Document Document Title
US09557962B2 Voice control device, voice control method and program
According to an illustrative embodiment, an information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus includes a communication device to receive plural pieces of tag information corresponding to respective positions within a target area, the target area having a position defined by the position of the apparatus; and an output device to output a plurality of sounds such that for each sound at least a portion of the sound overlaps with at least a portion of another of the sounds, each of the sounds being indicative of a respective piece of tag information.
US09557961B2 Display device and method of operating the same
A wearable electronic device including a wireless communication unit configured to be wirelessly connected to a projector for projecting a stored presentation onto a screen of an external device; a main body configured to be worn by a user; a microphone integrally connected to the main body; a display unit configured to be attached to the main body; and a controller configured to match voice information input through the microphone with corresponding contents of the stored presentation, and display at least a following portion of content that follow the corresponding contents on the display unit.
US09557959B2 Analog/digital audio converter and a method thereof
An analog/digital audio converting apparatus enables listening to both digital and analog audio signals received from a digital receiving apparatus and analog audio signals input from an external source using the same receiver by providing a formatter capable of converting the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal with the digital broadcasting receiving apparatus.
US09557955B2 Sharing of target objects
A method of sharing a target object which includes: obtaining a geo location of a first user; obtaining a focus of the first user to a target object; determining a distance to the target object from the first user; determining the geo location of the target object; obtaining a geo location of a second user; transmitting the geo location of the target object to the second user; prompting the second user to focus on the target object; and displaying the target object to the second user. The method may be implemented on one or more computer devices. There is also a computer program product and a system for sharing a target object between a first user and a second user.
US09557953B2 Private image viewer
Techniques related to viewing a private image are described herein. The techniques may include a public device including a processor and a public display to display a display image. The techniques may also include an input receiver to receive input at the public device, and a privacy controller to alter the display image from the public display when the display image is private. Techniques may further include a transmitter to transmit the display image to a private device when the display image is private.
US09557941B2 Printing apparatus for performing printing based on data including a plurality of pages
When sequentially receiving pages one by one from the outside and printing them at the time of printing based on printing data including a plurality of pages, a page count per copy when printing a plurality of copies is acquired, and data of a predetermined portion of a printing area are extracted from respective pages by the page count. It is determined whether the data of the extracted predetermined portion is identical between the respective pages. When it is determined that the data is identical, it is determined that printing of the printing data is not collation printing. When it is determined that the data is different, it is determined that printing of the printing data is collation printing.
US09557939B2 Print job processing system and method
A print job processing system comprising at least one printer, a user interface, a job file receiving section for receiving a print job having print job properties, a conflict checking section for checking for a conflict in the print job, and an auto resolve section for automatically resolving the conflict according to an auto resolve strategy, wherein the print job processing system comprises a system setting section adapted to set according to user input by means of the user interface per print job property a user interaction strategy out of a plurality of user interaction strategies, each user interaction strategy of the plurality of user interaction strategies comprising a different user interaction and each user interaction strategy being configured to be executed if the corresponding print job property has been changed due to the auto resolve strategy for the conflict.
US09557935B2 Computing system including storage system and method of writing data thereof
Provided is a method of writing data of a storage system. The method includes causing a host to issue a first writing command; causing the host, when a queue depth of the first writing command is a first value, to store the first writing command in an entry which is assigned in advance and is included in a cache; causing the host to generate a writing completion signal for the first writing command; and causing the host to issue a second writing command.
US09557931B1 Systems, methods, and computer readable media for managing a hosts file
A hosts file manager is provided that displays a user interface with a list of selectable server groups. The list may comprise, for example, identifications server groups. Each server group corresponds to an IP address, and the hosts file manager has access to such IP address data. A user selection of a first server group may be made and received via said user interface. A computer's hosts file may then be modified to correlate a hostname with an IP address of the selected server group.
US09557925B1 Thin replication
A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for use replication comprising parsing a file system containing one or more virtual disks (VMD) to determine what portion of the VMDK is thinly provisioned and ignoring, by the vDPA, initialization IO noted determined to be directed to a portion of the VMD that is thinly provisioned.
US09557923B2 Block-level predictive data migration
An apparatus for migrating data in a tiered storage architecture includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices coupled to the processors and storing instructions for execution by the processors. The instructions cause the one or more processors to: track temperature (i.e., frequency of access) of data blocks in a tiered storage architecture; generate heat maps indicating the temperature of the data blocks across different time intervals; process the heat maps using an image processing algorithm; compress the heat maps to reduce the size of the heat maps; compare the heat maps from the time intervals to identify temperature patterns occurring over time; predict, from the temperature patterns, when selected data blocks will change in temperature; and migrate the selected data blocks between tiers of the tiered storage architecture in anticipation of their changes in temperature.
US09557922B2 System and method for peer-to-peer PCIe storage transfers
Techniques for peer-to-peer Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) storage transfers are disclosed. In some embodiments, the techniques may be realized as a method for providing peer-to-peer storage transfers between PCIe devices including providing, in memory of a first PCIe device, a queue for data communicated between the first PCIe device and a target PCIe device, receiving, at the first PCIe device, queue memory allocation information transmitted from a host device communicatively coupled to the first PCIe device and the target PCIe device, and generating, using a computer processor of the first PCIe device, a storage command.
US09557920B2 Method and system for data archiving
A data server, method and computer readable storage medium for receiving a current request relating to a data archive, determining a number of queued requests relating to the data archive present in a request queue, determining a waiting time for the current request based on the number of queued requests and adding the current request to the request queue after the waiting time has elapsed.
US09557917B2 Conditional stack frame allocation
A method for allocating memory includes an operation that determines whether a prototype of a callee function is within a scope of a caller. The caller is a module containing a function call to the callee function. In addition, the method includes determining whether the function call includes one or more unnamed parameters when a prototype of the callee function is within the scope of the caller. Further, the method may include inserting instructions in the caller to allocate a register save area in a memory when it is determined that the function call includes one or more unnamed parameters.
US09557916B2 Keyboard system with automatic correction
Alternative textual interpretations of each sequence of inputs detected within an auto-correcting keyboard region are determined. Actual keystroke contract locations may occur outside the boundaries of specific keyboard key regions associated with the actual characters of word interpretations proposed for selection. The distance from each contact location to each corresponding intended character may increase with the expected frequency of the intended word. An intended word is selected from among generated interpretations and is automatically accepted for output.
US09557911B2 Touch sensitive control
An aspect provides a method, including: activating, using a processor, a touch sensitive surface which comprises at least a bezel portion of a display; accepting, using a processor, user input to the bezel portion of the touch sensitive surface; and controlling, using a processor, an information handling device operatively coupled to the touch sensitive surface in response to touch input in the bezel portion of a display. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US09557910B2 Apparatus and method for turning E-book pages in portable terminal
An apparatus and method turn electronic book (e-book) pages in a portable terminal. The method determines whether a touch is input outside of a predetermined User Interface (UI) activation region of a screen of the portable terminal. The method determines whether a drag and release is input in a direction towards the predetermined UI activation region in response to detecting the touch. The method displays one of a preceding page and a next page on the screen in response to determining that the touch is outside of the predetermined UI activation region and that the drag and release is input in the direction towards the predetermined UI activation region.
US09557907B2 Display device capturing digital content and method of controlling therefor
A method of controlling a display device according to one embodiment of the present specification includes the steps of displaying a digital content, displaying a capturing window in a manner of overlapping the digital content, wherein the capturing window captures an inside area of the capturing window, detecting a first control input moving the digital content on an inside of the capturing window, moving the digital content according to the first control input and including the digital content, which moved to the inside of the capturing window, in a capturing object, detecting a second control input moving the digital content on an outside of the capturing window, and moving the digital content according to the second control input and excluding the digital content, which moved to the inside of the capturing window by the second control input, from the capturing object.
US09557903B2 Method for providing user interface on terminal
The present invention relates to a method for providing a user interface on a terminal, which provides a user interactive information search service that uses, as information, a user response to an information search request so as to overcome local limitations coverable by an information search service and expand a search function for the domain that cannot be supported. A method for providing a user interface on a terminal according to one embodiment disclosed in the present specification comprises a step of transmitting, to a server, an information search request based on a user voice input; a step of receiving, from the server, a response to the information search request; and a step of displaying an item to take, in the form of a voice input, a user response to the information search request in the event that the response indicates that there is nothing found as a search result.
US09557902B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing interactive control of radio and other media
A method for presenting content to a user through a content management device. The method includes receiving at a content management device content from a plurality of content providers. The content management device generates a supplemental programming data from the content providers. The content management device receives guide programming data from a content-independent programming data source. The content management device generates an interactive program guide in response to the supplemental programming data and the guide programming data, the interactive program guide presenting content available to the user.
US09557899B2 Visualization profiles and templates for auto-configuration of industrial automation systems
A visualization system utilizing pre-configured visualization profiles and templates to reduce the level of effort and time required to commission an industrial automation visualization system. The preconfigured visualization profiles and templates include graphic displays, informational reports and data sampling and collection strategies appropriate for the specific sector of manufacturing or industry.
US09557895B2 Electronic book with changeable paths
An e-book (112) has navigation controls (124) for accessing the sections (110) of a first path (130) of sections of the e-book. In response to receipt (101) of a path-change command (134), the active path (129) is changed to a second path (132). Concomitantly, the navigation controls are changed so that they provide for navigation along the second path instead of along the first path.
US09557894B2 Display system, display apparatus, manipulation apparatus and function selection apparatus
A display system includes a screen panel, an input unit, a switch section, and a resizing section. The screen panel switches a display mode between a window selection mode and a function selection mode. The input unit includes an input panel arranged apart from the screen panel, and defines an arrangement of input regions corresponding to an arrangement of display windows displayed in the window selection mode of the screen panel. When a target input region is manipulated, the switch section sets the target input region as a selected input region, and the resizing section enlarges a size of the selected input region and rearranges an enlarged selected input region on the input panel.
US09557891B2 Information supply device
An online shopping server (10) includes a receiving unit (17a) that, when a plurality of first item information are selected by a user operation on a user terminal (T), acquiring the plurality of selected first item information, a retrieval unit (17b) that recognizes a common item attribute among the plurality of acquired first item information and reads item information different from the plurality of first item information and corresponding to the common item attribute as second item information from an item database (14), and a transmitting unit (17c) that outputs the read second item information in order to display the second item information together with the common item attribute on the user terminal (T).
US09557890B2 Completing a word or acronym using a multi-string having two or more words or acronyms
This disclosure describes techniques enabling character-string completion. These techniques present characters and character strings responsive to a selected prior character and enable selection of one of these characters or character strings quickly, easily, and/or accurately.
US09557886B2 Method and apparatus for operating user interface and recording medium using the same
A method and an apparatus for operating a user interface, and a recording medium using the same are provided. First, a plurality of user interfaces is provided and one of them is displayed on a touch screen of a portable electronic device. Then, the touch screen is used for detecting a touch signal. When the touch signal is moved toward a first direction, the currently displayed user interface is switched to another one. When the touch signal is moved toward a second direction, an item of the currently displayed user interface is switched to another item. Accordingly, a more intuitive and convenient manner for operating the user interface is provided for the user.
US09557885B2 Digital media editing
A computer-implemented method involving an object-based editing environment for defining a digital video as a linear arrangement of discrete media objects, each digital media object electronically stored as a digital file. The method includes displaying a graphical representation of a first digital media object within the editing environment; displaying one or more user interface icons associated with the digital media object; displaying a first menu in response to receiving a first user input; receiving second user input associated with the first menu and identifying a second digital media object; displaying a graphical representation of the second digital media object within the editing environment; and generating a digital video comprising the first digital media object and the second digital media object.
US09557884B2 System for generating a user interface for a social network and method therefor
A device, system, and method may variously include or utilize a processor to cause a user device to display a content selection display area and a content display area. The content selection display area may include subject matter categories and icons, at least some of the icons being individually associated with at least one of the subject matter categories and at least some of the categories being associated with at least one of the plurality of icons. Each category is associated with at most a predetermined number of the plurality of icons. The content display area is configured to display content corresponding to at least one of the plurality of icons as selected in the content selection display area.
US09557882B2 Context-sensitive views
A context-sensitive viewing system is disclosed in which various data visualizations, also referred to a contextual views, of a common set of data may be viewed by a user on an electronic device. Data in the system may comprise data objects and associated properties and/or metadata, and may be stored in one or more electronic data stores. As a user of the system views and manipulates a first contextual view of a set of data objects, one or more other contextual views of the same set of data objects may be updated accordingly. Updates to the secondary contextual views may, in various embodiments, happen real-time. Further, the secondary contextual views may be visible to the user simultaneously with the primary contextual view. A user may switch from one view to another, and may manipulate data in any view, resulting in updates in the other views.
US09557880B2 Shared user interface services framework
This disclosure provides various embodiments for providing UI services. An application-independent, reusable UI framework receives a request from a first application, to perform a first operation on a first set of data relating to presentation of the first set of data on a UI. A subset of the first set of data is received from a data provider independent of the UI framework. At least one first service is identified in response, the first service hosted by the UI framework and adapted to perform the first operation on the first set of data. The first operation is performed on the subset of the first set of data using the at least one identified first service to produce a first processed set of data adapted for presentation on a UI of the first application. The first processed set of data is sent to the first application.
US09557878B2 Permitting participant configurable view selection within a screen sharing session
A screen sharing session between a participating computer and a presenting computer can be established. A copy of a graphical user interface screen from the presenting computer can be presented within a display on the participating computer. A selection of the sub-portion of the copy of the graphical user interface screen from the participating computer can be received. Boundaries of the sub-portion can be determined and can be transmitted from the participating computer to the presenting computer. Responsive to receiving the boundaries, the remotely located computer can define the sub-portion of the graphical user interface screen of the presenting computer. The defined sub-portion of the graphical user interface screen can be conveyed over a network from the presenting computer to the participating computer without conveying data for other portions of the graphical user interface screen.
US09557873B2 Electronic device and method for controlling the electronic device
A sensor-integrated display panel including an operation surface for performing an input operation and an image display surface which are formed integrally with a sensor as one piece. A data transfer device supplies the sensor-integrated display panel with a drive signal for driving the sensor and outputs sensing data corresponding to a potential of a sensor signal output from the sensor. A contact electrode is provided in a frame formed around the sensor-integrated display panel to vary the potential of the sensor signal when a conductor touches or does not touch to the frame. An application executing device receives and analyzes the sensing data and generates a signal to select an operating function in accordance with an analysis result.
US09557869B2 High-accuracy single-layer capacitive touch panel device with one side for connection
A high-accuracy single-layer capacitive touch panel device with one side for connection includes a substrate, a plurality of conductive lines, and a touch detection circuit. The conductive lines are arranged in parallel on the surface of the substrate and extended from the first side to the second side of the substrate. Each conductive line includes a conductive trace having opposite first edge and second edge and a plurality of triangle sensing electrodes arranged at the two edges of the conductive trace. Each triangle sensing electrode is connected with the conductive trace via a connection part. Each conductive line only has one connection end close to the second side. A touch detection circuit is electrically connected to the connection ends of the plurality of conductive lines through a connection circuit, so as to detect variations of the equivalent resistances and the equivalent capacitances of the plurality of conductive lines.
US09557868B2 Noise reduction for touch sensor system with active stylus
A touch sensor may overlap a display. A transparent shield layer that is grounded around its edges may be interposed between the display and the touch sensor to help prevent noise from display data lines from reaching the touch sensor. The data lines may extend along a first dimension. The touch sensor may have first elongated electrodes that extend along the first dimension and second elongated electrodes that extend along a second dimension that is perpendicular to the first dimension. The second electrodes may be interposed between the first electrodes and the data lines. Pen present electrodes may be used to gather pen present data associated with a stylus on the touch sensor. Adjacent noise sensors may collect noise data that is removed from the pen present data.
US09557867B2 Touch panel and manufacturing process thereof
A touch panel includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged along a first direction and parallel to each other, wherein each first electrode includes a plurality of first electrode blocks and a plurality of first connection traces. A plurality of second electrodes arranged along a second direction and parallel to each other, wherein each second electrode includes a plurality of second electrode blocks and a plurality of second connection traces. And a plurality of insulating blocks, wherein each insulating block includes a main portion and at least one extending portion, the main portion is disposed between each first connection trace and each second connection trace, the extending portion extends from the main portion to the space between the first electrode block and the second electrode block. The present invention further provides a method for forming the touch panel mentioned above.
US09557855B2 Touch sensitive holographic displays
We describe a touch sensitive holographic image display device for holographically projecting a touch sensitive image at an acute angle onto a surface on which the device is placed. The device includes holographic image projection optics comprising at least one coherent light source illuminating a spatial light modulator (SLM), output optics to project a hologram onto an acute angle surface, and a remote touch sensing system to remotely detect a touch of a location within or adjacent to the holographically displayed image. A control system is configured to provide data defining an image for display, to receive detected touch data, and to control the device responsive to remote detection of a touch of a the displayed image.
US09557852B2 Method of identifying palm area of a touch panel and a updating method thereof
A method of identifying a palm area for a touch panel has steps of: receiving sensing frame information having multiple touching sensing points from the touch panel; selecting one of the touching sensing points; outwardly extending a distance from an outline of the selected touching sensing point to define a searching range; checking whether other touching sensing points are within the searching range; marking the touching sensing points in the searching range and expanding the searching range based on the currently marked touching sensing points; sequentially selecting and checking each touching sensing point if it is within the present searching range; and finally merging all the outlines of the marked touching sensing points to form a final outline as a palm area. Other unmarked touching sensing points are defined as touching reference points.
US09557851B2 Configurable touch screen LCD steering wheel controls
An entertainment system control arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a graphical LCD with a configurable touch screen. The graphical LCD is disposed on the steering wheel. A processor is communicatively coupled to the graphical LCD. The processor prompts a user to select a function to assign to the configurable touch screen. The processor assigns the selected function to the configurable touch screen.
US09557848B2 Handheld electronic apparatus and method for controlling the same
Handheld electronic apparatuses and methods for controlling a handheld electronic apparatus are provided. The handheld electronic apparatus includes a display having a touch panel, a proximity sensor, a communication unit, a processing unit, and a motion sensor. The communication unit establishes a call. The processing unit disables the touch panel during the call based on the detection of the presence of a nearby object to the proximity sensor. The motion sensor detects an instant acceleration value of the handheld electronic apparatus. The processing unit determines whether a value that is only related to the instant acceleration value is greater than an acceleration threshold while the touch panel is disabled during the call. The processing unit enables the touch panel during the call based on the determination that the value is greater than the acceleration threshold.
US09557847B2 Touch panel, touch display panel and touch signal sensing method
A touch panel includes a substrate, a sensing array, a plurality of first connection lines and at least two button sensing pads. The substrate has an active region and a peripheral region disposed on at least one side of the active region. The sensing array is disposed in the active region, which includes a plurality of first sensing electrode series disposed in the active region along a first direction and a plurality of second sensing electrode series disposed in the active region along a second direction. The first and second sensing electrode series intersect and form a plurality of sensing units. The first connection lines are disposed in the peripheral region and electrically connected to the first sensing electrode series respectively. The at least two button sensing pads are disposed in the peripheral region, and electrically connected to at least two first connection lines respectively to form a virtual button.
US09557843B2 Vibration sensing system and method for categorizing portable device context and modifying device operations
Disclosed herein are methods for operating a computing device including determining an amount of pressure exerted on a touch-sensitive surface of the computing device. According to the various embodiments, a touch input is received by the touch-sensitive surface. The amount of pressure exerted by the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface is then determined. The computing device operates in a first manner when a first amount of pressure is received and operates in a second manner when a second amount of pressure is received.
US09557840B2 Displays with intra-frame pause
A touch screen display may include gate line driver circuitry coupled to a display pixel array. The display may be provided with intra-frame pausing (IFP) capabilities, where touch or other operations may be performed during one or more intra-frame blanking intervals. In one suitable arrangement, a gate driver circuit may include multiple gate line driver segments each of which is activated by a separate gate start pulse. Each gate start pulse may only be released at the end of an IFP interval. In another suitable arrangement, dummy gate driver units may be interposed among active gate driver units. Gate output signals may propagate through the dummy gate driver units during the IFP internal. In another suitable arrangement, each active gate driver unit may be provided with a buffer portion that protects at least some transistor in the gate driver unit from undesired stress.
US09557837B2 Touch input apparatus and operation method thereof
This invention provides several touch input apparatuses and operating methods. One touch input apparatus includes two carbon nanotube (CNT) layers, a plurality of contact pads and a processing circuit. The CNTs of the two CNT layers are respectively disposed to two different arrangement directions. The contact pads are divided into two groups to electrically connect the edges of the two CNT layers respectively. Each group of the contact pads is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the corresponding carbon nanotubes. The processing circuit provides a comparison voltage to one group of the contact pads and reads out the voltages on the other contact pads. When one CNT layer receives an external force so that the forced position on one CNT layer is electrically connected to the other CNT layer, the processing circuit calculates the strength of the external force according to the readout voltage values.
US09557834B2 Touch panel system, stylus pen, and electronic device
A touch panel system (1) according to one aspect of the invention includes: a stylus pen (15) including a drive circuit (26) that generates a first driving voltage based on a first code sequence and a second driving voltage based on a second code sequence, and a sensor circuit (40) that drives a pen point (38) with a multiplexed voltage obtained by multiplexing the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage; and a touch panel controller (2) that detects a position of the stylus pen (15) touching a touch panel.
US09557831B2 Optical navigation method for dynamically adjusting size of image sensing region and related apparatus thereof
An optical navigation method includes: detecting inertia of an image of a feature point; and determining an effective sensing region of an image sensing array according to the detected inertia for reducing power consumption. Besides, an optical navigation apparatus includes a detecting circuit and a determining unit. The detecting circuit is arranged for detecting a moving inertia of a feature point. The determining circuit is coupled to the detecting circuit, and arranged for determining an effective sensing region of an image sensing array according to the detected moving inertia for reducing power consumption.
US09557827B2 Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia
A digitizer system including a substrate having a position-unique photoluminescent indicia pattern. A stylus component receives optical signals indicative of the indicia pattern and determines therefrom the position of the stylus relative to the substrate. Methods of disposing indicia on the substrate, and styli suitable for sensing photoluminescent indicia are also described.
US09557820B2 Methods and systems for commencing a process based on motion detection
Methods and systems for commencing a process based on motion detection are provided. First, a first electronic device obtains an input, and receives motion information from a second electronic device, wherein at least one sensor detects a motion of the second electronic device to generate the motion information. The first electronic device determines whether the motion information conforms to the input. When the motion information conforms to the input, a process on the first electronic device is performed.
US09557818B2 Contextually-specific automatic separators
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for outputting a graphical keyboard comprising a group of keys, wherein each key in the group of keys is associated with a respective, different display region, receiving an indication of a gesture to select a sequence of keys that are each included in the group of keys of the graphical keyboard, determining that the selected sequence of keys corresponds to a character string that is identifiable by at least one format source, wherein the format source is associated with a syntax, determining, based at least in part on the syntax, that at least one separator character is associated with the character string, and in response to determining that the at least one separator character is associated with the character string, outputting the character string and the at least one separator character at a location proximal to the character string.
US09557817B2 Recognizing gesture inputs using distributed processing of sensor data from multiple sensors
The techniques discussed herein contemplate methods and systems for providing, for example, interactive virtual experiences that are initiated or controlled using user gestures. In embodiments, the techniques provide for gestures performed by users holding devices to be recognized and processed in a cloud computing environment such that the gestures produce a predefined desired result. According to one embodiment, a server communicates with a first device in a cloud computing environment, wherein the first device can detect surrounding devices, and an application program is executable by the server, wherein the application program is controlled by the first device and the output of the application program is directed by the server to one of the devices detected by the first device.
US09557814B2 Biometric interface for a handheld device
Methods and systems for applying biometric data to an interactive program executed by a portable device are provided. According to embodiments of the invention, raw bio-signal data is captured and filtered so as to determine the bio-signal of the user of the interactive program. The bio-signal is analyzed so as to determine biometrics of the user, which are applied as input to the interactive program. A setting or state of the interactive program is modified based on the biometrics. An updated state of the interactive program is rendered to the user, reflecting the modification of the setting or state of the interactive program.
US09557813B2 Method for reducing perceived optical distortion
One variation of a method for reducing perceived optical distortion of light output through a dynamic tactile interface includes: rendering an image on a digital display coupled to a substrate opposite a tactile layer, the tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region, and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region substantially flush with the peripheral region in the retracted setting and offset above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; estimating a viewing position of a user relative to the digital display; transitioning the deformable region from the retracted setting into the expanded setting; and modifying the portion of the image rendered on the digital display according to the estimated viewing position of the user and a profile of the tactile surface across the deformable region in the expanded setting.
US09557812B2 Eye gaze user interface and calibration method
A software controlled user interface and calibration method for an eye gaze controlled device, designed to accommodate angular accuracy versus time averaging tradeoffs for eye gaze direction sensors. The method can scale between displaying a small to large number of different eye gaze target symbols at any given time, yet still transmit a large array of different symbols to outside devices with minimal user training. At least part of the method may be implemented by way of a virtual window onto the surface of a virtual cylinder, with eye gaze sensitive symbols that can be rotated by eye gaze thus bringing various groups of symbols into view, and then selected by continual gazing. Specific examples of use of this interface and method on an eyeglasses-like head-mountable, vision-controlled, device are disclosed, along with various operation examples including sending and receiving text messages, control of robotic devices and control of remote vehicles.
US09557804B2 Dynamic power limit sharing in a platform
A method and apparatus for dynamic power limit sharing among the modules in the platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises a processor and memory modules. By expanding the power domain to include the processor and the memory modules, dynamic sharing of the power budget of the platform between the processor and the memory modules is enabled. For low-bandwidth workloads, the dynamic sharing of the power budget offers significant opportunity for the processor to increase its frequency by using the headroom in the memory power and vice versa. This enables higher peak performance for the same total platform power budget in one embodiment of the invention.
US09557803B2 Method and device for storing an item of wake-up information in users of a CAN bus system
A device for connecting a user station to a CAN bus, the user station in the active state being able to exchange messages with other user stations via the CAN bus using the device, according to the standard ISO 11898; the user station in the at-rest state being able to be activated using the device, in response to the reception of a wake-up information; the wake-up information configured as a CAN message according to the standard ISO 11898; in the device, a suitable first arrangement selectively evaluating the wake-up information received, so that the wake-up process is initiated only in response to the presence of wake-up information that is specified or specifiable for the respective user station which is characterized in that a storage arrangement is provided in the device in order, in case the wake-up process is initiated, which store the wake-up information evaluated for this entirely or partially.
US09557801B2 Cache device, cache system and control method
According to an embodiment, a cache device includes a cache memory, an access controller, and a power controller. The cache memory includes a plurality of memory areas associated with a plurality of ways, respectively. The access controller controls access to the memory areas. The power controller controls power supplied to each of the memory areas individually such that power supplied to a memory area that has not been accessed for a predetermined time is standby power that is lower than operating power that enables the memory area to operate. The power controller controls power supplied to a memory area such that standby power for a memory area that is highly likely to be accessed has a value closer to the operating power than a value of standby power for a memory area that is less likely to be accessed.
US09557800B2 Sequence power control
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for sequence power control. A number of embodiments include executing a number of sequences associated with a number of commands, wherein a number of logical unit (LUN) controllers execute the number of sequences by locating power consumption information and a starting address of the number of sequences stored in a data structure on the number of LUN controllers.
US09557796B2 Network node having a power saving mode
A network node has an interface which has different modes of operation, including at least a power saving mode and a normal operating mode. The node has a power saving mode management module for maintaining information about whether the interface is in the power saving mode of operation. The power saving mode management module is able to make available to one or more layers higher than the physical layer of the interface information about whether the interface is in the power saving mode of operation.
US09557795B1 Multiprocessor system with performance control based on input and output data rates
A multi-processor system with dynamic power optimization for an integrated circuit and methods thereof are described. An input rate control signal is generated responsive to at least one input data stream. An output rate control signal is generated responsive to an output of the plurality of processors. The input rate control signal and the output rate control signal are monitored. The at least one input data stream is partitioned in response to the input rate control signal. The partitioned data is distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of processors. The plurality of processors is operated in a plurality of modes responsive to the monitoring.
US09557794B2 System and method for distributing electrical power
A bus for distributing electrical power to a plurality of sets of electrical devices is disclosed. The bus includes one or more bus separators and a plurality of bus sections. The plurality of bus sections includes at least a first bus section and a second bus section electrically coupled to each other via a bus separator, where the first bus section is electrically connectable to a first set of electrical devices having a first importance metric and the second bus section is electrically connectable to a second set of electrical devices having a second importance metric different from the first importance metric. The bus separator is configured to isolate the first bus section and the second bus section based on occurrence of a fault condition. A Direct Current power distribution system employing the bus and a method for distributing electrical power via the bus are also disclosed.
US09557793B2 Calculating expected maximum CPU power available for use
A method of calculating a processing power available from a supervisor of a multi-programmed computing system by a first partition of a plurality of partitions, the method comprising collecting, by the first partition, state data from the supervisor, the state data including a processing capacity of the multi-programmed computing system. The method further comprises initializing a remaining capacity variable to the processing capacity of the multi-programmed computing system; initializing variables, including setting a binary variable to a first logic value for each of the plurality of partitions; iteratively computing an entitlement and amount of power to award for each of the plurality of partitions having their respective binary variables set to the first logic value; and requesting the processing power from the supervisor, based on the iterative computation.
US09557792B1 Datacenter power management optimizations
Methods and apparatus for datacenter power management optimization are disclosed. Metrics, including workload data, thermal measurements and the like are collected from numerous endpoints within a datacenter. System profiles of a plurality of servers, and application workload profiles for various workloads, are stored. Based on analysis of collected metrics, power optimization operations comprising either workload scheduling operations, power configuration change operations, or both, are initiated.
US09557788B2 Semiconductor memory device including array e-fuse
A semiconductor device includes a fuse unit comprising an array e-fuse and suitable for generating a boot-up end signal when a boot-up operation ends, a power generation unit suitable for generating a plurality of driving voltages for the fuse unit in response to a power-up signal indicating start of the boot-up operation and a power control unit suitable for controlling the generation of the driving voltages in response to the power-up signal and the boot-up end signal.
US09557785B2 Computer device with heat-dissipation channels
A computer device with at least one heat-dissipation channel includes a master unit and a peripheral unit. A case of the master unit includes a first connection surface including a first hole. The first hole communicates to an external space through a first heat-dissipation channel inside the master unit. A case of the peripheral unit includes a second connection surface including a second hole. The second hole communicates to the external space through a second heat-dissipation channel. A fan is located inside the second peripheral unit channel. When the first connection surface and the second connection surface are aligned to connect with each other, the first heat-dissipation channel, the first hole, the second hole and the second heat-dissipation channel are sequentially communicated in space to form an integrated heat-dissipation channel for guiding a cooling airflow driven by the fan to pass therethrough.
US09557776B1 Friction resistance hinge with auto-lock
A hinge resistively holds an orientation between first and second members. The hinge has an elongated shaft with a head mating with a bore in the first member. A key is rotatably disposed on an axel portion of the shaft and has a tab mating with a slot in the second member. A friction ring is disposed on the shaft adjacent the key, and keyed to rotated with the shaft. The friction ring and the key have opposing bearing surfaces to hold their relative position by friction. One of the friction ring and the key can have a dimple while the other has a detent. A spring is carried by the shaft and biases the key and the friction ring together.
US09557775B2 Detecting an operating mode of a computing device using accelerometers
In one general aspect, a method can include obtaining, by a computing device, a lid accelerometer vector for a lid accelerometer included in a lid portion of the computing device, and obtaining, by the computing device, a base accelerometer vector for a base accelerometer included in a base portion of the computing device. The method can include calculating a value for a lid angle based on the lid accelerometer vector and the base accelerometer vector, and identifying an operating mode for the computing device based on the calculated value of the lid angle, the operating mode being one of a laptop mode and a tablet mode.
US09557774B2 3-D glass enclosures for electronic devices
A 3-D glass enclosure comprises a generally planar glass base member, an encircling glass side wall member connected to the base member, and a generally planar glass cover member connected to the side wall member to form a unitary glass enclosure, the base, sidewall and cover members being made by reforming softened glass sheet preforms and subjecting the reformed members to ion-exchange strengthening, thus providing strong transparent enclosures for electronic devices such as tablet computers, cellphones, media players and televisions.
US09557771B2 Electronic device including flexible display
An electronic device is provided including: a flexible display; a first housing member; a second housing member; a hinge module coupled to the first housing member and the second housing member; and a support body disposed between the flexible display and the first and second housing members, wherein the second housing member is adapted to pivot about the hinge module relative to the first housing member.
US09557767B2 Interchangeable panels
Certain implementations of a system for mounting an electronic device, such as a tablet computer, can include an enclosure housing to receive an electronic device, and multiple panels, each panel configured to be removably and interchangeably connected to the enclosure housing to modify a configuration of the enclosure housing based on the electronic device. The system of removable and interchangeable panels can be implemented as part of the design of the enclosure for the electronic devices to allow the enclosure to be flexibly configured with a variety of different accessory devices which may extend the capabilities of the electronic device in desirable ways.
US09557764B2 Clock tree circuit and memory controller
A clock tree circuit Including a first clock source, generating a first signal, and a first tree circuit. The first clock tree circuit includes a first driving stage for receiving the first signal, a second driving stage, connected to the first driving stage, a third driving stage, connected to the second driving stage, and a metal connection element, coupled between different nodes of the third driving stage and configured as a short-circuited element.
US09557763B2 Electronic circuit and method for providing a clock signal
According to an embodiment, an electronic circuit is described comprising a processing circuit, a power supply configured to supply power to the processing circuit via two supply nodes; a determiner configured to determine whether the voltage between the two supply nodes is above a predetermined reference voltage; and a clock generator configured to generate a clock signal for the processing circuit wherein the clock generator is configured to if the determiner determines that the voltage between the two supply nodes is again, after pausing the generation of clock edges, above the predetermined threshold the clock generator generates a clock edge irrespective of whether it is currently a time point given by the predetermined periodicity.
US09557760B1 Enhanced phase interpolation circuit
A phase control circuit comprising a differential current generator having a differential output node configured to provide a differential drive current and a current conversion circuit connected to the differential output node configured to receive the differential drive current through saturated input Field-Effect Transistors (FETs), the saturated input FETs connected to triode mirroring FETs, the triode mirroring FETs configured to generate linearized current drive signals through first and second output drive nodes to drive a phase interpolator circuit.
US09557756B2 Bias drift compensation
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide detection of a voltage drift of an electrical component or system. A detection circuit detects the voltage drift based on a comparison of a received signal from a test circuit and a reference voltage. A compensation voltage may be generated and applied at one or more locations within the test circuit to compensate for the voltage drift.
US09557754B2 Load tap changer
A method of switching taps of an on-load tap changer includes providing a main finger, a first side finger including a first solid state switch and a second side finger including a second solid state switch. The main finger, the first side finger and the second side finger are utilized to provide a connection between the taps and a power terminal of the on-load tap changer. The method also includes triggering the on-load tap changer to shift the fingers from a first tap to a second tap of the on-load tap changer when a tap change signal is received and utilizing the first solid state switch and the second solid state switch to commutate a current during the tap change operation.
US09557751B2 Sensor temperature control apparatus
A sensor temperature control apparatus (1) includes switching device (51); energization control means S1 and S2 for controlling duty ratio DT to maintain sensor element section (3) at a target temperature; storage means (75) for storing a first duty ratio DT1 in advance; element temperature judgment means S3 for determining whether the temperature of the sensor element section falls within a first temperature range including the target temperature; and semi-shorted state detection means S4 to S6 for comparing a present duty ratio DT2 with the first duty ratio in a state in which the temperature of the sensor element section falls within the first temperature range, to thereby determine whether a semi-shorted first temperature range state has arisen in which only a portion of the current flowing through switching device flows through heater section (4) and the temperature of the sensor element section falls within the first temperature range.
US09557750B2 Cloud based building automation systems
A control system for operating the HVAC systems within a building to control the environmental conditions within a building having an onsite component networked to a remote offsite component. The onsite component monitors the conditions within the building and operates the HVAC systems, while the offsite component can be used by the system provider to communicate updates to the onsite component and monitor the effectiveness of the control algorithms used to operate the HVAC systems. The invention includes the method of providing tailored HVAC related controls, reports, notices and diagnostic services to a client under various subscription plans.
US09557749B2 Valves for bypass circuits in heat exchangers
A valve can be incorporated as an integral part of the heat exchanger as a plug-in item that can be located anywhere desired between the inlet and outlet flow manifolds of the heat exchanger.
US09557741B1 System and method for autonomous valet parking using plenoptic cameras
Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for autonomously valet parking a vehicle based on images obtained from a plurality of plenoptic (light field) cameras. According to one embodiment, an autonomous valet parking system comprises a plenoptic camera configured to: obtain an image external to a vehicle, and for the image, generate a depth map including location information for an object in the image; and a controller configured to: using the depth map, generate an occupancy map indicating whether each of a plurality of regions surrounding the vehicle is occupied; and using the occupancy map, control the vehicle to navigate to a desired parking space.
US09557740B2 Autonomous mobile platform for service applications
The invention disclosed with this Application is a autonomous mobile system comprising: a means of achieving mobility, a means of navigating, a means of providing autonomous power, and a means of providing general purpose computing.In some embodiments, the system comprises a base unit capable of sensing its environment and computing navigation instructions to direct the system to move to particular locations and execute particular functions, as directed by a set of programmed instructions.In some embodiments, a coupling exists on the base unit to attach additional structures and mechanisms. These structures may comprise a means for carrying packages or other items, robotic manipulators that can grab and move objects, interactive audio and video displays for telepresence applications, a means for serving food and drink, etc. These extensions may be designed to be detachable and interchangeable, or may be designed to be permanently attached to the base unit.
US09557738B2 Return path configuration for remote controlled aerial vehicle
Disclosed is a configuration to control automatic return of an aerial vehicle. The configuration stores a return location in a storage device of the aerial vehicle. The return location may correspond to a location where the aerial vehicle is to return. One or more sensors of the aerial vehicle are monitored during flight for detection of a predefined condition. When a predetermined condition is met a return path program may be loaded for execution to provide a return flight path for the aerial vehicle to automatically navigate to the return location.
US09557735B2 Methods and apparatus to manage process control status rollups
Example methods and apparatus to manage process control status rollups are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving process control information from at least one process control device included within a process control system, determining at least one issue associated with a portion of the received process control information, receiving a selection of a status type, determining if the at least one issue is associated with the selected status type, and displaying a process control status rollup associated with the selected status type and including the at least one issue.
US09557734B2 Control network system, master apparatus, control data processing method, and control data processing program
A control computer as a master apparatus in a control network system includes a packet generation unit. The packet generation unit: selects a control command for writing a data from among packet generation information; references the packet generation information for each of the selected control command; and includes a data for write which is read from an address in a storage section corresponding to the each control command, in a control packet to generate the control packet. A communication unit transmits the generated control packet to a controlled object as a slave device.
US09557733B2 Packaging system with marking system including a marking server to store templates
A Packaging System having a Packaging Line designed to produce Packaged Consumer Products; a Marking System designed to mark individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products with graphical information, and a Line Controller designed to control the Packaging Line and the Marking System. The Marking System includes: Marking Equipment and a Marking Server. The Marking Server is designed to receive Production Batch Data and associated Template Identifier(s); and a Marking Device Controller. The Line Controller is designed to: receive Production Batch Data and generate Marking Instruction(s) for associated Marking Device Controller(s). The Marking Device Controller is designed to: receive Marking Instruction(s) from the Line Controller, fetch out from a Repository in the Marking Server stored Mark Layout Template(s) and Production Batch Data, and generate Marking Command(s) for Marking Device(s) controlled by the Marking Device Controller based on fetched Mark Layout Template(s) and Production Batch Data.
US09557732B2 Numerical controller having program resuming function
A numerical controller restores internal data of an NC section, shifts to a machining resumption temporary suspension state, and passes an identification number extracted from NC section program resumption block data to a PMC section. The PMC section, when receiving the identification number, restores a signal state of the PMC section and a state of a peripheral machine section, and, when the restoration is completed, notifies the NC section of the completion of the restoration. Then, the NC section cancels the machining resumption temporary suspension state and shifts to a state in which machining can be resumed.
US09557731B2 Control device of gear processing machine
A control device (1) of a gear processing machine has a bus (51) that communicates by directly connecting between a tool axis controller (22) and a workpiece axis controller (12), and, in this control device, the position of a tool axis (40) that is detected by a tool axis position detection sensor (25) is supplied to a workpiece axis controller via a bus, an upper controller (10) supplies a predetermined synchronization ratio and a superimposition command for applying a twisting operation to a workpiece axis controller, and the workpiece axis controller adds a value that is generated by multiplying the position of the tool axis that is supplied via the bus, by the synchronization ratio, and the superimposition command, and generates a motion command for a workpiece axis (30).
US09557723B2 Real-time predictive systems for intelligent energy monitoring and management of electrical power networks
A system for intelligent monitoring and management of an electrical system is disclosed. The system includes a data acquisition component, a power analytics server and a client terminal. The data acquisition component acquires real-time data output from the electrical system. The power analytics server is comprised of a real-time energy pricing engine, virtual system modeling engine, an analytics engine, a machine learning engine and a schematic user interface creator engine. The real-time energy pricing engine generates real-time utility power pricing data. The virtual system modeling engine generates predicted data output for the electrical system. The analytics engine monitors real-time data output and predicted data output of the electrical system. The machine learning engine stores and processes patterns observed from the real-time data output and the predicted data output to forecast an aspect of the electrical system.
US09557721B2 Input device having capacitance detectors and noise immunity
An input device includes a coordinate input unit including capacitance detectors, a capacitance measuring unit that measures the capacitances of the capacitance detectors and outputs them as measurement signals by performing A/D conversion, and a control unit that controls the capacitance measuring unit, obtains the signals while associating them with coordinate information of the capacitance detectors, calculates first data signals that are difference values between the measurement signals and a reference value, performs a calculation for the first data signals, outputs control signals based on the calculation result, performs a first calculation in which the first data signals obtained after performing a noise removal process are associated with the coordinate information as second data signals and a second calculation in which the second signals obtained after performing a smoothing process are associated with the coordinate information as third data signals, and calculates an operation position using the third data signals.
US09557720B1 Monitoring voltage levels on power lines and recloser operation
An electrical power distribution system comprises recloser monitors that monitor power line voltages to thereby whether reclosers are open or closed. The recloser monitors report the voltages and associated times to a remote recipient, such as by cell phone. Momentary voltage drops that do not result in a power outage are reported as well. At least some of the recloser monitors are carried by power poles and desirably comprise weather stations for reporting localized weather conditions. The overall efficiency and reliability of the power distribution system is improved by allowing for more rapid identification of outage locations and proactive repair of power system components prior to actual outages.
US09557714B2 Timepiece movement including an analogue display drive device
Timepiece movement including a date display drive device formed of a display disc including a toothing, said drive device including driving means and a drive source. The driving means includes a wheel set including pins, having a toothed wheel and a pinion including pins, and an engaging wheel engaging said toothed wheel. The pinion with pins includes a pair of pins configured to be positioned on either side of any tooth of the toothing. The toothed wheel of the pin wheel and the engaging wheel respectively have complementary non-circular profiles. When the two pins are oriented in a tangential direction to the toothing, these two wheels have a first gear ratio that is lower than a second gear ratio between them when the two pins are in perpendicular alignment to said tangential direction.
US09557709B1 Blower duct, blower device, and image forming apparatus
A blower duct includes a path section including an entrance path section having an inlet through which air is taken in, a first bent path section, and a second bent path section having an outlet facing a longitudinal-direction portion; a first flow control member that makes a portion of the path of the first bent path section narrower than other portion of the path and causes an elongated gap extending in the longitudinal direction to pass the air; and a second flow control member constituted of an air permeable member having air permeable sections at the outlet. One of the paths located downstream of the first flow control member in an air flowing direction is partially provided with an inclined inner wall surface that is inclined from above to extend toward an upper portion of a downstream opening end of the narrowed path in the first flow control member.
US09557708B2 Image forming apparatus having drawer supporting process cartridge
In an image forming apparatus, a drawer includes a first biasing part and a second biasing part. A process cartridge includes: a first protruding part provided on one end of the process cartridge in an axial direction of a photosensitive drum; and a second protruding part provided on another end of the process cartridge in the axial direction. Each of the first and second protruding parts extends in a sliding direction, in which the drawer moves, and overlaps with a center of the process cartridge. In a state that the drawer supporting the process cartridge is at an internal position inside of a main casing, the process cartridge moves from a first position to a second position positioned above the first position by the first protruding part being biased by the first biasing part and the second protruding part being biased by the second biasing part.
US09557704B2 Image forming apparatus having waste toner container commonly used for photosensitive drums and transfer belt
An image forming apparatus includes a main frame, a plurality of process cartridges, a cartridge-supporting body, a belt, a belt cleaning unit, a waste toner cartridge, and a collective conveying unit. Each drum-cleaning unit collects waste toner on a corresponding photosensitive drum. The cartridge-supporting body supports the process cartridges and is movable between an internal position inside the main frame and an external position outside of the main frame. The belt cleaning unit collects waste toner on the belt. The waste toner cartridge accommodates both waste toner collected from the photosensitive drums by the drum-cleaning units and waste toner collected from the belt by the belt cleaning unit. The collective conveying unit aggregates both waste toner collected from the photosensitive drums by the drum-cleaning units and waste toner collected from the belt by the belt cleaning unit and conveys the aggregated waste toner to the waste toner cartridge.
US09557696B2 Image forming apparatus with replacement component management memory
An image forming apparatus includes a main controller unit provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus. The main controller includes a replacement component management memory to store lifespan information of a replacement component is provided in An authentication operation is performed with respect to the replacement component management memory, and the lifespan information of the replacement component is encrypted and stored in the replacement component management memory. Accordingly, the security of the main controller unit may be enhanced and illegal use of the replacement component may be prevented.
US09557693B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a heating rotator and a pressure rotator pressed against the heating rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A plurality of first recesses is scattered on a circumferential face of the heating rotator. A plurality of second recesses is scattered on a circumferential face of the pressure rotator. Each of the second recesses is greater than each of the first recesses.
US09557690B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a slider movable from a first position to a second position against a spring force for urging a primary transfer roller to an intermediary transfer belt to space the primary transfer roller from the intermediary transfer belt. An assisting mechanism assists the movement of the slider in a first direction. The assisting mechanism includes vertical and horizontal sliders which cause to apply the urging force of a compression spring to the slider as an urging force in the first direction, from a third position which is between the first position and the second position.
US09557689B2 Image forming apparatus having a driving mechanism that displaces transfer rollers
An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of belt rollers, a plurality of transfer rollers, a cleaning member, a first driving portion, a second driving portion, and a running control portion. The first driving portion is capable of causing the respective transfer rollers to come into contact with or separate from the intermediate transfer belt. The second driving portion is capable of changing orientation of predetermined one or a plurality of movable rollers among the plurality of belt rollers. The running control portion executes a running process including: causing the first driving portion to separate the respective transfer rollers from the intermediate transfer belt; causing the second driving portion to change the orientation of the movable roller to orientation different from that during execution of an image forming process; and causing the intermediate transfer belt to run.
US09557687B2 Liquid supply device, developing device, and image forming apparatus
A liquid supply device includes a reservoir that stores a liquid developer, a rotating supply member that holds a portion of the liquid developer in the reservoir in concave sections formed in a surface, and supplies the liquid developer to a target supply member, and a regulating member having an edge portion which is positioned on a lower side in a gravitational direction than a liquid surface of the liquid developer stored in the reservoir, and a lower surface of the regulating member contacts with the liquid developer in the reservoir, the regulating member regulating an amount of a liquid developer held on a surface of the rotating supply member by contacting with the rotating supply member at a position where a surface of the rotating supply member moves from a lower side to an upper side in the gravitational direction.
US09557685B2 Nozzle receiver, powder container, and image forming apparatus
A nozzle receiver is to be arranged in a powder container used in an image forming apparatus. The nozzle receiver includes a nozzle receiving opening, in which a conveying nozzle for conveying powder supplied from the powder container is inserted in the image forming apparatus; an opening/closing member to open and to close the nozzle receiving opening; and a supporter to support the opening/closing member. The opening/closing member includes a sealing portion to seal the nozzle insertion opening. The supporter includes an end surface portion perpendicular to a moving direction of the opening/closing member. The projection area of the end surface portion in the moving direction of the opening/closing member is smaller than a projection area of the sealing portion in the moving direction of the opening/closing member.
US09557683B2 Image forming apparatus with forced supply mode for forcedly supplying toner
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing device, a supplying device, and a controller. The controller can execute a normal supply mode and a forced supply mode on the basis of a difference between a toner supply amount in the normal supply mode and a supply amount of the toner to be supplied to the developing device. In a case where the flag is set when a predetermined time is elapsed after the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold, image formation is effected and then interrupted, and then the controller executes the operation in the forced supply mode, and in a case where the flag is reset when the predetermined time is elapsed after the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold, the image formation is effected and then said controller continues an image forming operation without executing the operation in the forced supply mode.
US09557678B2 Charging device having a holding member that holds a charging member and a cleaning member, and image forming apparatus using the charging device
A charging device includes a charging member that is opposed to and contacts a charged body, the charging member extending axially and rotating in response to rotation of the charged body, a cleaning member that extends axially along the charging member, and contacts a surface of the charging member to clean the charging member, a holding member that holds the charging member and the cleaning member in a manner allowing their displacement by a substantially constant amount while maintaining a distance between their axes, multiple bearing members provided to the holding member with their rotation being arrested, the bearing members individually supporting the shafts of the charging member and cleaning member in a manner allowing their rotation, the bearing members being displaced to follow a change in orientation of the shafts, and an urging member that urges the holding member to press the charging member onto the charged body.
US09557676B2 Electrostatic charge image developing carrier, electrostatic charge image developer, and developer cartridge
An electrostatic charge image developing carrier includes magnetic particles, wherein the magnetic particles have an unevenness average Sm of a surface, an arithmetic surface roughness Ra of a surface, a BET specific surface area A, and a volume average particle diameter D50v satisfying the following expressions (1) to (4): 0.5 μm≦Sm≦2.5 μm  (1) 0.3 μm≦Ra≦1.2 μm  (2) 0.14 m2/g≦A≦0.20 m2/g  (3) 18 μm≦D50v≦32 μm.  (4)
US09557674B2 Toner set, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
Provided is a toner set including at least a first brilliant toner that contains a brilliant pigment, and a second brilliant toner that contains a brilliant pigment and exhibits a different color from the first brilliant toner.
US09557671B2 Electrostatic image developing toner, developer, and image forming apparatus
A toner, including: base particles containing a polyester resin, a colorant, and a release agent, wherein the toner has a glass transition temperature (Tg1st) of 20° C. to 50° C. where the glass transition temperature (Tg1st) is measured in first heating of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the toner, wherein tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble matter of the toner has a glass transition temperature [Tg2nd (THF insoluble matter)] of 30° C. or lower where the glass transition temperature [Tg2nd (THF insoluble to matter)] is measured in second heating of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the THF insoluble matter, and wherein 50% or less of the colorant is present within a region of 1,000 nm from a surface of each of the base particles toward a center thereof.
US09557670B2 Toner, developer, and color toner set
A toner, including: a binder resin; and a colorant, wherein the toner has a storage modulus of 1.0×107 Pa or more at 50° C., a loss modulus of 8.0×104 Pa to 2.0×105 Pa at 80° C., and a loss modulus of 2.0×102 Pa to 1.0×103 Pa at 160° C.
US09557662B2 Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate and a single-layer photosensitive layer which is provided on the conductive substrate and contains a binder resin, at least one charge generating material selected from a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine pigment and a chlorogallium phthalocyanine pigment, a first electron transporting material defined in the specification, a second electron transporting material defined in the specification, and a hole transporting material defined in the specification, wherein a total content of all electron transporting materials is greater than or equal to 4 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of a total solid content of the photosensitive layer, and an average loss elastic modulus E″ of the photosensitive layer, which is obtained by measuring dynamic viscoelasticity at a temperature of from 35° C. to 50° C. and a frequency of 0.5 Hz, is less than or equal to 1.000×106.
US09557656B2 Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus
A stage apparatus includes a first movable stage that moves while holding an article, an electrical contact that is provided on the first movable stage, and a grounding device that comes into contact with the electrical contact and grounds the first movable stage when the article is not processed.
US09557653B2 Optical projection system
An optical projection unit includes first and second optical element modules. The first optical element module includes a first housing unit and a first optical element received within the first housing unit and having an optically used first region defining a first optical axis. The second optical element module is located adjacent to the first optical element module and includes a second optical element which defines a second optical axis of the optical projection unit. The first housing unit has a central first housing axis and an outer wall extending in a circumferential direction about the first housing axis. The first optical axis is laterally offset and/or inclined with respect to the first housing axis. The first housing axis is substantially collinear with the second optical axis.
US09557651B2 Chemically amplified positive-type photosensitive resin composition
A chemically amplified positive-type photosensitive resin composition capable of suppressing the phenomenon of footing in which the width of the bottom (the side proximal to the surface of a support) becomes narrower than that of the top (the side proximal to the surface of a resist layer) when a resist pattern serving as a template for a plated article is formed on a metal surface of a substrate using the composition. A mercapto compound is contained in the composition which includes an acid generator capable of producing an acid when irradiated with an active ray or radiation and a resin whose solubility in alkali increases under the action of acid.
US09557643B2 Pattern forming method, actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, resist film, manufacturing method of electronic device using the same and electronic device
There is provided a pattern forming method comprising (1) a step of forming a film by using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing (A) a resin containing an acid-decomposable repeating unit and being capable of decreasing the solubility for an organic solvent-containing developer by the action of an acid, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (C) a compound capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to generate an acid, and (D) a solvent; (2) a step of exposing the film by using an actinic ray or radiation, and (4) a step of developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern.
US09557638B2 Method for manufacturing photo mask and photo mask manufactured with same
Disclosed are a method for manufacturing a photo mask and a photo mask manufactured with the method. The method includes (1) providing a partially finished photo mask, which has effective open areas and ineffective areas located around the effective open areas and (2) applying a half-etching process to form recesses in the ineffective areas. With the recesses formed through a half-etching process in the ineffective areas located around the effective open areas, a mass difference between the effective open areas and the ineffective areas is reduced so that in the process of attracting the photo mask, inconsistent sequence of attraction caused by a great mass difference between the effective open areas and the ineffective areas can be eliminated to thereby ensure that the effective open areas of the photo mask can be laid completely flat on a substrate at predetermined locations and thus ensure the preciseness of a deposited pattern.
US09557636B2 Extreme ultraviolet lithography mask and multilayer deposition method for fabricating same
A mask, method of fabricating same, and method of using same are disclosed. In an example, a mask includes a substrate and a reflective multilayer coating deposited over the substrate. The reflective multilayer coating is formed by positioning the substrate such that an angle α is formed between a normal line of the substrate and particles landing on the substrate and rotating the substrate about an axis that is parallel with a landing direction of the particles. In an example, reflective multilayer coating includes a first layer and a second layer deposited over the first layer. A phase defect region of the reflective multilayer coating includes a first deformation in the first layer at a first location, and a second deformation in the second layer at a second location, the second location laterally displaced from the first location.
US09557631B2 Light source unit and image projection apparatus including light source unit
A light source unit includes a light emitting element supporter to support a plurality of light emitting elements disposed with a dispersed pattern in a two-dimensional direction as a light emitting element assembly, and light emitted from the light emitting element assembly exits to a target; a light return member disposed at a position facing a light emitting side of the light emitting element assembly while setting a space with the light emitting element supporter, the light return member returning light emitted from the light emitting element assembly toward at an inner side of two dimensional direction of the light emitting element assembly, and a flow path of the cooling air to pass through cooling air supplied from an air supply unit into the space.
US09557630B1 Projection system with refractive beam steering
A projection system projects images onto a surface as part of an augmented reality environment. Users may interact with the images and this interaction is captured as feedback to the system. The projection system includes a refractive beam steerer to direct the projected images onto specific surfaces within the environment, even if the surfaces are moved about the area. The beam steerer has multiple wedge-shaped prisms that are independently movable to steer the projected light beam as desired. Additionally, an infrared (IR) device may be used to illuminate the environment with IR light, and the IR light may be emitted along a common optical path through the refractive beam steerer as used by the projected light beam.
US09557629B2 Interchangeable lens camera, camera body, lens unit, and busy signal control method
An aspect of the present invention provides an interchangeable lens camera having a camera body and a lens unit that is freely attachable and detachable to the camera body. In the interchangeable lens camera, a communications unit in the camera body sends via communications terminals (MT_MOSI and MT_MISO) an INTR_BUSY control instruction that instructs whether to make notification with a busy signal (INTR_BUSY signal) for any operation out of a plurality of types of operations that can be executed, and the lens unit or camera body communications unit sets the busy signal (INTR_BUSY) to an ON state (low level) only during the period of operation of the type indicated by the INTR_BUSY control instruction.
US09557623B2 Electrophoretic display device
The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display device which is suitable for passive matrix driving. The electrophoretic fluid may comprise two types of charged pigment particles wherein the two types of charged pigment particles carry opposite charge polarities, have contrasting colors and have different levels of charge intensity. Alternatively, there may be a third type of particles added to the fluid.
US09557621B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is provided with a liquid crystal cell member, a light regulating member, a reflective polarizing member, and a control unit. The liquid crystal cell member has a first liquid crystal layer. An optical transmittance of the light regulating member changes with the application state of a second voltage. The reflective polarizing member transmits specific polarized light and reflects other polarized light. The polarization direction of light that is incident on the reflective polarizing member from the first liquid crystal layer is the same as the polarization direction of light transmitted by the reflective polarizing member. The control unit alters the application state of the second voltage in such a manner that the transmittance of the light regulating member when a backlight unit is on is higher than the transmittance of the light regulating member when the backlight unit is off.
US09557620B2 TFT array substrate and display device with tilt angle between strip-like pixel electrodes and direction of initial alignment of liquid crystals
A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate comprising a sub-pixel unit is disclosed. The sub-pixel unit includes a thin film transistor device, a first pixel electrode layer and a second pixel electrode layer; the first pixel electrode layer is configured as a common electrode, the second pixel electrode layer is connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode of the thin film transistor, and the first pixel electrode layer is insulated from the second pixel electrode layer; the second pixel electrode layer is located over the first pixel electrode layer, and strip-like pixel electrodes of the second pixel electrode layer overlap the first pixel electrode layer; and strip-like pixel electrodes of the second pixel electrode layer which are extended along a straight line make a tilt angle with an initial alignment of liquid crystals, and a data line is parallel to one of the strip-like pixel electrodes close to the data line. A phenomenon of orientation disorder of liquid crystals will not occur at an edge of pixel from influence of disordered electric fields.
US09557619B2 Data line-to-pixel decoupling
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to display devices and electronic devices incorporating a data line distribution segment between neighboring pixel electrodes. Specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure employ a uniformly distributed data line distribution segment coupled to a data line so as to cause a substantially uniform data line-to-pixel electrode capacitance with the neighboring pixel electrodes even when the data line is disposed closer to one of the neighboring pixel electrodes than the other.
US09557616B2 Source driver, an image display assembly and an image display apparatus
An image display panel assembly includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC), an image display panel, a gate driver integrated circuit (IC) package, and a source driver IC package. The FPC is configured to receive gate and source driving signals. The image display panel is electrically connected to the FPC, and includes a gate driving signal transfer pattern along a first edge of the image display panel, a source driving signal transfer pattern along a second edge adjacent to the first end, and a plurality of pixels. The gate driver integrated circuit (IC) package is configured to receive the gate driving signal through the gate driving signal transfer pattern and provide the gate driving signal to the plurality of pixels. The source driver IC package is configured to receive the source driving signal through the source driving signal transfer pattern and provide the source driving signal to the plurality of pixels.
US09557604B2 Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus includes a display panel which has a curved surface in a first direction and a flat surface in a second direction crossing the first direction, and includes, a first substrate, a second substrate which faces the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the first and second substrates and includes liquid crystal molecules pre-tilted at predetermined angles with reference to a direction substantially vertical to a plane of the display panel, where the liquid crystal molecules are pre-tilted at the predetermined angles corresponding to cell gaps defined by distances between the first substrate and the second substrate, respectively.
US09557603B2 Method of manufacturing liquid crystal display panel
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel including forming a pixel electrode including first nano-conductive lines extending in a first direction on a first base substrate and arranged in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, disposing a second base substrate above the first base substrate, and forming a liquid crystal layer on the first nano-conductive lines, which is aligned by the first nano-conductive lines.
US09557600B2 Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device
A backlight unit includes excellent heat radiation characteristics. The backlight unit of an embodiment of the present invention includes a chassis and a light source attached to the chassis. As the light source, an LED is preferably used. The chassis includes an aluminum base or aluminum layer, and a porous alumina layer or pore-sealed porous alumina layer provided on the surface of the aluminum base or aluminum layer.
US09557598B2 Display apparatus
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a display apparatus comprising: a display panel having a first side and a second side in opposite to the first side; a first polarizer arranged on the first side of the display panel; and a second polarizer arranged on either of the first side and the second side of the display panel, wherein an angle between a direction of a light transmission axis of the second polarizer and a direction of a light transmission axis of the first polarizer is adjustable.
US09557594B2 Liquid-crystal display screen with touch-control function and manufacturing method thereof and electronic apparatus
The present invention discloses a liquid-crystal display screen with touch-control function and a manufacturing method thereof and an electronic apparatus. The liquid-crystal display screen includes a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode, which are included in a common electrode in display electrodes of the liquid-crystal display screen, and are connected to a touch detection unit. Furthermore, the touch detection unit and a display control unit operate in a timesharing manner. In this way, in the touch-control display screen, the common electrode may also be used as an electrode for detecting a touch on the touch-control display screen, and the structure of the display screen is simplified. Moreover, the touch-control display screen has a better light transmittance and the detecting for the touch and the control for the display may not interact with each other.
US09557591B2 Electronic device without front case frame
An electronic device includes a case frame including a component receiving space, a substrate assembly received in the component receiving space of the case frame, and a display module electrically connected to the substrate assembly and coupled to the case frame to form an exterior of the electronic device. Thus, the electronic device can lower a production cost by reducing the number of the components, increase production efficiency by reducing the assembly processes, and achieve slimness and lightness compared to a conventional electronic device.
US09557589B2 Display device
A display device has a front surface and sides connected to each other using the same material. The display device includes a display panel, a case member wrapping around the side of the display panel, and a polarizing plate, which is attached to a front surface of the display panel and connects the display panel with the case member. The polarizing plate includes a polarizer disposed at the front surface of the display panel and a base film, which connects the front surface of the display panel with the case member.
US09557587B2 Attaching device and attaching method
The present invention belongs to the field of display technology, particularly relates to an attaching device and a corresponding attaching method for forming a curved display panel. The attach device is used for a curved surface attachment between a display substrate and a touch substrate, comprises a base station, a curvature adjusting bench and an attaching roller, wherein, the base station is fixed, the curvature adjusting bench includes a plurality of sub-benches with different heights and being capable of moving with respect to each other within the base station, the plurality of sub-benches are used for making the display substrate and the touch substrate to be attached, which are provided within the base station and located on the curvature adjusting bench, have a preset curvature, the attaching roller is used for rolling on the display substrate and the touch substrate to be attached to form a curved display panel.
US09557582B2 Reader communication with contact lens sensors and display device
A reader for communicating with both an eye-mountable device and a display device is provided. The reader can transmit radio frequency power to a tag that is part of the eye-mountable device. The reader can communicates with the tag using a first protocol. Communicating with the tag can include having the reader request data from the tag and receive the requested data from the tag. The reader can process the received data. The reader can store the processed data. The reader can communicates with the display device using a second protocol, where the first and second protocols can differ. Communicating with the display device can include having the reader transmit the stored data to the display device. The display device can receive the transmitted data, process the transmitted data, and generate one or more displays including the transmitted and/or processed data.
US09557577B2 Method of preparing an ophthalmic lens
A method of preparing an ophthalmic lens (30) to be fitted into a surround of a spectacle frame, includes: acquiring a longitudinal profile (50) of the surround; centering the longitudinal profile; acquiring the geometry of at least one part of an optical face of the ophthalmic lens; calculating a treatment setpoint for treating the ophthalmic lens; and treating the ophthalmic lens. The acquiring operation includes a step of calculating the bidimensional coordinates of a plurality of measurement points (P′i, P″i) situated along two distinct longitudinal strands (51, 52) which are chosen in such a way that they define between them a band which extends along the longitudinal profile, and a step of examining the ophthalmic lens to acquire the tridimensional coordinates for the measurement points with a view to calculating the treatment setpoint.
US09557575B2 Image stabilization apparatus, optical apparatus, and imaging apparatus
An image stabilization unit includes a lens holder that holds a correction lens and is relatively movably provided with respect to a base member, first and second drive devices or a drive device group that drive the lens holder, and three supports that support the lens holder relative to the base member.
US09557572B2 Three dimensional (3D) image display device and liquid crystal lens panel therefor
An image display device includes a display panel and a liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens includes first and second zones equally distant from a center of the liquid crystal lens. The first zone, positioned at a left of the center, includes first linear electrodes. The second zone, positioned at a right of the center, includes second linear electrodes. A number of the first linear electrodes is equal to a number of the second linear electrodes. Bus lines are electrically connected to the first and second linear electrodes. A number of the plurality of bus lines is less than a sum of the number of the first linear electrodes and the number of the second linear electrodes.
US09557568B1 Head-mounted display
A head-mounted display including a first optical system is provided. The first optical system includes an image surface, a stop surface, a first optical stack disposed between the image surface and the stop surface and a second optical stack disposed between the first optical stack and the stop surface. The first optical stack includes a first optical lens and a partial reflector. The second optical stack includes a second optical lens, a multilayer reflective polarizer and a first quarter wave retarder disposed between the multilayer reflective polarizer and the first optical stack. The multilayer reflective polarizer may be convex toward the image surface along orthogonal first and second axes.
US09557562B2 Laser scanning unit and color image forming apparatus including the same
A laser scanning unit and a color image forming apparatus using the laser scanning unit. The laser scanning unit includes a deflector that is rotatable to deflect a plurality of light beams that are incident on the deflector from a plurality of light sources at an angle with respect to a sub-scanning direction; at least one optical path changing member to change an optical path of each of the light beams deflected by the deflector; and a first f-θ lens to focus the light beam that passes through the optical path changing member onto a corresponding scanning target surface.
US09557561B2 Method for manufacturing electro-optical device, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
After a first wafer on which mirrors and terminals are formed and a second wafer for sealing are stacked and bonded together, the first wafer and the second wafer are diced to manufacture electro-optical devices. In doing so, in a second surface of the second wafer, recesses overlapping the mirrors in a plan view are previously formed, and also grooves overlapping the terminals in the plan view are previously formed. For this reason, when the second wafer is diced along the grooves by advancing a dicing blade for second wafer from a third surface of the second wafer, the dicing blade for second wafer can be prevented from coming into contact with the terminal.
US09557559B2 Anti-peeping device and control method
The present invention provides an anti-peeping device comprising: a plate-shaped substrate; a magnetic field generating device disposed on the plate-shaped substrate for generating a magnetic field; a plurality of light blocking walls deflectably connected to the plate-shaped substrate and configured to be changeable in its deflecting direction and/or deflecting angle in response to a change in a direction and/or an intensity of the magnetic field; a magnetic field control device; and a user input device for receiving an instruction from a user. The magnetic field control device is configured to control the magnetic field generating device to adjust the direction and/or the intensity of the magnetic field based on an instruction received from the user input device, so as to change the deflecting direction and/or the deflecting angle of the light blocking walls. The present invention further comprises a control method for an anti-peeping device.
US09557556B2 Integrated apertured micromirror and applications thereof
An integrated apertured micromirror is provided in which the micromirror is monolithically integrated with a micro-optical bench fabricated on a substrate using a lithographic and deep etching technique. The micromirror has an aperture therein and is oriented such that the micromirror is optically coupled to receive an incident beam having an optical axis in a plane of the substrate and to at least partially transmit the incident beam therethrough via the aperture.
US09557551B2 System and apparatus for illuminating a specimen
The disclosed technology relates generally to a method and system for an improved lighting apparatus compatible with imaging small specimens for viewing or photographic purposes. In certain embodiments, the disclosed technology provides an apparatus for projecting light on specimens from opposing light sources at varying distances and angles. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes an elongated stem that allows the light sources to be repositioned quickly, easily, and accurately. The elongated stem may be flexible and may be used in conjunction with a positioning system, such as a rack and pinion system, thereby allowing precise movement of the light sources.
US09557549B2 Systems and methods for self-referenced quantitative phase microscopy
Systems and methods of self-referenced quantitative phase microscopy (SrQPM). The SrQPM systems and methods provide single-shot, full-field imaging capability for increased imaging speed, and near-common-path geometry for increased phase stability, allowing the study of internal structures of biological cells, live cell dynamics, and the like.
US09557548B2 Image-forming optical system, exposure apparatus, and device producing method
There is provided a reflective imaging optical system forming an image of a first plane onto a second plane, wherein the numerical aperture with respect to a first direction on the second plane is greater than 1.1 times a numerical aperture with respect to a second direction crossing the first direction on the second plane. The reflecting imaging optical system has an aperture stop defining the numerical aperture on the side of the second plane, and the aperture stop has an elliptic-shaped opening of which size in a major axis direction is greater than 1.1 times that in a minor axis direction. The reflective image-forming optical system is applicable to an exposure apparatus using, for example, EUV light and capable of increasing numerical aperture while enabling optical path separation of light fluxes.
US09557547B2 Paraxial cloak design and device
A paraxial cloaking device provides a cloaking volume in which an item can be hid from view. A cloaking device includes an optical input receiving light rays and an optical output from which a continuous range of directions of the received light rays exit the paraxial cloaking device. The cloaking volume being disposed between the optical input and the optical output. For received light rays having incoming directions non-parallel to the reference optical axis up to a first angle, each of the received light rays exits the cloaking device substantially aligned with the respective received light ray and does not pass through the cloaking volume. The paraxial cloaking device has a unity magnification factor. In some instances, the paraxial cloaking device includes a phase matching element.
US09557546B2 Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
The zoom lens including an object side lens group at least including, in order from an object side: a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power; and a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power; and an image focusing side lens group including, in order from the object side: a negative lens group A having negative refractive power; and a negative lens group B arranged by facing the negative lens group A across an air distance, having negative refractive power. In the zoom lens, focusing from infinity to a close object is achieved by moving just the negative lens group A toward an image focusing side to satisfy a conditional expression.
US09557539B2 Fixed focal-length lens system
A fixed focal-length lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second and third lens groups. The first and second lens groups move toward the object side during focusing from an object at infinity to an object at a close-up distance. The first lens group includes a negative lens element having a concave surface on the image side, at least two positive lens elements, and a negative lens element having a concave surface on the image side. The second lens group includes a negative lens element having a concave surface on the object side, and at least two positive lens elements. The third lens group includes at least one negative lens element, and at least one positive lens element. The following condition (1) is satisfied: −0.3
US09557535B1 Photographing optical system, image capturing device and electronic device
A photographing optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The third lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface. The fourth lens element has positive refractive power. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein the image-side surface of the fifth lens element comprises at least one convex shape thereon, and two surfaces of the fifth lens element are aspheric.
US09557529B2 Camera device and optical imaging lens thereof
The present invention provides a camera device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned in an order from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements, the view angle of the optical imaging lens is efficiently increased to provide better optical characteristics.
US09557528B2 Image pickup lens and image pickup device
The present invention provides a compact and high-performance image pickup lens having a fast F-number and capable of suppressing shading by using a curved projection surface. An image pickup lens 10 includes a first lens L1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens L2 having a negative refractive power, a third lens L3 having a positive or negative refractive power, a fourth lens L4 having a positive or negative refractive power, and a fifth lens L5 having a negative refractive power. With regard to the fifth lens L5 among these lenses, at least one surface is aspherical. The above-described image pickup lens 10 satisfies a conditional expression (1): −2.50
US09557515B2 Camera module and method for manufacturing a camera module
A camera module, in particular, for a vehicle, the camera module including at least: an objective mount and an objective, which is held in the objective mount and has a lens holder and at least one lens secured in the lens holder, the objective being fixed in position in the objective mount by a frictional connection between an outer surface of the lens holder and an inner surface of the objective mount. A plurality of frictional connection devices spaced apart in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer surface of the lens holder and/or on the inner surface of the objective mount, in order to generate the frictional connection. To insert and to adjust the objective, the objective mount is preferably asymmetrically deformed in an elastic manner, and the objective is placed into the deformed objective mount, and the elastic deformation is subsequently removed.
US09557514B2 Lens cap
A lens cap includes: a cap main frame; and a pair of operating members attached to a front surface of the cap main frame, wherein, when the operating members are made to slide outward by a biasing force, engaging portions at outer ends of the operating members are engaged with to-be-engaged portions in the front end opening, while first locking portions are formed at inner edges of the operating members, and second locking portions are formed on back surfaces of the operating members, concave portions are formed on the front surface of the cap main frame, first openings and second openings are formed in bottoms of the concave portions, cover plates are placed on the back surface of the cap main frame, and biasing members are placed between the cover plates and the back surface of the cap main frame.
US09557510B2 Rugged micromodule cable
A rugged micromodule cable includes central strength yarns, micromodules stranded around the central strength yarns, additional strength yarns positioned around the stranded micromodules, and a jacket of polymeric material surrounding the additional strength yarns. The micromodules each include sheathing surrounding a plurality of optical fibers. The strand profile of the micromodules is tight, having an average lay length of less than 250 mm, and the sheathing is thin-walled, having an average thickness of less than about 200 micrometers. The strand of the micromodules, the positioning of the additional strength yarns, and bonding between the additional strength yarns and the jacket mitigate lengthwise movement of the optical fibers in the rugged micromodule cable.
US09557507B2 Device for fixing wires
A device is provided and includes a first catch plate and a retention ring. The first catch plate includes a plurality of first catch plate gripping slots spaced apart from each other and disposed about a circumference thereof. Each of the plurality of first catch plate griping slots include a wire receiving opening extending through a thickness of the first catch plate. The retention ring is removably secured to a periphery of the first catch plate.
US09557506B2 Ultra-high fiber density micro-duct cable with extreme operating performance
A micro-duct cable includes a center member and a plurality of buffer tubes surrounding the center member. A plurality of fibers are disposed in each of the plurality of buffer tubes. Each of the plurality of buffer tubes contains greater than or equal to 24 fibers. The micro-duct cable further includes a cable jacket surrounding the plurality of buffer tubes and the center member. A maximum outer diameter of the cable is less than 13 millimeters and a modulus of elasticity of the cable is greater than or equal to 800 kpsi.
US09557503B2 Optical fiber cable
An optical communication cable is provided. The optical communication cable includes an outer cable layer and a plurality of optical fiber bundles surrounded by the outer cable layer. Each optical fiber bundle includes a bundle jacket surrounding a plurality of optical fiber subunits located within the bundle passage. The plurality of optical subunits are wrapped around each other within the bundle passage forming a wrapped pattern. Each optical fiber subunit includes a subunit jacket surrounding a elongate optical fiber located within the subunit passage. The cable jacket, bundle jacket and subunit jacket may be fire resistant, and strength strands of differing lengths may be located in the bundles and the subunits.
US09557502B2 Communication coupling interface
Systems, apparatuses, and devices for facilitating communication. An apparatus a first interface configured for coupling with a first pin pattern of an optical transceiver and a second interface configured for coupling with a second pin pattern of a printed circuit board. The apparatus is configured for communicatively coupling an optical transceiver having the first pin pattern with the second pin pattern of the printed circuit board.
US09557500B1 Multi-channel optical transmitter-receiver assembly
An optical transmitter-receiver assembly includes an optical transmitter-receiver device coupled via first optical fiber to optical splitter, plurality of second optical fibers each having a first end and a second end. The first ends is coupled to the optical splitter, the second ends are respectively coupled to plurality of optical connectors. The optical transmitter-receiver device includes main body and rubber sleeve. Space in the main body is divided into top portion and bottom portion by partition. Receiver is disposed in the top portion and coupled via fiber array to the first optical fiber. The receiver coupled via amplifier to flexible circuit board. Plurality of coaxial lasers is disposed in the bottom portion. Each of the plurality of coaxial lasers has an emitting end coupled to the first fiber, and the plurality of coaxial lasers coupled via inflexible circuit board to flexible circuit board.
US09557498B2 Dust caps having coding system for facilitating installing a fiber optic network
The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic network including first and second optical components desired to be optically coupled together, and third and fourth optical components desired to be couple together. The first and second optical components include first and second de-mateable connection locations having dust caps with first coordinated indicia. The third and fourth optical components include third and fourth de-mateable connection locations having dust caps with second coordinated indicia.
US09557496B2 Duplex clip assembly for fiber optic connectors
A duplex clip assembly for LC fiber optic plug connectors has a duplex housing, a crimp sleeve, and a housing cover. The duplex housing retains a portion of each fiber optic plug connector such as to allow each fiber optic plug connector to rotate relative to the duplex housing. The housing also has a bottom snap located on an underside. The housing cover encloses and retains the duplex housing with a clearance between the housing cover and the rest of the assembly. The housing cover also has a slot located on an underside configured to engage the bottom snap of the duplex housing such that the clearance fit allows an application of pressure on the sides of the housing cover to result in the slot being disengaged from the bottom snap. The clip assembly can also have a boot securely attached to the housing partially enclosing the fiber optic cable.
US09557494B2 Ruggedized fiber optic connector
The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector that includes a main outer housing, an inner housing that mounts within the main outer housing and a plug interface housing secured at the distal end of the inner housing. The fiber optic connector also includes a ferrule assembly mounted at least partially within the plug interface housing, a spring for biasing the ferrule assembly in a distal direction and a resilient cable seal that mounts within the main outer housing.
US09557493B2 Optical fiber joint, optical fiber adapter and optical fiber connector
An optical fiber joint includes: an optical fiber extending out of the optical cable is held in the cavity, one end of the inner sleeve element is fixed at the optical cable, and a sleeve is placed at the other end; and an outer sleeve element, the outer sleeve element is sleeved onto an outer side of the inner sleeve element; the sleeve of the inner sleeve element at least partially protrudes out of the outer sleeve element, a tail end of the sleeve protruding out of the outer sleeve element has an opening, so that the tail end of the sleeve forms a C-shaped section. Based on the foregoing technical solutions, the optical fiber connector according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is seamlessly connected to a C-shaped slot of an optical fiber adapter by using the sleeve having the C-shaped opening of the optical fiber joint.
US09557492B2 Fibre stub device and method using butt coupling for receptacled photonic devices
A novel, hybrid optical fiber stub device comprises a first ferrule transparent to UV light and a second ferrule including a conventional material. An optical fiber is disposed through the first ferrule and second ferrule. The input and output faces of the optical fiber are prepared suitable for optical coupling. A photonic device is coupled to the first optical fiber surface. A UV curable epoxy is disposed between the photonic device and the first optical fiber surface. The UV curable epoxy includes an index of refraction between an index of refraction of the first optical fiber and an index of refraction of the photonic device. A second optical fiber is coupled to the first optical fiber.
US09557489B2 Optoelectronic component
An optoelectronic component for receiving light. A housing including an axially extending cavity is arranged to receive an incoming beam. At least one adjustable arrangement includes at least one lens and a first adjustment module configured to adjust a focal point of the lens relative to an end surface of an optical fiber connectable to the housing. A first body is arranged to influence a position of the lens. A second body contacting the first body is journalled in the housing. The first adjustment module is arranged to act on the first body to rotate the first body spherically around a distant point and to alter the position of the lens, in order to locate a focal point of the lens on an end surface of the optical fiber.
US09557488B2 Optical connector with lenses having opposing angled planar surfaces
An optical connector for optically connecting at least one light source to at least one light receiver is disclosed. The optical connector includes first and second connector members respectively having first and second positive-power lens elements with respective first and second planar lens surfaces. The lens elements are arranged in their respective connector members such that when the two connector members are operably mated, the first and second lenses form an optical system where the first and second planar lens surfaces are spaced apart in opposition with a narrow gap in between, and are non-perpendicular to the optical system axis. The lenses may be conventional uniform-refractive-index lenses having a convex surface or may be gradient-index lenses having two planar surfaces. The optical connector is tolerant to contamination that can find its way into the narrow gap.
US09557487B2 Arrayed waveguide grating multiplexer-demultiplexer and related control method
An arrayed waveguide grating multiplexer/demultiplexer includes an array of optical waveguides ordered in sequence from a shortest waveguide up to a longest waveguide, and identical phase shifters configured to be controlled by a same control signal. Each phase shifter increases/decreases an optical path of an optical waveguide by the same quantity based on the control signal.
US09557481B2 Optical waveguide having hollow section and electronic device including optical waveguide
A optical waveguide comprising a core layer having a core portion; a first clad layer formed on one surface of the core layer; a second clad layer formed on another surface of the core layer; and a hollow section penetrating through the second clad layer and the core layer, and extending to a middle portion of the first clad layer, wherein a part of an inner wall surface at the hollow section is configured as an inclined plane which is inclined relative to and intersects with a plane including an interfacial plane between the core layer and the first clad layer, and a minimum radius of curvature at a connection between the inclined plane and other parts of the inner wall surface continuously extending from the inclined plane is 1 to 500 μm as measured at the plane including the interfacial plane.
US09557480B2 Graphene coupled MIM rectifier especially for use in monolithic broadband infrared energy collector
A rectifier comprising a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure. The insulator may be a native oxide with an adjacent layer of graphene. In one implementation, the rectifier is used in an electromagnetic energy collector consisting of a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. MIM rectifiers are aligned with mirrors are formed within the waveguide core. In some arrangements, a plurality of MIM rectifiers are disposed in a column or 3D array beneath each mirror.
US09557479B2 Multilayer system having reconfigurable dynamic structure reinforcement using nanoparticle embedded supramolecular adhesive and method
Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed comprising a tunable multilayered array reinforcement system having a supramolecular adhesive embedded with nanoparticles that are reoriented on-demand in response to or in advance of vibrational effects in a moving or stationary structure.
US09557476B2 Multi-core fiber
A multicore fiber includes six or more of core elements having a core, a first clad surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the core and a second clad surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the first clad, and includes a clad surrounding the core elements. All of expressions are satisfied: n1>n2>n3, n1>n4, n3
US09557475B2 Display device
A display device includes: a first substrate; a pixel defining layer on the first substrate, the pixel defining layer being configured to define a pixel area; a pixel electrode in the pixel area; a light emission layer on the pixel electrode; a common electrode on the light emission layer; a second substrate facing the first substrate; an edge black matrix on one surface of the second substrate, the edge black matrix being configured to define a non-display area; a reflective layer on the edge black matrix; a light guide part on one surface of the first substrate; and a light sensor unit configured to receive light emitted from the light guide part.
US09557473B2 Reflective spatial light modulator display with stacked light guides and method
A reflective display includes a reflective spatial light modulator and a front light having a lightguide formed by an array of film-based lightguides coupled into a lightguide region of the lightguide. One or more light sources emit light into the array of lightguides, with light extraction features frustrating totally internally reflect light within the lightguide region such that the light exits the lightguide through a cladding region toward a light redirecting optical element that redirects the light toward a reflective spatial light modulator.
US09557472B2 Light guide member and method of manufacturing light guide member
To provide a light guide member such that more uniform brightness can be ensured in a wide region. A light guide member according to the present invention that receives light through side surfaces and outputs the light through main surfaces includes recesses formed by a machine in at least one of the main surfaces in a groove-like or dot-like shape, the recesses having bottom surfaces formed of molten material at the deepest part of the recesses. Thus, there can be provided the light guide member that has the groove-like or dot-like recesses with the bottom surfaces formed by a molten mark and that can output light with more uniform brightness through the main surfaces when a wide region is observed.
US09557470B2 Light source module
A light source module including a light guide plate, at least one light emitting device, a light-controlling pattern element, and an absorbing pattern element is provided. The light guide plate has a light emitting surface, a first surface opposite the light emitting surface, and at least one opening. The opening passes through the first surface and extends from the first surface toward the light emitting surface. The at least one light emitting device is disposed in the opening and arranged along an arranging direction. The light-controlling pattern element is disposed on the light emitting surface and covers the opening and the light emitting device. The opening faces towards the absorbing pattern element. The absorbing pattern element is disposed besides one of the at least one light emitting device and extends toward a side wall of the opening. Moreover, another two light source modules are also provided.
US09557467B2 Display device
Provided is a display device, which includes a light source, a light guide plate, a light conversion member, and a display panel. Light is incident to the light guide plate from the light source. The light conversion member is between the light source and the light guide plate. The display panel is on the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a central region corresponding to an available display region of the display panel for displaying an image, an outer region around the central region, and a total reflection surface inclined from an optical axis of the light source, and disposed in the outer region.
US09557465B2 Illuminator
A light guide plate includes: an annular part formed in an annular shape along an element array of multiple light emitting elements; and an annular inner part formed on an annular inside of the annular part continuously with the annular part. The annular part includes: an element array-facing part which is a part facing the element array and which has an incident surface to allow light emitted from the light emitting elements to enter; and a first reflecting part which is a part located closer to the annular inner part than the element array-facing part, and which has a reflecting surface for reflecting the light entering from the incident surface toward the annular inner part. The first reflecting part includes a first light scattering region having a light scattering treatment applied thereto.
US09557463B2 Optical film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device
There is provided an optical film including an acrylic resin, wherein a tensile elastic modulus in a machine direction, which is abbreviated as an MD direction, and a tensile elastic modulus in a direction perpendicular to the machine direction, which is abbreviated as a TD direction, satisfy the relationship of Equation (1): Tensile Elastic Modulus in the MD Direction/Tensile Elastic Modulus in the TD Direction>1.36  Equation (1).
US09557460B2 Transparent conductive layer and CF substrate having same and manufacturing method thereof
A transparent conductive layer is made of a graphene transparent conductive material and is in the form of a thin film having a thickness of 0.36 nm-10 nm, transmittance of visible light being 80-97%, and surface resistance being 30-500Ω/□. A CF substrate includes the graphene transparent conductive layer to replace and ITO transparent conductive layer in order to obtain an electrode or a static electricity draining layer having high transmittance and excellent flexibility and, when used in a liquid crystal display panel, helps improve the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel and reduce the use of backlighting. Also provided is a manufacturing method of the CF substrate having the graphene transparent conductive layer, which uses a CVD process to form graphene on a growth substrate to be subsequently transferred to a CF substrate body.
US09557452B2 Roof mirror and methods for fabricating roof mirror
An apparatus for providing a frameless hollow roof mirror comprises: a first element having a first mirrored surface and a first abutment surface; a second element having a second mirrored surface and a second abutment surface, the first and second elements arranged in a roof mirror configuration wherein the second abutment surface abuts against the first abutment surface and the first and second mirrored surfaces meet at a generally linear junction and are oriented relative to one another at a desired roof mirror angle; and a plurality of fasteners extending through the first and second abutment surfaces. The plurality of fasteners exerts a force to cause the first and second abutment surfaces to bear against each other.
US09557451B2 Diffusing plate having microlens array
A diffusing plate includes a microlens array in which a plurality of microlenses are arranged, wherein the microlenses have such a shape that a curvature of a sectional shape including a center line of the microlenses varies depending on a direction of the center line, and wherein microlenses that are different in the direction of a center line where the curvature of the outline is largest are arranged.
US09557444B2 Alkali-soluble resin, photosensitive resin composition, color filter, method for manufacturing the same, and liquid crystal display apparatus
An alkali-soluble resin, a photosensitive resin composition, a color filter, and a method for manufacturing the same, and a liquid crystal display apparatus are provided. The photosensitive resin composition includes a specific alkali-soluble resin, a compound containing ethylenic unsaturated group, a photoinitiator, and an organic solvent. The photosensitive resin composition is excellent in developability and high precision pattern linearity and contour angle since the photosensitive resin composition contains a specific alkali-soluble resin.
US09557438B2 System and method for well data analysis
A method of processing data generated from an energy industry or oilfield operation includes: receiving a data set representing parameter values generated during at least a portion of the operation, the parameter values including values of a plurality of parameters relating to the operation; dividing the data set into a plurality of data subsets, each data subset including values for multiple parameters; determining a measure of similarity between data in each subset relative to data in one or more other subsets; displaying a map of the data set in at least two dimensions, the map including a visual representation of each subset positioned relative to a visual representation of the one or more other subsets based on the measure of similarity; and analyzing the map to estimate a condition associated with the operation.
US09557437B2 Monitoring movement in fluid-containing environment via variable heating
A geohydrology monitoring system is disclosed. In one example, the system includes a heating mechanism assembly including an array of heating elements disposed longitudinally within a fluid-containing environment so that portions of the heating mechanism assembly are at different positions lengthwise within the fluid-containing environment. The heating mechanism assembly is configured to impart energy to the fluid-containing environment such that heating provided at some locations varies from heating provided at other locations. The system includes a fiber optic distributed temperature sensor (DTS) disposed in proximity to the heating mechanism assembly and configured to sense temperature at a plurality of positions and at multiple times along the length of the fluid-containing environment. Based on output from the DTS, processing logic generates an output that indicates properties of, and movement of fluid within, the fluid-containing environment.
US09557435B2 Acoustic isolators
Acoustic isolators are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a transmitter to transmit an acoustic signal. The example apparatus also includes an acoustic isolator substantially surrounding a receiver, and the receiver is to receive the acoustic signal via an opening in the acoustic isolator. The transmitter and the acoustic isolator are coupled to a base. The acoustic isolator includes a first layer coupled to a second layer defining a plurality of spaces. The second layer is to provide an acoustic impedance mismatch.
US09557434B2 Apparatus and method for detecting fracture geometry using acoustic telemetry
An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication of data indicating elastic waves generated as a result of the formation of subsurface fractures. The data is processed which generates a map of fracture geometry. A method of evaluating fracture geometry in a subsurface formation uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are analyzed which generates a subsurface map.
US09557432B2 Seismic interpretation system and method
The present disclosure describes a system, method and computer readable medium capable of identifying and filtering erroneous seismic data from the computer modeling process. A visual representation of seismic data pertaining to a subterranean formation may be generated and displayed upon a graphic user interface utilizing one or more color schemes. A filtering arrangement may be applied to the seismic data and the visual representation may be updated to include one or more indications illustrating seismic data that has been selected for filtering. The user may adjust filtering operations utilizing a computer generated selection tool. In one embodiment, the system provides a suggestion tool capable of alerting the user to potential seismic data filtering problems.
US09557430B2 Method and system for low-frequency pressurized source
A source element for generating seismic waves includes a housing; a partitioning element placed inside the housing and configured to split the housing in a closed chamber and an opened chamber; and a valve in fluid communication with the closed chamber and configured to supply high-pressure air to the closed chamber to make the partitioning element oscillates. An oscillation of the partitioning element generates low-frequency seismic waves.
US09557426B2 X-ray radiation detector and method for measuring X-ray radiation
An x-ray radiation detector is disclosed with an upper side, which faces an x-ray radiation source during operation, and with a semiconductor layer for direct conversion of x-ray radiation into electric measurement signals. In an embodiment, a luminous film is arranged between the upper side and the semiconductor layer, and with the aid of which luminous film, electromagnetic radiation can be coupled into the semiconductor layer.
US09557423B2 Direction sensitive neutron detector
A neutron detector includes a pressure vessel, an electrically conductive field cage assembly within the pressure vessel and an imaging subsystem. A pressurized gas mixture of CF4, 3He and 4He at respective partial pressures is used. The field cage establishes a relatively large drift region of low field strength, in which ionization electrons generated by neutron-He interactions are directed toward a substantially smaller amplification region of substantially higher field strength in which the ionization electrons undergo avalanche multiplication resulting in scintillation of the CF4 along scintillation tracks. The imaging system generates two-dimensional images of the scintillation patterns and employs track-finding to identify tracks and deduce the rate and direction of incident neutrons. One or more photo-multiplier tubes record the time-profile of the scintillation tracks permitting the determination of the third coordinate.
US09557419B2 Methods for generating accuracy information on an ionosphere model for satellite navigation applications
Accuracy information for an ionosphere model is generated. Phase residual information of a parameter estimation procedure is obtained and coordinates of pierce points are computed on a sphere around the earth. The coordinates indicate where signals pierce the sphere. Phase residual information is mapped for each pierce point. A grid of equidistant points is put on the sphere and the pierce points are identified. For each selected grid point, vertical accuracy information is computed based on vertical residual information, and a scale factor is computed based on the vertical accuracy information. The accuracy information for the ionosphere model is generated based on the vertical accuracy information computed for the selected grid points and an overall scale factor computed based on computed scale factors.
US09557418B2 Ground-based system and method to extend the detection of excessive delay gradients using parity corrections
A processing function to monitor a horizontal delay gradient in satellite signals is provided. The processing function includes a satellite differencing module, a double differencing module, a parity test module, and a gradient estimator module. The satellite differencing module receives carrier phase measurements for at least two satellites from at least three reference receivers. The satellite differencing module determines differences in the carrier phase measurements between signals from the monitored satellite and at least one of the at least one other satellite. The double differencing module: forms double-differences between pairs of the reference receivers; compensates the double-differences between the pairs; performs a modulo operation; and averages the double differences. The parity test module inputs the averaged compensated double differences when the average exceeds a parity enable threshold. The gradient estimator module configured is to estimate a magnitude of the horizontal delay gradient.
US09557416B2 System and method for graphically displaying neighboring rotorcraft
A system and method is provided that displays graphical symbology that enables a pilot to rapidly discern (1) that a neighboring aircraft is a rotorcraft, and (2) whether the rotorcraft is hovering. The provided system and method enables a user to define hovering, by editing a position change (distance) within a predetermined time.
US09557412B2 Angular resolution radar sensor
A radar sensor having multiple antenna elements for transmitting and receiving radar signals, an associated transmitting and receiving element and an evaluation device for determining the azimuth angle of located objects on the basis of a relationship between the signals received from different antenna elements, wherein the transmitting and receiving element is designed to supply to the antenna elements transmission signals in parallel, the frequencies of which are offset with respect to one another, and the evaluation device is designed to distinguish between signals that were transmitted by different antenna elements on the basis of the frequency offset.
US09557409B2 Method of system compensation to reduce the effects of self interference in frequency modulated continuous wave altimeter systems
An altimeter system is provided. The altimeter system includes a receiver mixer including an antenna-input and a local-oscillator-input; a transceiver circulator communicatively coupled to an antenna via a transmission line having a selected length and communicatively coupled to the antenna-input of the receiver mixer; and a transmitter configured to output a transmitter signal to the antenna via the transceiver circulator. The transmitter signal is frequency modulated with a linear ramp. The transmitter is communicatively coupled to the receiver mixer to input a local oscillator signal at the local-oscillator-input of the receiver mixer. The receiver mixer is communicatively coupled to input a target-reflected signal from the antenna at the antenna-input of the receiver mixer. The selected length of the transmission line is set so that a composite-leakage signal at the antenna-input of the receiver mixer has a linear phase across a sweep bandwidth.
US09557407B1 Radar detection for adjacent segments in wireless communications
A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a radar signal within signals received by a wireless device. The wireless device may receive signals within a first frequency segment and a second frequency segment, which is adjacent to the first frequency segment. The wireless device may determine Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) bins associated with the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment. The wireless device may combine the FFT bins associated with the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment and may search for the radar signal within the combined FFT bins.
US09557399B2 Dynamic compensation circuit
A test and measurement system including a device under test, an accessory, a controller and a test and measurement instrument. The accessory is connected to the device under test and includes a signal input to receive an input signal from the device under test, a compensation unit configured to apply a compensation signal internal to the accessory, and a signal output to output an output signal read from the device under test. The controller is connected to the accessory and includes one or more receivers to receive the input signal and the output signal from the accessory, and a microcontroller or correction circuit configured to compare the input signal and the output signal and in response to the comparison provide a compensation signal to the compensation unit.
US09557397B2 Method for manipulating the MRI's protocol of pulse-sequences
A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device for habituating a patient and/or user to acoustic-noise of the device's operation. The method includes: listing a required set of the pulse-sequences (RSPS) for the patient, modifying the RSPS to a new set of sequences (NSPS) further comprising at least one demo-sequence, and operating, by means of generating the pulse-sequences, according to the NSPS. The demo-sequence is a redundant sequence, used solely for acoustic-sound habituation, while the originally listed RSPS are used for medical readings, thereby habituating the patient and/or user to the acoustic-noise of the operation.
US09557395B2 Alignment phantom for MR/PET system
A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
US09557390B2 Noise reduction circuitry for a metal detector
A method for detecting a change of an impedance of a magnetic field receiver of a metal detector, including: having a first network of passive components, including the impedance of the magnetic field receiver; having a second network of passive components, excluding the impedance of the magnetic field receiver; and processing a first measurement signal from a first node of the first network with a second measurement signal from a second node of the second network to detect the change in the impedance of the magnetic field receiver; wherein the first network, the second network, the first node, the second node is configured such that in an absence of an external influence which affects the impedance of the magnetic field receiver, the first measurement signal is substantially the same with the second measurement signal; and in a presence of the external influence, the first measurement signal is different from the second measurement signal.
US09557389B2 Three-phase detection module
A monitoring apparatus is connected, in parallel with a motor, to a plurality of power supply lines. Each of the power supply lines has a different phase. The monitoring apparatus includes a first isolator that selectively allows a first current to flow from a first power supply line to a second power supply line. A second isolator selectively allows a second current to flow from the second power supply line to a third power supply line. A control module controls the first isolator, controls the second isolator, and receives a first signal corresponding to a total current. The total current includes both the first current and the second current. The control module selectively generates a phase failure signal in response to the first signal indicating that a failure of at least one of the power supply lines has occurred.
US09557386B2 Power management in an activity monitoring device
Batteries for an athletic activity monitoring device may be managed in both charged and discharged state to provide more accurate state information and/or expected charge times. Additionally or alternatively, various power management processes may be executed to maximize an amount of battery charge remaining.
US09557382B1 Inter-block scan testing with share pads
An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a first circuit block, a second circuit block, an inter-block circuit and a control circuit. The first circuit block is configured to form a first scan chain to set states of flip-flops in the first circuit block. The second circuit block is configured to form a second scan chain to set states of flip-flops in the second circuit block. The inter-block circuit interfaces the first circuit block and the second circuit block. The control circuit is configured to load a first portion and a second portion of a test pattern separately to the first scan chain and the second scan chain to set states of flip-flops in the first circuit block and the second circuit block, enable a test of the inter-block circuit to capture a test result, and unload the test result from the first scan chain and the second scan chain.
US09557381B1 Physically aware insertion of diagnostic circuit elements
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for inserting diagnostic circuit elements in a scan chain of a chip may include creating, via a processor, a segment for each latch of a plurality of latches in the scan chain to create a plurality of adjacent and connected segments, merging, via the processor, the two adjacent and connected segments to form a super-segment comprising all latches contained in the two adjacent and connected segments based on the objective function, and inserting, via the processor, a logic circuit element between the super-segment and a segment that is adjacent and connected to the super-segment in the scan chain, where the logic circuit element allows diagnostic isolation of the scan chain super-segment.
US09557378B2 Method and structure for multi-core chip product test and selective voltage binning disposition
Operating speeds of integrated circuit devices are tested to establish maximum and minimum frequency at maximum and minimum voltage. The devices are sorted into relatively-slow and relatively-fast devices to classify the devices into different voltage bins. A bin-specific voltage limit is established for each of the voltage bins needed for core performance at system use conditions. The bin-specific voltage limit is compared to core minimum chip-level functionality voltage at system maximum and minimum frequency specifications. The method correlates system design evaluation of design maximum and minimum frequency at design maximum and minimum voltage conditions with evaluation of tested maximum and minimum frequency at tested maximum and minimum voltage conditions. A chip-specific functionality voltage limit is established for the device. Initial system voltage for all devices from a voltage bin is set at a greater of the bin-specific voltage limit and the chip-specific functionality voltage limit consistent with the evaluation conditions.
US09557372B2 Tester having an application specific electronics module, and systems and methods that incorporate or use the same
In one embodiment, an automated test equipment (ATE) system includes a tester having a tester electronics module, an application specific electronics module, and a tester-to-device under test (DUT) interface mount. The tester electronics module has a first electronics interface configured to electrically connect to a tester-to-DUT interface when the tester-to-DUT interface is coupled to the tester-to-DUT interface mount. The application specific electronics module has a second electronics interface and a third electronics interface. The second and third electronics interfaces are configured to electrically connect to the tester-to-DUT interface when the tester-to-DUT interface is coupled to the tester-to-DUT interface mount. The application specific electronics module is configured to communicate with the tester electronics module via the second electronics interface, and with at least one DUT via the third electronics interface.
US09557367B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring maximum power point tracking
A method and apparatus for monitoring maximum power point tracking (MPPT) by measuring, external to a device that performs the MPPT, a DC current and a DC voltage to obtain a DC current value and a DC voltage value, wherein the DC current and the DC voltage are from a distributed generator (DG) coupled to the device. The method determining, external to the device, a constellation of data points, wherein each data point of the constellation comprises a DC voltage change and a corresponding DC current change resulting from an AC waveform, and determining, a dynamic resistance of the DG based on the constellation. The method computes a ratio of the DC voltage value to the DC current value, compares the dynamic resistance to the ratio, and determines, based on the comparison of the dynamic resistance to the ratio, if the DG is biased at a maximum power point (MPP).
US09557366B2 Tester to simultaneously test different types of semiconductor devices and test system including the same
Provided are a tester configured to test a semiconductor device and a test system including the same. The tester may include at least one contact unit and at least one memory controller. The contact unit is in contact with the semiconductor device. The memory controller is connected to the contact unit. The memory controller controls data input/output (I/O) operations of the semiconductor device and tests the semiconductor device.
US09557362B2 Method and means for contactor monitoring in electric vehicle supply equipment
In one implementation, a method is provided for contactor monitoring and control in electric vehicle supply equipment, which includes updating an open error count and a close error count based on a detected condition of the contactor. The method also includes determining a detected state of the contactor by comparing the open error count and the close error count to maximum and minimum values. The method further includes performing at least one of controlling the state of the contactor based on the determined contactor state, or providing a visual indicator based on the determined contactor state.
US09557361B2 Edgeless single-layer touch sensor
A touch sensor includes a substrate and a plurality of columns of electrodes disposed on a first side of the substrate. The substrate includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The columns each include a sense electrode and drive electrodes. The columns include a first column adjacent to the first end, a second column adjacent to the second end, and one or more interior columns. The touch sensor also includes a plurality of channels for routing tracks coupled to the drive and sense electrodes. Tracks for the first column are routed in a first channel on a side of the first column opposite from the first end of the substrate. Tracks for the second column are routed in a second channel on a side of the second column opposite from the second end of the substrate. Tracks for the interior columns are dispersed amongst the channels.
US09557360B2 Apparatus for estimating capacitance of DC-link capacitor in inverter
Disclosed herein is a capacitance estimation apparatus of a DC-link capacitance in an inverter. The apparatus according to the present invention may estimate a DC-link voltage, and compare it with a ripple size of the measured DC-link voltage to estimate a DC-link capacitance. According to the present invention, the capacitance of the DC-link capacitance contained in the inverter may be estimated in real time to detect the fault status in real time.
US09557351B2 Sensorless current sensing methods for power electronic converters
In one example embodiment, an apparatus includes a power electronics switching circuit having a semiconductor switch and a device in communication with the power electronics switching circuit. The device includes a processor configured to estimate a current through the power electronics switching circuit based on a first voltage across the semiconductor switch, a control signal controlling the semiconductor switch and a first voltage-current characteristic of the semiconductor switch.
US09557347B2 Adaptive mode scanning probe microscope
A scanning probe microscope comprising a probe that is mechanically responsive to a driving force. A signal generator provides a drive signal to an actuator that generates the driving force, the drive signal being such as to cause the actuator to move the probe repeatedly towards and away from a sample. A detection system is arranged to output a height signal indicative of a path difference between light reflected from the probe and a height reference beam. Image processing apparatus is arranged to use the height signal to form an image of the sample. Signal processing apparatus is arranged to monitor the probe as the probe approaches a sample and to detect a surface position at which the probe interacts with the sample. In response to detection of the surface position, the signal processing apparatus prompts the signal generator to modify the drive signal.
US09557340B2 Assays for detection of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and antibodies to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase
Provided herein are methods of detecting the presence of a pegylated enzyme, an enzyme-specific antibody (e.g., a neutralizing antibody or of a particular isotype), or a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-specific antibody in a sample, such as a bodily fluid or tissue of a patient. In certain embodiments, the enzyme is phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), such as Anabaena variabilis (Av) PAL administered to the patient as part of an enzyme substitution therapy for diseases or disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), or cancer therapy.
US09557336B2 Methods and compositions for site-specific labeling of peptides and proteins
Methods and compositions are provided for covalently linking a chemical species to a recombinant or synthetic polypeptide. The methods involve the reaction of a thioester-comprising polypeptide with a reagent comprising a reactive amino-thiol group connected to the chemical species which is to be covalently linked to the polypeptide, via a linker. Such chemical species can be a functional group, a label or tag molecule, a biological molecule, a ligand, or a solid support. Efficient and catalyst-free methods for C-terminal protein labeling are also provided. The methods expand current capabilities in the area of protein functionalization, providing useful and complementary tools for the isolation, detection, characterization, and analysis of proteins in a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications.
US09557335B2 Method of isolating and identifying fruit oligosaccharides from ripe banana fruit
A laboratory method used for isolating and identifying fruit oligosaccharides from ripe banana fruit is provided. The method includes the step of obtaining a predetermined amount of a plant, such as banana fruit and combining it with ethanol. The method also includes the step of isolating an oligosaccharide from the plant without adding heat to the ethanol. The method can be used to isolate and identify neokestose-1,6-diphosphate.
US09557332B2 Glucose-sensitive nanoparticle for cancer diagnosis and therapy
Disclosed are glucose-sensitive nanoparticles which includes a phenylboronic acid derivative and a biocompatible polymer, and is prepared as an amphiphilic conjugate having chemical binding between the phenylboronic acid derivative and the biocompatible polymer. The use of the composition can effectively collect glucose in the cancer tissue, thereby simultaneously performing diagnosis and therapy of cancer.
US09557331B2 Systems, methods, and devices for assessing microbiota of skin
Devices, systems, and methods for assessing microbiota of skin are described, including: a skin-covering material including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface substantially conforming to a topography of a skin surface of an individual and including a plurality of signal-generating complexes, one or more of the plurality of signal-generating complexes configured to emit one or more signals in response to at least one type of microbe; an image capture device to capture an image of the inner surface of the skin-covering material, the image including one or more signals emitted from the plurality of signal-generating complexes, and to transform the image into a digital output; and a computing device including circuitry configured to receive the digital output, compare the properties of the imaged one or more signals with a database of reference signal-generating complexes, and generate a digital spatial profile of microbes on the skin-covering material.
US09557327B2 DNA controlling miR-140 expression, and screening method of drugs using said DNA
An object of the present invention is to provide DNA which regulates the expression of miR-140, a reporter vector which contains the DNA, cells and animals into which the reporter vector is introduced and a screening system for drugs which control the expression of miR-140 and is also to contribute in the development of new therapeutic agents for cartilage diseases such as osteoarthritis and intervertebral disk degeneration using the screening system. The DNA sequence according to the present invention is able to express any gene in a site where miR-140 is expressed and, in addition, it is also able to be utilized for screening a drug which regulates the expression of miR-140. Moreover, the drug that is selected by the screening system of the present invention is expected as a therapeutic agent for cartilage diseases accompanied by abnormality of cartilage.
US09557323B2 Humanized transgenic mouse model
Provided is a transgenic animal model for testing immunogenicity and protective efficacy of human vaccines and the method for generating such a multitransgenic animal. Also disclosed are methods for screening compositions for human vaccine development. More specifically, a mouse model capable of expressing human leukocyte antigen DR4, and human costimulatory molecules (CD80) upon infusion of human HLA-matched hematopoietic stem cells, which can develop into a functional human immune system is provided.
US09557321B2 Method for screening drugs for suppressing inflammasome activity
The present invention provides a method for screening drugs for suppressing inflammasome activity, using macrophages derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) having mutant NLRP3 gene.
US09557320B2 Ported parallel plate flow chamber and methods for use thereof
Flow chambers are provided. In some embodiments, the flow chambers include an inner panel having at least one flow channel having an inlet/outlet opening on each end thereof formed therein, wherein the inlet/outlet openings are adapted to releasably receive a septum; one or more ports adapted to releasably receive a plug and for at least liquid communication with the at least one flow channel, and an outer frame that defines an outer portion of the at least one flow channel and that defines a perimeter of the flow chamber. In some embodiments, the flow chamber has overall dimensions of a standard multiwell plate and the at least one flow channel is located in a position that corresponds to a column location of the standard multiwell plate. Also provided are methods for producing the presently disclosed flow chambers and employing the same to assay biological features of cultured cells and/or tissues.
US09557319B2 Cell-based arrays, methods of making, and methods of using
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for arrays, systems, and methods analyzing cells, methods of making arrays, and the like.
US09557317B2 Automated sample fractionation prior to mass spectrometric analysis
Systems, apparatus, methods, and kits are provided for automated mass spectrometric analysis of small volumes of liquid samples, such as biological samples. The systems, apparatus, and kits may be used in facilities where high throughput of samples, as well as reliable and repeatable assay results with little training of staff, are needed. Such facilities include hospital emergency wards.
US09557316B2 Sample analysis methods and apparatuses and dynamic valve operation methods
Disclosed are sample analysis apparatus and methods. A sample analysis apparatus includes a first unit that rotates a microfluidic apparatus including: a chamber having a space accommodating a sample, a channel that provides a path through which the sample flows; and a valve that selectively opens and closes the channel, a valve driver that supplies energy, used to operate the valve, to the valve in a state of being separated from the microfluidic apparatus, a third unit that rotates the valve driver with respect to a common rotation axis with a rotation axis of the microfluidic apparatus and the third unit, and a control unit that controls the first and third units and the valve driver to supply energy to the valve while the microfluidic apparatus and the valve driver are being rotated at the same rotation speed.
US09557315B2 Confining pressure measurement for zonal isolation evaluation
Apparatus and methods for measuring confining pressure, axial strain and radial strain of zonal isolation materials are described. This information is useful for evaluating these materials and predicting seal performance and potential failures of these materials.
US09557314B2 Apparatus and method for determining phase separation risk of a blended fuel in a storage tank
A method for improved handling of a blended fuel includes obtaining a sample of the blended fuel from a storage tank; cooling the same until the sample separates into phases; and determining a risk that the fuel in the storage tank will separate based on the cooling step. An apparatus for assessing the risk of phase separation of a blended fuel includes a test cavity for holding a sample of the blended fuel from a storage tank; a heat transfer device for cooling the sample in the test cavity; and at least one sensor for indicating when the sample in the test cavity has separated into phases.
US09557310B2 Water-based wetness-indicating composition and sensor
A color-appearing ink composition includes a surfactant blend of at least two non-ionic surfactants having hydrophilic-lipophilic balance values greater than 10, or a non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value greater than 10 and a charged surfactant. The composition includes one or more water-insoluble leuco dyes, a developer and a desensitizer. The composition may be applied to a substrate to form a sensor.
US09557309B2 Pen type of apparatus for measuring multiple water qualities
Provided is a pen type of apparatus for measuring multiple water qualities, which is capable of measuring acidity (pH) and electric conductivity (EC) without interfering with each other in agricultural water for hydroponic cultivation to easily confirm the measured results.
US09557306B2 Magnetically controlled gas detectors
Non-contact magnetic, optical or RF control elements can be used to control various operational aspects, or parameters of a gas detector. The detector can be placed in a low current, or sleep, mode wherein the operational life-time is not reduced by the duration of the sleep mode. Instructions can be coupled to the detector magnetically, optically, or via RF to alter set points or other operating parameters. Information as to bump tests can also be coupled to the detector.
US09557305B2 Device for measuring total or fractionated quantity of hydrocarbons in a solid sample
A system of analysis operating preferably on a sample of rock derived from oil drilling in a site situation and possibly under difficult environmental conditions, which allows the total quantity of hydrocarbons contained in said sample to be measured, both already present and generable following transformation of organic matter contained in the same sample, in the first case also allowing a quantity of each single hydrocarbon species to be measured.
US09557303B2 Visualization of tests on swing type check valves using phased array sequence scanning
A computer with a proper program generates a phased array sequence of signals. In a pulser with delays, the signals are fed through a multiplexor into multiple water wedges that are attached to a valve being tested. For a sequential operation of the valves from the open to the closed position, ultrasonic signals are transmitted through the fluid contained in the valve and reflected back through piezo-electric crystals to the multiplexor. By summation and merger of the signals, an image can be developed of the operation of the valve to determine if the valve is operating properly. By comparing the signals received with a known standard for that type valve, proper operation, or lack thereof, of the valve under test can be determined.
US09557299B2 Adaptive data collection for local states of a material
According to aspects of the present disclosure, features of interest in materials are analyzed. The method comprises capturing a morphology of the feature of interest on a surface or an interior of a material under evaluation. The method also comprises selecting targeted spatial locations on the surface or the interior of the material under evaluation based upon the captured morphology. Also, the method comprises capturing information about the local state (e.g., crystallographic orientation) of the surface or the interior of the sample at the selected targeted spatial locations. Still further, the method comprises using the captured local state information to fill in the non-targeted spatial locations in the material corresponding to the captured morphology and or topology.
US09557298B2 Device for generating magnetic field, method for preparing such device and gas sensor for measurement of paramagnetic gas component
A device for generating a magnetic field, the device comprises a coil configured to respond to an electric current, a magnetic core comprising poles configured to generate a magnetic field close to the poles, wherein the magnetic field makes a paramagnetic gas component vibrate and emit an acoustic signal, wherein the magnetic core is surrounded at least partly by the coil, and a substrate at least partly covered by the magnetic core and the coil.
US09557297B2 Alpha- and chi-diketone reactants for charge transfer reactions in mass spectrometers
The invention relates to the use of substances for the production of anions suitable for charge transfer reactions in mass spectrometers, particularly for the fragmentation of multiply positively charged biopolymer ions by electron transfer or for charge reduction by proton transfer. Diketones, particularly α-diketones, are proposed as a newly found class of substances which can be used both for the production of radical anions for electron transfer dissociations (ETD) with a high yield of fragment ions and also for the production of non-radical anions for the charge reduction of multiply charged analyte ions by proton transfer reactions (PTR). These substances have favorable properties in terms of their handling and the associated analytical methods: they are largely nontoxic, cover a favorable range of molecular masses, and their volatility means that they can be stored in unheated containers outside of the vacuum system, which facilitates the refilling of the containers.
US09557294B2 Nanopore-based sequencing with varying voltage stimulus
A method of analyzing a molecule in a nanopore is disclosed. A voltage is applied across a nanopore that is inserted in a membrane by coupling the nanopore to a voltage source. The nanopore is decoupled from the voltage source. After the decoupling, a rate of decay of the voltage across the nanopore is determined. A molecule in the nanopore is distinguished from other possible molecules based on the determined rate of decay of the voltage across the nanopore.
US09557289B2 Lead-free electrochemical galvanic oxygen sensor
A lead-free, self-corrosion-free electrochemical galvanic oxygen sensor is provided. The preferred sensor includes a container, the container including a lead-free anode, an alkali electrolyte, a carbon platinized with platinum cathode and a nickel wire current collector, wherein the container further includes a diffusion barrier that causes the sensor to operate in the limiting current region.
US09557287B2 Cartridge for processing a fluid
The invention relates to a cartridge (790) for processing a fluid comprising (i)a pre-treatment fluidic system with an inlet (710) via which the fluid can be supplied and at least one primary processing chamber (712) in which said fluid can be processed; (ii) a post-treatment fluidic system with at least one secondary processing chamber (755) in which fluid can be processed; (iii) a fluid-treatment element (701) that is permeable to at least a part oft he fluid and that couples the post-treatment fluidic system to the pre-treatment fluidic system. The fluid-treatment element may particularly be a filter material (701) integrated into at least one foil (702, 703, 704).
US09557285B2 Gas sensors and methods of preparation thereof
Embodiments of the present disclosure include sensors, arrays of conductometric sensors, devices including conductometric sensors, methods of making conductometric sensors, methods of using conductometric gas sensors, and the like. One exemplary embodiment of a device, among others, includes: a conductometric gas sensor including a n-type substrate having a porous layer, wherein a plurality of ‘nanostructures are disposed on a portion of the porous layer, wherein the nanostructure provides a fractional coverage on the porous layer, wherein the conductometric gas sensor is operative to transduce the presence of a gas into an impedance change, wherein the impedance change correlates to the gas concentration.
US09557281B2 Excised specimen imaging using a combined PET and micro CT scanner
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for imaging a tissue specimen excised during surgery with a combined positron emission tomography (PET) and micro computed tomography (micro CT) scanner. The specimen is scanned with a CT imaging system of the combined PET and micro CT scanner. The specimen is also scanned with a PET imaging system of the combined PET and micro CT scanner. A PET image is constructed based on data acquired by the PET imaging system. A micro CT image is constructed based on data acquired by the micro CT imaging system. The micro CT image includes at least one visualization of a lesion marker.
US09557280B2 X-ray tomography device
An X-ray tomography device for providing a 3D image of a sample comprising an X-ray source, a cell, a photon detector and a processing unit. The processing unit computes the 3D image on the basis of the images corresponding to a plurality of cell angles. The device further comprises a first and a second gratings having a grating period lower than 200 nm, and a microscope between the second grating and the detector.
US09557278B1 Electromagnetic seed sensor assembly for seed tube planting applications
Seed sensors that surround the conventional mounting location on existing seed tubes. The seed sensors sense seeds using electromagnetic fields, including RF and microwave fields. In one embodiment, a first seed sensor has a coaxial Fabry-Perot resonant cavity which is formed between two coaxial portions of a conduit that surround the seed tube. Another seed sensor uses a capacitive design. In one embodiment, the driving signals are applied 180 degrees out of phase. The detected phase shift between the reference and reflected signals provides reliable seed counting. Electronics extract the signal from the sensing field.
US09557277B2 Inspection apparatus and inspection method
An inspection apparatus comprising, a focal position detector that detects a reference focal position of an image plane of a sample from a variation of an output value in optical image data of the sample, the output value being acquired by changing a distance between a first lens and the sample, and detects an optimum focal position of an inspection from the reference focal position, an image processor that obtains at least one of either an average gradation value in each predetermined unit region or a variation of a gradation value in the unit region with respect to the optical image data obtained at the optimum focal position, and a defect detector that detects a defect of the sample based on at least one of either the average gradation value or the variation of the gradation value.
US09557276B2 Inspection method of vitreous silica crucible
An inspection method of vitreous silica crucibles includes: a measurement step of measuring an infrared absorption spectrum or a Raman shift of a measurement point on an inner surface of the vitreous silica crucible; a determining step of predicting whether or not a surface-defect region occurs at the measurement point based on an obtained spectrum to determine a quality of the vitreous silica crucible.
US09557269B2 Instrument and method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples
An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the inter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.
US09557264B2 Automatic analysis device, and automatic analysis method
To enable determination of if there is an influence of foreign-body reactions on the result of quantitative determination conducted with a scattered light measurement method. Proposed is an automatic analysis device including a light source configured to irradiate a reaction solution with light, a plurality of light receivers configured to receive scattered light generated from the reaction solution at different light-receiving angles, a first data processing unit configured to process reaction process data measured by one of the light receivers to quantitatively determine a concentration of a substance in the reaction solution, and a second data processing unit configured to determine if the quantitative determination of the concentration of the substance has been performed normally on the basis of a ratio of a plurality of computed values, the plurality of computed values having been calculated from a plurality of pieces of reaction process data measured by the respective light receivers.
US09557262B2 Quantum imaging with undetected photons
A method comprises: generating a first and a second correlated photon beam with wavelengths λ1 and λ2, respectively, wherein preferably λ1≠λ2; separating the first photon beam and the second photon beam; illuminating an object with the first photon beam; generating a third and a fourth correlated photon beam with wavelength λ1 and wavelength λ2, respectively; overlapping the first photon beam with the third photon beam such that photons of wavelength λ1 in either photon beam are indistinguishable; overlapping the second photon beam with the fourth photon beam such that photons of wavelength λ2 in either photon beam are indistinguishable; and using the overlapped photons of wavelength λ2 for imaging and/or spectroscopy of the object such that the photons that illuminate the object are not detected.
US09557261B2 Spectroscopic analysis method and spectroscopic analyzer
The present invention improves an S/N ratio and light intensity resolution provided by an A/D converter, and an analyzer includes: a measurement cell irradiated with light during sample measurement; a dimming element irradiated with the light during reference measurement; an amplifier configured to amplify an analog light intensity signal outputted from a light detector; an A/D converter configured to convert the analog light intensity signal into a digital light intensity signal; and an arithmetic device configured to calculate absorbance using a digital sample light intensity signal outputted from the A/D converter during the sample measurement and a digital reference light intensity signal outputted from the A/D converter during the reference measurement, wherein an amplification factor of the amplifier is set such that the analog reference light intensity signal and the analog sample light intensity signal become less than or equal to a full scale of the A/D converter.
US09557260B2 Measuring arrangement for optically evaluating a chemical reaction quantitatively
The invention relates to a measuring arrangement for optically evaluating a chemical reaction quantitatively, comprising a sample carrier having a carrier layer and a sample layer having an analysis side and a light outlet side opposite the analysis side, and comprising a photosensitive sensor having a plurality of photodetectors on a carrying body and having a transparent surface layer arranged over the photodetectors. A plurality of test sections are arranged on the analysis side at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the sample layer. The analysis side is arranged on the carrier layer in such a way that the test sections face a volume of a microfluidic system. The sample carrier is detachably arranged in an accommodating device, so that the light outlet side faces the photosensitive sensor and the test sections are arranged over the photodetectors. Furthermore, the distance between the test sections and the photodetectors is less than 700 μm.
US09557258B2 Fluid composition analysis device and method
The invention relates in particular to a device for determining one or more fluid properties of a fluid. The device preferably comprises a flow distributor comprising a cavity, an inlet to the cavity, one or more outlets from the cavity, and one or more flow deflecting elements present in the cavity and/or one or more flow dividing wall elements of the cavity, wherein the one or more flow deflecting elements and/or the flow dividing wall elements being arranged in such a manner that it provides sub-streams of different strength through the outlet. Furthermore, the device comprises an analyzer downstream of the outlet of the flow distributor comprising means adapted to provide a read-out indicative of the strengths of sub-streams.
US09557257B2 Vibrating densitometer with an improved vibrating member
A vibrating member (500) for a vibrating densitometer (800) is provided. The vibrating member (500) includes an inner surface (531) with one or more arcuate portions (730). The inner surface (531) of the vibrating member (500) also includes one or more raised portions (530) sized and located to increase a frequency separation between a resonant frequency of a desired vibrational drive mode and a resonant frequency of one or more undesired vibrational modes.
US09557255B2 Tension member fatigue tester using transverse resonance
A system includes: a tension member having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the tension member is connected to a first loading member and the second end of the tension member is connected to a second loading member; a first actuator configured to translate the first loading member, such that a tensile load is applied to the tension member along a first direction; a second actuator configured to translate the second loading member in two or more second directions that are substantially transverse to the first direction; and a control system that is configured to control the second actuator, such that the second loading member oscillates between the two or more second directions, where the oscillation of the second loading member causes the tension member to vibrate at a frequency.
US09557254B2 Portable device and method for field testing proppant
A testing system and method for evaluating the time required for shutting in a well after packing fractures in the well with a proppant having curable resin. At the well site, a sample of the proppant is compressed and heated in a portable unit. While the sample is being heated and compressed, its properties are being monitored to determine if the resin in the proppant has cured. Recording the time required for the proppant to cure provides an indication of how long to shut in the well after packing the fractures with the proppant. The portable unit includes a gas to fluid intensifier for compressively stressing the sample and a heat source for heating the sample. Sensors adjacent the proppant sample monitor the properties.
US09557246B2 Method and system for determining power plant machine reliability
Disclosed are methods and systems to determine a power plant machine reliability forecast. In an embodiment, a method may comprise obtaining an environmental factor of a power plant machine based on geospatial data of a first area and location data of a second area, obtaining an operating factor of the power plant machine, and determining a reliability forecast based on the obtained environmental factor and the obtained operating factor.
US09557245B2 Test station for fluid pumps and fluid injectors
A test station for testing a fluid pump and/or a fluid injector has a fluid-pump receiving device for accommodating a fluid pump, a fluid-injector receiving device for accommodating a fluid injector, a fluid line which hydraulically connects the fluid-pump receiving device to the fluid-injector receiving device and which enables a fluid flow from the fluid pump to the fluid injector during operation, a sealed cooling circuit through which coolant is circulating during operation, and a first heat exchanger, which is developed and disposed in the fluid line so as to have the fluid flow and the coolant flow pass through it during operation such that a heat transfer takes place between the fluid flow and the coolant flow.
US09557238B2 Pressure sensor with geter embedded in membrane
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a pressure sensor including a pressure sensitive membrane suspended over a cavity, wherein the membrane is secured by a set of anchors to a substrate; and a getter material embedded in the membrane, wherein the surface of the getter is in contact with any gas within the cavity, and wherein two end points of the getter material are attached through the substrate by anchors capable of conducting through the substrate an electrical current through the getter material.
US09557235B2 Machines and methods for evaluating prevailing torque threaded fasteners
Machines and methods capable of evaluating torque-tension and prevailing torque performance of prevailing-torque threaded fasteners. Such a machine may include one or more of the following features: a coordinated drive unit for achieving relative linear and rotational movement of a nut and bolt of a nut-bolt assembly; a sensor unit with multiple reaction torque sensors in series, wherein a lower-range torque sensor is protected from being overstressed while torque is transferred therethrough to a higher-range torque sensor; an optical temperature measurement unit oriented to detect a temperature at a thread interface of a nut and bolt through an opening in a device adapted to rotate the nut; and a bolt recess measurement unit that determines a bolt-through condition of a nut-bolt assembly by detecting a bolt recess of the nut-bolt assembly that has been assembled such that a prevailing torque feature thereof has been encountered.
US09557231B2 Sensing cable
A sensing cable is provided which includes exposed and/or unexposed optical fibers or wires disposed through the length of the sensing cable. The sensing cable includes a slotted core which is a one-piece integral member having a plurality of channels formed on a perimeter of the slotted core and which extend along a length of the slotted core. The sensing cable includes at least one exposed component which is disposed in a first channel of the plurality of channels and which extends along a length of the first channel. The sensing cable includes at least one unexposed component which is encased by a protective member, and the unexposed component and the protective member are disposed in a second channel of the plurality of channels. The unexposed component and the protective member extend along a length of the second channel.
US09557227B2 Luminescent organic/inorganic matrix, method for the production thereof and luminescent molecular thermometer based on said matrix
Thermometer comprising an organic-inorganic matrix which comprises tris complex (β-diketonate) of two different cations of lanthanide elements. In addition, the invention also relates to the matrix, methods for preparing it and methods of using a thermometer to measure absolute temperatures.
US09557224B2 Monitoring system for perishable or temperature-sensitive product transportation and storage
Monitoring and reporting of the temperature and/or other conditions of perishable and/or temperature sensitive products during transportation and storage is described. A system for wireless temperature monitoring can be carried out at a box level, but can provide information at a finer granularity than box-level. For temperature monitoring, the box (or other container) can be configured with a plurality of temperature sensors provided in an arrangement about the box and connected to a transmitter for communicating the temperature at each location to a monitoring system with a processor and database. A temperature profile and spatial model can be constructed by the processor and stored at the database to generate profiles for defined volumes within the container.
US09557221B1 Interferometer for Fourier transform infrared spectrometry
An interferometer wherein an incident beam from a radiation source hits a beam splitter at a first oblique angle of incidence and is split into a first, reflected partial beam, and a second, transmitted partial beam, that subsequently travel along separate arms of the interferometer. The first and second partial beams are respectively intercepted, reflected, and re-split to form returning beam portions and reflected and transmitted exit beam portions. A second terminal mirror and a folding mirror, which intercepts the second partial beam at a second oblique angle of incidence, are associated with the second interferometer arm and positioned orthogonal to the reference plane and on opposite sides of the exit path, so that a section of the second partial beam from the folding mirror to the terminal mirror and back to the folding mirror crosses the exit beam twice.
US09557220B2 Fourier transform spectroscopy method, spectroscopic device, and spectroscopic measurement program that improve spectral resolution and spectral accuracy
Provided is a Fourier transform spectroscopy method that removes restrictions on spectral resolution and spectral accuracy in Fourier transform spectroscopy for observing a cyclic repeating phenomenon, that realizes, theoretically, infinitesimal spectral resolution accuracy. After accurately and sufficiently stabilizing the repetition period of a phenomenon, a temporal waveform is acquired by making a repetition period and a time width for observing the temporal waveform of a phenomenon strictly conform, and by performing a Fourier transform, acquired is a discrete separation spectrum in which the inverse number of the observation time window size T is made a frequency data gap. Measurement is repeated while causing the repetition period to change, and the gap of the discrete separation spectrum is supplemented. Thereby, in a case of an observation target in which the existence time of a phenomenon is longer than the repetition period, the spectral resolution of the obtained discrete separation spectrum becomes infinitesimal.
US09557219B2 Comb-based spectroscopy with synchronous sampling for real-time averaging
A method of comb-based spectroscopy for measuring a CW source at time-bandwidth limited resolution by using frequency combs with a high degree of mutual coherence (<1 radian phase noise).
US09557216B2 High speed spectroscopic sensor assembly and system
A laser-based spectroscopy system that combines a distance/proximity standoff sensor, a high-repetition rate laser spectroscopy system, and software with a decision-making algorithm embedded in a processing unit which in combination performs selective firing of the laser when the target object is within an interrogation zone. In a related embodiment, the system provides selective sorting of spectroscopic signals based on information from the standoff signal and from information contained in the spectral signals themselves. The laser emission can be actively controlled while keeping the laser firing, thereby preserving the thermal stability and hence the power of the laser; and the standoff sensor information and the spectral information can be combined to determine the proper relative weighting or importance of each piece of spectral information.
US09557213B2 Photoelectric convertor
An photoelectric convertor comprises an optical coupler, a circuit board and two restricting posts fixed on the circuit board. The optical coupler defined two restricting grooves passing through its bottom surface and top surface. When the optical coupler is positioned on the circuit board, the two restricting posts are respectively engaged in the two restricting grooves. Each restricting groove has a sidewall opposite to a front surface of the optical coupler.
US09557211B2 Acoustic measurement device in an air flow
An acoustic measurement device in an air flow and subjected to a noise source, the device including: a base having a surface in contact with the air flow, a first microphone which is mounted flush with the surface, a second and a third microphone which are mounted on either side of the first microphone, each, at the bottom of a cavity opening onto the surface, and where each of the second and third microphones is covered with a noise-reducing element, the second and the third microphones being assembled at a distance from the first microphone that is greater than the correlation length of the turbulent phenomenon in the frequency band studied, and a computer or processor provided for computing the power spectrum of the noise source from the signals detected by the three microphones.
US09557208B2 Liquid level measuring apparatus, method, and program
Provided is a liquid level measuring technique capable of measuring a liquid level with high accuracy even if a liquid stored in a container is boiling. The liquid level measuring apparatus includes: ultrasonic sensors each configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic sensors being respectively set at a plurality of positions on an outer surface of a container that stores a liquid; a transmission/reception controlling unit configured to set, as a target, any one of the ultrasonic sensors at the plurality of positions and control the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave of the target; an intensity detecting unit configured to detect an intensity of the ultrasonic wave that satisfies at least 2≦N (N: natural number), of the ultrasonic waves that are reflected N times on an inner surface of the container; a gas/liquid determining unit configured to determine which of the liquid and a gas a reflection point on the inner surface is in contact with, on a basis of the detected intensity of the ultrasonic wave; and a level determining unit configured to determine a liquid level of the liquid on a basis of gas/liquid determination results respectively derived by the ultrasonic sensors at the plurality of positions.
US09557207B2 System and method for determining volume of fluid in a tank
Volume of a fluid in a tank is determined by measuring the pressure of fluid proximate to the bottom of the tank. The depth of the fluid is then determined from the pressure and density of the fluid. Fluid volume is then determined mathematically or from charts given the depth as well as the size and shape of a tank. Multiple pressure readings may be taken along the bottom of a tank, and an average pressure determined that may be used to calculate volume. Pressure readings may be taken at different heights to determine fluid density used to calculate volume. Pressure readings may be adjusted for atmospheric pressure. Volume increases or decreases exceeding a respective predetermined threshold may be flagged and alerts generated. Volume calculations may be recorded for comparing against a volume of fluid recorded as being purchased.
US09557202B2 Air mass meter with a sensor element
An air mass meter has a sensor element, across which an air mass flow to be measured moves. The sensor element is a micro-electro-mechanical system having a membrane, on which a heating element is formed. An electrical measuring resistor and at least two electrical comparison resistors are arranged upstream and downstream of the heating element. A first temperature sensor element is formed with a measuring resistor upstream of the heating element and two comparison resistors arranged downstream of the heating element. The second temperature sensor element is formed with a measuring resistor arranged downstream of the heating element and two comparison resistors arranged upstream of the heating element.
US09557200B2 Disposable flow tube
A transit time differential acoustic flowmeter having acoustic transducers which are acoustically coupled to the fluid flowing in a flow tube through the wall of the flow tube itself, in which the flow tube is demountable from the flowmeter and can be disconnected from the external circuit delivering and carrying away the fluid the flow of which is to be detected.
US09557197B2 Gas sensor with a seal and method of making
A gas sensor includes a metallic shell with a shell aperture extending therethrough along an axis; a metallic glass holder metallurgically sealed to the shell in order to prevent gases from passing between the glass holder and the shell, the glass holder including a glass holder aperture extending axially therethrough; a ceramic sensing element extending through the shell aperture and through the glass holder aperture; and a glass seal which seals between the sensing element and the glass holder in order to prevent gases from passing between the sensing element and the glass holder. A method of making the gas sensor is also provided.
US09557187B2 Navigation system and method for providing departure times
A navigation system comprises a processing resource configured to receive destination data representative of a destination, to determine an expected travel time to the destination, and to determine a departure time in dependence upon the expected travel time to the destination, and an output device for providing the departure time to a user.
US09557184B2 Electronic system with prediction mechanism and method of operation thereof
An electronic system includes: a communication unit for providing a factor; a storage unit, coupled to the communication unit, for consolidating history with the factor; a control unit, coupled to the storage unit, for: estimating a delay based on the factor and the history; predicting traffic based on the estimated delay; and determining an alternate route based on the predicted traffic.
US09557183B1 Backend system for route planning of autonomous vehicles
A backend system can store a network resource map that indicates network coverages areas for a plurality of base stations over a given region. The system can receive a pick-up request from a requesting user seeking transportation from a pick-up location to a destination, and instruct an automated vehicle (AV) to service the pick-up request. The system can further determine a plurality of possible routes from the pick-up location to the destination, and perform an optimization operation to determine an optimal route by utilizing the network resource map. The system can then transmit route data for the optimal route to the selected AV.
US09557177B2 Multi-sensor merging based super-close distance autonomous navigation apparatus and method
The present invention discloses a multi-sensor merging based super-close distance autonomous navigation apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a sensor subsystem, an information merging subsystem, a sensor scanning structure, and an orientation guiding structure, wherein a visible light imaging sensor and an infrared imaging sensor are combined together, and data are acquired by combining a passive measurement mode composed of an optical imaging sensor and an active measurement mode composed of a laser distance measuring sensor. Autonomous navigation is divided into three stages, that is, a remote distance stage, implemented by adopting a navigation mode where a binocular visible light imaging sensor and a binocular infrared imaging sensor are combined, a close distance stage, implemented by adopting a navigation mode where a binocular visible light imaging sensor, a binocular infrared imaging sensor and a laser distance measuring sensor array are combined, and an ultra-close distance stage, implemented by adopting a navigation mode of a laser distance measuring sensor array. Through the present invention, the field of view and the exploration range are widened, the problem of shielding existing in passive measurement is effectively solved, the precision of data measurement is ensured, and the navigation efficiency and the safety and reliability of navigation are improved.
US09557176B2 Method for synthetic three-dimensional conformal representation of terrain cartography as a function of visibility
The general field of the invention is that of methods for three-dimensional conformal representation of a terrain. The method is used in a piloting and navigation assistance system of an aircraft. The assistance system comprises a navigation system, a cartographic database, electronic calculation means a meteorological database and a display system allowing the superimposition of synthetic images on the exterior. The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Calculation, for a determined position of the vehicle, of the terrain perceptible through the display system; Step 2: Selection of a part of the said terrain as a function of a distance or of an altitude or of a range of altitudes; Step 3: Calculation of a three-dimensional conformal cartographic representation of the said selected part of the terrain; and Step 4: Display of the said cartographic representation by the display system.
US09557173B1 Integrated laser vibrometer MEMS micro-shell gyroscope
A gyroscope including a dielectric resonator, a laser vibrometer on a first side of the dielectric resonator, and a laser dump for redirecting or absorbing light received at the laser dump from the laser vibrometer, the laser dump on a second side of the dielectric resonator. A first distance between the dielectric resonator and the laser vibrometer ranges from 10 nm to 20 μm, and a second distance between the dielectric resonator and the laser dump ranges from 10 nm to 20 μm.
US09557169B2 Method for tracking defects on a photomask across repeated inspections
This invention allows tracking of a defect across multiple inspections. The inventive solution translates every inspection record into a common set of fields that are first archived into a relational database. Then the defect coordinates from the inspection records of the same mask are all transformed into a common reference frame having the same origin and orientation with respect to the mask coordinate system. Following this, the defect having coordinates within a given tolerance distance are paired up and reported to the user.
US09557168B2 Ultrasonic measuring system having a reduced minimum range and method for detecting an obstacle
An ultrasonic measuring system is described for detecting an obstacle using a resonant transducer element for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse and for generating a received signal which includes the ultrasonic echo pulse reflected from the obstacle, the transducer element generating a decay signal having its resonance frequency after transmitting an ultrasonic pulse. The ultrasonic measuring system includes an evaluation unit having a control unit which is designed to activate the transducer element for transmitting the ultrasonic pulse with the aid of a frequency-modulated transmitted signal generated by the control unit, the frequency modulation taking place with the aid of a modulation signal in such a way that the signature of the ultrasonic pulse differs from that of the decay signal. The evaluation unit is designed to recognize the echo pulse based on an evaluation of a correlation signal which is generated with the aid of at least one correlation filter and which originates from the correlation of the signal generated by the resonant transducer element with the transmitted signal. Furthermore, a corresponding method is provided for detecting an obstacle with the aid of ultrasound, as well as a vehicle assistance system having the ultrasonic measuring system.
US09557164B2 Data acquisition devices, systems and method for analyzing strain sensors and monitoring turbine component strain
Data acquisition devices for analyzing reference objects and systems for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. A data acquisition device has a longitudinal axis and includes a lens assembly and an image capture device in communication with the lens assembly for receiving and processing light from the lens assembly to generate images. The data acquisition device further includes a light source and a light tube coupled at a rear end to the light source. The light tube extends along the longitudinal axis between a front end and the rear end, and is operable to transport light from the light source therethrough and emit the light from the front end. The data acquisition device further includes an actuator operable to activate the image capture device and the light source.
US09557162B2 Sensor-based mobile search, related methods and systems
A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US09557159B2 Optical coordinate measuring device
Provided is an optical coordinate measuring device that prevents deterioration in measurement accuracy. A holding member is made of a material having low moisture absorption properties and a small linear expansion coefficient. A marker member is held by the holding member. The marker member includes a plate member made of glass. A light shielding mask is formed by printing on one surface of the plate member except for a plurality of circular regions. A light emitting substrate is arranged below the marker member. A plurality of light emitting elements are mounted on the upper surfaces of the light emitting substrates.
US09557158B2 System and method for determining the position of objects in a radiation room for radiation therapy
A system and method for determining the position of objects in a radiation room for radiation therapy comprises several room lasers arranged in the radiation room, each of which is designed for patient positioning to project at least one laser line onto the surface of a patient located on a patient table in the radiation room. At least one camera detects at least one laser line projected onto the surface of the patient by at least one of the room lasers, and an evaluation and control apparatus determines the coordinate points along the laser line projected onto the surface of patient during a radiation procedure based on measurement values detected by the camera through a real-time triangulation process and compares them with target coordinate points. The coordinate points determined during the radiation procedure may be saved for documentation of the radiation procedure.
US09557155B2 Optical coherence tomography apparatus and operating method thereof
An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a light source, a light coupling module, and an optical path difference generating module. The light source emits a coherent light. The light coupling module divides the coherent light into a first incident light and a second incident light. The first incident light is emitted to an item to be inspected and a first reflected light is generated. The second incident light is emitted to the optical path difference generating module, a second reflected light is generated according to the second incident light by the optical path difference generating module through changing the transparent/reflection properties of at least one optical devices of the optical path difference generating module, so that there is a optical path difference between the first reflected light and the second reflected light.
US09557149B2 Deactivating an explosive composition using a chemical
A method of deactivating an explosive composition provided in an explosive cartridge, which method comprises exposing the explosive composition to a deactivating agent that renders the explosive composition insensitive to detonation, wherein the deactivating agent is a chemical.
US09557148B2 Arrow
This invention provides a novel solution for an arrow optimized for in flight and post flight tracking. The arrow comprises a module that is placed inside the arrow's shaft. The module includes several components including a position-locating device, a two-way communication device, a power source, a sound-emitting device, and a light control device. The arrow also includes lights installed on the outside of the shaft and in the nock. Finally, a software application is installed on a mobile device, wherein the software application is designed to enable communication with the two-way communication device inside of the arrow, control the light and sound emitting controllers, and to track the arrow while the arrow is in flight and after it lands.
US09557144B2 Versatile protective helmet applique assembly
The helmet appliqué assembly of the present invention permits a helmet wearer to upgrade the ballistic prevention capabilities of a traditional helmet quickly and efficiently. The helmet appliqué can be provided as part of a helmet appliqué system and/or assembly that includes internal-side connection means for attaching to a helmet and external-side connection means for receiving any of various external items such as identification tags, mounts and external equipment or attachments. The appliqué element can comprise various types of material, including, for example, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In one embodiment of the present invention, multiple helmet appliqué elements are employed on the same helmet and include surfaces and portions that are cooperatively engageable for covering multiple areas of the helmet at the same time.
US09557139B1 Article of apparel including concealed weapon pocket
An article of apparel includes a concealed weapon pocket positioned at a location on the article of apparel which allow for easy access by a user, such as a lower side portion of a coat or jacket, for example. The front panel includes an upper portion that is releasably secured about its top edge and upper side edges to the main panel, and a lower portion that is fixably secured about its bottom and lower side edges to the main panel. A flap associated with a front cargo pocket may be grasped by hand and moved in a generally forward and downward direction to expose the upper portion of the concealed weapon pocket. The user may then grasp and deploy a weapon disposed in the pocket with minimized structural interference from any portion of the pocket or surrounding apparel structure.
US09557136B2 Paintball loader
A paintball loader comprising a paintball storage compartment for holding a supply of paintballs, a frame supporting a paintball feeding arrangement for actively feeding paintballs in the compartment through an outlet, a supporting plate, at least two abutments, and a suspension member having one end operatively connected to a central region of the supporting plate and a second end operatively connected to the frame, the suspension member being spring loaded to press the supporting plate against the abutments in a direction substantially opposite the feeding direction. The supporting plate is depressable against a force of the spring loaded suspension member, for moving said supporting plate in the feeding direction A from a first position, in which the supporting plate is pressed against said abutments and serves to guide paintballs in said compartment towards said points of entry, to a second, depressed position.
US09557134B1 Reduced friction trigger for a crossbow
A reduced friction trigger for a crossbow including a catch moveable between a closed position that retains the draw string in a drawn configuration and an open position that releases the draw string to a released configuration position such that after firing the crossbow the catch is biased to the open position. A sear is moveable between a de-cocked position and a cocked position coupled with the catch at an interface to retain the catch in the closed position such that after firing the crossbow the sear is retained in the de-cocked position by the catch, the sear being biased to the cocked position by a sear biasing force. A low friction device is located at the interface of the catch with the sear. A force sufficient to overcome frictional forces at the interface to release the catch to the open position is less than the sear biasing force.
US09557126B2 Jam resistant ammunition magazine
Methods and apparatus are provided for a passive locking device for preventing an ammunition belt from sliding across the top of an internal wall of an ammunition magazine used in conjunction with a belt feed weapon. In one embodiment the passive locking device is movable between a locked position in which a locking end is in close proximity to the top of the internal wall, and an unlocked position in which the locking end is spaced apart from the top of the wall.
US09557125B2 Firearm receiver with forward assist and bolt catch release
A receiver for a firearm may include a linkage that integrates movement of left and right forward assists. The receiver may include a linkage connecting one or both of the forward assists to a bolt catch. The receiver may included both a connection between the left and right forward assists as well as a connection between one or both of the forward assists and the bolt catch. The receiver may include a linkage connecting the forward assist mechanism with the bolt catch mechanism such that actuation of the forward assist mechanism moves the bolt carrier and moves the bolt catch mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
US09557124B2 Device for cocking a weapon, weapon station and method for operating a weapon
A device for cocking a weapon (11) having an axially movable actuating element (2) that can be coupled to a cocking element (11.1) on the weapon for the purpose of cocking the weapon (11) may include a control device (3) that couples the actuating element (2) to a safety locking element (11.2) on the weapon, whereby the weapon (11) is simultaneously made safe and is armed by actuation of the actuating element.
US09557117B2 Cooling structure, electronic device using same, and cooling method
A cooling structure is provided which includes: an evaporation chamber defined by a base plate having a boiling surface, a ceiling plate and a side wall; a plurality of plate-shaped fins arranged in parallel on the boiling surface, defining a plurality of coolant passages in the evaporation chamber, a liquid phase coolant flows through the coolant passages in one direction from one end portion thereof toward another end portion; a liquid return port formed in the side wall facing the one end portion of coolant passages; and a vapor port formed in the ceiling plate facing the other end portion of coolant passages, wherein space is formed between the ceiling plate and an upper end portion of the plurality of plate-shaped fins, the space expanding gradually from a liquid return port side of the side wall toward the vapor port.
US09557115B2 Orifice plate for controlling solids flow, methods of use thereof and articles comprising the same
Disclosed herein is an orifice plate comprising one or more plates having orifices disposed therein; the orifices being operative to permit the flow of solids from a moving bed heat exchanger to a solids flow control system; where the orifice plate is downstream of a tube bundle of the moving bed heat exchanger and upstream of the solids flow control system and wherein the orifice plate is operative to evenly distribute the flow of solids in the solids flow control system.
US09557110B2 Method and apparatus for heat-treating high dielectric constant film
A substrate in which a high-dielectric-constant gate insulator is formed on a silicon substrate with an interface layer film sandwiched in between is housed in a chamber. A mixed gas of ammonia and nitrogen gas is supplied to the chamber to form an ammonia atmosphere, and flash light is applied in the ammonia atmosphere from flash lamps to the surface of the substrate for an emission time of 0.2 milliseconds to one second. This allows the high-dielectric-constant gate insulator to be heated in the ammonia atmosphere and accelerates nitriding of the high-dielectric-constant gate insulator. Since the time for which flash light is applied is an extremely short time, nitrogen will not reach and nitride the interface layer film, which is formed as a base of the high-dielectric-constant gate insulator.
US09557108B2 Low profile air delivery apparatus with interchangeable nozzle inserts
An air delivery apparatus which has a low profile by virtue of an angled/offset air outlet. The apparatus provides superior air delivery performance which is customizable to any application by selection of orifice patterns in an interchangeable nozzle insert, and the flexibility of easily changing the nozzle inserts to suit the application, while maintaining a constant amount of pressurized air energy input. The low profile enables use of the apparatus in applications where space between machinery and products is limited, where other air delivery apparatuses would not fit. Various embodiments of low profile, angled/offset air delivery apparatus are disclosed—including designs with one, two or four exit openings, where the airflow path inside the apparatus turns at a 90 degree angle in order to minimize the height of the apparatus. The single-opening designs include both “left-hand” and “right-hand” models, and the dual-opening designs include both offset and opposed air streams.
US09557101B2 Method for liquefying natural gas with a triple closed circuit of coolant gas
A process for liquefying natural gas by; a) causing it to flow through three series connected heat exchangers, where gas is cooled to T3; T3 is less/equal to the liquefaction temperature of natural gas at atmospheric pressure; and b) causing the closed circuit circulation of a first stream of refrigerant gas at a pressure P1 lower than P3 entering the third exchanger and leaving the first exchanger, the first stream obtained using a first expander to expand a first portion of a second stream at P3 higher than P2, the second stream flowing relative to the natural gas stream entering the first exchanger and leaving the second exchanger; and a third stream at a pressure P2 higher than P1 and lower than P3 flowing relative to the first stream, entering the second exchanger and leaving the first exchanger; c) the second stream at the pressure P3 obtained by compression.
US09557100B2 Hybrid refrigeration system for a mobile unit and method of operation
A method for operating a refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes steps of: 1) providing a refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and at least one fan operable to move air towards the evaporator, a generator dedicated to the refrigeration unit, and a battery; 2) determining at least one environmental parameter in one or both of the mobile unit and the refrigeration unit; and 3) selectively operating the refrigeration unit in one of a plurality of modes based on the environmental parameter. The plurality of modes includes a first mode wherein at least the fan is powered by the battery, and a second mode wherein the compressor and the fan are powered by the generator.
US09557099B2 Optical lens and lighting device
An optical lens for a light source has an incidence surface receiving light rays emitted from a light source and an aspherical emitting surface optically coupled with the incidence surface for receiving light rays from the incidence surface and emitting light rays received from the incidence surface. The incidence surface defines a cavity for receiving the light source. An opaque or semi-opaque bottom surface adjoins the incidence surface and emitting surface. A lighting device has a substrate, a lighting source located on the substrate, and the optical lens located with the substrate and enclosing the lighting device. A strip light has an elongate substrate having light sources and respective lenses distributed longitudinally along the substrate. Such a strip light using the lens is suitable for lighting the interior of a commercial or domestic refrigerator, chillier cabinet, or other enclosure.
US09557098B2 Merchandiser including power-generating thermal recovery system
A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area to support product and a refrigeration system at least partially coupled to the case to condition the product display area. The case includes case structure at least partially exposed to the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a heat guide that is in communication with cold air within the product display area, and a heat source that is coupled to the case structure within the product display area. The heat source is further coupled to the heat guide by a thermal recovery device. The heat guide forms a bridge between the thermal recovery device and the cold air in the product display area such that power is generated based on a temperature difference across the thermal recovery device.
US09557094B2 Drain pan with integrated riser
A drain pan for an air handling unit including a base, a lip attached to the base wherein the lip extends substantially vertically from the base, and a riser affixed to the base wherein the riser extends substantially vertically from the base to support the air handling unit. The drain pan may further include a riser that is preformed with the base to form a unibody drain pan.
US09557093B2 Industrial dehumidifier system
A dehumidifier system has a solution, a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger cooperative with the solution so as to pass a warmed solution therefrom, a second heat exchanger cooperative with the warmed solution so as to increase in temperature of the warmed solution, a radiator, a fan cooperative with the radiator such that the fan blows air across the radiator as the warmed solution is passed through or along the radiator and such that the air absorbs moisture and increases in temperature is the air passes through the radiator, and an evaporator having the refrigerant passing along or through thereof. The evaporator cooperates with the increased temperature air such that heat from the increased temperature air is transferred to the refrigerant and such that moisture is created therefrom. A compressor is cooperative with the evaporator and with the second heat exchanger so as to pressurize the refrigerant passing into the second heat exchanger.
US09557092B1 Sub-0 home freezer
An occasional use domestic counter top flash freezer. To accomplish this, all aspects of the refrigeration process have been scaled down into a unique and economical flash freezer for the home, here to for unavailable to the consumer. A refrigeration engine is contained within a light weight and low cost enclosure; and chills a diminutive cold chamber to temperatures substantially below −18° C. The cold chamber is sized to accommodate a small batch of foodstuffs at a time, such that the rate of heat removal effects flash freezing; the process of preventing formation of large cellular ice crystals. This appliance is an adjunct to a domestic home refrigerator/freezer, enabling the consumer, for the first time, to effectively freeze foodstuffs for later consumption, while not sacrificing taste! Thus, it will do for food preservation what the microwave has done for food preparation in the home.
US09557087B2 Clear ice making apparatus having an oscillation frequency and angle
An ice making tray has an array of individual ice cube compartments. A mechanical oscillating mechanism is coupled to the tray and rotates the tray from a horizontal plane in opposite directions along an axis through an angle φ of about 20° to 40°, such that water in the tray moves between ice cube compartments. The frequency of oscillation (ω) is harmonically related to the frequency of movement of water in the tray and is about equal to or about twice the frequency of movement of water in the tray. In a preferred embodiment, the floor of the tray is a thermally conductive material in contact with a thermoelectric plate used to freeze the water as well as being subsequently heated to release the formed ice cubes.
US09557084B2 Apparatus for controlling relative humidity in a container
In one embodiment, a method of operating a refrigeration system includes measuring a relative humidity of a container and comparing the measured relative humidity to a humidity set point. The method also includes operating evaporator fans of a refrigeration system when the measured relative humidity is above the humidity set point.
US09557080B2 Refrigeration cycle apparatus
A refrigeration cycle apparatus (1A) includes: a main circuit (2) composed of an evaporator (25), a first compressor (21), an intercooler (8), a second compressor (22), and a condenser (23) which are connected in this order; and an evaporation-side circulation path (5) that allows a refrigerant liquid retained in the evaporator (25) to circulate via a heat exchanger for heat absorption (6). The intercooler (8) is a heat exchanger that allows a refrigerant vapor compressed by the first compressor (21) to be cooled by the refrigerant liquid. A supply path (71) supplies, to the intercooler (8), a portion of the refrigerant liquid flowing in the first circulation path (5), and a recovery path (73) recovers the refrigerant liquid from the intercooler (8) to the evaporator (25).
US09557074B2 Roof vent
A vent for a building has a cover attached to a base. The base has an aperture permitting gas to pass. A moisture directing means on an underside of the cover directs moisture move under the influence of gravity to fall outside of the aperture. The cover may include a slanted side wall portion, with the aperture positioned with its center displaced from the center of the cover toward the slanted side. The base may include a pair of moisture deflecting features along at least a portion of one of the nonslope sides to prevent moisture flowing along the base from within an area on the base covered by the cover to outside of the covered area at the nonslope sides. The base may also include a water deflecting ridge on its underside positioned between a downslope edge and the aperture to deflect water away.
US09557073B2 Air duct sealing system for obstructing or directing airflow through portions of an air duct system
The present invention discloses adjustable air duct sealing systems for obstructing airflow through portions of an air duct system. Such systems may include an adjustable frame assembly configured to allow changes to a perimeter of the adjustable frame assembly. Systems may also include an actuator pole connector configured to attach the adjustable air duct sealing system to an actuator pole. Systems may include two or more support arms such that each support arm connects the actuator pole connector to the adjustable frame assembly and each support arm moveably connects to the actuator pole connector to allow the support arms to adjust to changes in the perimeter of the adjustable frame assembly. Some systems also include a sheet cover configured across the adjustable frame assembly to obstruct airflow through at least a portion of the adjustable frame assembly.
US09557069B2 Dehumidification system
A dehumidification system includes a first dehumidification unit having an outdoor air cooling heat exchanger, a second dehumidification unit using two adsorption heat exchangers such that an air passage is switched, and a third dehumidification unit having an adsorption rotor. Low-temperature low-humidity air cooled and dehumidified in the second dehumidification unit is supplied to the third dehumidification unit to reduce energy for recovery of the third dehumidification unit and to realize energy conservation in the dehumidification system and reduction in cost of the dehumidification system.
US09557066B2 Flow directing device for a cooking appliance
A cooking appliance including an interior, a fan mechanism having at least one fan wheel in the interior, at least one first flow directing member for subdividing the interior into a pressure chamber that houses the fan wheel and a cooking chamber, in which the first flow directing member includes at least one suction port for sucking atmosphere from the cooking chamber into the pressure chamber when the fan wheel is in operation and at least one blow-off port for blowing atmosphere from the pressure chamber into the cooking chamber when the fan wheel is in operation; and at least one second flow directing member that is included with the fan mechanism in the area of the suction port of the first flow directing member in order to improve the flow from the cooking chamber into the pressure chamber by forcing an axial main flow H in the suction zone of the fan mechanism, where the second flow directing member performs a nozzle function, extends from the fan mechanism into the cooking chamber, and overlaps the edge of the suction port of the first flow directing member, and where the first flow directing member extends into the second flow directing member.
US09557064B2 Cooking hob including a user interface
A cooking hob includes a transparent or semi-transparent top panel and a cooking zone with a pot detector. A user interface is below the top panel and includes touch switches and a touch slide. A light source corresponds with the touch switch and the cooking zone. The light source indicates detection of a pot on the cooking zone by a first light signal during a predetermined time interval and indicates an activated state of the cooking zone by a second light signal and indicates the selected cooking zone and the activated state of the touch slide element by the first light signal. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the indicated cooking zone within the time interval. The touch switch is for selecting the cooking zone and activating the touch slide. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the selected cooking zone.
US09557056B2 Method of removing and disposing of waste from a refinery ground tank including mixing at least one diluent with reduced-size solids to cause a flowable mixture
A method for disposing of solid refinery waste is disclosed. The method includes removing solid waste constituents from inside a refinery tank using excavating machinery, delumping the solid waste constituents, and conveying the delumped solid waste constituents into a mobile tank. The method further includes transporting the delumped solid waste constituents in the mobile tank to a burning facility, adding at least one diluent, mixing, and pumping from the mobile tank a flowable mixture of refinery waste and the at least one diluent at the burning facility.
US09557050B2 Fuel nozzle and assembly and gas turbine comprising the same
A nozzle for assemblies and gas turbines is provided. The nozzle exhibits destabilized flame holding characteristics, i.e., the nozzle is unable to stabilize flame up to an equivalence ratio of about 0.65. As a result, flame heat release is delayed resulting in lower peak flame temperatures and correspondingly lower NOx levels. Flame stabilization capability is retained for higher equivalence ratios to support operation of the combustor in other regions of the load range.
US09557046B2 LED lamp and method of making the same
A lighting device includes a multi-faceted heat sink with facets in a center portion facing outward. The facets form a central enclosed portion, and the heat sink further has a plurality of fins, where each of the fins is placed between adjacent facets and protrudes outwardly from the heat sink. The lighting device also has a plurality of circuit boards with semiconductor emitters mounted thereon. Each of the circuit boards is mounted on a respective facet of the heat sink. The lighting device also has a light-diffusion housing covering the plurality of circuit boards, a power module in communication with the circuit boards and operable to convert power to be compatible with the semiconductor emitters, and a power connector assembly in electrical communication with the power module.
US09557043B2 Easy-install home automation light switch
A light switch plate includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting control signals to a smart light assembly. The light switch plate is placed over a conventional light switch and prevents a user from further manipulating the conventional light switch. The light switch plate includes a further switch which a user can manipulate to cause the transmitter to transmit control signals to turn on or turn off a light of the smart light assembly.
US09557041B2 LED 3D curved lead frame of illumination device
This invention relates to separately produce the complicated 3D curved structure and LED 3D curved lead frame to meet the demand of the complicated curved surface illumination of illumination device. First of all, draw illumination circuit with banded structure of multilayer lead frame on 3D illumination complicated curved surface, then spread these curved circuit into plane circuit, dismantle the banded structure of multilayer lead frame of circuit into circuit pattern of single layers, use process the prototype of circuit patterns of each layer with conductive metal charge tape, and produce the prototype of banded structure of multilayer conductive frame through repeated accumulation of multi-disc charge tapes, and install the LED chip on the installation seat to get LED flat lead frame, then flex the conductive metal into LED 3D curved lead frame with jig and paste on the luminous curved surface, and package them together with transparent material, for example, curved decorative lighting, spherical display advertising board, etc.; this method offers more flexibility for structure and aesthetic design, and fully utilizes the high heat dissipation capacity of main body of metal part.
US09557039B2 Lighting device, and illuminating device including the lighting device
Various embodiments may relate to a lighting device, including a housing, at least one light source, and a circuit board carrying the at least one light source. The housing defines a cavity for accommodating the at least one light source and the circuit board. The housing includes a bottom for carrying the circuit board. The lighting device further includes at least one separate mountable locking member, which is partially supported on the housing and presses the circuit board on the bottom. In addition, various embodiments further relates to an illuminating device including the lighting device.
US09557038B2 Deployable, multi-sided illumination devices and related methods of use
An illumination device may include a body having twelve sides, the body being formed by a first body portion including six sides of the twelve sides, and a second body portion including six sides of the twelve sides. The first body portion and the second body portion may be coupled to one another at a first interface and at a second interface disposed radially inward of the first interface, wherein the first interface may be positioned in a plurality of planes, and wherein the second interface may be positioned in a single plane. At least a portion of each of the twelve sides may include a transparent window. The illumination device may include a resilient cover disposed around the body.
US09557037B1 Apparatus and method for generating an appearance of animation
In an aspect, an apparatus and method are provided for creating an illusion of animation of a subject shape. The apparatus includes a screen, an intermediate body, a plurality of lights, and a controller in electronic communication with the plurality of lights. The controller is operable to turn the plurality of lights on and off in at least one of: a selected order, a combination, and a simultaneous operation of all of the lights. The intermediate body and the plurality of lights are positioned relative to said screen such that the intermediate body is positioned between the screen and the plurality of lights and such that said plurality of lights are operable to project a plurality of unique outlines of at least portions of the intermediate body onto the screen to generate an illusion of animation of the subject shape.
US09557036B2 Lighting device and associated method
A lighting device comprises a housing carrying a linear array of light radiation sources and one or more elongated diffusive screens arranged facing the array of light sources so as to be passed through by the light radiation. The screen or screens have a pattern of geometric features for producing a radiation pattern of the light radiation emitted by the lighting device as a result of passing through the diffusive screen or screens. By replacing the diffusive screen or screens with screens which have a different pattern of geometric features it is possible to vary the radiation pattern of the light radiation emitted by the lighting device.
US09557034B2 Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus comprises a plurality of LEDs aligned to an array of directional optical elements wherein the LEDs are substantially at the input aperture of respective optical elements. An electrode array is formed on the array of optical elements to provide at least a first electrical connection to the array of LED elements. Advantageously such an arrangement provides low cost and high efficiency from the directional LED array.
US09557033B2 Optical system for batwing distribution
A radiation distribution system designed to produce a batwing distribution. The system may be used with radiative sources emitting in the visible spectrum or in other spectra. The system comprises a specially shaped lens disposed over a radiative source, such as an LED, for example. The lens and source are arranged between two reflector bodies, both of which have an elongated reflective surface that faces the source. The reflector bodies each have two different reflective surfaces that face outward and away from each other. The lens and both reflective surfaces work in concert to redirect a portion of the emitted radiation to create the desired batwing distribution. Several sources may be arranged linearly between a single pair of reflector bodies on a common surface to create a linear array of sources. Likewise, multiple linear arrays may be combined to form a two-dimensional array. In the two-dimensional configuration, linear arrays of sources are disposed on both sides of a reflector body, so that both of the reflective surfaces are utilized.
US09557031B2 Illumination unit and illumination system using the same
Disclosed herein are an illumination unit and an illumination system. The illumination unit includes a first reflector, a second reflector, a light source module arranged between the first reflector and the second reflector, and a supporting member for supporting the second reflector. The supporting member includes first and second inclined surfaces arranged adjacent to each other at opposite sides of an inflection point. The supporting member has a distance of 15 to 50 mm between a first horizontal line horizontally passing through the inflection point and a second horizontal line horizontally passing through an end of the first inclined surface or an end of the second inclined surface. The supporting member includes projections having asymmetrical side surfaces opposing each other. The height ratio between the side surfaces of the supporting member is 1:1.01 to 80 or 1.01 to 80:1.
US09557030B2 Light guide illumination device for direct-indirect illumination
An illumination device includes light-emitting elements (LEEs); a light guide extending in a forward direction from a first end to a second end, the light guide being positioned to receive at the first end light emitted by the LEEs and to guide the received light to the second end; and an optical extractor coupled to the second end to receive the guided light. The optical extractor is formed from a transparent, solid material and includes a first output surface including a transmissive portion arranged and shaped to transmit a first portion of the guided light to the ambient in a forward angular range and a reflective portion arranged and shaped to reflect via TIR all the guided light incident on the reflective portion; and a second output surface arranged to transmit, to the ambient in a backward angular range, light reflected by the reflective portion of the first output surface.
US09557026B2 Vehicular lighting instrument semiconductor light source light source unit and vehicular lighting instrument
[Problem]To attain weight saving or the like of a light source unit.[Means for Solving the Problem]The present invention includes a light source portion 10 and a socket portion 11. The socket portion 11 is an integrated structural part which is composed of an insulation member 7, a thermo conductive resin member 8, and electric power feeding members 91 to 93. As a result, according to the present invention, the thermo conductive resin member 8 is used as a heat radiation member to radiate to the outside a heat which is generated at the light source portion 10 and thus it is possible to save the weight of the light source unit 1, save manufacturing costs, and improve durability of a die in comparison with that of a conventional die cast.
US09557022B2 Non-round retrofit recessed LED lighting fixture
A light emitting diode (LED) light fixture for attachment to a recessed electrical connection enclosure includes a luminaire with a frame having a non-round form. The light fixture includes a luminaire rotatably joined to a mounting member at a rotary connector. The mounting member has least one fastener for attaching the mounting member to a mounting fixture of the recessed electrical connection enclosure. The luminaire may be rotated relative to the mounting member attached to the mounting fixture of the recessed electrical connection enclosure, to orient the non-round frame of the luminaire in a desired orientation. The mounting member may be a mounting bar, and may include first and second fasteners at opposite ends of the mounting bar. Various types of fasteners may be employed for attachment to the mounting fixture of the recessed electrical connection enclosure, such as torsion springs, tension clips, J-box bracket clips, and twist-and-lock fasteners.
US09557021B2 Recessed LED light fixture
A solid state, recessed light fixture for residential and commercial lighting applications. The fixture includes a truncated cone-shaped trim having a concave bottom surface and a convex top surface, wherein the trim has a sloped circumferential wall that leads to a flat, annular lip at its periphery. An LED array is mounted to the underside within the concave bottom surface and a LED driver is mounted to the top surface. A cover with an open bottom partially encloses the LED driver and a junction box with cable openings and knock out ports is stacked on top of the cover. The cover is a thermal insulator to contain heat from the LED driver inside while the trim acts as a thermal conductor and radiator for the LED driver. No “can” housing is needed to enclose the fixture, and no finned, heat sink is needed to dissipate heat.
US09557020B2 Columnar light emitting device and manufacturing method of the same
The device bends readily and safely without a sealing resin peeling off or a breakage in a wire.In an LED columnar light emitting device 1 in which a plurality of two conductive regions 2 and 3 corresponding to the ± polarities are provided in the columnar direction on a film wiring board, each light emitting element is connected to and installed on the plurality of two conductive regions 2 and 3, and each LED chip 6, as each light emitting element, is sealed above with a transparent sealing resin 8, notch sections 9 and 9A are formed on both outer sides of two plated lines 4 as opening sections between the two conductive regions 2 and 3 and another two conductive regions 2 and 3 adjacent thereto in the columnar direction.
US09557019B2 Temporary work light string with variably-positionable and re-positionable readily-replaced lamp, optionally with integral hangers, that are optionally electrically connected to plural electrical circuits
A work light string removably physically mounts and electrically attaches lamps anywhere along it is length, with ready hand positioning and re-positioning of desired numbers of lamps at desired positions, and replacement of damaged lamps. The work light string can have one, or, more preferably two separate electrical circuit in which case each lamp and any external electrical load(s) can be powered by either circuit.
US09557014B2 Signal indicator lamp
A signal indicator lamp includes an LED mounting substrate 2, and is made up of a plurality of consecutively provided lens units 3 with cylindrical light guiding radiation portions 20 provided so as to enclose the LED mounting substrate 2. An LED 14 is mounted at a position biased to the side of an end portion 2D from a central position 2C in a short-side direction S of the LED mounting substrate 2. In the light guiding radiation portion 20, a slit portion 23 is defined which is cut away in an axial direction X such that the LED 14 is arranged therein when the lens unit 3 encloses the LED mounting substrate 2. Light made incident into the lens unit 3 from incident surfaces 24 being a pair of opposite end faces of the slit portion 23 is guided by the light guiding radiation portion 20, and is radiated outward in the entire circumferential region thereof.
US09557012B2 Light bulb with automated emergency operation
A self cooling light effects device for use in a standard light bulb socket having a socket adaptor, surface embedded LEDs as means to generate light effects, means to control light effects, and means for cooling. Fiber optic cables provide further light effects. Means to control 5 light effects may include a logic board. Means for cooling may be any combination of fans, heat sinks, heat pipes, thermoelectric cooling, a heat conductive filler, and a heat conductive housing.
US09557007B2 Imaging and safety system and method for an industrial machine
An imaging system, safety system or combined imaging and safety system includes a light transmitter and a corresponding receiver. Image data relating to a machine tool and/or workpiece is derived and processed to determine information regarding the tool and/or tool position and/or extent of work carried out on the workpiece. A screen, such as a shadow screen, can be used to form an image of a profile of the tool tip and end of the workpiece. Tool tip position and extent of work on the workpiece can be derived from the image. Certain aspects are directed to a safety system application for halting a machine or tool when a light beam is interrupted, and can provide progressive muting of beam interruption detection, such as by systematically disregarding or muting signals from rows of receiver array elements as the beam passes through a mute point ahead of a tool.
US09557001B2 Combination portable industrial/survey instrument stand with conveyance capacities
A tripod with accessories, including a tripod having three pivotal legs that when extended finds support upon the ground, and when retracted, incorporates a pair of lateral wheels that allow for the tripod to be moved as a dolly, the wheels are provided upon two of the tripod legs, and the third or back leg has an equipment platform, upon which equipment may be applied, to facilitate their movement when the tripod is collapsed, titled forwardly, to cart the equipment around with the tripod to other locations within in a plant or upon the ground.
US09557000B2 Movement auxiliary device for machine stand
A movement auxiliary device for a machine stand includes a foot stand. Two sides of the lower end of the foot stand are provided with first and second side seats having vertical rail grooves, respectively. A movable lever, a pivot seat and a lifting roller assembly are provided between the two rail grooves. The foot stand is provided with a support seat. A connecting board having a pedal is pivotally connected between the support seat and the pivot seat, which can be pivoted on the pivot seat. The movable lever is pivotally connected with a pneumatic cylinder to provide a buffering function for the lifting roller assembly and the machine stand. The pedal is controlled for the connecting board and the pivot seat to generate a link pivot, such that the lifting roller assembly is descended to the ground or ascended upward.
US09556996B2 Sealing device, aircraft engine provided with such a sealing device and method for placing such a sealing device in an aircraft engine
The present invention relates to a sealing device designed for sealing a fuel inlet opening of an aircraft engine and to an aircraft engine provided with such a sealing device. The invention further relates to a method for sealing a fuel inlet opening of an aircraft engine.
US09556994B2 Wrap-around band and sleeve attachment apparatus for an oilfield tubular
An attachment apparatus for attaching to a tubular. The apparatus may include a flexible member extending circumferentially around the tubular more than once. A tension force on the flexible member may cause the flexible member to apply a first radially-inward gripping force on the tubular. An annular sleeve may be positioned radially-outward from the flexible member. The sleeve may apply a second radially-inward gripping force on the flexible member and the tubular.
US09556990B2 Connection device for medium conduits
A connection device for the plug connection of at least one media line includes a housing part with at least one reception orifice for plugging in a plug portion connected or connectable to the at least one media line. The housing part includes a basic part and an insert part. The basic part is releasably connected with a form fit to the insert part via a latching connection. The latching connection holds the insert part releasably and is formed by a C-shaped spring clip which is seated on the outside of the basic part and engages with at least one latching extension radially through an orifice of the basic part into a circumferential latching groove of the insert part.
US09556989B2 Pipe joint restraint
A joint restraint is provided for a curved pipe joint having a curved pipe section joining two adjacent pipe sections. The pipes are joined using tubular sleeves held by hose clamps to form fluid tight seals, with two clamps on each end of the curved pipe sections and two clamps on each proximal end of the adjacent pipe sections. An inner strap extends between and fastens to one of the clamps on each adjacent pipe section forming a chord of an arc. An outer strap extends along an outer periphery of the joined pipes and fastens to the other clamps on each adjacent pipe section. The straps are in a plane through a center of the flow path of the joined pipes.
US09556988B2 Clamping device
Clamping device and method of connecting clamping device that includes a clamping band having a first end and a second end and an engagement geometry on at least one surface; and a tensioning head having a housing attached to the clamping band in the region of the first end and through which the second end of the clamping band is guidable, and an engagement element in the housing that is engageable with the engagement geometry. The engagement element is connected to the housing by a flexible connection, so that the engagement element is swivelable between a pull-through position, in which the clamping band may be pulled through the housing, and an engagement position, in which the clamping screw may engage with the engagement geometry.
US09556987B2 Direct connect adapter device
An adapter box which makes possible a direct connect 110 volt central vacuum system hose to be plugged into a portable vacuum cleaner in the same way that a 110 volt direct connect central vacuum system hose would plug into an in home central vacuum system using direct connect central vacuum system inlets.An adapter box that attaches to the inlet vacuum port of a portable vacuum cleaner (household, commercial, or other) for the purpose of making compatible and possible the plugging in of a direct connect central vacuum system hose in the same way the same hose would be plugged into the direct connect central vacuum system inlet valve of an in house central vacuum system. This type hose allows 110 volts to be available for the operation of a 110 volt powered rug cleaning attachment.An adapter box that allows a direct connect central vacuum system hose to function with a portable vacuum cleaner so that it may function in like fashion to a central vacuum system in a home where the hose simply plugs into a direct connect central vacuum system wall inlet receiving vacuum power from the central vacuum system power unit through pipes installed in the walls and ceilings of the building.
US09556985B2 Systems and methods for hinge couplings
A coupling for coupling pipe segments (2,4). The coupling includes a first housing component (12), a second housing component (14), and a fastener coupling the first and second components together. The fastener (22) has an aligned configuration defining an axis of alignment such that first and second housing components are in a closed configuration to define a central axis of the coupling. The fastener has a skewed configuration to define a pivot axis of the fastener such that the first and second housing components are in an open configuration. The pivot axis is substantially parallel to the central axis and substantially perpendicular to the axis of alignment.
US09556983B2 Alignment device, and method of alignment using an alignment device
An alignment device is configured to receive, in a generally aligned configuration, workpieces which are to be joined together. In addition, the device is further configured such that, in use of the device, a joining line between the two workpieces is visible for checking alignment, and such that, in use of the device, each workpiece can be marked at a predetermined distance from the joining line. The device and a method of alignment using the device are particularly suited to the joining of pipes in the construction of marine vessels.
US09556982B2 Clamping device for coupling smooth tubes together in leaktight manner
A device includes a sealing ring that clamps around facing ends of two tubes, and that has first and second free ends, each of which is provided with a sealing arrangement suitable for coming into leaktight contact. First and second tightening lugs are fastened to the sealing ring in the vicinities of the first and the second free ends. The device has a bridge covering the sealing arrangements, the bridge being mounted to be stationary relative to the first free end of the ring and suitable for sliding relative to the second free end of the ring.
US09556981B2 Fitting assembly evaluating apparatus
Methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection are disclosed. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, and an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is axially compressed or stroked.
US09556980B2 Fluid coupling and retainer for fluid coupling
A retainer includes an annular gasket retaining portion for retaining a gasket therein and an annular coupling member retaining portion which has an inner diameter greater than that of the gasket retaining portion and retains one coupling member. At an inner circumference of the gasket retaining portion and an inner circumference of the coupling member retaining portion are formed annular grooves, respectively, for holding therein elastic rings, respectively.
US09556973B2 System securing a cable to a roof
A system for securing one or more heating cables to a roof and having one or more apparatuses, each apparatus including a metal base panel and a continuous metal C-shaped channel integrally-formed with the base panel. The channel includes a pair of opposing continuous channel walls creating and surrounding a continuous cavity having a cross-sectional cavity shape substantially identical for at least a majority thereof to the cross-sectional shape of the cable. The channel walls are resiliently flexible to enable receipt of a continuous length of the heating cable within the cavity such that the heating cable is in snug continuous contact with the channel to enhance heat conductance from the heating cable to the base panel.
US09556970B2 Cascade trim for control valve
A cascade type trim for integration into control valve and having a valve stem and a valve cage which cooperate with each other to define a plurality of fluid passageway columns, each of which extend between a valve inlet and a valve outlet. Each fluid passageway column is collectively defined by a plurality of stem passageways and a plurality of cage passageways. The stem and cage passageways are brought in and out of alignment as a result of axial movement of the stem relative to the cage. In a first position, a first fluid passageway is open, while a second fluid passageway remains closed. In a second position, both the first and second fluid passageways are open, and yet in a third position, the first fluid passageway is closed and the second fluid passageway is open.
US09556969B2 Valve device and shower device using the same
Each of the valve device and the shower device includes: a valve/shower device main body; a link lever pivotally held in the valve/shower device main body; a weight provided on the link lever; and a ball valve provided between the weight and a pivot axis of the link lever. When the valve/shower device main body is manually caused to move by shaking, swinging, turning, tilting, tapping, or like operation, a kinetic energy imposed on the weight causes the link lever to make a rotational movement relative to the valve/shower device main body, and then the rotational movement of the link lever displaces the ball valve to open or close a valve hole. The valve device and the shower device can significantly facilitate the valve-opening/closing operations, and do not require a special external member for hand- or finger-operation such as a button, a handle or a switch.
US09556965B2 Air valve seat
A method for venting air from a fluid system through an air valve includes moving a float away from a seat mounted within a valve body, the valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet and an outlet, the seat having an upper surface and a lower surface defining a bore and a fastener hole extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the upper surface facing the outlet of the valve body and defining a first sealing ridge and a second sealing ridge between the bore and the fastener hole, a fastener extending through the fastener hole into the valve body; and venting air from the fluid system through the outlet.
US09556961B2 Control valve
A valve element has a packing material, whose one side surface touches and leaves a valve seat as a sealing surface, and a support member, which is driven in opening and closing directions of a valve section by actuating an actuator. The support member includes a supporting surface, which is in contact with a side surface of the packing material opposite to the sealing surface of the packing material, and an engagement part, which supports a peripheral edge part of the packing material in a manner such that the engagement part is engaged with the peripheral edge part. A ring-shaped fluid flow passage is formed between the supporting surface of the support member and the packing material, and this fluid flow passage communicates with an upstream passage.
US09556960B2 Seal ring of a mechanical seal assembly having properties extending the running time, and method for the production thereof
A seal ring for a mechanical seal, comprising a base body, a first layer applied to a first face side of a base body, and a second layer applied to a second face side of the base body. At least one of the layers is configured as a slide surface of the seal ring.
US09556958B2 Shift-drum speed change mechanism
A shift-drum speed change mechanism includes a first drum spring biasing a first drum toward a first side in an axial direction, which is a side on which a first slider comes into contact with a first speed change member, a first fork spring biasing a first shift fork toward a second side in the axial direction, which is a side opposite to the first side in the axial direction, with a weaker biasing force than the first drum spring, and a first stopper member for the first drum, defining an end of movement of the first drum toward the first side in the axial direction.
US09556950B2 Sliding operation type electronic auto shift lever
A sliding operation type electronic auto shift lever may include a console part disposed on a console of a vehicle, provided with a quadrangular recess, and provided with a slot portion dented inside the quadrangular recess, and a lever part slidably coupled to an upper portion of the quadrangular recess, wherein the lever part includes a magnetic lever pin part, which protrudes downwardly and includes a magnet, on a lower surface thereof, and the magnetic lever pin part is inserted into the slot portion.
US09556949B2 Gear wheel
Gear wheel and method for reducing vibrations transmitted by a rotating shaft. The gear wheel includes an inner part, which is connectable to a cause of vibration, a connection element and a ring gear. The connection element is structured and arranged to reduce vibrations.
US09556934B2 Dual clutch transmission control method, dual clutch transmission, and vehicle mounted therewith
A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission, a dual clutch transmission, and a vehicle equipped with the same which can reduce the load on a clutch on a start gear side to reduce the wear thereof and therefore make the clutch replacement interval longer. There are a first input shaft to be connected to a first clutch and a second input shaft to be connected to a second clutch. A set of odd-numbered gears and a set of even-numbered gears are arranged respectively across the first input shaft and second input shaft and an output shaft. When a vehicle starts, a start gear and a support gear are synchronously engaged to the second input shaft and the first input shaft, respectively, and simultaneously connecting the first clutch and the second clutch partially (half clutch state) to the first input shaft and the second input shaft, respectively, the support gear having a gear ratio smaller than that of the start gear by one speed or higher.
US09556933B2 Eccentric oscillation gear device
Provided is an eccentric oscillation gear device including: a crank shaft having eccentric portions; oscillation gears having insertion holes into which the eccentric portions are inserted; an outer cylinder; and a carrier. The outer cylinder and the carrier concentrically rotate relative to each other by the oscillation of the oscillation gears due to the rotation of the crank shaft. The eccentric oscillation gear device includes a storage unit which stores at least one type of information out of: information on a parameter that originates from a processing error and influences rotation angle characteristics; information on a parameter that changes depending on temperature and influences rotation angle characteristics; and information on a parameter that influences time-dependent change characteristics and influences rotation angle characteristics.
US09556930B2 Conveyor belt fastener and method of manufacture
In one aspect, a conveyor belt fastener is provided having a rigid body made from a strip of cold-rolled or cold-drawn material such as steel. The body has an upper plate portion, a lower plate portion, and loop portions connecting the upper and lower plate portions. The upper and lower plate portions each have a variable cross-sectional thickness laterally thereacross including raised walls projecting outwardly and ribs projecting inwardly. The fastener has at least one attachment member, such as a staple, for connecting the plate portions to a conveyor belt end and the raised walls protect the staple once driven into the conveyor belt end. A method of manufacturing a fastener is also provided including longitudinally advancing a strip of material having a variable cross-sectional thickness laterally thereacross through processing equipment and forming apertures through thinner material of the strip with the processing equipment for attachment member(s) of the fastener.
US09556929B2 End fittings for drive shaft assemblies
An end fitting for a drive shaft includes a shaft weld side having a face configured for fluid communication with an interior of a shaft with the shaft weld side welded to a shaft. The end fitting also includes a coupling side shaped to be operatively connected to a component for transferring rotational motion from the end fitting to the component. The end fitting further includes a pressure relief bore defined in the end fitting between the face of the shaft weld side and the coupling side such that fluid can flow between the shaft weld side and the coupling side through the pressure relief bore.
US09556928B2 Rotary vibration damping arrangement
A torsional vibration damping arrangement, comprises at least one deflection mass pendulum unit with a rotatable carrier, a deflection mass, a deformable restoring element, a supporting element which provides the carrier supporting region, wherein a distance between the carrier supporting region and the deflection mass supporting region can be varied through movement of the supporting element at the carrier, and the supporting element is preloaded in direction of a radially inner base position and is displaceable radially outward against the preloading under centrifugal force action wherein that a radial distance of the supporting element from the base position increases degressively with increasing centrifugal force action at least in one rotational speed range and/or in that a spring stiffness of the restoring element increases progressively at least in one rotational speed range through centrifugal force-induced displacement of the supporting element.
US09556924B2 Shock absorber
A shock absorber includes a damper main body that has a tubular outer shell and a piston rod that advances and retreats freely into and from the outer shell, and that is configured to generate a damping force for suppressing relative movement in an axial direction between the piston rod and the outer shell. The shock absorber includes a tubular dust cover that is connected to the piston rod and is configured to allow the outer shell to advance into an interior thereof and a tubular extension cover that is attached to an outer shell side end of the dust cover in a condition where the outer shell is inserted therein.
US09556916B2 High performance adjustable juicer with whole foods feed chute and clutch mechanism
A clutch mechanism includes first and second shafts having a drive system disposed therebetween, wherein the first shaft is coupled to a drive mechanism. A fixed clutch plate is disposed on the second shaft and includes a plurality of ramped members disposed thereon. An attachment shaft includes a slip clutch plate disposed on a first end and having a plurality of ramped members adapted to releasably couple with the plurality of ramped members disposed on the fixed clutch plate. The slip clutch plate is operable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the fixed clutch plate and a biasing mechanism is disposed on the attachment shaft and configured to bias the slip clutch plate towards the engaged position. The biasing mechanism is further configured to be overcome when a torque force of a predetermined load is realized on the attachment shaft.
US09556913B2 Capacitance measurement in a bearing housing
A bearing arrangement is provided having a bearing mounted in a housing, wherein a grease lubricant is present within the housing for lubricating the bearing. The arrangement further provides a support frame made of an electrically insulating material, arranged in a space within the housing between the bearing and a housing seal. The support frame is provided with at least one electrode pair having first and second electrodes arranged such that a portion of the grease lubricant is located between the first and second electrodes. A capacitance meter is provided for measuring a capacitance between the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes of the at least one electrode pair are provided on a radially oriented surface of the support frame, which surface is arranged such that the grease is able to move in an axial direction over the surface.
US09556912B2 Oil deflector and oil deflector-bearing assembly
An oil deflector is provided comprising a ring-shaped body having a first face and an axial projection extending from the first face. The projection has a radially inwardly facing deflection surface. An oil deflector-bearing assembly includes a bearing, the oil deflector, and a carrier with a plurality of radial oil grooves. The second face of the oil deflector is arranged adjacent to an axial face of the bearing and the carrier is arranged adjacent to the oil deflector so that the projection is at least partially received in one of the oil grooves for deflecting an axial flow of oil.
US09556911B2 Bearing seal for media lubrication
A rolling bearing assembly including a radially inner ring defining an inner race, a radially outer ring defining an outer race, and rolling elements supported between the inner ring and the outer ring is provided. At least one filter seal is arranged between the radially inner ring and the radially outer ring. The at least one filter seal includes a first washer having a first plurality of openings, a second washer having a second plurality of openings, and a filter washer arranged axially between the first and second washers, and the first washer, second washer, and filter washer are laminated together.
US09556908B2 Cage element for rolling bearing assembly
An improved cage element for a cage arrangement in a rolling bearing assembly including rolling elements is provided. The cage element includes a cylindrical middle portion, a first end portion including a first concave outer surface shaped to support a rolling element, and a second end portion including a second concave outer surface shaped to support the rolling element. The first and second end portions are arranged on opposite ends of the cylindrical middle portion, and the first and second concave outer surfaces have identical curvatures.
US09556907B2 Retainer for tapered roller bearing
Gates (G) are uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction only in a large annular section (2). The gates (G) are equal in number to a number of pockets (4). The gates (G) are arranged only at sites positioned on planes (Pa) passing circumferential centers of the respective pockets (4). Weld lines (W) are thus formed only in the vicinity of the planes (Pa) of a small annular section (1).
US09556906B2 Synthetic resin-made sliding bearing
A synthetic resin-made sliding bearing 1 includes a synthetic resin-made upper casing 2 which is fixed to a mounting member on a vehicle body side through a mounting member; a synthetic resin-made lower casing 3 which is superposed on the upper casing 2 so as to be rotatable about an axis O in a circumferential direction R relative to the upper casing 2; and a synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece 5 disposed in a space 4 between the upper casing 2 and the lower casing 3.
US09556902B2 Agricultural tandem pivot assembly
An agricultural implement including a pair of support members and a pivot assembly coupled between the support members. The pivot assembly includes at least one resilient bushing and a side-play restraint system. The resilient bushing being in contact with a portion of the restraint system.
US09556895B2 Insert bolt having anti-turn function
The present invention relates to an insert bolt, and more particularly, to an insert bolt having an anti-turn function, in which one-way teeth are formed on a bottom surface of a bolt head constituting the insert bolt, such that a bolt shaft can turn only in a clockwise direction when casting concrete, thereby preventing the bolt shaft from loosening from a connecting rod. The insert bolt of the present includes: a bolt shaft, a spring coupled to an outer side of the bolt shaft to perform an elastic function, a sliding movement member coupled to the outer side of the bolt shaft and coupled to a lower part of the spring to perform a sliding movement, a supporting rib member positioned in a lower part of the sliding movement member and supporting the sliding movement member and a connecting rod connected to a lower part of the bolt shaft, wherein the bolt shaft includes a disc-shaped head part, and a central shaft in a form of a circular cylinder integrally formed in a center part of the disc-shaped head part, wherein the disc-shaped head part has one-way, a lower part of the central shaft has a screw thread, and the one-way teeth includes an inclined surface and a vertical surface, such that, when an external pressure is applied due to concrete casting, the concrete casting pressure is dispersed through the inclined surface and the concrete casting pressure is aggregated through the vertical surface such that a rotating force is created only in a direction in which the bolt shaft tightens onto the connecting rod.
US09556893B2 Omnidirectional breakaway support system and connector
A connector system having first and second connector segments held together by a rod threadably received in an internal axial bore through each of the first and second connector segments. Each connector segment has a breakaway portion formed from an angled face on one connector segment that cooperates with the mating angled face on the abutting connector segment to form a V-shaped breakpoint between the two connector segments. An intermediate segment can be positioned there between to provide two breakpoints, and multiple intermediate segments can be used for additional breakpoints. Upon impact, the system breaks at the breakpoint and only the rod needs to be in most cases. A longitudinal bore through the rod permits adaption of the rod to selected loads.
US09556885B2 Inlet shroud assembly
An inlet shroud assembly includes a hub and a shroud for a ram air fan. The hub includes a center bore, a first frustoconical section, a plurality of slotted cooling holes located on the first frustoconical section, a second frustoconical section, a plurality of circular cooling holes located on the second frustoconical section, a rim, a central cavity, and an annular cavity. The shroud includes a central disk with a center bore, a circular flange located on a radially outer edge of the central disk, and an outer disk with a web portion and a tip portion, the tip portion having a curved lip.
US09556881B2 Propeller fan
A propeller fan may strongly draw the flow toward the inner circumferential side and greatly improve the pressure efficiency by degrading the tendency of the flow near the pressure surface to be inclined toward the outer circumferential side at the trailing edge of the blade. The blade is provided with a recessed portion raised toward a suction surface at a central portion of a trailing edge of the blade in a radial direction such that the recessed portion is open at least on a pressure surface of the blade, the recessed portion extending from the trailing edge toward a leading edge of the blade, and a cross section of the recessed portion taken in a radial direction is provided with a pair of lateral portions rising at a predetermined angle with respect to the suction surface and facing each other. The span-wise width of the recessed portion between the lateral portions increases as the recessed portion extends from an upstream side to a downstream side.
US09556879B2 Compressor
A compressor is provided with a substantially tubular compressor casing, a substantially circular lid that is provided inside an inner periphery of the compressor casing so as to close off an end surface of the compressor casing, a space that is enclosed by the lid and an inner circumferential surface of the compressor casing so as to accommodate a blade, and seal member that is provided in a circumferential direction on the space side of an outer circumferential surface of the lid, wherein a slit part is provided on the lid, radially inside the outer circumferential surface, where the seal member is provided, so as to extend in the axial direction from the space side of the lid.
US09556877B2 Pump and drive bearing for a pump
A pump for conveying a pump fluid, wherein the pump fluid provided at an inlet pressure at a low pressure side of the pump can be conveyed in the operating state to a high pressure side of the pump rotor by means of a pump rotor rotatably supported about an axis of rotation in a pump stator and wherein a rotor shaft is arranged with the pump rotor at it drive bearing formed as a shaft bearing, characterized in that a lubricating film which is formed from a lubricating fluid formed from the pump fluid can be formed on a drive side of the rotor shaft between the rotor shaft and a drive bearing in a lubricating ring gap, with a lubricant line being provided such that the lubricating fluid can be supplied to the lubricating ring gap between the rotor shaft and the drive bearing.
US09556861B2 Variable displacement swash plate compressor
A variable displacement swash plate compressor that includes a cylinder bore, a swash plate chamber, a swash plate, and a double head piston, which defines first and second compression chambers in the cylinder bore. First and second suction chambers are in communication with the first and second compression chambers, respectively. The displacement of the top dead center of the piston in the first compression chamber is greater than the displacement of the top dead center of the piston in the second compression chamber. A first suction passage extends from a suction port to the first suction chamber without passing through the second suction chamber and the swash plate chamber. A second suction passage extends from the first suction chamber to the second suction chamber.
US09556859B2 Piston pump for delivering fluids, and corresponding assembly process for a piston pump
A piston pump for delivering fluids includes a cylinder, a piston that is movably mounted in the cylinder, and a pressure chamber that is arranged between an inlet valve and an outlet valve and that is closed off by a cover. The piston pump further includes a throttle element that is disposed in the fluid flow downstream of the outlet valve and that is configured to throttle the fluid flow. The throttle element is in the form of a resiliently elastic disk that is inserted into the cover. The cover further includes a mechanism configured to pre-center the throttle element.
US09556852B2 Method of determining individual set points in a power plant controller, and a power plant controller
This invention relates to a method and a power plant controller arranged to carry out the method. The method is on an intelligent dispatching of the power production to wind turbines and optional compensation equipment of a wind power plant, as the power producing units of a wind power plant. The invention relates to a case where the requested produced power (both active and reactive) is less than the total capacity of the power plant, and the invention relates to utilizing this situation to dispatch set points to the wind turbines and the compensation equipment based on correction factors relating to the operating conditions of the wind park. This method may increase the wind turbines' life time, help in scheduling maintenance and expand the electrical operating range of the wind power plant.
US09556851B2 System for reducing vibration in a wind turbine
A system for reducing vibration in a wind turbine includes a mass structure having at least one hole extending therethrough; a rod having a top threaded portion, an upper level stop disposed on or below the threaded portion, and a fixed lower level stop disposed below the upper level stop. The mass structure has a designed weight and shape that, in combination with the adjustable axial distance between the upper level stop and the lower level stop, is designed to provide a properly tuned system for a particular frequency. A base having an aperture designed for receipt of the lower level stop therein is configured for attachment to a component of the wind turbine.
US09556849B2 Attachment system and method for wind turbine vortex generators
A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a rotor blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. A vortex generator accessory is mounted to either of the suction side or pressure side and includes a base portion and a protrusion member extending upwardly from the base portion. An attachment layer connects the base portion to the suction or pressure side. The attachment layer has a lower shear modulus than the base portion to allow for shear slippage between the base portion and the underlying suction or pressure side.
US09556846B2 Engine ignition shutdown module
An engine ignition shutdown module includes a voltage regulator circuit connected to a key switch, and a pair of isolated MOSFET driver circuits connected to the voltage regulator circuit. Each MOSFET driver circuit charges a capacitor while the key switch is in a run position and the interlock switches are closed, and each capacitor discharges through a resistor for a time delay period once the key switch is moved from the run position to an off position or at least one of the interlock switches are opened. A pair of high voltage output MOSFET transistors are switched on while the capacitors discharge and provide an output to a magneto ignition for the time delay period.
US09556842B2 Fuel injection valve, and fuel injection apparatus provided with the same
A fuel injection valve includes: a needle valve with a seat surface at a distal end; a nozzle body with a seat section on which the seat surface rests and with an injection opening disposed downstream of the seat section; and a swirl flow generating section with a spiral groove for causing fuel injected via the injection opening to swirl. The seat surface includes a first contact point. The first contact point contacts a second contact point included in the seat section during valve closing. A line segment that is drawn by connecting the first contact point and the second contact point during valve opening intersects a virtual straight line passing a bottom of a first groove section that appears the most downstream side of a cross section of the swirl flow generating portion in a plane including a central axis of the needle valve and a bottom of a second groove section that appears one step upstream side of the first groove portion. Thus, the fuel that is contracted as it passes through the spiral groove can avoid collision with the needle valve, so that a decrease in a flow velocity of the fuel as it swirls through the spiral groove is suppressed.
US09556837B2 Spring loaded component mounting within fuel tank
A fuel pump module for installation between top and bottom walls of a fuel tank. The housing defines a space accommodating a pump. The fuel pump module includes a mounting component coupled to the housing. The mounting component includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and facing the housing, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The mounting component and the housing are joined with a spring-loaded coupling such that the mounting component is urged away from the housing. The mounting component further includes a U-shaped recess that is concave on the first side of the mounting component. The bottom side of the housing forms a first distal end of the fuel pump module for engaging the bottom wall. The first surface of the mounting component forms a second distal end of the fuel pump module for engaging the top wall.
US09556830B2 Vaporized fuel processing apparatus
A vaporized fuel processing apparatus has a casing defining an adsorption chamber therein and having a tank port, a purge port, and an atmospheric port. The tank port is connected to a fuel tank. The purge port is connected to an internal combustion engine. The atmospheric port is open to the atmosphere. A heater is disposed between the adsorption chamber and the atmospheric port and has a fin heat exchanger and a heating element. The heating element is configured to generate heat by electricity supply. The fin heat exchanger is joined to the heating element. The surface area of the fin heat exchanger between the heating element and the adsorption chamber is larger than the surface area of the fin heat exchanger between the heating element and the atmospheric port.
US09556824B2 Integration of forced EGR/EGR-pump into EGR-cooler
A device for the recycling of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle. The device comprises an exhaust gas heat exchanger constructed with a first housing element with an inlet and an outlet for the exhaust gas and at least one inlet and at least one outlet for a coolant, and a compressor which is constructed with a second housing element with an inlet and an outlet for the exhaust gas. The first housing element of the exhaust gas heat exchanger and the second housing element of the compressor are constructed as a housing connected to a cohesive, compact component so that the exhaust gas heat exchanger and the compressor are arranged inside the housing.
US09556821B2 Piston structure for engine
A piston structure for an engine is provided. The piston structure includes a piston for reciprocating within a cylinder, a connecting rod having a smaller-end part and a larger-end part in both ends, respectively, the smaller-end part coupled to the piston, the larger-end part coupled to a crankshaft, a cross-sectionally hollow piston pin coupling the piston to the smaller-end part, and a dynamic absorber provided inside the piston pin, including a fixed part fixed to the piston pin and a movable part pivotally supported by the fixed part, and for suppressing the piston, the piston pin, and the smaller-end part from integrally resonating with respect to the larger-end part of the connecting rod on combustion stroke. The dynamic absorber includes an assemblable dynamic absorber in which the movable part is formed by attaching a mass adjusting part to the fixed part.
US09556816B2 System for controlling combustion condition in vehicle engine
In a system, a fuel supply increasing unit increases, upon determination that abnormal combustion takes place in at least one cylinder, a quantity of fuel to be supplied into the at least one cylinder in comparison to a quantity of fuel to be supplied into the same cylinder in which no abnormal combustion takes place. A vibration determiner determines whether a level of vibrations of a vehicle has reached a predetermined level. A disabling unit disables, upon determination that the level of vibrations of the vehicle has reached the predetermined level while the fuel supply increasing unit is increasing the quantity of fuel to be supplied into the at least one cylinder, the fuel supply increasing unit from increasing the quantity of fuel to be supplied into the at least one cylinder.
US09556810B2 System and method for regulating exhaust gas recirculation in an engine
The present disclosure includes a system and method for regulating exhaust gas recirculation (“EGR”) in an engine. In one embodiment, the system may include a knock sensor coupled to the engine that sends a signal corresponding to at least one operating condition of the engine to a controller. The controller may estimate an amount of EGR gas administered to the engine and regulate the amount of EGR gas being administered to the engine when the estimated amount of EGR gas is not an effective amount.
US09556809B2 System and method for optimal fueling of an engine
A method for optimal fueling of an engine is disclosed. The method includes determining a quantity of exhaust residuals in each cylinder among a plurality of cylinders in the engine. Further, the method includes determining at least one of an intake and exhaust manifolds temperature, at least one of an intake and exhaust manifolds pressure, and a quantity of a first fuel being injected to each cylinder, and calculating a characteristic temperature of each cylinder based on the quantity of exhaust residuals, at least one of the intake and exhaust manifolds temperature and pressure, and the quantity of the first fuel. The method further includes determining a substitution rate of the first fuel for each cylinder based on the characteristic temperature, and controlling at least one of the quantity of the first fuel, and a quantity of a second fuel being injected to each cylinder based on the substitution rate.
US09556807B2 Transmission system having temperature based input control
A transmission system is disclosed for use with an engine. The transmission system may have a plurality of gear sets, an input member configured to be powered by the engine and to drive the plurality of gear sets, an output member driven by the plurality of gear sets, and at least one clutch configured to selectively engage select gears of the plurality of gear sets. The transmission system may also have a controller in communication with the engine. The controller may be configured to generate an estimated temperature of the at least one clutch. The controller may further be configured to selectively derate the engine based on the estimated temperature.
US09556800B2 Control apparatus for aeroplane gas turbine engine
An apparatus for controlling an aeroplane gas turbine engine has various sensors and devices for operating the engine, and two control channels each calculating a command value for controlling operation of the engine based on signals outputted from the sensors. In each of the control channels, it is determined whether any of the sensors and devices is abnormal based on the signals to determine a failure level of the control channel concerned with a numerical value. The failure level is compared with that of the other control channel and based thereon, the command value calculated by the control channel of smaller failure level is sent to the devices. With this, even when both control channels are failed, the engine control can be continued with taking the failure level into account.
US09556795B2 Integrated heat shield
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle tip assembly having a substantially monolithically formed nozzle body. The nozzle body has an annular outlet chamber for issuing a spray from the nozzle tip. A feed channel is in fluid communication with the outlet chamber through a feed passage. A heat shield void substantially surrounds the feed channel(s).
US09556790B2 Bi-directional tractor exhaust system with ground speed detection
A bi-directional tractor exhaust system with ground speed detection includes a downwardly directed exhaust pipe, an upwardly directed exhaust pipe, and an intermediate exhaust pipe connected to the outlet of a diesel particulate filter. An exhaust pipe valve may be opened or closed by an actuator to direct exhaust through the downwardly directed exhaust pipe during regeneration of the diesel particulate filter if a signal from a ground speed sensor indicates ground speed above a first speed, or through the upwardly directed exhaust pipe if the ground speed is below a second speed.
US09556789B2 Assembly and method for supplying electrical energy to electrical traction motors in a rail vehicle, in particular in a train set
An assembly for supplying electrical energy to electrical traction motors in a rail vehicle, wherein the assembly includes at least one internal combustion engine, a generator allocated to the at least one internal combustion engine for generating the electrical energy, wherein the generator is mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine such that it is driven by the internal combustion engine upon generator operation of the generator, a rectifier for rectifying an electrical alternating current generated by the generator, a direct voltage intermediate circuit that is electrically connected to the generator via the rectifier, a generator inverter that is present in addition to the rectifier or that is the rectifier operated in the inverter mode, wherein the generator inverter connects the direct voltage intermediate circuit to the generator in order to operate the generator in a motor mode as a motor, and a control for controlling the motor mode of the generator.
US09556787B2 Method and system for improving stopping and starting of a turbocharged engine
A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.
US09556785B2 Method and system for binary flow turbine control
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.
US09556782B2 Heat exchanger for vehicle
A heat exchanger for a vehicle includes a heat radiating portion provided with first, second and third connecting lines receiving first, second and third operating fluids, respectively, which heat-exchange with each other while passing through the first, second and third connecting lines, a bifurcating portion adapted for one of the operating fluids to bypass the heat radiating portion according to a temperature of the one operating fluid, and a valve unit mounted at an inflow hole forming the bifurcating portion, selectively opening or closing one of the connecting lines, wherein a plurality of inflow holes and a plurality of exhaust holes for the first, second and third operating fluid are formed in the heat radiating portion and the bifurcating portion.
US09556781B2 Exhaust gas aftertreatment module
An aftertreatment module for the treatment of exhaust gasses from a power system includes a first aftertreatment brick and a second aftertreatment brick. The first and second aftertreatment bricks can be flow-through type catalysts for catalyzing byproducts in the exhaust gasses. The aftertreatment module can include a first channel directing the incoming exhaust gasses in a first direction through the first aftertreatment brick and a second channel directing the exhaust gasses through the second aftertreatment brick. The first and second channel can be in a side-by-side arrangement. To communicate the exhaust gasses between the first and second channels, a traverse channel can redirect the gas flow within the aftertreatment module.
US09556778B2 Waste heat recovery system including a clutched feedpump
An engine including a WHR system includes a clutch positioned to engage or disengage a WHR feedpump that moves working fluid through a WHR circuit. The clutch engages or disengages the feedpump under certain operating conditions of the engine and/or the WHR system, and/or at the request of an operator of the engine. Conditions may include cool or cold components, and insufficient working fluid. The operator may also request the clutch be disengaged, such as might be advantageous if the operator detects an operational problem with the WHR system or determines there is an advantage to operating the engine without the WHR system.
US09556775B2 Reducing agent supplying device
A reducing agent supplying device is for a fuel combustion system that includes a NOx purifying device with a reducing catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage to purify NOx contained in exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The reducing agent supplying device supplies a reducing agent into the exhaust passage at a position upstream of the reducing catalyst. The reducing agent supplying device includes a reforming portion and a reformation suppressing portion. The reforming portion reforms the reducing agent by partially oxidizing the reducing agent. When a temperature of the reducing agent is higher than a first specified temperature that is equal to or higher than an activation temperature of the reducing catalyst, the reformation suppressing portion (i) suppresses the degree of reformation of the reducing agent in comparison with when a temperature of the reducing agent is lower than the first specified temperature, or (ii) stops the reformation of the reducing agent.
US09556773B2 Multistage plate mixer
A mixing and/or evaporating device (12) for an exhaust system (5) of an internal combustion engine (1) encloses in the circumferential direction a cross section, through which flow is possible. The device (12) has two mutually opposite long side walls (21, 22) and two mutually opposite short side walls (23, 24). The short side walls (23, 24) connect each the two long side walls (21, 22) to one another. A plurality of guide blades (25), which project in the direction of the other long side wall (21, 22) and are set at an angle in relation to the axial direction (20), are arranged at at least one axial end (26, 27) at at least one long side wall (21, 22). Additional guide blades (29) are arranged at at least one long side wall (21, 22) at a distance (s) in the axial direction (20) from an axial end (26).
US09556772B2 Fuel tank and liquid tank configuration for a work vehicle
A work vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank that has a fuel supply inlet and stores engine fuel, and a liquid tank that has a liquid supply inlet and stores purification liquid that is used in purification of engine exhaust gas. The liquid tank is protected by the fuel tank so that the liquid tank is not directly exposed to hot air from the engine.
US09556769B2 Honeycomb structure comprising an outer cement skin and a cement therefor
A honeycomb catalyst support structure including a honeycomb body and an outer layer or skin formed of a cement is described. The cement includes an amorphous glass powder with a multimodal particle size distribution applied to an exterior surface of the honeycomb body. The multimodal particle size distribution is achieved through the use of a first glass powder having a first median particle size and at least a second glass powder having a second median particle size. In some embodiments, the first and second glass powders are the same amorphous glass consisting of fused silica. The cement may further include a fine-grained, sub-micron sized silica in the form of colloidal silica. The cement exhibits a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 15×10−7/° C., and preferably about 5×10−7/° C. after drying.
US09556764B2 Individual piston squirter switching with crankangle resolved control
One variation may include a product comprising a piston oil squirting system comprising at least one piston oil squirter operatively communicating with at least one engine oil channel and which is constructed and arranged to squirt oil at at least one piston; and at least one mechanism which is constructed and arranged to control a flow rate and a timing of at least one oil jet stream from the at least one piston oil squirter so that the oil jet stream flows at single or multiple intervals from a zero to a maximum flow rate within an engine cycle or a crankshaft revolution.
US09556760B2 Low friction shim surface
A variable valve actuating mechanism comprising a camshaft having two concentric cam lobes that may be rotated relative to one another a summation lever engaging with both cam lobes, a valve actuating rocker pivotally connected to the summation lever and engaging with a hydraulic lash adjuster at a first end and with a valve at a second end, and a shim surface movable with the pivot axis connecting the summation lever to the valve actuating rocker for limiting the expansion of the hydraulic lash adjuster to control clearance in the rocker system, wherein, in order to reduce friction, the shim surface abuts with a stationary stop surface that forms part of a camshaft support bearing.
US09556749B2 Exhaust gas housing for a gas turbine and gas turbine having an exhaust gas housing
An exhaust gas housing for a gas turbine, in which an annular gas passage, through which exhaust gas discharges from the gas turbine to the outside, is formed by a concentric inner casing and an outer casing which concentrically encompasses the inner casing at a distance, wherein the inner casing and the outer casing are interconnected by a plurality of radial struts which extend through the gas passage and have in each case a leading edge and a trailing edge with regard to the exhaust gas flowing through the gas passage, and wherein the struts, the outer casing and the inner casing are equipped in each case with a heat-resistant lining towards the gas passage, wherein the lining of the struts is at least partially mechanically decoupled from the lining of the inner casing and/or of the outer casing for reducing thermal stresses on the periphery of the struts.
US09556747B2 Methods for retrofitting a turbomachine
Methods for retrofitting a turbomachine are provided. A first trip cup of the turbomachine may be replaced with a second trip cup. The first trip cup may include a throw-out arm connected to a first trip cup spring. The second trip cup may include a plunger disposed in a hole defined by the second trip cup and a plunger spring encircling the plunger in the hole. The first trip cup may be removed from the turbomachine and the second trip cup installed such that a location of the plunger in the turbomachine is the same as a location of the throw-out arm in the turbomachine when the first trip cup was installed on the turbomachine. The tension in the plunger spring may be adjusted such that, when a speed of the turbomachine exceeds a predetermined value, the plunger actuates a trip paddle located adjacent the second trip cup.
US09556745B2 Turbine engine vane plate seal
A plate closes the main part of a vane in two parts. An internal cavity is closed by the plate. Around a bearing surface of the plate, a groove receives an elastic seal, and the outer edge of the plate extends over the groove to compress the seal and to establish excellent leak proofing. The position of the plate may be guaranteed by centring pins penetrating into holes adjacent to the seal and which it fills when the pins have been removed, which completes the closing of the cavity. The plate has application in particular to stationary gas guide vanes in turbine engines.
US09556743B2 Visual indicator of coating thickness
In some examples, a coating may include at least one feature that facilitates visual determination of a thickness of the coating. For example, the coating may include a plurality of microspheres disposed at a predetermined depth of the coating. The plurality of microspheres may define a distinct visual characteristic. By inspecting the coating and viewing at least one of the microspheres, the thickness of the coating may be estimated. In some examples, the plurality of microspheres may be embedded in a matrix material, and the distinct visual characteristic of the microspheres may be different than the visual characteristic of the matrix material. In other examples, the at least one feature may include at least one distinct layer in the coating system that includes a distinct visual characteristic, such as a color of the distinct layer.
US09556740B2 Turbine engine blade, in particular for a one-piece bladed disk
A turbine engine blade comprising an airfoil extending axially between a leading edge and a trailing edge and extending radially between a root and a tip. The leading edge of the airfoil presents a sweep angle that is positive and that increases continuously from the root to a first radial height of the airfoil situated in the range 20% to 40% of the total radial height of the airfoil as measured from the root to the tip, and decreases continuously from this first radial height of the airfoil to the tip.
US09556734B2 Tunnel segment cross gasket
A tunnel segment radial cross gasket includes a base side or face and a top side or face. A plurality of longitudinally extending spaced parallel grooves are disposed on the base side. One or more longitudinally oriented bores, which are spaced from each other, extend through the gasket. The top face of the gasket includes first and second sections, with the second section being tapered or angled in relation to the first section.
US09556733B2 Tunnel boring machine disc cutters and related methods of manufacture
In an embodiment, a disc cutter for use on a tunnel boring machine may include a shaft and a cutter assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft. The cutter assembly may include a cutter ring extending circumferentially about a central axis and one or more bearing apparatuses rotatably mounting the cutter assembly to the shaft. Each bearing apparatuses may include a rotor extending circumferentially about the central axis and a first plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about the central axis. Each first superhard bearing element may be attached to the rotor and may include a bearing surface. The bearing apparatuses may further include a stator extending circumferentially about the central axis and a second plurality of superhard bearing elements attached to the stator that are generally opposed to the first plurality of superhard bearing elements of the rotor.
US09556726B2 Use of a fractal antenna in array dielectric logging
An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating an earth formation; a first fractal-shaped antenna element disposed on the carrier and configured to at least one of transmit electromagnetic energy into the formation and receive electromagnetic energy from the formation; and a second fractal-shaped antenna element electrically connected to the first fractal-shaped antenna element at a connection and configured to at least one of transmit electromagnetic energy into the formation and receive electromagnetic energy from the formation; wherein the second fractal-shaped antenna element is substantially a mirror image of the first fractal antenna element with respect to a reflection about the connection.
US09556725B2 System and method for downhole communication
A method of servicing a wellbore extending from a surface and penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The method comprises placing an assembly in the wellbore, wherein the assembly comprises at least a first downhole tool, a signal receiver subassembly, and a conveyance between the first downhole tool and the surface. The method further comprises the signal receiver subassembly receiving a first signal generated by contact between the wellbore and the assembly and initiating a first function of the first downhole tool based on the first signal.
US09556724B2 Method for determining parameters of a bottomhole and a near-bottomhole zone of a wellbore
Whiles moving a pipe string in a wellbore during tripping operations, pressure and temperature are measured. Based on the measured pressure and temperature, such parameters of a bottomhole and a near-bottomhole zone of the wellbore are calculated as skin factor, permeability, reservoir thickness, bottomhole pressure, and outflow or inflow from/to the zone under consideration.
US09556722B2 Method for establishing a relief well
The invention relates to a method of extracting oil from a reservoir. The method comprises the following steps: drilling of a first well; mounting and cementing of well pipes in the first well; mounting of a Blow Out Preventer or Lubricator in the top of the well. At a distance from this well, a second well is drilled against a section of the first well such that the second well gets into operational contact with the first well. Hereafter well pipes are mounted and cemented in the second well; a Blow Out Preventer or Lubricator is mounted in the top of the second well; where after the drilling from the first or the second well is continued down into the reservoir.
US09556720B2 System and method for performing downhole stimulation operations
A system and method for performing stimulation operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with of a reservoir therein is provided. The method involves generating a plurality of quality indicators from a plurality of logs, and combining the plurality of quality indicators to form a composite quality indicator. The composite quality indicator may be combined with a stress log to form a combined stress and composite quality indicator, the combined stress and composite quality indicator comprising a plurality of blocks with boundaries therebetween. The method may further comprise identifying classifications for the plurality of blocks; defining stages along the combined stress and composite quality indicator based on the classifications; and selectively positioning perforations in select stages based on the classifications thereon.
US09556719B1 Methods for recovering hydrocarbons from shale using thermally-induced microfractures
One or more specific embodiments herein includes a method for recovering hydrocarbon gas from a shale formation comprising injecting oxidizer through a horizontal wellbore into a fracture in the shale formation comprising pores containing hydrocarbon gas, and recovering some of the hydrocarbon gas from the shale formation. Some of the injected oxidizer combusts and increases the temperature of a portion of the shale formation and of the hydrocarbon gas contained in some of the pores in the shale formation, the pressure of some of the hydrocarbon gas increases to a point sufficient to cause formation of new fractures, and some of the hydrocarbon gas passes from the pores through some of the new fractures and is recovered. Preferably, one or more specific embodiments further comprises injecting hydraulic fracturing fluid into the first fracture after the one or more second fractures is formed, sometimes referred to as re-fracing.
US09556714B2 Liner hanger and method for installing a wellbore liner
A liner hanger assembly to run-in a liner on a liner hanger, cement the liner in place and set the liner hanger in one trip. Then, a wellbore treatment process can proceed while the running string remains downhole or via a second trip. The liner hanger assembly includes a liner hanger running tool and a liner hanger.
US09556710B2 Apparatus and method for recovering fluids from a well and/or injecting fluids into a well
Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
US09556707B2 Eletric subsurface safety valve with integrated communications system
Certain aspects and features are directed to an electric subsurface safety valve including an integrated communications system that can be disposed in a wellbore. The electric subsurface safety valve can include a body adapted to be coupled to a cable, a communications system disposed in the body, and a closure mechanism. The body can be disposed within the wellbore. The communications system can include one or more transceiving devices and a processing device. The transceiving devices can communicate signals via the cable to a rig at the surface and can wirelessly communicate signals to target tool in the well system. The processing device can process signals received by the one or more transceiving devices for communication via the cable. The closure mechanism can be positioned in a passageway defined by the wellbore and can control a flow of fluid to through the passageway.
US09556705B2 Casing joint assembly for producing an annulus gas cap
A casing joint assembly and methods for producing an annulus gas cap using the casing joint assembly. The casing joint assembly comprises a first valve and a second valve to control fluid pressure in the sealed annulus between the casing string and a wall of the well bore or another casing string.
US09556703B2 Swellable elastomer and its use in acidizing or matrix stimulation
The current application discloses compositions and methods for treating a subterranean formation. CO2 swellable elastomers can be used in a treatment fluid to at least partially block a high permeability region, therefore improving the performance of an operation such as matrix stimulation, acidizing, and acid fracturing.
US09556701B2 Telescoping latching mechanism for casing cementing plug
Improved cementing plugs and methods of using these cementing plugs in subterranean wells are disclosed. A cementing plug comprises a hollow mandrel and one or more wiper elements coupled to the mandrel. A nose is coupled to the hollow mandrel and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A portion of the nose is positioned within the mandrel when in the retracted position. This portion of the nose is positioned outside the mandrel when in the extended position.
US09556698B2 Landing system
A system includes a landing system with a landing member configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position inside an axial bore of a mineral extraction system component. The landing system further includes a shaft configured to drive the landing member in a first radial direction. The landing system further includes an actuation system configured to move the shaft in the first radial direction within the axial bore to move the landing member into the extended position. The landing system further includes a spring configured to drive the shaft in a second radial direction to retract the landing member.
US09556696B2 Window milling systems with expandable blades for securing a whipstock assembly and method of use
A window milling system can include a window mill having selectively retractable and extendable blades, and a whipstock assembly having a receptacle therein, the window mill being secured relative to the whipstock assembly the blades are received in the receptacle. A method of cutting a window through a wellbore lining can include cutting through the lining with a window mill, then retracting blades of the window mill, and then outwardly extending the blades in a whipstock assembly, thereby securing the whipstock assembly to the window mill. A window mill can include multiple blades adapted for cutting through a wellbore lining, the blades being outwardly extendable relative to a body of the window mill in a well. Another method of cutting a window through a wellbore lining can include a window mill drilling a wellbore outward a substantial distance from the window after the window mill cutting through the lining.
US09556694B2 Apparatus and method for a motorless seismic tool
Method and apparatus for collecting data. The apparatus for a motorless seismic tool includes a body; a motorless clamping mechanism connected to the body; and an anchoring arm attached to the body and the motorless clamping mechanism. The motorless clamping mechanism is configured to close or open the anchoring arm based on gravity.
US09556692B1 Vacuum assisted post hole digger tool and apparatus with rotary clog breaker
A tool for boring holes in soil includes an elongated tubular housing which has disposed through its length a bore having an upper opening coupleable to a vacuum source and a lower opening coupled to the bore of a ring-shaped bore head having circumferentially spaced apart cutting teeth protruding downwards from the bore head. A zig-zag shaped unclogger bar disposed coaxially through the bore head and rotated by a drive shaft disposed coaxially through the tubular and housing and protruding through a bearing in an upper end of the housing and driven by a rotary power source such as an electric motor fixed to the housing fragments lumps of clay or wet soil lodged in the bore of the housing, facilitating removal of soil and clay, which are severed by twisting the tool around its longitudinal axis by manipulating handle bars protruding from the upper end of the housing.
US09556688B2 Raise-assist and smart energy system for a pipe handling apparatus
The invention relates to a pipe handling apparatus that delivers and positions tubulars at a wellhead and a device for assisting pivotal movement of a boom relative to a base of the apparatus. A pneumatic spring assembly is pivotally connected between the boom and base. During operation, the pneumatic spring assembly urges the boom from a first position to a second position and resists movement of the boom from the second position to the first position. A pneumatic reservoir may be attached to the pipe handling apparatus. A gas-charging assembly fluidically connects the pneumatic spring assembly and pneumatic reservoir and allows the pneumatic reservoir to vary the pneumatic pressure within the pneumatic spring assembly. Sensors mounted in the pipe handling apparatus may provide feedback to a controller which may automatically adjust the amount of pneumatic pressure within the pneumatic springs for ideal performance of the springs.
US09556684B2 Cover assembly for a directional drilling machine
A cover assembly having a frame with a base, a plurality of support members that extend upwardly from the base, a plurality of horizontal braces that are connected to and extend between the support members, and a pair of generally vertical braces that extend between the forward most support member and a machine. A cover is fitted over the support members and is connected to the base using a plurality of fastening members.
US09556683B2 Earth boring tool with improved arrangement of cutter side rakes
Earth boring tools with a plurality of fixed cutters have side rake or lateral rakes configured for improving chip removal and evacuation, drilling efficiency, and/or depth of cut management as compared with conventional arrangements.
US09556682B2 Underreamer for increasing a wellbore diameter
An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer may include a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. An electromagnetic activation system may be disposed at least partially within the bore of the body. A valve may be disposed within the bore of the body and coupled to the electromagnetic activation system. The valve may include a mobile element and a static element. The mobile element may be coupled to the electromagnetic activation system and move from a first position where the mobile element obstructs fluid flow through the valve to a second position where the mobile element permits fluid flow through the valve. A cutter block may be movably coupled to the body and move radially-outward as the mobile element moves from the first position to the second position.
US09556681B2 External, divorced PDC bearing assemblies for hybrid drill bits
A hybrid-type earth boring drill bit is described having fixed cutting blades and rolling cones with cutting elements, wherein the rolling cones are associated with a spindle assembly that may be optionally divorced from the head pin assembly, and which includes bearing members that further include a plurality of polycrystalline diamond elements.
US09556678B2 Drilling system, biasing mechanism and method for directionally drilling a borehole
A drilling system for directional drilling of a borehole includes a biasing mechanism having a pivot associated with a lower bearing assembly, an offset mechanism associated with an upper radial bearing assembly, and a toolface controller, whereby the angular relationship of a drill bit and its toolface angle may be actively managed.
US09556675B2 Mobile ladder support assembly
A mobile ladder support assembly provides stable lateral and rear support, and transportability for operation of a ladder. A lateral support bar restricts lateral tilting by the assembly. A pair of height adjustable rear support bars restrict backwards tilting by the assembly. A pair of caster wheels transport the assembly and the ladder. The wheels ride a pivot bar that rotates in a first direction for a stationary position. When the pivot bar is manipulated towards the second direction, the pair of wheels drop to a mobile position. Springs at the ends of the pivot bar create tension that maintains the pivot bar in the first position. Tabs selectively engage a notches to retain the wheels in the stationary position, or release the wheels to the mobile position. The free rotation and swivel of the wheels creates a center of mass that drop the wheels to the mobile position.
US09556671B1 Privacy screening and track system
The privacy screening and track system is a modularly constructible screen system that provides screen panels on tracks such that screen panels may be optionally opened or closed as might windows be. The system provides corner posts, center posts, and end posts joinable to top and bottom tracks wherein the modularity is continued as desired. The system also provides components that can be cut as needed, even by a novice, such that both manufactured fit and user custom fit are possible. Screens provide translucent views and alternately transparent views.
US09556667B2 Method and apparatus for establishing an environmentally isolated volume
A method and apparatus are provided for at least partially environmentally isolating a volume, such as by environmentally isolating the cargo compartment from the passenger compartment of an aircraft. In the context of an apparatus, a barrier curtain is provided that partially defines the volume. The apparatus also includes a cable extending along one or more walls that partially define the volume. The barrier curtain is supported by the cable. The apparatus may also include a cable release mechanism. The cable is held in place by the cable release mechanism and the cable release mechanism is configured to detach the cable at a predetermined load, thereby permitting the barrier curtain to drop in response to a decompression event.
US09556665B2 Door system and method of making
According to some embodiments, a multi-panel door system includes a fixed panel and an active panel. Both panels are secured to the astragal of the door frame by securement members driven into and through hinges connected to the active panel, through the astragal, and into the fixed panel. The securement members are driven through a middle portion of the astragal stem in order to align the fixed and active panels in a recessed position with respect to the door frame. The fixed panel and the active panel are coplanar. Hinge support plates are placed between the hinges and the astragal and communicate forces transmitted through the securement members into deeper portions of the astragal.
US09556662B2 Window regulator and method of providing articulating motion to a window in a vehicle door
A window regulator is provided for a window in a vehicle door. The window regulator includes a drive mechanism having a first cable and a second cable. The first cable is connected to the window at a first connection point and the second cable is connected to the window at a second connection point. The two cables are driven at different speeds so that the window is rotated with respect to the vehicle door panel as the window is displaced between a fully closed position and a fully opened position.
US09556660B2 Damped hinge assemblies
A damped hinge assembly is provided that comprises a hinge unit (10) and a damping unit (14). A mechanism is provided for connecting the two units together for purposes of transportation and handling, as well as for ease of installation. The connecting mechanism allows the units to move relative to one another between a transit state, which allows access for installation purposes, and a working position in which the damping unit is operative to provide resistance to closing movement of a door.
US09556658B2 Door checker for vehicle
A door checker for a vehicle includes a hinge rotatably connecting a door to a vehicle body and having a shaft, a slider penetratingly inserted into the shaft and linearly moving with rotational force of the shaft, and a checking unit linearly reciprocating in a radial direction of the shaft by the slider. By implementing a manipulation feeling in opening and closing a door by increasing a section for checking the door by converting a rotational movement of the door into a linear movement based on a screw principle, operability can be improved to enhance marketability, and durability can be enhanced by increasing the section for implementing operating force for opening and closing a door.
US09556652B2 Sliding fenestration control device
A window or door limiting device is described having a striker assembly mounted on a window sash or door panel and a corresponding limiting assembly mounted on an adjacent window sash or door panel. The limiting assembly selectively engages the striker assembly with a rotary element to restrict movement of at least one of the first or second window sash or door panel relative to the other of the first or second window sash or door panel. The rotary element is rotatable to selectively engage or disengage the striker assembly to correspondingly restrict movement of one or more of the window sashes or door panels.
US09556649B1 Key identification system
A key identification system that includes a key identification system housing, a key clamp, a key ring support tray, and two digital identifiers is disclosed. The key identification system housing may include a key receiving aperture extending through housing and sized to receive at least some of a key blade of a key. The key clamp is positioned adjacent to the key receiving aperture and allows the system to maintain the key blade in a fixed position within the key identification system housing when the key is inserted into the key receiving aperture. The key ring support tray is typically coupled to the key identification system housing below the key receiving aperture. The two digital identifiers are positioned within the key identification system housing and designed to capture key blade information.
US09556646B2 Latch actuating device
The present invention is directed to a latch actuating device that includes a handle and a base. The handle has a cavity that houses a lockset, a drive cam, and a driven cam. The drive cam has a protrusion that is removably received within a locking receptacle in the base so as to permit and restrict rotation of the handle with respect to the base. The drive cam causes the driven cam to translate along a rotational axis of the drive cam when the drive cam is rotated by the lockset, thus effectuating the insertion and retraction of the protrusion with respect to the locking receptacle.
US09556642B1 Fence post puller
The fence post puller is a system that is adapted to extract a fence post from a ground. The fence post puller includes a lift plate that is used to extract said fence post, and a chain that is optionally used to force the fence post out of the ground via auxiliary means. The lift plate also includes a lift hole that is selectively attached to a hoist arm. The hoist arm is attached to a bottle jack, which is used to raise the lift plate and fence post. The bottle jack is affixed to a jack platform that disperses across a large surface area so as not to sink in an unstable ground or soil environment.
US09556638B2 Portable hunting blind
A portable hunting blind having a fabric panel supported and retained by a blind frame, which together bound a concealed space is provided. The blind frame includes two spaced apart horizontal members and a supporting framework for holding the two spaced apart horizontal members parallel to each other and above a supporting surface by a predetermined height, wherein all components of the blind frame are assembled by slidably mating. The fabric panel is dimensioned and adapted to be supported by an exterior of the two spaced apart horizontal members and the supporting framework so as to bound the concealed space. The fabric panel provides a plurality of strap fasteners for removably securing to the components of the blind frame by simply wrapping around them, thereby making the portable hunting blind light weight and to easily assemble without additional parts or tools.
US09556636B2 Method and apparatus for erecting tower with hydraulic cylinders
A method and apparatus for constructing a tower, where the apparatus may include a structure including a foundation including a plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a truss tower located on the foundation and configured to support a tower built on the foundation; and a controller configured to control extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinders.
US09556634B2 Garage floor barrier system
A garage floor barrier system for installation onto a garage floor for segregating debris. The barrier system includes rail portions, connectors, and cover members. The rail portion includes a notch on a bottom side to aid in installation and provides a recess for the placement of adhesive during attachment. The connectors allow for corner, angle, and straight connection and are constructed in a shape and dimension allowing for flexion. The barrier system is installed continuous around a parked vehicle and allows a user to both contain and easily remove trapped debris.
US09556631B2 System and method for the selective repair of roofing shingles
The invention is primarily directed to a system and method of selectively repairing asphalt-based shingles having embedded granular material. The system and method of the invention also comprises the use of devices specifically designed and used to template repaired shingles and protect surrounding shingles from adhesives and a shingle frame device to aid in applying, leveling and compressing granules onto the damaged shingle. The system and method of the claimed invention comprises the steps of removal of debris from the damaged area, application of a base coat adhesive to the damaged area, embedding color-matched granules in the base coat and application of a top coat sealant that permanently bonds the repaired layers to the original roofing material.
US09556621B2 Pedestal elevation system
An elevating leveling pedestal having a base rotatably attached to a first coupling end to collectively create a height adjustment mechanism, a second coupling end non-rotatably attached to a first end of a non-threaded midsection of predetermined length with a second end non-rotatably attached to a head assembly to support, secure, and level a surface installed over a non-sloping or sloping sub-surface. The head assembly comprising a support-head overlying and attached to a cap with either the support-head or the cap having a convex mating surface and the other having a concave mating surface making the support-head and the cap slidably re-positionable with respect to each other along their mating surface resulting in the support-head being tiltable with respect to said cap from zero to seven degrees. A recess is formed in a bottomed-well in the support surface of the support-head for supporting a double-ended bushing to interact with locking devices.
US09556618B2 Panel with compressible projections and masonry wall system including the panel
A wall panel, a masonry wall system, and a method are described. Masonry units are used with wall panels to make a masonry wall. The wall panel has a back face and a front face. The front face has multiple ribs which engage the masonry units, where each rib has top and bottom sides. The bottom sides of the ribs have multiple compressible projections with cavities which can be deformed so as to retain the masonry unit in the panel. Each masonry unit has a body with a front face, a back face, and top and lateral faces. The back face and top lateral face form a back peripheral edge, and the top lateral face has at least one tooth for securing the masonry unit in the panel. In operation, the tooth compresses the projections of the horizontal ribs, thereby securing the masonry unit in the panel.
US09556616B2 Light roofing system
A light roofing system is formed of a substrate layer and a waterproof surface layer. The waterproof surface layer comprises a functional coating layer made of functional paint and a waterproof layer made of waterproof paint, the functional paint comprises a base material and functional materials, and the functional materials comprise an inorganic flaky material, an inorganic high-rigidity wear-resistant material, and polymer powder with good toughness. The addition amount of the inorganic flaky material accounts for 1% to 8% of the total weight of the functional paint, the addition amount of the inorganic high-rigidity wear-resistant material accounts for 2% to 15% of the total weight of the functional paint, and the addition amount of the polymer powder with good toughness accounts for 1% to 8% of the total weight of the functional paint.
US09556608B2 Roof erection system and assembly kit
Described herein is a truss/rafter roof erection system and kit that include H brackets that attach to a drop gable and are set to desired height. The first bracket attaches to a gable bracket piece and when the next truss is put in place a first and a second bar member are then slid into place, is pinned and fastened with a security cable. A security cable wraps around the truss or rafter and is secured into place with a one-way locking apparatus. At the finish (or other end of the roof) of the roof on the drop gable, or rafter, a second H bracket is fastened in the same manner as the starter end and is connected to a bar member.
US09556598B2 Jet regulator
A jet regulator, having a non-circular profile when viewed in a flow direction, is provided. The jet regulator includes a jet regulator housing configured to be inserted into a water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting from an outlet end side. The housing includes a latching part, which has at least one spring arm integrally formed on an outer periphery of the jet regulator housing, the at least one spring arm extending tangentially away from the housing, in the flow direction, toward a free arm end. The at least one spring arm is resiliently biased away from the housing.
US09556593B2 Display system of excavating machine and excavating machine
A display system of an excavating machine that includes a work machine having a bucket, and a main body to which the work machine is attached, the display system includes: a storage unit configured to store at least position information of a design surface; a display unit configured to display the position information of the design surface on a screen; and a processing unit configured to display an outer edge of a second plane of the design surface, the second plane including a first plane existing in the design surface, the second plane existing in a part of a periphery of the first plane, on the screen of the display unit, in a different form from inside and outside of the outer edge.
US09556589B2 Working machine and control system
A working machine comprising a ground engaging structure and a propulsion system for moving the working machine via the ground engaging structure. A body is supported on the ground engaging structure, and a working arm is connected to the body and has a carriage at one end for receiving an attachment. A control system is provided for selectively and variably oscillating the carriage.
US09556588B2 Floor member and working machine
A floor member includes a floor plate extending in a length direction along a front-rear direction of a cab. The floor plate includes front-left corner portion, front-right corner portion, rear-left corner portion, and rear-right corner portion; a first vertical beam member; a second vertical beam member; and a plurality of support members which support the first vertical beam member, the second vertical beam member, and the floor plate in respective regions including a region where the front-left corner portion and a first front end overlap each other, a region where the rear-left corner portion and a first rear end overlap each other, a region where the front-right corner portion and a second front end overlap each other, and a region where the rear-right corner portion and a second rear end overlap each other.
US09556584B2 Excavator with side mounted silt fence installer
An excavator machine with a side mounted silt fence installing tool mounted below the swivel. The excavator has a swiveling and articulating tool and an operator's seat above the swivel. An articulating arm is attached above the swivel so the operator may operate swiveling and articulating tool in a coordinated way with the silt fence installer to accomplish a job more efficiently than it could be accomplished using tools separately mounted one at a time.
US09556581B2 Pile cap connectors
Pile cap connectors are attached to pipe piles and are secured to an existing building so that the existing building is supported by an array of the deeply driven pipe piles which serve as the foundation for the building. Alternative pile cap connectors are length adjustable to span the distance between the top of the drill driven pipe piles and the underside of the lifted existing building. The pile cap connectors are an integral part of a method using low-overhead equipment to construct a deep piling foundation for an existing building where the method involves lifting the existing building to a predetermined elevation above grade and positioning cribbing stacks to support the existing building at the predetermined elevation above grade. The cribbing stacks are spaced from each other enabling low-overhead equipment to maneuver underneath the elevated building to drill drive the pipe piles at designated locations to provide optimal support for the building. Grout is pumped under pressure into the pipe piles continuously during the drill driving of the pipe piles so that grout exits through a grout port to mix with disturbed soil about the pipe pile to encase the pipe pile in a grout-soil mixture.
US09556575B2 Adjustable self-leveling boat bumper system
An adjustable self-leveling boat bumper system attaches to a nautical structure associated with a body of water, and includes a longitudinal main guide, a longitudinal adjustment guide connected to a float element, a receiver, a boat bumper connected to the receiver, and an adjustment lock. The main and adjustment guides are oriented perpendicularly to a water surface. The receiver includes a main guide aperture and an adjustment aperture. The main and adjustment guides are moveably engaged with the main guide and adjustment apertures, respectively. The lock determines whether the adjustment guide is moveable. The float element provides a buoyancy force that maintains the receiver and float at a particular position along the main guide relative to the tide level of a body of water.
US09556569B2 Screed system for paving machine
A screed system for a paving machine. The screed system includes a screed plate coupled to a screed frame of the paving machine. The screed plate includes a primary heating member. The screed system further includes a secondary heating member movably coupled to the screed frame and disposed to a rear end of the screed plate.
US09556567B2 Methods and apparatus for sidewalk tiles
A system and method for forming concrete tiles for use in concrete walkways and concrete patios and courtyards. The system includes a unitary frame with two or more slanted sidewalls with a plurality of pickup points placed within an interior opening of the unitary frame. Concrete poured into the interior opening of the frame forms a beveled or slanted concrete sidewalk tile. The pickup points are buried in the beveled concrete sidewalk tiles. When an opening in the pickup points is uncovered, a means to pick and place the beveled concrete sidewalk tiles is provided. Slanted or beveled sidewalls prevent binding to or interference with adjacent slanted or beveled sidewalk tiles to facilitate lifting.
US09556563B1 Paper pulp molding device
A paper pulp molding device has a reversing demolding mechanism and a vacuum set. The reversing demolding mechanism has a transmission set and at least one suction set. The at least one suction set is rotatable and driven by the transmission set. Each one of the at least one suction set has multiple sucking structures. Each sucking structure has a hollow unit and a vacuum suction disc communicating with the hollow unit. The vacuum set has a vacuum apparatus and multiple hoses. Each hose respectively communicates with the hollow unit of one of the sucking structures and the vacuum apparatus. The vacuum suction disc of each sucking structure enlarges the contact area between the vacuum suction disc and a container to reinforce the suction force produced by the vacuum apparatus.
US09556561B2 Stack of a plurality of cellulose-containing absorbent towels and a process for manufacturing the stack
A stack of a plurality of cellulose-containing absorbent towels for a dispenser is provided. The towels are separable upon dispensing. The stack is compressed to a predetermined density dependent on material choice.
US09556559B2 Forming wire
A fabric tape or forming wire for a fibrous web manufacturing or processing machine, includes an upper fabric layer having upper longitudinal threads and interwoven first crossthreads, and a lower fabric layer having lower longitudinal threads and interwoven lower crossthreads. The fabric layers are stacked and the weaving pattern of the tape repeats. A ratio of upper to lower longitudinal threads in a repeat is smaller than one. The upper and lower longitudinal threads in each repeat are in first and second groups. Each first group is formed by an upper longitudinal thread and two lower longitudinal threads thereunder. Each second group is formed by an upper longitudinal thread and a lower longitudinal thread thereunder. In a perpendicular projection onto the fabric layers, the upper and lower longitudinal threads in each group are not or slightly offset forming a maximum free space of a half upper longitudinal thread diameter therebetween.
US09556550B2 Device for the wet-treatment of laundry
A device for the sealing of an external drum of a continuous-flow washing machines in relation to the internal drum in a more reliable manner and to prevent the risk of treatment liquid flooding from the one treatment chamber into the adjacent treatment chamber if a seal leaks by providing separate seals between adjacent external drums by each of the end faces of the adjacent external drums which point to one another having assigned thereto an own, preferably identically realized seal. In continuous-flow washing machines stationary external drums are assigned to some treatment chambers in a rotatingly drivable internal drum. Said stationary external drums have to be sealed relative to the treatment chambers of the rotatable internal drum. If one common seal is provided between adjacent external drums, if there are leaks, this results in total failure with treatment liquid flooding from the external drum into the adjacent external drum.
US09556549B2 Clothes mover for an automatic washer
A washing machine for treating laundry comprising a basket rotatable about a first rotational axis, having a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall to at least partially define a treating chamber; a clothes mover proximate the bottom wall, having a base with a centrally located hub concentric with a second rotational axis about which the clothes mover reciprocally rotates; and at least one vane having an elongated body extending away from the hub and projecting upwardly from the clothes mover to terminate in a tip.
US09556548B2 Method for selective display of yarn in a tufted fabric with offset rows of needles
A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of the same sequence of colored yarns on front and rear staggered needle bars to yield sufficient gauge stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors et, and utilizing optimized tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
US09556547B1 Sewing machine that is capable of detecting sewing target feeding length
A sewing machine can detect a sewing target feeding length, and includes: a presser rod, a presser main body detachably mounted on the presser rod, a movable presser portion mounted on the presser main body such that it can be pressed in contact with a sewing target in the sewing operation, and such that it is movable with the sewing target in feeding and reverse feeding directions; a movement transmission portion configured having one end that can be coupled with the movable presser portion, and having an other end that receives a position change of the one end; a slide volume that detects the position change of the other end, and a calculation unit that calculates the position change of the movable presser portion based on the detection result obtained by the slide volume.
US09556544B2 Heddle for a loom, in particular a circular loom
A heddle (10) is provided for weaving strip-shaped warp yarn. Said heddle (10) includes a heddle shaft (12) formed by two shaft parts (13). Said shaft parts (13) are placed on top of each other in a respective end section (15) of the heddle shaft (12) and interconnected. The end eyelets (16) of the heddle (10) are also in said end section (15). To form a yarn eye between both shaft parts (13), two separate warp yarn guiding bodies (20) are placed therebetween. To determine the position of the warp yarn guiding body (20) with respect to the heddle shaft (12), at least one shaft projection (22) is produced by stamping and subsequent bending or embossing each shaft part (13) for each warp yarn guiding body (20). Said shaft projection (22) engages in an associated recess (25) of the warp yarn guiding body (20), and a bonding connection is produced.
US09556540B2 Process for making opaque polyester film
The invention relates to a process for making an opaque and glossy film from a thermoplastic polyester composition, comprising the steps of a) extruding the polyester composition through a slot die, and quenching to form a substantially amorphous film having a crystallinity of at most 5%; b) rapidly heating the amorphous film to a drawing temperature in the range from Tg to (Tg+50)° C. while applying a draw ratio in the range of from λinitiation to λmax. in longitudinal direction, and a drawing rate of at least 1 m/min to form an oriented film showing stress-whitening, wherein λinitiation is the draw ratio at which a transfer from a transparent product to a stress-whitened product occurs and λmax. is the draw ratio at which failure of the stress whitened film occurs; and c) heat-setting the oriented stress-whitened film; the thermoplastic polyester composition substantially consisting of at least one crystallizable polyester derived from at least one aliphatic diol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid.With this process it is possible to make a unitary, glossy, opaque film from a polyester composition that does not contain void-forming additives like high amounts of fine pigment particles or dispersed non-miscible polymer particles. The film obtained also has very good mechanical properties. It is a further advantage that the process can be performed continuously on conventional extrusion and stretching equipment used for making transparent film from polyesters.The invention also relates to an opaque polyester film obtainable by said process.
US09556536B2 Positive electrode for lithium secondary battery, manufacturing method thereof, and lithium secondary battery
Occlusion and release of lithium ion are likely to one-dimensionally occur in the b-axis direction of a crystal in a lithium-containing composite oxide having an olivine structure. Thus, a positive electrode in which the b-axes of lithium-containing composite oxide single crystals are oriented vertically to a surface of a positive electrode current collector is provided. The lithium-containing composite oxide particles are mixed with graphene oxide and then pressure is applied thereto, whereby the rectangular parallelepiped or substantially rectangular parallelepiped particles are likely to slip. In addition, in the case where the rectangular parallelepiped or substantially rectangular parallelepiped particles whose length in the b-axis direction is shorter than those in the a-axis direction and the c-axis direction are used, when pressure is applied in one direction, the b-axes can be oriented in the one direction.
US09556534B2 Anode for electroplating and method for electroplating using anode
Provided is an anode for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, and the anode which is low in potential when compared with a conventional anode, able to decrease an electrolytic voltage and an electric energy consumption rate and may also be used as an anode for electroplating various types of metals, and which is low in cost. Also provided is a method for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, in which the anode is low in potential and electrolytic voltage, thereby making it possible to decrease the electric energy consumption rate. The anode for electroplating of the present invention is an anode for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, in which a catalytic layer containing amorphous ruthenium oxide and amorphous tantalum oxide is formed on a conductive substrate.
US09556532B2 Die, process for producing die, and process for producing antireflection film
A method is provided for manufacturing a mold that has a porous alumina layer over its surface, which is capable of preventing formation of pits (recesses). A moth-eye mold manufacturing method of an embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a mold which has a porous alumina layer over its surface, including the steps of: providing a mold base which includes an aluminum base and an aluminum film deposited on a surface of the aluminum base, the aluminum film having a purity of not less than 99.99 mass %; anodizing a surface of the aluminum film to form a porous alumina layer which has a plurality of minute recessed portions; and bringing the porous alumina layer into contact with an etching solution to enlarge the plurality of minute recessed portions of the porous alumina layer.
US09556531B2 Method for ultra-fast boriding
An article of manufacture and method of forming a borided material. An electrochemical cell is used to process a substrate to deposit a plurality of borided layers on the substrate. The plurality of layers are co-deposited such that a refractory metal boride layer is disposed on a substrate and a rare earth metal boride conforming layer is disposed on the refractory metal boride layer.
US09556523B2 Method for coating metallic surfaces of substrates, and objects coated according to said method
A method and composition for coating surfaces, a corresponding coating and the use of objects coated according to said method. A cleaned, metallic surface is contacted with an aqueous composition that is a dispersion or suspension, and drying and/or baking the organic coating or optionally, drying the organic coating and coating with an equivalent or additional coating composition prior to a drying and/or baking. The aqueous composition has a pH of 4 to 11 and contains an anionic polyelectrolyte in a quantity of 0.01 to 5.0 wt. % relative to the total mass of the composition, which may have a solids content of from 2 to 40 wt. %. The solids have an average particle size from 10 to 1000 nm. A coating forms on the basis of an ionogenic gel which binds cations released from the metallic surface that originate from a pretreatment stage or from the contacting.
US09556520B2 Method of depositing an atomic layer
A method of depositing a layer includes spraying a source gas and a reactant gas onto a substrate disposed on a susceptor unit using at least one source gas spray nozzle and at least one reactant gas nozzle to form a first source gas region and a first reactant gas region on the substrate, respectively, moving the susceptor unit by a distance corresponding to a width of the source gas spray nozzle or a width of the reactant gas spray nozzle in a first direction, and spraying the source gas and the reactant gas onto the first reactant gas region and the first source gas region using the source gas spray nozzle and the reactant gas nozzle, respectively, to form a first monolayer.
US09556519B2 Vapor deposition systems and methods
Vapor deposition systems and methods associated with the same are provided. The systems may be designed to include features that can promote high quality deposition; simplify manufacture, modification and use; as well as, reduce the footprint of the system, amongst other advantages.
US09556516B2 Method for forming Ti-containing film by PEALD using TDMAT or TDEAT
A method for forming a Ti-containing film on a substrate by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) using tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium (TDMAT) or tetrakis(diethylamino)titanium (TDEAT), includes: introducing TDMAT and/or TDEAT in a pulse to a reaction space where a substrate is placed; continuously introducing a NH3-free reactant gas to the reaction space; applying RF power in a pulse to the reaction space wherein the pulse of TDMAT and/or TDEAT and the pulse of RF power do not overlap; and repeating the above steps to deposit a Ti-containing film on the substrate.
US09556515B1 Selective coating of a component using a potting process
Methods and systems involving a potting process for selectively coating a target surface of a component. An example method may include: (1) dispensing a masking agent into a cavity, wherein the cavity is within a holder; (2) immersing a portion of a component that has a plurality of surfaces into the masking agent, such that at least one portion of a target surface from the plurality of surfaces is not immersed; (3) curing the masking agent such that the masking agent hardens on the portion of the plurality of surfaces of the component immersed in the masking agent; (4) coating the target surface with a coating agent; and (5) separating the masking agent from the portion of the plurality of surfaces of the component immersed in the masking agent.
US09556512B2 Deposition system with electrically isolated pallet and anode assemblies
A system for substrate deposition is disclosed. The system includes a wafer pallet and an anode. The wafer pallet has a bottom and a top. The top of the wafer pallet is configured to hold a substrate wafer. The anode has a substantially fixed position relative to the wafer pallet and is configured to move with the wafer pallet through the deposition chamber. The anode is electrically isolated from the substrate wafer.
US09556511B2 Plating stack to condition a bonding surface
A rotary sputtering target assembly and method of making the same including a target and a backing tube having a plated bonding surface. The backing tube and the target are bonded together along the plated bonding surface.
US09556509B2 Vapour deposition
A method, comprising: generating a vapor of a material from a source of said material comprising a plurality of separate solid pieces of said material supported on a surface of a base in a configuration in which said plurality of solid pieces of said target material are arranged at two or more levels to cover the whole of said surface of said base while providing a gap between adjacent pieces at the same level; and depositing said material from said vapor onto a substrate.
US09556497B2 Blast furnace
A blast furnace includes: a blast furnace body; raw material charging means for charging raw material into the blast furnace body; hot air blowing means for blowing hot air into the blast furnace body; a drying apparatus etc. for evaporating moisture in low-grade coal; a dry distillation apparatus etc. for carbonizing dried coal; a cooling apparatus etc. for cooling carbonized coal; a pulverization apparatus etc. for pulverizing the carbonized coal cooled by the cooling apparatus; a storage tank for storing powdered coal; a nitrogen gas supply source, a conveyor line and a cyclone separator etc. for conveying the powdered coal pulverized by the pulverization apparatus to the inside of the storage tank by generating a gas flow with the nitrogen gas; and an injection lance etc. for feeding the powdered coal inside the storage tank to hot air that is blown into the blast furnace body.
US09556494B2 Methods for diagnosing human immunodeficiency virus infections
Provided is a method for identifying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a sample. The invention involves use of a plurality of fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probes and flow cytometry to detect the presence or absence of HIV in macrophages that are obtained from a mucosal surface. The invention is particularly useful for detecting HIV infection prior to seroconversion.
US09556491B2 Utility of B-RAF DNA mutation in diagnosis and treatment of cancer
The present invention discloses a method of detecting a wild-type or mutant B-RAF gene in a body fluid sample from a subject. Also disclosed are methods of using B-RAF as a biomarker for detecting cancer, predicting the outcome of cancer, and monitoring the treatment of cancer or the status of cancer. Furthermore, the invention discloses methods and compositions for detecting a mutant gene with a peptide nucleic acid clamp capable of hybridizing to a wild-type gene and a locked nucleic acid probe capable of hybridizing to a mutant of the gene.
US09556483B2 Methods of screening for binding interaction using sets of microparticles and unique probes
The present invention relates to a kit for conducting a method of measuring binding interactions using multiple sets of microparticles, wherein said set has the same identifiable characteristic and wherein one of more sets comprise subsets of microparticles and said subset presents at least one unique probe that acts as a binding partner for a target molecule in a biological sample. In particular, the invention provides for a kit for conducting a method of DNA-based tissue-typing antigens in donor tissue or recipient tissue using these multiple sets of microparticles.
US09556478B2 Self-contained biological assay apparatus, methods, and applications
A self-contained, fully automated, biological assay-performing apparatus includes a housing; a dispensing platform including a controllably-movable reagent dispensing system, disposed in the housing; a reagent supply component disposed in the housing; a pneumatic manifold removably disposed in the housing in a space shared by the dispensing platform, removably coupled to a fluidic transport layer and a plurality of reservoirs, wherein the fluidic transport layer, the reservoirs, and a test sample to be introduced therein are disposed in the housing in the space separate from the dispensing platform; a pneumatic supply system removably coupled to the pneumatic manifold in the housing in a space separate from the dispensing platform; and a control system coupled to at least one of the dispensing platform and the pneumatic supply system, disposed in the housing.
US09556474B2 Multicolor microwave-accelerated metal-enhanced fluorescence (M-MAMEF)
The present invention relates to the use of multiple different light emitting molecules that emit different and detectable emission signals to provide systems and methods to detect different target products in a single assay sample, wherein the different light emitting molecules are positioned an optimal distance from metallic particles thereby enhancing emissions. Preferably, the systems and methods further comprise use of either microwave or sonic energy to increase binding reactions, timing of such reactions within the assay sample and reduce background non-specific biological absorption.
US09556473B2 Methods for identifying nucleic acid sequences
Embodiments relate to the detection of RNA in a sample of cells. More particularly, methods concern the localized detection of RNA in situ. The method relies on the conversion of RNA to complementary DNA prior to the targeting of the cDNA with a padlock probe(s). The hybridization of the padlock probe(s) relies on the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA which is derived from the corresponding nucleotide sequence of the target RNA. Rolling circle amplification of the subsequently circularized padlock probe produces a rolling circle product which may be detected. Advantageously, this allows the RNA to be detected in situ. In additional methods, rolling circle amplification products are sequenced.
US09556470B2 Enzyme quantification
The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.
US09556469B2 Method for classifying the presence or absence of a microorganism in a biological medium
Porous sol-gel material essentially consisting of units of one or more first polyalkoxysilanes chosen from the following compounds: (chloromethyl)triethoxysilane; 1,3-dimethyltetramethoxydisiloxane; ethyltrimethoxysilane; triethoxy(ethyl)silane; triethoxymethylsilane; triethoxy(vinyl)silane; trimethoxymethylsilane; trimethoxy(vinyl)silane; tetraethoxysilane or tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and of units of one or more second polyalkoxysilanes chosen from the following compounds: (N-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)ethylenediamine; 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, in a first polyalkoxysilane/second polyalkoxysilane molar ratio of 1/0.01 to 1/1, optionally comprising a probe molecule, method of preparation and applications in the trapping of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other pollutants or in their detection.
US09556466B2 Compositions and methods for reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods useful for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules in a simplified one- or two-step RT-PCR procedure using combinations of reverse transcriptase and thermostable DNA polymerase enzymes in conjunction with sulfur-containing molecules or acetate-containing molecules (or combinations of such sulfur-containing molecules and acetate-containing molecules), and optionally bovine serum albumin. The invention thus facilitates the rapid and efficient amplification of nucleic acid molecules and the detection and quantitation of RNA molecules. The invention also is useful in the rapid production and amplification of cDNAs which may be used for a variety of industrial, medical and forensic purposes.
US09556462B2 Methods of using natural and engineered organisms to produce small molecules for industrial application
Methods are provided for producing omega-7 fatty acids from feedstock that includes syngas using Rhodococcus microorganisms. The syngas feedstock includes at least one of CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2, and the methods include introducing syngas into a bioreactor, where chemoautotrophic Rhodococcus microorganisms convert the gaseous feedstock into omega-7 fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid and vaccenic acid.
US09556460B2 Method for the production of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid from acetone and an activated acetyl compound
Described is a method for the production of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid by enzyme-catalyzed covalent bond formation between the carbon atom of the oxo group of acetone and the methyl group of a compound which provides an activated acetyl group. Also described are recombinant organisms which produce 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, and related compositions and methods.
US09556458B2 Bacterial production of methyl ketones
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing production of methyl ketones in a genetically modified host cell that overproduces β-ketoacyl-CoAs through a re-engineered β-oxidation pathway and overexpresses FadM.
US09556455B2 Mature dendritic cell compositions and methods for culturing same
This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-γR) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-αR) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g., mRNA or DNA), an agonistic antibody to CD40 receptor or by CD40 ligand polypeptide. The enriched populations can be further modified by the administration of an immunogen to the DC. The DC will take up and process the immunogen on its cell surface.
US09556453B2 Insect resistance management with combinations of Cry1Be and Cry1F proteins
The subject invention relates in part to stacking Cry1Be toxins along with Cry1Fa toxins to prevent insects from developing resistance towards either toxin by itself. As discussed in more detail herein, the subject pair of proteins is a particularly advantageous combination, as no other pair of proteins is known to provide high levels of control and non-cross-resistant activity against both Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW) and Ostrinia nubilalis (ECB) insects. This dual, non-cross-resistant activity is also advantageous because it can reduce the number of proteins/genes needed to target these insects with multiple, non-cross-resistant proteins. This can reduce or eliminate the need for refuge acreage. Accordingly, the subject invention also relates generally to using four genes to provide three proteins for non-cross-resistant control of a first insect, and three proteins for non-cross-resistant control of a second insect. In preferred embodiments, the targeted insects are FAW and ECB.
US09556451B2 Brassica plants resistant to clubroot
The present invention relates to Brassica oleracea plants resistant to clubroot. The invention further relates to parts of these plants, to seeds and to other propagation material, and to the progeny of these plants.
US09556449B2 Methods of increasing yield and stress tolerance in a plant by decreasing the activity of a trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase
The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and regards various polynucleotides, polypeptides and methods that may be employed to enhance yield in transgenic plants. Specifically the transgenic plants may exhibit any one of the traits consisting of increased yield, increased tolerance to abiotic stress, increased cell growth and increased nutrient use efficiency.
US09556448B2 Identification and the use of KRP mutants in plants
The invention provides a plant cell, part, tissue culture or whole plant comprising at least one disrupted KRP gene of the present invention. The present invention also provides methods of increasing weight, size, and/or number of one or more organs, and/or yield of a plant by utilizing the disrupted KRP genes of the present invention. Furthermore, methods of breeding plants to produce new plants having increased weight, size, and/or number of one or more organs, and/or yield are provided. The present invention provides isolated Kinase Inhibitor Protein (KIP) Related Protein (KRP) polynucleotide sequences and isolated KRP polypeptide sequences and methods of their use. Exemplary plants include wheat, rice and soybean.
US09556442B2 Attenuated and adapted strain of pseudomonas for delivering antigens
A process for obtaining an adapted strain of Pseudomonas includes the following steps: deleting the genes ExoS, ExoT, aroA and IasI in an initial Pseudomonas strain cultivated in a LB medium; progressively cultivating this strain in a chemically defined medium based on a glucose minimal medium supplemented with magnesium and calcium; wherein the adapted strain presents the same toxicity and secretion capacities than the initial strain, and its doubling time when cultivated in the chemically defined medium is less than 60 minutes. An adapted strain is furthermore treated to become ‘killed but metabolically active’.
US09556438B2 Gene vector
A gene vector comprising a miRNA sequence target.
US09556433B2 Nucleic acids for down-regulation of gene expression
Recombinant nucleic acid molecules are provided that form hair pin structures and can be used to down-regulate gene expression. For example, a nucleic acid molecule can comprise a flanking and lower stem loop sequence from a mir-16 gene; an antisense target sequence; a mir-30 loop sequence; a complement of the anti-sense target sequence; and a lower stem loop complementary to the mir-16 sequence. Methods for down regulating gene expression in a cell using such recombinant nucleic acid molecules are also provided.
US09556432B2 Method of treating hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis with miR-30C
This disclosure provides a novel role for microRNA (miR) regulation of lipid metabolism via the MTP pathway, leading to reductions in apoB secretion and blood lipid levels. MiR regulation of the MTP pathway is shown herein to reduce hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in vivo. Therefore, inhibition of MTP expression and activity by miR regulation is identified as a new therapeutic target for treatment of cardiovascular disease and conditions or diseases associated with cardiovascular disease such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome. Treatment of cardiovascular disease and associated conditions or diseases with the novel MTP inhibitors of the invention, such as miR-30c homologs or miR-30c agonists, reduces MTP-associated lipid production without side effects that occur with other methods of MTP inhibition.
US09556430B2 Gene methylation and expression
The invention provides a method of analyzing the methylation status of all or part of an entire genome. Moreover, the invention features methods of and reagents for characterizing biological cells containing DNA that is susceptible to methylation. Such methods include methods of diagnosing cancer, e.g., breast cancer.
US09556427B2 Methods and compositions for preparation of nucleic acids
A method for isolating genomic DNA (gDNA) from a biological material. In some embodiments, the method includes (a) contacting a sample that contains gDNA with a solution of hydroxide and a detergent under conditions and for a time sufficient to degrade a cell wall, a cell membrane, a nuclear membrane, a nucleoprotein, or combinations thereof and/or to denature the gDNA; (b) mixing into the solution resulting from step (a) a solution characterized by high salt and sufficient buffering capacity to reduce the pH of the solution to less than 10, thereby producing a neutralized solution; (c) centrifuging the sample at a speed and length of time sufficient to clarify the preparation; and (d) removing insoluble material from the neutralized and clarified preparation, whereby a solution of gDNA is produced. Also provided are method for performing a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of a gDNA sample, methods for performing genotyping or other molecular marker analysis of a gDNA sample, and methods for determining a haplotype of a cell.