| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09563363B2 |
Flexible storage block for a solid state drive (SSD)-based file system
Techniques generally described are related to a flexible storage block based on solid state devices. One example method to update data stored in a storage block may include maintaining, by a flash storage module, a cluster link in the storage block for storing a file, wherein the cluster link links together a plurality of data clusters that are storage spaces provided by one or more solid state devices. The method may include, in response to a first request to update data stored in a first data cluster amongst the plurality of data clusters, allocating a second data cluster to store the updated data. The method may further include linking the second data cluster to the cluster link, wherein the linking the second data cluster to the cluster link invalidates the first data cluster in the cluster link. |
| US09563362B2 |
Host system and process to reduce declared capacity of a storage device by trimming
Systems, methods, and/or devices are used to reduce declared capacity of non-volatile memory of a storage device in a storage system. In one aspect, the method includes, detecting an amelioration trigger for reducing declared capacity of non-volatile memory of the storage device of the storage system, and in accordance with the detected amelioration trigger, performing an amelioration process to reduce declared capacity of the non-volatile memory of the storage device, the performing including: trimming at least a portion of a set of logical addresses in a logical address space; and reducing declared capacity of the non-volatile memory of the storage device. In some embodiments, the storage device includes one or more flash memory devices. In some embodiments, the method is performed by a host to which a storage device of the storage system is operatively coupled. |
| US09563357B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling key input
A key input control apparatus includes a gesture recognizing unit which detects whether or not an input of a touch event generated on a screen corresponds to a predetermined gesture. A gesture area identifying unit which identifies a predetermined area where the input of the touch event corresponding to the predetermined gesture is generated. A key input recognizing unit which recognizes a hardware key allotted to the predetermined area and performs an operation corresponding to an input of the recognized hardware key. |
| US09563355B2 |
Method and system of data entry on a virtual interface
A novel keyboard interface and input method are described. The interface is driven by a dynamic, general-purpose typing and data-entry software application, with a reduced number of keys to minimize screen real-estate requirements, especially for mobile devices. At any given time, the interface presents base characters with built-in key points on or around the base characters that can be selected and/or swiped to generate characters. The key points are strategically placed based on the intuitiveness of such placements, reducing the curve for learning how to use the interface. Its advantage over other methods of input such as handwriting, voice and gesture recognition is that it is less prone to error and privacy issues. The interface occupies a dramatically smaller area of the screen compared to traditional on-screen keyboards and can provide alternate placement as well as transparency to reveal text or images underneath. It can be implemented in most mobile and other computing platforms with reduced resource requirements. |
| US09563352B2 |
Accessing a menu utilizing a drag-operation
Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked. |
| US09563351B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for navigating between document sections
An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays a page of a first multi-page section of a document and a navigation bar configured to navigate through only pages in the first multi-page section of the document. The device detects a predefined gesture at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a predefined portion of the navigation bar. In response to detecting the predefined gesture, the device displays a navigation user interface that enables selection of a page of the document that is outside of the first multi-page section. The device receives an input in the navigation user interface that indicates selection of a page of a second multi-page section of the document outside of the first multi-page section. In response to receiving the input, the device displays the selected page of the second multi-page section of the document. |
| US09563347B2 |
Device, method, and storage medium storing program
According to an aspect, a device includes a touch screen display and a controller. The touch screen display displays a lock screen in a locked state. The controller causes the touch screen display to display an activated icon corresponding to an activated function on the lock screen. |
| US09563346B2 |
Method for scrolling a displayed image in a touch system
After receiving at least one touch point on a touch screen, detect at least one initial position of the touch point on the touch screen. When the touch point slides away from the initial position, scroll an image displayed on the touch screen according to at least one sliding action of the touch point. Then detect the number of the touch points on the touch screen, and update a scrolling rate of the image displayed on the touch screen according to the number of the touch points moving on the touch screen. The scrolling rate of the image is directly proportional to the number of the touch points moving on the touch screen. |
| US09563344B2 |
Information processing method and electronic apparatus
An information processing method and an electronic apparatus are described where the method includes obtaining first data, displaying and outputting the first data through the display device to make a first display output region of a top end face of a frame body to present a first display effect and obtaining second data and displaying and outputting the second data through the display device to make a second display output region on the top end face of the frame body to present a second display effect. |
| US09563343B2 |
Lighting product catalog application with embedded linkage to lighting design tool
An application running on a mobile device presents information about a lighting product, for example, selected from a catalog on a graphical user interface via one or more elements (e.g. a touchscreen) of the mobile device and captures an identification of the selected product. The user interface includes a user selectable indication of a lighting design tool, e.g. a button, icon or other link to the tool. User selection of the tool indicator initiates access to the lighting design tool; and the application passes the identification of the selected product to the lighting design tool. The lighting design tool processes the identification of the selected product and an output of the lighting design tool is presented based in part on photometric information about the selected product automatically retrieved by and populated to the lighting design tool without further manual input to obtain the photometric information about the selected product. |
| US09563334B2 |
Method for presenting documents using a reading list panel
A reading list panel is displayed as a sidebar window with respect to a main window of a content viewing application. In response to a first input, a first article representation of a first article associated with a presentation page displayed in the main window is listed in the reading list panel, where the first article representation includes information identifying the first article. In response to a selection of a second article representation from the reading list panel, content of a second article represented by the second article representation is presented in a reader mode within the main window. |
| US09563323B1 |
Capacitance detecting method, integrated circuit, touch sensor system, and electronic device
A capacitance detecting method disclosed herein, which achieves a good detection accuracy, a good resolution, and a high-speed operation, (A) (a) drives, on the basis of code sequences (di (=di1, di2, . . . , diN, where i=1, . . . , M)) which are orthogonal to one another and include ±1 and each of which has a length N, drive lines (DL1 through DLM) in parallel for each of (I) a first capacitance column (Ci1) between the drive lines and a first sense line (SL1) and (II) a second capacitance column (Ci2) between the drive lines and a second sense line (SL2) so that voltages ±V are applied and (b) outputs outputs (sFirst=(s11, s12, . . . , s1N)) from the first capacitance column (Ci1) and outputs (sSecond=(s21, s22, . . . , s2N)) from the second capacitance column (Ci2), and (B) estimates (a) on the basis of a first inner product operation of the outputs (sFirst) and the code sequences (di), a first capacitance value in the first capacitance column (Ci1) and (b) on the basis of a second inner product operation of the outputs (sSecond) and the code sequences (di), a second capacitance value in the second capacitance column (Ci2). |
| US09563319B2 |
Capacitive sensing without a baseline
A processing system for a capacitive sensing device, including: a sensor module coupled to multiple sensor electrodes and configured to receive multiple resulting signals from the multiple sensor electrodes, where the multiple electrodes includes a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode adjacent to the first second electrode, a third sensor electrode adjacent to the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode, and a fourth sensor electrode adjacent to the third sensor electrode; and a determination module configured to: determine, based on the multiple resulting signals, first differential capacitive sensing data between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode; determine, based on the multiple resulting signals, second differential capacitive sensing data between the third sensor electrode and the fourth sensor electrode; and determine user contact information based on at least one of the first differential capacitive sensing data and the second differential capacitive sensing data. |
| US09563316B2 |
Radiofrequency-wave-transparent capacitive sensor pad
A capacitive sensor pad is co-located with (e.g., overlapping) an RF transmitter without causing significant degradation to the performance of the antenna. In one implementation, tuning the resistance per square in the capacitive sensor pad can provide effective sensor pad range and performance while providing making the capacitive sensor pad sufficiently transparent to radiofrequency waves to provide excellent antenna efficiency, despite the co-location of the capacitive sensor pad and the antenna. |
| US09563309B2 |
Electrode sheet and touch input device
A touch input device capable of detecting a pressure of a touch on a touch surface may be provided that includes: a display panel; and an electrode disposed under the display panel. When a pressure is applied to the touch surface, a distance between the electrode and a reference potential layer is changed. A capacitance which is detected at the electrode is changed according to the distance change. The display panel includes a first area and a second area. Under a same distance change condition, a capacitance change amount detected at the electrode disposed under the second area is greater than a capacitance change amount detected at the electrode disposed under the first area. |
| US09563307B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a touch panel control unit, a plurality of scanning electrodes formed on the display panel, a plurality of detection electrodes formed on the display panel so as to intersect with the plurality of scanning electrodes, a drive signal supply unit for inputting a drive signal to each of the scanning electrodes, and a detection unit for detecting a detection signal from each of the detection electrodes. The touch panel control unit supplies the driving signal to each of the scanning electrodes from the drive signal supply unit to enable detection of a touch position of a detection object based on the detection signal detected, and supplies the driving signal to all of the scanning electrodes collectively from the drive signal supply unit to enable detection of approach of the detection object to the touch panel based on the detection signal detected. |
| US09563304B2 |
Active stylus with passive mutual measurements
An apparatus includes a sense unit operable to sense a plurality of first signals transmitted on one or more vertical lines and one or more horizontal lines of a touch sensor, the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines operable to drive the plurality of first signals. The apparatus also includes a drive unit operable to transmit, in response to the sense unit sensing at least one of the plurality of first signals, a second signal to the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines, the second signal changing an effective charge of the one or more vertical lines and the one or more horizontal lines. |
| US09563300B2 |
Liquid crystal display touch screen array substrate and the corresponding liquid crystal display touch screen
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display touch screen array substrate, which comprises multiple pixel units defined by a gate line and a data line, each pixel unit is provided with a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode inside; a common electrode line provided in parallel at the side of each said gate line; which further comprise: a touch circuit unit used for touch positioning, the touch circuit unit comprising a touch emission line and a touch sensing line intersecting each other, and a light sensing unit provided at the intersection and respectively connected to the touch emission line and the touch sensing line. The touch emission line is the common electrode line, and the touch sensing line is parallel with the data line. The embodiment of the present invention correspondingly discloses a liquid crystal display touch screen. According to the embodiment of the present invention, it can enhance the sensitivity of the touch position, reduce the power consumption of the touch display screen, and improve the product yield. |
| US09563299B2 |
Electronic device, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, and method for controlling electronic device
An electronic device is provided with a display panel, a touch panel, and a piezoelectric vibration module configured to vibrate to vibrate a cover panel located on a front surface of the electronic device. The electronic device is also provided with a controller configured to control the display panel and the touch panel and vibrates the piezoelectric vibration module based on a sound signal. The controller disables a function of the touch panel when starting to vibrate the piezoelectric vibration module based on a sound signal. |
| US09563292B2 |
Stylus pen, touch panel system and electronic device
A stylus pen (15) includes a correction circuit that corrects difference between the number of controller clocks generated by a touch panel controller (2), which controls operation of a touch panel (3), for outputting a synchronization signal by the touch panel controller (2) and the number of pen clocks generated by the stylus pen (15) for receiving, by the stylus pen (15), the synchronization signal output from the touch panel controller (2). |
| US09563287B2 |
Calibrating a digital stylus
A method for calibrating a digital stylus comprising imaging a portion of a calibration pattern area of a data encoding pattern using an imaging module of the stylus in order to generate calibration data representing an error in alignment for the stylus, and using the calibration data to adjust subsequent measurements from the stylus in order to compensate for the error. |
| US09563285B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal including a camera configured to obtain an image; a display unit configured to output map information; a sensing unit configured to sense a movement of the mobile terminal; and a controller configured to output a preview image received through the camera to at least part of a region where the map information is output, when the movement of the mobile terminal corresponds to a preset type of movement while the map information is output, and display one or more graphic objects related to the map information as being overlapped on the preview image. |
| US09563281B2 |
Keyboard illumination apparatus and method
Interface apparatus and methods are provided. The interface can include a keyboard (200) containing one or more keys (210), each having a key base and a key top. A light guide (110) having an edge (125), a first surface (115) and a second surface (120) can be disposed proximate the base of all or a portion of the plurality of keys. The light guide can have a plurality of apertures (130) disposed therethrough, with each aperture corresponding to the location of each of the one or more keys. One or more dispersion features (135) can be disposed in, on, or about each of the one or more apertures to transmit at least a portion of the light from the light guide to the base of each key. |
| US09563280B1 |
Gesture onset detection on multiple devices
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide techniques for improved identification of a gesture based on data obtained from multiple devices. A method may include receiving an indication of an onset of a gesture, from a first device, at a gesture coordinating device. Next, first subsequent data describing the gesture may be received from a second device, at the gesture coordinating device. Based on the indication and the first subsequent data, the gesture may be identified. In response to identification of the gesture, an action may be performed based on the gesture identified. In some cases, the gesture coordinating device may be a cloud-based device. |
| US09563278B2 |
Gesture controlled audio user interface
A user interface, methods and article of manufacture each for selecting an audio cue presented in three-dimensional (3D) space are disclosed. The audio cues are audibly perceivable in a space about a user, where each of the audio cues may be perceived by the user as a directional sound at a distinct location from other audio cues in the space. Selection of a specific audio cue is made based on one or more user gestures. A portable electronic device may be configured to present the audio cues perceived by a user and detect certain user gestures to select audio cues. The audio cue selection can be used to control operation of the portable device and/or other associated devices. |
| US09563272B2 |
Gaze assisted object recognition
An electronic device can attempt to determine a gaze direction of a user, which can be used to determine an object of interest to the user. Determining the gaze direction helps to reduce the search space and reduce processing requirements for identifying the object. Image information can be captured that includes the object of interest, which then can be analyzed to recognize the type of object. Upon recognizing the object, the user can be provided with information about the object, which in some cases can depend at least in part upon a current context or location of the object. If the object is a networked device, the user can potentially be provided with input options for controlling the device. |
| US09563265B2 |
Augmented reality with sound and geometric analysis
A method for responding in an augmented reality (AR) application of a mobile device to an external sound is disclosed. The mobile device detects a target. A virtual object is initiated in the AR application. Further, the external sound is received, by at least one sound sensor of the mobile device, from a sound source. Geometric information between the sound source and the target is determined, and at least one response for the virtual object to perform in the AR application is generated based on the geometric information. |
| US09563261B2 |
Management of power consumption in large computing clusters
Management of power consumption in large computing clusters is disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a computing device comprising a power manager may be configured to receive, via a communication interface, information associated with the cluster of computing nodes. The power manager of the computing device may also be configured to determine whether a switch is coupled to an inactive computing node of the cluster of computing nodes based on the received information. Further, the power manager of the computing device may be configured to communicate a command to the switch to remove power supplied to a switch port of the switch coupled to the inactive computing node in response to determining that the switch is coupled to an inactive computing node of the cluster of computing nodes. |
| US09563256B2 |
Processor hiding its power-up latency with activation of a root port and quickly sending a downstream cycle
Particular embodiments described herein can offer a method that includes powering down a root port; initiating a first downstream cycle by a central processing unit (CPU) to the root port; identifying a power up activity for the CPU; and triggering an exit flow for a power state in conjunction with sending a second downstream cycle to the root port. In more particular embodiments, the triggering of the exit flow for the power state and the sending of the second downstream cycle to the root port occurs in a substantially parallel fashion. In addition, a prewake indicator can be sent to the root port to trigger the exit flow before the CPU is powered up and the second downstream cycle is sent. |
| US09563252B2 |
Display apparatus and display method thereof
A method for displaying of a display apparatus is provided. The display method includes in response to a first command being input, photographing a user and generating first recognition information; associating the first recognition information with information on a screen displayed when the first command is input and storing the associated information in the display apparatus; in response to a second command being input, photographing a user and generating second recognition information; and comparing the first recognition information and the second recognition information and determining whether to display content based on a result of the comparison. |
| US09563249B2 |
Data storage device and power-interruption detection method
A data storage device includes a flash memory and a controller device. The flash memory includes a plurality of pages, wherein each of the pages includes a spare area, and each of the spare areas stores a power-off-reset count. The controller device determines whether the first page has been through a power-interruption event according to the power-off-reset counts stored in the spare areas. |
| US09563245B2 |
Electronic device and computer readable medium
An electronic device comprising a connecting section; a first IF circuit that communicates through the connecting section with an external device connected via the connecting section, at a first communication speed; a second IF circuit that communicates through the connecting section with the external device, at a communication speed that is higher than the first communication speed; and a control section that, when one of the first IF circuit and the second IF circuit is selected as an IF circuit to be used for communication, limits a power supply to the other IF circuit. |
| US09563243B2 |
Power over ethernet midspan injection method and apparatus
A PoE midspan injector constituted of: an Ethernet device side data port; a PD side data port; a plurality of pairs of data wires coupling the Ethernet device and PD side data ports; a power reception port; a pair of first type coils; and a pair of second type coils, each second type coil coupled in series to a respective first type coil thereby forming a coil set, wherein the power reception port is coupled to each wire of a pair of data wire pairs at a respective power node, via a respective coil set, wherein the impedance of the first type coil is greater than the impedance of the second type coil when data is being transmitted at a minimum frequency, and wherein the impedance of the second type coil is greater than the impedance of the first type coil when data is being transmitted at a maximum frequency. |
| US09563241B2 |
Power supply device including an electro-conductive cable wound around an inductor or output capacitor
A power supply device disclosed in the present specification has an output portion which generates an output voltage from an input voltage by means of on-off control of an output transistor and feeds the output voltage to a load, an output feedback controller which drives the output portion by performing output feedback control, and a detector which detects, by means of an electromagnetic induction method, a ripple component in a monitoring target current resulting from the on-off control of the output transistor. The output feedback controller performs the output feedback control based on the result of detection by the detector. |
| US09563239B2 |
Internal computer assembly features and methods
Examples of computing devices and assemblies for mounting computer components to an enclosure or other structure of the computing device are described. In some examples, the mounting assembly may include a compliant member having a plurality of corner portions configured to engage the corners of the component. The mounting assembly may also include a bracket configured to enclose at least a portion of the compliant member. The mounting bracket may be configured to mount the component at an angle relative to the enclosure or other structure, and may include one or more features adapted for improved cooling of the component mounted therein. The compliant member may include a plurality of ribs or other retaining elements for maintaining the component in a spaced apart position relative to the mounting bracket. |
| US09563236B2 |
Adjustable tension wrap end hinge
Embodiments are generally directed an adjustable tension wrap end hinge. A hinge assembly includes a first wrap end component and a second wrap end component; a first axle and a second axle, the wrap section of the first wrap end component being wrapped at least in part around a first portion of the first axle adjacent to a first end of the first axle, and the wrap section of the second wrap end component being wrapped at least in part around a first portion of the second axle adjacent to a first end of the second axle; and a first tension screw to adjust a tension of the first wrap end component on the first axle and a second tension screw to adjust a tension of the second wrap end component on the second axle. |
| US09563234B2 |
Modular wearable computing device
Apparatus and methods for providing and using wearable computing devices. A wearable computing device with a device body and a removable face portion, where the removable face portion is removable yet operatively coupled with the device body. A display and sensor or sensors can be provided on the fact portion. The face portion, or a bezel of the face portion, can be rotated relative to the device body or the face portion. |
| US09563228B2 |
Clock generation for timing communications with ranks of memory devices
A memory controller includes a clock generator to generate a first clock signal and a timing circuit to generate a second clock signal from the first clock signal. The second clock signal times communications with any of a plurality of memory devices in respective ranks, including a first memory device in a first rank and a second memory device in a second rank. The timing circuit is configured to adjust a phase of the first clock signal, when the memory controller is communicating with the second memory device, based on calibration data associated with the second memory device and timing adjustment data associated with feedback from at least the first memory device. |
| US09563226B2 |
Dynamic clock regulation based on duty cycle thresholds
A clock frequency is controlled by determining a cumulative duty cycle according to a ratio of a cumulative time, during an interval, that the clock frequency has a frequency greater than or equal to a design frequency threshold value to a duration of the interval. A frequency of the clock frequency is controlled to be a first frequency value when the cumulative duty cycle is less than a first duty cycle threshold; and controlled to be a second frequency value substantially less than the first frequency value when the cumulative duty cycle is greater than a second duty cycle threshold. The second duty cycle threshold is greater than or equal to the first duty cycle threshold. |
| US09563223B2 |
Low-voltage current mirror circuit and method
A current mirror circuit is provided that has a feedback loop that includes a current mirror that provides base current compensation to the bases of the input and output transistors of the current mirror circuit. By employing a current mirror in the feedback loop to provide base current compensation, the minimum power supply voltage of the current mirror circuit is very low, typically less than or equal to about 1.5 V. |
| US09563220B1 |
Dynamic operating surface for integrated circuits
A device includes an integrated circuit programmed with an operating surface equation. The operating surface equation may define an operating point as a function of operating voltage, operating frequency, leakage current, and one or more additional operating factors. The additional operating factors may be, for example, an operating temperature of the integrated circuit, a number of active execution units in the integrated circuit, and/or an age of the integrated circuit. The operating surface equation may be adjusted based on changes in one or more of the additional operating factors. Changes in the operating surface equation may change the operating surface of the integrated circuit. Thus, operating points (e.g., operating voltage) of the integrated circuit may be adjusted in response to changes in the additional operating factors. |
| US09563216B1 |
Managing power between data center loads
Techniques for managing power loads of a data center include electrically coupling a data center infrastructure power load and a data center IT power load in a power distribution system having a specified power capacity, the infrastructure power load including a plurality of infrastructure power loads associated with at least one of a data center cooling system, a data center lighting system, or a data center building management system, and the IT power load including a plurality of IT power loads associated with a plurality of rack-mounted computing devices; determining that a predicted amount of the IT power load is about equal to or greater than a threshold power value; throttling the infrastructure power load to reduce a portion of the power capacity used by the infrastructure power load; and based on throttling the infrastructure power load, increasing another portion of the power capacity available to the IT power load. |
| US09563215B2 |
Method and apparatus for actively managing electric power supply for an electric power grid
Systems and methods for managing power supplied over an electric power grid by an electric utility and/or other market participants to multiplicity of grid elements and devices for supply and/or load curtailment as supply, each of which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energy consumption and/or reduction in consumption and/or supply, and wherein messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements and devices, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators. |
| US09563213B2 |
On chip ZQ calibration resistor trimming
Techniques for trimming an on chip ZQ calibration resistor are disclosed. The on chip ZQ calibration resistor alleviates the need for an external ZQ calibration resistor. The on chip ZQ calibration resistor allows for a faster ZQ calibration. The trimming of on chip ZQ calibration resistor may be used to account for process variation. A correction mechanism may be used to account for temperature variation. Some of the circuitry that is used for ZQ calibration is also used for trimming the on-chip calibration resistor. This circuitry may include operational amplifiers, current mirrors, transistors, etc. The dual use of the circuitry can eliminate offset errors in an operational amplifier. The dual use can eliminate current mirror mismatch. Therefore, the trimming accuracy may be improved. The dual use also reduces the amount of circuitry that is needed for trimming the on chip ZQ calibration resistor. Thus, transistor count and chip size is reduced. |
| US09563208B2 |
Positioner
A positioner is provided with a control calculating portion 1 including first and second calculating portions. The first calculating portion, a valve opening detecting portion, and a first pressure sensor are contained in a first case. The second calculating portion, an electropneumatic converting portion, a pneumatic circuit portion, and a second pressure sensor are contained in a second case. The first case is assembled together with the valve, and the second case is located in a position away from the valve. Output signals from the first calculating portion, which are a control signal MV (a PWM signal) and a detected pressure signal S1′ (wherein a detected pressure signal S1 has been converted into a digital signal, are sent to the second calculating portion through cables 16. |
| US09563205B2 |
Sensor configurations and methods for mobile robot
A mobile robot can include an elongated body no more than two meters high and no more than one meter wide; at least one securable container; at least one depth sensor mounted near or at the top of the body to have a downward field of view (FOV), the at least one depth sensor comprising a video camera in combination with another distance sensor; and a drive mechanism configured to provide linear and rotational movement for the robot. |
| US09563202B1 |
Remote controlled vehicle with a head-mounted display apparatus
In some embodiments, extemporaneous control of remote objects can be made more natural using the invention, enabling a participant to pivot, tip and aim a head-mounted display apparatus to control a remote-controlled toy or full-sized vehicle, for example, hands-free. If the vehicle is outfitted with a camera, then the participant may see the remote location from first-person proprioceptive perspective. |
| US09563200B2 |
Method for piloting a rotary wing drone for taking an exposure through an onboard camera with minimization of the disturbing movements
The drone (10) comprises an onboard video camera (14) picking up a sequence of images to be transmitted to a remote control. The user selects an exposure mode such as forward or sideways, panoramic or boom plane, tracking, defining a trajectory to be transmitted to the drone. Corresponding setpoint values are generated and applied to a processing subsystem controlling the motors of the drone. Once the drone is stabilized on the prescribed trajectory (38), the exposure by the video camera (14) is activated and the trajectory is stabilized by an open loop control avoiding the oscillations inherent in a servocontrol with feedback loop. |
| US09563197B2 |
Random-access robotic inventory dispensary: multi-pick fulfillment
The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) for a plurality of product items, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU, and places the bin onto a shelf that moves with the robot. The additional items are handled similarly. Once all the items are on the shelf, the robot transfers them to a dispensing chute to the consumer. |
| US09563196B2 |
Production line system and controlling method thereof
A production line system includes n operational stations L1, L2, L3 . . . Ln. Each operational station includes: m operational devices Dn1, Dn2, Dn3 . . . Dnm in each operational station, and the operational devices used for processing operated products with m specifications, respectively, in which n=1, 2, 3, . . . n and m≧1. An initial terminal of the production line system comprises a signal analyzer and a transport mechanism. The signal analyzer is used for analyzing product information of an operated product and for demanding the transport mechanism to deliver the operated product to a corresponding initial operational station and a corresponding operational device according to the product information The production line system provided can deal with products with more than two different specifications at the same time, and especially can apply to producing a small number of products or an experimental batch of products. The production line system has advantages of saving production time of a small number of products, effectively utilizing devices on the production line, improving production efficiency, and reducing production cost. |
| US09563190B2 |
Power management system, electronic apparatus, and computer-readable medium
A power management system includes an electronic apparatus including a notification unit, a recording unit, a switching unit, and a transmitting unit, a management apparatus including an apparatus control unit, and a relay apparatus relaying communication between the apparatuses. In the first mode, the notification unit notifies the management apparatus of the state of the electronic apparatus at predetermined timings or according to a change in the state. In the second mode, the recording unit records the state instead of transmitting the notification. The switching unit switches the control mode in response to an instruction from the management apparatus. Upon switching from the first mode to the second mode, the transmitting unit transmits switching information to the management apparatus. Upon reception of the switching information, the apparatus control unit switches the control mode of the relay apparatus so as to reduce the power consumption of the relay apparatus. |
| US09563187B2 |
Methods and apparatus to display information via a process control device
Methods and apparatus to display information via a process control device are disclosed herein. An example method includes acquiring first information via a first sensor of a first output device. The first information is related to an industrial process. The example method also includes communicating the first information from the first output device to a controller and receiving second information in the first output device from the controller. The second information is based on the first information. The example method also includes displaying the second information via a display of the first output device. |
| US09563180B2 |
Configuration-enabled motor drive safety
A safety-rated industrial device, such as a motor drive, is provided with a safety subsystem that is initially bypassed as a factory default mode. While the safety subsystem is disabled, the device operates as a standard non-safety device, allowing users to perform operations with the device (e.g., turning a motor in the case of motor drives) without requiring safety input devices or a safety controller to be connected to the device. The device continues to operate as a standard non-safety device until a proper safety configuration is applied to the device, whereby the device's safety subsystem is retentatively enabled and the device begins operating as a safety-rated device. While the safety subsystem is enabled, certain device operations that were permitted during standard mode independently of an attached safety controller or safety input devices are made contingent on the monitored status of an associated safety system. |
| US09563171B2 |
Component movement mechanism for an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus may include a photosensitive member, a developing device including a developing roller, pressing members configured to engage with the developing device and springs configured to urge the pressing members. In some examples, each of the pressing members may be configured to contact and move the developing device between various positions based on the urging of the springs. Additionally or alternatively, various ends of a contact surface of the developing roller configured to contact developer may be disposed relative to an axis line of the developing roller and pressing surfaces of the pressing members. |
| US09563169B1 |
Replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device having a retractable electrical connector
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An electrical connector mounted on the housing is movable between a retracted position and an operative position. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact is electrically connected to processing circuitry on the housing. In the retracted position, the electrical connector is tucked into a portion of the housing. In the operative position, the electrical connector is exposed to permit the electrical contact to contact the corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. A linkage is operatively connected to the electrical connector and includes an engagement surface accessible on an exterior of the housing to receive an actuation force. Movement of the actuation linkage moves the electrical connector between the retracted position and the operative position. |
| US09563168B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a cover configured to pivot about a shaft to open and close, and a mechanism that includes a movable member and a supporting mechanism. The movable member longitudinally extends in a direction at an angle with the shaft, and includes a first longitudinal end portion and a second longitudinal end portion, the first longitudinal end portion being closer to the shaft than the second longitudinal end portion. The supporting mechanism is mounted on the cover and supports the movable member so that the movable member is movable relative to the cover toward and away from the shaft. When an external force pushes the second longitudinal end portion toward the shaft, the movable member moves to a first position, and when the external force is removed, the movable member returns. |
| US09563167B2 |
Image forming apparatus performing a corona products removal mode
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a charger to charge a surface of the image bear; a developing device to develop a toner image on the surface of the image bearer; an image bearer cleaner to remove residual toner remaining on the surface of the image bearer after a transfer process; and a controller to cause the image forming apparatus to perform, before a start of printing operation, a corona products removal mode. In the image forming apparatus further including a temperature and humidity sensor to measure temperature and humidity of an ambient environment of the image bearer, the controller to cause the image forming apparatus to perform, before a start of an image forming operation, a corona products removal mode based on an absolute humidity obtained by the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature and humidity sensor. |
| US09563165B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus feeds a recording sheet from a sheet feed roller, clamps the recording sheet between an image carrier and a transfer roller, transfers a toner image to the recording sheet from the image carrier while conveying the recording sheet, and fixes the transferred toner image on the recording sheet. Recording sheets are stacked on an elevating plate. An elevating plate swinging mechanism vertically swings the elevating plate. A rotation drive mechanism rotates the sheet feed roller in synchronism with the elevating plate swinging mechanism. A recording sheet detector detects a leading edge of each recording sheet fed from the sheet feed roller. A conveyance controller measures sheet feed time from starting a sheet feed operation to detecting the leading edge of the recording sheet. Based on the measured sheet feed time, the conveyance controller sets a sheet feed start timing of a next recording sheet. |
| US09563164B2 |
Information processing device and information processing method
An information processing device includes a storage unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores a selection value indicating whether a predetermined setting is enabled or disabled, and a setting value that applies when the setting is enabled. The display unit displays a setting screen concerning the predetermined setting. When a user gives an instruction to switch to display of the setting screen, even if the selection value stored in the storage unit indicates that the predetermined setting is disabled, the control unit causes the display unit to display the setting screen and causes the selection value displayed on the setting screen to indicate that the predetermined setting is enabled, so that the user does not have to perform a separate operation to enable it. |
| US09563160B1 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A fixing device includes a fixing unit configured to heat a sheet to fix an image on the sheet, a heating unit configured to heat the fixing unit, and a heat conduction unit disposed adjacent to a heated surface of the fixing unit. The fixing unit includes a first region not in contact with the sheet during heating of the sheet and a second region that is in contact with the heated sheet during heating of the sheet and has a temperature lower than the first region as a result of the contact with the sheet during the heating. The heat conduction unit is configured to transfer heat from the first region to the second region. |
| US09563159B2 |
Image heating apparatus and rotatable member for use with the image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material includes: a cylindrical rotatable member including a base layer and an electroconductive layer; a core inserted into the rotatable member; and a coil wound helically around the core inside the rotatable member, wherein an AC magnetic field is formed by passing an AC current through the coil to generate heat in the electroconductive layer through electromagnetic induction heating. The base layer has a volume resistivity higher than a volume resistivity of the base layer. The electroconductive layer generates heat through a full circumference thereof by a current flowing in a circumferential direction of the rotatable member independently of rotation of the rotatable member. |
| US09563157B2 |
Fixing device having separable heating roller holding members and image forming apparatus thereof
A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heating roller and a fixing roller over which the fixing belt is looped, a pressure roller forming a fixing nip with the fixing belt, a pair of side plates, one of the side plates being disposed on each end of a shaft of the fixing roller and each end of a shaft of the heating roller, and heating roller holding members to hold corresponding insulating bushing, and corresponding heating roller bearings, the heating roller holding members being attached to opening parts of the side plates. The heating roller holding members are formed of two separate components such that the heating roller is capable of moving along the opening parts formed in the side plates toward the fixing roller. |
| US09563155B2 |
Cooling device and image forming apparatus incorporating the cooling device
A cooling device, which is includable to an image forming apparatus, includes a conveyor, a cooler, and at least one roller. The conveyor conveys a recording medium with a first roller and a second roller each of which is in a loop. The cooler is disposed within the loop of the second belt and cools the recording medium discharged from a fixing device. The at least one roller is a roller within the loop of the first belt and between a first end roller disposed at an end of the first belt facing a plane of a conveyance path. Alternatively, the at least one roller is multiple rollers within the loop of the first belt and contacts an inner circumferential surface of the first belt against the cooler and an upstream roller of the multiple rollers has a smallest pressing force of the multiple rollers. |
| US09563153B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member configured to abut against an image carrier for carrying a toner image to form a transfer nip; and a power supply configured to output a bias voltage for transferring the toner image on the image carrier onto a recording medium nipped in the transfer nip. The bias voltage includes a first voltage for transferring the toner image from the image carrier onto the recording medium in a transfer direction and a second voltage having an opposite polarity of the first voltage, the first and the second voltages being alternately output. A time-averaged value of the bias voltage is set to a polarity in the transfer direction and is set in the transfer direction side with respect to a median between a maximum and a minimum of the bias voltage. |
| US09563151B2 |
Packaging unit including image forming apparatus to which cartridge accommodating developer is detachably mounted and packaging member in which image forming apparatus is packaged
A packaging unit includes an image forming apparatus and a packaging member. A cartridge is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus. The cartridge accommodates developer therein. The image forming apparatus is configured to form an image using the developer. The cartridge is formed with a first opening for allowing the developer to discharge outside from the cartridge when the cartridge is in a first posture. The cartridge is in the first posture when the image is formed. The packaging member packages the image forming apparatus therein in such a posture that the cartridge is in a second posture where leakage of the developer from the first opening is unlikely to occur as compared with a posture of the image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is in the first posture. |
| US09563149B2 |
Developer collection container and image forming apparatus
A developer collection container includes a connecting part removably connected to a discharge structure by moving relative to the discharge structure, the connecting part having a receiving opening to receive developer discharged from a discharge opening of the discharge structure, a storage part for storing the discharged developer, an opening and closing member provided in an area of the connecting part where the receiving opening is provided, the opening and closing member moving parallel to the area in conjunction with relative movement of the connecting part for displacement between close and open positions to close and open the receiving opening and having a covering part, and a sealing member provided around the receiving opening in the area, the sealing member sealing a gap formed between the covering part and the area and sealing at least a gap formed between the surrounding part of the discharge opening and the area. |
| US09563148B2 |
Image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of rotatable sheet members to determine amount of developer by capacitive means
An image forming apparatus includes a storage chamber configured to store developer, a plurality of sheet members disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode and disposed in the storage chamber, and a detecting portion configured to detect an output value relating to the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. The amount of the developer is detected on the basis of the degree of deterioration of any one of the plurality of sheet members and the output value. |
| US09563143B2 |
Image formation apparatus and method of controlling image formation apparatus that utilizes misregistration amount detection patterns
An image formation method includes: a first image formation misregistration correction processing that causes each image formation unit to form a misregistration amount detection pattern, obtains an image formation misregistration amount by detecting the patterns, and corrects an image formation misregistration based on the obtained image formation misregistration amount; comparison processing that compares a previous image formation misregistration amount with a latest image formation misregistration amount; and a second image formation misregistration correction processing that causes each image formation unit to form new misregistration amount detection patterns, obtains a new image formation misregistration amount by detecting the new patterns and corrects the image formation misregistration based on the obtained new image formation misregistration amount when receiving a new print job and if a difference between the previous image formation misregistration amount and the latest image formation misregistration amount is larger than a predetermined value. |
| US09563141B2 |
Toner, developer, and image forming apparatus
A toner, including: a copolymerization resin, wherein the copolymerization resin includes: a unit derived from a polyester resin including a polycarboxylic acid having a valence of 2 or more and a polyol having a valence of 2 or more; and a unit derived from a resin having a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid skeleton, where the unit derived from the resin having a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid skeleton is bonded to the unit derived from the polyester resin via at least one of a urethane group and a urea group, and wherein the toner has a relative degree of crystallization of 10% or more and less than 50%. |
| US09563138B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a single layer type photosensitive layer which includes a binder resin, a charge generating material, a hole transport material, a first electron transport material represented by the formula (1), and a second electron transport material represented by the formula (2), wherein X1 represents an oxygen atom or ═C(CN)2; R11 to R17 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group; and R18 represents an alkyl group, -L111-O—R112, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group; provided that L111 represents an alkylene group, and R112 represents an alkyl group, wherein X2 represents an oxygen atom or ═C(CN)2; R21 to R27 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group; and R28 represents an alkylene group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms or the like. |
| US09563133B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method
An exposure apparatus includes a projection system; a liquid supply system configured to supply liquid to a space under the projection system; a liquid recovery system configured to recover the supplied liquid via a recovery opening; a separator fluidically connected to the recovery opening, which separates one of the liquid and gas, which has been collected via the recovery opening, from the other; a flow-meter fluidically connected to the recovery opening; a stage system configured to move a movable member on which a substrate is held; and a measurement system having a light receiving part which receives a measurement light through a light-transmissive member provided at the movable member and through the liquid between the projection system and the light-transmissive member. |
| US09563129B2 |
Monitor system for determining orientations of mirror elements and EUV lithography system
An EUV lithography system has an EUV beam path and a monitor beam path. The EUV beam path includes a mirror system having plurality of mirror elements, the orientations of which can be changed. The monitor beam path includes a monitor radiation source, a screen and a spatially resolving detector. The mirror system is arranged in the monitor beam path between the monitor radiation source and the screen. |
| US09563128B2 |
Compositions and processes for immersion lithography
New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more materials that can be substantially non-mixable with a resin component of the resist. Further preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise 1) Si substitution, 2) fluorine substitution; 3) hyperbranched polymers; and/or 4) polymeric particles. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer during immersion lithography processing. |
| US09563125B2 |
Resist composition and method for producing resist pattern
A non-ionic compound includes a group represented by formula (Ia): wherein R2 represents a group having a C5 to C18 alicyclic hydrocarbon group where a methylene group may be replaced by an oxygen atom or a carbonyl group, Rf1 and Rf2 each independently represent a C1 to C4 perfluoroalkyl group, and * represents a binding site. |
| US09563121B2 |
Actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, and, actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive film and pattern forming method, each using the composition
An actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition contains a compound (P) that contains at least one phenolic hydroxyl group and at least one group in which a hydrogen atom of a phenolic hydroxyl group has been substituted with a group represented by the following General Formula (1) (in the formula, M11 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; Q11 represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group). |
| US09563118B2 |
Photomask, method of manufacturing photomask and exposure apparatus
On a photomask used for exposure processing, a plurality of pattern regions on which predetermined patterns are formed using a light shielding material are provided, and calibration marks are formed at positions corresponding to at least two opposite sides of each pattern region. During exposure processing, a deformation state of the photomask is detected based on calibration marks formed on the photomask and marks formed on a substrate stage, and a projection condition for projecting a pattern formed on the photomask on the substrate is corrected based on the detection result. |
| US09563114B2 |
Display device
A screen includes: a diffraction member and a scattering member. The diffraction member selectively diffracts image light and orients this light towards a viewer. In order for the image light to be scattered to a higher degree than ambient light that enters the scattering member on the side opposite of the viewer, the degree to which the scattering member scatters polarized light varies according to the polarization direction of the light. Thus, regardless of the positional relationship of the screen and a projector, which projects image light, it is possible to use a relatively simple industrial manufacturing process that can ensure the following to a satisfactory extent: brightness of the screen in the front direction, a wide viewing angle, and visual clarity through the screen. |
| US09563109B2 |
Light source device with wavelength conversion element and projector including the same
A light source device includes a wavelength conversion element adapted to emit a second light in a first wavelength range due to irradiation of a first light, and a wavelength separation element to which the second light is input, and the wavelength separation element generates a third light reduced in light intensity of a component in a second wavelength range among a component in the first wavelength range compared to the second light. |
| US09563108B2 |
Imaging device and fixing device
An imaging device includes a base, an illuminating device, a first housing element, and a second housing element. The first housing element defines a cutout. The first housing element further includes at least one fixing piece from an edge of the first housing element. The second housing element is similar configuration to the first housing element. When the first housing element is fixed to the second housing element, the two cutouts defines an engaging hole, the illuminating device extends from the engaging hole from the base, the two fixing pieces engage with the illuminating device to fix the illuminating device to the base. |
| US09563106B2 |
Teleconverter mounted on a master lens apparatus to obtain a lens system having a focal length longer than that of the master lens apparatus, and imaging system comprising the same
A teleconverter includes a master lens apparatus-side mount on which a master lens apparatus is mounted, a camera body-side mount on which a camera body is mounted, and a converter lens unit that has a negative refracting power for mounting the master lens apparatus thereon to obtain a lens system having a focal length longer than that of the master lens apparatus, the converter lens unit including a first lens group on the master lens apparatus side and a second lens group on the camera body side with an on longest air separation interposed between them, the first lens group has positive refracting power, and the second lens group has negative refracting power, with satisfaction of the following condition (1): −1.53 |
| US09563105B1 |
Screw coupler enabling direct secure fastening between communicating electronic components
A screw based coupler mechanism can include a head, a shank, and/or a helical ridge wrapped around the shank. The shank can include an electronic connector with one or more electronic pin outs. The shank can be configured to be physically and electronically mated to an electronic device. The electronic device can include a base and a hollow region surrounded by a matching helical ridge which securely mate the component to the shank. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a panoramic camera which can be secured to a screw based coupler of a mounting platform. |
| US09563104B1 |
Asymmetric aperture for eyetracking
An asymmetric aperture device for a camera is provided that improves light gathering properties by increasing both the light gathering opening of the aperture and the number of light producing light sources placed on the aperture. An asymmetric aperture design is provided that utilizes a significantly larger portion of the camera lens. The tradeoff between the competing objectives of maximizing camera depth of field and maximizing the production of useful focus-condition information within the camera image is optimized. More illumination is provided without significantly increasing the lateral size of the illuminator pattern. |
| US09563093B2 |
Liquid crystal display including curved shield electrode
A liquid crystal display includes a lower substrate and an upper substrate facing each other, a liquid crystal layer provided between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on the lower substrate, extended in a substantially horizontal direction, and including a thin film transistor forming region and a display area, a reference voltage line extended in a substantially vertical direction along a center of the display area, a gate line provided on the lower substrate and extended in the substantially horizontal direction between neighboring pixel electrodes of the plurality of pixel electrodes, a data line provided on the lower substrate and crossing the gate line, and a shield electrode overlapping the gate line and including a curved portion which is disposed on an edge portion of the pixel electrode and overlaps the data line. |
| US09563089B2 |
Liquid crystal display, array substrate in in-plane switching mode and manufacturing method thereof
An array substrate comprises a substrate, a passivation layer on a surface of the substrate, a first organic film on a surface of the passivation layer and provided with a groove, a common electrode disposed on a surface of the first organic film outside the groove, and a pixel electrode disposed in the groove. A vertical projection of the common electrode on the surface of the passivation layer does not overlap with a vertical projection of the pixel electrode on the surface of the passivation layer. |
| US09563086B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A display device may include the following elements: a transistor; a first pixel electrode electrically connected to a drain electrode of the transistor and including a first-type subpixel electrode and a second-type subpixel electrode; a first-type common electrode overlapping the first-type subpixel electrode; a second-type common electrode overlapping the second-type subpixel electrode; a first-type common voltage line electrically connected to the first-type common electrode, electrically insulated from the second-type common electrode, and overlapping each of the first-type common electrode and the second-type common electrode; and a second-type common voltage line electrically insulated from the first-type common electrode, electrically connected to the second-type common electrode, and overlapping each of the first-type common electrode and the second-type common electrode. |
| US09563081B2 |
Frame seal structure on substrate, substrate, and liquid crystal display device
The present disclosure relates to the field of liquid crystal display, and particularly to a frame seal structure on a substrate, a substrate, and a liquid crystal display device. The frame seal structure comprises a primary seal and an assembly process dummy seal. The assembly process dummy seal is formed in an area between the primary seal and an edge of the substrate, and consists of a plurality of sub-seals which are arranged discontinuously. The present frame seal structure is a novel frame seal structure which is proposed with respect to drawbacks of the process dummy seal during assembling with a VIF process in a liquid crystal display device with post spacers. By virtue of the novel frame seal, the peripheral region of the substrate will not be pressed airtight during assembling, so that the gas can be discharged, and poor sealing in a certain area is avoided. Thus the present disclosure can solve the problem of poor pressing of frame seal, particularly the problems like seal brush and seal narrow, and can be better adapted to the VIF process and improve the yield. |
| US09563075B2 |
Method for manufacturing liquid crystal display device provided with front plate, and liquid crystal display device provided with front plate
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device having no wrinkles and distortion between a hard coat layer and a base material film, and no peeling of the hard coat layer. This method stacks a sealing layer having an ultraviolet curable adhesive; a front plate composed of a glass or an acrylic resin; an adhesive layer; and a base material film, which has a resin layer containing an adhesion improving agent, and a hard coat layer on the film surface. The resin layer contains 0.005-0.5 parts of the per 100 parts of a binder resin. The adhesive improving agent has an absorption maximum peak at a wavelength of 260-400 nm at the time of curing the sealing layer by applying ultraviolet rays from the hard coat layer side. |
| US09563071B1 |
Apparatus, optical assembly, and method thereof
A laser system is configured to form at least one laser induced channel in a substrate and includes a laser and a laser path. The laser produces a laser beam, and the laser path includes an optical assembly that receives the laser beam and emits a conditioned laser beam. The optical assembly is configured to emit the conditioned laser beam with a substantially uniform focal energy distribution in a focal region defined along the direction of propagation. An apparatus includes a laser induced channel edge with a plurality of laser induced channels spanning some or all of the thickness of the substrate, which can be greater than 4 mm. |
| US09563070B2 |
Diffraction-type multifocal ophthalmic lens and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a diffraction-type multifocal ophthalmic lens for which halos are reduced. Also provided is a diffraction-type multifocal ophthalmic lens having three or more focal points, which is implemented on the basis of the discovery that the diffraction-type multifocal ophthalmic lens has a characteristic whereby multiple focal points can be generated in the intermediate region as well as the near and far regions. Also provided is a method for manufacturing a diffraction-type multifocal ophthalmic lens which provides a simple design and manufacturing method by means of a simple diffraction structure and by replacing a cumbersome computer simulation with a simple method. This diffraction-type multifocal ophthalmic lens has a diffraction structure (20) where a plurality of diffraction zones are formed concentrically on the lens (10), and an equal-pitch region is provided where pitches of at least two zones among the diffraction zones are made equal. |
| US09563069B2 |
Wearable eyeglasses with securing temples
A pair of eyeglasses with securing temples having snap-steel interiors. These temples comfortably wrap partially about a user's head, thereby securing the eyeglasses to the user's head. The snap steel transforms the temples from a first, rigid position where the glasses can be easily stored and transported to a second, wrapped position where the temples wrap about and contour to a user's head. The temples and the frame are manufactured from the same piece of material. |
| US09563067B2 |
Camera module having a buffer unit
A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) configured to have an image sensor mounted thereon; a housing unit disposed over the first PCB; a holder module spaced apart from a bottom surface within the housing unit at a specific interval and configured to have a first coil wound on its outer circumferential face and to include at least lens therein; a second PCB combined with the bottom surface of the holder module; a third PCB disposed over the holder module; and a plurality of wire springs each configured to have one end connected to the second PCB and the other end connected to the third PCB. |
| US09563064B2 |
Display processing apparatus, system and method
A display processing apparatus is configured to process linearly polarized light emitted out from a display device. The display processing apparatus comprises a polarization conversion unit, wherein the polarization conversion unit is configured to convert the linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light in different rotation directions according to different display timings of the display device; the display timings include a first display time sequence point and at least one subsequent display time sequence point; a display signal corresponding to the first display time sequence point of the display device is a display signal of a first image, and a display signal corresponding to the subsequent display time sequence point is a display signal of a second image; and the polarization conversion unit converts linearly polarized light, emitted out from the display device during display at the first display time sequence point, into circularly polarized light in a first rotation direction, and convert linearly polarized light, emitted out from the display device during display at the subsequent display time sequence point, into circularly polarized light in a second rotation direction. A display system and a display method, which can greatly improve the confidential display effect, are further provided. |
| US09563063B2 |
Display device and electronic device
A display device has an NTSC ratio of higher than or equal to 80% and a contrast ratio of higher than or equal to 500 and includes a display portion. In the display portion, pixels are provided at a resolution of greater than or equal to 80 ppi, and the pixels each includes a light-emitting module capable of emitting light with a spectral line half-width of less than or equal to 60 nm in a response time of shorter than or equal to 100 μs. Further, transient characteristics of the emission intensity of the light-emitting module have a projecting portion higher than other portions in a portion rising in response to an input signal. |
| US09563057B2 |
Eyewear type terminal and control method thereof
An eyewear type terminal includes a camera, an infrared light emitting part, a display unit and a controller. The camera obtains a first image using at least one image sensor. The infrared light emitting part is disposed to be spaced apart from the camera at a predetermined distance, and transmits infrared light using at least one infrared light emitting device. The display unit displays the first image and a marker moving along a first input signal on the first image, when the infrared light emitting part is driven. The controller obtains a second image of an object existing in the area where the marker is displayed using the at least one infrared light emitting part and the camera, when a second input signal is sensed, and outputs visual information related to the obtained second image to be adjacent to the object. |
| US09563054B2 |
Optical device, optical scanner, and image display device
An optical scanner includes: a movable portion that includes a base portion and a light reflecting plate which is fixed to the base portion and includes a light reflecting portion with a light reflecting property and is rotatable about the Y-axis; a frame portion that is provided so as to surround the base portion and is rotatable about the X-axis perpendicular to the Y-axis; a shaft portion that supports the movable portion so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis with respect to the frame portion; and a permanent magnet that is provided in the frame portion. The light reflecting plate is provided such that it is separated from the shaft portion in a thickness direction and overlaps the shaft portion, as viewed from the thickness direction. The permanent magnet is fixed to a surface of the frame portion close to the light reflecting plate. |
| US09563051B2 |
Display device
A display panel can display images or information on at least one surface side and transmit external light through a transmissive display element. The display panel includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light to the one surface side and can be driven independently and a plurality of transmissive display elements that can be driven independently. Alternatively, a display panel transmits external light through a double-side light-emitting element and a transmissive display element. The display panel includes a plurality of double-side light-emitting elements that can be driven independently and a plurality of transmissive display elements that can be driven independently. |
| US09563042B2 |
Optical system and optical apparatus
An optical system consists essentially of, in order from the magnification side, a first lens having a positive refractive power with a convex surface on the magnification side, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a negative refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, a fifth lens having a positive refractive power, and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power, wherein the following conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.17 |
| US09563041B2 |
Optical system for an infrared ray
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical system for an infrared ray which can provide a bright image, and can be applied to fixed focal length lenses among wide-angle to medium-telephoto. To achieve the object, the optical system for an infrared ray is constituted by a first lens having negative refractive power and a second lens having positive refractive power, these are arranged sequentially from an object side, wherein both the first lens and the second lens are made of an infrared transmitting material that transmits a light beam in an infrared wavelength range of 3 micron-meters or more to 14 micron-meters or less, and at least one of the lenses is made of an infrared transmitting material excluding germanium. |
| US09563037B2 |
Optical image capturing system
The invention discloses a six-piece optical lens for capturing image and a six-piece optical system for capturing image. In order from an object side to an image side, the optical lens along the optical axis comprises a first lens with a positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens with a refractive power; a third lens with a refractive power; a fourth lens with a refractive power; a fifth lens with a refractive power; and a sixth lens with a negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface; and at least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the sixth lens element has inflection points and both of the image-side surface and object-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09563033B2 |
Methods and apparatus for capturing images and/or for using captured images
Methods and apparatus relating to image capture of image portions using optical chains with different focal lengths are described. In some embodiments different portions of a scene area of interest captured by different optical chains operating in parallel are combined. The combining in some embodiments is performed using depth information generated from two images captured by two different optical chains which capture at least some common overlapping portions of the scene area of interest. The depth information maybe generated using an image of the entire scene and one or more other images of the scene or portions of the scene area of interest. The use of multiple optical chains in parallel facilitates generation of an image with a higher overall pixel count than would be possible using a single sensor of one of the optical chains and/or with more light capture than would be captured using a single optical chain. |
| US09563031B2 |
Fiber optic enclosure with internal cable spool
A fiber optic distribution terminal includes an enclosure having a base. A cover is pivotally engaged to the base. The base and the cover cooperatively define an interior region. A cable spool assembly is disposed in the interior region of the enclosure. The cable spool assembly includes a first flange and a second flange. The first flange has a flange and an inner drum that extends outwardly from the flange. The second flange has a tray and an outer drum that extends outwardly from the tray. The outer drum defines a bore. The outer drum is in snap-fit engagement with the inner drum. A plurality of adapters is disposed on the tray. A fiber optic cable is disposed about the outer drum of the cable spool assembly. The fiber optic cable includes a plurality of connectorized ends that is engaged with first ports of the plurality of adapters. |
| US09563030B2 |
Connector for waveguide and alignment method
Various embodiments are directed to a connector for coupling optical signals to a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the connector includes a connector member having a recessed portion to arrange a plurality of waveguides formed side-by-side in a transverse direction. A backup member is arranged within the recessed portion interposing the plurality of waveguides between the connector member and the backup member. The recessed portion includes a plurality of ridges arranged in a staggered pattern relative to the plurality of waveguides for positioning the plurality of waveguides relative to the connector. |
| US09563029B2 |
Optical module with enhanced heat dissipating function
An optical module to enhance the heat dissipating function is disclosed. The optical module includes an optical assembly, a heat spreader, and a holder. The optical assembly emits light and dissipates heat in directions opposite to each other. The heat spreader is attached to the bottom of the optical assembly to conduct heat from the optical assembly effective to the outside. The holder securely holds the intermediate assembly of the optical assembly and the heat spreader. |
| US09563021B2 |
Optical switching device
An optical switching device including an optical switching engine may be packaged by omitting an optical bench and disposing optical elements directly on a base of a housing of the optical switching device. The optical switching engine may be disposed on a ceramic portion of the base, and thermally matched to the ceramic base. The base may be reinforced by the housing walls and optional internal rigidity ribs. The optical elements may be thermally matched to the base, and the lid may be strain relieved by thinning lid edges. The housing may be mounted to an external chassis using soft grummets. |
| US09563015B1 |
Optical waveguide structure and manufacturing method thereof
An optical waveguide structure and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The optical waveguide structure has a first waveguide layer, a binding layer, and a second waveguide layer. The first waveguide layer has a taper portion, a connecting portion, and a strip portion. The manufacturing method of the optical waveguide structure has steps of etching to form the first waveguide layer, and then etching to form the second waveguide layer under the first waveguide layer. |
| US09563012B2 |
Hybrid single-mode and multimode optical fiber
A hybrid optical fiber integrates features of multimode optical fibers and single-mode optical fibers. The hybrid optical fiber possesses an optical core having a first core region and a second core region to provide improved optical mode coupling ratio for single-mode transmission while maintaining a broad bandwidth for multimode transmission. The hybrid optical fiber's optical core may optionally include a depressed trench positioned between the optical core's first core region and the optical core's second core region to reduce modal dispersion and to improve modal bandwidth during multimode transmissions. |
| US09563010B2 |
Method for generating a running light effect on an optical wave guide structure and optical wave guide structure
The invention relates to an optical wave guide structure (1) comprising at least one optical wave guide (2, 2′; 11, 12) and at least two light input positions (A . . . E), each of which is associated with a light source (3, 3′; 4, 4′, 4″; 22a . . . e), the optical wave guide being designed to guide the input light and to emit light based on irregularities (6) embodied on the optical wave guide, and the light sources (3, 3′; 4, 4′, 4″; 22a . . . e) being associated with an actuating circuit (9), which is designed to control the brightness levels of the light sources according to predefinable dimming curves as a function of time. |
| US09563009B2 |
Backlight module and display device
The present invention discloses a backlight module, which comprises a plastic frame, a backplane, a light guide and an optical film, the backplane comprises a mutually perpendicular vertical plate and horizontal plate, the plastic frame and the light guide are provided inside the backplane, the optical film is close to the upper surface of the plastic frame and the light guide. The present invention further provides a display device, which reduces the size of the plastic frame through pasting the optical film on the upper surface of the plastic frame and the light guide, achieving the ultra-narrow frame design. |
| US09563006B2 |
Lighting assembly having anti-wetting component interposed between light guide and reflector
A lighting assembly includes a light guide to propagate light by total internal reflection. A reflector adjacent the second major surface of the light guide includes a reflective surface to reflect extracted light back into the light guide. An anti-wetting component is interposed between the light guide and the reflector and includes opposed major surfaces. At least one of the major surfaces of the anti-wetting component has a high surface roughness. The anti-wetting component is configured to redirect light transmitted therethrough such that an intensity profile of the light output from the first major surface of the light guide is uniform among a first location where the anti-wetting component is in contact with the light guide and the reflector and a second location where the anti-wetting component is not in contact with at least one of the light guide and the reflector. |
| US09563005B2 |
Light source device, display apparatus, and method of manufacturing light source device
Provided are a light source device capable of uniformly illuminating, a display apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the light source device. Since a reflection sheet is adhered to a light guide plate through an adhesive layer, deflection thereof is suppressed. Since dot parts are filled in openings of an optical layer, it would be difficult for the dot parts to be distorted by an outer force. In addition, since the dot parts are formed by forming the optical layer and the adhesive layer in a large area in which an occurrence of distortion during forming is minimal, it would be difficult for the dot parts to be distorted during forming the same. Therefore, an occurrence of luminance unevenness caused by the deflection of the reflection sheet or the distortion of the dot parts may be suppressed. From the above result, it is possible to uniformly illuminate by the light source device. |
| US09563004B2 |
Image source unit and image display unit
Provided is an image source unit for improving use efficiency of the image light, including: a light source; and an optical sheet, the optical sheet including: a base material layer; an optical functional layer; and an adhesive layer, the optical functional layer including: light-transmissive portions arranged in parallel; and light-absorbing portions arranged between the light-transmissive portions, whose refractive index is set smaller than that of the light-transmissive portions, the light source side face of the light-transmissive portions includes unit light input control elements so that the elements project towards the light source side, the light-absorbing portions not being arranged between the unit light input control elements, the light source side face of the light-absorbing portions having a recess so that the bottom of the recess faces the opposite side from the light source, the adhesive layer is laminated on a light source side face of the optical functional layer. |
| US09563001B2 |
Light source apparatus
A light source apparatus includes a light source, an optical fiber, and a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism is configured with a planar position adjustment mechanism, an axial line position adjustment mechanism, and an orientation maintaining mechanism. The planar position adjustment mechanism adjusts a position of the optical fiber in a direction following the light-emitting surface. The axial line position adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the optical fiber in a direction intersecting with the light-emitting surface. The orientation maintaining mechanism holds the optical fiber in a state where an axis direction of the optical fiber lies in a predetermined intersecting direction with respect to the light-emitting surface. |
| US09562999B2 |
Optical film comprising first and second semi-transmissive films configured to transmit a linearly polarized light component and reflect a circularly polarized light component and display apparatus including the optical film
An optical film may include a polarizer configured to linearly polarize a first light to provide a linearly polarized light component. The optical film may further include a first semi-transmissive film overlapping the polarizer, configured to transmit the linearly polarized light component, and configured to reflect a first circularly polarized component of a second light. The first circularly polarized component of the second light may have a first wavelength. The optical film may further include a second semi-transmissive film overlapping the first semi-transmissive film, configured to transmit the linearly polarized light component, and configured to reflect a second circularly polarized component of the second light. The second circularly polarized component of the second light may have a second wavelength that is unequal to the first wavelength. |
| US09562998B2 |
Inconspicuous optical tags and methods therefor
Tags are made from optical films to provide a pattern that is inconspicuous to ordinary observers, but that is detectable by a camera or other imaging device. The pattern is provided by first and second portions of a patterned layer, the first portions selectively filtering at least a portion of blue visible light from other visible light wavelengths. Filtering in the portion of the blue region helps make the pattern inconspicuous. The tags may also include an indicia layer configured to mark a location of the pattern, and a contrast enhancing layer disposed behind the patterned layer and configured to enhance a contrast of the pattern. In some cases, the first portions of the patterned layer may filter optical wavelengths other than blue, such as near-infrared light. The pattern may comprise machine-readable information, e.g., a linear bar code or a 2-D bar code. Associated methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US09562994B2 |
Antiglare sheet for image display device, manufacturing method thereof, method of improving black tint and image sharpness of an image display device using said antiglare sheet and suited for use with both moving images and still images
The purpose of this invention is to achieve a video display device antiglare sheet having excellent black glossiness, darkness in dark places, and antiglare properties in video applications, and suited to realizing high image quality. The antiglare layer comprising a transparent resin and diffusion particles is provided on at least one surface of a transparent substrate. The antiglare layer is uneven on the surface opposite of the transparent substrate, said unevenness being formed mainly by convexities resulting from the diffusion particles, and the diffusion particles have an impregnation layer formed from the impregnation of the transparent resin. The brightness values and the transmission intensities about the antiglare sheet satisfy specific relational expressions. |
| US09562993B2 |
Refractive index distribution structure and manufacturing method of the same, and image display apparatus having the refractive index distribution structure
There is provided a method of manufacturing a refractive index distribution structure having a plurality of microparticles, suppressing density unevenness between the plurality of microparticles, capable of obtaining uniform in-plane characteristics, and capable of maintaining stability and high reproducibility. The method of manufacturing a refractive index distribution structure includes manufacturing a plurality of core-shell microparticles including a shell and a core microparticle contained in the shell, the core microparticle being made of a material having a refractive index higher than the material forming the shell and having the same core diameter, and the shell having a different shell thickness; and forming a refractive index distribution structure by arranging the plurality of core-shell microparticles on a substrate. |
| US09562989B2 |
Rotational indexing to optimize sensing volume of a nuclear magnetic resonance logging tool
A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging tool assembly method that employs rotational indexing to optimize the sensing volume. At least some embodiments include establishing an initial arrangement of the permanent magnets and marking each magnet to indicate their relative rotational orientations in the initial arrangement. Thereafter a series of magnetic field measurements and individual magnet rotations are performed to improve the uniformity of the magnetic field in the sensing volume. Once a satisfactory arrangement has been found, the magnets may be secured together and an antenna array installed along with the electronics for performing relaxation time measurements and providing logs of formation properties that can be derived therefrom, such as porosity, permeability, density, rock type, fluid type, etc. The tool may be packaged as a wireline sonde, a tubing-conveyed logging tool, or a logging while drilling (LWD) tool. |
| US09562985B2 |
Acoustic sensor apparatus, systems, and methods
In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire multiple output values provided by at least one elongated, unitary acoustic sensor operating as a secondary propagation medium. The sensor has multiple mechanical-to-electrical conversion probe points along its length, to provide corresponding multiple output values proportional to mechanical movement along the length of the sensor, the mechanical movement being induced by acoustic waves in a primary propagation medium comprising a geological formation and borehole fluid. Further activity may include processing the output values to determine slowness in an acoustic wave propagating between at least two of the probe points. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09562982B1 |
Coherent sound source for marine seismic surveys
A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An exemplary underwater sound projector comprises a plurality of pistons actuated by an electromagnetic force generator having components comprising a stator, armatures, electrical coils, and permanent magnets. The pistons and the components are arranged to create mechanical and magnetic symmetry about a geometric center of the projector to reduce reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The stator and the armatures have magnetic poles that employ a tapered geometry. The projector optionally includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and/or change the depth and roll when the projector is configured as a tow body. A plurality of such projectors can be configured in an array. An umbilical can connect the projectors to a vessel, transmit electrical power and compressed gas to each array element and/or provide a data transmission medium between the projector and the vessel. |
| US09562980B2 |
Scintillator panel and radiation detector
A scintillator panel includes: a flexible substrate; a phosphor arranged on the flexible substrate; and a thermal expansion compensation layer disposed between the flexible substrate and the phosphor, wherein a linear expansion coefficient of the thermal expansion compensation layer is greater than a thermal expansion coefficient of the phosphor, and surfaces, of the thermal expansion compensation layer and of the flexible substrate, in contact with each other each contain an organic substance. |
| US09562973B2 |
Multimode device for locating and identifying items
An integrated identification system including a housing, an active light beacon supported by the housing, an RF beacon supported by the housing, and a controller coupled to the active light beacon and RF beacon to facilitate independent control of the active light beacon and RF beacon. |
| US09562970B2 |
Proximity detecting apparatus and method based on audio signals
An apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code. The at least one memory and the computer code are configured with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to determine at least one impulse response model pulse train from at least one audio signal, and to determine a presence of an object from the at least one impulse model pulse train. |
| US09562968B2 |
Sensor system and method for determining target location using sparsity-based processing
A system and method for an arrayed sensor to resolve ambiguity in received signals, improve direction of arrival accuracy and estimate a location of one or more targets in an environment including signal interference. |
| US09562967B2 |
Controlling a radar system and the provision of a range-doppler target image signature
A method of controlling a radar system by: receiving a radar return signal from a target and generating a range-Doppler target image signature of the target; selecting a spectral line within the range-Doppler target image signature from a modulation feature on the target which includes an effective point scatterer; providing a range profile for the spectral line; obtaining a reference range profile of a reference point scatterer; and determining a difference between a power at a range shorter than a peak corresponding to the modulation feature in the range profile and a power at a corresponding range of the reference range profile. The method may further include controlling provision of the range-Doppler target image signature based on the difference. |
| US09562965B2 |
Two-stage filtering based method for multiple target tracking
A two-filter based method of detecting and tracking a target that can track an unknown and time-varying number of targets, while keeping continuous track, even in scenarios with large number of false contacts or missing measurements, is provided. More specifically, a first filter provides target detection, a second filter provides target tracking of the detected targets, and a clustering technique that operates after the first filter. The first filter starts with a uniform distribution over the surveillance area and resets periodically after the clustering technique is run. When the clustering technique runs, it detects the clusters corresponding to the different targets and passes them to the second filter that tracks these targets. |
| US09562964B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking a user's location
Techniques for tracking a current location of a user are described. According to various embodiments, an ambient noise signal proximate to a user device is detected using a microphone. Audio sample information may be accessed, where the audio sample information identifies various audio samples and, for each of the audio samples, a source of the corresponding audio sample. Thereafter, a specific audio sample corresponding to the ambient noise signal may be identified. Moreover, a current location of the user device may be determined, based on the source of the specific audio sample. |
| US09562963B2 |
System for activating the distress beacon of an aircraft
A system for activating the distress beacon determines a positional difference between a theoretical position of the aircraft determined from data of the flight plan and a real position of the aircraft determined from the navigation and monitoring equipment installed in the aircraft. This system delivers an instruction to arm the distress beacon when one or more conditions are met, among which is the condition that the positional difference exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US09562961B1 |
Apparatus, method, and system for estimating the angle of arrival of a signal
A system for estimating an angle of arrival of a signal includes an object, a movable component that is movably coupled to the object, and at least first and second spaced-apart antennas coupled to the movable component. The system also includes a controller that is configured to estimate an angle of arrival of a signal based on a difference between a time the signal arrives at the first antenna and a time the signal arrives at the second antenna while the movable component is moving, and a difference between a frequency of arrival of the signal at the first antenna and a frequency of arrival of the signal at the second antenna while the movable component is moving. |
| US09562959B2 |
MRI detection of tissue macromolecular characteristics using MTC effects
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method (a) acquires k-space data for a patient ROI over a predetermined band of RF frequencies using RF excitation pulses having respectively corresponding RF frequencies incrementally offset from a nuclear magnetic resonant (NMR) Larmor frequency for free nuclei over a predetermined range of different offset frequencies in which target macromolecule responses are expected and to process such acquired data into spectral data for voxels in the ROI; (b) analyzes the acquired spectral data to provide spectral peak width data corresponding to tissue values in the ROI for macromolecules participating in magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) effects producing said spectral data; and (c) stores and/or displays data representative of tissue values of the ROI which values are different for different tissues. |
| US09562955B2 |
Methods and apparatus for magnetic field strength measurement
This disclosure provides methods and apparatus for wireless power field testing. An apparatus for sensing magnetic field strength of a wireless charging pad is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of conductive loops each configured to sense a strength of a magnetic field passing through a respective one of the plurality of conductive loops. The apparatus includes at least one pair of terminals configured to be electrically connected to one or more of the plurality of conductive loops and configured to provide a voltage signal having a magnitude proportional to the strength of the magnetic field passing through the one or more of the plurality of conductive loops. In some implementations, the apparatus further includes a multiplexer circuit configured to individually electrically connect each of at least a subset of the plurality of conductive loops to the at least one pair of terminals. |
| US09562954B2 |
Maximization of target signal and elimination of backbias component for a differential upright position sensor
Embodiments relate to sensor device configurations. In one embodiment, a sensor device comprises a bias magnet, a field sensor die, a first set of one or more magnetic field sensor elements, a second set of one or more magnetic field sensor elements, a memory, and circuitry. The sensor device is configured to combine the sensed magnitudes from each of the magnetic field sensor elements of the first set to obtain a first set output, trim the sensed magnitudes from each of the one or more magnetic field sensor elements of the second set with one of the set of trim values to obtain a second set output, and combine the second set output with the first set output to provide an output signal. |
| US09562949B2 |
Battery monitoring device
A battery monitoring device includes a control unit; electric elements respectively connected in parallel to battery cells; main analog-digital converters that are respectively connected to the battery cells via the electric elements, and respectively detect voltages of the battery cells; and sub analog-digital converters that are respectively connected to the battery cells without using the electric elements, and respectively detect the voltages of the battery cells. The control unit is configured to determine whether there is a failure in each electric element based on a first voltage detection value detected by the main analog-digital converter, and a second voltage detection value detected by the sub analog-digital converter. The control unit is configured to limit a control range of a degree of charge as compared to that used during a normal control, when it is determined that there is a leak failure in at least one of the electric elements. |
| US09562946B2 |
Integrated circuit wafer having plural dies with each die including test circuit receiving expected data and mask data from different pads
Test circuits located on semiconductor die enable a tester to test a plurality of die/ICs in parallel by inputting both stimulus and response patterns to the plurality of die/ICs. The response patterns from the tester are input to the test circuits along with the output response of the die/IC to be compared. Also disclosed is the use of a response signal encoding scheme whereby the tester transmits response test commands to the test circuits, using a single signal per test circuit, to perform: (1) a compare die/IC output against an expected logic high, (2) a compare die/IC output against an expected logic low, and (3) a mask compare operation. The use of the signal encoding scheme allows functional testing of die and ICs since all response test commands (i.e. 1-3 above) required at each die/IC output can be transmitted to each die/IC output using only a single tester signal connection per die/IC output. In addition to functional testing, scan testing of die and ICs is also possible. |
| US09562941B2 |
Method of locating an event transmitting a signal
The invention relates to a method and a device for locating an event transmitting a signal, including a set of sensors (Ai-Am) to measure the response times of the said signal, and processing means (3) to solve a system of equations defining distances between the said sensors and the said event as a function of a speed of propagation of the said signal and of an offset of the said response times relative to a reference time, where the device also includes: processing means (3) to recommence multiple times the solution of the system of equations, each time modifying the response time of at least one of the said sensors according to a local variation, and processing means (3) to determine the location of the event as a function of the positions obtained when the different solutions of the system of equations are found. |
| US09562929B2 |
Measurement device
A measurement device includes a stage for carrying an object to be measured, an insulating board having a through hole, a probe fixed on the undersurface of the insulating board, a side wall section in a shape surrounding the probe, a pressurizing section provided on the top surface of the insulating board, the pressuring section supplying a gas below the insulating board via the through hole, and a measurement section electrically connected to the probe to control the pressurizing section, wherein the measurement section measures an electric property of the object to be measured via the probe in a state where the pressurizing section is controlled to supply a gas to a measurement space located below the insulating board to increase a pressure in the measurement space, the measurement space surrounded by the stage, the side wall section, and the insulating board. |
| US09562925B2 |
Power line management system
Techniques comprising obtaining, using a sensor unit coupled to a power line in a power distribution system, at least one measurement of at least one inertial property of the power line; and detecting at least one condition of the power line at least in part by analyzing the at least one measurement. A sensor unit configured to be coupled to a power line in a power distribution system, the sensor unit comprising an inertial sensor configured to collect at least one measurement of at least one inertial property of the power line. |
| US09562921B2 |
Immunodiagnostic test element having weakened foil layer
An immunodiagnostic test element includes a support member, at least one test column containing a test material, and a wrap, such as an adhesively-attached foil wrap, covering the top of the at least one test element. The wrap includes a weakened portion directly above each test column, in which each weakened portion is formed by pre-stressing the portion, but not to the point of puncturing the wrap to enable the wrap to be punctured by a fluid aspirating/dispensing element, such as a metering tip, permitting access to the contents of the test column. |
| US09562918B2 |
Sample rack conveying unit and automatic analysis system
A sample rack conveying unit 30 includes a sliding rail plate 53, a presser 66, a first guide plate 55, and a second guide plate 56. The sliding rail plate 53 has a groove portion 71 formed along a track on which a sample rack 90 slides and along which the sample rack 90 is conveyed. The presser 66 passes through the groove portion 71 and presses the sample rack 90. The first guide plate 55 is arranged on an outer side of a curved portion in a radial direction. The second guide plate 56 is arranged on an inner side of the curved portion in the radial direction. |
| US09562917B2 |
Automatic analysis device and automatic analysis program
Accuracy control of an automatic analysis device that mixes a sample and a reagent to measure temporal change of a mixed solution is realized. A plurality of measurement point data is acquired from a reaction process of the sample and the reagent. Parameters and test values of approximate equations for approximating the plurality of measurement point data are accumulated in a storage unit. A distribution map of reference data corresponding to the parameters or the test values is created based on predetermined numbers of the parameters or the test values accumulated in the storage unit. Next, a plurality of screens for individually superimposing, on the distribution map, curved lines corresponding to a plurality of regression function candidates obtained by applying a plurality of regression functions are arranged and presented on a display screen, so as to approximate the data to the distribution map of the reference data. |
| US09562913B2 |
Method for liberating and detecting nitric oxide from nitrosothiols and iron nitrosyls in blood
Amount of combined nitric oxide or nitric oxide presented as iron nitrosyls in a blood sample is determined by directing a low power electromagnetic radiation beam at a blood sample to liberate nitric oxide gas, dissolving the liberated nitric oxide gas and electrochemically detecting amount of dissolved nitric oxide gas. |
| US09562912B2 |
Method of identifying abnormal cells by expression levels of ETFB
Provided is a method for identifying and suppressing abnormal growth of fibroblasts at an early stage. Provided is a method for identifying the growth state of fibroblasts using as an index the level of expression of ETFB (electron transfer flavoprotein beta subunit), comprising: judging, in cases where the level of expression of ETFB is high, that there is a high probability that fibroblasts are abnormally growing; and judging, in cases where the level of expression of ETFB is low, that there is a high probability that fibroblasts are normally growing. Further, by inhibition of ETFB, abnormal growth of fibroblasts can be suppressed. |
| US09562911B2 |
Simultaneous characterization of IgG and IgA antibodies to multiple food antigens and C1Q-food protein immune complexes
Compositions and methods for accurately characterizing immune reactivity to food allergens have been developed, in which test surfaces that incorporate different food antigen preparations derived from the same food into individual test sites are provided. Such coated surfaces can be produced using raw and cooked foods. The use of a panel of such test surfaces to characterize specific IgG, IgA, and/or C1q binding provides improved sensitivity and accuracy in determining immune reactivity and response to specific foods. |
| US09562897B2 |
Sandwich assays in droplets
The invention generally relates to performing sandwich assays in droplets. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting a target analyte that involve forming a compartmentalized portion of fluid including a portion of a sample suspected of containing a target analyte and a sample identifier, a first binding agent having a target identifier, and a second binding agent specific to the target analyte under conditions that produce a complex of the first and second binding agents with the target analyte, separating the complexes, and detecting the complexes, thereby detecting the target analyte. |
| US09562892B2 |
Methods and agents for modulating protocadherin-18 activity
Screening assays and methods of using same for screening to identify modulator agents or compounds that affect pcdh18 mediated inhibition of T cell effector function are described herein. Pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions comprising agents or compounds that modulate pcdh18 mediated inhibition of T cell effector function are also encompassed. Methods for modulating pcdh18 mediated inhibition of T cell effector function using agents identified using assays described herein in pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions are also envisioned. Adenocarcinoma is an exemplary tumor type that expresses pcdh18 and for which such pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions would confer benefit to patients. Also encompassed are methods for reducing pcdh18 mediated inhibition of T cell effector function so as to achieve more effective T cell responses to pcdh18 expressing tumors. |
| US09562882B2 |
Nanoporous detectors of monocyclic aromatic compounds and other pollutants
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. |
| US09562868B2 |
Combustion experimental apparatus
In a combustion experimental apparatus to obtain the positions of flames formed inside a tube (1), it is possible to adjust a temperature gradient in a longitudinal direction applied to the tube, by including a temperature-adjusting fluid supply device (2) to cause a temperature-adjusting fluid to flow along the tube. |
| US09562867B2 |
Optical axis adjustment device for X-ray analyzer
Provided is an optical axis adjustment device for an X-ray analyzer comprising an incident-side arm, a receiving-side arm, an X-ray source, an incident-side slit, and an X-ray detector, wherein the device comprises a shielding strip disposed at a position blocking X-rays received by the X-ray detector from the X-ray source, and a shielding strip-moving device that rotates the shielding strip around the sample axis relative to the optical axis of X-rays reaching the X-ray detector from the X-ray source to two angle positions, and the amount of deviation in parallelism of the surface of a sample with respect to the optical axis of the X-rays is found on the basis of X-ray intensity values found by the X-ray detector for the two angle positions. |
| US09562864B2 |
Cavity resonator system
A cavity resonator system for measuring EM properties of the contents of a pipe portion comprises a primary resonator and a secondary resonator each with the same configuration comprising a conductive casing that defines a cavity and has openings for receiving a pipe portion, insulator material disposed inside the cavity, and antennae for generating and detecting a resonant EM field inside the cavity. In addition, the secondary resonator comprises at least one conductive screening ring that extends around the location occupied by a pipe portion for screening the interior of the ring from the field generated inside the cavity of the secondary resonator. By combining measures of parameters of the field from both resonators, the system may be used to generate a measure representative of EM properties of the contents of the pipe portion that is compensated for variation in the EM properties of the insulator material. |
| US09562863B2 |
Method for determining layer direction of conductor layers in a multilayer electronic component
A layer direction determining method for a multilayer electronic component to accurately determine the layer direction of conductor layers in the multilayer electronic component. |
| US09562861B2 |
Method of monitoring macrostickies in a recycling and paper or tissue making process involving recycled pulp
A challenge in using recycled material in the papermaking process is the presence of hydrophobic organics with adhesive properties commonly known as “stickies.” Hydrophobic agglomerates can result in spots or defects in the final paper product or deposit on papermaking equipment resulting in poor runnability and downtime. Technologies for monitoring and controlling microstickies exist. However, a need exists for a technique to rapidly determine the size and content of macrostickies (diameter>100 microns) in recycled pulp process streams. The present invention is a device and method to perform real-time macrostickies and/or any visible hydrophobic particle analysis in an aqueous medium. Using the present invention, furnish quality can be monitored and treatment performance can be monitored and controlled. The technique is based on fluorescence image analysis to identify and count sticky particles as well as measure their size. |
| US09562855B1 |
Devices and methods for detection of microorganisms via MIE scattering
Microfluidic methods and systems for detecting levels of microorganisms via Mie forward light scattering. The systems and methods of the present invention can be customized so as to optionally maximize scatter from the particle immunoagglutination and minimize that of the sample matrix, e.g., via selection of parameters particle diameter d, wavelength of incident λ, and/or scatter angle θ. Methods feature providing beads conjugated with an antibody specific for the microorganism, mixing beads with a sample to form a first mixture; providing a control mixture; irradiating the mixtures with incident light; detecting forward light scattering scattered by the first mixture at a first angle with respect to the incident light and forward scattered light scattered by the control the same first angle with respect to the incident light; determining I and I0 from the light scattering; comparing I with I0; and determining a level of the microorganism. |
| US09562850B2 |
Onboard device and method for analyzing fluid in a heat engine
A method for controlling a spectrometer for analyzing a product includes steps of: acquiring a measurement representative of the operation of a light source, determining, depending on the measurement, a value of supply current of the light source, and/or a value of integration time of light-sensitive cells of a sensor, disposed on a route of a light beam emitted by the light source and having interacted with a product to be analyzed, and if the integration time and/or supply current value is between threshold values, supplying the light source with a supply current corresponding to the determined supply current value, adjusting the integration time of a light-sensitive cell to the determined integration time value, and acquiring light intensity measurements supplied by the sensor, enabling a spectrum to be formed. |
| US09562844B2 |
Systems and devices for sensing corrosion and deposition for oil and gas applications
Sensing systems include a tube defining a Fabry-Perot cavity and an optical fiber including a distal end disposed within the Fabry-Perot cavity and a proximal end. A corrodible material caps the Fabry-Perot cavity. Devices for sensing corrosion of downhole equipment include an optical fiber with a corrodible material disposed over a distal end of the optical fiber. Systems for sensing a condition in equipment include an optical fiber with a fiber Bragg grating proximate a distal end thereof and a mass of sensor material coupled to the distal end of the optical fiber. The mass of sensor material is suspended from above the fiber Bragg grating. Other systems for sensing a condition in a wellbore include an optical fiber and a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings along a length thereof. A plurality of sensor materials are coupled to the optical fiber and surround respective fiber Bragg gratings. |
| US09562841B2 |
Engine output soot diagnostic control system based on transient drive cycle detection
An internal combustion engine control system including an internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder configured to perform combustion of an air/fuel mixture therein during a drive cycle. An electronic engine control module is configured to selectively execute at least one soot-based diagnostic operation that diagnoses the internal combustion engine based on exhausted soot. An electronic diagnostic evaluation module is in electrical communication with the engine control module and is configured to disable the at least one soot-based diagnostic operation based on at least one transient drive event of the internal combustion engine during the drive cycle. |
| US09562838B2 |
Measuring element made of steel with hardened edge zone
A steel measuring element is provided. The steel measuring element is made of an austenitic chromium-nickel steel with a low carbon and nitrogen content for measuring pressure, with an edge zone being provided with increased hardness. |
| US09562836B2 |
Formalin-free fixation agent for histological stains of tissue samples
A fixation agent including at least one polyamine and at least one acidification agent. The quality and staining of tissue samples or tissue sections that have not been fixed with formalin is improved, with higher brilliance and color stability of the stain, allowing the tissue to be cut with a better quality without artifacts. |
| US09562835B2 |
Method of removing floatation liquid
A method of removing a floatation liquid from between a microscope slide and a paraffin embedded biological specimen including position the microscope slide with the paraffin embedded biological specimen floated thereon onto a slide support element. The slide support element is rotated to cause the microscope slide and the paraffin embedded biological specimen to move in a way that causes the floatation liquid disposed between the microscope slide and the paraffin embedded biological specimen to be removed from between the microscope slide and the paraffin embedded biological specimen. |
| US09562832B2 |
Method of measuring wear rate in rubber tires
A method of measuring wear rate in an actual rubber tire. A section of rubber is cut out of an actual tire below the surface of the tire. The cut out section is attached to the surface of a first wheel. An abrasive substance is attached to the surface of a second wheel. The two wheels are rotated for a predetermined time, in opposite directions, in contact with each other, at uneven rates resulting in some slippage between the surfaces of the two wheels. The wear rate of the rubber tire is measured based on the changes in the cut section over time, in much less time and using less resources than required by conventional wear measurement methods. |
| US09562830B2 |
System for dynamic diagnosis of apparatus operating conditions
A diagnostic platform includes a processor, storage media and user interfaces, including a display screen, the processor being coupled to engine analyzer hardware and adapted to be coupled to a scanner for downloading data from vehicle on-board computers. The system stores libraries of information regarding vehicle identifications, drivability symptoms exhibited by vehicles, vehicle system and component tests and service codes which can be registered by the vehicle on-board computer. System software permits the user to input an identification of the vehicle under test and, in one mode of operation, displays a library of faults, such as symptoms or service codes, from which the user can select those exhibited by the vehicle, whereupon the system selects from the test library those tests pertinent to diagnosis of the causes of the selected faults and displays them in a hierarchically ranked order based on likelihood of successful diagnosis of the faults. The user can then select and initiate any displayed test. In other modes, the system initially displays one of the libraries of system or component tests, from which the user selects those deemed appropriate, whereupon the system highlights icons which can be selected for initiating pertinent test procedures. Selected test procedures may include links to the engine analyzer or scanner hardware or other appropriate test modules. |
| US09562826B2 |
Distributed optical fibre sensor
There is described a distributed optical fiber sensor for detecting one or more physical parameters indicative of an environmental influence on a sensor optical fiber, as a function of position along the sensor fiber. The sensor uses probe light pulses of different wavelengths. At least some of the probe light pulses may also be of different pulse lengths. The relative phase bias between interferometric signals in backscattered probe light of different wavelength pulses may also be controlled. |
| US09562824B2 |
Measuring moisture leakage through liquid-carrying hardware
Embodiments of the present invention provide moisture measuring systems and methods. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sealable compartment is used in which a specimen containing liquid can be inserted, such that all of the specimen is contained within the compartment. The relative humidity in the compartment is measured over a duration of time, which can be used to calculate the amount of liquid leaked by the specimen. Embodiments of the present invention can be utilized, for example, to calculate the leakage rate of water-carrying hardware of a cooling system, without having to create a membrane or other isolated sample of materials. |
| US09562823B2 |
Determining cylinder health in a reciprocating piston engine
Computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems are described for determining cylinder health characteristic in a reciprocating piston engine of the type including a piston-cylinder assembly and a crankshaft. The piston-cylinder assembly includes a cylinder and a piston configured to translate within the cylinder as the crankshaft rotates. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes rotating the crankshaft in a first direction, while generating a first data set comprising a first plurality of piston position measurements and corresponding pressure indicator measurements. The crankshaft is further rotated in a second opposing direction, while a second data set is generated comprising a second plurality of piston position measurements and corresponding pressure indicator measurements. A symmetric aspect between the first and second data sets is then identified and utilized to determining a cylinder health characteristic for the piston-cylinder assembly. |
| US09562821B2 |
Pressure indicator for air compressor
A pressure indicator, which can be detachably connected to an air compressor for measuring the pressure of compressed air produced in the air compressor, includes a tube and a slider. The slider can be moved along a first bore and a second bore of the tube. The motion of the slider in the tube is similar to the motion of a piston body in a cylinder. The tube is provided with a tapered annular surface, between the first bore and the second bore, and defines an elongated opening. In addition, when the pressure of the compressed air exceeds a predetermined pressure, excessive air can be released into the ambient environment, without using a mechanical safety valve, so that an object can be prevented from over-inflation. |
| US09562814B2 |
Manufacturing strain sensitive sensors and/or strain resistant conduits from a metal and carbon matrix
Implementations and techniques for manufacturing strain sensitive sensors and/or strain resistant conduits from a metal and carbon matrix are generally disclosed. |
| US09562809B2 |
Biopolymer optical analysis device and method
The present invention provides a device and method for analyzing the characteristics of a biopolymer with excellent mechanical stability, high spatial resolution and sensitivity using a simple device construction. Specifically, the Raman scattered light of a biopolymer is measured and the properties of monomer units forming the biopolymer are analyzed by using a biopolymer property analysis chip (100a) characterized by comprising: a solid substrate (110); at least one nanopore (120) disposed in the solid substrate (110); and one or more electrically conductive thin films (130a, 130b) disposed on the solid substrate (110). The biopolymer property analysis chip (100a) is characterized in that the electrically conductive thin films (130a, 130b) are disposed partially on the solid substrate (110) where the nanopore (120) is formed and a biopolymer which has penetrated into the nanopore (120) is caused to generate Raman scattered light by means of irradiation with external light. |
| US09562808B2 |
Light receiving circuit and light coupling device
A light receiving circuit includes a light receiving element, a first transistor that includes a control terminal which is connected to the light receiving element through a first node, a first terminal and a second terminal, a first load circuit that is connected between a power supply potential and a second node connected to the second terminal, and outputs a voltage signal to a third node, wherein the voltage signal is based on a current signal in the light receiving element, a first feedback resistor that is connected between the first node and the third node, a first limiter circuit that is connected in parallel with the first feedback resistor, and limits an increase of voltage at both ends of the first feedback resistor, and a first circuit that is connected between the second node and the reference potential, includes a second transistor which is diode-connected. |
| US09562807B2 |
System and method for monitoring vibration isolators
A system may monitor a vibration isolating connection between a first part and a second part. The system may include a light source, an optical sensor mounted to receive light from the light source, and a processing unit for providing an output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection based on the output of the optical sensor. |
| US09562804B2 |
Forklift scale, load cell thereof and method of measuring a forklift load
A forklift scale to measure a load carried by a pair of forks of a forklift that includes a fork carriage to movably position the forks. The forklift scale includes a pair of load cells that are configured to mount to the fork carriage independent of each other and to removably receive a respective fork of the forklift. Each load cell includes a structural arrangement that couples the respective fork to the fork carriage during operation such that an entirety of the load carried by the forks during operation is transmitted to the carriage via the pair of load cells. Other related forklift scales, load cells thereof and methods of measuring a forklift load are also provided. |
| US09562803B2 |
Material feeder system and method of use
This invention relates to a material feeder system and method of use. The present invention relates particularly to a particulate feeder system that includes, among other features, one or more: feeder assemblies for advancing material that incorporate a spool having a channel disposed within its outer circumference for advancing material, the spool having a plurality of circumferentially spaced contours configured so as to not form transverse barriers within the channel; motors configured to connect to the feeder assemblies; and scales for weighing advanced material. The system also includes a computer in communication with the one or more motors and scales, and capable of performing operations to advance a predetermined material weight as well as various related operations. The invention also includes a method using the above. |
| US09562801B2 |
Waste bin scale, load cell and method of measuring a waste bin load
A waste bin scale to measure a cantilevered load carried by lift members of a lift system. The waste bin scale includes a base coupleable to the lift system, a lift member support system; and a plurality of load cells. Each load cell is coupled between the base and the lift member support system, and includes a structural member configured to deform during application of a load applied by the waste bin, where the deformation is indicative of the applied load. Other related waste bin scales, load cells therefor and methods of measuring waste bin scale loads are also provided. |
| US09562800B2 |
Float gauge assembly for storage tanks
A float gauge assembly for a storage tank having a port with an opening includes a body for attachment to the port of the storage tank and a gauge mountable to the body, the gauge having a gauge face for indicating a level or amount of material present in the storage tank, a float mechanism mounted to the body and cooperating with the gauge, the float mechanism including a float movable relative to the body in an operating position, the float being sized so that the float is unable to be inserted into the storage tank though the opening in the port, and a tube coupled to the float and having a dimension sized for inserting through the opening in the port, and an alignment element configured to rotationally fix the tube to the body when the float is in the operating position so that the gauge face accurately indicates the level of material in the storage tank when mounted to the body. |
| US09562798B2 |
Deposition rate measuring apparatus
A deposition rate measuring apparatus, including a crystal sensor facing a specific deposition source among a plurality of deposition sources in a deposition apparatus; a deposition-preventing bracket in a front portion of the crystal sensor, the deposition-preventing bracket having an opening that assists inflow of a specific deposition material, the deposition-preventing bracket extending from the opening, and the deposition-preventing bracket surrounding the crystal sensor to prevent interference due to at least one deposition material from at least one adjacent deposition source adjacent to the specific deposition source; and one or more cover portions spaced apart from the opening inward of the deposition-preventing bracket by a predetermined length. |
| US09562797B2 |
Flow rate measuring apparatus
A flow rate measuring apparatus capable of accurately measuring a mass flow rate of an exhaust gas, includes a laser distributor causing a sheet-like laser to move in a laser introduction duct. An imaging device takes images at specified times. A processor calculates, based on the images, motion vectors of an exhaust gas for a period at a plurality of positions in each image; averages the motion vectors into one motion vector; and calculates the Y-components of the averaged motion vectors in the images as movement amounts of the exhaust gas, an arithmetic mean of the movement amounts as a representative movement amount of the exhaust gas, an actual flow velocity of the exhaust gas from the representative movement amount, an actual flow rate of the exhaust gas from the actual flow velocity, and, based on the actual flow rate, a mass flow rate of the exhaust gas. |
| US09562796B2 |
Absolute and differential pressure transducer
The disclosed embodiments include a combination absolute pressure and differential pressure transducer that includes at least a first cavity and a second cavity, at least a first pressure port and a second pressure port, a first isolation membrane exposing the first cavity to a first fluid pressure applied to the first pressure port, a second isolation membrane exposing the second cavity to a second fluid pressure applied to the second pressure port, at least one absolute pressure sense element exposed to absolute pressure in one of the first cavity and the second cavity, and at least one differential pressure sense element exposed to differential pressure between two of the first cavity and the second cavity. |
| US09562789B2 |
Sensor for magnetic fields with Laplace force
A magnetic field sensor comprises a substrate and a moving part which is displaced when subjected to a Laplace force. There is a gauge for measuring the displacement of the moving part. There is a suspended lever that is rotationally displaced about an axis of rotation at right angles to the direction of displacement of the moving part. The lever is connected to the moving part to transmit displacement of the moving part to the lever to cause rotation of the lever about the axis of rotation. The lever is also connected to a first part of the gauge. The sensor comprises a hinge that connects the lever to the substrate. The hinge allows the rotation of the lever about its axis of rotation and is rigid to allow for a lever arm effect. The second part of the gauge is fixed with no degree of freedom to the substrate. |
| US09562788B1 |
System and method for doppler aided navigation using weather radar
An airborne navigation system that uses Doppler information from an on-board weather radar to improve the system's accuracy and/or fault tolerance. The system can determine a drift angle and ground speed from Doppler information associated with radar returns from the Earth's surface. Alternatively, the system can be configured to determine heading angle using the drift angle and a track angle received from another sensor. |
| US09562784B2 |
Guided navigation of a mining vehicle
A system and method for guided navigation of a mining vehicle are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A navigation aid is configured to identify a target destination for the haul truck, calculate a path including the target destination, and use the position sensor to monitor a progress of the haul truck along the path. A user interface is configured to display at least a portion of the path to an operator of the haul truck. |
| US09562782B2 |
Defining travel paths in parking areas
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for defining travel paths in parking areas. In one embodiment, travel paths in parking areas are defined in a digital map by automatically, semi-automatically, and/or manually after the parking areas are identified from one or more captured images of the parking area. |
| US09562781B2 |
Device, system and method of landmark-based and personal contact-based route guidance
A mapping system is disclosed that provides route guidance in the form of a map and verbal or textual directions which includes reference to both landmarks and personal contacts. Landmarks and contacts can be rated for suitability in providing route guidance. Depending on the rating, guidance using landmarks or personal contacts can be preferentially used in place of or to supplement guidance based on the underlying road network. |
| US09562775B2 |
Geographic space management
A system is provided that manages a geographic space including a route on which a moving object moves, including a plurality of subsystems operable to respectively manage maps of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the geographic space, and a region manager operable to adjust loads of the subsystems by dynamically changing a boundary of at least one region among the plurality of regions. Also provided is a method and computer program product. |
| US09562773B2 |
Autonomous vehicle navigation system and method
An autonomous vehicle is improved with a navigational system having both cameras and echolocation sensors, each including overlapping fields of view. The cameras and echolocation sensors may be part of an optical and echolocation system, respectively, that may work in conjunction with a global positioning system to determine a course for the autonomous vehicle to reach an objective while detecting and avoid obstacles along the course. |
| US09562772B2 |
Method for determining initial data for determining position data of a vehicle
A method for determining initial data for determining position data of a vehicle based on driving dynamics data, the method including: assigning a determined environment status at a determined position of the vehicle to the determined position of the vehicle; detecting on environment status; and—using the determined position as initial data if a contrast of the detected environment status and the determined environmental status satisfies a predetermined condition. |
| US09562771B2 |
Analysis of sensor data
The present disclosure provides a method, system and a computer program product for remote sensing. The method, system and the computer program product include a vehicle including a plurality of sensors configured to measure position and pose of the vehicle and to collect spatial data of a discovered object. In addition, the method, system and a computer program product include a storage having an object model database, a processor and a memory. The memory includes a comparison engine configured to compare the discovered object spatial data with spatial data in the object model database and a position and pose calculator arranged to calculate position and pose of the vehicle from the discovered object spatial data when the discovered object spatial data matches spatial data of a model object in the object model database. |
| US09562769B2 |
Method for locating a vehicle
Methods of locating a vehicle are disclosed. Location coordinates are received at regular intervals via a handheld locator device for the current location of the handheld locator device. The handheld locator device detects the cessation of the presence of the vehicle. The location coordinates last-received before the detection of the cessation of the presence of the vehicle are stored automatically, and represent the approximate location of the parked vehicle when the cessation of the presence of the vehicle is detected. |
| US09562767B2 |
Systems and methods for improving MEMS gyroscope start time
Systems and methods for improving MEMS gyroscope start time are provided. In one embodiment, a circuit board for a MEMS gyroscope system comprises: a proof mass assembly; a proof mass control loop coupled to the proof mass assembly by a first proof mass motion sensor pickup line and a second proof mass motion sensor pickup line, where the proof mass control loop generates a set of drive signals that operate the proof mass assembly using a first capacitive signal from the first proof mass motion sensor pickup line and a second capacitive signal from the second proof mass motion sensor pickup line; and a tunable capacitive coupler connected to at least one of the first or the second proof mass motion sensor pickup lines, where the tunable capacitive coupler varies at least one of the first and second charge signals as a function of the drive signals. |
| US09562766B2 |
Laser line generating device
A laser beam generating device is provided for generating multiple mutually orthogonal light beams. The device includes a laser light generator that generates at least three output beams. A beamsplitter of the laser light generator has two incident surfaces orientated at forty-five degrees in relation to an optical axis. A first portion of a light from a light source is incident on a first of the two incident surfaces and output as a first output beam in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis. A second portion of the light is incident on a second of the two incident surfaces and output as a second output beam in a second direction opposite the first direction. The light source is arranged in relation to the beamsplitter such that a third portion of the light bypasses the beamsplitter and forms a third output beam projected parallel to the optical axis. |
| US09562764B2 |
Use of a sky polarization sensor for absolute orientation determination in position determining systems
A method for determining absolute orientation of a platform is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first sky polarization data set for a first time Ti is measured using a sky polarization sensor disposed on a platform. A second sky polarization data set is obtained at a second time Tj. A difference in orientation between the first sky polarization data set and the second sky polarization data set is determined using an orientation determiner. The difference in orientation is provided as at least one orientation parameter for the platform at time Tj. The at least one orientation parameter is used to provide a direction relative to a reference point on the platform. |
| US09562760B2 |
Spatially self-similar patterned illumination for depth imaging
Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation. |
| US09562759B2 |
Optical coherence tomography technique
An optical coherence tomography device comprises a light generator, a dispersive medium, an optical coupler and a detector. The light generator is adapted to generate a series of input pulses of coherent light, each input pulse having an input pulse width. The dispersive medium has an input that is optically coupled to the light generator and an output for output pulses. The dispersive medium is adapted to stretch the input pulse width to an output pulse width of each of the output pulses by chromatic dispersion. The optical coupler is adapted to couple the output pulses into a reference arm and a sample arm. The optical coupler is further adapted to superimpose light returning from the reference arm and the sample arm. The detector is adapted to detect an intensity of interference of the superimposed light with a temporal resolution of a fraction of the output pulse width. |
| US09562758B2 |
Distance measurement sensor based on magnetic signal triangulation
The subject invention reveals a distance measuring device comprising: a sensing module, a target module, and an evaluating module, wherein the sensing module and the target module are mountable so as to execute a movement with respect to each other along a movement trajectory, wherein the target module comprises a magnetic field generating element having a magnetic pole axis, wherein the sensing module comprises a first magnetic field sensing array being arranged distant to the movement trajectory. The sensing module and the target module can advantageously be situated within the pressurizable chamber of an air spring which is defined by (contained within) a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, and a flexible member of the air spring. |
| US09562754B2 |
Muzzleloader systems
A bullet assembly comprising a bullet and a cup assembly, the cup assembly may have a ring portion for scraping the barrel of a muzzleloader. The cup assembly may be slidable on the bullet with an extended position and a contracted position, the contracted position having a greater diameter than the extended position. A contraction inhibiting member that requires shearing off of the member for contraction may be disposed on one of the components. |
| US09562749B2 |
Method of making improved ballistic products
A method of making a ballistic resistant composite material having improved resistance to high energy rifle bullets and the like. The method comprises providing at least one fibrous layer comprising a network of high tenacity aramid fibers. The fibrous layer is coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane resin. The coated fibrous layer is molded at a pressure of at least about 1,500 psi (10.3 MPa). Preferably, a plurality of fibrous layers are employed, each of which is formed from to unidirectionally oriented aramid fibers in a thermoplastic polyurethane resin matrix. Adjacent fibrous layers are preferably oriented at 90° with respect to each other. |
| US09562748B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for creating a visual effect on a rubber article
Various methods and apparatuses for creating a visual effect on a rubber article are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rubber article having a visual effect is provided, the rubber article comprising: a surface having at least one surface feature; and wherein the at least one surface feature comprises a plurality of linear elements creating a camouflage-shaped appearance. |
| US09562745B2 |
Personal portable power distribution apparatus
A personal portable power distribution apparatus including a portable central power source, a power management module coupled to receive power from the central power source, and a harness assembly having at least one power supply node for distributing power from the power management module, wherein the power management module is operable to control supply of power through each individual power supply node, each power supply node terminating in a like connector, and an adaptor module is fitted to a power input terminal of an electronic accessory device to adapt the device for operation with the power distribution apparatus by providing a corresponding connector suitable for interconnection with said like connector(s). |
| US09562744B2 |
Soft body armor having enhanced abrasion resistance
Flexible composite materials and soft body armor formed therefrom having enhanced abrasion resistance. The materials and armor include at least one first separator layer positioned between adjacent fabric layers, or between a fabric layer and a cover, where the separator layer spaces the adjacent fabric layers or the fabric layer and cover apart from each other without being laminated or otherwise attached or connected to either the layers or the cover such that they are free to move relative to each other. |
| US09562733B2 |
Firearm fire control selector
A method of providing a semi-automatic rifle with a reversible safety selector is provided. The method including the steps of: removably and rotatably locating a reversible safety selector in a receiver having a first side and an opposite second side, the reversible safety selector having a selector member and a shaft extending therefrom, the shaft being rotationally received within the receiver and the shaft further comprising a first position selection feature proximate to the selector member and a second position selection feature distal to the selector member, wherein a camming surface is located between the first position selection feature and the second position selection feature, wherein the first position selection feature is configured to only engage a spring biased detent of the receiver when the reversible safety selector is rotated between a first position and a second position with respect to the receiver when the selector member is located on the first side of the receiver, wherein the second position selection feature is configured to only engage the spring biased detent of the receiver when the reversible safety selector is rotated between the first position and the second position with respect to the receiver when the selector member is located on the second side of the receiver, and wherein the camming surface contacts a portion of a trigger of the firearm as the reversible safety selector is rotated between the first position and the second position with respect to the receiver. |
| US09562731B2 |
Method for manufacturing a trigger element of a sear mechanism for a firearm
A sear mechanism for a firearm includes a trigger element having one or more contact surfaces on which one or more movable or pivotable components of the sear mechanism selectively contacts or slides. In some embodiments, the trigger element is made by producing an intermediate workpiece of the trigger element by a manufacturing process, and electric discharge machining the intermediate workpiece of the trigger element to provide the contact surfaces. |
| US09562728B2 |
Cooling device with corrugated fins in communication with serpentine fluid passageway
A cooling device with which thicknesses of cover portions may be reduced. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the cooling device is equipped with a frame-shaped frame portion, cover portions, a supply port, a discharge port, and projection portions. The cover portions cover openings in the frame portion. The supply port is provided in the frame portion and supplies a cooling medium into the frame portion. The discharge port is provided in the frame portion and discharges the cooling medium in the frame portion to an exterior of the frame portion. The projection portions are projected from inner side faces of the frame portion and form a fluid channel along which the cooling medium flows in the frame portion. The cover portions are fixed to the projection portions. |
| US09562726B1 |
Counter-flow membrane plate exchanger and method of making
A counter-flow plate type exchanger is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining at least two strips of membrane to form a counter-pleated core with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating counter-flow arrangement. Methods for manufacturing such counter-pleated cores are described. Counter-pleated cores comprising water-permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular, they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams directed into and out of buildings, automobiles, or other Industrial processes. |
| US09562717B2 |
Refrigeration process
The present invention relates to a single cycle mixed refrigerant process for industrial cooling applications, for example, the liquefaction of natural gas. The present invention also relates to a refrigeration assembly configured to implement the processes defined herein and a mixed refrigerant composition usable in such processes. |
| US09562714B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a storage chamber for storing food; an ice making compartment provided at an upper side corner of the storage chamber; and two shelves provided between a sidewall of the ice making compartment and a sidewall of the storage chamber opposite to the sidewall of the ice making compartment. The two shelves include a rotatable shelf and a horizontal shelf mounted between the sidewall of the storage chamber and the rotatable shelf and configured to be adjustable vertically upwards and downwards independently of the rotatable shelf. The rotatable shelf, while maintaining the vertical position, forms a vertical space for keeping food having a great height and stored on a shelf provided below the rotatable shelf. The rotatable shelf and the horizontal shelf form a horizontal space for keeping food having a great width when the horizontal shelf and the rotatable shelf in the horizontal position are horizontally aligned. |
| US09562710B2 |
Diagnostics for variable-capacity compressor control systems and methods
A system includes a variable-capacity compressor operable at a first capacity and at a second capacity that is higher than the first capacity and an outdoor-air-temperature sensor. A control module receives a demand signal from a thermostat and operates the variable-capacity compressor in a first mode when communication with the outdoor-air-temperature sensor has not been interrupted and in a fault mode when communication with the outdoor-air-temperature sensor has been interrupted. In the first mode, the control module switches the variable-capacity compressor between the first capacity and the second capacity based on the demand signal and the outdoor-air-temperature data. In the fault mode, the control module operates the variable-capacity compressor by operating the variable-capacity compressor at at least one of the first capacity and the second capacity based on the demand signal. |
| US09562701B2 |
Temperature control system and air conditioning system
A controller performs a first control that controls a temperature of water (heat medium) flowing out of a heat source device on the basis of an outside air temperature and a temperature difference between chronologically preceding and following outside air temperatures that are detected by an outdoor temperature sensor. The controller controls the temperature of the subject to be controlled to a target temperature by performing the first control. |
| US09562697B2 |
Circulating hot water system and or appliance
A water heating system having a system inlet pipe (1.002), a hot water delivery pipe (1.003) and a hot water return pipe (1.006) connected to a building hot water distribution network (1.024); the water heating system including one or more water heaters (1.001), the or each water heater having a heater inlet (1.022) and a heater outlet (1.023), a hot water return pipe (1.006) connected between the system inlet and delivery outlet via the building hot water distribution network to form a close loop hot water supply-return circuit; a pump (1.005) connected to circulate water through the hot water supply-return circuit whereby the pump can circulate water through one or more of the water heaters;a valve means (1.007) [a first non-return valve] adapted to prevent inlet water (water delivered to the system inlet) from flowing into the hot water return pipe or the building hot water distribution network. |
| US09562694B2 |
Double oven range appliance and a gas burner and floor assembly for an oven appliance
A double oven range appliance and a gas burner and floor assembly for an oven appliance are provided. The gas burner and floor assembly includes a cooking chamber bottom panel with a projection defining a plurality of openings. A gas burner is positioned above the plurality of openings. A floor panel is positioned below the cooking chamber bottom panel. An insulation panel is mounted to the floor panel such that the insulation panel is disposed below the plurality of openings. The gas burner and floor assembly can assist with limiting heat transfer along a vertical direction while also providing a suitable flow of air at the gas burner. |
| US09562691B2 |
Airblast fuel injector
An airblast fuel injector is provided for a fuel spray nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The injector has an annular air passage for the passage of a swirling air flow therethrough. The swirling air flow is used by the injector to produce an atomized fuel spray. The air passage contains a swirler for producing the swirling air flow, the swirler comprising a circumferential row of vanes which span inner and outer side walls of the air passage. Viewed on a longitudinal section through the injector, the air passage has a bend downstream of the swirler, the bend changing the direction of the air passage. The vanes are configured to introduce a radial component to the air flow exiting the swirler, the radial component guiding the air flow around the bend. |
| US09562690B2 |
Swirler, fuel and air assembly and combustor
An air swirler, a fuel and air admission assembly, and a staged combustor are disclosed. The staged combustor may be equipped with the fuel and air admission assemblies incorporating the air swirlers for use in gas turbine engines, such as for example gas turbine engines powering aircraft having supersonic cruise capability. |
| US09562685B2 |
Laminar burner system
A high efficiency laminar flow burner system for proving a stream of heat energy including a supply input module for providing fuel and laminar streams of air to a combustion manifold. The combustion manifold includes an air-fuel mixing system, a stoichiometric unit, and a refractory unit each coupled to one another. A first combustion stream is established at the air-fuel mixing chamber system as fuel exits an injector device at direction perpendicular to the laminar air intake stream. A laminar air intake stream traveling from the supply input module and along the staging passageway passes through a stoichiometric unit body at a plurality of air intakes to meet with the first combustion stream within to define a second combustion stream for introduction from the stoichiometric unit to the refractory unit. The refractory unit thus defines a third combustion stream as the second combustion stream travels across a refractory passageway. |
| US09562684B2 |
Steam plasma arc hydrolysis of ozone depleting substances
A two step process for the destruction of a precursor material using a steam plasma in a three zone reactor wherein the precursor material is hydrolyzed as a first step in the high temperature zone of the reactor, followed by a second step of medium temperature oxidation of the reactant stream in the combustion zone of the reactor where combustion oxygen or air is injected and immediate quenching of the resulting gas stream to avoid the formation of unwanted by-products. A related apparatus includes a non transferred direct current steam plasma torch, an externally cooled three zone steam plasma reactor means for introducing the precursor material into the plasma plume of the plasma torch, means for introducing the combustion air or oxygen into the combustion zone, means for exiting the reactant mixture from the reactor and means for quenching the reactant mixture located at the exit end of the reactor. |
| US09562675B2 |
Two-high light-emitting diode holder structure
A holder structure for mounting light indicators on printed circuit boards using surface mount technology at a position elevated above the surface of the board is provided with a body member including a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, a front wall, and a rear wall, all being formed integrally together. Two spaced-apart recesses are formed and aligned vertically in the front wall of the body member terminating in respective first and second interior wall portions. The first interior wall portion has openings formed on diametrically opposed sides of a vertical partition and lying in a horizontal plane parallel to the bottom wall. The second interior wall portion has openings formed on diametrically opposed sides of a transverse partition and lying in a plane which is rotated a predetermined number of degrees from a vertical plane perpendicular to the bottom wall. |
| US09562674B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device may be provided to include a heat sink which includes a receiving recess and a top surface including a hole; a light source module which includes a substrate disposed on the heat sink, a light emitting device disposed on the substrate and a pad disposed on the substrate; a power supplier which is disposed in the receiving recess of the heat sink and includes a projection outputting a power signal for driving the light source module; and a connector which is coupled to the hole of the heat sink, includes a contacting part electrically connected to the pad of the light source module, and is electrically connected to the projection of the power supplier. |
| US09562671B2 |
Color-tunable lighting devices and methods of use
A lighting device (100) includes a housing (104) enclosing a housing interior (108), a light source (132), a light converter (136), and a color tuning device. The light source is configured for emitting a primary light beam of a primary wavelength (140) through the housing interior. The light converter includes a luminescent material (144) facing the housing interior and configured for emitting secondary light (156, 158) of one or more wavelengths different from the primary wavelength, in response to excitation by the primary light beam. The housing includes a light exit (124) for outputting a combination of primary light and secondary light. The color tuning device is configured for adjusting a position of the primary light beam relative to the luminescent material. |
| US09562668B2 |
Luminous device comprising a wavelength conversion unit having an arc-shaped junction portion and liquid crystal display device
A luminous device and a liquid crystal display device are provided. In the luminous device, a difference value between a first distance and a second distance is less than a preset value. The first distance is a distance between a first luminous side surface of a luminous element and a first wavelength conversion side surface of a wavelength conversion unit or a distance between a second luminous side surface and a second wavelength conversion side surface. The second distance is a distance between a luminous top surface of the luminous element and a wavelength conversion top surface of the wavelength conversion unit. |
| US09562665B2 |
Light modifier having complex lenses for LED luminaires
Lens having a cavity defining a light entrance section of the lens, and a light exit surface opposite the light entrance section, and a beam splitting element formed on the light entrance section of the lens. |
| US09562662B2 |
Vehicle headlight and alert system
A vehicle headlight and control system for a bus or large vehicle includes a headlight fixture with a center or low beam light source and side illumination light source operated independently. The side illumination light source may be activated when the vehicle is turning, as detected by the vehicle speed and steering shaft turn angle, to provide supplemental illumination. Both right and left side illumination sources may be provided, and may comprise LED light elements. The system may also include an audible sound generator to alert pedestrians when the vehicle is turning. |
| US09562658B2 |
Light diffraction device
The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein provide a light diffraction device positioned adjacent to a wall and comprising a laser and a diffractive imaging element. The diffractive imaging film having an image and positioned relative to the laser so as to create a projection of the image upon the wall. The diffractive film can also contain a series of images where the film is moved relative to the laser in order to create an animation effect upon the wall. In some embodiments, a distortion reflector may be positioned to accept the laser light exiting the diffractive imaging film and to distort the laser light to produce a desired image upon the wall. In some embodiments, additional reflectors may be used and in some further embodiments a distortion lens may be used. |
| US09562657B2 |
Line light irradiation device
A line light irradiation device includes a plurality of light source units on which a plurality of light source mounting substrates are juxtaposed on a base in a row, and the plurality of light source units are juxtaposed in a row. The plurality of light source mounting substrates are positioned and fixed to the base at predetermined intervals. Thus, if a light source in a certain light source unit becomes defective, this light source unit can be removed so as to exchange only the light source mounting substrate on which the defective light source is mounted. Therefore, the normal light sources can be left as they are as much as possible, and waste of the light sources can be reduced. Further, the light source mounting substrates are positioned and fixed at predetermined intervals, and thus dimensional errors do not accumulate in the light source mounting substrates at the juxtaposition ends. |
| US09562654B2 |
LED illumination apparatus including light source and lenses
An LED lamp includes: a plurality of light source units, each of which includes one or more LED chips and an emission surface through which light from the LED chips is emitted; and a lens unit having a plurality of lenses, each of which is located in front of the emission surface of each of the plurality of light source units. |
| US09562649B2 |
Adsorbed natural gas storage facility
A method of using the natural gas storage facility to reduce the effect of diurnal demand on a natural gas source includes introducing natural gas into the natural gas storage facility, separating the natural gas into a heavy natural gas component and a light natural gas component, and retaining the components during a non-peak period of demand. The natural gas storage facility includes a guard bed system and an adsorption bed system. The method also includes releasing the heavy and light natural gas components, mixing them into a released natural gas component product and introducing it to the natural gas source during a peak period of demand. |
| US09562641B2 |
Quick-connect system for connecting a tube to a receiving body, in particular for use in wall-mounted boilers and the like
The system (1) comprises: a tubular interface formation (3) fixed or able to be fixed to a receiving body (C) and having a plurality of shaped retaining lugs (4) angularly spaced around its axis (A-A) and protruding axially and radially towards the outside; a tubular fastening member (6) in which the tube (2) can be pre-inserted axially and which has a plurality of external peripheral coupling elements (15) angularly spaced around its axis (A-A) and each able to engage with a corresponding retaining lug (4) of the interface formation (3), in a mutually axially retaining relationship. The fastening member (6), with the tube (2) pre-inserted therein, is able to be inserted into the interface formation (3) in a relative coupling position in which the coupling elements (15) of the fastening member (6) angularly alternate with the retaining lugs (4, 5) of the interface formation (3); the fastening member (6) can then be rotated in a predetermined direction (B), around the tube (2) and with respect to the interface formation (3), from the coupling position into a relative locking position, such as to achieve the engagement of each of its coupling elements (15) with a corresponding retaining lug (4, 5) of the interface formation (3). |
| US09562640B2 |
Containers for pharmaceuticals, particularly for use in radioisotope generators
A radioisotope generator system can include a column assembly having a column, an inlet arm, an outlet arm. The column can contain packing material that binds a radioisotope. In addition, the column may define a notch between an open area and a stopper receptacle area in which an opening of the outlet arm is positioned. In some examples, the system includes a Luer lock connection between the outlet arm and a connector tubing. The Luer lock connection can include a male Luer cap and a female Luer cap each comprising tabs configured to line up with or overlap each other so as to indicate when the caps are sufficiently tightened together so as to form a non-leaking lock. |
| US09562639B1 |
Method for cam lock fitting
Method and apparatus for an improved cam lock fitting having cooperating double cam levers having outer and inner portions so that when the outer cam levers are opened and the inner cam lever remain closed, the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material. This is accomplished by providing a larger cam lobe on the outer cam lever and a smaller cam lobe on a fork shaped inner cam lever so that when the smaller cam lobe is in a closed position and protrudes into a peripheral groove on the male portion the male and female ends have a small space thereinbetween. |
| US09562638B2 |
Connecting device, and connector comprising such a device
A connecting device for transmitting pressurized fluids including a pipe having an inner flow channel, a body including an inner cavity isolated from the inner flow channel, and a displacement member for moving the pipe in the body between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration and wherein the displacement member includes a pusher member movable within the body, an off-centered member connected to the slide member, a connecting rod ring and a rear housing formed in the body, defining a first articulation diameter (φ1) between the pusher member and the off-centered member around a first axis (A1), a second articulation diameter (φ2) between the off-centered member and the connecting rod member around a second axis (A2), and a third articulation diameter (φ3) between the connecting rod ring and the rear housing around a third axis (A3) and wherein the three axes are separate and parallel to a transverse direction transverse of the device. |
| US09562633B2 |
Flexible pipe and a method of producing a flexible pipe
The invention relates to a flexible pipe comprising an axis and a tubular innermost sealing sheath surrounding said axis, said innermost sealing sheath being surrounded by at least one outer armoring layer. The innermost sealing sheath has an inner side which is the side of the innermost sealing sheath comprising said axis. On the inner side of said innermost sealing sheath the flexible pipe comprises at least one carcass comprising a plurality of annular armoring members. |
| US09562628B2 |
Bracket for mounting wiring on stud
A bracket for mounting wiring on a stud. The bracket includes a stud securement portion configured for attachment to a wall stud. A stationary jaw has a longitudinal axis extending laterally outward from adjacent a rear end of a side wall of the stud securement portion. A clamping jaw has a longitudinal axis extending laterally outward from adjacent the rear end of the side wall. The clamping jaw is at least one of pivotable relative to the stationary jaw and bendable along its longitudinal axis for clamping the wiring between the stationary jaw and the clamping jaw. A locking tie is secured to the clamping jaw adjacent the free longitudinal end of the clamping jaw. The locking tie includes a toothed, elongate member receivable in the locking opening to lock the free longitudinal end of the clamping jaw to the stationary jaw. |
| US09562626B2 |
Bracket for tubular element, in particular for aircraft
A tubular element bracket comprises at least one central body elongate along a longitudinal axis, comprising a central portion elongate along the longitudinal axis and a support element configured to receive at least one tubular element, the support element being arranged at one end of the central body, referred to as the upper end, and a fixing plate configured to be fixed to a support, notably of an aircraft. The central portion and the support element are formed in one piece. The support element is in the form of an open fixing collar. The bracket comprises a fixing arrangement configured to make it possible to fix the central body manually and autonomously to the fixing plate by its other end, referred to as the lower end. |
| US09562623B2 |
Position indicator for valves
A device for indicating the status of a valve includes a position indicator, wherein the position indicator includes a monitoring element, and a communication element. A method for indicating the status of at least one valve includes monitoring positions of a device enclosed by a first valve with a position indicator and communicating the positions of the device enclosed by the first valve with a communications element. |
| US09562622B2 |
Extension device for closure mechanism
An extension device for remotely opening and closing a valve from a user knob is described. The device includes a flexible connector that allows the user knob to be positioned in various places relative the valve. One use for the disclosed device is with a gas grill, wherein the gas tank is placed in a position that is not easily accessible or is difficult for some persons to access. The extension device may be mounted in various positions on or near the grill allowing the user to open and close the gas tank's valve before and after use of the grill. |
| US09562615B2 |
Acoustically actuated flow valve assembly including a plurality of reed valves
The present disclosure is directed to an acoustically actuated flow valve having temperature-sensitive reed valves thereon. The flow valve and reed valves are configured to impart acoustical energy into a fluid flowing through the flow valve and one or more fluids downstream of the valve, leading to increased mixing of the fluids. The reed valves are further configured to be temperature-sensitive, thereby allowing more fluid to flow through the flow valve as the result of a change in temperature. |
| US09562604B2 |
Axle heat absorber
An axle includes a differential, a cover, and a heat absorber. The differential has a ring gear disposed within a housing. The ring gear is configured to pump a lubricating fluid. The cover is attached to the housing. The heat absorber is attached to the cover within a pump path of the ring gear. The heat absorber has a phase-change material disposed within the heat absorber configured to absorb heat from the lubricating fluid. A method to control fluid temperature in a vehicle axle is also included. |
| US09562601B2 |
Gear transmission system
A gear transmission system (20) comprising at least a first cylindrical gear (21) and a second cylindrical gear (22). Each of the first and the second cylindrical gears (21, 22) comprise a plurality of teeth (23, 26). The teeth (23) of the first cylindrical gear (21) having a first tooth flank (24) for contacting a first tooth flank (27) of the teeth (26) of the second cylindrical gear (22) according to a predefined first contact line (30). The first tooth flanks (24, 27) of the teeth (23, 26) of each of the first and second cylindrical gears (21, 22) have a tooth shape and tooth properties determined by the predefined first contact line (30). |
| US09562598B2 |
Torque converter and hydrokinetic torque coupling device having turbine-piston lockup clutch with lockup resistance member
A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, a stator, and an annular lockup resistance member. The impeller includes an impeller shell. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell. The turbine-piston shell includes a turbine-piston flange having a first flange surface facing an engagement surface of the impeller shell. The turbine-piston is movable axially toward and away from the engagement surface to position the torque converter into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston flange is mechanically locked to the impeller shell. The annular lockup resistance member is in the form of an annular elastomeric sandwich washer coaxially aligned with the rotational axis and including turbine-side and stator-side members, and an elastomeric inner member sandwiched between the turbine-side and stator-side members. |
| US09562596B2 |
Gear mechanism and drawer drive device in refrigerator
A gear mechanism may include a first gear, a second gear which is coaxially disposed with the first gear and is provided with a recessed part on an end face of a first gear side, and a torque limiter provided between the first gear and the second gear. The torque limiter includes inner teeth provided on a ring-shaped inner peripheral face of the recessed part, and a torque limiter member provided with an engaging claw capable of engaging with the inner teeth and integrally rotating with the first gear in the recessed part. The second gear is an inclined teeth gear whose teeth bottoms are inclined with respect to an axial line direction and teeth bottoms of the inner teeth are extended in parallel with the axial line direction. The gear mechanism may be utilized in a drawer drive device in a refrigerator which includes a motor, a rack linearly moved by the motor for moving a drawer in the refrigerator, an output gear engaged with the rack, and a rotation transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of the motor to the output gear. The rotation transmission mechanism includes the gear mechanism and a worm gear. |
| US09562593B2 |
Chain guide and chain drive apparatus
An object of the present invention is to provide a chain guide superior in silence, which includes: a guide base extending in a traveling direction of a chain; a plurality of roller shafts attached to the guide base at an interval along the traveling direction of the chain; and rollers each rotatably supported by one of the roller shafts. The roller has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface for guiding the chain. The outer circumferential surface of the roller has a cylindricity not greater than 20 μm. |
| US09562592B2 |
Method for controlling gear shift
A method for controlling a power-split gear shift device in a vehicle by providing an electric variator and a transmission with variable gear shift and connecting a drive motor to a traction drive of the vehicle. The electric variator has a compound gear train with at least one first and at least one second electric machine. The method also includes providing a controller for the electric machines for steplessly varying a gear shift of the compound gear train. Upon detection of an external power requirement by an electric consumer, a gear shift region of the transmission with variable gear shift is set to operate the first electric machine in a generator mode and to operate the second electric machine to compensate for an existing power deficit or a power excess relative to an external power demand. |
| US09562589B2 |
Transmission for a motor vehicle
A multi-speed transmission is provided for a motor vehicle and includes a housing, a drive shaft, an output shaft, at least four planetary gear sets, whereas each of the planetary gear sets comprises one sun gear, at least one planet, one planetary carrier and one ring gear. The transmission includes several shift elements in the form of at least four clutches and at least two brakes. The drive shaft is connectable through the second clutch to the sun gear of the first and second planetary gear sets. The sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set is connected to the housing. The ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set is connectable to the planetary carrier of the second planetary gear set. The planetary carrier of the fourth planetary gear set is connectable through the fourth clutch to the output shaft. The ring gear of the second planetary gear set is connected through the second brake to the housing. The drive shaft is connectable through the third clutch to the first brake. The first brake is connected to the housing. The invention also relates to a method for operating the transmission along with a motor vehicle with the transmission. |
| US09562586B2 |
Vibration isolating bushing
To suppress a decrease in durability due to abrasion or breakage caused by a reduction of a supporting area of a stopper at the time a wrench is inputted. An inner cylinder and an outer cylinder are connected by an insulator. An inner cylinder side stopper of concave curve surface is formed on an outer circumference of an intermediate part in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder. On the other hand, an outer cylinder side stopper that projects toward the inner cylinder side stopper is provided on an outside of the inner cylinder side stopper. The outer cylinder side stopper is relatively moved in a recessed space of the inner cylinder side stopper so as to regulate the reduction of the supporting area. |
| US09562583B2 |
Elastic joint for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle
An elastic joint, in particular for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The joint includes an inner armature, an outer armature surrounding the inner armature, wherein the armatures define an axial direction and two radial directions perpendicular to the axial direction as well as perpendicular to each other and disposed in a circumferential plane, and an elastomeric body for the mutual elastic retention of the armatures, wherein the elastomeric body consists of at least four connecting columns respectively extending from the inner armature to the outer armature. |
| US09562582B2 |
Compressible elastomeric spring
A compressible spring includes a substantially solid body defining a central axis and manufactured from an elastomeric material. A substantially solid abutment upstands axially on one end of the substantially solid body. There is also a lip that is disposed on a distal end of the axial abutment in a plane being substantially transverse to the central axis. An axial bore may be provided extending through the thicknesses of the body and abutment. Furthermore, a plate shape member may be provided that is mechanically secured to the substantially solid body during the forming process, wherein the abutment is passed through a central aperture in the rigid member and wherein the lip cages a thickness portion of the rigid member around the central aperture. |
| US09562576B2 |
Method for ascertaining a biting point of a friction clutch device
A method for ascertaining a biting point of a friction clutch device of a motor vehicle that is actuatable between a disengaged and an engaged position, the friction clutch device having a hydrostatic actuator device with at least one position sensor and at least one pressure force sensor, the friction clutch device being actuated in the disengagement and/or engagement direction, and data are obtained with the help of the at least one position sensor and the at least one pressure force sensor, while based on the obtained data a position force characteristic curve having a first section and a second section is obtained, the first section being approximated with the help of a linear equation and the second section being approximated with the help of a parabolic equation. |
| US09562575B2 |
Ratchet type one-way clutch
A ratchet type one-way clutch is provided that includes an outer race having a pocket on an inner circumference thereof, an inner race arranged on an inner diameter side of the outer race so as to be coaxial therewith, the inner race having a notch on an outer circumference thereof, a pawl member housed in the pocket and engaged with the notch of the inner race to transmit torque between the inner race and the outer race, and a spring for urging the pawl member to the inner race. The ratchet type one-way clutch is provided with urging force stabilizing means for stabilizing an urging force of the spring. |
| US09562574B2 |
Controllable coupling assembly and coupling member for use in the assembly
A controllable coupling assembly and a coupling member for use in the assembly are provided. The member includes a first coupling face oriented to face axially along a rotational axis and has a set of locking formations angularly-spaced about the axis. The member also includes a second coupling face having a reverse pocket which receives a reverse locking element. The pocket defines a first load-bearing surface adapted for abutting engagement with a load-bearing surface of the reverse locking element. The second coupling face is oriented to face radially with respect to the axis. Each of the set of locking formations defines a second load-bearing surface adapted for abutting engagement with a load-bearing surface of a forward locking element. |
| US09562571B2 |
Double clutch
Double clutch for coupling a drive shaft of a motor to a transmission shaft of a transmission in a vehicle having a first friction clutch for frictionally clamping a first clutch disc couplable to the transmission shaft between a first pressure plate and a first counter-plate, the first pressure plate displaceable in an axial direction to close the first friction clutch, a second friction clutch for frictionally clamping a second clutch disc couplable to an accessory power take-off between a second pressure plate and a second counter-plate, the second pressure plate displaceable in the axial direction to close the second friction clutch, a first actuating element configured to displace the first pressure plate, and, a second actuating element configured to engage a pressure ring connected to the second pressure plate to displace the second pressure plate, wherein the second actuating element is pre-loaded by at least one wire load ring. |
| US09562566B2 |
Roller bearing
A cage includes a pair of annular rings and a plurality of cage bars, and an area enclosed by the pair of annular rings and the circumferentially adjacent cage bars that serves as a pocket that holds the roller. The cage further includes a tab provided so as to protrude from a radially outer area of the cage bars to prevent the roller in the pocket from slipping out through the pocket toward a radially outer side. A surface of a bottom portion of the tab is discontinuous with surfaces of the cage bar, which are located on both sides of the tab in a longitudinal direction. |
| US09562564B2 |
Guide carriage of a linear guide
A guide carriage of a linear guide, which guide carriage has a back (1) and legs (2) bent away from the back (1) and disposed along a longitudinal axis of the guide carriage for engaging over a guide rail (7), the two legs (2) are each provided with a longitudinal seal (5) having rod-shaped bodies (12) each of which has a sealing lip (8) on sides facing one another. The rod-shaped body (12) is supported on an abutment (9a) of the leg (2) provided along the longitudinal axis, wherein the rod-shaped body (12) is retained on the guide carriage together with the two axial rod ends (13, 15, 18) of the rod-shaped body (12) and is spring-loaded against the abutment (9a) by means of the inherent spring force of the rod-shaped body (12). |
| US09562563B1 |
Spherical roller bearing
A spherical roller bearing having an axially extending center axis, an outer ring, an inner ring concentric with the outer ring, a guide ring concentric with the inner and outer rings, the guide ring has two lateral surfaces, one set of cambered rollers on either side of the guide ring and a cage structure arranged to retain the two sets of cambered rollers. The guide ring includes two circumferential guide ring sections, an inner guide ring section proximal to the inner ring and an outer guide ring section distal to the inner ring. A portion of at least one of the two lateral surfaces corresponding to the inner guide ring section is provided with at least one of at least one depression and at least one protrusion. The cambered rollers of each set are distanced from the inner guide ring section and in contact with the outer guide ring section. |
| US09562560B1 |
Robust tilt and lock mechanism for hopping actuator
A tilt and lock apparatus that includes a tilt servomechanism, a spiral torsion spring, a lock wheel, and a lock hook is described herein. The spiral torsion spring is mechanically coupled to the tilt servomechanism and the lock wheel (which includes an opening). When a shaft is positioned through the opening, rotation of the lock wheel is in unison with rotation of the shaft. An external surface of the lock wheel includes one or more grooves. The lock hook includes a head that engages and disengages the grooves. The lock wheel is stationary when the head engages one of the grooves and is rotatable when the head disengages the grooves. The head and the grooves are geometrically aligned when engaged to prevent creation of a force that acts to disengage the head responsive to an applied force acting on the shaft. |
| US09562558B2 |
Blind fastener
A blind fastener device for fastening workpieces, including a sleeve, an expander having a locking section and an expansion section, and a separate and distinct tensioning section configured to mechanically cooperate with the expander. One end of the tensioning section is configured as a tensioning section gripping region, which may be formed as the head of a bolt. A portion of the tensioning section passes through the sleeve to cooperate with the expander so that relative rotation of the tensioning section and the expander draws the expander distal end toward the sleeve proximal end and ultimately deforming a portion of the sleeve distal end to a locked state. The sleeve may be configured as a multi-section sleeve having a sleeve retainer to locate the sections in a predetermined relationship. |
| US09562555B1 |
Fastener assembly
A fastener assembly includes an insert having a head and a sleeve extending from a bottom surface of the head, with the insert further defining an internal cavity. The head of the insert abuts a first panel with the sleeve extending through a first preformed hole in the first panel. A second panel with a second preformed hole is aligned with the first panel, and a shaft of a fastener pin is inserted through the second preformed hole and into the internal cavity of the insert. Upon rotating the fastener pin, a tee portion at the end of the shaft engages a seat positioned in the internal cavity of the insert. The fastener assembly also includes a compression member positioned around the shaft of the fastener pin that biases the tee portion of the fastener pin into engagement with the seat of the insert. |
| US09562554B2 |
Retainer assembly
A retainer assembly for retaining a panel to a component. The retainer assembly includes a base defining a bore for receiving a screw. A pair of front and back support members each have a first section connected to the base, and a second section that overlies the bore for flexing outwardly in response to being engaged by the screw. A front and back primary retention member each extend outwardly from the front and back support members for holding the retainer assembly relative to the panel. A pair of front and back secondary retention members each extend outwardly from the first section of the front and back support members. The front and back secondary retention members terminate closer to the base than the front and back primary retention members to establish an interference fit between the retainer assembly and the panel prior to the screw being driven through the retainer assembly. |
| US09562553B2 |
Device for and method of connecting two items together
A device includes first and second inter-engageable parts, each having a longitudinal axis and a connecting face extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis. The first part has an engagement formation extending substantially axially and the second part has a receiving formation extending substantially axially, and in which the engagement formation is receivable. The engagement and receiving formations each includes a substantially helicoidal surface extending at least partially around the longitudinal axis of the respective part of the connector, so that rotation of the parts relative to one another about the longitudinal axes, when the parts are substantially co-axially aligned, so that the connecting faces of the parts face one another in a substantially axial direction, causes engagement of the engagement formation with the corresponding receiving formation. |
| US09562550B2 |
Accessory clips
Various clips for mounting accessories to rails, tracks and/or other mounts are described. In some examples, a clip may include a first part and a second part configured to at least partially cooperate with the first part to apply pressure to opposite sides of the rail, track or other mount. A tensioning mechanism may be configured to pull the first part and the second part together and/or to push the first part and the second part apart. A third part that may be configured to rotate with respect to the first part and/or the second part from an open position to a closed position, and to cooperate with the tensioning mechanism to pull the first part and the second part together and/or to push the first part and the second part apart. The third part may include a cam that is configured to increase a pressure applied by the first part and the second part to the rail, track or other mount when the third part is closed. |
| US09562549B2 |
Fastener system
A fastener system that includes a female fastener assembly with a housing having a channel defined therein and a switch member movable within the channel between removing and fastening positions. The switch member includes a receiver portion having a post opening defined therein and a switch portion. The housing includes a lower opening. The post opening includes a removing portion that is aligned with the lower opening when the switch member is in the removing position and a fastening portion that is aligned with the post opening when the switch member is in the fastening position. The system also includes a male fastener assembly having a post with a slot therein. The post is received through the lower opening in the housing and the post opening so that the slot is aligned with the channel. The slot receives a portion of the receiver portion when the switch member is in the fastening position. |
| US09562547B2 |
Electric hydraulic actuator
There is set forth herein an actuator having a housing and a piston assembly. The piston assembly can have a piston and a piston rod extending from the piston. In one embodiment, the housing can receive the piston and a portion of the piston rod. The piston assembly can define a piston assembly interior and a fluid reservoir can be located within the piston assembly interior. A chamber region within the interior of the housing can be separated by the piston assembly to define a piston side chamber and rod side chamber. The piston assembly can be moveable so that respective volumes of each of the piston side chamber and the rod side chamber are variable. For operation of the actuator by movement of the piston assembly within the interior of the housing, fluid can be moved between the reservoir and the chamber region. |
| US09562546B2 |
Hydraulic control circuit and its control method
In a hydraulic control circuit including a solenoid valve, whose change responsiveness in an actual pressure with respect to a change in an instructional pressure deteriorates when the instructional pressure enters a dead band region on a lower pressure side than a dead band threshold, for adjusting a hydraulic pressure supplied to a hydraulic device operated by the hydraulic pressure based on the instructional pressure, the instructional pressure is increased in a stepwise manner to a charge pressure higher than the dead band threshold, when the instructional pressure is set in the dead band region and the instructional pressure increases within the dead band region to such an extent that a speed ratio does not change. Then, a lower limit of the instructional pressure is set to the dead band threshold, and use of the dead band region is prohibited for a certain period of time. |
| US09562544B2 |
Hydraulic system
A hydraulic system (1) is provided comprising a supply port arrangement (P, T), a working port arrangement (A, B), and a booster section (7), said supply port arrangement having at least a supply port (P), said booster section (7) being arranged between said supply port arrangement (P, T) and said working port arrangement (A, B). The operational possibilities of such a hydraulic system should be extended. To this end said working port arrangement comprises at least two working ports (A, B), flow direction changing means (9) are provided changing a flow direction through said working port arrangement and inactivating means (16) are provided inactivating or activating said booster section (7) for each flow direction. |
| US09562541B2 |
Scroll structure of centrifugal compressor
An axial cross-sectional shape of a scroll flow path 13 is a roughly circular shape, a diffuser outlet connected to the roughly circular shape is shifted to a position which is closer to a circle center than to a position of a tangent line to the circular shape and which does not reach the circle center, the circular shape is formed from a scroll chamber 30 which juts out in the axial direction relative to the position of the diffuser outlet 11a and a shift chamber 32 that forms a remainder of the roughly circular shape in a direction opposite to the scroll chamber 30, and the shift chamber 32 is at least formed on the scroll flow path 13 of a winding end portion 19 in a circumferential direction of a spiral. |
| US09562539B2 |
Method and apparatus for sealing a rotating machine using floating seals
A fluid machine has a housing and a rotating portion that rotates relative to and is at least partially disposed within the housing. The housing is coupled to a seal assembly comprising a plurality of seal channels having a plurality of seal rings. Each of the plurality of seal channels comprises a respective one of the plurality of seal rings. |
| US09562529B2 |
Tube roller pump with auto-orientable and auto-lockable rotor and medical device for extracorporeal blood treatment with tube roller pump
Tube roller pumps for blood treatment devices are disclosed. The pumps include a curved surface with a rotor rotatable therein. The rotor attaches via a shaft reception to a drive shaft of the pump. The rotor has a first locking element for axially locking the rotor on the shaft and a second locking element for rotationally coupling the shaft and the rotor. The shaft reception and the drive shaft guide the rotor to a position on the shaft, when pushed onto the shaft, and, at this position, the first element may be moved by the shaft from locked to released. The rotor, when pushed further onto the shaft, is moved to another position at which the first element is automatically moved back to locked and the second element may be brought into manual engagement with the shaft to transmit torque from the shaft to the rotor. |
| US09562527B2 |
Unloader for a valve element of a compressor valve
An unloader for a valve element (30) of a compressor valve (40) includes an unloader finger (2) and one carrier bushing (14), wherein the unloader finger (2) is fabricated from a first material, the carrier bushing (14) is fabricated from a second material using a casting method, and at least part of the unloader finger (2) is mold in with the material of the carrier bushing (14). |
| US09562525B2 |
Linear compressor
A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a pair of planar spring assemblies mounted to an inner back iron assembly at opposite sides of the inner back iron assembly. A magnet is mounted to the inner back iron assembly at an outer surface of the back iron assembly. |
| US09562524B2 |
Control valve for variable displacement compressor
A control valve according to one embodiment includes a shaft that transmits the solenoidal force to a valve element. A solenoid includes a bottomed sleeve into which the pressure of refrigerant is introduced, a core secured coaxially to the sleeve, a plunger, contained in the sleeve on its bottom side, which is displaceable integrally with the shaft in a direction of axis line, a first spring that applies the biasing force in a valve opening direction to the shaft, a second spring that applies the biasing force in a valve closing direction to the plunger, and a shaft support member, which is press-fitted such that the shaft support member is secured to an inner wall of the sleeve near its bottom portion. The second spring is set between the shaft support member and the plunger. |
| US09562523B2 |
Wobble drive mechanism
A wobble drive mechanism for coupling a rotary motion to a reciprocating motion comprising a diagonal plate coupled to a rotary motion axis driving a wobble carrier having a flat side in sliding contact with the diagonal plate and a spherical side in contact with a spherical bearing recess. The wobble carrier has a bore containing at least one reciprocating drive shoe. The reciprocating drive shoe may be coupled to a piston operating within a cylinder. The reciprocating drive shoe may be free to move in the bore linearly and/or rotationally. In various embodiments, the reciprocating drive shoe comprises two or more components. In various embodiments the piston is coupled to the shoe via a fixed rod section and the fixed rod section terminates in, for example, a double cylindrical bearing T section or a spherical bearing. The reciprocating drive may operate various devices, for example, pump or motor devices. |
| US09562521B2 |
Hybrid system for electric power generation from solar-thermal energy and wind energy sources
A hybrid system for electric power generation from solar-thermal energy and wind energy sources is described. The system includes a wind electric power generation system, a solar-thermal generation system and an air compressing system powered by a wind electric power generation system, and a compressed air storage system. A solar-thermal generation system includes two air receivers illuminated by heliostats to heat compressed atmospheric air provided from a compressed air storage system for driving the solar-thermal generation system. The hybrid system also includes a thermal energy storage system storing thermal energy and preheating the pressurized atmospheric air flow provided by the compressed air storage system. |
| US09562514B2 |
Wind turbine rotor with pitch brake
Wind turbine rotor comprising a hub, a plurality of blades, and at least one pitch system for rotating a blade substantially along its longitudinal axis and comprising one or more pitch brakes, wherein a pitch brake comprises at least a brake disc element and a first brake pad, and wherein one of the hub and a blade comprises said brake disc element and the other of the hub and blade comprises said first brake pad, the brake disc element and brake pad being arranged such that when the blade is substantially in or near the below rated pitch position the brake disc element and pad are in frictional contact with each other. |
| US09562513B2 |
Wind turbine rotor blade assembly with surface features
Rotor blade assemblies for wind turbines are provided. A rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade. In some embodiments, the rotor blade assembly further includes a surface feature configured on an exterior surface of the rotor blade, the surface feature having an exterior mounting surface. At least a portion of the exterior mounting surface has a contour in an uninstalled state that is different from a curvature of the exterior surface of the rotor blade at a mount location of the surface feature on the rotor blade. In other embodiments, the rotor blade assembly further includes a seal member surrounding at least a portion of a perimeter of the surface feature. The seal member contacts and provides a transition between the exterior surface and the surface feature. |
| US09562508B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay for starting a motor of a starter includes a resistor to reduce an activation current that flows through the motor from a battery for activation of the motor, a relay contact that causes the starting current to flow while bypassing the resistor, a relay coil that forms an electromagnet when excited by energization, and a control circuit that controls an excited state of the relay coil for activation of the motor to open or close the relay contact, thus controlling energization of the motor from the battery via the resistor. The electromagnetic relay incorporates therein the control circuit. |
| US09562507B2 |
Engine start switch
An engine start switch includes, a case member which includes a tubular support portion having an opening portion formed on the front side, a slide member which is slidably supported in a front-rear direction in the inner portion of the tubular support portion, an operation member which is connected to the front side of the slide member, and is movably supported in the front-rear direction in front of the tubular support portion, an annular coil antenna configured to radiate a radio wave signal forward, a wiring substrate which is electrically connected to the coil antenna, and detection means for detecting a rearward movement of the operation member. The coil antenna is attached to the front side of the wiring substrate to configure an antenna substrate assembly, and the antenna substrate assembly is attached to the case member to be positioned between the slide member and the operation member. |
| US09562505B2 |
System and method for control of fuel injector spray
The disclosure provides an improved fuel injector and method of operating the fuel injector to provide at least two different types of fuel spray to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The two types of spray are formed by providing a first fuel pressure to the fuel injector during a first portion of an injection event at a first pressure and providing a second fuel pressure to the fuel injection during a second portion of the injection event, and maintaining a substantially constant fuel flow rate throughout the injection event. |
| US09562501B2 |
Blow-by gas processing circuit for internal combustion engine
A blow-by gas processing circuit for an internal combustion engine includes a blow-by gas lead-out pipe uprising from the engine and extending along one side surface of an air cleaner, an upper pipe bending laterally from an upper end of the lead-out pipe and extending along the one side surface, a descending pipe bending downward from an extremity portion of the upper pipe and extending along the one side surface to reach a purification completion chamber of the cleaner, a branch pipe branching downward from an intermediate portion of the upper pipe and connected to a blow-by gas outlet port opened to an intake passage penetrating an insulator member, and a control valve placed in an upper portion of the branch pipe and opening responding to a rise in boost negative pressure of the engine. |
| US09562500B2 |
Injector-igniter with fuel characterization
A vehicular fuel system with onboard fuel characterization including an onboard combustion modifier source capable of supplying a combustion modifier agent, such as hydrogen, and a fuel tank capable of storing a fuel. An injector-igniter is operative to direct inject the fuel and a proportionate amount of the modifier agent into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. An engine control unit is operatively connectable to the combustion modifier source and the injector. The system may further comprise a mixing valve operative to proportionately mix the fuel and modifier agent. The combustion modifier source may be a tank containing hydrogen or a thermo-chemical reactor, for example. |
| US09562498B2 |
Biodegradable fuel performance additives
There is disclosed a biodegradable fuel additive composition derived from at least one animal or plant source, and a fuel composition containing a biodegradable fuel additive composition derived from at least one animal or plant source useful for reducing the formation of engine deposits and for improving fuel economy of a vehicle combusting the fuel composition. |
| US09562493B2 |
Cooling structure for cylinder head
A cooling structure for a cylinder head, wherein the cylinder head has formed therein an exhaust manifold having branch sections and also having a collecting section to which the branch sections connect; a first water jacket and a second water jacket, which cover the exhaust manifold; connection passages which supply cooling water in the second water jacket to the first water jacket; and a cooling water outlet which connects the first water jacket to the outside. The connection passages include the first connection passage which is closest to the collecting section, and the second connection passage which is located at the downstream end of each of the water jackets. The flow passage cross-sectional area of the second connection passage is set to be less than the flow passage cross-sectional area of the first connection passage. |
| US09562492B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes: a cylinder block having a block cooling water passage that supplies cooling water to a plurality of cylinder bores, and an inter-bore cooling water passage provided between cylinder bores that supplies cooling water between the cylinder bores; a cylinder head having a first cooling water passage to which cooling water is supplied from the block cooling water passage, and a second cooling water passage, which is provided independently from the first cooling water passage, and to which cooling water is supplied from the inter-bore cooling water passage; a heat exchanger; a first cooling water introducing part that leads cooling water, which is flown out from the first cooling water passage, to the heat exchanger; and a second cooling water introducing part that leads cooling water, which is flown out from the second cooling water passage, to a downstream side of the heat exchanger. |
| US09562482B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary that is driven by the output of an internal combustion engine and which is capable of obtaining drive force by transmitting the output of the internal combustion engine to driving wheels. If an air conditioning compressor is being driven during engine idling of the internal combustion engine, an electronic control apparatus implements output-increase control for increasing the output of the internal combustion engine in comparison to when the air conditioning compressor is not being driven. If the force applied to the accelerator pedal (Pac) is equal to or more than a prescribed value (Pth), output-reduction control for reducing the output of the internal combustion engine by initiating engine idling of the internal combustion engine, and prohibiting the drive of the air conditioning compressor, is implemented. |
| US09562481B2 |
Drive system for hybrid vehicle
In a drive system, a first differential mechanism transmits engine rotation, a second differential mechanism connects the first differential mechanism with drive wheels, and a switching device changes a speed ratio of the first differential mechanism. The second differential mechanism has first, second, and third rotational elements, which connect respectively to the first differential mechanism, a first rotating machine, and a second rotating machine. In a first running condition, the vehicle runs using the second rotating machine as a power source, while differentially operating the first differential mechanism. In a second running condition, the vehicle runs using the second rotating machine as a power source, without differentially operating the first differential mechanism. A region in which the vehicle runs in the second running condition in the case where the engine cannot start by itself is larger than that in the case where the engine can start by itself. |
| US09562477B2 |
Accessory mounting for a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine assembly is connected to a pylon for mounting the gas turbine engine to an aircraft. The assembly has a frame supporting at least one accessory independently of the gas turbine engine. The frame is attached to the pylon at forward and rearward engine mounting locations. The frame comprises at least one hollow tube and at least one duct is arranged to supply coolant into the at least one hollow tube and the at least one hollow tube is arranged to supply coolant to the at least one accessory. |
| US09562472B2 |
Oxygen transport membrane reactor based method and system for generating electric power
A carbon capture enabled system and method for generating electric power and/or fuel from methane containing sources using oxygen transport membranes by first converting the methane containing feed gas into a high pressure synthesis gas. Then, in one configuration the synthesis gas is combusted in oxy-combustion mode in oxygen transport membranes based boiler reactor operating at a pressure at least twice that of ambient pressure and the heat generated heats steam in thermally coupled steam generation tubes within the boiler reactor; the steam is expanded in steam turbine to generate power; and the carbon dioxide rich effluent leaving the boiler reactor is processed to isolate carbon. In another configuration the synthesis gas is further treated in a gas conditioning system configured for carbon capture in a pre-combustion mode using water gas shift reactors and acid gas removal units to produce hydrogen or hydrogen-rich fuel gas that fuels an integrated gas turbine and steam turbine system to generate power. The disclosed method and system can also be adapted to integrate with coal gasification systems to produce power from both coal and methane containing sources with greater than 90% carbon isolation. |
| US09562463B2 |
Control method for exhaust gas aftertreatment device
A diesel oxidation catalyst, a NOx occlusion reduction catalyst, and a diesel particulate filter are connected to an exhaust pipe of an engine, downstream of an exhaust pipe injector provided on the exhaust pipe. NOx in the exhaust gas is occluded by the NOx occlusion reduction catalyst when an air-fuel ratio is lean. The occluded NOx is reduced and purified when the air-fuel ratio is rich. When a prescribed amount of particulate matter has accumulated in the diesel particulate filter, the exhaust gas temperature is raised when performing particulate matter regeneration. The exhaust gas temperature is further raised to perform a sulphur purge. The rich condition is prohibited during the particulate matter regeneration period and the sulphur purge period. When the sulphur purge is completed, the rich condition prohibition continues until the difference between the inlet temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst and the outlet temperature of the NOx occlusion reduction catalyst becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. |
| US09562461B2 |
Exhaust gas control system of internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas control system of an internal combustion engine includes a urea water tank, a heater, a purifying device, a notification device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether frozen urea water is left or not. The controller is configured to determine whether liquid urea water capable of being pumped out is not left or not. The controller is configured to estimate a suppliable amount of the urea water to the urea water tank in response to a state where the frozen urea water is left, and the controller configured to control the notification device so as to give a notification for prompting a supply of the suppliable amount of the urea water to the urea water tank in response to a state where liquid urea water capable of being pumped out is not left. |
| US09562460B2 |
Motor grader
A motor grader includes an engine, a power transmission apparatus, a selective catalytic reduction apparatus, a fuel tank and a reducing agent tank. The power transmission apparatus is configured to transmit power from the engine. The selective catalytic reduction apparatus is configured to process exhaust from the engine. The fuel tank is configured to retain fuel. The reducing agent tank is configured to retain a reducing agent. The fuel tank is arranged so as to at least partially overlap with the engine in a planar view. The fuel tank is arranged between the power transmission apparatus and the reducing agent tank in a vehicle front to back direction. |
| US09562458B2 |
Filter insert
A tank filter insert having a filter insert housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a filter device for filtering the liquid stored in the tank; and a heating device, which heats the housing at least in the region of the at least one inlet, the at least one outlet, and the filter device. |
| US09562456B2 |
Exhaust injection muffler
An internal combustion engine is coupled to an electric power generator. An exhaust manifold for the engine includes an exhaust gas conduit. A housing includes a catalyst in fluid communication with the conduit to receive exhaust produced by the engine. The catalyst is operable to reduce one or more constituents of the exhaust. |
| US09562447B2 |
Valve timing control device
A valve timing control device includes: a driving side rotating body rotating in synchronization with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine (E); a driven side rotating body rotating integrally with a camshaft of the internal combustion engine and capable of rotating relative to the driving side rotating body; a fluid pressure chamber formed by the driving side rotating body and the driven side rotating body; a partition portion arranged in the fluid pressure chamber and partitioned into a retard chamber and an advance chamber an intermediate lock mechanism including a concave portion a lock member; and a phase control unit controlling the supply of a fluid to the retard chamber and the discharge of the fluid from the advance chamber or the supply of the fluid to the advance chamber and the discharge of the fluid from the retard chamber. |
| US09562446B2 |
Engine
An engine includes: an oil control valve built in a cylinder head, and configured to control a pressure of oil to be supplied to a variable valve mechanism via a camshaft; and a cam cap fixed to an upper face of the cylinder head, and configured to rotatably support the camshaft between the cam cap and the cylinder head, as a flow passage for the oil to be force-fed from an oil pump to the oil control valve, the cam cap including: a lateral passage formed inside the cam cap, and extended in a direction along the upper face of the cylinder head; and a downward passage extended downward from the lateral passage so as to serve as a downstream side flow passage of the lateral passage, and configured to guide the oil toward the oil control valve. |
| US09562439B2 |
Turbine nozzle and method for cooling a turbine nozzle of a gas turbine engine
The present application and the resultant patent provide a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The turbine nozzle may include a first nozzle vane, a second nozzle vane, and a platform connecting the first nozzle vane and the second nozzle vane. The platform may include a first cooling passage and a separate second cooling passage defined therein. The first cooling passage may be configured to direct a first flow of cooling fluid in a first direction, and the second cooling passage may be configured to direct a second flow of cooling fluid in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. The present application and the resultant patent further provide a method for cooling a turbine nozzle of a gas turbine engine. |
| US09562436B2 |
Components with micro cooled patterned coating layer and methods of manufacture
A manufacturing method includes providing a substrate with an outer surface and at least one interior space, selectively deposited a coating on a portion of the substrate to form a selectively deposited coating having one or more grooves formed therein. The method further includes processing at least a portion of the surface of the selectively deposited coating to plastically deform the selectively deposited coating in the vicinity of the top of a respective groove. An additional coating is applied over at least a portion of the surface of the selectively deposited coating. A component is disclosed and includes a substrate, a selectively deposited coating disposed on at least a portion of the substrate, and defining one or more grooves therein, and an additional coating disposed over the selectively deposited coating. The substrate, the selectively deposited coating and the additional coating defining one or more channels for cooling the component. |
| US09562435B2 |
Cellular wheel, in particular for a pressure wave supercharger
A metal cellular wheel (10) for a pressure wave supercharger comprising an outer sleeve (12) arranged coaxial to a rotational axis (y), an inner sleeve (14) arranged coaxial to the outer sleeve (12), and at least one intermediate sleeve (18) arranged between and coaxial to the outer sleeve (12) and the inner sleeve (14). Fins (16) are arranged between successive sleeves (12, 18; 18, 14), aligned radially to axis (y), and joined to adjacent sleeves (12, 18; 18, 14). On outer sleeve (12), outer sealing sleeves (24) engage over the outer sleeve (12), are joined with the outer sleeve (12), and have a sealing profile (30) for a labyrinth seal. A drive shaft (13) along axis (y) is joined with the inner sleeve (14), and the intermediate sleeve(s) (18) has (have) notches (26) extending, between adjacent fins (16), from both end faces (11) of the cellular wheel (10). |
| US09562430B1 |
Chemiresistive sensors for downhole tools
A method of detecting an analyte includes vaporizing at least a portion of a fluid within a wellbore, passing the vaporized fluid adjacent a chemiresistive sensing element coupled to a drill string within the wellbore and sensing a resistivity of the chemiresistive sensing element. A sensor for detecting an analyte includes an expansion device for vaporizing a portion of a fluid within a wellbore, a chemiresistive sensing element configured to contact the vaporized fluid within the wellbore and a controller configured to pass a current through the chemiresistive sensing element and calculate a resistance of the chemiresistive sensing element in contact with the gaseous portion of the fluid. An earth-boring tool may include a bit body coupled to a drill string and the sensor. |
| US09562429B2 |
Wellbore servicing tools, systems and methods utilizing near-field communication
A wellbore servicing system comprising one or more wellbore tool nodes disposed within a wellbore, wherein each of the one or more wellbore tool nodes is configurable from a first configuration to a second configuration, and a controller node, wherein the controller node communicates with the wellbore tool node via a near field communication (NFC) signal. |
| US09562425B2 |
Methods of enhancing the conductivity of propped fractures with in-situ acidizing
Methods of treating subterranean formations comprising providing a wellbore in a subterranean formation having at least one fracture therein; providing a first treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and an acid generating inert agent; providing a second treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, and an acid generating activator; introducing the first treatment fluid into the at least one fracture; and introducing the second treatment fluid into the at least one fracture, wherein the acid generating inert agent in the first treatment fluid reacts with the acid generating activator in the second treatment fluid so as to generate an acid in the at least one fracture and create or enhance at least one microfracture therein. |
| US09562424B2 |
Waste heat recovery from depleted reservoir
A method of producing heated water from a reservoir having a hot bitumen-depleted zone adjacent to an aqueous mobile zone. The method includes generating fluid communication between the aqueous mobile zone and the hot bitumen-depleted zone. The method further includes driving water from the aqueous mobile zone through a portion of the hot bitumen-depleted zone to heat the water to produce heated water from a heated water production well. |
| US09562423B2 |
Acid diversion treatments in injection wells using permeability modifiers
Some embodiments herein comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, an acid, a permeability modifier, and a permeability modifier deactivator; providing an injection well having a first treatment zone comprising a first aqueous formation permeability, wherein the first treatment zone comprises formation damage; introducing the treatment fluid into the injection well, so as to contact the acid, the permeability modifier, and the permeability modifier deactivator with the first treatment zone; reacting the acid with the first treatment zone so as to repair a portion of the formation damage; reacting the permeability modifier with the first treatment zone so as to cause the first aqueous formation permeability to adopt a second, lesser aqueous formation permeability; and contacting the permeability modifier deactivator with the permeability modifier so as to deactivate the permeability modifier and restore the first treatment zone to about the first aqueous formation permeability. |
| US09562421B2 |
Limited entry phased perforating gun system and method
A limited entry perforating phased gun system and method for accurate perforation in a deviated/horizontal wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with shaped charge clusters. The charges are spaced and angled such that, when perforated, they intersect at a preferred fracturing plane. Upon fracturing, the fractures initiate at least principal stress location in a preferred fracturing plane perpendicular to the wellbore from an upward and downward location of the wellbore. Thereafter, the fractures connect radially about the wellbore in the preferred fracturing plane. The fracture treatment in the preferred fracturing plane creates minimal tortuosity paths for longer extension of fractures that enables efficient oil and gas flow rates during production. |
| US09562417B2 |
Sealing device for well components
A sealing device is for sealing fluid transmittable openings in well components. The sealing device includes an elastic element which is arranged between two shoulders. The elastic element, before being placed in the fluid transmittable opening, has a larger external dimension than the fluid transmittable opening to be sealed. A gap is arranged between at least one of the shoulders and the elastic element, allowing liquid to enter between the shoulder and the elastic element. The ridge is arranged on an intermediate piece which is located between the shoulder and the elastic element. The intermediate piece is constituted by as ring in which the ridge is surrounding and divided, and projects from an end surface opposite an abutment surface facing the elastic element. |
| US09562416B2 |
Downhole tool with one-piece slip
Embodiments pertain to a downhole tool that includes a mandrel made of composite material; a first slip disposed around the mandrel; a first cone disposed around the mandrel, proximate to the first slip; a second slip disposed around the mandrel; a second cone disposed around the mandrel, proximate to a first side of the second slip; a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, between the first cone and the second cone; and a lower sleeve disposed around the mandrel, proximate to a second side of the second slip, wherein the first slip comprises a circular slip body having one-piece configuration with at least partial connectivity around the entire circular slip body; and at least two grooves disposed therein, wherein the circular slip body is made from filament wound material, wherein the circular slip body comprises a plurality of inserts disposed therein, and wherein at least one of inserts comprises a flat surface. |
| US09562412B2 |
Detachable capping device and method for an oil/gas well under blowout conditions
Offshore and onshore oil well blowouts can bring serious environmental damages which can cause serious economic loses. Oil wells under blowout conditions can be gushing fluids for months before the well is capped and plugged. Placing a capping device on the top of the well head can be challenged. In this paper it is presented a detachable capping device and a method that will help to control the well, or to plug it. The gushing fluids will be redirect through pipe to a surface vessel where they will be collected. |
| US09562410B2 |
Increased load bearing thickness for anchoring slip
A slip design has segments that move relatively axially before moving in tandem up a ramp for radial extension. Due to the fact of the relative movement the segments interlock due to their geometric configuration or their surface treatment such that at the conclusion of such relative movement the load carrying thickness is effectively increased. The extended position minimizes radial extension of the slips for a smaller tool drift dimension while still allowing the needed radial extension and actually extending the radial reach of the slip assembly. The segment can have triangular or trapezoidal tapered interfaces that provide bearing areas between slip segments and adjacent spacer segment. Alternatively, the slips segments can have opposing wickers so that after riding up an underlying support member can interact with that member for load transfer. The supporting members can also be secured to an underlying mandrel for further load transfer. |
| US09562409B2 |
Downhole fracture system and method
A system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes a housing having one or more radially directed ports therein. A valve disposed within the housing proximate the one or more ports. A seat member interactive with the valve to rapidly prevent or substantially retard fluid flow therethrough. A method for initiating a fracture in a subterranean formation is included. |
| US09562404B2 |
Well tubing hanger adapted for use with power tongs and method of using same
A well tool adapted to be connected with and disconnected from a well tubing using a power tong device having a pair of tongs, a gripping span between the pair of tongs, and a maximum clearance diameter for an object passing through the tongs. The well tool includes a tubular mandrel. The tubular mandrel has a maximum mandrel diameter which is no greater than the maximum clearance diameter. The tubular mandrel includes a first mandrel connector which is adapted for connecting the tubular mandrel with a first well tubing in order to provide a first connection. The tubular mandrel is configured so that when the power tong device grips a tong gripping surface on the tubular mandrel and the first well tubing in order to connect the tubular mandrel and the first well tubing, the first connection is located within the gripping span. |
| US09562403B2 |
Riser tensioner conductor for dry-tree semisubmersible
A top-tensioned riser system comprises a substantially vertical riser extending upward from the seafloor; a conductor surrounding an upper portion of the riser in spaced-apart relation; a coaxial keel guide surrounding a lower portion of the conductor; a tensioner attached to the conductor and the riser; a keel guide support structure attached to the keel guide and connected to the keel of a dry-tree, semi-submersible vessel; and, a keel joint centralizer attached to the riser proximate the keel guide and sized to prevent radial movement of the riser relative to the conductor. Side loads on the riser (such as those arising from displacement of the vessel from its nominal position or currents acting on the riser) are reacted from the riser to the conductor via the keel joint centralizer and then to the keel of the vessel via the keel guide. |
| US09562402B2 |
Shunt tube connector assembly and method
Embodiments of a shunt tube connector assembly generally include a jumper tube assembly and a cooperative shroud assembly. In one embodiment, the jumper tube assembly includes a jumper tube having two tube connectors slideable thereon, where the tube connectors are fluidly connectable to shunt tubes. In one embodiment, the shroud assembly includes shroud segments, and corresponding shroud connection collars that include openings for shunt tubes and a transverse dove tail in the surface thereof, where shroud segments have a dove pin extending inwardly therefrom and adapted to engage a collar dove tail. Embodiments of a method for connecting and shrouding connectable pipe segments equipped with exterior shunt tubes generally include providing fluidly connected pipe segments having collars comprising an exterior surface opened dove tail, fluidly connecting shunt tubes, and attaching shroud segments around at least a portion of each said pipe segment by engaging a dove pin with the dovetail. |
| US09562400B2 |
Threaded tubular component and resulting connection
The invention concerns a threaded tubular component for drilling or working hydrocarbon wells, said tubular component having at one of its ends (1; 2) a threaded zone (3; 4) produced on its outer or inner peripheral surface depending on whether the threaded end is male or female in type, characterized in that at least a portion of the end (1; 2) is coated with a lubricating dry film (12) the matrix (13) of which comprises at least one migrating sliding agent (9) belonging to the oils or waxes family and principally distributed at the surface of the lubricating dry film (12) such that the coefficient of friction of the film (12) is less than 0.07 at loads of less than 40 N while the coefficient of friction of the film (12) is more than 0.1 at loads of more than 200 N. |
| US09562398B2 |
Modular cutting-teeth drill bit with controllable drilling specific pressure
A modular cutting-teeth bit having controllable specific pressure for drilling includes: a module (1), a modular unit (2), a bit body (3), conventional cutting teeth (4) and a nozzle (5). According to mechanical performance of the rocks in the strata drilled and requirements of drilling well, a combination of shapes, sizes and numbers of the module and the modular unit is optimized; effective abrasion edge length of the cutting unit on a certain portion of the bit is controlled; and a constant specific pressure of the cutting unit of the bit during the drilling process is maintained. |
| US09562397B2 |
Adjustable body supported cutter arms for underreamer
An underreamer for connection with a rotary pipe string includes inner and outer body sections which form a body structure to provide a fluid flow path therethrough for communicating with piston and cylinder means formed between the body sections for receiving drilling fluid to effect telescopic movement between the body sections permitting engagement of cutter arms and support of said cutter arms on the outer body of the underreamer utilizing a slideable, non-pivoting stop block. Cutter arms are pivotally mounted on the inner body section and, upon engagement of the cutter arms to effect underreaming are fully supported on the outer body section thereby minimizing damage from vibration and repeated use on the threaded inner body sections. |
| US09562394B2 |
Timed impact drill bit steering
A method of steering a drill bit while drilling a wellbore can include periodically delivering an impact to the drill bit as the drill bit is rotated by a drill string. The impact may be delivered to the drill bit when an axis of the drill bit is oriented in a desired azimuthal direction relative to an axis of the drill string. Another method of steering a drill bit while drilling a wellbore may include interconnecting a bend in a drill string between an impact tool and the drill bit, and periodically delivering an impact from the impact tool to the drill bit as the drill bit is rotated by the drill string. A directional drilling system can include a drill string having a bend interconnected therein, an impact tool, and a drill bit, the bend being interconnected in the drill string between the drill bit and the impact tool. |
| US09562390B2 |
Intelligent window covering incorporating climate control features
An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a gearbox assembly configured to electromechanically operate a window covering. A controller, incorporated into the window covering, is provided to control the gearbox assembly. A temperature sensor communicates with the controller and monitors temperature proximate a window associated with the window covering. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the window, temperature external to the window, temperature internal to the window, temperature within a headrail of the window covering, or the like. The controller is further configured to relay at least one of commands and information to an HVAC controller to regulate room temperature in accordance with the monitored temperature. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein. |
| US09562388B2 |
Methods of forming polarized panes for variable transmission windows
Methods of forming polarized panes for variable transmission windows are disclosed. The polarized panes are formed from transparent substrates that are brushed with a brushing pattern that varies continuously in a select direction over each of one or more periods. A layer of polarizable material such as POLARCOAT material can be deposited on and responds to the brushed surface by forming a polarization pattern that substantially matches the brushing pattern and thus also includes one or more periods. |
| US09562387B2 |
Door bottom system for an entryway system
A door bottom system is used with an entryway system having a door panel movable between open and closed positions. The door bottom system includes a door sweep movable with the door panel between first and second positions corresponding with the open and closed positions, respectively. The door bottom system includes a threshold assembly including a sill that defines a channel adapted for accepting a fluid. The threshold assembly includes a seal extending downwardly toward the sill to a distal end and movable between initial and sealed positions. The door sweep selectively engages and moves the seal from the initial position in the first position to the sealed position in the second position. The seal extends over and covers the channel in the initial position. The seal at least partially uncovers the channel in the sealed position such that the distal end of the seal is positioned above the channel. |
| US09562384B2 |
Wireless adapter for barrier operator systems
Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter. |
| US09562383B2 |
Hinge hydraulic infinite check structure
A hinge hydraulic infinite check structure includes a paddle having at least one hydraulic aperture is rigidly fixed to a shaft. The pivot shaft is supported for pivoting movement within a case. The case includes a wall portion rigidly fixed to a cylindrically shaped inner surface and extends radially inward to the shaft. Pivoting movement of the pivot shaft forces the hydraulic fluid to move through the aperture from a first side to a second side of the paddle generating movement resistance. With the pivot shaft being stationary relative to the fluid chamber, equilibrium of fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid at the first side and the second side of the paddle imparts a resistance to pivoting movement of the pivot shaft relative to the fluid chamber. |
| US09562378B2 |
Double hung operation hardware
A fenestration operation hardware assembly includes at least one latch mechanism and an operation hardware assembly configured for coupling with a panel slidable within a frame. The latch mechanism includes a latch bolt and a latch biasing element coupled with the latch bolt. An operator of the operation hardware assembly is remote from the latch mechanism and is coupled with the panel. The operator includes an operator interface feature movable between initial and operating positions. In the initial position the latch bolt is in a projecting position, and in the operating position the operator interface feature moves the latch bolt into one or more withdrawn positions. The operation hardware assembly includes a retention assembly for retaining the latch bolt in a withdrawn position. |
| US09562371B2 |
Intensive care unit door control system
The present invention relates to doors for intensive care units and more particularly to an intensive care unit door control system. In particular, the invention relates to a door management system for an intensive care unit comprising at least one control unit configured to receive signals from at least one external device and to control the opening and closing of the automatic intensive care unit doors based on the received signals. |
| US09562366B2 |
Swimming pool cleaning system
A swimming pool cleaning system for removing stains and deposits on the bottom and walls of a swimming pool. The cleaning system includes a cleaning tool having an elongated handle pivotally secured to a tool head, wherein the tool head dispenses a cleaning solution for removing stains and deposits. The tool head may also include an absorbent or sponge-like material thereon and one or more scrapers to help remove deposits. The tool head is in fluid communication with a container in which a cleaning solution can be stored. The container includes a pump thereon for allowing the user to selectively deliver the cleaning solution to the cleaning tool. Thus, the cleaning system allows a user to more easily remove stains and deposits from the walls and bottom of a pool. |
| US09562363B2 |
Self bonding floor tile
A self bonding floor tile includes a main body and a self bonding layer connected with the main body. The self bonding layer includes an absorptive element, a first adhesive and a second adhesive. The first adhesive connects the main body with the self bonding layer. The absorptive element includes a plurality of fibers which are implanted into the first adhesive by flocking process with at least a portion of the absorptive element extending into the first adhesive, and at least a portion of the second adhesive penetrates into the other portion of the absorptive element for connecting the self bonding layer with a support body going to be decorated. The present self bonding floor tile can be quickly installed, easily and partly replaced with low installation and replacement cost. |
| US09562362B2 |
Apparatus for construction of safety mats
An array of resilient floor tiles is assembled into a continuous sheet after being laid down. An array of included, sacrificial resistive wires is buried along the edges of the tiles and is controllably heated in order to cause welding of the edges of tiles across the paths of the wires to neighboring tiles. Subsequently the wires may be used to give the array integral tensile strength. The welded array is provided with greater strength for resisting use, expansive and contractile forces caused by environmental heat and cold and also long-term tile contraction owing to loss of plasticizer as may be seen with PVC-based tiles. |
| US09562361B2 |
System for mounting wall panels to a wall structure
A system for mounting wall panels to a wall, includes wall panels, each including a main wall panel, and at least two bent end sections with a cut-out section and a wall thickness; and a plurality of main fastening extrusions, each including a base section to be secured to the wall, and two parallel, spaced apart flexible and resilient bent end securing walls extending from the base section, each bent end securing wall including a projection facing the other bent end securing wall, the bent end securing walls spaced apart corresponding to the wall thickness of two bent end sections, such that pressing of the bent end sections into the spacing between the bent end securing walls causes biasing away of the bent end securing walls until the projections engage in respective cut-out sections. |
| US09562360B2 |
Concrete mosaic
Provided is a method of installing a tile mosaic upon a vertical concrete surface. The method includes providing a plurality of tiles, a tile support, and a concrete form. The plurality of tiles are adhered to the tile support to define a mosaic assembly. The tiles are positioned on the tile support corresponding to the mosaic. The mosaic assembly is connected to the concrete form, and concrete is poured within the concrete form such that a portion of the tiles become embedded within the concrete. The tile support is subsequently detached from the concrete form and the concrete form is removed from the hardened concrete. The tile support is additionally removed from the plurality of tiles to reveal the mosaic on vertical surface of the concrete structure. |
| US09562356B2 |
Connector assemblies for connecting panels
In another embodiment, a connector assembly comprises a first side collector, comprising a first panel engagement region comprising a first receiving area that has a size to attach onto an edge of a first panel; and a second side collector, comprising a second panel engagement region comprising a second receiving area that has a size to attach onto an edge of a second panel. The first side collector and second side collector can be configured to directly mate with each other to hold to panels together. |
| US09562355B2 |
Rebar structure and reinforced concrete member
A rebar structure includes a plurality of column longitudinal bars to be connected to a beam. The yield point or the 0.2% proof stress of at least a portion the column longitudinal bars is larger than the yield point or the 0.2% proof stress of a normal reinforcing bar defined by JIS G 3112. |
| US09562354B2 |
Frame profile system
The invention relates to a system which is used to provide a planar structure, such as a wall or a ceiling, comprising a profiled frame (1) which is assembled from a plurality of profiled elements (2, 7), and a flexible or rigid, flat planar element (3) extending at least partially over said profiled frame (1). The planar element (3) is detachably connected to a connecting element (4, 8) by means of a form fit and/or a force closure. The connecting element (4, 8) is detachably connected to the profiled frame (1) by means of a form fit and/or a force closure, so that the planar element (3) is indirectly connected to the profiled frame (1) by means of the connecting element (4, 8), and wherein the connecting element (4, 8) is separate from the profiled frame (1) and the planar element (3). |
| US09562347B2 |
Multipiece wear assembly
A multipiece wear assembly including an adapter and a wear part. The adapter has a nose portion with a first predetermined configuration. The wear part is assembled onto the adapter nose portion by relative longitudinal movement and defines a blind cavity opening to a rear thereof. The blind cavity of the wear part has a second predetermined configuration. The second predetermined configuration defined by the blind cavity is greater than the first predetermined configuration defined by the adapter nose portion such that a relief is provided between the adapter nose portion and the blind cavity when the adapter and wear part are arranged in operable combination relative to each other. Lock structure is provided on the adapter nose portion for maintaining the wear part and adapter nose portion in operable combination. In one form, a modular securement member extends generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly with a portion of the securement member filling the relief defined between confronting surfaces on the blind cavity and the adapter nose portion. |
| US09562339B2 |
Apparatus and method for sealing pipes and underground structures
An apparatus and method for sealing pipes or underground structures is provided. In one embodiment, the end of a pipe is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a sealing member. The sealing member may be a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material, a compressible material, or a paste. The sealing member is held in place by a mechanical fastener and a liner is installed adjacent the sealing member and against the wall of the pipe or other structure to be sealed. In another embodiment, a manhole is sealed by the use of a sealing member, a mechanical fastener, and a manhole liner. |
| US09562338B2 |
Retaining wall system
A retaining wall system, as well as embodiments of blocks and other devices for use in a retaining wall system. In some embodiments, a retaining wall includes a plurality of face blocks and a plurality of trunk blocks arranged in a plurality of courses of blocks. In some embodiments, a face block can include a face portion and a pair of leg portions, and each of the leg portions can be adapted to be coupled to a trunk block. In some embodiments, various block connecting devices can be used to connect blocks in a single course of blocks and various block alignment devices can be used to align blocks in adjacent courses. |
| US09562336B2 |
Removable floodwall system, components and method of installation
A floodwall system comprises a plurality of wall panels detachably attached to a plurality of columns that are anchored to the ground. The plurality of wall panels include a plurality of chambers that receive water through perforations to increase the mass of these wall panels. |
| US09562333B2 |
Spreader assembly
A spreader assembly for spreading sand or salt comprised of a molded, double-walled hopper having a bin portion and leg portions. The hopper has an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall has a front end section and opposing side sections. The end sections and the side sections define a media-holding chamber within the bin portion of the hopper. The chamber has a generally rectangular upper portion, a funnel-shaped lower portion and a bottom having an opening extending through the bin portion. The funnel-shaped lower portion of the chamber slopes toward the opening. The outer wall of the hopper defines the leg portions, and the leg portions are dimensioned to extend below the opening in the bin portion. |
| US09562332B2 |
Method for producing ballast bodies
The invention relates to a method for producing load transferring regions in a ballast body of a track superstructure by introducing curable liquid plastics or reactive plastic mixtures from a mixing unit by means of at least two distributor pipes with outlets into the load transferring regions and allowing the plastic or the reactive plastic mixture to cure in said load transferring regions. The two distributor pipes with outlets are positioned on the left or on the right from the outside of the rails into the region between the two rails such that the outlets are located adjacent to each other and are laterally spaced from the front face (3) of the tie (2) that has the load transferring region to be reinforced. The two outlets are opened in order to allow the plastic or the reactive plastic mixture to exit at a controlled rate. Each distributor pipe outlet is guided to the respective end face (4, 4′) of the tie (2) from the inside to the outside in a lateral manner with respect to the front face (3) of the tie (2) and around the respective end face (4, 4′) of the tie (2) to the rear face (5) of the tie (2). The distributor pipe outlets are guided in a lateral manner along the rear face (5) of the tie (2) into the region between the two rails (9, 9′) such that the outlets are located adjacent to each other and are laterally spaced from the rear face (5) of the tie (2). |
| US09562328B2 |
Method for forming a subsequently drying a composite comprising a nanofibrillated polysaccharide
A method for the production of a composite material comprising nanofibrillated polysaccharide, the method comprising the following steps: (i) providing a liquid suspension of the nanofibrillated polysaccharide; (ii) bringing said liquid suspension in contact with at least one additive, thereby forming a composite material suspension, wherein the composite comprises the nanofibrillated polysaccharide and the at least one additive, (iii) increasing the solid contents of said composite material suspension, thereby forming a high solid contents composite material suspension. |
| US09562323B2 |
Recovery boiler plant of a chemical pulp mill
A recovery boiler plant of a chemical pulp mill including: a boiler including a lower region with an outlet to discharge smelt; a dissolving tank proximate to the outlet and configured to receive smelt; a smelt spout coupled to the outlet and including a chute extending from the outlet to a position at or over an inlet to the dissolving tank; and a shielding room including walls, a ceiling and a floor, wherein one of the walls includes a wall of the boiler, and the shielding room encloses a volume adjacent the boiler and above the dissolving tank, wherein the enclosed volume includes and the smelt spout and a working area in front of the smelt spout. |
| US09562315B2 |
Machine for removing wrinkles from fabric
The machine for removing wrinkles from fabric includes a tubular member, a rod positioned inside the tubular member to support the tubular member, and a heating element positioned in communicating relation with the tubular member. The machine can include a case having a fastener, such as mating hook and loop fasteners. The machine can also include at least one temperature sensor, a timer, and at least one fragrance canister including a fragrance dispenser and a corresponding tube. The fragrance dispenser is configured for dispensing a fragrance onto a piece of fabric. |
| US09562314B2 |
Laundry treating apparatus
A laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, an accommodation space provided in the cabinet to receive laundry, and a discharge portion allowing an interior of the accommodation space to communicate with an exterior of the cabinet and adapted to discharge air in the accommodation space from the cabinet. The laundry treating apparatus also includes a supply portion that supplies air into the accommodation space, and a shutoff portion adapted to open and close the discharge portion. |
| US09562308B2 |
Device for feeding yarn to a textile machine
A device for feeding yarn to a textile machine, including a main body defining an entry portion and an exit portion for yarn; a rotatable drum for winding the yarn originating from the entry portion and a motor connected to the drum for rotating the drum; a control member active at least on the motor to regulate its torque and velocity; exit portion being selectively switchable between a first configuration in which it defines a free exit section for the yarn, through which the exiting yarn defines a closed path about a rotation axis of the drum, and a second configuration in which it defines a limited exit section, through which the exiting yarn defines an open path. |
| US09562304B2 |
Polycrystalline silicon ingot, preparation method thereof, and polycrystalline silicon wafer
Disclosed is a preparation method of a polycrystalline silicon ingot. The preparation method comprises: providing a silicon nucleation layer at the bottom of a crucible, and filling a silicon material above the silicon nucleation layer; heating the silicon material to melt same, adjusting the thermal field inside the crucible to make the melted silicon material to start crystallization on the basis of the silicon nucleation layer; and when the crystallization is finished, performing annealing and cooling to obtain a polycrystalline silicon ingot. By adopting the preparation method, a desirable initial nucleus can be obtained for a polycrystalline silicon ingot, so as to reduce dislocation multiplication during the growth of the polycrystalline silicon ingot. Further disclosed are a polycrystalline silicon ingot obtained through the preparation method and a polycrystalline silicon wafer made using the polycrystalline silicon ingot as a raw material. |
| US09562303B2 |
Mixed oxide containing a lithium manganese spinel and process for its preparation
A mixed oxide containing a) a mixed-substituted lithium manganese spinel in which some of the manganese lattice sites are occupied by lithium ions and b) a boron-oxygen compound. Furthermore, a process for its preparation and the use of the mixed oxide as electrode material for lithium ion batteries. |
| US09562300B2 |
Sulfonamide based polymers for copper electroplating
Sulfonamide based polymers are reaction products of sulfonamides and epoxides. The polymers may be used as levelers in copper electroplating baths, to provide good throwing power. Such reaction products may plate copper or copper alloys with good surface properties and good physical reliability. |
| US09562299B2 |
Copper electroplating solution and copper electroplating apparatus
An electroplating solution includes an aqueous electrolyte solution including water soluble copper salts, sulfide ions and chloride ions, an accelerator including an organic material having sulfur (S), the accelerator accelerating copper (Cu) reduction, a suppressor including a polyether compound, the suppressor selectively suppressing the copper reduction, and a leveler including a water soluble polymer having nitrogen that is dissolved into positive ions in the aqueous electrolyte solution. |
| US09562296B2 |
Production method for silicon nanoparticles
Provided is a method for producing fine metal particles, wherein metal oxide powders can be used as a source of fine metal particles, and a method for producing fine metal particles can be provided avoiding the contamination of the molten salt electrolyte bath and the produced fine metal particles. A method for producing fine metal particles (112) is provided which comprises generating cathodic discharge outside and over the surface of an electrolyte bath (100) comprising metal oxide powders (110) suspended therein, whereby the metal oxide powders (110) are electrochemically reduced into the fine metal particles (112). |
| US09562293B2 |
Polymerization solution, conductive polymer film obtained from the polymerization solution, polymer electrode, and solid electrolytic capacitor
Disclosed is a polymerization solution for electrolytic polymerization having a small environmental load, having excellent economic efficiency and capable of producing a conductive polymer exhibiting excellent heat resistance. The polymerization solution has: a solvent consisting of 100 to 80% by mass of water and 0 to 20% by mass of an organic solvent; at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of 3,4-disubstituted thiophenes; and at least one organic non-sulfonate supporting electrolyte having an anion with the molecular weight of 200 or more. A conductive polymer film densely filled with polymer particles is obtained by performing electrolytic polymerization using the polymerization solution. A polymer electrode provided with the conductive polymer film exerts excellent heat resistance and the electrochemical activity of the polymer electrode will hardly deteriorate even when being subjected to high temperatures. Moreover, a solid electrolyte capacitor containing the conductive polymer layer obtained by performing electrolytic polymerization using the polymerization solution exhibits low dielectric loss and equivalent series resistance and exerts excellent heat resistance. |
| US09562292B2 |
Photoactive article, process for making, and use of same
A photoactive article includes a substrate including a semiconductor to absorb light and to produce a plurality of charge carriers; a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate; a conductive member disposed on the dielectric layer and opposing the substrate such that the dielectric layer is exposed by the conductive member, the conductive member to receive a portion of the plurality of charge carriers from the substrate; and an electrolyte disposed on the dielectric layer and the conductive member. Making a photoactive article includes forming a dielectric layer on a substrate by rapid thermal oxidation, the dielectric layer comprising an oxide of a semiconductor; and forming a conductive member disposed on the dielectric layer. |
| US09562288B2 |
Defined dosing atmospheric temperature and pressure vapor deposition system
A closed chemical introduction system used to deliver active ingredients in liquid chemical to a chemical vapor deposition system includes a robust, moisture-free cartridge containing a defined dose of liquid chemical. The cartridge is placed on a mounting slot specially configured to receive the cartridge. Upon initiating the system, a first linear mechanical actuator securely holds the cartridge in the slot, while an extraction lance attached to a second linear mechanical actuator punctures the cartridge from the bottom, extracts the liquid chemical and delivers it to a vaporization chamber. The vaporization chamber evaporates the liquid chemical and delivers the vapors containing the active ingredients to the chemical vapor deposition system. The chemical vapor deposition system may include a treatment chamber, a conveyor, a compressed clean air system to provide separate treatment compartments within the chamber, a moisture system, a chemical vapor system, and a neutralization system to neutralize harmful byproducts. |
| US09562279B2 |
Prespray processing method
A boring cutter body (5) is inserted into a circular hole (3) and is rotated and moved in an axial direction, whereby screw-shaped groove parts (11) are formed by using a tool bit (9) provided on a tip end of an outer peripheral portion, and broken surfaces (15) are formed by breaking tips of ridge parts generated by formation of the groove parts (11). Moreover, the groove parts (11) are processed through electric discharge machining using a wire electrode (17) provided to the boring cutter body (5) behind the tool bit (9) in the rotating direction, thereby forming finely roughened portions (41) having more finely roughened shapes than the broken surfaces (15). |
| US09562278B2 |
Device for strip guidance in a hot medium (I)
The invention relates to a device for strip guidance in a hot medium, comprising a deflection roller (3, 38) mounted on supporting arms (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57) and a carrier device holding the supporting arms (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57). The device is characterized in that one of the supporting arms (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57) is mounted on the carrier device by means of a floating bearing (5), wherein the floating bearing (5) allows the mounted supporting arm on the carrier device to move parallel to the longitudinal direction of the deflection roller (3, 38), and in that an elastic counter element (12), which acts parallel to the longitudinal direction of the deflection roller (3, 38) upon the supporting arm (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57) mounted on the floating bearing (5), is present and counteracts an increasing distance between the supporting arms (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57). In this way, the technical problems of offsetting a temperature-induced length change of the deflection roller and avoiding an uncontrolled movement of the system are solved. |
| US09562275B2 |
Method for producing highly pure platinum powder, as well as platinum powder that can be obtained according to said method, and use thereof
A method for producing highly pure platinum on an industrial scale, as well as the use of said highly pure platinum. According to the method, a hexahalogenoplatinate is reduced to platinum in acidic conditions. |
| US09562265B2 |
Primers and methods for determining RhD zygosity
Provided herein are primers comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to a portion of a RhD gene. Also provided herein are methods of determining a RhD zygosity in a subject. Also provided are methods of detecting a weak D allele in a subject. Further provided are kits for determining an RhD zygosity. |
| US09562264B2 |
Nicking and extension amplification reaction for the exponential amplification of nucleic acids
The invention is in general directed to the rapid exponential amplification of short DNA or RNA sequences at a constant temperature. |
| US09562258B2 |
Sequence-specific detection of nucleotide sequences
A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample of DNA is described herein in which a test sample comprising single stranded DNA is exposed to a DNA probe and a nicking endonuclease under conditions that would permit sequence-specific hybridization of the probe to a complementary target sequence. The probe comprises a sequence complementary to the target sequence to be detected and this sequence also includes a recognition sequence for the nicking endonuclease. If the sample contains the target sequence, the probe hybridizes to the target and is cleaved by the nicking endonuclease, which leaves the target intact. Observing the presence of probe cleaved by the nicking endonuclease indicates the presence of the target nucleotide sequence in the sample of DNA. |
| US09562242B2 |
Method for reusing water in fermented butanedioic acid separation process
This invention belongs to the field of biochemical engineering and relates to a method of cyclic utilization of water during separation of succinic acid made by fermentation. This invention uses water from separation process for aerobic growth of E. coli AFP111 and production of succinic acid by anaerobic fermentation, obtaining final succinic acid concentration of 55 g/L and yield of 91.6%. Compared with results of fermentation using culture medium prepared from tap water, succinic acid concentration and productivity increased by 8.5% and 8.46%, respectively. An outstanding advantage of this invention is recovery and utilization of evaporated water during separation of succinic acid, realizing cyclic use of water during industrial production of succinic acid, which is an environment-friendly process. Also, as evaporated water generated during separation of succinic acid contains small amount of organic acids such as acetic acid and formic acid, if this water is used for aerobic growth of thalli, the small amount of organic acids contained therein can be used as gluconeogenesis carbon source, improving activity of some key enzymes in cell and favoring succinic acid production by anaerobic fermentation of thalli. |
| US09562241B2 |
Semi-synthetic terephthalic acid via microorganisms that produce muconic acid
The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a muconate pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a muconate pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce muconate. The muconate pathway including an enzyme selected from the group consisting of a beta-ketothiolase, a beta-ketoadipyl-CoA hydrolase, a beta-ketoadipyl-CoA transferase, a beta-ketoadipyl-CoA ligase, a 2-fumarylacetate reductase, a 2-fumarylacetate dehydrogenase, a trans-3-hydroxy-4-hexendioate dehydratase, a 2-fumarylacetate aminotransferase, a 2-fumarylacetate aminating oxidoreductase, a trans-3-amino-4-hexenoate deaminase, a beta-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolase, a muconolactone isomerase, a muconate cycloisomerase, a beta-ketoadipyl-CoA dehydrogenase, a 3-hydroxyadipyl-CoA dehydratase, a 2,3-dehydroadipyl-CoA transferase, a 2,3-dehydroadipyl-CoA hydrolase, a 2,3-dehydroadipyl-CoA ligase, a muconate reductase, a 2-maleylacetate reductase, a 2-maleylacetate dehydrogenase, a cis-3-hydroxy-4-hexendioate dehydratase, a 2-maleylacetate aminoatransferase, a 2-maleylacetate aminating oxidoreductase, a cis-3-amino-4-hexendioate deaminase, and a muconate cis/trans isomerase. Other muconate pathway enzymes also are provided. Additionally provided are methods of producing muconate. |
| US09562239B2 |
Processes of producing a fermentation product
The invention relates to a process of process of producing a fermentation product, comprising: liquefying a starch-containing material to dextrins with an alpha-amylase in the presence of an asparaginase and/or an amino acid oxidase; saccharifying the dextrins to a sugar with a glucoamylase; and fermenting the sugar using a fermenting organism. |
| US09562237B2 |
Reduction of TGF beta signaling in myeloid cells in the treatment of cancer
Methods of inhibiting metastasis in cancer patients are provided, wherein the methods comprise reducing TGFβ signaling, for example, by reducing TGFβ receptor II expression in myeloid cells. Vectors comprising a TGFβ receptor II RNAi nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a myeloid specific promoter also are provided. A method of diagnosing cancer in an individual by determining TGFβ receptor II expression in myeloid cells in the individual is provided. Additionally, a method of modulating TGFβ activity in myeloid cells in a cancer patient comprising administering a regulator of at least one of the GSK3 and PI3K pathways to the patient is provided. |
| US09562236B2 |
Transcription terminators
This document provides methods and materials related to transcription terminators. For example, methods and materials related to transcription terminators and nucleic acid molecules (e.g., vectors and constructs) that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide operably linked to a transcription terminator are provided. In addition, plants, plant cells, and plant seeds having a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide operably linked to a transcription terminator are provided. |
| US09562235B2 |
MicroRNA compositions and methods for enhancing plant resistance to abiotic stress
A method of increasing tolerance of a plant to an abiotic stress or increasing biomass, vigor or yield of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising upregulating within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide of a microRNA or a precursor thereof, wherein the microRNA is selected from the group consisting of miR-156, miR-169, miR-164, miR-159, miR-167, miR-529, miR-168, ppt-miR395, sof-miR408a, ath-miR408, miR-1039, miR-1091, miR-1118, miR-1134 and miR-1129, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant to the abiotic stress or increasing the biomass, vigor or yield of the plant. |
| US09562231B2 |
Therapeutic agent for corneal epithelial disorder
A therapeutic agent for a corneal epithelial disorder, containing a miR-203 inhibitor; an agent for promoting proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, containing a miR-203 inhibitor; a liquid culture medium for use in the manufacture of a corneal epithelial sheet, containing a miR-203 inhibitor; and a method for producing a corneal epithelial sheet, including the step of culturing corneal epithelial cells using a liquid culture medium containing a miR-203 inhibitor. According to the present invention, a therapeutic agent for a corneal epithelial disorder, an agent for promoting proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, a liquid culture medium for use in the manufacture of a corneal epithelial sheet, a method for producing a corneal epithelial sheet, including the step of culturing corneal epithelial cells using the liquid culture medium, and a method for treating a corneal epithelial disorder can be provided. The present inventors have also found that not only the above effects are exhibited by inhibiting miRNA richly contained in tears, but also the agent specifically acts on eye surfaces, so that the present invention can be expected to show high safety. |
| US09562225B2 |
Internalization of proteins into hollowed gold nanostructures
Provided is a gold nanocage with pores, charged ligand molecules covalently bound to internal surfaces of the gold nanocage, and payload molecules electrostatically adsorbed onto said charged ligand molecules, wherein a pore diameter is between 1.2 and 20 times a gyration radius of the payload molecule. Also provided is a method for making a nanoparticle, including using polyvinylpyrrolidone as a capping agent in a galvanic replacement reaction to convert a silver nanocube into a gold nanocage having pores, replacing the polyvinylpyrrolidone on internal surfaces with charged ligand molecules, and electrostatically adsorbing payload molecules onto the charged ligand molecules, with a pore diameter less than twenty times a gyration radius of the payload molecule. Also provided is a method of delivering a pharmacological agent to a mammalian cell, including contacting the cell with a gold nanocage having pores, ligand molecules bound to internal surfaces, and pharmacological agent adsorbed onto ligand molecules. |
| US09562221B2 |
Lactic bacterium for texturizing food products selected on the basis of phage resistance
The present invention relates to a bacterial cell with texturizing property, starter cultures comprising the cell, and dairy products fermented with the starter culture. |
| US09562216B2 |
Microfluidic platform for cell culturing, and cell culturing method using same
Provided are a microfluidic platform for cell culturing and a cell culturing method using the same. By applying a structure of a compartment which surrounds at least a portion of an annular reservoir and moving cells to be cultured to a site adjacent to a microchannel via rotation, a probability of observing cells that grew after culturing may increase and a probability of causing cells, particularly neurons, to grow so as to correspond to a signal transfer direction may increase. |
| US09562215B2 |
Microscope apparatus and cell culture apparatus
An imaging section of a microscope apparatus captures a plurality of microscope images each having the focal position which differs in the field being same with a light flux having passed through a microscopic optical system. A region separating section separates a cellular region from a non-cellular region by using the plurality of the microscope images. A focusing position calculating section finds a focusing position in a target pixel included in the cellular region based on a brightness change in the position being same in the plurality of the microscope images. A three dimensional information generating section generates three dimensional information of a cultured cell based on a position of the cellular region and the focusing position in the target pixel. |
| US09562214B2 |
Conditioning chamber for storing samples in a time-controlled manner and method for storing samples in a time-controlled manner
The invention relates to an air-conditioning space (10) for storing samples in a time-controlled manner, comprising a device (22) for automatically feeding sample containers (18) into a climatically sealed space (12) having at least one wall (43), into which a sample container (18) can be inserted into the climatically sealed space (12) through an opening (40, 42), wherein the feed device (22) has at least one drive and control unit, and an incubator receptacle (30) for receiving the samples (18) is provided inside the climatically sealed space (12). The invention is distinguished by the fact that the feed device has an automatic feed arm (22, 24) which grips a sample container (18) from a receiving position outside the climatically sealed space (12) and deposits the sample container (18) there in a clear deposit position in an incubator receptacle (30). |
| US09562210B1 |
Methods for production of fatty acid alkanolamides (FAAAs) from microalgae biomass
Provided herein are methods for fatty acid alkanolamide (FAAA) synthesis and isolation from lipid-containing algal biomass, and the products of such methods. |
| US09562207B2 |
Lubricants comprising 2-hydroxyalkylamide friction modifying compositions
Lubricant compositions comprising an improved ashless organic friction modifier additive, capable of reducing both friction and wear, is provided. It has been found that mixtures of fatty-alkanolamides containing secondary hydroxyls on the amino alkyl substituent, such as amide mixtures prepared from bis(2-hydroxyporopyl)amine and mixtures of at least two different C8-24 fatty acids, provide better oil solubility and friction reduction than alkanolamides with primary hydroxyl functionality, such as amide mixtures prepared from di-ethanol)amine. |
| US09562205B2 |
Combustion process for the reduction of particulates in combustion fumes
A combustion process wherein a fuel, a comburent and component A) are fed to a combustor, component A), comprising low-melting salts and/or oxides having a melting temperature ≦1,450 K, the ratio by moles A′/(A″−A′)≧0.01, being: A′ the sum by moles between the amount of metals, under the form of low-melting salts and/or low-melting oxides present in the component A) and the amount of metals under the form of the low-melting salts and/or low-melting oxides or their low-melting mixtures, contained in the fuel, A″ is the sum of the amount of all the metals contained in the fuel and of those contained in component A), in which the combustor is isothermal type and flameless. |
| US09562201B2 |
Energy efficient apparatus employing energy efficient process schemes providing enhanced integration of gasification-based multi-generation and hydrocarbon refining facilities and related methods
Energy-efficient gasification-based multi-generation apparatus, facilities, or systems, and methods of modifying existing gasification-based multi-generation apparatus and the various conventional thermal coupling arrangements, are provided. Apparatus for managing waste heat recovery through integration of a gasification-based multi-generation facility or other multi-generation system with a hydrocarbon refining facility or other hydrocarbon refining system and methods of providing the respective integration are also provided. An exemplary apparatus includes an integrated site energy management system configured according to one or more process-based thermal coupling schemes comprising one or more thermal coupling arrangements between a gasification-based multi-generation system or facility and a hydrocarbon refining system or facility. The gasification-based multi-generation system or facility can include an acid gas removal system or plant configured to remove acidic contaminants from a raw syngas feed to thereby provide a treated syngas feed, the acid gas removal system or plant containing a separation section including a solvent regenerator, and a gasification system configured to generate the raw syngas feed from a carbon-based feedstock. The hydrocarbon refining system or facility can include an aromatics system or plant containing a xylene products separation section including one or more of the following: an Extract column and a Raffinate column. The integrated site energy management system can include a hot-water system extending between the separation section of the acid gas removal system or plant and the xylene products separation section of the aromatics system or plant, and a plurality of added heat exchanger units providing various advanced thermal coupling arrangements. |
| US09562199B2 |
Systems and methods for catalytic steam cracking of non-asphaltene containing heavy hydrocarbons
This invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic steam cracking of non-asphaltene containing heavy hydrocarbon fractions. The method enables upgrading heavy hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons capable of being transported through pipelines and/or a pretreated step before further treatment in an upgrading refinery, including the steps of separating the heavy hydrocarbon mixture into a light fraction, a full gasoil fraction and a vacuum residue fraction with or without at least partial reduction or asphaltenes; adding a catalyst to the full gasoil and/or to the blend of this with a reduced asphaltenes fraction and subjecting the catalyst-full gasoil and/or deasphalted oil fraction to catalytic steam cracking to form an effluent stream; separating the effluent stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream; and mixing the liquid stream with the light fraction and the vacuum residue fraction to form an upgraded oil. The system includes hardware capable of performing the method. |
| US09562197B2 |
Method for processing of liquid hydrocarbon raw materials
The invention pertains to a method for processing of liquid hydrocarbon raw materials. The method includes preliminary pretreatment of a flow of raw materials and further processing with fractionation. The pretreatment is performed by forming a primary flow of liquid hydrocarbon with the characteristics of a straight tubular laminar flow and then directing that flow through a spiral tubing at a velocity the maximal value of which maintains laminarity of the laminar primary flow through the spiral tubing. The laminary primary flow is fractionated following the pretreatment. The invention has applications to the field of petroleum processing and may find application in the petroleum and petrochemical industries, and in the field of fuel power engineering. |
| US09562193B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a first insulation substrate; a gate line and a data line formed on the first insulation substrate; a first electrode and a second electrode formed on the gate line and the data line and overlapping each other via an insulating layer interposed therebetween; a second insulation substrate facing the first insulation substrate; and a chiral dopant inserted between the first insulation substrate and the second insulation substrate. A content of the chiral dopant may be within about 1%, and liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal layer may be twisted with a pitch of about 10 μm to about 100 μm by the chiral dopant. |
| US09562191B2 |
Compositions and methods for removing ions from liquid crystal materials
Liquid crystal compositions comprising a crude liquid crystal sample containing ions and polyamide particles are disclosed. Upon separation of the polyamide particles from the crude liquid crystal sample, a purified liquid crystal sample is produced, which shows a 1-2× reduction in ion concentration. Methods for carrying out purification processes are also disclosed. |
| US09562185B2 |
High-temperature resistant nano composite mining additive for mining heavy oil and super heavy oil and preparation process thereof
Disclosed is a high-temperature resistant nano composite mining additive for mining heavy oil and super heavy oil, which is prepared from 3-8 wt. % of a modified nano-inorganic additive, 3-8 wt. % of petroleum sulfonate, 10-40 wt. % of a viscosity depressant, 5-15 wt. % of an emulsifier, 2-10 wt. % of a surface wetting agent, 2-10 wt. % of a penetrant, 5-10 wt. % of a polymer modifier, and 1-8 wt. % of a catalyst, with a balance being water. Also disclosed is a preparation process for the above-mentioned high-temperature resistant nano composite mining additive for mining heavy oil and super heavy oil. The mining additive of the present invention has the advantages of a good high-temperature resistant performance, and an excellent emulsification performance and anti-salt performance, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of production and reducing the cost of mining. |
| US09562182B2 |
Refrigerator working fluid composition and refrigerant oil
A working fluid composition for a refrigerating machine comprising: a refrigerating machine oil containing at least one lubricating base oil selected from a mineral oil and a synthetic oil, and at least one phosphorus compound selected from a mono(alkylphenyl) diphenyl phosphate having a C3-C5 alkyl group and a di(alkylphenyl) phenyl phosphate having two C3-C5 alkyl groups, wherein a content of the phosphorus compound is 0.01 to 5% by mass based on a total amount of the refrigerating machine oil; and a hydrocarbon refrigerant having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. |
| US09562176B2 |
Prepolymer toughener for crack-resistant adhesives for windmills
A composition is described which includes A) a chain-extended prepolymer, which can be obtained from the reaction of a) a polymer containing at least one amino, thiol or hydroxyl group, b) at least one polyisocyanate and c) at least one alkoxylated bisphenol as chain extender, and optionally d) an epoxide compound containing a primary or secondary hydroxy group, said compound containing a primary or secondary hydroxyl group, or at least one epoxy resin A which contains this epoxide compound, and optionally B) an epoxy resin B. The composition is suitable as a toughener or as an A component of a 2k epoxy resin adhesive which contains this toughener. The adhesive is suitable particularly for bonding in windmills. |
| US09562175B2 |
Adhesive compositions containing graphenic carbon particles
Disclosed herein are adhesive compositions comprising (a) a first component; (b) a second component that chemically reacts with said first component; and (c) graphenic carbon particles having an oxygen content of no more than 2 atomic weight percent. Disclosed herein are associated methods for forming the adhesive compositions and applying the adhesive compositions to a substrate to form a bonded substrate. |
| US09562174B2 |
Adhesive membrane
A self-adhesive permeable membrane sheet (1), for use in a building structure, includes a continuous layer of a permeable pressure sensitive adhesive (8) attached to one surface of a permeable membrane sheet (2,4,6). Methods for using the permeable membrane sheet (1) in construction are also provided. |
| US09562167B2 |
Magnetic recording medium and magnetic coating composition for magnetic recording medium
An aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium, which comprises a magnetic layer comprising ferromagnetic powder and binder on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the magnetic layer further comprises a compound which has a weight average molecular weight of equal to or more than 1,000 but less than 20,000 and is denoted by formula (1): wherein, in formula (1), A denotes a monovalent substituent, R1 denotes a single bond or a divalent connecting group, and m denotes an integer ranging from 2 to 4, multiple instances of A and R1 that are present can be identical or different, at least one of the multiple instances of A that are present denotes a monovalent polymer group and X denotes a heterocyclic group of valence m. |
| US09562164B2 |
Micro-porous polyolefin composite film having excellent heat resistance and stability and method for producing the same
Provided is a micro-porous polyolefin composite film, the micro-porous polyolefin composite film including a porous coating layer containing a polymer binder and inorganic particles, the polymer binder simultaneously employing an aqueous polymer and a non-aqueous polymer. The contents of the aqueous polymer and the non-aqueous polymer are controlled, and thus optimize heat resistance, adhesive strength, and the moisture content to thereby improve high-temperature stability, and, further, improve the adhesive strength to thereby improve stability in production, and minimize the moisture content to thereby improve reliability of a battery. |
| US09562162B2 |
Stain blocking compositions
An aqueous coating composition for blocking stains and a method of using the coating composition is described. The coating composition includes an aqueous dispersion of a copolymer that is derived from a single stage emulsion polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomer, greater than 0 and less than 1.5% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated strong acid monomer or salt thereof, and greater than 1.5% and less than 3% by weight of methacrylic acid. |
| US09562160B2 |
Methods and systems for processing lignin during hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids
Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in a digestion solvent; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; and separating the phenolics liquid phase from the aqueous phase. |
| US09562154B1 |
Resin composition, resin molded article, and method of preparing resin composition
A resin composition including a thermoplastic resin, a glass fiber, a resin which is different from the thermoplastic resin and contains at least one of an amide bond and an imide bond, and a compatibilizer, wherein a part of the resin which is different from the thermoplastic resin and contains at least one of an amide bond and an imide bond forms a domain having a diameter of from 5 μm to 10 μm in a matrix of the thermoplastic resin. |
| US09562150B2 |
Sizing composition for mineral wool comprising a saccharide, an organic polycarboxylic acid and a reactive silicone, and insulating products obtained
A sizing composition for insulating products based on mineral wool, in particular on glass or on rock, includes: at least one saccharide, at least one organic polycarboxylic acid having a molar mass of less than or equal to 1000, and at least one reactive silicone. Furthermore, insulating products based on mineral fibers thus obtained and the process for the manufacture thereof are presented. |
| US09562148B2 |
Basic stabilisation systems for emulsion polymerised rubber
There are described compositions comprising a) an emulsion crude rubber, synthetic latex or natural rubber latex subject to oxidative, thermal, dynamic and/or light-induced degradation, b) a compound of the formula (I) wherein R1 is C8-C12alkyl, R2 is hydrogen, C1-C12alkyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl, benzyl, α-methylbenzyl, α,α-dimethylbenzyl or —CH2—S—R1, R3 is C1-C12alkyl, benzyl, α-methylbenzyl, α,α-dimethylbenzyl or —CH2—S—R1, R4 is hydrogen or methyl, and c) a styrenated diphenylamine of the formula (II). |
| US09562147B2 |
Transparent polyamide resin composition and crosslinked transparent polyamide resin molded body
A transparent polyamide resin composition includes a transparent polyamide resin which is a copolymer of an alicyclic diamine and a dicarboxylic acid and which has a refractive index of 1.500 to 1.550, and a transparent crosslinking auxiliary having a refractive index of 1.500 to 1.550, in which the amount of the crosslinking auxiliary added is 13 to 26 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the transparent polyamide resin, and the crosslinking auxiliary is dispersed, as phases with a diameter of 350 nm or less, in the transparent polyamide resin. A crosslinked transparent polyamide resin molded body is obtained by molding the transparent polyamide resin composition and crosslinking the transparent polyamide resin. |
| US09562141B2 |
Method of aerogel synthesis
The present disclosure provides a method for producing an aerogel, the method comprising reacting at least one acid monomer with at least one diamino monomer in a first solvent under conditions appropriate to form a polyimide polymer; conducting a solvent exchange wherein the first solvent is exchanged for a second solvent, said second solvent having a freezing point, wherein said solvent exchange further comprises (1) submersing the polyimide polymer in the second solvent in a pressure vessel and (2) creating a high pressure environment inside the pressure vessel for a first period of time; cooling the polyimide polymer to a first temperature below the freezing point of the second solvent; and subjecting cooled polyimide polymer to a first vacuum for a second period of time at a second temperature. |
| US09562139B2 |
Process for forming low halogen content polyarylene sulfides
A multi-stage process and system for formation of a polyarylene sulfide is described. A first polymerization stage of the formation process can include reaction of a sulfide monomer with a dihaloaromatic monomer to form a prepolymer. A second polymerization stage can include further polymerization of the prepolymer with a sulfur-containing monomer and a dihaloaromatic monomer to form a low halogen content polyarylene sulfide. The amount of sulfur utilized in the second polymerization stage is a low fraction of the total amount of sulfur utilized in the multi-stage process. |
| US09562134B2 |
Catalyst for the production of polyols having lower amounts of high molecular weight tail
This invention relates to novel double metal cyanide catalysts and to a process for the production of these double metal cyanide catalysts. These DMC catalysts can be used to prepare polyoxyalkylene polyols which have low amounts of high molecular weight tail compared polyoxyalkylene polyols prepared from DMC catalysts of the prior art. |
| US09562133B2 |
Cross-linked polycarbonate resin with improved chemical and flame resistance
Disclosed herein are compositions including a cross-linked polycarbonate. The cross-linked polycarbonate may be derived from a polycarbonate having about 0.5 mol % to about 5 mol % endcap groups derived from a monohydroxybenzophenone. A plaque including the composition can achieve a UL94 5VA rating. Also disclosed herein are articles including the compositions, methods of using the compositions, and processes for preparing the compositions. |
| US09562127B2 |
Methods of forming block polymers for directed self-assembly
Block polymers are formed by ring opening polymerization (ROP) of a cyclic carbonate monomer using a polymeric initiator for the ROP that comprises repeating functionalized ethylene units. The block polymers are free of, or substantially free of, any polymer having a chemical structure that does not comprise the polymer backbone of the polymeric initiator. The block polymers are capable of directed self-assembly. |
| US09562126B2 |
Process for producing fluorine containing polymer
According to this invention, a process for producing fluorine containing polymer to obtain composite polymer electrolyte composition having excellent ion transport number, that is, ion transfer coefficient, for example, excellent transport number of lithium ion, is provided.A process for producing fluorine containing polymer comprising graft-polymerizing a molten salt monomer having a polymerizable functional group and a quaternary ammonium salt structure having a quaternary ammonium cation and anion, with a polymer having the following unit; —(CR1R2—CFX)— X means halogen atom except fluorine atom, R1 and R2 mean hydrogen or fluorine atom, each is same or different atom. |
| US09562125B2 |
Activity monitoring and polymerization process control
The present invention relates to a method to control a liquid feed stream carried out by measuring at least one spectrum of the liquid feed stream comprising an initiator or catalyst, determining its activity using a predictive model on the basis of said spectrum and adjusting the feed streams and/or the preparation conditions of the feed stream comprising the initiators or catalysts in order to attain or maintain a desired level of total activity. In a further aspect the invention relates to a controlled process for the preparation of polymers in a polymerization reactor by contacting liquid feed streams comprising monomers and initiators or catalysts, whereby the control of the feed streams entering the polymerization reactor and/or the initiator or catalyst preparation is carried out by measuring at least one spectrum of the liquid feed stream comprising an initiator or catalyst, determining its activity using a predictive model on the basis of said spectrum and adjusting the feed streams and/or the preparation conditions of the feed stream comprising the initiators or catalysts in order to attain or maintain a desired level of total activity within the polymerization reactor. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for controlling the activity of aluminum containing initiators in a process for the co-polymerization of isolefins and multiolefins, in particular isobutylene and isoprene. The present invention further to device and a chemical plant suitable to operate said process. |
| US09562123B2 |
Photocurable composition, barrier layer including same, and encapsulated device including same
The present invention relates to a photocurable composition, to a barrier layer including same, and to an encapsulated device including same, wherein the composition comprises a photocurable monomer(A) and a silicon containing monomer(B), wherein the silicon containing monomers(B) has a structure according to Formula 1. |
| US09562121B2 |
Optically active poly(diphenylacetylene) compound, preparation method therefor, and use thereof as optical isomer separating agent
The present invention provides an optically active poly(diphenylacetylene) compound represented by the following formula (I): [wherein each symbol is as described in the DESCRIPTION], and a production method thereof, an optical isomer separating agent containing the poly(diphenylacetylene) compound, and a packing material for a chiral column, containing the optical isomer separating agent coated on a carrier. According to the present invention, a practical optical isomer separation agent having a high optical resolution ability for a wide variety of racemic compounds and an optical isomer separation method can be provided. |
| US09562120B2 |
Process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes in the presence of a catalytic system comprising an oxo-nitrogenated complex of cobalt
Process for the preparation of (co) polymers of conjugated dienes which comprises polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one oxo-nitrogenated complex of cobalt having general formula (I), wherein: —R1 and R2, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, optionally halogenated; cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted; aryl groups optionally substituted; —Y represents an oxygen atom; or a group —N—R3 wherein R3 represents a hydrogen atom, or it is selected from linear or branched C1-C20 preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted-; aryl groups optionally substituted; or, when Y represents a group —N—R3, R2 and R3 can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C1-C20 preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; —X1 and X2, equal to or different from each other, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine; or they are selected from linear or branched C1-C20 preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, —OCOR4 groups or —OR4 groups wherein R4 is selected from linear or branched C1-C20 preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups. |
| US09562119B2 |
Ethylene polymerization catalysts
The present invention relates to solid catalyst components comprising a reaction product of a titanium compound, a magnesium compound, an alcohol, an aluminum alkoxide, a siloxane mixture, and a maleate derivative; and catalyst systems comprising the solid catalyst components and organoaluminum compounds. The present invention also relates to methods of making the solid catalyst components and the catalyst systems, and methods of polymerizing or copolymerizing ethylene using the catalyst systems. |
| US09562115B2 |
Dispersion stabilizer for suspension polymerization and method for producing vinyl resin
The present invention provides an easy-to-handle dispersion stabilizer for suspension polymerization that meets the following requirements: even if the amount of the dispersion stabilizer for suspension polymerization used for suspension polymerization of a vinyl compound is small, the resulting vinyl resin has high plasticizer absorptivity and is easy to work with; it is easy to remove residual monomer components from the resulting vinyl resin; and the resulting vinyl resin contains fewer coarse particles. The present invention relates to a dispersion stabilizer for suspension polymerization in the form of an aqueous liquid. This dispersion stabilizer contains, at a concentration of 20 mass % or more and 50 mass % or less, a PVA having a degree of saponification of 35 mol % or more and 65 mol % or less, a viscosity average degree of polymerization of 100 or more and 480 or less, a terminal aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and a block character of residual ester groups of 0.5 or more. In this dispersion stabilizer, the viscosity average degree of polymerization (P) of the PVA and the degree of modification (S) of the aliphatic hydrocarbon group satisfies 50≦S×P/1.880≦100. |
| US09562114B2 |
Cyclic carbonate azide
Cyclic carbonate azide having a structure according to the following formula (A) wherein R1-R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C6-20 aryl, C7-36 aralkyl, and C1-30 alkyl groups; said aryl, aralkyl, and alkyl groups my optionally be substituted with heteroatoms, X is a hydrocarbon moiety having at least one carbon atom, T has the structure —N(R6)— or —O—, R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-20 alkyl groups, optionally substituted with heteroatoms, k is 0, 1, or 2, m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1, p is 1 or 2, Z is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon moiety having at least one carbon atom, optionally substituted with heteroatoms, and Y is either (B) or C) or (D). |
| US09562109B2 |
Stable heterodimeric antibody design with mutations in the Fc domain
The provided scaffolds have heavy chains that are asymmetric in the various domains (e.g. CH2 and CH3) to accomplish selectivity between the various Fc receptors involved in modulating effector function, beyond those achievable with a natural homodimeric (symmetric) Fc molecule, and increased stability and purity of the resulting variant Fc heterodimers. These novel molecules comprise complexes of heterogeneous components designed to alter the natural way antibodies behave and that find use in therapeutics. |
| US09562105B2 |
Human monoclonal antibody
The invention provides a method for the prophylaxis, improvement, or treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis by administering to a subject an effective amount of an isolated anti-human CD81 antibody capable of binding to a peptide region consisting of the amino acid sequence of amino acid numbers 80 to 175 of SEQ ID NO:22. |
| US09562104B2 |
Anti-CD40 antibodies
The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies. |
| US09562087B2 |
High affinity PD-1 agents and methods of use
High affinity PD-1 mimic polypeptides are provided, which (i) comprise at least one amino acid change relative to a wild-type PD-1 protein; and (ii) have an increased affinity for PD-L1 relative to the wild-type protein. Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of immune cells in a mammal by administering a therapeutic dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a high affinity PD-1 mimic polypeptide, which blocks the physiological binding interaction between PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 and/or PD-L2. |
| US09562086B2 |
Vitronectin:keratinocyte growth factor chimeras
Isolated protein complexes are provided comprising keratinocyte growth factor and vitronectin, or at least domains thereof that enable binding to and activation of both a keratinocyte growth factor receptor and an integrin receptor for vitronectin. These protein complexes include synthetic proteins where the keratinocyte growth factor and vitronectin sequences are joined by a linker sequence. In particular forms, vitronectin sequences do not include a C-terminal heparin binding domain. Also provided are uses of these protein complexes for stimulating or inducing cell migration and/or proliferation in wound healing, tissue engineering, cosmetic and therapeutic treatments such as skin replacement, skin replenishment and treatment of burns where epithelial cell migration is required. In other embodiments, the invention provides inhibition of cancer cell metastasis, particularly in relation to breast cancer. |
| US09562084B2 |
Peptides derived from NCAPG2 and their use
NCAPG2, a component of condensin complex II, protein and novel peptides derived from the protein are provided. The peptide may include a fragment of the NCAPG2 protein. The peptide may be a peptide including a fragment of NCAPG2 protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, wherein the fragment includes the amino acid residue number 805 or 1010 of SEQ ID NO: 7, a peptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, or a peptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11. The protein or peptides can be used for preparing and screening pharmaceutical compositions for treating diseases or disorders associated with abnormal cell division including cancer. |
| US09562082B2 |
Production of glycoproteins with low N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) content
The present invention relates to a medium for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells, the medium comprising as (an) additive(s) DMSO, N-acetylmannosamine (NAcMan), N-acetylglucosamine (NAcGlc), or any combination of two or more of these additives, including the combination of NAcMan and NAcGlc. |
| US09562077B2 |
Protein complex system for increased immunogenicity and functionality, and methods making and use
Genes for proteins which spontaneously form dimers and/or oligomers can be recombinantly linked together, which upon expression in E. coli produces stable dimeric fusion proteins that spontaneously self-assemble into enormous, polyvalent complexes having increased immunogenicity and functionality. Linear, network and agglomerate complexes with enormous sizes and polyvalences are constructed using glutathione S-transferase, Norovirus P domains (NoV P− and NoV+), the protruding (P) domain of hepatitis E virus (HEV P), the astrovirus P domain (AstV), a monomeric peptide epitope (M2e of influenza virus), and/or a protein antigen (VP8* of rotavirus) fused in different combinations. The resulting complexes can contain hundreds to thousands NoV P-protein, HEV, AstV, M2e and/or VP8* copies and exhibit higher immunogenicity than the individual proteins alone. The large size and multivalent nature of the complexes are candidates as a bivalent or multivalent vaccines against Norovirus and other pathogens, and for generation of antibodies for diagnosis and research purposes. |
| US09562074B2 |
Self-assembling peptide cages from coiled-coil peptide modules
This invention relates to protein structures, to methods of producing those protein structures, and to peptides used in the formation of the protein structures. |
| US09562069B2 |
Selective caspase inhibitors and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, IA, II, HA, III, or IHA and their pharmaceutical uses. Particular aspects of the invention relate to the use of those compounds for the selective inhibition of one or more caspases. Also described are methods where the compounds of Formula I, IA, II, IIA, III, or IIIA are used in the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases and conditions in subjects, including caspase-mediated diseases such as sepsis, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases). |
| US09562066B2 |
Oral therapy of necrotizing enterocolitis
The present invention relates to methods of treating or reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in an infant comprising orally administering an effective amount of a CpG-ODN. It is based, at least in part, on the results of experiments in which orally administered CpG-ODNs were observed to reduce the histopathology and markers of inflammation in a murine model for NEC. The present invention further provides for oral formulations of CpG-ODN for administration to infants. |
| US09562065B2 |
Sucrose octasulfates of magnesium, preparation method thereof and pharmaceutical cosmetic uses of same
The invention relates to a sucrose octasulfate of magnesium, having general formula I, the preparation method thereof and the use of same in the pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic field, wherein 0≦n≦4, n is an integer and Y represents OH, Cl, Br, I, NO3, C6H5O7, CH3CO2, CF3CO2 or —OCH3. |
| US09562064B2 |
High-purity steviol glycosides
Methods of preparing highly purified steviol glycosides, particularly Rebaudioside D, are described. The methods include purification from the extraction stage of the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant, purification of steviol glycoside mixtures, Rebaudioside D and Rebaudioside A from a commercial Stevia extract, and purification of Rebaudioside D from remaining solutions obtained after isolation and purification of Rebaudioside A and a high purity mixture of steviol glycosides. The methods are useful for producing high purity Rebaudioside D, Rebaudioside A, and steviol glycoside mixtures. The high purity steviol glycosides are useful as non-caloric sweeteners in edible and chewable compositions such as any beverages, confectioneries, bakery products, cookies, and chewing gums. |
| US09562060B2 |
Heterocyclic pyridone compound, and intermediate, preparation method and use thereof
The present invention relates to a heterocyclic pyridone compound represented by General Formula (I), where the heterocyclic pyridone compound is used as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and particularly a c-Met inhibitor. The present invention also relates to intermediates for preparing heterocyclic pyridone compound and a preparation method. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing the heterocyclic pyridone compound as an active ingredient, and a use of the pharmaceutical composition in treatment of diseases associated with tyrosine kinase c-Met, especially cancer associated with c-Met, as a medicament. |
| US09562057B2 |
(Thieno[2,3-b][1,5]benzoxazepin-4-yl)piperazin-1-yl compounds as dual activity H1 inverse agonists/5-HT2A antagonists
A dual H1 inverse agonist/5-HT2A receptor antagonist of the formula: its uses, and methods for its preparation are described. |
| US09562056B2 |
Imidazopyridines Syk inhibitors
Certain imidazopyridines (I) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are provided herein. Methods of treating patients suffering from certain diseases and disorders responsive to the inhibition of Syk activity, which comprises administering to such patients an amount of at least one chemical entity effective to reduce signs or symptoms of the disease or disorder are provided. Also provided are methods for determining the presence or absence of Syk kinase in a sample. |
| US09562055B2 |
Pyrrolidinyl urea, pyrrolidinyl thiourea and pyrrolidinyl guanidine compounds as TrkA kinase inhibitors
Compounds of Formula I: or stereoisomers, tautomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or solvates or prodrugs thereof, where R1, R2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X, Y, B, and Ring C are as defined herein, and wherein the Y—B moiety and the NH—C(═X)—NH moiety are in the trans configuration, are inhibitors of TrkA kinase and are useful in the treatment of diseases which can be treated with a TrkA kinase inhibitor such as pain, cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases and certain infectious diseases. |
| US09562053B2 |
Benzo-fused heterocyclic derivatives useful as agonists of GPR120
The present invention is directed to benzo-fused heterocyclic derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by GPR120. More particularly, the compounds of the present invention are agonists of GPR120, useful in the treatment of, such as for example, Type II diabetes mellitus. |
| US09562052B2 |
Bicyclicpyridine derivatives
The invention provides novel compounds having the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, A1, A2, A3, m, n and p are as described herein, compositions including the compounds and methods of using the compounds. |
| US09562051B2 |
Methylenedioxybenzo [I] phenanthridine derivatives used to treat cancer
The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein A, B, X, and Y have any of the values defined in the specification, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds, and therapeutic methods for treating cancer and other topoisomerase mediated conditions. |
| US09562050B2 |
Crystalline forms of pemetrexed diacid and processes for the preparation thereof
Provided are crystalline forms of N-[4-[2-(2-amino-4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethyl]ben-zoyl]-L-glutamic acid, pemetrexed diacid, and processes for the preparation thereof. |
| US09562049B2 |
Pyrrolobenzodiazepines and conjugates thereof
A compound with the formula I: and salts and solvates thereof. |
| US09562047B2 |
Pyrazolopyrimidine compounds for the treatment of cancer
Compounds of Formula I are described, along with pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof. |
| US09562046B2 |
Means and method for treating solid tumors
In a cytotoxic compound of the general formula (I) R is H or methyl or methylene substituted by C1-C4 straight or branched alkyl, R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C4 straight or branched alkyl, methoxy, methoxy substituted by from one to three fluorine, halogen; R2 is H or C1-C4 straight or branched alkyl; X is CH or N; Y is CH or N. |
| US09562042B2 |
α-oxoacyl amino-caprolactam
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition that is useful for the treatment of diseases that are caused by an increase in bone resorption and that does not cause serious side effects even when used in combination with another drug. The present invention relates to: an α-oxoacyl amino-caprolactam that is represented by formula (I) (in formula (I), X represents N or CH, Y represents O or CH2, and Z represents S or CH2); and a bone resorption inhibitor containing the α-oxoacyl amino-caprolactam. |
| US09562035B2 |
Benzamide derivative useful as FASN inhibitors for the treatment of cancer
The present invention is directed to benzamide derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use as FASN inhibitors, in for example, the treatment of cancer, obesity related disorders, liver related disorders and viral infections. Such compounds are represented by formula (I) as follows: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, m, n, are defined herein. |
| US09562030B2 |
Process for the synthesis of olopatadine
The present invention provides a process for the synthesis of olopatadine. Further, the invention discloses a process that results in improved yield of the desired Z isomer. |
| US09562029B2 |
C-glycoside derivatives
The present invention involves a compound represented by general formula (I), a derivative thereof and a use thereof: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5a, R5b, R5c and X are defined as in the description. |
| US09562022B2 |
Opsin-binding ligands, compositions and methods of use
Compounds and compositions of said compounds along with methods of use of compounds are disclosed for treating ophthalmic conditions related to mislocalization of opsin proteins, the misfolding of mutant opsin proteins and the production of toxic visual cycle products that accumulate in the eye. Compounds and compositions useful in the these methods, either alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, are also described. |
| US09562020B2 |
Dihydroxy aromatic heterocyclic compound
Provided is a compound having a D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) inhibitory action, and useful as for example, a prophylaxis and/or therapeutic agent for schizophrenia or neuropathic pain. The present inventors have studied a compound that inhibits DAAO, and confirm that a dihydroxy aromatic heterocyclic compound has a DAAO inhibitory action, and completed the present invention. That is, the dihydroxy aromatic heterocyclic compound of the present invention has a good DAAO inhibitory action, and can be used as a prophylaxis and/or therapeutic agent for, for example, schizophrenia or neuropathic pain. |
| US09562019B2 |
Substituted pyridazines as EGFR and/or KRAS inhibitors
The present invention is directed to pyridazinone compounds of formula (I) and furan compounds of formula (II), pharmaceutical compositions of compounds of formula (I) and (II), kits containing these compounds, methods of syntheses, and a method of treatment of a proliferative disease in a subject by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formulae (I) or (II). Both classes of compounds were identified through screening of a collection of small molecule libraries. |
| US09562017B2 |
Hydrogen sulfate salt
The present invention relates to Compound 1 hydrogen sulfate salt and solvates, crystalline forms and amorphous forms thereof, and to processes for their preparation. |
| US09562015B2 |
Methods and compositions for enhanced drug delivery to the eye and extended delivery formulations
The present invention comprises compounds and compositions thereof for enhanced drug delivery. Pro-drug and double pro-drug derivatives of corticosteroids non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and ruboxistaurin for delivery to the eye are provided. The compounds and compositions are useful for treating various ocular diseases, including ocular diseases effecting the posterior segments of the eye. In addition, the present invention is directed to particle in particle carrier formulations for sustained release of therapeutic agents. |
| US09562010B2 |
Cross-linking compositions and related methods of isotope tagging of interacting proteins and analysis of protein interactions
An isotope labeled asymmetric cross-linker is provided for the detection of cross-linked peptides. A cross-linking and mass spectrometry strategy, referred to as isotope tagging of interacting proteins (iTIP), improves the specificity of detecting cross-linked peptides and accurate identification of the interacting peptide sequences via the incorporation of isotopic signatures that are readily observed in the MS/MS spectrum. Isotope tagged peptides can be identified using mass spectrometry based on doublet peaks in a spectrum. Spectra can be subjected to database search strategies available for the sequencing of linear or non-cross-linked peptides. |
| US09562008B2 |
Process for the recovery of ε-caprolactam from extract water
A process for the recovery of ε-caprolactam from extract water of polycaprolactam obtained by hydrolytic polymerization, wherein the extract water is concentrated, subsequently contained oligomers are depolymerized, non-depolymerizable impurities are separated, water and low-boiling impurities are removed, wherein for adjusting the purity of the recovered ε-caprolactam and the energy consumption used for the process a part of the product is removed from the process as intermediate products. |
| US09562007B2 |
Organosulfur compounds for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
Divalent salts of S-allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine and related compositions are disclosed which can be administered in order to provide protection from the formation of aldehyde-protein adducts, protein carbonylation, protein aggregation, and the resulting neuroinflammation. Various neurodegenerative diseases which are suitable for treatment using these compositions include Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Lewy body disease, peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord injury, stroke and cerebral ischemia. |
| US09562005B2 |
Metallated metal-organic frameworks
Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metallated porous MOFs are provided. Also provided are methods of metallating porous MOFs using atomic layer deposition and methods of using the metallated MOFs as catalysts and in remediation applications. |
| US09561992B2 |
Alkylated diphenyl ether compound and lubricating oil containing said compound
A compound of the formula (2) wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are a branched hydrocarbon group having 10 to 26 carbon atoms, 42 to 100 mole % of the benzylic carbons of each R3 and R4 are quaternary, m and n are each a real number of at least zero, and 2.0≦m+n≦3.0. |
| US09561991B2 |
Process and apparatus for co-producing cyclohexanol and alkanol
This invention relates to a process for co-producing cyclohexanol and alkanol, including a cyclohexene esterification step and a cyclohexyl ester hydrogenation step. This invention further relates to a process for further producing cyclohexanone or caprolactam, starting from the co-producing process, and an apparatus for co-producing cyclohexanol and alkanol. The process for co-producing cyclohexanol and alkanol of this invention is environment-friendly, with low production cost and highly improved atom economy. |
| US09561989B2 |
Process of asymmetric hydrogenation of ketals and acetals
The present invention relates to a process of the asymmetric hydrogenation of a ketal of an unsaturated ketone or an acetal of an unsaturated aldehyde by molecular hydrogen in the presence of at least one chiral iridium complex. This process yields chiral compounds in a very efficient way and is very advantageous in that the amount of iridium complex can be remarkably reduced. |
| US09561981B2 |
Glass panel comprising a solar control layer
The invention relates to a solar control glass panel comprising, on at least one of the surfaces of a glass substrate, a multilayer stack including at least one solar radiation absorption layer, and dielectric coatings surrounding said solar radiation absorption layer. According to the invention, the solar radiation absorption layer is a metal alloy layer made from zirconium and chromium. The multilayer stack includes, between the substrate and the solar radiation absorption layer, as well as on top of the solar radiation absorption layer, at least one coating made of a dielectric material made from a compound selected from among silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, mixed aluminum/silicon nitrides, silicon oxynitride, and aluminum oxynitride. The invention is particularly useful as a motor vehicle glass panel, particularly for the roof, as a building glass panel, or as a household stove door. |
| US09561978B2 |
Sludge screw thickener with screen rotation during cleaning
A screw press has a cylindrical screening section mounted to a frame. The screening section is able to rotate but can be prevented from rotating. A sprayer system is operable to spray water on the screening section. In a cleaning process, the screening section is rotated while water is sprayed against it. Optionally, the power required to rotate the screen may be provided by an auger drive mechanism. The screening section may have openings sized to retain flocculated solids. The screw press may be used to thicken a sludge from a waste water treatment plant. |
| US09561974B2 |
Composition and system for flocculating or settling solids from liquids and methods for using same
A system and method for treating water or sewage is provided. The system can include a screening tank, a septic tank, a flocculant and mixing reactor, a primary clarifier, a secondary clarifier, a sludge dewatering tank, a surge tank, one or more filter tanks and a disinfection tank. The method can include the steps of receiving water or sewage to be treated and passing it through a screening tank and septic tank, a flocculant reactor, a primary clarifier, a secondary clarifier, a sludge dewatering tank, a surge tank, one or more filter tanks and a disinfection tank. |
| US09561971B2 |
Electrodialysis unit for water treatment
An electrodialysis unit 8 comprises a plurality of cathodes 68, a plurality of anodes 70 and a plurality of membranes 71; wherein the cathodes 68 and anodes 70 are arranged alternately in an electrode stack, with membranes 71 in between each cathode 68 and anode 70; and wherein the cathode 68 and the anode 70 are each formed of a single conductive plate such that both surfaces of the cathode plates and anode plates enclosed within the electrode stack are, in use, in conductive contact with the water being treated. |
| US09561968B2 |
Methods and systems for producing and processing syngas in a pressure swing adsorption unit and making ammonia therefrom
Methods and systems for making ammonia are provided. The method can include converting carbon monoxide in a first syngas to carbon dioxide to produce a shifted syngas. At least a portion of the carbon dioxide can be separated from the shifted syngas to produce a carbon dioxide-lean syngas. Carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide-lean syngas can be converted to methane to produce a methanated first syngas. A second syngas can be separated to produce a purified second syngas and a waste gas. The methanated first syngas and the purified second syngas can be combined to produce an ammonia feedstock. The ammonia feedstock can have a hydrogen to nitrogen molar ratio of about 3.5:1 to about 2.5:1. At least a portion of the hydrogen and nitrogen in the ammonia feedstock can be reacted to produce an ammonia product. |
| US09561964B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming graphene
A method of forming graphene comprises patterning an organic material monolayer disposed on a first substrate to yield a patterned organic material monolayer, and supplying thermal energy to the patterned organic material monolayer. The thermal energy is sufficient to carbonize the monolayer to form a patterned layer of graphene on said substrate. |
| US09561961B2 |
Injectable fillers for aesthetic medical enhancement and for therapeutic applications
The present invention relates to a biocompatible injectable filler composition comprising calcium phosphate particles having a porosity of about 10% to about 90%, a BET surface area of about 1 m2/g to about 100 m2/g, and a mean particle size of about 1 micron to about 30 microns, a thermoreversible hydrophilic gelling agent, a carrier comprising water and an optional persistence enhancer and/or volumizing agent, and methods of its use to restore tissue volume and/or to smooth out tissue defects as in soft tissue or deep tissue augmentation. |
| US09561956B2 |
Conversion of C-O-H compounds into hydrogen for power or heat generation
Methods are disclosed for generating electrical power from a compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power. |
| US09561950B1 |
Oil supply unit
An oil supply unit includes a reservoir connected to an outlet tube. A base has a recessed area defined in the top thereof, and a tubular portion extends from the bottom of the base. The recessed area has a passage which communicates with the tubular portion. The outlet tube extends through the passage and the tubular portion. A securing unit extends through the base and located corresponding to the tubular portion. The securing unit is movable relative to the outlet tube. A board is connected to the base and has a pass hole through which the outlet tube extends. Two springs are biased between one end of the board and one of inside walls of the recessed area. An object is clamped between the base and the securing unit such that the oil supply unit is stably and securely supply oil to a vehicle. |
| US09561949B2 |
Filler device for a fluid tank
A filler device for a fluid tank, including: a filler duct; a first stopper, for preventing overfilling of the tank, and a second stopper for preventing fluid from leaving the tank in unwanted manner; a first float mechanically connected to the first stopper such that, on being placed in a predetermined position, the first float closes the first stopper; and a holder system for holding the second stopper, which system, when fluid leaves the tank, closes the second stopper, and when fluid enters into the tank, opens the second stopper. In an operating position of the device, and under effect of a heavy element, the holder system acts continuously on the second stopper, tending to maintain the second stopper permanently in its closed position. |
| US09561948B2 |
Multifunctional module for a refrigerating apparatus
A multifunctional module for a refrigerating apparatus with a module housing, includes a controllable function valve arranged for dispensing water from a water circuit. The module housing includes a leak detection device for detecting water leakage inside the module housing. |
| US09561945B2 |
Bottling installation including filler spouts fitted with feed-back ducts from the spout bodies
The bottling installation for bottling a liquid in containers includes at least one filler terminal comprising a filler spout (2) comprising a spout body having a top end portion connected to a filler spout feed duct (7) and a bottom end provided with an orifice (8) fitted with a controlled valve, the filler spout being fitted with a feed-back duct (10) opening out into the spout body (6) above the controlled valve (9) and suitable for being connected by a connection member (11) to a general feed duct (12) between a stop valve (14) and an isolating valve (15), a purge valve (17) being connected to the general feed duct (12) between the isolating valve (15) and the connection member (11). |
| US09561944B2 |
Reverse drive handle for lift truck
A drive handle located behind an operator seat comprises a throttle used to drive a lift truck in reverse without requiring the operator's foot to actuate a floor-based throttle. |
| US09561942B2 |
Cam driven wedge braking system for multi-stage lifts
Apparatus for braking relative vertical movement between two vertical members includes linkage connected either directly or indirectly to a cable pulley-mount that is spring loaded and moves cams that wedge in between two vertically moveable members when cable tension is not present at the pulley. A broken cable, for example, will create a situation where there is no cable tension between a plurality of cable pulleys, the lack of cable tension moves the mechanical cam style linkage to engage the braking members. |
| US09561939B1 |
Crane hook and crane truck
A hook has a hook body which has an attachment portion to be attached to a rope at a base end portion and which is curved in an L-shaped from the base end portion to a tip end portion, a latching tool which is rotatably supported by the hook body and which is brought into contact with and separated from a curved inner surface of the hook body on the tip end portion side of the hook body relative to a rotation center, a biasing member biasing the latching tool in a direction where the latching tool is caused to abut on the hook body, and a lock pin which is detachable from and attachable to the latching tool between the rotation center and a rotation tip and which abuts on the curved inner surface of the hook body when the lock pin is attached to the latching tool to regulate the rotation of the latching tool against biasing force of the biasing member. |
| US09561937B2 |
Counterweight arrangement for an elevator and an elevator
A counterweight arrangement for an elevator, includes a first vertical guide rail and a second vertical guide rail, the guide rails defining a vertical guide rail plane, a counterweight arranged to travel between the guide rails guided by the guide rails, the counterweight including a frame, which includes a first upright beam and a second upright beam and a cross beam connecting the upper ends of the upright beams, and a diverting pulley mounted between the guide rails on the cross beam of the counterweight frame, the pulley having a vertical plane of rotation, which crosses the guide rail plane. The cross beam is aligned parallel with the plane of rotation of the pulley. An elevator includes the aforementioned counterweight arrangement. |
| US09561934B2 |
Elevator system with guide rail bracket
An exemplary door frame assembly that is useful in an elevator system includes a plurality of door frame members including a header, a sill and a plurality of jambs. The door frame members are configured to be secured into a desired position along a hoistway. At least one guide rail bracket is supported by at least one of the door frame members. The guide rail bracket is moveable relative to the door frame member between a handling position in which the guide rail bracket is generally parallel to at least one of the header or the sill and a deployed position in which the guide rail bracket is generally perpendicular to the at least one of the header or sill. |
| US09561931B2 |
Touch screen call-giving device and method for giving elevator call
A call-giving device for giving an elevator call for an elevator includes a touch-sensitive display having at least one touch detection area. The call-giving device is configured to: detect a first gesture performed in the at least one touch detection area; register a call to a floor according to a floor marking in response to detecting a touch meeting call-giving criterion on the touch-sensitive display at a point corresponding to the floor marking; and present, on the touch-sensitive display, registration data associated with the registered call, the registration data indicative of registered floor calls that have not yet been served by the elevator. |
| US09561930B2 |
String light storage lattice
The invention concerns a devise being a flat lattice frame for holding string lights, such as Christmas lights, for tangle free storage designed to fit in a standard file storage box. It is designed in a manner for easy use, helps to minimize the required storage space and to approximately match the interior of a standard file box to provide vertical support. |
| US09561929B2 |
Fibrous cores
The present disclosure is directed to a fibrous core comprising a fluted layer; and a liner disposed on the fluted layer. The fluted layer and the liner are helically wound defining a longitudinal core axis. |
| US09561925B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including a main chassis having a discharge tray and a switchback tray in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray; an image forming unit; a discharge roller to discharge a recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit onto the discharge tray; a duplex conveyer to invert the sheet and convey the inverted sheet to return to the image forming unit; and a switchback roller being rotatable in a normal direction to convey the sheet toward the switchback tray and a reverse direction to convey the sheet to the duplex conveyer; is provided. The main chassis includes a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in a conveying direction of the sheet and is arranged in adjacent to the switchback tray such that the switchback tray is interposed between the pair of walls. |
| US09561924B2 |
Recording medium conveyance apparatus and image forming apparatus
The apparatus includes a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch transmits rotation of the driving unit in a first rotation direction to the first feeding device without transmitting rotation of the driving unit in a second rotation direction that is reverse to the first rotation direction to the first feeding device. The second clutch transmits the rotation of the driving unit in the second rotation direction to the conveyance device and the double-side printing conveyance device and without transmitting the rotation of the driving unit in the first rotation direction to the conveyance device and the double-side printing conveyance device. The third transmission path is configured to transmit the rotation of the driving unit to a conveyance device. The fourth transmission path is configured to transmit the rotation of the driving unit to a double-side printing conveyance device. |
| US09561923B2 |
Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus provided with same
A sheet conveying device includes a sheet conveying path, a first conveying member, a first guide portion, a second guide portion, a registration roller pair, a third guide portion, and a guide member. A posture of the guide member is changeable between a first posture in which an upstream guide portion retracts from the sheet conveying path into a groove portion of the second guide portion, and a downstream guide portion projects to the sheet conveying path from the groove portion; and a second posture in which the downstream guide portion retracts from the sheet conveying path into the groove portion, and the upstream guide portion projects to the sheet conveying path from the groove portion. |
| US09561921B2 |
Sheet feeding unit and image forming apparatus
An attachably/detachably sheet feeding unit includes a main body part, a pair of side cursors, a pair of cursor racks, a pinion and a holding member. On the main body part having a bottom plate, a sheet is placed. The side cursors are supported by the bottom plate to slide in a width direction of the sheet to restrict a position of the sheet in the width direction. The cursor racks respectively extend from the side cursors in opposing directions in the width direction. The pinion is engaged with the cursor racks. The holding member has a shaft support part rotatably supporting the pinion, is attachable/detachable to/from the bottom plate, and then, is supported to the bottom plate to move in the width direction while the pinion is engaged with the cursor racks, and is fixed to the bottom plate in an optional position in the width direction. |
| US09561920B1 |
Media supply tray having multi-color exterior light indicating different media loading conditions
Printing devices include (and printing methods use) among other components, a processor, a printing engine operatively connected to the processor, a media supply tray operatively connected to the processor, etc. The media supply tray supplies sheets of media to the printing engine. The media supply tray has a light visible from the exterior of the printer. The processor controls the light to display different colors indicating different media loading conditions of the media supply tray. The different loading conditions can include a tray in use condition (indicated by the light displaying a first color); tray scheduled for use condition (indicated by the light displaying a second color); tray not in use condition (indicated by the light displaying a third color); tray empty condition, indicated by the light displaying a fourth color; etc. |
| US09561918B2 |
Paper stacker and image forming apparatus
An paper stacker includes a side fence and a lift plate. The side fence extends in a stacking direction and is configured to regulate a position in a width direction of paper. The lift plate is capable of moving the paper to a paper feed point. The side fence includes a main body, a swell segment swelling from the main body toward an edge of the paper below the paper feed point, and an urging segment including an urging surface portion above the swell segment. The urging surface portion is capable of moving toward the edge of the paper to urge the edge of the paper at the paper feed point. |
| US09561909B2 |
Extruder for use in a dispenser of a loose product for the preparation of beverages
An extruder (100) for use in a dispenser (1) of a loose product (30) for the preparation of beverages, comprising: a housing (110), defining a product inlet (112), a product outlet (114), and a bore (116) that interconnects the product inlet and the product outlet; a screw feeder (120) including a screw blade (124) that is both rotatably and translatably received in the bore (116), such that it is axially movable along the longitudinal axis (/) between a first position and a second position; and a first sealing device (126b) that is configured to releasably fluidtightly seal a portion of the bore (116) interconnecting the product inlet (112) and the product outlet (114) in dependence of the axial position of the screw blade (124). |
| US09561908B2 |
Apparatus and method for separation of piece goods to be placed in storage in an automated storage unit
An apparatus for separating piece goods which are to be stored in an automated store comprises a stepped conveyor for conveying piece goods from a stockpile beyond an upper edge of the stepped conveyor to a collecting device, wherein the stepped conveyor comprises an inclined bearing surface and a first step which can be moved in parallel over the bearing surface with a conveying edge which is parallel to the bearing surface, wherein the spacing between the bearing surface and the conveying edge corresponds to a minimum step height which suffices to push parallelepiped-shaped piece goods upwards, and a control device for actuating the stepped conveyor, which control device is coupled to a sensor which detects whether a piece goods item has been conveyed beyond the upper edge. |
| US09561905B2 |
Autonomous transport vehicle
An autonomous transport vehicle including a frame having a longitudinal axis extending from a front of the frame to a back of the frame, at least one first guide member mounted on one side of the frame and having a first guide member frame of reference, and at least one second guide member mounted to an opposite side of the frame than the at least one first guide member and having a second guide member frame of reference, wherein the first and second guide members are asymmetrically compliant guide members so that a stiffness of the at least one first guide member in response to a force in a predetermined direction relative to the first guide member frame of reference is different than a stiffness of the at least second guide member in response to the force in the predetermined direction relative to the second guide member frame of reference. |
| US09561904B1 |
Multi-purpose dumping device for a waste collection vehicle
A multi-purpose dumping device mounted on one vehicle assists with the emptying of both a heavy commercial refuse container and a lighter residential refuse container and easily operable by the current vehicle structure without substantial modification to the tipping mechanism. |
| US09561903B2 |
Receptacle having a housing and inner vessel assembly for liner engagement
A receptacle assembly disclosed herein includes a receptacle housing, a liner assembly having a base member and an insertion member, wherein the insertion member is situated above the base member in either a rejection position or an acceptance position. When the insertion member is placed in its acceptance position with respect to the base member, the receptacle assembly can hold a drape over portion of another liner between the insertion member and the receptacle housing. |
| US09561898B2 |
Marine side curtain stowage apparatus
A marine side curtain stowage apparatus for stowing pliant marine side curtains in sheet form includes a pliant base layer having an outer weather surface and an inner surface, a pliant top layer formed from a nonabrasive material for abutting contact with the entire transparent portion of a side curtain, a first fastening element operatively associated with the base layer and the top layer for releasably joining the first side edge of the base layer with the first side edge of the top layer; and a second fastening element associated with the base layer and the top layer for releasably joining the second side edge of the base layer with the second side edge of the top layer. |
| US09561893B2 |
System and method for freeze-drying and packaging
A system and method for protecting biological or other material from contamination through the steps of filling, freeze-drying, packaging, storing and use are disclosed. A system can include a flexible container, a membrane configured to transmit air or solvent vapor out of the flexible container, and a membrane frame supporting the membrane and engaged with at least one column member. The at least one column member can be configured to maintain the membrane and the membrane frame a spaced distance from one or more contents received within the flexible container. Upon application of a downward force, the at least one column member can assume a collapsed configuration. A method can include inserting a biological material, for example, into a flexible container, freeze-drying the biological material, moving the freeze-dried biological material to a portion of the flexible container that includes at least one port, and sealing the biological material within the portion. |
| US09561892B2 |
Airtight enclosure
An airtight enclosure comprising a pair of enclosure shells each having a pair of first edges and a pair of second edges extending transversely to the first direction. The first edges are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the length of the second edges, the second edges are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the length of the first edges, and the first edges have complementary assemblages for assembling first edges of the enclosure shells, and at least one of the second edges has a groove for accommodating a resilient sealing member in sealing contact with a second edge of the other one of the enclosure shells so that mating edges of each pair of second edge portions allow being assembled within a range of relative positions transverse to their longitudinal direction with the resilient seal or gasket in sealing contact with the mating edges. |
| US09561889B2 |
Easy opening packaging article made from heat-shrinkable film exhibiting directional tear
A packaging article has tear initiators for initiating a manual tear that can be propagated to open a package and allow a product to be readily removed therefrom, without the use of a knife or scissors or any other implement. The packaging article is made from a heat-shrinkable multilayer film having at least one layer containing an incompatible polymer blend, and/or a layer containing an inorganic filler, and/or a layer having a high Young's modulus. The film also has a Peak Load Impact Strength of at least 50 Newtons per mil, The tear initiators can be used to generate a manual machine direction tears to open the package, with the manual machine direction tear being capable of propagating in the machine direction to the opposite edge of the packaging article. A process for making a package and manually opening the package is also disclosed. |
| US09561888B2 |
Can end having a main score and a score extension
A beverage can end for seaming onto a can body may include a peripheral wall, a center panel, a tab attached to the center panel by a rivet (56), a tear panel (41b), a main reference line (RM), a transverse reference line (RT), and a score (31b). The score may include arcuate main score (31b) that defines a main portion of the tear panel (41b) and a score extension (32b) that defines a vent portion. The score may be configured such that actuation of the tab from its horizontal rest position to an intermediate position ruptures the main score portion (31b) to pivot the tear panel main portion (40b) about the hinge and further actuation of the tab by twisting from the intermediate position ruptures the score extension (32b). |
| US09561886B2 |
Barrier lidding structure based on polypropylene film
Multi-layer films suitable as sealable or peelable sheet that can be used for closing foodstuff containers are described. These multi-layer films includes a polymeric substrate layer and a seal or a peel-seal layer. The multilayer composite film preferably includes four component layers, namely in order, a polymeric base layer for mechanical strength, a thin organic barrier layer, an ethylene polymer-based adhesive layer, and a heat seal layer including an ethylene copolymer, such as ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. The film is useful as a peelable heat sealable lid for containers of diverse polymer compositions storing various products such as foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals. |
| US09561885B1 |
Tamper resistant container
A tamper resistant thermoformed container having a tray and a lid, where the tray has an inside shelf between the cavity floor and a second shelf that extends to a cavity rim, where the lid has a sealing slot formed to engage the inside shelf of the tray, and where the lid also has a latching tab formed to fit into a matching latching hole on the tray. This structure keeps the lid on the tray by a combination of friction between the lid sealing slot and the tray inside shelf, plus interference between the latching tab and the latching hole. |
| US09561881B2 |
Cylindrical container with side-mount hang tab and methods therefor
A container (100) includes a first container portion (101) and a second container portion (102). One or both can include an end member (105) and a cylindrical sidewall (103) extending from the end member. The cylindrical sidewall can include a central layer (301), an inner wrap (302), and an outer wrap (303). The central layer and the outer wrap can define one or more axially aligned apertures (304,305). A hang tab (106) defining a loop (107) and one or more socles (307,308) can be inserted through the apertures with the loop disposed exterior of the cylindrical sidewall and the one or more socles disposed between the central layer and the inner wrap. |
| US09561877B2 |
Automated labeling apparatus using labels having a fluid activatable adhesive
An apparatus and method is described herein for automatically labeling using labels having a fluid activatable adhesive along the back surface of such label. The apparatus has multiple pallets each being positionable with the lowermost label of a stack of one or more labels to releasably secure by suction the label against the pallet, and multiple pads each being positionable with respect to pallets to receive labels from the pallets and then releasably retain such labels until application onto containers. Fluid for activating adhesive is applied by an applicator onto labels retained upon the pad to change the fluid activatable adhesive along the label's back surface from a non-tacky state to a tacky state just prior to application of the label onto container. |
| US09561875B2 |
Binding medium clamping mechanism and banknote binding machine containing same
A binding medium clamping mechanism includes a rotatable clamping element configured to clamp a binding medium, a driving element configured to drive the clamping element, a one-way transmission element connected between the driving element and the clamping element, and a rotatable clamping head opening element configured to open the clamping element, wherein in the case that the clamping element rotates in a first rotation direction to a position for waiting to clamp the binding medium, the positions of the clamping element and the clamping head opening element interferes with each other, to open the clamping element, and in the case that the clamping element rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the clamping head opening element is pushed by the clamping element to rotate in the first rotation direction to move out of a moving track of the clamping element. |
| US09561874B2 |
Device for filling granular, pulverulent and free-flowing materials into a container made of geotextile material
A device is provided for filling granular, pulverulent and free-flowing materials into a container, preferably a hose- and sack-shaped container, made of geotextile material. The device includes a housing that allows the advancement of the material and in which a conveying device is arranged. On the entry side of the conveying device the material can be filled in and on the exit side thereof a hose made of geotextile material receives the material. The hose can be shaped on the jacket of the housing, and can be unwound as a web from a feeding device that is designed like a roll. Longitudinal sides of the web can be connected to each other by a device in the region of the jacket. The housing includes a tubular body that extends perpendicular to the direction of advance and is arranged vertically, the tubular body interacting with a feeding device for the geotextile material, which rotates about the jacket of the tubular body and is designed as an unrolling device. |
| US09561872B2 |
Method of detecting a leak past a dynamic seal in aircraft landing gear
A leak detection method for detecting a leak past a dynamic seal in aircraft landing gear (100) comprising: a strut (10); a rod (20) slidably mounted in the strut; and a bearing (70) fitted to an end (11) of the strut to guide the rod (20). The bearing includes a bushing (50) having a seal (62) arranged to rub against the rod (20) to provide sealing between the strut and the rod, defines a fluid chamber (2), and a stop nut (40) for preventing the bushing from moving relative to the strut. The method includes a step of installing a test nut (3) without a wiper seal in the place of the stop nut (40), the step of putting the hydraulic fluid in the landing gear under pressure, and the step of verifying the existence of a leak of hydraulic fluid on the outside surface (22) of the rod (20). |
| US09561871B2 |
UAV docking system and method
An aerial vehicle docking system includes a landing pad and an aerial vehicle. The landing pad has a concave landing surface and a depression. The aerial vehicle has landing gear and a protrusion. The protrusion is shaped to mate with the depression. The protrusion and the landing gear are positioned on a bottom surface of the aerial vehicle. |
| US09561870B2 |
Carrier having non-orthogonal axes
A carrier for a movable object to couple a carried object to the movable object, wherein the carrier has at least two rotational axes; wherein a combined rotation about the at least two rotational axes controls an orientation of the carried object or compensates a movement and a vibration of the movable object, so as to stabilize the carried object; wherein an angle formed by the two rotational axes is a non-right angle to reduce a rotation radius of the rotation, thereby reducing an equivalent moment of inertia; and wherein a center of gravity of a load applied on each axis of the two rotational axes coincides with a corresponding axis. |
| US09561869B2 |
Image capturing
A camera assembly is disclosed for mounting on a vehicle (e.g. an aircraft). An exemplary camera assembly can include: a fixture (e.g. a rotatable drum); a camera; and a mirror; wherein the fixture is arranged to be rotated relative to the vehicle about an axis; the camera is mounted on the fixture such that the camera has a substantially fixed position relative to the fixture; the mirror is mounted on the fixture such that, if the fixture rotates, the mirror rotates; the mirror is rotatable relative to the fixture about a further axis, the further axis being substantially perpendicular to the axis; and the camera is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the mirror. The axis and the further axis may intersect. |
| US09561866B2 |
Wearable electronic display and method for displaying information to a pilot
A wearable electronic display system detects aircraft flight related conditions, compares the detected flight related conditions with rules or procedures, retrieves flight condition information relating to phase of flight, and displays small amounts of contextually relevant flight condition information on a display screen. |
| US09561865B2 |
Systems and methods for improving positional awareness within an airport moving map
Systems and methods for displaying a location reference indicator (LRI) associated with an ownship icon are provided. In various embodiments, an airport moving map (AMM) is displayed, and the ownship icon is displayed in the AMM, where the ownship icon represents the ownship. A degree of zoom of the AMM is determined. In response to a determination that the degree of zoom is not within a range of center referenced threshold values, a first LRI is displayed that indicates that the icon representing the ownship is not to scale with other objects displayed in the AMM. In response to a determination that the degree of zoom is within the range of center referenced threshold values, a second LRI is displayed. |
| US09561857B2 |
Aircraft thermal management system for cooling using expendable coolants
A system for cooling an aircraft includes a fuel tank, a fuel delivery system, a cooling system, and a heat exchanger. The fuel tank is configured to hold cooled fuel for the aircraft. The fuel delivery system is configured to provide at least a portion of the fuel from the fuel tank to an engine of the aircraft. The cooling system is configured to absorb heat generated by components on the aircraft. The heat exchanger is thermally connected to the fuel delivery system and the cooling system. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer at least a portion of the heat from the components on the aircraft to the cooled fuel. The system may further include a two or three phase expendable liquid system. The expendable liquid system is configured to transfer heat to a frozen or liquid coolant to vaporize and expend the coolant from the aircraft. |
| US09561856B2 |
Heat exchanger, cooling system and method for operating a heat exchanger and a cooling system
A heat exchanger with at least one cooling segment having a first, a second, and a third portion. A first heat carrier flow path, through which a first heat carrier medium flows, extends through the first portion. A second heat carrier flow path, through which a second heat carrier medium flows, extends through the second portion. A first coolant flow path, through which a first coolant medium flows, extends through the third portion. The heat exchanger comprises at least one cooling body, a second coolant medium flowing through a second coolant flow path extending through the cooling body. The first and the second heat carrier flow paths are thermally coupled, respectively, to the first and the second coolant flow path, to discharge heat energy of at least one of the first and the second heat carrier medium to at least one of the first and the second coolant medium. |
| US09561852B1 |
In flight transfer of packages between aerial drones
Aspects include a system for transferring a payload between drones. The system includes a first drone having a first member and a first controller, the first member having a first coupling device on one end, the first member being configured to carry a payload, the first controller being configured to change a first altitude and orientation of the first drone. A second drone includes a second member and controller, the second member having a second coupling device on one end, the second member being configured to receive the payload, the second controller being configured to change a second altitude and orientation of the second drone. The controllers cooperate to change at least one of the first and second altitude, and the first and second orientation to operably engage the first coupling device to the second coupling device for transferring the payload from the first member to the second member. |
| US09561848B2 |
Apparatus and method for steering angle measurement of an aircraft landing gear and aircraft landing gear
The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for the contactless measurement of the steering angle of an aircraft landing gear, in particular of a nose landing gear. Furthermore, this present disclosure relates to an aircraft landing gear, in particular a nose landing gear, which allows a contactless measurement of the steering angle. |
| US09561845B2 |
Bearing installed on an aircraft structure
An edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing includes a main flap element and an actuator. A linkage arrangement supports the main flap. The linkage arrangement includes a drop hinge link arrangement. The drop hinge link arrangement includes a fixed strut and a drop link. The fixed strut and the drop link are pivotally connected by a hinge point. The hinge point includes an hourglass bearing. The hourglass bearing includes an inner member, an outer member, and a plurality of hourglass rollers. Any combination of the inner member, the outer member, and the hourglass rollers are fabricated from CREN, Cronidur 30, XD15NW, 422 Stainless Steel, CRES, and/or 440C Stainless Steel. A cage is disposed between the inner member and the outer member. The cage includes a plurality of first rails and a plurality of second rails. Opposing pairs of first rails and second rails define a plurality of pockets. |
| US09561844B2 |
System and method for an air vehicle
A method for providing a controllable side force to an air vehicle having a vertical stabilizer arrangement includes (a) selectively causing the vertical stabilizer arrangement to generate a first side force in a first side direction to provide the controllable side force, the first side force inducing a corresponding first yaw moment in a first yaw direction; and (b) selectively providing to the air vehicle a second yaw moment in a second yaw direction, the second yaw moment being induced by a force component of an auxiliary force applied to the air vehicle, the force component being in a force direction that is non-parallel with respect to the first side direction and the force component being spaced from a center of gravity of the air vehicle; wherein the second yaw direction is opposed to the first yaw direction. Also disclosed is a corresponding auxiliary yaw generating system. |
| US09561839B2 |
Floating type structure
There is provided a floating structure. The floating structure according to the present invention comprises a main body including leg wells; legs penetrating the leg wells and having cords and racks; a unit installation means positioned in the main body as surroundings of the leg wells. According to the present invention, a jacking unit is installed in the main body by the unit installation means. |
| US09561837B2 |
Gear reduction drive
The Gear Reduction Tricycle Wheel invention provides two methods of operation of a tricycle with the use of a simple locking pin. When the pin is inserted into the wheel, it operates as a standard wheel would. Without the pin in place, the wheel requires about four times less effort to move with a similar reduction in speed. This gives the option to move with superior control up, down, and over difficult terrain and within limited space (indoor, home, daycare). One can get the sensation of a good ride without the required distance. This new design in the wheel includes gears within the wheel where spokes usually are. In the absence of spokes, side disc plates support the tire rim and the gear axles. |
| US09561836B2 |
Bicycle control system
A system includes a computer in a bicycle, and the computer has a processor and a memory. The computer is programmed to determine user characteristics for a user of the bicycle, with the user characteristics including pedaling force and pedaling cadence; calculate a power contribution at least in part according to the user characteristics; select one or more operational parameters for a bicycle motor according to the power contribution; and apply the operational parameters to operation of the bicycle motor. |
| US09561835B2 |
Bicycle brake assembly
A bicycle brake assembly includes a brake unit, a fixing structure and an alignment structure. The brake unit includes first and second brake arms. The fixing structure is configured to operatively couple the brake unit to a brake supporting portion of a bicycle frame. The alignment structure is disposed in the vicinity of the fixing structure. The alignment structure is configured to align the brake unit to the brake supporting portion. |
| US09561833B2 |
Vehicle wheel axle assembly
A vehicle wheel axle assembly comprises an axle element with a first outer face and a second outer face and a clamping assembly including a clamping element and a gripping element. The gripping element includes an axially inwardly facing grip face and an axially outwardly facing pressure face. The clamping element includes a helical threaded portion and an axially inwardly facing clamping face. The clamping assembly includes an elastically resilient element to axially bias said grip face to be axially inward and distal from said clamp face. The pressure face is axially inboard of the clamping face. The gripping element is rotatable relative to said clamping element. The clamping element is rotationally coupled to the gripping element by a coupling means at a coupling interface. |
| US09561831B2 |
Motorcycle fairing support member and assembly and method of supporting a motorcycle fairing
A motorcycle fairing support member and assembly and method of supporting a motorcycle fairing are disclosed. The fairing support member includes a central portion extending laterally when mounted on a motorcycle and having a first end, a second end, and a central coupling portion configured to couple the fairing support member to a fairing bracket of the motorcycle. A first support portion is disposed at the first end of the central portion and extends to support a motorcycle fairing. A second support portion is disposed at the second end of the central portion and extends to support the motorcycle fairing. The central portion, first support portion, and second support portion are configured to be concealed by the motorcycle fairing when the motorcycle fairing support member is mounted on the motorcycle. |
| US09561828B2 |
Bus
A bus is provided, including: a frame assembly including a front frame, a rear frame and a hinge turntable therebetween; carriages including a front carriage having a front carriage body and a front carriage floor, and a rear carriage having a rear carriage body and a rear carriage floor; a front axle and a middle axle disposed at a bottom of the front frame; a rear axle disposed at a bottom of the rear frame; a first group of battery packs including a first battery pack disposed within a rear cabin in the rear of the rear carriage body and a second battery pack disposed on the rear frame; a second group of battery packs disposed on upper surfaces of top roof of the front and rear carriage bodies; a third group of battery packs disposed on the front carriage floor and between the front axle and the hinge turntable. |
| US09561823B2 |
Motor vehicle rear end
A motor vehicle rear end has left and right longitudinal beams (12, 14) forming load-bearing structures of the vehicle, and a receiving housing (18) is between the left and right longitudinal beams (12, 14) for accommodating a traction battery. The receiving housing (18) has left and right side walls (22, 24) and a central wall (26) running in a forward direction of travel. An impact profile (26) is connected to the longitudinal beams (12, 14) at the level of the receiving housing (18) and absorbs impact energy in the event of a rear-end crash. The impact profile (26) has a left and right predetermined buckling points (36, 38) that enable the impact profile (26) to buckle toward the receiving housing (18) in a rear-end crash. The impact profile (26) that buckles in a rear-end crash strikes the receiving housing (18) along the longitudinal extent of the central wall (25). |
| US09561819B2 |
System and method for actively determining a steering stop angle for a work vehicle
A method for actively determining a steering stop angle for tires associated with a front axle of a work vehicle may generally include receiving an input associated with a tire parameter for the tires, monitoring a suspension travel distance of the front axle and monitoring an oscillation angle of the front axle. In addition, the method may include determining a maximum allowable steering angle for the tires based on both the suspension travel distance and the oscillation angle of the front axle, wherein the maximum allowable steering angle corresponds to a steering angle at which clearance is maintained between the tires and at least one hood-related component of the work vehicle when the tires are moved to the maximum steering angle. |
| US09561818B2 |
Suspension apparatus for steered wheel
A suspension apparatus for steered wheel includes a knuckle as a supporting member for rotatably supporting the steered wheel, two lower arms separately connected to joints as two lower-part connecting points equipped on lower part of the knuckle respectively, and two upper arms separately connected to joints as two upper-part connecting points equipped on an upper part of the knuckle respectively, and, connecting points of the two lower arms and the two upper arms to the knuckle are configured such that a rate of moving amount toward the vehicle inside to moving amount toward the vehicle front of a second extended line AP2 connecting the two joints straightly is more than the rate of a first extended line AP1 connecting the two joints straightly. |
| US09561816B2 |
Compact foldable stroller with one-handed fold control
A compact collapsible stroller in accordance with the present disclosure includes a mobile cart and a seat coupled to the mobile cart. The mobile cart includes a rolling base and a foldable frame that fold inwardly and outwardly from the rolling base. |
| US09561814B2 |
Method for operating an automatic train control system and automatic train control system
A method operates an automatic train control system which has an electronic signal box, a balize and a frequency track circuit. To configure the train control system so as to be constructed from components of the European train control system and of the frequency track circuit without substantial additional development effort, the balize is acted upon by indicator messages of a first type of the electronic signal box via an actuation module for modular elements having an addressable memory for the number of currently free block route segments. Indicator messages of a third type are created from indicator messages of a second type. A functional relationship between the addresses of the memory and code information of the frequency track circuit is taken into account during the creation of the third indicator messages. A transmitter of the frequency track circuit is acted upon as a result of the third indicator messages. |
| US09561813B2 |
Method for locating a rail vehicle
A method for locating a rail vehicle with a rail vehicle position determination device on a route includes reading positions of reference marks, passed by the rail vehicle, along the route of the rail vehicle and evaluating additional distance information. In order to locate a rail vehicle with little expenditure and with comparatively high accuracy, in the case of a route with at least one track section bounded by axle counting sensor units and having an axle counting evaluator, information on the number of axles from the axle counting evaluator is transferred to the rail vehicle position determination device for determining the position of a rail vehicle. In the rail vehicle position determination device, the position of an axle of the rail vehicle corresponding to the information on the number of axles is determined using route topology data present there, and this position is used as a further reference mark. |
| US09561808B2 |
Method for controlling a magnetic rail brake device of a rail vehicle
A method for controlling a magnetic rail brake device of a rail vehicle, wherein the device contains at least one solenoid of a magnet rail brake, said solenoid being fed from a source of electrical energy via an electrical connection, wherein upon a magnet rail brake activation signal the electrical connection between the source of electrical energy and the at least one solenoid of the magnet rail brake is established and upon a magnet rail brake de-activation signal same is disconnected, in order to excite the at least one solenoid to generate a magnetic force or de-excite said at least one solenoid. |