最新美国发明专利第2016-10-18期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US09471203B1	Presenting animated visual supplemental content Systems and methods are provided for determining and/or presenting supplemental content associated with media content. In some embodiments, supplemental content may include information regarding characters, places, events, and/or user generated data associated with media content. Supplemental content may be determined through the use of one or more indexes and/or data structures that relate media content with supplemental content items. User interfaces may be generated to present the supplemental content items in a particular order, layout, and/or streaming animation to provide context for the user. In some embodiments, the user interfaces including the supplemental content may be configured to receive user input for navigation of the media content.
US09471200B2	Device, method, and graphical user interface for organizing and presenting a collection of media items An electronic device with a display and, optionally, a touch-sensitive surface obtains a collection of media items. In some embodiments, the device determines one or more patterns in the collection based on a comparison between properties of sequentially adjacent items and divides the collection into multiple events that includes a plurality of multi-item events. In some embodiments, the device receives a first request to display a first portion of the collection organized in accordance with a first detailed-granularity level and, in response to the first request, displaying a first plurality of representations of the items. The device receives a second request to display a second portion of the collection organized in accordance with a respective overview-granularity level that corresponds to multiple detailed-granularity levels and, in response to the second request, displays a second plurality of representations of the items.
US09471193B2	Logical zooming of a directed graph A method for displaying a relational diagram on a screen where at least one view of the relational diagram is larger than an available viewing area provided by the screen. The method comprises steps of detecting a predetermined action performed on a first element of the relational diagram, determining one or more relevant elements associated with the first element, and modifying a view of the relational diagram to display the first element and the one or more relevant elements on the screen.
US09471186B2	Method for improving linearity of touch system coordinates A method for improving linearity of touch system coordinates first reads two-dimensional raw data of a capacitive touch panel. Next, it reads a pixel and adjacent pixels of the pixel from the two-dimension raw data. Then, it determines whether the value of the pixel is great than a pre-determined threshold. If the value of the pixel is not greater than the pre-determined threshold, it then determines whether there is a value of the adjacent pixels is greater than the pre-determined threshold. If there is no value of the adjacent pixels greater than the pre-determined threshold, it sets the value of the pixel to a pre-determined value. Otherwise, it reserves the value of the pixel in order to increase the linearity of two-dimensional raw data so as to avoid the interference of noise to the two-dimensional raw data.
US09471185B2	Flexible touch sensor input device In one embodiment, an input device includes a flexible outer layer and a flexible touch sensor layer. The flexible outer layer is formed from a solidified material. The flexible touch sensor includes a substrate and a plurality of electrodes coupled to at least one side of the substrate. The electrodes are operable to detect touches of the flexible outer layer. Each of the electrodes have a shape formed by a plurality of lines of metal, which may be fine lines of metal (FLM), that occupy less than 100% of the area of the shape of the electrode.
US09471183B1	Mobile device incorporating projector and pen-location transcription system A mobile device providing a mobile processing function such as a mobile telephone and/or a personal digital assistant. The mobile device includes a mobile device body, a processing system within the body providing at least part of the mobile processing function, a projector coupled to the body to project an image onto a substantially planar surface when the mobile device body is on the surface such that the projector projects at a predetermined angle relative to the surface, and a pen-location transcription system coupled to the processing system to record the positions of a writing implement or stylus at a plurality of instants of time by transmitting acoustic energy between the writing implement or stylus and a device mechanically coupled to the mobile device body.
US09471181B2	Light emitting diode switch device and array An LED switch device and a matrix thereof are disclosed. There is an electroluminescent semiconductor element with a first polarity contact and a second polarity contact. There is also a first polarity LED lead frame, to which the electroluminescent semiconductor element is mounted. The first polarity contact of the electroluminescent semiconductor element is electrically connected to the first polarity LED lead frame. The LED switch device has a second polarity LED lead frame electrically connected to the second polarity contact of the electroluminescent semiconductor element. The LED switch device also has a touch sensor lead frame that is electrically connected to a touch sensor lead.
US09471180B2	Optical touch panel system, optical apparatus and positioning method thereof The present invention discloses an optical touch panel system and a positioning method for positioning an object in a touch control area. The system includes: at least two reflective elements respectively disposed on a first side and a second side of the touch control area, wherein the sum of lengths of the first side and the second side is larger than the sum of lengths of the two reflective elements; two lighting elements respectively disposed on a third side and a fourth side of the touch control area; an image sensor forming projected images by capturing an image of the object and at least one mirror image of the object formed by the two reflective elements; and a processor calculating the coordinates of the object according to geometric information of the projected images.
US09471178B2	Electronic device, method, and program for supporting touch panel operation An electronic device includes a touch panel that detects operation point coordinates of touch input by a user and a line-of-sight detection section that calculates the coordinates of a gaze point on the touch panel at which a line of sight of the user is directed in a specific time range from a time point of the touch input on the touch panel by the user. The electronic device further includes a line-of-sight correction area calculation section that calculates a line-of-sight correction area in a specific range from the coordinates of the gaze point on the touch panel. The electronic device also includes an operation coordinate line-of-sight correction section that a) changes the operation point coordinates to the coordinates of the gaze point if the operation point coordinates are within the line-of-sight correction area; and b) does not change the operation point coordinates if the operation point coordinates are not within the line-of-sight correction area.
US09471163B2	Touch screen shield A shield that is attachable to a touch sensitive screen is disclosed. The shield may be attached to the touch sensitive screen only at its outer peripheral portion. An air gap is enclosed between the shield and the touch sensitive screen to form a planar air bearing. The shield preferably does not touch the active area of the touch sensitive screen when the user is not touching the shield but only viewing the touch sensitive screen through the shield. This mitigates unwanted optical artifacts such as trapped air bubbles, Newton rings and chromatic interference while maintaining the sensitivity of the touch sensitive screen.
US09471162B2	Display apparatus and method of controlling the same A display apparatus and method are provided. The display apparatus includes a display including a plurality of independent display elements (IDEs) configured for shape deformation, and a controller configured to determine whether the display is deformed by transmitting a plurality of signals to the plurality of IDEs and receiving signals output from the plurality of IDEs in response to the transmitted signals.
US09471157B2	Computer mouse having variable size A computer mouse includes a mouse device and a size-augmenting device. The mouse device includes a mouse body, a mouse button and a mouse roller mounted on a top side of the mouse body, and a sensing device mounted on a bottom side of the mouse body. The size-augmenting device includes a shell body defining a receiving slot for receiving the mouse body. The receiving slot extends through a top surface and a bottom surface of the shell body.
US09471152B2	Chart dual-Y resize and split-unsplit interaction Systems and methods are disclosed that, in various embodiments, improve chart performance by allowing users to interactively split and unsplit charts with dual-Y axis using dragging gestures or a button.
US09471149B2	Control system for navigating a principal dimension of a data space Systems and methods are described for navigating through a data space. The navigating comprises detecting a gesture of a body from gesture data received via a detector. The gesture data is absolute three-space location data of an instantaneous state of the body at a point in time and physical space. The detecting comprises identifying the gesture using the gesture data. The navigating comprises translating the gesture to a gesture signal, and navigating through the data space in response to the gesture signal. The data space is a data-representational space comprising a dataset represented in the physical space.
US09471148B2	Control system for navigating a principal dimension of a data space Systems and methods are described for navigating through a data space. The navigating comprises detecting a gesture of a body from gesture data received via a detector. The gesture data is absolute three-space location data of an instantaneous state of the body at a point in time and physical space. The detecting comprises identifying the gesture using the gesture data. The navigating comprises translating the gesture to a gesture signal, and navigating through the data space in response to the gesture signal. The data space is a data-representational space comprising a dataset represented in the physical space.
US09471140B2	Valid context status retention in processor power mode management A system having multiple power mode types, for example, includes a power manager that is responsive to a selection of a suspend power mode type for maintaining processor context information in volatile memory while the processor is in the selected suspend mode. A status register is arranged to retain the status of the context information in the volatile memory while the processor is in the selected suspend power mode. The power manager is arranged to selectively apply power to various voltage domains in response to the type of power mode selected. The processor is optionally arranged to signal the power manager of transitions to the selected suspend mode and of transitions to an active mode using a power enable signal.
US09471137B2	Managing power savings in a high availability system at a redundant component level of granularity Based on a current activity running on a first selection of components operating in a primary mode from among redundant components within a high availability system, a separate power setting is selected for each separate type of redundant component from among the types of redundant components within the redundant components as specified in a high availability status specified for the current activity. At least one controller interface is called with a request to set the powered state of a particular component that is redundant to at least one of the first selection of components, from among a second selection of components operating in a standby mode from among the redundant components, to the separate power setting for the separate type of redundant component.
US09471135B2	Communication control apparatus, information processing apparatus, and information processing system A communication control apparatus includes: a first receiving unit that receives a power supply packet; a power supply unit that performs a power supply control at the time of detecting reception of the power supply packet; and a second receiving unit that receives a power disconnection packet and outputs the power disconnection packet to an external control apparatus.
US09471132B2	Techniques for putting platform subsystems into a lower power state in parallel Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for determining a sleep configuration state for each of a plurality of subsystems having an associated subsystem sleep control register for entry into a lower power state, configuring each of the associated subsystem sleep control registers with the sleep configuration state for each of the subsystems and enabling the sleep configuration state for each of the subsystems in parallel when transitioning to the lower power state.
US09471131B2	Apparatus and machine for reducing power consumption of memory including a plurality of segment areas, method therefore and non-transitory computer readable medium According to an embodiment, there is provided with a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute steps including: calculating an access load on a memory area including a plurality of segment areas and determining, for each of the segment areas, one of a plurality of power states including a first power state and a second power state with its power consumption being lower than that of the first power state in accordance with the access load; and setting each of the segment areas to the power state determined therefor.
US09471129B2	Determining a write operation Technologies are generally described herein for writing data to either volatile or nonvolatile memory. An estimated time for a last write operation to occur and an estimated time to a power down event are determined. A threshold time is generated from the estimated time for a last write operation to occur and the estimated time to a power down event. The threshold time represents time at which a cost to write to volatile memory may become greater than a cost to write to nonvolatile memory. The cost may be based at least in part on the need to copy data stored in a volatile memory to be persisted after a power down event from the volatile to the nonvolatile memory.
US09471124B2	Portable energy management device, power management module, and power management method A portable energy management device, disposed between a power outlet and an appliance load when being used, includes a transmission module, a micro processing unit, a schedule module, and a power control circuit. The transmission module communicates with a remote control device by receiving or sending a wireless signal or a cable signal, through which schedule commands are transmitted. The micro processing unit performs analysis and identification of the appliance load, and information related to the appliance load is sent to the remote control device through the transmission module. The schedule module executed by the micro-processing unit stores and runs the schedule commands. The power control circuit is controlled by schedule commands to determine whether power should be supplied.
US09471113B2	Securing structure for expansion card A securing structure includes a base, a support member, a linking member, and a lock. The support member pivots and attaches to the base. The linking member pivots and is coupled to the support member and is slidably coupled to the base. The support member is configured to position in an original position, received in the base or in a working position, extending from the base. The linking member is configured to support the support member located in the working position. The lock is slidably attached to the support member. When the support member is positioned in the working position, the lock is configured to secure an object.
US09471110B2	Electronic device An electronic device is provided, including a first module, a second module, and a protecting member. The first module includes a side surface and a fixed member, wherein the fixed member includes a protrusion protruding from the side surface. The second module includes a recess. The protecting member encompasses the protrusion and includes a first surface, a second surface, and an elastic portion, wherein the first surface is opposite to the second surface. The elastic portion protrudes from the first surface. When the protrusion is joined to the recess, the second surface and the elastic portion contact an inner wall of the recess.
US09471109B1	Selective override of touch display inputs In one general aspect, a method can include receiving, by a computing device, an indication of movement of the computing device, receiving, by the computing device, an input from one of a touchpad, a touch-sensitive surface of a lid portion of the computing device, a trackpad, one or more mouse buttons, and a keyboard during the movement of the computing device, determining, based on the received indication of the movement of the computing device, that the received input is a false input, and ignoring, by the computing device, the received input based on determining that the received input is a false input.
US09471108B2	Electronic device The present invention discloses an electronic device comprising: a body comprising a display screen exposed on a first surface of the body; a connector arranged on a second surface of the body, the second surface being opposite to the first surface; an operational posture switching unit connected to the body by the connector. The unit has a first working position and a second working position and is switchable between the first working position and the second working position. The electronic device is in a first operational posture when the unit is located in the first working position while the electronic device is in a second operational posture which is different from the first operational posture when the unit is located in the second working position. The operational posture switching unit allows the body in different operational postures to improve the user's experiences.
US09471106B2	Computer apparatus A computer apparatus includes a base and a display device. The base includes a first casing and a ferromagnetic unit fastened to the first casing. The display device includes a second casing having a connecting side portion and a magnetic unit. In a first use state, the connecting side portion of the second casing is adjacent to the first casing of the base, and an angle formed therebetween is adjustable. The magnetic unit is fastened to the connecting side portion of the second casing, and magnetically attracts ferromagnetic unit of the base, thereby permitting sliding of the display device relative to the base without separating therefrom.
US09471105B2	Display apparatus A display apparatus includes a display device body with a screen, a frame attached to the display device body, the frame having an opening for exposing the screen, and a panel secured to the frame so as to face the screen, the panel being elastic, wherein the frame has four sides to which the panel is secured and at least one of the four sides has a section projecting ahead of the screen higher than both ends, the section being other than both ends in a longitudinal direction of the at least one of the four sides.
US09471102B2	Connection by securing device with integrated circuitry layer A wearable device is disclosed that includes circuitry in both the display device and the securing device, for example a watch and watch band. The circuitry in the securing device is electrically connected to the display device electrical circuitry and may be used to extend the functionality of the display device or create additional display space for use by the display device. These are but two examples of possible uses.
US09471098B2	Architecture for field upgrade of a health monitoring system An architecture allows individual system components to be developed and tested individually, i.e., as distinct modules, and to be subsequently combined through standardized electrical and communication interfaces. Any combination of these modules can be implemented to form different products that provide any number of functions, such as an integrated system for monitoring a health condition and/or delivering a medication. The architecture also provides an approach for dynamically updating the product and offering its users the latest generation of technology even after the users have already purchased the product. In particular, the embodiments employ the communication interfaces to also provide connection to a remote network that can update or upgrade the product's software when the product is out in the field.
US09471094B1	Method of aligning timing of a chip select signal with a cycle of a memory device A chip select signal is trained where the chip select signal is delayed to centrally align its pulses with a positive edge of a memory device's clock cycle. Over repeated iterations, the memory device stops its clock for an interval and a delayed pulse of the chip select signal is generated. The pulse delay is incrementally changed with each iteration. When the delay results in the trailing edge of the delayed pulse aligning with the positive edge of the last cycle before the stoppage interval, the memory device captures the contents of a computer bus, thus detecting a trailing edge delay value. When the delay results in the leading edge of the delayed pulse aligning with the positive edge of the last cycle, the device no longer captures the contents, thus detecting a leading edge delay value. A value between these values is then set as the optimal delay.
US09471092B2	Distributed MEMS devices time synchronization methods and system A method is provided for time synchronization in a MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical system) based system having a MEMS processor and a plurality of MEMS devices. In a specific embodiment, the method includes, in the MEMS processor, transmitting a synchronization signal to the plurality of MEMS devices and saving a local time upon transmitting the synchronization signal. The MEMS processor also receives sampled data and time information from the plurality of MEMS devices, when the data and information become available. The method also includes, in one or more of the MEMS devices, receiving the synchronization signal from the MEMS processor and storing a local time upon receiving the synchronization signal. The MEMS device also performs a sensing operation and stores sampled sense data and sense time information.
US09471090B2	Method and apparatus for synchronizing hearing instruments via wireless communication A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps.
US09471088B2	Restricting clock signal delivery in a processor In an embodiment, a processor includes a core to execute instructions, where the core includes a clock generation logic to receive and distribute a first clock signal to a plurality of units of the core, a restriction logic to receive a restriction command and to reduce delivery of the first clock signal to at least one of the plurality of units. The restriction logic may cause the first clock signal to be distributed to the plurality of units at a lower frequency than a frequency of the first clock signal. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09471083B2	Photo-voltaic maximum power point trackers A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) device is provided that includes a converter, having a switched mode topology, where the switched mode topology includes a boost topology that establishes a variable transfer ratio between a variable input voltage and a variable output voltage of the converter, where the switched mode topology changes according to a power load on a power generator. The MPPT device further includes a control section, where the control section maximizes an output power of the power generator by controlling the variable transfer ratio, where the MPPT device optimizes an electrical operating point, of the power generator.
US09471074B2	USB regulator with current buffer to reduce compensation capacitor size and provide for wide range of ESR values of external capacitor A voltage regulator has a large gm current buffer driver added between a first stage of an operation amplifier and a last stage power transistor. This current buffer allows a significant reduction in the maximum internal and external compensation capacitances needed for regulator stability. The current buffer compensation circuit allows a wide range of external capacitor sizes that increases the flexibility in choosing the external capacitor types (with low to high ESR ratings).
US09471073B2	Linear power regulator with device driver for driving both internal and external pass devices The present invention pertains to a linear power regulator device, comprising an internal pass device, a driver device having a driver output arranged to drive the internal pass device via the driver output, wherein the linear power regulator device comprises an external connection connectable or connected to an external pass device; and wherein the driver device is arranged to drive an external pass device via the driver output and the external connection. The invention also pertains to a corresponding electronic device.
US09471071B2	Apparatus, system and method for voltage regulator with an improved voltage regulation using a remote feedback loop and filter An apparatus, system, and method for a voltage regulator for improved voltage regulation using a remote feedback and remote feedback low pass filter. The system comprises of a power management unit, a remote load point (HOST), an inductor, a filtering capacitor, a printed circuit board (PCB) track output net, a ground connection, a remote feedback line, and a low pass filter (LPF). In this present disclosure, the electrical connection of the remote feedback low pass filter to the output filter capacitor minimizes transient ringing, reduced noise coupling, and improved system stability.
US09471066B2	System for and method of providing pressure insensitive self verifying mass flow controller A mass flow controller comprises: a pressure-based flow meter, a thermal-based flow meter, a control valve, and a system controller. The pressure-based flow meter and thermal-based flow meter each measure flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller. The control valve controls the flow rate in response to a control signal generated as a function of the flow rate as measured by thermal-based flow meter when the measured flow rate is relatively low, and as a function of the flow rate as measured by the pressure-based flow meter when the flow rate is relatively high. A comparison of the flow measurements of the two flow meters can be used to (a) sense pressure disturbances at low flow rates, and (b) sense when the thermal-based flow meter is out of calibration so that a zero offset signal can be applied to the thermal-based flow meter.
US09471065B2	Integrated type gas supplying apparatus A plurality of stacked and fixed gas supplying units U, each gas supplying unit U having at least four gas supply lines S is formed by opposingly combining and fixing two flow controllers 3, each flow controller 3 provided with a plurality of flow control units, to a gas inlet-side block 12 and a gas outlet-side block 13 that are disposed in parallel across an interval in plan view and providing each flow controller 3 with an inlet opening and closing valve 1 and an outlet opening and closing valve 5.
US09471062B1	Vehicle operating method and system A method and system for operating at least one vehicle are provided. The method comprises providing a multi-mode vehicle having at least two modes of operation, the first mode of operation being fully autonomous and the second mode of operation relying on one or more markers positioned within the environment at least in order to enable the vehicle to navigate within an environment. The method further comprises enabling the multi-mode vehicle to operate in either the first mode of operation, the second mode of operation or both modes of operation simultaneously depending on the particular environment desired to reduce manufacturing variability while accommodating a wider variety of environments.
US09471059B1	Unmanned aerial vehicle assistant Techniques and systems for providing miniaturized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. The techniques and systems can include significant off-board processing support for the UAVs to enable the UAVs to be smaller, lighter, and less expensive than conventional UAVs. The techniques and systems can include routines to provide enhanced support for police during routine traffic stops. The techniques and systems can also include routines to locate objects or people including, for example, locating a lost child in a crowd or a lost vehicle in a parking lot. The miniaturized UAVs can provide enhances perception for the user to enable the user to over and around objects for improved visibility and safety, among other things.
US09471058B2	Data acquisition device for acquiring cause of stoppage of drive axis and information relating thereto A data acquisition device includes an operational information acquiring part for acquiring operational data from a numerical control device, an active portion acquiring part for acquiring an active portion of a machining program from the numerical control device, a stopping cause acquiring part for acquiring stopping cause information representative of cause of stoppage when the drive axis is stopped, from the numerical control device, and storing part for storing the operational data, the active portion, and the stopping cause information, in association with time of their acquisition, respectively.
US09471057B2	Method and system for position control based on automated defect detection feedback A computer program product and method for performing position control on device members that have been identified as defective. The method may include providing a storage medium that stores data and programs used in processing images and a processing unit that processes the images, receiving, by the processing unit from an image capture device coupled to the processing unit, a set of images of a plurality of members inside of a device, detecting, by the processing unit, a defect in a first member of the plurality of members, and providing instructions to move the first member to an inspection position in the device. The device may be an engine and the members may be blades within the engine.
US09471056B2	Numerical control unit having screen display switching function following NC program A numerical control unit of a machine tool includes, a unit configured to analyze each function from a machining program, and, a unit configured to automatically switch a screen to the screen for each function stored in advance in accordance with change of the function of the machining program being executed.
US09471050B2	Solar tracker and related methods, devices, and systems Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a solar tracker assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a base having a track, a centrally-positioned base member, a motor operably coupled to the base member, and a plurality of arms extending from the base member towards the track, with the track including a plurality of arcuate members that are assembled to form the track. A rotatable frame is coupled to the arms and has one or more towers and an actuator positioned on the one or more towers. A pivoting frame is coupled to the one or more towers, with the pivoting frame configured to carry a solar panel array. In operation, the motor can rotate the base member and arms around a Z-axis to position the rotatable frame at azimuth and the actuator can move the pivoting frame around an X-Y axis to position the pivoting frame at zenith.
US09471048B2	Systems and methods for lock access control management using social networks A system for managing accessing to a locking device is disclosed. A group of users can register with a social networking service and an access management application hosted by the social networking service. A first user can grant, to a second user connected to the first user, access to the locking device and contents thereof. The access management application can notify the second user of the access, and the second user can initialize a mobile application on a mobile device. The mobile application can synchronize with the access management application to verify credentials of the second user. The second user can use the mobile device to connect, via a short-range communication connection, to the locking device and open the locking device.
US09471041B2	Method of aligning a crystal relative to the middle part of a timepiece The invention concerns a timepiece including a case, formed by a middle part 5 closed by a back cover and by a crystal 9, said crystal 9 being supported on a bearing surface of the middle part 5, parallel to said back cover, said case forming a housing in which an electronic module 13 is placed; said timepiece further includes a display module fixed to the crystal 9, the electronic module 13 and the display module include an identical number of connection points so that electrical connection means can connect the connection points of the electronic module 13 to the connection points of the display module in pairs.
US09471038B2	Device for driving a mobile of a horological calendar mechanism A device for driving a date mobile (3) of a horological calendar mechanism, the device comprising: a driving mobile (2) including a first finger (20a) and a second finger (20b); a programming mobile (1) including a first set of teeth (10a), a second set of teeth (10b) and a third set of teeth (10c); and the date mobile (3) including a fourth set of teeth (30a) and a fifth set of teeth (30b), the first finger cooperating with the first set of teeth, the second finger cooperating with the second set of teeth, the first set of teeth cooperating with the fourth set of teeth and the third set of teeth cooperating with the fifth set of teeth.
US09471037B2	Spring for clock movement Spring (10) for clock mechanism, the spring comprising a body (11) extending between a first end (12) of the spring and a second end (13) of the spring, the spring being intended to be connected mechanically to a housing at each of the first and second ends, the spring comprising, between the first and the second end, at least one member (17) intended to act by contact on an element (42) of the clock mechanism, characterized in that the body comprises a deformable zone (14) extending in a curve (18) and in that the curve comprises a first part (18a) that is concave when viewed from the first end.
US09471036B2	Timepiece barrel A timepiece barrel for pivotal assembly between a plate and a bar and including at least one spring housed between a pivoting drum and a cover and hooked between, at the outer end thereof, the drum and at the inner end thereof, an arbor which pivots integrally with a ratchet about a pivot axis. The barrel includes a one-piece sub-assembly coaxial to the arbor and including the arbor and a boss including a collar for limiting axial shake of the drum, the collar carrying pivotal drive mechanisms for driving pivoting of the ratchet which is axially free in a direction of the pivot axis.
US09471035B2	Handle of drum cartridge and image forming apparatus including the same An image forming apparatus includes a printer body, a drum cartridge detachably attachable to the printer body, and a developing cartridge detachably attachable to the drum cartridge. The drum cartridge includes a handle and an urging member. The handle is configured to move between a protruding position at which the handle protrudes toward an attaching/detaching path for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge to and from the drum cartridge and a retracted position at which the handle is located farther from the attaching/detaching path than the handle that is located at the protruding position. The urging member urges the handle toward the protruding position. The handle is configured to protrude toward the protruding position by an urging force of the urging member when the developing cartridge is detached from the drum cartridge.
US09471034B2	Photoconductor cartridge and image forming apparatus In an image forming apparatus, a photoconductor cartridge including a photoconductor is removably installed in a housing, a transfer unit configured to transfer a developer image onto a sheet in a transfer position is disposed in contact with the photoconductor, a developer cartridge is removably installed in the housing, and a fixing unit is configured to fix a developer image on the sheet in a fixing position. The housing has a first opening provided behind the transfer unit opposite to the photoconductor, and a second opening provided separate from the first opening. The photoconductor cartridge can be removed from and installed into the housing through the to first opening. The developer cartridge can be removed from and installed into the housing through the second opening. The photoconductor cartridge includes a chute that extends between the transfer position and the fixing unit to guide the sheet toward the fixing unit.
US09471032B2	Image forming apparatus with developer recovery container An image forming apparatus includes a developer recovery container having a rotatable member; an attachment structural section to which the container is detachably attached; and a rotation transmission mechanism disposed in the attachment structural section and connected to the rotatable member to transmit rotational driving force thereto when the container is attached. The mechanism includes a shaft extending in a direction of movement occurring when the container is attached and detached, a rotationally-driven stationary transmission member, a displacement transmission member attached to the shaft and rotationally shifting in an axial direction thereof in conjunction with the movement, and a moving member moving the displacement member toward the stationary member. The displacement member connects to and disconnects from the stationary member when the container is attached and detached, respectively. The container has a stopper that moves the moving member toward the stationary member when the container is attached.
US09471028B2	Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus An optical scanning device includes a light source configured to emit a light beam; a rotary deflector configured to perform optical scanning by reflecting and deflecting the light beam emitted from the light source while rotating; an optical system forming member configured to form a path of the light beam; and a resonator having a resonance frequency corresponding to a sound generated by rotational drive of the rotary deflector. The rotary deflector is installed in a closed space. The resonator is installed so that the sound within the closed space is absorbed.
US09471024B1	Image reading device and image forming apparatus An image reading device includes a document container; a document transport path; a reading member that reads an image of a document passing a predetermined read position; a skew correcting member that corrects a skew of the document; a first detecting member that detects the document; a second detecting member that detects the document; a correction switcher that performs switching in accordance with whether or not skew correction is to be executed at the skew correcting member; a skew-amount measurer that measures a skew amount of the document based on a first time period if the skew of the document is to be corrected, and that measures the skew amount based on a second time period if the skew of the document is not to be corrected; and a transport stopping unit that stops transporting of the document if the skew amount exceeds a predetermined skew amount.
US09471021B2	Apparatus and method for forming image An image forming apparatus includes a multi-color misalignment calculator that calculates an amount of multi-color misalignment of multiple color misalignment detection test pattern images based on position readings outputted by multiple test pattern image detectors, an image formation condition adjusting unit that adjusts an image formation condition of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the amount of multi-color misalignment of the multiple color misalignment detection test pattern images calculated by the multi-color misalignment calculator, and a process control unit that initiates a first multi-color misalignment correction control mode including a skew misalignment correction process and a second multi-color misalignment correction control mode excluding the skew misalignment correction process to correct multi-color misalignment of the multiple color misalignment detection test pattern images. A memory stores the amount of skew misalignment calculated by the multi-color misalignment calculator when the process control unit initiates the second multi-color misalignment correction control mode.
US09471016B2	Fixing apparatus A fixing apparatus for fixing an image on a recording material includes a cylindrical film, a heater configured to heat the film, the heater contacting an inner surface of the film, a heat transfer member configured to contact a surface opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the inner surface of the film, and a support member configured to support the heater. A heat capacity per unit length of a first portion that is a portion of the heat transfer member corresponding to a region near an end of the recording material in a width direction among non-sheet passing region is larger than that of a second portion that is a portion of the heat transfer member corresponding to a center of the recording material in the width direction.
US09471011B2	Image forming apparatus transferring toner image onto surface layer portion of intermediate transfer medium An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive body including a photosensitive layer having a first end and a second end, the first end having a larger thickness than the second end; a charging portion charges the photosensitive layer; a light irradiation portion applies light to the photosensitive layer; a developing device develops by toner charged with the same polarity as charge polarity of the photosensitive layer; an intermediate transfer medium including a surface layer having a third end and a fourth end, the third end having a larger thickness than the fourth end, the third end being opposed to the second end, the fourth end being opposed to the first end; and a transfer portion transfers a toner image developed on the photosensitive layer, onto the surface layer when a voltage having polarity opposite to the charge polarity is applied to the transfer portion.
US09471010B2	Developing device having regulating portions that regulate movement of a seal member A developing device includes a casing configured to store a developing agent and a developing agent carrier configured to carry the developing agent in the casing. The developing agent carrier is configured to rotate about an axis extending in a first direction. The developing device further includes a layer-thickness regulating member configured to regulate a thickness of a layer of the developing agent carried on the developing agent carrier and a first seal member disposed between the layer-thickness regulating blade and the casing. The first seal member extends along the first direction. The casing includes a first regulating portion configured to regulate a movement of the first seal member in the first direction by contacting a surface of the first seal member non-parallel to the first direction. The first regulating portion may include protrusions and/or indentations to regulate the movement of the first seal member.
US09471009B2	Developer container, developer replenisher, and image forming apparatus A developer container includes a container body, a rotary shaft, a rotary stirrer, and a flexible blade. The container body contains developer and has a discharge port. The rotary stirrer includes a rotary support and rotates about the rotary shaft to stir and transport the developer. The rotary support includes a base end rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft, a free end spaced away from an inner wall of the container body, and a holding surface provided at the free end or at a position shifted toward the rotary shaft away from the free end. The holding surface is parallel to or inclined relative to a rotation direction of the rotary support. The flexible blade includes a base end portion held on the holding surface and a distal end to contact the inner wall and transport the developer to the discharge port.
US09471008B2	Developer container, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus A contacting portion of a shutter appears in front of a container opening to be at a position where the contacting portion contacts with a sealing member provided in an edge of a storage body opening of a developer storage body when the shutter is at an opening position, and is separated from the sealing member to move into a container frame when the shutter moves from the opening position to a closing position. A non-contacting portion of the shutter is provided on an upstream-side of the contacting portion in a moving direction from the opening position to the closing position and is positioned inside the frame when the shutter is at the opening position, and moves to a position where the non-contacting portion appears in front of the container opening without making contact with the sealing member when the shutter moves from the opening position to the closing position.
US09470999B2	Optical deflector, optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus An optical deflector including a rotary member supported by a bearing shaft and rotatively driven by a motor for deflecting a plurality of laser beams separated from each other in a rotational axis direction of the rotary member is disclosed. The optical deflector includes a polygon mirror having four sides arranged about the rotational axis direction. Each of the four sides is a continuous plane having a plurality of effective reflection areas separated from each other in the rotational axis direction.
US09470997B2	Stable emissive toner composition system and method A method of producing an emissive toner composition including selecting a photoluminescent agent, a charge control agent, and one or more additives and combining the photoluminescent agent, charge control agent, and one or more additives to form an emissive toner composition that when printed to produce an image component on a substrate, the emission spectra of the image component for irradiation with a first excitation energy includes only dominant emission peaks corresponding to one or more dominant emission peaks of the photoluminescent agent. The photoluminescent agent is selected such that it emits light having one or more dominant emission peaks in a first emission spectral region when irradiated with the first excitation energy. The charge control agent and one or more additives are selected such that they do not emit light in the visible spectrum when irradiated with visible light and does not emit light in the first emission spectral region when irradiated with the first excitation energy.
US09470996B2	Toner, method of manufacturing the toner, and developer, image forming apparatus, image forming method, and process cartridge using the toner A toner is provided. The toner includes a core particle, a second shell layer overlying the core particle, and a first shell layer overlying the second shell layer and constituting an outermost layer. The second shell layer includes a crystalline resin, and the first shell layer includes an amorphous resin.
US09470992B2	Image forming method An image forming method includes: charging a surface of an electrostatic latent image holder with a charging roller; exposing the charged surface so as to form an electrostatic latent image; and developing the formed electrostatic latent image with toner. The toner contains at least a toner base particle and an external additive minute particle. The external additive minute particle contains a silica-polymer composite minute particle. A silicon atom abundance ratio obtained from abundances of a carbon atom, an oxygen atom and a silicon atom present on an outermost surface and within 3 nm from the outermost surface in a depth direction of the silica-polymer composite minute particle are measured with an x-ray photoelectron spectrometer satisfies at least the following condition A. 15.0 atm %≦silicon atom abundance ratio ({Si/(C+O+Si)}×100)≦30.0 atm % [Condition A]
US09470991B2	Method for producing positively chargeable toner A method for producing a positively chargeable toner, including: step 1: melt-kneading a toner raw material composition containing a resin binder, a positively chargeable charge control agent, and fine fluororesin particles, and a recycled powder; step 2: cooling a melt-kneaded mixture obtained in the step 1, and pulverizing a cooled mixture; and step 3: classifying a pulverized product obtained in the step 2, wherein the resin binder in the toner raw material composition contains 50% by mass or more of a polyester having a softening point of 125° C. or higher and 170° C. or lower. The positively chargeable toner obtainable by the method of the present invention is suitably used in developing latent images formed in, for example, an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, or the like.
US09470987B1	Overlay mask An overlay mask includes a plurality of first patterns, a plurality of second patterns and a plurality of third patterns. The first patterns are arranged within a first pitch. The second patterns are arranged within a second pitch. A first portion of the third patterns are arranged alternately with the first patterns, within the first pitch, and a second portion of the third patterns are arranged alternately with the second patterns, within the second pitch, and the first pitch is not equal to the second pitch.
US09470982B2	Polarization-modulating optical element A microlithography optical system includes a projection objective and an illumination system that includes a temperature compensated polarization-modulating optical element. The temperature compensated polarization-modulating optical element includes a first polarization-modulating optical element of optically active material, the first polarization-modulating optical element having a first specific rotation with a sign. The temperature compensated polarization-modulating optical element includes also includes a second polarization-modulating optical element of optically active material, the second polarization-modulating optical element having a second specific rotation with a sign opposite to the sign of the first specific rotation.
US09470980B2	Pattern-forming method, electron beam-sensitive or extreme ultraviolet radiation-sensitive resin composition, resist film, manufacturing method of electronic device using them and electronic device A pattern-forming method includes in this order: step (1) of forming a film with an electron beam-sensitive or extreme ultraviolet radiation-sensitive resin composition that contains (A) a resin having an acid-decomposable repeating unit and capable of decreasing a solubility of the resin (A) in a developer containing an organic solvent by an action of an acid, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an electron beam or extreme ultraviolet radiation, (C) a resin having one or more groups selected from the specific group as defined in the specification and (D) a solvent; step (2) of exposing the film with an electron beam or extreme ultraviolet radiation; and step (4) of developing the film with a developer containing an organic solvent after the exposing to form a negative pattern.
US09470979B2	Developing treatment apparatus and developing treatment method The present invention is a developing treatment apparatus for performing development by supplying a developing solution to a substrate having a front surface coated with a positive resist or a negative resist and then subjected to exposure wherein a movable cup is raised to introduce one of scattering developing solutions for the positive and negative resists into an inner peripheral flow path of a cup and the movable cup is lowered to introduce the other of scattering developing solutions for the positive and negative resists into an outer peripheral flow path of the cup, and the developing solution introduced into the inner peripheral flow path and the developing solution introduced into the outer peripheral flow path are separately drained.
US09470976B2	Photoresist composition and associated method of forming an electronic device A photoresist composition includes a first polymer in which at least half of the repeat units are photoacid-generating repeat units, and a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under the action of acid. In the first polymer, each of the photoacid-generating repeat units comprises photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality.
US09470975B2	Photosensitive resin composition and touch panel or display device including bezel pattern prepared by using same The present specification relates to a photoresist resin composition, a touch panel including a bezel pattern manufactured by using the photoresist resin composition, and a display device including the bezel pattern manufactured by using the photoresist resin composition.
US09470974B2	Coloring composition, coloring radiation-sensitive composition, color filter and solid-state imaging device Disclosed is a coloring composition with satisfactory heat resistance, no discoloration, excellent developability, and no development residues on a substrate and pixels of other colors, providing, a coloring composition for a color filter including (A) a polymer having a dye skeleton and (B) an organic solvent, wherein the content of an unreacted monomer component having the dye skeleton which is capable of forming (A) the polymer having the dye skeleton is less than or equal to 1 mass % with regard to (A) the polymer having the dye skeleton.
US09470973B2	Designing and manufacturing methods of TFT LCD array positioning mark The present invention relates to TFT LCD array positioning mark designing and manufacturing methods. The TFT LCD array positioning mark manufacturing method includes: (1) forming a passivation layer of TFT LCD array; (2) providing a mask corresponding to the passivation layer, the mask comprising a passivation layer positioning mark that corresponds to a metal positioning mark of the TFT LCD array; and (3) using the mask to form a corresponding passivation layer positioning mark on the passivation layer. The TFT LCD array positioning mark designing method includes: forming a passivation layer positioning mark on a passivation layer of an TFT LCD array to correspond to a metal positioning mark of the TFT LCD array. The present invention provides TFT LCD array positioning mark designing and manufacturing method, wherein a passivation layer positioning mark that is designed and manufactured with them shows a pattern that is more stable and is not susceptible to deformation so as to eliminate the problem of positioning failure of the metal positioning mark occurring in the cell and module processes.
US09470966B2	Image projection apparatus and presentation system The present invention is concerning an image projection apparatus comprising: a projecting unit that projects and displays on a projection surface each image in a time sharing manner for each of a plurality of color components, for an input image signal; a shooting unit that shoots a projected image on the projection surface; a shoot control unit that makes the shooting unit perform the shooting, when a detection mode of a irradiation point at which light is irradiated from an irradiation device on the projection surface is set, in timing shifted by a certain amount of time from a synchronized state to time sharing timing of each color component in the projecting unit; and an irradiation-point-position detecting unit that detects, from a projected image projected by the projecting unit, a position of the irradiation point on the image.
US09470964B2	Projection display apparatus A first lens array splits light flux emitted from a light source. A second lens array is provided with a plurality of lens cells two-dimensionally arranged, on which light emitted from the first lens array is irradiated. A polarization converting element splits indefinite polarized light emitted from the second lens array into P polarized light and S polarized light, and conforms the split light to either the P polarized light or the S polarized light and emits the conformed light. A drive mechanism displaces the polarization converting element in a direction perpendicular to a polarization split direction along a surface on which the indefinite polarized light from the polarization converting element is incident.
US09470959B2	Photo booth with indirect lighting system A photo booth with an improved lighting system may comprise a light reflecting element, a rear wall panel, and a side wall panel positioned to form a booth interior chamber which may function as an enclosure configured to receive one or more subjects. A camera may be positioned to the front of the booth and directed to take images of the booth interior chamber. A light source may be positioned at a location above the camera and oriented to direct an initial burst of light downward towards a portion of the light reflecting element positioned above the camera.
US09470958B2	Lens driving apparatus, lens barrel and optical apparatus The lens driving apparatus includes a lens holding member that holds lens; a rack provided in the lens holding member transmits a motor driving force to the lens holding member; a first guide part that supports the lens holding member to be movable back and forth in an optical axis direction of the optical lens; a second guide part that supports the lens holding part to be movable as a first guide part, farther separated from the rack than the first guide part in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction; both contact parts in the lens holding part, with which both guide parts respectively are in contact; and an energizing part that energizes the second contact part at a position separated in the longitudinal direction of the second guide part so as to be in contact with the second guide part.
US09470956B2	Direct entangled triplet-photon sources and methods for their design and fabrication The present teachings are generally directed to devices and methods for triplet photons generations, and in particular to on-chip integrated sources for generating direct triplet entangled photons.
US09470953B2	High power optical switch An optical switch (10) is capable of routing a high-power beam incident at one or more input ports (12) of the optical switch to either of two or more output ports (14,16), the optical switch comprising: at least one switching stage, each of the at least one switching stages comprising: a switchable high-power liquid crystal (LC) half-wave plate (HWP), oriented with its fast axis at 45° to an input polarization direction such that in response to an incident polarized laser beam provided to said switchable high-power liquid crystal, half-wave plate, said HWP acts as a polarization rotator; and a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) disposed in an optical path to intercept light signals output from said switchable high-power liquid crystal (LC) half wave plate (HWP).
US09470951B2	Methods and devices for photonic M-ary pulse amplitude modulation CMOS compatible SOI photonic integrated circuits (PICs) offer a low cost and promising solution to future short reach optical links operating beyond 100 Gb/s. A key building block in these optical links is the external optical modulator. Amongst, the PIC geometries for external modulators are those based upon ring resonators and Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI) where while the latter have been reported with increased thermal stability and fabrication tolerances, the former have demonstrated lower loss and lower driving voltages leading to a more energy efficient approach. Multi-segmented electrode structure based PAM optical modulator can potentially replace the analog digital-to-analog circuits (DACs) which are commonly used to achieve the multilevel electrical driving signal. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to combine the benefits of ring resonators to provide PAM-N modulators. It would be further beneficial for such PAM-N ring resonator modulators to exploit multi-segmented electrode structures to remove the requirements for high speed DACs.
US09470950B2	Electro-optic displays, and processes for the production thereof An assembly useful for producing an encapsulated electrophoretic display is prepared from an electrophoretic medium comprising a plurality of discrete droplets (904) in a polymeric binder (906), each droplet comprising a plurality of charged particles dispersed in a fluid, and a front sub-assembly comprising a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (902) and a color filter array (920). The electrophoretic medium is laminated to the front-assembly (902, 920) at a temperature at which the polymeric binder (906) will flow and secure the electrophoretic medium to the front sub-assembly to form the final assembly, with the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (902) disposed between the color filter array (920) and the electrophoretic medium (904, 906).
US09470946B2	TFT-LCD array substrate pixel electrode connected to first and second capacitors A pixel unit at a TFT-LCD array substrate includes a thin film transistor, a first storage capacitor, and a second storage capacitor. The first storage capacitor includes a transparent common electrode, a pixel electrode, and a first insulating layer disposed between the transparent common electrode and the pixel electrode. The second storage capacitor includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a second insulating layer disposed between the first and second conductive layers. The first conductive layer is connected to the transparent common electrode within the pixel unit. The second conductive layer is connected to the pixel electrode within the pixel unit.
US09470945B2	Liquid crystal display panel having a light blocking electrode A liquid crystal display panel with enhanced image quality is disclosed. The liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of thin film transistors connected to gate line and data line, a plurality of pixel electrodes, and floating electrode(s). The floating electrode extends along the data line to prevent light leakage and vertical crosstalk. Throughout the whole liquid crystal display panel, the floating electrode is electrically interconnected to lessen vertical crosstalk.
US09470941B2	In-cell or on-cell touch sensor with color filter on array Methods and devices employing in-cell and/or on-cell touch sensor components, including in-cell and/or on-cell black matrix material that also may serve as a touch drive or sense electrode, are provided. In one example, an electronic display may include a lower substrate, an upper substrate, and a black matrix material that shields light between pixels of the electronic display. At least a portion of the black matrix material may form all or part of a component of a touch sensor of the electronic display.
US09470938B2	Liquid crystal display device A first substrate includes a gate line extending in a first direction and a source line extending in a second direction. A first sub-common electrode is formed on the gate line. A first main-common electrode is formed along the source line so as to be connected with the first sub-common electrode. A second main-common electrode is formed extending in the second direction and facing the source line. The second main-common electrode is set to the same potential as the first main-common electrode. A second substrate includes a third main-common electrode extending in the second direction so as to face the second main-common electrode. The third main-common electrode is set to the same potential as the second main-common electrode. A second sub-common electrode is connected with the third main common electrode. The second sub-common electrode is formed so as to face the first sub-common electrode on the gate line.
US09470937B2	Double-layer electrode for electro-optic liquid crystal lens Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, apparatus, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a process, method, and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, generating a gradient in an index of refraction of a material.
US09470932B2	Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus An electro-optical device includes an element substrate, a counter substrate arranged so as to face the element substrate through a seal material, in which the element substrate, the counter substrate, and the seal material are arranged so that a ratio of a length from a side face of each of the element substrate and the counter substrate to the seal material to a length of an interval between the element substrate and the counter substrate becomes from 50 to 300, and a barrier film is provided so as to cover the seal material and at least a part of side faces of the element substrate and the counter substrate.
US09470924B2	Figure eight closed loop cooling system for electronic display The exemplary embodiments herein provide a figure eight closed loop of circulating gas pathways wrapping around an electronic display. One or more open loop ambient air pathways may pass through the figure eight but do not allow the circulating gas and the ambient air to mix. In some embodiments, the open loop ambient air pathway travels along a rear surface of the electronic display. In some embodiments, the circulating gas pathways contain a front channel placed in front of the electronic display, a rear channel placed behind the electronic display, and a center channel placed between the front and rear channels. Pass-through apertures may be placed within the path of the circulating gas and/or the ambient air to allow the paths of the two gaseous matters to cross without allowing them to mix with one another.
US09470923B2	In-cell touch liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same Disclosed are an in-cell touch liquid crystal display (LCD) device having a pixel electrode top structure and a method of manufacturing the same. The in-cell touch LCD device includes a thin film transistor (TFT) disposed in each of a plurality of pixel areas, first to fourth passivation layers disposed on the TFT, a common electrode disposed on the second passivation layer, a conductive line disposed on the third passivation layer; a pixel electrode connected to a drain electrode of the TFT and disposed on the fourth passivation layer, and a bridge contact part configured to electrically connect the common electrode to the conductive line.
US09470922B2	Display device, display control method and display control program, and input device, input assistance method and program A display device is equipped with a proximity touch panel that detects coming into proximity or contact of a detection target; a position detection unit that detects position coordinates of the detection target whose coming into proximity or contact has been detected, the position coordinates consisting of coordinates in the X and Y directions and a coordinate in the Z direction; a display unit on which the touch panel is placed; a direction judgment unit that judges a direction of the detection target on the basis of the detected position coordinates; and a display control unit for controlling the display unit to perform a display so that a part of display contents of the display unit which would otherwise be hidden by the detection target is prevented from being hidden, on the basis of the direction of the direction-judged detection target.
US09470921B2	Display device A display device includes a display panel, a backlight unit that provides a light to the display panel, a bottom cover that accommodates a portion of the backlight unit, and a chassis frame coupled to the bottom cover and supporting the display panel.
US09470915B2	Transparent ceramic, method for manufacturing same, and magneto-optical device A transparent ceramic having terbium oxide (Tb2O3) in a molar ratio of at least 40%; and at least one oxide selected among an yttrium oxide, a scandium oxide, and a lanthanide rare earth oxide, wherein (1) the crystal structure of the terbium-oxide-based ceramic does not contain a non-cubic-crystal phase, (2) the mean crystal particle diameter is in a range of 0.5 to 100 μm, and (3) the ceramic comprises a sintering auxiliary having no incidence of deposition of a non-cubic-crystal phase in the crystal structure of the terbium-oxide-based ceramic. This transparent ceramic makes a magneto-optical element that performs at least as well as terbium gallium garnet or other existing monocrystal materials. It also makes a functional element for an optical isolator in the infrared region between 500 nm and 1.5 μm having very little scattering and very few birefringence components.
US09470914B1	Electro-refraction modulator with a regrown p-n junction An electro-refraction modulator includes a series of layers with different doping levels surrounding a single-crystal regrown p-n junction implemented in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. The regrown p-n junction is spatially abrupt and precisely defined, which significantly increases the tuning efficiency of the electro-refraction modulator while maintaining acceptable insertion loss. Consequently, the electro-refraction modulator (such as a resonator modulator or a Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulator) can have high bandwidth, compact size and reduced drive voltage. The improved performance of the electro-refraction modulator may facilitate silicon-photonic links for use in applications such as wavelength-division multiplexing.
US09470909B2	Moisture-resistant electronic spectacle frames Eyewear including an optical functional member, control electronics, and a sealed electrical connective element connecting the electronics to the optical functional member. The connective element can directly connect the electronics to the optical functional member, or can connect through an intermediate contact, e.g., a plug-and-receptacle. The connective element can be routed from the electronics, around a rimlock of the eyewear to the optical functional member. The connective element can be a conductive compressible member, such as conductive rubber. In some embodiments, the connective element can be a multiconductor cable.
US09470904B2	Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same Provided is a zoom lens, including, in order from an object side to an image side: a positive first lens unit; a negative second lens unit; a positive third lens unit; a fourth lens unit having one of positive and negative refractive powers; and an aperture stop arranged one of between the second lens unit and the third lens unit, within the third lens unit, and between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit. In the zoom lens, a shift image stabilizing unit configured to be moved in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis to perform image blur correction and a tilt image stabilizing unit configured to be rotated with one of a point on the optical axis and a point near the optical axis as a rotation center to perform image blur correction are arranged in appropriate positions, respectively.
US09470901B2	Viewing apparatus with integrated polarized lens The current invention is directed to a pair of binoculars having an eyepiece with one or more ocular lenses and a view port, a polarized lens orientated and positioned on a mounting frame, one or more prisms and an objective lens; wherein the polarized lens is fixed between the eyepiece and the one or more prisms and is shaped to provide an optically correct image and orientated in the vertical plane to substantially filter refracted horizontal light. The invention has application with hunting or sporting scopes and periscopes and other types of viewing apparatus.
US09470899B2	Display apparatus A transmissive screen formed in an arc shape around a center axis, and, when light entering an inner circumferential surface is output from an outer circumferential surface, having a diffusion angle in a first direction as a direction along the center axis wider than a diffusion angle in a second direction as a circumferential direction around the center axis, projection devices that are arranged at equal intervals along the second direction around the center axis and respectively project image lights on the inner circumferential surface, and a display control device that allows the projection devices to project the image lights so that partial images formed by portions of the respectively projected image lights of the projection devices may be observed as one visually recognized image having the partial images arranged in the second direction at viewpoints set outside of the outer circumferential surface along the second direction are provided.
US09470898B2	2D-3D switching device of naked eye 3D display The present invention provides a 2D-3D switching device of a naked eye 3D display, comprising a first substrate (1), a second substrate (2) oppositely located to the first substrate (1), a plurality of electrodes (3) located between the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (2) and on the second substrate (2), a dielectric layer (4) formed on the second substrate (1) and completely covering surfaces of the plurality of electrodes (3) and a first fluid (51) which is hydrophobic and a second fluid (52) which is hydrophilic which fill between the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (2); the first substrate (1) comprises a prism (11), and a side of the first substrate (1) having the prism (11) is opposite to the second substrate (2), and the prism (11) of the first substrate (1) comprises a plurality of curved surface zones (111) which are evenly distributed and a plurality of perimeter zones (112) located surrounding the curved surface zones (111), and each of the electrodes (3) is positioned corresponding to one curved surface zone (111). The device can commodiously achieve the switch between 2D display state and 3D display state of the naked eye 3D display.
US09470896B2	Display device Disclosed is an image generator with several pixels, from which light bundles are emitted for generating an image, a control unit for controlling the image generator and an imaging optical system which comprises a light guiding element with a front side and a rear side, which light guiding element has an input grating formed on the front or rear side and an output grating formed on the front or rear side. The light bundles are input into the light guiding element by means of diffraction at the input grating, guided in the light guiding element by means of total internal reflection up to the output grating and output by means of diffraction at the output grating such that a user can perceive the generated image.
US09470891B2	Head-up display for night vision goggles A head-up display system for facilitating the use of night vision goggles for a person in a vehicle during night vision conditions, the system comprising a light source for providing light to an image source arranged to project an image on a semi-transparent combiner mirror arranged to superimpose the projected image onto a view of the environment in front of the vehicle. The system also comprises a first and a second light source for alternatively providing light to the image source; the first light source being arranged to emit light of a first color in a first light emission spectrum, perceived as green, and to be used during daylight conditions, and the second light source being arranged to emit light of a second color in a second light emission spectrum, perceived as yellow or orange, and to be used during night vision conditions.
US09470888B2	Driving apparatus, driving method thereof, and scanning mirror The disclosure provides a driving apparatus, a driving method thereof, and a scanning mirror. The scanning mirror includes an accumulator unit and a processor unit. The accumulator unit receives and adds up a frequency control word and a first accumulation value to generate a second accumulation value. The processor unit coupled to the accumulator unit receives the second accumulation value. The processor unit generates a driving signal according the second accumulation value and the preset value and adjusts the second accumulation value for outputting the first accumulation value.
US09470887B2	Color wheel and projection device A color wheel is suitable for being disposed at a transmission path of an illumination beam emitted from a light source of a projection device. The color wheel includes a disc. The disc is suitable for rotating with respect to an axis. The disc has a non-light converting region and a light converting region. The disc has a first reference surface and a second reference surface opposite to the first reference surface. The disc has a plurality of first disturbing portions and a plurality of second disturbing portions. The first disturbing portions are located at the first reference surface and in the non-light converting region. The second disturbing portions are located at the second reference surface and in the non-light converting region. The first disturbing portions and the second disturbing portions are structurally continuous relative to the disc.
US09470885B2	Eyepiece optical system and optical apparatus Providing an eyepiece optical system 10 comprising: an eyepiece system 11; and an optical member 12 having a meniscus shape disposed to an eye side of the eyepiece system 11, the following conditional expression being satisfied: 2.00<\|R\|/fe<22.00 where fe denotes a focal length of the eyepiece system 11 when a diopter of the eyepiece system 11 is 0 (m−1), and R denotes a radius of curvature of the surface having the meniscus shape, and the optical member 12 with a meniscus shape having a concave surface facing the eye side.
US09470880B2	Position detecting apparatus, and lens apparatus and optical operating apparatus including the position detecting apparatus A position detecting apparatus includes: a scale having pattern arrays having different cycles of a mover, a sensor detecting phase signals having different cycles based on the scale depending on a position of the mover; a signal processor generating and outputting displacement signals based on the phase signals by switching the displacement signals at a cycle; a detector detecting a speed of the mover based on at least one displacement signal; an absolute calculator deriving the position of the mover based on displacement signals; and a relative calculator deriving a displacement amount with respect to a predetermined position based on a selected displacement signal, wherein the position is calculated by the absolute calculator when the mover moves slow, and when the mover moves fast, the position of the mover is calculated based on an absolute position of the mover obtained in advance and the displacement amount the relative calculator obtained.
US09470876B2	Lens module A lens module may include: a first lens having positive refractive power and having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a second lens having refractive power and having two convex surfaces; a third lens having refractive power and having a convex object-side surface; a fourth lens having refractive power; and a fifth lens having refractive power and having a convex object-side surface, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens and the fifth lens are disposed in a sequential order from the first lens to the fifth lens.
US09470874B2	Fixed-focus lens A fixed-focus lens including a first lens group, a second lens group and an aperture stop is provided. The first lens group has a positive refractive power, and includes a first lens, a second lens and a third lens arranged in sequence from a magnified side to a reduced side. The second lens group has a positive refractive power, and includes a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens and a seventh lens arranged in sequence from the magnified side to the reduced side. A product of a refractive power and a slope of a refractive index changing with a temperature change of any one lens of the second lens group is P×(dn/dt), and a sum of P×(dn/dt) of the lenses of the second lens group is less than 0. The aperture stop is disposed between the first lens group and the second lens group.
US09470873B2	Imaging lens and imaging apparatus The imaging lens substantially consists of a first lens group having a positive refractive power and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, in which the entire second lens group moves along the optical axis to perform focusing. In the imaging lens, the first lens group comprises a positive first lens, a negative second lens, a negative third lens, a positive fourth lens, and a positive fifth lens in this order from the object side. When the Abbe number of the second lens with respect to the d-line is νd2 and the Abbe number of the third lens with respect to the d-line is νd3, conditional formula (1) below is satisfied: 2.0<νd2/νd3 (1).
US09470870B2	Optical assemblies with tilt-controlled mounting of an optical element in a barrel Optical assemblies have one or more optical elements mounted in the cavity of a barrel. The optical element has a curved abutment surface engaging a seat provided in the cavity. The barrel has an inner wall provided with a set of internal threads. External threads are provided on a peripheral wall of the optical element or on a perimeter wall of a retaining ring securing the optical element within the cavity. The internal and external threads have a thread profile including a load-bearing thread face perpendicular to the center axis of the cavity. The thread profile may define a Buttress thread profile or a square thread profile.
US09470869B2	Rapid deployment packaging for optical fiber A packaging arrangement for telecommunications cabling is disclosed herein. The packaging arrangement includes a modular spool assembly defined by a first flange, an opposing second flange, and a spool hub separating the first flange from the second flange, wherein a telecommunications cable may be wound between the first and second flanges. Each flange defines a first cable contact side, a second cable-end storage side, and an opening allowing the telecommunications cable to pass from the first side to the second side, the second side defining a storage compartment for storing an end of the telecommunications cable passing through the opening in the flange.
US09470868B2	Ultra-high density frames A total front access double sided frame includes a first access side opposite a second access side, and fiber blocks received in the first and second access sides. The fiber blocks may include splice modules and patch modules and have capacity to receive about 6,900 fiber terminations.
US09470865B1	Pre-terminated fiber cable A cable assembly may include a plurality of cable connectors and a cable jacket. Each cable connector may include a ferrule and a cable boot. Each ferrule may have a ferrule passage between a leading end and a trailing end and may be configured to receive an optical fiber. Each cable boot may include a first end with a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the ferrule and a second end having a boot passage connected to the recess and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical fiber. The cable jacket may include a jacket passage between a first portion and a second portion and may be configured to selectively release the plurality of cable connectors in the first configuration and receive the plurality of cable connectors in the second configuration.
US09470860B2	Methods and systems for improving heat dissipation, signal integrity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in optical communications modules An optical communications module is provided that has improved heat dissipation, signal integrity and/or EMI shielding solutions. The heat dissipation solution thermally decouples the light source driver circuitry from the light source such that heat generated by the light source driver circuitry does not increase the temperature of the light source to the point that its performance is degraded. The heat dissipation solution may also include convective heat transfer features for further improving heat dissipation. The EMI solution includes features that increase the number of contact points between the outer surface of the module housing and EMI fingers of a cage that receives the module. The signal integrity solution includes features that reduce inductive coupling to improve impedance matching between electrical interconnections, thereby improving signal integrity.
US09470854B2	Method for assembling optical module and optical module A method to determine a position of a lens that concentrates an optical beam on an inclined end surface of an optical fiber is disclosed. The method first determines two positions at which optical power output from the lens and measured through a multi-mode fiber becomes a maximum on respective virtual plane apart from the lens; then, calculates the direction or the angle of the optical beam output from the lens, and moves the lens so as to compensate a deviation of the calculated direction from the designed direction.
US09470851B2	Fiber optic connector holder and method A fiber optic connector holder is sized to fit within an opening for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to permit a fiber optic connector with a dust cap positioned about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule to be inserted within and releasably held by the connector holder. A system for holding fiber optic connectors includes a fiber optic connector holder mounted within an opening in a bulkhead for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to receive a fiber optic connector with a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule. An optical fiber connector may be held to a bulkhead when the fiber optic connector includes a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule.
US09470849B2	Connector mount plate for reducing rattling A mount plate for an optical adaptor includes two bases bridged by a bar and a locking claw stemming out of each of the two bases. Each of the two bases has a folded structure erected at the back end of the base to fill up the gap between the optical adaptor and the hole of the panel and to reduce rattling. Supporting tips are provided at the base of the folded structure to support the folded structure and to keep the base securely attached to the optical adaptor.
US09470844B1	Low loss high extinction ratio on-chip polarizer A low loss high extinction ratio on-chip polarizer has at bi-layer optical taper with an input port of width W1 that communicates with a mode squeezer, followed by an S-bend (or dump bend), and finally a taper having an output port of width W1. The illumination that passes through the low loss high extinction ratio on-chip polarizer has a TM0 mode converted to a TE1 mode which is lost in the mode squeezer and S-bend section, while an input TE0 mode is delivered at the output as a substantially pure TE0 signal of nearly undiminished intensity.
US09470841B2	Multicore optical fiber with multimode cores Multicore optical fibers that include between two and ten multimode cores surrounded by a cladding matrix and symmetrically arranged about a fiber axis are disclosed, with no core running along the fiber axis. The cores include a trench to stabilize delays of the higher order modes, which tend to propagate faster than do the central modes due to the amount of power at the core-clad interface. The trench also suppresses crosstalk and power leakage. The core configuration promotes efficient optical alignment and optical coupling with other multicore optical fibers or light sources, such as VSCEL and silicon-photonics light sources.
US09470840B2	Multicore fiber A multicore fiber includes a plurality of cores and a cladding surrounding the plurality of cores. The plurality of cores is arranged and disposed on a linear line passed through the center of the cladding. A pair of cores is included. The pair of the cores is located adjacent to each other, and has different core diameters in a first direction in which the plurality of cores is arranged on the linear line. A ratio of a core diameter in the first direction to a core diameter in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is different between the pair of the cores.
US09470838B2	Lighting devices with patterned printing of diffractive extraction features Extended area lighting devices include a light guide and diffractive surface features on a major surface of the light guide, at least some diffractive surface features adapted to couple guided-mode light out of the light guide. The diffractive features include first and second diffractive features disposed on respective first and second portions of the major surface. A patterned light transmissive layer, including a second light transmissive medium, optically contacts the second diffractive features but not the first diffractive features. A first light transmissive medium optically contacts the first but not the second diffractive features. The first and second portions may define indicia, and the first and second diffractive features provide low distortion for viewing objects through the light guide such that the indicia is not readily apparent to users when guided-mode light does not propagate within the light guide. Optical films having such diffractive features are also disclosed.
US09470837B2	Slim waveguide coupling apparatus and method In various embodiments, an illumination structure includes a discrete light source disposed proximate a bottom surface of a waveguide and below a depression in a top surface thereof. A top mirror may be disposed above the discrete light source to convert modes of light emitted from the discrete light source into trapped modes, thereby increasing the coupling efficiency of the illumination structure.
US09470835B2	Thin flat panel LED luminaire The invention described herein is a very thin flat panel LED luminaire, including a flat baseboard, a flat reflection panel, a flat acrylic panel, a flat diffusion panel, LED bar, and aluminum encasement frame which combines with the baseboard to form the chassis for the luminaire. The LED bar is placed along either or both sides of the stack. The acrylic panel is printed with a mesh-like mask pattern of dots in a pattern in which the density of the pattern is decreases the farther away from the LED bar the pattern is, differentially coupling the light from the point source LED bar from the reflection panel into the flat acrylic panel so that illumination across the luminaire is substantially uniform.
US09470826B2	Color filter and display panel using same A color filter of display panel for converting dual band white backlight to light with three-primary colors. The color filter includes a plurality of first filtering parts, a plurality of second filtering parts, and a plurality of quantum dot blocks. The first filtering parts have a first primary color and allow light having a first wavelength corresponding to the first primary color to pass therethrough. The second filtering parts have a second primary color and selectively allow light having a second wavelength corresponding to the second primary color to pass therethrough. The quantum dot block converting light having a wavelength smaller than a third wavelength corresponding to a third primary color to light having the second wavelength.
US09470822B2	Retroreflective sheeting including cube corner elements The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
US09470820B2	Microlens array, image pickup element package, and method for manufacturing microlens array The present invention relates to a microlens array comprising a transparent substrate, a resin layer provided on/above at least one surface of the transparent substrate, containing a photosensitive resin and forming a plurality of microlenses, and a functional layer reflecting at least light for reacting the photosensitive resin, the functional layer is formed on a surface of the transparent substrate at a side on which the resin layer is not formed, or on the surface of the transparent substrate at the side on which the resin layer is formed and at a position nearer the transparent substrate than the resin layer.
US09470817B2	Method and apparatus to determine pressure in a neutron radiation generator Systems, methods, and apparatuses to determine an operation gas pressure in a neutron radiation generator are described. In certain aspects, a method to determine the operation gas pressure includes receiving an operation radiation signal from a radiation generated by electrons backstreaming in a radiation generator, and determining from the operation radiation signal an operation gas pressure in a chamber of the radiation generator. An operation radiation signal may be received from a radiation detector associated with a neutron radiation generator. A radiation detector may detect radiation produced by particles (e.g., electrons) striking a portion (e.g., a cathode) of the neutron radiation generator.
US09470815B2	Performance of permanently installed tubing conveyed seismic arrays using passive acoustic absorbers Methods and apparatus for reducing the impact of guided (or “tube”) waves in permanently installed seismic systems are provided. By utilizing passive acoustic absorbers, the impact of tube waves may be reduced, leading to improved performance of permanently installed seismic systems that are installed onto production tubing when the well is completed.
US09470809B2	Method and system for transmission of seismic data The transmission system combines a self-contained, wireless seismic acquisition unit and a wireless, line of site, communications unit to form a plurality of individual short-range transmission networks and also a mid-range, line of sight transmission network.
US09470807B2	Detection of seismic signals using fiber optic distributed sensors A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation.
US09470804B2	Boron coated neutron detector and method for manufacturing the same A boron-coated neutron detector, comprising a cathode tube with a plurality of passages formed therein along its longitudinal direction, the inner wall of each passage being coated with boron material; an electrode wire serving as an anode and arranged longitudinally in each of the passages, the electrode wire adapted to be applied with high voltage; and an insulating end plate to which each end of the cathode tube is fixed, the electrode wire being fixed to the cathode tube via the insulating end plate. Preferably, the cathode tube is formed by jointing a plurality of boron-coated substrates. The boron-coated neutron detector increases the detection efficiency of the neutron detector, which may reach or even exceed the detection efficiency of the 3He neutron detector of the same size, and the cost thereof is much cheaper than the 3He neutron detector.
US09470800B2	Radiation imaging apparatus and radiation imaging system A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array having pixels including conversion elements and switching elements, a bias line for supplying a bias potential to the conversion elements; driving lines for supplying a signal to control the switching elements, a driving unit for performing an initialization operation of supplying a driving signal to each driving line group, switching each driving signal from an OFF voltage to an ON voltage, and then returning the driving signal to the OFF voltage; an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of times in each driving cycle a signal value representing a current flowing through the bias line; a calculation unit configured to calculate radiation information based on the signal values; and a determination unit configured to determine whether irradiation of the pixel array with radiation is present based on the radiation information.
US09470799B2	Radiation meter and method The present invention relates to a method and radiation monitoring device (10) comprising at least one radiation detector (111), a memory (112) and a controller (12), wherein said radiation detector is arranged to detect at least one type of radiation dose. The memory (112) comprises a number of memory positions configured to store data resulting from said detector (111) detection. The positions are configured to store accumulated measured dose values corresponding to consecutive real time intervals. The controller is configured to continuously compute mean radiation dose values for measured and stored radiation doses during the predetermined time period and for each computation, a resulting mean value is compared with a corresponding predetermined reference value and generate a signal corresponding to result of said comparison.
US09470797B2	System and method for asset tracking configuration of a mobile terminal Various implementations of the invention comprise a position tracking module, a transmitter, and a controller. The position tracking module collects measurements from a plurality of positioning satellites, where the collected measurements may be used to determine a position of said mobile terminal. The transmitter transmits status reports to an operations center. The controller controls an activation of the transmitter based on an analysis of a geographic cost function, where the geographic cost function identifies a geographic area in which the controller alters a communication parameter of the mobile terminal. The alteration of the communication parameter may be used by the operations center as a basis for a change in a billing rate during at least part of a time that the mobile terminal is resident within the geographic area.
US09470790B2	Collision determination device and collision determination method A collision determination device includes a radar detection unit that detects an object in front of a vehicle by a radar wave, an image detection unit that images in front of the vehicle and detects the object by the imaged image, and a collision determination unit that determines a collision between the vehicle and the object based on a combined target generated using a detection result of the radar detection unit and a detection result of the image detection unit. The collision determination unit performs collision determination with a speed of the object in the traveling direction of the vehicle as zero when the vehicle decelerates.
US09470787B2	Interrogator and system employing the same An interrogator and system employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogator includes a receiver configured to receive a return signal from a tag and a sensing module configured to provide a time associated with the return signal. The interrogator also includes a processor configured to employ synthetic aperture radar processing on the return signal in accordance with the time to locate a position of the tag.
US09470784B2	Radar device Each antenna system processor performs coherent integration on a prescribed number of correlation values between a reception signal and a transmission code. A correlation matrix generator generates a correlation matrix on the basis of coherent integration values. A distance estimator estimates a distance to a target. A direction vector storage is stored with direction vectors each of which includes an azimuth component with respect to a target and an elevation angle component of a line connecting a transmission antenna and the target in which a prescribed direction is used as a reference. An incoming direction estimator estimates a signal incoming direction from the target using the correlation matrix and the direction vectors in which the elevation angle component range is restricted on the basis of the distance to the target.
US09470782B2	Method and apparatus for increasing angular resolution in an automotive radar system Described herein is an automotive radar system which utilizes a three channel switched antenna to improve the angular resolution of an azimuth tracking two-channel, radar.
US09470781B2	Radar device and a method for detecting a malfunction of a receiver channel of a radar device A radar device for transmitting and receiving a signal in a frequency band for target detection. The invention includes a control means, an oscillator, with an input of the oscillator being connected via a converter to the control means, with it being able to address the oscillator via control means in order to generate a signal, and with it being possible to tap the signal generated via the oscillator at an output of the oscillator, at least one transmission antenna for transmitting the signals provided at the output of the oscillator, with the transmission antenna being connected to the output of the oscillator, and at least one receiver channel for receiving a receiver signal, for processing the receiver signal, and for forwarding the processed receiver signal to the control means, with the receiver channel comprising at least one receiving antenna for receiving the receiver signal and a mixer for mixing the receiver signal with the signal provided at the output of the oscillator, and with the mixer being connected to the output of the oscillator.
US09470776B2	Position and behavioral tracking system and uses thereof This invention provides a system and methods for tracking the positions and behaviors of moving objects such as animals. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more tracking unit, one or more base nodes, one or more remote data hubs, and one or more remote processor with display. Each tracking unit (e.g. attached or inserted into the tracked animals) could transmit acoustic signal with a unique signature. The base nodes, after time stamping the received signals, relate the signals to the remote processors where the signals will be processed and the 3-dimensional spatial coordinates of the tracking units, and hence the animals, can be identified. Further processing of the positional information would reflect the activities and behaviors of each animal. Additional sensors included in the tracking unit provide further information about the states of the animals such as temperature, heart rate or blood pressure etc.
US09470770B2	Magnetic resonance spectroscopy with automatic phase and B0 correction using interleaved water reference scan A magnetic resonance (MR) sequence (14) is performed, including: applying a preparatory MR sub-sequence (S prep) providing water signal suppression; performing a magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) sub-sequence (S MRS) after applying the preparatory MR sub-sequence to acquire H MRS data with water signal suppression; and performing an MR reference sub-sequence (S Ref) to acquire MR reference data. The MR reference sub-sequence is performed after the MRS sub-sequence. Phase and B0 correction of the H MRS data with water signal suppression are performed using the MR reference data to generate corrected MRS data. The excitation pulse (g) of the MR reference sub-sequence has a flip angle of less than or equal to o, and more preferably has a flip angle of less than or equal to 3 o. In some embodiments the MR sequence has a total repetition time (TR) of 2000 msec or less.
US09470747B1	Mislinked meter identifier Various methods and systems are directed to a mislinked meter system that identifies utility meters mislinked to a distribution transformer in a data store. Utility meters reporting voltages that vary more than other meters linked to the same distribution transformer in the data store may be physically linked to a different distribution transformer. To compare meter voltages, the mislinked meter system generates normal meter errors for the utility meters and a normal transformer error for some or all of the utility meters linked to the same distribution transformer. The normal meter error and transformer error represent the amount the voltages of a utility meter varies from the voltages of the other utility meters associated with the distribution transformer. The more the meter errors vary when compared to the transformer error, the more likely a utility meter is mislinked to the wrong distribution transformer in the data store.
US09470745B2	Semiconductor device capable of probe test A semiconductor device includes a normal pad and a first monitoring unit suitable for monitoring whether a bunker is formed in the normal pad based on an inherent resistance component of the normal pad during a probe test.
US09470744B2	Analysis circuit for field effect transistors having a displaceable gate structure An analysis circuit for a field effect transistor having a displaceable gate structure, includes a measurement circuit coupled between a supply voltage connection of the analysis circuit and a drain connection of the field effect transistor and configured to output a measurement signal that is dependent on the current strength of a current flowing through the field effect transistor to a measurement connection.
US09470742B2	Managed fiber connectivity systems A connectorized media cable includes at least one primary media segment; a first plug connector coupled to a first end of the media segment; and a second plug connector coupled to the second end of the media segment. Each plug connector includes a storage device having memory configured to store physical layer information pertaining to the cable. The storage device also includes at least four contacts that are electrically connected to the memory and isolated from the primary media segment. Certain types of cables include an electrical conductor extending along the media cable between a fourth one of the contacts of the first plug connector and a fourth one of the contacts of the second plug connector. The plug connectors of other types of cables have two data contacts coupled to the memory.
US09470740B2	Screening methodology to eliminate wire sweep in bond and assembly module packaging Quality control testing for a batch of electronic modules. A series of tests are performed on manufactured electronic modules, including tests sensitive to the failure rate of previously tested modules. Specifically, a first test comprised of two phases is performed on the module batch. Further screening is then performed responsive to detection of a wire sweep failure in a subset of failed modules from the first test phase. The further screening is on modules that passed the first test phase and excludes modules that failed the first test phase.
US09470738B2	Ground fault detection In one example, a method includes receiving, at an input of a system, an AC signal, rectifying the AC signal into a DC signal, and determining, based on a value of one or more counters in a detection logic, whether or not the input is connected to ground.
US09470736B2	Wiring test device for electronics cabinets having internal signal wiring A wiring test device for electronics cabinets having internal signal wiring between a first section having a matrix-like arrangement of inputs and outputs and a second section having inputs and outputs is provided. The test device includes a needle adapter having a number of test points arranged in the manner of a matrix to be placed on and make contact with the inputs and outputs of the first section, and test adapter communicating with the needle adapter and having a test point to make contact with individual inputs and outputs of the second section, and a monitoring device which, for each of the inputs and outputs of the second section of the selected electronics cabinet with which contact is made, checks whether the internal signal wiring thereof corresponds to a previously stored wiring list for the electronics cabinet.
US09470735B2	Electric circuit evaluation method and electric circuit A noise signal for a malfunction test is inputted to a ground terminal, and a frequency property of the magnitude of the power at which a designated electric circuit causes a malfunction is found. A detection reference ground of a detection part for detecting malfunctions of the designated electric circuit is connected at high impedance to a ground of the targeted circuit. Differential input parts are provided to the detection part, a to-be-detected part of the designated electric circuit is connected to one differential input part, and the ground of the targeted circuit is connected to the other differential input part. A ground of a noise source is isolated from a ground of a power source circuit for supplying a power source to the designated electric circuit. The ground of the noise source is galvanically isolated from the ground of the designated electric circuit.
US09470728B2	Channel integrity detection A computer-implemented method can include determining an amplitude for each of a plurality of input channels, corresponding to respective nodes. A measure of similarity can be computed between the input channel of each node and the input channel of its neighboring nodes. The method can also include comparing an amplitude for each node relative to other nodes to determine temporary bad channels. For each of the temporary bad channels, a measure of similarity can be computed between the input channel of each node and the input channel of its neighboring nodes. Channel integrity can then be identified based on the computed measures of similarity.
US09470726B2	Temperature compensated real-time clock Systems and methods of a temperature compensated real-time clock are disclosed. The systems and methods can include measuring a temperature with a temperature sensor, detecting a temperature dependent frequency from an oscillator, inputting the temperature and determining a temperature estimate for the oscillator with an infinite impulse response filter, and determining a compensation factor, for the oscillator.
US09470725B2	Measuring power consumption of circuit component operating in ultra-low power mode By powering an electronic component operating in an ultra-low power mode from a pre-charged measuring capacitor and measuring the time to discharge the capacitor to a trip voltage level, measurement data can be obtained. In some implementations, the capacitance of the capacitor can be obtained by adding a known current to the unknown current drawn from the capacitor and calculating the capacitance using a mathematical formula.
US09470720B2	Test system with localized heating and method of manufacture thereof A test system, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: a thermal management head including a heat spreader; an electronic device in direct contact with the heat spreader; and an electrical current for transferring energy between the heat spreader and the electronic device.
US09470715B2	Probe head A probe head includes a plate, a probe, and at least one composite coating layer. The plate has at least one through hole therein. The probe is at least partially disposed in the through hole of the plate. The composite coating layer includes a metal layer and a plurality of lubricating particles. The metal layer is disposed in the through hole of the plate and between the plate and the probe. The lubricating particles are dispersed in the metal layer.
US09470712B1	Apparatus and method for atomic force probing/SEM nano-probing/scanning probe microscopy and collimated ion milling An apparatus and method for facilitating Atomic Force Microscopy, SEM Nano-Probing, Scanning Probe Microscopy, and Collimated Ion Milling, through the implementation of a removable, magnetized fixture for fixing the position of a sample requiring surface treatment, the fixture attachable to a holder requiring surface treatment, the holder being mountable in various instruments, the fixture being transportable in a container having a magnetized surface plate or disc for magnetic attachment of said fixture, with the container having a valve to permit alternative evacuation and backfill with an inert gas to protect the sample surface.
US09470711B2	Physical quantity sensor and electronic apparatus A physical quantity sensor includes: a fixed portion; a fixed electrode portion; and a movable body that includes a support portion disposed around the fixed portion in plan view, a movable electrode portion supported by the support portion, extending along a first axis, and arranged to face the fixed electrode portion, and a coupling portion coupling the fixed portion with the support portion, and is displaceable along a second axis crossing the first axis.
US09470709B2	Teeter totter accelerometer with unbalanced mass A balanced teeter-totter accelerometer has a mass suspended above a substrate, the mass having an axis of rotation that is parallel to the substrate and substantially geometrically centered with respect to the shape of the mass. A physical acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the substrate causes the mass to rotate about the axis of rotation. The rotation is sensed by measuring a change in capacitance of electrodes on the substrate. The accelerometer may be calibrated using the same sensing electrodes.
US09470707B2	Atom interferometer with adaptive launch direction and/or position Embodiments described herein provide for a method of launching atoms in an atom interferometer. The method includes determining a direction of the total effective acceleration force on the atoms, controlling a direction of launch of the atoms for measurement in the atom interferometer based on the direction of the total effective acceleration force, and obtaining measurements from the atoms.
US09470706B2	Powerless vehicle movement detector An apparatus that determines that a vehicle has moved comprises a shaft member, a pin configured to attach the shaft member to a backing plate via an opening in the shaft member that enables the shaft member to move in a direction along the length of the shaft member, to rotate about the pin, and to contact a surface external to the vehicle when the shaft member is in a first position. The apparatus also comprises a first alignment magnet that attracts the shaft member to the surface external to the vehicle and a first sensor that determines that the shaft member is in the first position. The apparatus further comprises a first holding magnet, a second holding magnet, and at least one sensor that indicates that the shaft member is in contact with the first holding magnet or the second holding magnet, each indicating a direction of movement.
US09470704B2	Wearable motion sensing device A wearable motion sensing device is disclosed. One embodiment of the wearable motion sensing device includes a motion sensor, and a pendant that is attached to the wearable motion sensing device, wherein the pendant is attached to the wearable motion sensing device at a location of the wearable motion sensor relative to the motion sensor that when worn by a human being, a mass of the pendant urges the motion sensor towards the human being.
US09470699B2	Diagnostic radio frequency identification sensors and applications thereof An integrated passive wireless chip diagnostic sensor system is described that can be interrogated remotely with a wireless device such as a modified cell phone incorporating multi-protocol RFID reader capabilities (such as the emerging Gen-2 standard) or Bluetooth, providing universal easy to use, low cost and immediate quantitative analyses, geolocation and sensor networking capabilities to users of the technology. The present invention can be integrated into various diagnostic platforms and is applicable for use with low power sensors such as thin films, MEMS, electrochemical, thermal, resistive, nano or microfluidic sensor technologies. Applications of the present invention include on-the-spot medical and self-diagnostics on smart skin patches, Point-of-Care (POC) analyses, food diagnostics, pathogen detection, disease-specific wireless biomarker detection, remote structural stresses detection and sensor networks for industrial or Homeland Security using low cost wireless devices such as modified cell phones.
US09470698B2	Systems and methods for non-fasting LDL cholesterol assays In one embodiment, a test strip for testing for cholesterol-related blood analytes in whole blood includes a red blood cell separation layer, the red blood cell separation layer separating red blood cells from a blood sample applied to the test strip as the blood sample flows downward through the red blood cell separation layer. The test strip further includes a reaction layer receiving the blood sample from the red blood cell separation layer, the reaction layer including POE-POP-POE block copolymer, a surfactant, and a reflectivity changing reactant, the POE-POP-POE block copolymers solubilizing essentially only non-LDL cholesterol analytes, the non-LDL cholesterol analytes reacting with the reflectivity changing reactant in order to change a reflectivity of the blood sample.
US09470696B2	SRM/MRM assay for the receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-4 protein (HER4) Specific peptides, and derived ionization characteristics of the peptides, from the Receptor Tyrosine-Protein Kinase erbB-4 Protein (HER4) protein are provided that are particularly advantageous for quantifying the HER4 protein directly in biological samples that have been fixed in formalin by the method of Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry, or what can also be termed as Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry. Such biological samples are chemically preserved and fixed where the biological sample is selected from tissues and cells treated with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives including formalin-fixed tissue/cells, formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells, FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks, and tissue culture cells that have been formalin fixed and or paraffin embedded. A protein sample is prepared from the biological sample using the Liquid Tissue™ reagents and protocol and the HER4 protein is quantitated in the Liquid Tissue™ sample by SRM/MRM mass spectrometry by quantitating in the protein sample at least one or more of the peptides described. These peptides can be quantitated if they reside in a modified or an unmodified form. An example of a modified form of an HER4 peptide is phosphorylation of a tyrosine, threonine, serine, and/or other amino acid residues within the peptide sequence.
US09470692B2	Mass spectrometric analysis The disclosure provides a method for assaying for a target analyte, comprising providing a plurality of samples which may comprise the target analyte, wherein each sample is differentially labelled with a mass label or a combination of mass labels, wherein the mass labels are from a set of mass labels, wherein each mass label is an isobaric mass label comprising a mass spectrometrically distinct mass marker group, such that the samples can be distinguished by mass spectrometry and determining from the mass spectrum the quantity of the target analyte in each sample.
US09470691B2	Application of reduced dyes in imaging The present invention provides novel compounds and methods for hydrocyanines derived from near-infrared cyanine dyes, as reactive oxygen species probes in imaging. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides reduced dyes as substrates for ELISA and Western blots.
US09470690B2	Human cancer-related gene, its encoded products and applications The invention discloses a human cancer-related gene, LAPTM4B, its encoded products and their applications thereof. This human cancer-related gene provided by this invention comprises one of the following nucleotide sequences: (1) SEQ ID No: 1, SEQ ID No: 2, SEQ ID No: 3, SEQ ID No: 6, or SEQ ID No: 8 in the sequence listings; (2) Polynucleotides that encode the protein sequences of SEQ ID No: 4, SEQ ID No: 5, or SEQ ID No: 7 in the sequence listings; (3) DNA sequences having above 90% homology with the DNA sequences specified by SEQ ID No: 1, SEQ ID No: 2, SEQ ID No: 3, SEQ ID No: 6, or SEQ ID No: 8 in the sequence listings, and these DNA sequences encode the proteins with the same or similar functions. This invention enables the developments of new anti-cancer approaches and new anti-cancer medicines. It would create a significant impact on human society.
US09470684B2	Outer membrane protein 18 as a diagnostic marker for campylobacter Accurate and fast detection of the presence of Campylobacter disease is important for the proper treatment of patients with Campylobacter infection. Present tests depend upon culture of viable bacteria and identification by microscopy, which requires care, skill, and two or more days for conclusive results. The current invention improves the ease of use and overcomes the limitations of loss of viability and delay inherent in Campylobacter bacterial culture and provides a more rapid alternative for the identification and diagnosis of Campylobacter and campylobacteriosis. The invention provides a new method of detecting Campylobacter by utilizing an outer membrane protein (OMP 18) to develop antibodies for use in immunoassays of bacterial cultures or human fecal samples.
US09470682B2	Peptides, devices, and methods for the detection of Ehrlichia antibodies The invention provides compositions (e.g., peptide compositions) useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Ehrlichia antigens. The peptide compositions comprise polypeptide sequences based on an immunogenic fragment of the Ehrlichia Outer Membrane Protein 1 (OMP-1) protein. The invention also provides devices, methods, and kits comprising such peptide compositions and useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Ehrlichia antigens and the diagnosis of monocytic ehrlichiosis.
US09470680B2	Fluorescence-based approach to monitor release factor-catalyzed termination of protein synthesis Provided are probes comprising a class 1 release factor conjugated to a fluorescent label and methods of making the probes. Also provided are methods for detecting conformational changes in ribosomes and associated molecules, such as class 1 release factors. In addition, methods of identifying a compound for reducing nonsense-mediated decay of mRNA and/or for inhibiting termination of protein synthesis at a premature stop codon, are described. Methods of assaying RF3 activity are also included.
US09470674B2	Method and apparatus for detecting clots in a liquid using measured light intensity A method for detecting clots in a liquid is presented. The liquid is in a sample container. Light is irradiated having a first wavelength to the sample container by a first light source at a changeable vertical irradiating position (P_0 to P_n) such that the light irradiated by the first light source passes through the sample container along a first measurement path. An intensity of light having the first wavelength passing along the first measurement path and exiting the sample container is measured. Clots are detected in response to the measured intensity.
US09470671B1	Detection of trace amounts of perchlorate using SERS-active capture matrices A perchlorate detector comprising: surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active, magnetic, capture matrices that are selective for perchlorate, wherein the capture matrices are designed to be added to a sample solution; a detection chamber configured to hold the sample solution and the capture matrices; a selectively engageable magnet assembly coupled to the detection chamber such that when the magnet assembly is engaged or disengaged the capture matrices are respectively confined or not confined to a confinement region of the detection chamber; and a Raman spectrometer optically aligned with the confinement region of the detection chamber and configured to interrogate the capture matrices when the magnet assembly is engaged in order to detect and determine a concentration of perchlorate bound to the capture matrices.
US09470668B2	Food steganography The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for calculating a food additive. A first method includes identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient, identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient and calculating a set of chemical compounds for the food additive such that an olfactory perception of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient. A first device includes a database storing information identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient and identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient, and a processor for calculating a food additive such that an olfactory perception of flavors of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient.
US09470665B2	Method for verifying age-depth relationships of rock in sedimentary basins Method for verification of age-depth relationships of rocks in sedimentary basins by reconstructing the subsistence rate of samples, in which, by determining the precipitation depth and precipitation temperature of a carbonate precipitation, wherein by determining the precipitation depth and the precipitation temperature of the carbonate precipitation in the geological-history-determining sedimentary rocks, from which a sample is taken, a set point is fixed.
US09470662B2	Sensor module with adaptive backing layer A scanning apparatus comprising a receiver circuit and a transmitter circuit, both circuits being flexible such that they are capable of conforming to the surface contours of an object as a surface of the apparatus is pressed against it and an adaptive backing positioned behind the transmitter and receiver circuits in the scanning apparatus and configured to, as the scanning apparatus is pressed against the object, conform to the flexible circuits.
US09470658B2	Self-contained holonomic tracking method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection A self-contained, holonomic motion tracking solution for supplementing the acquisition of inspection information on the surface of a structure, thereby enabling the real-time production of two-dimensional images from hand-held and automated scanning by holonomic-motion of non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensor units (e.g., NDI probes). The systems and methods disclosed enable precise tracking of the position and orientation of a holonomic-motion NDI sensor unit (hand-held or automated) and conversion of the acquired tracking data into encoder pulse signals for processing by a NDI scanning system.
US09470656B1	Pipeline marker with compact coil Defects in a pipeline may be detected by an in-line inspection tool passing therethrough. However, as the tool travels through the pipeline, errors associated with certain onboard components may accumulate. These errors may reduce the accuracy with which the locations of detected defects can be determined. Accordingly, markers may be positioned at various locations along the pipeline. Each marker may include a radio receiver to receive signal transmitted by an in-line tool passing thereby and one or more magnetic flux detection systems that may detect a magnetic field emanating from the in-line tool. The radio receiver may include an antenna comprising two or more coils connected in series and positioned side-by-side. The flux detection system may include one or more flux concentrators to amplify the strength of the magnetic field. Signals received through the antenna or flux detection system may be used to correct any errors associated with the onboard components charting the progression of the in-line tool through the pipeline.
US09470652B1	Sensing field effect transistor devices and method of their manufacture A sensing device includes a sensor die having a sensing region formed at a first surface of the sensor die. The sensing device further includes an encapsulant covering the sensing die, the encapsulant having a cavity formed therein, wherein the cavity exposes the sensing region. A sensitive membrane material is deposited within the cavity over the sensing region. A method of manufacturing sensing devices entails mounting a plurality of sensing dies to a carrier, encapsulating the dies in an encapsulant, forming cavities in the encapsulant, the cavities exposing a sensing region of each sensor die, and depositing the sensitive membrane material within each of the cavities. The encapsulating and forming operations can be performed simultaneously using a film-assisted molding (FAM) process, and the depositing operation is performed following FAM at an ambient temperature that is lower than the temperature needed to perform FAM.
US09470650B2	Two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG)-based chemical sensors Sensors for sensing/measuring one or more analytes in a chemical environment. Each sensor is based on a semiconductor structure having an interfacial region containing a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). A catalyst reactive to the analyte(s) is in contact with the semiconductor structure. Particles stripped from the analyte(s) by the catalyst passivate the surface of the semiconductor structure at the interface between the catalyst and the structure, thereby causing the charge density in the 2DEG proximate the catalyst to change. When this basic structure is incorporated into an electronic device, such as a high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) or a Schottky diode, the change in charge density manifests into a change in an electrical response of the device. For example, in an HEMT, the change in charge density manifests as a change in current through the transistor, and, in a Schottky diode, the change in charge density manifests as a change in capacitance.
US09470646B2	Capacitive locating appliance having opposing electrodes A locating appliance for a capacitive detection of an object encloses in a medium. The locating appliance comprises a measurement electrode such that a first alternating current flows from the measurement electrode into the medium. The locating appliance further comprises a reception electrode where the measurement electrode forms a measurement capacitance with the reception electrode, where the measurement capacitance is based at least in part on the object. The locating appliance further comprises a reference electrode such that the reference electrode forms a reference capacitance with the reception electrode, where the reference capacitance is not based on the object. The locating appliance further comprises a first opposing electrode that is configured to introduce a first alternating current in the medium. The absolute value of the second alternating current corresponds to an absolute value of the first alternating current and is in antiphase with the second alternating current.
US09470645B2	Salt-based method to monitor and log the times a data center air goes above a predefined limit A salt-based method to monitor and log the time periods a data center air's relative humidity goes above a predefined limit. The choice of the salt is such that its deliquescent relative humidity is equal to the desired limit, so that above the desired limit, the salt gets wet and therefore electrically conductive. An alarm can then give notice that relative humidity levels are above acceptable levels so that remedial action may be taken before problems such as electronic malfunction develop.
US09470643B2	Attachment for improving the reception quality of a material detector device An attachment for a material detector device having a search antenna polarization instrument, where the material detector device has a housing with an antenna surface assigned to a detection direction, having magnets positioned opposite each other with like poles facing each other whose pole surfaces are covered by a tinned copper or oxidized aluminum layer, where the magnets and the copper or aluminum layer have at least one through bore and the magnets can be or are positioned on the housing of the material detector device extending perpendicular to the antenna surface and form a magnetic field space between the magnets in front of the antenna surface, as well as a material detector device having a rectangular housing with such an attachment for improving the reception quality. The result of this attachment is that the acoustic signals which indicate presence or absence are separated from each other more sharply.
US09470641B1	System and method for measuring reflected optical distortion in contoured glass sheets A system for measuring optical distortion in a contoured glass sheet includes a conveyor for conveying the glass sheet in a first direction, at least one display projecting a preselected multi-phase non-repeating contrasting pattern, and at least one camera, each one of the cameras uniquely paired with one of the displays. The system may also include a control programmed to execute logic for controlling each of the cameras to acquire the desired images, and logic for analyzing and combining the data acquired by the cameras to construct a definition of the surface of the glass sheet, and logic for performing one or more optical processing operations on the surface data to analyze the optical characteristics of the glass sheet.
US09470639B1	Optical metrology with reduced sensitivity to grating anomalies Methods and systems for performing broadband spectroscopic metrology with reduced sensitivity to grating anomalies are presented herein. A reduction in sensitivity to grating anomalies is achieved by selecting a subset of available system parameter values for measurement analysis. The reduction in sensitivity to grating anomalies enables an optimization of any combination of precision, sensitivity, accuracy, system matching, and computational effort. These benefits are particularly evident in optical metrology systems having large ranges of available azimuth angle, angle of incidence, illumination wavelength, and illumination polarization. Predictions of grating anomalies are determined based on a measurement model that accurately represents the interaction between the measurement system and the periodic metrology target under measurement. A subset of available system parameter values is selected to reduce the impact of grating anomalies on measurement results. The selected subset of available system parameters is implemented on a configurable spectroscopic metrology system performing measurements.
US09470634B1	Electride mediated surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) An electride may provide surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The electride, a compound where the electrons serve as anions, may be a ceramic electride, such as a conductive ceramic derived from mayenite, or an organic electride, for example. The textured electride surface or electride particles may strongly enhance the Raman scattering of organic or other Raman active analytes. This may also provide a sensitive method for monitoring the chemistry and electronic environment at the electride surface. The results are evidence of a new class of polariton (i.e., a surface electride-polariton resonance mechanism) that is analogous to the surface plasmon-polariton resonance that mediates conventional SERS.
US09470632B2	Plasmonic structure with enhanced bandwidth Embodiments are directed to a plasmonic structure having an enhanced resonance frequency bandwidth. In one aspect, a plasmon-enhanced coupler is provided having a first plasmon region and a second plasmon region. A resonance frequency bandwidth of the plasmon-enhanced coupler is a hybridization of at least one first resonance frequency of the first plasmon region, and at least one second resonance frequency of the second plasmon region. The first plasmon region may be implemented as a single layer of graphene conductive material, and the second plasmon region may be implemented as multiple layers of graphene conductive material. The resonance frequency bandwidth may be chosen to overlap a frequency that comprises a vibration frequency of certain molecules of interest. Radiation directed to the plasmon-enhanced coupler causes its plasmons to interact with the molecules of interest, thereby altering the radiation.
US09470630B2	Reflective sensor for detection of material degradation A sensor for detecting material degradation may include an optical fiber and a housing through which the optical fiber extends. An end cap may be affixed to an end of the housing. Light provided through the optical fiber may be reflected off of the end cap back through the optical fiber. The end cap may be made of a material of interest, and may be situated in an environment wherein the material of interest is present. A light source may provide input light through the optical fiber. A portion of the input light may be reflected off of the end cap. A light receptor may receive the reflected light via the optical fiber. A processing unit may be adapted to compare a measured intensity of the reflected light to a threshold, and to initiate an alarm condition if the measured intensity is below the threshold.
US09470629B2	Surface plasmon microscopy Surface plasmon microscopy methods are described which comprise irradiating a sample with a beam of electromagnetic radiation, wherein at least some of the radiation is incident on the sample at an angle or angles which results in the excitation of surface plasmons in the sample, and wherein the beam of radiation comprises a longitudinal axis passing through a focus of the beam. Both radiation reradiated from the sample by one or more surface plasmons and radiation reflected from a location on the sample which does not lie on the longitudinal axis passing through the focusare received at a detector. The received reradiated radiation is then interfered with the received reflected radiation to provide information about the sample. Apparatus for performing the methods is also described.
US09470623B2	Property measurement system for metal material A property measurement system for a metal material includes: a laser oscillator that emits a pulse laser beam; a lens array that has small lenses with a same shape, the small lenses being laid in a matrix on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the pulse laser beam, and arranged so that a part of a cross section of the pulse laser beam can be made incident onto each of small lenses; a condensing lens that overlaps and condenses emitted beams coming from the small lenses on a same region of a surface of a metal material as a measurement target; a laser interferometer that detects, as an electric signal, a pulse ultrasonic wave that is excited by the pulse laser beam condensed and propagates through an inside of the metal material; and a signal processing device that processes the electric signal.
US09470622B2	Sensor device having optics including decoupling and coupling regions A sensor device for detecting moisture on a windscreen has a transmitter and a receiver and optics arranged between the transmitter and the receiver. The optics have an upper plane for connection to a windscreen, a decoupling region serving to decouple the electromagnetic rays from the optics into the windscreen, and a coupling region serving to couple the electromagnetic radiation from the windscreen into the optics, and which even for a small construction shall supply a usable signal. The decoupling region has at least one surface inclined relative to the upper plane of the optics.
US09470618B2	Sheath fluid systems and methods for particle analysis in blood samples Aspects and embodiments of the instant disclosure provide a particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment agent for a particle analyzer used to analyze particles contained in a sample. An exemplary particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment agent includes an aqueous solution, a viscosity modifier, and/or a buffer.
US09470613B2	Apparatus for detecting spring stiffness The present invention discloses an apparatus for detecting spring stiffness which comprises a universal material testing machine, a loading beam of the universal material testing machine, a fixing rod of bracket for Belleville spring deformation detection, a movable clamping rod of bracket for Belleville spring deformation detection, a dial gauge, etc.
US09470606B2	System force-deformation modeling apparatuses and methods System force-deformation measuring apparatuses (e.g., an apparatus that applies a quasi-static force), such as those, for example, configured to generate data (e.g., non-generic or accident-specific data) that assists in the reconstruction of vehicle collisions.
US09470602B2	Airtightness inspection method and airtightness inspection apparatus for sealed battery A soft packaged sealed battery is contained in an airtight container. The airtight container is decompressed and images of the surface shape of the sealed battery in the airtight container before and after decompression are captured by a CCD camera or the like. Whether or not airtightness of the sealed battery is maintained is determined based on a change in the captured images, e.g. a change in the surface shape appearing as luminance differences of pixels. By this determination method, highly accurate airtightness determination is realized by eliminating the influence of invisible fine creases on a sealed battery surface.
US09470593B2	Media isolated pressure sensor A pressure sensor includes a pressure sensing element and a top cap. The pressure sensing element includes a bonded wafer substrate having a buried sealed cavity. A wall of the buried sealed cavity forms a sensing diaphragm. One or more sense elements may be supported by the sensing diaphragm and one or more bond pads are supported by the upper side of the bonded wafer substrate. Each of the bond pads may be positioned adjacent to the sensing diaphragm and electrically connected to one or more of the sense elements. The top cap may be secured to the upper side of the bonded wafer substrate such that an aperture in the top cap facilitates passage of a media in a downward direction to the sensing diaphragm. The top cap may be configured to isolate the bond pads from the media.
US09470586B2	Self-calibrated thermal sensors of an integrated circuit die Embodiments of the present disclosure provide self-calibrated thermal sensors of an integrated circuit (IC) die and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, a self-calibrating thermal sensing device includes a resonator configured to oscillate at a frequency corresponding with a temperature of circuitry of an integrated circuit (IC) die, wherein the resonator is thermally coupled with the circuitry and configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode and logic operatively coupled with the resonator, and configured to calculate a first temperature corresponding with a first frequency of the resonator in the first mode using a first equation, calculate a second temperature corresponding with a second frequency of the resonator in the second mode using a second equation, and add an offset to the first equation and the second equation based on a result of a comparison of the first temperature and the second temperature. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09470584B2	Method and apparatus for accurate detection of fever The present invention relates to more accurate indication of fever. Temperature data from a large population of individuals are obtained and the temperature data are processed to determine a threshold, at a fever bump, above a normal range of distribution. The fever threshold, along with an individual's temperature, is used to indicate if the individual has a fever. Further, circadian information may be utilized to adjust the temperature data for an individual or the population of individuals.
US09470583B1	Calibration-free temperature measurement Aspects of the invention include a sensor that senses the absolute temperature of a device, such as an integrated circuit (“IC”). The sensor may be embodied in the IC and have first and second pieces of electrically conductive material each having an intrinsic Seebeck coefficient and a pair of contacts located at proximal and distal ends of the pieces of material. The intrinsic Seebeck coefficients differ between the two pieces of material. At least one heater is disposed at the proximal ends of the first and second pieces material and radiates heat which causes a temperature difference to form across each of the first and second pieces of material, thereby causing a voltage to form across first and second pieces of material. A measure circuit measures the voltage formed across each of the first and second pieces of material and determines an absolute temperature from at least the measured voltages.
US09470579B2	System and method for calibrating imaging measurements taken from aerial vehicles Systems and methods are provided for calibrating spectral measurements taken of one or more targets from an aerial vehicle. Multiple photo sensors may be configured to obtain spectral measurements of one or more ambient light sources. The obtained spectral measurements of the one or more ambient light sources may be used to calibrate the obtained spectral measurements of the target.
US09470574B2	Slow speed weigh-in-motion system A weighing system has a base, a platform structure, and a plurality of load cell assemblies. The platform structure is movable with respect to the base and includes a planar top surface defining a horizontal plane. Each of the plurality of load cell assemblies includes an upper portion supported by the base and a lower portion supporting the platform structure. Each of the plurality of load cell assemblies is positioned such that when the upper portion of each of the plurality of load cell assemblies is projected onto the plane and the planar top surface is projected onto the plane, each of the projected upper portions is located outwardly of the projected planar top surface. A load on the planar top surface is therefore located between the load cell assemblies.
US09470571B2	Liquid level measuring device A liquid level measuring device comprises an inner-tube unit having an inner tube and at least one inner-tube coil surrounding the inner tube; an outer-tube unit having a plurality of outer tubes, each outer tube having a plurality of outer-tube coils disposed thereon, the outer tubes being stacked, the inner tube being arranged inside the outer tubes and being risen and fallen as a level of a liquid in the outer tubes varies; and a control unit electrically connecting to the respective outer-tube coils, the control unit transmitting a set of position coded signals to the outer-tube coils disposed on an individual outer tube, the control unit determining the liquid level according to an induced signal generated by the inner-tube coil. Said device has many advantages including low cost and modular design, and such a device is easily to be deployed.
US09470564B2	Magnetic-inductive flowmeter having-an evaluation circuit with a crosstalk voltage indicator to indicate a “no-flow” state A magnetic-inductive flow meter with at least one measuring tube for through flow of an electrically conductive medium, with a magnetic field generating apparatus for generating an alternating magnetic field which runs at least also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube, with at least two measuring electrodes which especially contact the medium and with an evaluation circuit, the magnetic field generating apparatus having at least one field coil and one coil power supply. Because the measuring electrode circuit, therefore the electrical circuit to which the measuring electrodes belong is monitored by a crosstalk voltage indicator of the evaluation circuit which is active in an operating state when an electrically conductive medium is not flowing through the measuring tube, whether the measuring electrode circuit is serviceable can be derived from the crosstalk voltage.
US09470563B1	Methods and systems for detecting fluidic levels and flow rate and fluidic equipment malfunctions An improved sensor system is provided that monitors and controls a dendritic fluid system. A dendritic fluid system can include artificial components and/or natural components that carry fluid from a source to a destination through a series of paths. The sensor system can include magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, encapsulated sensor systems, pressure regulators, and valve controllers to monitor and control the dendritic fluid system. For example, magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, and/or pressure regulators can be used to measure the flow of fluid within a dendritic fluid subsystem and/or to detect potential leaks. The encapsulated sensor systems and/or valve controllers can be used to detect fluid levels in a contained system and control valves to adjust the fluid levels in the contained system to a desired level.
US09470562B2	Spindle flow meter The invention relates to a spindle flow meter with a housing which has two recesses. In the recesses two multi-turn screw spindles are arranged which are provided to be rotatable in the housing. It is provided according to the invention that the pitch circle diameters of the two screw spindles are of equal size.
US09470560B2	Display assembly A display assembly comprising a first display member and a second display member, wherein the first display member is at least partially superimposed upon, fixed to and rotated with respect to the second display member and the first and second display members can be selectively actuated.
US09470558B2	Encoder alignment structure An encoder system comprising an encoder assembly and an encoder alignment structure is disclosed. The encoder assembly may include at least a coding member, a hub, and a housing. The encoder alignment structure may comprise a major surface, a plurality of catches, and a recessed region. The major surface may be coupled with the housing to substantially enclose the hub and the coding member. The plurality of catches may be disposed around the periphery of the major surface and may be configured to secure the encoder alignment structure to the housing. The recessed region of the major surface may be converging from the periphery of the major surface between two of the plurality of catches towards the hub so as to provide access for a user to adjust the hub around the axis of rotation.
US09470551B2	Method for unsupervised non-intrusive load monitoring A method distinguishes electrical signals corresponding to an activation or deactivation of a single electrical power consuming device from an electrical signal that supplies electricity to multiple electrical power consuming devices has been developed. The method includes generating signatures corresponding to activation and deactivation of a plurality of electrical devices from a transformation of an electrical power signal using sparse deconvolution to cluster and then identify the activation and deactivation of one of the plurality of electrical devices.
US09470550B2	Method of calibrating a heading reference system A method of calibrating a vehicle's heading system, such as the attitude heading and reference system of an aircraft or the heading system of a ship, positioned along the Earth's surface involves obtaining both actual and theoretical readings for the magnetometer of the heading system, and comparing these values to obtain calibration values for the heading system which are then averaged to obtain a universal average gain and offset for the magnetometer. The vehicle may be repositioned, such as to North, South, East, and west magnetic headings, with the procedure repeated at each of these headings, and the calibration values averaged, further increasing the accuracy.
US09470548B2	Device, system and method for calibration of camera and laser sensor Disclosed are a calibration device, a calibration system and a calibration method. The calibration device includes a camera configured to capture image information, a laser sensor configured to capture image information, a laser sensor configured to detect distance information, and a calibration module configured to perform a calibration of the camera and the laser sensor by obtaining a relation between the image information and the distance information, wherein the calibration module includes a plane member disposed to intersect a scanning surface of the laser sensor such that an intersection line is generated, and disposed within a capturing range by the camera so as to be captured by the camera, and a controller configured to perform coordinate conversions with respect to the image information and the distance information based on a ratio between one side of the plane member and the intersection line, and based on a plane member image included in the image information. Under these configurations, a calibration is performed through direct coordinate conversions with respect to image information and distance information.
US09470546B2	Navigation system and navigation method of electronic device An electronic device (3) includes: a facility genre setting part (302) that displays first route information from a departure position to a destination, and sends a genre of facilities at which a user wants to stop to a navigation server (1); a facility setting part (303) that scrollably displays facility information of all facilities belonging to the genre that are located in the vicinity on the first route and an expected arrival time received from the navigation server (1), for every time span of the expected arrival time, and sends a facility selected by the user from among the plurality of facilities to the navigation server (1); and a route guidance part (304) that displays second route information received from the navigation server (1) in which the facility selected by the user is registered as a relay point.
US09470543B2	Navigation apparatus A navigation apparatus that acquires position information regarding a specific information device enables its own position relative to the specific information device to be easily grasped. The navigation apparatus includes a communication unit that communicates with the specific information device, an own position calculator that calculates its own position, an other person's position acquiring unit that acquires the position of the specific information device via the communication unit, an other person's moving direction acquiring unit that obtains a moving direction of the specific information device, and a display/input unit configured to display a map. The display/input unit displays a map with the moving direction of the specific information device oriented up.
US09470540B1	Identifying a parking location with respect to a destination In an approach for locating parking, a computer identifies driving directions to a destination. The computer receives a navigation input from a user to locate parking associated with the destination. The computer calculates one or more navigation paths based on the destination, wherein the one or more navigation paths include one or more street segments that connect identical starting and ending points with at least one different street segment and overall values indicating priority based on one or more weight factors associated with the one or more street segments. The computer selects a first navigation path from the calculated one or more navigation paths utilizing an ordered ranking of the one or more navigation paths. The computer provides driving directions associated with the first navigation path. The computer determines whether the user locates parking while utilizing the first navigation path.
US09470538B2	Point-of-interest latency prediction using mobile device location history A latency analysis system determines a latency period, such as a wait time, at a user destination. To determine the latency period, the latency analysis system receives location history from multiple user devices. With the location histories, the latency analysis system identifies points-of-interest that users have visited and determines the amount of time the user devices were at a point-of-interest. For example, the latency analysis system determines when a user device entered and exited a point-of-interest. Based on the elapsed time between entry and exit, the latency analysis system determines how long the user device was inside the point-of-interest. By averaging elapsed times for multiple user devices, the latency analysis system determines a latency period for the point-of-interest. The latency analysis system then uses the latency period to provide latency-based recommendations to a user. For example, the latency analysis system may determine a shopping route for a user.
US09470536B2	Apparatus and associated methods for navigation of road intersections An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to: identify, for use in route navigation, a complete set of lane traversals for a road intersection from two or more different complete sets of lane traversals for the road intersection based on respective safety-traffic flow scores assigned according to one or more predefined safety-traffic flow criteria, wherein each lane traversal defines a path of travel from an inbound lane of the road intersection to an outbound lane of the road intersection, and wherein each different complete set of lane traversals comprises a different combination of lane traversals for the road intersection.
US09470526B2	Microelectromechanical gyroscope with rotary driving motion and improved electrical properties An integrated microelectromechanical structure is provided with: a die, having a substrate and a frame, defining inside it a detection region and having a first side extending along a first axis; a driving mass, anchored to the substrate, set in the detection region, and designed to be rotated in a plane with a movement of actuation about a vertical axis; and a first pair and a second pair of first sensing masses, suspended inside the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to be fixed with respect thereto in the movement of actuation and so as to perform a detection movement of rotation out of the plane in response to a first angular velocity; wherein the first sensing masses of the first pair and the first sensing masses of the second pair are aligned in respective directions, having non-zero inclinations of opposite sign with respect to the first axis.
US09470525B2	Gyro sensor and electronic apparatus A gyro sensor includes: a base body; a vibrating body; a driving portion driving the vibrating body in a direction of a first axis; a movable electrode portion displaceable, according to angular velocity about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, in a direction of a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis; a first spring portion connected to the vibrating body and a first side surface of the movable electrode portion, the first side surface intersecting the first axis or the second axis; a second spring portion connected to the vibrating body and a second side surface of the movable electrode portion, the second side surface being parallel to the first side surface. The first spring portion and the second spring portion have portions extending in the direction of the first axis and portions extending in a direction of the second axis.
US09470524B1	Electronic roll pitch and yaw sensor using conductive fluid A method and apparatus for determining a rotational orientation of an object is provided. Embodiments of the present invention utilize an electrically conductive fluid enclosed within a shell attached to the object such that the conductive fluid contacts different portions of electrically conductive nodes, located on the inner wall of the shell, depending on the rotational orientation of the shell. The electrically activated nodes in contact with the conductive fluid act as sensors and individually transmit electric signals to a microcontroller for transformation into an indicator of a rotational orientation of the object. The indicator of the rotational orientation is then output.
US09470523B2	Apparatus and methods for the launch and recovery of craft from and to a host ship A system and method for determining and displaying the suitability of water conditions in a zone for the launch or recovery of a smaller craft (10) from or to a host ship (12) is disclosed. The system and method detect one or more external environment parameters such as the height, direction and period of the swell, and one or more parameters relating to the ship operating conditions such as the heading, speed, pitch and roll angles, and processes these to determine the suitability of the conditions for launch or recovery.
US09470520B2	LiDAR scanner A LiDAR sensor can include a laser, a directional sensor, a window, an electromagnetic pulse receiving sensor, and a processor. The laser can be configured to emit a narrow electromagnetic pulse. Further, the directional sensor can be configured to measure the direction of the narrow electromagnetic pulse emitted by the laser. The narrow emitted electromagnetic pulse can pass through the window. The pulse can then be reflected by at least the window and an object external from the LiDAR sensor, creating at least two reflected pulses. The electromagnetic pulse receiving sensor can be configured to measure the two reflected pulses resulting from the narrow pulse emitted by the laser. The processor can be configured to receive information from the sensors, indicating a position of the object relative to the LiDAR sensor. Further, the processor can be configured to measure the intensity of the pulse being reflected by the window.
US09470519B2	Apparatus for determining a dimension of a selected surface of an object There is provided an apparatus configured to be used with a processing unit for determining a dimension of a selected surface of an object, the apparatus comprising i) a piece of stretchable fabric having a shape adapted to fit the selected surface of the object such that the piece of fabric stretches proportionally to the dimension of the surface when draped thereover; ii) a plurality of uniquely identified beacon devices disposed on the piece of fabric when unstretched in accordance with a first spatial configuration known a priori, where, when the piece of fabric is draped over and stretched by the surface, the beacon devices automatically shift position and form a second spatial configuration as a function of the dimension of the surface; and ii) electronic means for detecting the second spatial configuration and for generating data representing the second spatial configuration; where the processing unit is configured to receive data associated with the first and second spatial configurations and to determine the dimension of the surface as a function thereof.
US09470518B2	Daily checking and calibrating method of length measuring machine A daily checking and calibrating method includes the following steps. Step (1) is for detecting a state of the length measuring machine at a predetermined daily check time. Step (2) is for stopping the transportation of substrates upon determining the length measuring machine is in an idle state. Step (3) is for measuring coordinates of positioning marks on a substrate-carrying platform to generate a measured data file and comparing the measured coordinates of the positioning marks with predetermined coordinates. Step (4) is for automatically calculating a calibration value when a difference between the measured coordinates of the positioning marks and the predetermined coordinates is smaller than a predetermined value and updating the calibration value to a coordinate parameter file to complete automatic calibration. Otherwise, an alarm is activated. Step (5) is for determining follow-up measures when the difference between the measured coordinates of the positioning marks and the predetermined coordinates is larger than the predetermined value.
US09470515B2	Arrangement evaluation apparatus for evaluating arrangement position of range sensor An arrangement evaluation apparatus of a range sensor comprises an article arrangement unit which arranges an article model, a sensor arrangement unit which arranges a sensor model, a first plane group generation unit which generates a plurality of first planes including division lines obtained by dividing a virtual plane, a second plane group generation unit which generates a plurality of second planes by boundary surfaces of stripe pattern light projected from the projector model, an intersection line calculation unit which calculates intersection lines between the first planes and the second planes, and an intersection number calculation unit which counts the number of intersection points between the intersection lines and the surface of the article model.
US09470514B2	System and method for using laser scan micrometer to measure surface changes on non-concave surfaces A method of comparing surface profiles of an object, the object being rotatable on an axis, such that the object has a longitudinal dimension and an axial dimension. The object is incrementally scanned with a laser scan micrometer, first in a pre-test scan procedure and then in a post-test scan procedure. The two scan procedures are performed in the same manner, by using the laser scan micrometer to scan the object in a longitudinal direction, rotating the object, re-scanning the object, measuring the scan length thereby obtaining a longitudinal height value, and repeating the preceding steps for a number of incremental rotations thereby obtaining one longitudinal height profile. This process is repeated by incrementally moving the object in an axial direction and acquiring additional longitudinal height profiles, thereby acquiring a set of longitudinal height profiles. The pre-test and post-test sets of profiles are then aligned and compared.
US09470511B2	Point-to-point measurements using a handheld device A method for performing point-to-point measurements includes (i) determining a distance to a first point and obtaining an image at a first pose, and (ii) determining a distance to a second point and obtaining an image at a second pose. The images have an overlapping portion. A change in pose between the first pose and the second pose is determined using observed changes between common features in the overlapping portion of the images and a scale associated with the images. A distance between the first point and the second point is determined based on the first distance, the second distance, and the change in pose between the first pose and the second pose.
US09470510B2	Systems and methods for detecting fallen containers suitable for apparatus for automated evaluation of microorganism growth in test samples Methods, systems, computer program products, apparatus and circuits are configured to detect fallen containers upstream or proximate an intake zone suitable for automated evaluation apparatus using different sensors, including at least one lower sensor and at least one upper sensor which is positioned to project an optical signal at a height corresponding to a top portion of an upright container to thereby allow an increased reliability in detection of different orientations and positions of fallen containers. An optional second lower sensor may be used which is longitudinally spaced apart from the first lower sensor and the lower sensors can transmit optical signals across the container travel path that do not intersect.
US09470509B2	Inner diameter measuring device and inner diameter measuring method An inner diameter measuring device, comprising a measurement carriage traveled in straight direction, pipe holding frames disposed at front and rear positions and for mounting a pipe to be measured, a measuring head supported at a forward end of a supporting member extended in a direction parallel to advancing direction of the measurement carriage, a first and second laser distance measuring unit disposed in traveling distance of the measurement carriage and for performing distance measurement in two directions perpendicularly crossing to each other, wherein the pipe holding frames can adjust a supporting position of the pipe to be measured, the measuring head measures an inner diameter of the pipe to be measured, the first and second laser distance measuring units measure distance with respect to each of the reference outer peripheral surfaces at the parts, and the supporting position of the pipe to be measured is adjusted.
US09470506B2	Systems and methods for rapid detection of rotation direction Embodiments relate to sensor systems and methods for rapidly detecting a direction of rotation. In one embodiment, a sensor system is configured to identify positive and negative peaks of both speed and direction signals and to evaluate a sequential order of the peaks. A direction of rotation can be identified rapidly from the evaluation of the sequential order of peaks.
US09470503B2	Strain-based sensing of mirror position Mechanical apparatus includes a base, a moving element, and a hinge, having a first end attached to the moving element. A supporting structure is attached to the base and to the second end of the hinge and has at least a component perpendicular to the hinge so as to translate rotation of the moving element about the hinge into elongation of the component, whereby the moving element rotates about the hinge relative to the base while the supporting structure is deformed as a result of the rotation of the moving element about the hinge. A strain-based rotation sensor is associated with the supporting structure and is configured to provide a signal indicative of the rotation of the moving element responsively to a strain induced due to deformation of the supporting structure as the result of the rotation of the moving element.
US09470501B2	Contact-terminal apparatus with pressure sensor A contact-terminal apparatus for use in measuring an electrical property of an object includes a first contact-terminal unit made of a conductive material to come in contact with the object, a movable part having a first surface on which the first contact-terminal unit is placed, and a pressure sensor situated beneath a second surface of the movable part, wherein the pressure sensor has a pressure detecting part that is in contact with the second surface of the movable part.
US09470500B2	Tape measure apparatus with a rotating and sliding catch An improved tape measure apparatus which includes a catch that is both slidable and rotatable relative to the rule blade in a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rule blade when the rule blade is extended from the tape casing. In one embodiment the catch can both rotate and slide relative to the rule blade when frictional forces exceed a predefined minimum or are within a predefined range.
US09470498B1	High pressure isolated latching safety switch device A pressure switch is provided to arm a munition's fuze mechanism upon launch. The switch operation is based upon extreme gas pressures experienced during launch of the munition. The switch includes a piston contained in a housing. The piston translates due to launch pressures. The piston translation then causes a copper puck component to contact nearby electrical stab pins, to close a circuit. The closed circuit is then used to electrically arm the fuze mechanism.
US09470496B2	Disintegrating ammunition belt link A plurality of ammunition links form a belt of ammunition by interlocking with a plurality of tapered rounds having average casing diameters between about 0.400 inches and about 0.425 inches. A link includes at least a first resilient member and a second resilient member that extend in substantially opposing directions. A link engages with and provides a compressive force to a first round with the first resilient member and, optionally, a third resilient member. The link engages a second round and applies less or substantially no compressive force with the second resilient member.
US09470493B2	Method for combating explosive-charged weapon units, and projectile designed for the same The invention relates to a method of, with a projectile (1) comprising a reactive charge (4), combating an explosive-charged weapon unit (7), preferably an enemy shell, so that undesirable harmful effects on the environment are reduced, wherein the projectile (1) is configured to penetrate the surface (8) of the weapon unit (7) upon impact so that a passage (9) is opened into the explosive (10) of the weapon unit (7), through which passage (9) the reactive charge (4), under the influence of the kinetic energy of the projectile (1), is transferred to the explosive (10) of the weapon unit (7). The method can be deemed to be characterized in that the reactive charge (4), upon contact with the explosive (10) of the weapon unit (7), reacts and starts a hypergolic reaction with the explosive (10). The invention also relates to a projectile (1) for the said method.
US09470492B2	Spin-stabilized non-lethal projectile with a shear-thinning fluid A non-lethal projectile having a shear-thinning fluid within an interior cavity. The shear-thinning fluid having a greater apparent viscosity at low shear rates to spin-stabilize the non-lethal projectile during flight and a lower apparent viscosity at a high shear rate corresponding with the shear-thinning fluid shearing against the frangible cap upon the non-lethal projectile striking the target, with the low viscosity of the shear-thinning fluid allowing proper dispersal upon impact with the target. The shear-thinning fluid can comprise a marking media and be in the form of an emulsion with less than about 50% liquid by volume to effectively disperse upon impact with the target.
US09470490B2	Penalty box The present invention relates to a hot-wire detonator emulator that has the capability of monitoring switching in a simulated, mock, or inert improvised explosive device (IED) powered by direct current. One purpose of the inventive emulator is to function as an energetic witness substitute by replacing the detonator in an actual IED, thus enabling bomb technicians to conduct bench top and field analyses of IEDs, and to assess the effectiveness of render-safe procedures by, for example, illustrating how a detonator would react in a render-safe procedure.
US09470484B2	Foam explosive containers A lightweight explosive containment device that is used to transport blasting caps, explosive precursors, or homemade explosives. Open cellular foam material within the container diffuses explosive gases and absorbs kinetic energy. An internal clapper tube distributes forces to the ligaments of the cellular foam material and an external support tube contains the explosive fragmentation and blast overpressure. A system of containers with storage capabilities that enable the transportation of a number of lightweight explosive containment devices is presented. An alternate configuration of the present invention utilizes the open cellular foam material to create a directional disruption device. Such a tool prevents explosive gases and fragmentation from causing unnecessary collateral damage to the surroundings or supporting robot.
US09470479B2	Method and system for aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device A method of aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device is disclosed. Using at least one superposition device coupled to the projectile device, multiple optical reference points are superposed within a first target area. Positions for at least two of the optical reference points are noted. A projectile is shot from the projectile device at a second target area, while the positions of the at least two optical reference points are maintained, to create the point of impact. The point of aim for the projectile device is adjusted to correspond with the point of impact while the positions of the at least two optical reference points are maintained. A system for aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device is also disclosed.
US09470478B2	Dot-sighting device A dot-sighting device includes a light source, a beam splitter and a reflective element. The light source emits light. The beam splitter includes a surface that reflects at least a portion of a first light component of the light and transmits at least a portion of a second light component. The reflective element reflects at least a portion of the first light component reflected by the surface of the beam splitter toward the beam splitter. The light reflected by the reflective element includes the second light component.
US09470474B1	Device for cyclically operating a firearm trigger A device for cyclically operating a trigger of a firearm includes biasing means for biasing a finger applied to a trigger away from the trigger, and a contact switch coupled to the biasing means and configured to be disposed between the finger and the trigger. In response to the contact switch detecting contact between the finger and the trigger, the biasing means actuates to cyclically bias the finger away from the trigger.
US09470471B2	Draw extending archery system A draw extending archery system enables a user to draw a draw string multiple times to store energy. Embodiments of the system include a transmission that operatively engages the draw string and a flexible limb. From an initial rest position, the user initiates a charging stroke on the draw string. During a first charging stroke, the transmission engages to store energy during the draw. At the end of the charging stroke, the transmission engages to prevent release of stored energy. The transmission also disengages the draw string to enable a subsequent charging stroke from an intermediate rest position. From a final rest position, the user initiates a firing stroke on the draw string. At the end of the firing stroke, the transmission couples the draw string and the flexible limb to release stored energy through the draw string.
US09470467B2	Shooting aid A shooting aid for removable attachment to a weapon allows the weapon to rest upon another surface for more accurate shooting.
US09470465B2	Firearm having slide with cam A barrel for a semiautomatic firearm operating under the short recoil system has one or more cam followers projecting outwardly to engage one or more cams positioned on an inner surface of a slide surrounding the barrel. Interaction between the cams and the cam followers controls the angle between the longitudinal axis of the barrel and the axis of motion of the slide to prevent the breech end of the barrel from moving too far as the barrel tilts as it unlocks from the slide, ensuring that the extractor will engage the rim of a spent casing and extract it from the chamber during recoil.
US09470464B2	Self-leveling follower and magazine A follower for a firearm magazine is disclosed, with a platform that may support a cartridge and has a top surface defining a plane and a bottom surface. The front end may be coupled to a front portion of the platform and engage a spring and a magazine body. The interior surface of the front end may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the platform and form an obtuse angle with the plane of the platform. The rear end may be coupled to a rear portion of the platform and engage the spring and the magazine body. The interior surface of the rear end may be perpendicular to the bottom surface of the platform and form an acute angle with the plane of the platform. The front end may extend further below the platform than does the rear end.
US09470459B2	Support structure for heat dissipation unit A support structure for heat dissipation unit includes at least one main body and an oxide coating. Multiple grooves are formed on an outer circumference of the main body. The oxide coating is coated on the outer circumference of the main body and the surfaces of the grooves. The sintered powder body can be replaced with the support structure with the directional oxide coating coated on the outer circumference of the main body and the surfaces of the grooves to greatly speed the vapor-liquid circulation of the working fluid in the chamber of the heat dissipation unit so as to enhance the heat dissipation performance.
US09470457B2	Melt furnace, melt furnace control systems, and method of controlling a melt furnace A melt furnace including a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a holding reservoir, and a control system including a controller is provided. The first reservoir and the second reservoir are in fluid communication with the holding reservoir to flow molten materials to the holding reservoir. The controller is in communication with a first material level sensor, a second material level sensor, a holding reservoir temperature sensor, and a molten material level sensor assembly. The controller is adapted to adjust an output level of at least one of the first reservoir melt burner and the second reservoir melt burner based, at least in part, on one or more received signals to control the flow of molten materials from the first reservoir and the second reservoir to maintain a level of molten material in the holding reservoir.
US09470456B2	Method and device for charging coal-containing material and iron carrier material A melter gasifier of a smelting reduction installation is charged by bringing together coal -containing material in lump form and iron carrier material (which may be hot) before and/or while they enter the melter gasifier. The ratio of the combined amounts of iron carrier material and coal-containing material in lump form is variable. The combined amounts of iron carrier material and coal-containing material in lump form are distributed over the cross section of the melter gasifier by a dynamic distributing device, and the ratio of the combined amounts of the iron carrier material and coal-containing material in lump form is set depending on the position of the dynamic distributing device.
US09470455B2	Sorting green lumber A method of sorting green lumber is based on a ratio of moisture content to either weight or density. The moisture content of each piece of green lumber is measured, and the weight or density of the green lumber is measure. One more thresholds of moisture content to weight or density ratios are used to divide the green lumber into groups. Such a sort tends to produce groups of green lumber that require similar kiln drying schedules.
US09470454B2	Collapsible aeration system for retrofitting a grain bin A novel collapsible aeration system is retrofitted into a grain bin with a discharge opening in the bottom. This grain bin may have a sloped or conical hopper or a flat bottom. The aeration system is formed from a set of connected (e.g. hinged) duct sections that define a round or multi-sided duct having a minimum of three sides or faces. The sides may be flat, curved or corrugated. The collapsible aeration system is folded (collapsed), inserted into the bin via a hole, and then unfolded inside the bin. An air duct is connected to the aeration system to enable the aeration system to dry the grain in the grain bin. This technology enables existing grain bins to be retrofitted with a dryer in an easy and efficient manner.
US09470453B2	Controlled nucleation during freezing step of freeze drying cycle using pressure differential water vapor CO2 ice crystals A method of controlling and enhancing the nucleation of product in a freeze dryer wherein a product is maintained at a predetermined temperature and pressure. A mixture of water vapor and CO2 gas is introduced into a condenser chamber separate from the product chamber to create a predetermined volume of condensed frost, ice and dry ice crystals on an inner surface of the condenser chamber. The condenser chamber is connected to the product chamber and has a predetermined pressure that is greater than that of the product chamber. Upon the opening of the condenser chamber into the product chamber, gas turbulence is created that causes the condensed frost in the form of an ice fog and accompanying ice and dry ice crystals to rapidly enter the product chamber for even distribution therein to create uniform and rapid nucleation of the product in different areas of the product chamber.
US09470452B2	Imported LNG treatment The process of treating imported heating grade source LNG to form engine fuel grade LNG, and/or produce power.
US09470450B2	Refrigerator having curved door edges and method of manufacturing the same A refrigerator decreasing the space needed to opened a door by forming a curvature at an edge of the door and decreasing risk of an accident or injury caused when a body part is caught between the door and a wall, and a method of manufacturing the same, are disclosed according to embodiments of the present invention. The durability of the door may be improved by forming a curvature of the door edge so that a curvature radius of an upper side of the door is greater than a curvature radius of a lower side of the door.
US09470447B2	Ice maker and water purifier having the same An ice maker and a water purifier capable of making ice using two water trays. The water purifier having an ice maker includes a water tray member comprising an ice-making water tray holding ice-making raw water to make ice using an ice-making unit, and an auxiliary water tray holding ice-making raw water remaining in the ice-making water tray in the course of cooling the ice-making raw water by means of the ice-making unit and removing the ice-making raw water from the ice-making water tray; an ice reservoir storing ice made in the ice-making unit; a cold water storage tank cooling water held therein using the ice made in the ice-making unit; and a guide member guiding the ice made in the ice-making unit so that the ice is selectively fed to either the ice reservoir or the cold water storage tank.
US09470446B2	Refrigerator and ice maker comprising the same ice tray having a water spillage trough An ice making tray for an ice maker, an ice maker and a refrigerator comprising the same are provided. The ice maker is disposed on a door of a refrigerator. The ice making tray includes: a tray body provided with a plurality of ice forming chambers being downwardly concave, in which an opening for water flowing is formed between adjacent ice forming chambers; a water storage trough disposed on a front side of the tray body, and being higher than the plurality of ice forming chambers, in which the water storage trough is communicated with the plurality of ice forming chambers via at least one water returning mouth; and an enclosure wall, disposed around an upper end of the tray body.
US09470442B2	Power generation system and method A method is disclosed for generating and distributing electric power for localized use. The method entails providing an enclosed building having an air conditioning and ventilation unit for supplying cooled air within the building, the unit including a closed loop circuit configured to operate a closed loop refrigeration cycle, including a compressor operable to compress a working fluid of the closed loop circuit. The method further includes engaging an internal combustion engine with the compressor and operating the internal combustion engine to drive the compressor, thereby transferring energy to the refrigeration cycle. The method may also involve engaging an electric motor with the compressor and operating the electric motor to drive the compressor, thereby transferring energy to the refrigeration cycle.
US09470438B2	Thermoelectric temperature control unit The application relates to thermoelectric temperature control units, for example for controlling the temperature of an energy storage device in a motor vehicle. An exemplary embodiment comprises a Peltier element, having a first and a second surface, wherein the second surface is substantially adjacent or opposite to the first. The first surface is connected in a thermally conductive manner to a first and/or second flow duct, through which a fluid can flow. The second surface is connected in a thermally conductive manner to a heat-producing element, wherein the first flow duct is in fluid communication at one of the ends thereof with a first header, and the second flow duct is in fluid communication at one of the ends thereof with a second header, and the first flow duct and the second flow duct are in fluid communication at the respective second ends thereof with a common reversing header.
US09470425B1	Dehumidifier A cross-flow heat exchanger, method of making a cross-flow heat exchanger, and a dehumidifier are provided. The cross-flow heat exchanger has an axial flow path extending through the heat exchanger from an inlet to an outlet and a transverse flow path oriented transversely to the axial flow path and extending through the heat exchanger from an inlet to an outlet. The transverse flow path is adjacent to and separate from the axial flow path. The surface area of the inlet of the axial flow path is less than the surface area of the outlet of the axial flow path. In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger has an exterior shape that is trapezoidal.
US09470421B2	Combustor cap assembly A combustor cap assembly includes an annular shroud and an impingement plate coupled to the shroud. The impingement plate at least partially defines a plurality of impingement cooling holes and a cooling flow return passage. A cap plate is coupled to the impingement plate. The cap plate includes an impingement side which faces a second side portion of the impingement plate where the impingement side is axially spaced from the second side portion to define an impingement air plenum therebetween. The cooling flow return passage is in fluid communication with the impingement air plenum. A fluid conduit extends from a first side portion of the impingement plate towards a first end portion of the shroud. The fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the cooling flow return passage and provides for fluid communication out of the impingement air plenum.
US09470417B2	Adjustable gas grill burner and method of making and using the same Adjustable gas grill burners are disclosed. Methods of making and using adjustable gas grill burners are also disclosed.
US09470414B2	Method for delivering a tool to the interior of a heat exchange tube A delivery system for remotely driving an eddy current probe through the tubing of a heat exchanger. The system uses a flexible shaft and air pressure to move an inspection probe through the heat exchanger tubes. The flexible shaft initially drives the probe through a sealed conduit to deliver the probe to the tube end at which point a seal on the shaft near the probe head contacts the tube inner surface allowing a buildup of air pressure behind the seal, thus driving the probe through the tube.
US09470409B2	Light-emitting device A light-emitting device comprising a heat dissipation carrier, a circuit board, a light-emitting element, a side heat conduction plate, an insulation shell and a light cover is provided. The circuit board is disposed on the heat dissipation carrier. The light-emitting element is disposed on the circuit board. The light cover is directly engaged with the heat dissipation carrier. The side heat conduction plate is engaged with the heat dissipation carrier and comprises a transverse plate and a side plate. The transverse plate carries the circuit board. The side plate is connected with the transverse plate. The insulation shell covers the side plate of the side heat conduction plate.
US09470408B2	Illumination system An illumination system may include a receiver which is mounted on a support surface, such as a heat sink, and a light module that may include a cover and an LED assembly. The LED assembly is rotateably attached to the cover and seats within the receiver. The receiver may have touch-safe terminals attached thereto for providing power to the LED assembly. The LED assembly may include a cup which enables potting material to be easily included in the assembly during manufacturing. When the LED assembly is attached to the receiver, blades on the LED assembly mate with the terminals on the receiver.
US09470404B2	Foldable display apparatus A foldable display apparatus including: a flexible display panel; a case including a first case body and a second case body that are coupled to each by a hinge; a first support plate coupled to the first case body to support a first side of the flexible display panel; and a second support plate coupled to the second case body to support a second side of the flexible display panel.
US09470399B1	Light-emitting polymer films, articles containing same, and methods of making Light-emitting film having low or no degradation of light emission characteristics at film side surfaces, methods of making, and displays and electronic devices such as electronic readers formed with the light-emitting film. In one instance, the light-emitting film contains quantum dots in a polymeric matrix, has side surfaces protected with one or more oxygen and moisture barrier layers, and may be formed using transfer molding.
US09470397B2	Light collecting system with a number of reflector pairs The present invention relates to a light collector for an illumination device collecting light from a plurality of light sources and combing the collected light into a common light beam, where the common light beam is coupled through an optical gate. The light sources are distributed offset and around an optical axis and the light beam collector comprises a first reflector surrounding the optical axis and a second reflector surrounding the optical axis, where the first reflector reflects the sources light beams towards the second reflector and where the second reflector reflects the source light beams in a direction along the optical axis. The light beam collectors is divided into a number of reflector pairs, where each reflector pair comprises a first surface part of the first reflector and a second surface part of the second reflector, where the second surface part receives light from the corresponding first surface part of the reflector pair.
US09470391B2	LED light source module An LED light source module is disclosed, which can replace a halogen bulb. The LED light source module includes an LED light source, a heat sink, an electric fan unit, a driver circuit, and an attachment, and all of these constituent elements are integrated. A structure of the attachment is the same as that of an attachment of a halogen bulb generally used as a light source of a lighting apparatus for a vehicle. The LED light source module can replace a halogen bulb. When the LED light source module needs replacement, unlike the conventional LED head light where the whole lamp main body is replaced, only the LED light source module can be replaced.
US09470385B1	Solar light An illuminating device is disclosed for projecting an electromagnetic radiation. The device includes a base having a first mounting leg and a second mounting leg extending in any generally descending orientation. The first mounting leg and the second mounting leg are positioned on opposing sides of an object. The base removably engages with a power source, a solar panel and a light illuminating. The light illuminating device projects an electromagnetic radiation in a generally descending orientation.
US09470383B2	LED lighting device including module which is changeable according to power consumption and having improved heat radiation and waterproof Disclosed is an LED lighting device of which the number of LED modules thereof is changeable according to power consumption. Through a structural change of the module, heat radiation and waterproof can be greatly improved and the size, weight and manufacturing cost can be reduced. Also, a fastening bolt allows the module to be simply attached and separated and maintenance, repair and stability can be improved by providing a wiring space inside the device. Further, there is an advantage of additionally adding a light detection sensor through a cover. The LED lighting device according to the embodiment includes a plurality of heat radiating plates; at least one light source module disposed on one surface of the heat radiating plate.
US09470382B1	Portable light A portable light having a light head with a plurality of light elements and a rotatable diffuser to selectively diffuse the light produced by the light elements. The diffuser is operable by an actuator. The actuator further includes a switch for controlling the dimming level of the light elements. A separate switch controls whether the light is “on” or “off”.
US09470381B2	Light-emitting device having circular light emission The present invention provides a light-emitting device having circular light emission. By disposing a light-emitting chip on a substrate and a frame on one side of the light-emitting chip, a transparent sheet is disposed on the frame. In addition, a shade layer is disposed on one surface of the transparent sheet and an opening is disposed at the center of the shade layer for providing circular light emission. Alternatively, the opening can be formed on the frame and aligning with the light-emitting and thus providing circular light emission.
US09470378B2	LED lamp Provided is an LED lamp in which a lens for diffusing light from an LED can be received in and fixed to a reflector without interfering with the outer side of the lens. The LED lamp of the present invention includes a lamp unit configured to emit light; a lamp housing unit configured to have the lamp unit embedded in the lamp housing unit and to have the front opened so that the light of the lamp unit is scanned to the front; a front cover unit fixed in front of the lamp housing unit and configured to have the inside hollowed; and glass fixed in front of the lamp housing unit by means of the front cover unit and configured to transmit the light of the lamp unit.
US09470373B2	LED lamp A lamp comprises has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base. At least one LED is located in the enclosure and is operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. A light non-transmissive portion defines a light transmissive portion where the light transmissive portion is illuminated when the at least one LED is energized. The light transmissive portion may define information such as branding information.
US09470372B2	High intensity replaceable light emitting diode module and array A light fixture, comprising a matrix, a plurality of electrical sockets fixedly secured to the matrix and forming a rigid matrix of electrical sockets electrically interconnected in two dimensions. One or more light emitting diode modules are individually removable and replaceable within any individual electrical socket within the matrix. Each individual light emitting diode module includes a base and a light emitting diode, wherein the base is configured and arranged for fitted electrical engagement within the electrical socket.
US09470369B2	Pipeline system and method for draining a pipeline system Described is a pipeline system for conveying a salt melt, comprising at least one pipeline (5) through which the salt melt flows, at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein the pipeline (5) through which the salt melt flows has at least one gradient inclined with respect to the horizontal and is respectively connected at the lowest positions via a drainage valve (25) to a drainage line (27) and at the highest positions to a venting valve (23). Also described is a method for draining the pipeline system.
US09470366B2	Liner for gas storage tank This invention relates to a liner for a gas storage tank containing a polymer composition comprising: i. a polyamide A, and ii. a nucleating agent in an amount of at least 0.001 weight percent with respect to the total amount of the polymer composition, and iii. an impact modifier in an amount of at least 1 weight percent with respect to the total amount of the polymer composition. The invention also relates to a gas storage tank comprising a structural fiber composite comprising continuous carbon or glass fibers, as well as a method for preparing a liner by blow molding.
US09470363B2	Mono-material divider block assembly The invention is directed to a divider block assembly made from one piece of material. Traditional divider blocks require modular sections so that piston alignment can be calibrated precisely. The current invention uses replaceable pistons and sleeves that are suitable for use at high fluid pressures. The use of these pistons also allows for a single, bodied, one-piece, metal divider body, rather than the conventional multiple block divider blocks, which allows for a more efficient manufacturing method and stronger, more reliable, and more efficient lubricant dispensing system. The use of any of these aspects separately can improve performance, and not all are required in every embodiment.
US09470362B2	Automatic oil injector An automatic oil injector is provided with a container; a cover detachably covering the container; a suction pipe passing through and fastening the cover, and one end of the suction pipe accommodated at the bottom of the container, and the other end of the suction pipe exposed outside the cover; an inlet hole passing through the cover, and one end of the inlet hole accommodated inside the container and the other end of the inlet hole disposed with a folding cover; a pump; the end of the suction pipe exposed outside the cover fluidly connected with an inlet port of the pump; an oil injecting pipe, one end of the oil injecting pipe fluidly connected with an outlet port of the pump; a control switch electrically connecting to the pump; an liquid level indicator disposed outside the container; and an accommodating groove connected to the container.
US09470361B1	Wall mounted bracket assembly for securing articles A wall mounted bracket assembly for securing articles, having a bracket assembly with a cooperative shape and dimension to be mounted onto a wall or surface. The bracket assembly has front, rear, top, and bottom walls, and first and second sidewalls. The bracket assembly further has a central opening, holes, and mounting means for mounting the bracket assembly. A strap assembly has a strap and a buckle. Positioned at the first and second sidewalls are first and second notches respectively with respective mounting holes to receive a respective strap holder post. A container is held by the strap, whereby the strap is adjusted at the buckle according to dimensions of the container with a predetermined tension. The container is a trashcan, laundry basket, bag, or receptacle.
US09470358B2	Electronic device holder with repositionable stand and systems and methods thereof Holders for electronic devices and systems, methods, and methods of making thereof. Electronic device holders include a base and a support rotatably coupled to the base. The support includes a base, a coupler, and a stand and is rotatable to a plurality of different or same orientations. The stand is rotatable outwardly and inwardly from and two fully retracted and fully extended positions and positions therebetween. In one or more extended positions, the stand can be supported by a support surface or a support device or apparatus.
US09470356B1	Quick-release universal tablet holder for desktops and floor stands A tablet holder including: a mounting plate having a front configured to releasably grasp a tablet display device and a back surface; a support stand configured to support the mounting plate and the tablet display device; and a coupling joining the mounting plate and the support stand including a locking hinge configured to allow the mounting plate to pivot and lock at discreet angular positions that eliminate wobbling with respect to the support stand.
US09470355B2	Method for producing a tube or semi-finished tube and tube or semi-finished tube for chemical apparatus construction The invention relates to a tube (01) or semi-finished tube, in particular for chemical apparatus construction, for storing or for transporting aggressive storage media, comprising a solid inner tube (02) with the inner side (05) of which the storage medium can come into contact and which is made of a thermoplastic that is chemically resistant to the storage medium, and comprising an adhesion-promoting layer (03) applied to the outer side (09) of the inner tube (02), which has a textile structure and is made of a thermoplastic, the textile structure of the adhesion-promoting layer (03) being suitable for mounting a support tube (04) on the outer side of the adhesion-promoting layer (03), the outer side of the inner tube (02) and the inner side of the adhesion-promoting layer (03) being welded together in a material-bonded manner, the textile structure being preserved on the outer side of the adhesion-promoting layer (03).
US09470354B2	Adjustable sanitary hose donut An adjustable sanitary hose donut has a variable inner diameter, which allows the adjustable sanitary hose donut to be used with multiple hoses having different diameters. The adjustable sanitary hose donut has an annular body and a fastener. The annular body has a plurality of sectors that are divided by a plurality of flex points. The plurality of flex points allows the plurality of sectors to bend inwards or outwards from one another in order to adjust the inner diameter of the annular body. A first overlapping section and a second overlapping section of the annular body also aid in allowing the inner diameter of the annular body to expand or contract. The fastener is positioned through both the first overlapping section and the second overlapping section and is used to lock the annular body at the desired inner diameter.
US09470350B2	Metal-to-composite interfaces The invention relates to improved metal/composite interfaces, particularly for risers used in offshore oil and gas production to connect a subsea oil well to a surface drilling/production facility. The invention provides a composite hoop structure configured to a bearing surface of a metal groove of metal liner over which axial fibers are laid. The composite hoop structure provides for improved transition of axial, torsional and compressive forces between composite fibers and metal surfaces of the metal liner.
US09470343B2	Pipe for a conveying line for conveying bulk material as well as device for leakage monitoring of a conveying line A pipe for a conveying line for conveying bulk material has an inner pipe and an exterior pipe surrounding at a spacing the inner pipe, wherein an annular space is formed between the inner pipe and the exterior pipe. A spacer is seated on the inner pipe and arranged in the annular space between the inner pipe and the exterior pipe. The spacer centers the inner pipe and the exterior pipe relative to each other. The spacer supports the exterior pipe by an at least 2-point support.
US09470338B2	Pipe joining device A device 20 used to join two pipes 22,22′ positioned end to end. The device comprises two parallel jaws 24,24′ holding the pipes mounted in combination with means of rods 28 linking the two jaws. One jaw is fixed 24 while the other jaw is mobile 24′; at least one rod is provided with means of rack wherein means of pinions 34 are moved while pulling the mobile jaw 24′ towards or away from the fixed jaw until the pipes are connected. Each jaw is provided with means of spacing 42 their claws for adjusting their opening with the section of the pipes. Those means of spacing claws comprise a transversal bar 44 mounted between the claws and adapted to move, transversally along longitudinal slots made in the claws, thus spacing or moving closer the claws and then determining a sufficient opening corresponding with the pipe section.
US09470336B2	Mixing valve assembly including a temperature display A mixing valve assembly including a valve cartridge is supported by a valve body housing within a shower wall. The valve cartridge includes a temperature sensor in thermal communication with water provided to an outlet port of the valve body. A temperature display is configured to provide a visual indication of water temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
US09470333B1	Water valve A water valve having dual mechanisms for controlling the flow of water for both high pressure and low pressure applications. The first mechanism controlling the flow of water out of a first opening and the second mechanism controlling the flow of water out a second opening. The mechanisms work together to control the flow of water from a closed position to an open position.
US09470332B2	Solenoid valve A stator is located in a coil. A movable body is attracted toward the stator when the stator is magnetized by the coil. A valve element is movable integrally with the movable body to open and close a fluid passage when the coil is activated and de-activated. A regulating member is opposed to the movable body to regulate movement of the movable body. An elastic member is equipped to one of the regulating member and the movable body and is elastically deformable between the movable body and the regulating member when the movable body is attracted toward the stator. The elastic member is located at a position shifted in a radial direction relative to the regulating member or the movable body. The elastic member is in an asymmetrical shape relative to an axial rotational direction.
US09470327B2	Self-obstructing flammable fluid carrying conduit The present invention is directed to improved assembly for transporting flammable fluids. In an example, the assembly comprises a conduit, a liner, and a core. The liner comprises a material that contracts in response to an elevation in temperature. In an example, the liner comprises a material that expands in response to an elevation in temperature.
US09470325B2	Single and grouped pressure valves This disclosure provides example methods, devices, and systems for a single and grouped pressure valve. In one embodiment, a pressure valve may include a housing having a first input port and a plurality of output ports and defining a cavity disposed therein; a flow coupler disposed in the cavity of the housing and having a passage transversely disposed therethrough, wherein the flow coupler is movable within the cavity of the housing; wherein a first alignment position of the flow coupler in the cavity of the housing allows fluid flow from the first input port of the housing through the passage of the flow coupler to all of the plurality of output ports of the housing; and wherein a second alignment position of the flow coupler in the cavity of the housing allows fluid flow from the first input port of the housing through the passage of the flow coupler to one of the plurality of output ports of the housing.
US09470324B2	Directional valve and method of operation A valve is provided. The valve may include: an axially movable spool having a conical valve portion and dissipating disk portion; a valve housing defining a valve cavity in which the spool resides; a first port in the valve housing; a second port in the valve housing; a land defined by the housing; a wide portion in the housing; and a valve seat defined, at least in part, by the valve housing configured to form a seal with the conical valve portion, wherein the land, the wide portion, the conical valve portion, and the valve seat are dimensioned to cause the disk portion and the land to be proximate to each other when the valve section is near the valve seat and the disk portion is proximate to the wide portion when the valve section is away from the valve seat.
US09470323B2	Pressure regulator and hydraulic brake system for vehicle equipped with the same A pressure regulator configured to regulate a working fluid by a pilot pressure, including: a spool valve mechanism having a spool; a biasing mechanism having a pilot-pressure chamber and a pilot piston, the biasing mechanism being configured to bias the spool toward the other end of the pressure regulator in its axial direction by a pressure of the working fluid in the pilot-pressure chamber; a counter biasing mechanism having a regulated-pressure chamber and a counter biasing piston, the counter biasing mechanism being configured to bias the spool toward one end of the pressure regulator in the axial direction by a pressure of the working fluid in the regulated-pressure chamber; and at least one of a first damping mechanism configured to damp a movement of the pilot piston and a second damping mechanism configured to damp a movement of the counter biasing piston.
US09470321B2	Quick coupler for a high pressure fluid system A high pressure fluid system including enhanced safety, maintenance and servicing features. The system can include a quick coupler that facilitates rapid, safe connection between a plunger of a seal cartridge assembly and a cross head stub connected to a power frame. The quick coupler can include a plunger defining a recess, a retention ring disposable within the recess, and a retention nut that fits over the retention ring and part of the plunger, securing the plunger to the cross head stub.
US09470317B1	Vent bore adapter An apparatus for reducing the outlet bore restriction of the inlet tube of existing outage gauges from a diameter of 0.055 in. to a chosen diameter, thereby reducing the quantity of LP Liquid and/or Gas, or other liquid or gaseous fluid, escaping from an LP Gas tank during filling thereof, is described. By retrofitting the original valve stem of an outage gauge with an adapter having a smaller inlet bore and a smaller stem, which screws into the adapter, the restriction of the outlet bore is achieved without requiring the emptying the LP Gas tank upon which the outage gauge is mounted.
US09470316B2	Protective cover and manufacturing method thereof A protective cover including a bellows portion wherein a plurality of valleys and peaks are arranged alternately. The valleys include a plurality of large valleys and a plurality of intermediate valleys whose inside and outside diameter dimensions at bottoms are greater than those of the large valleys, and the large valleys and the intermediate valleys are arranged alternately. Small valleys whose inside and outside diameter dimensions at bottoms are greater than those of the intermediate valleys are respectively arranged between the large valleys and the intermediate valleys. The peaks are respectively arranged between the large valleys and the small valleys as well as between the intermediate valleys and the small valleys, and apexes of the peaks have a same outside diameter dimension as one another. The apexes of the peaks are made thinner than the bottoms of the large valleys.
US09470313B2	Metal seal ring A metal seal ring by which conduits are hermetically engaged by a pressure in accordance with a fluid pressure. The metal seal ring is comprised of a first annular seal surface, a second annular seal surface a pressure receiving surface which is formed between a first and second seal surfaces and which defines an annular recessed portion, and an annular seal portion comprised of a first seal portion and a second seal portion which are both elastically deformable and both formed between the annular recessed portion and the second seal surface. Additionally, an annular seal ring main body is provided on the radially outer side of the seal portion to prevent the first and second flanges from moving closer to the metal seal ring in the axial direction.
US09470311B2	Lightweight engine power cell assembly Exemplary power cell assemblies and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary power cell assembly may include a piston crown and connecting rod. In an exemplary illustration, a power cell assembly includes a piston crown having a ringland extending circumferentially about a combustion bowl. The boss portions may each include inwardly extending shoulders defining arcuate crown running surfaces. The power cell assembly may further include a connecting rod having a shank and an upper end received in a cavity of the crown. The upper end of the connecting rod may define arcuate connecting rod running surfaces extending away from the shank. The crown running surfaces and connecting rod running surfaces generally allow the connecting rod to pivot with respect to the piston crown about an axis of rotation that extends from one of the boss portions to the other of the boss portions.
US09470310B2	Abnormality detection device for continuously variable transmission and method of detecting abnormality of the continuously variable transmission An abnormality detection device for a continuously variable transmission includes: a setting module that sets a target gear ratio based on an operation amount of an accelerator and a vehicle speed; an calculation module that determines an input torque to the continuously variable transmission from an output torque of an engine, obtains a generated driving force of a power unit including the engine and the continuously variable transmission according to the input torque and the target gear ratio, and calculates an acceleration of a vehicle based on the generated driving force of the power unit and a running resistance; and a determination module that determines the target gear ratio to be abnormal when the acceleration of the vehicle calculated by the calculation module is lower than or equal to a predetermined value.
US09470308B2	Method and apparatus for controlling the engagement of an input gear with an output gear The present invention relates to a method of engaging an input gear with an output gear in a drivetrain (3). The input gear is coupled to an input shaft (7) and the output gear is coupled to an output shaft (9). The method includes calculating a target input speed (S1′) for the input shaft (7) to match a rotational speed of the input gear to a rotational speed of the output gear. The calculated target input speed (S1′) is then modified to include an offset and the input speed (S1) of the input shaft (7) is then modified in dependence on the modified target input speed (S1″). The input gear and the output gear engage when the input speed (S1) of the input shaft (7) at least substantially matches the modified target input speed (S1″). The present invention also relates to an apparatus.
US09470303B2	Self scavenging gear shield A gearbox assembly includes a gearbox housing and a gear located in the housing and rotatable about a central axis. One or more gear shields are fixed in the housing and at least partially surround the gear. The one or more gear shields define a cavity between the gear and the one or more gear shields. The one or more gear shields are configured such that a pumping action is created by the gear rotation to direct gearbox lubricant out of the cavity. A method of scavenging lubricant from a gearbox includes pumping a flow of lubricant circumferentially around a cavity defined between a gear and a gear shield at least partially surrounding the gear via rotation of the gear about a central axis. The flow of lubricant is urged from the cavity into a lubricant outlet. The lubricant is urged through a lubricant channel in an axial direction.
US09470301B2	Harmonic drive gear reduction mechanism A harmonic drive gear reduction mechanism includes a rigid inner spline with 2(n+1) teeth and a tooth module of m, a flexible outer spline inserted in the rigid inner spline has 2n teeth and a tooth module of m, a flexible bearing inserted in the flexible outer spline, and a wave generator inserted in the flexible bearing. A thickness between an inner diameter of the flexible bearing and a pitch diameter of the flexible outer spline is t, a cross sectional profile of the wave generator consists four curves, the first and third curves have a radius of curvature R, R=m (n+1)−t, a central angle of the first and third curves is k, and 10
US09470292B2	Dual clutch type power transmission with alternative torque transmission path providing alternative ratios A dual clutch type transmission has first and second sections which respectively include first and second clutches. The clutches may be operated to allow torque transfer from an input to an output by way of the first section or the second section. One or more additional gear ratios is provided by a torque transfer pathway connecting the first and second sections such that torque is delivered from the input to the output by way of one or more stages of the first section and one or more stages of the second section. The additional gear ratios may comprise extra low gear ratios. Some embodiments provide transmissions suitable for driving pumps for use in hydraulic fracturing of geological formations.
US09470287B2	Inverted liquid sealed mount In the inverted type liquid sealed engine mount in which a secondary liquid chamber is located above, an insulator protrudes in a mountain shape into a primary liquid chamber, and a resistor is provided within an annular recess section formed around the protruding portion. The resistor is mounted by insertion into an engaging recess of a lining layer and elastically supported by ribs so as to be movable in the annular recess section due to liquid flowing in the circumferential direction. A regulation gap is provided between the resistor and the insulator. Although a peculiar resonance occurs when the liquid passes through the regulation gap, the peak of the anti-resonance is decreased and the frequency is moved, since the resistor is movable.
US09470284B2	Friction member for bicycle brake A friction member for a bicycle brake that is obtained through combustion synthesis is disclosed. One example of the bicycle brake friction member includes an intermetallic compound, which is obtained from a first metal and a second metal, and a metal phase, which is obtained from the first metal.
US09470283B2	Non-asbestos friction material composition Provided by the present invention are: a non-asbestos frictional material composition containing a binder, an organic filler, an inorganic filler, and a fiber substrate, wherein, in the non-asbestos frictional material composition, content of a copper is 5% or less by mass as a copper element, content of a metal fiber other than a copper fiber and a copper alloy fiber is 0.5% or less by mass, and a titanate salt is contained therein with antimony trisulfide or zinc powders, with content of the titanate salt being in the range of 10 to 35% by mass; and a frictional material and a friction member that use the said non-asbestos frictional material composition.
US09470277B2	Apparatus and method for disengaging a motor from an actuator gear train A clutch mechanism for coupling and decoupling a motor to a rack is disclosed herein. The clutch mechanism having: a clutch lever pivotally mounted to an axis for movement from a first position to a second position; a cam gear having a cam surface, wherein rotational movement of the cam gear causes the cam surface to move the clutch lever from the first position to the second position; and a gear train configured to cause linear movement of the rack in response to rotational movement of the motor, wherein movement of the clutch lever from the first position to the second position disconnects a pair of gears of the gear train.
US09470275B2	Wedge clutch with a segmented wedge element and chamfered engagement surfaces A wedge clutch, including: an inner and outer hubs; a wedge element including separate circumferentially disposed segments radially located between the inner and outer hubs; an outer ring; and first and second displacement elements. The ring is radially located between the wedge element and the outer hub and is non-rotatably connected to the segments and urges the segments radially inward into contact with the inner hub. For a closed mode, the first displacement element is arranged to urge the wedge element in a first axial direction, parallel to an axis of rotation for the wedge clutch, to non-rotatably connect the inner and outer hubs, the wedge element, and the outer ring. For an open mode, the second displacement element is arranged to displace the wedge element in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, to enable relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs.
US09470274B2	Claw shifting element comprising a sliding sleeve for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle A claw shifting element for a motor vehicle transmission includes a sliding sleeve that is axially fixed in its two end positions by frictional locking.
US09470273B2	Automatically switching clutch for a motor vehicle exterior mirror adjustment means A clutch device transmits rotational energy between a drive input and a drive output, in particular between an electric actuating unit and an actuating element of an adjustable motor vehicle exterior mirror. The clutch device permits a transmission of a load torque MR from the electric actuating unit to the actuating element in both directions, and in the event of an overload torque greater than a predefined threshold torque MK, automatically permits a relative rotation between the electric actuating unit and the actuating element. Furthermore, the clutch device is designed such that, in the event of a torque direction reversal, no load torque is transmitted over a predetermined free-travel angle (φ).
US09470266B2	Slide bearing Provided is a slide bearing with which friction-reducing effects can be obtained and the total volume of effluent oil can be limited. A slide bearing in which halved members made by dividing a cylinder in two in a direction parallel to the axial are disposed vertically, wherein narrow grooves are provided at the ends of the slide bearing in the axial direction, the narrow grooves extending in the circumferential direction from the mating surface on the downstream side of the rotation direction to a specified bearing angle is an angle rotated in the range of ≧0 degree to ≦90 degrees from the mating surface on the downstream side in the rotation direction (bearing angle of 180 degrees) towards the upstream side in the rotation direction. In other words, the bearing angle is the range of 180 degrees to 270 degrees.
US09470259B2	Process for manufacturing a ball and socket joint and ball and socket joint manufactured according to the process A process for manufacturing a ball and socket joint and a joint manufactured according to that process are provided for a simple manufacture of a completely assembled ball and socket joint with a low torque and overturning moment. The joint housing is manufactured in an injection or casting process, in which the joint ball with the bearing shell placed on it is surrounded by a metallic material or a plastic. The joint shell is provided with a bulge, which behaves elastically with respect to the pressure acting during the injection or casting process and arches slightly outwardly after the conclusion of the injection or casting process. It is achieved as a result that the joint shell does not lie over its entire area on the joint ball after the injection or casting process.
US09470258B2	Carabiner including a lock mechanism A carabiner includes a body having a first arm extending from the body and a second arm extending from the body, a first gate pivotally coupled to the body adjacent the first arm for movement relative to the first arm, and a second gate pivotally coupled to the body adjacent the second arm for movement relative to the second arm. The carabiner also includes a blocking member supported by the body. The blocking member is movable between a first position, in which the first and the second gates are movable relative to the first and second arms, a second position, in which the first gate is inhibited from moving relative to the first arm and the second gate is movable relative to the second arm, and a third position, in which the first and the second gates are inhibited from moving relative to the first and second arms.
US09470257B2	Fastener assembly for insulation blanket A fastener assembly for affixing insulation blankets to a substrate is provided. The fastener assembly includes an attachment member having a construction for affixing to a substrate as well as a first fastener member preferably in the form of a male threaded stud. The fastener assembly further includes a cap fastener. The cap fastener includes a cap member and a second fastener member preferably in the form of a female threaded extension for threadably affixing to the first fastener member. The cap member has an exterior side and an interior side. The cap member's exterior side preferably has a shape for rotation by a tool. Meanwhile, the cap member's interior side has a circular recess concentric with the cap fastener's female threaded extension. When assembled, the circular recess forms a circular insulating cavity between the cap member and an insulation blanket.
US09470255B2	Fastening element for connecting two components made of different materials A fastening element for interconnecting first and second components produced from different materials includes a metal strip and at least two fastening clips or lugs located in a common plane. An elastic bend compensating for longitudinal changes between the two fastening clips or lugs and a fastening point for the second component are disposed between the fastening clips or lugs.
US09470248B2	Flexible response secured mechanical balancing for multiple control actuators with a common output A flexible response secured mechanical balancing device (D) for multiple hydraulic control actuators (1-2) with a common output member (5a-b). The balancing device (D) provides flexible/continuous fluid-pressure force fight compensation. Balance valves (17-20) are commanded to balance fluid-pressure from a first fluid-pressure network (52a) of a second actuator (2). Each fluid-pressure commanded balance valve (17-20) is arranged to allow relief of differential pressure, directly into a dedicated first (52a) or second fluid-pressure network (52b). A fluid-pressure controlled locking device (21-22) is allowing inhibiting the corresponding pairs of balance valves (17-20) e.g. in case of loss of fluid-pressure. The invention typically applies to vehicles (A) including: aircrafts, rotorcrafts, drones.
US09470245B2	Device and method for generating vacuum for vacuum cementing systems A device is provided for generating a vacuum for a vacuum cementing device, the device including a channel and a connector for a gas cartridge. The connector has an opener for opening the gas cartridge, and connects the gas cartridge to the channel in a pressure-tight manner, such that gas from the opened gas cartridge flows along the channel to the surroundings of the device. The channel includes at least one T-piece, provided as Venturi nozzle, having a vacuum connector for the vacuum cementing device, such that gas from the opened gas cartridge flowing through the channel generates a negative pressure at the vacuum connector. A method is also provided including steps of opening a gas cartridge, flowing gas from the gas cartridge through a Venturi nozzle, whereby by a negative pressure is generated, and applying the negative pressure to a vacuum cementing system.
US09470240B2	Thrust bearing structure and supercharger equipped with said thrust bearing structure A thrust bearing structure is equipped with a thrust collar having a collar pad, and a thrust bearing having a bearing pad at a position corresponding to the collar pad on a surface facing the thrust collar. The bearing pad has a tapered section, and a land section continuously formed on the outer edge of the tapered section. Assuming that oil droplets are supplied between the bearing pad and the collar pad, and assuming that the rotation speed of a rotor shaft is constant, the tapered section would have a sloping surface formed in such a manner that a wall thickness gradually becomes thicker toward the downstream side along the trajectory of given oil droplets based on the centrifugal forces acting on the droplets due to the rotation of the rotor shaft.
US09470239B2	Threaded tensioning device A system for applying tension to a component for use in molten metal processing. Preferably, the component includes an outer core and at least one tension rod positioned partially within the outer core. The component is preferably elongated, such as a support post or an impeller shaft. The tension rod applies compression to the outer cover, which makes the outer cover more resistant to breakage if it strikes, or is stricken by, an object.
US09470236B2	Method of dynamic balancing for magnetic levitation molecular pump A rotor dynamic balancing method for a magnetic levitation molecular pump, which includes the steps of activating an open loop feed forward control module after activating a motor of the magnetic levitation molecular pump; if the maximum radial vibration amplitude does not exceed ½ of a protective clearance during the acceleration of the rotor under the control of the open loop feed forward control module, indicating that the open loop feed forward control module is able to inhibit the co-frequency vibration of the rotor, so as to allow the rotational speed of the rotor to exceed its rigid critical rotational speed; and performing a rotor dynamic balancing operation at a high speed by an influence coefficient method. This method directly performs the rotor dynamic balancing operation with respect to the rotor at a high-speed, which facilitates the rotor dynamic balancing operation so as to perform the rotor dynamic balancing operation more quickly and efficiently.
US09470232B2	Adjustable centrifugal governor speed control A rotational speed governor for an air motor comprises a housing, a valve, a shaft, a cross-bar, a plate and a pair of weights. The housing has an air inlet and an air outlet. The valve is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. The shaft extends along an axis within the housing. The cross-bar is connected to the shaft. The plate intersects the shaft between the valve and the crossbar. The weights are rotatably connected to the crossbar at pivot points. Each weight comprises an arcuately profiled edge extending beyond the crossbar to engage the plate. The arcuately profiled edges are shaped to increase a moment arm on the plate as the weights pivot away from the shaft.
US09470229B2	Single screw compressor In a single screw compressor, gates of a gate rotor mesh with helical grooves of the screw rotor in a casing. The casing has a low pressure space, and a divider wall covering the outer peripheral surface of the screw rotor to divide the fluid chamber formed by the helical groove from the low pressure space. An inlet is formed in the divider wall to partially expose the outer peripheral surface of the screw rotor to the low pressure space. The fluid chamber in a suction phase into which the low pressure fluid flows from the low pressure space is divided from the low pressure space by the gate entering the helical groove after the helical groove has moved from a position where the helical groove faces the inlet to a position where the helical groove is covered with the divider wall.
US09470224B2	Piston type compressor A piston-type compressor includes a housing, a drive shaft supported on the housing, a communication hole formed inside the drive shaft, a valve mechanism, and a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is inserted in the communication hole to disconnect a residual gas bypass passage and the communication hole from each other and to open the interior space of the cylindrical body to the communication hole. The valve mechanism includes an annular space defined outside the cylindrical body in the communication hole and multiple connection holes providing communication between the annular space and communication passages. The residual gas bypass passage is formed of the annular space and the multiple connection holes.
US09470220B2	Pump module, pump base module and pump system A module, a base module and a system which comprises a module and a base module includes a pump channel and a valve unit which is connected with the pump channel wherein a fluid can be pumped through the pump channel and the valve unit, wherein a first wall section of the valve unit is flexible. The pump module has a movable valve body arranged in the valve unit, wherein the valve body can occupy an idle position in which the valve body closes the valve unit to prevent fluid from passing through. The valve body can occupy an operating position in which the valve body allows the fluid to flow through the valve unit and in which the valve body can be put in operating position through a deformation of the first wall section of the valve bodies so that the fluid can flow through the valve unit.
US09470214B2	Reciprocal spring arrangement for power generation system A vehicle energy harvester including a subunit having an upper surface forming a roadway surface; a vehicle activated treadle on the subunit, the vehicle activated treadle moveable between a first position in which an upper surface of the treadle is at an angle with respect to the upper surface of the roadway surface and a second position in which the upper surface of the treadle is flush with the upper surface of the roadway surface; a generator that generates power in response to movement of the vehicle activated treadle from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.
US09470212B2	Power generating system including a gas/liquid separator A flasher separates a geothermal fluid into steam and hot water. A steam turbine is driven by being supplied with the separated steam as a working medium. An evaporator is supplied with the steam from the steam turbine as a first heating medium, which is thereafter supplied to a first preheater via the evaporator. A superheater is supplied with the hot water separated by the flasher as a second heating medium, which is thereafter supplied to a second preheater via the superheater. A medium turbine is driven by being supplied, as a working medium, with a low-boiling-point medium having been heat-exchanged sequentially in the first preheater, the second preheater, the evaporator, and the superheater. In the evaporator and the first preheater, the low-boiling-point medium and the first heating medium are heat-exchanged. In the superheater and the second preheater, the low-boiling-point medium and the second heating medium are heat-exchanged.
US09470206B2	Gyroglider power-generation, control apparatus and method A power generation apparatus and method comprises at least one gyroglider rotary wing flying at an altitude above the nap of the earth. A strong and flexible tether, connected to the gyroglider frame is pulled with a force generated by the rotary wing. The force is transmitted to a ground station that converts the comparatively linear motion of the tether being pulled upward with a lifting force. The linear motion is transferred to a rotary motion at the ground station to rotate an electrical generator. The tether is retrieved and re-coiled about a drum by controlling the gyroglider to fly down at a speed and lift force that permit recovery of the gyroglider at a substantially reduced amount of retrieval force compared to the lifting force during payout of the tether. Thus, the net difference in force results in a net gain of energy.
US09470204B2	Method for replacing a permanent magnet of a wind turbine generator A method is provided for replacing a permanent magnet of a generator of a wind turbine from a first position to a second position. A container is provided having a shell and an opening through the shell. The opening defines an open space for storing the permanent magnet. The open space is surrounded by the shell, and the shell having a thickness that provides that the permanent magnet does not come close enough to other magnetic material to exert significant force on it. The method involves placing the permanent magnet from the first position into the container, transporting the container with the permanent magnet to the second position, removing the permanent magnet from the container, and placing the permanent magnet in the second position.
US09470200B2	Starter adapted to idle stop system of vehicle An electromagnetic solenoid of a starter includes: a main solenoid forming an electromagnet to pull a plunger when being energized, a contact unit that controls the motor current ON and OFF.The contact unit includes a motor power switch including fixed contacts and a movable contact driven by the main solenoid; a regulation member disposed to be movable between a regulated position and a released position and a sub solenoid that drives the regulation member to the regulated position and releases the regulation member to the released position.The sub solenoid drives the regulation member to the regulated position before the motor power switch is closed to regulate movement of the movable contact and releases the regulation member to the released position when a predetermined time elapses after the plunger is pulled by the electromagnet to release the movable contact.
US09470196B2	Fuel injector The present invention relates to a fuel injector for use in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector has a supply passage for high pressure fuel and an injection nozzle. The injection nozzle includes a valve needle which can engage with a valve needle seating to control fuel delivery from the fuel injector. A first control valve is provided for controlling fuel pressure within a control chamber to control the valve needle. The fuel injector also includes a second control valve for controlling fuel pressure within a low pressure drain. The invention also relates to a control valve for controlling fuel pressure within a low pressure drain.
US09470195B2	Fuel supply system with accumulator A fuel supply system with an accumulator that allows for the accumulation of fuel at a pressure greater than the nominal operating pressure of the fuel supply system. The accumulation of fuel allows for less frequent fuel pump operation and therefore a reduction in overall fuel consumption of an engine.
US09470193B2	System and method for filtering fuel within fuel tank A system and method for filtering fuel using a fuel filtration system are disclosed. The fuel filtration system may include a fuel filter, a siphon mechanism and a filter shaft. A first end of the filter shaft may be connected to the fuel filter and a second end of the filter shaft may be connected to the siphon mechanism, each of the fuel filter, the siphon mechanism and the filter shaft may be positioned within a fuel tank. Fuel within the fuel tank may be filtered using the fuel filtration system by a siphon action.
US09470191B2	Fuel pressure control system for an internal combustion engine A pneumatic fuel pressure regulator and a mechanical fuel pressure regulator are disclosed wherein the pneumatic fuel pressure regulator uses a mechanical adjustment screw to position a spring locator and spring force exerted on a diaphragm assembly controlling flow through a base fuel block. The mechanical fuel pressure regulator includes a stepper motor and a threaded drive shaft to control pressure exerted on a diaphragm assembly to regulate passage through a base fuel block. A dual stage system combines the pneumatic and mechanical regulators in a dual base unit having two ports separately controlled by the separate regulators.
US09470190B2	Engine intake manifold having a condensate-containment tray An engine intake manifold is provided. The engine intake manifold includes a manifold chamber configured to receive positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) gas from a PCV conduit outlet, the manifold chamber including a condensate-containment tray with a plurality of baffles to form a plurality of separate cavities below the PCV conduit outlet.
US09470187B2	EGR heat exchanger with continuous deaeration An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) heat exchange unit having an integrated heat exchange chamber and an integrated deaeration chamber is provided. A coolant opening and a deaeration opening each form direct passageways from the heat exchange chamber to the deaeration chamber. The heat exchange unit is configured to cool exhaust gas flowing through an exhaust gas transfer passage with coolant flowing within the heat exchange chamber and around the transfer passage. The heat exchange unit is configured to be mounted relative to an engine at an incline such that the deaeration opening is configured to evacuate gas from the heat exchange chamber to the deaeration chamber and the flow of coolant into the deaeration chamber through the coolant opening is configured to route the evacuated gas out of the deaeration chamber via the coolant outlet.
US09470186B2	Method for diagnosing a tank ventilation system In an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger and a compressor, a discharge point of a tank ventilation system is provided in the intake passage of the internal combustion engine upstream from the turbocharger or the compressor. A Venturi nozzle is situated between the discharge point and a tank venting valve of the tank ventilation system. A defect or a detachment of the line between the Venturi nozzle and the discharge point is detectable with the aid of a change of an adaption value and/or of a correction factor in a control unit of the internal combustion engine or in a computer.
US09470183B2	Coordination of secondary air and blow-through air delivery Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating secondary air injection and blow-through to reduce turbo lag. By utilizing secondary air injection prior to providing blow-through, and deactivating the secondary air pump when a desired boost pressure for blow-through is achieved, turbine spin-up to a desired speed may be expedited and initial torque output may be increased.
US09470182B2	Method and system for turbocharging an engine A method for improving operation of a turbocharged engine is presented. In one embodiment, the method may reduce engine emissions and improve engine efficiency during an engine start.
US09470179B2	Piston assembly for a reciprocating engine A power cylinder system for a reciprocating engine includes a piston with a top-most groove extending circumferentially about the piston. The top-most groove includes one or more channels spaced apart circumferentially about the top-most groove and extending inward from an outer perimeter of the piston assembly. The system also includes a ring positioned in the top-most groove, the ring including a top face, a bottom face, an inner circumferential face, and an outer circumferential face that tapers between the top face and the bottom face. A space is defined between a portion of the top-most groove and the inner circumferential face of the ring, and the space is in fluid communication with the one or more radial channels.
US09470177B2	Cylinder head for internal combustion engine Rib configurations for increasing the structural efficiency of a cylinder head, which relates to a peak combustion pressure capability of the cylinder head. In addition to increasing peak combustion pressure, the rib configurations may also improve sealing of the cylinder head and may improve the durability of an associated cylinder head gasket.
US09470174B2	Control system and control method of spark ignition gasoline engine An engine body includes a cylinder with a geometrical compression ratio of 15 or higher, and is supplied with fuel containing at least gasoline. When an operating mode of the engine body is in a high load range, a controller (i.e., a PCM 10) drives a fuel injection valve (i.e., an injector) 67 to inject the fuel at a time within a retarded period between a terminal stage of a compression stroke and an initial stage of an expansion stroke in a low speed range. The controller drives the fuel injection valve to inject the fuel in an intake stroke until an intake valve 21 is closed in a high-load high-speed range.
US09470173B2	System and method for reducing engine oil dilution Methods and systems are provided for modeling an oil dilution qualitative indicator based on an integrated difference between a commanded air-to-fuel ratio and an engine air-to-fuel ratio as determined via an oxygen sensor, cumulative cold engine temperature operating duration, and fuel injection characteristics (timing, duration, number of injections) allowing fuel injection timing modifications that minimize oil dilution when the oil dilution qualitative indicator is greater than a threshold level.
US09470165B2	Filter regeneration system and method A filter regeneration system for an internal combustion engine operable at an engine speed and having: a gas exhaust system for fluidly expelling exhaust gas at an exhaust gas temperature; and at least one filter arrangement in fluid communication with the gas exhaust system and configured to capture particulate in the exhaust gas. The regeneration system includes: a load generating arrangement in operable communication with the internal combustion engine and configured to modify the mechanical load on the internal combustion engine, thereby changing the exhaust gas temperature; and at least one controller in electrical communication with at least a portion of the load generating arrangement and configured to control at least one operating parameter of the load generating arrangement. A method of regenerating a filter arrangement is also disclosed.
US09470163B2	Control apparatus and method for internal combustion engine A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is capable of switching a combustion mode between a spark ignition combustion mode for combusting a mixture formed in a combustion chamber with spark ignition and a compression ignition combustion mode for combusting the mixture with compression ignition. When the combustion mode is switched from the spark ignition combustion mode to the compression ignition combustion mode, in an internal EGR control for keeping a part of a burnt gas generated by the combustion remaining as an internal EGR in the combustion chamber, an internal EGR amount of the internal EGR is increased, an ignition timing is advanced, and a fuel injection amount is decreased so that an oxygen density contained in the internal EGR used to form the mixture increases.
US09470162B2	Method and system for EGR control Methods and systems are provided for improving control of high dilution EGR. An intake plenum is divided so that fresh intake air and EGR can be delivered to engine cylinders via dedicated plenum portions. Distinct sets of throttles are provided in the cylinder intake ports coupled the different plenum portions so that a ratio of intake air flow and EGR flow to the engine cylinders can be rapidly adjusted in response to sudden changes (e.g., increase or decrease) in EGR demand.
US09470161B2	Vaporized fuel processing apparatus A vaporized fuel processing apparatus has a canister loaded with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing vaporized fuel generated in a fuel tank, a closing valve provided a vapor path connecting the canister and the fuel tank and having a valve seat and a valve movable portion such that a distance between the valve seat and the valve movable portion is stroke amount, a pressure sensor configured to detect inner pressure of the fuel tank, and an electric control unit. The electric control unit is configured to perform abnormal state depressurization control of the fuel tank, in a state that the pressure sensor cannot detect the inner pressure of the fuel tank, by setting the stroke amount of the closing valve at a fail-safe value in which the closing valve is closed, and then changing the stroke amount in a valve opening direction of the closing valve from the fail-safe value.
US09470158B2	Vehicle with defined power on demand An vehicle with defined power on demand including a control system configured to provide to an operator a plurality of selectable features each have selectable options. The defined power on demand utilizes unrealized engine power which is limited by an engine control system for reasons of fuel savings and cost effectiveness. The selectable features include power take off (PTO), mechanical front wheel drive (MFD), front hitch, and rear hitch. Selectable options include a plurality of defined amounts of power delivered by a vehicle engine over a period of time with respect to a selected feature. The defined amount of power is greater than the power at which the engine typically operates as limited by the engine control system. The greater power is provided over a period of time to complete each of the selectable features.
US09470156B2	Vehicle engine automatic control device and vehicle engine automatic control method A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake operation by a driver, an engine stopping/re-starting unit that stops an engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected exceeds a first threshold during coast drive, and re-starts the engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold after the engine stops, and a threshold setting unit that sets the first threshold smaller as a deceleration becomes lower.
US09470154B2	Transition from homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode to spark ignited combustion A method of controlling an engine includes initiating a transition from homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) to spark ignited (SI) combustion mode of the engine under low load. The method includes commanding an exhaust valve actuator to increase lift of the exhaust valve to maximize expulsion of combustion chamber contents. The method also includes injecting into the combustion chamber sufficient amount of fuel after the lift of the exhaust valve was increased to generate substantially stoichiometric air-fuel ratio of the gas mixture contained in the chamber. The method also includes igniting the gas mixture after the fuel was injected into the combustion chamber to maximize combustion of the gas mixture. The method additionally includes commanding an intake camshaft phaser to change the position of the intake camshaft to a position configured for predetermined throttled SI combustion mode after the gas mixture was ignited to maximize operating efficiency of the engine.
US09470147B2	Apparatus and method for determining a temperature distribution of a hot-temperature flow in a turbine engine Apparatus and method for determining a two-dimensional temperature distribution in a cross-sectional path of a hot-temperature flow in a turbine engine (10). A grid (22, 24, 38) is located in a path of a hot-temperature flow in the turbine engine. A thermal imager (34) has a field of view configured to sense infrared emissions from the grid. A processor (50) is configured to generate data indicative of a two-dimensional temperature distribution in a cross-sectional path of the flow based on the sensed infrared emissions.
US09470144B2	Variable compression ratio engine A variable compression ratio engine includes a variable chamber housing communicating with a combustion chamber of the variable compression ratio engine. A variable chamber piston is slidably disposed within the variable chamber housing and forms a variable chamber together with the variable chamber housing. A connecting shaft is connected to the variable chamber piston. A hydraulic pressure plunger is connected with the connecting shaft and slidably disposed within the variable chamber housing. A hydraulic pressure chamber is formed, with which oil for absorbing impact is filled together with the variable chamber housing. An oil supplier supplies the oil to the hydraulic pressure chamber. A compression ratio controller is connected to the connecting shaft and controls a relative position of the variable chamber piston.
US09470141B2	Method for regulating a boost pressure of an engine In a method for regulating a boost pressure of an engine which has a compressor, an actual boost pressure and a setpoint boost pressure are used as input parameters. The setpoint boost pressure is regulated in such a way that a pressure ratio in the compressor does not exceed a limit pressure ratio. A reference boost pressure is ascertained based on a speed of the engine and a load of the engine. A flow and/or a pressure of air supplied to the engine is/are detected and an associated flow signal and/or pressure signal is generated. The smaller of the reference boost pressure and a limit boost pressure is used as a setpoint boost pressure. The limit boost pressure is ascertained based on a limit boost pressure ratio and a speed of the compressor.
US09470139B2	Supercharged engine design The present engine design can comprise one or more three-cylinder modules. Each module can comprise a left-hand combustion cylinder, a compression cylinder and a right-hand combustion cylinder. In an embodiment, the compression cylinder can function as a supercharger providing compressed air to the two combustion cylinders in order to improve performance and efficiency. Each module can comprise a specialized cylinder head comprising an intake air plenum configured to allow pressurized air to flow from the compression cylinder into each of the combustion cylinders. The flow of this pressurized air can be precisely controlled by valves that control airflow into and out of each of the three cylinders. Variable valve timing and computer controls can determine the exact amount of fuel, if any, which will be injected into the combustion cylinders to deliver high fuel economy while delivering an optimal level of power, horsepower and torque.
US09470132B2	Compact radial exterior exhaust assisted decomposition reactor pipe Various embodiments provide for apparatuses and systems involving a reactor pipe configured to receive reductant from an injector into a flow of exhaust exiting an engine. The reactor pipe comprises an inlet portion, a plurality of louvers, an outlet portion, and a radial loop. The inlet portion is structured to receive the flow exiting the engine into the reactor pipe. The louvers are structured to alter a direction of the flow. Further, the radial loop is configured to extend between the inlet portion and the outlet portion and receives the flow of exhaust through the inlet portion. The radial loop also directs the flow of the exhaust toward the outlet portion and reduces the velocity of the flow of the exhaust such that the reductant has an increased amount of time to react with the exhaust.
US09470128B2	Exhaust system implementing active regeneration control An exhaust system is disclosed for use with an engine. The exhaust system may have an exhaust duct, an aftertreatment component disposed within the exhaust duct, and a resistive grid disposed within the exhaust duct at a location upstream of the aftertreatment component. The exhaust system may further have a controller configured to determine a need to heat the aftertreatment component to a threshold temperature, determine a load increase that should be placed on the engine to raise a temperature of exhaust exiting the engine when the aftertreatment component needs to be heated, and determine an amount of electrical power that should be applied to the resistive grid to raise the temperature of the exhaust. The controller may also be configured to selectively implement a combination of engine load increase and application of electrical power to the resistive grid to raise the temperature of exhaust to the threshold temperature.
US09470120B2	Valve timing control apparatus A spool has a connection passage that connects a supply port and a discharge port with each other according to a position of the spool in an axial direction. A valve seat is arranged in the connection passage. The connection passage has a supply hole passing through the spool in a radial direction, and a discharge hole passing through the spool in the radial direction. The spool has a guide surface that guides a valve object to move in the axial direction while restricting a position of the valve object in the radial direction. The discharge hole is opened on the guide surface.
US09470116B2	Rocker arm A rocker arm has a first roller for engaging a first rotatable cam surface, whereby at least part of the rocker arm can be pivoted by at least the first rotatable cam surface to move a valve to cause a first valve event, and a further roller for engaging a further rotatable cam surface, whereby at least part of the rocker arm can be pivoted by the further rotatable cam surface to move the valve to cause a second valve event which is different from the first valve event. The rocker arm is configurable in a first mode of operation in which one of the first and second valve events occur and a second mode of operation in which both the first and second valve events occur or the other of the first and second valve events occur.
US09470110B2	Pressurized-gas powered compressor and system comprising same The present invention provides a compressor powered by a pressurized gas, whether steam or another working fluid, and a system for extracting work using such as compressor. The pressurized gas may comprise a heated working fluid in a gaseous state, to displace a piston in an input circuit, which in turn displaces a piston in an output circuit, thereby compressing a compressible fluid or displacing an incompressible fluid. A purpose of the compressor is to convert waste heat, heat generated by the combustion of biomass or other fuels, or heat resulting from the concentration of solar energy into useful power, whether configured to produce compressed air or pump water, which can displace the electricity otherwise used for this purpose, or to produce electricity or motive force directly, through a hydraulic circuit. The system for extracting work does so by an output fluid which is compressed or pumped by a pressurized gas powered compressor.
US09470105B2	Automated water wash system for a gas turbine engine The present application and the resultant patent provide a gas turbine engine system. The gas turbine engine system may include a gas turbine engine, a water wash system, and a system controller. The gas turbine engine may include a compressor, a combustor in communication with the compressor, and a turbine in communication with the combustor. The water wash system may be in communication with the gas turbine engine and configured to remove contaminants therefrom. The water wash system may include a number of valves configured to control flows through the water wash system, and a number of sensors configured to measure operating parameters of the water wash system. The system controller may be in communication with the valves and the sensors and operable to automatically control the valves upon receiving operating parameter signals from the sensors in order to perform a wash of the gas turbine engine.
US09470100B2	Turbine rotor for a thermal electric power station The technical field of the invention is that of turbine rotors for a thermal electric power station and the subject of the invention is, more particularly, a rotor of a turbine for a thermal electric power station, said rotor comprising a plurality of blades, each comprising at least one root and a vane; and at least one rotor disk secured to a shaft able to be in rotation about a reference axis, the rotor disk comprising on its periphery outgrowths in which to fit the blades, so that the vanes of the blades are arranged radially with respect to the reference axis; said rotor being one wherein: the rotor disk comprises a groove opening axially and having a lower face and an upper face, the lower face of the groove of the rotor disk being situated on the periphery of said rotor disk and the upper face of the groove of the rotor disk being situated on the outgrowths and facing the lower face; each of the blades comprises, at its root, a lateral projection directed axially, said lateral projection having, in its lower part, a groove portion having an upper face situated in the continuation of the upper face of the groove of the rotor disk; at least one locking means for locking the blades is positioned in the groove of the rotor disk.
US09470098B2	Axial compressor and method for controlling stage-to-stage leakage therein The present application and the resultant patent provide an axial compressor for a gas turbine engine. The compressor may include a rotor disk positioned along an axis of the compressor. The rotor disk may include a slot defined about a radially outer surface of the rotor disk, and the slot may include a slot planar surface facing away from the rotor disk. The compressor also may include a compressor blade coupled to the rotor disk via the slot. The compressor blade may include a platform positioned over the radially outer surface of the rotor disk, and the platform may include a platform sealing edge facing toward the rotor disk. The compressor further may include a gap defined between the platform sealing edge and the slot planar surface, wherein the gap is configured to control a flow of leakage air from a high-pressure side of the compressor blade to a low-pressure side of the compressor blade. The present application and the resultant patent further provide a related method of controlling stage-to-stage leakage in an axial compressor of a gas turbine engine.
US09470097B2	Airfoil with leading edge reinforcement A leading edge member for a composite vane of a gas turbine engine. The leading edge member includes a first leg and a second leg. The first leg includes a proximal end joined to a proximal end of the second leg.
US09470088B2	Rock anchor bolt In a rock anchor bolt a centering member includes an outlet hole for removing any leakage water flowing into a borehole. The rock anchor bolt includes a sealing device provided around the outer end of a tube to seal the borehole watertight as a tightening nut is being tightened, and an outlet tube provided in a casting space between the tube and a drawbar to carry out the leakage water as grouting paste is being injected, the inner end of which outlet tube extends to the vicinity of an expansion member and the outer end of the outlet tube extends out from the outlet hole of the centering member. The tube has one or more first casting holes at the outer end of the tube in the vicinity of the sealing device and one or more second casting holes at the inner end of the tube near the expansion member.
US09470087B2	Cutter head for mining machine A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.
US09470086B2	Inflow performance relationship for horizontal wells producing oil from multi-layered heterogeneous solution gas-drive reservoirs A method for assessing an inflow performance relationship for a horizontal well in heterogeneous solution gas drives reservoirs. A commercial simulator Eclipse is utilized to develop IPRs for horizontal wells producing oil from solution gas drive reservoirs. Firstly, a simulation model is developed where a base case is considered with typical rock, fluid and reservoir properties using a black oil model. Dimensionless IPR curves are generated by obtaining a set of points relating to flowing bottom-hole pressures to oil production rates. The effects of several reservoir and fluid properties such as bubblepoint pressure, oil gravity, residual oil saturation, critical gas saturation, initial water saturation, porosity and absolute permeabilities on the calculated curves are investigated. A new single empirical IPR model is obtained for horizontal wells producing oil from heterogeneous solution gas drive reservoirs suitable for systems with different reservoir permeability.
US09470080B2	Method and system for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation A system and a method for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation wherein the method includes providing a reverse osmosis (RO) unit comprising at least one membrane; feeding a first feed stream having a first salinity content to a first side of the membrane; and feeding a second feed stream having a second salinity content to a second side of the membrane. The method further includes discharging a retentate stream from the first side of the membrane, and discharging a product stream having a controlled salinity content from the second side of the membrane. The method furthermore includes injecting at least a portion of the product stream into the oil-bearing formation, and recovering at least a portion of the oil from the oil-bearing formation.
US09470071B2	Redundant firing system for wellbore tools An apparatus for detonating an explosive body associated with a downhole tool includes a plurality of firing heads, each firing head including an initiating explosive body generating a high-order input when detonated; and a funnel configured to detonate the explosive body associated with the downhole tool by using a single high-order output. The funnel has a body that includes: a plurality of input openings, each input opening positioned next to an associated initiating explosive body to receive the generated high-order input, a single output opening, and a flow path connecting the plurality of input openings with the single output opening.
US09470070B2	Bubble pump utilization for vertical flow line liquid unloading A method, including: performing dual-side depressurization on a hydrate blockage in a subsea flow line, wherein dual-side depressurization includes, reducing pressure on a topside of the hydrate blockage in the subsea flow line by removing liquid from within a subsea riser with a bubble pump that has a first end in fluid communication with the liquid within the subsea riser, reducing pressure on a backside of the hydrate blockage, and concurrently controlling the reduction in pressure on the topside of the hydrate blockage and the backside of the hydrate blockage.
US09470069B2	Subsea well assembly and associated method Subsea well assembly having a Xmas tree (107, 207) and wellhead (103). From a tubing hanger (113) a tubing extends into the well. A part of a production flow passage extends vertically from the tubing hanger (113) in a vertical bore (111) of the Xmas tree. A fail close production master valve (PMV) (117) is arranged in the production flow passage. The tubing hanger (113) is arranged below the Xmas tree (107), such as in the wellhead (103). The Xmas tree (107) exhibits a branch (115) that deviates from the vertical bore (111), which branch constitutes part of the production flow passage. The fail close type production master valve (PMV) (117) is arranged in the branch (115).
US09470068B2	Methods and systems for historical, geological modeling to produce an estimated distribution of hydrocarbons trapped in subsurface clathrates Methods and systems for historical, geological modeling for producing an estimated distribution of hydrocarbons trapped in subsurface clathrates are disclosed. One method includes instantiating a basin model of a geological area of interest, and, for each of a plurality of predetermined geological times up to a geologic present day: determining one or more changes to the basin model, calculating, at each of a plurality of locations within the basin model, a temperature and a pressure, determining an existence and a location of a clathrate stability zone based on the calculated temperatures and pressures, and estimating one or more clathrate concentrations and hydrocarbon volumes in the clathrate stability zone. The method further includes calibrating a present day clathrate concentration and hydrocarbon volume derived from the basin model against calibration data obtained from one or more locations within the geological area of interest, thereby providing a model of the present day clathrate concentration and hydrocarbon volume at each of the plurality of locations.
US09470065B2	Expandable brush Expandable brushes for cleaning a surrounding tubular member. Brushes include a housing to be disposed within the surrounding tubular member and a brush shoe that retains at least one brush bristle, the brush shoe being radially moveable with respect to the housing between a radially retracted position and a radially expanded position.
US09470062B2	Apparatus and method for controlling multiple downhole devices A downhole tool for use in a wellbore and that is attached to a perforating string that creates perforations in a portion of the wellbore. Where the downhole tool can selectively flow fluid from the perforating string to surface, or circulate flow from surface to an annular space between the tool and a wellbore wall. The tool includes pressure actuated valves that provide the flow diverting functionality. The valves are in cooperation with one another to prevent fluid from the portion of the wellbore having the perforations from flowing into the annular space. A pressure actuated selector assembly, which is made up of a piston and specially configured mandrels that are coaxially stacked, selectively moves separate mandrels in an axial direction for opening and closing the valves.
US09470060B2	Standoff device for downhole tools using slip elements A device and method for use is provided for grippingly engaging a tubular, in particular for gripping a wellbore casing. Drillable bridge plugs may use hardened buttons or other slip arrangements and materials that may be susceptible to damage when the bridge is being run into the wellbore. It may be desirable to protect the slip ring or the hardened buttons by shielding the buttons during run-in or by providing a standoff device so that the buttons may be prevented from contacting the casing until desired.
US09470058B2	Ultra high temperature packer by high-temperature elastomeric polymers A high temperature downhole packer including a tubular member, an annular and longitudinally movable ring, and a packer. The tubular member has a stop located on an outer diameter thereof. The annular and longitudinally movable ring is disposed around the outer diameter of the tubular member. The packer element is disposed between the stop and the ring. The packer element includes a high temperature elastomeric polymer having a first storage modulus from about 1,000 MPa to about 10,000 MPa at a first temperature between about −100° C. and about 175° C., and a second storage modulus from about 1 MPa to about 1000 MPa at a second temperature ranging from about 175° C. to about 475° C.
US09470055B2	System and method for providing oscillation downhole A technique employs the use of oscillations downhole to facilitate a desired functionality of a downhole tool. According to this technique, a tool is initially conveyed downhole and operated to perform a function that relates to a downhole application. The operational efficiency of the tool is improved by creating oscillating forces which vibrate the tool to achieve a desired result, e.g. freeing the tool from a stuck position.
US09470053B2	Gravity based fluid trap A method to be used when performing drilling in a well bore and a device for performing the method are disclosed. The method includes positioning in the well bore a drill string comprising at least two pipe conduits, an upper end, and a lower end comprising a drilling tool, thereby forming an outer annulus between the well bore wall and the drill string. A well bore section comprising at least one u-shaped section is drilled. A first fluid with a first density is fed into the outer annulus above the u-shaped section, and a second fluid with a second density is provided within the drill string and around the tool, where the first density is larger than the second density.
US09470052B2	Methods and systems for drilling A method of assessing hole cleaning effectiveness of drilling comprises a) determining a mass of cuttings removed from a well wherein determining the mass of cuttings removed from a well comprises: i) measuring a total mass of fluid entering a well; ii) measuring a total mass of fluid exiting the well; and iii) determining a difference between the total mass of fluid exiting the well and total mass of fluid entering the well; b) determining a mass of rock excavated in the well; and c) determining a mass of cuttings remaining in the well wherein determining the mass of cuttings remaining in the well comprises: determining a difference between the determined mass of rock excavated in the well and the determined mass of cuttings removed from the well.
US09470051B2	Method and composition to prevent fluid mixing in pipe Fiber laden fluids may be used to separate two wellbore-service fluids as they travel through a tubular body, preventing their commingling. Such fluids obviate the need for mechanical devices such as wiper plugs, or special adjustment of the wellbore-service fluids' rheological properties. The wellbore-service fluids may be drilling fluids, spacer fluids, chemical washes, cement slurries, acidizing fluids, fracturing fluids, formation-consolidation fluids or gravel-pack fluids.
US09470049B2	Hydro-pneumatic tensioner with fluid retention device A cylinder accumulator system is disclosed. The system includes a cylinder comprising a cylinder rod, a cylinder barrel coaxial to the cylinder rod, a cylinder end cap coupled to the cylinder barrel and the cylinder rod, and a cylinder piston assembly disposed within the cylinder barrel. The cylinder piston assembly further includes a dynamic sealing arrangement, which comprises one or more dynamic seals. The system further includes a first annular volume coaxial to the cylinder rod and the cylinder barrel, and a second volume disposed within the cylinder piston assembly. The system also includes a piston disposed within a bore of the second volume and between a hydraulic fluid located on a first side of the piston and a gas media located on a second side of the piston. The system also includes an external high-pressure accumulator, a low-pressure accumulator, and one or more tube manifolds coupling the external high-pressure accumulator and low-pressure accumulator to the cylinder.
US09470048B1	Bidirectional stabilizer with impact arrestors A bidirectional stabilizer which reduces impact damage while rotating into and out of a wellbore. The bidirectional stabilizer can be coupled on a first end to a drill string and on a second end to a drill bit. The bidirectional stabilizer can have an annulus configured for maximum wellbore fluid flow. A cutting portion can be formed on a shaft with a plurality of helical blades between the first shaft end and the second shaft end. The plurality of helical blades of the cutting portion can be on a first plane and a plurality of cutting nodes can be on a second plane for smoothing a wellbore. The plurality of cutting nodes can have at least one impact arrestor mounted directly adjacent each cutting node.
US09470042B2	Down hole harmonic drive transmission A drilling assembly positionable in a well bore includes a turbine motor couplable to a drill string and a harmonic drive transmission coupled to the turbine motor. The harmonic drive transmission includes a circular spline, a wave generator, a flexspline, and a sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem defines a substantially sealed volume containing the circular spline, wave generator, and flexspline, and isolates the circular spline, wave generator, and flexspline from drilling fluid exiting the turbine motor and flowing through the harmonic drive transmission.
US09470041B2	Rail and post assembly and method of use A rail and post assembly that allows for onsite fence and gate panel construction. A shear block is affixed to each end of a rail. The shear block and rail are then fed through an opening in a post. Fasteners then secure the shear block to the post, which thereby provides a rail and post assembly.
US09470034B2	Vehicle hatch control system A hatch control system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and having a rearward field of view that encompasses a region at the rear of the vehicle that is swept by a hatch or liftgate or deck lid or door of the vehicle as the hatch is opened and closed, such as via a powered hatch opening/closing system. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera to determine if an object is present in the region that is swept by the hatch to determine if the hatch may collide with the detected object when the hatch is being opened/closed. Responsive to determination of a potential collision of the hatch with a detected object, the vehicle hatch control system may stop movement of the hatch and/or may move the hatch to a holding position.
US09470033B1	System and method for controlling vehicle access component A vehicle system includes a computer in a vehicle, and the computer includes a processor and a memory. The computer is configured to determine that a user is located within an operating region for an access component of the vehicle, collect image data of an object in a gesture path for the access component, compare the object image data to activating gesture parameters, and operate the access component when the comparison identifies an activating gesture.
US09470032B2	Door stop device and method A door stop device is described, having a first magnet connected to a door and a second magnet connected to a floor. The first magnet can be mounted on a movable arm so as to allow the first magnet to move upwards and downwards. The arm can be bias in an upward position via a spring or a third magnet so as to be maintained in an upward position when the first and second magnets are not aligned, but moves downward when the first and second magnets are aligned.
US09470030B2	Self-aligning cover for an SST A method and apparatus are disclosed for aligning a cover with an opening in a housing. The apparatus includes at least one hinge member securable to a housing and moveable between open and closed positions about a hinge axis, at least one attachment member for mounting a cover member to the moveable hinge member, and at least one alignment member for guiding the cover member into an aligned position when the cover member is moved with the hinge member towards the closed position, wherein the attachment member is adapted to allow the cover member to move in a perpendicular direction relative to the hinge axis.
US09470028B2	Sliding door assembly A sliding door assembly for incorporation within a wall, the assembly comprising a sliding door panel, a top rail guide and a bottom rail guide operatively associated with respective top and bottom ends of the sliding door panel to guide the same within a pair of cooperating guide tracks provided within each of the top rail guides and bottom rail guides, the top and bottom rails guides are not vertically interconnected whereby the pairs of cooperating guide tracks extend in a separate plane from that of the wall so that when the sliding door panel is fully opened it is disposed behind the wall. The invention includes a guide track that is bifurcated to provide multiple sliding door panels.
US09470025B2	Snap feature providing component attachment A snap assembly may include a cantilever snap and a retention body. The cantilever snap may include an orifice in a surface of a first component. The orifice may be defined between sidewalls. The cantilever snap may further comprise a cantilevered-slant protrusion extending between the sidewalls and out of the orifice at an angle relative to the surface. The retention body may be attached to a second component and configured to be inserted into the orifice from a side of the first component that is opposite of a side of the first component away from which the cantilevered-slant protrusion extends to secure the retention body to the cantilever snap. The retention body may include a retaining extension comprising a holding assembly. The holding assembly may comprise a plurality of teeth that are arrayed to form a series of step-like protrusions that step away from a contact face of the retention body.
US09470024B2	Closure assemblies for movable partitions, movable partition systems including closure assemblies and related methods Closure assemblies for movable partitions may include a leading end assembly having a first side and a second side and a latching assembly coupled thereto. The latching assembly may include a first latching member having a portion thereof positioned proximate to the first side and a second latching member having a portion thereof positioned proximate to the second side. Movable partition systems may include a plurality of hingedly coupled panels movably coupled to a track, and a leading end assembly coupled to at least one panel of the plurality of hingedly coupled panels. The leading end assembly may include at least two latching features positioned on the leading end assembly. Methods of securing a movable partition may include retaining a first latching member and a second latching member in a retracted position and extending the first latching member and the second latching member to an extended position.
US09470021B2	Twistable security cable A twistable security cable including a cable and a coupling device. The cable includes a central core, two or more wire groups positioned about the central core, and an outer coating. The central core is structured to retain a shape to which it is deformed, and each of the wire groups includes two or more braided or twisted wires. The coupling mechanism is structured to selectively retain first and second ends of the cable in close proximity to one another.
US09470020B2	Cover opening/closing device and image forming apparatus including this A cover opening/closing device includes an engage mechanism and a lock mechanism. The engage mechanism is provided in an apparatus body. The lock mechanism is provided in a cover. The lock member includes a button, a lock member, and an interlocking mechanism. The button is provided to be able to move linearly. The lock member is provided to be able to move linearly between a lock position and an unlock position. The interlocking mechanism interlocks a movement of the button with a movement of the lock member. The interlocking mechanism includes a return member, an oblique groove, and a projection part. The return member returns the button to an initial position. The projection part fits movably along the oblique groove. The oblique groove guides a relative movement of the projection part so as to interlock an operation of the button with a movement of the lock member.
US09470019B1	Method and apparatus for improved gate lock Method and apparatus for a heavy duty lock designed for manual gates which is designed to be tamper proof, for universal mounting, for left and right hand applications and for use on swing gates and slide gates. The lock has a housing having a lock release mechanism having a release arm thereon which is suitable for use with a key which release arm manually contacts and slides a latch release slide upwardly and downwardly which then contacts a removable latch plate which in an open position allows the latch bar to be removed from the latch bar guide and cover so that the gate can be opened.
US09470016B2	Lock and key for the same The present invention relates to a lock and a key for the same, and multiple modular lock core units are mounted in the lock. Multiple lock bead units having specific standard are mounted in each lock core unit. Each lock bead unit is detachable and is able to rearrange the permutations of the lock bead units. The key includes a handle, a core bar and multiple unlocking blocks. The core bar is connected with the handle. The unlocking blocks are detachable, are mounted around the core bar and have multiple lock teeth sequentially formed around the inner peripheries of the unlocking blocks. A user can adjust the permutations of the key teeth of the key to unlock the lock that has different permutations of the lock bead units, also can change the permutations of the lock core units to get the same effects.
US09470015B2	Multi-purpose grasping attachment A grasping attachments for utility tractors is provided and, particularly, a hydraulically-operated front end loader attachments for skid loaders is provided. The multi-purpose attachment allows an operator to remain in the tractor cab while grasping, pulling, and/or lifting bulky objects that would normally require the operator to step away from the cab or request the assistance of one or more persons. Such objects may include planted trees, bushes, or posts that require removal from the soil and transportation for disposal. The attachment includes a fixed jaw and a pivoting jaw, where the fixed jaw is positioned relative to the frame of the attachment such that there is a larger area between the jaws to surround and grasp an object.
US09470011B2	Method of setting up a portable barrier A method of setting up a portable barrier includes (a) moving a first leg and a second leg away from each other to an arrangement in which a first extension portion of the first leg and a second extension portion of the second leg are each supported on a substantially horizontal surface, (b) moving a flooring from a collapsed flooring configuration to an expanded flooring configuration in response to step (a), (c) moving a first arm and a second arm away from each other, (d) moving a covering from a collapsed covering configuration to an expanded covering configuration in response to step (c), and (e) securing a supplemental component in fixed relation to the second leg after step (d). When the flooring is in the expanded flooring configuration and the covering is in the expanded covering configuration, an occupant space is defined between the flooring and the covering.
US09470007B2	Efficient filtration process of water in a tank for recreational and ornamental uses, where the filtration is performed over a small volume of water and not over the totality of the water from the tank An efficient filtration process of water from a tank is performed over a small volume of water and not on the totality of the water from the tank. The process includes emitting ultrasonic waves in the tank; and adding a flocculant agent to the water. The tank bottom is covered with a suctioning device which suctions a water flow with flocculated particles, discharging to a collecting effluent line and the effluent flow of the suctioning device is filtered from the collecting effluent line. Filtered flow is returned to the tank. A suctioning device is used in the efficient filtration process.
US09470004B2	Flexible, multi-configuration concrete form system The present invention is directed to a flexible concrete form system having both flexible and rigid parts that are easily assembled and disassembled using a multi-contact point connection system. The concrete form system can be extended or stacked in a wide variety of configurations to accommodate almost any desired concrete shape.
US09469998B1	Wall lath with self-furring ridges A lath for use in applying plaster to a substrate. The lath includes a plurality of crossing members forming a substantially planar lattice-like structure with a plurality of openings therein. The crossing members include a plurality of first elongate members extending in a first direction, a plurality of second elongate members that extend laterally and substantially transversely to the first elongate members, and a plurality of self-furring ridges also extending laterally and substantially transversely to the first elongate members and substantially parallel to and interspersed with the second elongate members.
US09469993B2	Point-supported element or flat concrete ceiling The invention relates to a point-supported element or flat concrete ceiling (BD) that comprises a transverse force and punching reinforcement (B) into which a lattice beam (1) that tapers on a support vertical axis (A) is integrated, wherein the lattice beam comprises lower chords (U) and a continuous upper chord (O) or anchoring elements (10) arranged with open spaces (Z) between one another and at least one serpentine diagonal strut section (D) with upper and lower bent portions (11, 12) between each two successive diagonal struts (S1, S2), said bent portions being secured in securing points (SO, SU). The diagonal struts (S1, S2) are angled in the same manner upwards and in the direction of the support (T). The diagonal strut (S1) nearest to the support is inclined at a steeper angle (α)<90° relative to the lower chords (U), and the preceding diagonal strut (S2) further from the support is inclined at an angle, which is flatter by at least 10°, of 45°≦(α2)<90° such that, of the concrete anchoring zones (VO, VU) formed by the diagonal strut (S1) nearest to the support, the upper concrete anchoring zone (VO) lies closer to the support vertical axis (A) than the lower concrete anchoring zone (VU).
US09469990B2	Restructured slab A restructured, recycled or repurposed slab such as stone, wood or the like which includes a primary component and a secondary component which fills a fissure, crack or break in the slab. The secondary component being configured to restore the structural integrity and/or providing a continuous surface. The secondary component configured to provide a noticeable contrast in appearance to the primary component.
US09469987B2	Panel lifting process This invention relates to a process for the lifting of a dual concrete panel composite truss and especially to the process of lifting of a composite truss having a pair of spaced apart prestressed concrete panels. A lifting assembly can be rolled on the surface of a generally flat concrete panel to position a plurality of sling hooks for connection to a plurality of said lifting eye members on the generally flat concrete panel for lifting the concrete panel.
US09469986B2	Fireproof refuges A dry refuge for a group of people in the event of a large fire front like a bush fire is a chamber with a roof, walls and doors made of a steel outer shell, a non-metal inner shell to accommodate people and a multi-layer ceramic fiber insulation layer between the shells capable of withstanding 1100EC difference in temperature. When the refuge is mobile in order to accompany firefighters into a fire zone, it is built as an insulated water tank with entry hatches for personnel and a quick release water valve for dumping water from the inner shell. The tanks may be on road going trailers in order to be transportable by the authorities to where they are needed. An air portable version is transportable by helicopter. All may have smoke proof seals on hatches and doors and internal air supply, sight glasses to view the outside, interior lighting and a radio.
US09469985B1	Acoustic structures with multiple degrees of freedom An acoustic structure having multiple degrees of acoustic freedom for reducing noise generated from a source. Acoustic septum caps, which are an integral part of the acoustic structure, include depth control portions that can be varied in width so that the septum portions of different septum caps can be located at different depths within the acoustic structure to provide an acoustic structure having multiple degrees of acoustic freedom even though the acoustic septum caps are anchored at the same depth within the structure.
US09469981B2	Fixture cells for bioretention systems The invention provides structures, methods, and assemblies for incorporating fixtures and appliances, such as a tree, street lamp, or light pole, into a bioretention system. The invention also provides methods, filtration modules, and additional structures that are useful for managing storm water flow and inhibiting the flow of pollutants, debris, and other contaminants into drainage systems.
US09469980B2	Click fit toilet flush handle lever assembly A toilet lever assembly, including: (a) a sleeve dimensioned to pass through a toilet tank wall; (b) a rotatable post extending through the sleeve; (c) a toilet flush handle mounted to the end of the rotatable post that is positioned outside of the toilet tank; (d) a nut received onto the end of the sleeve that is positioned outside of the toilet tank; and (e) a lever housing mounted to the end of the post that is positioned inside of the toilet tank, the lever housing comprising: (i) an actuator for moving a toilet lever to cause a flush when the post is rotated, and (ii) a biasing mechanism for rotating the post back to a neutral position.
US09469976B1	Housing for drain outlet An apparatus is provided for protecting from freezing an above-ground conduit outlet on an exterior wall of a building, the freeze protection apparatus comprising a housing including a top wall, a front wall, and a pair of opposed side walls interconnecting the top wall and the front wall. The housing partially defines an enclosed area having a rear aperture and a bottom aperture. Thermal insulating material lines the interior surface of the walls of the housing. Means are provided for mounting the housing to the exterior wall adjacent the conduit outlet. The inner edges of the side walls and the top wall contact the exterior wall and the bottom edges of the side walls and the front wall contact the ground for enclosing the conduit outlet. Heat is retained within the housing to prevent fluid within the conduit from freezing.
US09469975B2	Wear pad assembly A wear pad assembly is configured to be quickly attached to a work tool in a non-permanent manner. The work tool includes first and second elements that are movable relative to each other from an open position to a closed position. The wear pad assembly includes a wear-resistant pad and a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the wear-resistant pad. The mounting bracket is configured to be securely clamped between the first and second elements of the work tool when in the closed position.
US09469969B2	Device and method for calculating basic information for area limiting excavation control, and construction machinery A basic information calculator device calculates basic information for area limiting excavation control to control a construction machinery work device so that the construction machinery does not perform excavation beyond a target excavation surface. The basic information calculator includes: a storage device having stored therein three-dimensional information of the target excavation surface; a two-dimensional information extractor for obtaining the intersecting line between a reference surface that is the target excavation surface and the operational plane of the work device based on the three-dimensional information and the current positional information of the construction machinery to extract a reference line that is the intersecting line as the two-dimensional information of the reference surface in the operational plane; and a characteristic point transmitter for transmitting the Z-coordinates of characteristic points on the reference line to an area limiting excavation controller as the basic information.
US09469966B2	Guard-equipped cab for work vehicle and hydraulic excavator Provided is a guard-equipped cab for a work vehicle in which contact between a work implement and a member for coupling an operator protective guard to a cab can be avoided. A front guard is coupled by hinges to be openable/closable with respect to a cab for a work vehicle. A hinge has a shaft portion, a first plate member, and a second plate member. The first plate member is fixed with respect to a right front pillar. The second plate member is fixed with respect to the front guard. The first plate member has a support portion supporting the shaft portion, and extends from the support portion toward a left surface of the cab for the work vehicle.
US09469964B2	Pipe mounting structure in work machine A pipe mounting structure of a work machine that has a lightweighted structure and is able to stably mount many pipes thereon includes a structure for mounting pipes to a work machine such as a demolition machine. The structure includes at least a pair of protruding portions formed by upwardly protruding end portions of side plates of a front boom, a bridge member that is bridged between the pair of protruding portions, and connecting portions that connect the protruding portions and the end portions of the bridge member to each other, and the plurality of pipes are fixed to the bridge member.
US09469963B2	Cantilevered wing wall The present invention relates generally to precast cantilevered retaining walls and methods of using and forming precast cantilevered retaining walls. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cantilevered concrete retaining wall having a base shear key and blockouts for receiving a material that substantially impedes the wing wall from sliding or other inadvertent movement, to a method of retaining a soil embankment with a cantilevered concrete retaining wall, and to a method of manufacturing a precast concrete cantilevered retaining wall.
US09469961B2	Apparatus for pile-driving or drilling An apparatus for pile-driving or drilling, particularly a foundation machine, including at least one hydraulic drilling or vibration drive, which is connected with a control block in an open hydraulic circuit, by way of which drive at least one further consumer can be operated. The drive is connected with a pump by way of a first feed line and with a tank by way of a first return line. The hydraulic drive is additionally connected directly with the pump by way of a second feed line, and directly with the tank by way of a second return line.
US09469959B2	Full displacement pile tip and method for use The device is a Full Displacement Pile Tip (FDPT) with a sacrificial drill bit that is connected to a steel pipe, where the tip comprises at least four flanges or fish tails at the cutting edge extending from a conical, dome-like bottom, and integrally connected to the cutting teeth along the tip's axial shaft. The purpose of the FDPT is allow a steel pier to be screwed into the ground to serve as a foundation for a structure. This is a single operation where the FDPT and pipe remain in the ground. There is no removal of FDPT, minimal pouring of concrete, and there is minimal soil spoilage. A smaller drilling rig can be employed to save operating costs.
US09469956B2	Drainage management system and method Systems and methods for drainage management, including a pipe that is cut along a longitudinal section thereof; and a pipe block having a curved section corresponding to a diameter of the cut pipe and including supporting legs. The curved section of the pipe block is configured to support the cut pipe.
US09469949B2	Road safety barrier A wire rope road safety barrier including at least one wire rope, a plurality of posts configured to be supported in the ground along a roadside or central reservation, the posts including a cut-out provided in respective ones of the posts, and a retainer. The retainer includes an arm for embracing at least half of a circumference of the post whereby the retainer can be held on the post at a position along its length, the arm defining a plane, and a tab extending perpendicularly from the plane of the arm for retaining the at least one wire rope against the post, the tab being configured to yield at a break point at which the tab is attached to the arm when subjected to a lateral force by the at least one wire rope that exceeds a predetermined amount to permit separation of the rope from the barrier within a predetermined impact zone.
US09469942B2	Absorbent sanitary paper products An absorbent sanitary paper product having a machine direction, a cross-machine direction orthogonal and co-planar thereto, and a Z-direction orthogonal to both the machine- and cross-machine directions is disclosed. The absorbent sanitary paper product has a first network of fibers having a basis weight of less than about 95 g/m2 and a second network of fibers comprising individual fibers adhesively attached with an adhesive thereto. Each fiber of the first network of fibers has a longitudinal axis generally disposed within the plane comprising the machine and cross-machine directions. Each individual fiber of the second network of fibers has a longitudinal axis having a component thereof generally disposed in the Z-direction.
US09469941B2	Paraben derivatives for preserving cellulosic materials A method of preserving cellulosic material is provided. The method includes contacting the cellulosic material with a paraben-containing monomer and polymerizing the paraben-containing monomer to provide a polymer impregnated within the cellulosic material; or alternatively, first polymerizing the paraben-containing monomer to give a polymer comprising repeat units formed of the monomer and contacting the cellulosic material with the polymer under pressure to provide the polymer impregnated with the cellulosic material. Articles including the cellulosic material and at least one polymer which includes paraben moieties are also provided, such as a wooden plank, a utility pole, a railroad tie, a ship's hull, a wooden utensil, a toy, a model, a piece of furniture, a vehicle, or a serving dish.
US09469940B2	Use of modified nanoparticles in wood materials for reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) The present invention relates to the use of modified nanoparticles in wood based panels, in particular OSB-panels for reduction of the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The invention further relates to a wood based panel containing the modified particles and to a method for producing such a wood based panel.
US09469937B2	Textile sheet for clothes for radiating bioactive energy Disclosed herein is a textile sheet for clothes for radiating bioactive energy. The textile sheet for clothes according to the present invention comprises a bioactive-energy radiating layer formed by coating bioactive radiant materials of silicon oxide, magnesium, aluminum, sodium, calcium, and oxidized metal, and a thermochromic unit discolored at a predetermined temperature on a surface of the bioactive-energy radiating layer and formed on a part of the bioactive-energy radiating layer. Accordingly, the textile sheet for clothes according to the present invention is capable of reducing reactive oxygen and improving blood flow.
US09469933B2	Method and apparatus for using gravity to precisely dose detergent in a washing machine An appliance for washing clothes includes a detergent storage tank and a drum. Between the detergent storage tank and the drum is a diverter valve which has a detergent inlet connected to the detergent storage tank, an air vent connected to ambient air, and a detergent outlet. The diverter valve has an energized state wherein the detergent inlet is open and the air vent is closed, and a de-energized state wherein the detergent inlet is closed and the air vent is open. The appliance also has a flow meter connected to the diverter valve and the drum.
US09469932B2	Interlock mechanism for the closing door of washing machines or tumble dryers In door interlock mechanisms, used for locking the door of washing machines or fumble dryers, the closed or open state of the door of the machine is detected by reading the resistive value of a circuit in which a switch is placed in series. The interlock mechanism according to the invention envisages providing the door interlock with two contacts that make it possible to check, independently, whether the device is in the position with the door closed and locked and whether the door catch is inserted in the device. The device comprises an open-door contact, actuated in the closing position by a shaped portion of a first slider and in the opening position by a shaped portion of a second slider which, under the action of elastic means, interacts with the door catch.
US09469931B2	Laundry treating appliance door with planar window element and baffle for controlling laundry movement A laundry treating appliance may include a tub and a rotatable drum defining a first access opening to the drum, a cabinet including a front wall having a second access opening aligned with the first access opening, a bellows extending between the front wall and the tub to form a fluid seal between the first and second access openings, and the bellows having a compliance portion to accommodate relative movement between the tub and the front wall, and a door movably mounted to the front wall having a planar window element and a projection extending from the planar window element, the projection having at least a portion overlying the compliance portion to retard an item of laundry from entering the compliance portion during rotation of the drum.
US09469930B2	Washing machine and control method thereof A washing machine which improves performance of balancers, and a control method thereof. The washing machine includes a drum accommodating laundry and rotated by rotary force transmitted from a drive source, balancer housings mounted on the drum, each of the balancer housings including a disc-shaped channel formed therein, balancing modules movably disposed in the channels of the balancer housings, vibration sensors to sense unbalance applied to the drum during rotation of the drum, position sensors to sense the positions of the balancing modules, and a controller controlling movement of the balancing modules to positions to compensate for the unbalance sensed by the vibration sensors.
US09469928B2	Washing method for washing machine Provided is a washing method of a washing machine including an outer tub for receiving washing water, an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub to receive laundry, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a motor providing driving force to rotate at least one of the inner tub and the pulsator. In the washing method, a first centrifugal circulation water stream is formed by rotating the inner tub such that the washing water rises along a space between the outer and inner tubs and falls into the inner tub. An agitating water stream is formed by rotating the pulsator rotating the washing water. Here, the forming of the agitating water stream includes forming a first agitating water stream by controlling the motor with a first net acting ratio, and forming a second agitating water stream by controlling the motor with a second net acting ratio lower than the first net acting ratio.
US09469926B2	Method of manufacturing fabric with cool effect A method of manufacturing fabric includes adding 900 g of a material having a 92 wt % of SiO2 and 5 wt % of zinc oxide (ZnO) and 1,500 g of PU resin to water to mix until a first solution is formed; pouring the first solution into a first foaming tank; agitating the first solution in the first foaming tank to foam; adding a bridging agent and a foaming agent to a second foaming tank to mix with water to foam until a second solution is formed; pouring the first and second solutions into a third tank to mix and form a coating solution; continuously conveying a fabric sheet to a top of a platform; activating squeegees to spread the coating solution on the fabric sheet to form a cooling layer thereon; and performing a dry setting finish on the fabric sheet.
US09469922B2	Method for removing sulfur from fiber using a weak base The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber comprising the steps of: a) contacting never-dried sulfur-containing fiber in a yarn with an aqueous base having a pKa less than or equal to 11 to release at least a portion of said sulfur, said sulfur comprising, at least in part, sulfate anions and said yarn comprising fiber derived from polymer comprising imidazole groups; and b) rinsing said yarn to remove at least a portion of released sulfur.
US09469921B2	Artificial grass fibre and artificial lawn comprising such a fibre The invention relates to a synthetic monofilament fiber for use in an artificial lawn, said synthetic fiber having a width greater than the thickness of the synthetic fiber and being provided with solid thickened parts at its free ends, and a central part between the thickened parts comprising a curved section and having a substantially uniform thickness, seen in transverse direction, the synthetic fiber having a thickness/width ratio such that the synthetic fiber can buckle locally upon being subjected to an external load. The invention further relates to an artificial lawn with a backing to which one or more synthetic fibers according to the invention are attached.
US09469919B2	Method of attaching a cell-of-interest to a microtube A method of attaching a cell or a membrane-coated particle-of-interest to a microtube is provided. The method comprising: co-electrospinning two polymeric solutions through co-axial capillaries, wherein a first polymeric solution of the two polymeric solutions is for forming a shell of the microtube and a second polymeric solution of the two polymeric solutions is for forming a coat over an internal surface of the shell, the first polymeric solution is selected solidifying faster than the second polymeric solution and a solvent of the second polymeric solution is selected incapable of dissolving the first polymeric solution and wherein the second polymeric solution comprises the cell or the membrane-coated particle-of-interest, thereby attaching the cell or the membrane-coated panicle-of-interest to the microtube. Also provided are microtubes with attached, entrapped or encapsulated cells or membrane-coated particles and methods of using same.
US09469916B2	Method of producing GaAs single crystal and GaAs single crystal wafer A method of producing a GaAs single crystal having high carrier concentration and high crystallinity and to provide a GaAs single crystal wafer using such a GaAs single crystal. In the method of producing a GaAs single crystal, a vertical boat method is performed with a crucible receiving a seed crystal, a Si material, a GaAs material serving as an impurity, solid silicon dioxide, and a boron oxide material, thereby growing a GaAs single crystal.
US09469915B2	Hydrothermal growth of heterogeneous single crystals exhibiting amplified spontaneous emission suppression Single crystals are described that contain several regimes within the crystal that perform different functions related to the enhanced performance of a laser gain medium. At least one regime of the single crystals can be utilized to suppress amplified spontaneous emission and parasitic oscillation in a laser gain medium. A single crystal can include core and cladding regions, the cladding region providing amplified spontaneous emission suppression. The core region of the crystal can include as dopant one or more ions that take part in the lasing when suitably pumped. The amplified spontaneous emission suppression region can include as dopant one or more ions that can prevent additional spontaneous emission that can to depletion of the upper laser states, thus reducing laser performance including one or more ions that absorb spontaneously emitted photons and/or a higher concentration of the active lasing ions of the core.
US09469912B2	Pretreatment method for photoresist wafer processing Certain embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for processing a partially fabricated semiconductor substrate in a remote plasma environment. The methods may be performed in the context of wafer level packaging (WLP) processes. The methods may include exposing the substrate to a reducing plasma to remove photoresist scum and/or oxidation from an underlying seed layer. In some cases, photoresist scum is removed through a series of plasma treatments involving exposure to an oxygen-containing plasma followed by exposure to a reducing plasma. In some embodiments, an oxygen-containing plasma is further used to strip photoresist from a substrate surface after electroplating. This plasma strip may be followed by a plasma treatment involving exposure to a reducing plasma. The plasma treatments herein may involve exposure to a remote plasma within a plasma treatment module of a multi-tool electroplating apparatus.
US09469911B2	Electroplating apparatus with membrane tube shield An electroplating apparatus has one or more membrane tube rings which act as electric field shields, to provide advantageous plating characteristics at the perimeter of a work piece. The membrane tube rings may be filled with fluids having different conductivity, to change the shielding effect as desired for electroplating different types of substrates. The membrane tube rings may optionally be provided in or on a diffuser plate in the vessel of the apparatus.
US09469907B2	Methods and apparatus of electrochemical production of carbon monoxide, and uses thereof The present invention relates to an electrolytic process, methods and apparatus for the preparation of carbon monoxide and in particular to electrolysis of molten carbonates to yield carbon monoxide which may be used for chemical storage of electrical energy and further as chemical feedstock for other organic products.
US09469904B2	Surface processing method for a high hardness and abrasion resistant zinc alloy surface of imitation plating hexvalent chromium A surface processing method for a high hardness and abrasion resistant zinc alloy surface of imitation plating hexavalent chromium, includes following steps. Perform polishing for surface of zinc alloy workpiece, and leave it to dry; place the dried up workpiece into Hydrofluoric Acid solution to raise adhesion; wash the activated workpiece clean with pure water, and then place it in a silane oxide solution, to process it into silane conversion film; place the workpiece into an electrophoresis solution to perform electrophoresis, to achieve an electrophoresis application layer; use an UF solution to wash the workpiece; perform pre-drying for the workpiece; perform UV curing for the workpiece; hang the workpiece in a PVD furnace, perform sputtering of chromium, to form a metal-ceramic composite film; and perform PVD on surface of the workpiece, to deposit a layer of transparent DLC film on the workpiece.
US09469901B2	Atomic layer deposition method utilizing multiple precursor zones for coating flexible substrates Systems and methods for atomic layer deposition (ALD) on a flexible substrate involve guiding the substrate back and forth between spaced-apart first and second precursor zones and through a third precursor zone interposed between the first and second precursor zones, so that the substrate transits through each of the precursor zones multiple times. Systems may include a series of turning guides spaced apart along the first and second precursor zones for supporting the substrate along an undulating transport path. As the substrate traverses back and forth between the first and second precursor zones and through the third precursor zone, it passes through a first series of flow-restricting passageways of a first isolation region interposed between the first and third precursor zones and a second series of flow-restricting passageways of a second isolation region interposed between the second and third precursor zones.
US09469900B2	Apparatus of chemical vapor deposition with a showerhead regulating injection velocity of reactive gases positively and method thereof A method for chemical vapor deposition using a showerhead through which at least one reactive gas and a purge gas are injected over a substrate, wherein the method includes: disposing the showerhead such that the bottom surface of the showerhead is spaced apart from the substrate by a predetermined distance; supplying a reactive gas and an injection support gas into the showerhead, wherein reactive gases of different kinds are respectively delivered into compartments formed at inside of the showerhead; mixing each reactive gas with its corresponding injection support gas in each mixing zone at inside of the showerhead; supplying a purge gas into a separated compartment at inside of the showerhead; and injecting the reactive gas mixed with the injection support gas and the purge gas through a plurality of reactive gas exits and a plurality of purge gas exits formed at the bottom surface of the showerhead, respectively.
US09469898B2	Method and apparatus to help promote contact of gas with vaporized material Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an ampoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.
US09469893B2	Age-hardening process featuring anomalous aging time This document describes a process/strategy for age hardening nickel based alloys to create desirable properties with reduced energy expenditure. The inventive process introduces isolated atom nucleation sites to accelerate the nucleation rate by approximately 36 times, thereby permitting age hardening to occur in significantly less time and with significantly less energy expenditure.
US09469891B2	Press-forming product manufacturing method and press-forming facility Provided is a press-forming product manufacturing method of manufacturing a forming product having satisfactory formability for a drawing process by press-forming a metal sheet using a press-forming tool with high productivity, including: heating the metal sheet to a transformation temperature Ac1 or more; cooling the metal sheet to 600° C. or lower; forming the metal sheet by a forming tool; ending the forming process at a martensite transformation start temperature Ms or more; taking out the metal sheet from the forming tool; and cooling the metal sheet.
US09469890B2	Iron vanadium powder alloy A water atomized prealloyed chromium-free, iron-based steel powder is provided which comprises by weight-%: 0.05-0.4 V, 0.09-0.3 Mn, less than 0.1 Cr, less than 0.1 Mo, less than 0.1 Ni, less than 0.2 Cu, less than 0.1 C, less than 0.25 O, and less than 0.5 of unavoidable impurities, with the balance being iron.
US09469888B2	Aluminum alloy for continuous casting and method for producing the same The present disclosure provides an aluminum (Al) alloy for continuous casting, and a method of making the same. The Al alloy includes Al, Si in the range of 14 to 20 wt %, Ti in the range of 2 to 7 wt % and B in the range of 1 to 3 wt %. According to the disclosure, TiB2 compound may be formed in the alloy, where the ratio of Ti:B may range from 2 to 2.5 wt %. By a process of continuously casting the molten metal, an aluminum alloy with improved elasticity may be produced.
US09469887B2	Method for production of titanium welding wire A process for producing a weldable titanium or titanium alloy wire characterized in that full consolidation of the wire is achieved via solid-state processing entailing compaction, extrusion, and rolling, whereby melting of the constituent titanium sponge particles does not occur.
US09469881B2	Compositions and methods for detection of hepatitis A virus nucleic acid Nucleic acid oligomeric sequences and in vitro nucleic acid amplification and detection methods for detecting the presence of HAV RNA sequences in samples are disclosed. Kits comprising nucleic acid oligomers for amplifying and detecting HAV nucleic acid sequences are disclosed.
US09469877B2	Materials and methods for diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring of recurrence, and assessment of therapeutic/prophylactic treatment of pancreatobiliary cancer A method of detecting high-grade dysplasia, pancreatobiliary cancer, or metastatic cancer to the pancreatobiliary tract or inferring an increased risk thereof, comprising obtaining a sample of pancreatobiliary cells from a patient with a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe for MCL1 (myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1), a locus-specific probe for EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), a locus-specific probe for MYC, and a locus-specific probe for P16 under hybridization conditions and determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities; a set of probes comprising a locus-specific probe for MCL1, a locus-specific probe for EGFR, a locus-specific probe for MYC, and a locus-specific probe for P16; and a kit comprising the set of probes and instructions for detecting high-grade dysplasia, pancreatobiliary cancer, or metastatic cancer to the pancreatobiliary tract, or inferring an increased risk thereof, in a patient.
US09469871B2	Methods and apparatus for point-of-care nucleic acid amplification and detection Methods and apparatus are provided for point-of-care nucleic acid amplification and detection. One embodiment of the invention comprises a fully integrated, sample-to-answer molecular diagnostic instrument that optionally may be used in a multiplexed fashion to detect multiple target nucleic acid sequences of interest and that optionally may be configured for disposal after one-time use. The instrument preferable utilizes an isothermal nucleic acid amplification technique, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), to reduce the instrumentation requirements associated with nucleic acid amplification. Detection of target amplification may be achieved, for example, via detection of a color shift or fluorescence in a dye added to the amplification reaction. Such detection may be performed visually by an operator or may be achieved utilizing an imaging technique, e.g., spectrophotometric imaging.
US09469864B2	Reversible natural product glycosyltransferase-catalyzed reactions, compounds and related methods The present invention relates to methods of use of glycosyltransferases and related novel compounds. The invention exploits the reversibility of glycosyltransferases to generate new sugars, unnatural biomolecules and numerous one-pot reactions for generation of new biomolecules having varied backbones such as enediynes, vancomycins, bleomycins, anthracyclines, macrolides, pluramycins, aureolic acids, indolocarbazoles, aminglycosides, glycopeptides, polyenes, coumarins, benzoisochromanequinones, calicheamicins, erythromycin, avermectins, ivermectins, angucyclines, cardiac glycosides, steroids or flavinoids. In preferred embodiments, the invention specifically relates to biosynthesis of anticancer (the enediyne calicheamicin, CLM), anthelmintic agents (the macrolides avermectin, ivermectin and erythromycin) and antibiotic (the glycopeptide vancomycin, VCM) natural product-based drugs developed by reversible, bidirectional glycosyltransferase-catalyzed reactions.
US09469859B1	Method for treatment of biomass The subject disclosure relates to a method for producing a fermentation product from biomass that has been pre-treated in a pre-treatment system and separated into a liquid component and a first solids component. The method comprises: (a) treating the liquid component in a filtration system comprising at least one nano-filter to produce a treated liquid component, and to remove an acid from the liquid component; (b) supplying the treated liquid component, a fermenting organism, and agents to a fermentation system; (c) recovering the fermentation product from the fermentation system; and (d) supplying the acid for re-use in the pre-treatment system. In many embodiments, the biomass comprises lignocellulosic material and the liquid component comprises pentose (e.g., xylose).
US09469858B2	Sporulation-deficient thermophilic microorganisms for the production of ethanol A thermophilic microorganism comprising a modification that prevents sporulation, wherein the modification inactivates the native spo0A gene.
US09469857B2	Vectors for directional cloning The invention provides vectors and methods for directional cloning.
US09469846B2	Compositions and methods for treating cancer A composition for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation includes exogenous constitutively active Chk1 or an agent that promotes phosphorylation of endogenous Chk1 of the cancer cell.
US09469844B2	Flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenases, a method for producing a flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase, and yeast transformant used for the same A heat-resistant flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase having a high substrate specificity for D-glucose, an method for producing the same, and a transformant used for the same. A flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase gene encoding a flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase derived from Mucor is introduced into yeast, Zygosaccharomyces, to obtain a transformant. Subsequently, the yeast transformant is cultured to obtain a flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase from the culture. The heat-resistant flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase is less susceptible to the effects of dissolved oxygen and allows accurate measurement of glucose even in the presence of sugar compounds other than glucose in a sample.
US09469840B2	Device for guiding cell migration and method of guiding cell migration implementing such a device A guiding device in which cells are confined between a support surface and a textured surface of a substrate, said textured surface having an anisotropic three-dimensional structure having a repeating pattern that repeats according to a repeat axis, said repeating pattern having a succession of guide spaces adjacent to one another according to the repeat axis, each of said guide spaces being capable of receiving at least one portion of one of the cells and being oriented according to a direction of anisotropy to guide a movement of the cells in the direction of anisotropy.
US09469832B2	Method and apparatus for providing a photobioreactor The present invention provides for a photobioreactor for the cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms and comprises a hydraulic circuit through which an aqueous solution containing culture of at least one type of photosynthetic organism circulates and gets exposed to a light source. The photobioreactor also comprises a means for feeding carbon dioxide into the system, a means for oxygen degasification, and a means for injecting nutrients into the system. The hydraulic circuit is comprised of two open receiving channels at the same relative elevation, a set of transparent or translucent tubes which connect receiving channels to each other, and at least one fluid moving device to move the fluid from the first to the second receiving channels through the tubes. Each receiving channel also comprises a dam which assists in maintaining two different surface levels of the aqueous solution within the upstream and downstream portions of each receiving channel.
US09469827B2	Methods of refining natural oil feedstocks Methods are provided for refining natural oil feedstocks. The methods comprise reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesized product comprising olefins and esters. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise separating the olefins from the esters in the metathesized product. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise hydrogenating the olefins under conditions sufficient to form a fuel composition. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product.
US09469821B2	Micro-gasifier array networking A collection of gasifier fueled engine systems is networked through a system of connecting pipes and valves in order to provide fast response to output power demands and to extend the range of power levels at which the system exhibits high conversion efficiency.
US09469814B2	Sodium citrate and caustic as process aids for the extraction of bitumen from mined oil sands A process for extracting bitumen from an oil sand ore having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content higher than about 6% is provided, comprising mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to form an oil sand slurry; conditioning the oil sand slurry to form a conditioned oil sand slurry; introducing a dosage of sodium citrate to the process either prior to or during the mixing step, or prior to or during the conditioning step, or both; and introducing the conditioned oil sand slurry into a separation zone to form a bitumen froth and tailings.
US09469812B2	Pyrolysis and gasification systems, methods, and resultants derived therefrom A process and system for the controlled thermal conversion of a carbonaceous feedstock, including: exposing the feedstock to one or more predetermined temperatures and one or more predetermined pressures for one or more predetermined amounts of time in one or more chambers to produce a gas product and a solid product, wherein the gas product includes one or more of methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and one or more noxious chemicals and the solid product includes Carbon; sequestration enabling at least a portion of the Carbon by creating associated Lewis Acid Sites; sequestering at least one of the one or more noxious chemicals in the one or more chambers using the sequestration enabled Carbon; and controlling the constituents of the gas product using feedback, thereby providing a predictable and stable gas product from an unknown and/or variable feedstock.
US09469808B2	Loaded particles and the method of preparing thereof The present invention relates to fluorescent dye loaded particles and the method of preparing thereof. The method includes steps of preparing the nanoparticles with layered structure having at least one interlayer space, expanding the at least one interlayer space to form at least one expanded interlayer space, introducing the dye molecules to the at least one expanded interlayer space, and covalently bonding the dye molecules with the layered structure. The present invention also relates to a film comprising such nanoparticles.
US09469807B2	Chromic luminescent compositions and textiles A chromic luminescent composition and method for fabricating the composition are disclosed. The chromic luminescent composition comprises at least one or more non-luminescent materials and one or more luminescent materials. The one or more non-luminescent materials having absorption spectra that at least partially overlap with the spectrum of incident electromagnetic radiation. The one or more luminescent materials convert at least a portion of energy of incident electromagnetic radiation to a lower energy wavelength. The one or more non-luminescent materials and the one or more luminescent materials are selected such that, when subsequently exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation, color and brightness are substantially modulated through absorption and emission as a function of incident electromagnetic radiation. Also disclosed are a chromic luminescent textile and a method for fabricating the textile.
US09469801B2	Working fluid composition for refrigerator, refrigeration oil, and method for producing same A working fluid composition for a refrigerating machine of the present invention comprises: a refrigerating machine oil comprising a complex ester as a base oil; and a hydrocarbon refrigerant having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, the complex ester being obtainable by further esterifying, with at least one selected from a monohydric alcohol having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and a fatty acid having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, an ester intermediate obtained by reacting a neopentyl polyol with a dibasic acid, and having an acid value of 0.5 mgKOH/g or less, the refrigerating machine oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 2 to 50 mm2/s.
US09469793B2	Pressure sensitive adhesives containing polymeric surface-modified nanoparticles Pressure sensitive adhesives comprising an acrylate polymer and surface-modified nanoparticles are described. The surface-modified nanoparticles comprise a nanoparticle having a silica surface and surface modifying groups covalently attached to the silica surface. At least one surface-modifying group is a polymeric silane surface modifying group. At least one surface-modifying group is a non-polymeric silane surface modifying group. Methods of preparing such adhesives, including their exposure to UVA and UVC radiation are also described.
US09469791B2	Polyolefin based hot melt adhesive composition A hot melt adhesive composition includes at least a semi-crystalline copolymer of propylene and a polyethylene wax having a Brookfield viscosity of about 20 cP to 500 cP at 140° C., a density of about 0.95 g/cm3 to 0.99 g/cm3 between 23° C. and 25° C., and a Mettler drop point of about 110° C. to 135° C., wherein the composition is characterized by a effective set time of about 0.1 second to 5 seconds. Articles including the composition and methods of making articles including the composition are described.
US09469787B2	Nickel phosphorous CMP compositions and methods A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) composition for planarizing a nickel phosphorus (NiP) substrate comprises a suspension of colloidal silica particles and fused silica particles in an acidic aqueous carrier containing hydrogen peroxide, in which the concentration of the fused silica particles is less than or equal to the concentration of the colloidal silica particles. In some embodiments, the CMP composition includes a primary complexing agent, a secondary complexing agent, and a metal ion such as ferric ion, which is capable of reversible oxidation and reduction in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and NiP.
US09469784B2	Method for production of a binder compound Method for production of a binder compound wherein crude tall oil pitch is mixed with calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide, and wherein after mixing the crude tall oil pitch with the calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide, the mixture of crude tall oil pitch and calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide is allowed to react and then again further crude tall oil pitch and a polymer are added to the reacted mixture in order to obtain a base substance for the production of a roof covering membrane, a road surfacing material or a carpet backing.
US09469781B2	Multilayer film The present disclosure is directed to multilayer film having has an L* color less than 30 and a 60 degree gloss value less than 10. The multilayer film has a first polyimide layer and a second polyimide layer. The second polyimide layer has 25 to 50 wt % of a polyimide, greater than 0 and less than 20 wt % of a silica matting agent, greater than 0 and less than 20 wt % of at least one submicron carbon black and 15 to 50 wt % of at least one submicron fumed metal oxide.
US09469780B2	Coating compositions containing reactive diluents and methods The present invention provides coating compositions that include reactive diluents and have high performance, low VOC levels, and low irritation levels. Certain embodiments of the present invention include water and water-dispersible polymers and other embodiments do not include water.
US09469779B2	Coating compositions incorporating ingredients having secondary amine, hydroxyl and isocyanate functionality The present invention provides coating compositions with excellent curing performance. Curing can occur very rapidly for excellent cycle time, yet with minimal (if any) foaming. A preferred catalyst system helps to provide excellent initial and follow through cure through the entirety of the coating thickness, even with respect to in-mold coating (IMC) applications. Preferred aspects of the invention provide a composition having zero, or nearly zero, emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) when applied and cured.
US09469778B2	In-situ heated deposition of parylene to enhance pore penetration into silicone Coating porous material, such as PDMS, with parylene N, C, D, and AF-4 by vapor deposition polymerization is described in which a temperature of the porous material's surface being coated is heated to between 60° C. and 120° C., or 80° C. and 85° C., during deposition. The parylene forms nano roots within the porous material that connect with a conformal surface coating of parylene. In some embodiments, a watertight separation chamber in an integrated microfluidic liquid chromatography device is fabricated by heating tunnels in micro-fabricated PDMS and depositing parylene within the heated tunnels.
US09469773B2	Ink composition for making a conductive silver structure An ink composition for making a conductive silver structure comprises a silver salt and a complex of (a) a complexing agent and a short chain carboxylic acid or (b) a complexing agent and a salt of a short chain carboxylic acid, according to one embodiment. A method for making a silver structure entails combining a silver salt and a complexing agent, and then adding a short chain carboxylic acid or a salt of the short chain carboxylic acid to the combined silver salt and a complexing agent to form an ink composition. A concentration of the complexing agent in the ink composition is reduced to form a concentrated formulation, and the silver salt is reduced to form a conductive silver structure, where the concentrated formulation and the conductive silver structure are formed at a temperature of about 120° C. or less.
US09469769B1	Anti-corrosion treatment composition for steel rebar embedded in concrete The anti-corrosion treatment composition for steel rebar embedded in concrete is a composition for coating steel rebar before the steel rebar is embedded in concrete. The coating of the steel rebar with the anti-corrosion treatment composition forms a treatment film on the steel rebar which controls both uniform corrosion and pitting corrosion of the steel rebar after it has been embedded in the concrete. The anti-corrosion treatment composition includes an inorganic acid, an organic acid, polyethylene glycol and water. The inorganic acid forms between approximately 3.9 wt % and approximately 15.0 wt % of the anti-corrosion treatment composition, the organic acid forms between approximately 0.1 wt % and approximately 2.9 wt % of the anti-corrosion treatment composition, the polyethylene glycol forms between approximately 2.0 wt % and approximately 10.7 wt % of the anti-corrosion treatment composition, and the remainder of the anti-corrosion treatment composition is water.
US09469762B2	Nonaqueous method of dispersing a water soluble polymer Described are methods of dispersing and hydrating a water soluble polymer, comprising forming a nonaqueous slurry of polypropylene glycol, water soluble polymer, and hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane, provided that the slurry contains less than five percent water; and then contacting the nonaqueous slurry with water to disperse and hydrate the water soluble polymer.
US09469761B2	Liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition which is capable of producing a prepreg and a resin film in which surface defects are remarkably reduced even in case of drying at high temperature to remove the solvent in the production process. Disclosed Are a liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition comprising a liquid crystal polyester, an organic solvent, and one or more kinds of selected leveling agents, wherein the content of the leveling agent is from 0.001 to 2.0 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the liquid crystal polyester and the organic solvent; and a method for producing a resin film, which comprises applying the above-described liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition on a support, and then removing the solvent from the liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition on the support at 50° C. or higher.
US09469759B2	Thermoplastic resin composition and molded article using the same Provided is a thermoplastic resin composition that comprises (A) a graft copolymer; (B) a polyalkyl (meth)acrylate; (C) an alkyl (meth)acrylate-aromatic vinyl-vinyl cyanide copolymer; and (D) an impact-reinforcing agent, wherein the graft copolymer (A) comprises an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound copolymer grafted on a core part comprising a rubbery polymer.
US09469758B2	Bimodal adsorbing latex The present invention relates to a composition comprising a stable aqueous dispersion of large acrylic based polymer particles and small acrylic based polymer particles wherein the large polymer particles comprise structural units of a phosphorus acid monomer or a salt thereof; and wherein the small polymer particles comprise a substantial absence of structural units of any phosphorus acid monomer and salts thereof. The bimodal dispersion of the present invention provides a way of making a high solids adsorbing latex with high hiding efficiency.
US09469757B2	Low dissipation factor resin composition and product made thereby A low dissipation factor resin composition comprises: (A) 100 to 150 parts by weight of a vinyl-containing compound or a polymer thereof; (B) 0 to 75 parts by weight of styrene-butadiene-divinylbenzene terpolymer, styrene-butadiene-maleic anhydride terpolymer, vinyl functional polybutadiene urethane oligomer or a combination thereof; (C) 30 to 150 parts by weight of flame retardant; and (D) 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of peroxide. The resin composition and a product made thereby are applicable to a copper-clad laminate and a printed circuit board, characterized by having low dissipation factor at high frequency and satisfactory thermal resistance and thermal expansion.
US09469755B2	Process for transitioning Process for transitioning from the production of a first polymer to the production of a second polymer in a gas phase fluidized bed or stirred bed reactor by a) conducting a first polymerization reaction in the reactor using a first polymerization catalyst system to produce a first polymer, b) stopping the first polymerization reaction and removing at least the majority of the polymer in the reactor, c) introducing into the reactor a seed-bed containing at least 50 ppm of contaminants, in which the seedbed is maintained under at least 50 ppm but less than 500 ppm of contaminants during storage, and d) treating the seed-bed in the reactor to reduce the amount of contaminants. Step e) involves conducting a second polymerization reaction in the reactor to produce a second polymer.
US09469754B2	Surface covering The present invention relates to a PVC-free multiple layer surface covering comprising at least one layer of a thermoplastic composition, the thermoplastic composition comprising a polymer-based matrix representing 100 parts in weight and comprising one or more olefin-based polymer(s) and one or more anhydride copolymer(s), said one or more anhydride copolymer(s) representing between 5 and 40 parts in weight of the polymer-based matrix, one or more filler(s) representing in weight at least 100 parts per 100 parts of said polymer-based matrix, one or more basic or amphoteric metal oxide(s) representing between 5 and 40 parts in weight per 100 parts of said polymer-based matrix.
US09469753B2	Propylene copolymers in elastomeric compositions Disclosed is an ethylene-propylene copolymer having isotactic polypropylene crystallinity compounded with a halobutyl rubber in an amount effective to improve one or more of aged tensile strength retention, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability. Also disclosed is an elastomer composition wherein the copolymer can have at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units and at least 6 wt % ethylene-derived units, and a tire inner tube or tire innerliner composition comprising from 1 to 10 phr copolymer. Also disclosed is a vulcanizate of the elastomer composition, and articles, tire innerliners, tires, and tire inner tubes comprising the vulcanizate. Further disclosed are processes for making molded articles, tire inner tubes and tires.
US09469752B2	Cold flow resistant compositions containing rubber and a block copolymer Disclosed are cold flow resistant and dimensionally stable compositions containing a diene rubber and a conjugated diene monovinylarene block copolymer, and generally, these compositions have solutions viscosities and cold flows that are less than that of the diene rubber. Methods for reducing cold flow and for storage-stabilizing bales of diene rubbers also are disclosed.
US09469748B2	Smart composites containing modified cellulosic nanomaterials In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a composite material is prepared by blending a bio-derived filler into a polymer, wherein the filler includes a diene-modified cellulosic nanomaterial (e.g., cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and/or cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) functionalized to contain a diene) and a dienophile-modified cellulosic nanomaterial (e.g., CNCs and/or CNFs functionalized to contain a dienophile). The modulus of the composite material is reversibly controllable by adjusting a degree of crosslinking between the diene-modified cellulosic nanomaterial and the dienophile-modified cellulosic nanomaterial. This degree of crosslinking is thermally reversible. On one hand, the degree of crosslinking may be increased via a Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition reaction at a first temperature, thereby increasing the modulus of the composite material. On the other hand, the degree of crosslinking may be decreased via a retro-DA reaction at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, thereby decreasing the modulus of the composite material.
US09469745B2	Engineered composite material and products produced therefrom A composite material includes a polymer matrix material and filler material that includes vitreous china. The composite material has a water absorption of less than about one percent. Such a composite material may be used in the production of articles such as sinks, bathtubs, shower receptors, and other articles that may benefit from low water absorption properties.
US09469741B2	Polymers functionalized with heterocyclic nitrile compounds A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with a heterocyclic nitrile compound.
US09469736B2	Surface-modifying method and elastic body with modified surface The present invention aims to provide a method for modifying a surface of a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer, which can impart excellent sliding properties and excellent durability against repeated sliding motion, and allow the surface to maintain the sealing properties, without using expensive self-lubricating resins. The present invention relates to a method for modifying a surface of an object of a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer, the method including: Step 1 of forming polymerization initiation points on the surface of the object; and Step 2 of radical-polymerizing a monomer starting from the polymerization initiation points to grow polymer chains on the surface of the object.
US09469733B2	Self-assembled structure and membrane comprising block copolymer and process for producing the same by spin coating (IVa) Disclosed are self-assembled structures prepared from block copolymers, for example, diblock copolymers of the formula (I): wherein R1-R4, n, and m are as described herein, which find use in preparing nanoporous membranes. In an embodiment, the block copolymer self-assembles into a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such self-assembled structures which involves spin coating a polymer solution containing the block copolymer to obtain a thin film, followed by solvent annealing of the film. Further disclosed is a method of preparing porous membranes from the self-assembled structures.
US09469728B2	Temperature and pH-sensitive block copolymer having excellent safty in vivo and hydrogel and drug delivery system using thereof Disclosed herein are pH- and temperature-sensitive block copolymer with excellent safety and a method for preparing the same and a hydrogel and a drug carrier using the block copolymer. According to the present invention, the pH- and temperature-sensitive block copolymer comprises: obtained by copolymerization of: (a) polyethylene glycol-based compound (A); and (b) poly (β-amino ester)-based oligomer (B) or poly (amido amine)-based oligomer (C) or coupling of mixture (D) thereof. In order to control biodegradation rate, the block copolymer is mixed with poly (amido amine)-based oligomer instead of the poly (β-amino ester)-based oligomer and then coupling them.
US09469720B2	Epdxy resin production A process comprising: a) contacting a polyhydric phenol and an epihalohydrin in the presence of a catalyst under reaction conditions to form an organic feed comprising a bishalohydrin ether; b) contacting the organic feed and an aqueous feed comprising an inorganic hydroxide with a high shear mixer to produce a first mixed feed; c) contacting the first mixed feed with a phase separator to form a first organic product comprising an epoxy resin and a first aqueous product; and d) recovering the first organic product, is disclosed.
US09469719B2	Polylactic acid resin, preparation method thereof, and packing film comprising the same The present invention relates to a polylactic acid resin and a packaging film comprising the same, wherein the polylactic acid resin is useful as a packaging material due to excellent properties including heat resistance as well as optimized flexibility. The polylactic acid resin comprises: a hard segment including a predetermined polylactic acid repeating unit; and a soft segment including a polyurethane polyol repeating unit in which certain polyether-based polyol repeating units are linearly connected in a medium of a urethane bond. In addition, the polylactic acid resin has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 25-55° C.
US09469718B2	Low density attached polyurethane foams made by containment of blowing agents during foam processing Polyurethane cushions are formed on the surface of a textile such as carpet. The polyurethane is made in the reaction of a polyurethane forming composition that is frothed, and contains water as a blowing agent. The polyurethane forming composition is cured between the substrate and a containment layer, both of which prevent the blowing gasses from escaping during the curing process. The process allows low density attached cushions to be formed controllably.
US09469716B2	Single-component polyurethane system comprising aqueous or water-soluble polyurethanes The present invention relates to innovative single-component polyurethane systems based on water-soluble polyurethanes or their aqueous solutions, to a process for preparing them, and to the use.
US09469715B2	Method for producing formaldehyde/CO2 copolymers The invention relates to a method for producing non-alternating formaldehyde/CO2 copolymers, said method comprising the step of reacting formaldehyde or a compound that releases formaldehyde with carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst system. Said method is characterized in that the catalyst system comprises a Lewis acid component and a basic component, the Lewis acid component being at least temporarily coordinatively unsaturated under reaction conditions and the basic component having a pKb value of >=0.
US09469714B2	Cationic emulsion having polymer core-shell structure, aqueous ink, and recording medium The invention provides a cationic emulsion having a polymer core-shell structure that exhibits excellent substrate adhesiveness, water resistance, alcohol resistance, and high gloss when used in an aqueous ink, and exhibits excellent color developing properties and water resistance when used in a recording medium, specifically, a cationic emulsion having a polymer core-shell structure comprising component (A) and component (B) and having a mass ratio of component (A):component (B) of 25:75-75:25. (A) Emulsion polymer core component obtained by polymerizing a monomer having a vinyl chloride monomer as a constituent. (B) Emulsion polymer shell component, having a structure obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture having, as constituents: styrenes and a compound of formula (1); or styrenes, a compound of formula (1), and a (meth)acrylic ester having 1-22 carbon atoms in the ester part as a compound (2); in which the compound of formula (1) is 20-45 mass % in the monomer mixture.
US09469710B2	Polymers functionalized with nitrile compounds containing a protected amino group A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with an anionic initiator to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group, where the protected amino group is directly attached to a moiety selected from the group consisting of acyclic moieties, heterocyclic moieties, and non-aromatic cyclic moieties.
US09469709B2	Photocurable composition The present invention allows for a photocurable composition which exhibits stable physical characteristics in a heat resistance test and an oil resistance test, and exhibits good debubbling properties and excellent workability. A photocurable composition including components (A) to (C). component (A): a compound that has a polymer obtained from a (meth)acrylic monomer as a main skeleton, and has at least two (meth)acrylic groups in the molecule component (B): a (meth)acrylic monomer including a component (b-1) and/or a component (b-2) component (b-1): a (meth)acrylic monomer having a hydroxyl group in the molecule, in an amount of 0.1 to 50 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the component (A), component (b-2): a (meth)acrylic monomer having a saturated alicyclic skeleton in the molecule, in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the component (A), component (C): a photoinitiator.
US09469706B2	Polymers functionalized with unsaturated heterocycles containing a protected amino group A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomers to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an unsaturated heterocycle containing a protected amino group.
US09469704B2	Utilization of linear alpha olefins in the production of metallocene catalyzed poly-alpha olefins The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of lubricant base stocks by contacting alphaolefin feedstocks with single-site metallocene catalysts and recycling unconverted monomers, characterized by a purge step in the recycle.
US09469702B2	Catalyst systems containing boron-bridged cyclopentadienyl-fluorenyl metallocene compounds with an alkenyl substituent Disclosed herein are catalyst compositions containing boron-bridged, cyclopentadienyl-fluorenyl metallocene compounds with an alkenyl substituent. These catalyst compositions can be used for the polymerization of olefins. For example, ethylene copolymers produced using these catalyst compositions can be characterized by a combination of a flat or a conventional comonomer distribution and low levels of long chain branching.
US09469701B2	Polyethylene powder The present invention provides a polyolefin powder including a homopolymer of ethylene or a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin having 3 to 15 carbon atoms.
US09469698B2	Process for forming polyolefins Processes of forming polyolefins are described herein. One or more specific embodiments of the processes generally include introducing olefin monomer selected from C2-C3 olefins into a first reaction zone under first polymerization conditions to form a first polyolefin; withdrawing a transfer effluent from the first reaction zone, the transfer effluent including first polyolefin and unreacted olefin monomer; introducing the transfer effluent, a comonomer selected from C4-C8 olefins, and additional olefin monomer to a second reaction zone under second polymerization conditions to form a second reactor product; maintaining an essentially constant comonomer:olefin monomer ratio in the second reaction zone; and withdrawing at least a portion of the second reactor product, wherein the second reactor product includes a bimodal polyolefin.
US09469697B2	Process for the production of water and solvent-free nitrile rubbers The present invention relates to specific water and solvent-free nitrile rubbers having specific functional groups and/or end groups, a process for the production thereof and the use thereof. This process involves removing volatile compounds from a fluid (F) containing (1) at least one nitrile rubber and (2) at least one volatile compound, wherein the process comprises at least the steps of a.) treating the fluid (F) in at least one conversation unit, b.) retreating the concentrated fluid from step a.) in at least one retreating unit and c.) feeding the retreated concentrated fluid from step b.) into at least one retreating unit.
US09469690B2	Methods of treating complement-associated disorders with anti-C5a antibodies The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to C5a and to use of the antibodies in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders such as, but not limited to, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, severe burn, antiphospholipid syndrome, asthma, lupus nephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US09469689B2	Therapeutic DLL4 binding proteins DLL4 binding proteins are described herein, including antibodies, CDR-grafted antibodies, humanized antibodies, and DLL4 binding fragments thereof, proteins that bind DLL4 with high affinity, and DLL4 binding proteins that neutralize DLL4 and/or VEGF activity. The DLL4 binding proteins are useful for treating or preventing cancers and tumors and especially for treating or preventing tumor angiogenesis.
US09469687B2	Binding partners of the placental growth factor, especially antibodies directed against the placental growth factor, and production and use thereof The invention relates to binding partners of the placental growth factor (or placenta growth factor, PIGF), especially antibodies directed against the placental growth factor, and production and use thereof.
US09469678B2	NY-ESO-1 peptides which bind to class II molecules and uses thereof The invention relates to peptides which consist of amino acid sequences found in the NY-ESO-1 molecule, which bind to MHC-Class II molecules. These can be used alone, or in combination with other peptides.

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