Document Document Title
US09459783B2 Zooming and panning widget for internet browsers
In one aspect, a widget mechanism for zooming and panning a content item is provided. The widget mechanism includes a first region including a miniaturized and complete version the content item. The widget mechanism further includes a second region including a displayed version of the content item. The displayed version represents a portion of the content item currently displayed on a display. The widget mechanism further includes a third region including a to be displayed version of the content item. The to be displayed version represents a portion of the content item to be displayed on the display upon actuation. The second region is smaller than and within the first region when the content item is zoomed and the second region is coextensive or substantially coextensive with the first region when the content item is fully not zoomed. The third region is adjustable within the first region.
US09459781B2 Context-specific user interfaces for displaying animated sequences
Context-specific user interfaces for use with a portable multifunction device are disclosed. The methods described herein for context-specific user interfaces provide indications of time and, optionally, a variety of additional information. Further disclosed are non-transitory computer-readable storage media, systems, and devices configured to perform the methods described herein.
US09459778B2 Methods and systems of providing visual content editing functions
A method of adjusting visual content. The method comprises selecting, on a client terminal, visual content, extracting visual content data pertaining to the visual content, forwarding a request which includes the visual content data to a network node via a network, receiving, in response to the request, a list of a plurality of visual content editing functions from the network node, presenting, on the client terminal, the plurality of visual content editing functions to a user, receiving a selection of at least one member of the list from the user, adjusting the visual content using the at least one member, and outputting the adjusted visual content.
US09459773B2 Electronic apparatus, method for authoring multimedia content and computer readable recording medium storing a program for performing the method
An electronic apparatus, a method for authorizing multimedia content thereof, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing therein a program to execute the method are provided. The method for generating multimedia content of the electronic apparatus includes displaying a page screen of electronic book content comprising text and video, receiving a user command to generate a multimedia object in synchronization with the video, and displaying a multimedia object generating window which is movable and size-adjustable within the page screen, and generating the multimedia object in synchronization with the video in response to the user command through the multimedia object generating window and storing the multimedia object in synchronization with the video. As a result, the user is able to author electronic book content comprising interactive multimedia therein.
US09459770B2 Pathway planning system and method
A system and method for planning a pathway through an anatomical luminal network of a patient including memory storing a computer program that is configured to analyze and manipulate CT images, a processor configured to execute the computer program and a display device configured to display a user interface of the computer program. The user interface includes an airway finder window displaying a CT image including a target. The CT image is rotatable about a pre-defined axis of rotation to assist a user in identifying an airway of the anatomical luminal network.
US09459769B1 Browser bookmarking for multiple environments
Input is received to store information to access content displayed within a browser as a bookmark. A bookmark properties form is generated to include fields in which environments are identified as corresponding to the bookmark. Input is received that includes a first URL corresponding to the label of a first bookmark within a first environment. The bookmark is stored by including in the properties form, a label of the bookmark, the first environment corresponding to the bookmark, and the first URL corresponding to the first environment. A second URL is received that corresponds to the label of the first bookmark, but within a second environment, and includes the second environment in the properties form as corresponding to the label of the bookmark, and includes the second URL in the properties form as corresponding to the second environment, wherein the first URL differs from the second URL.
US09459764B1 System, method, and computer program for selecting at least one predefined workflow based on an interaction with a user
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for selecting at least one predefined workflow based on an interaction with a user. In operation, a plurality of predefined workflows are stored. Additionally, information regarding an interaction with a user is received. Furthermore, at least one of the predefined workflows is selected, based on the information.
US09459761B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing video information
Recorded video information is managed by annotation markers. The recorded video information is annotated with at least one marker and the annotated video information is saved in an electronically searchable file.
US09459758B2 Gesture-based interface with enhanced features
A method includes presenting, on a display coupled to a computer, an image of a keyboard comprising multiple keys, and receiving a sequence of three-dimensional (3D) maps including a hand of a user positioned in proximity to the display. An initial portion of the sequence of 3D maps is processed to detect a transverse gesture performed by a hand of a user positioned in proximity to the display, and a cursor is presented on the display at a position indicated by the transverse gesture. While presenting the cursor in proximity to the one of the multiple keys, one of the multiple keys is selected upon detecting a grab gesture followed by a pull gesture followed by a release gesture in a subsequent portion of the sequence of 3D maps.
US09459757B1 Processing element placement tool
A method, system, and computer program product for selectively associating one or more processing elements, or portions thereof, to one or more compute nodes. The method, system, and computer program product can include presenting a stream computing application, presenting metrics associated with at least one compute node and at least one processing element (or portion thereof), receiving input from a graphical display, associating one or more processing elements (or portions thereof) to one or more compute nodes, and updating the graphical display and the metrics to reflect the selective associations.
US09459756B2 User terminal apparatus, message exchange system, method for displaying message, and method for exchanging message
A user terminal apparatus is provided. The user terminal apparatus includes: a display which displays a map indicating a location of the user terminal apparatus and a location of one other user terminal apparatus, a communicator which receives a message which is input through the one other user terminal apparatus, and a controller which, when the message is received, controls to display the message on a region corresponding to the location of the one other user terminal apparatus on the map.
US09459755B2 Facility operations management and mobile systems
A mobile system for managing a facility includes a display, a memory, and a processor. The memory comprises an application program. The program is configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display. The GUI enables a user to view and enter information about equipment in the facility. The application program stores the entered data in the memory. The processor is configured to execute the application program.
US09459751B2 Mesh patterns for touch sensor electrodes
An electrode for a touch sensitive device includes micro-wire conductors arranged to define an electrically continuous electrode trunk area, and including branching elements which extend outward from the electrode trunk area. The electrically continuous trunk area is patterned coincident an underlying reference mesh pattern, as are the branching elements.
US09459750B2 Touch screen panel and touch screen-integrated display device
Discussed is a touch screen panel including: a substrate; a first line electrode in a mesh pattern on the substrate; a plurality of first segment electrodes disposed on the first line electrode; a second line electrode in a mesh pattern on the substrate, and disconnected in an intersection area where the second line electrode is to intersect the first line electrode; a plurality of second segment electrodes disposed on the second line electrode; and a plurality of connection electrodes that connect the disconnected second line electrode in the intersection area, wherein the first and second line electrodes reduce resistance, and the first and second segment electrodes increase effective capacitance for sensing a touch to thereby reduce an RC-delay in the touch screen panel.
US09459746B2 Capacitive touch sensor system and method
A capacitive touch sensor system and method incorporating an interpolated sensor array is disclosed. The system and method utilize a touch sensor array (TSA) configured to detect proximity/contact/pressure (PCP) via a variable impedance array (VIA) electrically coupling interlinked impedance columns (IIC) coupled to an array column driver (ACD), and interlinked impedance rows (IIR) coupled to an array row sensor (ARS). The ACD is configured to select the IIC based on a column switching register (CSR) and electrically drive the IIC using a column driving source (CDS). The VIA conveys current from the driven IIC to the IIC sensed by the ARS. The ARS selects the IIR within the TSA and electrically senses the IIR state based on a row switching register (RSR). Interpolation of ARS sensed current/voltage allows accurate detection of TSA PCP and/or spatial location.
US09459739B2 Induction unit, touch detecting assembly and touch sensitive device
An induction unit, a touch detecting assembly, and a touch sensitive device are provided. The touch sensitive device comprises: a substrate (100); a plurality of induction units (200) not intersecting with each other, and a detecting module (300) connected with the first electrodes (210) and the second electrodes (220) respectively. The induction unit (200) comprises a first electrode (210), a second electrode (220), a plurality of first structures (230) and a plurality of second structures (240). The plurality of first structures (230) are connected end to end via the plurality of second structures (240). The detecting module (300) is configured to apply a level signal to the first electrodes (210) and/or the second electrodes (220) to charge a self capacitor, to calculate a ratio between a first resistor and a second resistor, and to determine a touch position in a first direction and a touch position in a second direction.
US09459738B2 Calibration for pressure effects on touch sensor panels
A touch sensor panel which has been calibrated to be insensitive to effects from an external force applied to the panel is provided. Touch sense circuitry settings are adjusted during a calibration procedure so that when a force is exerted on the device, no change in the touch signal DC level is seen. In this way, the ability of the touch sensor panel to detect touch or proximity events is not affected by a force being applied to the panel.
US09459729B2 Sensing baseline management
A processing system for sensing includes a sensor module that includes sensor circuitry coupled to sensor electrodes, the sensor module configured to acquire a sensor frame, and a determination module connected to the sensor electrodes. The determination module is configured to determine a first delta frame from the sensor frame and a first baseline generated using a first processing mode, and determine a second delta frame from the sensor frame and a second baseline generated using a second processing mode. The second processing mode is different than the first processing mode. The determination module is further configured to determine that the first delta frame and the second delta frame are inconsistent with respect to at least one input object. The processing system copies at least a portion of the second baseline to the first baseline based on the first delta frame and the second delta frame being inconsistent.
US09459719B2 Input-output device and method for driving the same
To increase the light detection accuracy, a method for driving an input-output device that includes a first light unit, a second light unit, a display circuit, and Y light detection circuits (Y is a natural number of 2 or more) is proposed. The same light-detection control signal is input to the Y light detection circuits. In a frame period set by a display selection signal, the first light unit is lit by sequentially switching Z light-emitting diodes and emitting light, and the second light unit is lit by making the white light-emitting diode emit light when the first light unit is not lit. In a period when the second light unit is lit, Y pieces of data corresponding to the illuminance of light entering the Y light detection circuits are generated.
US09459708B2 Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which a currently displayed function screen can be switched to a desired function screen using a motion gesture of a mobile terminal while at least two functions are enabled. The present disclosure includes a display unit configured to display a screen of a first function among screens of a plurality of currently executed functions, a motion sensor configured to detect a motion gesture of the mobile terminal, and a controller configured to switch the screen of the first function to a screen of a second function among the screens of the plurality of currently executed functions, the second function is associated with the detected motion gesture.
US09459705B2 Tilting to scroll
In one embodiment, a method includes sending information to display an image on a screen. A scroll range for the image may be determined based on dimensions of the image. An origin position and an initial tilt of a gyroscope may also be determined for the image. Tilt measurements associated with the presentation of the image may be received as the gyroscope detects changes in tilt. A progress parameter may be determined based on at least the scroll range, the origin position, and the initial tilt. A scrolling presentation of the image may then be rendered based on the progress parameter. The scrolling presentation of the image may be smoothed by applying an RK4 solver to the tilt measurements to eliminate jitter due to hand tremors. A virtual spring effect may also be applied to give the scrolling presentation a bouncy effect as the edge of the image is reached.
US09459699B2 Control method and electronic device
A control method and an electronic device are provided in this application. The control method includes: determining a first operating area where an operator performs a gesture operation according to sensing information obtained by the at least two sensing units, where, sensing information from various spatial areas are obtained the at least two sensing units, the first operating area includes at least one spatial area of the various spatial areas; and generating and executing a first control instruction corresponding to the first operating area based on at least a configuration relationship between an operating area and an instruction, where the first control instruction is different from a second control instruction which is generated when the operator performs a gesture operation in a second operating area.
US09459696B2 Gesture-sensitive display
Disclosed are a system and method for detecting a gesture performed by a user of a device. The device includes a screen having a backlight as with a liquid-crystal type display or which provides its own illumination as with a light-emitting diode type display. The device is programmed to emit a detectable optical signal from one or more distinct zones of the display. The device further includes an optical receiver for detecting any reflections of the emitted detectable optical signal. When a user's hand is located in proximity to the device display, the reflections of the detectable optical signal from that appendage are detected by the optical receiver and are used by the device to determine the presence and direction of travel of the user hand, signifying a user gesture. The distinct zones of the backlight may consist of a single zone, and the optical receiver may comprise multiple receivers.
US09459693B2 Machine-differentiatable identifiers having a commonly accepted meaning
Embodiments include an article of manufacture, apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, system is provided that includes at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers, each identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers being respectively keyed to a data recipient and associatable with a hand-formed mark on a surface. The system also includes a commonly accepted meaning respectively associated by a group of users with each machine-differentiatable identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers. The system may include a surface displaying the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers. The system may include a surface displaying the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers and the commonly accepted meaning respectively associated by a group of users with each machine-differentiatable identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers.
US09459691B2 Techniques for adjusting a position of a display device based on a position of a user
A technique for adjusting a display angle of an electronic apparatus includes capturing, by an image capturing module (of the electronic apparatus), images of a user with respect to a display device (of the electronic apparatus) at a reference first position and a second position. A processing module (of the electronic apparatus) provides an indication when the user exceeds a predetermined threshold in moving from the first position to the second position. A controlling module (of the electronic apparatus) causes a first driving module (of the electronic apparatus) to drive rotation of a first rotating module (of the electronic apparatus) in response to the processing module indicating the displacement has exceeded the predetermined threshold. The first rotating module is coupled to a base unit portion of the electronic apparatus.
US09459690B2 Information processing apparatus and power supply control method
In standby mode, memory contents are saved to a hard disk. After AC power has been removed by disconnecting the AC plug, when the AC power is restored the data saved on the hard disk is automatically restored into memory to set the power-saving mode back to the standby mode. When the power is turned on next, quick resumption from standby mode can be accomplished.
US09459685B1 System and methods for optimizing energy efficiency in programmable devices
A system for optimizing energy efficiency of an embedded system. A hardware abstraction layer (HAL) is coupled to hardware of an embedded system. An energy hardware abstraction layer (eHAL) couples to the hardware and to the HAL. A hypervisor couples to the HAL and to the eHAL. One or more applications couple to the hypervisor, the HAL and the eHAL. The eHAL measures energy use of the embedded system, constructs a model of energy use of the embedded system and, using the model, determines how to one of reduce and minimize energy use of the embedded system. The hypervisor is configured to alter one or more hardware parameters to one of reduce and minimize energy use of the embedded system as the embedded system performs one or more tasks. In implementations a real time operating system (RTOS) is coupled to the one or more applications and to the hypervisor.
US09459681B2 Method and apparatus to control power supply to network device
An apparatus to control power of an electronic device includes a local area network (LAN) controller to control network communication of the electronic device, a communication interface connected to an external dongle to perform the network communication, a connection detector to detect whether a first signal for connection with the LAN controller is received from the external dongle, and a power controller to supply power to the LAN controller when the first signal is detected and to shut off power to the LAN controller when the first signal is not detected.
US09459679B2 Power manager and method for managing power
A power manager (106) and method for managing the power supplied to an electronic device is provided. Furthermore, a system wherein the power supplied to an electronic device is managed is provided. The power manager (106) is operative to monitor a hardware monitor (104) during a monitoring time period. The hardware monitor (104) is coupled to an electronic device (102). The electronic device (102) has a workload during operational use. The hardware monitor is operative to indicate the workload of the electronic device (102). The power manager is operative to control power supplied to the electronic device (102) in dependency on the monitoring.
US09459675B2 Multi-battery power supply system
A multi battery power system includes an electronic device and an extension dock. The electronic device includes a first power storage module, a first connector, a second connector and a power conversion module. The first power storage module includes a first power storage unit. The first connector is coupled to the first power storage module. The power conversion module is coupled between the first power storage unit and the second connector, and converts power stored in the first power storage unit into a converted output voltage and transmits the converted output voltage to the second connector. The extension dock includes a third connector and an electrical load. The third connector is paired with and selectively connected to the second connector of the electronic device. The electrical load is coupled to the third connector, and selectively receives the converted output voltage from the electronic device via the third connector.
US09459673B2 System and a method for remotely interacting with items present in an environment for communicating with computing device
Disclosed is a system and a method for remotely interacting with an item in an electric field affected environment for communicating with a computing device. The system includes a host connected to an alternating current source of the environment, and one or more client units for interacting with each item of the environment. The host receives the command from the computing device, and further the host sends the command data via modulated electric field to the client unit. The client unit includes a sensing element to the sense the condition of the item, based on the command data received from the host, and the client unit further sends the feedback data to the computing device via the host controller. The client unit further includes acting elements for notifying the condition of the item.
US09459669B2 Multi-component shared cooling system
Multi-component shared cooling systems include a chassis housing a first heat exchanger device and a second heat exchanger device. A first component such as, for example, a system processor, is housed in the chassis, includes a first thermal connection to the first heat exchanger device, and includes a second thermal connection to the second heat exchanger device. A second component such as, for example, a graphics processor, is housed in the chassis and includes a third thermal connection to the first heat exchanger device. The first heat exchanger device is configured to dissipate heat that is produced by the second component and transmitted by the third thermal connection. The second heat exchanger device is configured to dissipate the heat that is produced by the second component and transmitted by the third thermal connection, the first heat exchanger device, the first thermal connection, the first component, and the second thermal connection.
US09459668B2 Cooling system with desiccant dehumidification
A system for removing heat from electrical systems includes a dehumidification device including a desiccant, an evaporative cooling device, air moving devices, and an air flow control devices. The air moving device moves air through the dehumidification device, the evaporative cooling device, and the electrical systems. The air flow control device controls a rate of flow through the dehumidification device.
US09459664B2 Portable computing device having a movable stand
A portable computing device includes a body that has a display. A stand is connected to the body. The stand is operable to place the portable computing device in a viewing orientation in which the portable computing device rests on the stand or a carrying orientation in which the stand acts as a handle for lifting the portable computing device. A rotation device connected to the stand assists in positioning the display in a range of angles for viewing convenience.
US09459663B2 Door assembly and electronic device
A door assembly disposed at an opening of a casing of an electronic device is provided. An insertion hole provided at a side of the casing close to the opening for an pin to be inserted into the casing through the insertion hole. The door assembly includes a door cap and a rejecting module. The door cap is at least partially connected to the casing and corresponding to the opening. The rejecting module is disposed in the casing and corresponding to the door cap. The rejecting module is configured to push the door cap to expose the opening when the pin is inserted into the casing through the insertion hole. An electronic device is also provided, which includes a casing and the door assembly.
US09459660B2 Display device and electronic apparatus
A display device includes a display panel in which a display surface is formed on a substrate; a case having a groove portion with which the display panel is fitted; an adhesive adhering a bottom surface of the groove portion and a rear surface of the display surface, and a protrusion formed on the bottom surface and having a predetermined height.
US09459657B2 Portable computing device docking apparatus
A portable computing device docking apparatus includes an input unit to input a user command, a mounting unit disposed on one side of the input unit, into which one end portion of a portable computing device is separately inserted, and a hinge unit to interconnect the input unit and the mounting unit, and selectively lock and release the portable computing device according to an angle formed by the portable computing device mounted on the mounting unit and the input unit.
US09459656B2 Flexible devices and related methods of use
Disclosed are devices which include flexible display sheets or other flexible elements, whereas by physically manipulating said flexible display sheets or elements, interaction with said device may be facilitated. Flexibility features may be employed to provide methods of interaction which include manipulating flexible section. Some of said methods of interaction are disclosed. Further disclosed are units which can connect to flexible display sheets, for interacting with said flexible display sheets.
US09459655B2 Laptop
A laptop includes a screen and a base having a keyboard. An end of the screen is articulated to an end of the base via a rotating device; and a first distance between a bottom edge of the screen and a bottom edge of the keyboard is smaller than a second distance between a top end of the screen and the bottom edge of the keyboard when the screen is closed onto the base. A guide rail is provided at two sides of the base, and the screen is slidable along the guide rail. The rotating device includes an articulated shaft connected to the base; and at any position on the guide rail, the screen is rotatable about the articulated shaft. When the screen is closed onto the base, the display surface of the screen faces outwards, thus the user can use the laptop in a tablet computer mode.
US09459654B2 Speaker mounting structure and display device
A speaker mounting structure includes a speaker including a sound output surface, a front casing containing a display panel, a rear casing which is installed on a rear of the front casing and houses the speaker such that the sound output surface faces a direction opposite to the direction that the front casing faces, and a sound-reflecting member which is mounted on the rear casing so as face the sound output surface of the speaker and which reflects the sound that is output from the sound output surface toward the front of the front casing.
US09459647B2 Bandgap reference circuit and bandgap reference current source with two operational amplifiers for generating zero temperature correlated current
The present invention provides a bandgap reference circuit. The bandgap reference circuit includes a first bipolar junction transistor, a first resistor, for generating a proportional to absolute temperature current, a second resistor, for generating a complementary to absolute temperature current, a first operational amplifier, coupled with the first bipolar junction transistor and the first resistor, a second operational amplifier, coupled with the first bipolar junction transistor and the second resistor, and a zero temperature correlated current generator, for summing the proportional to absolute temperature current and the complementary to absolute temperature current, to generate a zero temperature correlated current.
US09459646B2 Voltage supply for supplying in zones voltages proportional to a master supply votlage using voltage mirroring
A scaled voltage supply to supply voltage biases to circuits in voltage zones. The scaled voltage supply includes a master voltage corresponding to a voltage drop across a master-upper rail having a voltage Vdd and a master-lower rail having a voltage Vss=0. Further, the supply includes a voltage-divider network dividing the master voltage Vdd into intermediate voltages αVdd, βVdd, etc., wherein α and β are predetermined constants. These intermediate voltages scale with the master voltage and are supplied to the voltage zones using non-invasive soft rails. In one implementation the soft rails use voltage mirrors to supply the intermediate voltages to the circuits within voltage zones.
US09459642B2 Low dropout regulator and related method
A device includes an error amplifier, a standby current source, a charging current source, a voltage divider, and a first switch. The error amplifier has a negative input terminal and a positive input terminal. The standby current source has a control terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the error amplifier. The voltage divider has an input terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the standby current source, and an output terminal electrically connected to the positive input terminal of the error amplifier. The charging current source has a control terminal electrically connected to the output terminal of the error amplifier. The first switch has a first terminal electrically connected to an input terminal of the charging current source, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first power supply node.
US09459635B2 Current-parking switching regulator upstream controller
A system and method are provided for regulating a voltage at a load. A current source is configured to provide a current to a voltage control mechanism and the voltage control mechanism is configured to provide a portion of the current to the load. The current is generated based on the portion of the current that is provided to the load. A system includes the current source, an upstream controller, and the voltage control mechanism that is coupled to the load. The upstream controller is coupled to the current source and is configured to control a current that is generated by the current source based on a portion of the current that is provided to the load.
US09459633B2 Managing workload distribution among computing systems to optimize heat dissipation by computing systems
A thermal workload distribution controller receives, for each of multiple thermal controlled areas, at least one current thermal measurement from at least one separate thermostat node. The thermal workload distribution controller selects a particular thermal controlled area from among the multiple thermal controlled areas that is most optimal to receive additional heat based on the at least one current thermal measurement received for each of the thermal controlled areas. The thermal workload distribution controller distributes at least one workload to a server node associated with the particular thermal controlled area, wherein the heat dissipated by the server from executing the workload affects a thermal environment of the particular thermal controlled area.
US09459630B2 System and method for controlling a remote valve
A system and method for controlling a remote valve includes temporarily driving or activating a battery-powered pilot valve assembly to place an operatively coupled output valve assembly in a switch position. A processor energizes a bistable valve of the pilot valve assembly to enable a fluid supply to drive the output valve assembly to a desired switch position, whereupon the pilot valve assembly may be de-energized and the switch position of the output valve assembly maintained.
US09459629B2 Flow rate controller and recording medium recorded with program for flow rate controller
A flow rate controller is provided that includes a setting flow rate shaping part that, in the case of receiving an input setting flow rate having a discontinuous point at which a target value discontinuously changes from a first target value to a second target value, outputs a shaped setting flow rate in which a continuously changing interval is inserted in place of the discontinuous point in the input setting flow rate; and a valve control part that controls a flow rate control valve opening so as to reduce a deviation between the shaped setting flow rate and a measured flow rate, wherein the setting flow rate shaping part is configured to, depending on the magnitude of an absolute deviation between the first target value and the second target value in the input setting flow rate, change a rate of change in target value in the continuously changing interval.
US09459628B1 System and method for moving spans of an irrigation system
A method of moving at least two irrigation spans across a ground surface of a field may include receiving an initial movement control signal corresponding to a user-selected fluid application rate, determining the user-selected fluid application rate from the initial movement control signal, determining a position of at least one span in the field, modifying the initial movement control signal to a modified movement control signal according to a predetermined modification factor, with a value of the modification factor varying according to a position of the span in the field such that the modification factor varies among span positions, and sending the modified movement control signal to the drive motor control. A system is also disclosed.
US09459627B2 Control of a personal transporter based on user position
An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
US09459622B2 Driverless vehicle commerce network and community
A method, device, and system of a driverless automobile commerce network and community is disclosed. Disclosed are methods and a system of associating a unique identifier associated with a driverless vehicle (DV) with an automobile sharing server, periodically analyzing a location of the DV based on a geospatial data associated with the location of the DV, and declaring a non-transitory location of the DV based on a predictable behavior algorithm. An owner of the DV is permitted to list the DV on an automobile sharing network. The methods and system comprise processing a payment of a renter of the DV in a threshold radial distance from the DV when the DV is at the non-transitory location for a predictably available period of time and crediting a financial account of the owner of the DV with the payment of the renter in the threshold radial distance from the DV when the DV is at the non-transitory location for the predictably available period of time.
US09459613B2 Electric endoscope
An electric endoscope includes a motor that generates a rotational driving force, a torque shaft that transmits the rotational driving force from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion, a connecting section for bending a bending portion by the rotational driving force transmitted by the torque shaft, an input section that instructs a target rotation amount of the motor, a detecting section that detects rotation information of the motor in a rotating state thereof, an estimating section that estimates a rotation state of the motor based on the rotation information, a motor physical model, a torque shaft physical model and a connecting section physical model, and a control section that performs control so that the rotation state of the distal end portion matches with a rotation state of the target rotation amount based on the estimated rotation state of the motor.
US09459612B2 Movable device allowing instantaneous correction of error in moving state and error correction method thereof
Disclosed are a movable device allowing instantaneous correction of error in a moving state and an error correction method thereof. The movable device includes a drive unit that is previously set up with an allowable error and has a moving path along which detection units are installed in a line. Precise measurements are taken in advance to obtain position data of each of the detection units. Comparison is then made by the controller between instantaneous data and corresponding comparison data. When the controller determines the instantaneous data exceed the comparison data, an instantaneous correction operation is made to make the instantaneous data not exceeding the comparison data. Acceleration or deceleration may be made by the drive unit to effect such a control that when the movable piece reaches the next detection unit, the instantaneous data do not exceed the comparison data.
US09459606B2 Display apparatus for control information, method for displaying control information, and system for displaying control information
A management unit including: a demand plan generating unit that obtains control information items related to energy consuming appliances; an obtaining unit that obtains picture data items showing the appliances; a memory which stores the picture data items obtained by the obtaining unit; a selecting unit which selects a picture data item from selection candidates including the picture data items stored in the memory, based on a specified control mode; a processor that executes processing for superimposing the control information items corresponding to the appliances in the picture data item selected by the selecting unit; and an output unit which displays the picture data item with the superimposed control information item.
US09459605B2 Analyzing hardware of a turbine controller
A system for analyzing hardware of a turbine controller includes a user interface to receive a user input. The system further includes a turbine controller analysis assembly configured to generate a representation of information corresponding to devices and signals of the turbine controller based on receiving a first query from the user interface and a turbine controller selection from the user interface. The turbine controller analysis assembly is further configured to generate a representation of a bill of materials to modify the turbine controller with a first turbine controller modification module based on receiving from the user interface a first data module selection signal corresponding to the first turbine controller modification module.
US09459604B2 Methods and system for joining a smart energy device to a zigbee network
One embodiment is directed to a method for joining a smart energy device to a ZigBee network. The method includes sending, from a ZigBee gateway to a database server, a first extended unique identifier (EUI) for the ZigBee gateway. The also method includes receiving a request from a first smart energy device to join the ZigBee gateway, the request including a second EUI corresponding to the first smart energy device. The second EUI from the first smart energy device is compared with the first one or more EUIs received from the database server. If the second EUI from the first smart energy device matches any of the first one or more EUIs, an install code or link key corresponding to the matched one of the first one or more EUIs is sent to the first smart energy device. Otherwise, an install code is requested from the user.
US09459602B2 Electronic operator interface based controller and device automatic downloads
An electronic operator interface based controller and device automatic downloads are provided. An electronic operator interface can determine if control logic or content used by an industrial controller has been updated, changed, or otherwise modified. If the content has been modified, then the electronic operator interface can automatically obtain the content and store a back-up copy in memory. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic operator interface can periodically update a backup copy of the content. Furthermore, the electronic operator interface can determine if the controller has lost its content, and restore the content from the most recent version saved in memory.
US09459600B2 Method and automation system for processing information extractable from an engineering drawing file using information modeling and correlations to generate output data
A method and an automation system for processing information extractable from an engineering drawing file. The automation system includes a controller which models in the engineering drawing file (20) at least two objects (302, 304) in a predefined format by adding at least two entities (34) to the engineering drawing file (20) (S501) and by adding support information (35) to the engineering drawing file (20) (S502) to provide the extractable information (S401), provides a program sequence (80) in an automation application (50) to establish a correlation of the extractable information (S402), correlates the extractable information by executing the program sequence (80) (S403), and generates output data (12, 15) based on the established correlation of the extractable information (S404). The correlation of the extractable information is established only while the program sequence (80) of the automation application (50) is being executed.
US09459598B2 Motor control device
Control parameters such as an acceleration/deceleration time constant Tf, a position loop gain Kpf, a velocity loop proportional gain Pvf, and a velocity loop integral gain Ivf, each including respective values assigned to each of a plurality of different inertia values J0˜Jmax, are changed based on an inertia value Jx calculated by an inertia identifying unit and an adjusted control parameter calculated by an automatic control-parameter adjustment unit.
US09459597B2 Method and apparatus to provide an improved sleep experience by selecting an optimal next sleep state for a user
A sleep sensing system comprising a sensor to obtain real-time information about a user, a sleep state logic to determine the user's current sleep state based on the real-time information. The system further comprising a sleep stage selector to select an optimal next sleep state for the user, and a sound output system to output sounds to guide the user from the current sleep state to the optimal next sleep state.
US09459592B2 Method for time and time zone synchronization and terminal device
A method for time and time zone synchronization and a terminal device. After a terminal registers with a network or roams to the network, the terminal determines whether the network supports a Network Identity and Time Zone (NITZ) function; and if the terminal determines that the network supports the NITZ function, the terminal prompts a user that uses the terminal to use a function of automatic time and time zone synchronization when automatic synchronization is not set for the terminal; or if the terminal determines that the network does not support the NITZ function, the terminal prompts a user that uses the terminal to manually configure time and a time zone. According to the present application, correctness of time and a time zone of the terminal can be ensured.
US09459591B2 Multipoint simultaneous measurement method and multipoint simultaneous measurement system in electric power station, and internal clock used therefor
A multipoint simultaneous measurement method and a multipoint simultaneous measurement system in an electric power station and an internal clock used therefor, capable of performing measurement at the correct time even at a place in the electric power station where GPS radio waves cannot be received, and of securing simultaneity with high accuracy and with ease without connecting a plurality of measurement points via a cable and the like.
US09459587B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an exposure unit that forms a latent image by irradiating a photoconductor body with light by using light emitting elements that are arranged along an axial direction of the photoconductor body, the exposure unit having an inlet to which air flow is introduced; and an air blowing unit that produces the air flow that is introduced to the exposure unit from an air blow opening that is provided at a position that is in correspondence with a position of the inlet of the exposure unit.
US09459584B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion to and from which a process cartridge including a photosensitive member and a developing roller is attachable and detachable, a separation mechanism that takes a first position to separate the developing roller from the photosensitive member and a second position to bring the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive member, an allowance mechanism that allows the process cartridge with the developing roller kept in contact with the photosensitive member to be mounted on the mounting portion when the separation mechanism is in the first position, an exposure device, and a control unit, wherein, when the developing roller and the photosensitive member are in contact with each other when the separation mechanism is in the first position, the control unit performs an exposure operation while keeping the separation mechanism in the first position during an initial operation of the image forming apparatus.
US09459583B2 Image forming apparatus having a U-shaped member for hooking a locking portion
A one end side mounting portion of a support member is fixed to an inner wall surface of a cover member by a U-shaped member. The one end side mounting portion has an insertion portion, which is inserted into a hole formed by the U-shaped member and the inner wall surface of the cover member, a locking portion, and a support front end portion. In the hole, the insertion portion is tiltable in a surface vertical to a shaft as a rotation fulcrum of the cover member. The support front end portion is provided at a surface thereof, which faces the cover member side, with an inclination surface portion which is inclined from a cover member side to an anti-cover member side toward a front end side and the inclination surface portion abuts the inner wall surface of the cover member at the maximum opening angle of the cover member.
US09459582B2 Image forming apparatus including voltage and current application lines
An image forming apparatus includes a voltage application unit, a target device, a voltage application line, and an electric-current return line. The voltage application unit applies a voltage to the target device through the voltage application line made of a conductor. The electric-current return line made of a conductor connects the target device to the voltage application unit. An electric current that flows upon application of the voltage from the voltage application unit to the target device returns to the voltage application unit through the electric-current return line. The electric-current return line has a length shorter than a path by way of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
US09459579B2 Image forming apparatus that corrects image forming condition based on measurement result of measurement image
An image forming apparatus includes: a measuring unit configured to measure a plurality of measurement images, the plurality of measurement images including a first measurement image and second measurement images; a generation unit configured to generate a conversion condition based on second measurement data corresponding to the second measurement images; a first determination unit configured to determine an execution condition based on first measurement data corresponding to the first measurement image; and a second determination unit configured to determine a light intensity based on the first measurement data. A subsequent timing when the plurality of measurement images are to be formed is determined based on the execution condition, and an exposure unit updates the set light intensity to the light intensity determined by the second determination unit when the plurality of measurement images are formed at the subsequent timing.
US09459578B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit that forms a toner image with a substantially flat toner containing a substantially flat metal pigment on a movable body; a transfer unit that forms a nip with the movable body and transfers the toner image on a medium transported to the nip; and a controller that, if at least one of first and second conditions, the first condition in which an image width from data for allowing the forming unit to form the toner image is larger than a predetermined width, the second condition in which an area coverage from the data is higher than a predetermined area coverage, is satisfied, causes the forming unit to form a toner image with a corrected area coverage lower than the area coverage from the data.
US09459574B1 Image forming apparatus and image forming system for correcting curvature of a recording sheet
An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording medium, a fixing unit that heats and fixes the toner image onto the recording medium, an ejection unit that ejects the recording medium through a curved transport path, a transport unit for two-sided printing that flips over the recording medium and transports the recording medium to the toner image forming unit, and a switching unit that switches, when an subsequent operation is specified to be performed on the recording medium, an ejection path through which the recording medium is to be ejected to an ejection path that passes the transport unit for two-sided printing and changes a temperature of the fixing unit to a temperature lower than a temperature at which the toner image is fixed to the recording medium or causes the fixing unit to stop heating.
US09459572B2 Fixing member manufacturing method and fixing member manufacturing apparatus
A fixing member manufacturing method includes: a step of holding a longitudinal end of a resin tube by a first holding tool; a step of holding another longitudinal end of the resin tube by a second holding tool; a step of decreasing a distance between the first and second holding tools each holding the resin tube, by a predetermined amount; a step of expanding, after the decreasing step, the resin tube in a radial direction; and a step of externally fitting the resin tube, expanded in the radial direction, around an elastic material coated with an adhesive.
US09459569B2 Image forming apparatus counting cumulative number of startups of fixing unit
An image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording medium includes a fixing unit configured to fix the unfixed toner image on the recording medium while conveying the recording medium bearing the unfixed toner image at a nip portion. The fixing unit includes a fixing rotating member and a pressure member forming the nip portion with the fixing rotating member. The apparatus also includes: a counting portion configured to count the cumulative rotation time of the fixing rotating member and the cumulative number of startups of the fixing unit; and a notifying portion configured to performing notification of information about at least one of the lifetime expiration of the fixing unit and the necessity of replacing the fixing unit. The notifying portion performs the notification in accordance with the cumulative rotation time and the cumulative number of startups of the fixing unit.
US09459564B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a transfer member, and a power source. The image bearer includes a plurality of layers. The transfer member forms a transfer nip between the image bearer and the transfer member. The power source outputs a transfer bias to transfer a toner image from the image bearer onto a recording sheet in the transfer nip. The transfer bias alternates between a transfer-side bias that causes the toner image to move from the image bearer to the recording sheet, and an opposite-side bias different from the transfer-side bias. A duty ratio of a time period, during which the opposite-side bias is output, relative to one cycle of a waveform, is greater than 50%.
US09459561B2 Developing cartridge and method for manufacturing the same
A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame and a layer thickness regulating member. The first frame and the second frame include a first welding surface formed at a periphery of the developer accommodating part correspondingly to a developer accommodating part; and a second welding surface extending continuously from the first welding surface correspondingly to a roller support part. The first welding surface extends in a direction orthogonal to an overlapping direction of the first frame and the second frame. The second welding surface extends to be inclined toward a side of the first frame in the overlapping direction as extending toward the developing roller. The layer thickness regulating member is provided to cover the second welding surface from a side of the second frame in the overlapping direction.
US09459560B2 Developing cartridge and method for manufacturing the same
A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame and a layer thickness regulating member. The first frame and the second frame include a first welding surface formed at a periphery of the developer accommodating part correspondingly to a developer accommodating part; and a second welding surface extending continuously from the first welding surface correspondingly to a roller support part. The first welding surface extends in a direction orthogonal to an overlapping direction of the first frame and the second frame. The second welding surface extends to be inclined toward a side of the first frame in the overlapping direction as extending toward the developing roller. The layer thickness regulating member is provided to cover the second welding surface from a side of the second frame in the overlapping direction.
US09459559B1 Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developing member that delivers a developer to an image carrier while rotating, a transport-supply member that extends in one direction and that supplies the developer, which contains a toner, to the developing member while transporting the developer from a first side to a second side in the one direction, and a transport-stirring member that is disposed along a transport-stirring path, which is inclined in an upward direction with respect to a horizontal direction, the transport-stirring member being configured to receive the developer, which is transported by the transport-supply member, from a portion of the transport-supply member on the second side in the one direction, stir the received developer while transporting the developer upward along the transport-stirring path, and deliver the developer to a portion of the transport-supply member on the first side in the one direction.
US09459557B1 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus comprises a first component, a second component, a first end surface, a second end surface and a sealer. The sealer arranged on the first or second end surface seals the part between the first end surface and the second end surface while keeping the first opening communicated with the second opening when the second component is mounted on the first component.
US09459555B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a body of the image forming apparatus; and a cartridge installable with respect to the body, wherein the cartridge includes a developer accommodating portion accommodating a developer; a developing portion supporting a developer holding member holding the developer thereon; and a shutter configured to be movable between an open position at which the shutter opens a communication port and a closed position at which the shutter closes the communication port. The body includes a detecting section detecting a state of the cartridge which changes as the cartridge is used, and a judging section judging whether or not a cartridge exchange timing for exchanging the cartridge has arrived, based on the state of the cartridge detected by the detecting section; and the shutter moves to the closed position under a condition that the judging section judges that the cartridge exchange timing has arrived.
US09459549B2 Liquid developer, method for controlling charging properties of toner, image forming apparatus, image forming method, process cartridge, and liquid developer cartridge
A liquid developer includes a toner in which a compound having a charge-accepting functional group has been bonded to a surface of toner particles, and a carrier liquid which makes a charge density of a surface of the toner become 1 μC/m2 or less when the toner is dispersed in the carrier liquid.
US09459546B2 Toner to develop electrostatic latent images
A toner to develop electrostatic latent images which uses an appropriate combination of a high molecular weight binder resin and a low molecular weight binder resin, an appropriate amount of a releasing agent, and a combination of silica particles and iron oxide particles as external additives, and thus has the following effects: the toner may reduce a generation amount of ultra-fine particles (UFPs) and have enhanced fluidity, charging uniformity, charging stability, transfer efficiency, fixability, durability and a cleaning ability.
US09459545B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member, manufacturing method of electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus, and a solid solution and manufacturing method of a solid solution
The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member which can output images with reduced image defects due to ghosting not only under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment but also even under a low temperature and low humidity environment as especially severe conditions, and a manufacturing method thereof; and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Accordingly, the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention having a support and a photosensitive layer on the support includes the photosensitive layer which contains a solid solution of hydroxygallium phthalocyanine and a compound represented by the following Formula (1) or Formula (1)′, the solid solution having peaks at Bragg angles 2θ of 7.4°±0.3° and 28.3°±0.3° in CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction.
US09459540B2 Mechanically produced alignment fiducial method and device
The technology disclosed relates to methods and systems that can be used to reduce visible artifacts know as mura. In particular, it relates to producing alignment marks by physically modifying appearance of a layer of exposure or radiation sensitive material on a workpiece, then using those alignment marks or transferred direct or inverted images of those marks to realign a writing coordinate system between exposure writing passes, following physical movement of the workpiece within the writing system. The physical modifications described include mechanically pressing a mark into the layer, using a laser to ash or ablate the layer, or applying an ink or other substance to the surface of the laser.
US09459539B2 Imaging optical unit for a projection exposure apparatus
An imaging optical unit for a projection exposure apparatus serves for imaging an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. The image field is arranged at a field distance from the object plane. The optical unit has a plurality of mirrors. The imaging optical unit has a wavefront aberration over the image field of a maximum of 0.3 nm and an image-side numerical aperture of at least 0.5. The image field in at least one dimension has an extent of at least 10 mm. The result is an imaging optical unit in particular suited as part of an optical system for a projection exposure apparatus for projection lithography.
US09459538B2 Lithography apparatus and method for producing a mirror arrangement
A lithography apparatus is disclosed, having at least one mirror arrangement which includes a mirror substrate including a front side with a reflecting surface, a side wall, which extends along a circumference of the mirror substrate from a rear side of the mirror substrate, and mounting elements to mount the mirror arrangement on a structural element of the lithography apparatus. The rear side of the mirror substrate and an inner side of the side wall delimit a cavity. Each of the mounting elements is connected to the mirror arrangement at a connection surface. The relation S/D>0.5 is satisfied at least one of the connection surfaces, wherein D denotes a thickness of the side wall at the connection surface and S denotes the length of the shortest path through the mirror material from the centroid of the connection surface to the rear side of the mirror substrate.
US09459534B2 Photolithographic methods
Provided are photoresist overcoat compositions, substrates coated with the overcoat compositions and methods of forming electronic devices by a negative tone development process. The compositions, coated substrates and methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.
US09459531B2 Actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition, resist film using the same, pattern forming method, method for manufacturing electronic device, and electronic device
There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a resin (P) having a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (A) and having at least two of a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (B), a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (C), a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (D) and a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (E).
US09459530B2 Photosensitive epoxy resin composition, curable film for formation of optical waveguide core layer, and optical waveguide and optical/electrical transmission hybrid flexible printed wiring board produced by using the photosensitive epoxy resin composition or the curable film
The present invention provides a photosensitive epoxy resin composition which contains: (A) a cresol novolak polyfunctional epoxy resin; (B) a liquid epoxy resin having a fluorene skeleton in its main chain; and (C) a photoacid generator; wherein the components (A) and (B) are present in a mixing weight ratio of (A)/(B)=40/60 to 60/40. Where the inventive photosensitive epoxy resin composition is used as an optical waveguide forming material, particularly as an optical waveguide core layer forming material for formation of a core layer, the optical waveguide core layer can be formed as having excellent reflow resistance and a lower loss through a coating process and a roll-to-roll process without altering the conventional production process.
US09459529B2 Negative photosensitive resin composition, cured resin film, partition walls and optical element
To provide a negative photosensitive resin composition which is capable of imparting good ink repellency to a cured film, particularly to the upper surface of partition walls, and which has characteristics such that an ink repellent agent is less likely to remain in opening sections defined by the partition walls even without UV/O3 irradiation treatment, and the ink is permitted to uniformly wet-spread without unevenness. A negative photosensitive resin composition characterized by comprising (A) an alkali-soluble resin or alkali-soluble monomer, which has a photo-curability, (B) a photopolymerization initiator, (C) an ink repellent agent having fluorine atoms, and (D) a compound which is a partially hydrolyzed condensate of a hydrolysable silane compound mixture containing a hydrolysable silane compound having a mercapto group and a hydrolysable group and/or a hydrolysable silane compound having a group with an ethylenic double bond and a hydrolysable group, and which has no fluorine atom.
US09459528B2 Negative tone resist composition for solvent developing and method of forming resist pattern
A negative tone resist composition for solvent developing including: a base component (A) which exhibits decreased solubility in an organic solvent under the action of acid; a photodecomposable quencher (D0) which generates acid having a pKa of 2.0 or more; and a fluorine additive (F) containing a fluorine-containing polymeric compound (f) which has a structural unit (f0-1) represented by general formula (f0-1) shown below or a structural unit (f0-2) represented by general formula (f0-2) shown below. In the formulae, R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and Rf1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing a fluorine atom.
US09459527B1 Search control for searching video content
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing efficient searching of video content. In one aspect, a method includes providing a search control associated with video content items, the search control for receiving search queries for identifying video content items associated with one or more channels in a video sharing environment. A search query is received from a user logged into one of the video sharing environment or a content distribution system. One or more matching video content items are located from the repository based on the search query. A selection of one or more of the video content items is received. A channel associated with the selected video content items is determined. Providing the search control further includes providing a pre-populated suggestion list for selecting a filter criteria for locating a video content item based on the stored historical channel selections associated with the user.
US09459524B2 Mask plate and method of patterning using the mask plate
The embodiment of the present invention provides a mask plate and a method of patterning using the mask plate, the mask plate comprising a light shielding area and an opening area, the edge of the opening area being in a concave-convex shape. The embodiment of the present invention, by setting the edge of the opening area of the mask plate in a concave-convex shape, can improve linearity of the matrix edge formed after the processes of coating, exposing, developing, roasting of the photoresist, so as to prevent the problem of generating a jagged or a wavy shape at the matrix edge of a color filter in a color film substrate, thereby improving uniformity of color display of a liquid crystal display. The effect is particularly significant for a product using a negative photoresist or with a relatively thin line width in the formed matrix.
US09459523B2 Pattern optical similarity determination
Aspects of the invention relate to techniques for determining pattern optical similarity in lithography. Optical kernel strength values for a first set of layout features and a second set of layout features are computed first. Based on the optical kernel strength values, optical similarity values between the first set of layout features and the second set of layout features are then determined. Subsequently, calibration weight values for the first set of layout features may be determined based on the optical similarity values, which, along with the first set of layout features, may be employed to calibrate lithography process model parameters.
US09459516B2 MEMS-based rapidscan device and projector having same
A device projecting images by micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology mirrors includes a base, a first substrate, a first reflective mirror, a second substrate, and a second reflective mirror. The first substrate and the second substrate are adjacently positioned on the base. The first reflective mirror is formed on the first substrate by a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology and configured for receiving a light beam and rotating in two directions under control of the MEMS for reflect the received light in two directions. The second reflective mirror is formed on the rotatable second substrate to receive the image and be rotated, thus further adjusting the range of the projected images.
US09459515B2 Adjustable camera mount for a vehicle windshield
A camera mount for mounting a camera inside a windshield of a vehicle. The camera includes a lens mount and a camera housing. The front tip of the lens mount is constrained to be in close proximity to or constrained to contact the inside of the windshield for different rake angles of the windshield.
US09459513B2 Methods and optical interrogation system for monitoring structural health of a structure
Methods and an optical interrogation system for monitoring structural health of a structure are provided. The method includes generating an optical signal using an optical signal generator, and directing the optical signal towards at least one optical sensor located remotely from the optical signal generator. The optical sensor includes a photonic crystal wafer optically interacting with the optical signal and an environmental condition. The method also includes capturing, by an optical signal receiving apparatus, a reflected optical signal reflected from the at least one optical sensor, and analyzing the reflected optical signal to determine a change in the environmental condition.
US09459508B2 Display device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first signal line, a second signal line, a first switching element, a second switching element, an insulating film, a first contact hole, a second contact hole, a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode. The first contact hole is formed in the insulating film, and located between the first signal line and the second signal line. The second contact hole is formed in the insulating film, located opposite to the first contact hole with respect to the second signal line, and also located side by side with the first contact hole in the first direction.
US09459492B2 Display with backlight
A display includes a backlight (40). In addition, the display includes for each of at least one wavelength band, a plurality of layers placed above the backlight (40). The plurality of layers includes an absorption layer (13,23,33), a luminescent layer (14,24,34) and a reflective layer (15,25,35). The absorption layer (12,22,32) is capable of absorbing light in a wavelength band while being substantially transparent to light in other wavelength bands. The luminescent layer (14,24,34) is capable, in response to light from the backlight (40), of emitting light within the wavelength band. The reflective layer (15,25,35) is adapted to reflect light in the wavelength band while being substantially transparent to light in other wavelength bands.
US09459491B2 Mirror display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes a display panel and a polarization conversion panel facing the display panel. The polarization conversion panel includes: an insulation substrate; an absorptive polarizer positioned on the insulation substrate; a first electrode positioned on the absorptive polarizer; a passivation layer formed on the first electrode while being spaced apart therefrom a microcavity interposed between the passivation layer and the first electrode, the passivation layer an injection hole; an overcoat formed on the passivation layer to cover the injection hole and seal the microcavity; a second electrode positioned on the overcoat; a reflective polarizer positioned on the second electrode; and a liquid crystal layer positioned in the microcavity.
US09459489B2 Liquid crystal display, manufacturing method of the same, and repair method of the same
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate that includes a plurality of pixels, a second substrate facing the first substrate that includes a plurality of color filters, a position of each color filter on the second substrate respectively corresponding to a position over one of the pixels and a black matrix disposed between the color filters, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The plurality of color filters includes a red color pixel displaying a red color, a green color pixel displaying a green color, and a blue color pixel displaying a blue color. The green color pixel includes a yellow portion including a yellow pigment and a green portion disposed on the yellow portion and including a green pigment.
US09459486B2 Liquid crystal display device in which display of off state reflected light is suppressed
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a second substrate including a first color filter, located in an area corresponding to first to fourth color pixels, and having an aperture in an area including the second and third color pixels, a second color filter located in an area corresponding to the second color pixel, a third color filter located in an area corresponding to the third color pixel, and a black matrix extending and partitioning the first to fourth color pixels, and a liquid crystal layer held between the substrates. The black matrix includes portions extending on the first color filter, and portions extending on the first color filter between the first and second color pixels and between the third and fourth color pixels.
US09459482B2 Liquid crystal display device with touch panel
A liquid crystal display device with a touch panel includes: display drive circuits that are disposed respectively at the outsides of the sides opposing to a display region, and that apply sequential scanning signal potentials to scanning signal lines; touch panel drive circuits that are disposed respectively further to the outsides of the display drive circuits, and that apply sequential drive pulses to a plurality of drive electrodes among common electrodes; and switching circuits that are disposed respectively at insides of the display drive circuits, and that switch between applying common electric potentials for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal composition and applying a touch drive pulse that detects the touching to the display surface.
US09459481B2 In-cell touch display panel structure
An in-cell touch display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate parallel to the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer configured between the first and second substrates, and a black matrix layer disposed at a surface of the first substrate facing to the liquid crystal layer. The black matrix includes a plurality of opaque conductive lines. The opaque conductive lines are divided into a first group, a second group and a third group of opaque conductive lines. The second group of opaque conductive lines is formed with N polygonal regions where N is a positive integer. The opaque conductive lines in any one of the polygonal regions are electrically connected together while any two polygonal regions are not electrically connected.
US09459480B2 Display device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a display device that includes: a substrate on which a gate line, a data line, and a thin film transistor are positioned; an insulating layer positioned on the thin film transistor; a pixel electrode positioned on the insulating layer and connected to the thin film transistor; a roof layer that overlaps the substrate; a common electrode that includes a first portion and a second portion; a liquid crystal layer positioned in a microcavity that overlaps with the pixel electrode; and a separating member that is positioned on the insulating layer and overlaps the data line lengthwise. The first portion of the common electrode is positioned between the microcavity and the roof layer, and the second portion of the common electrode is positioned between the separating member and the roof layer.
US09459478B2 Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus includes a first substrate that includes a display area in which pixels are arranged and a non-display area surrounding the display area, a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate, and a sealing member disposed in the non-display area to attach the second substrate to the first substrate. The first substrate includes a base substrate, a plurality of inorganic insulating layers disposed on the base substrate in the non-display area, and an organic layer disposed on the inorganic insulating layer.
US09459472B2 Privacy filter comprising a wire grid
A privacy filter and its preparation method are disclosed. One embodiment of the privacy filter comprises: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate positioned a predetermined distance apart from and opposite to the first transparent substrate; an electrolyte filled between the first and second transparent substrates; and a second transparent conductive layer disposed between the electrolyte and the second transparent substrate. The first transparent substrate comprises: an uneven pattern having a wire grid and trenches formed on the first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductive layer formed on the wire grid and the trenches of the uneven pattern; and an electrochromic layer being formed on the first transparent conductive layer along the sidewall of the wire grid and containing an electrochromic material to transmit or absorb visible light depending on whether an electrical signal is applied or not.
US09459464B2 Lens drive device
A lens drive device may include a first holding body, a second holding body, a fixed body which holds the second holding body, a first drive mechanism to drive the first holding body, a second drive mechanism to drive the second holding body, a third drive mechanism structured to drive the second holding body in a different direction than the second drive mechanism, an elastic member having a fixed part which is fixed to the second holding body and a deformable part, and plural wires in a substantially straight line shape with one end side fixed to the deformable part and the other end side fixed to the fixed body.
US09459463B2 Polarization compensated stereoscopic projection
Disclosed embodiments include stereoscopic systems having at least one compensator operable to reduce the sensitivity of polarization control over incidence angle of image source optics and analyzer optics. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed compensator is operable to compensate polarization changes induced by optics at either or both the image source subsystem and the analyzer subsystem, in which the polarization changes would be operable to cause leakage at the analyzer subsystem if uncompensated. As such, the disclosed compensators and compensation techniques are operable to reduce leakage at the analyzer subsystem even if the disclosed compensator may be located at the analyzer subsystem.
US09459461B2 Directional backlight
A directional backlight is disclosed. The directional backlight has a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of input planar lightbeams. The plurality of input planar lightbeams illuminates a directional backplane that has a plurality of directional pixels to scatter the plurality of input planar lightbeams into a plurality of directional lightbeams. Each directional lightbeam has a direction and angular spread controlled by characteristics of a directional pixel in the plurality of directional pixels. The directional backlight can be used to generate a 3D image by specifying the characteristics of the directional pixels in the directional backplane.
US09459458B2 Transparent sound dampening projection screen
The invention generally provides a transparent projection screen material with sound dampening properties and methods for using a screen to manipulate light and sound. Methods and materials of the invention can improve live sound and sound recordings by inhibiting ambient sound from reaching listeners or microphones and reducing feedback.
US09459457B2 Head mounted display with remote control
A head mounted display device that displays three dimensional images from a mobile device, which includes a strap that secures the head mounted display to the head of a viewer, a viewing assembly connected to the strap, that includes a housing, a mobile device holder, connected to the housing, a reflecting surface, connected to the housing, that reflects images displayed by the mobile device; and an eyepiece onto which the reflecting surface reflects the images.
US09459455B2 See-through eyepiece for head wearable display
An eyepiece for a head wearable display includes a light guide component for guiding display light received at a peripheral location offset from a viewing region and emitting the display light along an eye-ward direction in the viewing region. The light guide component includes an input surface oriented to receive the display light into the light guide component, an eye-ward facing surface having a reflection portion and a viewing portion, a folding surface oriented to reflect the display light received through the input surface to the reflection portion of the eye-ward facing surface, and a first interface surface oriented to receive the display light reflected from the reflection portion of the eye-ward facing surface. A partially reflective layer is disposed on the first interface surface in the viewing region to reflect the display light along the eye-ward direction through viewing portion of the eye-ward facing surface.
US09459454B1 Interactive social games on head-mountable devices
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an interactive social game. In one aspect, a method involves a computing system initiating a game application that provides a game of one or more rounds of gameplay. During each round of gameplay, the method involves the computing system receiving first and second body-movement data corresponding to body movement associated with a first and second HMD, respectively. Based on the first and second body-movement data, the computing system generates: (a) a first competitor data indicating a graphical representation of the body movement associated with the second HMD and (b) a second competitor data indicating a graphical representation of the body movement associated with the first HMD. The computing system then transmits to the first HMD the first competitor data to facilitate display of the graphical representation of the body movement associated with the second HMD by the first HMD.
US09459450B2 Systems for automatically removing spider webs and other debris from surveillance camera lenses
The current document is directed to automated, electromechanical methods and devices that clean dirt, moisture, and spider webs from the lenses of surveillance cameras. In one implementation, a camera-cleaning device comprises a cleaning unit, a freely rotating L-shaped hinge, a geared electric motor, a motor-control circuit for controlling the forward and backward motion of the device, and a time-control circuit for controlling the start, finish and run time of cleaning cycles. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning head and a propeller blade that spins to lift the cleaning unit up from a rest position to a cleaning position and subsequently clean the front of the camera lens. The pivotal L-shaped linkage enables the device to transition between the cleaning position and the rest position.
US09459449B2 MEMS-based rapidscan device and projector having same
A device projecting images by micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology mirrors includes a base, a rotating seat, a substrate, a reflective mirror, a driver, and a controller. The rotating seat is rotably positioned on the base. The substrate is positioned on the rotating seat. The at least one MEMS reflective mirror is formed on the substrate and configured for rotating in two directions under control of the attached driver and controller to form two-dimensional images in a range.
US09459447B2 MOEMS apparatus and a method for manufacturing same
An apparatus is formed from a double active layer silicon on insulator (DSOI) substrate that includes first and second active layers separated by an insulating layer. An electrostatic comb drive is formed from the substrate to include a first comb formed from the first active layer and a second comb formed from the second active layer. The comb drive may be used to impart a tilting motion to a micro-mirror. The method of manufacturing provides comb teeth exhibiting an aspect ratio greater than 1:20, with an offset distance between comb teeth of the first and second combs that is less than about 6 μm.
US09459443B2 Endoscopic objective optical system and imaging apparatus
To allow placement of optical members by providing a long back focus, make aberrations less subject to manufacturing errors, and reduce variations in aberrations during focusing. An endoscopic objective optical system includes, in order from an object side, a front group with negative refractive power, a focusing lens, and a rear group with positive refractive power, wherein: the endoscopic objective optical system satisfies conditional expressions (1) to (4) below: 4
US09459442B2 Optical coupler for optical imaging visualization device
An optical coupler for mounting at a distal end of an optical imaging device includes a visualization section and an attachment section. At least one surface of the visualization section has a roughness that does not interfere with a video capture system of an optical imaging device.
US09459441B2 Long-range optical apparatus including binoculars
A long-range optical apparatus, particularly a binocular having two tubes for accommodating long-range optical devices, includes a first folding bridge, a second folding bridge, and preferably a third folding bridge. The folding bridges are pivotably arranged between the tubes of the long-range optical device and each include a first and a second bridge element associated with each other and pivotable relative to each other. At least one folding bridge has a fit that prevents mechanical contact of the bridge elements to each other at least in regions of the pivoting range of the bridge elements.
US09459440B2 Linear power adjustment mechanism for telescopic sights for firearms
A telescopic sight for a firearm includes a scope tube, first and second optical lenses, an eyepiece set and a linear power adjustment mechanism. The optical lenses are contained in the scope tube and configured to move along a longitudinal axis of the scope tube. The eyepiece set is coupled to one end of the scope tube. The linear power adjustment mechanism adjusts zooming power of the telescopic sight, and includes a zoom cam tube and a lever that are contained in the zoom cam tube. The lever is coupled to rotate the zoom cam tube. When actuated, the lever moves linearly along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scope tube such that a distance between the first and the second optical lenses along the longitudinal axis of the scope tube to change to adjust a zooming power of the telescopic sight.
US09459436B2 Linear LED optical assembly for emitting collimated light
An LED optical assembly includes a linear array of LEDs, longitudinal reflecting surfaces along each side of the array and medial reflecting surfaces between the LEDs. The medial reflecting surfaces are configured to redirect light oriented along the linear array into directions that will contribute to a light emission pattern from a warning, signaling or illumination light employing the LED optical assembly. The medial reflecting surfaces cooperate with other reflectors and/or lenses to integrate the redirected light into an intended light emission pattern.
US09459432B2 Wide-angle lens
A wide-angle lens may include six or more plastic lenses arranged in a plurality of groups. The plurality of groups may include a fourth group comprising a first lens having an aspherical image side and a second lens having an aspherical object side. The aspherical image side of the first lens may be cemented to the aspherical object side of the second lens.
US09459431B2 Wide angle lens, imaging optical device and digital equipment
A wide angle lens, which forms an image on an image pickup device having a curved imaging surface, has a whole angle of view of 120° or more and comprises a first lens, a second lens and a third lens in this order from an object side. The first lens is a meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object side, the second lens has a positive power and the third lens has a concave surface facing an image side. The first, the second and the third lenses respectively have at least one aspherical surface.
US09459427B2 Fiber optic fan-out/break-out kit closure/housing
A fiber optic fan-out/break-out kit Closure/Housing for protecting fiber optic strands associated with the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic fan-out/break-out Closure/Housing comprises of a female shell, a male shell, an insert piece and an insert tool. The insert tool is temporarily attached to the insert piece thereby screwing the insert piece into the male shell.
US09459426B2 Optical plenum
In the present idsclosure inter-rack optical plenum may be used to route optical fibers between multiple racks of a system. An intra-rack optical plenum may be coupled to one of the racks and the inter-rack optical plenum. The intra-rack optical plenum may route an optical fiber between a first connector configured to mate with a first device and a second connector conifugred to mate with the inter-rack optical plenum.
US09459422B2 Coupling system for a fiber optic cable
A fiber optic cable includes a jacket forming a cavity therein, a stack of fiber optic ribbons located in the cavity, and a strength member embedded in the jacket. The jacket forms a ridge extending into the cavity lengthwise along the fiber optic cable. The ribbon stack is spiraled through the cavity such that corners of the ribbon stack pass by the ridge at intermittent locations along the length of the cable, where interactions between the ridge and the corners of the ribbon stack facilitate coupling of the ribbon stack to the jacket.
US09459420B2 Board connector
A connector mounted on a board. The connector includes one or more elements mounted on the board by means of a cured adhesive, which is at least partly present between the element and at least one anchoring element, E.g., the board mounted element may include one or more holes filled, with the cured adhesive embedding one or more of the at least one anchoring elements. The board mounted element may for instance be an optical coupler.
US09459417B2 Planar lightwave circuit
In an integrated optical receiver or transmitter, both the displacement of an optical axis caused by thermal changes and the property degradation of an optical functional circuit are inhibited. A planar lightwave circuit having a substrate and a waveguide-type optical functional circuit formed thereon composed of a material different from that of the substrate, and includes a waveguide region formed only of an optical wavelength that is in contact with a side forming an emission-end face of the optical waveguide for propagating the light emitted from the optical functional circuit or an incident-end face of an optical waveguide for propagating the light incident on the optical functional circuit. The planar lightwave circuit is fixed to a fixing mount only at the bottom of the substrate where the waveguide region is formed.
US09459413B2 Optical fiber connector cleaner
The present invention provides an optical fiber connector cleaner in which the rotation of the cleaning shaft is linked with the feeding of the cleaning tape so that it is possible to wipe the dirt on the end surface of the connector off reliably. A forwarding and reversing mechanism of the optical fiber connector cleaner is formed of a fixing member contacting the second casing so as to be slidable, and a coil spring biasing the second casing forward in the one direction for the fixing member, a rotation mechanism is formed of a first rack gear disposed on the fixing member, a first gear rotatably mounted in the second casing, and a second gear connected to a base end of the shaft 14, the first gear includes first teeth fitted to the first rack gear, and second teeth fitted to the second gear.
US09459412B2 Optical connector receptacle, receptacle housing, optical connector adapter, and adapter housing
An optical connector receptacle of the invention includes: a receptacle housing holding a ferrule; a flange protruding from an external surface of the receptacle housing; an elastic deformation portion extending from the flange along the external surface of the receptacle housing; and a locking protruding portion protruding from the elastic deformation portion to the opposite side of the external surface of the receptacle housing. The optical connector receptacle is attachable to an attachment wall by sandwiching a peripheral edge of an attachment hole of the attachment wall between the flange and the locking protruding portion. A state where the locking protruding portion is locked by the peripheral edge of the attachment hole of the attachment wall is releasable as a result of elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion to be directed to the external surface of the receptacle housing.
US09459411B2 Ruggedized fiber optic/electrical connector
A fiber optic and electrical connection system includes a fiber optic cable, a ruggedized fiber optic connector, a ruggedized fiber optic adapter, and a fiber optic enclosure. The cable includes one or more electrically conducting strength members. The connector, the adapter, and the enclosure each have one or more electrical conductors. The cable is terminated by the connector with the conductors of the connector in electrical communication with the strength members. The conductors of the connector electrically contact the conductors of the adapter when the connector and the adapter are mechanically connected. And, the conductors of the adapter electrically contact the conductors of the enclosure when the adapter is mounted on the enclosure.
US09459405B2 Method for fabricating a semiconductor device for use in an optical application
A semiconductor device for use in an optical application and a method for fabricating the device. The device includes: an optically passive aspect that is operable in a substantially optically passive mode; and an optically active material having a material that is operable in a substantially optically active mode, wherein the optically passive aspect is patterned to include a photonic structure with a predefined structure, and the optically active material is formed in the predefined structure so as to be substantially self-aligned in a lateral plane with the optically passive aspect.
US09459403B2 Generation of azimuthally or radially polarized radiation in optical waveguides
The invention relates to an apparatus for generating azimuthally or radially polarized radiation by means of an optical waveguide (1), wherein the optical waveguide (1) has a structure which is suitable for conducting azimuthally or radially polarized modes (5, 7). The invention proposes that the azimuthally or radially polarized modes (5, 7) in the optical waveguide (1) have different effective refractive indices and, within the optical waveguide (1), a narrow-band grating (2) is arranged, in particular a fiber Bragg grating (2) which is designed such that the spectral distance between two azimuthally or radially polarized resonant modes (5, 7) is equal to or greater than the associated spectral bandwidth.
US09459400B2 Multimode optical fibre
The invention relates to a multimode optical fiber having a refractive index profile, comprising a light-guiding core surrounded by one or more cladding layers. The present invention furthermore relates to an optical communication system comprising a transmitter, a receiver and a multimode optical fiber.
US09459397B2 Edge lit lighting device
An edge lit lighting device including a housing, a power circuit, a light source, and an optic. The power circuit may be carried by the housing, and adapted to form an electrical connection with an external power source. The light source may be carried by the housing and electrically connected to the power circuit. The optic may be carried by the housing and positioned in optical communication with the light source. The optic may further include a receiving surface positioned adjacent to the light source, and first and second emitting surfaces. The first emitting surface may include a plurality of features configured to redirect light defined as redirected light in a direction of the second emitting surface, the redirected light being emitted from the second emitting surface. The lighting device may further include pluralities of optics of light sources.
US09459396B1 Linear indirect LED lighting system
An edge-lit lighting apparatus includes a light source and a light guide body. The light guide body includes an input edge, the light source positioned to project light through the input edge in a primary emission direction, the light guide extending from the input edge. The light guide body includes a mean elongation plane which is angularly offset from the primary emission direction. The light guide body includes a reflective side adjacent the input edge and configured to redirect light from the light source. The light guide includes an output side configured to disperse redirected light from the reflected side. The light guide body can extend curvilinearly from the input edge. The lighting apparatus can be configured as an indirect lighting system, and can help increase efficiency for edge-lit lighting systems.
US09459395B2 Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display including the same
A backlight assembly capable of preventing light leakage and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device including the same are provided. The backlight assembly includes a light source unit, a light guide plate, a light conversion sheet, and a reflective tape. The light source unit including one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The light guide plate is disposed to be adjacent to the light source unit. The light conversion sheet is disposed on the light guide plate and spaced apart from the FPCB, and configured to convert a wavelength band of light provided through the light guide plate from the light source unit, the light conversion sheet configured to emit white light. The reflective tape is attached to extend from a portion of an upper surface of the FPCB to a portion of an upper surface of the light conversion sheet.
US09459394B2 Lighting device, display device and television device
A backlight unit 24 includes a light guide plate 20, a heat dissipation member 36, a LED board 30, and LEDs 27 mounted on the LED board 30. The light guide plate 20 includes a light exit surface 20b on a front surface thereof, an opposite surface 10c on a rear surface thereof, a groove 20d in the opposite surface 20c, a light entrance surface 20d1 on one side surface in the groove 20d, and an opposite side surface 20d3 on another side surface in the groove 20d. The heat dissipation member 36 includes a portion in contact with the opposite side surface 20d3 and a portion on a side of one edge surface 20a of the light guide plate 20 with the one edge surface being opposite to the opposite side surface 20d3, the heat dissipation member 36 holding a part of the light guide plate 20 between the portions thereof. The light source board 30 is arranged on a surface that is opposite to a surface of the portion of the heat dissipation member 36 that is in contact with the opposite side surface 20d3.
US09459391B2 Optical printed circuit board and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is an optical Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The PCB includes: an insulation layer; an optical waveguide filled in the insulation layer; and an optical device buried in the insulation layer and disposed on the same plane as the optical waveguide.
US09459390B2 Roll of continuous web of optical film laminate and production method therefor
A method of producing a roll of a continuous web of an optical film laminate, usable in a process of laminating an optical film sheet including a polarizing film and formed to a size corresponding to that an optical panel to a surface of the optical panel being fed to a lamination position, is disclosed. The polarizing film is prepared by subjecting a laminate including a thermoplastic resin substrate and a PVA type resin layer formed on the substrate, to uniaxial 2-stage stretching to reduce a thickness of the PVA type resin layer to 10 μm or less, and causing a dichroic material to be absorbed in the PVA type resin layer. A carrier film is releasably attached to the continuous web of optical film laminate including the polarizing film, through an adhesive layer. A defect inspection is performed for the optical film laminate and the adhesive layer.
US09459389B2 Polarizing plate and organic EL panel
There is provided a polarizing plate that achieves an excellent reflection hue. A polarizing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in an organic EL panel, and includes a polarizer and a retardation film. In-plane retardations of the retardation film satisfy a relationship of Re(450)
US09459385B2 Film and method for producing same
A film and a process for its production includes a light-permeable replication lacquer layer with a diffractive relief structure formed in a first side of the replication lacquer layer, a light-permeable color lacquer layer, formed only in areas, arranged on the relief structure, and a reflective layer, formed at least in areas, arranged on the first side of the replication lacquer layer. In areas of the film where the color lacquer layer and the reflective layer overlap, the color lacquer layer is arranged between the replication lacquer layer and the reflective layer.
US09459379B2 Optical member and method for producing same
Provided is an optical member, including: a substrate having an at least partially curved surface; a concave-convex structure at an outermost surface, the concave-convex structure being prepared by hydrothermal treatment of a layer formed by gas-phase deposition of at least one of simple aluminum and a compound containing aluminum on the substrate; and a dielectric layer formed by gas-phase deposition between the substrate and the concave-convex structure.
US09459372B2 Method and device for detecting an object with background suppression
A background suppression device includes emitting means emitting a light beam emitted in a set direction and optoelectronic receiving means of a light beam reflected by an object providing a first and a second signal, and processing means which, in the detecting condition of the device, receives the first and second signal and provides an output information signal, in function of the first and second signal, indicating the presence or the absence of the object within an interval of set distances. The processing means stores, in a calibrating condition, the first and second signal and provides the output information signal in function of the first and/or of the second signal in the detecting condition and of the first and/or second signal in the calibrating condition. In the calibrating condition the object is absent and accordingly the first and second signal in the calibrating condition store the background.
US09459371B1 Retrievable downhole cable antenna for an electromagnetic system
This invention provides an improved system and method for receiving electromagnetic (EM) signals from a wellbore in spite of EM unfriendly formations by placing a cable antenna in a wellbore, drilling another wellbore nearby, and using the cable antenna downhole in the wellbore to assist in receiving signal from the transmitter in the wellbore being drilled. The EM telemetry system can include a bottom hole assembly with an EM tool for transmitting a signal positioned in a first wellbore; EM equipment provided at or near the surface; and a cable antenna coupled to the EM analyzer positioned in a second wellbore. The cable antenna does not require other downhole antenna devices for receiving EM signals and therefore is independent of other antenna devices. The cable antenna can be retrieved after drilling is completed and moved to another drilling site.
US09459368B2 Acquisition system and method for towed electromagnetic sensor cable and source
An electromagnetic survey acquisition system includes a sensor cable and a source cable, each deployable in a body of water, and a recording system. The sensor cable includes an electromagnetic sensor thereon. The source cable includes an electromagnetic antenna thereon. The recording system includes a source current generator, a current sensor, and an acquisition controller. The source current generator powers the source cable to emit an electromagnetic field from the antenna. The current sensor is coupled to the source current generator. The acquisition controller interrogates the electromagnetic sensor and the current sensor at selected times in a synchronized fashion.
US09459363B2 Method and system of performing geophysical surveys with autonomous underwater vehicles
Performing a geophysical survey beneath a surface obstruction, or around a fixed object or formation. At least some of the example embodiments include: programming a towing pattern into an autonomous underwater vehicle; and towing a sensor streamer under the surface obstruction, or around the fixed object or formation by the autonomous underwater vehicle. In some of the embodiments, the sensor streamer comprises a distributed sensor in the form of an optical fiber. In some of the embodiments, the optical fiber is encapsulated in an outer covering of resilient material, the resilient material exposed to the water during the towing.
US09459362B2 Marine vibrator sweeps with reduced smearing and/or increased distortion tolerance
A marine seismic survey using one or more moving marine seismic vibrators, where the vibrator sweeping function is based on smearing error criteria and is a downward-sweeping non-linear sweep function. The acquired seismic data can either be used as is without desmearing or desmeared easily.
US09459354B2 Method for car relocation
A method for car relocation is disclosed. The method is to transmit the ID of a mobile device to a network server, after the engine of a car is turned on. After the engine of the car is turned off, the automobile device or the mobile device transmits GPS coordinate data to the network server via a wireless method. If the automobile device or the mobile device fails to receive the GPS coordinate, the screen of the automobile device will display a frame showing the place where the car is parked, and transmit the related data. By means of the operation of the buttons of the frame, the related data can be transmitted to the network server by the automobile device or the mobile device via the wireless method, and the network server will store related data to overwrite original data.
US09459352B2 Multi-sensor proximity sensing using a near zone light sensor and a far zone light sensor
An apparatus includes a light source to generate source light through an optically transmissive medium to an object. A receiver includes a near zone light sensor and a far zone light sensor positioned on a substrate with the light source. The near zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the generated source light, receive reflected source light from the object and the optically transmissive medium. The far zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the source light, receive the reflected source light from the object and to receive a reduced quantity of the reflected source light from the optically transmissive medium compared to the near zone light sensor.
US09459349B2 Vehicle and environmental detection system
A system includes a detection device configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a generally vertical direction above a vehicle. Additionally, the system may include a processing device configured to measure a time of flight associated with the transmission and receipt of the one or more signals in the generally vertical direction. A distance travelled by the one or more signals may be determined based, at least in part, on the measured time of flight, and the distance travelled may be compared with a threshold distance to determine an overhead clearance of the vehicle. In response to determining the overhead clearance, a vehicle system may be activated.
US09459347B2 Environment monitoring system for a vehicle
An environment monitoring system for a vehicle includes at least two distance sensors for detecting distance by measuring the propagation time of detection signals. The distance sensors are each designed as a transmitting unit and receiving unit for the detection signals and, in a direct operating mode, emit detection signals, receive reflected components of the detection signals emitted by the distance sensors; and emit active measurement signals according thereto. The system also includes a control device that receives the measurement signals of the distance sensors and determines the object distance of a detected object. At least one distance sensor additionally can be operated in an indirect operating mode to detect a detection signal emitted by another distance sensor and reflected by the object and to generate an indirect measurement signal.
US09459339B2 Kalman filter for indoor positioning
A position estimation method for indoor positioning includes filtering an initial position estimate that includes a corresponding covariance that reflects the quality of the geometry of the reference points and a previous initial position estimate that includes a corresponding covariance that reflects the quality of the geometry of the reference points by a Kalman filter to generate an updated previous position estimate, analyzing the updated previous position estimate to determine if the value is outside of a range, and constraining the updated previous position estimate based on the value being outside of the range.
US09459338B2 Relative position positioning system and tracking system
A relative position positioning system includes a first apparatus and a second apparatus. Each one of the first and second apparatuses is configured to sense a relative position of the other in an initialization period. In an operation period, each one of the first and second apparatuses is configured to measure its own displacement relative to a plane, transmit its own measured displacement to the other through a wireless transmission unit, and update the relative position of the other according to its own displacement and the displacement received from the other.
US09459337B2 Methods and systems for enhanced round trip time (RTT) exchange
Disclosed are systems, methods and devices for obtaining round trip time measurements for use in location based services. In particular implementations, a fine timing measurement request message wirelessly transmitted by a first transceiver device to a second transceiver device may permit additional processing features in computing or applying a signal round trip time measurement. Such a signal round trip time measurement may be used in positioning operations.
US09459335B2 System and method for parallel magnetic resonance imaging with optimally selected in-plane acceleration
A method for three-dimensional parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an MRI system is provided. The method includes determining in-plane acceleration factors that optimize a selected criterion, such as an image quality criterion defined by maximal noise amplification in a reconstructed image. The estimated in-plane acceleration factors are used to establish a k-space sampling pattern, which is used to acquire k-space data. An image is reconstructed from the acquired k-space data using a parallel image reconstruction technique.
US09459334B2 System and method for classifying tissue oxygenation properties based on cluster analysis of the multi-parametric MR response to an oxygen breathing challenge
A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system (600) for generating information indicative of an MR response to an oxygen breathing challenge, the MRI (600) system comprising at least one controller (610) which is configured to define a reference region (302) within a region of interest (ROI) (300 A) of reconstructed MR image information (300) including a plurality of voxels, the reference region (302) comprising a plurality of reference voxels selected from the plurality of voxels, each of the plurality of voxels having associated ΔR2* and ΔR1 values; select a cluster of voxels comprising voxels from at least the reference voxels from a multiparametric ΔR2* and ΔR1 mapping of the plurality of voxels; determine AR2* and AR\ limit points based upon at least minimum ΔR2* and ΔR1 values of voxels of the cluster of voxels; and determine outlier voxels (115) based upon a comparison of ΔR2* and ΔR1 of at least one of the plurality of voxels with respective values of the ΔR2* and ΔR1 limit points.
US09459331B2 RF coil and magnetic resonance imaging device
To provide a technique for sufficiently eliminating magnetic coupling between RF coils and improving image quality when a multi-element multi-tuned RF coil is used as a receive RF coil for an MRI device. In the invention, each of RF coils which constitute a multi-element multi-tuned RF coil which is used as a receive RF coil for an MRI device is provided with an inter-coil magnetic coupling prevention circuit which resonates at each frequency to which each RF coil is tuned and provides a high impedance. The inter-coil magnetic coupling prevention circuit adjusts an inductor and a capacitor so that both of a circuit on the side of a pre-amplifier viewed from both ends of a signal reception circuit and a circuit on the side of the signal reception circuit viewed from both ends of a serial resonance circuit connected to the pre-amplifier resonate at a plurality of frequencies to which the respective RF coils are tuned.
US09459328B2 Apparatus for simulating battery
An apparatus for simulating a battery is provided. The apparatus includes a power supplying unit, a state regulating unit and an impedance unit. The power supplying unit is coupled to a power terminal of a battery interface and determines whether to provide an operation voltage to the power terminal according to a device voltage provided by the power terminal. The state regulating unit is coupled to the power terminal to provide a impedance regulating signal. The impedance unit is coupled between the power terminal and a ground voltage and is coupled to the state regulating unit to receive the impedance regulating signal. The impedance unit regulates an impedance thereof according to the impedance regulating signal.
US09459327B2 Voltage measurement device for battery assembly
A voltage measurement device for measuring an output voltage of a battery assembly includes voltage addition sections that add a predetermined voltage value to output voltages of the cells, voltage detection sections that detect addition voltages which are output voltages of the voltage addition sections corresponding to the cells of the individual blocks, A/D converting sections that digitize analog voltage signals of the addition voltages detected by the voltage detection sections, and a control section that outputs voltage measurement request signals to the voltage detection sections respectively, and that acquires the addition voltages, subtracts the predetermined voltage value from the acquired addition voltages and provides voltage values after the subtractions, as the output voltages of the cells.
US09459326B2 Battery pack and electrical device with demountable battery pack
A battery pack (10) for an electrical device (60) has a cover portion which forms part of the assembled electrical device (60) and a seal (78) for forming a waterproof seal between the battery pack (10) and the electrical device (10). Thus, every new battery pack can form a fresh seal with the electrical device (60), allowing effective waterproofing. A battery pack (10) for an electrical device (60) includes a memory storing a value indicative the remaining available rated capacity of the battery pack (10). The stored value is changed in use to reflect reducing capacity. The initial stored value is chosen so that there is a very high (e.g. >99.9%) confidence that the battery pack will provide at least the capacity indicated by the initial stored value. This reduces the chance of failure during emergency procedures. An override facility is provided. A laryngoscope (60) comprising a handle comprising a demountable battery pack (10) comprising one or more batteries (20) and an arm (49) operable to retain a demountable laryngoscope blade.
US09459325B2 Battery cell scanning systems and methods
Systems and methods for scanning a battery cell to identify internal faults are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a method for scanning a battery cell for faults may comprise generating an input signal across first and second charge plates disposed on each side of the battery cell. An open circuit voltage of the battery cell generated in response to the input signal may be measured. The measured open circuit voltage may be compared with a reference signal associated with a reference battery cell having no faults. Based on the comparison, a fault and/or a possible fault within the battery cell being scanned may be identified.
US09459324B2 Device and method for the redundant determination of a battery current flowing through the poles of a battery
A device comprises a battery having a multiplicity of battery cells and a sensor system for the redundant determination of a battery current flowing through the poles of the battery. The sensor system comprises a current measuring device for detecting the battery current and providing a current measurement value. Furthermore, the device comprises a voltage measuring device for separately detecting a variation with time of the single-cell voltage of at least one battery cell and providing at least one variation with time of a voltage measurement value. Furthermore, the device comprises an evaluating unit which is configured for determining the battery current from the at least one variation with time of the voltage measurement value, providing a corresponding current value and comparing the current value with the current measurement value.
US09459323B2 Battery-state monitoring system
A battery-state monitoring system capable of efficiently estimating the state and service life of each storage battery at high precision by automatically measuring or acquiring various parameters of a plurality of storage batteries constantly connected to an equipment is provided. The system monitors a state of each of a plurality of batteries connected in series and constituting an assembled battery incorporated in an equipment includes a power supply control device that detects a current flowing through each battery; and an end device that measures a temperature, a voltage, and internal resistance of each battery, the internal resistance being measured by using at least two or more kinds of frequencies, and degradation of each battery is estimated based on one or more temperature, voltage, and internal resistance.
US09459320B2 Fault detection in brushless exciters
A method for detecting a fault in an exciter circuit, suitable for use in a brushless generator, the exciter circuit including (a) an exciter armature winding, having a plurality of armatures, arranged to generate a multiphase AC signal, each armature of the plurality of armatures providing a respective sub-signal component of the multiphase AC signal, and (b) a rectifier circuit for receiving the sub-signals via the respective armatures, the rectifier circuit comprising a plurality of components arranged to rectify the sub-signals to provide a rectified output signal, wherein the method includes the steps of: acquiring a respective operational sub-value for a first characteristic of each of at least two of the respective sub-signals; deriving an operational value indicative of a relationship between the acquired respective operational sub-values; determining whether a fault has occurred in the exciter circuit on the basis of the derived operational value.
US09459319B2 Device and method for generating input control signals of a serialized compressed scan circuit
A device and a method for generating input control signals of a serialized compressed scan circuit are provided. A control signal generating device receives a test clock signal from a clock input port and a state enable signal from a state enable bus, and correspondingly generates a shift enable signal, a capture enable signal and a strobe signal. A clock gating device is coupled to the control signal generating device, and receives the shift enable signal, the capture enable signal and the strobe signal. When the shift enable signal is enabled, the clock gating device controls the test clock signal as a serialized scan clock signal. When the strobe signal or the capture enable signal is enabled, the clock gating device controls the test clock signal as a scan clock signal.
US09459318B2 Semiconductor chip, stack chip including the same, and testing method thereof
A semiconductor chip includes an input pad and an output pad formed on the semiconductor chip; at least one bump formed on the semiconductor chip; and a test scan chain configured to output data applied from the input pad, to a node which is electrically coupled with the bump, store data corresponding to capacitance of the node by floating the node for a predetermined time, and output data corresponding to the stored capacitance, to the output pad.
US09459314B1 Circuit and method for real-time monitoring of process, temperature, and voltage variations
The present disclosure provides a monitoring system for monitoring the operation of an integrated circuit, the monitoring system comprising: a reference circuit comprising a reference signal delay path and an output for outputting a reference signal; a monitoring circuit, the monitoring circuit comprising: a programmable delay line for providing a controllably selectable delay path; and an output for outputting a delayed signal; a comparison circuit, for comparing the reference signal to the delayed signal and determining whether the error has occurred based on the comparison.
US09459313B2 Testing apparatus for expansion card
A testing apparatus includes a base mounted on a motherboard, an inserting unit mounted on the base, a movable unit secured to the inserting unit, and a driving device mounted between the movable unit and the base. The movable unit is driven to move by the driving device, thereby enabling the inserting unit to move to enable the expansion card to be inserted into the motherboard. The movable unit is driven to move by the driving device, thereby enabling the inserting unit to move to enable the expansion card to move out of the motherboard.
US09459312B2 Electronic assembly test system
An example system for testing electronic assemblies (EAs) may include carriers for holding EAs and slots for testing at least some of the EAs in parallel. Each slot may be configured to receive a corresponding carrier containing an EA and to test the EA. An example carrier in the system may include a first part and a second part. At least one of the first part and the second part include a first structure, and the first structure is movable to enable electrical connection between an EA and an electrical connector.
US09459311B2 Method of valley inductance current polarity detection in a pulse width modulated circuit with an inductive charge
A valley inductance current polarity change in a pulse width modulated circuit charged with an inductive charge is detected by comparing respective times that a first output of the circuit charged with an inductive charge and a second output of a pulse width modulated reference circuit with no inductive charge reach an output level. Responsive thereto, control over operation of the pulse width modulated circuit charged with an inductive charge is made with respect to switching to a pulse skipping mode of operation or keeping the pulse width modulation mode of operation.
US09459310B2 Inverter test apparatus
There is provided an inverter test apparatus for testing an inverter interconnected with an alternating-current power system, the apparatus including an alternating-current power output unit configured to output alternating-current power, and an alternating-current power controller configured to control the alternating-current power output from the alternating-current power output unit to simulate an alternating-current load of the inverter.
US09459295B2 Measurement system utilizing a frequency-dithered local oscillator
An improved receiver system may include an input to receive an input signal, and a signal generating circuit to generate a desired oscillator signal that is a single sideband radio frequency signal of time varying frequency. The receiver may also include a downconversion stage to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) signal based on the input signal and the desired oscillator signal. A signal processing block in the receiver may be used to produce an output signal based on the IF signal by frequency shifting the IF signal by an amount that compensates for the time varying frequency of the desired oscillator signal. The desired oscillator signal may be generated using a vector signal generator that receives a control value from the signal processing block, converts the control value to a pair of analog input signals, and generates the desired oscillator signal by quadrature modulating the pair of analog input signals.
US09459291B2 Voltage detection device
A voltage detection device is such that an intermediate electrode is provided between a central conductor to which a voltage is applied and a grounded tank to constitute a voltage divider and detects a voltage of the central conductor on the basis of a voltage of the voltage divider. The voltage detection device includes an integration circuit to which a voltage of the voltage divider, which is an output of the voltage divider, is input, an analog circuit that amplifies an output voltage of the integration circuit to a specified amplitude, an amplifier/attenuator to which a voltage of the voltage divider, which is an output of the voltage divider, is input and that amplifies or attenuates the voltage of the voltage divider to the specified amplitude, and an adder that adds an output voltage of the analog circuit and an output voltage of the amplifier/attenuator.
US09459290B2 Oscilloscope system and method for simultaneously displaying zoomed-in and zoomed-out waveforms
An oscilloscope system includes a current probe, a processing unit and a display unit. The current probe includes a high and low gain signal paths for receiving simultaneously a signal of interest from a device under test (DUT), and to output amplified small and large current portions of the signal of interest, respectively. The processing unit receives first and second digitized data corresponding to the amplified small and large current portions output by the high and low gain signal paths, respectively, and processes the first and second digitized data for display as zoomed-in and zoomed-out waveform data, respectively. The display unit displays simultaneously a zoomed-in waveform in a first display window, based on the zoomed-in waveform data, and a zoomed-out waveform in a second display window, based on the zoomed-out waveform data, using the same time scale. The small current portion is less than a predetermined threshold.
US09459288B2 Wide interposer for an electronic testing system
A test interposer includes an interposer layer configured to receive a test socket, and a stiffening layer attached to the interposer layer so that the interposer layer is kept in an unalterable shape.
US09459285B2 Test probe coated with conductive elastomer for testing of backdrilled plated through holes in printed circuit board assembly
A test probe is provided for probing signal information on a back-drilled plated through hole connector formed in a printed circuit board, where the test probe includes a conductive probe body with a distal tip region extending a predetermined minimum coverage length (LTIP) that is longer than a recess depth dimension (DPL) for a recessed plating layer formed in the back-drilled plated through hole connector with an elastomer test probe tip formed around the distal tip region and having a total tip width (WTIP) which is compressed when inserted into the recessed plating layer formed in a back-drilled plated through hole connector, thereby establishing a conductive path between the conductive probe body and the recessed plating layer.
US09459284B2 Conductivity inspection apparatus and conductivity inspection method
At least two needles (11, 12) are inserted from the surface of an outer covering film (200) such that the needles reach metal foils (252, 262) in the outer covering film (200), and the electrical connection state with an object inside of a structure covered with the outer covering film (200) is inspected. The electrical connection state is more reliably inspected.
US09459279B2 Electrical testing machine
An electrical testing machine includes a base having two parallel first rails, a platform provided on the base, a probe holder provided on the base and having a plurality of placement locations, a support provided between the first rails and having a second rail thereon, a test arm provided on the second rail and above the platform, a receiving seat provided on the test arm, and a plurality of probe sets, wherein one of the probe sets is engaged on the receiving seat, while the others are respectively provided on the placement locations. The support is movable relative to the base and the platform. The test arm is movable along with the support, and is also movable relative to the support. The receiving seat is movable or rotatable relative to the test arm. The probe set engaged on the receiving seat is movable along with the receiving seat.
US09459276B2 System and method for device self-calibration
A system, computer readable storage medium and method for calibrating sensors of a human interface device having a first accelerometer and a second accelerometer. The method includes calibrating the first accelerometer, calibrating the second accelerometer, and calibrating a combined-sensor output that includes contributions from the first accelerometer and the second accelerometer to generate combined-sensor conversion values. The method further includes adjusting the calibration of the first accelerometer in accordance with the combined-sensor conversion values.
US09459272B2 Transfer or interrogation of materials by carrier and receiving devices moving independently and simultaneously on multiple axes
Material transfer/interrogation devices (e.g. liquid handling workstations) have been designed in the past for transferring material from a source to a destination location or for interrogating a material at a location, where the locations remain fixed. The invention provides methods and apparatuses for transferring or interrogating materials by one or more carrier devices to one or more receiving devices, where the carrier and receiving devices move independently and simultaneously on multiple axes. In some embodiments, one or more of the carrier and receiving devices can move along an X, Z, Y, and Theta axis, which allows the source and destination locations to rotate and translate relative to each other. Due to this rotation and translation, containers can be positioned to minimize the distance traveled between a pick location from the source and a place location on the destination, greatly increasing the speed at which material transfer can occur.
US09459268B2 Tube rotator
A tube rotator for rotating test tubes arranged in a tube rack as well as a system and process for reading information of machine-readable labels of the test tubes are disclosed. The tube rotator may comprise a pivoted lever having two lever arms, a friction wheel rotatably fixed to one lever arm and arranged to be brought in or out of contact with at least one test tube for rotating the test tube by friction. A first actuator may be rotatably coupled to the friction wheel, and a pretensioner which is capable of generating a pretensioning force may act on the lever for pivoting the lever in one pivoting direction. An eccentric may be rotatably fixed with respect to the base and arranged to roll off the other lever arm for pivoting the lever in another pivoting direction. A second actuator may be rotatably coupled to the eccentric.
US09459267B2 Quantitation of tamoxifen and metabolites thereof by mass spectrometry
Provided are methods for determining the amount of tamoxifen and its metabolites in a sample by mass spectrometry. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of norendoxifen. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of norendoxifen and tamoxifen. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of norendoxifen and other tamoxifen metabolites. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of tamoxifen, norendoxifen, and other tamoxifen metabolites.
US09459255B2 Method of evaluating breast cancer, breast cancer-evaluating apparatus, breast cancer-evaluating method, breast cancer-evaluating system, breast cancer-evaluating program and recording medium
According to the method of evaluating breast cancer of the present invention, amino acid concentration data on the concentration value of amino acid in blood collected from a subject to be evaluated is measured, and a breast cancer state in the subject is evaluated based on the concentration value of at least one of Ser, Gln, Val, Cys, Orn, Arg, Ile and ABA contained in the measured amino acid concentration data of the subject.
US09459253B2 Assay for measuring cell-mediated immunoresponsiveness
The present invention relates generally to the field of immunological-based diagnostic assays. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for measuring cell-mediated immunoresponsiveness. The present invention further enables determination of the immunosuppressive effects of disease conditions, therapeutic agents and environmental contaminants. The assay of the present invention is also capable of integration into pathology architecture to provide a diagnostic reporting system and to facilitate point of care clinical management.
US09459249B2 Protein labeling with cyanobenzothiazole conjugates
The invention provides compounds and methods for site-specifically labeling proteins with cyanobenzothiazole derivatives of formula I. For example, the invention provides methods for labeling the N-terminus of a protein that terminates with a cysteine residue. The invention also provides methods for isolating an N-terminally labeled protein and methods for detecting an N-terminally labeled protein.
US09459245B2 Measurement of properties of sample of curing compositions under high pressure
A method for testing a curing composition, comprising includes a curing composition; injecting the curing composition into a mold; curing the curing composition into a cured composition, in the mold at a controlled curing pressure; measuring at least one physical or mechanical property of the cured sample at a controlled test pressure, in the mold; the mold being rigid relatively to the cured sample during the curing step.
US09459238B1 Methods and apparatus for using acoustic inspection of containers to image objects
A system for generating an acoustic image of an object in a container having a first surface on which a vibration can be measure includes an acoustic source for directing acoustic energy to ensonify the container. The system additionally includes a sensor to detect acoustic energy from the acoustic source affected by the object without contacting the container, wherein the detected acoustic energy is measured at least with respect to the vibration on the first surface. The system further includes a processing module to process the detected acoustic energy from the sensor to generate an acoustic image of the object. A corresponding method is also provided.
US09459236B2 Polycrystalline diamond compact
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteads (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
US09459235B2 Interference compensated photoionization detector
An integrated sensor of volatile organic gas can include a photoionization detector (PID) and one or more additional detectors such as an infrared detector, a catalytic combustion detector, or an electrochemical detector. One embodiment includes a methane detector that allows correction of the PID measurements for the interference of methane with the PID and/or allows a combination of measurements of the sensors to measure a total hydrocarbon concentration. A further sensor of non-hydrocarbon quenching gases such as carbon dioxide may also be used in correction of the PID measurements.
US09459225B2 Moisture meter for determining the moisture content of particulate material
A moisture meter for determining the moisture content of particulate material is provided. The moisture meter comprises a frame part, a space, a measuring cup disposed within said space for receiving a sample of the particulate material which moisture is to be measured, and moisture measuring means. The moisture meter comprises a swiping means for removing at least partly a part of a sample of particulate material which moisture is to be measured, which part of the sample of particulate material extends out of the inner space of the measuring cup through the open end of the measuring cup. The swiping means are movably attached to the frame part for movement in a swiping path where a swiping member of the swiping means is configured to move essentially along the open end of the measuring cup.
US09459224B1 Gas sensor, integrated circuit device using the same, and manufacturing method thereof
A gas sensor includes a substrate, a heater, a dielectric layer, a sensing electrode, and a gas sensitive film. The substrate has a sensing region and a peripheral region surrounding the sensing region, and the substrate further has an opening disposed in the sensing region. The heater is disposed at least above the opening, and the heater has an electrical resistivity larger than about 6×10−8 ohm-m. The dielectric layer is disposed on the heater. The sensing electrode is disposed on the dielectric layer. The gas sensitive film is disposed on the sensing electrode.
US09459222B2 Methods for deposition of materials including mechanical abrasion
Methods described herein may be useful in the fabrication and/or screening of devices (e.g., sensors, circuits, etc.) including conductive materials. In some embodiments, a conductive material is formed on a substrate using mechanical abrasion. The methods described herein may be useful in fabricating sensors, circuits, tags for remotely-monitored sensors or human/object labeling and tracking, among other devices. In some cases, devices for determining analytes are also provided.
US09459218B2 Method for the radiological investigation of an object
A method of identifying the material content of an object comprises: providing a radiation source and a radiation detector; irradiating a test object with radiation from the source; collecting at the detector system intensity data for radiation emergent from the test object; resolving the intensity data spectroscopically between a plural set of energy bands; numerically processing the spectroscopically resolved intensity data via the following steps: considering a material attenuation coefficient as a plural set of energy dependent polynomial equations in atomic number with a set of energy dependent coefficients across the said plural set of energy bands; determining a measured attenuation coefficient at each said energy band; calculating therefrom one or more orders of Compound Proton Number and/or effective mass thickness and/or density and for example a Compound Proton Number Set comprising plural order powers and preferably plural higher order powers of weighted compound atomic number.
US09459217B2 High-resolution computed tomography
An x-ray imaging system (10), such as a X-ray computerized tomographic system, may acquire a series of radiographs at different detector positions along a first translation axis or a second translation axis parallel to orientation directions of detector pixels of a radiation detector (14). In a first embodiment, the different detector positions may be separated by a distance less than a linear size of the radiation detector (14) along the first translation axis or the second translation axis, respectively. The radiographs may be assembled into a radiograph larger than each radiograph in the series of radiographs, resulting in image stitching. In a second embodiment, the different detector positions may be separated by a distance less than a pixel size of the radiation detector (14), also referred as sub-pixel shifting of the detector. The radiographs may be assembled to form a radiograph with a higher resolution than the acquired radiographs, resulting in superresolution.
US09459216B2 Method for characterizing flame and spray structures in windowless chambers
Method for detecting variations in gas density within a volume surrounded by a closed metal wall opaque to optical light includes a source of x-rays positioned at a selected location outside the closed metal wall. Positioning a detector outside the closed metal wall at a location suitable to detect x-rays from the source passing entirely through a portion of the volume surrounded by the closed metal wall. Providing the detector with a plurality of sensors arranged in at least one row to capture a dimensionally distributed view of detected x-rays. Coupling a processor to an output of the detector to analyze the data which can be displayed in a suitable graphical or pictorial presentation, including processing the data to correct for any beam hardening of the x-rays as they pass through the closed metal wall, to apply the Maximum Likelihood Estimation method to generate on the display a reconstructed image of the gas density, and to use Inverse Radon Transforms for deconvolution. A dopant can be added to enhance the interaction with the x-rays.
US09459215B2 Passivation of nonlinear optical crystals
A system for optically inspection one or more samples includes a sample stage, a laser system configured for illuminating a portion of the surface of the one or more samples disposed on the sample stage, and a detector configured to receive at least a portion of illumination reflected from the surface of the sample. The laser system includes an NLO crystal annealed within a selected temperature range. In addition, the NLO crystal is passivated with at least one of hydrogen, deuterium, a hydrogen-containing compound or a deuterium-containing compound to a selected passivation level. Further, the laser system includes a light source configured to generate light of a selected wavelength. The light source is configured to transmit light through the NLO crystal. The laser system includes a crystal housing unit configured to house the NLO crystal.
US09459210B2 Static magnetic field induced differential fluorescence emission
Exposure to a static magnetic field changes the fluorescence intensity of a wide range of fluorophores, including small molecules (e.g., tryptophan), complex organizations of fluorophores (e.g., proteins), quantum dots, nanoparticles, and other materials. Different materials may experience different changes in fluorescence emission upon exposure to a magnetic field—for instance, some or all of a material's fluorescence emission spectrum may increase in amplitude or shift in wavelength. Different materials may also experience different changes in relaxation time, which is the time constant associated with fluorescence decay. These magnetically induced differences fluorescence emission spectra and decay can be used to identify, classify, or sort materials noninvasively.
US09459205B1 Refractive index measurement of liquids over a broad spectral range
Techniques described herein generally relate to a refractometer. Using electromagnetic energy, the refractometer can accurately measure refractive index of a liquid without bulky precision optics. By empirically determining a relationship between the refractive index of a liquid sample and a measured reflected power from a resonant structure when in contact with the liquid sample, the refractive index of a liquid can be determined by measuring this reflected power. Furthermore, using multiple light sources of different frequencies, the refractive index of the liquid sample can be determined over a very broad spectral range, for example from ultra-violet to far infrared.
US09459201B2 Systems and methods for noninvasive blood glucose and other analyte detection and measurement using collision computing
In a noninvasive system for detection/measurement of glucose and other analytes in a medium such as tissue, spectra from the medium are deconstructed into features. Conditioned features, which contain frequency components specific to glucose or the other analytes, are derived from one or more features by modulating a carrier kernel with the feature. The conditioned features are computationally collided with one or more Zyotons that are co-dependent with the conditioned features. One or more collisions amplify a property of the analyte e.g., energy absorbed by glucose in tissue from radiation directed to the skin. A gradient of several values of the amplified property, each value corresponding to a particular radiation pattern according to a spectroscopic tomographic sequence, is used to select a suitable projector curve, with which a representative amplified value is projected to an accurate estimate of the concentration of glucose or the other analytes, without needing personalized calibration.
US09459200B2 Single-use handheld diagnostic test device, and an associated system and method for testing biological and environmental test samples
In a single-use handheld diagnostic test device and an associated system and method, a biological and/or environmental test sample is received and reacted with reagents. The test device tests a single sample and includes a sensor to detect test data. The test device mates with, and transmits the test data to, an electronic device. A processor of the electronic device applies algorithms to the test data to generate highly sensitive and accurate quantitative test results. A presentation element of the electronic device presents the test results to a user. The test device is adapted for disposal, or for sterilization and re-use, after the electronic device receives the test data. The electronic device may be, for example, a mobile communications device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a navigation device, a digital audio player, a camera, or a gaming device.
US09459199B2 Humidity sensing system
A humidity sensor and filter assembly are housed within a cylindrical barrel that is positioned in a process gas stream such as combustion flue gas. A portion of sample flue gas is conducted through the barrel and the filter assembly past the sensor located inside the filter so that accurate humidity measurements can be taken. Unwanted flue gas particulate matter accumulated on the outside surface of the filter is ejected by pulsed purge gas admitted into the filter to reverse the flow through the filter. In one embodiment a heat exchange chamber preheats the purge gas. In another embodiment the pulsed purge is supplied by a reciprocal piston contiguous with the internal volume of the filter that reverses the flow through the filter using the process gas.
US09459192B2 Water absorption test method and water absorption test device for concrete surface
A water absorption property of a concrete surface of an actual structure is measured in situ for clarification and evaluation of causative factors and so forth related to densification of surface layer concrete. An apparatus for a water absorption test has a position-fixing device, a detecting device and a measuring device. A device for water absorption test having vent means is positionally fixed on the concrete surface by the position-fixing device, with use of negative pressure or a mechanical connection. The detecting device detects an amount of water held in a chamber, and results detected by the detecting device are input into the measuring device. A water absorption rate is measured by the detecting device and the measuring device. On the basis of the water absorption rate measured at predetermined elapsed time, identification or comparison of causative or evaluative factors related to densification of the surface layer concrete is carried out.
US09459187B2 Blood collection device containing lysophospholipase inhibitor
Disclosed are collection devices for collecting and stabilizing whole blood or a component thereof, which include a first end and a second end and at least one interior wall defining a reservoir, wherein the reservoir contains a stabilization agent that includes a lysophospholipase (LysoPLA) inhibitor. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the devices.
US09459177B1 Wafer-level testing of optical circuit devices
An apparatus comprising a wafer substrate having a planar optical layer thereon and a plurality of adjacent pairs of sacrificial optical testing parts and optical circuit parts located on the optical layer. The sacrificial testing part includes a vertical optical coupler that is oriented to redirect a test light signal between a direction substantially non-parallel to the planar optical layer and a direction that is substantially parallel to the planar optical layer. The optical circuit part includes an optical edge coupling port oriented to permit transfer of the test light signal through the optical edge coupling port and between the sacrificial testing part and the optical circuit part. The apparatus also comprises a trench located in the planar optical layer, the trench separating the sacrificial testing part from the optical circuit part for each of the plurality of adjacent pairs such that the test light signal passes across the trench between the sacrificial testing part and the optical circuit part.
US09459171B2 Droplet-based capacitive pressure sensor
A pressure sensing apparatus which utilizes an electrolytic droplet retained between a first and second sensing electrode within a housing. Contact between the electrolyte droplet and the electrodes form electric double layers (EDL) having interfacial EDL capacitance proportional to interface contact area which varies in response to mechanical pressure applied to deform exterior portions of the housing. The electrolyte contains a sufficient percentage of glycerol to prevent evaporative effects. Preferably, the sensing electrodes are modified with depressions, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions to increase central anchoring of the electrolyte droplet within the housing. The inventive pressure sensor provides high sensitivity and resolution which is beneficial to numerous applications, and is particularly well-suited for medical sensing applications.
US09459166B2 Cutting resistance analysis device, cutting and machining device equipped with same, and cutting resistance analysis program
A cutting resistance analysis device is adapted to calculate cutting resistance at a plurality of machining points along a path of movement of a multi-blade rotary cutting tool in cutting and machining of a workpiece using the multi-blade rotary cutting tool. The cutting resistance analysis device includes a data storage section, a cutting resistance calculating section, a contact blade count calculating section and a per-blade cutting resistance calculating section. The contact blade count calculating section is configured to calculate a number of blades of the multi-blade rotary cutting tool that are simultaneously in contact with a machining face of the workpiece. The per-blade cutting resistance calculating section is configured to calculate the cutting resistance per blade of the multi-blade rotary cutting tool based on the amount of cutting resistance and a calculation result of the contact blade count calculating section.
US09459161B1 Silicon force sensor and method of using the same
The various technologies presented herein relate to a sensor for measurement of high forces and/or high load shock rate(s), whereby the sensor utilizes silicon as the sensing element. A plate of Si can have a thinned region formed therein on which can be formed a number of traces operating as a Wheatstone bridge. The brittle Si can be incorporated into a layered structure comprising ductile and/or compliant materials. The sensor can have a washer-like configuration which can be incorporated into a nut and bolt configuration, whereby tightening of the nut and bolt can facilitate application of a compressive preload upon the sensor. Upon application of an impact load on the bolt, the compressive load on the sensor can be reduced (e.g., moves towards zero-load), however the magnitude of the preload can be such that the load on the sensor does not translate to tensile stress being applied to the sensor.
US09459156B2 Temperature sensor comprising a high-overtone bulk acoustic resonator
This temperature sensor includes an HBAR resonator, a unit for determining the difference between two distinct resonance frequencies at a temperature T, measured between two electrodes of a same pair of the HBAR resonator and a unit for determining the temperature of the resonator from the difference in frequencies and from a one-to-one function providing the match between the temperature and the frequency difference. The resonator is formed by a stack of a first electrode, a transducer, a second electrode, and acoustic substrate and the cuts of the transducer and of the substrate are selected so as to obtain high electro-acoustic couplings and a difference in frequency temperature sensitivities between two distinct vibration modes co-existing within the resonator, greater than or equal to 1 ppm·K−1.
US09459154B2 Multi-layer advanced carbon nanotube blackbody for compact, lightweight, and on-demand infrared calibration
An apparatus, method and thin-film structure for producing a blackbody spectrum is disclosed. A first layer of the apparatus is configured to generate heat in response to an applied voltage. A second layer is configured to emit the blackbody radiation spectrum in response to the heat from the first layer. A thermal spreading layer is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The thermal spreading layer includes a graphene sheet for reducing a spatial variation of the heat in a plane of the thermal spreading layer.
US09459153B2 Automated analytics systems and methods
An automated analytics system can include a sensor system that obtains measurement data by monitoring one or more parameters at each of a number of locations on each of a number of replicated components of an object. A computing device receives the measurement data from the sensor system and uses the measurement data to automatically generate a computerized representation of each of the plurality of replicated components. Thereafter, upon receipt of an input query, the computing device generates a synthesized representation of the object that is specifically directed to a parameter of interest indicated in the query. The synthesized representation may be displayed in a visual format that is interpretable by a human to derive information associated with the parameter of interest.
US09459152B1 System and method for characterizing polarimetric response of a remote sensing instrument
Measuring the polarimetric response of an optical instrument includes the steps of: emitting light along an optical axis; receiving the light through first and second polarizers; and detecting the light received through the first and second polarizers, using a filter and a detector. A first set of measurements is obtained by measuring the intensity of light received through the first and second polarizers. A second set of measurements is obtained by placing an optical instrument along the optical axis in lieu of the filter and detector; and measuring the intensity of light received through the first polarizer, after the second polarizer has been removed. A third set of measurements is obtained using the optical instrument but having the second polarizer replace the first polarizer. The optical instrument may be characterized using the first, second and third sets of measurements. The characterization is completed without having to know the extinction ratios and the transmittance parameters of the polarizers.
US09459151B2 Gas measurement system
A gas measurement system for measuring the concentration of gaseous and/or vaporous components of a gas mixture by means of a color change of at least one reaction substance on a reaction support unit, which is arranged in at least two light permeable channels in such a manner that the color change on the reaction substance can be detected at low expense on a large number of separate positions. The detecting unit which detects the color change can be designed as a digital camera with an electronic image converter or image sensor, and an imaging optics system (e.g., a lens system). Related systems, methods, apparatus, and articles are also described.
US09459149B2 Evanescent wave microspectrometer
An evanescent wave microspectrometer includes a planar diopter separating two transparent media, an optical sensor with a pixel array, and disposed in the second transparent medium, and an interference device disposed such that at least a part of the interference device is in contact with evanescent waves generated at the surface of the diopter. The micro-spectrometer also includes a memory storing a map having a set of set of data grids including the optical response of said sensor for a set of quasi-monochromatic wavelengths of a calibration light source, and a calculator configured to determine the spectrum (ψ) of a test light source configured to generate evanescent waves at the surface of the diopter, on the basis of the map and the optical response of the sensor.
US09459147B2 Electronic apparatus and control method of electronic apparatus
A spectrometry device includes a wavelength variable interference filter; a filter driving unit which sets a wavelength of light which is output from the wavelength variable interference filter, and outputs at least red light and green light among three color light beams of predetermined red light in a red color wavelength range, predetermined green light in a green light wavelength range, and predetermined blue light in a blue light wavelength range in a predetermined order; an imaging element which receives at least red light and green light which are output from the wavelength variable interference filter, and obtains at least a red image and a green image among three color images; and an image generation unit which generates a composite image using the latest color images including at least the obtained red image and green image.
US09459143B2 Spectroscopic device
A spectroscopic device includes a lamp house accommodating a light source inside, a spectrometer configured to disperse light from the lamp house, a temperature measurement means for measuring a temperature of the spectrometer, a heating means for heating the spectrometer, a storage means and a control unit. The storage means stores the detection temperature of the temperature measurement means at a time when an optical axis is stable in the spectrometer in a state where the light source is illuminated. The control unit is configured to control operation of the heating means, and to cause the heating means to operate, when the light source is illuminated from a light-off state, until a detection temperature of the temperature measurement means reaches the detection temperature stored in the storage means.
US09459139B2 Photovoltaic generating system with control unit for controlling output power conversion and actuation of photovoltaic tracker units
A photovoltaic (PV) generating system that includes a plurality of PV tracker units, each having: a PV panel with a plurality of PV generators connected to output electrical power and an actuator for positioning the PV panel. A multiple tracker control unit is in communication with the plurality of PV tracker units, the tracker control unit monitoring the output electrical power of the PV panels and controlling, in dependance on the monitored output electrical power, both: (i) power conversion of the output electrical power and (ii) the actuators of the PV tracker units, to optimize power output for the plurality of PV tracker units.
US09459138B2 Ultrasonic transducer, and ultrasonic wave generating apparatus and ultrasonic system including the same
An ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic wave generating apparatus and an ultrasonic system including the same. The ultrasonic transducer includes a light-absorbing layer configured to absorb light incident on the light-absorbing layer and to generate heat based on the absorbed light; and a thermoelastic layer which is disposed on the light-absorbing layer and which is configured to thermally expand based on the heat to generate ultrasonic waves.
US09459137B2 Acoustic sensor systems for identification of arbitrary waves
Arbitrary wave loads are detected and reconstructed by a sensor system based on an inverse mechanism of continuous structure responses. A sensor system comprising a sensing component configured with a sandwich-structured beam of composite materials can generate the structural responses as a moving wave propagates across the beam. In one example, an Arnoldi-Tikhonov algorithm coupled with generalized cross-validation technique can be utilized to determine a regularization parameter that is utilized to compensate for the presence of noise in the wave load and/or the highly ill-posed problems of the inverse matrix that is utilized for wave reconstruction. Further, the Tikhonov algorithm can be utilized to reconstruct wave loads (e.g., at different location on the beam and/or different times) based on the structural response parameters and the regularization parameter. As an example, an image of the determined wave load values can be rendered in three dimensions (3-D) versus time and location.
US09459136B2 Robot having workpiece mass measurement function
A robot (1) having a workpiece mass measurement function for measuring the mass of a workpiece that is held, includes a force measurement unit (5) that measures the force that is applied to the tip part (2) of the mechanism part of the robot (1), and a mass estimation unit (11) that estimates the mass of the workpiece that is held by the robot (1), based on information about the force acquired by the force measurement unit (5) while the robot (1) is moving.
US09459135B2 Cover for load detection sensor and load detection device
A cover for a load detection sensor removably attached to the load detection sensor includes a sheet-shaped strain member, a load input member, a strain detection element, at least one fixing member fixing the strain member to a housing, a cover portion, a side portion being integrally formed with the cover portion, and a clamping portion extending from the side portion and covering a clearance provided between the load input member and the fixing member, the clamping portion cooperating with the cover portion so that the clamping portion and the cover portion sandwich the load detection sensor therebetween. The cover portion includes an opening portion being formed to correspond to the load input member, a cutout portion being formed to correspond to the fixing member, a projection portion protruding from a rim portion of the opening portion and being in contact with a portion of the load detection sensor.
US09459132B2 Multi-limit level measuring device
To detect a limit level, a multi-limit level measuring device is employed, which uses two different measured data evaluation methods. The measured data to be evaluated is acquired by a multi-limit level sensor arrangement which can use different physical measurement principles. In this manner, the likelihood of the limit level being erroneously detected may be reduced.
US09459129B2 Determining sensor placement in distributed networks
Determining sensor placement in distributed networks includes identifying measurement locations in a distributed network with a tree topology and selecting a subset of the measurement locations for sensor placement with a mutual information function.
US09459127B2 Method for operating a magnetic-inductive flow meter with a measuring apparatus for determining measured values which reproduce the field intensity of the electrical field which has been induced by the magnetic field in the flowing medium
A method for operating a magnetic-inductive flow meter in which the presence of a parasitic magnetic field is detected energizing of electromagnets with at least one first current value and at least one second current value. The measuring apparatus determines first and second measured values from energizing of the electromagnets with the first and second measured values and a first pair of measured values is formed from the first current value and the first measured value and a second pair of measured values is formed from the second current value and the second measured value, the correspondence of the pairs of measured values and of the function of permeability is determined. If correspondence of the pairs of measured values and of the function of permeability is not found that fact is signaled, the lack of correspondence being due to the at least partial presence of a parasitic magnetic field.
US09459125B2 Systems and methods of device-free motion detection and presence detection
Systems and methods are provided for device-free motion detection and presence detection within an area of interest. A plurality of nodes, configured to be arranged around the area of interest, form a wireless network. The plurality of nodes transmit wireless signals as radio waves and receive transmitted wireless signals. The received signal strength (RSS) of the transmitted wireless signals between the plurality of nodes are measured and a value is reported. A computing device receives the reported values for the measured RSS and tracks the reported values over time. The computing device processes the reported values using an aggregate disturbance calculation to detect motion and presence within the area of interest. The computing device may notify notification device of a detected disturbance within the area of interest.
US09459124B2 Electromagnetic tracker (AC) with extended range and distortion compensation capabilities employing multiple transmitters
An alternating current (AC) electromagnetic tracker system with increased operational range and an ability to compensate for electromagnetic distortion in the local operating environment. The system uses multiple “N” sources/transmitters located at known positions in a common reference frame. A sensor receives the generated signal of each of the sources and a processor computes a position and orientation of the sensor from each. The processor further uses the known relative position and orientation between the N sources to compensate for distortion in the operating environment.
US09459122B2 Method for determining the position of the rotor of an electrical machine
A method for determining the position of the rotor of an electric machine having multiple phases in relation to the stator. The change Δİ in the time derivative İ of the current I flowing through at least one of the power inputs is determined. The change Δİ is caused by a change ΔU in the potential U on at least one of the power inputs of the electric machine. A measurement signal that is representative of a position of the rotor is determined from multiple simultaneously or successively determined changes Δİ.
US09459117B2 Interactive user interface providing weather information and available trips
Systems and methods for providing an interactive user interface that displays anticipated weather conditions alongside a plurality of available trips between an origin and a destination are provided. An exemplary user interface can include a plurality of trip identifiers on a graph having an axis indicative of time. For example, the plurality of trip identifiers can respectively represent a plurality of available transit trips. For example, each trip identifier can provide an intuitive sense regarding the overall duration of the trip, a number of transfers or legs for each trip, time spent in each leg of the trip, a mode of transportation associated with each leg of each trip, and/or other information. The anticipated weather conditions associated with the trips can be presented alongside the plurality of trip identifiers.
US09459112B2 Security system with traffic monitoring
The present disclosure relates to approaches for providing real time traffic information to a user using a control panel of a building automation system. The control panel includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory that are executable by the processor to couple the control panel to at least one of a sensor and a controller of the building automation system, receive traffic data for a geographic area associated with the control panel, and generate at least one audible notification to communicate the traffic data to a user through the control panel.
US09459109B2 Navigation device
A navigation device, when a vehicle travels through an area in which the use of an ETC device provided in the vehicle is not possible, can prevent that vehicle from being guided along an ETC device utilization rout. The navigation device sets, for each area, whether or not the use of the ETC device is possible; performs a first route search using a first cost condition regarding the route cost of an ETC device utilization route; performs a second route search using a second cost condition regarding a route cost for which the route cost of an ETC device utilization route is higher than with the first cost condition; and, on the basis of a setting status for whether or not the use of the ETC device in each area is possible, controls whether to perform the first route search or the second route search.
US09459105B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for community based user involvement in map updating
A method for employing community based user involvement in map updating may include receiving an update request indicating a feature requested to be changed at a corresponding location on a map, determining a community associated with the update request, providing an indication of the update request to a plurality of members of the community, and providing for updating of the map according to the update request based on responses received from the members of the community. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided.
US09459101B1 Systems and methods for fiber optic gyroscopes utilizing reference ring resonators
Systems and methods for fiber optic gyroscopes are provided. In one embodiment, a resonating fiber optic gyroscope comprises: first and second laser sources producing first and second optical beams; a first resonator having a hub comprising a hub material, wherein the first and second optical beams circulate within the first resonator in opposite directions; a second resonator having a hub comprising the hub material, wherein the first and second optical beams circulate within the second resonator in opposite directions; first and second servo loops; the first loop controls the first laser source based on a beam that has circulated through the first resonator and a beam that has circulated through the second resonator; the second servo loop controls the second laser source based on a beam that has circulated through the first resonator and a beam that has circulated through the second resonator; and a rotation rate detection circuit.
US09459099B2 Micromachined piezoelectric x-axis gyroscope
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using gyroscopes. Such gyroscopes may include a sense frame, a proof mass disposed outside the sense frame, a pair of anchors and a plurality of drive beams. The plurality of drive beams may be disposed on opposing sides of the sense frame and between the pair of anchors. The drive beams may connect the sense frame to the proof mass. The drive beams may be configured to cause torsional oscillations of the proof mass substantially in a first plane of the drive beams. The sense frame may be substantially decoupled from the drive motions of the proof mass. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.
US09459095B2 Method for determining whether a point lies along a curve in a multidimensional space
There is disclosed a computer-implemented method for determining whether a point lies along a first curve in a multidimensional space and program instructions executable for carrying out the method. The method comprises appreciating first curve coordinates defining each of a position and a form of the first curve in the multidimensional space; identifying regions of the multidimensional space each encompassing a respective portion of the first curve while generating a second curve approximating the first curve; and storing, in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, region coordinates of at least one of the regions; whereby an analysis of the region coordinates and point coordinates defining a position of the point in the multidimensional space is executable to provide to a user either an indication that the point lies along the first curve or an indication that the point does not lie along the first curve. Some implementations comprise executing said analysis and providing said indication.
US09459088B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of electromechanical systems
A method, apparatus and computer program for monitoring the condition of electromechanical systems in which electrical rotating machinery is used. The method includes measuring current and/or voltage signals, measuring an angular position of a rotating shaft of interest of the electromechanical systems or estimating the value of discrete angular position of a rotating shaft, synchronizing the current and/or voltage signals to the scaled angular displacement of the rotating shaft, dividing the synchronous electrical signals into intervals corresponding to each completed rotation of the rotating shaft, averaging a number of intervals of synchronous electrical signals to obtain an average synchronous electrical signal, extracting characteristic data of the magnitude from the values of the average synchronous electrical signal, and comparing the extracted characteristic data with a threshold limit to alarm the user when the limit is exceeded.
US09459086B2 Shape sensor devices, shape error detection systems, and related shape sensing methods
Devices, systems and methods for detecting the shape of a moving strip of material with high resolution along the edges thereof. Device and system embodiments may include a plurality of displacement-type shape sensor assemblies that may be collectively linearly displaced in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of a moving strip of material being examined, and also selectively activated or deactivated as necessary so as to provide edge-to-edge strip coverage to the extent possible.
US09459084B2 Apparatus for measuring an article
There is provided a measuring device having a pair of pivoted arms, the ends of which remote from the pivot having an associated tape. The tape is fixed to one arm and extends internally through the other arm to be wound on to a biased reel located in a housing part, the reel taking up any slack in the tape.
US09459081B2 Foam dart having a safety cap
A dart is disclosed that may comprise an elongate dart body, a base, and a cap. The elongate dart body may have a first end, a second end, and an interior cavity, which can be a bore. The base may include a mount and a stem inserted into the interior bore of the dart body at the first end of the dart. The cap may be attached to the base and may have a flexible, substantially bulbous-shaped head portion and an interior post so that the head portion may be configured to deform upon an impact.
US09459080B2 Venting system for a jet cutter in the event of deflagration
A jet cutter venting apparatus and method for venting gases generated during deflagration. The venting apparatus and method including vent grooves inside the jet cutter providing a pathway for deflagration gases to escape. The venting apparatus and method also may include using notches or holes placed inside the jet cutter to facilitate the venting of gases during deflagration. The venting of the gases during deflagration facilitates pressure relief within the jet cutter and increases safety from accidental detonation during a fire.
US09459076B2 Rifle scope, apparatus, and method including proximity detection and warning system
A method of providing proximity detection includes receiving a signal at a rifle scope indicating proximity of a second rifle scope. The method further includes providing a visual alert to a display of the rifle scope based on the proximity.
US09459075B1 Elevated sight
An adjustable occluded eye sight for use with multiple types of weapons including guns and projectile launchers. The sight being light weight, having a low profile, and mountable on the top of a weapon and adjustable for different launch angles.
US09459073B1 Tactical weapon with stock configured to receive a handgun
A stock for a tactical weapon comprises a handgun and a receiver. The receiver may have a connection end configured to be connected to a tactical weapon, and a second end configured to receive a handgun. The receiver may be configured to releasably connect to a buffer bar of the tactical weapon. The receiver may be configured to be connected at different positions on the buffer bar thereby providing a variable overall length for the buffer bar and receiver when the receiver is installed on the buffer bar. The receiver and buffer bar may also be monolithically formed. The receiver may have a lever mechanism that actuates the safety of a handgun inserted therein or the receiver will serve as a trigger guard that prevents the handgun from being discharged once inserted into the receiver. The receiver may have a release configured to releasably secure the handgun in the receiver.
US09459071B2 Open ignition breech plug and conversion system and method for muzzle-loading firearm
An open ignition breech plug for a muzzle-loading firearm. The open ignition breech plug includes an internal body portion for removable installation into the breech end of a barrel of the muzzle-loader, and an external body portion comprising a gripping surface, a nipple for receiving an ignition source such as a percussion cap, and at least one open portion of the external body portion for external visibility of the nipple and a percussion cap mounted thereon. The nipple can be integrally formed with the external body portion or removably mounted thereto.
US09459068B2 Vibration decay time modification
Vibration dampeners (DTM's) designed to surround a device in which unwanted vibrations (including shocks) are set up during use or a component of the device. The DTM significantly shortens the duration of those vibrations, reducing sound levels, making the device more comfortable to use in wielded instrument applications of the invention, and/or significantly reducing the possibility that the vibrations might damage the device. A representative, but significant, use of the subject DTM's is to dampen the vibrations generated when an arrow (or bolt) is shot from a crossbow.
US09459053B2 Heat exchanger and air-conditioning apparatus
A plate fin includes a slit structure formed by cutting and raising a portion of the plate fin to form an opening facing a flow direction of a fluid and a waffle structure formed by bending a portion of the plate fin to form a protrusion having an angle-shaped cross section which protrudes in a stack direction and having a ridge substantially perpendicular to the air flow direction, and the waffle structure is disposed on the upstream side on the plate fins with respect to the slit structure and a slant length L1 on the upstream side of the waffle structure is smaller than a slant length L2 on the downstream side of the waffle structure.
US09459052B2 Coaxial gas-liquid heat exchanger with thermal expansion connector
A co-axial gas-liquid heat exchanger such as a charge air cooler comprises at least three concentric tubes forming at least two annular flow passageways. One end of the inner tube is rigidly attached to the middle tube by a thermal expansion connector including an inner connecting portion secured to the first end of the inner tube, an outer connecting portion secured to an inner surface of the middle tube; and one or more webs connecting the inner connecting portion to the outer connecting portion. The webs extend across the annular gas flow passageway but permit the hot gas to flow therethrough. The other end of the inner tube is free to expand in the longitudinal direction, relative to the middle and outer tubes. In some embodiments, the inner connecting portion forms part of a central plug portion which blocks an end of the inner tube.
US09459048B2 Metal melting furnace
A metal melting furnace which effectively melts a melting material and holds the temperature of the molten material to reduce fuel. The metal melting furnace has a material charging port and a flue at its top and a melting chamber with a heating plate which melts a melting material charged from the material charging port at its bottom. A heating burner is disposed at a bottom side of the heating plate of the melting chamber and is used to melt the melting material on the heating plate. Exhaust gas of the heating burner, which circulates through the exhaust gas channel, is used to preheat the melting material of the flue. At a bottom side of the heating burner of the melting chamber, a molten material holding section into which molten material flows to be stored is formed. The heating burner holds the temperature of the molten material.
US09459037B2 Portable refrigeration unit for palletized product
A portable refrigeration unit for cooling palletized products disposed within a racking system. The portable refrigeration unit includes a case and a refrigeration system disposed in the case. The case includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls. The case is configured to be supported by the racking system above a pallet of products positioned below the case. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series. The refrigeration system includes an evaporator fan configured to draw in air from below the case, move the air through the evaporator, and then discharge the air through the bottom wall such that the cooled air passes over the products below the case to cool the products below the case.
US09459035B2 Refrigeration device comprising an ice dispenser, and corresponding assembly
A refrigeration device is provided that includes a housing enclosing an interior and an assembly in the interior having a storage compartment for chunks of ice and a stirrer. The stirrer is rotatable about an axis that extends through the storage compartment to move chunks of ice contained in the storage compartment in relation to each other and to move ice towards a dispensing passage that extends through the housing. A closable flap is interposed between the storage compartment and the dispensing passage.
US09459034B2 Method of producing ice segments
A method of making an ice structure comprising the steps of: providing a mold with at least two mold portions where the at least two mold portions come together to form a cavity that defines a shape of an ice structure; placing the at least two mold portions in thermal communication with at least one cooling source; chilling the at least two mold portions using the at least one cooling source; orienting the at least two mold portions in spaced apart relation; delivering a flow of water such that the flow of water passes along the surface of the at least two mold portions with the mold segments such that water flows (by capillary/wicking action) over the mold segment and forms an ice structure segment; ceasing the flow of water when the ice structure segments are formed; and fusing the ice structure segments together to form the ice structure.
US09459033B2 Multi air-conditioning apparatus
A correspondence determination operation is performed. The correspondence determination operation differs a direction of distribution or a flow rate of a refrigerant flowing in one or some of use units among a plurality of use units to that of the other use units and determines, on the basis of a refrigerant temperature of the use unit, a location of a non-correspondence between a branch port that is connected to the use unit with refrigerant pipes and a set branch port that is obtained in accordance with the wire connection.
US09459030B2 Thermostatic expansion device and air conditioning loop comprising such a thermostatic expansion device
A device for expanding a refrigerant fluid has a first inlet and a first outlet which are connected by a first refrigerant circulation duct. The first refrigerant circulation duct has an upstream part and a downstream part which parts are placed in communication by a first communication passage. The device also has a second inlet and a second outlet which are connected by a second refrigerant circulation duct. The device regulates an expansion of the refrigerant fluid and has a first needle valve housed inside the upstream part of the first refrigerant flow duct connected by a first connecting rod to a thermostatic sensor in communication with the second refrigerant flow duct that allows or prevents refrigerant fluid from circulating through the first communicating passage. The device also measures the pressure of the refrigerant fluid entering the evaporator (Pse) which pressure measurement is taken at the first outlet.
US09459029B2 Valve controller, valve controlling method, refrigeration and cold storage system, device and method for controlling the system
To provide a motor-driven valve with a small number of parts, with excellent assemblage, capable of maintaining a large valve port diameter even downsized, and to prevent deterioration of housing environment due to sound caused by the impact and shortened life that are generated by collisions of closing limit stopper parts. A motor-driven valve according to the present invention comprises: a male screw member rotating in accordance with a rotation of a rotor of an electric motor and engaging with a female screw member fixed to a valve main body; a valve body contacting to and separating from a valve seat in the valve main body by a rotation of the male screw member; two stopper parts rotating in accordance with the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor; an opening limit stopper part mounted to the female screw member, the opening limit stopper part contacting with one of the two stopper parts in a fully-opened state of the motor-driven valve to restrict the rotation of the male screw member in a direction that the motor-driven valve opens; and a closing limit stopper part mounted to the female screw member, the closing limit stopper part contacting with another stopper part in a fully-closed state of the motor-driven valve to restrict the rotation of the male screw member in a direction that the motor-driven valve closes.
US09459028B2 Vehicle heat pump system and method utilizing intermediate gas recompression
A vehicular heat pump system utilizing intermediate gas recompression is provided. The heat pump system is for use in a vehicle having a battery and a passenger compartment. The heat pump system may include a heating circuit and a cooling circuit each including a compressor having a first inlet and a second inlet and a vapor-liquid separator configured to separate intermediate pressure refrigerant supplied by a first expansion device into refrigerant in a gaseous state flowing therethrough and refrigerant in a liquid state flowing therethrough. The vapor-liquid separator may be configured to selectively inject refrigerant in a gaseous state into the compressor at the second inlet to increase the mass flow rate of the refrigerant. This allows the heat pump system to operate effectively in cold ambient temperatures. A method of operating a heat pump system utilizing intermediate gas recompression is also provided.
US09459021B2 Shaped heater for an aerosol generating system
A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.
US09459015B2 HVAC system and zone control unit
Methods for installing one or more heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units in an HVAC system include the steps of securing inlet and outlet piping assemblies of the HVAC unit to a bracket, coupling a thermal transfer mechanism of the HVAC unit with the inlet piping assembly and the outlet piping assembly, fluidly coupling a water pump with the thermal transfer mechanism, the inlet piping assembly, or the outlet piping assembly, mounting the HVAC unit by mounting the bracket to the HVAC system, and maintaining alignment of the HVAC unit thermal transfer mechanism, the HVAC unit inlet piping assembly, and the HVAC unit outlet piping assembly while mounting the HVAC unit in the HVAC system. An HVAC unit can include a thermal transfer mechanism, inlet and outlet piping assemblies, a water pump, and a bracket.
US09459010B2 Function indicator system for electric fireplace
A function indicator system and methods for indicating the control settings related to functions and features of an electric fireplace are described. The function indicator system can feature a function indicator module, a controller communicatively connected to the function indicator module, and a connected power source. The function indicator module can contain a plurality of light sources that emit paths of light, which can pass through control status indicia to create a visual display on an exterior surface of a projection screen of the electric fireplace. The visual display is visible to a viewer so as to alert the viewer as to the particular status of a control setting of the electric fireplace such as, for example, the temperature of heat produced, the brightness of simulated flames, or the power setting of a heater of the electric fireplace.
US09459009B2 Fuel efficient ultra-low emission and improved pattern factor colorless distributed combustion for stationary and propulsion gas turbine applications
Colorless distributed combustion (CDC) reactors or green combustion gas turbine combustors having a combustion chamber are presented for improved performance of gas turbine combustion engines. The combustors are configured and designed for providing a superior pattern factor (uniform thermal field in the combustion zone) and a reduction or complete elimination of pollutants emission from the combustor (i.e., zero emission gas turbine combustor) and uniform thermal field in the entire combustion zone to provide significantly improved pattern factor. Colorless distributed combustion is achieved with fuel and air entering the combustion chamber via one or more injection ports as non-premixed, or premixed. Rectangular, cylindrical, stadium and elliptical shaped combustors are presented with injection ports and exit ports located in various locations of the combustors. The mixture preparation between fuel and air with the hot combustion products is carried out either with the gases present in the combustion chamber or via a communication link between the exit gases from the combustor back to the combustion chamber.
US09459008B2 Method of controlling a fuel split
A method of controlling a fuel split of a pilot fuel flow and a main fuel flow in a gas turbine combustor during a load reduction is provided. The rate of change of fuel flow demand is monitored and an additional pilot fuel flow is added. The amount of additional pilot fuel flow depends on the rate of the change in fuel flow demand.
US09459007B2 Low profile vent terminal with variable exhaust angle
Vent terminal apparatus and methods are provided for covering vent pipes in an HVAC system, e.g., air intake and combustion gas exhaust pipes of a furnace or boiler. The vent terminal includes a body defining a shielded air inlet configured to fluidly communicate with an air intake pipe, and an exhaust opening configured to fluidly communicate with an exhaust pipe. The vent terminal also includes a nozzle configured to couple with the body and defining a flowpath therethrough. When the exhaust opening of the body is in fluid communication with the exhaust pipe and the nozzle is coupled with the body, the flowpath is in fluid communication with the exhaust pipe via the exhaust opening and the flowpath is oriented at an acute angle relative to the exhaust pipe.
US09459006B2 Radial nozzle assembly for a pressure vessel
A radial nozzle assembly for use in a pressure vessel to enable fluid flow through the vessel wall is provided. The radial nozzle assembly has a nozzle and a cup-shaped flange extending from one end of the nozzle. The nozzle has a bore disposed therethrough along its length to permit fluid flow through the wall of the pressure vessel. The flange is defined by a generally cup or dome-shaped wall having an open end. The nozzle assembly is secured to the wall of the vessel such that the nozzle is disposed in a radial orientation to the flange and possibly in a horizontal orientation.
US09459003B2 Electronic equipment
Electronic equipment according to the present invention includes: an illumination unit that is mounted so as to form the surface of a housing and is capable of transmitting a light from inside the housing to outside; and a light-emitting unit that emits a light to the illumination unit from inside the housing and is mounted inside the housing. Then, the light-emitting unit includes a plurality of RGB LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that can emit red, green and blue lights, and the respective RGB LEDs are arranged so that part of a light emitted to the illumination unit by a predetermined one of the RGB LEDs and part of a light emitted to the illumination unit by another of the RGB LEDs overlap each other before entering the illumination unit.
US09459002B2 Lamp holder for receiving a lamp with holder housing component liftable against spring force
A lamp holder for receiving a lamp including a LED, the lamp holder including locking cams radially extending from a lamp base; a central heat conducting element; a lamp holder housing component that is attachable by fasteners at a light fixture component; a central cut-out for receiving the lamp base, wherein the cutout is enclosed by a lamp holder housing wall which is provided with insertion grooves which are oriented substantially perpendicular to the light fixture component; locking grooves respectively originating from the insertion grooves which locking grooves are oriented parallel to the light fixture component for receiving the locking cams extending from the lamp base; and at least one spring element, wherein the holder housing component including the locking grooves is liftable against a spring force of the at least one spring element through an insertion and rotation movement when inserting and locking the lamp.
US09459001B2 Illumination device with multi-layered heat sink
The present invention relates to an illumination device where a number of light sources are arranged on a heat sink and adapted to emit light in substantially the same direction. The heat sink comprises a first cooling plate and a second cooling plate. A first part of the light sources are arranged on the first cooling plate and a second part of the light sources are arranged on the second cooling plate. The first and second cooling plates are separated by a distance and a flow channel is defined there between. The flow channel allows cooling fluid to flow between the first cooling plate and the second cooling plate whereby the light sources can be cooled by the cooling fluid. The heat sink comprises further a number of light passages allowing light to propagate from the second cooling plate, towards the first cooling plate and through the first cooling plate.
US09458997B2 Lamp with protection against shining in an undesired direction
The invention relates to a lamp, comprising a light source for generating a light beam in the direction of a main axis and a first direction-dependent tilt switch for controlling the light source depending on the angle between the main axis and the vertical, wherein the switching direction of the first tilt switch extends in a main plane which runs along the main axis. This enables the use of a tilt switch which functions in only one direction and has a much simpler construction than a switch which functions in two dimensions, such as in the prior art. Furthermore, such a switch has the advantage of a small volume, which advantage is also realized when more switches are used in the lamp. According to another preferred embodiment, the lamp comprises a housing and the housing is provided with marking means for marking the position of the lamp in which the main plane extends vertically.
US09458995B1 Wiring rail platform based LED light fixtures
A light fixture apparatus having an LED circuit board mounting platform and an LED driver housing configured to attach to the circuit board mounting platform to form a module which is attachable anywhere along a wiring rail platform.
US09458991B2 Optical framing projector forward access adjustment and locking systems
The invention relates to a forward access optical framing projector assembly either forward of, or housed behind, a finished surface in which adjustments to the assembly can be made from the front end making it safer and easier to manage. The forward access design requires only a small opening behind a finished surface and can be adjusted by tool instead of hand. The invention has a light mask gate attached to a gate rotation sleeve, and a locking fastener parallel to the optical axis of the light source that pushes the light mask gate forward, making it possible to lock the light mask gate. A tool can be inserted into an opening in light masking shutters. Radial slots in a front cone flange combined with either a shutter gate with radial grooves or a nut retainer tab makes it possible to variably adjust and lock the light masking shutters.
US09458984B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a frame having an opening; at least one light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the frame; a reflector disposed on the frame; and a reflective protrusion projecting from the reflector, wherein light emitted from at least one light emitting diode is reflected by the reflector through the opening, wherein the vertical axis of the reflective protrusion is perpendicular to a plane formed by extending the upper surface of the frame, wherein the upper surface of the frame contacts the reflector, and wherein a distance between two LEDs with one LED placed therebetween is greater than a distance between one LED and the reflector. Because a light source is disposed on the frame of the light emitting device, it is possible to easily exchange the light source of the light emitting diode by removing and attaching the frame without disassembling the entire lighting device.
US09458980B2 In-vehicle interior light unit
This invention is to provide an in-vehicle interior light unit that protects a base from a thermal damage attributable to a thermal factor and reduces cost. This is achieved by adopting a general-purpose compact bulb cassette which does not have a heat shielding function although the bulb cassette still uses a heat-resistant resin as the material thereof, and the thermal deformation due to the radiant heat from a bulb is prevented by a heat shield plate integrally formed when punch-molding a bus bar, which is formed of a conductive metal member. Thus, the radiant heat from the bulb is blocked by the heat shield plate.An in-vehicle interior light unit in accordance with the present invention includes: a housing-shaped base formed of a non-heat-resistant thermoplastic resin; a bus bar integrally formed with a heat shielding plate which is mounted in the base and which rises in the vicinity of a general-purpose bulb; a bulb holder electrically connected to the bus bar; a general-purpose vertical type bulb cassette which is provided with the bulb holder and which has a socket function; a general-purpose bulb which is vertically mounted in the bulb cassette and which is electrically connected to the bulb holder; and a lens mounted on a front surface of the base.
US09458978B2 Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp is provided which includes a toroidal lens 30 which extends into an arc shape so as to surround a light source 20 from a front side thereof. By adopting this configuration, light emitted from the light source 20 is allowed to emanate from the toroidal lens 30 as it is as diffuse light in a horizontal plane in which the toroidal lens 30 extends, while the light is allowed to emanate from the toroidal lens 30 as parallel light in a vertical plane. Furthermore, a front surface 30Aa of a central portion 30A of the toroidal lens 30 in the direction in which the toroidal lens 30 extends into the arc shape is formed so as to be displaced rearwards relative to an imaginary extensional plane C1 from front surfaces 30Ba of general portions 30B which are situated at both sides of the central portion 30A.
US09458975B2 Headlight lens for a vehicle headlight
Headlight lens for a vehicle headlight having a monolithic body of transparent material, the monolithic body including at least one light entry face, a light passage section and at least one optically operative light exit face.
US09458973B2 Optical element for uniform lighting
There is provided an optical element for use with a LED wherein a base face is arranged to receive incoming light from the LED. The optical element comprises a top face having a pattern of optical structures which refract light away from an optical axis (A) of the optical element. Further the optical element comprises a plurality of side faces extending between the top face and the base face and arranged to refract light from the light towards the optical axis (A). the top face extends such that it covers a first angular range relative to the optical axis (A). The first angular range is an angular range outside which light emitted by the LED would be subject to total internal reflection at an imaginary extension of the top face.
US09458972B1 Asymmetric linear LED luminaire design for uniform illuminance and color
An LED lamp for illuminating a surface under a flat angle in linear lighting applications such as cove lighting and wall washing is provided. It produces a uniform intensity distribution and a uniform color output throughout the beam pattern of the light beam produced by a multi-color LED light source. The lamp comprises a body of an extruded profile. The body comprises at least one section with a mirrored surface and at least a lens section which allows exiting of light from the body. At least one LED preferably having a LED lens is provided at the inner side of the body. This combination of optical systems results in an asymmetric beam pattern from the source.
US09458971B2 LED lamp with high color rendering index
An LED lamp with a high color rendering index (CRI) is disclosed. Example embodiments of the invention provide an LED lamp with a relatively high color rendering index (CRI). In some embodiments, the lamp has other advantageous characteristics, such as good angular uniformity. In some embodiments, the LED lamp is sized and shaped as a replacement for a standard incandescent bulb, and includes an LED assembly with at least first and second LEDs operable to emit light of two different colors. In some embodiments, the lamp can emit light with a color rendering index (CRI) of at least 90 without remote wavelength conversion. In some embodiments, the LED lamp conforms some, most, or all of the product requirements for a 60-watt incandescent replacement for the L prize.
US09458970B2 Lamp with LED light bulb
A lamp includes a light fixture mounted on a pole. The light fixture includes a transparent or translucent housing, and a solar energy collecting portion mounted on the light fixture. The solar energy collecting portion includes a top solar photovoltaic panel and side solar photovoltaic panels for collecting and converting incident solar energy to electricity. An electrical power source is mounted on the solar energy collecting portion. At least one LED light bulb is mounted on the base. The LED light bulb includes one or more LED lights mounted on a substrate provided with electrical wiring and housed in a transparent or translucent bulb enclosure. The substrate is mounted at one end of a slender stem.
US09458969B2 Cryostat with PTR cooling and two stage sample holder thermalization
A cryostat with a PTR cooling and a boiling fluid medium including a two stage sample holder thermalization, especially convenient for AC susceptibility measurement; wherein: a 1st PTR stage is connected to a recondenser with a thermal link only; the recondenser partially penetrates through the walls of a chamber into a dewar region above a boiling fluid level, wherein the recondenser includes an integrally built thermalization point with the internal thread; whereby a 2nd PTR stage thermally connected to the thermalization block by the use of a non-flexible thermal link, wherein said thermal block includes an another thermalization point. The thermalization block enables relative vertical movement of a sample holder with respect to the cryostat without loss of excellent thermal contact with the thermalization point. Outside the vacuum chamber there are magnetic coils immersed in the boiling fluid, thus achieving substantial reduction of the parasitic effects in measurements.
US09458968B2 Hydrogen dispensing process and system
The present invention provides a process for dispensing gaseous hydrogen, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first vessel comprising a first quantity of gaseous hydrogen at a pressure in the range of from 350 to 1000 bar absolute and a temperature in the range of from −20° C. to 50° C.; b) passing in the range of from 40 to 100 wt %, based on the weight of the first quantity, of the first quantity gaseous hydrogen from the first vessel through an isenthalpic valve to obtain a cold second quantity of gaseous hydrogen having a temperature in the range of from −100 to −20° C.; and c) dispensing the cold second quantity of gaseous hydrogen to a second vessel. In a further aspect the invention provides a system for dispensing gaseous hydrogen.
US09458964B2 Lubricant dispenser
The invention relates to a lubricant dispenser having a lubricant cartridge (1), which has a lubricant storage space (2) having an outlet opening (3) for lubricant (4), a carrier (5) which is connected to the lubricant cartridge (1) in a detachable manner and accommodates a battery-operated motor (6) for driving a spindle (7), and a plunger (8) connected to the spindle (7) for ejecting the lubricant (4), wherein an output shaft (9) of the motor (6) is connected to the spindle (7) by means of an adapter (10) and wherein the adapter (10) is mounted in a rotationally movable manner in an accommodation space (11) of the carrier (5) that is open towards the lubricant cartridge (1). A rolling bearing (12), which is arranged between the carrier (5) and the adapter (10), is provided as the bearing of the adapter (10). The adapter (10) is secured axially against falling out of the accommodation space by means of a retaining means (13) that is fastened to the carrier (5) and preferably designed as a lid.
US09458962B2 Extension/retraction device
An extension/retraction device includes a cylindrical stationary leg section having a base at the upper end thereof, a cylindrical movable leg section in which the stationary leg section is fitted so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction, an engagement tube having an upper end formed in a stepped shape and installed in the stationary leg section so as to be coaxial with the movable leg section and so as to be pivotable about the cylinder axis of the movable leg section, a pressing spring installed within both the movable leg section and the stationary leg section, a pulling spring held within the pressing spring, a guide tube having an upper end affixed to the base and installed in the engagement tube, an engagement section fitted to the lower end of the engagement tube, and a spacer installed between the lower end of the guide tube and the engagement tube.
US09458955B2 Composite waste and water transport elements and methods of manufacture for use on aircraft
Embodiments of the present invention provide composite waste and water transport elements that can be designed having various unique shapes and methods for their manufacture.
US09458953B2 Method for installation of a pipe based system, and a pipe based system particularly suitable for the method
Method for installation of a pipe based system (pipe system) comprising pipe lengths and coupling components, distinguished in that the method comprises the steps: to pre-assemble the pipeline system loosely by assembling pipe lengths and coupling components by inserting pipe lengths into coupling parts, the coupling parts are adapted so as to hold the pipe length in place and in orientation while the axial pipe length position in the coupling component easily can be adjusted, and conduct optional sufficient clamping or attachments to the surrounding walls, ceilings or floors, so that the pipe system is self-supporting in the intended position and such that the assemblage of the components easily can be adjusted by a technician, to adjust the components of the pipeline system into the intended position, so that the pipeline system is basically without any inherent tensions, optionally to attach or clamp the pipeline system further onto to the surrounding walls, ceilings or floors, and to permanently join the pipe lengths and coupling components.
US09458951B2 Pipe support
A pipe or like support molded as a unitary item having a region of concertinaing, serpentine or otherwise longitudinally variable nature between end regions, for example having a longitudinally extensile linking region extending between at least a pair of the end regions the linking region can be of a concertina or serpentine type configuration. The end regions can both have passageways extending there through in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe or like member to be supported.
US09458950B2 Lining of pipelines to offshore installations
A system (2) for relining an undersea pipeline (5), said pipeline (5) having and inlet (13) and outlet (11) beneath sea level (8), comprising a coiling drum (3) positioned above sea level and having a length of liner (1) reeled thereon; said coiling drum (3) arranged to deliver said liner (1) to the inlet (13); an actuator engaged with a leading end of said liner and arranged to apply a tensile force (6) to said liner (1) so as to draw said liner through the pipeline; wherein the liner is of a composite construction having a fiber core.
US09458948B2 Rising hand valve with stroke limiter
The invention relates to a hand valve with a valve main body and a spindle movably arranged therein in at least in one actuating direction which can be adjusted for actuating the hand valve by means of a hand wheel arranged on the spindle in its position relative to the valve main body together with the hand wheel. The hand valve has a stroke limitation for the spindle with a stopper element which is adjustable in its position with respect to the valve main body. The invention is characterized in that the stroke limitation has a holding device for the stopper element which is held rotatable with the hand wheel, but fixed in its position to the valve main body in the actuating direction of the spindle at the valve main body.
US09458947B2 Actuator apparatus with internal tubing and anti-rotation mechanism
Fluid valve actuator apparatus having internal tubing and anti-rotation features are disclosed. An example actuator apparatus includes an actuator casing and a diaphragm plate disposed within the actuator casing. The diaphragm plate defines a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber opposite the first pressure chamber. A yoke couples the actuator casing to a fluid valve. The yoke includes a first internal fluid passageway in fluid communication with atmosphere and a second internal fluid passageway to receive a control fluid from a controller. A tube fluidly couples the first or second internal fluid passageway to the first pressure chamber via an opening in the diaphragm plate. The tube also prevents the diaphragm plate from rotating relative to the actuator casing.
US09458946B2 Valve cartridge for an adjustable valve, and associated solenoid valve
A valve cartridge has a capsule and a valve insert, which is connected to the capsule by way of a first end and has a valve body with a main valve seat at the other end. A plunger is movably guided within the valve cartridge, it being possible for the plunger to move against the force of a return spring and the plunger having a closing element with a sealing element that interacts with the main valve seat of the valve body in a sealing manner to provide a sealing function. A corresponding solenoid valve has a valve cartridge of this kind. A magnetic damping assembly has a permanent magnet and an electrical conductor which is arranged in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and is coupled to the moving plunger and can be moved substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field.
US09458944B2 Hydraulic safety and movement control system
A hydraulic safety and movement control system has an actuating cylinder or a hydraulic motor which serves to set a fitting which is preferably relevant to safety and by means of which a fluid flow, for example of a power plant or of a turbine is regulated. The system has a hydraulic control arrangement by means of which a piston or a piston rod of the actuating cylinder or a motor shaft of the hydraulic motor can be moved continuously in a control mode or normal mode. Furthermore, the system has a hydraulic safety arrangement or safety circuit by means of which the piston and/or the piston rod or the motor shaft and therefore the fitting can be moved into a predetermined safe position in the event of a system failure or in an emergency mode.
US09458942B2 Control valve for a camshaft adjuster
A control valve (4) for controlling pressure medium flows of a camshaft adjuster, which control valve includes a substantially hollow cylindrical control sleeve (6), which is disposed inside a casing (8), and a control piston (12) which is guided axially displaceably inside the control sleeve (6) against the spring force of a spring element (14), the control sleeve (6) having at one axial end a base (22) which serves as an axial contact surface for the spring element (14).
US09458939B2 Mechanism for moving circular plate-shaped member
A butterfly valve has a circular plate-shaped valve element, a pair of support shafts, a pair of support shaft moving units, and a drive shaft. The valve element is seated on and removed from the valve seat from below. The drive shaft drives and rotates the support shafts. As the support shafts are rotated by the drive shaft, the valve element is rotated and inverted. The support shaft moving units include decentered shafts that are rotatably supported by casings and in which the support shafts are respectively inserted in a decentered state, and air cylinders configured to apply a force to the support shafts in the upward and downward direction. When the valve element is seated on or removed from the valve seat, the valve element is moved in the upward and downward direction in a horizontal posture as the air cylinders operate.
US09458937B2 Shaft seal assembly with exclusion pump dust lip
A shaft seal assembly including an elastomeric material molded to an annular metal shell is provided. The elastomeric material includes a lip extending from the annular shell to a lip distal end. The lip includes a first lip section projecting toward a center axis, and a second lip section projecting from the first lip section away from the center axis. A dust band is disposed between the first and second lip sections. The elastomeric material also includes flutes disposed on the second lip section and extending helically around the center axis and radially toward the center axis. The dust band can include vents, in which case one of the flutes extends from one side of each vent. The height of the flutes can increase from the dust band to the flute distal end, such that the flutes and the dust band have an equal interior diameter for engaging the shaft.
US09458935B2 Lockable joint
A lockable joint such as a lockable ball-and-socket joint comprising a first arm having a swivel head and a socket, the swivel head being pivotably mounted to the socket, and a locking device arranged for locking the swivel head with respect to the socket, the locking device having a piston, a pressure gas source, and an actuating device arranged for reversibly disconnecting the piston from the pressure gas source where in the pressure gas source is a gas cartridge. A seal suitable at a wide range of temperatures and pressures can be used with at least the pressure gas source.
US09458931B2 Shift lever apparatus for vehicle
A shift lever apparatus for a vehicle may include a shift lever that may be pivotable in a front-rear direction for selecting P-, R-, N-, and D-ranges and in a left-right direction for selecting an M-range, a lever bracket to which the shift lever may be pivotably coupled at a predetermined position of the lever bracket, a sliding block slidably coupled to the lever bracket and slidable straight on the lever bracket, wherein the sliding block includes a cable connection portion integrally formed thereto to be connected with a cable, and a displacement conversion mechanism that converts a front-rear pivot displacement of the shift lever into a straight sliding displacement of the sliding block.
US09458917B2 Continuously variable transmission provided with a roller parking zone
Generally stated, various embodiments described herein concern a toroidal CVT provided with parking zones where the rollers are brought when the CVT is powered down. More specifically, a portion of the toroidal surfaces of the disks is reserved as a parking zone therefore preventing premature wear and/or damages to the working portion of the disks.
US09458915B2 Spacer for belt tensioner
A belt assembly for internal combustion engine that has a tensioner mount is described. The belt assembly includes a spacer that is rotatably coupleable to the tensioner mount, and a tensioner that is co-rotatably coupled to the spacer. The spacer is positioned between the tensioner and the tension mount.
US09458914B2 Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission that shifts power applied to an input member and outputs the shifted power to an output member, the automatic transmission including a first planetary gear mechanism, a third planetary gear mechanism, a compound planetary gear mechanism, a first clutch, a second clutch, a third clutch, a fourth clutch a first brake, and a second brake.
US09458911B2 Multi ratio drive
A multi ratio drive including a first drive chain having a first drive chain engaged state and a first drive chain disengaged state; and a second drive chain having a second drive chain engaged state and a second drive chain disengaged state. The first drive chain drives the axle with a first gear ratio between the drive shaft and the axle when the first drive chain is in the first drive chain engaged state and the second drive chain is in the second drive chain disengaged state; the second drive chain drives the axle with a second gear ratio between the drive shaft and the axle when the second drive chain is in the second drive chain engaged state and the first drive chain is in the first drive chain disengaged state; and the first gear ratio is different from the second gear ratio.
US09458909B2 Drive power transmission device
A drive power transmission device is provided that either disengages a first friction engagement element or a second friction engagement element when the other is engaged. The drive power transmission device detects the temperature of lubricating oil flowing in each friction engagement element using a temperature sensor. The drive power transmission device selectively disengages either a forward clutch or a reverse brake disengages when the other is engaged. The forward clutch and the reverse brake overlap axially, and are layered radially in an inner/outer arrangement. The temperature sensor is positioned at the periphery of the forward clutch and the reverse brake. A lubricating oil pathway is formed such that lubricating oil for cooling the forward clutch and the reverse brake passes through the forward clutch and the reverse brake in the radial direction from the inside of the forward clutch and the reverse brake to the temperature sensor.
US09458906B2 Suspension method and shock-absorbing device for an automobile
The present invention relates to a suspension method and to a shock-absorbing device for an automobile in the broadest sense of the term, i.e. any vehicle having a suspension and moving under its own power. Said shock-absorbing device includes a damping assembly (1) having, on the inside thereof, a piston (2) connected to a rod (17), the piston (2) and the rod (17) combined therewith being movable, in both the compression and expansion direction, about a static position inside the damping assembly (1) in order to provide a shock-absorbing function, the inside of the damping assembly (1) being filled with a hydraulic fluid, characterized in that said assembly (1) engages with a means for varying the damping effect so as to produce: a compression phase consisting of a compression sub-phase, directed from the static position toward the maximum compression position of the piston (2), and of an expansion sub-phase, directed from said maximum compression position toward the static position, respectively, and an expansion phase consisting of an expansion sub-phase, directed from the static position toward the position of maximum expansion of the piston (2), and of an expansion sub-phase, directed from said maximum position toward the static position, respectively, the means for varying the damping elect controlling the damping assembly such that the damping value of the compression sub-phase of the compression phase and/or the expansion sub-phase of the expansion phase is different from the damping value of the expansion sub-phase of the compression phase and the compression sub-phase of the expansion phase, respectively. According to the invention, provided is a step of modifying the damping value with separate values for the compression direction as well as for the expansion direction for each of the work sectors of the shock absorber depending on whether the work is being carried out between the static position of the suspension and the fully compressed position, or between the static position of the suspension and the fully expanded position.
US09458904B2 Disk brake pad
A brake pad configured for use in a vehicle brake assembly comprises: a friction material having an outermost edge, an innermost edge, and first and second side edges extending therebetween; and a stepped portion extending along the innermost edge of friction material from the first side edge of the friction material to the second side edge of the friction material.
US09458903B2 System and method for monitoring a brake system of a mining machine
A mining machine including a brake operable to halt motion of a component of the mining machine; a first sensor operable to sense a characteristic of the brake to generate brake data; a second sensor operable to sense motion of the component of the mining machine to generate motion data; and a controller. The controller is operable to receive the brake data and the motion data, analyze the brake data and the motion data according to a brake set model and a brake release model, and output an alert in response to an issue with the analyzed brake data or the analyzed motion data.
US09458898B2 Over-running clutch
An over-running clutch couples a motor driven shaft to a driven element in which the element can freely rotate when the motor is switched off. The driven shaft of the clutch includes a flattened portion with two flat surfaces. A wall of a coupling member engages one of the surfaces when the driven shaft stands still. The coupling member includes an outwardly extending cam which is received in a sleeve of a cylindrical collar positioned on a disk which is rotatably mounted on the driven shaft. When the shaft is rotated, the coupling member is pressed outward over a limited distance and the cam enters a recess provided in the inner wall of a cylindrical drive portion forming part of the driven element.
US09458896B2 Power transmission device provided with more than two pistons and method of determining return spring force in the same
A method of determining a return spring load in a power transmission device including two or more pistons is disclosed. The power transmission device may include: a housing configured to form a mounting space; a clutch pack configured to include a plurality of separate plates splined to the housing, and a plurality of friction disks alternately disposed with the separate plates, the separate plates and the friction disks being selectively coupled to each other by friction; a power transmission plate configured to be splined to the friction disks; two or more pistons operatively connecting the housing to the power transmission plate by selectively applying an axial force to the clutch pack by an operating hydraulic pressure supplied to the piston chamber; and at least one return spring configured to provide a return spring load against an axial force caused by the operating hydraulic pressure.
US09458894B2 Friction material having customizable working surface and method of forming the same
One exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a friction material. The method includes depositing a plurality of particles on a substrate such that the particles provide a plurality of projections and channels between adjacent projections. This disclosure also relates to the friction material itself, and a system including a mechanical component and the friction material.
US09458889B2 Reverse bearing system, apparatus, and method
A bearing system includes a bearing comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The bearing further comprises a plurality of threads adjacent to the second end. The plurality of threads comprise a first slot perpendicular to the plurality of threads. The bearing system also includes a washer comprising a first surface adjacent to the second end of the bearing and a plane parallel to the first surface. The washer further comprises a plurality of side tabs extending from a second surface in a direction parallel to the plane and a first tab extending from the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The first tab mates with the first slot of the bearing. The bearing system further comprises a nut positioned between the first end of the bearing and the first surface of the washer.
US09458886B2 Cage segment of a tapered roller bearing, and tapered roller bearing
A first rolling-element guided cage segment of a tapered roller bearing has first and second circumferential ends and first and second mutually opposing circumferential bridges extending between the circumferential ends and first and second mutually opposing connecting bridges connecting the first and second circumferential bridges. Inner pocket sides of the circumferential bridges and the connecting bridges form a pocket for receiving a rolling element. A first positioning aid is located at the first circumferential end and a second positioning aid is located at the second circumferential end, the positioning aids being configured such that a correct-position arrangement of adjacent cage segments is recognizable from the interaction of the first positioning aid and the second positioning aid.
US09458885B2 Sliding bearing and image forming apparatus
A radial sliding bearing provided with a sliding bearing (1), an inner ring (2), and an outer ring (3), the inner ring (2) is made of melt-cast metal and the outer ring (3) being constituted by an article molded from a resin composition, the inner ring (2) comprising a concavely curved surface (2a) on part of the axial direction of the outer circumference and a bearing hole (4) for mating with a support shaft on the inner circumference, the outer ring (3) having a convexly curved surface (3a) that contacts and slides against the concavely curved surface (2a) on the outer circumference of the inner ring (2) along part of the axial direction of the inner circumference, and the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (3) relatively rotating without contacting each other apart from the contact between the convexly curved surface and the concavely curved surface.
US09458883B2 Motion-guiding device
A motion guide device for preventing interference of belt members with guide grooves. The motion guide device includes an endless circulation path for rolling elements, and a coupling member received in the endless circulation path. The endless circulation path includes a load rolling element path, a rolling element return path, and a direction-changing path. The direction-changing path includes a guide groove for the coupling member, which has an outer circumferential guide surface and an inner circumferential guide surface. The guide groove has a maximum width at a midpoint of a path within a range of from a coupling end between the direction-changing path and the load rolling element path or the rolling element return path to a center portion of the direction-changing path, and the groove width at the coupling end and the groove width at the center portion are smaller than the maximum value of the groove width.
US09458882B2 Slim drawer slide
A drawer slide member including raceways formed of folded or solid material providing additional thickness while utilizing thin material may provide for increased strength of the drawer slide.
US09458879B2 Transporting member, developing device, and image forming apparatus
A transporting member includes multiple helical blades that helically extend around a rotation shaft and that have an upstream-side blade and a downstream-side blade, an end portion of the upstream-side blade and an end portion of the downstream-side blade overlapping in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotation shaft, the multiple helical blades transporting an object in the axial direction via rotation of the rotation shaft; a gap portion that divides the upstream-side blade and the downstream-side blade, the upstream-side blade and the downstream-side blade being arranged at a certain angular interval in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft; and a regulating portion that regulates an amount of the object that passes through a space between the upstream-side blade and the downstream-side blade in a direction in which the object is transported.
US09458878B2 Brace for articulation
A brace for articulation has a first rod, a second rod, and a joint connecting the two rods. The joint has a pair of circular toothed rings provided with a central hole and arranged overlapping. Each circular ring is fixed to one end of the first rod, which is interposed between them, the second rod being interposed between the circular rings. The joint also has a fixing central pivot, inserted in the central holes of the circular rings and into the through hole of said second rod. The joint further has a first and a second blocking member, each provided with a respective pin, adapted to be inserted in two overlapping throats of the indentation of the circular rings, to limit the movement of the second rod.
US09458876B2 Elastically deformable alignment fastener and system
An elastically deformable alignment fastener has the form of a unitary object having a head portion and an integrally formed body portion. The body portion has an elastically deformable lobular hollow tube having a proximal end proximate the head portion and a distal end axially displaced from the head portion. The lobular hollow tube has an outer surface having one or more retention features oriented to provide a plurality of radially extending engagement surfaces along a length of the hollow tube. The head portion has a flange that circumscribes the proximal end of the lobular hollow tube. Portions of the elastically deformable lobular hollow tube when inserted into circular apertures of first and second components elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first and second components in four planar orthogonal directions.
US09458873B2 Connection arrangement of a drive unit on a slide of a press
A connection arrangement of a force- and movement-transmitting drive unit includes a press comprising at least a drive unit, a slide and a part with a thread. The drive unit is mounted at a pull or push point of the slide. A first connecting element comprises a nut mounted movably in the slide. The first connecting element and the part form a releasable connection. The part is releasably connected to an additional connecting part with a thread. The drive unit is connected to the slide via the releasable connection. The first connecting element is mounted movably in the slide. When the drive unit is in a released state or in a removed state, the additional connecting part can be separated from the part to at least partially remain in the first connecting element or in the releasable connection.
US09458869B2 Fastening element for clamping sheets
A fastening element (100) for clamping together a stack of sheets (410), (411) comprising at least two sheets. The fastening element comprises at least one base portion (101) extending along the stack of sheets and perpendicular to the planes of the sheets. Further, the fastening element comprises a flange portion (102) which extends substantially perpendicular from the base portion, and a pointed element (103) which extends in an acute angle with respect to the base portion. The flexible fastening element generates a spring force which clamps the sheets of the stack of sheets together between the at least one flange portion and the at least one pointed element. In this grip position, the at least one pointed element grips at least one edge of a bottom sheet of the stack of sheets, and a top sheet of the stack of sheets is allowed to move in relation to the at least one flange portion.
US09458868B2 Plug-in coupling and method for the production thereof
The plug-in coupling comprises a negative coupling part and a positive coupling part that includes a pin having a ball head. The negative coupling part comprises a coupling construction made of a first material for accommodating and detachably fastening the positive coupling part, and a retaining construction made of a second material, which surrounds the coupling construction, for fastening the negative coupling part to the second component, wherein the second material has a higher elasticity than the first material.
US09458863B2 Turbomachine with mixed-flow stage and method
In one embodiment, a turbomachine for imparting energy to a multiphase fluid is provided. The turbomachine comprises a casing having an inlet and an outlet; an axial stage part comprising at least one axial stage; a mixed-flow stage part comprising at least one mixed-flow stage fluidly connected to the axial stage part; and a centrifugal stage part comprising at least one centrifugal stage fluidly connected to the mixed-flow stage part. The axial stage is defined by an angle between an axial impeller outlet flow and an axis parallel to a rotational axis of the shaft having a value between 0° and 5°, the mixed-flow stage by an angle having a value between 5° and 80°, and the centrifugal stage by an angle having a value between 80° and 90°.
US09458860B2 Fan with sound-muffling box
A fan with a sound muffling box includes a box having a box inlet port and a box outlet port located on opposite sides from each other; and a double suction centrifugal fan encased in the box. The centrifugal fan includes a motor, a discharge port, an impeller, a scroll, and a casing side plate. The casing side plate has a motor-side inlet port, and an opposite-motor-side inlet port opposite to the motor-side inlet port with respect to the impeller. The discharge port is inclined with respect to the box outlet port. The fan with the sound muffling box further includes a sound insulating board disposed on the box inlet port in such a manner as to hide the opposite-motor-side inlet port and also to divide the box inlet port into plural regions when the inside of the box is viewed from the box inlet port.
US09458859B2 Ceiling fan system with brushless motor
A fan system includes a motor, a rotatable hub, and a plurality of fan blades. The motor is coupled with the hub by a hollow drive shaft, such that the drive system of the fan system is gearless. The motor is controlled by a PFC-based control module, which is in communication with sensors that are configured to sense parameters associated with operation of the fan system. The control module is configured to react in certain ways to certain conditions detected by the sensors, such that the fan system uses feedback-based control algorithms. A remote control panel is in communication with the control module. The remote control panel is operable to display fault conditions detected by the sensors. Blade retainers prevent fan blades from falling when a fan blade breaks free from the hub. Pins prevent the hub from falling when the hub breaks free from the rotor.
US09458853B2 Fan assembly
A fan assembly includes a nozzle having a plurality of air inlets, a plurality of air outlets, a first air flow path and a second air flow path. Each air flow path extends from at least one of the air inlets to at least one of the air outlets. The nozzle defines a bore through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by air emitted from the nozzle. The fan assembly also includes a first user-operable system for generating a first air flow along the first air flow path, and a second user-operable system, different from the first user-operable system, for generating a second air flow along the second air flow path. Through user selection of one or both of these two systems, at least one of two different air flows can be emitted from the nozzle, each having a respective flow profile or other characteristic.
US09458845B2 Air ducting shroud for cooling an air compressor pump and motor
A compressor assembly having an air ducting shroud that can direct a cooling air stream from a fan to components of the compressor assembly, such as a pump assembly. The pump assembly can have at least a pump, a motor and a fan. The compressor can be cooled by providing cooling air to a cylinder head of the pump without the cooling air experiencing choking or substantial cooling flow interference from a cooling of the motor.
US09458842B2 Closed loop drive circuit with external brake assist
A hydrostatic drive system for a vehicle (10) comprises an open circuit (100), a closed travel circuit (120), an electronic controller (320), and a main variable displacement hydraulic pump (102) driven by an internal combustion engine (12) equipped with a speed sensor (350). The main variable displacement hydraulic pump may be configured to supply hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic consumer (34, 44, 50) via a hydraulic supply line (106). A pressure relief valve (118) may be connected to a reservoir (300) and may be permanently connected to the hydraulic supply line of the open circuit. The electronic controller may be configured to run a strong braking mode in which the electronic controller at least partially increases the displacement of the main variable displacement hydraulic pump such that hydraulic fluid is discharged via the permanently connected pressure relief valve into the reservoir if the sensed engine speed is higher than a predetermined maximum engine speed.
US09458840B2 Relief pressure control device for hydraulic work machine
A relief pressure control system is provided with a controller for outputting, responsive to an adjustment signal output from a dial switch, a control signal to control a relief pressure of a variable solenoid relief valve, a display unit for displaying, responsive to display signals outputted from the controller, a relationship between a circuit pressure output from a pressure sensor and a pressure required by a hydraulic cylinder, and a control device constituting a start instruction unit for instructing a start of control of the variable solenoid relief valve. Stop valves are arranged in sections of main lines, which communicate a directional control valve and the hydraulic cylinder with each other, to open or close the section. The sections are located between positions on the main lines, where the variable solenoid relief valves are connected to the main lines, respectively, and the hydraulic cylinder.
US09458839B2 Hydrostatic machine, in particular axial piston machine
A hydrostatic machine includes a housing and a drive shaft. The housing has an inner housing part, configured to receive a force flow, an outer housing part, configured to seal and damp, and a housing floor. The drive shaft is configured, on an input side, to pass coaxially through the housing floor and is configured, on an output side, to pass coaxially through a swash plate. The drive shaft is connected to a cylinder drum in a rotationally fixed manner. The hydrostatic machine is configured in a weight-saving manner and is configured such that propagation of vibrations in the hydrostatic machine, and noise generation therefrom, are reduced. To this end, the drive shaft is further configured to pass only partially through the inner housing part and is rotatably mounted in the housing floor and the inner housing part.
US09458834B2 Method for de-icing the blades of a wind turbine and a wind turbine with a de-icing system
The invention refers to a method for de-icing a blade of a wind turbine. The de-icing is carried out by means of stalling the wind turbine and at least to a position where enough turbulence is created to induce vibrations in the blade allowing ice to break off.
US09458832B2 Assembly of air and pneumatic devices
An assembly of air and pneumatic devices, especially a high power unit, intended for power generation. The invention consists in that the assembly is preferably made up of three columns consisting of segments arranged coaxially, connected with rigid connecting bars. The stators of the segments have four struts connected to plates, with at least one strut having attached to it a conduit for feeding compressed air, said conduit being equipped with nozzles. Shafts of rotors of one column are coupled with a compressor unit which is connected to a compressed air tank. The compressed air tank is connected via a solenoid valve, a compressed air unit and its branchings to conduits of the stators of the other columns. The solenoid valve is connected via a control system to a speed meter of the rotor.
US09458831B2 Determining reactive power capability of a renewable energy system
Systems and methods for controlling a renewable energy system based on actual reactive power capability of the renewable energy system are provided. The reactive power output of the renewable energy system can be controlled based at least in part on an initial reactive power limit. The initial reactive power limit can be determined based on rated reactive power for the power generation units in the renewable energy system. When a difference between a reactive power demand and the actual reactive power production of the renewable energy system fall outside a threshold, the initial reactive power limit can be adjusted to a corrected reactive power limit that is closer to the actual reactive power capability of the renewable energy system.
US09458823B2 Wind turbine blade shear web connection assembly
A wind turbine blade has upper and lower shell members with a respective spar cap configured on an internal face of the shell members. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade. A connection assembly is configured between the transverse ends of the shear web and the spar caps and includes a channel structure configured on the spar cap. The channel structure includes side walls that extend from the spar cap along the longitudinal sides of the shear web. A pliant actuation line is attached between the side walls of the channel structure and bond paste is deposited in the channel structure. Movement of the transverse end of the shear web into the channel structure results in the actuation line pulling the side walls of the channel structure against the longitudinal sides of the shear web.
US09458813B2 Vehicle electric power supply apparatus
A control unit of a vehicle electric power supply apparatus controls an opening and closing unit to set a switch to an OFF state and a voltage detection unit to detect an output voltage of a first power source and an output voltage of a second power source when a second electric load is to be driven, and the control unit inhibits driving of the second electric load when the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage of the first power source and the output voltage of the second power source detected by the voltage detection unit is a predetermined first threshold value or less over a predetermined length of time.
US09458812B2 Engine control systems and methods for minimizing fuel consumption
An engine control system comprises a temperature control module and an engine disabling module. The temperature control module regulates a first temperature of an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) based on a first predetermined light-off temperature while an engine is shut down. The engine disabling module selectively disables start up of the engine when a second temperature of a passive catalyst is less than a second predetermined light-off temperature while a maximum torque output of an electric motor is greater than a desired torque output.
US09458807B2 Four-stroke engine
A four-stroke engine includes a cylinder head in which a combustion chamber, an intake port that communicates with the combustion chamber, and a housing hole that passes through the combustion chamber and through the intake port are provided, and a fuel injector that supplies a mist of fuel directly to the combustion chamber by jetting the mist of fuel toward the combustion chamber. The fuel injector includes at least a portion that is disposed at the intake port and at the housing hole.
US09458806B2 Methods for correcting spill valve timing error of a high pressure pump
Methods are provided for correct spill valve timing of a high pressure pump coupled to the direct injection system of an internal combustion engine. A method is needed to monitor and adjust spill valve timing on-board the vehicle, where spill valve timing error may result from sensors error and/or time between command signal and actuation response of the spill valve. To self-correct spill valve timing error on-board a vehicle, methods are proposed that involve monitoring and recording fuel rail pressures, high pressure pump duty cycles, and fractional liquid volume pumped values in order to find zero flow relationships.
US09458803B2 Construction machine
Provided is a construction machine including an air cleaner having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and an air intake pipe, wherein the assembly of the air cleaner and the air intake pipe can have a reduced width size in the front-rear direction. The air intake pipe has a returning portion and a downstream-side portion. The downstream-side portion has a cross section having a shape including a hypotenuse portion inclined toward the air cleaner, arranged in the state where at least a part of the hypotenuse portion is located in a space defined between the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the air cleaner and an air-cleaner placement surface.
US09458800B2 Turbo pump
An exhaust turbo pump of an internal combustion engine has multiple pairs of turbine and compressor wheels rotatable about a common axis, an inner pair of wheels being connected by a tubular shaft rotatable relative to a spindle connecting an outer pair of wheels. One pair of wheels comprises a turbocharger for inlet air, and another pair of wheels comprises a low pressure EGR pump.
US09458792B2 Exhaust heat recovery device
An exhaust heat recovery device includes: a heating part for exchanging heat between a heating fluid and a working fluid; and a condensing part for exchanging heat between the working fluid evaporated by the heating part and a heated fluid to thereby condense the working fluid. The heating part has a tube in which the working fluid flows and whose upper end portion in a vertical direction is opened and whose lower end portion in the vertical direction is closed. The heating part has a storing part provided on an upper side in the vertical direction thereof, the storing part having a tube joint part to which the upper end portion in the vertical direction of the tube is joined and storing the working fluid condensed by the condensing part. The storing part has a condensed liquid holding part for holding the condensed working fluid.
US09458791B2 Device for correcting injector characteristics
A device for correcting injector characteristics includes: an injector-characteristic detection unit that outputs a selection signal by detecting drive characteristics of injectors in response to a selection control signal; a selection control unit that outputs the selection control signal for selecting a factor for deviation correction to the injector-characteristic detection unit; a selection confirmation unit that confirms a variation value of the factor corresponding to the selection signal; a deviation correction unit that calculates a deviation compensation value corresponding to the injector characteristics in response to an output signal of the selection confirmation unit, and thus output a correction signal; a control unit that generates a correction clock in response to the correction signal; and an output drive unit that controls driving of the injectors in response to the correction clock.
US09458789B2 Missed fuel injection diagnostic systems and methods
An injector driver module applies power to a fuel injector of an engine for a fuel injection event. A voltage measuring module measures first and second voltages at first and second electrical connectors of the fuel injector. A parameter determination module determines a maximum value based on a first difference between the first and second voltages, determines a minimum value based on the first difference between the first and second voltages, and determines a second difference between the maximum and minimum values. A diagnostic module, based on the second difference between the maximum and minimum values, indicates whether the fuel injector injected fuel in response to the application of power.
US09458788B2 Injector driver and method of controlling the same
An injector driver and a method of controlling the injector driver are provided. A defect of a driving channel is detected by enabling an identification of safety inspection for each channel in a driving semiconductor during an idle mode. The injector driver includes a plurality of driving switches that operate an injector and a driving semiconductor that drives of the driving switches. In addition, the driving semiconductor determines a short defect of the injector during an idle mode and detects and stores the defective short in a channel unit.
US09458786B2 Method for monitoring a passive pressure regulation valve
Proposed is a method for monitoring a passive pressure limiting valve (11) via which fuel is discharged from the rail (6) of a common rail system into the fuel tank (2), in which method, upon the detection of a defective rail pressure sensor (9), a switch is made from a rail pressure regulation mode into an emergency mode, wherein in the emergency mode, the rail pressure is successively increased until the pressure limiting valve (11) reacts, in which method, in the emergency mode, the pressure limiting valve (11) is set as open when the starting phase of the internal combustion engine has additionally been detected as having ended, and in which method, in addition, the opening duration of the pressure limiting valve (11) is monitored.
US09458785B2 EGR controller for internal combustion engine
While an engine is an idling state and an EGR opening degree is increased stepwise from a specified opening degree, a variation in engine speed (a standard deviation in engine speed) is repeatedly computed. After that, a specified step amount is successively reduced from the EGR opening degree and the variation in engine speed is successively computed until the EGR opening degree becomes less than or equal to a specified value. Then, a maximum value of the EGR opening degrees where the variation in engine speed becomes minimum is learned as the full-close position.
US09458784B2 Heater control apparatus and sensor control system
A heater control apparatus (1) includes a heater driver (51) which is turned on and off in accordance with a pulse drive signal PS, heater energization control means S33, S39 for outputting the pulse drive signal PS to the heater driver 51 so as to control the supply of electric current to the heater section (4), power supply voltage detection means S30, S35 for detecting a power supply voltage VB of the power supply BT, ideal electric energy obtaining means S31, S37 for obtaining an unit ideal electric energy WAi, actual electric energy calculation means S36 for calculating an unit actual electric energy WA, and duty ratio determination means S38 for determining a duty ratio DT(n+1) of the pulse drive signal PS such that the unit actual electric energy WA(n+1) becomes equal to the unit ideal electric energy WAi(n+1) in the next period T(n+1).
US09458783B2 Carburetion control system
System for controlling the carburetion of an internal combustion engine comprising the following activities: a) starting the engine; b) determining the factor λo using any known method; c) measuring the ionization current cio; d) modifying—from outside—the factor λ by a predefined amount equivalent to Δλ bringing it to the value λ1=λo+Δλ; e) repeating the measurement of the ionization current ci1; f) calculating the value of the difference of the ionization current Aλci1 equivalent to cio−Ci1; g) repeating operations d. and e. until the difference between the last value of the ionization current o,η and the second last value cin-1 is smaller than Δci; where Δci is a predefined value which is assumed to have no influence with respect to the carburetion.
US09458780B2 Systems and methods for controlling cylinder deactivation periods and patterns
Based on a desired average number of activated cylinders per sub-period of a predetermined period including P sub-periods, a cylinder control module selects one of N predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation patterns. The selected cylinder activation/deactivation pattern corresponds to Q activated cylinders per sub-period, Q is an integer between zero and a total number of cylinders of an engine, inclusive, P is an integer greater than one, and the desired average number of active cylinders is a number between zero and the total number of cylinders of the engine. The cylinder control module also determines an adjusted cylinder activation/deactivation pattern based on the selected predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation pattern, generates a desired cylinder activation/deactivation pattern for the predetermined period using the selected predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation pattern during a first number of the P sub-periods and using the adjusted cylinder activation/deactivation pattern during a second number of the P sub-periods.
US09458772B2 Fuel control system and associated method
A fuel control system and method for providing fuel to an internal combustion engine are provided. The fuel control system generally includes at least one valve device structured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine, a first fuel source structured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device, a second fuel source structured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device, and an electronic controller structured to control the valve device. The electronic controller controls the valve device as a function of various data to selectively deliver the primary fuel and the alternate fuel to generate a fuel supply, e.g. as a mixture of the two fuels. The data used to control the fuel supply may include GPS data, engine data, environmental data, and/or other operational data.
US09458768B2 Algae-derived fuel/water emulsion
A method including providing a wet algae material having been subjected to a refinement process without a water separation phase; supplying the wet algae material including a water fraction and an algae-grown biofuel to a turbine engine; and operating the turbine engine with the wet algae material where a retained portion of the water fraction is retained in the wet biofuel during a manufacturing process not including a dehydration step and includes an amount sufficient to reduce generation of a quantity of nitrogen oxides, and where the turbine engine can further include a combustor capable of combusting the wet biofuel.
US09458761B2 Airborne engine additive delivery system
A method of introducing additives to an air intake system of an engine in order to overcome one or more of the various problems created by formulation of additives in fuels. The method controls at least one of the amount, aerosol particle size and timing of introduction of additives based on information relevant to operation of the engine. The introduced additives form an air-additive mixture and are carried by the airflow in the air-intake system to the combustion chamber of the engine. Another aspect of the invention is an additive introduction system that includes one or more containers for additives, a control system for determining at least one of the amount, aerosol particle size and timing of introduction of the additives, and a device to introduce the additives into the air intake system under the control of the control system.
US09458760B2 Compressor recirculation valve control to reduce charge air cooler condensate
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a compressor recirculation valve in response to condensate forming conditions in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, a compressor recirculation valve may be opened in response to an induction pressure greater than a threshold pressure when the induction pressure is greater than required to produce a manifold pressure required for a torque demand. Further, a wastegate may be opened to further reduce the induction pressure during certain driving conditions.
US09458759B2 Method and system for engine cooling system control
Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on output from an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. Sensor power usage is optimized based on the ratio of first order and higher order harmonic echo times in the raw data set generated by the sensor.
US09458755B2 Radiant heat discharge arrangement
A radiant heat discharge arrangement for use with a internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal combustion engine may have an outlet manifold. The radiant heat discharge arrangement may have a cover configured to over the outlet manifold with a clearance between the cover and the outlet manifold. The cover may have at least one outlet opening. The radiant heat discharge arrangement may also have an air duct having at least one air inlet fluidly connected to the at least one outlet opening of the cover. The air duct may also have an air outlet. Further, the radiant heat discharge arrangement may have a fan fluidly connected to the air outlet.
US09458749B2 Catalyst unit
A catalyst unit may include a carrier that channels may be formed from a front surface thereof to a rear surface thereof, and plugs that closes the channels that may be formed along an edge portion of the front surface except a central portion of the front surface, wherein a coating layer may be not formed in the channels that the plugs may be disposed and a coating layer may be formed along the remaining opened channels.
US09458748B2 Control apparatus for a diesel exhaust fluid injector
A control apparatus is disclosed for a diesel exhaust fluid injector located in an exhaust pipe of a diesel internal combustion engine. The control apparatus includes an electronic control unit configured to: energize a solenoid of the injector to perform a diesel exhaust fluid injection; determine an electric voltage value indicative of the electric voltage applied to the injector solenoid during the diesel exhaust fluid injection; determine an electric current value indicative of the electric current flowing through the injector solenoid during the diesel exhaust fluid injection; calculate an electric resistance value of the injector solenoid as a function of the determined electric voltage value and the electric current value; and estimate an injector temperature value as a function of the calculated electric resistance value.
US09458746B2 Systems and techniques for heating urea injection systems
A reductant delivery system is provided for delivery of reductant to an engine exhaust aftertreatment system that is heated during cold temperature conditions. A heat exchange fluid flows through a heat exchange circuit that provides a flow path from the heat source to the doser, from the doser to the reductant storage tank, and from the reductant storage tank to the heat source. A control valve controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange circuit so that at least one heat exchange cycle includes a circulation period that increases the temperature of the reductant in the doser and storage tank and a termination period where circulation is stopped until reductant temperature in the doser reaches a lower limit.
US09458745B2 Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
A method of purifying NOX contained in exhaust gas, the method including a first NOX purification method and a second NOX purification method, wherein the first NOX purification method and the second NOX purification method include injecting hydrocarbons into an exhaust gas passage at predetermined feed intervals, wherein in the first method, the injected hydrocarbons are partially oxidized and an air-fuel ratio flowing into an exhaust purification catalyst is lean, and in the second method, the injection of the hydrocarbons occurs at intervals longer than the predetermined feed intervals in the first method, and an air-fuel ratio is switched from lean to rich.
US09458744B2 Engine with external cam lubrication
An engine, such as a variable displacement engine, has a camshaft retainer. The camshaft retainer has a cap adapted to cooperate with a carrier to support first and second overhead camshafts for rotation. The retainer cap forms a housing for a camshaft journal bearing. The retainer cap also forms a retainer land defining an open channel adapted to provide a jet of lubricating fluid from the bearing housing to externally lubricate a cam. The retainer land is adapted to mate with a sealing land of the carrier to enclose the open channel.
US09458741B2 Split cycle phase variable reciprocating piston spark ignition engine
A split cycle phase variable reciprocating piston spark ignition engine comprising a compressor unit having a compression chamber adapted to carry out the intake and compression strokes of a four stroke engine cycle, a power unit having an expansion chamber adapted to carry out the expansion and exhaust strokes of a four stroke engine cycle, a crossover gas passage for transferring compressed gas from the compression chamber to the expansion chamber, an expansion chamber volume modifier to provide nearly full load like combustion chamber condition at all the engine load conditions by means of modifying volume and shape of the expansion chamber, a phase altering mechanism for altering phase relation between the compressor unit and the power unit as a function of engine load variation, an electronic control unit for providing control commands for various electrically operated actuators and motors.
US09458739B2 Steam turbine plant
A steam turbine plant of one embodiment includes a boiler to change water into steam, an upstream turbine including plural stages of rotor vanes and plural stages of stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the boiler, a downstream turbine including plural stages of rotor vanes and plural stages of stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the upstream turbine, a condenser to change the steam exhausted from the downstream turbine into water, a collector to collect water from, for example, the steam which exists upstream of an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane in the upstream turbine, and a collected matter path to cause collected matter in the collector to flow into, for example, the steam between an outlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the upstream turbine and an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the downstream turbine.
US09458737B2 Adjustable bracing apparatus and assembly method for gas turbine exhaust diffuser
Length adjustable braces (56, 56A-D) attached between a gas turbine exhaust diffuser (40) and an exhaust casing (34) along a horizontal joint (50) between upper and lower halves (40A, 40B) of the outer diffuser shell. Brace lengths are adjusted to align bolt holes (52A, 52B) in respective bolt bosses (43A, 43B) on the upper and lower halves of the shell. The braces may be turnbuckles (56, 67) welded to or releasably attached at one end to the shell and at the other end to the casing. Exemplary fittings on the diffuser shell and casing for the brace ends may be clevis fittings (62) or eye fittings (72). The fittings may be configured to support both tension (58) and compression (59) of each brace. Two opposed fittings (70A, 70B) across the joint may be configured for insertion of a respective clevis bolt (63A, 63C) in both fittings from the same side.
US09458735B1 System and method for performing a visual inspection of a gas turbine engine
A method for performing a visual inspection of a gas turbine engine may generally include inserting a plurality of optical probes through a plurality of access ports of the gas turbine engine. The access ports may be spaced apart axially along a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine such that the optical probes provide internal views of the gas turbine engine from a plurality of different axial locations along the gas turbine engine. The method may also include coupling the optical probes to a computing device, rotating the gas turbine engine about the longitudinal axis as the optical probes are used to simultaneously obtain images of an interior of the gas turbine engine at the different axial locations and receiving, with the computing device, image data associated with the images obtained by each of the optical probes at the different axial locations.
US09458733B2 Limit stop device and charging unit
A limit stop device for limiting an adjustment path of a mobile component relative to a stationary component may include a sleeve body configured to be inserted into an opening formed in the stationary component. The sleeve body may include a retaining segment disposed in the interior of the opening. A core body may be disposed in the interior of the sleeve body and be configured to radially brace the retaining segment against an inner wall of the stationary component thereby axially fixing the sleeve body on the stationary component. A stop surface may protrude into the adjustment path of the mobile component and be configured to limit the adjustment path of the mobile component.
US09458732B2 Transition duct assembly with modified trailing edge in turbine system
Transition duct assemblies for turbine systems and turbomachines are provided. In one embodiment, a transition duct assembly includes a plurality of transition ducts disposed in a generally annular array and comprising a first transition duct and a second transition duct. Each of the plurality of transition ducts includes an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet and defining a longitudinal axis, a radial axis, and a tangential axis. The outlet of each transition duct is offset from the inlet along the longitudinal axis and the tangential axis. The transition duct assembly further includes an aerodynamic structure defined by the passages of the first transition duct and the second transition duct. The aerodynamic structure includes a pressure side, a suction side, and a trailing edge, the trailing edge having a modified aerodynamic contour.
US09458730B2 Propeller blade with relatively movable counterweight
A propeller rotor has a hub mounting a plurality of blades. A counterweight is movably mounted on the blade. A pitch change mechanism for changing an angle of incidence of an airfoil is associated with each of the blades. The counterweight twists the blades toward an increased pitch direction should the pitch change mechanism fail. A stop member stops rotation of the counterweight as the blade moves to a feather position.
US09458724B2 Molten metal impeller
According to another embodiment, a molten metal impeller comprised of a generally cylindrical body including a plurality of passages extending from a top surface to a side wall and a cap member secured to a top surface of the body. The cap member is shaped cooperatively to overlay the cylindrical body. The cap member includes a first side seated on the top surface and a second opposed side. The top surface includes one of a notch or a protrusion and the first side of the cap member includes one of a notch or a protrusion oriented to mate with the notch or protrusion of the body.
US09458720B2 Airfoil and platform assembly for supersonic flow
An assembly including an airfoil and a platform on which the airfoil may be mounted, the surface of the platform presenting a circumferential depression between a leading edge and trailing edge of the airfoil, a deepest section of the depression being situated in an upstream half of the airfoil. A skeleton curve designates a curve of variations of a skeleton angle of the airfoil as a function of position along the axis of the wheel, and a linearized skeleton curve designates a curve of variations of an angle as a function of position along the axis of the wheel, the curve being a straight line connecting together points representing the skeleton angle respectively at 10% and at 90% of the axial extent of the airfoil from the leading edge. In a vicinity of the platform, the skeleton curve presents a raised portion that lies above the linearized skeleton curve.
US09458716B2 Prop head bearing device for shield supports
A prop head bearing device used for a shield support and to receive a prop head includes a prop head bearing main body with a prop head receiving portion, a flange adjacent to the prop head receiving portion and a flange bore, and a receiving portion adjacent to the flange and remote from the prop head receiving portion. The prop head bearing device may also include a securing element including a securing element bore adapted in shape to the receiving portion, such that in the mounted state the securing element is locked with respect to the bore direction of the flange bore and that the securing element bore is aligned to the flange bore.
US09458707B2 Injection system for enhanced oil recovery
A method of enhancing oil recovery by providing a mobile surfactant injection system including a storage tank, means for injecting surfactant into a supercritical CO2 stream, and a feedback control for maintaining a constant concentration of surfactant in a gas stream, the method including the steps of creating a fluid comprising the surfactant and the injection gas, and injecting the fluid into the oil field strata.
US09458706B2 Method of lifting oil from a well
A submersible pump for oil wells that is attached to two strings of tubing that are run into a well. One is for injection of water down to the pump and the other is for producing oil from the well. The pump has a reciprocating piston that will suck in oil and discharge it at a higher pressure and push it up to the surface. This happens simply by pouring water at zero pressure into the injection tubing at the surface. This results in a hydrostatic pressure in the bottom that tubing. A directional switching control valve alternately directs the hydrostatic pressure to one side of a piston and then the other side of the piston in the pump thereby utilizing the energy with just the weight of the water to operate it. The directional switching valve first receives the hydrostatic pressure and diverts it to the pump chambers alternately. No pumping jack is needed no sucker rods are needed, no electricity is needed. There must be water available to be funneled into the tubing to cause it to pump. The water is left in the well.
US09458704B2 Oil well gas lift by hydrogen production through produced water electrolysis completion
A method of using an electrochemical gas lift apparatus to induce artificial gas lift in a production fluid includes introducing the electrochemical gas lift apparatus into a well bore having a production zone, operating the electrochemical gas lift apparatus such that a combination of hydrocarbon fluid and formation water is introduced into the interior of the electrochemical gas lift apparatus, introducing electrical power to the electrochemical gas lift apparatus such that at least a portion of formation water in the interior of the electrochemical gas lift apparatus converts into product gases, operating the electrochemical gas lift apparatus such that the product gases form product gas bubbles in the interior of the electrochemical gas lift apparatus, and operating the electrochemical gas lift apparatus such that production fluid forms in the interior of the electrochemical gas lift apparatus. The production fluid comprises hydrocarbon fluid, unconverted formation water and product gas bubbles.
US09458699B2 Slotted wellhead and multibowl polishing tool with woven polishing belt
A tool for polishing a seal surface of a wellhead assembly includes a cylindrical tool body with an axis. The tool body includes a base member with a first end, and a second end. A tubular skirt member extends from the second end of the base member. The skirt member has a sidewall, a base end connected to the base member, and an open end opposite the base end. A plurality of axial slots extend through the sidewall of the skirt member, the axial slots being spaced circumferentially around the skirt member. A polishing belt is woven through the axial slots of the skirt member.
US09458694B2 System and method for a slotted liner shoe extension
A system and method for extending a slotted liner shoe is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a low density material is injected into a liner having a plurality of openings. The liner is suspended below a cemented casing in a wellbore of a well in a subterranean formation. The low density material extrudes through a lower portion of the liner into an annulus between the liner and the wellbore. A cement is circulated into the liner above the low density material. The cement extrudes through an upper portion of the liner into the annulus between the liner and the wellbore. Water is displaced from the wellbore, and a solid cemented casing string is formed at a desired depth.
US09458691B2 Metal chevron axial seal
A subterranean wellbore assembly includes an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall cooperatively defining an annular space. A seal assembly is disposed within the annular space. The seal assembly includes chevron seals. Each chevron seal includes a central portion and two axially and radially extending wing portions. Chevron seals may be of polymeric PEEK material or of nickel based material. Other seal assemblies may be arranged in the annular space in place of the seal assembly.
US09458690B2 Rotating casing hanger
The disclosed embodiments include a rotating casing hanger having a housing configured to abut a casing spool and a casing hanger body disposed within the housing, wherein the casing hanger body is configured to suspend a casing element within a wellbore, and the casing hanger body is configured to rotate within the housing.
US09458689B2 System for controlling in-riser functions from out-of-riser control system
A system for controlling a blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree connected to a subsea wellhead assembly, the system comprising: a marine riser engageable with the subsea wellhead assembly; a lower marine riser package configured to be attached to the marine riser in the subsea environment, wherein the blowout preventer is configured to be removably attached to the lower marine riser package; an umbilical located outside of the marine riser adapted to communicate control fluids, electrical signals and/or fiber optic communications to a subsea controller, wherein the subsea controller is configured to receive control fluids and/or signals from the umbilical and to provide functions to the blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree, further wherein the subsea controller stabs into the system above the subsea wellhead assembly. This out-of-marine riser design provides for simplification in design criteria associated with the subsea controller and umbilical system.
US09458688B2 Wellhead system for tieback retrieval
A wellhead assembly includes a casing head, tubing head, and a production tree mounted on the tubing head. An isolation sleeve is set in a main bore of the wellhead assembly that extends across an interface between the casing and tubing heads so that a portion resides in each. The isolation sleeve is configured so that a fracturing string, and its associated hanger, can be retrieved through the isolation sleeve; which significantly reduces the time and steps required to conduct a fracturing operation in a well. Moreover, the present isolation sleeve can be used without changes to existing casing or tubing heads.
US09458686B2 Fracturing tool anchor
The present invention is directed to a fracturing tool anchor adapted for use with a work string in a wellbore. In one embodiment, the anchor has a housing with a central passage and an uphole and downhole end. The housing has a plurality of ports positioned circumferentially around the housing and along the length of the housing. The ports each contain an engagement member, such as a piston, and a return spring. The engagement member is adapted to extend radially outward when the anchor is pressure activated, to engage the wall of the casing or wellbore. The present application is also directed to a fracturing tool anchor that does not need to be pressure activated and utilizes slips as the engagement members.
US09458681B2 Drilling vessel
A drilling vessel with a drilling deck includes a drilling vessel floor structure defining the drilling deck and a tubular support assembly that is recessed in the drilling floor structure. The assembly includes a support frame and at least two support tables, wherein the tables have a top surface that forms part of the drilling deck. The tables are each guided by the support frame to allow displacement along a line between an active position for supporting a tubular and a retracted position for passing an object. The tables and the adapters segments supported thereby are coupled, for example via a clamp or a shape-coupling, such that when the tables move from their active position into their retracted position each segment moves with the respective table it is coupled with and the bushing is opened up for passing through an object through the opening between the at least two support tables and the adapter segments they support.
US09458675B2 Method for assembling a drilling rig structure
A transportable drilling rig having a self-elevating drill floor includes a base structure comprising multiple base towers that can be transported to a wellsite and positioned around an intended wellbore location. A horizontal base frame is installed between lower regions of the towers to form a stable rig base structure, and a drill floor can then be constructed over the base frame and between the base towers. A suitable rig mast can then be erected on the drill floor. Floor-lifting cables are anchored to upper regions of the base towers and disposable around corresponding sheave assemblies associated with the drill floor. The free ends of the floor-lifting cables can be engaged by the traveling block in the rig mast, whereupon the rig's drawworks can be actuated to elevate the drill floor and mast as required and then locked to the base towers.
US09458674B2 Earth-boring tools including shaped cutting elements, and related methods
A cutting element for an earth-boring tool. The cutting element comprises a substrate base, and a volume of polycrystalline diamond material on an end of the substrate base. The volume of polycrystalline diamond material comprises a generally conical surface, an apex centered about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the substrate base, a flat cutting surface extending from a first point at least substantially proximate the apex to a second point on the cutting element more proximate a lateral side surface of the substrate base. Another cutting element is disclosed, as are a method of manufacturing and a method of using such cutting elements.
US09458673B2 Hard-rock core barrel roller cutter assembly
The present invention provides a hard-rock core barrel roller cutter assembly, which comprises a roller cutter and a saddle. The roller cutter comprises a base portion for operating, and a connecting portion integrated with the base portion and detachably connected to the saddle. The connecting portion has a butted oblique plane, and a width of the connecting portion is gradually increased from one end adjacent to the base portion to another end far away from the base portion. A fixing block is detachably connected to the saddle, and the fixing block has a pressure slope which matches with the butted oblique plane. A width of the fixing block is gradually decreased from one end adjacent to the base portion to another end far away from the base portion, and the saddle is muff-jointed out of the connecting portion and the fixing block. Comparing with the conventional technology, the roller cutter and the saddle of the present invention can be quickly assembled and detached, to improve the efficiency of the drilling operation. Simultaneously, the connecting strength thereof is high, and can satisfy the requirements of the drilling operation, and can be standardized.
US09458660B2 Door with frameless glazed unit, and related kit and methods
A door includes a door frame, first and second door skins having rectangular outer peripheries and inner openings, and a frameless glazed unit received at the openings. The door skins include exterior surfaces facing away from the door frame and opposite interior surfaces facing and secured to opposite sides of the door frame. The exterior and interior surfaces of the first and second door skins establish integral lips and grooves of the first and second door skins Opposite sides of the frameless glazed unit directly contact and are sealed by the integral lips and sealant and/or adhesive contained in the grooves of the first and second door skins.
US09458659B2 Universal adaptor and methods for installing fenestration products
A universal adaptor may be used to secure a fenestration product to a structure having an opening. The universal adaptor may include an adaptor piece sized to be received on each periphery portion of the opening.
US09458658B2 Casing system
A casing system for covering the edges of structural frameworks and the like. The system includes a first casing piece and a second casing piece shaped to fit together. The first casing piece has a decorative profile milled into at least one side or end edge. The second casing piece has a reverse image of the decorative profile milled into a side or end edge. The pieces fit together by abutting edges or sides having a decorative profile and the reverse image of the decorative profile.
US09458656B2 Internally power slider with high torque drive system
An internally powered sliding panel has a power source and drive train contained internally within the stiles and rails of a frame. A driven wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame and connected to the power source via the drive train. The panel may further include a lift system including a second power source, a lift mechanism, and a lift drive which are contained internally within the stiles and rails of the frame. The power sources, drive train, lift mechanism, and lift drive may be contained completely inside the stiles and rails of the frame. The movement of the panel along a fixed path, and the raising and lowering of the panel, may be regulated by a control system. The control system includes a microcontroller and sensor used to determine the position of the panel.
US09458655B2 Constant force moving coil window balance with drop-in carrier
The disclosure provides a window balance assembly for installation in a window assembly. The window balance assembly includes a carrier, a curl spring, and a mounting bracket. The spring element includes first and second portions. The first portion is contained by the carrier and the mounting bracket engages the second portion. The carrier has a first housing including a channel formed in an exterior side of the first housing and an aperture in which a receiver is included. The channel extends vertically upwardly from the aperture toward the top end of the first housing portion to facilitate a full-drop-in installation and removal of a window sash from the window assembly.
US09458645B1 Modular fence kit
A modular fence kit including at least one pre-formed fencing panel, at least one fence pole removably attached to each of a sidewall of each fencing panel via at least one fastener, such as a clamp, and a base attached to each fence pole. The base is one of a weighted hollow first base body into which a host sleeve locks, a stake into which the fence pole is directly inserted, and a disc atop which the fence pole is attached. The host sleeve supports the fence pole within the first base body. A pair of opposing vertical protrusions, disposed on the outside wall of the host sleeve, lockingly engage a slot within the first base body.
US09458635B1 Stringer for decking
A stringer for decking has a strip of material to extend over a top surface of a decking joist, and is provided with clips. Each clip has a base part standing up from the strip, and a head projecting in the lengthwise direction of the strip. Alternate clips have their heads projecting towards opposite ends of the joist. The size of the head, and the height of the head above the strip, are chosen to fit into the grooves of a standard grooved deck board. The lengthwise spacing between two adjacent clips with their heads facing towards each other is chosen so that the standard grooved deck board will fit onto the two clips with the two heads received in the grooves on either side of the board. The lengthwise spacing between two adjacent clips with their heads facing away from each other sets the width of a gap between two boards fitted onto the two clips.
US09458633B2 Sheet roofing with pre-taped seams and tape therefor
According to one aspect, a roof membrane is provided. The roofing membrane includes a main body, a first adhesive material, and a second adhesive material. The first adhesive material is bonded to a top surface of the main body and positioned toward a first edge thereof. The second adhesive material is bonded to the top surface of the main body and positioned toward a second edge thereof. The second edge is positioned opposite the first edge such that the first and second adhesive materials are positioned toward opposite edges of the main body and the same surface thereof.
US09458630B2 Method for producing microcellular foam polypropylene thick board
Disclosed is a method for producing a microcellular foam polypropylene thick board, by foaming a polypropylene motherboard by a flat foaming equipment, wherein the polypropylene motherboard bears a core structure and a pore canal structure in the core of the foam polypropylene motherboard, shortening a diffusion path of supercritical carbon dioxide into a polypropylene matrix, thus reducing the saturation time required for diffusion equilibrium and significantly increasing the production efficiency. Also provided is a method for preparing the foam polypropylene motherboard bearing the pore canal structure in the core, by extrusion molding, from general polypropylene as the raw material. The method described in the present invention may be used to produce the microcellular foam board with small cell size, high cell density and high thickness.
US09458626B2 Laser configured column anchors and anchoring systems utilizing the same
A high-strength laser configured column anchor and anchoring system is disclosed. The high-strength column anchor provides high-strength pullout resistance when embedded within the wall bed joint. Specially-configured apertures, edging and dimension restrictions provide for flow-through mortar embedment within the wall bed joint. The edging provides irregular and regular patterns ensuring a secure fit within the bed joint. The column anchors include a flat and rotated form for secure attachment to the column flanges and optionally include a securement bar or clamp to further secure the column anchor to the column flanges.
US09458625B2 Rigid foam board installation clip
A clip for facilitating installation of foam insulation boards in a building structure. The clip comprises a body, a spacer and a foot for holding the insulation board, and a connection region for attachment of the clip to a building structural member. The clip is designed to ensure proper ventilation and greatly easy the proper installation of rigid foam insulation.
US09458622B1 Portable structure
The portable structure will generally have a pod from which a suite frame and suite may be deployed. The suite will allow personnel to administer to many critical demands and activities. The portable structure may be deployed upon any terrain, whether level or uneven, rigid or soft, and both the pod and the suite may be leveled independently. Additionally, the portable structure may incorporate at least one cocoon section wherein the cocoon section comprises at least one interior layer contacting a mesh covering placed over the suite frame, at least one thermal layer affixed to the interior layer, wherein the thermal layer includes heat adding and heat removal members capable of removing or adding heat to the mesh covering or a substance adjacent the at least one thermal layer and at least one exterior layer affixed to the thermal layer.
US09458621B2 Transportable and expandable building structure
Described embodiments relate to a transportable expandable building structure for human occupancy. The building structure comprises at least first, second and third frame modules arranged to nest with each other in a contracted position and to telescopically expand into an expanded position. One of the first, second and third frame modules is a base unit frame module that forms part of a base unit and the other frame modules are arranged to be movable away from the base unit to adopt the expanded position. The base unit has a fixed floor and is arranged to support the building structure in the contracted position to enable transportation of the building structure by road. Each of the frame modules is different in size from an adjacent one10 of the frame modules and comprises a floor portion, a roof portion and opposed side portions. Each side portion defines a same-sized modular insert region to receive modular door, window or wall inserts.
US09458619B2 Modular building units, and methods of constructing and transporting same
A connector assembly, having an upper connector coupled to a lower connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the upper and lower connectors. Also, disclosed is a hoistable connector assembly, a lifting frame assembly, a coupling system for modular frame units, a method for assembling a module unit using the connector assembly, and a modular frame unit and building having the connector assembly.
US09458616B2 Floor sink frame and grate assembly
A modular design for a floor sink frame and grate assembly. The standard floor grate sizes are whole, one half, and three-quarter. Instead of stocking each of these sizes, the present invention provides a modular system where individual pieces can be stocked and combined to form all of the above configurations.
US09458613B2 Waste disposal with improved housing configuration
In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a motor, a cutter plate coupled to the motor for rotation therewith and a housing configured to encase the motor and the cutter plate. The housing may include an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The upper housing portion may define an inner surface at least partially forming a converging section of the upper housing portion. Additionally, waste disposal may include a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from the inner surface along the converging section of the upper housing portion.
US09458609B2 Flushing hydrant
A device for flushing a hydrant includes a stem connected to a valve of the hydrant; and an actuation system including a biased translational system coupled to the stem. An actuation system for flushing a hydrant includes a fluid; a piston assembly movable by the fluid; and a biasing element at least indirectly biasing the piston assembly towards a stop position. A method of flushing a hydrant includes operating an actuation system coupled to the hydrant, the actuation system including a stored energy device, a piston assembly coupled to a stem of the hydrant; and a biasing element coupled to the stem, the stem connected to a valve of the hydrant; and opening the valve of the hydrant by releasing energy from the stored energy device against a piston plate of the piston assembly.
US09458608B1 Automatic water shut-off and notification system and method of use
An automatic water shut-off and notification system for interfacing with a water valve and an existing security system having a security system control panel and at least one water sensor connected wired or wirelessly on a zone of the security system control panel, the automatic water shut-off and notification system comprising a control module, the control module comprising: a trig input terminal configured for connection with an output terminal of the security system control panel; a valve control terminal and a valve power terminal configured for connection with the water valve; and a processor connected to the trig input terminal and the valve control and valve power terminals, the processor configured to act on a detection signal received at the trig input terminal indicating water detection by the at least one water sensor to activate the water valve.
US09458607B2 Rotatable cutting tool with head portion having elongated projections
A rotatable cutting tool for use in impinging earth strata wherein the rotatable cutting tool comprises a cutting tool body and a hard tip affixed to the cutting tool body. The cutting tool body includes an axial forward end for receiving the hard tip and an axial rearward end, a head portion axially rearward of the axial forward end, a collar portion axially rearward of the head portion, and a shank portion axially rearward of the collar portion and axially forward of the axial rearward end. The head portion includes a plurality of elongated projections extending radially thereabout, each of the elongated projections including a first tapered side and a second tapered side. The first tapered side of each of the elongated projections adjoins the second tapered side of an adjacent elongated projection at a surface of the head portion.
US09458605B2 Work vehicle
A work vehicle including a front work device, contains: a variable displacement hydraulic pump that is driven by an engine and supplies pressure oil to an actuator that drives the front work device; an exhaust gas purification device that purifies nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas discharged from the engine using a reducing agent solution stored in a reducing agent tank; a remaining amount detection device that detects a remaining amount of the reducing agent solution in the reducing agent tank; and a control unit that decreases output torque of the engine and also decreases a rotational speed of the engine in a rated point according to decrease of the remaining amount of the reducing agent solution detected by the remaining amount detection device.
US09458603B2 Wheel loader and control method for wheel loader
A level selecting unit is a device for selecting a tractive force level from a plurality of levels when a velocity stage of a transmission is a first velocity. The plurality of levels includes at least a first level and a second level. A control unit controls the engine. When the velocity stage of the transmission is the first velocity and the first level is selected, the control unit controls the engine on the basis of a first tractive force characteristic. The first tractive force characteristic prescribes a relationship between the vehicle speed and the tractive force of the vehicle. When the velocity stage of the transmission is the first velocity and the second level is selected, the control unit controls the engine on the basis of a second tractive force characteristic. The tractive force is reduced more in the second tractive force characteristic than in the first tractive force characteristic.
US09458602B2 Dual-arm work machine
A dual-arm work machine includes: a first front working machine to which a first attachment is mounted; a second working machine to which a second attachment is mounted; a first drive device that drives the first front working machine and the first attachment based on a first drive command from a first operation member; a second drive device that drives the second front working machine and the second attachment based on a second drive command from a second operation member; and a drive command output device that inputs the first and second drive commands, and generates and outputs a shared drive command that drives the first and second drive devices.
US09458600B2 Method for controlling an implement associated with a vehicle
A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for controlling an implement height in accordance with the entered guidance program. A height sensor can sense an observed height or elevation of an implement of the vehicle (e.g., relative to the absolute target height of the implement above the ground). The observed height is controlled in accordance with the guidance program (e.g., the target height) if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.
US09458599B2 Method and apparatus for earth moving and surface grading
A tandem system having multiple fluid powered cylinders for operation of motor graders and other earth-moving equipment that is capable of interfacing with and being controlled by conventional two dimensional (“2-D”) and three dimensional (“3-D”) grade control systems, responds to encountered grade changes and adjusts elevation and a cross-slope to match predetermined project design specifications. Each cylinder member has at least one master area and at least one slave area.
US09458598B2 Work vehicle
There is provided a work vehicle in which sudden operation of a work implement can be suppressed. The work vehicle includes a design surface information acquiring unit for acquiring data of a design surface indicative of a target shape of a work object by the work implement; a cutting edge position computing unit for computing a position of a cutting edge of a bucket; and an operation restricting unit for executing operation restriction control by which a boom is forcibly raised in accordance with a relative position of the cutting edge to the design surface, and the position of the cutting edge is restricted to an upper part of the design surface. In a state where the cutting edge is located away from the design surface in a downward perpendicular direction by a prescribed distance or longer, the operation restricting unit does not execute the operation restriction control.
US09458592B2 Method for anchoring a structure in a bed of a body of water and underwater foundation
The invention relates to a method for anchoring a structure in a bed of a body of water comprising the method steps of introducing at least one screw anchor into the bed of the body of water, arranging and fastening a base element on the fastening section of the screw anchor, wherein the base element has a holder for the structure, and arranging and fastening the structure on the holder of the base element. Furthermore, the invention relates to an underwater foundation produced by this method.
US09458591B1 Method for placing reinforced concrete piling without utilizing a pile driver or an auger
Disclosed are piling apparatus and methods for installing a reinforced concrete piling apparatus into the ground without the use of a pile driver or an auger. A helical screw anchor and coupling device are used to pull pipe sections into the ground. A preassembled reinforcing rod cage is placed into the pipe sections in the ground. Wet concrete is poured into the pipe sections to encase the reinforcing rod cage. The pipe sections are then removed. Removal of the pipe sections from the helical screw anchor is accomplished using the coupling device.
US09458580B2 Compaction roller
A compaction roller comprises a vibration device for generating vibrations when driven by a vibration motor; a pair of right and left traveling drive shafts, while traveling driving outside tires and their adjoining inside tires synchronously, for transmitting the vibrations of the vibration device to the outside tires and inside tires; a pair of right and left traveling motors respectively for driving their associated traveling drive shafts; and, a pair of right and left first support brackets mounted through a first vibration proof device 6 on a vehicle body and interposed between the outside tires and inside tires for supporting the traveling drive shafts through bearings, wherein the vibration device includes a vibration source disposed within the traveling drive shafts. According to the compaction roller, a side overhang can be eliminated or reduced, and enabling prevention of the lowered vibration compacting function of the tires.
US09458578B2 Timber access mat with grounding
A timber access mat having an electrical grounding feature includes an electrically conductive cover layer that is removably carried over the top of the body of the timber access mat. The electrically conductive cover layer can be formed from one or more sheets of expanded metal such as expanded steel. The layer is joined to a perimeter frame that includes offset connector tabs that allow mats to be positioned side-by-side. The connector tabs are paired with cable guides to protect the cable leads that connect the mats. The perimeter frame and conductive cover layer can be added to traditional timber access mats when electrical grounding is required and then removed and stored when not required.
US09458577B2 Procedure for construction of pavements and resulting pavement
A method of building a pavement includes preparing an asphalt agglomerate support layer upon a substrate to be paved. A thermoplastic liquid resin layer is formed on the asphalt agglomerate support layer. A plurality of tiles is placed on the thermoplastic liquid resin layer, wherein each tile includes at least one thermoplastic resin and at least one aggregate. The plurality of tiles is covered with a layer of finish.
US09458575B2 Rail attachment system for junction areas
The invention relates to a rail attachment system (1) for attaching a rail (2) to a concrete support slab (3a) or a concrete sleeper (3b) or to a steel structure comprising an intermediate plate (4), a rail attachment plate (5) with angle guide plates (6, 6b) arranged thereon, at least two first tensioning clamps (7a) for clamping the rail foot (2a) to the rail attachment plate (5) as well as screws (9) and/or ankle bolts (10) and at least two second tensioning clamps for screwing the rail attachment system (1) to the underlying surface, characterized in that an elastic intermediate layer (8) is arranged between the rail (2) and the rail attachment plate (5), and the intermediate plate (4) is composed of a highly elastic material and/or comprises a steel plate (4), at least two second tensioning clamps (7b) for clamping the rail attachment plate (5) to the substructure, preferably via the intermediate plate (4), wherein the first and second tensioning clamps (7a, 7b) are embodied in a highly elastic fashion with a high tensioning force, are provided, and at least one upper sliding plate (12) is arranged between the rail foot (2a) and a first tensioning clamp (7a), and at least one lower sliding plate (13) is arranged between the rail foot (2a) and the elastic intermediate layer (8) and is attached by means of a steel support (14) in the case of a steel substructure.
US09458573B2 Fibrous structures and methods for making same
Fibrous structures that exhibit a pore volume distribution such that at least 25% and/or at least 43% of the total pore volume present in the fibrous structures exists in pores of radii of from 91 μm to 140 μm, and to methods for making such fibrous structures are provided.
US09458567B2 Methods and systems for adding filler to latex
A latex mixing and application system for use with a textile product. The latex mixing and application system may include a latex source with a liquid latex therein, a filler source with a filler therein, a mixer in communication with the latex source and the filler source to mix the liquid latex and the filler to form a latex/filler mix, and an applicator in communication with the mixer to apply the latex/filler mix to the textile product.
US09458566B2 Cutting guide with seam allowance recess
A cutting guide having a seam allowance recess and methods of cutting a piece of material with such cutting guide.
US09458565B2 Laundry treating apparatus
A laundry treating apparatus is provided that includes a cabinet configured that defines a profile of the laundry treating apparatus, the cabinet including a laundry introduction opening formed therein, a door configured to open and close the laundry introduction opening, a hinge unit including a first pivot to rotate the door along a first rotational direction and a second pivot to rotate along a second rotational direction, which is different from the first rotational direction, and a securing member configured to secure the door to the first pivot or the second pivot, when the door is rotated.
US09458564B2 Washing machine
A washing machine includes a cabinet; a tub which is disposed in the cabinet and in which washing water is stored; a drain hose that guides the washing water in the tub toward an outer side of the cabinet; and a siphonage prevention unit disposed on the drain hose, wherein the siphonage prevention unit includes: a connection pipe having a connection flow path that communicates with the drain hose; an air pipe having an air flow path that communicates with the connection flow path; and a protrusion that is disposed adjacent to a communication portion in which the connection flow path and the air flow path communicate with each other and that protrudes from an inner side surface of the connection pipe. Through this configuration, a siphonage phenomenon in the drain hose can be prevented.
US09458563B2 Front loading washer baffle
A horizontal axis washing machine having a front opening clothes containing rotary basket with a plurality of elongated internally mounted baffles for agitating items within the basket during a washing operation. The baffles each have a solid outwardly extending rib which has a nonlinear curved configuration for defining a plurality of water lifting and agitating cavities on each side of the baffle. The cavities on one side of the baffle are effective for lifting and agitating wash water with a vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in one rotary direction and the cavities on the opposite side of the baffle are operative for lifting and agitating water with an oppositely directed vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in an opposite rotary direction.
US09458559B2 Multi-layer fabric
A multi-layer nonwoven fabric at least constituted by a first warp, a second warp, an upper surface side weft, and a lower surface side weft, the first warp is woven with the wefts of all layers from the upper surface side weft to the lower surface side weft, the second warp is only woven with the upper surface side weft, the first warp constitutes a pair to form one upper surface side warp structure on an upper surface side layer, whereby a complete structure of a plain weave design is formed by the first and second warps.
US09458552B2 Single crystal welding of directionally compacted materials
A process for welding directionally solidified metallic materials is presented. Process parameters are targeted selected with respect to laser welding, advancement, laser power beam diameter and powder mass flow. The temperature gradient, which is fundamentally decisive for the single-crystal growth during laser cladding, may be set in a targeted manner.
US09458550B2 Systems and methods for separating components of a multilayer stack of electronic components
Systems and methods for separating components of a multilayer stack of electronic components are disclosed herein. The multilayer stack may include an electronic assembly, a substrate, and a sacrificial anode portion that is located between the electronic assembly and the substrate and that operatively attaches the electronic assembly to the substrate. The methods may include locating the multilayer stack within an electrically conductive fluid to form an electrochemical cell and generating a potential difference between a cathode portion of the electronic assembly and the sacrificial anode portion. The methods further may include separating the electronic assembly from the substrate by electrochemically oxidizing the sacrificial anode portion to dissolve the sacrificial anode portion within the electrically conductive solution.
US09458549B2 Method for manufacturing of an object having phosphorescent properties
The invention concerns a method for manufacturing of an object having phosphorescent properties, comprising the steps of providing an object having a surface made from aluminum or from an aluminum-based alloy and forming a layer of porous aluminum (hydr)oxide at said surface. The invention is characterized in that the method comprises the step of contacting the layer of porous aluminum (hydr)oxide with one or several solutions containing metal dopant ions such as to allow the metal dopant ions to bind to the layer of porous aluminum (hydr)oxide, wherein at least one of said solutions contains ions of at least one element selected from a first group consisting of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba), and wherein at least one of said solutions contains ions of europium (Eu). The invention also concerns an object obtainable by the above method.
US09458548B2 Method for producing alumina template of nanorods, aluminia template, and nanorods
A method for producing an alumina template of nanorods, the alumina template, and the nanorods are provided for overcoming the problems of the conventional alumina template having anodic aluminum oxide that may be peeled off from a substrate or forming a non-conductive oxide easily, and the alumina template includes a conductive substrate composed of an active metal and an inert metal, so that the alumina template can be attached onto the active metal and inert metal at the same time, and the active metal can be used for securing the alumina template and supporting the alumina template on the inert metal, and the anodic aluminum oxide attached onto the inert metal can be used for providing a better conductivity, such that a stable and highly conductive alumina template can be produced.
US09458547B2 Method for anodizing and dyeing metallic article
A method for anodizing and dyeing a metallic article including a first dipped end, a second dipped end opposite to the first dipped end, and a decorated surface located between the first dipped end and the second dipped end, includes steps as follows: anodizing the metallic article to form an anodization layer on the decorated surface by an anodizing treatment, in which the anodization layer is porous with a number of holes, an immersion time of the decorated surface immersed in the electrolyte solution changes gradually from the first dipped end toward the second dipped end, and a depth of the plurality of holes of the anodization layer after the anodizing step thereby changes gradually from the first dipped end toward the second dipped end; and coloring the metallic article sealed in a dyeing treatment.
US09458543B2 Active matrix electrowetting-on-dielectric device
An active matrix electrowetting on dielectric (AM-EWOD) device includes a plurality of array elements configured to manipulate one or more droplets of fluid on an array, each of the array elements including a corresponding array element circuit. Each array element circuit includes write circuitry configured to write data to the corresponding array element for controlling the manipulation of the droplets of fluid, and sensor circuitry configured to sense an impedance present at the corresponding array element. The sensor circuitry is configured to operate in one of a normal mode of sensitivity for detection of a droplet, or a high mode of sensitivity to detect an electric property of an array element hydrophobic surface. The sensor circuitry includes an active element, such as an active capacitor or active transistor, and a capacitance across the active element is different in the normal sensitivity mode as compared to the high sensitivity mode.
US09458533B2 Method and devices for controlling a vapour flow in vacuum evaporation
The invention relates to a method and a device for the coating of running substrates (25) moving along a run direction through a treatment zone (6), in which the vapor of a coating material is generated in a chamber (5), this vapor passing through a treatment aperture towards the treatment zone (6) where the coating material condenses on the surface of the substrates (25). The vapor flow through the treatment aperture is controlled by adjusting the extent to which the treatment aperture is shut off by at least one shutter (13), between an open position, in which said vapor flows through the treatment aperture towards the treatment zone (6), and a closed position, in which the vapor is prevented from flowing towards the treatment zone (6) through the treatment aperture.
US09458532B2 Vapor deposition method and vapor deposition apparatus
The present invention (i) uses a mask unit (80) including: a shadow mask (81) that has an opening (82) and that is smaller in area than a vapor deposition region (210) of a film formation substrate (200) and; a vapor deposition source (85) that has a emission hole (86) for emitting a vapor deposition particle, the emission hole (86) being provided so as to face the shadow mask (81), the shadow mask (81) and the vapor deposition source (85) being fixed in position relative to each other, (ii) adjusts an amount of a void between the shadow mask (81) and the film formation substrate (200), (iii) moves at least a first one of the mask unit (80) and the film formation substrate (200) relative to a second one thereof while uniformly maintaining the amount of the void between the mask unit (80) and the film formation substrate (200), and (iv) sequentially deposit the vapor deposition particle onto the vapor deposition region (210) through the opening (82) of the shadow mask (81). This makes it possible to form a high-resolution vapor deposition pattern on a large-sized substrate.
US09458527B2 Secondary titanium alloy and the art of its manufacture
This invention relates to production of α-, near α- and α+β-titanium alloys from secondary raw materials, which are used mainly in manufacture of sheet material, structural parts and structural armor for defense and civil sectors. This alloy is characterized by the following chemical composition, weight percentage: 0.01-6.5 Al, 0.01-5.5 V, 0.05-2.0 Mo, 0.01-1.5 Cr, 0.1-2.5 Fe, 0.01-0.5 Ni, 0.01-0.5 Zr, 0.01-0.25 Si, oxygen—up to 0.3, carbon—up to 0.1, nitrogen—up to 0.07 and titanium—remainder. Blend is formulated based on the required tensile strength, while content of alloying elements is calculated based on design value of aluminum and molybdenum strength equivalents. The proposed alloy and the art of its manufacture helps to solve a problem of introduction of a wide range of titanium wastes to make a finished product with the required processing and structural behavior.
US09458524B2 Methods to recover cesium or rubidium from secondary ore
A method to recover cesium, rubidium, or both from secondary ore is described and involves using scans and sorting techniques. Refined secondary ore is further described.
US09458513B2 Primer and probe for detecting chlamydia trachomatis, and method for detecting chlamydia trachomatis using same
The present invention relates to an oligonucleotide which is designed on the basis of a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 and hybridizes with the endogenous plasmid gene of Chlamydia trachomatis, oligonucleotide primer and probe for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis, the detection method of Chlamydia trachomatis using said primer and probe, and a primer for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis of said oligonucleotide or the use to a probe design.
US09458510B2 Signatures and determinants associated with prostate cancer progression and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides a set of DETERMINANTS (e.g., genes and gene products) that can accurately inform about the risk of cancer progression and recurrence, as well as methods of their use.
US09458504B1 Resistance alleles in soybean
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting and/or producing a soybean plant or germplasm having iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance. A soybean plant, part thereof and/or germplasm, including any progeny and/or seeds derived from a soybean plant or germplasm identified, selected and/or produced by any of the methods of the present invention is also provided.
US09458503B2 Methods for distinguishing between natural and artificial DNA samples
The present invention provides methods for distinguishing between natural and artificial DNA in samples containing nucleic acid molecules. In addition, the present invention provides methods for verifying that DNA profiles obtained from samples represent natural DNA. In various embodiments, the methods employ an array of nucleic acid based procedures for verifying that a DNA sample originates from a natural source. The invention further provides kits for verifying that a DNA sample originates from a natural source employing the methods and reagents described in the disclosure.
US09458498B2 Method for modifying nucleic acids
The present invention pertains to: a method for modifying a nucleic acid contained in a sample, the method including a step for bringing the sample into contact with a nucleic acid-modifying agent in the presence of an acidic polysaccharide and/or a nucleotide; and a method for selectively detecting a nucleic acid derived from living cells contained in the sample, the method including the following steps: (a) a step for modifying a nucleic acid contained in a sample according to the method for modifying a nucleic acid contained in a sample, which includes a step for bringing the sample into contact with a nucleic acid-modifying agent in the presence of an acidic polysaccharide and/or a nucleotide; and (b) a step for selectively detecting an unmodified nucleic acid from the sample after step (a). The present invention further pertains to a kit and composition for use in these methods.
US09458496B2 Method of characterizing vascular diseases
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of diagnosing diseases and measuring homeostatic states. In particular, the methods described here are used to characterize RNA from vesicles for expression of disease related markers. Embodiments of the invention also relate generally to the characterization of RNA by using sensitive techniques such as PCR to internally sample organ health using whole blood.
US09458484B2 Reverse transcriptase mixtures with improved storage stability
Reverse transcriptase mixtures with improved storage stability are provided.
US09458478B2 Epoxidation using peroxygenase
The invention relates to enzymatic methods for epoxidation of a non-cyclicaliphatic alken, or a terpen.
US09458477B2 Fatty acid desaturases, elongases, elongation components and uses thereof
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode a fatty acid desaturase, KCS, KCR, DH and ECR from Nannochloropsis oculata. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing desaturase, KCS, KCR, DH and ECR nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and methods for large-scale production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), e.g., ARA, EPA and DHA.
US09458473B2 Compositions and methods for retargeting virus constructs
The present invention relates to the field of viral gene therapy. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods for retargeting virus constructs. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an adenoviral construct comprising a nucleic acid encoding the peptide sequence MAE-X-PDP (SEQ ID NO:45), wherein X is an antigen targeting peptide. In a more specific embodiment, an adenoviral construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding the peptide sequence MAEWQPDTAHHWALTLPDP (SEQ ID NO:10) inserted into the HI-loop of adenovirus fiber protein. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for optimizing adenoviral infection of target cells comprising the steps of (a) generating a peptide-display adenovirus library, wherein the displayed peptide is a peptide that specifically binds an antigen expressed on the surface of a target cell, and wherein the displayed peptide is flanked by random peptide sequences; and (b) screening the peptide-display adenovirus library against the target cells.
US09458472B2 Detection and destruction of cancer cells using programmed genetic vectors
In its various embodiments, the invention provides, first, a composition comprising a vector for transfecting a cell. The vector comprises a first nucleic acid encoding an antisense agent having thereon an RNA interference target for a transcript of a gene endogenous to the cell. The vector further comprises a second nucleic acid that encodes a cell-killing agent. The second nucleic acid further comprises a sequence of nucleotides transcribable into a non-coding region of a transcript of the second nucleic acid, such that the non-coding region becomes an RNA interference target for the antisense agent. In the transfected cell, the vector operates to interfere with the expression of the cell-killing agent unless and until the vector senses certain endogenous gene signals, whereupon it releases the cell-killing agent. Second, the invention provides a method of treating a disease in a patient by killing cells responsible for the disease, the method comprising administering the vector to the patient until the disease, or a symptom thereof, is ameliorated.
US09458471B2 Engineered cellular pathways for programmed autoregulation of differentiation
The present invention provides compositions and methods for programming mammalian cells to perform desired functions. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for programming stem cells to differentiate into a desired cell type. A quorum sensing systems that regulates the expression of cell fate regulators is introduced into mammalian host cells, such as stem cells. The quorum sensing systems generally comprises vectors that express the components of a bacterial quorum sensing pathway, including proteins which catalyze the synthesis of an autoinducer and a gene encoding a regulatory partner of the autoinducer, and vectors in which genes encoding cell fate regulators are operably linked to a promoter induced by the autoinducer/regulatory partner complex. The system can also comprise vectors in which genes encoding additional cell fate regulators are operably linked to a promoter that is induced by a factor synthesized in response to a first stage of differentiation, so that a second stage of differentiation is triggered.
US09458467B2 Modified gram positive bacteria and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a gram positive bacterium, preferably a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) or Bifidobacterium, with increased stress resistance and/or improved manufacturing, processing and/or storage characteristics. In particular, the invention relates to a gram positive bacterium which accumulate intracellular trehalose. The gram positive bacterium according to the invention lack trehalose 6-phosphate phosphorylase (TrePP) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further lack cellobiose-specific PTS system IIC component (ptcC) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further overexpress trehalose transporters. The invention further relates to compositions comprising such gram positive bacterium as well as methods and uses thereof.
US09458460B2 Pharmaceutical compositions for treating cancer
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-cancer drug and an inhibitor of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) or its gene expression. The present invention also relates to methods of treating cancer and prognostic methods.
US09458458B2 Manipulating microRNA for the management of neurological diseases or conditions and compositions related thereto
This disclosure relates to manipulating microRNA for the management of neurological disorders and compositions related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure contemplates inhibition of miR324 or miR324-5p, e.g., the use of nucleobase polymers for antisense disruptions or RNA interference of miR-324 expression or for miR324-5p binding in order to increase Kv4.2 expression. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing a neurological disease or condition comprising administering an effective amount of an inhibitor to a subject in need thereto.
US09458456B2 Methods and compositions for the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of cancer
Some embodiments of the present technology relate to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Some embodiments include methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Some embodiments include methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
US09458448B2 Manufacturing method for silica encapsulated single-enzyme nanoparticles and single-enzyme nanoparticles manufactured by means of method
A method for manufacturing single enzyme nanoparticles through silica encapsulation according to the present disclosure does not include a surface functionalization process and a polymerization process during the synthesis, and reaction conditions are mild. Thus, the method is appropriate for a large scale production.
US09458446B2 Polypeptides having endopeptidase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to polypeptides having endopeptidase activity and to methods of producing and using the polypeptides. The invention also relates to methods of making a food protein hydrolysate using a trypsin-like endopeptidase derived from a bacterium.
US09458445B2 Polypeptides having protease activity
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having protease activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides in e.g. animal feed and detergents.
US09458442B2 Companion diagnostic for anti-hyaluronan agent therapy and methods of use thereof
Methods and diagnostic agents for identification of subjects for cancer treatment with an anti-hyaluronan agent, such as a hyaluronan-degrading enzyme, are provided. Diagnostic agents for the detection and quantification of hyaluronan in a biological sample and monitoring cancer treatment with an anti-hyaluronan agent, for example a hyaluronan-degrading enzyme, are provided. Combinations and kits for use in practicing the methods also are provided.
US09458441B2 Polypeptides having xanthan degrading activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xanthan degrading activity, catalytic domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides and catalytic domains. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides and catalytic domains.
US09458440B2 Proteins for the treatment of cellulosic material
The present invention discloses novel polypeptides and enzyme preparations containing them, which enhance the efficiency of the cellulosic degradation even at elevated temperatures. The polypeptides are produced by recombinant technology, and means for their production are described. The novel polypeptides are useful in processing biomass, and in biofuel, starch, textile, detergent, pulp and paper, food, feed or beverage industries. They may also be used e.g. in cleaning the interior of a dishwashing machine or for biofinishing or biostoning. The novel polypeptides are also useful in animal feed.
US09458439B2 Chromosomal modification involving the induction of double-stranded DNA cleavage and homologous recombination at the cleavage site
Methods of modifying, repairing, attenuating and inactivating a gene or other chromosomal DNA in a cell are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating or prophylaxis of genetic disease in an individual in need thereof. Further disclosed are chimeric restriction endonucleases.
US09458438B2 Sulfotransferase of a red microalga and uses thereof
An isolated protein which is at least partially encoded by a polynucleotide sequence encoding a novel sulfotransferase is provided together with a composition which includes the isolated protein. A transgenic organism transformed by a polynucleotide encoding a protein which is at least partially encoded by a novel sulfotransferase is also provided. The invention also includes a process for in-vivo and in-vitro making a sulfated polysaccharide from an unsulfated polysaccharide or increasing the sulfur content of an already sulfated polysaccharide.
US09458428B2 Methods and compositions for the rapid production of retinal pigmented epithelial cells from pluripotent cells
The invention relates to the field of cell culture, specifically, the derivation of retinal pigmented epithelial cells from pluripotent cells. The invention comprises the use of various cell culture medium supplements, medium formulations, and methods of using such medium supplements and formulations, in order to effect the rapid differentiation of pluripotent cells into retinal pigmented epithelial cells with very high yields. The invention further includes cell culture media formulations for the efficient maintenance, propagation, and maturation of cultured retinal pigmented epithelial cells.
US09458425B1 Differentiated human embryoid cells and a method for producing them
A process for obtaining human derived embryoid bodies (hEB). Human embryonic stem cells are incubated in vitro in a liquid growth medium under conditions in which the cells undergo differentiation, but do not adhere to the walls of the container. The invention also provides hEBs obtained by the process.
US09458421B2 Culture method for Antrodia cinnamomea
The invention discloses a culture method for Antrodia cinnamomea to elevate the amounts and types of the bioactive components in Antrodia cinnamomea through controlling the wavelength and intensity of the light. Furthermore, the modification of the environmental factors such as water content, composition and relative amount of the culture medium, and the culture temperature are capable of increasing the amounts and types of the bioactive components in Antrodia cinnamomea.
US09458417B2 Monitoring cleaning of surfaces
A method for monitoring cleaning of a surface includes applying an amount of transparent indicator material to an area of a surface and measuring the amount of transparent indicator material remaining on the surface. The transparent indicator material may be fixed on the surface by drying and, when a fluorescent material, may be measured through exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
US09458416B2 Amphiphilic block copolymers and machine dishwashing detergents containing these
It is possible to prevent or at least mitigate discoloration of plastics tableware during machine dishwashing by using amphiphilic block copolymers of -An-Bm- type, where A represents the hydrophilic monomer unit of the hydrophilic block An and B represents the hydrophobic monomer unit of the hydrophobic block Bm and a diene serves as monomer for the hydrophobic monomer unit B.
US09458414B2 Cleaning, surfactant, and personal care compositions
A cleaning or personal care composition containing at least one of 1,4-pentanediol and a ketal alcohol of formula (1) wherein R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3, R4, and R5 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, a=0-3, and b=0-1. R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3, R4, and R5 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, each R6 and R7 is independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with at least one hydroxyl groups, a=1-6, and b=0-2.
US09458413B2 Foaming drain cleaner
A drain cleaner may be used on a periodic basis to clean soil residues from residential and commercial waste drains. The drain cleaner may chemically self-foam to fill a waste drain with the foam. For example, the drain cleaner may be provided in two or more parts that are physically intermixed during use of the drain cleaner. One part may include hydrogen peroxide and water while another part may include a catalase, an amylase, a protease, and an enzyme stabilizer. The drain cleaner may also include a surfactant present in at least one of the first part and the second part. Additionally, in some examples, the drain cleaner includes a sanitizing agent present in either of the two parts or in yet a third physically separate part. During use, the different drain cleaner parts can be dispensed simultaneously into a drain to generate a cleaning and/or sanitizing foam in-situ.
US09458409B2 Lipid compositions with high DHA content
The invention provides lipid compositions comprising phospholipids having a high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content, which compositions are preferably extracted from natural sources. The lipid compositions are excellent sources of highly bioavailable DHA and they can be used in oral delivery vehicles, dietary supplements, functional foods, and the like.
US09458403B2 High viscosity, functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin base stocks and processes for preparing same
A process for producing a high viscosity functionalized metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) fluid. The process includes providing a mPAO having a terminal double bond, said mPAO produced by the metallocene-catalyzed oligomerization or polymerization of an alpha-olefin feed; providing at least one of a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl thiol, aryl thiol, diphenylamine or naphthalene; and reacting, optionally in the presence of a catalyst or initiator, the mPAO having a terminal double bond with at least one of the substituted or unsubstituted alkyl thiol, aryl thiol, diphenylamine or naphthalene, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce the functionalized high viscosity mPAO fluid. The functionalized mPAO fluid has, as synthesized, a viscosity (Kv100) from 135 to 900 cSt at 100° C.; a viscosity index (VI) greater than 150; a pour point (PP) less than −25° C.; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) less than 2.0; a residual unsaturation (Bromine Number) less than 2.0; and a glass transition temperature Tg less than −30° C.
US09458400B2 Fuel additive for improved performance in direct fuel injected engines
A fuel composition for a direct fuel injected gasoline engine comprising, a method for improving performance of fuel injectors and a method for cleaning fuel injectors for an internal combustion gasoline engine. The fuel composition includes a major amount of fuel and a minor, effective amount of a quaternary ammonium salt having a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) weight loss of greater than 50 wt. % at 350° C. The amount of quaternary ammonium salt present in the fuel is sufficient to improve performance of the direct fuel injected engine having combusted the composition compared to the performance of such engine having combusted a fuel composition that does not contain the quaternary ammonium salt.
US09458399B2 Associative polymers for mist-control
Polymeric mist control materials, methods of forming polymeric mist control materials, and methods of using such materials for mist control are provided. The polymeric mist control additives are formed of molecules comprised predominantly of monomers that confer high solubility in fuel and include associative groups that attract each other in donor-acceptor manner, and are incorporated such that multiple associative groups are in close proximity (“clusters”), such that the clusters are separated by very long non-associative sequences.
US09458392B2 Hydrocarbon treatment process
In a catalytic treatment process, mercaptans in sour hydrocarbon are oxidized to disulfide oils using an aqueous treatment solution containing a chelated polyvalent metal catalyst, alkali metal hydroxide, and the alkali metal salt of at least one alcohol in a non-dispersive mixing apparatus wherein an upgraded hydrocarbon containing the disulfide oils is produced.
US09458391B2 Solvent extraction process to stabilize, desulphurize and dry wide range diesels, stabilized wide range diesels obtained and their uses
A process allowing the removal of contaminants from an unstable oil such as those produced by thermal or catalytic cracking, wherein, in at least one step of the process, mixing of the unstable oil with a pure or impure solvent having a dipole moment greater than 2 is performed. The stabilized diesels thereby obtained exhibit interesting properties among which significant stability features and are useful in numerous applications, some of these stabilized wide range diesels are new as well as their uses.
US09458382B2 Top drive mechanism for drill rod
A top drive mechanism for a drill rod for cutting of delayed coking units in the petroleum refining industry includes a gooseneck connector, a washpipe assembly, an output shaft, and a power mechanism for driving the output shaft to rotate. The output shaft has an integral structure formed by a shaft body and a flange; a step I is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the output shaft; a support ring is disposed on an end face of the step I; the output shaft mates with the support ring through a key I; a lock nut fixes the support ring onto the end face of the step I; a lower portion of the support ring is provided with a self-aligning thrust roller bearing. The structure has high stability such that the service life of the top drive device is extended and installation and disassembly are easy and fast.
US09458380B2 5H-furan-2-one derivatives for stabilization of organic material
A composition, which comprises a) an organic material susceptible to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation; and b) a compound of formula I (Formula I) (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are independently from each other H, C1-C8-alkyl, C4-C8-cycloalkyl, phenyl, C1-C4-alkoxy or halogen; n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and when n is 1 A is —C(=0)-OR′1, —C(=0)-N(R′2)(R′3), —CN, phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C1-C8-alkyl, C4-C8-alkoxy, C5-C7-cycloalkyl or halogen, —H or —S02-phenyl; when n is 2 A is —C(=0)-O—Z1—O—C(=0)-, —C(=0)-N(R″1)—Z2—N(R″2)—C(=0)- or piperazine-N,N′-biscarbonyl.
US09458379B2 Phosphor, method for manufacturing same, light emitting device, and image display device
A chemically and thermally stable phosphor having unconventional light emitting properties and high light emitting intensity with an LED of 470 nm or less, includes an inorganic compound comprising: a crystal designated by A3(D,E)8X14, a crystal designated by Sr3Si8O4N10 or an inorganic crystal having the identical crystal structure of the Sr3Si8O4N10 crystal, which comprises A element, D element, X element, and optionally E element if necessary (A is one or more kinds selected from Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; D is one or more kinds selected from Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, and Hf; X is one or more kinds selected from O, N, and F; and E is one or more kinds selected from B, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, and La.), into which M element is solid-solved (M is one or more kinds selected from Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, and Yb.).
US09458378B2 Green-emitting, garnet-based phosphors in general and backlighting applications
Disclosed herein are green-emitting, garnet-based phosphors having the formula (Lu1-a-b-cYaTbbAc)3 (Al1-dBd)5(O1-eCe)12: Ce,Eu, where A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca, and Ba; B is selected from the group consisting of Ga and In; C is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, and Br; and 0≦a≦1; 0≦b≦1; 0
US09458376B2 Electrochromic iptycenes
The present application for patent relates to novel electrochromic iptycene compounds and methods of their preparation. The application also provides for symmetrical and asymmetrical electrochromic iptycenes that can provide a full spectrum of color by manipulating their substituents.
US09458372B2 Fluid loss control agents and compositions for cementing oil and gas wells comprising said fluid loss control agent
A method of cementing a well is disclosed. The method comprising pumping into the well a cement slurry comprising a solid blend including cement, water, and a fluid loss control agent, and allowing the cement slurry to set. The fluid loss control agent comprises a styrene-butadiene latex and a high molecular-weight water-soluble polymer such as a copolymer AMPS-Am. The addition of the water-soluble polymer allows drastic reduction of the quantity of latex required to achieve fluid loss control performance and even gas migration control.
US09458365B2 Temporary bonding adhesive compositions and methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same
A temporary bonding adhesive composition includes a first compound including a thermosetting polyorganosiloxane and a second compound including a thermoplastic polyorganosiloxane.
US09458357B2 ph-sensitive sacrificial materials for the microfabrication of structures
Methods for microfabricating composite materials and composite materials prepared there from are described herein. The sacrificial material can be etched or patterned to create a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional sacrificial material structure. The resulting sacrificial material structure can be embedded in one or more embedding materials. The sacrificial material(s) are materials whose solubility can be altered by application of a stimulus typically pH, and/or temperature, light, pH, pressure, presence of absence of ions, and combinations thereof. The embedding materials can contain one or more additives that modify one or more properties of the embedding materials, such as degradation properties, porosity, mechanical properties, viscosity, conductive properties, and combinations thereof. The composite materials can be used in tissue engineering, drug screening, toxin detection, drug delivery, filtrations, bioseparations, and as microfluidic devices for fluid mixing and structural repair.
US09458354B2 Polyurethane dispersions and methods of making and using same
The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates generally to polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) polymers, digested oligomeric derivatives of PET (“dPET”), functionalized oligomeric derivatives of dPET (“dfPET”), and polyurethane dispersions (“PUD”) made from or incorporating dfPET therein.
US09458349B2 Phenol-formaldehyde novolac resin having low concentration of free phenol
A phenol-formaldehyde novolac resin having a low concentration of free phenol prepared by distilling residual phenol from a molten novolac resin and replacing at least a portion of the phenol with a solvent having a volatility equal to or less than phenol. Such modified novolac resins are suitable for the production of resin coated molding sands for shell molding and sand cores, as well as for the production of resin coated proppants for use in oil and gas recovery operations.
US09458348B2 Photoresist overcoat compositions and methods of forming electronic devices
Provided are photoresist overcoat compositions, substrates coated with the overcoat compositions and methods of forming electronic devices by a negative tone development process. The compositions, coated substrates and methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.
US09458346B2 Bio-renewable sequential vinyl polymer
An aqueous polymer dispersion comprising a vinyl polymer with at least two phases comprising: A) 40 to 90 wt % of a vinyl polymer A having a glass transition temperature in the range of from −50 to 30° C.; and B) 10 to 60 wt % of a vinyl polymer B having a glass transition temperature the range of from 50 to 130° C.; wherein vinyl polymer A comprises 0.1 to 10 wt % of at least one acid-functional olefinically unsaturated monomer, wherein at least 20 wt % of the monomer composition used to form vinyl polymer A and vinyl polymer B is derived from at least one bio-renewable olefinically unsaturated monomer.
US09458343B2 Method of forming patterns
A method of forming patterns includes (a) coating a substrate with a resist composition for negative development to form a resist film, wherein the resist composition contains a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of the acid and becomes more soluble in a positive developer and less soluble in a negative developer upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (b) forming a protective film on the resist film with a protective film composition after forming the resist film and before exposing the resist film, (c) exposing the resist film via an immersion medium, and (d) performing development with a negative developer.
US09458341B2 Sacrificial coating compositions comprising polyvinyl alcohol and waxy starch
Disclosed herein are sacrificial coating compositions comprising at least one polyvinyl alcohol; at least one waxy starch; at least one hygroscopic agent; at least one surfactant; and water, wherein the ratio by weight of the at least one waxy starch to the at least one polyvinyl alcohol is at least two to one. In certain embodiments, the at least one polyvinyl alcohol has a degree of hydrolysis of at least about 95%, such as at least about 98%, or at least about 99.3%. In certain embodiments, the viscosity of the at least one polyvinyl alcohol in a deionized water solution at 20° C. ranges from about 30 cps to about 80 cps, wherein the solution contains 4% by weight polyvinyl alcohol relative to the total weight of polyvinyl alcohol and deionized water in the solution. Also disclosed herein are methods of making a sacrificial coating composition.
US09458338B2 Ultraviolet curable type ink-jet ink composition, recording method and recording apparatus using the same
Provided is a UV curable type ink-jet ink composition containing a monomer A which is expressed by the following general formula (I): CH2═CR1—COOR2—O—CH═CH—R3  (I) (in the formula, R1 is a hydrogen atom or methyl radical, R2 is a bivalent organic residue radical having a carbon number in a range of 2 to 20, and R3 is a hydrogen atom or a univalent organic residue radical having a carbon number in a range of 1 to 11), a compound B containing five or more (meth)acryloyl radicals per molecule, and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate C having an aromatic ring skeleton, wherein the monofunctional (meth)acrylate C which is in a range of 5 to 35 wt % with respect to the total weight of the ink composition is contained.
US09458337B2 Curable resin composition, water-soluble ink composition, ink set, and image-forming method
A curable resin composition comprises fine particles, a polymerizable compound having an ethylenic unsaturated group, a photopolymerization initiator having a betaine structure; and water.
US09458335B1 Ink system for cure under low-energy conditions
UV-curable ink formulations are provided that are capable of being cured under low-energy conditions, such as with a conventional mercury vapor lamp operating at half or less of the lamp's nominal wattage. Methods for forming a printed ink image on a substrate using the ink are also provided, which permit maintenance of relatively high line speeds while consuming less energy due to the use of lower-wattage lamp settings.
US09458331B1 Method of combining electrocoated primer with fluoropolymer coating
The electrophoretically coating of a conductive workpiece with an epoxy resin and then depositing a fluoropolymer top coat on said epoxy resin is provided. The method includes electrodepositing a first epoxy resin layer, which is subsequently at least partially cured, and then depositing a fluoropolymer onto the workpiece as a second layer. Subsequently, the workpiece is further cured.
US09458330B2 Method of preparing carbon-coated manganous oxide and carbon-coated manganous oxide prepared using the method
A method of preparing carbon-coated manganous oxide, the method including: (1) preparing a liquid polyacrylonitrile (LPAN) solution as a carbon source, stirring the LPAN solution at between 100 and 200° C. to yield a cyclized polyacrylonitrile solution; (2) heating the cyclized LPAN solution at between 200 and 300° C. to yield a thermally-oxidized polyacrylonitrile (OPAN) having a ladder structure; (3) mixing the thermally-oxidized polyacrylonitrile with a manganese compound, to yield a mixture, and adding a solvent to the mixture, uniformly mixing, to yield a polyacrylonitrile coated manganese compound; (4) drying the polyacrylonitrile coated manganese compound until the solvent is evaporated completely and the polyacrylonitrile coated on the manganese compound is crosslinked to form a solid, to yield a carbonized precursor coated manganese compound; and (5) calcining the carbonized precursor coated manganese compound in the presence of an inert gas flow, to yield a carbon-coated manganous oxide.
US09458327B2 Polymerizable ionic liquid comprising multifunctional cation and antistatic coatings
A multifunctional polymerizable ionic liquid is described comprising an anion and a cationic group having at least two ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups, each bonded to the cationic group via a divalent non-alkyl linking group. The multifunctional linking groups independently comprise a heteroatom such as oxygen or nitrogen. The linking groups may independently comprise one or more linkages such as an amide, urea, and more typically a urethane or ester linkage. The ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups are typically (meth)acrylate groups. Coatings and coated articles are also described.
US09458325B2 Graphene and fluorpolymer composite
A composition comprises a liquid continuous phase and a plurality of composite particles dispersed therein. The composite particles each comprise a fluorosilane-treated graphene-comprising particle and a fluoropolymer particle.
US09458324B2 Flakes with undulate borders and method of forming thereof
In a plurality of substantially same planar pigment flakes, each flake is formed of one or more thin film layers. Each flake has a face surface and a flake border delimiting the face surface; the flake border undulates in the plane of the flake. The flakes have a pre-selected shape, may have a symbol or a grating thereon. A method of manufacturing of these flakes including the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a plurality of one-flake regions and a plurality of depressions or protrusions disposed therebetween and not extending into the one-flake regions, (b) coating the substrate with a releasable coating, and (c) removing the releasable coating and breaking it into the flakes; wherein two adjacent of the one-flake regions are separated by at least three of the depressions or protrusions for facilitating the breaking of the releasable coating into the flakes.
US09458321B2 Method of preparing a pigment press cake and uses thereof
A process for preparing a pigment press cake is provided in which a pigment, a grinding agent, a polyetheramine, and a vehicle are subjected to grinding, followed by removal of the grinding agent and the vehicle to form a press cake. Also disclosed are a process to disperse the press cake with a polymeric dispersant in an aqueous vehicle to form a pigment dispersion and using the dispersion to form an aqueous ink jet ink.
US09458318B2 Polyisocyanate mixtures
The invention relates to novel solvent-free, monomer-depleted polyisocyanate mixtures, and to the use thereof for producing light-resistant and weather-resistant polyurethane bodies with high optical refraction and low optical dispersion.
US09458317B2 Resin composition and resin molded article
A resin composition includes a polyester resin, a polycarbonate resin, a flame retardant, and an inorganic fiber coated with a fluorine resin, wherein a weight ratio of a content of the polyester resin and a content of the polycarbonate resin is in a range of 5:95 to 50:50.
US09458316B2 Dripping inhibitor and resin compound
Provided is a dripping inhibitor excellent in handling characteristics. The present invention provides a dripping inhibitor including a modified polytetrafluoroethylene, the inhibitor having an average particle size of 300 to 800 μm, an apparent density of 0.40 to 0.52 g/ml, a compression ratio of 1.20 or less, an aggregate disintegration degree with 50-sec vibration of 70% or more, a cylinder extrusion pressure at a reduction ratio 1500 of 80 MPa or less, and a standard specific gravity (SSG) of 2.140 to 2.230.
US09458313B2 Heat-resistant SAN resin, method for manufacturing same, and heat-resistant ABS resin composition comprising same
Disclosed are a heat-resistant SAN resin, a method of preparing the same, and a heat-resistant ABS resin composition comprising the same. More particularly, a heat-resistant SAN resin comprising 60 to 75 wt % of α-methylstyrene, 25 to 35 wt % of a vinyl cyan compound, and 0 to 10 wt % of an aromatic vinyl compound (except for α-methylstyrene), the heat-resistant SAN resin having a degree of branching of 0.40 to 0.60, a molecular weight of 90,000 to 150,000 g/mol, and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 124 to 140° C., a method of preparing the same, and a heat-resistant ABS resin composition comprising the same are disclosed.
US09458309B2 Molding material and liquid ejection flow path member using the same
The invention provides a molding material including a liquid epoxy resin composition containing an epoxy resin, a curing agent or a curing catalyst, a filler, a thixotropy-imparting agent, and a wetting dispersant.
US09458305B2 Metal nanoparticle-sulfonated polyester composites and green methods of making the same
A method includes heating a sulfonated polyester resin in an organic-free solvent adding an aqueous solution of silver (I) ion to the heated resin to form a mixture and heating the mixture to effect the reduction of silver (I) ion to silver (0) in the absence of an external reducing agent. A composite includes a sulfonated polyester matrix and a plurality of silver nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix; the composite lacks trace residual byproducts from external reducing agents.
US09458302B1 Extrudable vehicular floor mat using recycled content
The present invention relates generally to the manufacture of vehicular floor mats using recycled content. In particular, the present disclosure identifies the ability to form extrudable floor mats suitable for interior vehicular applications where the recycle content includes recycling of selected amounts of a laminate of crosslinked polyolefin foam and thermoplastic polyolefin resin.
US09458295B2 Composite material and method for producing same
A composite material in which a graphene-like carbon material has excellent adhesion to a substrate composed of resin, and a method for producing the same are provided. The composite material comprises a substrate composed of resin and a graphene-like carbon material layer provided so as to cover at least part of the surface of the substrate, wherein graphene-like carbon is closely attached to the surface of the substrate. The method for producing a composite material comprises bringing a graphene-like carbon material into contact with at least part of the surface of a substrate composed of resin and heating under the action of a supercritical or subcritical fluid.
US09458293B2 Method for producing composition for optical material
According to the present invention, a composition for optical material, which is capable of providing a homogeneous optical material, can be prepared through pre-polymerization reaction between (a) an inorganic compound having a sulfur atom and (b) an episulfide compound using a hindered amine as a catalyst, followed by mixing with (c) a polythiol compound and (d) a polyisocyanate compound. Moreover, this composition for optical material can be polymerized and cured to thereby provide an optical material having high refractive index (ne of 1.73 or higher), high strength (an elongation of 13% or more in three-point bend test and good drilling resistance), and high heat resistance (a softening point of 70° C. or higher, as measured by TMA).
US09458292B2 Method for purifying polyethylene glycol having one amino group
A method for purifying a polyethylene glycol compound having one amino group, which includes (A) preparing an aqueous solution of the compound having a pH of 1 to 5, (B) an extracting step of mixing the aqueous solution with a mixed organic solvent to cause layer separation into organic and aqueous layers, wherein a ratio of an organic solvent I is 25 to 65% by mass and a ratio of an organic solvent II is 75 to 35% by mass, the organic solvent I is selected from an aromatic hydrocarbon and an ester, the organic solvent II is a halogenated hydrocarbon, and a mixing ratio Y of I to II, temperature T (° C.) at mixing, and molecular weight M of the compound satisfy the following relationship: 1.9×10−6M+0.09≦Y−0.015T≦−1.4×10−6M+0.44 and (C) recovering the compound from the aqueous layer.
US09458290B2 Process for preparing highly polymerized aromatic polycarbonate resin
The present invention provides a process for preparing a highly polymerized aromatic polycarbonate resin which not only has excellent quality such that it has high molecular weight and high fluidity, but also has more excellent heat resistance. The process of the present invention comprises a highly polymerizing step for reacting an aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer with an aliphatic diol compound of the following formula (I) having hydroxymethyl groups (HO—CH2—) each bonded to a quaternary carbon atom in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to obtain a highly polymerized aromatic polycarbonate resin: wherein Ra to Rf, n, and m are as defined in the present specification and claims.
US09458285B2 Method for preparing polyalkylenecarbonate
This disclosure relates to a method for preparing polyalkylenecarbonate. More specifically, in the method for preparing polyalkylenecarbonate, by using a solution polymerization with a specific heterogeneous catalyst and a solvent in the polymerization process of an epoxide compound and carbon dioxide, the products of side-reaction are reduced, removal of metal residues and by-products from the products is facilitated, danger due to overheating of the reactants is minimized, and heat removal and process stability are improved, and thus, high molecular weight copolymer may be easily provided, and mass production and scale-up are easy.
US09458283B2 Flexible underfill compositions for enhanced reliability
Underfill materials for fabricating electronic devices are described. One embodiment includes an underfill composition including an epoxy mixture, an amine hardener component, and a filler. The epoxy mixture may include a first epoxy comprising a bisphenol epoxy, a second epoxy comprising a multifunctional epoxy, and a third epoxy comprising an aliphatic epoxy, the aliphatic epoxy comprising a silicone epoxy. The first, second, and third epoxies each have a different chemical structure. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09458275B2 Cross-linkable rubber composition and cross-linked rubber
A cross-linkable rubber composition containing a carboxyl group-containing nitrile rubber (A) with an iodine value of 120 or less, a polyamine cross-linking agent (B), and a specific basic cross-linking accelerator (C) is provided. The basic cross-linking accelerator (C) is preferably dicyclopentylamine or dicyclohexylamine.
US09458266B2 High pressure polymerisation process for the preparation of polyethylene
The invention relates to a high pressure polymerisation process for the preparation of the polyethylene wherein the polymerisation process takes place in the presence of a cobalt containing complex. The cobalt containing complex may be a complex according to Formula (I): Formula (I) wherein y1, y2, y3 and y4 may, independently of one another be the same or different, H, (C1C20) alkyl, (C5-C20) cycloalkyl, (C6-C10) aryl radical, phenyl or hydroxy-phenyl.
US09458264B2 Barrier laminate and novel polymer compound
The present invention provides a barrier laminate with enhanced heat resistance performance, comprising at least one organic layer and at least one inorganic barrier layer, the organic layer being formed by curing a polymerizable composition comprising a polymerizable compound having two or more polymerizable groups, and the total quantity of uncured component in the organic layer being 1.5 weight % or less of the total weight of the organic layer, and a novel polymerizable compound that can preferably used as the polymerizable compound, which is denoted by general formula (11): in general formula (11), R21 denotes hydrogen atom or methyl group; R22 denotes methyl group or cyclohexyl group; n denotes an integer of 0 to 2; and each instance of X denotes a group comprising a polymerizable group.
US09458262B2 Process for preparing isobutene homopolymers or copolymers
Preparation of isobutene homopolymers or copolymers having a number average molecular weight of from 500 to 5 000 000 by polymerization of isobutene or an isobutene-comprising monomer mixture in the presence of a Lewis acid or a complex comprising a Lewis acid as polymerization catalyst, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the presence of at least one hemiacetal or full acetal which can be obtained by protic acid-catalyzed reaction of at least one C1-C12-hydrocarbyl alcohol with at least one aldehyde or ketone having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms.
US09458261B2 Transition metal compound, olefin polymerization catalyst, and olefin polymer production process
[Object] To provide transition metal compounds with excellent catalytic activity which can afford olefin polymers such as propylene polymers that have high stereoregularity and high molecular weight and may be easily crystallized into a β-phase.[Solution] The transition metal compound is represented by General Formula [I] or is enantiomer thereof: [in Formula [I], R1, R3, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15 and R16 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon group, or a silicon-containing group; R2 is a hydrocarbon group, a hetero atom-containing hydrocarbon group, or a silicon-containing group; R4 is a hydrogen atom; any two substituents of the substituents R1 to R16 except R4 may be bonded to each other to form a ring; M is a Group IV transition metal; Q is a structure such as a halogen atom; and j is an integer of 1 to 4].
US09458259B2 Process for treating polyolefin particles obtained by gas-phase polymerization
Process for treating polyolefin particles obtained by gas-phase polymerization of one or more olefins in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system and a C3-C5 alkane as polymerization diluent in a gas-phase polymerization reactor, the process comprising the steps of a) discharging the polyolefin particles continuously or discontinuously from the gas-phase polymerization reactor and transferring the particles to a first degassing vessel; b) contacting therein the polyolefin particles with a gaseous stream comprising at least 85 mol-% of C3-C5 alkane while the polyolefin particles have an average residence time in the first degassing vessel of from 5 minutes to 5 hours; c) transferring the polyolefin particles to a second degassing vessel; d) contacting therein the polyolefin particles with a stream comprising nitrogen and steam while the polyolefin particles have an average residence time in the second degassing vessel of from 5 minutes to 2 hours, wherein the contacting is carried out at conditions under which no condensation of water occurs; e) transferring the polyolefin particles to a third degassing vessel; f) contacting therein the polyolefin particles with a stream of nitrogen while the polyolefin particles have an average residence time in the third degassing vessel of from 5 minutes to 8 hours, and processes for preparing polyolefin polymers by gas-phase polymerization of one or more olefins in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system and a C3-C5 alkane as polymerization diluent in a gas-phase polymerization reactor, wherein the obtained polyolefin particles are subjected to such a treating process.