| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09459662B2 |
Display panel bumper
An apparatus and method move a bumper from a recessed position to a projecting position in response to pivoting of a display panel. |
| US09459661B2 |
Camouflaged openings in electronic device housings
Techniques and apparatus for providing one or more holes in a housing for an electronic device are disclosed. The one or more holes in the housing can be used to facilitate visual indicators. A light source can be controlled to provide light into a hole and thus emit light from the hole. When the light source is not providing light to the hole, the hole can be visually disguised (e.g., camouflaged) so it blends with the surrounding portions of the housing. The electronic device can, for example, be a small electronic device, such as a portable or handheld electronic device. |
| US09459658B1 |
Modular electronic device
A modular electronic device includes a frame and a module disposed in the frame. The frame has a slot and a recess in the slot. The module is disposed in the slot. The module includes a casing, a rail component disposed in casing and having a rail, a push rod slid in the rail, a supporting piece connected to push rod, a magnetic component disposed on supporting piece, and a latching member disposed in casing. Magnetic component includes a first magnet and a second magnet having opposite magnetic directions. Latching member is made of magnetic material. Casing has an opening arranged facing frame. Magnetic component is moved relative to latching member when push rod is slid along rail component. Magnetic component provides a repulsion force to push latching member protruding from opening and engaging with recess or provides an attraction force to restore latching member being contained in casing. |
| US09459652B1 |
Virtual reference clock for virtual machines
A virtual clock switch permits accurate transfer of reference time from a variety of different time sources, transforms the reference time representation into one of a collection of different formats, and makes the reference time available to guest operating system instances running as virtual machines. As a result, reference time accuracy is increased, security improved, and the opportunity for providing redundancy in the event of hardware or software failures. Also, the ability to morph time formats allows the concept to be applied to guest virtual machines without the need to modify the guest operating system. |
| US09459650B2 |
Clock pulse generator for multi-phase signaling
A clock generator is provided that is immune to skew between bits in digital words generated by a multi-phase receiver. |
| US09459649B2 |
Active force pedal assembly
An active force pedal assembly that includes a housing for a pedal and a torque motor that is coupled to the pedal in a direct drive relationship via a shaft that extends between and is coupled directly to both the pedal and the torque motor. The drum of the pedal and the torque motor are disposed in a side-by-side relationship in which the respective longitudinal axes of the drum and the torque motor are co-linearly aligned. The torque motor generates and transfers a rotational torque force to the shaft which, in turn, applies an active force to the pedal and thus the foot of the operator of the vehicle for providing a sensory signal of a vehicular condition or event. |
| US09459644B2 |
Energy control device
An energy control device adjusts an amount of energy of a plurality of pieces of equipment placed at a property. The energy control device includes a receiving unit, a basic adjustable amount calculation unit, and a control instruction generation unit. The receiving unit receives an energy suppression request including information related to a requested suppressed amount of energy at the property. The calculation unit calculates, upon receipt of the energy suppression request, a basic adjustable amount of energy for each piece of equipment independently of the requested suppressed amount based on an operating status of the piece of equipment when the energy suppression request is received. The generation unit instructs the equipment to perform energy amount adjustment control so that a total of suppressed amounts of energy at the property becomes equal to the requested suppressed amount based on the basic adjustable amount of energy for each piece of equipment. |
| US09459643B2 |
Routing power across multiple microgrids having DC and AC buses
Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a plurality of microgrid modules. A microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a control software module and a power router software module. The control software module receives data from sensors in the microgrid module and controls the flow of power with controllable elements. The power router software module controls the operation of the power router. The power router can detect changes in demand for power within the microgrid module or from other microgrid modules. The power router can adjust the flow of power between the microgrid modules in response to changes in the supply of power to the microgrid module and changes in the demand for power from the microgrid module. |
| US09459641B2 |
Voltage regulator
Provided is a variable output voltage regulator capable of reducing heat generation during an overcurrent protection operation even when a setting value of an output voltage is high. The variable output voltage regulator can change an output voltage by trimming a resistor of a voltage dividing circuit in response to a trimming signal output from a trimming signal generation circuit. The trimming signal is used to change a limiting voltage of a fold-back type overcurrent protection circuit. |
| US09459636B2 |
Transition control for a hybrid switched-mode power supply (SMPS)
Systems and methods for transition control in a hybrid Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS). In some embodiments, a hybrid SMPS may include linear circuitry configured to produce an output voltage proportional to a variable duty cycle when the SMPS operates in linear mode and hysteretic circuitry coupled to the linear circuitry, the hysteretic circuitry configured to cause the duty cycle to assume one of two predetermined values when the SMPS operates in hysteretic mode. The hybrid SMPS may also include transition circuitry coupled to the linear circuitry and to the hysteretic circuitry, the transition circuitry configured to bypass at least a portion of the linear circuitry in response to the hybrid SMPS transitioning from the hysteretic mode to the linear mode. |
| US09459634B2 |
HVAC system with improved control switching
An HVAC switching circuit may comprise a current source circuit charging a capacitor used to power an HVAC DC power relay coil. The power relay coil terminal is connected to an activation control circuit which comprises at least one of (1) each of (a) a threshold circuit which activates a first transistor to energize the power relay coil when the voltage across the threshold circuit reaches a first threshold value and (b) a regenerative feedback circuit configured to lower the first threshold value to a second threshold voltage, and (2) a voltage divider connected between a first terminal on the power relay coil and the negative DC supply, and a programmable shunt regulator, configured as a level triggered switch, programmed by the voltage divider and connected between the second power relay coil terminal and the negative DC supply. |
| US09459625B1 |
Approach for consolidating observed vehicle trajectories into a single representative trajectory
A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the operation of an autonomous vehicle. According to one aspect, the autonomous vehicle may track the trajectories of other vehicles on a road. Based on the other vehicle's trajectories, the autonomous vehicle may generate a pool of combined trajectories. Subsequently, the autonomous vehicle may select one of the combined trajectories as a representative trajectory. The representative trajectory may be used to change at least one of the speed or direction of the autonomous vehicle. |
| US09459624B2 |
Semi-autonomous dolly
Various systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system comprises a track comprising one or more sections, the track including track indicators readable by a track indicator sensor and used to determine a dolly's position on the track, and the dolly including one or more sensors and a processor, the one or more sensors including the track indicator sensor, the processor executing instructions that control an operation of the dolly including moving the dolly at least semi-autonomously along the track based on the track indicators, wherein moving the dolly at least semi-autonomously includes one of moving the dolly autonomously and moving the dolly semi-autonomously. |
| US09459623B1 |
Stop sign intersection decision system
An intersection decision system for autonomously navigating an autonomous vehicle through a stop sign intersection. The intersection decision system includes an intersection arrival detector configured to automatically detect that the vehicle has arrived at the stop sign intersection, a vehicle detector for automatically detecting previously-arrived vehicles at the stop sign intersection, and a pedestrian detector for automatically detecting pedestrians crossing at the stop sign intersection. The intersection decision system determines whether the detected pedestrians are obstructing the previously-arrived vehicles from proceeding through the stop sign intersection. If so, the intersection decision system determines that the autonomous vehicle should proceed through the stop sign intersection without waiting for the previously-arrived vehicles to proceed through the stop sign intersection. |
| US09459619B2 |
Continuous equipment operation in an automated control environment
Continuous equipment operation is facilitated despite disablement of an automation controller for controlling the equipment. A safe state in which equipment is to be maintained upon disablement of the automation controller is determined. Safe state data is provided for configuring an I/O module, through which the automation controller controls the equipment, with the safe state data to facilitate maintaining the equipment in the safe state during disablement of the automation controller. In one embodiment, upon subsequent enablement of the automation controller, a current state of the I/O module is evaluated and an automatic control state into which the equipment is to be transitioned is determined. The equipment is then transitioned to the determined automatic control state. |
| US09459617B2 |
Motion controller
A motion controller is provided which improves system responsiveness without having to raise the arithmetic capacity of a master controller or to boost the communication speed of a network. The master controller 1 uses a program analysis unit 1g to separate, from a control program designating a tolerable delay time for operating control target apparatuses, a slave use program to be executed by a slave controller in a manner not to exceed the tolerable delay time, and to create slave-to-slave communication setting information needed by the slave controller to execute the slave use program. Through slave-to-slave communication, the slave controller 2 acquires input/output information from another slave controller. The slave controller 2 also uses a slave use program execution unit 2f to execute its own slave use program. |
| US09459615B2 |
Communication device display visualization tool for a human-machine interface
A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) system provides graphical displays to communication devices. The HMI system processes status data from machine systems to generate display data for the graphical displays. The HMI system receives selection information indicating one of the communication devices and one of the graphical displays. In response, the HMI system retrieves display parameters for the selected communication device and retrieves the display data for the selected graphical display. The HMI system processes the display data and the display parameters to display a first model of the selected communication device rendering the selected graphical display. The HMI system allows the user to modify the graphical display and view a second model of the communication device rendering the modified graphical display. |
| US09459610B2 |
Electric discharge machine with contact detector and position detector
An electric discharge machine includes at least one of a noncontact-position detection sensor that outputs a detection signal when a distance between a first contact body and a second contact body is equal to a preset residual distance in a noncontact phase and a drive unit that detects a load given on the main spindle, and a main-spindle-drive control unit stops moving of the main spindle in at least either a case where a moving amount of the main spindle since the noncontact-position detection sensor outputs the detection signal exceeds the residual distance or a case where it is determined that an overload is given from a detection result of the drive unit. |
| US09459608B2 |
Synchronization module for motor speed control
A system includes a first control system configured to operate at a first clock speed, a second control system configured to provide an output to the first control system and configured to operate at a second clock speed different from the first clock speed, and a synchronization module operatively connecting the first control module to the second control module and configured to synchronize the first control system and the second control system such that the output of the second control system is timed to synchronize with the first clock speed. |
| US09459601B2 |
Multi-sensor, event based occupancy determination and load management system
An improved occupancy detection and load management system wherein a plurality of scout sensors and their surrogates may be networked to a master controller to control the load of a designated control zone. When occupancy is detected by an actual sensor or a sensor surrogate, scout sensors report only that event and each event, regardless of source, has the potential to initiate or sustain the occupied state of the master controller. As a zone becomes unoccupied, event reports stop being sent allowing the master controller to time out and exit its occupied state. Loss or addition of scout sensors does not affect operation as the master does not track individual sensors which additionally allows event reports to be created and sent by plurality of sources including momentary contact buttons, user controls, personal computers, and other building automation systems like fire alarms, security, and access control. |
| US09459599B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of operational parameters to compensate for sensor based measurements of circuit degradation
A mechanism is provided for implementing an operational parameter change within the data processing system based on an identified degradation. One or more degradations existing in the data processing system are identified based on a set of degradation values obtained from a set of degradation sensors. A determination is made as to whether one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations. Responsive to determining that the one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations, an input change is implemented to a one or more control devices in order that the one or more operational parameters are modified. |
| US09459596B2 |
Fault tolerant service switch operation in a utility meter
A method for controllably disconnecting a utility power service from a load includes a step of receiving a disconnect command at a control circuit within a utility meter housing. Then, responsive to receiving the disconnect command, using the control circuit to provide a first signal to a first switch operably connecting a charging circuit to an energy storage device. The method also includes charging, at least in part, the energy storage device via the charging circuit. After charging the energy storage device at least in part, a second signal is provided to a second switch that operably connects the energy storage device to the electrically powered source of motive force such that the electrically-powered source of motive force causes a service switch to controllably interrupt the connection between a utility power service and a load. |
| US09459595B2 |
System and method for coupling an automation controller and scaleable module
System and method related to a control system including an automation controller with a module bay configured to facilitate coupling with scalable modules. The module bay of the automation controller includes a plurality of bay connectors configured to communicatively couple with the scalable module connectors. The module bay may include an open end to facilitate extension beyond an edge of the open end by a module or a closed end. |
| US09459594B2 |
Control systems for machines
A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules comprises a controller operable to control operation of the machine. Memory stores machine data for use by the controller. Communication means are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory. The memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules. Each of the memory modules is replaceable with the respective associated machine module and independently of other memory modules. The communication means is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and a replacement memory module associated with a replacement machine module. |
| US09459590B1 |
Methods and devices using a series of sequential timekeeping periods
A timekeeping, graphical display device and method of operating the same including a movement having a central axis of rotation, a plurality of indicator hands rotationally connected to the movement at the central axis of rotation, and further including a first dial having a plurality of first dial apertures. The plurality of first dial apertures having four first dial apertures, each of the four first dial apertures oriented at an angle of 90 degrees from adjacent ones of the four first dial apertures with respect to the central axis of rotation. The device further including a second dial adjacent the first dial rear side, and a third dial positioned toward the first dial rear side. The second dial and the third dial rotationally connected to the movement to enable independent rotation about the central axis of rotation. |
| US09459589B2 |
One-piece double balance spring and method of manufacturing the same
The invention relates to a double balance spring (21) including, made in a layer of silicon-based material (11), a first balance spring (23) coaxially mounted on a collet (13, 27), the collet (13, 27) including an extending part (9) that projects from said balance spring and which is made in a second layer of silicon-based material (5). According to the invention, said extending part extends (17) into a third layer (7) of silicon-based material coaxially with a second balance spring (25) so as to form a one-piece double balance spring (21) made of silicon-based materials. The invention also relates to a timepiece including a balance spring of this type and the method of manufacturing the same. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements. |
| US09459588B2 |
Image forming device having a mechanism for cooling a circuit board
In the present invention, in order to efficiently cool circuit boards such as an image formation section (20) and a power source board (71) accommodated in a main body housing (60), the power source board (71) and a cooling fan (100) are attached to a lateral wall part (62a) adjacent to the image formation section (20) in the main body housing (60), and the cooling fan (100) cools the image formation section (20) and the power source board (71) by utilizing air flow generated by rotation. |
| US09459586B2 |
Image forming apparatus and detachable unit for use therewith
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and a contact terminal, and a detachable unit including a holder for holding a circuit board having an electrode terminal which comes into contact with the contact terminal. A state of the detachable unit is changed to an attached state by inserting it in an insertion direction, and is changed to a detached state by withdrawing the detachable unit in a withdrawal direction. The holder includes a first positioning member for positioning a tip end of the circuit board in the insertion direction when the detachable unit holding the circuit board in the holder is slid in the insertion direction. The first positioning member includes a notch configured so that the contact terminal passes through the notch when the detachable unit not holding the circuit board in the holder in the attached state is slid in the withdrawal direction. |
| US09459581B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Provided is an image forming apparatus performing automatic recovery from a paper non-feeding jam. It includes plural paper feeding cassettes, a sensing sensor, paper non-feeding jam determining part, and system control part. Plural paper feeding cassettes are detachably loaded inside apparatus main body. Sensing sensor is disposed in a carrying passage, and senses a paper sheet fed from paper feeding cassette. Paper non-feeding jam determining part determines whether or not a paper non-feeding jam has occurred in paper feeding cassette, on apparatus operation state and result of sensing by sensing sensor, and if a paper non-feeding jam has occurred, releases error state for paper non-feeding jam after a prescribed time period has elapsed, notifying that paper feeding is to be changed over. System control part controls changeover of paper feeding to that from another paper feeding cassette, on notification from paper non-feeding jam determining part. |
| US09459575B2 |
Temperature-based rotational speed control for a developing roller in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a control device configured to predict, before printing a print job, whether or not a temperature of developer carried on a developing roller during the printing of the print job, in which the developing roller is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed, becomes equal to or higher than a first predetermined value by using a temperature detected by a temperature detector, rotate the developing roller at the predetermined rotational speed in a case where the predicted temperature does not become equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, and rotate the developing roller at a low speed lower than the predetermined rotational speed from a start to an end of the printing of the print job in a case where the predicted temperature becomes equal to or higher than the first predetermined value. |
| US09459573B2 |
Fixing device in which temperature of heating roller is detected using non-contact temperature sensor and image forming apparatus including fixing device
A fixing device includes a heating roller, a non-contact temperature sensor, a first air channel, and a second air channel. The non-contact temperature sensor detects a temperature of the heating roller in a non-contact manner. The first air channel is located between the non-contact temperature sensor and the heating roller. The second air channel is located at a side of the non-contact temperature sensor that is farther from the heating roller. An air velocity in the first air channel is greater than an air velocity in the second air channel. |
| US09459570B2 |
Fixing device, heating device, image forming apparatus, and method of manufacturing heating device
A fixing device includes a fixing member that fixes a toner image to a recording medium, a pressure member that forms, together with the fixing member, a pressure portion through which the recording medium carrying the toner image yet to be fixed passes, and a heating member including a heating layer that generates heat when energized and an insulating layer that encloses the heating layer so as to electrically insulate the heating layer. The heating member has a curved shape along an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member, in a state in which no external force is applied, and is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing member. |
| US09459568B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus with deformation resistant supporting structure for supporting thermistor
A fixing device, including a heat roller, a temperature detector member to detect temperature of the heat roller, a supporting member to support the temperature detector member, and a fixer frame to support the heat roller and the supporting member, is provided. The supporting member includes a supporting part to support the temperature detector member, a first part, a second part which is less rigid than the first part, and an attaching part to be attached to an attachable surface of the fixer frame. The attaching part is arranged on one end of the supporting member along the axial direction. The supporting part is arranged in an intermediate position along the axial direction in the supporting member. The first part and the second part are arranged in positions between the attaching part and the supporting part along the axial direction in the supporting member. |
| US09459565B2 |
Image forming system
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a transfer rotator to contact the image bearer to form a transfer nip therebetween; a bias application device to apply, to the transfer rotator, a transfer bias, a cleaning bias to remove toner adhering to the transfer rotator, and a non-image area bias smaller in absolute value than the cleaning bias; and a controller to control the bias application device and set a sheet feeding interval according to a predetermined condition. When the sheet feeding interval exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller causes the bias application device to apply, to the transfer rotator, the non-image area bias for an application time Z and the cleaning bias for a time X−Z within the sheet feeding interval when X represents the sheet feeding interval, and the application time Z is increased as the sheet feeding interval is increased. |
| US09459563B2 |
Spacing device and image forming apparatus
A spacing device includes a spacing member that spaces first and second rotating bodies having first and second shaft portions, respectively, apart from each other. The spacing member is provided on the second shaft portion and includes a supporting portion that supports the first rotating body; and an opening through which the second shaft portion extends and including an idling portion that allows a hook part of the second shaft portion to rotate idle, and a catching portion that catches the hook part. The first and second rotating bodies are spaced apart when the hook part is in the catching portion and the first rotating body is supported by the supporting portion. The first and second rotating bodies are allowed to rotate when the spacing member rotates until the supporting portion is oriented downward in a direction of gravitational force and the hook part moves to the idling portion. |
| US09459562B1 |
Rotating powder drop structure
An improvement rotating powder drop structure includes a toner cartridge, wherein a toner cartridge rear cover is located at a bottom of the toner cartridge, a rear cover sealing gasket is located between the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge rear cover, a driving gear is sleevedly connected to a top of the toner cartridge, a powder exit is provided at an inner side of the driving gear, a powder exit sealing gasket is provided at an inner side of the powder exit, two first powder blocking flakes are respectively symmetrically located at two sides of the powder exit, two second powder blocking flakes are respectively fixed to two first powder blocking flakes, a spring is located within the powder exit, a slide bar is located at a top of the spring, an upper cover is located at the top of the toner cartridge. |
| US09459558B1 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
Provided is a developing device including a container that accommodates a developer, a developer holding member that develops the electrostatic latent image on the image holding member by delivering the developer to a position facing the image holding member, while rotating, a first transport member that extends in a direction of a rotary shaft of the developer holding member, and that transports the developer inside the container in a first direction, and a pushing-back member that pushes back the developer transported in the first direction by the first transport member in a direction opposite to the first direction, and that allows an amount of the developer beyond pushing-back capacity within the developer transported in the first direction, to exit from the container, wherein the container includes a control wall that controls passage of the developer. |
| US09459556B2 |
Powder container, powder supply device, and image forming apparatus including same
A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection. |
| US09459554B1 |
Image formation apparatus
An image formation apparatus includes: an image carrier; an exposure unit; a developer container part; a developer supply unit; a development unit; a remaining amount detector which detects a remaining amount of the developer in the container part; a development voltage application unit which applies a development voltage to the development unit; a supply voltage application unit which applies a supply voltage to the supply unit; and a voltage controller which controls the development voltage and the supply voltage. When the remaining amount of the developer detected by the remaining amount detector is reduced to a predetermined first threshold or less, the voltage controller makes an absolute value of a difference between the development voltage and the supply voltage smaller than that used when the remaining amount of the developer is larger than the first threshold. |
| US09459551B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an exposure device, a detection device, a measurement device that measures a current flowing to the detection device, and a control unit that executes a detection mode in which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member and the measurement device detects a change in the current relative to the electrostatic latent image, wherein, in an adjustment mode, the control unit causes a potential difference between the electrostatic latent image and the detection device to be smaller as a layer thickness of the photosensitive member is more reduced. |
| US09459547B2 |
Capsule toner for developing electrostatic charge image and method of manufacturing the same
A capsule toner for developing an electrostatic charge image includes a plurality of toner particles. Each of the toner particles includes a core and a shell layer disposed over a surface of the core. The cores have a zeta potential at pH 4 of less than 0 V, and the toner particles have a zeta potential at pH 4 of greater than 0 V. The shell layers have a hardness of at least 1 N/m2 and less than 3 N/m2. The shell layers have a thickness of no greater than 20 nm. The toner particles have a roundness of at least 0.965 and less than 0.975. |
| US09459542B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, electrophotographic apparatus, and gallium phthalocyanine crystal
Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the electrophotographic photosensitive member that can output an image having less image defects due to a ghost phenomenon not only under a normal-temperature, normal-humidity environment but also under a low-temperature, low-humidity environment as a particularly severe condition. The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, in which the photosensitive layer includes a gallium phthalocyanine crystal containing a specific amine compound in itself. |
| US09459541B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, lithography apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides a substrate processing apparatus for performing a process of reducing warpage of a substrate, comprising a substrate stage configured to hold the substrate, a pressing member including a portion formed to press a peripheral portion of the substrate against the substrate stage, an obtaining unit configured to obtain information indicating a shift between a center of a region where a pattern is formed on the substrate and a center of the substrate, and a controller configured to control relative positions of the substrate stage and the pressing member based on the information obtained by the obtaining unit, such that the portion of the pressing member presses the peripheral portion of the substrate. |
| US09459537B2 |
System and method to ensure source and image stability
The present invention discloses various system and process embodiments where wafer-metrology and direct measurements of the lithography apparatus characteristics are combined to achieve temporal drift reduction in a lithography apparatus/process using a simulation model. The simulation model may have sub-components. For example, a sub-model may represent a first set of optical conditions, and another sub-model may represent a second set of optical conditions. The first set of optical conditions may be a standard set of illumination conditions, and the second set may be a custom set of illumination conditions. Using the inter-relationship of the sub-models, stability control under custom illumination condition can be achieved faster without wafer metrology. |
| US09459536B1 |
Negative tone developer composition for extreme ultraviolet lithography
A method for lithography patterning includes providing a substrate; forming a material layer over the substrate; exposing a portion of the material layer to a radiation; and removing an unexposed portion of the material layer in a developer, resulting in a patterned material layer. The developer has a Log P value greater than 1.82 and contains an organic solvent. In an embodiment, the organic solvent is an n-butyl acetate derivative that is represented by the formula CH3R5CHR4CHR3CHR2COOCH2R1, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a fluoroalkyl group. |
| US09459535B2 |
Method of forming pattern
A method of forming a pattern including applying a resist composition to a substrate to form a resist film, and then subjecting the resist film to exposure and development, thereby forming a first pattern containing a resist film; forming a SiO2 film on the surface of the first pattern and the substrate; subjecting the SiO2 to etching such that the SiO2 film remains only on a side wall portion of the first pattern; and removing the first pattern, thereby forming a second pattern containing the SiO2 film. The resist composition contains a base component that exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under action of an acid, and an acid generator component that generates acid upon exposure, the base component containing a resin component containing a structural unit having an acid decomposable group which exhibits increased polarity by the action of acid and has no polycyclic group. |
| US09459533B2 |
Polymer composition, photoresist comprising the polymer composition, and coated article comprising the photoresist
A copolymer comprises the polymerized product of a dissolution-rate controlling monomer having the formula (I), an acyclic vinyl ether monomer of the formula (II), and a cyclic vinyl ether monomer of the formula (III): wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, L, X, and Z1 are defined herein. A photoresist composition comprising the copolymer is described, as is an article coated with the photoresist composition, and a method of forming an electronic device using the photoresist composition. |
| US09459525B2 |
Curable composition for nanoimprinting and cured product
Disclosed is a curable composition for nanoimprinting, which includes one or more polymerizable monomers, in which one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers occupy 90 percent by weight or more of the one or more polymerizable monomers, and the one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers give a polymer having a glass transition temperature of 25° C. or higher. The one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers are preferably at least one compound selected from (meth)acrylic ester compounds, styrenic compounds, and vinyl ether compounds. |
| US09459522B2 |
Exposure mask and method of fabricating display panel using the same
An exposure mask for forming a pattern in a photosensitive material includes a mask substrate which is disposed facing the photosensitive material; a body portion on the mask substrate and corresponding to a shape of the pattern at a distance furthest from the exposure mask; and a plurality of branch portions on the mask substrate and each extending outward from an outer edge of the body portion, in a plan view. The pattern comprises a contact hole of a display device. |
| US09459521B2 |
Inflatable projection surface for a transportation means
A supply channel for a means of transportation is provided. The supply channel comprises a fluid line, an inflatable projection element having an opening and a pressure sensor which is configured for determining a pressure difference between an internal pressure in the projection element and an ambient pressure. The inflatable projection element is connected to the fluid line via the opening. The projection element is configured for being transferred from a compressed state to an inflated state by filling it with fluid from the fluid line. The projection element provides a predetermined projection surface in the inflated state. |
| US09459520B2 |
Light source unit and optical engine
Provided is a light source unit that includes: one or more kinds of phosphor; a substrate, on which the one or more kinds of phosphor is applied; a plurality of semiconductor laser elements arrayed at a predetermined interval in a package, wherein each of the semiconductor laser elements emits a laser light beam through a light emission region; and a first optical system that comprises a first lens system, a multiplexing optical member having a light entering surface and a light exiting surface, and a second lens system, wherein the first optical system directs the laser light beams emitted from the respective semiconductor laser elements toward the substrate, the first lens system receives the laser light beams emitted from the respective semiconductor laser elements directly without substantial parallelization of the respective received laser light beams, and condenses the received laser light beams on the light entering surface of the multiplexing optical member, the multiplexing optical member multiplexes the laser light beams condensed by the first lens system, into a multiplexed laser light beam having a spatially-uniform intensity distribution, and the second lens system condenses the multiplexed laser light beam that has exited from the light exiting surface of the multiplexing optical member onto the one or more kinds of phosphor. |
| US09459519B1 |
Large area illumination and projection apparatus
The present invention is directed to lighting systems capable of projecting images. A lighting system with high-lumens, which can be at least 10,000 lumens, is configured to project images onto a large area. The lighting system uses plasma lamp as its light source. The small bulb of the plasma lamp enables projection of images over a large area. The lighting system includes a display module for generating images, which can be received over a communication interface or stored in a storage module. The lighting system may a part of roadway lamps, area lights, architectural lights, and other types of large area lighting. |
| US09459512B2 |
FIPEL backlight panel with pixel color film for displays
A display system, having an emissive body, emitting light in a way that is color temperature controllable. The light emission can be from zones. The emissive body can be a FIPEL type device with a first transparent conductive coating over a light emitting substrate. The zones are each separately controllable for color temperature. |
| US09459505B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes a first insulation substrate, a gate line disposed on the first insulation substrate, a semiconductor layer disposed on the gate line, a data line insulated from and crossing the gate line and including a source electrode and a drain electrode facing the source electrode, a first insulating layer disposed on the source electrode and the drain electrode, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode, a second insulating layer disposed on the pixel electrode, a common electrode disposed on the second insulating layer, and a shielding pattern part disposed on a same layer as the pixel electrode and overlapping the data line. |
| US09459499B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a pixel electrode on the first substrate, a common electrode on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the common electrode includes a first cutout portion, and the pixel electrode includes a first sub-pixel electrode, a second sub-pixel electrode surrounding the first sub-pixel electrode, a second cutout portion adjacent to at least one of edges of the second sub-pixel electrode and disposed along the edges, and a third cutout portion isolating the first sub-pixel electrode from the second sub-pixel electrode, and the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode are located at different heights. |
| US09459497B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having guide patterns provided at a periphery of a substrate
A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates and guide patterns provided at a periphery of one substrate of the pair of substrates. The guide patterns include a first projection, a second projection on the first projection, a pair of third projections provided on each side of the first and second projections, and a pair of fourth projections formed on the pair of third projections respectively. A seal material is provided on the guide patterns and covering at least one of the first projection and the second projection, and a liquid crystal layer is provided in an area partitioned by the pair of substrates and the seal material. |
| US09459495B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a liquid crystal display that includes: a first substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the first substrate; a first electrode connected to the thin film transistor; and a first alignment layer disposed on the first electrode. The first alignment layer is formed by polymerizing a diamine and at least one of cyclobutane dianhydride (CBDA) and a cyclobutane dianhydride (CBDA) derivative. A decomposition efficiency representing a change in imidization ratio included before and after light exposure of the first alignment layer is in a range of 10% to 30%. |
| US09459494B2 |
Liquid crystal aligning agent and liquid crystal display device employing it
To provide a liquid crystal aligning agent useful to obtain a liquid crystal alignment film excellent in liquid crystal alignment properties, alignment controlling power and rubbing resistance, having high voltage retention characteristics and having reduced charge accumulation, and a liquid crystal display device which is less susceptible to display failure, to lowering of contrast or to image persistence.A liquid crystal aligning agent comprising a low resistance polyimide precursor having a volume resistivity of from 1×1010 to 1×1014 Ωcm when formed into a film, and a high alignment polyimide precursor or polyimide having a specific structure, and a liquid crystal display device employing this liquid crystal aligning agent. |
| US09459493B1 |
Plate hanging device and alignment film coating system
The invention provides a plate hanging device and an alignment film coating system. The plate hanging device includes a plate hanging part and a control part, wherein the plate hanging part is used for keeping the part of a transfer plate not coiled on a cylinder at a stretched state in a plate hanging process; the control part is used for controlling the cylinder to rotate to coil the transfer plate on the surface of the cylinder, the plate hanging device further includes a liquid spray part, the liquid spray part is connected with the control part and is controlled by the control part to uniformly spray a chemical reagent onto the surface to be jointed of the transfer plate to increase the friction between the transfer plate and the cylinder, and the surface to be jointed is a surface to be jointed with the cylinder of the transfer plate. |
| US09459484B2 |
Electro-optical module with heat dissipation member and frame for heat release and projection-type display apparatus
In an electro-optical module, a frame does not exist on a side surface of a first substrate on the side where a protrusion portion is positioned or at a position of a second substrate facing a side surface. Between the frame and an electro-optical panel, a heat dissipation member that includes a frame portion is disposed, which faces a surface of the protrusion portion of the first substrate on the second substrate side, a side surface of the second substrate and the side surface of the second transparent plate. In addition, the heat dissipation member includes frame that extend toward between the side surfaces of the second substrate and the frame from both end sides of the frame portion. |
| US09459479B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a substrate; a thin film transistor; a pixel electrode; a common electrode; a liquid crystal layer; and an encapsulation layer. The thin film transistor is disposed on the substrate. The pixel electrode is disposed on the thin film transistor. The common electrode is disposed on the pixel electrode and is separated from the pixel electrode via a microcavity therebetween. The liquid crystal layer fills the microcavity. The encapsulation layer is configured to seal the microcavity, wherein the encapsulation layer has an opening positioned at a portion overlapping the microcavity. |
| US09459477B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a bottom plate, a mold frame coupled to the bottom plate to define a receiving space, a backlight unit which is configured to be accommodated in the receiving space and generate light; a sliding recess which is defined by portions of the mold frame and exposed to the receiving space, an inlet portion which is defined by the mold frame and bottom plate, and exposes the receiving space and a side portion of the backlight unit accommodated in the receiving space; a side mold which covers the side portion of the accommodated backlight unit exposed by the inlet portion; and a display unit which is on an upper end of the mold frame and configured to receive the light to display an image. The backlight unit is accommodated in the receiving space through the inlet portion and along the sliding recess. |
| US09459476B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal panel, a side board, a plastic housing, a front frame and a least one fastening unit. The plastic housing or the front frame is formed with a fastening hole, and a fastening block is provided and embedded into the fastening hole and fixed on the side board. Thus, the plastic housing or the front frame can be tightly installed on the side board. The assembly convenience can be increased, and the engagement relationship between components of the module also can be strengthened, so as to increase the structural strength of the module. |
| US09459471B1 |
Eyeglass with a shield
An eyeglass with a shield including an eyeglass, a shield, and a pair of slots. The shield has a continuous top member and a pair of side members. The top member of the shield is continuously disposed on a top edge of a pair of lenses, and a right side member and a left side member of the pair of side members is continuously disposed on a right edge of a right lens and a left edge of a left lens, respectively. A right slot and a left slot of the pair of slots are disposed within a back edge of the right side member and the left side member of the shield, respectively. A front end of each of a right arm and a left arm of the eyeglass is disposed within the right slot and the left slot, respectively. |
| US09459470B2 |
Vision modification with reflected image
Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user's visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject's near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification. |
| US09459469B2 |
System for contact lens wireless communication
The present invention will provide a vision correction device which makes use of wireless transmissions and/or wireless charging to transfer data between the vision correction device and an external device. More specifically, the present invention will incorporate radio frequency technology onto a contact lens, including passive and active embodiments, and may further include wireless charging capability. This is accomplished by positioning an extremely small RF device onto a contact lens, along with an antenna and/or battery, and using a fluid medium to enhance the signal to and from an external device. |
| US09459468B2 |
Method of making a spectacle lens providing an astigmatic correction and spectacles including said spectacle lens
A method of making a spectacle lens providing at least an astigmatic correction includes measuring a direction of an axis of an astigmatism of an eye for each of three different directions of gaze of the eye. Thereafter, a position of the spectacle lens is determined relative to the eye. A shape of a surface of the spectacle lens is computed based on the determined position of the spectacle lens relative to the eye and the at least three measured directions of the axis of the astigmatism. A primary orientation of the eye is determined based on the three measured directions of the axis of the astigmatism. The shape of the surface of the spectacle lens is calculated based on the determined position of the spectacle lens relative to the eye and by applying Listing's Law based on the determined primary orientation of the eye. |
| US09459453B2 |
Windshield display system
A windshield display system for a vehicle is provided herein and includes a rearview mirror assembly having at least one light source configured to illuminate a location on a windshield. At least one photoluminescent structure is disposed at the location and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the at least one light source. |
| US09459446B2 |
Local seals for encapsulation above and below electro-optical element on a substrate
A display, lighting, window, or signage product incorporates a panel including a collection of distinct electro-optical elements formed over a substrate. The substrate is in the form of a matrix with multiple openings that are filled with respective rigid local encapsulation seals. A second set of rigid local encapsulation seals are adhered over the electro-optical elements, so that each electro-optical element has a local seal below it, and another local seal above it. The electro-optical elements may be light-emissive, light-controlling, and/or light-sensing. |
| US09459445B1 |
Dual gate pixel reset for a display device
Electrowetting elements of a display device include a support plate, a bottom electrode, electrowetting oil and an electrolyte on the bottom electrode. The electrowetting oil is immiscible with the electrolyte, a top electrode is in electrical contact with the electrolyte, and the bottom electrode, the top electrode and the electrolyte form a portion of a circuit. The electrowetting elements each further include a first thin film transistor (TFT) that is switched on to select each of the electrowetting elements using active matrix addressing, and a second TFT that is switched on to provide a reset pulse to the portion of the circuit. The reset pulse can be used to reduce or eliminate backflow of the electrowetting oil. |
| US09459444B2 |
Electrowetting display device with light absorbing partition walls
An electrowetting display device includes a first base substrate, a second base substrate facing the first base substrate, an electrowetting layer that includes a first fluid and an electrically conducting second fluid that are immiscible with each other, black partition walls disposed on the first base substrate to partition a display area into pixel areas, and an electronic device that applies a voltage to the electrowetting layer to control the electrowetting layer. The partition walls restrict a flow of at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid. |
| US09459438B2 |
Optical microscope apparatus
An optical microscope system and method having a birefringent material for decomposing light from a light source into ordinary and extraordinary waves, a first prism for directing the decomposed light sequentially through a specimen and an objective along a light path and a second prism positioned in the light path of the decomposed light, said second prism positioned subsequent the objective and prior to an ocular assembly. |
| US09459437B2 |
Surgical microscope system
A surgical microscope system includes a camera 9 that is turnable around an optical axis K of the camera 9 to optionally select a photographing orientation. The camera 9 is able to pick up an electronic image of an affected part T in an orientation in which a main doctor sees the affected part T, or in an orientation in which an assistant, who is present at a different position from the main doctor, sees the affected part T, or in any other orientation. The electronic image picked up by the camera 9 in a selected orientation is stereoscopically observable with an electronic image display unit 2. |
| US09459435B2 |
Catadioptric projection objective comprising deflection mirrors and projection exposure method
A catadioptric projection objective has a multiplicity of lenses and at least one concave mirror, and also two deflection mirrors in order to separate a partial beam path running from the object field to the concave mirror from the partial beam path running from the concave mirror to the image field. The deflection mirrors are tilted relative to the optical axis of the projection objective about tilting axes running parallel to a first direction (x-direction). The first deflection mirror is arranged in optical proximity to a first field plane and the second deflection mirror is arranged in optical proximity to a second field plane, which is optically conjugate with respect to the first field plane. A displacement device for the synchronous displacement of the deflection mirrors is provided. The deflection mirrors have different local distributions of their reflection properties in first and second reflection regions, respectively. |
| US09459434B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes a first lens group with a diffraction optical element and having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, which are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side. The second lens group and the third lens group are moved in accordance with zooming between a wide angle end and a telephoto end such that the second lens group is positioned to the object-most side at the wide angle end, and the third lens group is positioned to the image-most side at the telephoto end. At least one of the second lens group and the third lens group includes a negative lens satisfying the conditional expressions: 1.50 |
| US09459433B2 |
Zoom lens and zoom lens apparatus using the same
A zoom lens includes in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit. At a telephoto end, with respect to a wide angle end, a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit widens, and a distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit narrows. At the time of zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, a distance between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit changes, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) and (2). 1.1 |
| US09459424B2 |
Methods and systems for distributing fiber optic telecommunications services to local area
A fiber optic drop terminal assembly includes a housing, a spool and a fiber optic distribution cable. The housing has a first exterior surface and an oppositely disposed second exterior surface. A plurality of ruggedized adapters is mounted on the first exterior surface of the housing. The ruggedized adapters include a first port accessible from outside the housing and a second port accessible from inside the housing. The spool is engaged with the second exterior surface and includes a drum portion. The fiber distribution cable is coiled around the drum portion. The distribution cable includes a first end and an oppositely disposed second end. The second end is disposed inside the housing. |
| US09459423B2 |
Fire resistant optical communication cable using ceramic-forming fibers
A fire resistant optical communication cable is provided. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes an extruded cable body including an inner surface defining a passage in the cable body and an outer surface. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes a plurality of elongate optical transmission elements located within the passage of the cable body. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes a layer of intumescent particles embedded in the material of the cable body forming an intumescent layer within the cable body. The cable may include one or more elements having flame resistant coatings that, upon exposure to heat, form a ceramic layer increasing the combustion time of the coated element. |
| US09459421B2 |
Aerial optical fiber cables
Described are cable designs adapted for aerial installations wherein the cable comprises a bundle of multifiber tight buffer encasement units, with a conformal thin skin containment layer surrounding the bundle. The multifiber tight buffer encasement units have an acrylate compliant inner layer that protects the fiber and minimizes stress transfer to the fiber; and a hard, tough acrylate outer layer that provides crush resistance. The thin skin containment layer provides cable integrity with a minimum of added size and weight. The thin skin containment layer encasement is encased in an outer protective jacket. |
| US09459418B2 |
Flip chip optical communication apparatus
An optical communication apparatus includes a PCB, a photoelectric unit for emitting or receiving light carrying optical signals, a calculation and control unit, and a light waveguide for transmitting optical signals. The calculation and control unit controls the photoelectric unit, processes electrical signals, calculates based on the electrical signals, and controls the photoelectric unit to emit or receive light. The light waveguide is positioned on a surface of the PCB. The calculation and control unit includes a lapping plate lapping on the surface of the PCB. The lapping plate defines an opening exposing a portion of the light waveguide. The photoelectrical unit is positioned on the lapping plate covering the opening and is optically aligned with the light waveguide through the opening. |
| US09459416B2 |
Package for housing optical semiconductor element and optical semiconductor device
A package for housing an optical semiconductor element includes a base body having an optical semiconductor element mounting portion on an upper main surface thereof; a frame body joined to the base body so as to surround the mounting portion; and an optical fiber securing member fitted in a through hole which penetrates through the frame body. The frame body is formed by bending a single strip-like plate member at its several positions, and then bonding one end side and an other end side thereof, the through hole being provided so as to be located at a juncture of the one end side and the other end side. |
| US09459410B2 |
Optical device sealing structure and optical device manufacturing method
To provide an optical device sealing structure capable of simply sealing an optical fiber inserting portion. Provided is a structure that seals an optical device including a metallic case having an optical element disposed therein and an optical fiber inserted through a through hole of the case, wherein a Zn-containing surface is formed on a surface of a bare fiber portion that is formed by partly removing a coating of the optical fiber so as to expose a bare fiber, and wherein an Sn-containing sealing material is charged between the Zn-containing surface and an inner wall of the through hole. |
| US09459408B2 |
Cable splicing fixture
An alignment fixture is configured to receive a group of optical fibers with each of the optical fibers having a coating and a bare fiber end. The fixture includes a first end configured to permit insertion of the optical fibers into a body of the fixture and a second end configured to align the bare fiber ends of the optical fibers in a particular arrangement. The fixture includes channels extending from the first end to the second end. An insertion point of each channel is at least twice the diameter of a coating of the one of the optical fibers. An exit point of each channel is narrower than the insertion point and is configured to position the bare fiber end of the optical fiber in the particular arrangement within a desired tolerance relative to other optical fibers. The alignment fixture enables easy splice alignment and protection in the field. |
| US09459407B2 |
Ring combiner
A waveguide comprises an annular cross-section and a first numerical aperture (NA) at one end. The waveguide further comprises either an annular or circular cross-section at the other end, which has a second NA. The waveguide has a progressively-varying NA, which varies from the first NA (at one end) to the second NA (at the other end). |
| US09459406B2 |
Polarization beam splitter and optical device
Provided are a polarization beam splitter and an optical device with high productivity. A polarization beam splitter (PBS) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a demultiplexer (11) that is formed of a rib waveguide (50) and demultiplexes input light into first input light and second input light; a multiplexer (14) that is formed of the rib waveguide (50) and multiplexes the first input light and the second input light that are obtained by demultiplexing the input light by the demultiplexer (11); a first arm waveguide (12) that is formed of a channel waveguide (51) and guides the first input light to the multiplexer (11); and a second arm waveguide (13) that is formed of the channel waveguide (51), generates a phase difference in the first input light propagating through the first arm waveguide, and guides the second input light to the multiplexer (14). |
| US09459404B2 |
Optical router using interconnected photonic crystal elements with specific lattice-hole geometry
An optical routing element may include a planar dielectric photonic crystal which includes a lattice of holes having a first linear defect adjacent a second linear defect, with the two defects being separated by a central row of lattice holes. The first linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a first single mode line defect waveguide, and the second linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a second single mode line defect waveguide. Optical energy may be selectively coupled between the first and second waveguides across the central row of lattice holes. A free-carrier injector may be included to inject free-carriers into the dielectric photonic crystal, activation of which may alter selectivity of the optical coupling between the first and second waveguides. A plurality of optical routing elements with associated free-carrier injectors may be interconnected to form a bi-directional optical routing array. |
| US09459399B2 |
Light-emitting panel with transparent cellular support panel
The present invention relates to alight-emitting panel (1) comprising: a first panel sheet (11), the first panel sheet being optically transparent; a second panel sheet (12); and a cellular support panel (10) sandwiched between the first panel sheet and the second panel sheet. The cellular support panel comprises optically transparent cell walls (13) defining a plurality of tubular channels (14) extending from the first panel sheet towards the second panel sheet. The light-emitting panel (1) further comprises a two-dimensional light-source array (15;16;24;27) comprising a plurality of light-sources (18a-b;19a-b) each being arranged to emit light into at least one of the tubular channels of the cellular support panel. Various embodiments of the present invention provide a cost-efficient light-emitting panel with advantageous light-emission and mechanical properties. |
| US09459388B2 |
Multi-layered optical film and method for producing the same
A multi-layered optical film formed on a plastic substrate, which has high resistance against lights in the ultraviolet region including blue lasers in a high ambient temperature is disclosed. Each layer of the multi-layered optical film is made of an oxide or an oxynitride, layers adjacent to each other are made of materials having different refractive indexes, oxidation-reduction potential of elements constituting oxides or oxynitrides is −0.9 volts or less, thickness of a first layer adjacent to the substrate is 10 nanometers or more, an absolute value of a difference in refractive index between a material of the substrate and a material of the first layer is 0.2 or less, an absolute value of a difference in refractive index between two kinds of materials of layers adjacent to each other is 0.45 or less and total thickness of the multi-layered optical film is 3000 nanometers or less. |
| US09459386B2 |
Multi-layer optical films
Multi-layer optical film (10) comprising optical layers reflecting at least 50 percent of incident UV light over specified wavelength ranges. Embodiments of the multi-layer optical films are useful, for example, as a UV protective covering. |
| US09459381B2 |
Batch fabrication method of three-dimensional photonic microstructures
Provided is a batch fabrication method of three-dimensional photonic microstructures including a support structure fabricating step, a variable structure fabricating step, a thermal reflow step, and a three-dimensional photonic microstructure forming step. The batch fabrication method of three-dimensional photonic microstructures fabricates three-dimensional photonic microstructures having several shapes depending on a demand of a user through these steps. |
| US09459380B2 |
Display
A display includes: a laminated wiring with a conductive film arranged on a foundation layer, and a transparent film and a translucent film arranged on the conductive film; a wiring terminal part arranged at an edge portion of the laminated wiring and having the same laminated structure as that of the laminated wiring; and an insulating film that covers the laminated wiring and the wiring terminal part. |
| US09459378B2 |
Hydrophilic silicone monomers, process for preparation thereof and thin films containing the same
The present invention relates to a fast curing compositions comprising a (meth)acrylamide functionalized hydrophilic silicone monomers having a polyether moiety containing a branched linking group. In one embodiment, such compositions are useful for preparing water-absorbing silicone-hydrogel films for contact lens applications. In one embodiment, the (meth)acrylamide monomers disclosed here have a branched linking group on the polyether moiety which makes it possible to produce hydrophilic polyether modified silicone copolymers without the need to separate various by-products including, but not limited to, unreacted, isomerized polyether and associated high molecular weight by-products. |
| US09459375B2 |
Active manipulation of electromagnetic wave propagation in metamaterials
An apparatus for controlling propagation of an electromagnetic wave includes a metamaterial having an array of cells, each cell containing a metallic structure having a resonant frequency; a plurality of devices integrated in the metamaterial, each of said devices being in electrical communication with a metallic structure in a cell in the array of cells; and a controller for electrically activating each of said plurality of devices to cause said resonant frequency to change, thereby causing at least one of a permeability and permittivity of the metamaterial to change. |
| US09459374B2 |
Derivative imaging for subsurface object detection
A series of scans is generated for a subsurface and a derivative image is created using the series of subsurface images. One or more tests are performed on the derivative image, and a subsurface object is detected based on the one or more tests. A sensor is configured to generate a series of scans for a subsurface and a processor is coupled to the sensor. The processor is configured to execute stored program instructions that cause the processor to generate a series of images of the subsurface using the series of scans, create a derivative image using the series of subsurface images, perform one or more tests on the derivative image, and detect a subsurface object based on the one or more tests. |
| US09459369B2 |
Inductive sensor with demodulator
A transconductor converts voltage on an inductive sensor to a proportional current using two “coupling” capacitors. Responsive to movement of an electrically conductive target from the null position a resonant current is formed between the two sensor coils. A single differential transistor pair switched by periodic drive signals commutes the net alternating current at the single input to direct current. |
| US09459367B2 |
Capacitive sensor driving technique that enables hybrid sensing or equalization
Embodiments described herein include an input device that drives an equalization signal onto an electrode that may be capacitively coupled to a sensor electrode used for capacitive sensing. The equalization signal may include a plurality of pulses that are synchronized to be out of phase with a capacitive sensing signal driven on the sensor electrode. For example, as the capacitive sensing signal transitions from a low voltage to a high voltage, the equalization signal transitions from a high voltage to a low voltage. Doing so increases the voltage difference between the electrodes and increases the slew rate of the capacitive sensing signal. In further embodiments, where the input device includes a display device, the equalization signal may be driven onto display electrodes that are used when updating a display. |
| US09459366B2 |
Autonomous seismic node handling and storage system
Embodiments of systems and methods for storing and handling a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes are presented. The node handling and storage system may be coupled to a node deployment system that deploys and/or retrieves nodes from water from the back deck of a marine vessel. One embodiment of the node handling and storage system includes a plurality of portable containers that may be assembled in a variety of configurations based on the vessel and survey requirements. The containers are coupled to an autonomous or semi-autonomous node conveyor and/or transport system that moves the nodes between and within the containers for node cleaning, downloading, charging, servicing, and storage. The conveyor system may include a plurality of different transport devices and/or systems, such as rotatable conveyors, lateral conveyors, lift mechanisms, and elevators. |
| US09459364B2 |
Buoy based marine seismic survey system and method
A seismic survey system for recording seismic data underwater in the presence of underwater currents. The system includes first plural buoys configured to descend in water at a predetermined depth (H1) and each having a seismic receiver for recording the seismic data; a first vessel configured to launch the first plural buoys along a first line; and a second vessel configured to recover the first plural buoys at a second line, wherein there is a predetermined distance between the first and second lines. The first plural buoys are configured to travel underwater, at substantially the first predetermined depth (H1), from the first line to the second line, due exclusively to the underwater currents. |
| US09459361B2 |
Facilitating operation of a seismic source
A technique facilitates use of a seismic source when deployed in-sea via a vessel. Shock levels acting on the vessel (or other body) due to firing of a seismic source and/or the separation distance of the seismic source from the vessel may be monitored during firing of the seismic source. The data is relayed to a control system which may be used to adjust operation of the seismic source when the shock levels acting on the vessel and/or the separation distance between the vessel and the seismic source cross a predetermined threshold. |
| US09459359B2 |
Land based unit for seismic data acquisition
A self-contained, wireless seismic data acquisition unit having a cylindrically shaped case with smooth side walls along the length of the case. A retaining ring around the circumference is used to secure the cylindrical upper portion of the case to the cylindrical lower portion of the case. Interleaved fingers on the upper portion of the case and the lower portion of the case prevent the upper portion and the lower portion from rotating relative to one another. Ruggedized external electrical contacts are physically decoupled from rigid attachment to the internal electrical components of the unit utilizing electrical pins that “float” relative to the external case and the internal circuit board on which the pins are carried. The seismic sensors in the unit, such as geophones, and the antennae for the unit are located along the major axis of the cylindrically shaped case to improve fidelity and timing functions. |
| US09459353B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing tracking loops for enhanced sensitivity tracking of GNSS signals
The present invention is related to location positioning systems, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for making accuracy improvements to a GPS receiver's navigation calculations. According to a first aspect, the invention includes extreme sensitivity GNSS tracking loops. In embodiments, the tracking loops are self-bandwidth normalizing and the loop bandwidths automatically narrow with reduced CNO. |
| US09459351B2 |
Image system
An image system comprises a light source, an image sensing device, and a computing apparatus. The light source is configured to illuminate an object comprising at least one portion. The image sensing device is configured to generate a picture comprising an image. The image is produced by the object and comprises at least one part corresponding to the at least one portion of the object. The computing apparatus is configured to determine an intensity value representing the at least one part and to determine at least one distance between the at least one portion and the image sensing device using the intensity value and a dimension of the at least one part of the image. |
| US09459350B2 |
Sector-scanning device
A sector-scanning sonar imaging system with at least one sonar imaging element housed within a transducer housing coupled to a self-reciprocating mechanism, and a drive mechanism housed within a waterproof housing. The oscillating motion of the transducer housing produces a highly-detailed, photo like sector scan sonar image of the bottom and other objects surrounding the boat on which it is mounted. The drive mechanism housing may be rigidly attached to either a boat hull or to a trolling motor. The sonar imaging element housing may be removably attached to the drive mechanism, and shielded by an acoustically transparent shroud to protect the elements from damage. The sector-scanning sonar imaging system connects to a control head with display either directly, or through some other communications protocol, such as a wireless protocol. |
| US09459346B2 |
Modal analysis
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying electromagnetic energy in a radio frequency (RF) range to an object in an energy application zone via at least one radiating element. At least one processor may be configured to determine locations of a first region and a second region in the energy application zone. In addition, the processor may be configured to regulate a source in order to apply a first predetermined amount of RF energy to the first region in the energy application zone and a second predetermined amount of RF energy to the second region in the energy application zone. The first predetermined amount of energy may be different from the second predetermined amount of energy. |
| US09459341B2 |
Radar signal processing apparatus, radar signal processing method, and radar signal processing program
A radar signal processing apparatus is disclosed which includes: time-series phase data generating section 3 generating time-series phase data in a range bin of interest based on a range profile indicating, for each range bin, a phase of a reflected wave of a radio wave from a target; phase-rotation-amount time-series data generating section 4 that divides the time-series phase data into segments of a predetermined time length, calculates an amount of phase rotation that occurs in the segments, and generates time-series data on the amount of phase rotation; pattern matching section 6 that performs pattern matching between the generated time-series data on the amount of phase rotation and a template of time-series data on the amount of phase rotation that is defined by a distance and a moving speed; and speed detection section 7 that detects the moving speed of the target based on a result of the pattern matching. |
| US09459333B2 |
Alignment phantom for MR/PET system
A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality. |
| US09459321B2 |
Device for measuring the no-load voltage of a battery
A method for measuring the voltage of a battery of an electronic device by means of a measurement device integrated to the electronic device, wherein, after the connection of the battery to the electronic device, the measurement device prevents battery charge and discharge operations during the measurement. |
| US09459317B2 |
Mixed mode integrated circuit, method of providing a controllable test clock signal to a sub-circuitry of the mixed-mode integrated circuit and method of detecting current paths causing violations of electromagnetic compatibility standards in the mixed mode integrated circuit
A mixed mode integrated circuit, a method of providing a controllable test clock signal to a sub-circuitry of the mixed-mode integrated circuit and a method of detecting current paths causing violations of electromagnetic compatibility standards in the mixed mode integrated circuit are provided. The mixed mode integrated circuit 100 comprises in addition to a clock network 110 an integrated test clock signal generator 140 to generate test clock signals that are provided via controllable multiplexers 150, 160 to an analog and digital sub-circuitry, respectively, of the mixed-mode integrated circuit. The test clock signals are generated on basis of an input test clock signal having a controllable frequency. The clock network generates clock signals for the sub-circuitries that are used by the sub-circuitries under normal operational conditions. The controllable multiplexers provide either the test clock signal to a specific sub-circuitry or a clock signal received from the clock network. |
| US09459316B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing a semiconductor device
The present disclosure provides a method for testing a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a test unit and an electronic circuit that is electrically coupled to the test unit. The method includes performing a multi-dimensional sweeping process. The multi-dimensional sweeping process includes sweeping a plurality of different electrical parameters across their respective ranges. The method includes monitoring a performance of the electronic circuit during the multi-dimensional sweeping process. The monitoring includes identifying optimum values of the different electrical parameters that yield a satisfactory performance of the electronic circuit. The method includes testing the test unit using the optimum values of the different electrical parameters. |
| US09459308B1 |
System for locating a fault in a power distribution system comprising at least one distributed resource having a controllable voltage source converter
The present invention provides a system to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resources comprises a controllable voltage source converter. |
| US09459307B2 |
ICT fixture auto open and eject system
An in-circuit testing auto open and close system, apparatus and method includes an in-circuit tester having an upper panel and a lower panel, wherein the upper and lower panels are used to test electrical connections of one or more electronic units. One or more actuators are each coupled to both the upper panel and the lower panel such that they are able to move the upper and lower panels with respect to each other. As a result, a controller coupled with the in-circuit tester and the actuators is able to cause the actuators to automatically close the panels such that the panels sandwich the electronic units at the beginning of a testing program and to automatically open the panels such that the panels are separated at the end of the testing program. |
| US09459301B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for measuring flicker noise
Apparatuses and methods for measuring flicker noise are disclosed. In one embodiment, a noise measurement system may include a first circuit path configured to drive a first terminal of a device under test (DUT) in the noise measurement system, an amplification circuit configured to amplify an output signal of the DUT, a second circuit path configured to drive a second terminal of the DUT, a third circuit path configured to couple a third terminal of the DUT to a circuit ground, and a decoupling circuit configured to decouple the DUT and the amplification circuit, logic configured to detect output signal characteristics of the DUT, logic configured to adjust input impedance of the amplification circuit based on the output signal characteristics of the DUT, and logic configured to measure a flicker noise of the DUT using the amplification circuit with adjusted input impedance. |
| US09459300B2 |
Internal line replaceable unit high intensity radiated field detector
Various embodiments for detecting a high Intensity radiated field (HIRF) in a line replaceable unit are provided. For example, an internal detector includes at least one antenna attached to a chassis. The at least one antenna is configured and dimensioned to pick up an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field induces a current in the at least one antenna proportional to a magnitude of the electromagnetic field. The internal detector also includes a circuit configured to generate a DC signal based on the induced current in the at least one antenna and a processing section configured to compare the DC signal with a threshold and output a result of the comparison to a built-in test section. The internal detector may be used to test EMI filter pin connectors of a closed line replaceable unit. |
| US09459299B2 |
Method for making a low diffuse scatter, anechoic chamber absorber
An electromagnetic chamber absorber provided improved absorption across a wideband and both lower diffuse and specular scatter and a method for constructing the same. An exemplary device can compromise a periodic arrangement of disconnected electromagnetically lossy elements where the periodicity of the lattice is adjusted to suppress all or most grating lobe scattering. Because the electromagnetically lossy elements are disconnected, scalable manufacturing approaches are enabled. The lossy elements can be easily fabricated via shaping, which includes rolling, folding and cutting resistive and/or magnetic sheet materials. The lossy elements can be repeatably placed in a periodic lattice using low density scaffolding approaches and/or other alignment mechanisms. The absorption at the lower frequency part of the electromagnetic bands (below 1-2 GHz) can be improved via the addition of parallel lossy sheets into the low-density scaffolding. |
| US09459298B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing capacitance value and converting it into digital format
A capacitive sensing system are configured to sense a capacitance value and convert the sensed capacitance value to a digital format. The capacitive sensing system provides good selectivity and immunity to noise and interference, which can be further enhanced by enabling spread spectrum excitation. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensing system utilizes a sinusoidal excitation signal that results in low electromagnetic emissions, limited to narrow frequency band. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensing system is configured to operate in a spread spectrum mode, in which the majority of the excitation signal power is carried in the assigned bandwidth. The excitation frequency and the bandwidth of the spread spectrum excitation signal are programmable in a wide range, which allows for avoiding frequency conflicts in the operating environment. |
| US09459294B2 |
Power flow management method and controller using the same
A power flow management method and a controller are provided. First, sensing voltage signals and sensing current signals between a power supplying module and a multilevel converter module are obtained. Positive sequence voltage signals, positive sequence current, negative voltage signals and negative current signals are generated according to the sensing voltage signals and the sensing current signals. Forward powers are calculated according to the positive sequence voltage signals, positive sequence current, negative voltage signals and negative current signals. DC voltage signals are obtained from the multilevel converter module, and feedback powers are calculated accordingly. A magnitude and a phase of a zero sequence voltage injection signal are determined according to the forward powers and the feedback powers. Accordingly, the generated zero sequence voltage injection signal is used to manage power flow effectively. |
| US09459292B2 |
VCO gain estimation by capacitive measurement
Aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to techniques and apparatus for estimating a gain of a VCO in a PLL. In certain aspects, the technique includes calculating a C-V characteristic of a varactor matched to another varactor in the VCO. The technique also includes estimating the gain of the VCO based on the C-V characteristic of the varactor, a tank inductance of the VCO, and an output frequency of the VCO. Aspects of the present disclosure allow for estimating the gain of the VCO while the PLL remains in operation. |
| US09459282B2 |
Electrical contact member
Provided is an electrical contact member which is capable of maintaining stable conductivity over a long period of time, while achieving low adhesion to a test subject, in particular, an electrical contact member which is capable of maintaining stable electrical contact over a long period of time by suppressing increase in the contact resistance, while achieving low adhesion to a test subject even after repeated contact at high temperatures around 85° C. or after being left in the atmosphere for a long period of time. The present invention relates to an electrical contact member, which repeatedly comes into contact with a test subject, and wherein the surface of the electrical contact member, said surface coming into contact with the test subject, is configured of a carbon coating film that contains Pd. |
| US09459278B2 |
Computer-aided simulation method for atomic-resolution scanning seebeck microscope (SSM) images
A computer-aided simulation method for an atomic-resolution scanning Seebeck microscope (SSM) image is provided. In the computer-aided simulation method, a computer may calculate a local thermoelectric voltage for a position of a voltage probe, to acquire an SSM image corresponding to the position. |
| US09459274B2 |
Round-robin sensing device and method of use
A round-robin sensing device is disclosed. The round-robin sensing device comprises a MEMS device, wherein the MEMS device includes first and second sense electrodes. The round-robin sensing device also comprises a multiplexer coupled to the first and second sense electrodes, at least one sense amplifier coupled to the multiplexer, a demodulator coupled to the at least one sense amplifier, and an integrate and dump circuit coupled to the demodulator. Finally, the round-robin sensing device comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the de-multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer, the at least one sense amplifier and the demodulator provide a continuous time sense path during amplification that is resettable and wherein the integrate and dump circuit and the ADC provide a discrete time processing path. |
| US09459273B2 |
Laboratory product transport element and path arrangement
The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention. |
| US09459270B2 |
In-vitro diagnostic analysis method and system
A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively. |
| US09459266B2 |
Marker for response to antidepressant therapy
The invention relates to the use of ApoA4 as biomarker for predicting whether a patient will respond to antidepressant treatment. The invention further relates to methods and kits for predicting whether a patient will respond to antidepressant treatment using said biomarker. |
| US09459265B2 |
Lipidomic biomarkers for the prediction of cardiovascular outcomes in coronary artery disease patients undergoing statin treatment
The present invention inter alia provides a method, and use thereof, of predicting severe CVD complications such as AMI or CVD death by detecting the lipid concentrations or lipid ratios of a biological sample and comparing it to a control and has identified specific lipid markers that are more specific and sensitive in predicting these CVD complications than currently utilized clinical markers. Also provided are antibodies towards said lipids, and the use thereof for predicting, diagnosing, preventing and/or treating CVD complications. The invention additionally relates to kits comprising lipids and/or an antibody thereto, for use in the prediction and/or diagnosis of CVD complications. |
| US09459264B2 |
Lipidomic biomarkers for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease
The present invention inter alia provides a method, and use thereof, of diagnosing and/or predicting atherosclerosis or CVD by detecting the lipid concentrations or lipid ratios of a biological sample and comparing it to a control and has identified specific lipid markers that are more specific and sensitive in detecting and predicting atherosclerosis and CVD than currently utilized clinical markers. Also provided is an antibody towards said lipids, and the use thereof for predicting, diagnosing, preventing and/or treating atherosclerosis or CVD. The invention additionally relates to kits comprising lipids and/or an antibody thereto, for use in the prediction and/or diagnosis of atherosclerosis or CVD. |
| US09459262B2 |
Systems and methods for determining the percentage of glycated hemoglobin
Described herein are systems and methods for the quantitative analysis of a sample comprising glycated hemoglobin. Also described herein are systems and methods for assaying a sample to quantitatively determine the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the sample, for example, in a blood sample. The methods and systems described herein may be used in a point-of-care device as well as in other in vitro diagnostic devices. |
| US09459258B2 |
Identification and quantification of intact glycopeptides in complex samples
Illustrative embodiments of methods and apparatus for identifying one or more intact glycopeptides in a sample are disclosed. According to one illustrative embodiment, a method may comprise receiving data representing a plurality of mass spectra obtained from mass spectrometry of the sample, scoring data representing each of the plurality of mass spectra against data associated with target glycopeptides, and identifying one or more intact glycopeptides in the sample based at least in part on the scoring of the data representing each of the plurality of mass spectra. |
| US09459251B2 |
Method and devices for rapid diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease
A rapid immunoassay method and apparatus for detecting foot and mouth disease virus are disclosed. The method and test device permit pen-side testing of animals and provide test results within a relatively short time period. In a preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus provide a means for differentiating between FMDV-infected and FMDV-vaccinated animals. |
| US09459250B2 |
Use of T1R3 venus flytrap region polypeptide to screen for taste modulators
The invention relates to compounds that specifically bind a T1R1/T1R3 or T1R2/T1R3 receptor or fragments or sub-units thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric and chimeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions. The use of these cells lines in cell-based assays to identify umami and sweet taste modulatory compounds is also provided, particularly high throughput screening assays that detect receptor activity by use of fluorometric imaging. |
| US09459248B2 |
Immunoassay method for pro-gastrin-releasing peptide
To provide a more convenient and more accurate method of assaying ProGRP by improving the stability of ProGRP which is known to be unstable in a biological sample. By using a blood sample in a condition in which a blood coagulation factor is not activated is used as a sample, the degradation of ProGRP is suppressed, whereby it is possible to store a sample for a long period of time and to improve the accuracy of an assay. |
| US09459247B2 |
Quantitative measurement of nano/micro particle endocytosis with cell mass spectrometry
Methods for detecting the presence of nanoparticles or microparticles by cell mass spectrometry (CMS) are provided. CMS methods are provided for determining the number of nanoparticles or microparticles in each cell. Nanoparticles whose intracellular concentration can be determines by the CMS methods of the invention include polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, viral-based NPs, carbon nanotubes, diamond NPs, polymeric micelles, nanocarriers, liposomes, and viral nanoparticles. Determination of the efficiency of drug delivery and intracellular titer of pathogens according to the invention is disclosed. Methods for determining intracellular uptake of virus particles are provided. |
| US09459243B2 |
Ultrasonic transducers in aspirating smoke detectors for transport time measurement
A method and apparatus of determining gas transport time from an input port to first and second ultrasonic detectors in a flow conduit for an aspirated smoke detector are provided. The method includes first measuring a transit time of ambient air between the detectors. Then, a different gas is injected into the conduit, and the time of injection is stored. The transit time is measured at least intermittently between the two ultrasonic detectors until a change therein is detected. A time of detected change is subtracted from the time of injection to establish a transport time for the aspirated smoke detector. |
| US09459241B2 |
Printable oxygen sensing composition
An ink composition comprising an oxygen sensitive dye capable of fluorescing in a manner proportional to oxygen content; and a polymer matrix for the dye, the polymer matrix having units with pendant sulphonic acid or phosphonic acid groups or salts or esters of such groups, can be used with an appropriate meter to measure the oxygen content of packages in a non-invasive manner. |
| US09459237B2 |
Resonant electromagnetic sensor and inspection system
The present device relates to a sensor capable of detecting changes in the electromagnetic field it generates when in proximity to either conductive or nonconductive materials. This occurs by way of oscillating a transmit coil with an electro motive force at a resonant frequency thus creating an electromagnetic field. The magnetic field passes through a target of either conductive or nonconductive material and is then intercepted by a receive coil which likewise oscillates at a resonant frequency, which when in proximity to the transmit coil and transmit coils resonant frequency produces an enhanced signal by way of the interaction of the respective resonant frequencies and receive coil output. |
| US09459234B2 |
CMOS compatible BioFET
The present disclosure provides a bio-field effect transistor (BioFET) and a method of fabricating a BioFET device. The method includes forming a BioFET using one or more process steps compatible with or typical to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The BioFET device may include a substrate; a gate structure disposed on a first surface of the substrate and an interface layer formed on the second surface of the substrate. The interface layer may allow for a receptor to be placed on the interface layer to detect the presence of a biomolecule or bio-entity. |
| US09459232B2 |
Method and system to determine erroneous measurement signals during a test measurement sequence
Various embodiments that allow a more accurate electrochemical test strip measurement by identifying erroneous output signals during a glucose measurement thereby ensuring a much more accurate glucose test system. |
| US09459230B2 |
Matrix stability compositions, test elements, test systems and methods of use thereof
Reagent matrices and methods are disclosed for improving the stability of test elements with respect to degradation by humidity in the air. The reagent matrices and methods are based upon using an effective amount of a deliquescent material to decrease the sorption of water from the air by other components of a reagent matrix. When the test element is a glucose-specific test strip, and the reagent matrix can include a glucose dehydrogenase enzyme and/or a flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor, a nitrosoaniline mediator, and a film former, where the deliquescent material may include a salt such as sodium chloride in an amount effective to absorb water from the atmosphere at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the other components of the reagent matrix absorb water from the atmosphere. |
| US09459229B2 |
Electrochemical test sensor
The present invention relates to electrochemical sensor strips and methods of determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample or improving the performance of a concentration determination. The electrochemical sensor strips may include at most 8 μg/mm2 of a mediator. The strips, the strip reagent layer, or the methods may provide for the determination of a concentration value having at least one of a stability bias of less than ±10% after storage at 50° C. for 4 weeks when compared to a comparison strip stored at −20° C. for 4 weeks, a hematocrit bias of less than ±10% for whole blood samples including from 20 to 60% hematocrit, and an intercept to slope ratio of at most 20 mg/dL. A method of increasing the performance of a quantitative analyte determination also is provided. |
| US09459220B2 |
Alloyed position determining method, alloyed position determining apparatus, and recording medium
[Object] To determine an alloyed position more precisely even in processes in which induction heating is used in a previous section of alloying, which have been becoming more common in recent years, and a steel sheet is alloyed by being gradually cooled in a heat holding zone.[Solution] An alloyed position determining method includes a step for acquiring information regarding a result of measurement of radiance from each of a plurality of radiation thermometers installed in a vicinity of a heat holding zone in a hot dip galvanizing line of a steel sheet and along a conveying direction of the steel sheet in the heat holding zone, the radiation thermometers measuring radiance of the steel sheet conveyed, a step for estimating steel sheet temperatures at installation positions of the radiation thermometers by use of information regarding a temperature decreasing pattern of the steel sheet, accompanied by a position change in the conveying direction in the heat holding zone, and information regarding the installation positions of the radiation thermometers, a step for calculating emissivity at the installation positions of the radiation thermometers by use of the estimated steel sheet temperatures at the installation positions of the radiation thermometers and the information regarding the result of measurement of radiance, and a step for determining an alloyed position based on the calculated emissivity. |
| US09459214B2 |
Sensor unit array, raman spectroscopic device, and electronic apparatus
A sensor unit array includes a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit. The first sensor unit and the second sensor unit each include a sensor chip and a holding body adapted to hold the sensor chip. A housing chamber is formed by a holding body of the first sensor unit and a holding body of the second sensor unit when the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are disposed adjacent to each other. The sensor chip of one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit is disposed in the housing chamber. |
| US09459206B2 |
System and apparatus for measurement of light scattering from a sample
An apparatus and method for providing a solution that enables technicians or other technical professionals to obtain accurate gloss, haze and DOI values for a reflecting sample due to the surface conditions of the sample. The apparatus and method allow for the generation of a data model of the surface of a sample using a sensor array designed to detect the divergence of a collimated beam of light reflected off the surface of the sample. The same principle enables technical professionals to obtain accurate haze and clarity values for a transparent or translucent sample that is trans-illuminated by light. |
| US09459204B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring the wavefront of an ophthalmic device
This invention provides for a method and a wavefront measuring apparatus used to measure, in one or continuous measurements, one or more ophthalmic devices directly on a forming mandrel, in non-hydrated state and in a much faster way with high spatial resolution. |
| US09459202B2 |
Systems and methods for collision computing for detection and noninvasive measurement of blood glucose and other substances and events
A collision-computing system detects and amplifies the energy associated with a feature signal to determine occurrences or absence of events, such as ultrasonic and/or geophysical events, or to determine presence and/or concentrations of substances such as blood glucose, toxic chemicals, etc., in a noisy, high-clutter environment or sample. To this end, a conditioned feature, obtained by modulating a carrier kernel with a feature signal, is collided with a Zyoton—a waveform that without a collision can travel substantially unperturbed in a propagation medium over a specified distance. The conditioned feature and the Zyoton are particularly constructed to be co-dependent in terms of their respective dispersion velocities and the divergence of a waveform resulting from the collision. The collision operation can transfer at least a portion of the feature energy to the resulting waveform, and the transferred energy can be amplified in successive collisions for detecting/measuring events/substances. |
| US09459198B2 |
Pressing and tearing apparatus and method for peeling rate tests
The present application relates to a pressing and tearing apparatus and method for peeling rate tests, wherein the apparatus comprises a working table configured to place a sample; a press mechanism disposed above the working table, and being capable of synchronously rolling and translating relative to the working table; an input unit configured for inputting a preset pressing force value and a preset tearing force value; a pressure sensor and tension sensor; a controller electrically connected to the input unit, the pressure sensor, and the tension sensor respectively; and a drive mechanism configured to drive the working table to move upward or downward and drive the press mechanism to roll and translate synchronously relative to the working table under the control of the controller. |
| US09459196B2 |
Blood analyzer calibration and assessment
Systems and methods for displaying measured values of a complete blood count (“CBC”) parameter include displaying the measured values of the CBC parameter obtained from a plurality of samples from a first lot of a quality control composition, where the displaying includes displaying a marker corresponding to each measured value from the first lot on a plot that includes a two dimensional coordinate system, and where the two dimensional coordinate system includes a first dimension corresponding to a time at which measured values of the CBC parameter were obtained, and a second dimension corresponding to a numerical value of the CBC parameter. |
| US09459195B2 |
Estimating porosity or permeability in a region of interest
Disclosed herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for estimating porosity or permeability in a region of interest. The method may receive chemical measurements for the region of interest. The chemical measurements may include an amount of silicon, aluminum, potassium and iron in the region of interest. The method may determine an amount of biogenic silica in the region of interest using the chemical measurements. The method may determine grain density of the region of interest based on the amount of biogenic silica. The method may determine the porosity or permeability in the region of interest based on the grain density. |
| US09459194B2 |
Apparatuses, processes, and systems for measuring particle size distribution and concentration
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for analyzing particles from about 0.001 to about 1 μm in diameter by controlling a gaseous medium through which the particles travel so that properties of the particles, such as diameter, electrical mobility, and charge, are measured. One embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses includes a particle source generator, a nozzle, a chamber, an electronic gate, and a detector. Resolution of the measurements made by the disclosed apparatuses is improved by use of a mathematical deconvolution of a spread in arrival times generated by particles of different sizes and charge levels and non-ideal background flow velocity variations. |
| US09459193B2 |
Stent holder having a reduced profile
A stent holder for securely holding a drug eluting stent (DES) during a real-time or an accelerated in-vitro drug release test of a therapeutic substance contained in or on the DES. The holder has a retainer portion and a wire portion separable from the retainer. The holder has a narrowed or reduced profile resulting in less disruptive flow in and around the stent during the accelerated in-vitro drug release test. |
| US09459191B2 |
Method of and apparatus for measuring the molecular weight of a gas
There is provided a meter for measuring the molecular weight of a gas, the meter comprising a housing having an inlet and an interior for receiving said gas to be measured, a sensor assembly comprising a high-frequency planar piezoelectric crystal oscillator located within said housing so that, in use, the piezoelectric crystal oscillator is in contact with said gas, said sensor assembly being arranged: to drive the piezoelectric crystal oscillator such that the piezoelectric crystal oscillator resonates at a single resonant frequency; to measure said single resonant frequency of said piezoelectric crystal oscillator to determine the density of gas; and to determine from the density, determined or pre-determined pressure of the gas and determined or pre-determined temperature of the gas, the molecular weight of the gas. |
| US09459190B2 |
Fuel tank contaminant prediction
A method for predicting a quantity of a contaminant in a fuel tank at the end of a time period, the method comprising the steps of: determining a quantity of the contaminant in the fuel tank at the start of the time period; determining at least one operating condition of the fuel tank during the time period; using information relating to the at least one operating condition of the fuel tank to generate a predicted quantity of the contaminant accumulated in the fuel tank during the time period; and calculating, based upon the quantity of the contaminant at the start of the time period and the predicted quantity of the contaminant accumulated during the time period, a predicted quantity of the contaminant at the end of a time period. |
| US09459188B2 |
Functionalization of a porous membrane with an adsorbed polyacid
The disclosure relates to a process and related article for functionalizing a porous membrane by contacting the membrane with a polyacid polymer at low pH to stably adsorb a polyacid layer on the membrane pore surface. The resulting functionalized membrane is characterized by a high density of free acid groups, resulting in a higher specific capacity for its intended application. The process allows functionalization of porous membranes in a very simple, one-step process. Such functional membranes may find multiple uses, including rapid, selective binding of proteins for their purification or immobilization. |
| US09459182B2 |
Microchip and particle analyzing apparatus
There is provided a microchip including a flow channel, an ejection portion, and a cutout portion. The flow channel is configured to convey a fluid therein. The ejection portion includes an opening directed toward an end face of a substrate layer, and the ejection portion is configured to eject the fluid flowing through the flow channel to outside. The substrate layer is laminated to each other. The cutout portion is formed between the opening of the ejection portion and the end face of the substrate layer. The cutout portion has a larger diameter than that of the opening. |
| US09459181B2 |
Testing system for drive-train
Provided is a testing system which is able to reproduce road surfaces in different states between both right and left tires. A testing system is provided with: a tire speed calculation unit which calculates virtual left and right tire speed values; a vehicle speed calculation unit which calculates a virtual vehicle speed value; a vehicle drive torque calculation unit which calculates left and right vehicle drive torque values; a differential torque calculation unit which calculates left and right differential torque values; and a speed control device which outputs a torque current command signal such that a deviation between a speed command value and a value detected by an encoder is eliminated. The tire speed calculation unit calculates the tire speed value on the basis of the differential torque values and the vehicle drive torque values. |
| US09459180B2 |
Method for testing the operability of a driver assistance system installed in a test vehicle
A method for testing the operability of a driver assistance system installed in a test vehicle and operating based on information supplied by sensors which detect a target vehicle traveling in the environment of the test vehicle, in particular a driver assistance system intervening in the longitudinal or transverse guidance of the motor vehicle, includes outputting control signals via a wireless communication link to at least partially control from the test vehicle the operation of the target vehicle for intentionally performing at least one defined driving maneuver. |
| US09459179B2 |
Method and device for monitoring a drive train of a wind power plant
A method for monitoring a state of a drive train of a wind power plant. The drive train including at least one component which is mechanically connected to a rotating element of the drive train and at least one acceleration sensor connected to the rotating element and located at a distance from a rotational axis of the drive train. The at least one acceleration sensor is configured to rotate about the rotational axis of the drive train at the distance. A signal of the at least one acceleration sensor is sensed in terms of its timing at least one rotational speed of the rotating element and is examined for interference frequencies which correspond to damage in the drive train. |
| US09459176B2 |
Voice controlled vibration data analyzer systems and methods
Embodiments of the present general inventive concept provide a voice controlled vibration data analyzer system, including a vibration sensor to detect vibration data from a machine-under-test, a data acquisition unit to receive the vibration data from the vibration sensor, and a control unit having a user interface to receive manual and audio input from a user, and to communicate information relating to the machine-under-test, the control unit executing commands in response to the manual or audio input to control the data acquisition unit and/or user interface to output an audio or visual message relating to a navigation path of multiple machines to be tested, to collect and process the vibration data, and to receive manual or audio physical observations from the user to characterize collected vibration data. |
| US09459175B2 |
Method and device for inspecting flexible container
A method for testing a flexible container includes arranging the flexible container on a winding core that can be rotated about a winding axis W and forms an internal support. The method continues by winding the flexible container around the winding axis W arranging an external support around the wound container and connecting at least one container opening of the container to a fluid source. The method proceeds by filling the container with a fluid from the fluid source to generate a predetermined positive pressure P1 in the flexible container at a first time T1 and determining whether the container is sufficiently leaktight. |
| US09459174B1 |
Bellows leakage tester and methods for testing bellows
Various aspects of the present invention provide a testing apparatus and methods for testing a bellows of a sputter machine for air leakage. One such testing apparatus is configured to simulate conditions of the sputter machine and thereby test a bellows for air leakage in both a compressed and an uncompressed configuration. Accordingly, a bellows can be ensured to be in satisfactory working condition before it is installed in the gate valve assembly and also tested for air leakage after removal from the gate valve assembly. |
| US09459173B2 |
System and method for three dimensional calibration of force plates
A method for calibrating a force platform includes, providing a force platform and applying an n×m grid on a top surface of the force platform via a computing device. Next, applying p known loads on each of the n×m grid points of the top surface along a Z-axis being perpendicular to the X and Y axes and along the X and Y axes. Next, taking multipoint measurements at each grid point and for each applied known load along the X, Y and Z axes and generating six measured output signals, exact position coordinates and applied known load magnitude for each grid point. Next, assembling an array of n×m×p of six equations with six unknown for each grid point and applied known load and then solving the assembled equations and deriving a position and load specific calibration matrix for each grid point. |
| US09459167B2 |
Crank arm, crankset, and power measuring device for an at least partially human powered vehicle or training device with a crank drive
A power measuring system for an at least partially human powered vehicle or training device with a crank drive, in particular a bicycle, with at least one crank arm of the bicycle being manufactured of fiber-reinforced plastics and the crank arm having a sensor, in particular a strain gage, and with the largest part of the sensor being directly enclosed on all sides by the fiber-reinforced plastics. The force exerted on the respective pedal and from this the torque exerted on the bottom bracket shaft is determined by an electronics unit, which is preferably arranged in a cavity in the bottom bracket shaft, from the signal of sensor. From this, together with the rotational frequency of bottom bracket shaft, which is possibly measured by further sensors or is determined in a calculative way, the power currently generated by the user of the bicycle is determined. The power values can, in particular wirelessly, be sent to a display unit and be displayed thereby in the form of power-related information. The sensors in both crank arms, make it possible to determine the power for the left and the right leg of the cyclist separately. |
| US09459165B2 |
Sensor unit, torque detector, and electric power steering device
A sensor unit includes a collector and a sensor housing. The collector faces a stator guiding a magnetic flux, with a void between the collector and the stator, and collectively attracts the magnetic flux guided by the stator. The sensor housing has a wall covering outside of the collector, and holds the collector. A clearance is formed between an opposite surface of the collector to a surface thereof facing the stator, and the wall of the sensor housing. |
| US09459164B2 |
Optical sensing apparatus including holder for holding first and second optical fibre portions
The present disclosure provides an optical sensing apparatus for measuring a change in a first property. The optical sensing apparatus comprises first and second optical fibre portions and a sensing region for exposing both the first and second optical fibre portions to a change in an applied force. The force is, or is related to, the first property and has a component that is transversal to the optical fibre portions. The apparatus further comprises a holder for holding the first and second optical fibre portions in the sensing region. The first and second optical fibre portions are arranged relative to each other such that the change in the force results in a first change of an optical property of the first optical fibre portion and in a second change of the optical property of the second optical fibre portion and wherein the first change differs from the second change. |
| US09459163B2 |
Ultra-sensitive force sensing based on evanescent light
Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for implementing a fiber optic force sensing transducer. In one aspect, an exemplary fiber optic force sensing transducer device includes an optical fiber coated by at least one layer of a polyelectrolyte material that utilizes the movement of optical structures coupled to the external polyelectrolyte layer in an evanescent field produced by the optical fiber to detect forces imposing on the fiber. In one aspect, an optical sensing device includes an optical waveguide that internally guides light, one or more layers formed outside the optical waveguide within an evanescent field of the guided light in the optical waveguide, and one or more optical structures coupled to the one or more layers in the evanescent field to emit light based on interaction with the evanescent field to indicate a position of an optical structure relative to an external surface of the optical waveguide. |
| US09459162B2 |
Device for measuring mechanical quantity
A device for measuring mechanical quantity is provided which reduces the influence of a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between an object to be measured and a base plate metal body, and precisely measures a mechanical quantity such as deformation quantity or strain quantity caused in the object to be measured. The device includes a semiconductor strain sensor module for measuring deformation quantity of the object to be measured, and the module includes a metal body, and a semiconductor strain sensor mounted on the metal body to detect strain of the metal body. The object to be measured is made of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than that of the metal body. Further, the metal body mounted with the semiconductor strain sensor has a structure configured to be fixed to the object to be measured. |
| US09459160B2 |
Input device sensor configuration
Input device configurations are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors and a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate. The flexible contact layer is configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input of a computing device. The flexible contact layer includes a force concentrator pad that is configured to cause pressure to be channeled through the force concentrator pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input. |
| US09459159B2 |
Heat-flux measuring method, substrate processing system, and heat-flux measuring member
In a heat-flux measuring method for measuring an ion flux of plasma generated in a substrate processing chamber using a heat flux, a heat-flux measuring member is exposed to the plasma and irradiated with a low coherent light. The heat-flux measuring member has a three-layered structure in which a first length and a second length of optical paths of the low-coherent light in the first layer and the third layer are measured using optical interference of reflected lights from the heat-flux measuring member. Current temperatures of the first layer and the third layer are obtained based on the measured first length, the measured second length, and data representing thermal-optical path length relationship. A heat flux flowing through the heat-flux measuring member is calculated based on the obtained temperatures, and a thickness and a thermal conductivity of the second layer. |
| US09459157B2 |
Device for monitoring the temperature of an element
A device for monitoring the temperature surrounding a circuit, including: a charge storage element; a charge evacuation device; and a thermo-mechanical switch connecting the storage element to the evacuation element, the switch being capable of closing without the circuit being electrically powered, when the temperature exceeds a threshold. |
| US09459150B2 |
Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer
A Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer that is free from an effect of interference condition change resulting from an accessory being mounted and has a high measurement accuracy is provided. A Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer according to the present invention is a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer including a common base on which a sample chamber 2 and an interference optical system are mounted, where an accessory 20 can be detachably in the sample chamber, the Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer including: accessory information reading means 22 for reading accessory information provided to the accessory 20 when the accessory 20 is mounted in the sample chamber 2; and setting condition changing means (controller 30) for changing a setting condition for the interference optical system based on the accessory information read by the accessory information reading means 22, the setting condition varying depending on, e.g., a difference in weight between respective accessories 20. |
| US09459144B2 |
Optical spectroscopy device, process of making the same, and method of using the same
An optical spectroscopy device includes a first cladding layer is positioned over a photodetector. An optical core region is over the first cladding layer where the optical core region is configured to receive a light beam. The optical core region includes a first grating having a first pitch where the first pitch is positioned to direct a first wavelength of the light beam to a first portion of the photodetector. The optical core region further includes a second grating having a second pitch where the second grating is positioned to direct a second wavelength of the light beam to a second portion of the photodetector. The first pitch is different from the second pitch, the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength, and the first portion of the photodetector is different from the second portion of the photodetector. Additionally, a second cladding layer is over the optical core region. |
| US09459133B2 |
Hopper and combination weigher using hopper
A hopper in a combination weigher comprises a tubular hopper body having an upper opening and a lower opening and being fed with the objects forming the combination, through the upper opening, and a discharge gate which opens and closes the lower opening of the hopper body; wherein the hopper body includes a tubular body having four or more side walls connected together in an annular shape, the tubular body having a horizontal cross section having convex regions; and wherein the hopper body has a shape in which at a boundary portion between adjacent side walls of all pairs, an angle which is formed between a first virtual plane contacting one of the adjacent side walls and a second virtual plane contacting the other side wall, is equal to or greater than 90 degrees. |
| US09459131B2 |
Filling level sensor with several thermoelements and method for measuring the filling level
The aim is to achieve a particularly robust and reliable embodiment of a filling level sensor with several thermoelements for measuring the filling level of a liquid in a receptacle. This is achieved in that the thermoelements are arranged in parallel with one another and extend from the bottom upwards. The thermoelements are of different heights so that, depending on the filling level, one part of the thermoelements is flooded and another part is not. This can be used to derive information regarding the filling level. |
| US09459128B2 |
Device and method for dispensing or receiving a liquid volume
A device for dispensing or receiving a liquid volume includes a liquid reservoir having an outlet, a pressure generator which provides a compressible enclosed gas volume of a constant amount of substance with a pressure, wherein the gas volume is in direct or indirect fluidic contact with the liquid in the liquid reservoir, a dosing device coupled to the outlet of the liquid reservoir and operable in order to enable the liquid to pass the outlet, a pressure sensor arranged to measure a current pressure in the gas volume and to output an output signal indicating the current pressure in the gas volume and a controller coupled to the pressure generator, the dosing device and the pressure sensor. |
| US09459126B2 |
Flow meter
A flow meter includes a meter section formed from a single stock of material and having a first inner pipe portion, a second inner pipe portion and an orifice plate defined between the first inner pipe portion and the second inner pipe portion, wherein the orifice plate has an orifice with a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the first inner pipe portion. The flow meter further includes a first pipe connecting section connected to a first side of the meter section and having a pipe flange and a second pipe connection section connected to a second side of the meter section and having a second pipe flange. |
| US09459123B1 |
Vibration probe protection bracket apparatus and method of use thereof
The invention comprises a vibration probe protection apparatus and method of use thereof. The sensor protection system dynamically moves the probe away from the shaft in response to radial movement of the shaft and subsequently repositions the sensor probe at a set distance from the rotating shaft. The sensor protection system optionally: (1) positions a protective element closer to the shaft than a tip of the probe, where radial movement of the shaft strikes the protective element and the protective element uses a portion of the resulting striking force to move the probe away from the shaft; (2) resists bounce of the probe upon delivery of force from movement of the shaft to the protective element; and/or (3) provides a return spring force to the probe tip toward the shaft to reposition the probe against a hard stop. |
| US09459119B2 |
Aircraft guidance system having reviewing and video synchronization abilities, and reviewing and video synchronization device of the same
An aircraft guidance system includes a reviewing and video synchronization device connected to a display panel. The display panel receives and displays guidance status of an aircraft. The reviewing and video synchronization device includes an operator panel, a video recording unit and a built-in recording unit. The operator panel includes a display screen and a plurality of keys. The display screen and the display panel synchronizedly display information. The video recording unit records the information displayed on the display screen. The built-in recording unit records the scanning signals and time stamps received by the display panel. |
| US09459118B2 |
Adjusting step count to compensate for arm swing
In some implementations, a mobile device can receive a motion signal from a motion sensor on the mobile device. The mobile device can determine a step count based on the motion signal. The mobile device can transform the motion signal from a time domain signal into a frequency domain signal. The mobile device can determine a dominant peak and harmonic peaks of the motion signal within a pedestrian frequency band. The mobile device can determine that the dominant peak corresponds to an arm swing of a user and adjust the step count to compensate for the arm swing. |
| US09459114B2 |
Vehicle information providing device
A vehicle information providing device provides route information to vehicles. The vehicle information providing device has a history information accumulation unit that sequentially acquires at least one of driving location information, power consumption information and charging location information from vehicle-mounted devices of a plurality of vehicle, and accumulates this as driving history information. A presentation route determination unit extracts driving location information from the history information accumulation unit, searches for a route that has been traveled from a departure point range to a destination point range from among the traveled routes, and determines the searched route as a presentation route. A presentation information determination unit extracts driving history information from the history information accumulation unit and determines one of power consumed while traveling and charging hubs passed when driving along the presentation route. A presentation information provision unit provides information regarding determination results. |
| US09459113B2 |
Visual guidance for vehicle navigation system
A system and method that provide a video-based vehicle navigation system. The system positions an arrow on the video display that shows the specific turning direction for the vehicle for route guidance purposes. To determine the proper position of the guidance arrow, the process determines a distance from the current vehicle position to the location where the vehicle needs to turn using any suitable information, such as GPS position, range measurements and map information. The process then positions the guidance arrow on the ground at the turning location in world coordinates, and projects the guidance arrow onto the image. The camera can be calibrated to the ground using various techniques, such as an online automatic calibration process that uses detected objects in the scene around the vehicle. |
| US09459110B2 |
Adaptive initial estimation and dynamic determination and update of distance until charge of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
An electric vehicle such as a PHEV or a BEV and a method of control includes receiving from a user of the vehicle, at an interface of the vehicle, a distance until charge (DUC) value indicative of the distance from a current position that the vehicle is intended to be driven before the vehicle is recharged. Battery usage of the vehicle is controlled as a function of the DUC value. An initial estimate of the DUC value may be made by obtaining historical distance between charges (DBC) values indicative of the distance the vehicle has been driven between each of one or more pairs of consecutive charges of the vehicle. The estimated DUC value is based on the DBC values. |
| US09459107B2 |
System and method for providing adaptive vehicle settings based on a known route
Systems and methods for adaptively adjusting settings of a vehicle during a known route are described. A method may include storing a driving route, parsing the driving route into a plurality of segments based on at least one of a turn detection, an intersection detection, a change in road conditions, a change in speed of the vehicle, or a predetermined distance traveled. The method may also include assigning to each segment a unique identification code, storing a plurality of values correlating to settings, the settings having values determined during a segment of the driving route, and associating each of the plurality of values to the unique identification code of the segment in which the setting was determined. The method may also include automatically changing each of the plurality of values at the beginning of each segment in which the value was altered. |
| US09459106B2 |
Generating alternative routes
A method of generating routes in an area covered by an electronic map is described. The map comprises a plurality of segments representing navigable segments in the area covered by the electronic map, each segment being associated with jam probability data representative of a likelihood of a jam on the segment. The method involves generating a first route between an origin and a destination in the area, and generating at least one alternative route between the origin and destination using the jam probability data associated with the segments in the area. In embodiments jam and non-jam travel time data is used with the jam probability for a segment to obtain a measure of reliability of the segment under given traffic conditions, which is used to generate the alternate route(s). |
| US09459100B2 |
Stepped sinusoidal drive for vibratory gyroscopes
A gyroscopic sensor includes a vibratory gyroscopic sensor element, first and second drive electrodes positioned proximate to the vibratory gyroscopic sensor element, and a drive circuit operatively connected to the first and second drive electrodes. The drive circuit is configured to generate a stepped sinusoidal waveform having a plurality of steps, each step having a predetermined duration and each step having an output level in a plurality of predetermined output levels for the stepped sinusoidal waveform including at least three positive output levels and at least three negative output levels to generate oscillation of the vibratory gyroscopic sensor element at a predetermined frequency. |
| US09459098B2 |
System for measuring a magnetic field comprising a three-axis sensor for measuring a magnetic field that is able to move together with a carrier that disrupts the measurements, and associated method
The magnetic field measurement system comprises a triaxial main sensor (1) for measuring magnetic field that can move jointly with a carrier element (2) capable of generating at least one additional magnetic field disturbing the measurements of said triaxial main sensor (1), said triaxial sensor (1) being adapted for providing orthonormal measurements for a reference magnetic field in the absence of magnetic disturbances due to said carrier element (2). The system comprises means of adjustment (5, 6, 7, 9, 4a, 4b) of said triaxial main sensor (1) comprising a removable additional sensor for magnetic field measurement, that can move jointly with said carrier element (2), and disposed outside said carrier element (2) away from the additional magnetic field or fields. |
| US09459096B2 |
Method of calibration of a mathematical model of a coordinate measuring machine for the compensation of dynamic errors due to deformation
A method of calibration of a mathematical model for the compensation of errors due to dynamic deformation of a measuring machine equipped with a mobile unit able to move a stylus probe in un measuring volume, wherein the model provides, in response to at least one input quantity correlated with a control signal of said drive means, a plurality of output quantities comprising at least one component of the measurement error introduced by the deformation and at least one quantity detected by a laser sensor and correlated with the deformation. In the calibration step, the mobile unit is subjected to a movement cycle constituted by small-amplitude oscillations of variable frequency, following the law of sinusoidal motion, keeping the tip of the probe blocked; during the movement cycle, the input and output quantities are sampled and supplied to an algorithm for model identification. |
| US09459094B2 |
Color-encoded fringe pattern for three-dimensional shape measurement
This invention discloses using one or more color-encoded fringe patterns for optically, three-dimensionally measuring an object's shape. In one embodiment, a color-encoded fringe pattern comprising a plurality of fringes that are modulated in intensity is configured as follows. An individual fringe selected from the fringes comprises a colored line at a location on the fringe width. The colored line has a line width that is substantially narrower than the fringe width in order that the colored line has a substantially similar intensity over the line width. The individual fringe excluding the colored line has a fringe color that is substantially uniform over the individual fringe. The fringe color is substantially different from the line color. Fringe colors of all the fringes are substantially similar, thereby enabling a major portion of the color-encoded fringe pattern to provide a substantially-uniform illumination color for projection onto the object. |
| US09459092B2 |
Method and system for the automatic optical inspection of a tread profile of at least one wheel of a vehicle
A method for the automatic optical inspection of a tread profile of at least one wheel of a vehicle is provided, the method encompassing the following steps: Irradiating at least one section of the tread profile using radiation from at least one radiation device; detecting the radiation reflected by the tread profile using at least one radiation detection device; processing the reflected radiation using a data processing device; and outputting an analysis result regarding a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional structure of the tread profile, i.e., for suitability for winter weather road conditions. |
| US09459091B2 |
Sensor element for a measuring machine, in particular a coordinate measuring machine
The invention relates to a sensor element for a measuring machine, having a sensing component with a sensing element for optically measuring a surface; a sensing element receiving portion with a plate-shaped base; and a sensor housing with a sensing component receiving portion comprising at least one bearing which contacts the base, which has at least one defined bearing point, and via which the sensing component is connected in a movable manner relative to the sensing component receiving portion. The sensor housing has a coupling on a housing coupling side for connecting to the measuring machine and at least partly surrounds the sensing component at the base, and a force directed in the direction of the sensing element is applied to the base. The sensing component receiving portion lies in the sensor housing opposite the coupling side and has the at a least one bearing. |
| US09459087B2 |
Magnetic position detection system
In a magnetic position detection system designed to detect a target object in a detection space using an array of magnetic sensors, the position of the target object can be determined by fitting a model of the target object's magnetic field to the sensor measurements. A robust determination of whether a target object is present can be obtained by fitting the model to the sensor measurements and determining the remaining differences between the fitted model and the sensor measurements. If the differences are high then the model is not fitting well, suggesting that the target object is not present. If the differences are low, the model is fitting well and the target object can be determined as being present. Measurements made when the target object is determined as not being present can be regarded as background field measurements including any stray fields. These stray fields can then be deducted from subsequent sensor measurements to eliminate the effect of stray fields and allow more accurate determination of the position of the target object. A user indicator may be included to indicate whether stray fields are not present, or present and accurately detected, or whether stray fields are varying. |
| US09459085B2 |
Apparatus for measuring the shape of a material
An apparatus for measuring the shape of a material includes: a width roller configured to roll a width of the material; a plurality of transfer rollers arranged in a rear side of the width roller to transfer the width rolled material; and a measurement unit disposed between the transfer rollers to contact the material moved over the transfer rollers to measure the shape of the material. |
| US09459079B1 |
Lightweight armor with slide region for slidably redirecting projectiles
A lightweight armor for resisting penetration by both fragments and high velocity sharply pointed projectiles. The lightweight armor includes a slide region and a receiving region, with the slide region having a backing material coated with polyurea to slidably redirect projectiles towards the receiving region, which may include high strength thickened projectile stopping materials. |
| US09459078B1 |
Accessory mounting mechanism for firearm
An accessory mounting mechanism with a top portion consisting of a ring and a bottom portion consisting of a clamp is disclosed. The ring accepts an accessory. The ring is coupled to a clamp, which is configured to engage a firearm. The clamp further includes at least two detachable wedges, a cross bar, and a tightening mechanism, which may be either a thumb nut or a throw lever. The cross bar is threaded through both detachable wedges. Tightening by way of the thumb nut or the throw lever applies force against the wedges and the firearm simultaneously, which pushes the accessory upward into the ring and secures the clamp to the firearm. |
| US09459077B2 |
Apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information
The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges. |
| US09459070B2 |
Cam guard apparatus
A cam guard system that employs a cam guard apparatus for use on a compound bow to protect a cam of the compound bow. The cam guard apparatus has a C-shaped, rigid support member with a substantially flat connection portion, a concave extension portion, and a substantially flat resting portion. A means of securing the cam to the compound bow is also provided. The cam guard system employs a draw stop peg on an outside surface of the cam. |
| US09459066B2 |
Compound bows with modified cams
A compound bow comprising a handle portion having a first limb and a second limb extending outwardly therefrom, a wide body cam assembly pivotally coupled to the first limb near an outer end thereof, and a dual wheel assembly pivotally coupled to the second limb near an outer end thereof. The wide body cam assembly comprises a main sheave and a collector sheave located on opposite sides of a cable sheave. The main sheave is spaced apart from the cable sheave by a first distance sufficient to permit arrows to be fired from the bow free from interference by a cable without the use of a cable guard. The dual wheel assembly comprises a feed out sheave and a take in sheave separated by a second distance which is larger than the first distance. The feed out sheave is positioned substantially within a plane defined by the main sheave. |
| US09459064B1 |
Multifunctional and detachable trigger safety device for a firearm
Provided are detachable trigger safety devices for a gun configured to conveniently lock/unlock the trigger. Generally, the trigger safety device comprises a first component, a second component and means for releasably limiting the positions of the second component. The first component is attached to the barrel portion of a gun. The second component is either hingedly attached to the first component or slidably attached to the out surface of the first component. When the second component is hinged to the first component, the second component rotates upward to enclose the trigger. When the second component is slidably attached to the first component, a set of grooves on the inner surface of the second component corresponds to the rails disposed on the out surface of the first component such that the second component is slidable along the length of the first component. |
| US09459063B1 |
Ammunition magazine loading device, system, and method
An ammunition magazine loading device for use with, and in combination with, an ammunition magazine, and a method of using the same. Such a device includes a base portion, a plunger having a first end extending from the base top and a second end terminating at first and second plunger extensions defining a pin slot therebetween, and a pin. At least one magazine side includes a pin aperture, the plunger is configured to abut and move a magazine follower below the pin aperture, and the pin is configured to be concurrently positioned through the pin aperture and the pin slot to statically position the follower in a lower position for rounds to then be added to the magazine. |
| US09459060B2 |
Modular firearm
A firearm having a lower receiver is provided. The receiver is adapted to couple with a plurality of upper receivers having different calibers. The lower receiver comprises a receiver extension having an opening therein. A spring is disposed within the opening. A buffer member is provided having a first portion having an end. The buffer member is coupled to the spring within the opening, wherein the buffer member is movable between a first position where the end is within the opening and a second position wherein the end external to the opening. |
| US09459059B2 |
Mechanisms for firing projectiles and methods of their use
A method of firing projectiles without the use of cartridge cases by electronically controlling the dynamics of internal ballistics created by combustion of Nitrous Oxide and a fuel injected under high pressure at oxygen rich or stoichiometric ratios. The shape of injector nozzles and the combustion chamber as well as a timed sequence of Nitrous Oxide injection, fuel injection and their ignition are used to create correct ballistics. The timing of the injection and ignition sequence is automatically altered dynamically by an electronic control unit that obtains information from sensors and from an operator to tune the combustion for each firing so that the internal ballistic pressure versus time curve is favorable. |
| US09459057B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger for use with a two-phase refrigerant includes an inlet header, an outlet header, and a plurality of refrigerant tubes hydraulically connecting the headers. A distributor tube has a plurality of orifices disposed in the inlet header, the end of the refrigerant tubes opposite the outlet header extends inside the inlet header and abuts a surface of the distributor tube, a portion of an inner surface of the inlet header facing the surface of the distributor tube and the surface of the distributor tube defining a first chamber. A gap separates at least a portion of the distributor tube and the inlet header, the gap extending from at least the orifices to the first chamber, wherein at least one partition having at least one opening formed therethrough spanning the gap, the partition separating the orifices from the first chamber. |
| US09459054B2 |
Heat exchanger for cooling bulk solids
A heat exchanger includes a housing including an inlet for receiving bulk solids, and an outlet for discharging the bulk solids. A plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel heat transfer plate assemblies are disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet for cooling the bulk solids that flow from the inlet, between adjacent heat transfer plate assemblies, to the outlet. Ones of the plurality of heat transfer plate assemblies including a heat transfer plate and a pipe extending along a top end of the heat transfer plate to protect the heat transfer plate. |
| US09459049B2 |
Method for cooling liquid
In a method for cooling liquid, when a liquid containing a volatile component and a surfactant is supplied to an atmosphere having a pressure which is lower than or equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the volatile component so that at least a portion of the volatile component is vaporized, whereby the liquid is cooled, a gas other than the volatile component is introduced into the atmosphere having the pressure so that the gas contacts the liquid. |
| US09459045B2 |
Drying apparatus for drying containers
Drying apparatus (1) for drying containers (1), comprising:a rotating carousel (4);a plurality of drying stations (3) that extend along the circumference on the rotating carousel (4), a plate (5) rotating about its axis of symmetry (A) and at least one air dispenser (8) that sends air towards the container (2) resting on the plate (5) being located in each drying station (3). |
| US09459043B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing carbon monoxide by cryogenic distillation using a distillation column system supplied with a mixture of which the main components are at least hydrogen and carbon monoxide
A method and apparatus for producing carbon monoxide by cryogenic distillation is presented. |
| US09459042B2 |
Method of producing a gasified hydrocarbon stream; method of liquefying a gaseous hydrocarbon stream; and a cyclic process
A first liquefied hydrocarbon stream is provided from a first source and a second liquefied hydrocarbon stream is provided from a second source. The second liquefied hydrocarbon stream has been liquefied by cooling solely against a first cooled nitrogen-based stream. The first and second liquefied hydrocarbon streams are gasified to produce a gasified hydrocarbon stream, thereby cooling a gaseous nitrogen-based stream against the gasifying first and second liquefied hydrocarbon streams to provide a second cooled nitrogen-based stream. |
| US09459041B2 |
Refrigerator
Disclosed is a refrigerator including a main body provided with a storage chamber; a door to respectively open and close the storage chamber; a control unit installed the door to select an operation; a reception part provided in the door to receive the control unit; and an installation hole provided on a side end of the door to cause the control unit to be inserted into the reception part. The control unit is installed through the side end of the door, which is deviated from a user's line of sight. |
| US09459038B1 |
System for defrost termination
A system for controlling a defrost cycle of an evaporator having a sensor module and a control module. The sensor module includes a light source configured to emit light toward the evaporator when activated and to deactivate in response to a lockout signal. The sensor module also includes a light sensor configured to determine an amount of the emitted light reflected by the evaporator and to generate a detected light signal that corresponds to the amount of the emitted light reflected by the evaporator. The control module is configured to receive the detected light signal from the light sensor and to compare the detected light signal to a preset threshold. The control module is also configured to generate a termination signal when the detected light signal is less than the preset threshold and to generate the lockout signal when the detected light signal is greater than the preset threshold. |
| US09459036B2 |
Sample cooling device
A sample cooling device is provided with, inside a sample storage which stores therein a sample rack, a first heat transfer member arranged at a position in contact with the sample rack, a second heat transfer member which cools the inside of the sample storage, and a condensate discharge mechanism which discharges condensate condensing on the second heat transfer member to the outside of the sample storage. An internal space of the sample storage is not sealed due to the existence of a leak path for air formed between the inside and the outside of the sample storage, the leak path including at least the channel. The sample storage includes an outside air introduction unit which forcibly blows the outside air into the internal space so that the pressure inside the sample storage becomes higher than the outside pressure thereof. The position and the direction of an outside air outlet of the outside air introduction unit inside the sample storage are set so that the outside air blown into the sample storage directly heads for the second heat transfer member. |
| US09459027B2 |
Intermittent absorption refrigeration system
The intermittent absorption refrigeration system includes a primary circuit having a generator/absorber, a dephlegmator, a condenser, an evaporator, and solar collectors to provide heat to the generator. The system also includes an ejector-based secondary circuit having a generator/absorber, an ejector, a condenser, a refrigerant storage unit, and solar collectors. Both circuits are aqua-ammonia systems, using ammonia as the refrigerant and water as the absorber liquid. The ejector permits evaporation during the daytime and storage of liquid ammonia refrigerant that is used for cooling in the heat exchanger of the primary circuit condenser and in the primary circuit absorber, thus permitting the primary circuit evaporator to operate at lower temperatures for low temperature freezing applications in the daytime, even at high ambient temperature. |
| US09459026B2 |
Salt coated with nanoparticles
A salt or CaO coated with hydrophobic nanoparticles comprises an inner part and an outer coating, forming a particle with a permeable membrane keeping liquid inside and letting gas pass. Said inner part comprises at least one selected from a salt and CaO and said outer coating comprises hydrophobic nanoparticles. Known machines and processes can get enhanced functionality the particles comprising salt and nanoparticles. For machines working according to matrix and hybrid principles the particles can act as a matrix, thereby substituting expensive matrix material. Further applications include storage of chemical energy. A device is adapted to perform an absorption process, said device comprising at least one particle. Advantages include that corrosion is reduced or even eliminated. The long term stability of absorption machines is increased and migration of salt in liquid and gas phase is avoided. |
| US09459023B1 |
Solar collector system for a hot water tank
A solar energy collector utilizes a darkened fluid contained within an enclosure to affect heat transfer into water flowing through tubing submerged within the fluid. The water is heated and plumbed into a pair of holding tanks which are incorporated into an existing hot water system. The heating and circulation of the heated water is fully automated. |
| US09459022B2 |
Multi-component system for treating enclosed environments
Described herein is a heating system where air is drawn into a system where hot gas is injected into it. The air is then discharged at a regulated temperature into an environment through ductwork to heat environments to elevated temperatures and employing functional modules to further condition the air to humidify, dehumidify, decontaminate with airborne free-radicals, and filtrate in both stationary and portable applications. The system is useful to eradicate pests, disease germs, bacteria, viruses, and mold. The system is also useful in water remediation and comfort heating. The system can be configured to create a parallel path to both heat and dehumidify the airflow blended and discharged at the operator-chosen set-point temperatures. |
| US09459020B2 |
Columnar air moving devices, systems and methods
An air moving system includes an air moving device including a housing member, a rotary fan assembly, and a nozzle, the housing including a plurality of air intake vents. The nozzle is configured to move relative to a longitudinal axis of the air moving device. The air moving system includes a ceiling grid structure. The air moving device is configured to rest within a grid within the ceiling grid structure or within an opening in the ceiling. |
| US09459018B2 |
Systems and methods for energy-efficient control of an energy-consuming system
Systems and methods are provided for efficiently controlling energy-consuming systems, such as heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, an electronic device used to control an HVAC system may encourage a user to select energy-efficient temperature setpoints. Based on the selected temperature setpoints, the electronic device may generate or modify a schedule of temperature setpoints to control the HVAC system. |
| US09459017B2 |
Air temperature adjusting system
An air temperature adjusting system includes a gas-liquid mixing device, a temperature adjusting device, a gas-liquid separating device and a gas-liquid circulating device for driving gas-liquid to move among the gas-liquid mixing device, the temperature adjusting device and the gas-liquid separating device. The gas-liquid mixing device is for absorbing air into liquid to mix the air with the liquid and bringing a mixture of the air and the liquid into the gas-liquid separating device after a temperature of the mixture is adjusted by the temperature adjusting device; and the gas-liquid separating device is for separating the air with the liquid. The gas-liquid mixing device includes at least one T-shaped pipe, wherein a main pipe of each T-shaped pipe is interconnected; a branch pipe of each T-shaped pipe has an opening intercommunicated to the air. |
| US09459016B1 |
After market installable closed loop humidifier system and kit utilizing high efficiency furnace condensate water or city water inlet for humidifying an enclosed space
A retrofit kit and assembly for establishing closed loop water supply to a humidifier associated with a furnace. A reservoir defining housing is adapted to being mounted to an external location of the furnace. A fluid supply communicates to the housing and can include either of a float valve actuated city water inlet line or a water condensate line extending from the furnace. An outlet extends from a location of the housing to the humidifier. A return line extends from the humidifier to a further location of the housing. An overflow drain extends from another location of the housing and communicates any excess volume of water to a floor drain. |
| US09459012B2 |
Thermal energy network system
Provided is a thermal energy network system including: a first thermal station that stores first thermal energy using a first heat source and supplies the first thermal energy to a first demand source used for residence or commerce; and a second thermal station that stores second thermal energy using a second heat source and supplies the second thermal energy to a second demand source used for industry, wherein the first thermal station and the second thermal station manage a base load of a thermal energy network, and the first thermal energy and the second thermal energy are transferred between the first thermal station and the second thermal station as needed. |
| US09459011B2 |
Appliance using colored or fluorescent light guides for appearance of desired color light on user interface
The present invention provides a cooktop appliance with features for correcting the color of light passing through the cooking surface such that the light appears a desired color to a user of the cooktop appliance. More specifically, a colored or fluorescent ink may be applied to, or a colored or fluorescent dye incorporated into, one or more light guides of a user interface assembly such that reflecting off of the interior surface of the light guides and passing through the cooking surface appears a desired color to the user. |
| US09459000B2 |
Thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism including optical element to be cooled by heat transfer of the mechanism
A thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism incorporates an active optical element. Examples of active optical elements include various phosphor materials for emitting light, various electrically driven light emitters and various devices that generate electrical current or an electrical signal in response to light. The thermal conductivity and phase transition between evaporation and condensation, of the thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism, cools the active optical element during operation. At least a portion of the active optical element is exposed to a working fluid within a vapor tight chamber of the heat transfer mechanism. The heat transfer mechanism includes a member that is at least partially optically transmissive to allow passage of light to or from the active optical element and to seal the chamber of the heat transfer mechanism with respect to vapor contained within the chamber. |
| US09458999B2 |
Lighting devices comprising solid state light emitters
A lighting device comprising a trim element, an electrical connector and at least one solid state light emitter, the lighting device weighing less than one kilogram. If current of about 12 watts (or in some cases about 15 watts, or in some cases not more than about 15 watts) is supplied to the electrical connector, the at least one solid state light emitter will illuminate so that the lighting device will emit white light of at least 500 lumens. Also, a lighting device that weighs less than one kilogram and can generate white light of at least 500 lumens using a current of not more than about 15 watts. Also, a lighting device for mounting in a recessed housing, comprising a unitary structure trim element that conducts heat away from at least one solid state light emitter and dissipates at least some of the heat outside of the recessed housing. |
| US09458996B2 |
Illuminated power tools with switch locking arrangement
A power tool includes a working element, a motor, a motor actuator, a housing, a light emitting element, a locking element, and a switch element positioned between the housing and the locking element. The housing supports the motor, the motor actuator, and the light emitting element and movably supports the locking element. The light emitting element illuminates a work area around the working element, and the motor drives the working element when actuated by the motor actuator. The locking element enables operation of the motor actuator when in an unlocked position and prevents operation of the motor actuator when in a locked position. When in the unlocked position, the locking element operates the switch element to activate the light emitting element. |
| US09458993B2 |
Lighting device enabling arbitrary distribution of light
The present invention relates to a lighting device enabling arbitrary distribution of light, which includes: a hollow receptacle having a cover to be opened or closed; a pivot part mounted in a fixing hole provided in the bottom of the receptacle so as to be tilted and pivoted; a light module part connected through an adjustment shaft to the pivot part, the light module part being tilted and pivoted by the pivot part so as to control the distribution of light; and a fixing part for adjusting the pivot part to be fixed or to be tilted and pivoted. The present invention enables a plurality of light modules to be separately adjusted to control the distribution of light, and provides fixing means for fixing the positions of the light modules thus adjusted, so that the distribution of light may be controlled regardless of the installed position of the lighting device, thereby preventing light from penetrating into surrounding buildings. |
| US09458992B2 |
Backlight unit and display apparatus using the same
Disclosed are a backlight unit and a display apparatus using the same. The backlight unit includes first and second reflectors, a light source module, an optical member spaced apart from the second reflector, a first cover to come into contact with the second reflector and optical member, a second cover coupled to the first cover to support the light source module, and a third cover coupled to the first and second covers. The first cover includes a bottom plate, first lateral plates facing each other with respect to a first direction, second lateral plates facing each other in a second direction, a first coupling portion disposed at each first lateral plate and coupled to the second cover, a second coupling portion disposed at each second lateral plate and coupled to the optical member, and a third coupling portion disposed at each second lateral plate and coupled to the third cover. |
| US09458990B2 |
Dermoscopy illumination device with selective polarization and orange light for enhanced viewing of pigmented tissue
An illumination device used in dermoscopy for enhanced imaging and illumination of the skin for medical examination and treatment. An array of LEDs encircle a magnifying lens assembly. One set of surrounding LEDs provides cross-polarized white light to aid in canceling the reflected light from the skin and creating less glare. Another set of surrounding LEDs provides non-polarized white light for traditional immersion fluid dermoscopy or for non-polarized viewing of the skin. A third set of surrounding LEDs provides polarized colored light, wherein the wavelength color is selected at a color wavelength that maximizes the viewing of skin pigment regions which is important for early detection of skin cancers and other skin diseases. In one embodiment, the colored LEDs comprise orange light at a wavelength in the range of 581 nm to 600 nm wavelengths. |
| US09458988B2 |
Color tunable light emitting device
A color/color temperature tunable light emitting device comprises: an excitation source (LED) operable to generate light of a first wavelength range and a wavelength converting component comprising a phosphor material which is operable to convert at least a part of the light into light of a second wavelength range. Light emitted by the device comprises the combined light of the first and second wavelength ranges. The wavelength converting component has a wavelength converting property (phosphor material concentration per unit area) that varies spatially. The color of light generated by the source is tunable by relative movement of the wavelength converting component and excitation source such that the light of the first wavelength range is incident on a different part of the wavelength converting component and the generated light comprises different relative proportions of light of the first and second wavelength ranges. |
| US09458985B2 |
Multi-directional light assembly
Light assemblies comprise a housing having a chamber, one or more light emitting elements connected with the housing, a transparent cover, and one or more reflectors positioned adjacent the light emitting element. The one or more light emitting elements are interposed between the transparent cover and the one or more reflectors, and the one or more light emitting elements and one or more reflectors operate to provide a multi-directional field of illumination that is 180 degrees or more, e.g., between about 180 to 270 degrees. The transparent cover may have a convex outer surface to facilitate light transmission in side oriented directions. The light assembly may include switches or controls for on/off and/or dimming functions. An example light assembly comprises three light emitting elements in the form of LEDs, and includes three reflectors, wherein the LEDs and reflectors are configured to produce the desired field of illumination. |
| US09458966B2 |
Lubrication system automatic shutoff
A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a inlet into the lubricant reservoir, a diaphragm plate, an actuator pin, a refill inlet, a refill outlet, and a shutoff valve. The diaphragm plate is disposed at a topmost location within the lubricant reservoir. The actuator pin is coupled to the diaphragm plate such that filling the lubricant reservoir drives the actuator pin from a first position to a second position. The refill inlet is configured to receive lubricant, and the refill outlet is fluidly connected to the inlet of the lubricant reservoir. The shutoff valve is connected between the refill inlet and the refill outlet, and actuated by the actuator pin so as to fluidly connect the refill inlet and refill outlet when the actuator pin is in the first position, and fluidly isolate the refill inlet from the refill outlet when the actuator pin is in the second position. |
| US09458961B2 |
Equipoise armature
An equipoise armature comprises a parallelogram with a bridge piece positioned at a centroid based on the weight of a supported article and counterweight, to enable pivotal mounting of the armature to the bridge piece. The armature is adapted to carry an article, such as a lamp, a magnifier, a display, etc., for positional movement of the article. |
| US09458959B2 |
Coupling assembly
A coupling assembly includes a mechanical attachment to accommodate various diameter fluid passages and resists rotational forces of attaching and detaching a hose from the hose coupler. The mechanical attachment includes a shank having a shoulder defining a space with a conduit of the hose coupling assembly or with a spacer disposed in the conduit. A threaded coupler includes a projecting portion disposed adjacent to the shoulder. The threaded coupler includes a key, or a recess to mate with a key, to substantially prevent rotation of the threaded coupler with respect to the hose coupler. |
| US09458949B2 |
Loading devices and methods of loading pipe fusion machines
A loading device for lifting an elongated object having an elongate axis includes a frame having a first fulcrum surface and a second fulcrum surface, a first effector arm that pivots about the first fulcrum surface, a second effector arm that pivots about the second fulcrum surface, and an actuator moving the first effector arm and the second effector arm between a retracted position and a deployed position. |
| US09458943B2 |
Diaphragm valve
A diaphragm valve for fluid control includes a valve housing having a valve chamber, into which at least three passageways open. The passageways have associated therewith valve seats provided in the valve housing. Further, the diaphragm valve for fluid control includes a diaphragm having various diaphragm sections that can be pressed against associated valve seats in order to selectively open and close flow connections between passageways. Further, the diaphragm valve for fluid control includes at least two control pistons, which are displaceably accommodated in respectively one cylinder chamber and are respectively coupled with the associated diaphragm section via a pressure transfer unit in order to move the diaphragm section, during the movement of the control piston, into an opening or closing position, wherein the cylinder chambers are located at the same axial height, so that the control pistons can be moved next to each other. |
| US09458936B2 |
Apparatus with polymer permeability path
Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards an apparatus in which a base deck and a base deck cover interface with one another to provide a permeability path. The base deck includes an outer region, and the base deck cover includes a lip that interfaces with the outer region of the base deck to provide the permeability path. The permeability is further defined by at least three interleaved sidewalls of the base deck and base deck cover that define two segments of the permeability path. The permeability path is filled with a polymer material that creates a seal between the base deck and base deck cover. |
| US09458934B2 |
Compression piston ring
A compression piston ring for an internal combustion engine, comprising a sliding surface formed by two ridges, upper and lower flank surfaces, and an inner circumferential surface, wherein the lower ridge runs at least in some regions parallel to the counter sliding surface and the upper ridge is designed as a taper faced Napier element. |
| US09458930B2 |
Shift control device for automatic transmission
Adding a driver's intention and running environments to conditions for cancelling a delay of an upshift after kickdown enables the upshift at a suitable timing depending on a vehicle's running environments and aspects of the driver's operation. A shift control device for automatic transmission calculates an allowance driving force of the vehicle when upshifting at a current vehicle speed and throttle opening, and also calculates a threshold value of a driving force depending on an average value of throttle opening variation, an average value of vehicle speed variation, a cornering judgment of a winding degree of a road on which the vehicle is running and a gradient judgment of a gradient of a road surface on which the vehicle is running. Then, after comparing the threshold value and the allowance driving force, the device permits an upshift when the allowance driving force is larger than the threshold value. |
| US09458929B2 |
Method for operating an automatic transmission
A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes synchronizing a positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, braking the automatic transmission with a first non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission, establishing a position of the positive shifting element, and increasing a pressure of fluid supplied to a second non-positive shifting element of the automatic transmission if the position of the positive shifting element is an intermediate position. |
| US09458928B2 |
Vehicle drive device
A vehicle drive device includes an oil pump, a first one-way clutch, a first transmission path configured to transmit a driving force generated in an engine to the oil pump via the first one-way clutch, a second one-way clutch, a second transmission path configured to transmit a driving force from an output shaft of a transmission portion to the oil pump via the second one-way clutch, and a power transmission interruption device configured to interrupt transmission of the driving force generated in the engine to a drive wheel. A speed ratio between the engine and the oil pump in the first transmission path is set to be smaller than a speed ratio obtained by multiplying the smallest speed ratio of the transmission portion by a speed ratio between the transmission portion and the oil pump in the second transmission path. |
| US09458927B2 |
Hydraulic control device for automatic transmission
A hydraulic control device for an automatic transmission, the hydraulic control device includes: a throttle valve, a primary regulator valve and a failure circuit that includes a first solenoid valve that is switched when the throttle valve is subjected to a failure in which the throttle valve is unable to output the throttle pressure, and that leads a predetermined hydraulic pressure based on switching of the first solenoid valve to the control oil chamber of the primary regulator valve. |
| US09458924B2 |
Electric selector control system and related method
The present invention relates to an electric selector control system (5) for a vehicle having an electric drive motor and a battery. The electric selector control system (5) has a drive selector for selecting a vehicle drive mode. A control unit (1) is configured to receive a connection signal to indicate that the vehicle is connected to a charging station. Also, the electric selector control system (5) has a shield for inhibiting operation of the drive selector when the control unit (1) determines that the vehicle is connected to a charging station. The electric selector control system (5) can be combined with a transmission control module (11). The invention also relates to a method of operating an electric selector control system (5). |
| US09458919B2 |
Method of manufacturing differential device
In a method of manufacturing a differential device, a hub of a ring gear is press-fitted to a flange from a first bearing boss side, then a press-fit portion between the flange and the ring gear is equally divided into a plurality of divided regions arranged along a peripheral direction, and simultaneously the divided regions are welded. Accordingly, the press-fit portion between the flange and the ring gear can be efficiently welded while welding distortion of the ring gear is eliminated or reduced even in a case where work windows of a differential case cut into a side surface of the flange on the first bearing boss side to form recessed portions. |
| US09458918B2 |
Hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, in particular hydrodynamic torque converter
A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, particularly hydrodynamic torque converter, comprises a housing arrangement filled with fluid, an impeller rotatable with the housing arrangement around an axis of rotation (A), a turbine arranged in the housing arrangement, and a torsional vibration damper arrangement with an input area which can be coupled to the housing arrangement by a lockup clutch. The driven hub comprises an inner circumferential toothing for coupling to an outer circumferential toothing of a driven member, such that it is fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The turbine has a turbine hub with an inner circumferential toothing for coupling in a fixed manner with respect to relative rotation to an outer circumferential toothing at the driven hub and/or the outer circumferential toothing of the driven member. |
| US09458910B2 |
Multi-ratio transmission
The transmission with nine forward and one reverse gear includes four planetary gearsets, eight shafts and six shifting elements, the sun gear of gearset (P1) couples shaft (4) which can couple brake (04) to the housing. The input shaft can couple, via clutch (13), shaft (03) which is couples the carrier of gearset (P1) and the ring gear of gearset (P4) and can couple, via brake (03), the housing. The input shaft can couple, via clutch (16), shaft (6) which couples the ring gears of gearsets (P2, P3) and can couple, via clutch (17), shaft (7) which couples the sun gear of gearset (P2) and the ring gear of gearset (P1). Shaft (8) couples the carriers of gearsets (P2, P4). Shaft (5) couples the sun gears of gearsets (P3, P4) and can couple, via brake (05), the housing. The output shaft couples the carrier of gearset (P3). |
| US09458902B2 |
Movable barrier hydraulic braking
A hydraulic brake apparatus, a movable barrier apparatus, a hydraulic brake kit, a method of stopping movement of a movable barrier, and a method installing a hydraulic brake assembly are described herein. A selectively operable piston mechanism converts rotation of a drive shaft of a movable barrier into hydraulic pressure used to operate a brake configured to stop movement of the drive shaft. |
| US09458899B2 |
Actuator arrangement for a motor vehicle drivetrain, with control method for the same
An actuator arrangement for a motor vehicle drivetrain, in particular for a dual-clutch arrangement. A first fluid cylinder is connected via a first fluid connection to a fluid supply device. A second fluid cylinder is connected via a second fluid connection to the fluid supply device. A pressure measuring arrangement has a single pressure sensor which is connected by means of a connecting arrangement to the first fluid connection and to the second fluid connection. |
| US09458897B2 |
Accessory drive with friction clutch
An ON-OFF vehicle accessory for driving vehicle cooling pump or cooling fan. The accessory having a friction clutch assembly with a friction plate member connected to a central rotatable shaft member. A biased armature member is adapted to force a friction plate member with friction linings thereon against a housing or cover which is rotating at input speed. A solenoid assembly is used to overcome the spring bias and pull the armature and friction plate member away from the housing. |
| US09458893B2 |
Clutch apparatus for vehicle
A clutch apparatus for a vehicle includes cancel mechanism having a weight member fitted for sliding movement in a clutch hub. The weight member is configured to slidably move in a radial direction of an output power shaft, and has an engaging portion at an inner end portion thereof along the radial direction. An elastic member biases the weight member toward the inner side along the radial direction of the output power shaft. A locking element is formed on the output power shaft or a locking member fixed to the output power shaft, and is configured to be engaged with the engaging portion from the opposite side to a pressure plate. |
| US09458891B2 |
Contoured disc coupling
A contoured disc coupling includes a plurality of fastening locations, wherein each fastening location has a body portion and an aperture running through the body portion, and a plurality of webs extending between adjacent fastening locations, wherein each web has a contoured shape. |
| US09458887B2 |
Synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing
A synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing 1 includes a synthetic resin-made upper casing 100, a synthetic resin-made lower casing 200, and a synthetic resin-made thrust bearing piece 300 interposed between the upper and lower casings 100 and 200. If it is assumed that the radial length of the thrust bearing piece 300 up to its outer peripheral surface 303 is (r), and the thickness of an upper annular plate portion 102 at its inner peripheral surface is (t), the upper casing 100 has on its upper surface 108 an annular flat surface 109 having a circular outer peripheral edge with R in a range of R=r±t. |
| US09458884B2 |
Bearing surface coating
A coating mixture is presented for use on a bearing surface. The coating mixture includes a Guaiacum resin and a solvent in which the Guaiacum resin is dissolved. The Guaiacum resin may be about 50% or more of the coating mixture. The solvent may be an alcohol, for instance ethanol. |
| US09458881B2 |
Air cycle machine with bearing failure detection
A bearing monitoring system is provided including one or more bearings within a flow passage and a working fluid passing over at least one surface of the bearings. A first thermocouple is located in the flow passage upstream relative to the one or more bearings and configured to measure a first temperature of the working fluid and a second thermocouple is located in the flow passage downstream relative to the one or more bearings and configured to measure a second temperature of the working fluid. The system further includes a control device in communication with the first thermocouple and the second thermocouple, and configured to compute a temperature gradient across the one or more bearings from the first temperature and the second temperature, compare the temperature gradient against a known value, and if the temperature gradient exceeds the known value, the control device is configured to provide an alert. |
| US09458880B2 |
Bearing element for supporting the rotor hub of a wind turbine
The invention relates to a bearing element (7) for supporting the rotor hub (4) of a wind turbine (1), comprising at least one inner ring element (10, 40) and at least one outer ring element (11, 41), wherein a plain bearing is formed between the inner ring element (10, 40) and the outer ring element (11, 41), and wherein the plain bearing is formed by at least two plain bearings (8, 9, 38, 39) arranged at an axial distance (44) from one other. |
| US09458877B2 |
Multi-directional elastomeric dampened ball joint assembly
A method and apparatus for reducing a force. An apparatus comprises a multi-directional joint assembly and a damper associated with the multi-directional joint assembly. The multi-directional joint assembly has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end move relative to each other. The damper is comprised of a number of elastomeric layers and a number of rigid layers interspersed with each other reducing at least one of a force and a moment. |
| US09458875B2 |
Expansion anchor and method for the near-surface anchoring in an anchoring base
The invention relates to an expansion anchor (10) comprising an expansion sleeve (12) which is divided into expansions (18) by means of longitudinal slots (14) arranged in the front section in the direction of placement (16) of the expansion sleeve (12) and also has an inner thread (20) in the rear section in the direction of placement (16). The expansion anchor (10) further comprises an expansion body (22), which preferably has the shape of a cone stump that tapers conically in the direction of placement (18), the conical stump being arranged in the front section in the direction of placement (16) of the expansion sleeve and inside the expansion sleeve (12). |
| US09458874B2 |
Connector system for structural framework
A connector system of a structural frame work for display structures. The system includes a socket device and a plug device that can be coupled to the socket device. The socket device includes an outer housing and a socket member in the socket housing, the socket member having a socket hole of non-circular cross-section disposed in a distance behind a coupling hole that is bordered by a retainer wall of the outer socket housing. The plug device includes a plug body and a coupling sleeve slidably and rotatably fitted onto the plug body that includes an exposed plug end portion axially projecting out of the coupling sleeve to fit into the socket hole of the socket member, the coupling sleeve including at least one radial locking nose projecting outwardly from the free end portion of the coupling sleeve that fits through the coupling hole of the socket housing. |
| US09458872B2 |
Connector devices
A variety of connectors can be used to connect cylindrical or other shaped tubes to one another. The connectors incorporate features that may facilitate connecting the tubes at a wide range of angles to form a variety of multi-dimensional shapes, while obviating the need to use tape or glue. Such features can potentially improve the aesthetics and simplify the assembly of objects produced using the connectors. Further, structures produced using the connectors can be disassembled, facilitating reuse of, for example, the paper-based tubes of exhausted household products. |
| US09458871B2 |
Structure for shaft, male member, and female member
A shaft structure including: a male component having male spline parts and male spline bottom parts on an outer peripheral part; a female component having female spline parts and female spline bottom parts on an inner peripheral part configured to allow the male component to be slidably inserted in an axial direction; and an elastic member arranged on the male component covering a surface of the outer peripheral part of the male component, wherein, in an initial state where the male component is inserted into the female component, the female and male components have first gaps between: sides of the female spline parts; and sides-facing portions of the elastic member, and when the male component is rotated, a time from the initial state to a state where the sides of the female spline parts abut on the portions of the elastic member, has predetermined time differences along the axial direction. |
| US09458870B2 |
Supporting framework node
A supporting framework, comprising a plurality of nodes and one framework component, the framework component, selected from a group, consisting of one diagonal brace, one panel and combinations thereof, one of the nodes, comprising one connector and one bar, each of the connectors comprising a plurality of mating bores, and each of the bars, comprising a first end and a second end, wherein one of the nodes further comprises one holder, comprising a plurality of supporting faces and the corresponding connector, comprising one holder mating bore, and a first end of the holder and a second end, the holder and the bars are located on the supporting faces of the holder, and are in contact with and enclose the proximal portion of a plurality of bars for stabilizing the first end and transferring the load of the framework components to the bars as well as to the connector. |
| US09458867B2 |
System for modular connection
A modular connection system has a plurality of modular units, each having a plurality of loop and edge sections alternating around the perimeter of a body section. The loop sections align with the edge sections so that a loop section of one unit is adjacent to a loop section of another unit. A connection interface is located at a vertex of the modular units and a loop of first one of the plurality of modular units is adapted to align parallel to an edge section of a next modular unit and a loop of each next unit is adapted to align parallel to an edge section of the preceding unit. Elongated connectors pass through the loop sections of the modular units to connect the modular units at the connection interface. |
| US09458866B2 |
Structural element for an aircraft and/or spacecraft and method for producing such a structural element
The present invention provides a structural element for an aircraft and spacecraft, having a core which includes core regions which are uncoupled from one another by means of an expansion joint arranged between the core regions. The present invention further provides a method for producing a structural element for an aircraft or spacecraft, including the following method steps: providing a core of the structural element, which core includes core regions; and arranging an expansion joint between the core regions. The present invention relates still further to an aircraft and/or spacecraft having such a structural element. |
| US09458864B2 |
Hydraulic drive circuit
A hydraulic drive circuit is provided that can achieve high responsiveness, high precision, and high efficiency at a low cost in a hydraulic drive system popularly used in an industrial machine such as a press machine, a construction machine, and the like.A hydraulic drive circuit 1 supplies pressured liquid discharged from a main hydraulic pump P to drive a hydraulic actuator 2, and includes a first valve 4 arranged in a main flow line 3 that circulates pressured liquid discharged from the main hydraulic pump P to the hydraulic actuator 2, a second valve 5 to return the pressured liquid flowing into one liquid chamber of the hydraulic actuator 2 and discharged from the other liquid chamber to a tank T, and a sub-hydraulic pump 7 that is arranged between the main hydraulic pump P and the drive direction control valve 4 and uses the pressured liquid flowing in a branched flow line 6 branched from the main flow line 3 to increase a pressure and a volume of the hydraulic liquid in the main flow line 3 by predetermined quantities, respectively. |
| US09458862B2 |
Filter mounts for a portable fan and methods for mounting a filter to a portable fan
A filter frame is removably attachable to a box fan. The filter frame is adapted for receiving a standard HVAC-style filter for removing contaminants from air flow induced by the fan. In this manner, a cost-effective means for filtering a flow of air is provided for residential and commercial settings. The filter frame is adaptable to a variety of standard box fan types of different styles and dimensions. The frame is configured to accommodate standard filters, such as those readily available from retail hardware stores and home centers. |
| US09458857B2 |
Cooling fan and cooling device with cooling fan
A cooling fan includes a frame and a fan body. A bottom end of the frame forms a pressed portion that borders an air inlet. The pressed portion increases the size of the air inlet allowing more air to flow to better cool an electronic device. |
| US09458856B2 |
Arrangement in which an inner cylindrical casing is connected to a concentric outer cylindrical casing
An arrangement having inner and outer cylindrical casings connected by a cylindrical connector is presented. The connector is disposed between and concentric with the inner and outer casings and is stiff in direction of concentric axis but flexible in direction radially with respect to concentric axis such that relative thermal expansion of inner and outer cylindrical casings in radial direction is permitted simultaneously maintaining relative position of the casings in axial direction. The connector has annular first and second ends secured to inner and outer casings respectively, and a cylindrical main body between first and second ends flexible in radial direction. The main body has cylindrical first and third sections, annular second section. The first section extends axially away from the first end to a radially inner pat of the second section. The third section extends axially from a radially outer part of the second section towards the second end. |
| US09458855B2 |
Compressor tip clearance control and gas turbine engine
A unique compressor includes a rotating compressor blade having a blade tip; a compressor case having a blade track disposed opposite the blade tip; and a tip clearance control system including a fluid impingement structure. This structure has a plurality of openings to impinge a fluid received from a diffuser onto the compressor case. The tip clearance control system is configured to control a clearance between the blade tip and the blade track by impinging the fluid onto the compressor case and modulating the same with a valve in fluid communication with the diffuser. A further form includes a unique gas turbine engine having a compressor with a compressor blade tip, a compressor case disposed opposite the blade tip, and a fluid impingement structure having openings to impinge a fluid onto the case. Also included are other apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for compressor blade tip clearance control. |
| US09458850B2 |
Press-fit bearing housing with non-cylindrical diameter
A scroll compressor that includes a housing and scroll compressor bodies disposed in the housing. A motor is disposed within the housing and operably connected to a drive shaft for driving one of the scroll compressor bodies. The drive shaft is rotationally supported at one end by a crankcase which includes a bearing housing and a bearing. The crankcase includes a plurality of openings or gas passages passing through the crankcase, as well as a plurality of generally cylindrical sections positioned respectively between adjacent openings. The cylindrical sections define contact regions which can engage an inner periphery of the housing when the crankcase is mounted therein. |
| US09458847B2 |
Scroll compressor having biasing system
A compressor may include non-orbiting scroll, an orbiting scroll, and a bearing housing. The non-orbiting scroll may include a recess. The orbiting scroll may be intermeshed with the non-orbiting scroll to from a plurality of compression pockets therebetween. The orbiting scroll may include first and second apertures. The first aperture may communicate with one of the compression pockets. The second aperture may communicate with the recess. The bearing housing may support the orbiting scroll and cooperate with the orbiting scroll to define a chamber therebetween. The chamber may communicate with the first and second apertures. |
| US09458833B2 |
Method for lubricating a gearbox for a wind turbine
A method for lubricating a gearbox of a wind turbine. The gearbox comprises a plurality of gears and shafts supported by bearings of which at least one bearing is a plain bearing. The gearbox furthermore comprises a lubrication system with both a mechanical pump and an electrical pump for feeding the gears and bearings with lubricant, wherein a difference between a volume capacity of the mechanical and electrical pump is a maximum 40%. The method comprises the step of controlling at least one valve, during start-up of the gearbox, and feeding lubricant to the bearings via the electrical pump; feeding lubricant to the bearings and the gears, during normal operation of the gearbox, via the electrical pump and the mechanical pump; and feeding lubricant only the bearings, during the absence of electrical power supply, via the mechanical pump. |
| US09458830B2 |
System and method for improving reactive current response time in a wind turbine
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for improving reactive current response time in a renewable energy power system connected to a power grid. The method includes providing, via a controller of the power system, a permissive logic relating to the power grid. Another step includes determining, via a controller of the renewable energy power system, a reactive current reference command for the renewable energy power system in response to the permissive logic being satisfied. The method also includes generating, via the controller, a reactive current pulse command for the renewable energy power system. Thus, the controller is configured to determine a total reactive current command by combining the reactive current reference command and the reactive current pulse command. Further, the method includes operating the renewable energy power system based on the total reactive current command so as to improve the current response time. |
| US09458829B2 |
Plastic optical fiber for reliable low-cost avionic networks
An airborne wind turbine system including an aerial vehicle having a main wing, an electrically conductive tether having a first end secured to the aerial vehicle and a second end secured to a ground station, a plurality of power generating turbines connected to the main wing, a communication network positioned with the aerial vehicle, including a first flight control computer, and first plastic optical fiber signal transmission lines extending between the first flight control computer and the plurality of power generating turbines. |
| US09458827B2 |
Wind turbine rotor and method of assembly thereof
Wind turbine rotor comprising a hub, a plurality of blades, at least one pitch system for rotating a blade substantially along its longitudinal axis and at least one pitch retention system, wherein a pitch retention system comprises a cam profile and a cam follower, and one of the hub and a blade comprises said cam profile and the other of the hub and blade comprises said cam follower, and wherein the cam follower comprises a pushing member and a contact member, wherein the pushing member is arranged to push the contact member towards the cam profile, and the cam profile comprises a local depression, and wherein the cam follower and cam profile are arranged such that when the blade is in a pitch position at or below nominal wind speed, the contact member can be retained in said local depression. |
| US09458825B2 |
Actuation mechanisms for load management devices on aerodynamic blades
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for actuating one or more load management devices on a wind turbine and/or a wind turbine blade. Each actuator may exhibit one or more beneficial qualities including appropriate actuation speed/force characteristics, size and/or weight characteristics, and/or increased reliability and consistent operation in a variety of operating conditions. According to some aspects, the actuator may be a direct pneumatic actuator, a ramp slide pneumatic actuator, a scissor actuator, a linear induction actuator, a belt actuator, a closed cam follower actuator, a screw drive actuator, a solenoid actuator, a rack and pinion actuator, a cylindrical cam follower actuator, a Y-belt actuator, an offset rotary drive actuator, a tape style actuator, a rigid tape actuator, a deformable membrane actuator, a memory alloy actuator, and/or a crank slide actuator. |
| US09458824B2 |
Method for controlling a wind turbine
One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine, having the steps of detecting an internal fault signal which is generated in the first wind turbine and which indicates a disruption of the first wind turbine; receiving at least one external fault signal which is generated outside of the first wind turbine and which indicates a disruption of another wind turbine; and evaluating the internal fault signal dependent on the at least one external fault signal. |
| US09458819B2 |
Wave energy converter
A wave energy converter located on the seabed extracts the potential energy in a wave transiting over the wave energy converter. The converter includes a vessel arranged so that its longitudinal axis is located near seabed so that an upstream opening near one end sits below the crest of the wave when and a downstream opening near the other end sits below the trough of the wave. Repetitive waves flowing over the converter cause a cyclic difference in the weight of the water above the openings. This cyclic weight differential in turn creates a horizontal cyclic force acting on the piston, which in turn acts on a hydraulic cylinder to create a high-pressure hydraulic fluid. A vertical embodiment operating on similar principles is also disclosed. |
| US09458817B2 |
Glow plug control method of diesel hybrid electric vehicle
A glow plug control method of a diesel hybrid vehicle includes: determining an operation time of a glow plug based on a coolant temperature while the vehicle runs in an electric vehicle mode with an electric motor; determining whether the inside of an engine cylinder needs to be preheated based on the coolant temperature; comparing a driver-required power with a standard start power for determining whether to start a diesel engine; determining a glow plug operation time and a standard glow operation power, when the driver-required power is under the standard start power; operating the glow plug in advance, when the standard glow operation power is less than the driver-required power; and starting the diesel engine, when the driver-required power is higher than the standard start power. |
| US09458816B2 |
Internal combustion engine ignition apparatus
A resonance inductor is connected with a charging path through which an ignition condenser is charged; a first switching device controls charging of the ignition condenser; discharging of the ignition condenser is controlled by a second switching device whose collector terminal is connected with the other end of the primary coil of an ignition coil unit and whose emitter terminal is connected with the negative-polarity terminal of the ignition condenser; a clamp diode is connected between the one end of the primary coil and the collector terminal of the second switching device. |
| US09458814B2 |
Remote start control system for a vehicle with a bus controllable brake and associated methods
A remote start control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, an engine, at least one vehicle brake being selectively operable based upon a parking brake command on the data communications bus, and a vehicle climate control system operable based upon a climate control command on data communications bus. The remote start control system may include a remote start transmitter to generate a remote start signal, and a vehicle remote start controller at the vehicle that may include a receiver to receive the remote start signal, and at least one processor cooperating with the receiver. The at least one processor, in response to the remote start signal, may generate the parking brake command on the data communications bus, generate the climate control command on the data communications bus, and start the engine. |
| US09458805B2 |
Method and apparatus for pumping fuel to a fuel injection system
A method and apparatus pump fuel to a fuel injection system in an internal combustion engine. The method comprises steps of pumping a liquid fuel to a first pressure, using the liquid fuel at the first pressure as a hydraulic fluid for driving a gaseous fuel pump, and pumping a gaseous fuel to a second pressure with the gaseous fuel pump. |
| US09458802B2 |
Methods and systems for purging vehicle fuel vapors
Systems and methods for improving fuel vapor purging for a vehicle are presented. In one example, a fuel vapor storage canister vent valve is housed in a fuel vapor storage canister for the purposes of heating contents of the fuel vapor storage canister and venting the fuel vapor storage canister to atmosphere. |
| US09458801B2 |
Fuel system leak check based on fuel reid vapor pressure
A method for an evaporative emissions leak test, comprising: adjusting a pressure threshold based on a fuel volatility of a fuel contained in a fuel tank; and performing the evaporative emissions leak test based on the adjusted pressure threshold. By determining fuel volatility and adjusting a pressure threshold based on the fuel volatility, a more robust and accurate evaporative emissions leak test may be employed without adding additional components to a fuel system. |
| US09458798B2 |
Method and device for injecting a gaseous medium
A method for injecting a gaseous medium, in particular a gaseous fuel, into an intake tract (1) of a gas engine or diesel-gas engine using an electromagnetically actuable gas valve (2). In order to increase the flow speed, the gaseous medium is injected into the intake tract (1) via at least two throttling points (3, 4) positioned in series. |
| US09458793B2 |
Thrust reverser for an aircraft jet engine
An assembly includes a suspension pylon and a thrust reverser which has vanes for deflecting flow and a cowl able to move between an open position and a closed position by an actuator. The thrust reverser further includes rails able to slide in slideways. In particular, the actuator is disposed in line with a corresponding rail. The actuator may be an actuator having a rotating nut connected to an endless screw or an actuator suitable for pulling on the corresponding rail or on the corresponding slideway. |
| US09458790B2 |
Method of recuperating energy from a motor vehicle
A system and method for recuperating energy from a motor vehicle is described in which during an engine overrun period kinetic energy from the slowing motor vehicle is used to drive a high pressure fuel pump at a high demand level so as to store fuel at high pressure in a fuel accumulator for later use by an engine of the motor vehicle. |
| US09458778B2 |
Cylinder activation and deactivation control systems and methods
A ranking module determines N ranking values for N predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation sequences of an engine, respectively. N is an integer greater than or equal to two. A cylinder control module, based on the N ranking values, selects one of the N predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation sequences as a desired cylinder activation/deactivation sequence for cylinders of the engine. The cylinder control module also: activates opening of intake and exhaust valves of first ones of the cylinders that are to be activated based on the desired cylinder activation/deactivation sequence; and deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of second ones of the cylinders that are to be deactivated based on the desired cylinder activation/deactivation sequence. A fuel control module provides fuel to the first ones of the cylinders and disables fueling to the second ones of the cylinders. |
| US09458777B2 |
Method for setting sensor output
A valve is configured to control an opening in a passage. A valve angle sensor is configured to send an electric signal according to a rotation angle of the valve. In a storing process, an actual measurement value of a valve angle at a mechanical full open position is stored as an actual full open valve angle. In a first setting process, a first output value at a mechanical full close position is set. In a second setting process, a second output value at the stored actual full open valve angle is set. The output characteristic is set as an angle to output value relation according to the first output value and the second output value. |
| US09458776B2 |
Abnormality diagnosis device and an abnormality diagnosis method for a variable valve mechanism
Abnormality diagnosis device for a variable valve mechanism configured to open an exhaust valve even during an intake stroke and capable of selecting a first mode wherein the exhaust valve only opens during an exhaust stroke, or a second mode wherein the exhaust valve opens during both an exhaust stroke and an intake stroke. The abnormality diagnosis by the device determines the mechanism is abnormal when a difference between an exhaust gas returning amount calculated to recirculate from an exhaust passage into a cylinder in the second mode based on intake air amounts in the first and second modes, and an exhaust gas returning amount estimated to recirculate from an exhaust passage in the second mode based on an exhaust gas pressure, exceeds a diagnosis threshold value. The higher an exhaust gas pressure is, the larger an exhaust gas returning amount is estimated to be. |
| US09458775B2 |
Control apparatus of internal-combustion engine
The control apparatus includes a transient-state ignition-timing correction unit in which, in order to set a change in ignition timing made coincident with a change in an internal EGR temperature and also made coincident with the strength of the transient when the transient operating state occurs, an ignition-timing correction-coefficient during the transient operating state and after the transient operating state is calculated in accordance with an internal EGR temperature discrepancy-degree derived from the internal EGR temperature and a steady-state exhaust-gas temperature, and with transient strength derived from a magnitude of change in the operating state and an elapse time since the transient operating state has started, and the ignition timing is corrected by a transient-state ignition-timing correction-coefficient. |
| US09458771B2 |
Multi-engine performance margin synchronization adaptive control system and method
A system and method of adaptively synchronizing the performance margin of a multi-engine system includes continuously, and in real-time, determining the performance margin of a first engine and the performance margin of the second engine. A difference between the performance margins of the first and second engines is calculated, and the first and second engines are controlled to attain a predetermined difference between the performance margins of the first and second engines. |
| US09458766B2 |
Blind installation pin for a gas turbine engine mount
A blind installation pin assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a pin that defines a bore. A paddle mounted to an end of the pin to pivot about a paddle axis between an install position and a lock position. A T-bolt that passes through the bore, a crosspiece of the T-bolt selectively engageable with the paddle. |
| US09458765B2 |
Intake air cooling system
An intake air cooling system 100 for a gas turbine 18 is provided with: an intake duct 12 for leading intake air from an intake-air inlet 22 to a compressor 14 of the gas turbine, the intake duct having a vertical duct 12c and a manifold part 12d disposed on a downstream side of the vertical duct; a cooling part 26 provided in the intake duct to cool the intake air by heat exchange with a cooling medium which is introduced from an outside; a filter part 42 provided on an inlet side of the manifold part to remove impurities contained in the intake air introduced through the vertical duct; and a drain catcher 110 constituted by a gutter member provided immediately above the filter part along inner wall surfaces 12c1, 12c2 of the vertical duct, the drain catcher being configured to collect drain water flowing along the inner wall surfaces of the vertical duct. |
| US09458764B2 |
Air cooled air cooler for gas turbine engine air system
An air-to-air cooler has a heat exchanger integrated to a housing. A first passage extends through the housing for directing a flow of cooling air through the heat exchanger. A second passage extends through the housing for directing a flow of hot air to be cooled through the heat exchanger. The first passage has a cooling air outlet tube disposed downstream of the heat exchanger. The cooling air outlet tube extends across the second passage between the heat exchanger and a hot air inlet of the second passage. The hot air inlet is disposed to cause incoming hot air to flow over the cooling air outlet tube upstream of the heat exchanger. An ejector drives the flow of cooling air through the first passage of the air-to-air cooler. A portion of the hot air flow may be used to drive the ejector. |
| US09458762B2 |
Method and device for generating electrical energy
The method and the apparatus described are used for generating electrical energy in a combined system comprising a power plant and a low-temperature air separation unit. A feed air stream is compressed in a main air compressor, cooled, and introduced into a distillation column system having a high-pressure column and a low-pressure column. A first oxygen-enriched stream from the distillation column system is introduced into the power plant. In a first operating mode, cryogenic liquid from the distillation column system is introduced into a liquid tank and is stored there at least in part. In a second operating mode, stored cryogenic liquid is removed from the liquid tank and introduced into the distillation column system. A second process fluid from the distillation column system is heated and then actively depressurized in a hot expansion turbine. In addition, in the second operating mode, a nitrogen-enriched product stream from the high-pressure column is also heated to a high temperature and then depressurized in the hot expansion turbine. |
| US09458758B2 |
Cooling fan control device
A cooling fan control unit, in response to an operation performed at the rotation direction selector switch to select a reverse rotation setting while the cooling fan is rotating forward, lowers a relief pressure setting at the variable relief valve to a predetermined lower limit value over a predetermined length of time, and once the discharge pressure at the hydraulic pump detected by the pressure sensor is lowered to a predetermined switch-over pressure, executes control so as to switch the direction of flow of pressure oil to the hydraulic motor to the reverse direction by switching the direction switching valve and raises the relief pressure setting at the variable relief valve to a reverse rotation pressure setting, at which the hydraulic motor rotates in the reverse direction, over a predetermined length of time. |
| US09458757B2 |
Motor vehicle coolant pump
A motor vehicle coolant pump for supplying coolant to an engine includes a two-part pump housing comprising a pump rotor housing part and a body housing part. The pump rotor housing part comprises a first mounting flange, and the body housing part comprises a second mounting flange which together fix the housing parts with respect to each other and allow a mounting of the housing parts on each other in every rotary position. A pump rotor is arranged in the pump rotor housing part. An axial coolant inlet and a tangential coolant outlet are provided on the pump rotor housing part. A rotary fixation comprises a recess at the pump rotor housing part and a nose which engages in the recess. The rotary fixation allows the pump rotor housing part and the body housing part to be mounted with respect to each other in only one single rotational angle. |
| US09458754B2 |
Apparatus, method, and system for diagnosing reductant delivery performance
An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine may have a reductant delivery system with a controller that performs period diagnostics to determine whether there is a blockage in the reductant delivery system. The diagnostic procedure may include sampling first and second pressures at first and second operating conditions, respectively, and then comparing the first pressure differential between the first and second pressures with one or more threshold pressure differentials to determine whether system components such as a dosing line and an injector are at least partially blocked. If such a test is not conclusive, it may be repeated at a third and fourth operating conditions to provide a second pressure differential. The offset between the first and second pressure differentials may also be used to help diagnose where a blockage in the system resides. |
| US09458753B2 |
Diesel engine with reduced particulate material accumulation and related method
The present invention provides a diesel engine capable of preventing a PM accumulation amount from increasing excessively. If DOC inlet exhaust gas temperature (“IEGT”) does not reach a predetermined value T0, a control unit carries out air intake amount feedback control (“AIAFC”), and a target value of intake throttling is set to a predetermined air intake amount. If the DPF regenerating processing is not started even if elapsed time reaches a predetermined value t after AIAFC is started in a state where the DOC IEGT does not reach the predetermined value T0, the control unit changes AIAFC to exhaust gas temperature feedback control (“EGTFC”). In EGTFC, the control unit changes a target value of intake throttling to a predetermined DOC IEGT T0. If application of a load exceeding a predetermined amount is detected before the DOC IEGT reaches the predetermined value T0, the control unit returns EGTFC to AIAFC. |
| US09458751B2 |
Exhaust heat recovery control device
An exhaust heat recovery control device includes a recovered heat adjusting unit configured to adjust an amount of heat recovered of exhaust gas by an exhaust heat recoverer recovering heat of exhaust gas and a control unit configured to control the recovered heat adjusting unit so as to prevent or suppress freezing in an exhaust pipe based on a traveling history of a vehicle on which the exhaust heat recovery control device is mounted when the freezing in the exhaust pipe is predicted. |
| US09458750B2 |
Integrated exhaust treatment device having compact configuration
An exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The exhaust treatment device has a compact configuration that includes integrated reactant dosing, reactant mixing and contaminant removal/treatment. The mixing can be achieved at least in part by a swirl structure and contaminant removal can include NOx reduction. |
| US09458747B2 |
Electrically heated catalytic converter
The present invention provides a highly durable, electrically heated catalytic converter having a relatively simple structure while its inner tube is curved toward the central axis, wherein an insulation layer formed on the inner tube is less susceptible to cracking and peeling even when the inner tube is subjected to temperature changes or temperature gradients. An electrically heated catalytic converter for purifying exhaust gas includes a catalyst carrier supporting a catalyst and configured to generate heat by energization; a case for accommodating the catalyst carrier; and an electrical insulation mat interposed between the catalyst carrier and the case, wherein the case includes an outer tube disposed at the outermost side and an inner tube disposed inside the outer tube; in a cross section upstream of the catalyst carrier taken along a plane including the central axis of the case, the inner tube includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion formed in this order from the side closer to the catalyst carrier, the first curved portion is curved so as to outwardly project and the second curved portion is curved in the direction opposite to the curvature of the first curved portion so as to project toward the central axis, the second curved portion has a curvature radius larger than that of the first curved portion, and an insulation layer is formed on at least one portion of the inner tube. |
| US09458742B2 |
Variable valve mechanism for internal combustion engine
A variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a control shaft and a cam. The control shaft is configured to change a maximum lift amount of an engine valve according to displacement of the control shaft. The cam is configured to displace the control shaft in the axial direction due to rotation of the cam. The cam surface includes change zones and retention zones. Respective lengths of the retention zones in a rotation direction of the cam is set such that respective length of the retention zones in the rotation direction increases as the maximum lift amount retained by the retention zones increases. |
| US09458740B2 |
Method for sequestering heavy metal particulates using H2O, CO2, O2, and a source of particulates
Methods of sequestering toxin particulates are described herein. In a primary processing chamber, a carbon source of toxin particulates may be combined with plasma from three plasma torches to form a first fluid mixture and vitrified toxin residue. Each torch may have a working gas including oxygen gas, water vapor, and carbon dioxide gas. The vitrified toxin residue is removed. The first fluid mixture may be cooled in a first heat exchange device to form a second fluid mixture. The second fluid mixture may contact a wet scrubber. The final product from the wet scrubber may be used as a fuel product. |
| US09458736B2 |
Wind turbine generator system
According to the present invention, a wind turbine generator system is provided which can not only remove the influence of salt damage in case the system is established off-shore, but even if the facility becomes larger, which can also cool equipment and the generator provided in the tower and can reduce the possibility of decreasing power generation efficiency. The wind turbine generator system of the present invention comprising a rotor having a hub and blades; a generator connected with the rotor by way of a main shaft connected with the hub; a nacelle which contains at least the generator and supports the rotor pivotally by way of the main shaft; a tower on a top of which the nacelle is supported, and opposite to the top the tower is fixed to a base, wherein a heat exchanger is provided at the tower close to the base and cooling medium passes through the heat exchanger by way of a pipe arrangement, and thereby the heat of the cooling medium and the heat of air inside the tower are exchanged and the air inside the tower is cooled. |
| US09458734B2 |
Model and simulation based control of turbines
A system includes a gas turbine system model configured to model a turbine system operational behavior of a gas turbine system, and a shaft contribution model (SCM) including a bottoming cycle performance (BCP) model configured to model a bottoming cycle behavior of a bottoming cycle system. The gas turbine system model is configured to receive a SCM output from the SCM and to use the SCM output to control an actuator. The actuator is operatively coupled to the gas turbine system. |
| US09458726B2 |
Dovetail retention system for blade tracks
A turbine shroud for a gas turbine engine includes a metallic support ring and a ceramic blade track. The blade track is formed from a plurality of blade track segments including dovetail posts. The dovetail posts are inserted through apertures in the support ring and are coupled to the support ring by segment retainers coupled to the dovetail posts providing a retention system for the ceramic blade track. |
| US09458725B2 |
Method and system for providing cooling for turbine components
A method and system for providing cooling of a turbine component that includes a region to be cooled is provided. A recess is defined within the region to be cooled, and includes an inner face. At least one support projection extends from the inner face. The at least one support projection includes a free end. A cover is coupled to the region to be cooled, such that an inner surface of the cover is coupled to the free end of the at least one support projection, such that at least one cooling fluid passage is defined within the region to be cooled. |
| US09458723B2 |
Power turbine blade airfoil profile
A power turbine includes a first stage blade having an airfoil with a cold un-coated nominal profile substantially in accordance with at least an intermediate portion of the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 2. The X and Y values are distances, which when smoothly connected by an appropriate continuing curve, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape. |
| US09458721B2 |
Gas turbine engine tie rod retainer
An assembly for use with a gas turbine engine includes a tie rod and a connector. The tie rod, which is for extending radially outwardly from a latitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine, has a hollow length having a longitudinal axis and a base having a width in parallel to the latitudinal axis. The base has a counterbore disposed therein and is wider than a width of the length. The connector, for attaching the base of the tie rod to a bearing assembly of the gas turbine engine, has a hollow body having a shaft removably attaching, at a first end portion thereof, to the counterbore. The shaft and the counterbore are disposed in parallel with the longitudinal axis. |
| US09458719B2 |
Rotor assembly for rotary internal combustion engine
A rotor assembly is mounted in each of an intake-compression chamber and an exhaust-power chamber of a rotary internal combustion engine. The rotor assembly includes a split rotor main body and at least three split blades, which all include a left and a right half. Each blade is turnably assembled to the rotor main body via a pivot shaft. The left and right half bodies are correspondingly provided on their joining faces with at least one recess each, and an elastic element is received in between two facing recesses to normally generate an outward push against the two half bodies while a sufficient looseness is always maintained between the rotor assembly and the cylinder wall to allow smooth rotation of the rotor assembly. Front tips and curved backs of the blades have rollers mounted thereto, so that the blades are in rotary contact with the cylinder wall with reduced friction. |
| US09458718B2 |
Aerated rock dust
This technology relates to a method of forming an aerated material for application to the surfaces of mines to minimize dust formation. The aerated material is comprised of rock dust and a foaming agent which is mixed with water, and when properly mixed and applied to a mine surface, creates a dry cellular structure with little caking. |
| US09458714B2 |
Downhole drilling optimization collar with fiber optics
A drilling optimization collar for use proximate a drilling tool within a wellbore includes a fiber optic sensor filament that is sized and configured to fit within a groove formed within the drilling optimization collar. The drilling optimization collar may be a pipe segment that is sized and configured to be installed in a drill string proximate the drilling tool, and may have a plurality of sensor elements. All or a portion of the sensor elements may be formed by discrete segments of the sensor filament, and as such, the sensor filament includes sensor elements that are configured to sense a condition of the wellbore and a load on the drilling optimization collar. |
| US09458713B2 |
Generating hydrocarbon reservoir scenarios from limited target hydrocarbon reservoir information
A system, method and computer program product for generating scenarios of hydrocarbon reservoirs based on limited amount of information on a target hydrocarbon reservoir, and more particularly to automatically supplying missing parameters and uncertainty associated with each supplied parameter allowing to valuating the target hydrocarbon reservoir. |
| US09458712B2 |
Acoustic telemetry stacked-ring wave delay isolator system and method
A stacked-ring, slow-wave acoustic telemetry isolation system and method for use with tubular assemblies such as drillpipe or production tubing comprising an acoustic wave transmitter, the acoustic isolator behaving such that a “down” wave propagated toward the isolator is reflected back substantially in phase with an “up” wave propagated from the acoustic wave source away from the isolator. The acoustic isolator is similarly effective in reflecting “up” propagating waves originating from below the isolator, hence further protecting the acoustic wave source from possible deleterious interference. It causes substantially all of the emitted wave energy to travel in a chosen direction along the drill pipe, thus aiding the efficiency of acoustic telemetry said pipe. |
| US09458708B2 |
RF coaxial transmission line for a wellbore including dual-wall outer conductor and related methods
A radio frequency (RF) coaxial transmission line to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation may include a series of coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation. Each coaxial section may include an inner conductor, a dual-wall outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the dual-wall outer conductors may include an outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart therefrom defining a fluid passageway. Each coaxial section may further include a threaded endpiece coupled to each opposing end of the dual-wall outer conductor and having threads to define an overlapping mechanical threaded joint and an electrical joint with an adjacent threaded endpiece. |
| US09458703B2 |
Compressible carbonaceous particulate material and method of making same
A carbonaceous particulate material is provided that is characterized by having a reversible volumetric expansion/contraction in fluid media (“VR”) of greater than or equal to (≧)3% between 4,000 psi and 10,000 psi. The porous carbonaceous particulate material of the present disclosure is also characterized by having a true density, (“PT”), of 1.2 g/cc≦PT≦2.0 g/cc, when milled to −200 mesh and has a d50 particle size distribution of about 15 μm. This is the consequence of the instant material exhibiting a high level of closed porosity with very small pores, in contrast with prior art materials that would have a wider range pore sizes for the closed pores. |
| US09458701B2 |
Vocal drilling alarm notification
A system, method and apparatus for speech based control of an oil well control system. |
| US09458700B2 |
Use of underground gas storage to provide a flow assurance buffer between interlinked processing units
A system for developing offshore hydrocarbon fields includes a floating hydrocarbon processing unit moored to the seabed and connected to a hydrocarbon reservoir via a riser and a wellhead on the seabed, the unit receiving and processing the hydrocarbon mixture received from the reservoir via the riser, and having equipment to separate the hydrocarbon mixture into oil, water and gas and store them in storage tanks. A gas storage buffer reservoir is placed at a distance from and isolated from the hydrocarbon reservoir. A gas export riser is connected to the floating hydrocarbon processing unit and the gas buffer reservoir to export separated gas and inject it into the gas buffer reservoir. A gas riser has one end connected to the gas buffer reservoir and another end connected to the floating gas processing unit for processing gas received from the gas buffer reservoir for enabling transportation to shore. |
| US09458696B2 |
Valve assembly
A valve assembly comprising a body having a main passage, and a valve member which is located in the main passage and which is rotatable between an open position in which the main passage is substantially open, and a closed position in which the valve member substantially blocks the main passage, and an actuator which is movable generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main passage, the actuator being engaged with the valve member such that movement of the actuator generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main passage causes the valve member to rotate between its open and closed positions. |
| US09458695B2 |
Downhole pressure compensating device
A downhole pressure compensating device includes a housing with a chamber and an internal hollow section, a first piston dividing the chamber into a first section and a second section, the first section being in fluid communication with a first fluid port, the second section being in fluid communication with a borehole through a second fluid port, and a first spring disposed within the second section to exert a pressure on the first piston to enable the conservation of an overpressure in the first section. Furthermore, the device includes second piston, a second spring disposed between the first piston and the second piston, and an overpressure channel arranged in the first or the second piston, which overpressure channel, when the second spring is in a compressed condition, provides fluid communication between said first and second sections. |
| US09458693B1 |
Borehole abandonment method using retrievable inflatable bridge plug with separate seal and anchor components
A retrievable inflatable plug system features distinct seal and anchor elements where the seal element features overlapping ribs preferably metallic and preferably overlapping. The ribs extend the substantial length of the packer and are disposed under the annularly shaped sealing element. The anchor features exposed continuous ribs extending from opposed ends with one or more stiffener rings disposed on the exposed ribs. The elements can be inflated separately or together and include valving systems to allow deflation for selective removal of the plug to put a well back into service. |
| US09458687B2 |
Stimulation method
A method for improving fuel collection from an underground deposit comprising stimulating fuel-containing sections of an underground formation, the sections being located between a first well and a second well, the first well being either an injection well or a production well, and the second well being a production well. The method includes arranging a mechanical wave generation device downhole in the first well and arranging at least a first mechanical wave sensor in the production well, injecting a pressurized fluid into the formation from at least the first well, activating the mechanical wave generation device downhole to project mechanical waves into and through the fuel-containing sections, receiving and processing the waves sent from the first well, generating a tomography of the underground environment between the first well and the second well, and collecting fuel in the second well via inflow valves arranged in the second well. |
| US09458678B2 |
Threadless torque connector
A threadless connection assembly for use in connecting two tubular members. A connection assembly includes connection portions having interlocking splines and a link lock that secures the two connection portions axially. |
| US09458677B2 |
Cable bypass and method for controlled entry of a tubing string and a cable adjacent thereto
A system and method is provided for the controlled entry of a tubing string, and cable adjacent thereto, into a wellbore. A stationary housing is fit to a wellhead and has a bore in communication with the wellbore. The cable can be laterally displaced from the bore into a cable access formed into the side wall of the stationary housing for fitting a sealing assembly to the bore and engages a sealing surface therein. The sealing assembly seals tubulars passing therethrough. The cable access interrupts the sealing surface. A cable bypass sub is fit to the cable access and permits the cable to extend sealingly from above the sealing surface to the wellbore wherein the cable bypasses the sealing assembly and sealing surface. A seal reconstitutes the interrupted portion of the sealing surface at the cable access. |
| US09458676B2 |
Wellbore electrical isolation system
This disclosure relates to a wellbore electrical isolation system and method. The system may comprise an electrically conductive tube, an insulating layer covering at least a portion of the tube, an electrically conductive centralizer, electrically insulating confinement devices, and/or other components. In some implementations, the system may be configured to electrically isolate one or more sections of an electrically conductive well tubing string from an electrically conductive wellbore casing. In some implementations, a well may include one or more wellbore electrical isolation systems. Electrical isolation of the tubing string from the casing may facilitate powering one or more electrical loads disposed within the wellbore via a coaxial transmission line formed by the casing and the tubing string. |
| US09458672B2 |
Method and devices for centralizing a casing
New apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and attaching centralizers to the inside sidewalls of a wellbore. One or more centralizers are maintained in the interior of a pipe that is transported downhole into a well for deployment. Preferably, the pipe is also the wellbore's casing and the centralizers are deposited in a top-down manner as the casing travels downhole. The centralizers of the present invention are constructed to have an at least partially circular structure with a central hole. The preferred centralizer has an expanding circular structure wherein the diameter of the centralizer is substantially uniform so as to form an annular construction. Once deployed, the annular centralizer expands to engage the wellbore sidewall with the central hole expanded for passage of the well casing. |
| US09458671B2 |
Method and apparatus for drilling multiple subsea wells from an offshore platform at a single site
A floating, offshore drilling and/or production platform is equipped with a rail-mounted transport system that can be positioned at a plurality of selected positions over the well bay of the vessel. The transport system can move a drilling riser with a drilling riser tensioner system and a blowout preventer from one drilling location to another without removing them from the well bay of the vessel. Using the transport system, the drilling riser is lifted just clear of a first well head and positioned over an adjacent, second well head using guidelines. The transport system may then move the upper end of the drilling riser (together with its attached tensioner and BOP) to a second drilling location. A dummy wellhead may be provided on the seafloor in order to secure the lower end of the drilling riser without removing it from the sea while production risers are being installed. |
| US09458666B2 |
Tension adjustable retractable screen assembly
A screen track assembly for mounting and tensioning a retractable screen across an opening, the assembly having a generally U-shaped outer track member having an opening; an inner track member received within the outer track member, the inner track member adapted to receive a retractable screen, the inner track member being movable relative to the outer track member; biasing members to present a biasing force to extend the inner track member toward the opening of the outer track member; and adjustable mechanical fasteners to fix the position of the inner track member relative to the outer track member such that the screen may be tightened or loosened as required for proper functionality. |
| US09458665B2 |
Ninety degree wind lock with break-away capability and door panel and door assembly utilizing the same
A wind lock for an overhead roll-up door, the wind lock having a first edge which is substantially straight and capable of extending substantially perpendicular vertically from a face of a door panel to which the wind lock attaches to, the wind lock including a second edge having an angled-beveled face, wherein the second edge extends at an angle from the first edge laterally across the face of an attached door panel is beveled with the face of the door panel so as to extend vertically from the face at an angle. |
| US09458654B2 |
Wheel carriage
The present invention relates to the field of sliding door systems. The invention relates to a wheel carriage8300) for a sliding door resting in sliding track (106), comprising wheel connection means (340) adapted to removably connect a wheel shaft (331) at two connection points (341) positioned on each side of a wheel (330). The invention also relates to a method for exchanging the wheels (330) of a wheel carriage (300), by lowering a door panel and replacing the wheels (330), while the wheel carriage (300) is resting in the sliding track (106). |
| US09458652B2 |
Dual-shaft synchronous movement device and assembling method thereof
A dual-shaft synchronous movement device and an assembling method thereof. The dual-shaft synchronous movement device includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are assembled with each other and synchronously rotatable. The invention includes providing an assembling device and arranging on the assembling device a first rotor and a second rotor (or a third rotor and a fourth rotor) between which a drive section is wound; winding the drive section onto the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) in a tensioned state; and pushing the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) onto the first and second shafts. Through the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) and the drive section, when the first shaft is rotated, the second shaft is synchronously rotated. |
| US09458649B2 |
Vehicle door open/close operation apparatus
A vehicle door open/close operation apparatus is provided in which a design cover can be opened by a manual operation and can close at least part of an opening provided in a door, and a latch release is operated by a latch device due to the operation of an operating member in a state in which the design cover is open, wherein displacement of the design cover from a closed position toward an open position is detected by a detection switch, and a control unit carries out the user authentication in response to detection of displacement of the design cover by the detection switch. This enables the necessity for carrying out an operation of the operating member again to be avoided even if the operating member is operated quickly, thus enabling the door to be opened smoothly. |
| US09458648B1 |
Rapid panel access fastener for highly curved panels
A fastener for highly curved access panels on aircraft or other structures is disclosed. The fastener features a bottom-grasping design which allows for an unblemished outer panel surface, simple and rapid pneumatic fastener actuation for both latching and unlatching, high reliability, built-in clamping pre-load of the access panel onto the structure, and full retractability of the fastener inside the supporting structure. The fastener includes a Belleville spring with a piston centrally disposed therein, where the piston and spring deflect outward upon application of pneumatic pressure. A pneumatic valve opens upon application of a higher pressure, allowing locking dogs in the piston to deploy radially into a cavity in the access panel. When pressure is removed, the Belleville spring relaxes, the locking dogs grasp a lip of the cavity, and the access panel is latched onto the structure with a clamping pre-load. A pneumatic sequence for unlatching is also provided. |
| US09458647B2 |
Rotary blocking device
A lock including a housing having an opening for a locking bolt, a locking bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, an actuator positioned within the housing, and a rotary blocking device that prevents the locking bolt from moving to the unlocked position. The lock may optionally include a tamper resistant mechanism that is designed such that attempting to forcibly move the locking bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position while the actuator remains in the locked condition causes the locking bolt to engage the tamper resistant mechanism. |
| US09458646B2 |
Handle and locking mechanism
The present invention generally relates to a handle for a door having a body mountable to a surface of the door, a slide member configured to be received at least partially within the body so as to slidingly move between a first position wherein the slide member projects beyond the body and a second position wherein the slide member is substantially retracted into the body, a fastening member mounted within the body so as to receive at least a portion of the slide member when the slide member is in the second position so as to lock the slide member in the second position, and a locking mechanism configured to prevent opening of the door when the sliding member is in the second position, wherein sliding movement of the slide member from said first position to said second position engages the locking mechanism to prevent opening of the door. |
| US09458643B2 |
Modular crypt and modular crypt system with niche side wall
A modular crypt structure comprising a frame, a module insert defining a chamber and a closure panel and methods of constructing the same are disclosed. The chamber functions as a crypt module and receives bodily remains or portions thereof. The chamber is closed by attaching a closure panel, such as a stone crypt front to the frame. The modular crypt frame may comprise a plurality of horizontal bars and a plurality of vertical bars. A method of constructing a modular crypt structure comprises erecting a frame, providing at least one module insert, configuring the insert to define a chamber adapted to receive bodily remains, and closing the crypt module. A modular crypt system including a niche side wall is also disclosed having a niche side wall frame, a niche insert defining a plurality of niches positioned within the frame, and a closure panel positioned on the niche side wall frame. |
| US09458642B2 |
Stay cables for structures
A mast is erected to support a load. At least one stay cable supports the mast. The stay cable is oriented to the mast within a radial distance of the blade from the mast. The stay cable is stressed to support the mast while the wind drives the blade without collision of the stay cable. |
| US09458640B2 |
Methods and apparatus for force management in fall protection apparatus
Methods of force management for a force management anchor (FMA) include apparatus between a post and a base plate that resist post rotation under fall loads, the apparatus resisting said rotation at a constant torque. A peak constant torque is less than a torsional “tear-out” capacity of a surface for maximizing energy absorption. While the fall force vector remains generally parallel to the base plate during a fall, the post is movable between an upstanding and a lowered orientation resulting in a variable moment arm and a resisting force that also varies for maintaining the torque substantially constant. Apparatus can include devices between the post and the base plate such as a torsion rod, a friction clutch or a cam arrangement. Other approached include designed deformation of the post itself, such as a through tapered post. |
| US09458637B2 |
Composite insulated plywood, insulated plywood concrete form and method of curing concrete using same
The invention comprises a concrete form. The concrete form comprises a first panel having a first primary surface for contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first surface; and a second panel having a first primary surface and a second primary surface opposite the first surface, the second panel being attached to the first panel so that the first primary surface of the second panel is adjacent the second primary surface of the first panel. The concrete form also comprises a layer of radiant heat reflective material and a layer of insulating material disposed between and covering the second primary surface of the first panel and first primary surface of the second panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed. |
| US09458631B2 |
NP-EIFS non-permissive exterior insulation and finish systems concept technology and details
A new concept wall system is provided, wherein the Exterior Insulation and Finish System cladding is created using components with no water absorption, a very low vapor permeability and sealing properties, accommodated with an installation technology which extend the materials properties to the assembly, together with bonding and sealing the intersections and terminations, creating a Non-Permissive to water and vapor diffusion, Exterior Insulation and Finish System (NP-EIFS). The present invention relates to an EIFS cladding having two air and vapor barriers, one applied to the substrate, a continuous liquid membrane with sheathing joints sealed to be moisture barrier for inside vapors, and an exterior weather and vapor barrier which is created using closed cell extruded polystyrene insulation boards, special assembled with joints sealed, to create a non-permissive insulation envelope of the enclosure. Another object of the invention is to provide waterproof and air/vapor-proof details, a new concept of flashing and sealant application around windows/doors and other constructive elements to avoid thermal bridges and air leakage inside thermal envelope and wall assembly. Methods of installation are included. |
| US09458629B2 |
Method of forming raceway knockout
A method for forming a knockout on a raceway includes removing a knockout from the raceway to form an opening, positioning the knockout within the opening, and thereafter attaching the knockout to the raceway by welding the knockout and the raceway together. |
| US09458628B2 |
Fire-rated joint system
A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece. |
| US09458627B2 |
Corner flashing system
A corner flashing system is provided for sealing the corners of recessed window frames against moisture penetration. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises first and second double-flap members, a half-cube member, and caulking. The first and second double-flap members, and the half-cube member are preferably made of asphalt or petroleum based material. In another preferred embodiment, the system comprises one double-flap member, a modified half-cube member, and caulking. In another preferred embodiment, the system comprises a single member that combines a double-flap member and a half-cube member, and caulking. In another preferred embodiment, the system comprises a combination member, a double-flap member, and caulking. |
| US09458624B2 |
Integrated siding rainscreen and stacking clip
An elongated clip for hard clapboard style siding such as fiber cement, composite wood, fiberglass, plastic, oriented strand board or other materials. The clip includes rainscreen and standoff features for proper placement from a support wall structure. In addition, the clip includes a support feature for the installation and proper alignment of an upper course of siding. |
| US09458623B2 |
Housing structure WTH pivotally movable walls
A structure which includes a container (16) which forms a housing (20) and, mounted to the housing, a plurality of walls (52,54,56,58) which are pivotally interconnected and which are movable between a compact stored configuration and an extended operative configuration. |
| US09458620B2 |
Grid structure
A grid structure formed from a plurality of building blocks, the grid structure comprising: a plurality of flat panels, wherein two of the plurality of flat panels are paired in parallel to have one of the two parallel flat panels provide an inner surface to one building block from the plurality of building blocks and the other of the two parallel flat panels provide an inner surface to another building block from the plurality of building blocks, wherein within each of the plurality of building blocks, the inner surfaces of any two adjacent panels lie on planes intersecting along a straight line that passes through an inner corner of the building block. |
| US09458618B1 |
Prefabricated wall module and method of building a foundation wall
A prefabricated below-grade foundation wall module includes first and second laterally extending metal tracks, a plurality of longitudinally extending metal studs, an air barrier, and an outer structural layer. The second laterally extending metal track may be spaced from and facing the first laterally extending metal track. One end of the metal studs may be secured to the first metal track and the other end of the metal studs may be secured to the second laterally extending metal track. The air barrier may be secured in an overlaying position on an exterior-facing side of the module. The outer structural layer may be secured in an overlaying position on an exterior-facing side of the air barrier. The outer structural layer may comprise cement board, plywood or both cement board and plywood. A method of building a foundation wall is also described. |
| US09458614B2 |
Water conservation fixture system and method of use
A water conservation fixture system comprises a handle lock assembly configured for placement on a handle of a fixture and at least one other structure selected from a fixture drain insert trap assembly, a fixture screen and combinations of both. The handle lock assembly comprises a top component and at least one locking arm pivotally attached to the top component, and the locking arm further comprising a locking element for releasably locking with a mating locking element on the top component. The fixture system may be integrated into existing fixture to significantly reduce or control water usage or otherwise convert the fixture to a low-water or no-water fixture without having to replace the current water-based fixture. The fixture system may also be integrated into new fixtures with corresponding mating features to optimize fit and function of the system with the new fixture. |
| US09458612B2 |
Integrated solenoid valve for an electronic faucet
An electronic faucet is provided comprising a spout; a fluid supply conduit supported by the spout; a valve assembly including a solenoid valve positioned to control fluid flow through the fluid supply conduit, the solenoid valve including a solenoid coil and a moveable valve member operably coupled to the solenoid coil; and a controller operative to control the solenoid valve, the controller including a circuit board coupled to the valve assembly and a processor mounted to the circuit board to control the solenoid valve, the solenoid coil being mounted to the circuit board. |
| US09458606B2 |
Boom apparatus with protective barrier for flexible line
A boom apparatus comprises a boom structure, at least one flexible line, a fluid cylinder, and a barrier. The boom structure comprises a first boom and a second boom attached pivotally to the first boom. The at least one flexible line extends along the boom apparatus. The fluid cylinder is attached pivotally to the first boom and the second boom. The fluid cylinder comprises an end portion pinned to the second boom. The barrier is positioned between the end portion and the second boom. The at least one flexible line is routed externally of the second boom through a passageway positioned between the barrier and the second boom such that the barrier spaces the at least one flexible line apart from the end portion. |
| US09458604B2 |
Hybrid apparatus and method for hydraulic systems
A hydraulic apparatus and a method of operating the hydraulic apparatus are disclosed. The hydraulic apparatus includes a flow control module, a first pump fluidly coupled to the flow control module via a first conduit, a first rotating group fluidly coupled to the flow control module via a second conduit, a first actuator fluidly coupled to the flow control module, a second actuator fluidly coupled to a second pump, a first accumulator, and a controller operatively coupled to the flow control module, the first charge valve, and the discharge valve. The first rotating group is configured to perform a pumping function and a motor function. The first accumulator is in selective fluid communication with the first actuator via a third conduit and a first charge valve, the second actuator via a fourth conduit and the first charge valve, and the first rotating group via a discharge valve. |
| US09458593B2 |
Deep pile foundation construction methodology for existing and new buildings
A method is provided for using low-overhead equipment to construct a deep piling foundation for an existing building. The method involves lifting the existing building to a predetermined elevation above grade and positioning cribbing stacks to support the existing building at the predetermined elevation above grade. The cribbing stacks are spaced from each other enabling low-overhead equipment to maneuver underneath the elevated building to drill drive pipe piles at designated locations to provide optimal support for the building. Grout is pumped under pressure into the pipe piles continuously during the drill driving of the pipe piles so that grout exits through a grout port to mix with disturbed soil about the pipe pile to encase the pipe pile in a grout-soil mixture. Pile caps are attached to each pipe pile and secured to the existing building so that the existing building is supported by an array of the deeply driven pipe piles which serve as the foundation for the building. |
| US09458590B2 |
Self-actuating floodwater barrier
A floodwater barrier for protecting the shore side of a shoreline from flooding includes at least one self-actuating floodwater barrier unit for installation between a pair of walls transverse to a shoreline. The unit includes a flexible resilient panel, a plurality of rigid members connected to the panel, at least one watertight chamber of size and arrangement to give the unit water buoyancy, hinged to be rotatable upward about a horizontal axis longitudinal to the shoreline under the influence of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure from a rise of the body of water acting on the unit, and further includes flexible tension members positioned to act on the floodwater barrier unit to limit upward rotation of the unit to a predetermined extent. |
| US09458589B2 |
Scour remediation and mitigation apparatus
The present disclosure is directed towards a scour remediation and mitigation apparatus (100) comprising a plurality of channelled members (108) whereby the channelled members (108) are bound together to form the scour remediation and mitigation apparatus (100). The plurality of channelled members (108) each comprising at least one through hole (105) which forms a channel (105) through the channeled member (108). The plurality of channelled members (108) are bound together such that a plurality of conduits are formed by the channels (105) of the channeled members (108) and by voids (107) intermediate adjacent channelled members (108) within the scour remediation and mitigation apparatus (100). These plurality of conduits allow passage of a moving fluid through the scour remediation and mitigation apparatus (100) whilst simultaneously causing dispersion of kinetic energy of the moving fluid as it passes through the scour remediation and mitigation apparatus (100). The advantage of providing the plurality of conduits within the scour remediation and mitigation apparatus (100) is that the currents which are deflected off seabed structures, and which would otherwise erode at the seabed causing scouring, are diverted, deflected and dispersed through the plurality of conduits, thus mitigating the scouring effect. The energy is dissipated through the conduits and is slowed to the point where the particles on the seabed cannot be lifted and carried away. |
| US09458588B2 |
Flood guard barrier lifting system
A buoyant flood guard barrier panel passively buoyantly rotationally pivotable upward from horizontal about a first horizontal axis overlays a subframe unattached to the panel. A secondary mechanism for raising the panel has one or more lift arms below the panel transverse to the first axis are rotationally mounted on a second horizontal axis parallel to, below and forward of the first axis. One or more powered drivers act on one or more driven member units each attached to a lift arm rearward of and lower than the second axis to pivot the lift arm on the second axis, rotating the arm upwardly under the panel to rotationally raise the panel. The powered driver may be a winch or a hydraulic actuator. |
| US09458587B2 |
Gelatin solution
Soil erosion in, among other areas, seaside locations, is prevented by the steps of: drilling holes in the ground; filling these holes with a mixture of the soil and gelatin, then curing the mixture in situ to form a barrier against soil erosion. The holes form stabilization walls and are placed seaside to a structure to be protected from erosion. |
| US09458584B2 |
Perimeter security barriers
A perimeter security barrier 1for restraining a vehicle impacting the barrier from a direction substantially perpendicular thereto is described. The barrier comprises a pair of spaced apart end posts 3, 5 rigidly fixed in the ground and intermediate posts 11a, 11c. . . disposed between the end posts are also fixed in the ground. At least one pair of wire ropes 15c, 15d is supported between the end posts and optionally woven around the intermediate posts, the ropes being secured at each end to respective end posts. Energy absorption means 21 is provided at each end for absorbing energy transmitted by the ropes from the impacting vehicle. |
| US09458582B2 |
Ferry bridge
A ferry bridge having two sets of posts anchored on either side of a thoroughfare, support at height a deck over which a carriage moves, wherein a pod is suspended from said carriage for providing the transport of vehicles and passengers between two ferry docks on either side of said thoroughfare, the platform of said pod being divided into a central area dedicated to the transport of vehicles and two side areas dedicated to the transport of passengers. the entrances to the passenger transport areas are arranged on the outer lateral sides of the pod relative to the axis of movement (A) of the pod. The entrances to the vehicle transport area are arranged on the sides opposite said lateral sides, and the ferry docks for the pod comprise a means for separating the vehicles and the passengers into two streams directed toward the specific entrances thereof, respectively. |
| US09458579B2 |
Artificial turf and artificial turf facility
Provided are artificial turf with which a temperature alleviation effect can be sustained over an extended period and which is easily maintained, and an artificial turf facility wherein the artificial turf is laid. A first pile (41), and a second pile (42) which comprises a water absorbent void therein which absorbs water, which configure the artificial turf, are placed mixed among each other in a base fabric (31) at a prescribed proportion. |
| US09458576B2 |
Dual direction pre-stressed pre-tensioned precast concrete slabs and process for same
A precast roadway slab is pre-tensioned longitudinally and transversely, and may also be post-tensioned. A casting bed has the capability of permitting pre-tensioning of a concrete cast to be carried out within the casting bed in both the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. Slots are provided at regular intervals within the side walls and jacking heads of the casting bed for tensioning wires to pass therethrough for pre-tensioning. The process utilizes a multilayer grid of pre-tensioning wires disposed within the casting bed, prior to pouring of the concrete. The cast concrete product can also be made with optional tubular ducts, laid parallel to the longitudinal wires, for post-tensioning subsequent to the cast of the concrete. The post-tensioning of the hardened cast, if called for, takes place at the job site. |
| US09458572B2 |
Method of using an anti-soiling agent composition
[Object] To provide an anti-soiling agent compound that can sufficiently prevents adhesion of pitch to a dry part region.[Solution] The present invention provides an anti-soiling agent composition is provided with: a low molecular polysiloxane compound represented by the following formula (1); and a high molecular polysiloxane compound represented by the following formula (2), and characterized in that the number of modified groups per low molecular polysiloxane compound is in a range from 0.1 to 3, the number of modified groups per high molecular polysiloxane compound is in a range from 1.0 to 10, and the number m of repeating polysiloxane units in the low molecular polysiloxane compound and the number n of repeating polysiloxane units in the high molecular polysiloxane compound have the following relationship: 2 m≦n, [in formula (1), substituent R1 represents a methyl group or a modified group, with the repeating number m being set to an integer from 20 to 200], and [in formula (2), substituent R2 represents a methyl group or a modified group, with the repeating number n representing an integer]. |
| US09458570B2 |
Filler composition and method of producing composite materials
A modified filler composition for use in composites, such as paper and paper board, which is produced by reacting a filler material with a binder and a reactant material. Also, a method to produce composites, such as paper and paperboard, produced containing the modified filler composition is disclosed. |
| US09458561B2 |
Sewing machine and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions
A sewing machine includes a needle bar, an image capture device, and a control device. A sewing needle is mounted on a lower end of the needle bar. The image capture device captures an image of an area that includes an area below the needle bar. The image capture device also creates image data. The control device is configured to execute steps including causing the image capture device to create first image data, causing the image capture device to create second image data, acquiring the first image data, acquiring the second image data, and performing color-related correction on the second image data, based on the first image data. |
| US09458557B2 |
Method for manufacturing synthetic fiber
There is provided a dry-wet spinning device for an acrylic precursor fiber bundle for manufacturing carbon fibers, the device enabling stable spinning by making the coagulability of spun yarn (2) uniform by suppressing the vibration of the coagulating liquid surface to make the spun yarn (2) spun downward from a spinneret (1) without the liquid surface being in contact with the spinning surface of the spinneret less susceptible to an accompanying flow reflected by the bottom surface of a spinning bath. To this end, in the present invention, a horizontal flow straightening plate (8) produced from a porous plate or a plate material extending in the direction approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the spun yarn (2) is spun is disposed in a coagulation bath so as to surround the circumference of the yarn spun downward from the spinneret (1). Further, a vertical flow straightening plate (9) extending vertically across part or all of the outer periphery of the horizontal flow straightening plate (8) can be provided. |
| US09458541B2 |
Method for electroless plating of tin and tin alloys
The invention relates to a method for electroless (immersion) plating of tin and tin alloys having a thickness of ≧1 μm as a final finish in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates, semiconductor wafers and the like. The method utilizes an electroless plated sacrificial layer of copper between the copper contact pad and the electroless plated tin layer which is dissolved completely during tin plating. The method compensates the undesired loss of copper from a contact pad during electroless plating of thick tin layers. |
| US09458539B2 |
Metal surfaces compromising a thin glass- or ceramic type protective layer having high chemical resistance and improved non-stick properties
The invention relates to articles comprising a metal surface provided with a glass-, glass-ceramic- or ceramic-type protective layer, characterized in that the protective layer comprises a base layer comprising a matrix made of an alkali and/or alkaline earth silicate and an alkali metal- and alkaline earth metal-free top layer comprising a matrix made of an oxidic silicon compound, and to a method for the manufacture of said articles.The articles comprising the protective layer exhibit high chemical resistance and improved non-stick properties. They are characterized in particular by high dishwasher resistance. |
| US09458538B2 |
Method and apparatus for sealing an opening of a processing chamber
A method and apparatus for sealing an opening of a processing chamber are provided. In one embodiment, the invention generally provides a closure member integrated within a wall of a process chamber for sealing an opening within the wall of the chamber. In another embodiment, the invention provides a closure member configured to seal an opening in the wall of a processing chamber from the inside of the chamber. |
| US09458537B2 |
PECVD process
A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants. |
| US09458531B2 |
Method for directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers using guiding line sidewalls
A guiding pattern for directed self-assembly (DSA) of a block copolymer (BCP) is an array of spaced guiding stripes on a substrate that have a width equal to nL0 and a pitch equal to (n+k)L0, where n and k are integers equal to or greater than 1 and L0 is the natural pitch of the BCP. The guiding stripes have oxidized sidewalls. A silicon-containing BCP self-assembles with the BCP component without silicon wetting the oxidized sidewalls. Then oxygen reactive ion etching (RIE) removes the BCP component without silicon and oxidizes the silicon-containing BCP component. The remaining pattern of silicon oxide containing BCP component can then be used as an etch mask to etch the underlying substrate. |
| US09458519B2 |
Process for cooling a metal workload in a multimedia quench system
A process and apparatus for quenching a metal workload from an elevated heat treating temperature are disclosed. The process includes the step of flowing a vegetable oil quenchant over the metal workload to provide a cooling rate sufficient to transform the metal substantially completely to a desired second phase comprising martensite, bainite, pearlite, or a combination thereof within a preselected time period. The apparatus includes a quenching chamber that has a base, an upper housing, a door, and an associated actuator for opening and closing the quenching chamber. The apparatus also includes a vessel for holding a volume of a vegetable oil quenchant, means for conducting the vegetable oil quenchant from the vessel to the quenching chamber, and means disposed in the quenching chamber for flowing the vegetable oil quenchant over a metal workload disposed in the quenching chamber. |
| US09458517B2 |
Adeno-associated virus virions with variant capsid and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells, when administered via intravitreal injection, compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease. |
| US09458514B2 |
Nucleic acids probes for detection of yeast and fungal
The present invention use of to a portion of the RPS7 gene or its corresponding mRNA in a diagnostic assay for fungal and yeast species and sequences for use in such assays and methods. |
| US09458512B2 |
Kit for the detection of bed bugs
A kit and method for the detection of bed bugs is discussed. The kit comprises at least one pair of polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) amplification primers capable of forming a Cimicidae-DNA-amplification-product for a family of organisms of a Cimicidae. Additionally, the kit provides a specimen collection device for collecting a DNA sample from an area suspected of harboring one or more members of the Cimicidae family. The kit also provides a DNA probe having fluorescent primer chemistry. In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid amplification detection kit utilized a pair of PCR primers. The probe utilizes fluorescent primer chemistry and contains chemistry similar to Taqman Probes, Molecular Beacons, Hybridization Probes; or Eclipse Probes. Additionally, the kit contains a positive-control-Cimicidae DNA template for confirming Cimicidae-DNA-amplification-product. |
| US09458508B2 |
Methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer resistant to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) kinase inhibitors
Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of a cancer that is resistant to at least one anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) kinase inhibitor are provided herein. The present invention is based on the discovery of mutations within ALK that confer resistance to at least one ALK kinase inhibitor. Polynucleotides and polypeptides having at least one ALK inhibitor resistance mutation are provided and find use in methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis, prognosis, and/or treatment of diseases associated with aberrant ALK activity, more particularly, those that are resistant to at least one ALK kinase inhibitors. Methods and compositions are also provided for the identification of agents that can inhibit the kinase activity and/or reduce the expression level of the ALK resistance mutants. |
| US09458507B1 |
Antipsychotic treatment based on SNP genotype
The present invention relates to the prediction of antipsychotic treatment efficacy based on a patient's genotype at one or more single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci and to the treatment of a patient based on such prediction. |
| US09458506B2 |
Markers for the detection of human embryo developmental quality
Markers are provided for genetic and epigenetic diagnosis of embryos to determine those of which are more likely to be chromosomally normal and advance in development. |
| US09458501B2 |
Apparatus for selective excitation of microparticles
Nucleic acid microparticles are sequenced by performing a sequencing reaction on the microparticles using one or more reagents, selectively exciting the microparticles in an excitation pattern, optically imaging the microparticles at a resolution insufficient to resolve individual microparticles, and processing the optical images of the microparticles using information on the excitation pattern to determine the presence or absence of the optical signature, which indicates the sequence information of the nucleic acid. An apparatus for optical excitation of the microparticles comprises an interference pattern generation module that splits a first laser beam into second and third laser beams and generates the excitation pattern for selectively exciting the microparticles by interference between the second and third laser beams. |
| US09458500B2 |
Method of determining the nucleotide sequence of oligonucleotides and DNA molecules
The present invention relates to a novel method for analyzing nucleic acid sequences based on real-time detection of DNA polymerase-catalyzed incorporation of each of the four nucleotide bases, supplied individually and serially in a microfluidic system, to a reaction cell containing a template system comprising a DNA fragment of unknown sequence and an oligonucleotide primer. Incorporation of a nucleotide base into the template system can be detected by any of a variety of methods including but not limited to fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection. Alternatively, microcalorimetic detection of the heat generated by the incorporation of a nucleotide into the extending template system using thermopile, thermistor and refractive index measurements can be used to detect extension reactions. |
| US09458499B2 |
Nucleic acid binding dyes and uses therefor
The invention provides novel compounds and compositions of Formulas I and II, as well as methods of using them. The compounds can be used, for example, to quantify an amount of double stranded DNA in a sample subjected to nucleic acid amplification, or for real time monitoring of a nucleic acid amplification reaction. The compounds can be provided in a kit, for example, with other reagents and instructions for using the compounds and reagents. |
| US09458493B2 |
Sequencing method using magnifying tags
The present invention provides a method of sequencing all or part of a target nucleic acid molecule by determining the sequence of a portion of said nucleic acid molecule in addition to information regarding the position of said portion and in particular provides a new method of sequencing involving the magnification of one or more bases of said bases to aid identification. |
| US09458488B2 |
Point of care sensor systems
Provided are point of care sensor systems that include portable readers and disposable cartridges for receiving and analyzing samples. A cartridge may be equipped with one or more sensor channels, each containing one or more sensors. After providing a sample to a cartridge, the cartridge can be inserted into a reader, which can interact with the cartridge to perform on-cartridge sensing and receive signals indicating the presence and/or quantity of one or more targets in the sample. Examples of cartridges can include cardiac panels, sepsis panels and the like. In some embodiments, the same sensor hardware may be configured for multiple measurements of different targets conducted at different time frames. Also provided herein are novel on-cartridge solid and liquid reagent storage and delivery mechanisms. |
| US09458487B2 |
Expression of mammalian proteins in pseudomonas fluorescens
The invention is a process for improved production of a recombinant mammalian protein by expression in a Pseudomonad, particularly in a Pseudomonas fluorescens organism. The process improves production of mammalian proteins, particularly human or human-derived proteins, over known expression systems such as E. coli in comparable circumstances Processes for improved production of isolated mammalian, particularly human, proteins are provided. |
| US09458483B2 |
Compositions comprising a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and a bicyclic compound and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compositions comprising: a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and a bicyclic compound. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compositions. |
| US09458481B2 |
Methyltransferase nucleic acids and polypeptides
This disclosure relates to the isolation and sequencing of nucleic acid molecules that encode methyltransferase polypeptides from a Papaver somniferum cultivar; and uses in the production of noscapine and identification of poppy cultivars that include the genes that include these nucleic acid molecules. |
| US09458469B2 |
Method for obtaining improved strains of yeast
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining improved strains of yeast by integrating at least one gene of interest in a region linked to a sex expression locus, followed by cross-breeding. The present invention also relates to gene integration cassettes and to vectors that can be used in the context of said method. The present invention also relates to improved strains of yeast obtained by the above method, the derived strains of yeast and the yeasts obtained by culturing said strains of yeast. |
| US09458468B2 |
Method for stable gene-amplification in a bacterial host cell
A bacterial host cell is disclosed including at least two copies of an amplification unit in its genome, the amplification unit including: i) at least one copy of a gene of interest, and ii) an expressible conditionally essential gene, wherein the conditionally essential gene is either promoterless or transcribed from a heterologous promoter having an activity substantially lower than the endogenous promoter of the conditionally essential gene, and wherein the conditionally essential gene if not functional would render the cell auxotrophic for at least one specific substance or unable to utilize one or more specific sole carbon source; methods for producing a protein using the cell of the invention, and methods for constructing the cell of the invention. |
| US09458464B2 |
Treatment of neuropathic pain
The present invention relates to the field of neurology. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and composition useful for treating neuropathic pain. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a recombinant Kcna2 sense fragment. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating neuropathic pain comprising the step of administering a composition comprising a recombinant Kcna2 sense fragment. |
| US09458461B2 |
Means for inhibiting the expression of ANG2
The present invention is related to an siRNA comprising an antisense strand and a sense strand, wherein all or a portion of said antisense strand comprises an antisense duplex region, wherein all or a portion of said sense strand comprises a sense duplex region, wherein said antisense duplex region is at least partially complementary to said sense duplex region, wherein said siRNA comprises a duplex region consisting of said antisense duplex region and said sense duplex region, and wherein: a) said antisense strand comprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 68, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 or 104; or b) said antisense strand comprises an antisense duplex region, all or a portion of which, is complementary to a portion of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 70. |
| US09458459B2 |
Methods for enhancing utrophin production via inhibition of microRNA
This invention provides a method for enhancing utrophin protein production in a cell by inhibiting an utrophin microRNA molecule. Moreover, the invention provides that methods for enhancing utrophin protein production in a muscle cell are used for treating a muscular dystrophy and/or other myopathies. |
| US09458457B2 |
Methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of alpha-1 antitrypsin by double-stranded RNA
This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing α-1 antitrypsin target RNA and protein levels via use of dsRNAs, e.g., Dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) agents. |
| US09458452B2 |
Method and device for isolating and purifying double-stranded nucleic acids
The invention relates to a chromatographic device for isolating and/or purifying double-stranded nucleic acids, preferably double-stranded DNA, from a mixture of such nucleic acids with single-stranded nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, mononucleotides, salts and/or other such impurities. The invention also relates to a method for chromatographically isolating and/or purifying same, and to a kit for this purpose. |
| US09458451B2 |
Multi-channel optical measurement instrument
A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materials, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector. The actuator system can be arranged to concentrate an analyte present in a sample. The detector can be used to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the receptacle. |
| US09458450B2 |
Acoustophoretic separation technology using multi-dimensional standing waves
A system having improved trapping force for acoustophoresis is described where the trapping force is improved by manipulation of the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer includes a ceramic crystal. The crystal may be directly exposed to fluid flow. The crystal may be air backed, resulting in a higher Q factor. |
| US09458447B2 |
MPHOSPH1 peptides and vaccines including the same
As discussed in greater detail herein, isolated epitope peptides derived from MPHOSPH1 bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and thus are suitable for use in the context of cancer immunotherapy, more particularly cancer vaccines. The inventive peptides encompass both the above-mentioned MPHOSPH1-derived amino acid sequences and modified versions thereof, in which one, two, or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted or added, provided such modified versions retain the requisite CTL inducibility of the original sequences. Further provided are polynucleotides encoding any of the aforementioned peptides as well as pharmaceutical agents or compositions that include any of the aforementioned peptides or polynucleotides. The peptides, polynucleotides, and pharmaceutical agents or compositions of this invention find particular utility in either or both of the treatment and prevention of cancers and tumors, including, for example, bladder cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, cholangiocellular carcinoma, CML, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, NSCLC, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, prostate cancer, renal cancer and soft tissue tumor. |
| US09458444B2 |
Long-acting coagulation factors and methods of producing same
Polypeptides comprising at least one carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to the carboxy terminus but not to the amino terminus of a coagulation factor and polynucleotides encoding the same are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using and producing same are also disclosed. |
| US09458437B2 |
Neuroprotective peptides that inhibit interaction between palmitoyl acyl transferase zinc-finger DHHC type containing 17 (zD17) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)
Isolated polypeptides are disclosed herein, the isolated polypeptides comprising at least 90% identity to any one of: SEQ ID NO:1; SEQ ID NO:2; or SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the isolated polypeptide inhibits an interaction between palmitoyl acyl transferase zinc-finger DHHC type containing 17 (z D17) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The polypeptides may be conjugated to a delivery and targeting moiety, such as the cell-membrane transduction domain of the HIV-1 Tat protein. There are also provided methods for treating a disease associated with cytotoxicity or excitotoxicity. |
| US09458433B2 |
Production of dense bodies (DB) from HCMV-infected cells
The invention relates to the production of dense bodies (DB) and to a pharmaceutical composition containing DB. |
| US09458429B2 |
Mesenchymal stem cell attractant and method for attracting mesenchymal stem cell
The present invention aims to provide a mesenchymal stem cell attractant capable of attracting a mesenchymal stem cell; and others. The present invention provides a mesenchymal stem cell attractant containing at least one selected from the group consisting of an extract of a Bodhi tree, an extract of the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, an extract of Mallotus philippinensis, an extract of Uncaria gambir an extract of Pashanbheda, and an extract of a plant belonging to the genus Prunus. |
| US09458422B2 |
Composition of matter and method for stimulating the growth of beneficial microorganisms
The invention describes a novel composition of matter obtained from the leaves of green plants, which is useful in promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Specifically, that the invention describes a hydrolysate prepared from plant leaf biomass (leaf biomass hydrolysate or ‘LBH’) which dramatically stimulates the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Use of LBH as a fermentation substrate can also stimulate rapid production of organic acids and other organic compounds. LBH can be used as a substrate to promote the fermentation-based production of biobased industrial chemicals or biofuels, LBH can be utilized as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial probiotic organisms, hi addition, LBH may also be useful in stimulating the fermentation-based production of other products, examples of which include preservatives, antibiotics, antigens, vaccines, amino acids, vitamins, recombinant proteins, bioremediation treatments, and immobilized enzymes. |
| US09458419B2 |
Polymer composition and method for removing contaminates from a substrate
This invention relates to an aqueous polymer composition and to films formed from this aqueous composition. The aqueous composition may be used in a method for removing contaminate material from a substrate. The aqueous polymer composition may comprise: water; and at least one water-soluble film forming polymer. In one embodiment, the aqueous composition may further comprise at least one chelating agent and/or at least one surfactant. The aqueous polymer composition may be applied to a contaminated substrate or to a clean substrate which is subjected to subsequent contamination. The aqueous composition may be dehydrated and/or the polymer may be crosslinked to form a film. When applied to a contaminated substrate, the film may combine with the contaminates. When applied to a clean substrate, the contaminate material may subsequently contact and adhere to the film. The film combined with the contaminate material may be separated from the substrate, with the result being removal of the contaminate material from the substrate. |
| US09458418B2 |
All natural dishwashing composition comprising lemon powder, vinegar powder, and salt
A dishwashing composition which is a mixture of vinegar powder and lemon powder, or a mixture of vinegar powder, lemon powder and salt, for use in a dishwashing machine or for other cleaning purposes. The vinegar powder, lemon powder and, when present, salt can be mixed in any of a variety of proportions. The lemon powder, vinegar powder, and optional salt are non-toxic to humans and pets. |
| US09458415B2 |
Post chemical-mechanical-polishing (post-CMP) cleaning composition comprising a specific sulfur-containing compound and a sugar alcohol or a polycarboxylic acid
A post chemical-mechanical-polishing (post-CMP) cleaning composition comprising: (A) at least one compound comprising at least one thiol (—SH), thioether (—SR1) or thiocarbonyl (>C═S) group, wherein R1 is alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl, (B) at least one sugar alcohol which contains at least three hydroxyl (—OH) groups and does not comprise any carboxylic acid (—COOH) or carboxylate (—COO—) groups, and (C) an aqueous medium. |
| US09458412B2 |
Fabric softener composition with trialkanolamine-based ester quat
The application describes a liquid fabric softener composition which contains a softening mixture of trialkanolamine-based ester quat and trialkanolamine-based ester and which is free from methanol. |
| US09458411B2 |
Lipid-based wax compositions substantially free of fat bloom and methods of making
Lipid-based wax compositions and their methods of making are provided for compositions substantially free of fat bloom. The compositions comprise 0.1-10 percent by weight triacylglycerides, 30-95 percent by weight monoacylglycerides and diacylglycerides combined, and 0.1-65 percent by weight fatty acids. The methods comprise blending the monoacylglycerides, diacylglycerides, triacylglycerides, and fatty acids by heating the lipid-based wax composition at a sufficiently high temperature to destroy substantially all crystal structure within the lipid-based wax composition. The methods further comprise pouring the lipid-based wax composition into a mold or a container having a surface and a core, wherein the pouring is conducted at a temperature at least 15° C. greater than the congeal point of the lipid-based wax composition. The methods further comprise cooling the lipid-based wax composition under conditions sufficient to cool the core to at least 5° C. below the congeal point of the lipid-based wax composition in 30-90 minutes. |
| US09458407B2 |
Algal oil based bio-lubricants
A method for manufacturing an algal oil based bio-lubricant includes selecting a base algae strain with a fatty acid profile that includes oleic acid, introducing the base algae strain to a flue gas recycling system, introducing a lipid trigger to the flue gas recycling system to enhance the lipid production efficiency of the algae, harvesting the algae, extracting an algal oil from the algae that is more than 40% oleic acid, and converting the algal oil into bio-lubricant using chemical modification and/or the incorporation of stabilizing additives. |
| US09458404B1 |
System, composition and method of application of same for reducing the coefficient of friction and required pulling force during installation of wire or cable
A composition and method for reducing the coefficient of friction and required pulling force of a wire or cable are provided. A composition of aqueous emulsion is provided that is environmentally friendly, halogen free and solvent free. The composition is compatible with various types of insulating materials and may be applied after the wire or cable is cooled and also by spraying or submerging the wire or cable in a bath. The composition contains lubricating agents that provide lower coefficient of friction for wire or cable installation and continuous wire or cable surface lubrication thereafter. |
| US09458402B2 |
Lubricating oil composition
Provided by the present invention is a lubricating oil composition having a low friction coefficient (traction coefficient) and a superior fluidity at low temperature, suitable as a transmission oil including an automatic transmission oil, by using a base oil which contains a mineral oil satisfying the conditions that (1) kinetic viscosity at 100° C. is in the range of 5 mm2/s or more to 8 mm2/s or less, (2) viscosity index is 130 or more, and (3) % CP by a ring analysis (n-d-M method) is 80 or more. |
| US09458394B2 |
Fluidized catalytic cracking of paraffinic naphtha in a downflow reactor
A process for producing a product stream consisting primarily of the lower olefins ethylene, propylene and butylenes, and of gasoline is provided. The process includes cracking a mixture of paraffinic naphtha feedstream and regenerated catalyst in a downflow reactor. The reaction product stream is separated from the spent catalyst and subsequently fractionated into individual product streams, while the spent catalyst is regenerated and recycled. |
| US09458389B1 |
Methods for estimating properties of hydrocarbons comprising asphaltenes based on their solubility
Disclosed herein is a method of estimating a property of a hydrocarbon comprising the steps of: preparing a liquid sample of a hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon having asphaltene fractions therein; precipitating at least some of the asphaltenes of a hydrocarbon from the liquid sample with one or more precipitants in a chromatographic column; dissolving at least two of the different asphaltene fractions from the precipitated asphaltenes during a successive dissolution protocol; eluting the at least two different dissolved asphaltene fractions from the chromatographic column; monitoring the amount of the fractions eluted from the chromatographic column; using detected signals to calculate a percentage of a peak area for a first of the asphaltene fractions and a peak area for a second of the asphaltene fractions relative to the total peak areas, to determine a parameter that relates to the property of the hydrocarbon; and estimating the property of the hydrocarbon. |
| US09458387B2 |
Activated fischer-tropsch synthesis reaction catalyst and method for producing hydrocarbons
A Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction catalyst includes a catalyst support containing a silica and zirconium oxide in an amount of 0.5 to 14% by mass based on the mass of the catalyst support, and cobalt metal and a cobalt oxide supported on the catalyst support in an amount equivalent to 10 to 40% by mass of tricobalt tetroxide based on the mass of the catalyst, wherein the degree of reduction of the cobalt atoms is within a range from 75 to 93%, and the amount of hydrogen gas adsorption per unit mass of the catalyst at 100° C. is within a range from 0.40 to 1.0 ml/g. |
| US09458386B2 |
Optimized caustic control based on ore grade and fines content for bitumen extraction from mined oil sands
A process of extracting bitumen from oil sand ores having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content greater than 6% is provided, comprising: determining the fines content and the bitumen content of the oil sand ore; calculating a sufficient amount of caustic to be added in the process using an equation based on the ratio of the fines content to the bitumen content; mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to produce an oil sand slurry; and adding the sufficient amount of caustic before, during or after mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to condition the oil sand slurry and to improve bitumen recovery from the oil sand ore. |
| US09458375B2 |
Chemical amendments for the stimulation of biogenic gas generation in deposits of carbonaceous material
Methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content are described. The methods may include accessing a consortium of microorganisms in a geologic formation that includes a carbonaceous material. They may also include providing hydrogen and one or more phosphorous compounds to the microorganisms. The combination of the hydrogen and phosphorous compounds stimulates the consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous material into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content. Also, methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content by providing a carboxylate compound, such as acetate, to a consortium of microorganisms is described. The carboxylate compound stimulates the consortium to metabolize carbonaceous material in the formation into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content. |
| US09458374B2 |
Cystine proteases for bacterial control
A produced water bacterial pretreatment method which includes a) optionally adjusting a pH and a temperature of a produced water containing bacteria; b) adding a cysteine protease to said produced water; c) allowing said cysteine protease to inactivate said bacteria, thus producing pretreated produced water; and d) introducing said pretreated produced water into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. |
| US09458373B2 |
Composition and method for reducing hydrate agglomeration
Compositions and methods of inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates in fluids including water, gas, and optionally liquid hydrocarbons are disclosed. The compositions may include counterions, such as halides or carboxylates. The compositions may also include a thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor, a kinetic hydrate inhibitor, an additional anti-agglomerant, an asphaltene inhibitor, a paraffin inhibitor, a corrosion inhibitor, a scale inhibitor, an emulsifier, a water clarifier, a dispersant, an emulsion breaker, and combinations thereof. |
| US09458368B2 |
Coated ice melting compositions
Ice melting compositions, methods for manufacturing ice melting compositions, and methods for melting ice are disclosed. The ice melting compositions can include a coarse deicing particle nucleus and a fine deicing particle coating substantially surrounding the coarse deicing particle nucleus. The fine particle coating can be attached or bonded to the coarse particle nucleus with a binder. The coarse particle nucleus and the fine particle coating can have a variety of particle sizes. |
| US09458367B2 |
Low temperature transport and storage of amine gas treatment solutions
A liquid aminoether acid gas absorbent which is subject to freezing in a cold climatic zone though which the aminoether is to be shipped is rendered freeze-resistant by mixing the aminoether with water prior to transport through the cold climatic zone; the aminoether/water mixture typically contains 10 to 40 weight percent water, based on the weight of the aminoether. The aminoether/water mixture can also be stored in the cold climatic zone without being externally maintained at a temperature above the inherent freezing point of the aminoether. |
| US09458363B2 |
Polyurethane lamination adhesive
The invention relates to a polyurethane adhesive for laminating films. The adhesive contains at least one NCO-reactive polyurethane prepolymer and/or polyisocyanates and a compound having a molecular weight below 2000 g/mol and containing at least one functional group reactive with primary amino group selected from an epoxide groups, (meth)acrylic groups or carboxylic anhydride group. The adhesive is particularly well suited for multilayer films, especially for laminating foodstuffs or medical packaging. |
| US09458362B2 |
Adhesive compositions containing a block copolymer with polymyrcene
The invention relates to a novel block copolymer comprising at least one polymeric monoalkenyl arene block and at least one polymeric myrcene block having a low and stable viscosity and having good adhesive properties when used in an adhesive composition or as a damping material. An adhesive composition is also described, preferably containing an SMS triblock optionally mixed with an SM diblock. The adhesive composition comprises: 1) a block copolymer having at least one polymeric monoalkenyl arene block and at least one polymeric myrcene block; 2) a tackifier; 3) optional plasticizer; and 4) optionally a stabilizer. Compared with adhesive compositions comprising SIS block copolymers, those comprising SMS block copolymers have lower and more stable viscosity. |
| US09458359B2 |
Block copolymer blend adhesives with multiple tackifiers
Pressure sensitive adhesives comprising a linear block copolymer having a rubbery block and at least one glassy block; a multi-arm block copolymer having at least three arms, each having both a rubbery block and a glassy block; a first high glass transition temperature tackifier compatible with the rubbery blocks; a second high glass transition temperature tackifier having compatible with the glassy blocks; and at least one of a low Tg tackifier, a plasticizer, and combinations thereof, are disclosed. Tapes that include such adhesive, methods of making such tapes, and bonded composites using such adhesives and tapes are also disclosed. |
| US09458358B2 |
Article, compositions, systems, and methods using selectively detackified adhesives
Adhesive compositions are described which can be selectively detackified or deadened. Articles using such adhesive compositions are also described. Also described are techniques in which select regions of adhesive layers in the articles are detackified. Also described are systems and methods using the various articles and adhesive compositions. And particular label constructions are described. |
| US09458353B1 |
Additives for orientation control of block copolymers
A film layer comprising a high-chi (χ) block copolymer for self-assembly and a surface active polymer (SAP) was prepared on a substrate surface that was neutral wetting to the domains of the self-assembled block copolymer. The block copolymer comprises at least one polycarbonate block and at least one other block (e.g., a styrene-based block). The SAP comprises a hydrophobic fluorinated first repeat unit and a non-fluorinated second repeat unit bearing at least one pendent OH group present as an alcohol or acid (e.g., carboxylic acid). The film layer, whose top surface has contact with an atmosphere, self-assembles to form a lamellar or cylindrical domain pattern having perpendicular orientation with respect to the underlying surface. Other morphologies (e.g., islands and holes of height 1.0Lo) were obtained with films lacking the SAP. The SAP is preferentially miscible with, and lowers the surface energy of, the domain comprising the polycarbonate block. |
| US09458352B2 |
Pre-molding article from thermoset polymer dispersions
The invention is directed at new process and systems for preparing composite materials that include a polymer phase and a fiber phase. |
| US09458351B2 |
Two-component coating compositions
Two-component coating compositions include: A) a cross-linkable binder compound having at least one functional group reactive towards isocyanate groups, B) a cross-linking agent having at least one free isocyanate group and C) a catalyst component comprising C1) a catalyst for the for the curing reaction between the functional groups of component A) and the isocyanate groups of component B), the catalyst C1) being an organo-metal compound, and C2) an oligomeric or polymeric binder compound having a glass transition temperature Tg of ≧about 20° C., measured by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) at a heating rate of 10 K/min. The glass transition temperature Tg of the binder compound C2) is above the temperature at which the two-component coating composition is applied, preferably about 10° C. above the temperature at which the two-component coating composition is applied. |
| US09458347B2 |
Aqueous coating composition and coating formed therefrom having a particular gloss profile
An aqueous coating composition including: certain first solid polymeric particles having an average diameter of 0.60-0.99 μm and certain second solid polymeric particles having a calculated Tg of from −60° C. to 120° C. and an average particle diameter of from 50 nm to 500 nm; wherein the dry weight ratio of the first solid polymeric particles to the second solid polymeric particles is from 0.15:1 to 10:1; and the aqueous coating composition includes less than 10% by volume, inorganic extender particles is provided. Also provided is a coating having a ratio of 85° specular gloss to 20° specular gloss equal to or greater than 33 formed from the aqueous coating composition. |
| US09458342B2 |
Laminated polyester film
The present invention provides a laminated polyester film which can be suitably used for extrusion lamination with polyolefins and comprises a coating layer having an excellent adhesion property to the polyolefins, in particular, a coating layer having a remarkably excellent adhesion property to polypropylene. The laminated polyester film of the present invention comprises a polyester film and a coating layer formed on a surface of the polyester film which is formed by applying a coating composition comprising (A) a modified polyolefin having two melting points, and at least one crosslinking agent, and then drying the coating composition applied. |
| US09458340B2 |
Aqueous ink, recording apparatus and recording method
There is provided an aqueous ink which contains a coloring agent, a polymer particle, water and an aqueous organic solvent, and a surface resistivity of a film obtained by film formation on a glass plate is 1×106 Ω/□ or less, and a recording method containing: a first discharge step that discharges the first aqueous ink on a front surface of a recording medium; a first drying step that dries the first aqueous ink discharged on the front surface of the recording medium after the first discharge step; and a second discharge step that discharges a second aqueous ink on a rear surface of the recording medium after the first drying step. |
| US09458339B2 |
Electron beam-curable inkjet inks and use thereof in inkjet printing methods
An inkjet ink which is electron beam curable includes 10 to 40 wt.-% of at least one oligomer based on a total weight of the inkjet ink, 5 to 25 wt.-% of at least one reactive thinner based on the total weight of the inkjet ink, 25 to 84 wt.-% of a solvent mixture comprising at least two solvents based on the total weight of the inkjet ink, and 1 to 15 wt.-% of at least one pigment based on the total weight of the inkjet ink. The at least two solvents have a boiling point of from 50 to 300° C., a dielectricity constant of from 5 to 20, and an evaporation rate of 3 to 5000. The evaporation rate of the at least two solvents differs by a factor of from 2 to 10. The inkjet ink is free from photoinitiators. |
| US09458334B1 |
Aqueous radiation curable ink composition
The present invention relates to an aqueous radiation curable ink composition. The ink composition comprises: (a) an aqueous dispersion comprising anionic acrylated polyurethane and non-volatile cations; (b) at least one non-ionic or anionic surfactant; (c) at least one humectant selected from the group consisting of: polyol, polyether, polyether alcohol, polyether polyols, urea, and amide; and (d) water. The ink composition does not contain a water-soluble or water-miscible (meth)acrylate monomer. The ink composition is redispersible in water after drying and before curing, and the ink composition is water-resistant after curing by electron beam or actinic radiation. |
| US09458333B2 |
High elongation thermoforming ink-jet ink
An energy-curable ink or coating composition comprising: a monofunctional urethane monomer, such as a monofunctional urethane acrylate monomer; a monofunctional monomer; and, optionally, a colorant, photoinitiator, stabilizer, surfactant and/or a vinyl resin, for use as a thermoforming ink or coating that, when printed onto a substrate (1), elongates on thermoformation of the substrate (3) to adopt the shape of a mold (2), a method of printing on a thermoforming substrate using such an ink or coating and a printed thermoformed article (4). |
| US09458329B1 |
Corrosion protection by coatings that include organic additives
A composition and method of preparing and adding unique organic additives to a metal-free coating system followed by application then provides long term corrosion protection to a reactive metal surface. |
| US09458328B2 |
Emulsion paint type damping coatings
Emulsion paint type damping coatings show an excellent film forming property even if it leaves at low temperature from 5 to 20° C. It does not generate a defective coated film like swellings after baking drying and brings out an excellent damping performance within a range of 20 to 60° C. That is, it contains one or more than two kinds of organic chemicals within a range of 0.5% to 5% by weight in total and the MFT, the minimum film forming temperature of the entire resin emulsion is within a range of 5 to 15° C. and the boiling point for a film forming assistant is within a range of 150 to 240° C., thus, it enables to obtain an excellent film forming property at 5° C. and even in baking drying and does not generate a defective coated film like swellings as well. As a result, emulsion paint type damping coatings bring out an excellent damping performance within a range of 20 to 60° C. |
| US09458326B2 |
Polymer materials comprising coupled components
Disclosed are intermediate products (semifinished products) for polymer materials, comprising surface-modified components, said polymer materials based on the intermediate products, a method for producing the intermediate products, and the use thereof. |
| US09458320B2 |
Pre-swelled ground tire rubber and methods of making and using the same
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods relating to rubber compositions, comprising crumb rubber and a maltene-like oil, which provides simultaneous rut, crack, moisture, and temperature resistance in both dense grade and gap grade paving mixtures. Also disclosed are methods of producing the rubber compositions, and methods of using the same. |
| US09458319B2 |
Article with antifouling properties, intended for aquatic uses and, in particular, for marine uses
The invention relates to an article with antifouling properties, intended for aquatic uses and, in particular, for marine uses, and to a method for slowing down the growth of aquatic organisms on submersible or semi-submersible structures. |
| US09458315B2 |
Flame retardant thermoplastic polycarbonate compositions and films made therefrom
Described herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising a polycarbonate, a mineral filler, inorganic acid or acid salt, an anti-drip agent, and a flame retardant comprising a perfluoroalkyl sulfonate salt or a combination of an aromatic phosphate ester and a polycarbonate-siloxane block copolymer. |
| US09458314B2 |
Fluoropolymer composition
A fluoropolymer composition is provided containing a polymer containing perfluoroolefin units or partially fluorinated olefin units or a combination thereof, polytetrafluoroethylene having a melting point a melting point of 200° C. or more and 300° C. or less, and a crosslinking agent or a crosslinking promoter or a combination thereof. A molded article having a polytetrafluoroethylene layer on a surface is also provided. |
| US09458312B2 |
Polyethylene composition having high mechanical properties
Polyethylene composition with improved balance of environmental stress cracking resistance (FNCT) and impact resistance (Charpy), particularly suited for preparing pipes, said composition having the following features: 1) density from 0.945 to 0.955 g/cm3; 2) ratio MIF/MIP from more than 30 to 45; 3) Shear-Induced Crystallization Index SIC from 1.0 to 2.5; 4) Long Chain Branching index equal to or greater than 0.85. |
| US09458310B2 |
Modified polyethylene film compositions
The present invention relates to polyethylene compositions comprising one or more ethylene polymers and one or more dendritic hydrocarbon polymer modifiers, in particular, this invention further relates to polyethylene blends comprising one or more ethylene polymers and one or more dendritic hydrocarbon polymer modifiers, wherein the modifier has: 1) a g′ value less than 0.75; 2) a Cayley tree topology with a layer number of 2 or more more; and 3) a average Mw between the branch points of 1,500 g/mol or more. |
| US09458308B1 |
Polycarbonate resin composition with increased gamma-radiation resistant property and molded article using the same
Disclosed are a polycarbonate resin composition as a polycarbonate material for medical use having yellowing resistant property with respect to the irradiation of gamma-radiation, which exhibits extremely little yellowing during sterilizing using the gamma-radiation, maintains transparency and has no mechanical change, and a molded article using the same. The present invention provides a polycarbonate resin composition including a polycarbonate resin, a thioether-based stabilizer and an amide-based stabilizer, and a molded article using the same. |
| US09458307B2 |
Curable composition
The invention relates to the use of 1,5-enediyne compounds of formula (I) as curing agents in polymeric systems. In particular the invention relates to a curable composition comprising a curing agent of formula (I) and a polymer suitable to be cross-linked and to the cured article obtained therefrom. |
| US09458301B2 |
Expandable vinyl aromatic polymers containing graphite particles having a polymodal particle size distribution
Expandable vinyl aromatic polymers may contain comminuted graphite with a polymodal particle size distribution. Foams obtained from such expandable vinyl aromatic polymers have a reduced thermal conductivity at a reduced foam density. |
| US09458299B1 |
Polyhemiaminal and polyhexahydrotriazine materials from 1,4 conjugate addition reactions
Polyhemiaminal (PHA) and polyhexahydrotriazine (PHT) materials are modified by 1,4 conjugate addition chemical reactions to produce a variety of molecular architectures comprising pendant groups and bridging segments. The materials are formed by a method that includes heating a mixture comprising solvent(s), paraformaldehyde, aromatic amine groups, aliphatic amine Michael donors, and Michael acceptors, such as acrylates. The reaction mixtures may be used to prepare polymer pre-impregnated materials and composites containing PHT matrix resin. |
| US09458298B2 |
Methods for making lignocellulose containing composite products
Methods for making composite products are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method can include combining a plurality of lignocellulose substrates and one or more free radical precursors to produce a mixture of the lignocellulose substrates and the one or more free radical precursors. The method can also include maintaining the mixture at a temperature less than 60° C. for at least 10 minutes while retaining at least 11 wt % of the one or more free radical precursors charged to the mixture. The method can then include heating the mixture comprising at least 11 wt % of the one or more free radical precursors charged to the mixture to a temperature of at least 60° C. to about 300° C. to produce a composite product. The composite product can have a density less than 1 g/cm3 and an internal bond strength of at least 0.35 MPa. |
| US09458294B2 |
Method for removing impurities from silicon
A method for removing impurities from silicon includes A) providing metallic silicon having impurities, B) mixing the metallic silicon with at least one halogenated polysilane of Formula SiXn, where X is halogen, which may be partially replaced by hydrogen, and where 1 |
| US09458288B2 |
Polyester compound
Polyester compounds obtained by reaction of a compound represented by formula (1): (defined herein) with a compound represented by formula (2): (defined herein) exhibit high thermal resistance. |
| US09458281B2 |
Method for the production of oxazolidinone compounds
The present invention relates to a method for the production of oxazolidinone compounds, comprising the step of slowly reacting an isocyanate compound with an epoxide compound in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst. The invention further relates to an oxazolidinone compound, obtainable by a method according to the invention, with a color as determined according to ASTM D1209-05 (2011) of ≦200 and a molar ratio of the oxazolidinone compound to isocyanurate by-product o/i of ≧85/15. Lastly, the invention relates to an oligomeric or polymeric oxazolidinone compound, obtainable by a method according to the invention using an isocyanate compound with two or more NCO groups per molecule and an epoxide compound with two or more epoxy groups per molecule, comprising at least two units derived from the isocyanate compound and at least two units derived from the epoxide compound, with a color as determined according to ASTM D1209-05 (2011) of ≦200. |
| US09458280B2 |
Polishing pad compound
A polishing pad compound and a polishing pad, the polishing pad compound including a pre-polymer; and a hardener, wherein the pre-polymer includes about 45 wt % to about 50 wt % of a polyol, about 5 wt % to about 25 wt % of a hardness regulator, and a balance of an isocyanate. |
| US09458279B2 |
Resin composition and use thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide: a (a) thermosetting resin composition, a photosensitive resin composition, a resin composition solution, a resin film, and an insulating film, each of which (i) is curable at a low temperature (not more than 200° C.), (ii) has excellent flexibility, electrical insulating reliability, solder heat resistance, and resistance to organic solvent, (iii) causes less warpage of a substrate after curing, and (iv) has excellent adhesiveness to a sealing agent; and a (b) printed wiring board provided with the insulating film mentioned above. The object of the present invention is attainable by using a thermosetting resin composition containing at least a (A) urethane imide oligomer having a terminal carboxylic acid group and a (B) thermosetting resin. |
| US09458273B2 |
Method for synthesizing polymers from acrylic acid, one of the salts of same or the mixture thereof
The present invention concerns a method for preparing a polymer comprising a step of radical polymerization of monomers comprising at least monomers (M1) chosen from acrylic acid, one of the salts of same, or the mixture thereof, in which said radical polymerization step is carried out: continuously; at a pH which remains between 3 and 5 during the polymerization step; in the presence of a metabisulfite/persulfate redox pair, for example the sodium metabisulfite/sodium persulfate pair, as a radical initiator, with a metabisulfite/persulfate molar ratio of between 1 and 3.5 and an initiator/monomer molar percentage of between 5% and 18%. |
| US09458272B2 |
Low viscosity fluoroelastomers
The invention pertains to a low viscosity curable (per)fluoroelastomer [fluoroelastomer (A)] having a number-averaged molecular weight of 3 000 to 45 000, said (per)fluoroelastomer comprising at least 1% moles, with respect to the total moles of recurring units, of recurring units derived from at least one (per)fluoromethoxyalkylvinylether of formula (I): CFX′═CX″OCF2ORf formula (I) wherein X′ and X″, equal to or different from each other, are independently H or F; and Rf is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 (per)fluoroalkyls, linear or branched; C5-C6 cyclic (per)fluoroalkyls; and C2-C6 (per)fluorooxyalkyls, linear or branched, comprising from 1 to 3 catenary ethereal oxygen atoms [monomer (M)]. |
| US09458271B2 |
Catalyst system for the preparation of polyolefins
A catalyst system obtainable by contacting: A) a metal complex of formula (I) B) an iron complex of the general formula (II) C) an alumoxane or a compound capable of forming an alkyl cation with complexes of formula (I) and (II); Wherein the variables are described in the description. |
| US09458269B2 |
Polymerizable composition, antireflection film, polarizing plate and image display device each using the same, and water-repellent or oil-repellent film
There is provided a polymerizable composition comprising a compound (A) having a repeating unit having a perfluoropolyether structure and 4 or more polymerizable groups and represented by the specific general formula; an antireflection film comprising a transparent support having thereon at least one low refractive index layer, wherein the low refractive index layer is formed of the polymerizable composition; a polarizing plate comprising a polarization film and two protective films protecting the both surfaces of the polarization film, wherein at least one of the protective films is the antireflection film; an image display device comprising a display, and the antireflection film or the polarizing plate on the outermost surface of the display; and a water-repellent or oil-repellent film formed of the polymerizable composition. |
| US09458268B2 |
Lactide-functionalized polymer
A lactide-functionalized polymer is represented by the following formula: wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and wherein R′ is a phenyl group or C(O)OR″, wherein R″ is an alkyl group having one or more carbon atoms. |
| US09458265B2 |
Method of manufacturing terminal-modified polymer
A terminal-modified polymer is manufactured by performing a polymerization reaction of a vinyl aromatic monomer, a conjugated diene monomer or both in the presence of an anionic polymerization initiator: and then adding an alkoxy aluminum compound thereinto to terminate the polymerization reaction. Alternatively, a terminal-modified polymer can also be manufactured by adding an aluminum halide compound instead of the alkoxy aluminum compound to terminate the polymerization reaction, and allowing for a reaction with a lower alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The resulting terminal-modified polymer can improve the dispersibility of silica used as a compounding agent in rubber compositions for automobile pneumatic tires and the like. |
| US09458256B2 |
Carbamate, thiocarbamate or carbamide comprising a biomolecular moiety
Compounds and polymers obtained from such compounds are provided, wherein the compounds have (a) at least two polymerizable moieties, (b) at least one amino acid residue of an amino acid comprising at least two amine groups of which at least two amine groups have formed a carbamate, a thiocarbamate or a carbamide group, and (c) a biomolecular moiety linked directly or via a spacer to the carboxylic acid moiety of the diamino acid residue or a carboxylic acid to which such moiety can be linked. |
| US09458255B2 |
Method for producing stabilized fluoropolymer
The present invention is aimed to provide a highly-productive method for producing a stabilized fluoropolymer. The present invention relates to a method for producing a stabilized fluoropolymer, comprising the step of bringing a fluoropolymer to be treated into contact with a fluorinating agent to produce a stabilized fluoropolymer, while maintaining the concentration of hydrogen fluoride present in a reaction vessel at not higher than 1.0% by volume. |
| US09458252B2 |
Starch esters and method of preparation
A lipophilic starch is provided along with methods of making the same. The starch is prepared by modifying the starch with an organic acid anhydride reagent, such as octenyl succinic anhydride, drying the modified starch to a moisture content of less than 15% by weight, and then heat treating the dried starch at a temperature of at least 100° C. for at least one minute. |
| US09458251B2 |
Cellulose resin and process for producing the same
A cellulose resin produced by binding a hydrogenated cardanol containing 3-pentadecylcyclohexanol, and cellulose or a derivative thereof through the reaction between a hydroxy group of the hydrogenated cardanol, a hydroxy group of the cellulose or a derivative thereof and isocyanate groups of a diisocyanate compound. |
| US09458247B2 |
Methods for digestion of cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a phenolic solvent generated in situ from lignin
Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids can be enhanced in the presence of a phenolic solvent. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids can comprise providing cellulosic biomass solids containing up to about 50% water by mass in a digestion medium comprising about 50% or more of an organic solvent by volume; heating the cellulosic biomass solids and the digestion medium in a digestion unit in the presence of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids and liberating lignin therefrom; wherein the digestion medium and the water form a biphasic mixture in which the alcoholic component, slurry catalyst, and lignin are contained; removing at least a portion of the biphasic mixture from the digestion unit; converting at least a portion of the lignin into a phenolic solvent; and returning the phenolic solvent to the digestion unit. |
| US09458246B2 |
Proteins specific for BAFF and B7RP1
Described herein are bispecific proteins specific for BAFF and B7RP1, nucleic acids encoding such proteins, methods of making such proteins, and uses for such proteins. |
| US09458245B2 |
ANTI-C-MET tandem Fc bispecific antibodies
Provided herein are tandem Fcs and tandem Fc antibodies (“TFcAs”), e.g., tandem Fc bispecific antibodies (“TFcBAs”), which comprise one or at least two binding sites that specifically bind to one or more cell surface receptors. The binding sites are connected through a TFc, which TFc comprises a first Fc region and a second Fc region, wherein the first and the second Fc regions are linked through a TFc linker to form a contiguous polypeptide and dimerize to form an Fc dimer. Exemplary TFcBAs bind to the cell surface receptors c-Met and EpCam and inhibit signal transduction through the cell surface receptor(s) for which the binding sites of the TFcBA are specific. |
| US09458243B2 |
Secondary antibody detected epitope and preparation of same
A method of preparing an epitope for a secondary antibody detected protein tag, comprising: constructing a expressing vector, comprising a nucleotide sequence for encoding the secondary antibody detected protein tag comprising at least one epitope selected from at least one primary antibody which is detected by corresponding secondary antibody; expressing the vector in a host cell; and obtaining the secondary antibody detected protein tag which is expressed in the host cell. Further, a method for constructing a protein molecular weight marker ladder, comprising constructing a plurality of recombinant protein tags with different molecular weights, wherein each the recombinant protein tag comprises at least one epitope of primary antibody. Besides, a secondary antibody detected protein tag comprises at least two peptide sequences of epitopes selected from primary antibodies of at least two different species. |
| US09458239B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies and fragment thereof directed against the human anti-mullerian hormone type II receptor (AMHR-II)
The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies and fragment thereof directed against the human Anti-Müllerian Hormone type II receptor (AMHR-II) and their use for treating and diagnosing cancer diseases, such as ovarian cancers. |
| US09458233B2 |
Anti-C5a binding moieties with high blocking activity
The present invention relates to binding moieties that specifically bind to a conformational epitope of C5a, in particular human C5a. Preferred binding moieties are anti-C5a antibodies that bind to this conformational epitope. The binding moieties described herein are useful as active agents in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prevention of various acute and chronic diseases, in particular acute inflammatory diseases, such as the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and different degrees of sepsis including sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. |
| US09458232B2 |
SAA domain-specific antibodies and peptide antagonists and use thereof to treat inflammatory diseases
Isolated SAA peptides, fusion proteins and compositions comprising such are provided as are domain-specific SAA antibodies. Methods of treating sepsis and endotoxemia are also provided. |
| US09458231B2 |
Modulators and methods of use
Novel modulators, including antibodies and derivatives thereof, and methods of using such modulators to treat hyperproliferative disorders are provided. |
| US09458230B2 |
Secretory IGA compositions, methods of making and methods of use thereof
Described herein is secretory IgA isolated from the intestinal luminal fluid and intestinal mucosal of animals such as pigs and cows. Also included are methods of isolating secretory IgA. The secretory IgA is useful in food compositions such as animal and human food compositions as well as pharmaceutical compositions to increase growth rate, improve feed efficiency, reduce gastrointestinal inflammation, reduce a risk of gastrointestinal infection in the animal, or a combination thereof. |
| US09458226B2 |
Recombinant antibodies against H1N1 influenza
Antibodies that bind with high affinity to swine H1N1 virus are described. In vivo experiments showed that one such antibody is able to fully protect mice challenged with a lethal dose of swine H1N1 virus. The antibody is also able to cure mice in a therapeutic setting when treated as late as up to 60 hours (2.5 days) after infection with swine H1N1 virus. Also described are recombinant forms of this antibody. |
| US09458225B2 |
Method for purifying lactoferrin
The present invention relates to a method for purifying lactoferrin, which is a pharmacologically important milk protein having various physiological activities, from a secretory fluid containing lactoferrin. |
| US09458224B2 |
Method for obtaning thin fibril collagen by contacting native collagen with an antibody
A collagen material having a form of thin fibrils generally free of fibril-bundling proteogylcan interactions, and a method for providing the thin fibril collagen material from native collagen fibers. The method uses proteoglycan antibodies to disassociate the proteoglycan interactions in bundled collagen fibrils to provide the constituent fibrils. The process can be used as a model for arthritis and the resulting fibrils can be used to form new extracellular matrix biomaterials and new tissues. |
| US09458223B2 |
Von willebrand factor variants having improved factor VIII binding affinity
The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a modified von Willebrand Factor (VWF) having a higher Factor VIII binding affinity than non-modified VWF, its pharmaceutical use and method of its preparation. |
| US09458222B2 |
Method of producing recombinant ADAMTS13 in cell culture
Among other aspects, the present invention relates to cell culture conditions for producing high molecular weight vWF, in particular, highly multimericWF with a high specific activity and ADAMTS13 with a high specific activity. The cell culture conditions of the present invention can include, for example, a cell culture medium with an increased copper concentration and/or cell culture supernatant with a low ammonium (NH4+) concentration. The present invention also provides methods for cultivating cells in the cell culture conditions to express high molecular weight vWF and rA13 having high specific activities. |
| US09458216B2 |
Nucleic acid encoding chimeric IL-1 receptor type I antagonists
Featured herein are non-naturally occurring cytokine domains that can be used, inter alia, to modulate cellular signalling responsive to interleukin-1 receptor I (IL-1RI), to treat disorders, and to detect and/or bind to cellular receptors, as well as other agents. Exemplary cytokine domains can contain amino acid residues from at least two parental cytokines domains, for example, receptor binding features, surface features, β strands, and loops from at least two parental cytokines domains. |
| US09458215B2 |
Compositions and methods for osteogenic gene therapy
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for increasing bone growth and/or enhancing wound healing, for example, fracture repair. The disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids useful for promoting bone growth. For example, the disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids that encode a fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) analog. The disclosure also provides vectors and cells incorporating these nucleic acids, as well as FGF-2 analogs encode by them. The disclosure also provides a mouse system of bone marrow transplantation and methods for producing as well as methods for using the system. Methods for inducing division and/or inducing differentiation of a hematopoietic stem cell are also provided, as are methods for enhancing bone growth and/or wound repair (for example, fracture repair). |
| US09458214B2 |
Dual function fibroblast growth factor 21 proteins
The present invention relates to dual function fusions proteins comprising fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and Exenatide, Exendin-4, or GLP-1. Also disclosed are methods for treating FGF21-associated disorders, GLP-1-associated disorders, and Exendin-4-associated disorders, including metabolic conditions. |
| US09458213B2 |
Compositions and methods for diagnosing prostate cancer based on detection of SLC45A3-ELK4 fusion transcript
RNA transcripts representing a fusion of a human SLC45A3 nucleic acid and a human ELK4 nucleic acid that are associated with prostate cancer are described. Compositions and methods useful for detection of fusion transcripts of human SLC45A3 and ELK4 genetic sequences associated with cancer and useful for cancer therapy are provided. |
| US09458209B2 |
Methods and compositions using Klotho-FGF fusion polypeptides
The present invention is directed to fusion polypeptides comprising a Klotho protein or an active fragment thereof and FGF23 or an active fragment thereof. |
| US09458208B2 |
Optically-based stimulation of target cells and modifications thereto
Stimulation of target cells using light, e.g., in vivo or in vitro, is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. One example involves a vector for delivering a light-activated molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence that codes for light-activated molecule. The light-activated molecule includes a modification to a location near the all-trans retinal Schiff base, e.g., to extends the duration time of the open state. Other aspects and embodiments are directed to systems, methods, kits, compositions of matter and molecules for ion channels or pumps or for controlling currents in a cell (e.g., in in vivo and in vitro environments). |
| US09458207B2 |
Methods for refolding G-CSF from inclusion bodies
New methods for the refolding of recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) from inclusion bodies are disclosed. The methods comprise two refolding steps. In particular, the methods comprise the solubilizing of G-CSF with a solubilizing agent, the oxidative refolding (first refolding step) of G-CSF in the presence of the solubilizing agent and an oxidizing agent, the efficient removal of the solubilizing agent, and a second refolding step to complete the folding of G-CSF in the absence of the solubilizing agent. Various methods are described for the efficient removal of the solubilizing agent from partially refolded G-CSF. |
| US09458203B2 |
Integrin-blocking polypeptides and uses thereof
A series of integrin blockers that present strong angiogenesis inhibiting performance, high integrin affinity and integrin-bonding capacity is provided. This series of integrin blockers can be adopted in treatment of solid tumors and rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, said series of integrin blockers include polypeptide I, polypeptide II and polypeptide III (see SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3) that can be adopted in treatment of solid tumors and rheumatoid arthritis. This invention also relates to application of these three integrin-blocking polypeptides in preparation of anti-tumor drugs, wherein the tumors that can be treated include those primary or secondary cancers originated from head and neck region or other organs such as brain, thyroid, esophagus, pancreas, lung, liver, stomach, breast, kidney, gallbladder, colon, rectum, ovary, cervix, uterus, prostate, bladder and testicle, as well as melanoma and sarcomas. |
| US09458202B2 |
Peptidomimetic macrocycles with improved properties
The present invention provides biologically active peptidomimetic macrocycles with improved properties relative to their corresponding polypeptides. The invention additionally provides methods of preparing and using such macrocycles, for example in therapeutic applications. |
| US09458201B2 |
Melanocortin receptor-specific heptapeptides
Melanocortin receptor-specific cyclic heptapeptides of the formula Z-Xaa1-Xaa2-Xaa3-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa6-Xaa7-Y (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where Z, Xaa1, Xaa2, Xaa3, Xaa4, Xaa5, Xaa6, Xaa7 and Y are as defined in the specification, compositions and formulations including the peptides of the foregoing formula, and methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating melanocortin receptor-mediated diseases, indications, conditions and syndromes. |
| US09458199B2 |
Antigen surrogates in autoimmune disease
The present invention provides for the identification of an antigen surrogate to the native antigens for the autoimmune disease pemphigus vulgaris. Ligands are discovered using large random peptoid or cyclic peptoid libraries that are screened against known antibodies to autoimmune diseases. The ligands may be useful as drugs in the treatment of such diseases and can also be used in combination with the comcomitant removal of T-cells associated with autoimmune disorders. |
| US09458196B2 |
Synthetic peptides capable of binding to influenza hemagglutinin protein
The invention provides peptides capable of binding with influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein blocking pH-induced shape change or aggregation of the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein. The invention also provides a druggable site in influenza Hemagglutinin protein, said druggable site comprises peptide sequences comprising conserved residues. |
| US09458192B1 |
Covalent granzyme B inhibitors
Covalent Granzyme B inhibitors, compositions that include the compounds, and methods for using the compounds. A method for treating cutaneous scleroderma, epidermolysis bullosa, radiation dermatitis, alopecia areata, and discoid lupus erythematosus are provided. |
| US09458190B2 |
Extraction and partitioning of molecules
Methods of extracting a component of interest from a plurality of components are described. |
| US09458184B2 |
Compositions of TLR7 and/or TLR8 agonists conjugated to lipids
A conjugated compound of formula Q-Z—R4 wherein Q is a TLR7 and/or TLR8 agonist and Z—R4 is a lipid covalently linked to an amino acid or peptide coupled to a polyamine group, and a process for the manufacture of the conjugated compound, as well as a complex formed between the conjugated compound and a polyanionic molecule and a pharmaceutical composition containing the conjugated compound or complex. Also described is the use of the conjugated compound or complex in the treatment of infection, cancer or immune disorders or for use in vaccines. |
| US09458181B2 |
Cathepsin cysteine protease inhibitors
This invention relates to a novel class of compounds which are cysteine protease inhibitors, including but not limited to, inhibitors of cathepsins K, L, S and B. These compounds are useful for treating diseases in which inhibition of bone resorption is indicated, such as osteoporosis. |
| US09458173B2 |
Amides of 2-amino-4-arylthiazole compounds and their salts
The present disclosure is directed to salts of N-{4-[2,4-difluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}dimethyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)acetamide and process for the preparation thereof (formula II). |
| US09458170B2 |
Compound of camptothecin and preparation and use thereof
The present disclosure relates to a compound of formula I, a pharmaceutical composition thereof and the use thereof as an anti-tumor drug. |
| US09458164B2 |
Pyrrolopyridazines as potassium ion channel inhibitors
A compound of formula (I) wherein A, R1, R3, and R24 are described herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of potassium channel function and in the treatment of arrhythmia, IKur-associated disorders, and other disorders mediated by ion channel function. |
| US09458162B2 |
Cyclic molecules as bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors
The present document describes novel molecules having protein tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity, and methods of synthesizing and using such compounds. More specifically, the present document describes compound of Formula (A): (Formula (A)) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof, and methods of synthesizing and using such compounds. |
| US09458161B1 |
TSPO ligands for cancer imaging and treatment
Embodiments of the present invention relates to compounds of the following formula: as well as compositions, methods of imaging and methods of treating subjects comprising the use of the compound, wherein the variables are defined herein. |
| US09458160B2 |
Peripherally restricted diphenyl purine derivatives
The invention provides compounds capable of acting as antagonists at cannabanoid receptors according to the following formula: Such compounds may be used to treat conditions for which the cannabinoid receptor system has been implicated, such as obesity, liver disease, diabetes, pain, and inflammation. |
| US09458159B2 |
Substituted pyrido[1′,2′:4,5]pyrazino[1,2-a]azepines for treating viral infections
Compounds for use in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are disclosed. The compounds have the following Formula (I): including stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein L, R1, R5, W, X, Y1, Y2, and Z are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, are also disclosed. |
| US09458158B2 |
Bicyclic heterocycle compounds and their uses in therapy
The invention relates to bicyclic heterocycle compounds of formula (I): or tautomeric or stereochemically isomeric forms, N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or the solvates thereof; wherein R1, R2, R3, A, W, U and V are as defined herein; to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and to the use of said compounds in the treatment of diseases, e.g. cancer. |
| US09458152B2 |
Bicyclic sulfonamide compounds as sodium channel inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels, in particular Nav1.7. The compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases associated with the activity of sodium channels such as pain disorders and itch. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the present invention. |
| US09458146B2 |
Crystalline sodium salt of an HIV integrase inhibitor
A crystalline sodium salt of a compound of formula I (INN: Raltegravir) or a hydrate/solvate thereof is disclosed as well as a process for obtaining the same. |
| US09458144B2 |
Monomer, polymer, resist composition, and patterning process
A monomer (1) is prepared by reacting a compound (9) with a base or metal to form a metal enolate reagent, and reacting the metal enolate reagent with an acyloxyketone compound (8). A polymer derived from the monomer is used as base resin to formulate a resist composition, which is shelf stable and displays a high dissolution contrast, controlled acid diffusion and low roughness in forming positive pattern via alkaline development and in forming negative pattern via organic solvent development. |
| US09458141B2 |
Low molecular weight thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) agonists
Disclosed are oxo-hydroquinazolines that are useful as selective TSHR agonists. The compounds may be used for detecting or treating thyroid cancer, or treating a bone degenerative disorder. |
| US09458139B2 |
Compounds and uses thereof for the modulation of hemoglobin
Provide herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions suitable as modulators of hemoglobin, methods and intermediates for their preparation, and methods for their use in treating disorders mediated by hemoglobin and disorders that would benefit from tissue and/or cellular oxygenation. |
| US09458133B2 |
Isoquinolines as potassium ion channel inhibitors
A compound of formula (I) (I) wherein A, R1, R1a, R3 and R24 are described herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of potassium channel function and in the treatment and prevention of arrhythmia, IKur-associated disorders, and other disorders mediated by ion channel function. |
| US09458132B2 |
Therapeutic compounds and compositions and their use as PKM2 modulators
Compositions comprising compounds of general formula (I) that modulate pyruvate kinase are described herein. Also described herein are methods of using the compounds that modulate pyruvate kinase in the treatment of diseases. |
| US09458130B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating schizophrenia
The disclosure provides a novel polymorph of Compound (I): 2-((1-(2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)piperidin-4-yl)methyl)isoindolin-1-one monohydrochloride dihydrate, i.e., Form (A) of Compound (I).HCl.2H2O. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising Form (A) of Compound (I).HCl.2H2O and related methods of treatment are also disclosed. |
| US09458128B2 |
Catechol O-methyltransferase activity inhibiting compounds
Compounds of formula (I), wherein R1 is as defined in the claims, exhibit COMT enzyme inhibiting activity and are thus useful as COMT inhibitors. Methods of treatment and pharmaceutical dosage forms are also disclosed. |