or more piston cylinder assembly's is orientated to be tangential to a peripheral rim of the rotor. The rotor or output shaft has a lobed cam which rotates at the same, greater or slower speed than the rotor and in which via compression and combustion, each piston rotates the rotor continuously relative to a stationary part of the engine. |
| US09441537B2 |
Method and device for performing open-loop and closed-loop control of an internal combustion engine generator system
The exemplary illustrations generally include a method for controlling and regulating an internal combustion engine-generator system 1000 with a plurality of internal combustion engine-generator units 400 generating electric power which can be connected to a distribution grid and load consumers 200 consuming electric power, with a unit 400 comprising an internal combustion engine 401, 402, 404-408 with variable engine speeds and a generator 421-428, characterized in the steps: determining a given operating state Z* of the internal combustion engine 401, 402, 404-408 of at least one internal combustion engine-generator unit 400; deducting a range of operating states ZB* describing an electric load override Ladm depending on the given operating state Z* for the internal combustion engine of at least one internal combustion engine-generator unit 400, with the determination of the given operating state Z* and the deduction of the range of operating range ZB* occurring based on the calculation model 504 for the internal combustion engines 401, 402, 404-408; providing a scope of load requirements describing potential load requirements of a plurality of load consumers 200. |
| US09441532B2 |
Engine assembly with turbine generator control
An engine assembly includes an engine control unit, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust, a turbine driven in use by said exhaust, and an energy storage mechanism for storing energy recovered from said exhaust by said turbine, wherein the engine control unit is operable to vary the rate of storing energy in the energy storage mechanism. |
| US09441528B2 |
Prechamber device for internal combustion engine
This disclosure relates to an improved prechamber device for an internal combustion engine. The prechamber device is positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber. The improved prechamber device is configured to improve removal of heat from the prechamber device, particularly in the area adjacent to the combustion chamber. |
| US09441525B2 |
Method and apparatus to control regeneration of a particulate filter
An internal combustion engine is fluidly coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a particulate filter. A method for operating the internal combustion engine includes determining an expected boost pressure of an intake air compressor system in response to an output torque request, determining a deviation between an actual boost pressure and the expected boost pressure, determining a engine-out soot generation rate correction based upon the deviation between the actual boost pressure and the expected boost pressure, adjusting a steady-state engine-out soot generation rate using the engine-out soot generation rate correction, time-integrating the adjusted steady-state engine-out soot generation rate, and commanding regeneration of the particulate filter when the time-integrated adjusted engine-out soot generation rate exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US09441522B2 |
Mounting assembly for a reductant injector
A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip. |
| US09441520B2 |
Aftertreatment system having two SCR catalysts
A system and method includes an internal combustion engine capable of producing an exhaust stream and an aftertreatment system operationally coupled to the exhaust stream. The aftertreatment system includes an upstream selective reduction catalyst (SCR) component and a downstream SCR component that are positioned in substantially different thermal environments. The upstream and downstream SCR components are sized to fully treat the entire exhaust stream at a low temperature highest NOx conversion condition, and the downstream SCR component is sized to fully treat the entire exhaust stream at a high temperature highest NOx conversion condition. |
| US09441519B2 |
System variation adaption for feed-forward controller
Methods for adapting system variation for an engine system having an after-treatment system. Measured characteristics of the after-treatment system may be used to predict a model value(s) that is compared to a measured value(s) of the after-treatment system to provide a comparison value. Information relating to high frequency uncertainties in characteristics of the after-treatment system are removed from the comparison value to provide an estimated system variation value. The estimated system variation value may then be used to adapt a system command of a controller. Further, information relating to high frequency uncertainties in characteristics of the after-treatment system may be used by a feed-back controller to determine high frequency adaptation values that may also be used to adjust the system command. The inclusion of the estimated system variation may eliminate reliance on the feed-back controller to provide system adjustments for both high and low frequency uncertainties. |
| US09441516B2 |
Method for NOx reduction
The present application relates to mitigating NOx emissions, and more particularly, to vehicles including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system in the exhaust of a diesel or gasoline engine. In one example a method includes temporarily increasing a liquid reductant dosing value injected by an injector from a first dosing value to a second dosing value, the temporary increase in response to a change from injecting liquid reductant onto a first impact location on a disperser device to injecting onto a second impact location on the disperser device. |
| US09441510B2 |
Valve system for a multi-cylinder engine
A valve system includes: a cam shaft including a shaft section and a plurality of cam element sections; and a plurality of operation members that moves the cam element sections in an axial direction. The plurality of operation members include a common operation member that is provided in common between end face cams opposed to each other of the cam element sections of two cylinders disposed adjacent to each other and continuous in ignition order and that engages with the respective end face cams when both the cam element sections are close to each other, and individual operation members that are individually provided for end face cams opposed to each other of the cam element sections of two cylinders disposed adjacent to each other and discontinuous in ignition order and end face cams located at opposite ends of a cylinder row and that engage with the respective end face cams. |
| US09441505B1 |
Roller lifter with improved oil injection port and supply groove
A roller lifter (1) having an improved oil injection port (12) and oil supply groove (8) that is separated from an oil supply band area (7) and the engine oil supply gallery where debris commonly travels, thereby preventing the introduction of debris into the oil injection port and possible clogging of the oil injection port. The oil supply groove is angled to allow for oil to be easily collected by the oil supply groove. |
| US09441503B2 |
Waste heat utilization apparatus
A waste heat utilization apparatus is provided with a Rankine cycle and a power transmission mechanism that transmits power regenerated by an expander to an engine. The power transmission mechanism includes an expander clutch that interrupts or permits the transmission of the power from the expander to the engine. The expander includes a rotational speed sensor that detects a rotational speed of the expander. An increase in friction of the expander is detected on the basis of an increase in the rotational speed of the expander detected by the rotational speed sensor when the expander clutch is disconnected. |
| US09441502B2 |
Gas turbine annular diffusor
Described is a gas turbine diffuser (300) comprising a strut (302) with a leading edge (304) extending between a first wall portion (308a) and a second wall portion (308b), wherein a first edge portion (304a) of the leading edge (304) is inclined towards a diffuser section outlet (326), i.e. in flow direction (328) of an exhaust stream, with regard to a normal direction (319a) perpendicular to the first wall portion (308a) at a first leading end point (320a) at which the leading edge (304) meets the first wall portion (308). Hence the leading edge (304) is partially inclined towards a diffuser section outlet (326). |
| US09441501B2 |
Turbine shell with pin support
A turbine is provided and includes a turbine shell including shrouds at multiple stages thereof, and constraining elements, disposed at least at first through fourth substantially regularly spaced perimetrical locations around the turbine shell, which are configured to concentrically constrain the shrouds of the turbine shell. |
| US09441499B2 |
System and method relating to axial positioning turbine casings and blade tip clearance in gas turbine engines
A system for passively varying an axial position of an inner casing of a gas turbine pursuant to changing pressure in a flowpath during transient engine operation. The system may include: a connection assembly slidably connecting the inner casing to the outer casing for axial movement of the inner casing between a first position and a second position; means for pressurizing the annulus relative to a flowpath pressure; biasing means for axially preloading the inner casing toward the first position; and an inner casing receiving surface configured to receive a pressure in the annulus for axially loading the inner casing in opposition to the axial preload of the biasing means. |
| US09441493B2 |
Fixture and method for securing an aerofoil
A fixture having a foot clamp for clamping a foot of an aerofoil and a tip clamp for clamping a tip of the aerofoil is provided with an array of supports between the foot clamp and the tip clamp. Each support within the array is independently addressable to one of the aerofoil flanks when the aerofoil is secured to the fixture. The support is driven by pneumatics till it contacts the aerofoil when it is locked by an alternative mechanism. |
| US09441488B1 |
Film cooling holes for gas turbine airfoils
A new configuration for film cooling holes for gas turbine airfoils, such as rotor blades and stator vanes, provides both improved performance and is easier to manufacture than prior art holes. The new configuration machines a shallow trench across a row of prior art shaped cooling holes. Unlike prior art holes cut through a trench, where shaped holes are difficult to machine through a trench, the shallow trench can be easily machined across a row of shaped cooling holes. |
| US09441487B2 |
Method for welding rotors for power generation
The invention relates to a method for welding rotors for power generation having a plurality of rotor discs arranged along a rotor axis. The method includes providing forged and NDT tested rotor discs and machining the discs for weld seam preparation. The weld seam preparation has an inner narrow TIG welding gap and an adjoining outer SAW welding gap. The method further includes stapling the discs on top of each other; and checking the run-out of the stapled discs relative to each other and as a whole and, if necessary, adjusting the staple. In addition the method includes melting the root of the weld without weld filler using TIG welding; increasing the weld height by narrow gap TIG welding with parent metal weld filler to allow tilting of the rotor in horizontal position; tilting the rotor in horizontal position; finalizing the welding by filling the outer SAW welding gap using SAW welding; and checking the welds of the rotor by NDT using ultrasonic testing. A weld seam preparation machining step that includes preparing an optimized transition geometry of TIG welding gap to SAW welding gap transition with a first opening having a first opening angle and a second opening having a second opening angle greater than said first opening angle. |
| US09441482B2 |
Hammer element on a degradation pick
A body of a degradation pick may comprise a substantially conical frustum. A hammer element may be integrally formed with the substantially conical frustum and extend there from in one radial direction. A shank may protrude from the body opposite a narrow end of the substantially conical frustum. |
| US09441469B2 |
Submersible progressive cavity pump driver
In a rotary pump having a rotor and a stator in communication with hydrocarbon production tubing, a submersible pump driver assembly includes a drive motor having an output connected by a drive link to the rotor of the pump. A production housing of the drive assembly includes a production passage receiving the drive link in which the output axis of the drive motor is radially offset from the passage. A control line for providing a drive input to the motor is thus suited to extend alongside the production tubing. The driver assembly thus allows for flushing with only a coiled tubing unit as the coiled tubing can be readily inserted past the offset motor and the motor can be optionally run in reverse to improve flushing. |
| US09441467B2 |
Indexing well bore tool and method for using indexed well bore tools
Downhole tools that have a housing and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is adapted to index in response to one or more balls being deployed into said tool and thereafter to actuate in response to another said ball being deployed into said tool. The indexing balls and the actuation ball are substantially identical. The actuation mechanism may comprise a member adapted for indexing from an initial position sequentially through one or more intermediate positions to a terminal position where the indexed member is mounted in an annular space between an outer wall and an inner wall. The tool may comprise a central conduit which is substantially uniform internal diameter substantially free of profiles. Methods are provided that include deploying an ancillary tool through the tool which has not been actuated or drilled out. |
| US09441466B2 |
Well perforating apparatus
The present invention discloses a wellbore perforating apparatus. The apparatus includes a tubular body and a perforating charge. The tubular body has a wall defining an interior space and an exterior space and the wall has a cavity. In some embodiments, the cavity may be shaped to define a charge socket that receives a perforating charge. The perforating charge is configured in the cavity at a location inside the wall. The perforating charge is configured to discharge toward and into the interior space and penetrate into the exterior space by perforating the wall across the interior space from the location of the perforating charge. |
| US09441462B2 |
Nanocomposites for absorption tunable sandscreens
A downhole filter comprising includes an open cell foam; and nanoparticles disposed in the open cell foam and exposed within pores of the open cell foam. A method of preparing the downhole filter includes combining a polyisocyanate and polyol to form a polymer composition; introducing nanoparticles into the polymer composition; and foaming the polymer composition to produce the downhole filter comprising an open cell foam having nanoparticles exposed within pores of the open cell foam. The nanoparticles can be derivatized with functional groups. |
| US09441461B2 |
Methods for retrieval and replacement of subsea production and processing equipment
Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180). |
| US09441459B2 |
Water shelter or shed to protect a worker from heat, smoke, fire and chemicals
A safety device for a drilling rig derrick and methods of use thereof, wherein the safety device comprises: (i) at least one water source; (ii) a housing comprising a frame, wherein the frame has a first side and a second side; (iii) at least one pipe connected to the water source; (iv) at least two nozzles connected to the at least one pipe and to the first side of the frame, wherein the at least two nozzles are positioned to spray sheets of water that intersect one another at an intersection to define a water shed area; (v) a header attached to the at least one pipe; and (vi) a valve attached to the header, wherein the safety device is attached to and/or configured to be attached to the drilling rig derrick. |
| US09441457B2 |
Indexing sleeve for single-trip, multi-stage fracing
A flow tool has a sensor that detects plugs (darts, balls, etc.) passing through the tool. An actuator moves an insert in the tool once a preset number of plugs have passed through the tool. Movement of this insert reveals a catch on a sleeve in the tool. Once the next plug is deployed, the catch engages the plug on the sleeve so that fluid pressure applied against the seated plug through the tubing string can move the sleeve. Once moved, the sleeve reveals ports in the tool communicating the tool's bore with the surrounding annulus so an adjacent wellbore interval can be stimulated. The actuator can use a sensor detecting passage of the plugs through the tool. A spring disposed in the tool can flex near the sensor when a plug passes through the tool, and a counter can count the number of plugs that have passed. |
| US09441452B2 |
Oilfield apparatus and methods of use
The invention provides a flow control valve for a subsea hydrocarbon production system and a method of use. The flow control valve comprises an inlet configured to be in fluid communication to an injection fluid conduit and an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a subsea flow system. A flow control mechanism is disposed in a flow path between the inlet and the outlet and is arranged to adjust a flow rate through the flow path. The flow control mechanism is configured to automatically adjust the flow rate of injection fluid through the flow path according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure at the inlet and fluid pressure at the outlet. Adjustment may be self-regulating, or may be controlled by a hydraulic control circuit. |
| US09441451B2 |
Self-setting downhole tool
A setting apparatus for use on a downhole tool in a wellbore is described. The setting apparatus comprises an expandable member configured for axial expansion under fluid pressure wherein said expansion moves said downhole tool from an unset position to a set position. Generally, the fluid will be a gas generated downhole and can be generated near or in the expandable member. |
| US09441449B1 |
Swellable packer
A swellable packer enabling wellbore isolation in both open hole and cased hole wells. Longitudinal embodiments and radial embodiments have a plurality of channels that penetrate the elastomeric member and through which hydrocarbon and aqueous fluid flow. The plurality of channels enable extensive distribution of this activating fluid and facilitate maximum swelling of the elastomeric member. |
| US09441447B2 |
Method of isolating a wellbore with solid acid for fracturing
Apparatus and methods of treating a subterranean formation including introducing a coiled tubing string into a wellbore to a wellbore zone, wherein the string comprises a packer on a bottom hole assembly; introducing an acid fracture treatment through the string; introducing bridging fluid comprising particulates through the string; circulating a portion of fluid in the wellbore; introducing a final portion of fluid with a higher concentration of particulates to further form and consolidate bridge-packer, wherein the concentration of particulates in the final portion of fluid is higher than the introducing the bridging fluid comprising the particulates; squeezing the bridging fluid to isolate a perforation into the zone; moving the string to next zone; and repeating introducing and moving. |
| US09441446B2 |
Electronic rupture discs for interventionaless barrier plug
Methods and apparatus are presented for removing a degradable barrier plug positioned in a downhole axial passageway. The degradable plug is initially isolated from fluid by at least one solid, non-degradable cover. A first electronic rupture disc assembly is actuated to open a passageway to the degradable plug. A second electronic rupture disc assembly is actuated to allow a fluid, such as water from a supply chamber, to flow into contact with the plug. The plug is substantially degraded, although the cover remains. A third electronic rupture disc assembly is actuated to bend and then cover the remaining solid cover, thereby opening the axial passageway and protecting later-introduced tools. |
| US09441445B1 |
Dual rubber cartridge
A housing of a dual rubber cartridge attaches at least one rubber to an inner barrel for rotation with the inner barrel. A first rubber and a second rubber may attach to the housing for quick installation of the rubbers. The user removes the housing to remove and replace the two rubbers. The user may then replace the original housing with a second housing on which new rubbers are installed. The housing enables the user to quickly replace the rubbers to reduce down time of the drilling operation. |
| US09441440B2 |
Downhole tools, system and method of using
A downhole tool comprising a nested sleeve moveable from a closed position to an open position following actuation of a fluid control device. The fluid control device may selectively permit fluid flow, and thus pressure communication, into the annular space to cause a differential pressure across the shifting sleeve, and thereby moving the shifting sleeve to an open position. A static plug seat is positioned in the tubing or casing upwell of the downhole tool. When the shifting sleeve is opened, fluid flow is established through the static plug seat, allowing a dissolvable or disintegrable ball or other plug to engage the plug seat, preventing fluid flow past the plug seat to the opened downhole tool, thereby permitting pressurization of the tubing or casing, such as for a pressure test. Disintegration of the ball allows fluid communication to be re-established with the downhole tool, permitting fluid to flow through the tubing for subsequent operations. |
| US09441437B2 |
Electronic rupture discs for interventionless barrier plug
Methods and apparatus are presented for removing a degradable barrier plug positioned in a downhole axial passageway. The degradable plug is initially isolated from fluid by at least one solid, non-degradable cover. A first electronic rupture disc assembly is actuated to open a passageway to the degradable plug. A second electronic rupture disc assembly is actuated to allow a fluid, such as water from a supply chamber, to flow into contact with the plug. The plug is substantially degraded, although the cover remains. A third electronic rupture disc assembly is actuated to bend and then cover the remaining solid cover, thereby opening the axial passageway and protecting later-introduced tools. |
| US09441431B2 |
Intervention device for use in a fluid exploitation well in the subsoil, and associated intervention assembly
This device includes a cable (32) having a smooth outer surface (40). The cable (32) includes a central conductor (42) and an annular outer sheath (44).The outer sheath (44) includes a polymer matrix (56) and mechanical reinforcing fibers (58, 60) embedded in the polymer matrix (56).The central conductor (42) includes a solid cylindrical metal core (48) having a smooth outer surface (52), a breaking strength greater than 300 daN and a lineic electrical resistance greater than 30 mohms/m. |
| US09441429B2 |
Modular rig design
In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to modular drilling system, the system comprising a first module comprising a first work surface; and a second module comprising a second work surface; wherein the first module is disposed above the second module. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a modular drilling system, the system comprising a first module; and a second module; wherein at least one of the first and second modules comprises oilfield process equipment disposed on the module around a center point. |
| US09441428B1 |
Master control system with remote monitoring for handling tubulars
A master control system with remote monitoring that can perform, monitor, and control operations of a portable rig with a pipe handler as the pipe handler installs tubulars into a drill string or breaks out tubulars from a drill string for a wellbore. The master control system can include a processing device communicatively coupled to a data storage. The processing device receives a communication associated with a component of a portable rig. The processing device determines a position of the component of the portable rig based on the received communication. The processing device further provides an executive dashboard that includes at least one drilling rig function associated with the component of the portable rig. The processing device also initiates the portable rig to perform the at least one drilling rig function associated with the component of the portable rig. |
| US09441427B2 |
Automated pipe tripping apparatus and methods
An automated pipe tripping apparatus includes an outer frame and an inner frame. The inner frame includes a tripping slips and iron roughneck. The automated pipe tripping apparatus may, in concert with an elevator and drawworks, trip in a tubular string in a continuous motion. The tripping slips and iron roughneck, along with the inner frame, may travel vertically within the outer frame. The weight of the tubular string is transferred between the tripping slips and the elevator. The iron roughneck may make up or break out threaded connections between tubular segments, the upper tubular segment supported by the elevator and the lower by the tripping slips. An automated pipe handling apparatus may remove or supply sections of pipe from or to the elevator. A control system may control both the automated pipe tripping apparatus and the elevator and drawworks. |
| US09441425B2 |
Drilling tool system and method of manufacture
A drilling system includes a first section of a drilling tool having a collar configured to hold internal components of the first section. The drilling system also includes a second section of the drilling tool configured to be coupled with the first section in a specific orientation relative to the first section. The second section is interchangeable with at least one different section. |
| US09441424B2 |
Bend stiffener assembly
A connector (10) for securing an elongate member such as an umbilical (12) a female receiving member such as an I-tube (14), has an elongate bend stiffening portion (25) and a securing portion (26) connected to the bend stiffening portion and continuous passage (36) extends through the bend stiffening portion and the securing portion. The securing portion has one or more securing members (e.g. steel balls (40)) displaceable radially outwardly into engagement with the inner face of the tube, thereby securing the connector to the I-tube. |
| US09441411B2 |
Door jamb wrap for exterior door jamb
A door jamb wrap for use on a door jamb of an exterior door. The door jamb wrap covers openings next to the door that are commonly found on door jambs edges open at the bottom. The door jamb wrap includes a bracket having an “L” shape that can be configured to cover the openings by fastening to the door jamb. |
| US09441410B1 |
Opening system for a building wall using latching assemblies with axially offset latch mechanisms
An opening system for a building wall includes a peripheral frame, a mullion, a pair of frameworks disposed in an empty space of the peripheral frame, a plurality of hinges swingable mounting the frameworks to the peripheral frame within the empty space, and a pair of latching assemblies. The latching assemblies having transversely-extending latch mechanisms that are disposed in respective ones of the frameworks and axially offset from one another so that one of latch mechanisms of one of the frameworks is latchably engageable with a portion of an adjacent one of the lateral sides of the mullion and the other one of the latch mechanisms of the other of the frameworks is latchably engageable with an adjacent portion of the one of the frameworks being located past the rear side of the mullion. |
| US09441405B2 |
Sliding door assembly
The sliding door assembly has a non-metallic frame formed of extrusions of solid cross-section and a pair of non-metallic sashes slidably disposed in the frame to move laterally between a closed position and an open position relative to frame. The floor of the sill extrusion is sloped rearwardly and longitudinally downwardly toward a notch to direct water thereto for draining out of the frame. The frame can be dropped into a commercial refrigeration cabinet and each sash is removably mounted in the frame. |
| US09441400B2 |
Closure latch
A latch comprising a base, a handle, a socket, a nut, a threaded shank, and a hollow shaft is provided. The base includes a central through hole and a side recess. The handle includes a toothed holed end. The socket includes an upper toothed section, a lower extension, an intermediate annular flange, a tab extending outward from the flange, an axial channel through the socket, a top hole on the socket and communicating with the channel, and a shoulder between the channel and the top hole. The nut includes a hexagonal top hole and an internally threaded hole. The threaded shank includes an upper section, a lower section, an adjustment section extending downward from the lower section, and an intermediate annular flange between the upper section and the lower section; and the shaft includes an internally threaded hole. |
| US09441399B2 |
Lock
A lock comprises a lock casing, a shackle, an indicating device and a button component. The shackle is movably disposed on the lock casing. The indicating device is disposed in the lock casing, and moves from one original position to an indicating position with respect to the lock casing. The button component connects to the indicating device for restricting the movement of the shackle, the button component moves from a first position to a second position, for enabling the indicating device to move from the indicating position back to the original position. |
| US09441397B2 |
End caps for lock cylinders
Systems, methods and devices relating to lock assemblies for doors are disclosed. The lock assemblies include an end cap that couples a tail piece, cam or other latch operating mechanism to the plug of the lock assembly so that the latch operating mechanism rotates with rotation of the plug to operate a latch. The end cap includes a plug engaging portion that is configured to interfit with an end cap receiving portion of the plug to axially and rotatably fix the end cap to the plug. |
| US09441390B2 |
Storage tank construction method
The storage tank construction method includes a step of forming a side wall while a temporary opening is provided, a step of fitting precast concrete slabs into respective inner and outer wall sides of the temporary opening to close the inner and outer wall sides of the temporary opening, and a step of pouring concrete between the precast concrete slabs using the precast concrete slabs as molds to block the temporary opening. |
| US09441388B2 |
Shuttle cars for use in automated parking
A system of shuttle cars for transporting a vehicle in an automated parking facility. Each shuttle car includes an x-shuttle that supports two z-shuttles. The z-shuttles move from the x-shuttle and under the vehicle for transport. The z-shuttles locate and engage the front and rear tires of a vehicle to lift the vehicle from the floor. Once the z-shuttles have engage the vehicle tires, the z-shuttles return to the x-shuttle so that the x-shuttle can transport the vehicle (and the z-shuttles) to and from the appropriate parking space. |
| US09441378B1 |
Pedestal paver and skylight walkway
A skylight and paver walkway, installed to a roofing structure, including a skylight having a pane and framing members that surround and support the pane, and including a paving surface, the paving surface having plurality of pavers that extend immediately adjacent to the skylight. Each paver has a paver top, and is supported by a pedestal such that it is individually adjustable in height to make the pavers substantially level with each other. The framing members have a framing member top, and the panes have a pane top. The framing member top, the pane top, and paver top of the pavers adjacent to the framing member are substantially flush with each other, such that a continuous walkway is created between the skylight and paving surface. |
| US09441375B2 |
Steel bar sealing apparatus and method
A bar sealing apparatus includes a hollow, cylindrical intermediate end cap. The end cap has a fitting disposed within an opening. The sealing apparatus further has a hollow, cylindrical terminal end cap and a hollow, cylindrical sleeve that is configured to surround the bar. Internal threads or other fasteners of the fitting may be threaded onto the bar, and internal threads or other fasteners of the intermediate end cap and internal threads or other fasteners of the terminal end cap may be threaded onto external threads or other fasteners of the sleeve. The intermediate end cap, terminal end cap, and sleeve facilitate grout to fill a space between each of the intermediate end cap, terminal end cap, sleeve, and the bar. |
| US09441373B1 |
Glue laminated timber
Disclosed is a novel glue laminated timber, or glulam, that simulates the appearance of solid sawn wood. The glulam can be utilized as both a structural and aesthetic element for glass doors and windows as well as other structural applications where appearance might be a consideration. It can also be utilized in furniture making and wood working applications where thick solid furniture-grade exotic hardwood can be utilized and can be difficult to obtain. The lams are stacked along the length of the glulam providing a solid wood outer surface as the widest surface of the glulam. At least one lam is stacked transversely and inset from opposing longitudinal edges to form the appearance of a solid wood surface and cover lamination seams. |
| US09441370B2 |
Free-standing wall arrangement and methods
A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face. |
| US09441362B2 |
Noise reduction in printers
An apparatus for mitigating noise in a printer can include a plate having a plurality of holes distributed across the plate and extending through the plate, the holes being dimensioned and configured to mitigate acoustic noise in a printer. A mesh material can cover the plurality of holes, wherein the mesh material can increase air flow resistance through the holes and thereby facilitate removal of acoustic noise from a media path in the printer. |
| US09441361B2 |
Composition for the thermal insulation of building wall surfaces and application process thereof
A product composition that, suitably dispersed in paints or mixed in building products, allows to improve the thermal insulation of the building wall surfaces, is described. The application process of said composition, for the thermal insulation of wall surfaces, is also described. |
| US09441358B2 |
Folding shed
A folding shed including a roof with a first roof section pivotally connected to a first sidewall and a second roof section pivotally connected to a second sidewall. The folding shed may further include foldable first and second end walls, each pivotally connected to the first and second sidewalls. The folding shed may be transformed from an operation to a storage configuration by outwardly pivoting the first and second roof sections until the exterior surface of each roof section approximately abuts the exterior surface of the sidewall to which it is connected and inwardly moving foldable end walls until the interior surfaces of the sidewalls approximately abut the interior surfaces of the end walls. |
| US09441354B2 |
Water inlet valve
A water inlet valve includes a water sealing piston installed in a water inlet pipe and a top cover. A water storage cylinder is fixed outside the water inlet pipe. A lower water cavity has an upper air vent and a lower water inlet. A siphon is arranged in a water storage cavity and communicated with the lower water cavity. A first magnetic element is arranged on a floater. A small buoy is arranged outside the water storage cylinder to open and close the upper air vent. A gutter is formed on the periphery of the top cover. A lever and an eccentric shaft are arranged outside the water inlet pipe and the top cover. The connecting rod is connected with the lever and the eccentric shaft. The lever is provided with an energy storage spring, a second magnetic element, and a restoring spring. |
| US09441353B1 |
Reinforced toilet plunger and case
The reinforced toilet plunger and case is a toilet plunger with an enhanced handle that screws into the top of the traditional toilet plunger handle. The enhanced handle allows the user to use a more practical and comfortable grip when using the reinforced toilet plunger and case. The reinforced toilet plunger and case further discloses a decorative canister in which the reinforced toilet plunger is stored. The decorative canister includes a door for access and a sanitary tray located in the bottom of the canister to absorb drippings from the plunger that may occur after use. The reinforced toilet plunger and case comprises a reinforced toilet plunger and a decorative canister. |
| US09441351B2 |
Ground engaging tool assembly
A ground engaging tip comprising a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes an interior surface, a side wall, and an interlock tab. The interior surface defines a coupler pocket and has a base wall. The side wall and the base wall define the coupler pocket. The interlock tab has a base end and a proximal end. The base end of the interlock tab is contiguous with the side wall, and the interlock tab extends from the base end to the proximal end. The sidewall defines a retention orifice. A ratio of a first distance, measured from the center of the retention orifice to the base wall and a second longitudinal distance, measured from the center of the retention orifice to the proximal end is about 3:2 or less. |
| US09441347B2 |
Methods and apparatus to control a dual function work machine
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling power for a work machine. An example method disclosed herein includes identifying an energy storage level of an energy storage device; identifying a transmission setting of the work machine; and determining whether to control a function of the work machine using power from the energy storage device or power from a second power source different from the energy storage device based on the energy storage level and the transmission setting. |
| US09441340B2 |
Soil stabilizer carrier
A method for applying a water soluble soil stabilizer to soil wherein the soil stabilizer is added to a solid carrier. |
| US09441336B2 |
Methods and apparatus for mounting signs adjacent to roadways
A signpost connector for use in coupling a sign support to an anchor includes at least one bolt having a plurality of bolt heads, wherein at least one of the plurality of bolt heads is configured to break away from the bolt when a pre-determined torque load is induced to the one bolt head. |
| US09441335B2 |
Integrated ballast mat
A protective coating system for a railway structure having a waterproof membrane and a ballast mat. The waterproof membrane is disposed on the railway structure. The ballast mat further has a ballast protection coating and a sealing layer. The ballast protection coating is a rubber compound and is disposed on the waterproof membrane. The sealing layer is disposed on the ballast protection layer. |
| US09441330B2 |
Device for generating vertical force with rotating mass
The present disclosure relates to a device for generating vertical force. The device includes a housing, at least one bearing sleeve mounted in the housing, and at least one mass sleeve mounted within the bearing sleeve. The mass sleeve includes first and second masses with the first mass being larger than the second mass and the first and second masses being positioned substantially 180 degrees relative to one another. Related methods are described. |
| US09441326B2 |
Multilayered sheet
This invention pertains to a layered sheet comprising a flame resistant wet-laid nonwoven paper having a first and second surface and an inorganic refractory layer adjacent to at least one surface of the paper wherein the refractory layer has a dry areal weight of from 15 to 50 gsm and the bond strength between the refractory layer and the surface of the paper is from 0.25 lb/in to 0.8 lb/in, wherein the carrier comprises from 40 to 70 weight percent of aramid fibers and from 30 to 60 weight percent of polymeric binder, is hydrophilic, has a smoothness on at least one surface of no greater than 150 Sheffield units, a thickness of from 0.025 to 0.175 mm and a density of from 0.60 to 1.1 g/cc. |
| US09441325B2 |
Atmospheric plasma treatment of reinforcement cords and use in rubber articles
The present invention is directed to a method of making a cord-reinforced rubber article, comprising the steps of (A) atomizing a mixture of a halogenated hydrocarbon, a carrier gas, and at least one member of the group consisting of hydrocarbon sulfides and polymerizable monomers, to form an atomized mixture; (B) generating an atmospheric pressure plasma from the atomized mixture; (C) exposing a reinforcement cord to the atmospheric pressure plasma to produce a treated reinforcement cord; and (D) contacting the treated reinforcement cord with a rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and at least one member of the group consisting of methylene donors and methylene acceptors. |
| US09441324B2 |
Textile fibers having photocatalytic properties for degrading chemical or biological agents, method for preparing same and use thereof in photocatalysis
The invention relates to textile fibers at least partially covered with a nanometric-sized semiconducting material having photocatalytic properties for degrading chemical compounds, in particular chemical or biological agents, wherein said semiconducting material is in the form of nanostructure or nanocomposites with a one-dimensional morphology. The textile fibers can be used for application in the military, medical, and civilian domains, etc. The curves 60 and 62 respectively show the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds at the surface of textile fibers covered with nanostructures or nanocomposites having a one-dimensional morphology according to the invention, and nanoparticles having a granular morphology according to the prior art. The nanostructures are nanocomposites of the invention 60 are more efficient. |
| US09441318B2 |
Processing method of non-woven intrinsically with enhanced deodorant feature from bamboo
The present invention provides a processing method of non-woven intrinsically with enhanced deodorant feature from bamboo. The process uses mixture of wasted coffee residue and bamboo pulp as raw material. The process uses N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) as primary solvent and 1, 3-phenylene-bis 2-oxazoline (BOX) as additive stabilizer. A cellulose solution is firstly formed by the wasted coffee residue, bamboo pulp, NMMO and BOX aforesaid. Secondly, via grinding, blending, dissolving and thermal dehydrating, the cellulose solution is converted into spinning dope. Thirdly, via meltblown method, the dope is extruded out of spinnerets in a die assembly by a metering gear pump to form thread bundle. Finally, the thread bundle is orderly treated by coagulation with regeneration via ejecting mist aerosol of water, rinsing, bleaching, re-rinsing, drying, winding-up and the like to create continuous filaments, then final product for nonwoven with deodorant feature is produced by the filaments from bamboo cellulose. |
| US09441317B1 |
Yarn clipping and cutting structure for striping apparatus of circular knitting machine
A yarn clipping and cutting structure for a striping apparatus of a circular knitting machine, including two yarn clipping and cutting drive blades that abut each other and can be driven synchronously. A first yarn clipping and cutting drive blade is bordered by a yarn feeding blade. The first yarn clipping and cutting drive blade and the yarn feeding blade are interposed by a yarn clipping blade. The first yarn clipping and cutting drive blade has a first end edge formed a first yarn picking portion which has a directing section. A second yarn clipping and cutting drive blade has another side opposing the yarn clipping blade with a yarn cutting blade. The second yarn clipping and cutting drive blade has a second end edge formed a second yarn picking portion. The second yarn picking portion has a spaced section to form an elevation difference against the directing section. |
| US09441316B2 |
Combination feeder for a knitting machine
A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay a strand within a knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position. A dispensing tip disposed at the end of the feeder arm supplies the strand for inlaying in a location disposed below the intersection of the planes of the needle beds and for one or more of knitting, tucking, and floating in a location disposed above the intersection of the planes of the needle beds. |
| US09441315B2 |
Method for knitting knitted fabric and knitted fabric
There is provided a knitted fabric in which a spacing of an open portion can be adjusted as necessary, and a method for knitting the same. An inlay knitting of interweaving a first line (Y1) supplied from a far side line feeder (F1) into a first knitted fabric portion (11) is carried out (process α). An inlay knitting of interweaving a second line (Y2) supplied from a near side line feeder (F2) into a second knitted fabric portion (12) is carried out, and the second line (Y2) is made intersect the first line (Y1) on the open portion (50) side (process β). An inlay knitting of interweaving the first line (Y1) into the first knitted fabric portion (11) is carried out, and a state in which the first line (Y1) is entwined around the second line (Y2) and turned back is obtained (process γ). An inlay knitting of interweaving the second line (Y2) into the second knitted fabric portion (12) is carried out, and a turn-back end of the first line (Y1) and a turn-back end of the second line (Y2) are entwined (process δ). |
| US09441312B2 |
Diamond single crystal, method for producing the same, and single crystal diamond tool
A method for producing a diamond single crystal includes implanting an ion other than carbon into a surface of a diamond single crystal seed substrate and thereby decreasing the transmittance of light having a wavelength of 800 nm, the surface having an off-angle of 7 degrees or less with respect to a {100} plane, and homoepitaxially growing a diamond single crystal on the ion-implanted surface of the seed substrate using a chemical vapor synthesis under synthesis conditions where the ratio NC/NH of the number of carbon-containing molecules NC to the number of hydrogen molecules NH in a gas phase is 10% or more and 40% or less, the ratio NN/NC of the number of nitrogen molecules NN to the number of carbon-containing molecules NC in the gas phase is 0.1% or more and 10% or less, and the seed substrate temperature T is 850° C. or more and less than 1000° C. |
| US09441311B2 |
Growth reactor for gallium-nitride crystals using ammonia and hydrogen chloride
The present invention in one preferred embodiment discloses a new design of HVPE reactor, which can grow gallium nitride for more than one day without interruption. To avoid clogging in the exhaust system, a second reactor chamber is added after a main reactor where GaN is produced. The second reactor chamber may be configured to enhance ammonium chloride formation, and the powder may be collected efficiently in it. To avoid ammonium chloride formation in the main reactor, the connection between the main reactor and the second reaction chamber can be maintained at elevated temperature. In addition, the second reactor chamber may have two or more exhaust lines. If one exhaust line becomes clogged with powder, the valve for an alternative exhaust line may open and the valve for the clogged line may be closed to avoid overpressuring the system. The quartz-made main reactor may have e.g. a pyrolytic boron nitride liner to collect polycrystalline gallium nitride efficiently. The new HVPE reactor which can grow gallium nitride crystals for more than 1 day may produce enough source material for ammonothermal growth. Single crystalline gallium nitride and polycrystalline gallium nitride from the HVPE reactor may be used as seed crystals and a nutrient for ammonothermal group III-nitride growth. |
| US09441310B2 |
Tin-plated steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a tin-plated steel sheet includes forming an Sn-containing plating layer on at least one surface of a steel sheet so that the mass per unit area of Sn is 0.05 to 20 g/m2; forming a first chemical conversion coating by immersing the steel sheet in a first chemical conversion solution containing tetravalent tin ions and phosphate ions or cathodically electrolyzing the steel sheet in the first chemical conversion solution; forming a second chemical conversion coating after forming the first chemical conversion coating without drying the steel sheet by immersing the steel sheet in a second chemical conversion solution containing 5 to 200 g/L of aluminum phosphate monobasic and having a pH of 1.5 to 2.4 or cathodically electrolyzing the steel sheet in the second chemical conversion solution; and drying the steel sheet. |
| US09441305B2 |
Composition and method for inhibiting corrosion
A corrosion inhibiting composition including a liquid carrier having a surface tension of at most about 35 dynes/cm and an electrically conductive nanomaterial dispersed in the carrier. |
| US09441304B2 |
Aqueous composition for etching of copper and copper alloys
The present invention relates to an aqueous composition for and a process for etching copper and copper alloys applying said aqueous composition. The aqueous composition comprises a source for Fe3+ ions, at least one acid, at least one triazole or tetrazole derivative, and at least one etching additive selected from N-alkylated iminodipropionic acid, salts thereof, modified polyglycol ethers and quaternary ureylene polymers. The aqueous composition is particularly useful for making of fine structures in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates and the like. |
| US09441302B2 |
Method for manufacturing Zn—Mg alloy-coated steel sheet having high blackening resistance and coating adhesion
Provided is a method for manufacturing a Zn—Mg alloy-coated steel sheet having high blackening resistance and coating adhesion. In one implementation, the method may include forming a Zn—Mg coating layer on a base steel sheet and performing a combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) process to form an oxide film. The oxide film may include a metal oxide and the metal oxide may include silicon oxide (SiO2) and magnesium oxide (MgO). The base steel sheet may be maintained within a temperature range of 330° C. to 450° C. during the performing of the CCVD process. |
| US09441298B2 |
Devices including metal-silicon contacts using indium arsenide films and apparatus and methods
Described are apparatus and methods for forming films comprise indium and arsenic. In particular, these films may be formed in a configuration of two or more chambers under “load lock” conditions. These films may include additional components as dopants, such as aluminum and/or gallium. Such films can be used in metal/silicon contacts having low contact resistances. Also disclosed are devices including the films comprising indium arsenide. |
| US09441295B2 |
Multi-channel gas-delivery system
One embodiment of the present invention provides a gas-delivery system for delivering reaction gas to a reactor chamber. The gas-delivery system includes a main gas-inlet port for receiving reaction gases and a gas-delivery plate that includes a plurality of gas channels. A gas channel includes a plurality of gas holes for allowing the reaction gases to enter the reactor chamber from the gas channel. The gas-delivery system further includes a plurality of sub-gas lines coupling together the main gas-inlet port and the gas-delivery plate, and a respective sub-gas line is configured to deliver a portion of the received reaction gases to a corresponding gas channel. |
| US09441294B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, method of manufacturing semiconductor device and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
A high quality thin film is formed by forming a layer in which remaining residues are suppressed for each cycle. When a substrate sequentially passes through a first processing region, a second processing region, and a third processing region by rotating a substrate placement unit, a first layer is formed on the substrate while the substrate passes through the first processing region, a second layer is formed by reacting plasma of a reactive gas with the first layer while the substrate passes through the second processing region, and the second layer is modified by plasma of a modifying gas while the substrate passes through the third processing region. |
| US09441293B2 |
Film-forming apparatus
A film-forming apparatus forms a film by sequentially supplying a plurality of kinds of reaction gases to a substrate placed between a placing unit and a ceiling plate in a processing chamber having vacuum atmosphere and supplying a replacement gas between supply of one reaction gas and supply of next reaction gas. A central gas ejecting unit is disposed above the central portion of the substrate, and includes gas ejecting ports formed therein to spread the gases toward the outer side in the horizontal direction. A peripheral gas supply unit is disposed to surround the central gas ejecting unit. The peripheral gas supply unit includes a plurality of gas ejecting ports, which is formed in the circumferential direction such that the gases are spread in the horizontal direction toward the outer circumferential side and the central side of the substrate in a plan view. |
| US09441291B2 |
Method of depositing a film
A method of depositing a continuous TiN film on a substrate is provided. In the method, a continuous TiO2 film is deposited on a substrate, and then a continuous TiN film is deposited on the continuous TiO2 film. The TiN film is thicker than the TiO2 film. |
| US09441290B2 |
System and method of improving implant quality in a plasma-based implant system
A system and method for the removal of deposited material from the walls of a plasma chamber is disclosed. The system may have two modes; a normal operating mode and a cleaning mode. During the cleaning mode, the plasma is biased at a higher potential than the walls, thereby causing energetic ions from the plasma to strike the plasma wall, dislodging material previously deposited. This may be achieved through the use of one or more electrodes disposed in the plasma chamber, which are maintained at a first voltage during normal operating mode, and a second, higher voltage, during the cleaning mode. |
| US09441289B2 |
High-purity copper or high-purity copper alloy sputtering target, process for manufacturing the sputtering target, and high-purity copper or high-purity copper alloy sputtered film
Provided is a high-purity copper or high-purity copper alloy sputtering target of which the purity is 6N or higher and in which the content of the respective components of P, S, O and C is 1 ppm or less, wherein the number of nonmetal inclusions having a particle size of 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less is 30,000 inclusions/g or less. As a result of using high-purity copper or high-purity copper alloy from which harmful inclusions of P, S, C and O system have been reduced as the raw material and controlling the existence form of nonmetal inclusions, the present invention addresses a reduction in the percent defect of wirings of semiconductor device formed by sputtering a high-purity copper target so as to ensure favorable repeatability. |
| US09441288B2 |
Mask for thin film deposition and method of manufacturing OLED using the same
A mask for thin film deposition used in forming an organic thin film or a conductive layer in an organic light emitting device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the mask includes i) a base member, ii) a plurality of slits configured to penetrate through the base member, wherein the plurality of slits have a predetermined length and extend in a first direction, wherein the plurality of slits comprise an outermost slit positioned in an outermost in a second direction having a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction, and wherein the outermost slit comprises two sub-slits separated from each other and iii) a rib supporting part formed between and contacting the two sub-slits, wherein the rib supporting part extends from a rib which is adjacent to the outermost slit. |
| US09441278B2 |
Genotyping method for use in cattle traceability and means thereof
The invention discloses means and methods for genotyping an individual head of cattle. Individual's DNA is genotyped utilizing the herein defined PCR SNaP-shot protocol. The protocol comprises two PCR steps where the first step (PCR1) includes adding primers (SEQ ID No. 1-30) and/or primers extended at their 5′ end with a common 10 base motif (ACGTTGGATG) to the PCR1 reaction. The second step (PCR2) includes adding extension primers (SEQ ID No. 31-45), and/or primers adjacent to corresponding specific SNPs. Further steps include producing amplicons from a PCR1 mixture comprising template DNA and the first primer set to yield PCR1 products, using PCR1 products as templates to a set of extension primers to yield PCR2 products. Size and color separation is achieved by adding tails of different lengths to the PCR2 primers. PCR2 products are separated and the results compared with SNP profiles from the databank to obtain matching. |
| US09441274B2 |
In vitro method and kit for prognosis or prediction of response by patients with rheumatoid arthritis to treatment with TNF-αfactor blocking agents
In vitro method and kit for prognosis or prediction of the response of rheumatoid patients to treatment with TNF-α factor blocking agents, which comprises determining, in a blood sample from said patients, the expression level of at least one of the eight genes selected from the group: HLA-DRB3, EAT2, GNLY, CAMP, SLC2A3, IL2RB, MXD4 and TLR5 or combinations thereof and comparing said expression level to the expression values obtained from responsive and non-responsive patients who showed responsiveness to the treatment and those who showed non-responsiveness thereto. |
| US09441272B2 |
Compositions and methods for sequencing nucleic acids
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for sequencing nucleic acids. |
| US09441269B2 |
DNA polymerases with improved activity
Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases. |
| US09441268B2 |
Detecting single nucleotide polymorphism using overlapping hydrolysis probes
Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of a SNP in a target nucleic acid in a sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step utilizing a double stranded probe with two overlapping SNP specific hydrolysis probe sequences where one of the probe sequences can include a hairpin structure toward the 3′ end, and a detecting step. Furthermore, the double stranded SNP specific hydrolysis probes along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of a SNP in a target nucleic acid. |
| US09441267B2 |
Detection of nucleic acid reactions on bead arrays
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for the use of micro sphere arrays to detect and quantify a number of nucleic acid reactions. The invention finds use in genotyping, i.e. the determination of the sequence of nucleic acids, particularly alterations such as nucleotide substitutions (mismatches) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Similarly, the invention finds use in the detection and quantification of a nucleic acid target using a variety of amplification techniques, including both signal amplification and target amplification. The methods and compositions of the invention can be used in nucleic acid sequencing reactions as well. All applications can include the use of adapter sequences to allow for universal arrays. |
| US09441266B2 |
Digital analyte analysis
The invention generally relates to droplet based digital PCR and methods for analyzing a target nucleic acid using the same. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve forming sample droplets containing, on average, a single target nucleic acid, amplifying the target in the droplets, excluding droplets containing amplicon from the target and amplicon from a variant of the target, and analyzing target amplicons. |
| US09441263B2 |
Ribosomal targets for antibiotic drug discovery
The present invention relates to methods to identify molecules that binds in the neomycin binding pocket of a bacterial ribosome using structures of an intact bacterial ribosome that reveal how the ribosome binds tRNA in two functionally distinct states, determined by x-ray crystallography. One state positions tRNA in the peptidyl-tRNA binding site. The second, a fully rotated state, is stabilized by ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and binds tRNA in a highly bent conformation in a hybrid peptidyl/exit (P/E) site. Additionally, the invention relates to various assays, including single-molecule assay for ribosome recycling, and methods to identify compounds that interfere with ribosomal function by detecting newly identified intermediate FRET states using known and novel FRET pairs on the ribosome. The invention also provides vectors and compositions with an N-terminally tagged S13 protein. |
| US09441260B2 |
Method and system for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of a biological material in a sealed container
A biological material such as platelets is sealed inside a container with a dead space to accommodate a metabolic gas. The concentration of the gas in the dead space is monitored while the container remains sealed. In some embodiments, the container is permeable to the gas. In other embodiments, the biological material is the only growth medium in the container. The disposal of the biological material is in accordance with the monitored gas concentration. Preferably, the gas concentration is measured spectroscopically. A container for a biological material includes a main body that retains the biological material but that is permeable to a gas and a reservoir in fluid communication with the main body that is transparent to an optical wavelength that is absorbed by the gas. |
| US09441259B2 |
Formation of immobilized biological layers for sensing
The invention is directed to enzyme immobilization compositions comprising: one or more enzymes, a humectant, an acrylic-based monomer, a water-soluble organic photo-initiator and a water-soluble acrylic-based cross-linker in a substantially homogeneous aqueous mixture. The invention is also directed to methods for forming sensors comprising such compositions and to apparati for forming arrays of immobilized layers on an array of sensors by dispensing such compositions onto a substrate. |
| US09441257B2 |
Method for producing fermented edible plants or edible animal/plants, fermented edible plants or edible animal/plants produced by same, and foods containing same
A method for producing fermented edible plants alone or a mixture of edible plants and edible animals including the steps of: producing crushed edible plants or edible animal/plants; culturing a liquid mixture of grains, saccharides, filamentous fungi, and yeast for 24 to 36 hours to produce a mixed microbial broth; inoculating the edible plants or edible animal/plants with the mixed microbial broth, and firstly fermenting the edible plants or edible animal/plants for 3 to 8 days to produce first fermented edible plants or edible animal/plants; and inoculating the first fermented edible plants or edible animal/plants with bacteria, and secondly fermenting the first fermented edible plants or edible animal/plants for 6 to 12 days to produce second fermented edible plants or edible animal/plants. Further, adding the fermented edible plants or edible animal/plants produced by the above-described method into foods can provide storage stability, increase bioavailability, and improve flavor. |
| US09441253B2 |
Metabolic transistor in bacteria
The disclosure relates to a metabolic transistor in bacteria where a competitive pathway is introduced to compete with a product pathway for available carbon so as to control the carbon flux in the bacteria. |
| US09441252B2 |
Process for producing lipids suitable for biofuels
The present invention provides a cost effective biotechnological process for production of bio-fuels from isolated and characterized microalgae. The algal strains used in the present invention having higher biomass, higher lipid productivity, higher pH and temperature tolerance are selected from the group consisting of Chlorella vulgaris iOC-1, Chlorella vulgaris iOC-2, Chlorella kessleri, Botrococcus bruni, Dunaliella salina and Nannochloris oculat or a combination thereof having 95-100% similarity with 18s ribosomal nucleic acids nucleotide sequences (rDNA) given for Seq. ID I, Seq. ID 2, Seq. ID 3, Seq. ID 4, Seq. ID 5 and Seq. ID 6. The present process of bio-fuel production comprises the steps of producing lipid from green algae in bioreactors by various novel steps and extracting oil from dried algal cells and ultimately producing biodiesel by transesterification of the said extracted oil. |