| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09606707B1 |
User input methodology for toggle items
A method for facilitating editing of a toggle item includes displaying an interface comprising one or more toggle items, each toggle item being configured to be toggled on and off when clicked on; receiving input corresponding to movement of a pointer to be disposed over a first toggle item of the one or more toggle items; determining that a predetermined amount of time has passed with the pointer being disposed over the first toggle item; displaying a cursor in the first toggle item at the location of the pointer; receiving input corresponding to a click while the cursor is displayed in the first toggle item; receiving input corresponding to editing of the first toggle item; and updating, based on the input corresponding to editing of the toggle item, the text of the toggle item. |
| US09606703B2 |
Techniques for detecting inactive browser windows
Embodiments provide techniques for tracking the lifecycles of client-side browser windows in the context of a web application. In an embodiment, a server component of a web application can receive a notification that an application page in a first window has been unloaded. In response, the server component can associate the first window with an expiration time and add the first window to an expiration list of windows that are potentially inactive. If a request is received by the server component from the first window while the first window is in the expiration list, the server component can identify the first window as active and remove it from the list. If a request is received by the server component from a second window after the expiration time associated with the first window, the server component can identify the first window as inactive and free all resources for the first window. |
| US09606700B2 |
Selection of hierarchically organized items
Disclosed herein are user interfaces and related systems and methods for selecting hierarchically arranged items in order to facilitate subsequent operations on an accumulation of such data selected from throughout a hierarchy. More specifically, a columnized user interface is disclosed that includes a final column containing an accumulation of items selected from various locations within the hierarchy. A user may interactively navigate throughout the hierarchy in one or more other columns, while selectively adding specific items from any such hierarchical locations in the final column for subsequent processing. Other tools may support grouping into favorites, recall of previous selections, or other operations to facilitate rapid creation and recreation of item groups for processing. |
| US09606694B2 |
System and method for building and managing user experience for computer software interfaces
Several computerized tools, methodologies and data structures, according to embodiments of the present invention, are disclosed for collecting data for UX research and development directed to a product, process, and system and for developing personas and scenarios from the data for designing and for measuring the effectiveness of the product, process, and/or systems for use by the personas or real people. The tools, methodologies and data structures may be used individually or in sets. |
| US09606691B2 |
Voltage difference-based capacitive touch detection device, capacitive touch detection method and capacitive touch screen panel, and display device with built-in capacitive touch screen panel
Provided is a new capacitive touch detection device, detection method, and touch screen panel for detecting a touch signal by detecting a voltage difference of a sensor pattern from a driving voltage applied by an auxiliary capacitor, and to a display device having a built-in capacitive touch screen. A capacitive touch detection device includes: a sensor pattern (10) forming a touch capacitance (Ct) in between a touch input device and the sensor pattern; an auxiliary capacitor (Caux) connected on one side to the sensor pattern (10) and having a driving voltage for touch detection applied to the other side thereof; a charging unit (12) for providing pre-charge signals to the touch capacitance (Ct) and the auxiliary capacitor (Caux); and a touch detection sensor (14) which is connected to the sensor pattern (10) and which detects a touch signal by detecting a voltage difference in the sensor pattern (10) when the touch capacitance (Ct) is added to the auxiliary capacitor (Caux) according to a touch of a touch input instrument. Effects of parasitic capacitance generated due to noise, coupling phenomena and other factors are minimized, to thus stably acquire touch signals. |
| US09606690B2 |
Touch panel having touch electrodes and overcoat formed in a zigzag manner
A touch panel may include: a substrate; touch electrodes formed on the substrate as zigzag lines consisting of first unit electrodes disposed to be inclined in one direction with respect to a first axis that is parallel to one side of the substrate and second unit electrodes disposed to be inclined in the other direction with respect to the first axis, the first unit electrodes and second unit electrodes being disposed to alternate each other consecutively in a direction of the first axis; and overcoating layer formed as zigzag lines consisting of first overcoating members disposed to be inclined in a direction intersecting with the first unit electrodes, and second overcoating members disposed to be inclined in a direction intersecting with the second unit electrodes, the first overcoating members and second overcoating members disposed to alternate each other consecutively in the direction of the first axis. |
| US09606683B2 |
Touch-sensitive input device
A touch-sensitive input device (2) in the form of a touch panel is described. The device comprises a transparent substrate (11) and at least one transparent electrode (14) disposed on the substrate, the at least one electrode comprising a layer (16) of opaque conductive material having holes (35) therein so as to form a mesh of opaque conductive material. |
| US09606681B2 |
Finger detection on touch screens for mobile devices
A method for dynamically controlling an input mode of a touch screen (10) for an electronic device (1) comprising at least one condition detection system (4), wherein the method comprises monitoring humidity in the surrounding of the electronic device (1) by means of the condition detection system (4), and determining, based on the monitored humidity in relation to predetermined values, which input mode is to be used for the touch screen and using the determined input mode for the touch screen. |
| US09606677B2 |
Display device with a backlight, control method of controlling a backlight of a display device and program of same
An object of the present invention is to achieve additional control of power consumption in a display device by performing fine-point switch off control corresponding to a method of a user's touch operation. The display device includes a touch panel and a display unit with a backlight, an area detecting section for detecting a touch area when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel, and a control section for controlling a lighting time interval of the backlight according to the touch area. The method of the touch operation by the user is detected as a difference in touch area and, according to the touch area the lighting time interval of the backlight can be controlled. For example, the lighting time interval can be set short in the case of a light touch, and the lighting time interval can be set long in the case of a firm touch. |
| US09606675B2 |
Capacitive touch panel
An integrally-formed capacitive touch panel is disclosed including: a singular lens substrate, a mask layer, and a sensing circuit integrally coupled with said singular lens substrate. Said singular lens substrate, said mask layer, and said sensing circuit are integrally formed. |
| US09606674B2 |
Virtual input system
For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input. |
| US09606673B2 |
Method and device for sensing a position of an object
A sensing method and device for sensing the position of an object are provided. The sensing device comprises a light source for generating a plane light, and a sensor unit disposed at one side of the light source. The sensing method comprises driving the light source to generate the plane light, forming a reflective light distribution by the object reflecting the plane light; and estimating a relative distance between the object and the light source according to the reflective light distribution. |
| US09606668B2 |
Mode-based graphical user interfaces for touch sensitive input devices
A user interface method is disclosed. The method includes detecting a touch and then determining a user interface mode when a touch is detected. The method further includes activating one or more GUI elements based on the user interface mode and in response to the detected touch. |
| US09606663B2 |
Multiple stimulation phase determination
Determination of phases of multiple stimulation signals to be simultaneously applied to a touch sensor panel is disclosed. A matrix may be determined that is invertible and has a gain greater than one, where each row of the matrix may represent a single step among multiple steps needed to compute values for generating an image of touch, each column of the matrix may represent a drive line of the touch sensor panel to be stimulated, and each element of the matrix may represent the phase of the stimulation signal to be applied to a particular drive line in a particular step. For each step, stimulation signals having phases in accordance with the matrix elements may be simultaneously applied to the drive lines of the touch sensor panel. |
| US09606662B2 |
Touch interface with person recognition
A system for identifying a tool touching a touchscreen device includes a touch-sensitive surface that generates a signal in response to a touch from a tool touching the surface; a touchscreen controller that receives the signal from the touch-sensitive surface and determines the location of the touch; logic to select, based on the touch location, one of a plurality of electrodes disposed across the touch-sensitive surface; logic to enable an electric circuit that includes a signal generator attached to the tool that transmits a modulated ID signal; a parasitic capacitance path between the signal generator and the electrode; a demodulator connected to the electrode that receives and demodulates the modulated ID signal to recover a bit sequence; a resistive layer, connected to the demodulator, covering the touch-sensitive surface; a resistive path through the tool to the resistive layer; and logic that identifies the tool, based on the recovered bit sequence. |
| US09606660B2 |
Touch device and touch display apparatus
Disclosed is a touch device including a substrate and a touch-sensing electrode layer thereon. The touch-sensing electrode layer includes at least one sensing electrode in a touch-sensing region, and at least one conducting line in a non-touch-sensing region. The conducting line is electrically connected to the sensing electrode. The non-touch-sensing region is located outside of the touch-sensing region, and the non-touch-sensing region includes a curve region connecting a first non-curve region and a second non-curve region. The conducting line has a first width in the first non-curve region, a second width in the second non-curve region, and a third width in the curve region, wherein the third width is greater than the first width and the second width. |
| US09606658B2 |
Display device with integrated touch screen and driving method thereof
Disclosed is a display device with an integrated touch screen. The display device includes a panel configured to operate in a display driving mode and a touch driving mode, the panel including a plurality of driving electrodes, a plurality of sensing electrodes, and a plurality of data lines including a plurality of first data lines and a plurality of second data lines; and a display driver integrated circuit (IC) configured to apply data voltages to the plurality of first data lines and the plurality of second data lines during the display driving mode of the panel, and the display driver IC configured to apply a ground voltage to the plurality of first data lines and float the plurality of second data lines during the touch driving mode of the panel. |
| US09606655B2 |
Display device having touch sensor embedded in pixel array and method of driving the same
A display device having touch sensors and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The display device includes a display panel including a pixel array including pixels and a touch sensor array including touch sensors formed in the pixel array, the pixel array being divided into blocks, a gate driver to sequentially drive a plurality of gate lines in the pixel array in a block unit, a data driver to drive a plurality of data lines in the pixel array when the gate lines are driven, a touch controller to sequentially drive the touch sensor arrays in the block unit, and a timing controller to divide one frame into at least one display mode at which the pixel array is driven and at least one touch sensing mode at which the touch sensor array is driven and to control the gate drive, the data driver and the touch controller so that the display mode and the touch sensing mode alternate. |
| US09606652B2 |
Electronic devices and precursor articles
A first polymer latex and second polymer latex can be mixed to form a dried primer layer on a substrate to adhere patterned materials having fine lines. The first polymer latex comprises a first polymer and a first surfactant such that a dried coating of the first polymer latex has a surface polarity of at least 50%. The second polymer latex comprises a second polymer and a second surfactant such that a dried coating of the second polymer latex has a surface polarity of less than or equal to 27%. Moreover, a dried coating of the mixture has a surface polarity of at least 15% and up to and including 50%. Primed substrates are useful for preparing electrically-conductive articles having electrically-conductive fine lines directly on a dried primer layer by applying a patterned material to a substrate. Such articles can be used as touch screen displays in various electronic devices. |
| US09606651B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device (1) is provided with a contact detection unit (40) that detects contact by a contacting object, a vibration unit (50) that vibrates the contact detection unit (40), and a control unit (10) that controls the vibration unit (50) to vibrate. The control unit (10), while controlling the vibration unit (50) to vibrate, determines a position of the contact based on a plurality of positions of contact detected by the contact detection unit (40) during a predetermined time. |
| US09606644B2 |
Manually operable input device with code detection
The invention relates to a manually operable input device (1) having a sensor system (15) that comprises at least one rotary control knob (4) for detecting at least one movement characteristic variable. By predefining various movement patterns at the rotary control knob (4), various control commands can be generated. For this purpose, the input device (1) according to the invention comprises an evaluation unit (8) that compares the signal (13, 14) generated by the sensor system (15) with predefined rotational movement codes (C1-C16) and generates a code-dependent control command (16) if the predefined movement pattern or the corresponding signal (13, 14) matches a predefined rotational movement code (C1-C16). |
| US09606640B2 |
Pointer, position detection apparatus and position detection method
A position detection apparatus of the electrostatic coupling type is provided, to detect not only a position of a pointer but also information other than the position information such as, for example, pointer pressure or side switch information. The pointer transmits two codes such that a pressure applied to a pen tip is associated with a time difference between the two codes. A position detector carries out a correlation matching operation between signals generated in reception conductors and correlation calculation codes corresponding to the two codes, to thereby detect a position on a sensor section pointed to by the pointer from a result of the correlation matching operation and based on at least one of the codes. The position detector further includes a pressure calculation circuit for detecting pressure applied to the pointer, which is associated with the time difference between the two codes, from the result of the correlation matching operation calculated by the correlation matching operation and based on the two codes. |
| US09606638B2 |
Multimedia device and method of controlling a cursor thereof
A multimedia device and method of controlling a cursor thereof are disclosed, by which a frequency of the cursor can be increased without system extension. The present invention includes receiving a cursor display signal from an input device, generating a location information of a cursor and an image information of the cursor in accordance with the received cursor display signal, embedding the generated location information of the cursor in the video signal, and displaying the image information of the cursor based on the location information of the cursor embedded in the video signal. |
| US09606636B2 |
Optical processing apparatus, light source luminance adjustment method, and non-transitory computer readable medium thereof
An optical processing apparatus, a light source luminance adjustment method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium thereof are provided. The optical processing apparatus includes a light source unit, a processing unit, and an image sensing unit, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the light source unit and the image sensing unit. The light source unit provides a beam of light. The processing unit defines a frame rate, defines a plurality of time instants within a time interval, and sets the light source unit to a luminance value at each of the time instants. A length of the time interval is shorter than the reciprocal of the frame rate. The luminance values are different and are within a range. The image sensing unit captures an image by an exposure time length at each of the time instants, wherein the exposure time lengths are the same. |
| US09606635B2 |
Interactive badge
A wearable interactive device, such as a wearable identity badge is disclosed. When a user moves the device, such as to position a display (e.g., part) of the device a sensed distance at a sensed horizontal and vertical angle, the device outputs content that is based on the position. Context data also may be used in determining the content to output, as well as any other sensed data that may be available. |
| US09606634B2 |
Device incorporating improved text input mechanism
A device including a display screen for displaying m-words of data, a text entry device for entering data, a processor receiving data from the text entry device and causing it to be displayed on the display screen. Upon activation the processor initializes a precursor to a predefined value. The device further includes a non-volatile memory storing a dictionary containing a plurality of entries, each entry including an index, a candidate word, and a score. The processor selects a list of n-number of candidate words from the dictionary whose index matches the precursor, and causes m-number of candidate words from the list of candidate words to be displayed on the display screen. The processor causes the display to prompt the user to select one of the displayed candidate words or enter a desired word using the text entry device. Furthermore, a tech-mode for extending a word dictionary for word-based text input is provided. |
| US09606630B2 |
System and method for gesture based control system
The system provides a gestural interface to various visually presented elements, presented on a display screen or screens. A gestural vocabulary includes ‘instantaneous’ commands, in which forming one or both hands into the appropriate ‘pose’ results in an immediate, one-time action; and ‘spatial’ commands, in which the operator either refers directly to elements on the screen by way of literal ‘pointing’ gestures or performs navigational maneuvers by way of relative or “offset” gestures. The system contemplates the ability to identify the users hands in the form of a glove or gloves with certain indicia provided thereon, or any suitable means for providing recognizable indicia on a user's hands or body parts. A system of cameras can detect the position, orientation, and movement of the user's hands and translate that information into executable commands. |
| US09606622B1 |
Gaze-based modification to content presentation
Features are disclosed for facilitating content presentation and consumption based on input regarding a user's gaze. Gaze tracking or eye tracking information can be obtained from, e.g., a user-facing camera. A content presentation system can determine whether the user's eyes have closed and how long they have closed, whether the user's gaze is directed at the portion of content currently being presented or at some other location, etc. Based on such determinations, presentation of content may be modified. In some cases, a current presentation position may be changed, highlights may be applied, a special bookmark may be generated, etc. |
| US09606620B2 |
Multi-track playback of media content during repetitive motion activities
A system for multi-track playback of media content includes: a media device; a user interface, provided at the media device, which displays a visual array of media options, a playback logic, provided within the media device, which is configured so that, while a selected point or region is determined by the user interface as being moved in response to user input, within the visual array of media options, the system determines media options that are proximate to the selected point or region, and adjusts playback parameters for corresponding media content items, by crossfading or otherwise combining playback to reflect the media options relative distances from the selected point or region; and a tempo logic, provided within the media device, which is configured to provide or receive a selected tempo and provide the one or more media content items associated with the selected tempo. |
| US09606619B2 |
Method and apparatus for accepting third-party use of services based on touch selection
An approach is provided for brokering resources and services among multiple devices based on one or more touch-based interactions. An access platform causes, at least in part, at least one initiation of one or more touch-based interactions with at least one first device, at least one third device, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on at least one connection request from the at least one first device, the at least one third device, or a combination thereof. The access platform determines the one or more touch-based interactions with the at least one first device, the at least one third device, or a combination thereof. The access platform further causes, at least in part, at least one access to one or more services associated with at least one second device based, at least in part, on the one or more touch-based interactions. |
| US09606616B2 |
Device and method for reconfigurable power conversion
A device for reconfigurable power conversion includes a plurality of power-consuming modules adapted to receive a plurality of electrical voltages, and a power converter module including a plurality N of power stages, each of which includes a power output which is adapted to supply one of the plurality of electrical voltages and adapted to be coupled with at least one of the others of the power outputs off the power converter module. Also included is a backplane including a plurality of power rails, each of which is adapted to distribute one of the plurality of electrical voltages from the power converter module to the plurality of power-consuming modules. The power converter module further includes a programmable converter controller which is adapted to reversibly configure the plurality of power stages. |
| US09606615B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program means for data transport with reduced power consumption during link idle times
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for disconnecting a bias current circuitry (140) in a way that there is no bias current flowing anymore for the transmit output of a network controller (110), e.g. Ethernet controller. Also, the data connection, e.g., TX+ and TX− lines in or at an Ethernet connector (120), are connected to a control circuitry (130) to simulate an active connection by taking over supply of link activation pulses, e.g., link integrity test (LIT) pulses. These two measures will allow the user to save the bias current on the transmit output and maintain the link activation signals to keep the link up towards a network controller (110). |
| US09606613B2 |
System and method for shifting image display apparatus to energy-saving state based on result of detection of data input and operation on the image display apparatus within a predetermined time period
An image display apparatus capable of performing communications via a network includes an energy-saving state shifting part to shift an energy state to an energy-saving state in which energy consumption is suppressed, a shifting time setting part to set a time required for shifting to the energy-saving state in accordance with a state or an environment of the image display apparatus, a data input detector to detect presence or absence of data input into the image display apparatus, and an operations detector to detect whether an operation on the image display apparatus is being performed by a user. When neither data input nor operation performed on the image display apparatus is detected by the operations detector, and when the time required for shifting to the energy-saving state set by the shifting time setting part has elapsed, the energy-saving state shifting part shifts the energy state to the energy-saving state. |
| US09606609B2 |
Modifying power consumption based on energy-usage messages
Examples described herein involve modifying power consumption based on energy usage messages. A method includes a CPU periodically receiving energy-usage messages from components. From the energy-usage messages, the CPU determines a plurality of historical energy-usage patterns that indicate respective historical energy consumption of a given component while operating in a given operating state. Then, the CPU determines that overall power consumption of the one or more components differs from an expected power consumption. Thereafter, the CPU identifies at least one differing component that is causing the power consumption differential based on the historical energy-usage patterns and a plurality of new energy-usage messages received after the plurality of historical energy-usage patterns were determined. The CPU then causes the at least one differing component to modify an amount of energy that the at least one differing component is consuming. |
| US09606605B2 |
Dynamic voltage margin recovery
In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes multiple instances of a component (e.g. a processor) and a control circuit. The instances may be configured to operate in various modes. Some of the modes are incapable of presenting a worst-case load on the power supply. The control circuit may be configured to monitor the instances and detect the modes in which the instances are operating. Based on the monitoring, the control circuit may request to recover a portion of the voltage margin established for worst-case conditions in the instances. If the instances are to change modes, they may be configured to request mode change from the control circuit. If the mode change causes an increase in the current supply voltage magnitude (e.g. to restore some of the recovered voltage margin), the control circuit may cause the restore and permit it to complete prior to granting the mode change. |
| US09606598B2 |
Automatic tuning for a memory voltage regulator
A voltage regulator may be tuned to reduce consumption of electrical power. An installed configuration of a dual inline memory module is used to load test the voltage regulator. Results of the load test may then reveal tuning parameters that make the voltage regulator more efficient. |
| US09606597B2 |
Intermediate electronic device, method for operating the intermediate electronic device and electronic system
An intermediate electronic device, arranged to be coupled to a host system and an electronic device. The intermediate electronic device includes: a controller, enabled by an enable signal to process the data transmission between the host system and the electronic device; and a power transmission unit disposed between the host system and the electronic device. The power transmission units detect whether the power transmission unit is coupled to the host system or an external power source. When the power transmission unit detects that the power transmission unit is coupled to the host system, but not coupled to the external power source, the power transmission unit informs the host system to raise the voltage output to the intermediate electronic device to supply power to the electronic device, and outputs the enable signal. |
| US09606596B2 |
Power control subsystem with a plurality of current limit values
A power control subsystem for controlling the supply of power transmitted to at least one node over communication cabling, the power control subsystem comprising: a plurality of references; a plurality of comparators, each of the comparators being associated with a particular one of the plurality of references; and a current limiter in communication with the plurality of comparators and arranged to limit current of the power transmitted over communication cabling responsive to the plurality of comparators. |
| US09606594B2 |
Methods for simultaneous process and utility systems synthesis in partially and fully decentralized environments
Methods of providing a combined synthesis of cost-effective heat and power (CHP) utility systems and the key process systems are provided. An exemplary method includes process steps for identifying the best key subsystem design and operating conditions for both the process and the utility systems. The method can include the step of determining an optimal allocation of steam and power between both process and utility systems for one or more industrial process facilities in both partially and totally decentralized environments. This can include defining rigorously bounded decision variables as model input data, processing the model input data by a combined heat and power utility and process subsystem mathematical program model, and determining a plurality of at least substantially optimal process and utility subsystem conditions. |
| US09606590B2 |
Heat sink base and shield
A heat sink of a computing system includes a base and a shield associated with a component. The base is to mount to the computing system, and the shield is to be coupled to the base. |
| US09606586B2 |
Heat transfer device
A heat transfer device is described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a housing that is moveable through a plurality of orientations involving at least two dimensions during usage, a heat-generating device disposed within the housing, and a heat transfer device disposed within the housing. The heat transfer device has a plurality of heat pipes configured to transfer heat using thermal conductivity and phase transition from the heat-generating device, the plurality of heat pipes arranged to provide generally uniform heat transfer from the heat-generating device during movement of the housing through the plurality of orientations. |
| US09606581B1 |
Automated contact cleaning system for docking stations
A docking station for mobile electronic devices with an automated cleaning feature is provided. The docking station includes a receiver for receiving an electronic device, a base, a piston, a nozzle, and electrical contacts for connecting to the electronic device. The piston has a plunger and an air chamber. The receiver is mounted to the plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber. The nozzle is mounted on the air chamber. Air passes through the nozzle when the air in air chamber is compressed. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver. The nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby air is directed over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction. |
| US09606580B2 |
Case and mounting apparatus for a tablet computer
A case and mounting apparatus for a tablet computer includes a case adapted to encompass a rear surface of the tablet computer and a plurality of mounting assembly accessories for use of the tablet in a hands-free manner. A rear surface of the case includes a plurality of mounting points to attach the case and tablet to a graspable handle, a tripod, a car seat, or an airplane seat fold-down tray. |
| US09606577B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a dynamically modular processing unit
Systems and methods for providing a modular processing unit. A modular processing unit is provided as a platform that is lightweight, compact, and is configured to be selectively used alone or oriented with one or more additional processing units in an enterprise. In some implementations, a modular processing unit includes a non-peripheral based encasement, a cooling process (e.g., a thermodynamic convection cooling process, a forced air cooling process, and/or a liquid cooling process), an optimized circuit board configuration, optimized processing and memory ratios, and a dynamic back plane that provides increased flexibility and support to peripherals and applications. The modular processing unit is customizable and may be employed in association with all types of computer enterprises. The platform allows for a plethora of modifications that may be made with minimal impact to the modular unit, thereby enhancing the usefulness of the platform across all type of application. |
| US09606572B2 |
Circuits for and methods of processing data in an integrated circuit device
A circuit for processing data in an integrated circuit device comprises a selection circuit; a first register coupled to a first output of the selection circuit; a second register implemented as a latch and coupled to a second output of the selection circuit; and a signal line coupled between the output of the first register and an input of the selection circuit. The selection circuit enables the coupling of an output signal of the first register to an input of the second register. A method of processing data in an integrated circuit device is also disclosed. |
| US09606567B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing electrical isolation
An isolation circuit arranged to provide electrical isolation between at least one control module and at least one driver module. The isolation circuit comprises at least one boost circuit arranged to receive at least one control signal from the at least one control module, and boost the at least one control signal from a first voltage level signal to an increased voltage level signal. The isolation circuit further comprising at least a first capacitive isolation component comprising a first electrically conductive element and at least one further electrically conductive element formed from at least a part of printed circuit board layer, the first and at least one further electrically conductive elements being electrically isolated with respect to one another and arranged to comprise capacitive characteristics there between. |
| US09606566B2 |
Trans-conductance regulation circuit, trans-conductance error amplifier and power converter
A trans-conductance regulation circuit, a trans-conductance error amplifier module and a power converter. The trans-conductance regulation circuit provides a bias current at least partially based on an output voltage of the power converter. The bias current is sent to bias a trans-conductance operational amplifier in the trans-conductance error amplifier module so that a trans-conductance of the trans-conductance operational amplifier is direct proportional to the output voltage of the power converter. The power converter regulates the output voltage based on a negative feedback loop comprising the trans-conductance error amplifier module. The trans-conductance error amplifier module may help to maintain a band width of the negative feedback loop substantially stable and immune to variations in the output voltage. |
| US09606560B2 |
Computer system, arrangement for remote maintenance and remote maintenance method
A computer system includes a power supply unit providing at least one first supply voltage for operation of the computer system, a system board has at least one first power supply line that distributes the at least one first supply voltage; at least one processor arranged on the system board and coupled to the first power supply line that executes program code of user programs; a system monitoring module arranged on the system board having a microcontroller that executes program code for remote maintenance; at least one network interface coupled to the system monitoring module; and at least one splitter, coupled to the network interface that taps off a remote feed voltage provided via the network interface and feeds in a second supply voltage into at least one second power supply line of the system board, the second power supply line being coupled to the system monitoring module. |
| US09606554B2 |
Voltage adjustment device for power distribution system, voltage adjusting method, and power control system
A voltage adjustment device, a voltage adjusting method and a power control system for a distribution system are provided, in which the voltage adjustment device and a static var compensator are appropriately operated in a coordinated manner and the sustention of voltage and the enhancement of the operation efficiency are attained. A voltage adjustment device for a distribution system is installed in the distribution system including a static var compensator on an end side and controls a secondary voltage to be within a predetermined limit value by adjusting a tap position. The voltage adjustment device includes a first unit configured to estimate the secondary voltage; a second unit configured to obtain a corrected voltage by correcting the estimated secondary voltage by using a correction amount obtained from an output of the static var compensator; and a third unit configured to compare the corrected voltage with the predetermined limit value and operate the tap position when the corrected voltage deviates from the predetermined limit value. |
| US09606549B2 |
Poppet valve
A poppet valve is provided with a seat portion which has a conical inner peripheral surface with a center axis, and a conical portion which is displaced along the center axis inside the seat portion, forms a flow passage having an annular cross-section between the conical portion and the seat portion and is supported at a position concentric with the seat portion. An effect of rectifying fluid flowing in the flow passage is thereby obtained and the generation of noise is prevented. |
| US09606548B2 |
Versatile systems for continuous in-line blending of butane and petroleum
A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site. |
| US09606545B1 |
Self-propelled apparatus with an anti-drop system
A self-propelled apparatus includes a main body and an anti-drop system. The main body includes an aperture located at a bottom portion thereof and communicative with an interior thereof. The anti-drop system located inside the main body respective to the aperture includes an infrared detection module and an angle-limiting unit electrically coupled with the infrared detection module. The infrared detection module detects a distance between the bottom portion and a first detection surface. The infrared detection module includes an infrared emitting unit and an infrared receiving unit. The infrared emitting unit emits an infrared signal to the first detection surface. The infrared signal produces a first boundary signal and a second boundary signal after the infrared signal passes through the angle-limiting unit. The infrared receiving unit receives a reflected signal of the first boundary signal with respect to the first detection surface. |
| US09606543B2 |
Method and control apparatus for cooperative cleaning using multiple robots
Provided are a method and a control apparatus for cooperative cleaning using multiple cleaning robots, including monitoring an overall cleaning condition of an extensive space and automatically assigning multiple cleaning robots to a space required to be cleaned, and when a cleaning area is fixed based on a cooperative cleaning method, data on an amount of garbage generated from the cleaning area or a cleaning condition of the cleaning area may be accumulated to facilitate easier management of the cleaning. |
| US09606539B1 |
Autonomous vehicle fleet service and system
Various embodiments relate generally to autonomous vehicles and associated mechanical, electrical and electronic hardware, computer software and systems, and wired and wireless network communications to provide an autonomous vehicle fleet as a service. In particular, a method may include monitoring a fleet of vehicles, at least one of which is configured to autonomously transit from a first geographic region to a second geographic region, detecting data indicating an event associated with the vehicle having a calculated confidence level, receiving data representing a subset of candidate trajectories responsive to detecting the event, which is associated with a planned path for the vehicle, identifying guidance data to select from one or more of the candidate trajectories as a guided trajectory, receiving data representing a selection of a candidate trajectory, and transmitting the selection of the candidate trajectory as of the guided trajectory to the vehicle. |
| US09606538B2 |
Device and method for the autonomous control of motor vehicles
The invention relates to a device for controlling the braking and/or steering and/or acceleration in a motor vehicle, wherein the device has a number of different sensor components, two diverse sensor fusion components, a man/machine interface component and a preferably intelligent actuator controller component, wherein each of these components constitutes a fault-containment unit and has a TTEthernet communications interface, and wherein all components are connected to a central TTEthernet message distribution unit, and wherein the components communicate with one another exclusively with use of standardized Ethernet messages, and wherein a diagnosis unit for time-correct monitoring of the exchanged messages can be connected to the TTEthernet message distribution unit. |
| US09606536B2 |
Vehicle control device
In a vehicle control device that is configured to be capable of switching from an automatic travel of the vehicle to manual travel by a driver, a manual driving adaptation degree of a driver during an automatic travel is calculated based on a driver state (S16), a notification timing is set such that the notification timing is earlier as the manual driving adaptation degree becomes lower (S18), and the automatic travel end notification is given to the driver at the set notification timing (S20). |
| US09606535B2 |
Spatial recognition in an autonomous vehicle group
An autonomous vehicle includes a sensor interface coupled to a gyroscope system, a wireless communication interface, a processor, and memory. The memory has instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the autonomous vehicle to establish a plurality of wireless communication links with two or more vehicles in a group including the autonomous vehicle and the two or more vehicles. A signal strength of each of the wireless communication links is monitored to determine an observed signal strength of each of the wireless communication links. A desired position of the autonomous vehicle is determined based on an expected signal strength of each of the wireless communication links. A position adjustment of the autonomous vehicle is initiated based on a difference between the expected signal strength and the observed signal strength in combination with data from the gyroscope system. |
| US09606530B2 |
Decision support system for order prioritization
A method for order prioritization includes calculating a cycle time for a product order of a plurality of product orders using an artificial neural network, determining a first order priority of the product order based on a priority index using an analytic hierarchy process, determining a second order priority of the product order based on event based simulation model, and determining a shipping date for the product order based on the second order priority. The artificial neural network calculates the cycle time based upon product order type and a plurality of component counts. The analytic hierarchy process determines a first order priority based upon a plurality of product order attributes. The simulation model determines a second order priority and completion time based upon the first order priority, product model, product type, a plurality of component counts, manufacturing capacity and inventory data, and production time data for historical product orders. |
| US09606524B2 |
Control apparatus, control system and control method
There is provided a control apparatus for controlling a device having a movable unit movable by a plurality of drive shafts. The control apparatus includes: target trajectory generation means for generating a target trajectory for a movement section defined by a start point and an end point; remaining distance estimation means for estimating a remaining distance along the target trajectory from a current position to the end point; acceleration calculation means for calculating an acceleration involved in varying a current movement velocity of the movable unit to a target velocity corresponding to a movement velocity to be satisfied by the movable unit at the end point of the target trajectory, such that a distance that the movable unit will have traveled substantially matches the remaining distance; and movement velocity updating means for calculating a new target movement velocity value by correcting the current movement velocity with the acceleration calculated. |
| US09606521B2 |
Chainable plug-ins
An automation control and monitoring system is provided that includes chainable plug-ins that may work in combination with one another to transform data or generate events. Resources of the automation control and monitoring system may be polymorphically defined based upon a generalized object model. The chainable plug-ins may be chained to make use of and/or affect a resource of any type. |
| US09606519B2 |
Matching process controllers for improved matching of process
Described herein are methods and systems for chamber matching in a manufacturing facility. A method may include receiving a first chamber recipe advice for a first chamber and a second chamber recipe advice for a second chamber. The chamber recipe advices describe a set of tunable inputs and a set of outputs for a process. The method may further include adjusting at least one of the set of first chamber input parameters or the set of second chamber input parameters and at least one of the set of first chamber output parameters or the set of second chamber output parameters to substantially match the first and second chamber recipe advices. |
| US09606518B2 |
Control system and method of predicting wind turbine power generation
A control system for use with a plurality of wind turbines includes a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The memory device is configured to store a plurality of program modules that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive data representative of a power generation of a first wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines, and determine an expected power generation of a second wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines based on the power generation of the first wind turbine. |
| US09606516B2 |
Plant control apparatus, plant control method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
In accordance with an embodiment, a plant control apparatus includes a deviation calculation unit, a velocity-type PID calculation unit, a plurality of integral calculation units, a plurality of overwrite units, and an automatic balance unit. The deviation calculation unit calculates a deviation between a process value from a plant with operation terminals and a set value corresponding to a control object, and generates a deviation signal. The velocity-type PID calculation unit generates a velocity-type operation amount command signal corresponding to the deviation. The integral calculation units generate position command signals as defined operation terminal position command signals. The overwrite units generate additional position command signals to perform overwrite processing and newly define operation terminal position command signals. The automatic balance unit calculates a deviation between the defined operation terminal position command signals, corrects the operation amount command signal and supplies the corrected operation amount command signal. |
| US09606511B2 |
Analog/digital conversion circuit
According to one embodiment, a first AD converter converts a first voltage into a first digital signal. A voltage/time conversion circuit acquires a residual corresponding to a difference between the first voltage and a result of having converted the first digital signal into an analog signal and converts the residual into a time signal according to a voltage in a first capacitor. A time/voltage conversion circuit converts the time signal into a voltage signal according to a voltage in a second capacitor. A second AD converter converts the voltage signal into a second digital signal. A digital processing circuit outputs a third digital signal to adjust a current value of first or the second current sources based on the second digital signal. |
| US09606510B2 |
Motor driver device with a horological motor driver and an associated configuration circuit
The motor driver of an horological motor consumes an important part of the electrical energy of the electronic circuit due to the fact that configuration data has to be transferred to configuration registers before each turn/step. In order to reduce the power consumption a circuitry is proposed, which detects a change in at least one of the configuration registers. This detection is used to trigger a refresh of the configuration registers only when actually a change in at least one of these configuration registers occurs. |
| US09606509B2 |
Magnetic device for pivoting an arbor of a rotating member in a timepiece movement
The device for pivoting an arbor of a rotating member, on a determined pivot axis, inside a timepiece movement includes at least one magnetic bearing including a magnet which exerts a force of attraction on a pivot made of magnetic material, of the arbor, and an endstone arranged between the magnet and the pivot, the endstone being formed of a material having a hardness greater than 500 HV and a friction coefficient less than or substantially equal to 0.1 with the material of which the pivot is made. The material forming the endstone has a high magnetic permeability and the endstone has, in cross-section to the pivot axis, smaller dimensions than those of the magnet, said endstone being arranged in the timepiece movement to be centred on the determined pivot axis. |
| US09606505B2 |
Blanket replacement system and method thereof
Blanket replacement systems and methods useable with an image forming apparatus are provided herein. The blanket replacement system removes the blanket from the image transfer member and attaches the blanket to the image transfer member. The blanket replacement system includes a frame member, an engagement motor, and a rotation motor. The frame member holds a blanket having a lead edge portion on one edge and a trail edge portion on an opposing edge. The frame member further includes a lead edge clamp unit and a trail edge clamp unit that holds the lead edge and trail edge portions of the blanket and engages with an image transfer member. The engagement motor engages with the frame member and moves the frame member laterally in relation to the engagement motor. The rotation motor is connected to the engagement motor and rotates the engagement motor and the frame member. |
| US09606501B2 |
Image forming apparatus and drawer member
An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly provided with an opening; a drawer movable while supporting an cartridge including a photosensitive drum between an inside position and an outside position; an optical unit in the main assembly to project light onto the drum a shutter member provided in the main assembly and movable between a closing position and an open position an operating portion to move the shutter member from the open position to the closing position in a process of movement of the drawer from the inside position to the outside position and to move the shutter member from the closing position to the open position in a process of movement of the drawer from the outside position to the inside position. |
| US09606496B2 |
Printed circuit board and image forming apparatus
A printed circuit board, including: a substrate on which a component is mounted by solder; and a contact plate having a soldered portion soldered on the substrate, the contact plate being configured to be brought into contact with a contact of an apparatus to which the substrate is to be attached, wherein the soldered portion is soldered on a surface of the substrate opposite to a surface of the substrate on which the component is mounted, and wherein the contact plate has a suppressing portion configured to suppress an adhesion of a flux of the solder to a portion in which the contact plate is to be contacted by the contact, the suppressing portion making a flow path of the flux from the soldered portion to the portion longer than a straight-line distance from the soldered portion to the portion. |
| US09606493B2 |
Punching device, paper sheet processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A punching device includes: a punching member opens a punch hole on a sheet material on a die plate by penetrating a die hole provided to the die plate; a discharging member discharges static electricity charged on a punching chip generated by opening of the punch hole when the punching chip is guided to fall on the discharging member arranged on a lower side of the die hole and brought into contact with the discharging member; and a pressing member that presses the punching chip on the discharging member against the discharging member. |
| US09606492B2 |
Sheet folding device, image forming apparatus and gear coupling mechanism
A sheet folding device includes two rollers, a blade, two parallel pins, and two gears. The first and second parallel pins are passed through first and second pin through-holes penetrating through first and second shaft portions in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the shaft portions. The first and second gears have first and second shaft through-holes through which the first and second shaft portions are passed, and first and second grooves in which the first and second parallel pins are inserted, respectively. Projection portions formed on inner side wall of the second groove and projecting from both sides of the second shaft portion cause the second parallel pin to closely contact a side wall that is, in the second groove, opposite to the projection portions, and cause the second parallel pin to closely contact a portion of the second pin through-hole. |
| US09606490B2 |
Rotation force transmission mechanism and image forming apparatus
A rotation force transmission mechanism (30) includes a torque limiter (50), a breaking member (60) and a clutch member (55). The torque limiter (50) is configured to couple the first rotating member (35) and the driving source (40) to each other so as to able to transmit the rotation force until a torque of a predetermined value is applied, and to decouple from each other if a torque larger than the predetermined value is applied. The braking member (60) is configured to apply a torque exceeding the predetermined value to the first rotating member (35). The clutch member (55) is capable of being switched into a transmission state in which the rotation force can be transmitted to the first rotating member (35) and an interruption state in which the transmission of the rotation force is interrupted, in the second rotation force transmission path (P2). |
| US09606483B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes an endless belt, a nip member, a heater, a reflecting member, a load receiving member, and a protective member. The endless belt has end portions in the first direction and a middle portion defined between the end portions. The nip member is configured to contact an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. The heater is disposed inside the endless belt. The reflecting member is entirely disposed on a nip-member side with respect to the heater and is configured to reflect radiant heat emitted from the heater toward the inner circumferential surface. The protective member is disposed between the middle portion of the endless belt and the heater and on a side opposite to the nip member with respect to the heater, and is configured to allow light to pass therethrough. The protective member is fastened to the load receiving member. |
| US09606480B2 |
Computer system backup performance optimization through performance analytics
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for optimizing performance of a computer backup solution that includes at least two data movers. The automated method includes measuring data mover performance during operation of a backup cycle, and optimizing the performance of data movers by increasing or decreasing the number of threads operating concurrently in the data movers. The method further includes computation of performance rankings of the data movers and shifting workload among the data movers in accordance with their respective performance rankings, such that the computer backup solution converges toward an optimized configuration. |
| US09606476B2 |
Cast device with implanted tubes
A cast device useable with an image forming apparatus is provided. The cast device includes at least one tube and a cast body. The cast body includes the at least one tube implanted into the cast body using a combined casting process. |
| US09606471B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus for forming an image by scanning an image bearer with light modulated in accordance with image information includes a light source configured to emit the light and a control device configured to control the light source in accordance with the image information. The control device sets light emission duration of the light source for forming a particular pixel in the image to be shorter than light emission duration of the light source for forming a normal pixel, which is a pixel other than the particular pixel irk the image, and sets light emission intensity of the light source for forming the particular pixel to be higher than light emission intensity of the light source for forming the normal pixel. |
| US09606467B2 |
Magnetic carrier for electrophotographic developer and process for producing the same, and two-component system developer
The present invention relates to a magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer comprising spherical magnetic composite particles comprising a phenol resin as a binder and ferromagnetic iron oxide particles bonded to each other through the phenol resin, wherein the spherical magnetic composite particles have a ten-point mean roughness Rz of 0.3 to 2.0 μm. The magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer according to the present invention exhibits an excellent durability against peeling-off and abrasion of coating resins formed thereon and a high stability to mechanical stress exerted onto the carrier, is free from occurrence of spent toner, can be stably held over a long period of time without occurrence of fogging and unevenness in density of toner images, and can keep high-quality images with an excellent gradation for a long period of time. |
| US09606464B2 |
Resin composition for toner, toner, developer and image forming apparatus
A resin composition for a toner including a polyester resin and a colorant, wherein the polyester resin has A(10)-A(180) of 70 or greater, where A(10) (%) is a transmittance of light having a wavelength of 500 nm through a mixture of 20 parts by mass of the polyester resin added to 80 parts by mass of ethyl acetate and stirred at 25° C. for 10 minutes, and A(180) (%) is the transmittance after the mixture is left to stand for 3 hours. |
| US09606462B2 |
Toner and method for manufacturing toner
To provide a toner from which an image having a stable image density can be obtained with reduced occurrence of pollution of members, even when a toner container is filled with a larger amount of toner than a conventional amount for long-term use. A toner including a toner particle and an external additive containing an organic-inorganic composite fine particle and an inorganic fine particle A; wherein the organic-inorganic composite fine particle includes a resin particle and an inorganic fine particle B, the resin particle has a surface with a convex derived from the inorganic fine particle B; has a specific number average particle diameter (D1) and a specific shape factor SF-2; and has a specific fixed state to the toner particle; the organic-inorganic composite fine particle has a specific unit diffusion index on the toner particle surface; the inorganic fine particle A has a specific BET specific surface area. |
| US09606460B2 |
Lithography apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides a lithography apparatus including a plurality of detectors each configured to detect a mark on the substrate, and a controller configured to control a patterning so that a first operation and a second operation are alternately performed, the first operation irradiating the substrate with a beam while scan movement of the substrate is performed in a first direction, the second operation performing step movement of the substrate in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the controller is configured to cause, in the first operation, at least one of the plurality of detectors to detect the mark, and the plurality of detectors are arranged, in the second direction, at an interval which is a positive integer multiple of a distance of the step movement. |
| US09606459B2 |
Monolithic EUV transparent membrane and support mesh and method of manufacturing same
An apparatus according to the present invention comprises a membrane layer and a supporting supportive mesh, wherein the membrane layer and the supportive mesh form a monolithic structure that absorbs less than ten percent of EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) light passing through it in which the membrane layer is composed of a metal-ceramic composite. |
| US09606452B2 |
Lithography metrology method for determining best focus and best dose and lithography monitoring method using the same
A lithography metrology method is provided. Focus sensitivity data and dose sensitivity data of sample patterns to be formed on a substrate are acquired. At least one focus pattern selected in descending order of focus sensitivity from among the acquired focus sensitivity data of the sample patterns is determined. At least one low-sensitivity focus pattern in ascending order of the focus sensitivity from among the acquired dose sensitivity data of the sample patterns is selected, and at least one dose pattern selected in descending order of dose sensitivity from among the at least one low-sensitivity focus pattern is determined. A split substrate having a plurality of chip regions is prepared. A plurality of focus split patterns having a shape corresponding to the at least one focus pattern and a plurality of dose split patterns having a shape corresponding to the at least one dose pattern in the plurality of chip regions are formed. A best focus and a best dose from the plurality of focus split patterns and the plurality of dose split patterns are determined. |
| US09606450B2 |
Image projection apparatus and method
An image projection apparatus comprises a light projector (605) which projects an image onto a surface (603) of an object. A focussing processor (609) is arranged to focus the image on an image plane (607) and a controller (611) dynamically varies the position of the image plane (607) relative to the surface (603). The movement may be a predetermined periodic movement and the surface may specifically be a non-planar surface. The movement may result in a blurring effect independent of distance, and may specifically provide a blurring effect that can be pre-compensated by pre-filtering of the image to be projected. The invention may allow improved quality of a projected image, such as e.g. of an image projected on a non-planar or moving surface. |
| US09606449B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus has adaptations to prevent or reduce bubble formation in one or more gaps in the substrate table by preventing bubbles escaping from the gap into the beam path and/or extracting bubbles that may form in the gap. |
| US09606447B2 |
Reflective mirror, projection optical system, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A reflective mirror is provided with a base and a multilayer film including first layers and second layers laminated alternately on the base and capable of reflecting at least a portion of the incident light. The multilayer film is provided with a first portion having a first thickness, and with a second portion which has a second thickness different from the first thickness and which is provided at a position rotationally symmetric to that of the first portion about the optical axis of the reflective mirror relative. |
| US09606442B2 |
Position measuring apparatus, position measuring method, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An apparatus for measuring positions of marks on a substrate, includes an illumination arrangement for supplying radiation with a predetermined illumination profile across a pupil of the apparatus, an objective lens for forming a spot of radiation on a mark using radiation supplied by said illumination arrangement, a radiation processing element for processing radiation that is diffracted by the mark, a first detection arrangement for detecting variations in an intensity of radiation output by the radiation processing element and for calculating therefrom a position of the mark, an optical arrangement, a second detection arrangement, wherein the optical arrangement serves to direct diffracted radiation to the second detection arrangement, and wherein the second detection arrangement is configured to detect size and/or position variations in the radiation and to calculate therefrom a defocus and/or local tilt of the mark. |
| US09606439B2 |
Forming conductive metal patterns using water-soluble polymers
A conductive pattern can be formed using a polymeric layer that contains a reactive composition that comprises a reactive polymer that is metal ion-complexing, water-soluble, and crosslinkable. This reactive polymer comprises photosensitive non-aromatic heterocyclic groups each of these groups comprising a carbon-carbon double bond in conjugation with an electron withdrawing group, as well as metal ion-complexing and water solubilizing groups. The reactive composition can be patternwise exposed to suitable radiation to induce crosslinking within the reactive polymer. The reactive composition and reactive polymer in the non-exposed regions can be removed due to their aqueous solubility, but the exposed regions of the polymeric layer are contacted with electroless seed metal ions, which are then reduced. The resulting electroless seed metal nuclei are electrolessly plated with a suitable metal to form the desired conductive pattern. Various articles can be prepared during this process, and the product article can be incorporated into various electronic devices. |
| US09606435B2 |
Method for manufacturing micro-structure and optically patternable sacrificial film-forming composition
A micro-structure is manufactured by patterning a sacrificial film, forming an inorganic material film on the pattern, and etching away the sacrificial film pattern through an aperture to define a space having the contour of the pattern. The patterning stage includes the steps of (A) coating a substrate with a composition comprising a cresol novolac resin, a crosslinker, and a photoacid generator, (B) heating to form a sacrificial film, (C) patternwise exposure, (D) development to form a sacrificial film pattern, and (E) forming crosslinks within the cresol novolac resin. |
| US09606433B2 |
Resist composition, method of forming resist pattern, polymeric compound and compound
There is provided a resist composition which generates acid upon exposure and exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution by the action of acid, including a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution by the action of acid, wherein the base component (A) contains a polymeric compound (A1) having a structural unit (a0) represented by general formula (a0) shown below. In the formula, A″ represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or an alkylene group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms which may contain an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; R1 represents a lactone-containing cyclic group, an —SO2— containing cyclic group or a carbonate-containing cyclic group; and W2 represents a group which is formed by polymerization reaction of a group containing a polymerizable group. |
| US09606432B2 |
Alternating space decomposition in circuit structure fabrication
Fabrication of a circuit structure is facilitated, in which a first exposure of a multi-layer structure is performed using a first mask, which defines positioning of at least one edge of an element to be formed above a substrate of the multi-layer structure. A second exposure of the multi-layer structure is performed using a second mask, which defines positioning of at least one other edge of the element. At least some material of the multi-layer structure is removed using, at least in part, the defined positioning of the at least one edge and the at least one other edges of the element, to form the element above the substrate. In some examples, multiple elements are formed, the multiple elements being hardmask elements to facilitate an etch process to etch a substrate material. |
| US09606428B2 |
Illuminating optical device, projector and method of controlling an illuminating optical device
Provided is an illuminating optical device that can reduce lowering of luminance in a display mode for enhancing color reproducibility. A multiple number of light source units (11, 19, 20) each emit a different color of light. Color wheel (28) includes multiple transmissive regions that each transmit a different color of light and that moves the point on which the incident light from each light source unit falls, over the transmissive regions as the wheel rotates. A storage (50) stores a multiple number of lighting pattern information items each item providing a lighting pattern to turn on each light source unit in a different period of lighting. A controller (60) receives a select signal for selecting one of the multiple lighting patterns to turn on each light source unit in accordance with the lighting pattern information that provides the lighting pattern selected by the select signal. |
| US09606423B2 |
System and method for improving chroma key compositing technique in photography
Disclosed is a system for improving chroma key compositing technique in photography and/or videography. The system comprises at least a first flashlight arranged to be directed towards an object to be photographed, a chrome backdrop in front of which the object is to be photographed, and at least a first reflecting surface arranged partly in front of the first flashlight in such a manner that part of the light from the first flashlight is directed to the object to be photographed and part of the light from the first flashlight is reflected towards the chrome backdrop. The first reflecting surface has essentially the same colour as the chrome backdrop. |
| US09606420B2 |
Method of fabricating wavelength conversion device
Disclosed is a method for fabricating a wavelength conversion device that is capable of suppressing unintended and random polarization reversal due to heating thereby achieving higher wavelength conversion efficiency. The method includes: forming an insulating layer on one place of a crystal substrate naturally and uniformly polarized in a thickness direction; forming an insulating layer pattern with line-and-space by photolithography; then supplying conductive fluid to both planes of the crystal substrate to apply voltage to the crystal substrate, thereby a wavelength conversion device that is periodically polarization-reversed is fabricated. When temperature of the crystal substrate decreases after heating, an ionizer supplies ions to a surface of the crystal substrate, negative ions collect on +z plane, and positive ion collect on −z plane, thereby unintended and random polarization reversal is suppressed. |
| US09606419B2 |
Adaptive photothermal lens
An adaptive photo thermal lens comprising at least one cell, each cell provided with at least one photo absorbing particle, a thermo-optical material in thermal contact with the cells and at least one controllable light source for illuminating the photo absorbing particles, the light source having at least one spectral component which can be absorbed by the photo-absorbing particles and being controllable in wavelength and/or power and/or polarization. |
| US09606412B2 |
Window system with indicia
A window system is provided that includes an electro-optic element having a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces. The second surface has a first electrically conductive layer and a second substantially transparent substrate defines third and fourth surfaces. The third surface has a second electrically conductive layer and a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity that is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic element is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A polymeric dust cover is positioned away from the electro-optic element defining at least two major surfaces and at least one indicia disposed in the dust cover. The indicia includes a plurality of damage channels having an aspect ratio greater than about 10:1. |
| US09606411B2 |
Electrochromic multi-layer devices with composite electrically conductive layers
A multi-layer device comprising a first substrate and a first electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the first electrically conductive layer having a sheet resistance to the flow of electrical current through the first electrically conductive layer that varies as a function of position. |
| US09606406B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including liquid crystal molecules, a gate line positioned on the first substrate, a data line positioned on the first substrate and crossing the gate line, a first thin film transistor and a second thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, a third thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the second thin film transistor, a reference voltage line connected to the third thin film transistor, and a pixel electrode including a first subpixel electrode connected to the first thin film transistor and a second subpixel electrode connected to the second thin film transistor. |
| US09606402B2 |
Liquid crystal display having injection holes with different heights and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate and a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate. A pixel electrode is connected to the thin film transistor. A roof layer faces the pixel electrode. A plurality of microcavities are disposed between the pixel electrode and the roof layer. A first microcavity is filled with a liquid crystal material. A first injection hole and a second injection hole are disposed at edges of the first microcavity. According to the present invention, a height of the first injection hole is different from a height of the second injection hole. A plurality of grooves extend in a direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate and are disposed between the plurality of microcavities. According to the present invention, an alignment material layer is disposed in one of the grooves. |
| US09606390B2 |
Capacitive in-cell touch panel and display device
Embodiments of the invention disclose a capacitive in-cell touch panel and a display device, in which at least a touch sense electrode (6) is disposed on a color film substrate (1), at least a touch drive electrode (5) is disposed on a TFT array substrate (2), the touch drive electrode (5) is electrically connected to a gate line (7) in the TFT array substrate (2), wherein each touch drive electrode (5) comprises a plurality of touch drive sub-electrode (51) arranged in the same row and disposed between adjacent columns of pixel units. The capacitive in-cell touch panel and the display device provided by the embodiments of the invention employ an input display signal of the gate line (7) electrically connected to the touch drive electrode (5) as the touch drive signal to realize the touch control function, thereby avoiding the addition of an IC for touch drive and reducing the production cost. |
| US09606385B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a panel cover, and a backlight unit. The display panel is configured to display an image on a front surface thereof. The panel cover covers an edge of the display panel. The backlight unit is configured to provide a light to the display panel. The panel cover includes a first portion disposed on the front surface of the display panel, a second portion bent and extending from the first portion to face a side surface of the display panel, and a third portion bent and extending from the second portion. The third portion is disposed on a rear surface of the display panel to be substantially in parallel to the first portion. |
| US09606381B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus
A display device includes: pixels corresponding to respective plural colors arranged in matrix, wherein each pixel has a pixel circuit portion in which a circuit for display driving of the pixel is arranged and a pixel opening to be an area obtaining effective display light, the pixel openings of the pixels corresponding to at least one color have an area different from areas of the pixel openings of pixels corresponding to other colors, and the pixel circuit portions in respective pixels are arranged at equal pitches. |
| US09606380B2 |
Method for manufacturing optical module
An optical module including a first optical coupler; a second optical coupler; a first optical waveguide; a second optical waveguide; a first electrode provided on the first optical waveguide; a second electrode provided on the second optical waveguide; a short electrode shorter than the first and second electrodes and provided on the second optical waveguide; and a first high-frequency connector and a second high-frequency connector; wherein, the short electrode provided on the second optical waveguide is coupled to the second high-frequency connector; and the first electrode provided on the first optical waveguide is coupled to the first high-frequency connector. |
| US09606378B2 |
Display screen and its manufacturing process
The invention relates to a display screen and its manufacturing process. The display screen of the invention comprises: a substrate made of a plastic; at least one transparent heating element; and at least one thermochromic compound, and is characterized in that the at least one transparent heating element comprises at least one optionally functionalized metal nanowire. The invention in particular has applications in the electronics industry. |
| US09606371B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and control method
An image shake correcting device includes a shake detecting unit configured to detect a shake of an image pickup apparatus; a first optical correcting unit and a second optical correcting unit configured to correct optically an image shake by using a shake signal output from the shake detecting unit; a first position detecting unit configured to detect a position of the first optical correcting unit and output a first position detection signal; and a calculating unit configured to calculate a target position signal for controlling the first optical correcting unit based on the shake signal. The calculating unit calculates a target position signal for controlling the second optical correcting unit by using the signal that is obtained by subtracting the first position detection signal for detecting the position of the first optical correcting unit controlled by the target position signal from the target position signal. |
| US09606365B2 |
Mirror-based reading device
A reading apparatus for assisting a person to read or view reading material, including from a lying down position, with the reading apparatus including in a lying down position. The reading apparatus comprises: an optical system including a tray for supporting the reading material, a reflecting mirror and an imaging mirror, said tray, said reflecting mirror and said imaging mirror being mechanically intercoupled in a manner that enables them to be positioned at predetermined, respective angles relative to each other, to enable the reading material located on said tray to be viewed by viewing an image formed by said imaging mirror. A support is configured to enable the optical system to be positioned in front of the person. The tray, the reflecting mirror and the imaging mirror can be folded onto each other. |
| US09606363B2 |
Head mounted device (HMD) system having interface with mobile computing device for rendering virtual reality content
Systems, methods and computer readable media are provided for rendering virtual reality content. One example system includes a housing to be attached to a head of a user using a strap that connects to the housing. Display optics are integrated in the housing and are oriented on an internal side of the housing that is configured for orientation toward eyes of the user when the housing is attached to the head of the user. Further, electronics are integrated with the housing and a holder is integrated in the housing. The holder is configured to retain a smartphone. When the smartphone is retained by the holder a screen of the smartphone is oriented toward the display optics of the housing. A connector is integrated in the housing to enable connection of the smartphone to the electronics when the smartphone is retained by the holder. The smartphone includes a camera facing away from the display optics. The screen of the smartphone is configured to render images of a virtual reality (VR) space that is viewable through the display optics, and a program executed by the smartphone is configured to enable the camera to provide a pass-through view of a real world environment. The pass-through view provides images of the real world environment instead of the VR space. |
| US09606354B2 |
Heads-up display with integrated display and imaging system
Embodiments of an apparatus comprising a light guide including a proximal end, a distal end, a display positioned near the proximal end, an ocular measurement camera positioned at or near the proximal end to image ocular measurement radiation, a proximal optical element positioned in the light guide near the proximal end and a distal optical element positioned in the light guide near the distal end. The proximal optical element is optically coupled to the display, the ocular measurement camera and the distal optical element and the distal optical element is optically coupled to the proximal optical element, the ambient input region and an input/output optical element. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US09606353B2 |
Variable transparency glass and apparatus for adjusting variable transparency glass
A variable transparency glass and an apparatus for adjusting a transparency variable glass are provided. The transparency variable glass includes a first transparent plate that has a first electrode part formed on an inner surface thereof and a second transparent plate that has a second electrode part formed on an inner surface thereof. In addition, a variable transmission layer is disposed between the first transparent plate and the second transparent plate. |
| US09606349B2 |
MEMS display
Electromechanical light modulators and backlight providing efficient, low cost and high performance displays. |
| US09606337B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens consists of five lens groups including, in order from the object side, positive, negative, positive, positive, and positive lens groups. During magnification change, the first and fifth lens groups are fixed relative to the image plane, and the second, third, and fourth lens groups are moved to change distances therebetween. During magnification change from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens group is moved from the object side toward the image plane side, and the fourth lens group is moved from the image plane side toward the object side. The fifth lens group includes at least two negative lenses, and satisfies the condition expression (1) below: 1.90 |
| US09606328B2 |
Photographing optical lens assembly, image capturing unit and electronic device
A photographing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The sixth lens element has both of an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric. The seventh lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the seventh lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof, and both of an object-side surface and the image-side surface are aspheric. |
| US09606326B2 |
Optical image capturing system
An optical image capturing system, from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has a positive refractive power and may have a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements has a refractive power and the object-side and image-side surfaces of these lens elements are aspheric. The sixth lens element has a negative refractive power and may have a concave image-side surface. The object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric, and at least one of the two surfaces has inflection points. When specific conditions are satisfied, the optical image capturing system may has a large aperture value and a better optical path adjusting ability to acquire better imaging quality. |
| US09606324B2 |
Image-forming lens, and camera device and portable information terminal device with the image-forming lens
An image forming lens consists of from an object side to an image side in the following order: a first group with a positive refractive power; an aperture stop; and a second group with a positive refractive power, wherein the second group includes, from the object side to the image side in the following order, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, a negative meniscus lens a convex surface of which faces the image side, a biconvex lens, and a positive meniscus lens a convex surface of which faces the image side. |
| US09606323B2 |
Photographing lens group and electronic apparatus including the same
A photographing lens group and an electronic apparatus including the same are provided. The photographing lens group includes a first lens having a positive refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive or negative refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive or negative refractive power, a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth lenses are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side of the photographing lens group. The photographing lens group satisfies an inequality of 1.0 |
| US09606322B2 |
Optical apparatus capable of external calibration for optical device
The present invention provides an optical apparatus, which is configured to output image information and comprises a housing; a light source; an optical device; an optical device carrier, wherein the optical device is mounted on the optical device carrier and positioned on one side of the optical device carrier; a support plate positioned on the other side of the optical device carrier and being one part of the housing; and a connecting piece, wherein one end of the connecting piece penetrates the support plate and then is connected with the optical device carrier, and the relative positions of the connecting piece and the support plate are fixed. |
| US09606321B2 |
Enclosure assemblies having cable clamping inserts and cable clamping inserts for such enclosures
A manufacturer installed cable clamping insert is provided that can be used to fix various sizes of non-metallic sheeted cables to an electrical outlet box. The insert can be oval in shape and can be used to secure the cable without a tool. In use, the cable is simply pushed through a flap of the insert to a desired position in the enclosure. The cables can be removed or readjusted simply by lifting the flap from inside of the enclosure. |
| US09606318B2 |
Cable management plate assembly and associated systems and methods
Exemplary embodiments are directed to cable management plate assemblies for a media patching system or a rack. The cable management plate assemblies include a lower cable management plate and an upper cable management plate. The upper cable management plate can be slidably secured to the lower cable management plate. In a first configuration, the upper cable management plate is disposed in a retracted position relative to the lower cable management plate. In a second configuration, the upper cable management plate is disposed in an extended position relative to the lower cable management plate. Embodiments are also directed to methods of supporting one or more cables in a media patching system or a rack, and associated media patching systems. |
| US09606316B1 |
Data center infrastructure
A just-in-time data center cabling infrastructure is installed incrementally and concurrently with incremental changes in computing capacity in a data center. Based at least in part upon a determination to install one or more rack computer systems in a row of rack positions of the data center, a network switch device can be installed in the row, linked with a network zone via fiber optic cable connections, and linked to rack computer systems via patch cable connections. The fiber optic cables and patch cables are installed in the data center concurrently with installation of the rack computer system. A transverse bridge spans over an aisle space between opposite rows and includes console switch devices. The console switch devices, installed concurrently with one or more rack computer systems in the rows, enable remote access to console systems in the rack computer systems. |
| US09606311B2 |
Thermal management for high-power optical fibers
A method includes obtaining a substrate having at least one exposed metal surface. The method also includes electro-depositing metal onto the at least one exposed metal surface of the substrate and around at least a portion of an optical fiber to secure the optical fiber to the substrate. The substrate and the electro-deposited metal are configured to remove heat from the optical fiber. The method could further include electro-depositing metal around a sacrificial material and removing the sacrificial material to form at least one cooling channel through the electro-deposited metal. The optical fiber could include a polymer coating, where a portion of the polymer coating is removed at an end of the optical fiber. The substrate and the electro-deposited metal could be faceted at an input of the optical fiber and at an output of the optical fiber. The optical fiber could have a coiled arrangement on the substrate. |
| US09606307B2 |
Optical module
ObjectTo prevent deformation of locating pins and breakage of the glass substrate on which locating holes are formed.Means for Solving the ProblemsThere is provided an optical module including: a glass substrate that includes an optical-electric-conversion element, that is transparent to either one of light emitted from the optical-electric-conversion element and light received by the optical-electric-conversion element, and in which a locating hole is formed; and an optical component in which a locating pin is formed, the glass substrate and the optical component being positioned by fitting the locating pin to the locating hole through a protective film so that the protective film is in contact with the locating hole and the locating pin. |
| US09606301B2 |
Measuring method for optical fiber hole insert
An apparatus for fixing an optical fiber hole insert in coordinate measurement, is provided. The apparatus includes a main body and a cover plate. The main body includes a front side surface, a back side surface and a support surface, a plurality of first grooves formed in the support surface and exposed at the front side surface, a plurality of second grooves formed in the support surface and exposed at the back side surface, and a through hole defined in the support surface. The first grooves are aligned with the respective second grooves, the first and second grooves communicate with the through hole and are configured for cooperatively receiving the optical fiber hole insert. The cover plate is configured for covering the support surface and making contact with the optical fiber hole insert. A method for measuring the optical fiber hole insert using the apparatus is also provided. |
| US09606292B2 |
Branching device for fiber optic circuits
Example devices are optical dividers including: a first optical coupler; a second optical coupler; and a third optical coupler. The devices also comprise a first optical fiber integrated in the first optical coupler, the first optical fiber coupled to an optical combiner, and a second optical fiber integrated in the first optical coupler and in the second optical coupler, the second optical fiber coupled to the optical combiner. The devices further comprise a third optical fiber integrated in the second optical coupler and in the third optical coupler, the third optical fiber coupled to the optical combiner. The optical combiner includes: a first output coupler; a second output coupler; and the optical combiner couples a subset of the first through third optical fibers to the first output coupler; and the optical combiner couples a subset of the first through third optical fibers to the second output coupler. |
| US09606289B2 |
Light guide plate and backlight module having same
A light guide plate in a backlight module includes a light guide layer, a carrier layer, and a reflection sheet. The light guide layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. A plurality of light guide outlets is formed on the first surface. The carrier layer includes a third surface and an opposite fourth surface. The third surface is adhered with the second surface. The carrier layer defines a receiving groove having a fifth surface parallel with the third surface. A plurality of through holes passes through the fifth surface to the third surface to expose portions of the second surface. The reflection sheet is arranged on the first surface and is aligned with the receiving groove. |
| US09606287B2 |
Backlight assembly and display device having the same
A backlight assembly and display device having the same. The backlight assembly may include a light source, a light guide formed at one side of the light source, at least one optical sheet disposed on the light guide and have first to fourth sides and first to fourth corners and a mold frame which accommodates and fixes the optical sheet, wherein the optical sheet includes a first tab which protrudes in a same plane as the optical sheet and in a direction perpendicular to the second side while being adjacent to the second corner, and a second tab which protrudes in the same plane as the optical sheet and in a direction perpendicular to the third side and is disposed to be between and spaced apart from the third corner and the fourth corner. |
| US09606286B2 |
Display device
A display device is discussed, which can include a display panel; a backlight unit providing light to the display panel; an optical member coupled to at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the display panel and extended to an outer direction of the display panel to surround an outside of the backlight unit or the display panel; and an elastic adhesive portion coupling the backlight unit with the optical member. |
| US09606284B2 |
Display device
Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes: a light source; a light guide plate into which light is incident from the light source; a light conversion member on the light guide plate; and a display panel on the light conversion member, wherein a plurality of scattering parts having a diameter in a range of 90 μm to 300 μm are provided in the light guide plate. |
| US09606282B2 |
System for forming illuminated poured surfaces
A system for forming illuminated poured surfaces is provided. The system embeds fiber optic strands into poured surfaces during the formation thereof. Each fiber optic strand may be supported by a positioning apparatus prior to and during the pouring and setting of the poured surface, wherein no part of the positioning apparatus is visible above a top surface of the operable poured surface, yet the fiber optic strands are exposed near the top surface so as to form desired patterns of points of light. |
| US09606280B2 |
Method for manufacturing a reflective optical film
A reflective optical film includes a reflective light-polarizing unit including a multilayer reflective sheet composed of a plurality of polymer films stacked on top of one another. Each polymer film has a thickness, every two adjacent polymer films are two different materials, and the thicknesses of the polymer films are gradually decreased from two outmost sides of the multilayer reflective sheet to a middle of the multilayer reflective sheet. At least one of the polymer films is a birefringence material layer that conforms to the condition of NX≠NY≠NZ, where NX is the index of refraction of light at X direction of the multilayer reflective sheet, NY is the index of refraction of light at Y direction of the multilayer reflective sheet, and NZ is the index of refraction of light at Z direction of the multilayer reflective sheet. |
| US09606277B2 |
Apparatus and methods for reducing frequency or severity of photophobic responses or modulating circadian cycles
The present disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for reducing the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to melanopsin ganglion cells in a retina over the action potential spectrum of the melanopsin cells of the human eye and a visual spectral response of the human eye. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the melanopsin cells and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described. |
| US09606267B2 |
Anti-reflective film, comprising hard coating layer, having superb optical characteristics
Provided is an anti-reflective film having a stacked structure comprising a transparent substrate, a hard coating layer, a high refraction layer and a low refraction layer, and more specifically, the low refraction layer may comprise, as a binder, a siloxane compound synthesized by reacting alkoxysilane and organosilane having a fluoroalkyl group. |
| US09606265B2 |
Adhesive composition for polarizing plate, polarizing plate using the same, and optical member including the same
An adhesive composition for polarizing plates, a polarizing plate using the same, and an optical member including the same, the adhesive composition including an epoxy compound, a (meth)acrylic compound, and a polyfunctional thiol compound. |
| US09606259B2 |
X-ray tomographic inspection system for the identification of specific target items
The present invention provides for an improved scanning process with a stationary X-ray source arranged to generate X-rays from a plurality of X-ray source positions around a scanning region, a first set of detectors arranged to detect X-rays transmitted through the scanning region, and at least one processor arranged to process outputs from the first set of detectors to generate tomographic image data. The X-ray screening system is used in combination with other screening technologies, such as NQR-based screening, X-ray diffraction based screening, X-ray back-scatter based screening, or Trace Detection based screening. |
| US09606258B2 |
Method for monitoring a flood front
A method of monitoring a flood front. The method may comprise installing at least one optical electromagnetic sensor in a wellbore which penetrates an earth formation. The sensor may be a part of an interferometer selected from the group consisting of a Mach Zehnder interferometer and a Michelson interferometer. The method may further comprise inducing an electromagnetic field in the earth formation. A first optical path length in a first optical waveguide of the sensor may increases in response to exposure to the electromagnetic field, and a second optical path length in a second optical waveguide of the sensor may decreases in response to exposure to the electromagnetic field. Additionally, the method may comprise monitoring the flood front by detecting via the sensor the electromagnetic field in the earth formation as the flood front progresses through the earth formation. |
| US09606254B2 |
Determining cement impedance from a formation boundary
Systems, methods, and software for determining properties of a medium surrounding an exterior portion of a well casing are described. In some aspects, the properties of the medium are determined based on measurements of detected acoustic energy and distances between one or more acoustic transmitters and two or more acoustic receivers. The measurements are obtained based on operating the transmitters and the receivers within a wellbore that includes the well casing. |
| US09606248B2 |
Neutron sensitivity using detector arrays
A neutron detector includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode circumscribes the anode and has a plurality of planar segments facing the anode. In one embodiment, the neutron detector is part of an array of neutron detectors. |
| US09606245B1 |
Autonomous gamma, X-ray, and particle detector
A system and method for imaging gamma- and x-ray, and charged particles sources employing a three dimensional array of scintillation elements arranged surrounding an emission source. According to a preferred embodiment, each element of the array comprises a scintillator element, a solid-state photon detector, and processing electronics to output an electronic signal. The elements may be efficiently packed in both the X-Y plane and stacked in the Z-axis, to provide depth of interaction information. The elements of the array are preferably hierarchically arranged with control electronics provided together for subarray modules (e.g., an n×m×1 module), and synchronization electronics provided at a larger scale. The modules preferably communicate with a control system through a shared addressable packet switched digital communication network with a control and imaging system, and receive control information from that system through the network. |
| US09606241B2 |
Sensor-assisted location fix
Sensor-assisted location technology is disclosed. Primary location technologies, such as GPS, can be used to determine the current location (e.g., a location fix) of a location-enabled device. In some instances, the primary location technology may be unreliable and/or consume more power than an alternative location technology. Sensors, such as accelerometers, compasses, gyrometers, and the like, can be used to supplement and/or increase the accuracy of location data. For example, a location-enabled device can identify an area with unreliable GPS location data and use sensors to calculate a more accurate location. Areas identified may be crowd-sourced. Sensors can be used to identify errors in the location data provided by primary location technology. Sensors can be used to modify a sampling interval of the primary location technology. Sensor can be used to smooth motion on a user interface between sampling intervals of the primary location technology. |
| US09606238B2 |
Low-energy consumption location of movable objects
Low-energy consumption techniques for locating a movable object using a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) are provided. A mobile station attached to or included in a movable object can communicate bidirectionally with a fixed base station to determine a location of the movable object. The mobile station may communicate an estimated position to the base station and receive from the base station a set of GNSS satellites that are visible to the mobile station. The mobile station can acquire satellite timing information from GNSS signals from the set of satellites and communicate minimally-processed satellite timing information to the base station. The base station can determine the position of the mobile station and communicate the position back to the mobile station. By offloading much of the processing to the base station, energy consumption of the mobile station is reduced. |
| US09606233B2 |
System and method for increasing resolution of images obtained from a three-dimensional measurement system
A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory (6DOF) of a target. The 6DOF transformation parameters are used to transform multiple images to the frame time of a selected image, thus obtaining multiple images at the same frame time. These multiple images may be used to increase a resolution of the image at each frame time, obtaining the collection of the superresolution images. |
| US09606232B2 |
Method for determining and/or compensating range offset of a range sensor
A method for compensating range offset of a range sensor located in a predetermined position in a spatial environment and comprising a pixel array adapted for measuring a distance, the spatial environment comprising at least two stationary reference positions located at predetermined reference distances, the method comprising the steps of: a) determining distance values to the reference positions; b) calculating differences between the distance values and the corresponding reference distances; c) determining a range offset value as the maximum of the differences; d) measuring distance values to positions within the spatial environment using the pixel array; e) correcting the measured distance values by subtracting the determined in-situ range offset value from each of the measured distance values. |
| US09606228B1 |
High-precision digital time-of-flight measurement with coarse delay elements
A method of determining a timing of an occurrence of a signal includes: propagating the signal (such as an electrical signal) along a series of digital delay elements, or a delay line. Each delay element can have at least two states, each indicative of presence or absence of a signal. The distribution of states of at least a portion of the delay elements along the delay line are recorded multiple times during the time it takes a point (such as an edge) in the signal to propagate through the portion of the delay elements. The multiple recorded distributions are combined to determine the timing of occurrence of the signal to a greater resolution than the minimum system clock period and the minimum delay of each delay element. |
| US09606226B2 |
Method and system for detecting residential pests
A detection system for detecting a residential pest, the detection system may include a trigger module that is configured to generate triggering signals for inducing a residential pest to increase an acoustic-detectable activity of the residential pest; and a sensor that is configured sense signals responsive to a generation of the triggering signals. |
| US09606222B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor device, in particular laser scanner, having an adapted receiving unit for optimized reduction of the reception level
The invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor device (1) for a motor vehicle, for detecting objects located in the surroundings of the motor vehicle, having a transmitting unit (2) for emitting an optical transmission signal (5), having a receiving unit (7) for receiving a reception signal (8) which is the transmission signal (5) reflected by an object, wherein the receiving unit (7) has at least two receiving elements (9, 10, 11) which are arranged distributed along a distribution direction (12), and reception optics (13), in particular a receiving lens which is positioned ahead of the receiving elements (9, 10, 11) in the propagation direction (14) of the reception signal (8), having a securing device (22) for securing the receiving optics (13), and having a diaphragm (21, 21′) for reducing the intensity of the reception signal (8), wherein the diaphragm (21, 21′) is secured to the securing device (22). |
| US09606217B2 |
Collaborative spatial positioning
Disparate positional data derived from one or more positional determinative resources are fused with peer-to-peer relational data to provide an object with a collaborative positional awareness. An object collects positional determinative information from one or more positional resources so to independently determine its spatial location. That determination is thereafter augmented by peer-to-peer relational information that can be used to enhance positional determination and modify behavioral outcomes. |
| US09606215B2 |
Terrestrial positioning system calibration
Embodiments disclosed aggregate a plurality of crowdsourced measurement sets for antennas received from a plurality of Mobile Stations (MS) with a Base Station Almanac (BSA), based on a measurement location estimate and a measurement location uncertainty estimate associated with each measurement set. A map comprising a plurality of map layers may be obtained, where each map layer associates locations in the BSA with spatially variable Forward Link Calibration (FLC) values for the antenna derived from the updated BSA data, wherein each spatially variable FLC value is associated with a corresponding location in the updated BSA data. Map layers, which may also include multipath map and/or received signal strength layers, may be provided to MS′ as location assistance data. |
| US09606210B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence controlling circuitry and image generating circuitry. The sequence controlling circuitry executes a pulse sequence which applies a excitation pulse and then continuously applies a readout gradient magnetic field with alternating polarity thereof and acquires echo signals continuously generated by the pulse sequence from a plurality of receive channels. The image generating circuitry corrects the echo signals so as to generate an image, correcting the echo signals for all of the receive channels collectively on the basis of phase differences between echo signals corresponding to even lines of k-space and echo signals corresponding to odd lines of k-space, and corrects the echo signals for each of the receive channels individually on the basis of magnitude differences between echo signals corresponding to the even lines of k-space and echo signals corresponding to the odd lines of k-space. |
| US09606208B2 |
Magnetic resonance system, and device and method for control thereof
In a method for controlling a magnetic resonance system with multiple radio-frequency transmission channels, via which parallel RF pulse trains are emitted in operation, as well as a magnetic resonance system and a pulse optimization device therefor, RF pulse trains respectively include at least one radio-frequency pulse. The RF pulse trains are initially determined so that a minimum B1 field maximum value is not exceeded by the radio-frequency pulse. In an examination subject-specific adjustment step, a current component-dependent B1 field maximum value is then determined, and the radio-frequency pulse is temporally shortened, with its amplitude being increased dependent on the current component-dependent B1 field maximum value. |
| US09606207B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating magnetic resonance image
A method of generating a magnetic resonance image includes: generating composite data by using a plurality of data sets acquired from a plurality of coils, based on coil characteristics of the plurality of coils; generating first interpolation data by interpolating the composite data; generating a plurality of filtered data sets by filtering the first interpolation data with respect to a plurality of frequency bands; and generating the magnetic resonance image by using the plurality of filtered data sets. |
| US09606205B1 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, RF shimming method, and magnetic resonance imaging method
An imaging unit of an MRI apparatus collects NMR signals using high frequency pulses including a pre-RF pulse exciting a first region and an excitation RF pulse exciting a second region different from the first region. A shimming parameter calculation unit calculating a shimming parameter for adjusting a radiation magnetic field distribution generated by the high-frequency pulses radiated from a plurality of channels sets different shimming parameters in the pre-RF pulse and the excitation RF pulse. The imaging unit performs imaging using the pre-RF pulse and the excitation RF pulse adjusted with the different shimming parameters. |
| US09606202B2 |
Magnetic resonance apparatus
A magnetic resonance apparatus includes a magnet unit that contains a high-frequency antenna unit, and a housing casing unit enclosing the magnet unit. The housing casing unit includes a side casing unit, a front casing unit, and a rear casing unit. The side casing unit, the front casing unit, and/or the rear casing unit includes at least one casing part. At least one boundary region of the housing casing unit is disposed between the different casing parts. The housing casing unit includes at least one membrane unit that contains a barrier for the propagation and/or transmission of sound waves and that covers at least one boundary region between two casing parts. |
| US09606197B2 |
XMR sensors with high shape anisotropy
Embodiments relate to xMR sensors having very high shape anisotropy. Embodiments also relate to novel structuring processes of xMR stacks to achieve very high shape anisotropies without chemically affecting the performance relevant magnetic field sensitive layer system while also providing comparatively uniform structure widths over a wafer, down to about 100 nm in embodiments. Embodiments can also provide xMR stacks having side walls of the performance relevant free layer system that are smooth and/or of a defined lateral geometry which is important for achieving a homogeneous magnetic behavior over the wafer. |
| US09606195B2 |
High resolution planar hall effect sensors having plural orientations and method of operating the same to measure plural magnetic field components
The present invention discloses plural planar Hall-effect sensors each having a magnetic sensing region of an elongated shape, the magnetic sensing regions having plural orientations, wherein, for a ratio of long axis length to short axis length greater than a predetermined number, effective single magnetic domain behavior is exhibited in the sensing region, the sensing having shape-induced uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with the easy axis parallel to the long axis of the magnetic sensing region; further wherein the magnitude of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy depends on the ratio of the thickness of the sensing region to the length of the short axis, and method of operating the same to measure plural magnetic field components. |
| US09606187B2 |
Battery pack
Provided is a battery pack, which can prevent a plurality of battery modules from being abnormally assembled. The battery pack may include n battery modules; n slave battery management systems (BMSs) corresponding to the n battery modules, the n slave BMSs respectively and sequentially coupled to each other; and a master BMS coupled to the n slave BMSs. Here, the master BMS is configured to apply a trigger signal to a first slave BMS, the first to (n−1)th slave BMSs are configured to transmit the trigger signal and first to (n−1)th signals, which are different from each other, to a next slave BMS, an nth slave BMS is configured to transmit an nth signal to the master BMS. |
| US09606184B2 |
Method and circuit unit for determining fault states in a half-bridge circuit
A method is disclosed for determining fault states in a half-bridge circuit having at least a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch are connected in series with one another and each controllable by a control signal to switch between an open and a closed switching state. For each of the first and second semiconductor switches, an actual switching state and a setpoint switching state are determined. A bridge short circuit in the half-bridge circuit is identified if both (a) the actual switching state of the first semiconductor switch is different than the setpoint switching state of the first semiconductor switch and (b) the actual switching state of the second semiconductor switch is different than the setpoint switching state of the second semiconductor switch. |
| US09606182B2 |
System on chip
A system on chip (SOC) is provided. The system on chip (SOC) includes: at least one core including a plurality of scan chains operated by a trigger signal; a delay controller generating a delay target selection signal selecting at least one of the plurality of scan chains and a delay depth control signal indicating a delay depth of the trigger signal; and a delay signal generating unit delaying the trigger signal based on the delay target selection signal and the delay depth control signal and providing the delayed trigger signal to the plurality of scan chains. |
| US09606175B2 |
Reprogramming a port controller via its own external port
Systems and methods may provide for a debug tool including a debug port and a controller including logic to send, via the debug port, a debug mode request to an external port of a target device. Additionally, the target device may include a connector having the external port and a port controller coupled to the external port, wherein the port controller includes logic to detect the debug mode request via the external port, activate a program path between the external port and the port controller in response to the debug mode request, and process one or more commands received via the program path. In one example, the target device further includes a multiplexer coupled to the external port and the port controller, wherein the logic is to send a routing signal to the multiplexer to activate the program path. |
| US09606170B2 |
Handler apparatus that conveys a device under test to a test socket and test apparatus that comprises the handler apparatus
Provided is a handler apparatus that conveys a device under test to a test socket, including: a socket fitting unit which the test socket fits, prior to fitting of a device holder holding the device under test to the test socket; a test-socket position detecting section that detects a relative position of the socket fitting unit with respect to the test socket in a state in which the socket fitting unit fits the test socket; an actuator that adjusts a position of the device under test on the device holder, based on the detected relative position of the socket fitting unit; and a conveyer that conveys the device holder in which the position of the device under test has been adjusted, to fit the test socket. |
| US09606168B2 |
Irradiance mapping leveraging a distributed network of solar photovoltaic systems
A computer processor implemented method of developing irradiance mapping using a distributed network of solar photovoltaic systems, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a predetermined geographic area having at least five solar photovoltaic systems to provide a photovoltaic system; calibrating the photovoltaic system; reversing the photovoltaic system performance model using a computer processor to solve the irradiance input value; calculating irradiance according to irradiance input value, energy output and weather data using the computer processor to provide a single irradiance point; and mapping at least two single irradiance points to create an irradiance map. |
| US09606167B2 |
System and method for detecting integrated circuit anomalies
Circuitry, systems and methods for testing integrated circuits for the presence of anomalies. Techniques include applying a plurality of inputs to an integrated circuit under test to obtain a first plurality of measurements at least partially characterizing power leakage in the integrated circuit under test, encode the first plurality of measurements, by computing a plurality of random linear combinations of measurements in the first plurality of measurements, to obtain a second plurality of encoded measurements determining whether the integrated circuit under test contains at least one anomaly based, at least in part, on the second plurality of encoded measurements. |
| US09606163B2 |
Ground fault detecting circuit and power converting device including the same
In the ground fault detecting circuit, one terminals of first to third resistance elements are connected to first to third AC lines, respectively, the other terminals of the first to third resistance elements are commonly connected to one terminal of a fourth resistance element, and the other terminal of the fourth resistance element is connected to a line of a ground voltage. On the basis of a voltage across the terminals of the fourth resistance element, the ground fault detecting circuit detects whether a ground fault has occurred or not. Since a current does not flow through the fourth resistance element in the normal state and flows through the fourth resistance element after the occurrence of a ground fault, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the ground fault at a high accuracy. |
| US09606162B2 |
Insulation inspection method and insulation inspection apparatus
An insulation test apparatus and method for a circuit board having a plurality of wiring patterns formed thereon includes: selection means for selecting wiring patterns to be tested, power supply means for sending a predetermined electrical output between a first object to be measured and a target object to be measured; measurement means for measuring an electrical signal between the first object to be measured and the target object to be measured; and calculation means for calculating the resistance of an insulation failure portion between the first object to be measured and the target object to be measured. |
| US09606159B2 |
Electronic device and method for maintaining functionality of an integrated circuit during electrical aggressions
An electronic device for generating an error signal in response to an electrostatic discharge perturbation is described. The device may comprise: a detection unit for generating a detection signal in response to said electrostatic discharge perturbation, said detection signal correlating in time with said electrostatic discharge perturbation; a clock for generating a clock signal having a clock period; and a protection unit for generating an error signal in response to said detection signal only when a duration of said detection signal exceeds a predefined multiple of said clock period. A method of generating an error signal in response to an electrostatic discharge perturbation, for protecting electronic circuitry, is also disclosed. |
| US09606156B1 |
Method for evaluating signal attenuation by comparing a measured attenuation against an ideal attenuation
A method for evaluating signal attenuation of an impedance member includes setting at least one ideal attenuation of an ideal impedance member, setting at least one attenuation range for the at least one ideal attenuation, measuring at least one first test attenuation at a first test signal frequency of the subject impedance member, measuring at least one second test attenuation at a second test signal frequency of the subject impedance member, comparing the at least one first test attenuation and the at least one second test attenuation with the at least one attenuation range for the at least one ideal attenuation, determining whether the at least one first test attenuation and the at least one second test attenuation fall within the at least one attenuation range and performing a troubleshooting function on the subject impedance member if the at least one first test attenuation or the at least one second test attenuation fall outside the at least one attenuation range. |
| US09606155B2 |
Capacitance measurement circuit and method
A circuit includes a stacked circuit layer, a plurality of test contact points, and a comparator. The stacked circuit layer includes a plurality of reference capacitors each having a reference capacitance. Each of the test contact points is electrically connecting to an under-test capacitor of an under-test module. The comparator compares the reference capacitance of one of the reference capacitors with an under-test capacitance of the under-test capacitor corresponding to one of the test contact points to measure a range of the under-test capacitance. |
| US09606154B2 |
Electrical load identification during an on event using a support vector machine classifier
Methods and systems may provide for identifying, and distinguishing between electrical loads using time and frequency domain analysis of at least one property of an alternating current during a transient event. In one example, time and frequency domain features may be computed from the voltage signatures of an ON event. A support vector machine classifier may then be trained using the feature vectors (including the time and frequency domain features) for known devices. The trained support vector machine may classify or identify an unknown electrical device using a feature vector as input. |
| US09606152B2 |
Apparatus for current measurement
A voltage to current converter is provided for use with a current measuring device, said current measuring device being operable to provide an output voltage which is an analog of a current to be measured. The converter is arranged to provide an output current which is an analog of the current to be measured. The converter comprises an electronic controller, a switching amplifier and means for measuring the output current as an analog voltage and providing a measure of said analog voltage to the electronic controller. |
| US09606151B2 |
Capacitive current sensing using a current feedback amplifier
A circuit for sensing current in a capacitive network. A first capacitor carries a first current. A second capacitor is connected to the first capacitor thereby forming a current divider. The second capacitor carries a second current which is proportional to the first current. A transimpedance amplifier is connected to the second capacitor and has a voltage output that is proportional to the second current. Using a current feedback amplifier as the transimpedance amplifier significantly improves bandwidth and stability. |
| US09606148B2 |
Chemical/ biological sensors employing functionalized nanoswitch array
Sensor devices disclosed herein allow multiple analytes or organisms to be individually tagged and selectively detected. When a binding event occurs one or more nanoswitches close and the corresponding array resistance value produces a voltage imbalance in the Wheatstone Bridge. The voltage detected by the voltage meter will then exhibit unique value change corresponding to the particular nanoswitche(s) in the array that are closed due to a binding event. Similarly the same functionalization chemistry can be used on all nanoswitches so that the voltage detected by the voltage meter corresponds to concentration levels of the target analyte. Multiple functionalization chemistries on each switch can also be used to improve selectivity for more complex analytes. In some disclosed embodiments, the Wheatstone bridge voltage is tied to a predetermined resistance change rather than to smaller resistance changes that would occur from functionalization of one leg of a nanowire Wheatstone bridge. |
| US09606147B2 |
Apparatus for high bandwidth current sensing
A device for measuring electrical current in a line may include, among other things, a Hall effect sensor wherein a first response is generated by electrical current in the line; a current transformer disposed with the line extending axially therethrough and connected in series to the Hall effect sensor wherein a second response is generated by the electrical current in the line. An equalizer may be connected to the Hall effect sensor and to the current transformer and may be configured to flatten the first and second responses relative to each other. The permeability magnetic path length and cross section of the current transformer is selected such that low frequency roll-off of the current transformer is at a lower frequency than high frequency roll-off of the Hall effect sensor. |
| US09606146B2 |
Wireless rogowski coil system
A Rogowski coil in a sensor unit has voltage induced by a conductor surrounded by the Rogowski coil. The voltage is integrated to represent current which is converted to digital data representing current in the conductor and sent wirelessly to a multimeter. The sensor unit may receive control signals from the multimeter. A plurality of sensor units may be networked and controlled by a remote control apparatus. |
| US09606143B1 |
Electrically conductive pins for load boards lacking Kelvin capability for microcircuit testing
A device under test (DUT) has terminals connected to electrically conductive contacts which are in turn connect to a load board and to a test signal source. A second set of kelvin terminals are likewise connected to the DUT, but by pass the load board for connection to a test signal source. The kelvin terminals extend distally away from the DUT and are bonded to a flex circuit at their distal ends so that they make electrical and mechanical contact with the flex circuit. An intermediary terminal block receives the flex circuit and a ribbon cable or other wire connects to a test signal source. The entire circuit then circumvents the use of the load board. |
| US09606142B2 |
Test probe substrate
A test probe structure having a planar surface and contact locations matched to test hardware is provided. The fabrication of the test probe structure addresses problems related to the possible deformation of base substrates during manufacture. Positional accuracy of contact locations and planarity of base substrates is achieved using dielectric layers, laser ablation, injection molded solder or redistribution layer wiring, and planarization techniques. |
| US09606141B2 |
Micromechanical sensor device
A micromechanical sensor device, having a first unhoused sensor unit, and at least one second unhoused sensor unit, the sensor units being functionally connected to one another, the sensor units being essentially vertically configured one over the other so that a sensor unit having a larger footprint completely covers a sensor unit having a smaller footprint. |
| US09606139B2 |
Shock detection system and shock detection method with vehicle at rest
A shock detection system with a vehicle at rest includes a parking mechanism for locking rotation of a drive shaft which rotates a wheel of the vehicle, a revolution sensor for detecting a revolution speed of the drive shaft, and a shock detector for detecting a shock to the vehicle based on a magnitude and a frequency of variation in detection values of the revolution speed of the drive shaft detected by the revolution sensor in a state where the rotation of the drive shaft is locked by the parking mechanism. |
| US09606138B2 |
Motion recognition apparatus, motion recognition system, and motion recognition method
Provided are a motion recognition apparatus, a motion recognition system and a motion recognition method that enable ‘event motions’ to be recognized with a small number of calculations. The motion recognition system, which recognizes user motions by using sensor data, is configured to be provided with: a cyclical loss detection means for detecting cyclical losses of sensor data when a user is moving; and a recognition processing means for setting data intervals to be used for recognizing motions in accordance with the cyclical losses of sensor data that were detected, and for recognizing user motions on the basis of sensor data for the data intervals that have been set. |
| US09606135B2 |
Automated biochemical analyzer and reagent container
An embodiment of an automated biochemical analyzer is configured to dispense a first reagent, a second reagent, and a sample into a reaction cell to measure a compound liquid thereof. The automated biochemical analyzer includes a first reagent container, a second reagent container, a reagent rack, and a driver. The first reagent container and the second reagent container each include a support and retain the first reagent and the second reagent, respectively. The supports are configured to be connectable to and disconnectable from each other. The reagent rack holds the first reagent container and the second reagent container and allows the first reagent container and the second reagent container to be disconnected for analysis. The driver moves the first reagent container and/or the second reagent container such that the supports are connected to each other upon extraction of the first reagent container and the second reagent container. |
| US09606130B2 |
Fibrosis biomarker assay
Provided herein are methods of diagnosis or of quantitation of fibrosis. An immunoassay is conducted to measure neo-epitope containing protein fragments of collagen type III, collagen type I, collagen type IV, collagen type V, or collagen type VI, elastin, biglycan, decorin, lumican, versican, perlecan, neurocan, brevican, fibromodulin, serglycin, syndecan, betaglycan, vimentin, or C-reactive protein naturally present in a biofluid sample obtained from a patient. An above normal elevation of the measured protein fragments in the patient is associated with the presence or extent of fibrosis. |
| US09606126B2 |
Compositions and methods for membrane protein detergent stability screen
The invention provides methods to assess protein stability and to obtain sizing information. In one aspect, the screen comprises a 94 detergent panel and a series of MWCO filtered microplates. A protein of interest is bound to an affinity matrix and aliquoted into a 96-well microplate. Wells containing the immobilized protein are washed in the new detergent and then eluted in the new detergent into a collection plate. Protein not stable in the new detergent is precipitated on the resin and not present in the elutions. Half of the elution is passed through a high (i.e., 300 kDa) MWCO microplate and the other half through a low (i.e., 100 kDa) MWCO microplate. Elutions from the microplates are spotted on a nitrocellulose membrane, visualized by Western analysis (or by some other method), and quantified. The high MWCO provides stability readout and the ratio of low/high kDa provides sizing information. |
| US09606122B2 |
Prognosis of oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal junctional cancer
The present invention relates to a method of aiding in the prognosis of a subject with oesophageal and/or gastro-oesophageal junctional (GOJ) adenocarcinoma, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sample from the subject, (b) determining the expression level of biomarkers TRIM44 and SIRT2 in said sample, and either (i) determining the expression level of biomarker PAPPS2 in said sample; or (ii) determining the expression level of biomarkers WT1 and EGFR in said sample; (c) comparing the expression level of each of said biomarkers to a corresponding reference standard, (d) determining the biomarkers of (b) whose expression is dysregulated compared to the reference standard, (e) inferring from the dysregulated biomarkers identified in (d) the prognosis of 5-year survival, wherein the greater the number of said biomarkers which are dysregulated, the greater the reduction in prognosis of 5-year survival. The invention also relates to kits, uses and devices. |
| US09606121B2 |
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide gene encoding fluorescent probe, preparation method therefor and application thereof
The invention relates to a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, as well as methods of preparation and uses thereof. In one aspect, this invention relates to a sensor for detecting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, particularly, a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. In one specific aspect, this invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH); in another specific aspect, this invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+); in yet another aspect, the invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting the ratio of reduced to oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. This invention also relates to the method of preparing the sensors, and uses of the sensors in detecting NADH, NAD+, NADH/NAD+ ratio, screening drugs and measuring NADH metabolism. |
| US09606118B2 |
Devices and assays for diagnosis of sinusitis
Methods and kits for sampling mucous from within a sinus to determine if a single sample includes one or more bacterial types indicating bacterial sinusitis. |
| US09606117B2 |
Bioassay for the early detection of autoimmune diseases
Provided are methods for aiding in diagnosing autoimmune diseases in a mammal, comprising contacting a biological sample that is not a tear sample from the mammal with an antibody that specifically binds to a first polypeptide selected from the group Ctss, Ctsh, Ctsr, Ctsw, Ctsz, Ifng, IL-6ra, IL-10, IL-10ra, IL-15, Tnfa, Apo-F, or Lcn-2 or a second polypeptide selected from the group lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin or lysozyme under conditions favoring the formation of an antibody-polypeptide complex, and determining the amount of complex formed, wherein an increased formation of antibody-first-polypeptide complex or a decreased formation of antibody-second-polypeptide complex as compared to a suitable control, indicates a likely positive diagnosis of an autoimmune disease for the mammal, thereby aiding in the diagnosis. Methods of treating the autoimmune diseases are also provided. |
| US09606116B2 |
Flexible, integrated urine-based diagnostic service
A flexible, integrated, urine-based diagnostic device designed such that one or more diagnostic channels are integrated into the body of the device. Each diagnostic channel is designed to contain an immunoassay to detect the presence of a selected analyte so that the device can return a visible readout indicating the presence of the analyte. The flexibility of the device aids the user in the sample collection process. |
| US09606115B2 |
Analyte detection methods and devices
There is provided a lateral flow immunoassay test device. The test device comprises a test strip. The test strip comprises a test membrane having a translucent section including a control zone and a test zone. The device is adapted to house the test strip such that at least the translucent section is exposable to ambient light. The device comprises a backing structure for backing the test strip which comprises a first optical detector for detecting ambient light which has passed through the test zone, and a second optical detector for detecting ambient light which has passed through the translucent section in a further zone outside of the test and control zones. Using the detector outputs an amount of analyte in a test liquid may be calculated. |
| US09606109B2 |
Multiparametric method for assessing immune system status
The invention provides a multiparametric method of assessing the reaction of a patient's immune system to a test subject. The invention compares a patient sample reacted with a test sample and a third party sample and combines the assessments of the multiple parameters to correlate the test reaction with a clinical event. |
| US09606107B2 |
Crk—a novel target for cancer therapy
The invention features a method of identifying a therapeutically active compound that inhibits apoptotic compensatory signaling complex (ACSC)-induced cell proliferation. |
| US09606099B2 |
Selection device
Device for spermatozoa selection comprising a first chamber configured to receive a first, seminal fluid; a second chamber configured to receive a second fluid, the second chamber being in fluid communication with the first chamber by means of at least one duct having a first opening to the first chamber and a second opening to the second chamber; and a displacement means adapted to displace at least some of the first, seminal fluid towards the first opening. |
| US09606098B2 |
Moisture indicator for wood substrates
A moisture content indicator for visually indicating the moisture content of a wood substrate and methods of making the moisture content indicator are provided. |
| US09606096B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting cracks in eggshells
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for characterizing eggshells of eggs, the eggs being supported, comprising: —deforming the eggshell, —scanning the eggshell with a laser beam of a Self Mixing Laser Vibrometer (SMLV) with scanning signals, whereby a reflection light signal of reflection light is obtained, —processing scanning signal and the reflection signal with the SMLV, whereby a mixed signal with crack information is obtained, —during scanning moving the eggs relative to the SMLV, —comparing the signals with preset criteria and characteristics of such eggs, whereby comparative data are obtained, and —characterizing the eggshells on the basis of the comparative data. |
| US09606093B2 |
Cavity ring-down spectroscopic system and method
A system and method for cavity ring-down spectroscopy can include a pulsed quantum cascade laser, an optical ring-down cavity, a photodetector, and an oscilloscope. The system and method can produce pulse widths of less than 200 ns with bandwidths greater than 300 pm, as well as provide temporal resolution of greater than 10 μs. |
| US09606091B2 |
Methods of modeling and monitoring leaching behavior of polycrystalline diamond and methods of leaching polycrystalline diamond
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of modeling leaching behavior of a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) material used in leached polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) and methods of monitoring leaching of a PCD material. In an embodiment, a method of modeling leaching behavior is disclosed. A PCD table is provided, which includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions in which a metallic material is disposed. The PCD table is leached with a leaching agent to at least partially remove the metallic material from the PCD table. A leach depth of the PCD table is determined. A concentration of at least one constituent of the leaching agent is also determined. The leach depth is correlated with the concentration of the at least one metal to generate the model of leaching behavior. |
| US09606090B2 |
Analysis device with simultaneous induction and laser heating and analysis method therewith
To efficiently heat and burn a sample without using a combustion aid, an analysis device that heats a sample in a sample accommodation part and analyzes the resulting gas is provided with an induced current generation mechanism for generating an induced current in the sample through electromagnetic induction and a laser irradiation mechanism for irradiating laser light onto the sample and is configured so that the induced current generation mechanism and the laser irradiation mechanism act simultaneously on the sample. |
| US09606088B2 |
Process and system for rapid sample analysis
Components resolved in time by a separator accumulate in a sample cell and are analyzed by electromagnetic radiation-based spectroscopic techniques. The sample cell can be configured for multiple path absorption and can be heated. The separator can be a gas chromatograph or another suitable device, for example a distillation-based separator. The method and system described herein can include other mechanical elements, controls, procedures for handling background and sample data, protocols for species identification and/or quantification, automation, computer interfaces, algorithms, software or other features. |
| US09606087B1 |
Ultrasonic near-surface inundation testing device
An ultrasonic near-surface inundation testing (UNIT) device includes a soil cell device, a head tank feeding fluid into the soil cell and a reservoir tank feeding fluid into the head tank. The soil cell device includes a substantially planar base, at least one removable top plate with at least one pressure equalization port, at least one bottom plate, at least one sample chamber holding a soil sample, bender ports and a bender sensor pair. The base connects to chamber posts. The top plate connects to the chamber posts and has a cell inlet receiving fluid from the head tank. The bottom plate connects to the chamber posts and has a cell outlet passing fluid to the reservoir tank. The sample chamber, including at least one removable chamber plate, is located between the top and bottom plates. The bender sensor pair extend into the sample chamber through the bender ports. |
| US09606085B2 |
Block made of a building material
A building structure includes a block of building material and a magnetic circuit buried in the block of building material. The structure also includes a plurality of sensing devices buried in the block of building material. Each sensing device may include a contactless power supplying circuit magnetically coupled with the magnetic circuit to generate a supply voltage when the magnetic circuit is subject to a variable magnetic field. |
| US09606084B2 |
Metal detector for locating metal objects
A method of locating metal or non-metal containing objects and materials includes regulating currents in at least two emission coils in relation to each other. A reception coil output signal is received by at least one reception coil or average values of demodulation phases generated from the reception coil output signal are regulated in relation to each other continuously to be zero even when exposed to metal. The amplitude(s) of the required controlled variables are detected as a value by demodulation, preferably at least at 0° and at a demodulation which is set off by 90° and are equalized, thereby allowing a reliable detection of an object to be detected even if other metal objects are present in the area of detection. |
| US09606072B2 |
Radiation inspecting apparatus
In an X-ray inspecting apparatus, a rotational fluctuation amount of a stage is calculated around a power transmission part of the stage and a stage drive unit as a base point, i.e., the X-axis and Y-axis sliding parts, in accordance with detected positional information from a position detecting sensor. Then, a stage shift amount is calculated in accordance with the rotational fluctuation amount and a distance between the base point and an imaging position on the stage. Here, the stage shift amount corresponds to a positional deviation of the stage at the imaging position caused by an attitude variation of the stage in a yawing direction, and thus is an error in repeated positioning. Accordingly, a tomographic image with high resolution can be generated in consideration of the error in repeated positioning. |
| US09606071B2 |
Defect inspection method and device using same
A defect inspection device inspecting a sample includes a movable table on which the sample as an inspection object and a pattern chip are mounted, an illumination light irradiation unit which irradiates a surface of the sample or a surface of the pattern chip with linearly-formed illumination light, a detection optical system section where a plurality of detection optical systems are disposed at a plurality of positions above the table and which detect images of scattered light generated from the sample, and a signal processing unit which processes detected signals to detect a defect of the sample surface, and a plurality of repeating patterns for generating the scattered light according to positions of the objective lenses of the plurality of detection optical systems of the detection optical system section when the linearly-formed illumination light is irradiated by the illumination light irradiation unit are periodically formed in the pattern chip. |
| US09606069B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for generating multiple spatially separated inspection regions on a substrate
Inspection with multiple illumination regions includes generating a primary beam of illumination directed along a primary illumination direction, transmitting a portion of the primary beam of illumination along a first illumination direction, deflecting a portion of the primary beam of illumination along a second illumination direction different from the first illumination direction with one or more angular selection elements, focusing the transmitted portion of the primary beam of illumination onto a first inspection region of the substrate, and focusing the deflected portion of the primary beam of illumination onto a second inspection region of the substrate being spatially separated from the first inspection region. |
| US09606064B2 |
Method of detecting irregular current flow in an integrated circuit device and apparatus therefor
A method of detecting irregular high current flow within an integrated circuit (IC) device is described. The method comprises obtaining infrared (IR) emission information for the IC device, identifying at least one functional component within the IC device comprising a high current flow, based at least partly on the obtained IR emission information, obtaining IR emission information for at least one reference component within the IC device, and determining whether the high current flow of the at least one functional component comprises an irregular high current flow based at least partly on a comparison of respective IR emission information for the at least one functional component and the at least one reference component. |
| US09606062B2 |
Method and a system for detection of hazardous chemicals in a non-metallic container
The invention provides a method for detection of hazardous chemicals in a non-metallic container. The method comprises of irradiating the sample at a predefined location with an electromagnetic radiation of specific wavelength; selectively capturing a certain component of the scattered electromagnetic radiation to obtain a plurality of profiles; and filtering the profiles to obtain a signature specific to at least one hazardous chemical present in the container. The invention provides a system for obtaining a signature specific to the hazardous chemicals in the container. |
| US09606058B2 |
Integrated device for temporal binning of received photons
An integrated circuit includes a photodetection region configured to receive incident photons. The photodetection region is configured to produce a plurality of charge carriers in response to the incident photons. The integrated circuit also includes at least one charge carrier storage region. The integrated circuit also includes a charge carrier segregation structure configured to selectively direct charge carriers of the plurality of charge carriers into the at least one charge carrier storage region based upon times at which the charge carriers are produced. |
| US09606057B2 |
Biochemical analysis of PBMC
A method is provided comprising, obtaining an infrared (IR) spectrum of a Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) sample by analyzing the sample by infrared spectroscopy; and based on the infrared spectrum, generating an output indicative of the presence of a solid tumor or a pre-malignant condition. Other embodiments are also provided. |
| US09606055B2 |
Systems and methods for statistical measurement control of spectrophotometric data
A computer implemented method. The method includes obtaining, using a processor, spectral reflectance data from a coated surface having a target coating theron; and determining, using the processor, whether the data includes any outlier data points. The method also includes removing, using the processor, at least one of the outlier data points to produce final spectral reflectance data; and calculating, using the processor, a characteristic of the target coating based at least in part on the final spectral reflectance data. |
| US09606052B2 |
Tuning-fork based near field probe for spectral measurement, near-field microscope using the same, and spectral analysis method using near-field microscope
The present invention is provided to remove scattering from other parts, except for an end part of a nano-probe, in a near-field microscope, and to enable a spectral analysis by delaying the generation of multiple reflections caused through the shaft of the nano-probe. A first characteristic of the present invention is to temporally delay generation of multiple reflections by manufacturing a probe portion to have a predetermined length or more in a tuning-fork based near-field probe. A second characteristic of the present invention is to provide a near-field microscope which includes a tuning-fork based near-field probe having a structure as above, and can measure a time-domain transient reaction of a scattered wave. A third characteristic of the present invention is to provide a method for performing a spectral analysis on a time-domain signal measured by the near-field microscope. |
| US09606050B2 |
Method for compensating amplitude drift in a spectrometer and spectrometer performing said method
Compensating for amplitude drift in a spectrometer may include making successive performances of a standardization process to generate, at each performance, a mathematical transform to compensate for amplitude drift for application by an arithmetic unit to a spectrum obtained by the spectrometer in an interval between the performances. The compensating may include modifying the mathematical transform with a function dependent on spectral data from a zero material measured in association with the standardization process and the single beam zero spectrum measured in an interval between performances. The compensating may include applying the modified mathematical transform to a spectrum from an unknown sample. |
| US09606049B1 |
Gas detector using a golay cell
Gas detector devices, systems, and methods using a Golay cell are described herein. One device includes a microphone having a front surface with an sound collecting aperture for receiving sound, a substrate, a gas cavity formed in the substrate such that the gas cavity is in gas communication with the sound collecting aperture and the front surface forms a side surface of the gas cavity, and a window abutting the substrate to form a side surface of the gas cavity. |
| US09606048B2 |
Method for determining the weight and thickness of a passivation or conversion coating on a substrate
The present invention relates to a method for measuring the weight of a passivation coating composition on a moving substrate with minimal interruption. The method of present invention is especially useful for effective quality control in an industrial setting. |
| US09606044B1 |
Depressurization test method using pressure vessel
Techniques for testing a component for compatibility with a depressurization profile associated with a launch vehicle payload fairing during ascent are disclosed. A pressure of air or other gas within a pressure vessel containing the component is raised to a first value substantially higher than one atmosphere absolute pressure. The air/gas pressure within the pressure vessel is lowered, by venting into the ambient atmosphere, at a rate simulating or demonstrating margin with respect to the launch vehicle payload fairing depressurization profile. The component is inspected for damage. The component may be a panel including a honeycomb core sandwiched between two faceskins, the panel having a planar area in excess of twenty five square feet. |
| US09606039B2 |
Multiphoton scanning flow cytometer for multicellular aggregates
A flow cytometry system suitable for characterizing multicellular aggregates during culture and before implantation combines a low shear flow channel with a multiphoton laser scanning microscope, the latter permitting the characterization of interior and exterior cells in optical isolation from other cells for a representative sampling of fluorescent activity. Imaging capabilities permit sophisticated statistical measurements reflecting individual cell characteristics. |
| US09606036B2 |
Method for determining geomechanical parameters of a rock sample
The present invention relates to a method for determining geomechanical parameters of a rock sample, including a searching step, during which the horizontal and vertical forces provided to a blade advancing at a constant speed and at a constant cutting depth along the sample are measured, in order to destroy a constant volume per unit of length at the surface of the rock sample; a micro-indentation step, during which mechanical features of the rock are determined by micro-indentation; a step of determining the geological parameters of the sample, during which at least one parameter chosen from the uniaxial compressive strength, the angle of friction, internal cohesion, Brinell hardness and Young's modulus of the rock is estimated by means of measurements taken during the scratching and micro-indentation steps. |
| US09606023B2 |
Method for monitoring an SCR system
A method for detecting whether an injector with a valve controlled by a PWM signal of an SCR system is at least partially clogged, the system including a pump, or a positive-displacement pump, driven by a motor and pressure of which is controlled by a controller that continuously measures the pressure and/or another parameter characteristic of energy transmitted by the motor to the pump. According to the method, during normal operation of the SCR system, specific portions of one of the measurements are compared with equivalent portions stored in a memory. |
| US09606017B2 |
Method and device for determining an error in a pressure measurement in a pressure reservoir
A method for determining an error in a pressure, which is measured by means of a pressure sensor in a pressure accumulator for accumulating fuel that can be let out of the pressure accumulator via an injection valve and injected into a cylinder, wherein the method comprises: determining at least two 3-tuples of a first pressure, a period of time, and a second pressure, wherein each first pressure is measured by the pressure sensor; wherein after measuring each first pressure, the valve is opened for a period of time; and wherein after the opening of the valve for the period of time, the second pressure is measured by the pressure sensor; and determining the error of the measured pressure from the at least two 3-tuples. |
| US09606015B2 |
Measurement cell
A measuring cell having a measuring cell body and a measuring diaphragm mounted on the measuring cell body, with the measuring diaphragm in direct contact with a measurement environment, so that when the measuring cell is used, as intended, in at least one measurement section of a top surface of the diaphragm that is covered in an anti-stick coating and faces the measurement environment. |
| US09606013B2 |
Remote fire extinguisher station inspection
An apparatus for remote inspection of fire extinguishers at one or a system of fire extinguisher stations includes, e.g., at each fire extinguisher station: a detector for lack of presence of a fire extinguisher in its installed position at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for out-of-range pressure of contents of the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; a detector for an obstruction to viewing of or access to the fire extinguisher at the fire extinguisher station; and a device for transmission of inspection report information from the fire extinguisher station to a remote central station. |
| US09606007B2 |
Semiconductor device and measurement method
The present invention provides a semiconductor device and a measurement method that enables high precision measurement of temperature or humidity or the like over a wide range. A semiconductor device of the present invention determines which is faster out of a reference oscillation and a thermistor oscillation, and using the faster oscillation as a reference, measures a count value based on the other oscillation. Moreover, the count based on the faster oscillation is employed as a reference value, and a count value based on the other oscillation when the reference value is taken as a measurement value. A frequency ratio is computed based on the reference value and the measurement value, and based on the computed frequency ratio, a table expressing correspondence relationships between frequency ratio and temperature is referred to and a temperature acquired. |
| US09606004B2 |
Infrared ray detecting apparatus and heating cooker having the same
A cooking apparatus includes a body, an inner case disposed inside the body in a cooking compartment where food is being cooked, a detection hole formed at a wall of one side of the inner case, so that an infrared ray generated at the cooking compartment is released to the outside of the cooking compartment, and an infrared ray detecting apparatus including a reflecting mirror, which has a plurality of reflection surfaces and configured to change a path of an incident infrared ray, and an infrared ray sensor configured to receive the infrared ray having the path thereof changed to detect an intensity of the infrared ray, thereby reducing the size of a detection hole configured to pass the infrared ray that is generated inside the cooking compartment, so that the adverse effect caused by the leakage of a microwave is minimized. |
| US09606001B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring ultraviolet light exposure in an environment
Systems and methods for monitoring ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in an environment are disclosed herein. The methods include detecting a UV light intensity within an environment at a plurality of spaced apart node locations and calculating a UV light intensity map based upon the UV light intensity at the plurality of spaced apart node locations. The systems include a distributed UV light exposure monitoring system that includes a plurality of UV detection nodes, a receiver, and a data analysis system. Each of the plurality of UV detection nodes includes a UV sensor configured to detect a UV light intensity at a node location and a transmitter configured to generate a UV intensity signal that is indicative of the UV light intensity. The data analysis system is programmed to calculate a UV light intensity map of the environment. |
| US09605999B2 |
Light sources with highly stable output intensity
A light source includes a semiconductor light emitter having an electrical drive input and operatively configured to emit a light beam; a first weakly polarizing beam splitter positioned to capture the light beam, reflecting one portion, and transmitting another portion with an output intensity P. The light source includes a second polarizing beam splitter positioned to capture the reflected portion of the light beam and split it into first and second detector light beams of orthogonal polarizations. The light source further includes first and second detectors capturing those detector light beams, and is configured to deliver corresponding first and second output signals from corresponding detector outputs. The light source includes an electronic circuit coupled to those electrical outputs and to the electrical drive input of the light emitter. |
| US09605997B2 |
Method for determining a quality characteristic and vibration measurement method
A method for measuring vibrations in which gravity forces and acceleration forces resulting from machine vibrations are measured using an accelerometer/inclinometer sensor coupled to a non-rotating part of a rotating machine, the orientation of the sensor with regard to the direction of action of the gravity forces is determined from a stationary component of sensor output, and non-stationary components of sensor output are evaluated based upon the determined sensor orientation. Both the result of the alignment process and also the result of the vibration measurement are communicated to the user as an easily understandable characteristic on a display of an evaluation unit. |
| US09605996B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring a rotating machine part
An apparatus for monitoring a machine element (02), which moves with respect to a base and rotates about its own axis, having a sensor (06) and evaluation electronics (09). According to the invention, the sensor (06) and the evaluation electronics (09) and also a power supply unit and a transmitter unit (12) are arranged on the moving machine element (02). |
| US09605994B2 |
Payload monitoring comparison
Real time monitoring and comparison of bucket payload and truck payload during a loading process allows calculation of material lost in transfer between the loader and the truck. The lost or spilled material represents increased costs due to additional trips of the loader to fully load trucks and also in non-value added worksite cleanup time. The payload monitoring system can not only evaluate the mass of material lost over a period of time but can also calculate the value of that lost material using real time commodity pricing. The period of time can range from a single bucket dump to a workshift or longer. Payload masses and/or calculated values may be communicated directly between vehicles or may be communicated in conjunction with a central station. |
| US09605983B2 |
Sensor device and sensor arrangement
A sensor arrangement according to an embodiment includes a board with a plurality of conductive lines of a first type, and a plurality of conductive lines of a second type different from the conductive lines of the first type, and a recess. The sensor arrangement further includes a plurality of sensor devices mechanically accommodated on a main surface of the board and arranged around the recess, each sensor device being electrically coupled to the conductive lines of the first type and at least to one of the conductive lines of the second type, wherein each conductive line of the second type electrically couples a sensor device with at least one other item different from the sensor devices of the plurality of sensor devices. A projection of the conductive lines of the first and second types perpendicular to the main surface is crossing-free. Each conductive line of the first type electrically couples at least all of the plurality of sensor devices. |
| US09605982B2 |
Rotary encoder having periodic and non-periodic tracks
In a rotary encoder of the present invention, each track of a rotary disk has transmitting parts and non-transmitting parts alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. Each non-transmitting part has a plurality of projecting parts which are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. Each projecting part has a pair of reflecting surfaces which retro reflect incident light toward a light emitting part. A plurality of tracks include a periodic track where transmitting parts and non-transmitting parts are arranged with a periodic pattern and non-periodic tracks where transmitting parts and non-transmitting parts are arranged in a non-periodic pattern. The periodic track and non-periodic track are respectively arranged at positions in the radial direction where further reflected light at the light emitting part after retro reflection at the reflecting surfaces of the non-periodic track will not enter the periodic track. |
| US09605981B1 |
Absolute encoder
Provided is an absolute encoder capable of detecting the absolute angle at high resolution and with high precision. An image sensor receives light in an absolute value code pattern of a scale, an edge detecting unit detects from the received light signal an edge pixel position and an edge direction, and an edge position correcting unit corrects the edge pixel position based on the edge direction. A phase detecting unit detects from the corrected edge pixel position the phase shift amount of a shift from a reference pixel position of the image sensor, and a high precision detection unit uses a rough absolute position detected by a rough detection unit and the phase shift amount detected by the phase detecting unit to detect the absolute position with high precision. |
| US09605979B2 |
Magnetic field sensor with magnetoresistance elements and conductive trace magnetic source
In an embodiment, a magnetic field sensor comprises a substrate and a first magnetoresistive element supported by the substrate. The magnetic field sensor also includes a second magnetoresistive element supported by the substrate and coupled in series with the first magnetoresistive element to form a voltage node between the first and second magnetoresistive elements, and at which an output voltage is provided that changes in response to an external magnetic field. The magnetic field sensor also includes a magnetic source that produces a local magnetic field having a strength sufficient to bias the first magnetoresistive element to a resistive value that is substantially resistant to changing in response to the external magnetic field. In embodiments, additional magnetoresistive elements are included to form an H-bridge circuit. |
| US09605974B2 |
Rotation angle detecting device
In a rotation angle detecting device, a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor are disposed at an interval of an electrical angle of 120 degrees around a rotation center axis of a rotor. An output signal of the first magnetic sensor is expressed by V1=sin θ, and an output signal of the second magnetic sensor is expressed by V2=sin(θ+120). A determination device determines whether both the magnetic sensors are normal, or there is a failure in at least one of the magnetic sensors, based on whether an expression of L≦V12+V22+V1·V2−0.75≦U is satisfied, where L is a lower limit and U is an upper limit. |
| US09605970B1 |
Methods and systems for driver assistance
Embodiments are disclosed for driver assistance. An example driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a sensor module communicatively coupled to one or more sensors, a user interface to receive input from a user, a processor, and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a route for the vehicle to travel. The instructions are further executable to select route segments of the route if the route segment quality of the route segments are greater than a threshold, one or more of the threshold and the route segment quality being based on inputs indicating an observed condition of the route segment, the inputs being received form one or more of the user and a remote user outside of the vehicle. |
| US09605965B2 |
Micromachined piezoelectric x-axis gyroscope
A method of fabricating a gyroscope may involve depositing conductive material on a substrate, forming an anchor on the substrate, forming a drive frame on the anchor and forming pairs of drive beams on opposing sides of the anchor. The drive beams may be configured to constrain the drive frame to rotate substantially in the plane of the drive beams. The method may involve forming a proof mass around the drive frame and forming a plurality of sense beams that connect the drive frame to the proof mass. The sense beams may be tapered sense beams having a width that decreases with increasing distance from the anchor. The tapered sense beams may be configured to allow sense motions of the proof mass in a sense plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the drive beams in response to an applied angular rotation. Some components may be formed from plated metal. |
| US09605964B2 |
Gyro quadrature stabalization with demodulation phase error nulling
A gyroscope system may include a disc resonator gyroscope including a plurality of electrodes embedded in the disc resonator gyroscope. The electrodes may be configured for at least applying a drive voltage and a tuning voltage to the disc resonator gyroscope and for sensing operating parameters of the disc resonator gyroscope. The gyroscope system may also include a quadrature stabilization circuit configured to measure a quadrature error and generate a quadrature regulating voltage based on the quadrature error. The tuning voltage may be adjusted by the quadrature regulating voltage to cancel an effect of voltage flicker before being applied to a tuning electrode of the disc resonator gyroscope. |
| US09605961B2 |
Information processing apparatus that performs three-dimensional shape measurement, information processing method, and storage medium
Information processing apparatus that performs three-dimensional shape measurement with high accuracy at high speed while taking into account lens distortion of a projection device. An image input unit of an information processing apparatus inputs image data of a measurement object photographed by a camera in a state where a predetermined pattern light is projected by a projector. An association unit calculates associations between coordinates on the image data of the measurement object and coordinates on image data of the predetermined pattern light. A three-dimensional coordinate calculation unit calculates a viewing vector of the camera from which lens distortion thereof has been eliminated and a viewing vector of the projector to which lens distortion thereof has been added. The calculation unit calculates coordinates of a point, in a three-dimensional space, of intersection between the camera viewing vector and the projector viewing vector, for each association. |
| US09605957B2 |
Surveying instrument and method to install surveying instrument
The invention provides a surveying instrument, which comprises a surveying instrument main unit having a machine reference point already known, a telescope unit installed on the surveying instrument main unit and for sighting a measuring point, a leveling unit for leveling the surveying instrument main unit, a laser pointer projecting unit for projecting a laser pointer beam in a downward direction along a vertical axis of the surveying instrument main unit and for performing distance measurement, a rotation driving unit for rotating the telescope unit in a direction as desired, a horizontal angle detecting unit for detecting a horizontal angle of the surveying instrument, main unit, a vertical angle detecting unit for detecting a vertical angle of the telescope unit, a tilt angle detecting unit for detecting a tilt angle of the surveying instrument main unit, and a control device, wherein the control device calculates relative space coordinates of the machine reference point of the surveying instrument main unit with respect to a projecting point of the laser pointer beam based on a distance measurement value obtained by the laser pointer projecting unit and on a tilt angle at the time of distance measurement. |
| US09605948B2 |
Minimization of Abbe error caused by tip or tilt between an encoder head and a wafer stage for arbitrary location of a center of rotation
Methodology of measuring a position of a wafer with an encoder directing measurement beam(s) of light towards a wafer area that is being contemporaneously patterned in an exposure apparatus. The Abbe error of such measurement is minimized or even negated by combining the data from first and second measurement signals, one of which is defined as complementary, Abbe-error correcting measurement signal for which the induced Abbe error is either opposite to or at least different from the Abbe error corresponding to another, main measurement signal. The combination of the main and Abbe-error correcting signals is performed with a heterodyne interferometer employing a two-dimensional diffraction grating diffracting each of the measurement beams twice. |
| US09605944B2 |
Distance measuring device and distance measuring method
Disclosed is a distance measuring device including an imaging lens configured to condense incident light from an object, a lens array configured in such a manner that light having passed through the imaging lens is incident thereon, an imaging element array configured to receive light having passed through the lens array to output image information, and a distance calculating part configured to calculate a distance to the object based on the image information, wherein the lens array includes plural lenses with different numeric apertures. |
| US09605938B2 |
System and method for determining deformed pipe geometry
A method and associated system for determining geometry of a deformed pipe or conduit or wellbore, the method comprising: collecting, determining and/or receiving measurement data indicative of a plurality of radii of the pipe or conduit using equipment centred in the pipe at two or more points a known distance from the measurement point but not at the measurement point itself; selecting a deformation type and/or deformation model; processing the measurement data to determine one or more geometrical properties of the pipe or conduit, the geometrical properties being indicative of, or associated with, one or more deformations, shapes or profiles of at least part of the pipe or conduit; and guiding and/or constraining at least a part of the processing of the measurement data using the selected deformation type or model and/or fitting the selected deformation model to the measurement data. |
| US09605933B2 |
Expandable broadhead
An expandable broadhead includes a number of fixed blades cumulating in a point, with each of the fixed blades having a channel for receiving a cammable deployable expansion blade, with the expansion blade having a slot which cooperates with a fixed retaining pin transverse to the channel that cams the deployable blade outwardly when a forward impact shoulder of the deployable blade strikes a target. This moves the blade relative to the fixed retaining pin and thus cams the deployable blade out to an expanded position for maximum blade cutting edge contact to effectuate maximum damage to the target and a quick kill. |
| US09605931B2 |
Device for throwing targets for shooting sports, with instant projection of the target
The present invention relates to a device for throwing targets for shooting sports, with instant projection of the target. The device is characterized in that it comprises means for blocking the movement of the arm in abutment, enabling the arm, to go beyond the “zero point”, by the action of the driving means, while keeping the throwing means in tension, with these blocking means being carried by the driving means and engaging with complementary blocking means carried by the arm, and wherein the throwing arm comprises a rotating shaft, with said shaft carrying a pinion driven by a second drive pinion connected to the output pin of the driving means comprising a geared motor, with the means for blocking in abutment having a stop carried on the periphery of a crank pin rotating about the output pin of the geared motor. Applications in the field of shooting sports, both rifle shooting or revolver shooting and in archery. |
| US09605925B1 |
Bump fire grip
A pistol grip that assists in bump firing a pistol is disclosed. The bump fire grip may comprise a partially hollow exterior shaft that can contain an interior shaft. The interior shaft can be sized to slide from the front to the back of the exterior shaft, and vice versa. The interior shaft can slide on one or more pins, wherein the pins are lockedly engaged in the exterior shaft, pass through the interior shaft, but are not attached to the interior shaft. The bump fire grip can also employ a male/female grove design such that male groves on the exterior shaft can receive female groves on the interior shaft. The interior shaft can slide on the male/female groves. The bump fire grip can also include a locking mechanism, which, when engaged, can prevent the interior shaft from sliding within the exterior shaft, prohibiting bump firing. |
| US09605924B1 |
Compressed gas gun with improved operating mechanism
A compressed gas gun with a cocking mechanism that provides a mechanical advantage in compressing a mainspring, while providing a two stage loading and cocking action that accesses and seals a breech through utilization of an intermediate cocking member. |
| US09605923B2 |
Archery bow limb bedding
A bow limb retaining assembly including a retainer comprising at least one limb pocket, at least one bow limb configured and arranged to engage the at least one limb pocket and at least one adhesive composition disposed between at least a portion of the at least one limb pocket and the at least one bow limb. |
| US09605917B2 |
Firearm having a dual cam, cock on close bolt action
A bolt action firearm that cocks the firing pin upon closing the bolt and includes a cam pin with dual heads for a high velocity rimfire cartridge. In one embodiment, actuating the main spring while closing the bolt, instead of while opening the bolt, more uniformly distributes the physical energy required by the user over the bolt actuation cycle. The dual heads of the cam pin provide symmetric reactive forces with dual cam slots, thereby preventing the cam pin from skewing or canting within the cam slots. A safety system is provided for the trigger mechanism and a robust connecting systems for the stock. |
| US09605915B2 |
Semi-automated heat exchanger tube cleaning assembly and method
A heat exchanger tube cleaning assembly and method is provided. The assembly can allow for semi-automated tube cleaning of a heat exchanger or other piping or equipment used in an industrial facility such as, for example, a petrochemical plant or oil refinery. |
| US09605914B2 |
Battery system and method of assembling the battery system
A battery system is provided. The battery system includes a cooling plate having a housing, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The housing defines an interior region. Both the inlet port and the outlet port fluidly communicate with the interior region. The battery system further includes a solid thermoplastic cooling fin having first and second panel portions. The first panel portion is disposed directly on and against the cooling plate. The battery system further includes a first battery cell disposed directly on and against a first side of the second panel portion of the solid thermoplastic cooling fin. The solid thermoplastic cooling fin is configured to conduct heat energy from the first battery cell to the cooling plate. |
| US09605913B2 |
Turbulence-inducing devices for tubular heat exchangers
A heat exchanger tube for conveying a heat transfer fluid, into which one or more turbulence-inducing elements are fixedly positioned on a supporting member extending in spaced relation along the central axis of the tube. The turbulence-inducing elements have a first portion facing upstream and a second portion facing downstream. The entire exterior surface of the first portion forms a continuous solid surface that blocks and deflects the path of the flowing fluid. |
| US09605907B2 |
Phase change cooler and electronic equipment provided with same
A phase change cooler of the present invention includes: a plurality of heat receiving units that cause a refrigerant to change phase from liquid to gas by heat received from a heat generating body; one heat radiating unit that causes the refrigerant to change phase from gas to liquid by radiating heat to surrounding area; a plurality of vapor tubes that respectively transport the refrigerant in a vapor state from each of the heat receiving units to the heat radiating unit; a liquid tube that respectively circulates the refrigerant in a liquid state from the heat radiating unit to each of the heat receiving units; and a bypass tube that connects each of the heat receiving units to each other. |
| US09605906B2 |
Automotive heat recovery system
A heat recovery system captures, stores, and releases waste heat from an exhaust. The system includes a first exchanger that removes waste heat from the exhaust and transfers it to a heat transfer fluid. A second heat exchanger transfers at least a portion of the waste heat from the heat transfer fluid to a storage device. The storage device continuously stores the waste heat until a predetermined temperature is obtained. A pump draws flow of the heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger. A valve directs flow of the heat transfer fluid into the storage device during a charge mode and out of the storage device during a discharge mode. |
| US09605905B2 |
Air-to-air counter-flow heat exchanger
The heat exchanger includes a plastic multi-tube panel core and a solid plastic housing, with opposed-flow heat exchange and inlet-outlet extensions from only one side of the core. The multi-tube panels are spaced from one another by spacers positioned along the length of the panels. The spacers guide intake air in one direction along a sinuous path in the spaces between the panels, while exhaust air flows in the opposite direction through the tubes in the panels. |
| US09605900B2 |
Adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system
Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web. |
| US09605889B2 |
Defrost control using fan data
In various implementations, frost in a vapor compression system may be controlled. A property of a fan may be determined. A determination may be made whether a frost event and/or a nonfrost event has occurred based at least partially on the determined fan property. |
| US09605886B2 |
Axial thrust control for rotary compressors
Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to limit or prevent movement of rotors due to axial thrust loading resulting from rapid changes in speed of the rotors of the compressor. The operational profile of the motor is controlled to maintain acceleration torque and deceleration torque within predefined limits. The acceleration torque and deceleration torque are maintained within the predefined limits by controlling the speed of the motor, or by controlling the torque applied by the motor to the rotors during acceleration or deceleration. |
| US09605884B2 |
Multiple evaporator control using PWM valve/compressor
A refrigeration system including a condenser; a (single) linear compressor that is activated and deactivated by a pulse width modulation switching device; a pulse width modulation refrigerant flow switch; at least two evaporators operably connected in parallel with one another with at least one evaporator associated with the refrigerator compartment that operates at a first refrigerant fluid pressure and with at least one other evaporator associated with the freezer compartment that operates at a second refrigerant fluid pressure; and a plurality of refrigerant fluid conduits operably connecting the condenser, the linear compressor and the evaporators into a refrigerant fluid flow circuit and such that the evaporators are capable of running simultaneously at different pressure levels and refrigerant flows from the evaporators, to the pulse width modulation refrigerant flow switch and through the pulse width modulation refrigerant flow switch. |
| US09605880B2 |
Heated solar panel system
A solar collection device is provided having a solar panel, a frame, a back panel, and a heat source. The frame is affixed to a rear surface of the solar panel. The back panel is affixed to a rear surface of the frame providing at least one air chamber between the solar panel, the frame, and the back panel. The heat source communicates with the chamber operative to heat the solar panel to melt ice from the solar panel. A method for heating a solar panel is also provided. |
| US09605873B2 |
Heater with energy-saving operations and method related thereto
A heater includes a heating unit that supports at least a high-power state, a low-power state and a stand-by state. A control circuitry of the heater implements a state machine to control the heating unit, with respective states in the state machine corresponding to power states in the heating unit. The transition from a first state to a second state in the state machine is determined by a comparison between a measured ambient temperature with a predetermined threshold temperature for transitioning from the first state to the second state. |
| US09605869B2 |
Radon exhaust system with internial gaseous fluid fan within diagnostic bypass filter fan apparatus
A radon exhaust system comprising a cylindrical shaped vent housing, diagnostic filter fan housing, inline fan with redirecting vanes, ice filter, observation windows, access opening and closure cap, air flow indicators, water gutter, drain spout and an enlarged elliptical bulge area for additional air passage through the fan housing. The inline fan, located within the elliptical bulge, pumps radon laced air into redirecting vanes, which directs same air through exhaust side and out through expanded exhaust openings of the vent housing. Additionally, redirecting vanes protect the fan from falling ice which may be formed on the ice filter located above the fan. Water is prevented from entering the fan by a water gutter and drain. Observation windows allow visual interior monitoring without entering the fan housing. An access opening with closure cap allows interior maintenance, testing and off venting. These embodiments combine to protect radon systems from damage. |
| US09605868B2 |
Fan array backflow preventer
A backflow preventer for use in a multiple fan array system that draws air from an inlet area and expels it into a discharge area includes a main body defining an open front end and an open rear end and is adapted for attachment to a fan of the fan array system adjacent an inlet of the fan. Doors are attached to the main body and configured for movement between an open position in which air is permitted to enter through the open front end and a closed position in which the doors block the open front end and air is prevented from entering through the open front end. The doors are movable between the open position and the closed position by a pressure differential between the inlet area and the discharge area. The doors in the open position form a tapered intake passageway that funnels air into the fan. |
| US09605863B2 |
System for the regulation of the internal temperature of a structure
A system for regulating the internal temperature of a structure such as a domicile or office is described. The system is configured to employ a series of inter-wall channels, designed to direct air originating from at least one HVAC unit and at least one heat exchanger in order to equalize the temperature within the walls, ceiling, and the flooring of a conventional structure. In this manner, the system employs air as an effective insulator, supplementing the existing fiberglass insulation of a structure with a dynamic, temperature sensitive means of insulation, helping to keep heating and cooling costs down, and limiting strain on the HVAC units of the structure. |
| US09605862B2 |
Aggregated channel switching unit and method of manufacturing same
An aggregated channel switching unit is disposed between a heat source unit and a plurality of utilization units to switch flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. The aggregated channel switching unit including a plurality of first refrigerant pipes having switch valves, a plurality of second refrigerant pipes, and a casing accommodating the first and second pipes. The first and second pipes are aggregated as an assembly. The first pipes are connected to a high-low pressure gas communicating pipe and a suction gas communicating pipe extending from the heat source unit. The second refrigerant pipes are connected to a liquid communicating pipe extending from the heat source unit and a liquid pipe extending to the utilization units. Adjacent pairs of the first and second pipes extend approximately in parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in the assembly. The first and second pipes are alternately disposed in the assembly. |
| US09605860B2 |
Energy saving-exhaust control and auto shut off system
An energy-efficient ventilation system comprises a ventilation fan, ductwork, system controller, and a plurality of ventilation points, each comprising a damper, a differential pressure sensor, a ventilation point controller, and a fume detector. When a ventilation point does not require ventilation, a signal is sent to the system controller to reduce the ventilation fan speed thereby using only as much energy as is needed to provide service to the ventilation points that need ventilation. The fume detector, damper, and differential pressure sensor for each ventilation point are used to determine whether ventilation is needed at a ventilation point and to control the ventilation point accordingly. |
| US09605855B2 |
Air conditioning system using outside air
An air conditioning system utilizing outdoor air for cooling an indoor space wherein a rack is disposed, includes at least one rack disposed in the indoor space, the rack having the heating element, an air inlet face and an air discharge face; and at least one air conditioning device using outdoor air for cooling and unitized in accordance with the at least one rack, the air conditioning device having an air supply face and a cold air supply unit for generating cold air and being disposed in vicinity of the rack such that the air supply face faces the air inlet face to form a rack row and an air conditioning device row substantially parallel to the rack row, the rack row being formed of the at least one rack and the air conditioning device row being formed of the at least one air conditioning device. |
| US09605853B2 |
Home appliance with improved oven rack
A home appliance having an oven rack including an appliance body having a plurality of oven walls defining an oven cavity; an oven rack for removable disposition in the oven cavity, wherein the oven rack includes two flat side panels and a plurality of straight cross members extending laterally therebetween to define a cooking vessel support surface; and a pair of traveling gliders wherein each glider includes a channel configured for receipt of one of the side panels wherein the oven rack can travel in and out of the oven cavity supported at the side panels by the traveling gliders. |
| US09605851B2 |
Variable air intake control for rapid fire starting in solid fuel burning appliances
A variable air intake control for rapid fire starting in solid fuel burning appliances has an air intake chamber member adapted to be positioned on the top side of the solid fuel burning appliance and adapted to allow air to pass therethrough.The air intake chamber member has an air intake opening located adjacent to one end of a top side thereof and an air outflow opening adjacent an opposite end to the one end and located on a bottom side thereof.A pipe member attached to the air outflow opening at a first end and adapted to channel the air to pass therethrough and exit at a second end thereof underneath the solid fuel burning appliance to be used for rapid fire starting. A gate member pivotally attached at one end to the top side of the air intake chamber member and adapted to uncover the air intake opening in an initial position and progressively pivot and cover the air intake.An elongated connector member connected to the gate member at a distal end portion opposite from the pivotally attached one end and adapted to pivot the gate member in conjunction with a primary air supply of the solid fuel burning appliance, to thereby increase the air flow to the solid fuel burning appliance when starting a fire and thereby increase the rate at which the fire is started and burns. As the temperature sizes the the air will be reduced gradually by the primary air control U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,541. |
| US09605845B2 |
LED light with manually operated sound device
An LED light has a built-in, added-on, or snapped-on sound device such as a whistle to allow people to generate a loud sound that can be heard by other people during conditions such as an earthquake, flood, typhoon, hurricane, tornado, fire, bombing, tsunami, terrorist attack, and so forth. The LED light normally serves as non-portable light device which can be installed in a certain location, but which can be removed in the event of an emergency to serve as a power fail or emergency light. The LED light, without the sound device, may also be applied to an electrical outlet wall plate cover. |
| US09605843B2 |
LED system and housing for use with halogen light
An LED optical light engine spotlight which can accommodate a variable number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is disclosed. An optical projection lens mounted in front of the LEDs merges the separate LED beams into a single beam, similar to the single beam provided by a halogen light and reflector. A heat sink provides convection cooling up to approximately 100° F. An optional fan provides additional heat dissipation for more extreme conditions. The depicted device can include a vertical tilt of over 200°. Optimally, the depicted device is designed to have a full vertical tilt range between zenith (0 degrees) to horizontal (90 degrees) to full depression (135 degrees). An optional accessory lens provides additional capabilities, including flood lenses, colored lenses and rock guards, for example. The depicted device can be hard wired or wireless. The depicted device can be adapted to many base units and/or pan and tilt platforms. |
| US09605842B1 |
LED module with mounting pads
A light module includes a heat sink and one or more light sources coupled within a heat sink cavity formed therein. The heat sink includes an internal surface surrounding the cavity. The internal surface includes a mounting region, a reflector region extending from the perimeter of the mounting region to a distal end, and a decorative region extending from the distal end to a second distal end. The light module includes multiple mounting pads coupled circumferentially around a portion of the heat sink. The mounting pads are configured to facilitate the heat sink being coupled within different housing diameter sizes. The light module includes a trim ring integrally formed with the heat sink and extending radially outward from one end of the heat sink. |
| US09605841B2 |
Internal reflective light fixture
The present invention is an internal reflective light fixture, comprising a luminescence unit, a reflection member and a cup body. The luminescence unit comprises a light-holding part for emitting a light ray. The reflection member comprises a securing part and a reflection part, wherein the reflection part is formed at one side of the securing part and forms a reflective curved surface with a first reflective layer. The cup body contains the luminescence unit and the reflection member. The cup body comprises a second reflective layer formed on the interior wall of the cup body, a first containing space and a securing trough. The securing trough is provided to fix the securing part so that the reflection part is exposed at the first containing space. The light ray is reflected to the second reflective layer by the first reflective layer and then emitted from the cup body. |
| US09605836B2 |
Portable light having a housing including a lock
A portable light may comprise: a light housing having housing parts for enclosing a source of electrical power and supporting an electrical light source, a slide latch slidable on the light housing parts between latched and unlatched positions; a projection proximate the slide latch when the housing parts are adjacent; wherein when the slide latch is moved to the latched position, separation of the housing parts is prevented, and wherein when the slide latch is moved to the unlatched position, the housing parts can be separated. A tool may be needed to open the housing. |
| US09605835B2 |
Solid-state luminaires for general illumination
A lighting panel includes a tile having a first side parallel to a principal plane of the lighting panel, a plurality of solid state lighting devices arranged on the first side of the tile and configured to emit light, a reflector sheet on the first side of the tile, and a brightness enhancement film on the reflector sheet. The reflector sheet may be arranged between the tile and the brightness enhancement film and the brightness enhancement film may be configured to increase the on-axis intensity of emitted light. A luminaire adapted for general illumination includes a lighting panel as described above, a current supply circuit configured to supply an on-state drive current to a string of lighting devices in response to a control signal, a photosensor arranged to receive light from one of the solid state lighting devices, and a control system configured to receive an output signal from the photosensor and to adjust the control signal responsive to the output signal of the photosensor. |
| US09605823B2 |
Lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus is for use with a projection-receiving surface. The lighting apparatus includes a light-filtering assembly configured to block transmission of a first amount of light emitted by a light source towards the projection-receiving surface. This is done in such a way that blocked transmission of the first amount of light forms a projected shadow region on the projection-receiving surface. The light-filtering assembly is also configured to permit transmission of a second amount of light emitted by the light source towards the projection-receiving surface. This is done in such a way that transmission of the second amount of light forms a projected glow region on the projection-receiving surface. A filter-moving assembly is configured to move the light-filtering assembly. This is done in such a way that the projected shadow region and the projected glow region move and combine to form a variable curved wave pattern. |
| US09605815B2 |
White light source and white light source system including the same
The present invention provides a white light source comprising a light emitting diode having a light emission peak wavelength of 350 to 490 nm and a phosphor that emits visible light upon excitation by a light emitted from the light emitting diode; wherein, with respect to an arbitrary local maximum value of light-emission intensity between 350 and 780 nm of a light emission spectrum of the white light source, a ratio of a local minimum value of light-emission intensity that is closest on a long wavelength side to the local maximum value is such that, when the local maximum value is taken as 1, the local minimum value is 0.5 or more. It is preferable that, with respect to an arbitrary local maximum value of light-emission intensity between 350 and 780 nm of a light emission spectrum of the white light source, a ratio of a local minimum value of light-emission intensity that is closest on a long wavelength side to the local maximum value is such that, when the local maximum value is taken as 1, the local minimum value is 0.7 or more. According to the above structure, there can be provided a white light source capable of preventing a specified wavelength region from protruding in the light emission spectrum, and capable of visually perceiving the color tone of the irradiation object as the same state where the object is irradiated with sunlight. |
| US09605809B1 |
Lighting module with PAR lamp style heat sink
A lighting module includes a heat sink and a locking cap coupled to the heat sink at one end of the heat sink. The locking cap has retention tabs designed to retain the lighting module attached to a retention bracket. The lighting module also includes a light emitting diode (LED) light source positioned in a cavity of the heat sink and an optic positioned in the cavity of the heat sink and designed to direct light emitted by the LED light source. |
| US09605808B2 |
Lighting device having groups of solid state light emitters, and lighting arrangement
A lighting device comprising first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters, the first group emitting light having a dominant wavelength of 430 to 490 nm, the second group at 525 to 575 (in some devices 540 to 575 nm), the third group at 610 to 640 nm. In some devices, wavelength of light from emitters in first and second groups, and light from second and third groups, differs by at least 70 nm. Some devices emit light having CRI Ra of at least 70 when first, second and third groups of emitters are illuminated. Also, a lighting arrangement comprising first, second and third groups as above, in addition to a fourth emitter emitting light of dominant wavelength outside the ranges for the first, second and third groups, and not more than 10 nm different from a dominant wavelength of a color on an item to be illuminated. |
| US09605794B2 |
Support arm connection
Support arm connection for a component includes a support arm holder disposed on the component and a support arm having an end and being insertable into the support arm holder. A housing ring is disposed on the support arm. A support arm ring is disposed on the support arm. The housing ring is axially located further away from the end of the support arm than the support arm ring. A radially inwardly protruding shoulder of the support arm holder includes a stop surface. When the support arm is inserted into and mounted to the support arm holder, the stop surface limits axial movement of the support arm ring, the housing ring is fixedly secured to the support arm holder and the support arm ring is fixedly secured to the support arm. |
| US09605792B2 |
Adjustable display monitor stand
A display monitor stand device and method of operating a monitor support are disclosed. A display monitor stand may include a first support, a second support rotatably attached to the first support, and a monitor affixing part to attach to a rear face of a display monitor. The monitor affixing part may be slidably attached to the first support. The first support may include a guide track to guide the monitor affixing part in a sliding motion along one or multiple directions in which the monitor affixing part extends. The display monitor stand may include a base support rotatably attached to the first support. |
| US09605788B1 |
Method and apparatus for removing, repairing, refurbishing, replacing, and/or installing valve between two fixed spool pieces
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for removing and/or installing valves located between two fixed pipe spool pieces. The valves can be located between first and second immovable pipe spool pieces having a fixed distance between the first and second immovable pipe spool pieces, and in the process of removal a gap is created between the first and second immovable pipe spool pieces. The immovable pipe spool pieces can have longitudinal axes which are parallel, and the gap created along a longitudinal line which is parallel to the two longitudinal axes of the pipe spool pieces. The longitudinal axes of the first and second pipe spool pieces can be coincident with each other. |
| US09605777B2 |
Liner for concrete article
The liner includes a rib formation with a transverse section configured to mechanically lock the liner to a concrete shell and a joint to allow the rib formation to flex. The joint for the rib formation can comprise a first side spaced apart from a second side with each joined to the transverse section to allow each side to flex with respect to each other. The space between the first side and the second side can be filled with a weld material to add rigidity to the rib formation while allowing it to flex. Each of the first side and the second side can be combined at the other end to a shell. The combined rib formation and shell are spirally wound to create the liner. |
| US09605776B2 |
Stopper for sealing the housing of an exhaust gas sensor, exhaust gas sensor, and manufacturing method for an exhaust gas sensor
A stopper for sealing a housing of an exhaust gas sensor has: a base body which contains polytetrafluoroethylene; at least one through channel for leading through a connecting cable; and a seal situated, at least in places, between the base body of the stopper and the through channel, the seal containing at least one perfluoroalkoxy polymer or one tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroproylene or one polychlorotrifluoroethylene or one polyvinylidene fluoride. |
| US09605772B2 |
Quick disconnect system
A technique for simultaneously releasing a plurality of control lines, and in particular to facilitate an oilfield operation with respect to a subsea wellbore. A hose reel or a plurality of hose reels may be mounted on a skid which, in turn, may be positioned on a vessel that works in cooperation with an offshore platform. Each hose reel is designed to engage a hose bundle via a release mechanism which releasably couples a plurality of control lines carried by the hose bundle. The release mechanism includes a primary release and a secondary release to selectively enable disconnection of the control lines and release of the hose bundle from the skid. |
| US09605769B2 |
Solenoid valve with a metallic tube bobbin
A solenoid valve (200) is provided. The solenoid valve (200) comprises a fixed core (206) and a movable armature (420). The solenoid valve (200) further comprises a metallic tube bobbin (308) surrounding at least a portion of the fixed core (206) and/or the movable armature (420). A wire coil (203) is wrapped around the metallic tube bobbin (308). |
| US09605760B2 |
Pinion seal for traction motor gear case
A gear case seal is provided for use with a traction motor. The seal may have an arcuate body with an outer annular layer forming a centrally located channel extending along its length, and an inner annular layer bonded to the outer annular layer along opposing axial edges so as to close off the centrally located channel. The body may also have a middle layer disposed within the centrally located channel and made from a material different than a material of the inner and outer layers. |
| US09605759B2 |
Metal seal for ultra high vacuum system
A metal gasket has a cross-sectional shape that is a six sided shape that resembles an irregular quadrangle that is substantially isosceles trapezoidal in shape with two sharp angles between the longest side and the second- and third-longest sides, respectively. The longest side of the cross section is the inner wall of the metal gasket. |
| US09605755B2 |
Method of controlling a synchronizer actuator fork of a transmission
A method and system for controlling movement of an actuator fork of a transmission through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event at a pre-synchronization fork velocity includes adjusting the level of fluid pressure applied to an actuator operatively attached to the actuator fork to control the pre-synchronization fork velocity within a predetermined range of a velocity target. The method determines, via a controller, the fork velocity during the pre-synchronization phase of a current synchronization event, compares the determined fork velocity to a velocity target, and adjusts the pressure level of fluid applied to an actuator piston of the actuator to control the velocity of the actuator fork within a predetermined range defined by the velocity target during a subsequent pre-synchronization phase. The velocity target may be defined for a shift type, such as a fast or slow shift, where the shift type is determined by the controller. |
| US09605754B2 |
Automatic transmission and a dog clutch for an automatic transmission
A dog clutch for an automatic transmission includes a shape-memory alloy shifter. The shape-memory alloy shifter is configured for moving a sliding clutch along an axial direction between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. A plurality of splines of a mating clutch meshes with a plurality of splines of the sliding clutch in the engaged configuration. A related automatic transmission is also provided. |
| US09605749B2 |
Planetary gear reducer
A planetary gear reducer has a planetary carrier supported by an input-side main bearing and an output-side main bearing. An angular contact ball bearing or a deep groove ball bearing which requires less installation space and is inexpensive is used for the input-side main bearing. A tapered roller bearing having a large capacity is used for the output-side main bearing. A compact, flat and inexpensive planetary gear reducer can be realized in comparison with a case in which the both main bearings are tapered roller bearings. |
| US09605745B1 |
Removable protective cover for motorcyle and all-terrain vehicle engines
A removable protective cover for engines and/or transmissions includes a central portion and a flexible peripheral flange that extends transversely from the central portion. The peripheral flange includes an engagement surface formed by a groove or other suitable feature on an inner side of the peripheral flange. A plurality of teardrop shaped washers or retainers have protruding portions that engage the groove to removably retain the cover on the engine. At least a portion of the peripheral flange comprises an elastomeric material such that the removable cover can be installed and removed by flexing the peripheral flange to cause the teardrop shaped washers to engage and disengage the groove. |
| US09605744B2 |
Dampening assembly and related method of making same
An assembly comprising: a powder metal outer part (22) having a radially inward facing cylindrical surface (54) with a plurality of facets (52) formed thereon that, in an alternating fashion, extend in an axial direction from an axial side of the powder metal outer part toward an opposite axial side of the powder metal outer part to a position between the opposing axial sides of the powder metal outer part; a powder metal inner part (20) having a radially outward facing cylindrical surface with a plurality of facets formed thereon that, in an alternating fashion, extend in an axial direction from an axial side of the powder metal inner part toward an opposite axial side of the powder metal inner part to a position between the opposing axial sides of the powder metal inner part; and an intermediate component (26) disposed between the cylindrical surfaces of the powder metal outer part and the powder metal inner part that connects the powder metal outer part and the powder metal inner part together. |
| US09605740B2 |
Control of an electronic locking differential
A method for controlling a locking differential of a motor vehicle includes locking the differential, if vehicle speed is less than a reference speed, and a wheel speed differential due to wheel slip is greater than a reference speed; and unlocking the differential and preventing its engagement, if vehicle speed is greater than the reference speed, and said wheel speed differential is less than a reference speed. |
| US09605739B2 |
Power transmission system
A power transmission system comprises a transmission device, and a power supply device which powers the transmission device, wherein the transmission device comprises a cavity having a body, covers, an inlet and an outlet; at least a pair of rotors and a gear set that are assembled in the cavity; and a transmission shaft pivotally connected with the pair of rotors and the gear set; the power supply device comprises a power equipment available for transmitting a working fluid; shaft adapters connected with the inlet and the outlet of the cavity; and a connecting pipe connected between the power equipment and the shaft adapter; the working fluid is transmitted by the connecting pipe from the power equipment to the inlet of the cavity to provide the pair of rotors with normal force for radial motion in a reverse rotation direction and make pressure in the cavity increased. |
| US09605737B2 |
Impeller shell with grooves for increased flow area
An impeller for a motor vehicle torque converter is provided. The impeller includes an impeller shell including blade supporting portions and fluid flow receiving portions between the blade supporting portions, the blade supporting portions being thicker than the fluid flow receiving portions; and a plurality of impeller blades, each of the impeller blades being connected to one of the blade supporting portions at an inner surface of the impeller shell. A method for forming an impeller of a torque converter is also provided. |
| US09605736B1 |
High temperature electromagnetic actuator
An electromagnetic actuator is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes a planetary roller screw and at least two motor assemblies disposed on opposing sides of the roller screw. The planetary roller screw includes a shaft linearly translatable between an extended position and a retracted position, a nut rotatable about the shaft, and a plurality of rollers coupling the nut to the shaft. A spur gear is fixedly connected to the nut. Each motor assembly includes a DC motor having an output shaft, a planetary gear head coupled to the DC motor output shaft and having an output shaft, and a pinion gear coupled to the spur gear and fixedly connected to the planetary gear head output shaft. |
| US09605732B2 |
Expanding piston hydraulic chain tensioner
A tensioner (10) for an endless loop power transmission member can include the assembly of a plunger (12) operably engageable with an endless loop power transmission member, and a piston (14) guiding the plunger (12) for sliding coaxial movement in a direction of the endless loop power transmission member and defining an oil reservoir (26) for receiving hydraulic fluid. A bearing (28) can have bearing balls (30) located in a counter bore (32) coaxial with piston bore (34). The counter bore (32) can have a steep taper (36) on which the bearing balls (30) ride, such that as the plunger (12) moves in an extending direction, the bearing balls (30) move out of the counter bore (32) allowing free extending movement of the plunger (12), and as the plunger (12) moves in a retracting direction, the bearing balls (30) are driven down into the steep taper (36) preventing the plunger (12) from retracting. |
| US09605731B2 |
Power transmission apparatus for vehicle
A power transmission apparatus may include a first input shaft having at least one input gear and selectively connected to a power source through a first clutch, a second input shaft having at least one input gear and selectively connected to the power source through a second clutch, a first speed output unit including a first output shaft and at least one speed gear engaged with the at least one input gear on the first and second input shafts, a second speed output unit including a second output shaft and at least one speed gear engaged with the at least one input gear on the first and second input shafts and rotatably disposed on the second output shaft, and an idle module including at least two idle gears on an idle shaft. |
| US09605730B2 |
Adjustable elevator belt splice
A device for splicing two belt ends together, the device having a first outer clamping plate, a second outer clamping plate, and a central plate disposed between the first and second outer clamping plates. Each of the first and second outer clamping plates includes inwardly facing surfaces oriented toward the central plate. Gripping surfaces of the devices are improved. A first gripping region is disposed on the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second outer clamping plates, the first gripping region having a plurality of rows of teeth. A second gripping region is disposed on the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second outer clamping plates and includes spaced apart elongated recesses positioned parallel to a long axis of the first and second outer clamping plates. A wedge member, to accommodate different sized and shaped belts, is removably coupled to an end of the central plate. |
| US09605728B2 |
Adjustable body mount
A body mount includes a mounting bracket with a cup portion, an isolation portion, and a tube that extends through the cup portion of the mounting bracket. The isolation assembly that has a lower portion which extends between and interconnects the cup portion of the mounting bracket to the tube. The tube has a recessed portion. |
| US09605725B2 |
Rotary damper
A rotary damper includes a housing having an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder coaxially disposed inside the outer cylinder, and a bottom plate closing one end side of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, to form an annular liquid chamber with a viscous fluid therein, and a rotor including a cylindrical blade portion rotatably received in the liquid chamber. An annular locking groove extends circumferentially in a first portion at an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, or a second portion facing the first portion on an inner peripheral surface of the blade portion. A locking convex portion projects from the other of the first portion or the second portion, and locked in the locking groove. An annular inside seal member is interposed between the inner cylinder and the blade portion, and an annular outside seal member is interposed between the outer cylinder and the blade portion. |
| US09605721B1 |
Wear optimized pad design
A brake pad for a disc brake with decreased wear characteristics is provided. The brake pad is configured with the distribution of brake pad friction material weighted toward the radially outer region of the brake pad, with the lateral sides of the pad material being generally aligned with radial lines originating at the rotation axis of the brake disc of the disc brake. The brake pad friction material distribution results in decreased brake application pressure between the brake pad and the brake disc while obtaining the same braking force provided by a comparable generally rectangular brake pad, resulting in lower brake pad wear at the same braking force levels. |
| US09605720B2 |
Friction brake device
A friction brake device has a brake rotor that rotates around an axis of rotation, brake pads that can rotate around an axis of autorotation parallel to the axis of rotation, support members that support the brake pads respectively, and pressing devices that press the brake pads against the brake rotor respectively. In the friction brake device, when the brake pads are pressed against the brake rotor, the brake pads revolve around the axis of rotation relatively to the brake rotor while being frictionally engaged with lateral faces of the brake rotor respectively. The support members press the brake pads in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and frictionally engage outer peripheries of the brake pads with a cylindrical face of the brake rotor respectively. The brake pads auto-rotate around the axis of autorotation upon beginning to be pressed, but come to rest when the pressing force increases. |
| US09605718B2 |
Device for reducing pressure pulsations
The invention relates to a device that is always open for the pressure medium for reducing pressure pulsations and that can be switched between a pressure chamber of a slave cylinder and a pressure chamber of a master cylinder of a hydraulic force transmission system for motor vehicles. The device has an additional line section in the form of a channel having an opening on the slave cylinder side, an opening on the master cylinder side, and a channel length equaling a multiple of the direct distance between the two openings, and a volume receiver that can be elastically deformed under pressure, wherein the channel and the volume receiver are combined into an assembly in a housing. The result according to the invention is a device that not only has very good vibration dampening properties, but is also very compact and has a cost-effective design. |
| US09605717B2 |
Synchronizer ring for a synchronization unit of a manual transmission and method for manufacturing such synchronizer ring
A synchronizer ring for a synchronization unit of a manual transmission has a ring axis and is formed of a ring-shaped sheet-metal cone with a substantially constant sheet thickness. The ring-shaped sheet-metal cone has a cone-shaped radial outer side and an opposite radial inner side with a cone-shaped friction surface, wherein on its radial outer side the sheet-metal cone includes an integrally molded centering collar for radially centering the synchronizer ring relative to a synchronizer hub of the synchronization unit. The sheet-metal cone is deformed in the region of the centering collar and includes a first sheet portion with a residual thickness reduced as compared to the sheet thickness and axially adjacent a second sheet portion with a collar thickness which at least corresponds to the sheet thickness. The residual thickness of the sheet-metal cone is substantially constant in the first sheet portion. |
| US09605716B2 |
Propeller shaft and yoke structure of universal joint used for the propeller shaft
A propeller shaft has a first yoke having a fixing portion, a pair of first bifurcated yoke portions extending from one end portion of the fixing portion in an axial direction, and a first bearing hole formed at each first yoke portion and securing therein a first bearing that holds a cruciform shaft; a second yoke coupled to the first yoke through the cruciform shaft and secured to a predetermined member, and having a mounting flange, and a bolt insertion hole which is formed at the mounting flange and into which a bolt to secure the second yoke to the predetermined member is inserted; and a securing member securing the mounting flange of the second yoke to the predetermined member through the bolt by a fastening tool. Each first yoke portion is provided with a first concave portion that slides thereon an outer circumferential surface of the fastening tool. |
| US09605712B2 |
Journal oil bearing
A journal bearing for supporting a rotor shaft extending along a rotor axis having a support element, and at least two pads for supporting the rotor shaft, wherein the pads are supported by the support element is provided herein. The pads may include a bearing surface, wherein the support element and pads include a support for each pad. The support for each pad may include structure to enable tilting for each pad around a tilt axis extending parallel to the rotor axis. The journal bearing may be assigned to a specific default rotation direction of the rotor shaft, wherein tilting of the pad into the rotation direction is positive tilting and tilting of the pad versus the rotation direction is negative tilting. |
| US09605709B2 |
Cylindrical roller bearing
Disclosed is a cylindrical roller bearing for absorbing axial and radial forces. The roller bearing includes a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, which are arranged concentrically about an axis of rotation extending in an axial direction. The second bearing ring has a groove, which is open in a radial direction and in which a projection of the first bearing ring engages. The roller bearing further includes a first radial bearing row and two axial bearing rows spaced in the axial direction that are arranged between the projection and the groove, wherein the first radial bearing row supports the first bearing ring against the second bearing ring in a first radial direction. The roller bearing also includes a second radial bearing row that supports the first bearing ring against the second bearing ring in a second radial direction that is opposite to the first radial direction. The first bearing ring is divided in the axial direction into at least one first ring part having the projection and one second ring part, wherein the second radial bearing row is arranged between the second ring part and the second bearing ring at an axial distance from the projection. |
| US09605706B2 |
Rivet nut unit and mounting method thereof
A rivet nut unit is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a rivet nut unit bonding at least one plate by being riveted to the plate and fastened with a bolt that may include: a head portion supported on an upper surface of the plate at a position corresponding to a processed hole in the plate, and formed with a penetration hole in the middle thereof corresponding to the hole; and an insertion portion extended from one side of the head portion, inserted into the hole, and formed with at least one slot and a protruding end bent to a lower surface of the plate for coupling the head portion to the plate while riveting the plate. |
| US09605703B2 |
Clamp device for vertical pump coupling alignment
An alignment device for aligning a vertical pump shaft and coupling hub is provided. The alignment device includes a bracing sleeve comprising a connecting foot configured to removably attach to a connecting arm of a bolting ring, stabilizing nuts, stabilizing bolts, such that the stabilizing bolts screw through the stabilizing nuts to contact the shaft of the vertical pump to secure the bracing sleeve to the shaft of the vertical pump, and a grip pad configured to allow the bracing sleeve to fit flush with the shaft of the vertical pump. The alignment device also includes the bolting ring configured to adjust the coupling hub of the vertical pump, the bolting ring comprising guide nuts, guide bolts, such that the guide bolts screw through the guide nuts to contact the shaft to provide a means for adjusting the alignment between the vertical shaft and the coupling hub. |
| US09605700B2 |
Systems and methods for improving bolted joints
A mechanical fastener assembly is provided for joining two or more workpieces. The assembly includes a mechanical fastener and a slotted insert. The mechanical fastener has a shaft received within aligned bores of the workpieces. The slotted insert surrounds at least a portion of the shaft and has a body portion received within the aligned bores, while an enlarged head portion of the slotted insert is positioned outside of the bores. The mechanical fastener assembly may further include a retaining sleeve when the bores of the workpieces have different diameters. In such case, a midsection of the retaining sleeve is at least partially received within the bore having the smaller diameter, while an enlarged end section of the retaining sleeve is at least partially received within the bore having the greater diameter. The retaining sleeve may be used in combination with or independently of the slotted insert. |
| US09605698B2 |
Electronic device and holding element
The present disclosure discloses an electronic device and a connecting part. An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a connecting part comprising a lateral portion, a bottom portion connected to a first end face of the lateral portion, and a top portion connected to a second end face on the lateral portion opposite to the first end face, the top portion being arranged opposite to the bottom portion so that an accommodating space is formed by the bottom portion, the lateral portion and the top portion; and N electronic accessories each comprising a body, an accommodated portion, and a flexible portion connecting the body to the accommodated portion, where N is greater than or equal to 1; wherein when accommodated portions of the N electronic accessories are placed in the accommodating space, the flexible portion of at least one of the N electronic accessories deforms under an external force, so that body of the at least one electronic accessory can rotate with respect to an end face on the bottom portion or the top portion away from the lateral portion, to change the position of the body with respect to the accommodated portion. |
| US09605696B1 |
Detachable magnetic retainers
Magnetic retainers for detachably holding and suspending items such as cell phones from a user or support comprise a hanger and a holder that are magnetically coupled together. The holder is removably attached to an item such as a cell phone, and the hanger is removably suspended from the phone user. The hanger selectively, detachably couples to the harness with vertically aligned permanent magnets. The hanger may comprise a loop, clip, or lanyard that is worn or held by the user or attached to a static support. The holder is retrofitted to cell phone structure with a flexible, anti-slip sticky-tape connection that is removably, adhesively secured between parts of the cell phone body, its interior, or its case, being sandwiched and restrained between abutting parts. Magnets are permanently attached to remote ends or portions of the hanger and holder through either a shrink wrap connection or a snap fitting arrangement. |
| US09605693B2 |
Hydraulic pressure control device for swing motor for construction machinery
The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic pressure control device for a swing motor for construction machinery, and more particularly, to a hydraulic pressure control device for a swing motor for construction machinery, which supplements working fluid in the swing motor when a turning operation of an upper body of construction machinery is performed and then stopped. The hydraulic pressure control device for the swing motor for construction machinery according to the present disclosure including the aforementioned configuration may rapidly secure the amount of makeup fluid required by the swing motor when the swing motor is stopped by directly receiving the working fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump P, thereby improving durability of equipment and preventing a cavitation phenomenon. |
| US09605692B2 |
Locking rotary actuator
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a locking apparatus for a rotary actuator includes an outer housing comprising a cylindrical interior surface having a recess. A rotor is disposed within the outer housing. The rotor has an interior cavity and a port extending radially from the interior cavity to the cylindrical exterior surface. A piston is disposed for reciprocal movement within the interior cavity between a first position and a second position and includes a first portion having a first thickness, a second portion having a second thickness larger than the first thickness. A key is disposed for radially reciprocal movement within the port and includes a radially proximal end and a radially distal end. The radially proximal end contacts the first portion and the radially distal end does not extend into the recess when the piston is in the first position. |
| US09605690B2 |
Hydraulic system
A hydraulic system, wherein an actuating cylinder and an accelerating cylinder each includes a piston, a rod, and a tube. When the rod of the actuating cylinder extends in an unloaded condition, a circuit is configured such that oil discharged from the bottom-side section of the accelerating cylinder is supplied to the bottom-side section of the actuating cylinder through a bottom line. When the rod of the actuating cylinder extends in a loaded condition, a circuit is configured such that oil supplied to the bottom line without passing through the accelerating cylinder is supplied to the bottom-side section of the actuating cylinder. The circuit for the unloaded condition and the circuit for the loaded condition is switched based on a pressure sensing in the bottom line. |
| US09605688B2 |
Site drainer
A liquid transfer device is disclosed that has a fluid pump enclosed within a rigid, space enclosing housing. The pump has a strainer with strainer openings that provide a fluid connection between the pump and the inside of the housing. The strainer is located at the lower end of the pump and the housing. There are also openings in the housing that provide a fluid connection between the inside of the housing and its outer surface. The maximum size of the openings in the housing is less than the minimum size of the strainer openings so that the strainer does not clog with debris. A discharge manifold provides a fluid connection between the pump and the outside the housing. In this way fluid is drawn in through the housing openings and then the strainer before being pumped out via the discharge manifold. |
| US09605685B2 |
Ceiling fan
A ceiling fan includes a motor and plural blades. The motor has its topside and underside respectively secured with a fixed seat, which has its inner side formed with two protruding edges spaced apart and respectively having a pressing plate fixed thereon. The pressing plates are correspondingly combined with the fixed seats so that the blades can be firmly combined with the fixed seats via the pressing plates. The pressing plates can easily be processed and made by small-sized forming molds, able to lower manufacturing cost, and the blades of this invention can be secured on the motor quickly and stably and driven to rotate smoothly and steadily. Further, during assembly of the blades, fine adjustment can be done to respective assembly structure for overcoming errors caused by tolerance. To sum up, this invention is able to shorten man-hour in assembly, enhance assembly efficiency and increase economic gains. |
| US09605684B2 |
Pump including gap arrangement for improved pumping of solid matter
The invention relates to a pump for pumping contaminated liquid comprising solid matter, the pump comprising a hydraulic unit (2), a drive unit (3), and a sealing unit (4), the hydraulic unit having a pump chamber (5) and an impeller (8) that is suspended in a drive shaft (9), said impeller and said drive shaft forming a rotatable unit, the sealing unit comprising a seal housing cover (15) that delimits said pump chamber (5) and that forms a seat for a drive shaft sealing assembly (16), the seal housing cover (15) comprising a first gap-delimiting part (20) and the rotatable unit comprising a second gap-delimiting part (21), which jointly define an axially extending gap (22) situated in the pump chamber. The pump is characterized in that, in each arbitrary radially extending plane taken through said gap (22), the first gap-delimiting part (20) has a broken circular outer gap-delimiting surface (23) at the same time as the second gap-delimiting part (21) has a broken circular inner gap-delimiting surface (24). |
| US09605680B2 |
Control algorithm of variable speed pumping system
A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation. |
| US09605678B2 |
Free-flow pump
The free-flow pump comprises an impeller (11, 22, 33) with an impeller base that is constituted by a front side (14, 5 24) of a hub body (12, 23) projecting at the center of the impeller (11, 22, 33) and by a disk surface (18, 28) located deeper than the front side (14, 24) of the hub body (12, 23) and reaching to an outer circumference of the impeller with its maximum depth. The disk surface (18, 28) is provided with vanes (19, 29, 34) comprising open vane front sides (20, 30, 35) adjoining the hub body (12, 23) at their inner end and extending from there to the outer circumference of the impeller (11, 22, 33). To avoid material accretions in front of the impeller (11, 22, 33) it is suggested that at least within an inner third of its radius, the impeller base is not located deeper with respect to the inner end of the vane front sides (20, 30, 35) than at most one sixth of the height difference (H) between the inner end of the vane front sides (20, 30, 35) and the maximum depth of the disk surface (18, 28). |
| US09605674B2 |
Vacuum scroll pump having pressure-balanced orbiting plate scroll
A vacuum scroll pump has a frame, a stationary plate scroll fixed to the frame, an orbiting plate scroll, an eccentric drive mechanism for driving the orbiting plate scroll, and counterbalancing features by which axial loads produced on the eccentric drive mechanism are offset. Scroll blades of the stationary and orbiting plate scrolls are nested to define pockets which constitute a compression stage between opposing front sides of plates of the stationary and orbiting plate scrolls. The counterbalancing features include an axial counterbalancing chamber defined at a back side of the plate of the orbiting plate scroll, i.e., opposite the side at which the compression stage is provided, and a mechanism by which an intermediate one of the pockets can be placed in communication with the counterbalancing chamber through the plate of the orbiting plate scroll. |
| US09605671B2 |
Reciprocating compressor
The present invention provides a reciprocating compressor that compresses a gas, including: a piston; a cylinder that includes a hole portion into which the piston is inserted so as to be movable in the axial direction in a reciprocating manner and includes a compression chamber which is formed in an area of the hole portion near a front end of the piston so that a gas is introduced into the compression chamber; a crank mechanism that drives the piston so that the gas introduced into the compression chamber is compressed by the piston; and a piston ring that is fitted to the outside of the piston and slides on an inner surface forming the hole portion of the cylinder, wherein a tapered portion is formed in an end, which is located near a base end of the piston, in the inner surface forming the hole portion of the cylinder. |
| US09605670B2 |
Method and systems for enhancing flow of a fluid induced by a rod pumping unit
A system for enhancing a flow of a fluid induced by a rod pumping unit is provided. A pumping control unit is configured to control stroke movement of the rod pumping unit. The pumping control unit is configured to store a first set of stroke timing data based on a first pressure level and a second set of stroke timing data based on a second pressure level, store a set of pressure weights, and receive a current pressure level. The current pressure level is between the first pressure level and the second pressure level. The pumping control unit is also configured to determine a current set of stroke timing data based on the current pressure level, the first set of stroke timing, the second set of stroke timing, and the set of pressure weights, and initiate at least one stroke of the rod pumping unit. |
| US09605667B2 |
Cryopump and method for vacuum pumping non-condensable gas
A cryopump includes: a radiation shield that includes a shield front end that defines a shield opening, a shield bottom portion, and a shield side portion that extends between the shield front end and the shield bottom portion; and a cryopanel assembly that is cooled to a lower temperature than that of the radiation shield. The cryopanel assembly includes a first panel arrangement including a plurality of first adsorption panels and a plurality of second panel arrangements each including a plurality of second adsorption panels. The first panel arrangement forms a multitude of adsorption sections arranged in a lattice-shaped pattern in cooperation with the plurality of second panel arrangements, each of the adsorption sections being exposed to the shield side portion. |
| US09605666B2 |
Linear compressor
A linear compressor comprising a cylinder part including a cylinder bore. A piston disposed in, and is slidable within, the bore. A main spring connects the cylinder part directly or indirectly to the piston. A connecting rod connects between the main spring and the piston. A stator has an air gap, and the connecting rod passes through the air gap. At least one armature pole is located along the connecting rod. |
| US09605663B2 |
System and method for separating fluids and creating magnetic fields
A system and method in at least one embodiment for separating fluids including liquids and gases into subcomponents by passing the fluid through a vortex chamber into an expansion chamber and then through at least a portion of a waveform pattern present between at least two rotors and/or disks. In further embodiments, a system and method is offered for harnessing fields created by a system having rotating rotors and/or disks having waveform patterns on at least one side to produce current within a plurality of coils. In at least one embodiment, the waveform patterns include a plurality of hyperbolic waveforms axially aligned around a horizontal center of the system. |
| US09605662B2 |
Solar heat boiler and solar heat electric power generation plant
A solar heat boiler is provided which is capable of avoiding damage to heat transfer tubes without increasing facility cost and construction cost. The solar heat boiler includes: a low-temperature heating device by which water supplied from a water supply pump is heated by heat of sunlight; a steam-water separation device by which two-phase fluid of water and steam generated in the low-temperature heating device is separated into water and steam; a high-temperature heating device by which the steam separated by the steam-water separation device is heated by the heat of sunlight; and a circulation pump by which the water separated by the steam-water separation device is supplied to the low-temperature heating device. |
| US09605648B1 |
Air-blower dual-energy-extraction wave and tidal power generation device and air-blower dual-energy-extraction wave and tidal power generation system
An air-blower dual-energy-extraction wave and tidal power generation device includes an air blower mechanism, a first conduit, a second conduit, four check valves, a bracket, and a power generation mechanism, wherein waves and tides boost a push member of the air blower mechanism to drive a piston of the air blower mechanism to operate for drawing in gas or liquid, dual energies, by the first conduit and the second conduit to gain double efficiency, and the gas or liquid is stored in a gas accumulation, constant-pressure, and pressure-regulating barrel for subsequent release of the gas or liquid, in a stable and constant manner, to drive a vane wheel power generator to rotate for generation of electrical energy. Furthermore, the invention provides an air-blower dual-energy-extraction wave and tidal power generation system, which includes a plurality of air-blower dual-energy-extraction wave and tidal power generation device for generation of electrical energy. |
| US09605646B2 |
Igniting combustible mixtures
The disclosure relates methods and related systems for controlling corona discharge in a combustion chamber without causing an arc strike. The methods can include measuring a baseline impedance of a circuit in electrical communication with an electrode, measuring an actual impedance of the circuit, determining an impedance setpoint based at least in part on the baseline impedance, comparing the actual impedance to the impedance setpoint, and adjusting the actual impedance based at least in part on the comparison between the actual impedance and the impedance setpoint. The electrode is arranged to deliver a corona discharge to the combustion chamber. |
| US09605645B2 |
Plasma ignition plug for an internal combustion engine
A plasma ignition plug for an internal combustion engine has a thorium alloyed tungsten anode separated from a vanadium- or beryllium-alloyed copper cathode by a boron nitride ceramic powder insulator. A generally semi-spherical titanium emitter is electrically coupled to the anode and disposed within an end of the insulator so as to form an annular gap with a torus on the end of the cathode. The surface of the emitter protrudes slightly beyond the rim of the torus on the cathode. High amplitude pulses driven into the anode arc across the annular gap to the cathode at more than twenty-four spots simultaneously, generating a plasma ignition front. |
| US09605642B2 |
Starter
A starter includes a motor unit, a drive shaft configured to receive a rotational force of the motor unit and rotate, a transmission pinion gear installed on the drive shaft, an idle shaft extending in a direction parallel to the drive shaft, an idle gear installed on the idle shaft and configured to mesh with the transmission pinion gear, a driving pinion gear installed on the idle shaft and configured to mesh with a ring gear of an engine, a gear cover configured to rotatably support portions of the drive shaft and the idle shaft and accommodate the transmission pinion gear and the idle gear, and a bracket section installed between the motor unit and the gear cover and configured to rotatably support a first end in an axial direction of the idle shaft. |
| US09605637B2 |
Fuel injection valve
An object of the present invention is to improve the exhaust emission for a fuel injection valve having a stepped injection hole constructed so that a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion are communicated with each other with a stepped portion intervening therebetween. The present invention resides in a fuel injection valve comprising a cylindrical nozzle body which has a tip portion formed to have a conical shape, an injection hole which penetrates from an inner circumferential surface to an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle body, the injection hole being constructed so that a small diameter portion, which is positioned on a side of the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle body, is communicated with a large diameter portion which is positioned on a side of the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle body, with a stepped portion intervening therebetween, and a valve plug which is accommodated slidably in the nozzle body and which opens/closes the injection hole, wherein a ratio of the hole diameter of the large diameter portion with respect to the hole diameter of the small diameter portion is not less than 3.1 and not more than 4.0, a ratio of a length of the large diameter portion with respect to a length of the small diameter portion is not less than 0.25 and not more than 0.55, and a ratio of the length of the large diameter portion with respect to the hole diameter of the large diameter portion is not less than 0.4 and not more than 1.6. |
| US09605636B2 |
Fuel injector and fuel-injection system
A fuel injector may include a central longitudinal axis and may be arranged in a cylinder head of a combustion engine. The fuel injector has an injector body and an adjustment device, the adjustment device including a ring element configured to be arranged in a recess of a cylinder head between the injector body and the cylinder head to align the fuel injector relative to the recess in radial direction. The ring element comprises a magnetic material. A fuel-injection system is also disclosed that includes a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and a fuel injector as disclosed above. |
| US09605631B2 |
Silencer
A silencer, for example an intake silencer for an internal combustion engine, may include a pipe for conducting a gas mixture. The pipe may be perforated at least in some regions. An absorption layer may at least partially surround the pipe for absorbing a sound transmitted by the gas mixture. An outer casing may encase the pipe. The outer casing may be perforated at least in some regions and may surround the absorption layer. |
| US09605630B2 |
Air intake system for internal combustion engine
An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke. |
| US09605623B2 |
Gaseous fuel mixer and method
A method for equipping an engine with a mixing device for introducing gaseous fuel into an intake passage of the engine comprising the steps of providing a body through which the intake passage extends, wherein an annular channel encircles the intake passage, providing a fuel inlet manifold with injector receiving ports, each injector receiving port configured to receive a discharge end of a fuel injector, with each injector receiving port in fluid communication with the annular channel, and providing a fuel supply manifold including fuel injector ports, wherein each fuel injector port is configured to receive an upstream end of a fuel injector. The method further includes blocking at least one injector receiving port such that fluid communication through the injector receiving port is prevented, removably coupling fuel injectors between the fuel supply manifold and the unblocked injector receiving ports, and providing the mixing device to the engine. |
| US09605622B2 |
Method and apparatus for supplying heated, pressurized air
A system for providing heated, pressurized air to a device in an industrial process, the system including at least one engine arranged and designed to heat and pressurize air, and at least one pipe attached to the at least one engine to provide a flow path for air from the at least one engine to the device in the industrial process. The system may also include an expansion joint positioned between the at least one engine and the pipe, the expansion joint arranged and designed to allow relative axial movement between the at least one engine and the pipe. |
| US09605618B2 |
Method for automatically stopping an internal combustion engine using an automatic stop-start system
A method for operating an engine automatic stop-start system used in a motor vehicle fitted with an internal combustion engine. The system allows: automatic stoppings of the engine when a set of conditions outside and inside the vehicle are satisfied; automatic startings of the engine following an automatic stopping when at least one engine demand condition is met. The method includes an internal value which is a count of a number of operations of the system, wherein the internal value is subjected to a high threshold and to a low threshold, and the method can modify at least one of the conditions outside or inside the vehicle if the internal value reaches the low threshold or reaches the high threshold. |
| US09605616B2 |
Exhaust gas purification apparatus of internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas purification apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes: an NH3 generating catalyst which generates NH3 from NOx and H2 at a rich air-fuel ratio; an in-cylinder injection valve which injects fuel into a cylinder; and a control apparatus which, when setting a rich air-fuel ratio, sets a timing of fuel injection from the in-cylinder injection valve to a second half of a compression stroke when a temperature of the NH3 generating catalyst is within a first prescribed range and sets a timing f of fuel injection from the in-cylinder injection valve to a first half of an intake stroke when the temperature of the NH3 generating catalyst is within a second prescribed range that is a higher temperature range than the first prescribed range. |
| US09605614B2 |
Vehicle control system
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control system for executing a fuel saving based on a learned value of fuel consumption obtained from an actual running of the vehicle. The control system makes an assessment of a fuel saving control by learning fuel consumption within a predetermined learning zone including a zone where the fuel saving control is executed and determines whether or not to execute the fuel saving control based on a result of the assessment. |
| US09605613B2 |
Coordinated control of engine and after treatment systems
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus to reduce fuel consumption while remaining in NOx compliance by simultaneous and coordinated control of the engine and the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. More particularly, the present disclosure identifies methods and apparatus to increase NOx output within a diesel engine to optimize the performance of a given SCR system while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption at a selected and targeted intake oxygen concentration. |
| US09605610B2 |
System and methods for purging a fuel vapor canister
A method for purging a fuel vapor canister, comprising: responsive to a canister load decreasing below a first threshold, reversing a direction of air flow through the fuel vapor canister while maintaining purge air intake at a vent line inlet. By reversing the direction of air flow through the fuel vapor canister, canister regions that would normally retain fuel vapor during a purge event may realize increased desorption when the air flow direction is reversed. In this way, the efficiency of a purge event may be increased and bleed emissions may be reduced. |
| US09605608B2 |
Apparatus for controlling internal combustion engine having turbocharger
In the control device, a relationship of a throttle-upstream pressure with respect to an exhaust-gas amount is used in a state where a supercharge pressure becomes the lowest by a WG-instruction value with respect to a WGV-control component 220 for driving a WGV 33a provided at a bypass passage 33 bypassing a turbocharger 32, and a relationship of a throttle-upstream pressure with respect to an aperture of a throttle valve 23, a rotational speed of an engine, and an intake-manifold pressure is used, and any of the throttle-upstream pressures, whichever is higher, being calculated in accordance with each of the relationship, is defined as a throttle-upstream-estimation value, whereby the throttle-upstream pressure is estimated by a cheap means with high accuracy so as to control the engine. |
| US09605604B2 |
Turbocharger control
Various systems and methods for controlling a turbocharger of an engine via a wastegate are described. In one example, the wastegate is adjusted according to a difference between the boost pressure and the atmospheric pressure. In this manner, the interdependency between controlling the boost pressure and using the boost pressure to actuate the wastegate in a boost-based wastegate configuration may be reduced. |
| US09605594B2 |
Injection device for a turbine engine combustion chamber
A fuel injection device for an annular combustion chamber of a turbine engine, the device including a pilot circuit feeding an injector, a multipoint circuit feeding injection orifices formed in a front face of an annular chamber, and an annular ring mounted in the annular chamber and including fuel-passing orifices opening out into the injection orifices, each fuel-passing orifice formed in the annular ring including a zone of small section that is extended at least downstream or upstream by an orifice portion of increasing section. |
| US09605593B2 |
Gas turbine engine with soft mounted pre-swirl nozzle
An exemplary gas turbine engine may include a compressor, a turbine, and a combustor disposed between the compressor and the turbine. The combustor generally may have an inner casing. The exemplary gas turbine may further include a pre-swirl nozzle configured to receive a cooling stream. The cooling stream may be supplied from a cooled cooling air stream. The pre-swirl nozzle may further be configured to direct at least a portion of the cooling stream to the turbine. The pre-swirl nozzle may be flexibly mounted to the inner casing of the combustor. |
| US09605585B2 |
Internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle, and a method for operating such an internal combustion engine
A motor vehicle internal combustion engine has at least one combustion chamber delimited by at least one wall of the internal combustion engine, and at least one injector that is associated with the combustion chamber and that is at least partially accommodated in a receiving opening delimited by a first wall area of the wall extending at least essentially parallel to the axial direction of the injector The injector includes at least one injection opening that opens into the combustion chamber via the receiving opening, in the direction of the combustion chamber the first wall area being directly adjoined by a further wall area of the wall that extends at an angle to the axial direction and which delimits an at least essentially conical area of the receiving opening which expands toward the combustion chamber. Over its length relative to the radial direction of the injector, the further wall area is situated at a distance from the injector and in alignment with the injector, at least in places, and has a cone opening angle in a range of 50 degrees up to and including 90 degrees, the cone opening angle being smaller than a jet angle of the injection jet. |
| US09605584B2 |
Method and system to diagnose thermostat failure in engine with onboard diagnostics
A system includes an internal combustion engine having a thermostat provided to selectively allow coolant flow through the engine, and a coolant temperature determination device that provides a coolant temperature value. The system further includes a controller structured to functionally execute operations to diagnose the thermostat. The controller determines whether the engine is providing a high output operation. When the engine is providing a high output operation, the controller determines the thermostat is passed in response to the coolant temperature value exceeding a first threshold temperature value. |
| US09605578B1 |
Particulate matter sensing device for controlling and diagnosing diesel particulate filter systems
A PM sensing device including a front sensing piece receiving an exhaust flow, a back sensing piece posited downstream from the front sensing piece, and a sensor controller electrically connected to the sensing pieces for measuring their impedances and calculate a PM sensing value accordingly. The PM sensing device has two operating modes: an impedance measurement mode, in which a PM sensing value is calculated, and a regeneration mode, in which accumulated PM is removed. Since PM is only deposited in the front sensing piece, by comparing impedances of the front and the back sensing pieces, PM sensing values can be obtained insensitive to particle size, exhaust gas temperature, and exhaust gas species. When the PM sensor is positioned in a DPF system, sensor regeneration times in a predetermined period of time after a DPF regeneration completes can be used for triggering a new DPF regeneration and detecting DPF failures. |
| US09605572B2 |
Muffler and engine system
A muffler for exhaust gases of a combustion engine includes walls forming a chamber through which the exhaust gases pass, a first inlet in the walls of the chamber configured to receive the exhaust gases from an exhaust duct of the engine, a first outlet in the walls of the chamber through which the exhaust gases exit the chamber, and a conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein a substantial length of the conduit is positioned within the chamber. |
| US09605569B1 |
Closed-loop oil-transfer system for a vehicle
A closed-loop oil transfer system for a commercial vehicle includes a refill reservoir having a sufficient amount of fresh, unused engine oil to completely replace the existing oil within the vehicle engine, and a waste reservoir dimensioned to accommodate the entire volume of existing engine oil. A bidirectional pump is in fluid communication with both the waste reservoir and refill reservoir via a series of pipes and valves. A control switch allows an operator to easily reverse the direction of the pump to transfer oil from the engine to the waste reservoir, or to transfer the fresh oil from the fill reservoir to the engine. |
| US09605565B2 |
Low-cost Fe—Ni—Cr alloys for high temperature valve applications
An Fe—Ni—Cr alloy is composed essentially of, in terms of weight percent: 1 to 3.5 Al, up to 2 Co, 15 to 19.5 Cr, up to 2 Cu, 23 to 40 Fe, up to 0.3 Hf, up to 4 Mn, 0.15 to 2 Mo, up to 0.15 Si, up to 1.05 Ta, 2.8 to 4.3 Ti, up to 0.5 W, up to 0.06 Zr, 0.02 to 0.15 C, 0.0001 to 0.007 N, balance Ni, wherein, in terms of atomic percent: 6.5≦Al+Ti+Zr+Hf+Ta≦10, 0.33≦Al÷(Al+Ti+Zr+Hf+Ta)≦0.065, 4≦(Fe+Cr)÷(Al+Ti+Zr+Hf+Ta)≦10, the alloy being essentially free of Nb and V. |
| US09605564B2 |
Method for operating a power plant
The invention relates to a method for operating a steam power plant, particularly a combined cycle power plant, which includes a gas turbine an a steam/water cycle with a heat recovery steam generator, through which the exhaust gases of the gas turbine flow, a water-cooled condenser, a feedwater pump and a steam turbine. A cooling water pump is provided for pumping cooling water through said water-cooled condenser. Evacuating means are connected to the water-cooled condenser for evacuating at least said water-cooled condenser. The method relates to a shut down and start-up of the power plant after the shutdown. The method includes: a) shut down of the steam turbine and gas turbine and/or a combustor of said gas turbine ; b) restoration of a good vacuum within the condenser by using said evacuating means; c) stopping said cooling water pump of said water-cooled condenser and said evacuating means, and filling up at least said condenser with steam up to slightly above atmospheric pressure; d) controlling the pressure with a flow of said cooling water; e) after a certain shut-down period starting the cooling water pump just before start-up of the plant; and f) starting the plant. |
| US09605562B2 |
Turbomachine accessory gearbox alignment pin
An exemplary gearbox assembly includes a shear bracket connectable to a flange of a housing structure, and a support pin extending along a longitudinal axis, the support pin supporting the shear bracket relative to a turbomachine, the shear bracket moveable axially relative to the support pin. |
| US09605560B2 |
Fan shaft retention
A retention system for a fan in a gas turbine engine includes a shaft that is rotatable relative to a bearing support structure about an axis. The retention system includes fore and aft bearings that rotatably support the shaft, with the fore and aft bearings being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the axis. A machined spring reacts between the bearing support structure and the fore bearing to provide a desired axial preload. |
| US09605550B2 |
Bi-metal strip-seal
An improved seal assembly for use with a combustion liner assembly is employed with a gas turbine engine so as to control fluid flow. The seal assembly has a bi-metal sealing member that is affixed to a first surface that is proximal to a second perpendicular surface that is not in contact with the first surface, thus providing a potential fluid flow path. Upon heating, the bi-metal sealing member “uncoils” contacting the second perpendicular surface, thus blocking the flowpath between the two surfaces. Various metals may be provided to provide predetermined sealing characteristics. |
| US09605549B2 |
Stationary blade ring, assembly method and turbomachine
Disclosed is an adjustable stationary blade ring of a turbomachine, whose stationary blades are each supported in a bearing body onto which an inner ring, which is divided into two half rings and acts as a seal carrier, is pushed without deformation, viewed in the circumferential direction, as well as a method for assembling a stationary blade ring of this type and a turbomachine having a stationary blade ring of this type. |
| US09605548B2 |
Nozzle endwall film cooling with airfoil cooling holes
A nozzle segment for a nozzle ring of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The nozzle segment includes an upper endwall, a lower endwall, and an airfoil extending between the upper endwall and the lower endwall. The airfoil includes a pressure side wall, a plurality of inner cooling apertures, and a plurality of outer cooling apertures. The plurality of inner cooling apertures extends through a pressure side wall and is arranged in a first row adjacent the lower endwall. The plurality of outer cooling apertures extends through the pressure side wall and is arranged in a second row adjacent the upper endwall. |
| US09605547B2 |
Turbine engine wheel, in particular for a low pressure turbine
A turbine engine wheel, in particular for a low pressure turbine, is provided. The wheel includes blades, each including an airfoil connected by a platform to a middle wall or tang extending radially and itself extended radially inwards by a root mounted in a slot of a disk, the platform and the tang defining two side cavities arranged on either side of the tang, which cavities are circumferentially open and are situated facing corresponding cavities in the directly adjacent blades, and sealing members being housed in the cavities adjacent to the blades. An annular sealing end plate is mounted on the upstream or downstream end of the disk, between the platforms and the disk, so as to face the slots and the roots of the blades, and includes a rotary coupling device for coupling with at least one of the sealing members. |
| US09605545B2 |
Gas turbine blade with tip sections offset towards the pressure side and with cooling channels
A hollow blade including an airfoil extending along a longitudinal direction, a root, a tip, an internal cooling passage, and an open cavity defined by an end wall and a rim, together with cooling channels connecting the internal cooling passage to a pressure side. The cooling channels slope relative to the pressure side. A stack of airfoil sections of the blade at a level of the rim of the tip of the blade are offset towards the pressure side. The pressure side wall of the airfoil includes a projecting portion and cooling channels arranged in the projecting portion to open out into a terminal face of the projecting portion. |
| US09605544B2 |
Aerofoil
An aerofoil component of a gas turbine engine has an aerofoil portion which spans, in use, a working gas annulus of the engine. The aerofoil portion has a pressure side outer wall and a suction side outer wall, each extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the aerofoil portion. The aerofoil portion further has one or more main passages which extend in the annulus-spanning direction of the aerofoil portion and which receive, in use, a flow of coolant. The aerofoil portion further has one or more suction wall passages which extend in the annulus-spanning direction of the aerofoil portion and which receive, in use, a flow of coolant, each suction wall passage being bounded on opposing first sides by the suction side outer wall and an inner wall of the aerofoil portion, the inner wall separating the suction wall passages from the main passages. |
| US09605542B2 |
Gas turbine engine airfoil
An airfoil for a turbine engine includes an airfoil that has pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a curve that corresponds to a relationship between a trailing edge sweep angle and a span position. The trailing edge sweep angle is in a range of 10° to 20° in a range of 40-70% span position, and the trailing edge sweep angle is positive from 0% span to at least 95% span. The airfoil has a relationship between a leading edge dihedral and a span position. The leading edge dihedral is negative from the 0% span position to the 100% span position. A positive dihedral corresponds to suction side-leaning, and a negative dihedral corresponds to pressure side-leaning. |
| US09605535B2 |
Integrated downhole system with plural telemetry subsystems
A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system. |
| US09605526B2 |
Friction and wear reduction of downhole tubulars using graphene
The subject matter of this specification is directed to a method that includes providing an outer tubular member having a bore with an inner surface, applying a lubricant layer to at least a portion of the inner surface of the outer tubular member, and positioning the outer tubular member in at least a portion of the wellbore. During the drilling process, mechanical wear between the outer and inner members can be measured by an indicator to determine if the measured indicator exceeds a predetermined threshold level. |
| US09605521B2 |
Gas lift valve with mixed bellows and floating constant volume fluid chamber
A valve apparatus capable of withstanding high pressures and techniques for using this apparatus in various suitable applications are provided. The valve apparatus typically includes both an upper bellows comprising a standard, convoluted bellows and a lower bellows comprising an edge-welded bellows. The valve apparatus may also include a floating, constant volume fluid chamber that travels with the lower edge-welded bellows as the lower bellows compresses and expands in an effort to protect the lower bellows from very high internal volume fluid pressure. |
| US09605519B2 |
Non-ballistic tubular perforating system and method
A non-ballistic tubular perforating system includes a tubular having a wall with perforations therethrough and at least one radially extendable member positioned radially of the perforations configured to displace cement radially of the tubular and configured to radially extend prior to pumping of the cement. |
| US09605513B1 |
Method of gas, oil and mineral production using a clean processing system and method
The invention provides a system and process for providing a clean, non-contaminating process, for producing fracturing of shale, limestone, sands and other geological and mining formations to release natural gas, oil and minerals within a formation. A system used in the process produces on site the energy required to induce fracturing, removing natural gas and oil, and to recycle fluids used in fracturing for additional use. Removable storage provides the necessary materials to provide fracturing, removal and processing of the fracturing liquids for addition use at one or more sites, and to provide processing, storage and transportation of the resulting natural gas and oil. |
| US09605512B2 |
Mine area distributed combined cooling heating power energy system for extracting gas for coal mine
A distributed combined cooling, heating and power energy system for gas extraction in a coal mining area, which belongs to an energy system for gas production. A gas extraction pump station, a gas storage tank, a water-sealing flame arrester, a wire mesh filter, a first pipeline flame arrester, a wet-type bleeding valve and a cyclone dehydrator are sequentially connected; an outlet of the cyclone dehydrator is divided into two branches, one branch sequentially connected with a second pipeline flame arrester, a proportioning mixer, a gas power machine, a waste heat boiler and a waste heat-type double-effect lithium bromide absorption water chiller/heater unit, and the other connected with a gas-type double-effect lithium bromide absorption water chiller/heater unit; a first power generator is connected with the gas power machine, a water storage tank outlet is connected with a pressurizing pump, a second power generator is connected with a steam turbine and driven by the steam power machine to generate power, and cold/hot water of the waste heat-type water chiller/heater unit and the gas-type water chiller/heater unit is delivered through an energy supply pipeline after collection and mixing. With the power energy system mining area, clean production and utilization of coal-mine gas and economic development of coal mine areas are realized. |
| US09605509B2 |
Removable treating plug with run in protected agglomerated granular sealing element
A fully disintegrating plug has a passage therethrough and a ball seat at an upper end. The seal material that comprises plastic nuggets, sand and a grease binder is initially disposed behind a protective sleeve. A wireline setting tool creates relative movement between a plunger and a mandrel body that has a ramp surface adjacent the outlet of the protective sleeve. The sleeve outlet is closed for running in but plunger movement pushes the seal material so as to displace the closure at the sleeve outlet with the seal material that is forced up the mandrel ramp surface and against the surrounding tubular. After an object is landed on the mandrel seat and the treating is concluded, the plug components are caused to disintegrate or otherwise fail for complete removal. Multiple plugs are contemplated for fracturing or other treating applications. |
| US09605506B1 |
Apparatus for automatically lubricating an oil well sucker rod stuffing box
A stuffing box lubrication system for oilfield pumping units automatically delivers to the stuffing box, at specified time intervals, a precise volume of lubricant. The stuffing box lubrication system has a grease reservoir, a pump, a controller, a high pressure hose and grease fitting, and a stuffing box which receives the grease. In situations where the stuffing box in use is not equipped with a ported inlet for receiving the grease, the present invention may further include a stuffing box adapter, having a ported inlet, where the stuffing box adapter couples with the stuffing box. |
| US09605505B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing cementing operations
A remotely operated lifting top drive cement head has a high tensile strength and the ability to swivel or rotate. The cement head permits selective launching of darts, setting plugs, balls or other objects which can be held in place within the cement head without being damaged or washed away by slurry flow, but which can be launched as desired. The cement head can be remotely operated without requiring personnel to be lifted off the rig floor to actuate the tool or observe tool status. |
| US09605503B2 |
System and method for rotating casing string
In one aspect, a system includes a tool, a hanger connected to the tool, and a plurality of tubulars connected to the hanger and adapted to be positioned within a wellbore. The tool, hanger, and tubulars are rotatable in response to at least the application of torsion to the tool, and without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, a method includes positioning a tubular string within a wellbore, connecting a hanger to the tubular string, and applying torsion to the tubular string to rotate the tubular string. To apply torsion to rotate, a tool is connected to the hanger, and torsion is applied to the tool without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for rotating a tubular string in a preexisting structure, such as a wellbore. |
| US09605498B2 |
Rod and tubular racking system
The present disclosure includes a racking system for receiving, storing, and/or delivering rods and tubulars. The racking system includes a rack having a plurality of beams configured to support a plurality of rods, a plurality of tubulars, or both. each of the plurality of beams includes a proximal end and a distal end. The racking system further includes a plurality of indexers aligned with or proximal to the proximal ends of the plurality of base beams, wherein each of the plurality of indexers includes a series of rotating holders configured to transport the plurality of rods, tubulars, or both to and from the rack. Additionally, the racking system further includes a jack coupled to the distal end each of the plurality of base beams, wherein the jack raises and lowers the distal end of the base beam in relation to the proximal end. |
| US09605496B2 |
Devices and methods for controlling a multi-channel system in a petroleum well
The devices and methods for controlling flow through a multi-channel system deployed in a petroleum well are disclosed. The devices of the invention feature a manifold with a plurality of inlets operably connected to the passageways of the multi-channel system. Individual flows of the multi-phase petroleum fluid from the parallel passageways of the multi-channel system towards the inlets of the manifold are controlled by opening or closing of corresponding stopping valves installed on each inlet or group of inlets. After exiting the inlets through the stopping valves, the flows of the multi-phase fluid are consolidated and directed towards single or multiple outlets of the manifold and ultimately towards the outlet of the petroleum well. Individual opening or closing of the stopping valves has the effect of increasing or decreasing the total cross-sectional area available for producing fluid flow through the well. |
| US09605488B2 |
Cutting elements including undulating boundaries between catalyst-containing and catalyst-free regions of polycrystalline superabrasive materials and related earth-boring tools and methods
Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may include a substrate and a polycrystalline superabrasive material secured to the substrate. The polycrystalline superabrasive material may include a first region including catalyst material in interstitial spaces among interbonded grains of the polycrystalline superabrasive material. A second region at least substantially free of catalyst material in the interstitial spaces among the interbonded grains of the polycrystalline superabrasive material may be located adjacent to the first region. An undulating boundary defined between the first region and the second region may extend from a longitudinal axis of the cutting element to a periphery of the cutting element. |
| US09605483B2 |
Directional drilling while conveying a lining member, with latching parking capabilities for multiple trips
A method and system for directional drilling while conveying a liner, with latching parking capabilities for multiple trips, is disclosed. As the wellbore is drilled, each casing and liner is installed having upper and lower interior latch couplings. A liner to be installed below a parent casing includes an exterior latch assembly dimensioned for connection to the interior latch couplings of the parent casing. A bottom hole assembly may include upper and lower exterior inner string latch assemblies for connection to the upper and lower interior latch couplings of the liner to be installed. Such arrangement allows the liner to be conveyed and installed with the bottom hole assembly while directional drilling and for the liner to be temporarily hung from the parent casing for bottom hole assembly change-out while drilling. Float plugs dimensioned to be landed at lower liner interior latch couplings may be provided for cementing operations. |
| US09605479B2 |
Screen window for garage door
A sliding screen window for a garage door may be built into new garage doors or may be sold separately for installation on existing garage doors. The window would generally, but not necessarily, be installed on the top panel of a garage door. The screen panel may be oblong in shape or may feature a decorative pattern of screened and non-screened shapes. Behind the screen is a plurality of transparent or opaque sliding plates that may be moved aside to allow air to flow through the garage door. |
| US09605478B2 |
Motorized window treatment
A motorized window treatment provides a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment includes a covering material, a drive shaft, at least one lift cord rotatably received around the drive shaft and connected to the covering material, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions, which helps to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life if a battery is used to power the motorized window treatment. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors to save energy, or may also be controlled in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control. |
| US09605476B2 |
Motorized gearbox assembly having a direct-drive position encoder
An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a motor and a gearbox coupled to the motor and comprising an output shaft configured to actuate a window covering. A position encoder, directly driven by the output shaft, is configured to measure at least one of an angular position and a number of rotations of the output shaft. The angular position and number of rotations may be used to calculate an angular position of slats of a window blind and/or an amount a window covering is opened or closed. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein. |
| US09605472B2 |
Connecting means comprising a hatch and a bellows
A connecting means provides a connecting passage between a first compartment of a vehicle and a storage means located in a second compartment of the vehicle. The first and the second compartment are separated by a wall. A catering system for a vehicle includes the connecting means. A method provides a sealed connecting passage between a first compartment of a vehicle and a storage means located in second compartment of a vehicle. The connecting means includes a frame, a hatch arrangement for selectively closing and opening a frame aperture with a hatch cover and a bellows arrangement including a flexible bellows. The flexible bellows can be extended from the frame to a storage means located in the second compartment of the vehicle. A continuous passage defined by the flexible bellows and the frame provides a sealed connecting passage between the first compartment and the storage means. |
| US09605458B2 |
Adjustable corner fitting with holding element
An adjustable corner fitting for a door element is disposed on a center of rotation and/or an axis, including first and second fitting elements, which, at least sectionwise, each include a locating portion for the abutment against the door element and are interconnectable while restraining the door element.A restraining area is formed between the two fitting elements, into which the door element is insertable, and the fitting elements are formed such that a holding element is disposed between both fitting elements, which is displaceable in relation to the fitting elements. A holding element is in operative connection with the connecting element, which serves for supporting the door element on the center of rotation and/or the axis. An attaching mechanism is incorporated at least at the holding element and at least at the connecting element, which is transferable between a released condition and a fixing condition, wherein, in the released condition, the holding element is displaceable at the fitting elements. In the fixing condition, it is non-positively and/or positively attached at least to one fitting element. |
| US09605455B2 |
Combination slam latch and cam lock adapter
A self-contained combination latch and cam lock adapter module affixes to the rear of any lock (keyed or non-keyed) that has a requisite mating feature. The module is alignable in any of four positions (up, down, left, and right) on the back of the lock for latching in any installed position. The module allows a user to slam closed an associated door or drawer without having to rotate the lock into a locked position. The module retrofits in the field by removing and replacing an existing fixed cam. In one embodiment, a mating part is rotationally spring-loaded so that when the key or knob is turned and then released, the module automatically returns to its locked position, ready to be shut. |
| US09605451B2 |
Wobble free exterior handle design
An exterior door handle assembly for motor vehicles is configured to reduce or eliminate wobble or looseness during operation of the door handle. The handle assembly may include a handle member or strap having vertically extending pins at forward and rearward ends of the handle strap, wherein the pins have non-circular cross-sectional shapes to tightly engage a slot in a finger of a bellcrank to thereby prevent wobble of the handle strap in use. The non-circular shapes may be substantially similar to that of a waxing gibbous moon. |
| US09605443B2 |
Ligature resistant push-pull latch handle
A push-pull door handle assembly is provided for use with a door having a latch mechanism. The assembly includes a base plate, an actuator linkage associated with the base plate and configured for actuating the latch, a door handle having a working end pivotally connected to the base plate and a free end opposite of the working end configured for manipulation by an operator such that a pushing action on the working end actuates the latch. The door handle is connected to the base plate such that a pulling action on the handle activates an alarm upon the free end reaching a predetermined position. |
| US09605442B2 |
Tent having retractable roof
The present invention provides a tent having a retractable roof. A plurality of poles extend substantially perpendicular to the ground. A roof frame is fastened to the plurality of poles and a tarpaulin is attached on the roof frame. At least one of the plurality of poles is divided into an upper pole and a lower pole, and a connection mechanism detachably connects the upper pole and the lower pole. |
| US09605441B2 |
Tent frame top connecting structure
Disclosed is a tent frame top connecting structure comprising top levers movably connected to a connecting piece, connecting grooves, positioning grooves, sidewalls, lateral walls, a top portion, a bump stopper, and a moving fulcrum. Top levers serve as installation tools. The structure is simple and convenient to assemble. |
| US09605431B2 |
Timber structural member with embedded web
A timber joist is provided, which includes first and second flanges connected together by a web, the web being structurally integral with the flanges. Both flanges comprise timber poles. The web inserts into the first and second flanges a sufficient distance so as to provide resistance to longitudinal splitting or cracking of the timber. |
| US09605428B2 |
Ceiling panel for use with concealed grid system
A metal panel configured to be supported in a suspension ceiling grid is provided comprising a metal sheet with a central planar portion and upturned edges defining a plurality of sides of the panel. The upturned edges comprise a first, generally-upwardly extending portion sharing a common edge with the central planar portion, a second, generally horizontally portion extending inwardly from and sharing a common edge with the first portion, and a third, generally downwardly extending portion sharing a common edge with the second portion, the first, second and third portions of the edges defining downwardly-opening channels. At least one cross brace is provided that extends between at least two sides of the panel, the cross brace having ends configured to be received in the channels. The central planar portion of the panel is secured to the cross brace to limit deflection of the central portion. |
| US09605427B2 |
Process for manufacturing xerogels
The present invention is related to a process for manufacturing xerogels optionally containing a fibrous reinforcement material, to an insulating, self-supporting single-layer composite panel of thickness between 30 mm and 70 mm of xerogel comprising a fibrous reinforcement material comprising a nonwoven fibrous batting obtainable by this process and to the use thereof for the manufacture of building materials and thermal insulations. |
| US09605426B2 |
Method of installing radiant barrier or insulation
A method of installing a self-supporting radiant barrier or insulation between roof joists or wall studs secured to an exterior building surface. Flexible and resilient strips are positioned in an inwardly bowed condition between adjacent roof joists or wall studs. A radiant barrier or insulation is positioned between the adjacent roof joists or wall strips in a bowed condition in engagement with the bowed strips. Thereafter, flexible and resilient rods are positioned in a bowed condition in engagement with the roof joists or wall studs, the radiant barrier or insulation and over the bowed strips to secure the radiant barrier or insulation to the underlying bowed strips and the adjacent roof joists or wall studs. The bowed strips, radiant barrier or insulation and the bowed rods are all located within the interior surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs. |
| US09605425B1 |
Screen support assembly with wide lateral support efficiency
A support assembly for providing a high degree of lateral strength and integrity is presented herein. The support assembly includes a beam support bracket having at least one laterally disposed elongated portion that is slidingly engaged with a corresponding lateral beam. The elongated portion of the beam support bracket is defined by spaced apart first and second support plates each including oppositely disposed edges which will mate with corresponding ledges, protrusion or reinforced corners within the lateral beam. |
| US09605424B2 |
Transportable sanitary unit
Transportable unit for forming a straight parallelepiped-shaped residential space, provided with a bottom and a covering, and upright walls extending in between them, which walls can be converted between a—particularly retracted-transport position and a—particularly extended-operational position, in which the unit has a larger height, wherein the unit is equipped as a sanitary unit having a series of toilet bowls, urinals and/or showers. |
| US09605423B2 |
Method of basement construction
A method of constructing an inhabitable underground structure is disclosed that comprises the steps: creating a cutout in the earth at a desired location to generally match a desired shape of an interior of the underground structure; applying a reinforcement structure to an outer perimeter of the cutout; and applying shotcrete over the reinforcement structure to create a monolithic underground structure. |
| US09605420B1 |
Universal, attachable urinal
A universal, attachable urinal. Urine is discharged into receptacle (2) that funnels to a waste-tube (11) that runs through a hollow arm (3) to a pre-existing waste receiver. The arm (3), mounted by the receptacle (2), pivots on a stationary leg (4) between an operational and a nonoperational position. The leg (4) is secured next to the toilet by foot (6a) and/or support arm (7), using the closet bolt (8), toilet seat bolt (9), or other nearby secured object. A water line runs from the toilet's water source to the receptacle (2) for rinsing it and the conjoined waste-tube (11). Embodiments vary between the waste-tube (11) leading to the toilet bowl (12) or sewer-line (39), the manual or semi-automatic upright return of the arm (3), methods for securing the leg (4), and methods for controlling water dispersion to and in the receptacle (2) for rinsing. |
| US09605419B2 |
Piston-type flushometer valve
A main valve seat surface for engaging the piston, an outer sidewall, and an inner sidewall defining a flow passage with a first opening and an second opening, the flow passage having a reduced diameter portion. |
| US09605417B2 |
System and method for harvesting rainwater
A system for harvesting rainwater for use in a skirt building. The skirt building includes a main building and a podium supporting the main building. The system includes: a standpipe; a buffer channel; a filter channel; and a green roof. The green roof includes a vegetation region including a baffled diversion corridor, and a bottom filtering layer including a drainage pipe. The standpipe is arranged on the main building and is connected to the buffer channel where the energy of rainwater flowing out of the standpipe is dissipated. The buffer channel, the filter channel, and the green roof are arranged on the podium, and the buffer channel communicates with the filter channel. The filter channel is connected to the green roof. The filter channel is divided into a plurality of sections respectively filled with different matrix materials. |
| US09605413B2 |
Productivity management system for a machine
A multi-tool machine for utilizing a plurality of work tools includes an engine and a controller operatively coupled to the engine. The engine is configured to operate at a first engine operating configuration when a first work tool is coupled to the machine and configured to operate at a second engine operating configuration when a second work tool is coupled to the machine. The controller is configured to transition the engine from the first configuration to the second configuration when the machine transitions from the first work tool to the second work tool. |
| US09605405B2 |
Snubber for machine
A snubber for a machine includes a housing, a shaft and a pinion that is coupled to the shaft. The housing is mounted on an implement of the machine. The shaft is rotatably received within the housing and operatively coupled to a movable component of the implement. The snubber also includes a cylinder defining a cavity, a piston slidably received within the cylinder, a rack coupled to the piston, and a hydraulic device. The cylinder is at least partly disposed within the housing. The piston divides the cavity of the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber. The rack engages with the pinion to convert a rotation of the shaft into a linear movement of the piston. The hydraulic device is in fluid communication with the cavity and controls a flow of fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber to oppose rotation of the shaft. |
| US09605403B1 |
Vented precipitation guarding manhole cover assemblies
Vented precipitation guarding manhole cover assemblies include a manhole cover having a manhole cover protrusion. The manhole cover protrusion has a protrusion edge, a protrusion surface contiguous with and extending from the protrusion edge and a protrusion apex contiguous with the protrusion surface. A manhole cover vent opening extends through the manhole cover protrusion and the manhole cover. |
| US09605399B2 |
Sheeting panels and sheeting-panel systems
A trench-shoring sheeting panel includes a rectangular-shaped polyethylene sheet having opposing primary surfaces and four corners, a planar support structure embedded in the polyethylene sheet, a plurality of hand hold apertures formed in the polyethylene sheet, a plurality of corner holes positioned adjacent to the four corners, and a plurality of protrusions positioned on at least one of the primary surfaces. |
| US09605398B2 |
Method to utilize a ship in a novel way and a multi-purpose ship
A method to utilize an ice-breaker (10) in a novel way such that tanks of the anti-roll system and/or tanks (21, 22, 23 and 24) of the heeling system are used for recovering and/or processing oil (16) to be recovered from water. The oil is separated from water in a tank of the anti-roll system and/or a tank (21) of the heeling system of the ice-breaker, which tank contains warm water (15) and steam heat pipes (19). The tanks of the anti-roll system and/or tanks of the heeling system of the ice-breaker have separate oil recovery piping which is used when the heeling tanks of the ice-breaker are used for responding to an oil spill. |
| US09605393B2 |
Ground characteristic milling machine control
A milling machine includes a frame, a rotor coupled to the frame and vertically adjustable, a chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor, a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the machine, a height sensor configured to measure a height of the rotor, a ground characteristic sensor configured to measure a ground characteristic, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the speed of the machine from the speed sensor, receive the height of the rotor from the height sensor, receive the ground characteristic from the ground characteristic sensor, determine a target speed for the machine, determine a target height for the rotor, adjust the speed of the machine to the target speed, and adjust the height of the rotor to the target height. |
| US09605390B2 |
Industrial mats having cost effective core support structures
A mat that includes first and second side beams, a core support structure located between and connected to the side beams, with the core support structure including longitudinal members and having a height that is less than that of the side beams; one or more elongated members attached to the upper portion of the core support structure to form with the beams the top surface of the mat, and one or more elongated members attached to the lower portion of the support structure to form with the beams the bottom surface of the mat. Preferably, a plurality of joining rods attach the side beams to the support structure, with the joining rods passing through the sides of the side beams and the sides of the longitudinal members. Also, steel plates can be provided between the beams and longitudinal members to increase the strength and ruggedness of the mat. |
| US09605388B2 |
Pedestrian tile, replaceable tile section and/or resilient dome structure
A detectable warning tile system has a tile base with an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a plurality of upward projections therefrom. The tile base has two side edges for alignment with corresponding side edges of other tiles, and front and rear edges. An area of the upper surface of the tile base is formed free of the detectable warnings and may include a trough into or over which a replaceable tile section may be placed. The tile base and/or replaceable tile section may be configured to receive one or more individually-installable detectable warnings. |
| US09605381B2 |
Pocket ventilator device and method
A system and a method for ventilating an offset pocket space located in a drying section of a papermaking machine, the offset pocket space being situated between three axially parallel drying cylinders over which a paper web consecutively runs, a first and a third of the drying cylinders being vertically spaced from a second of the drying cylinders, the method comprising creating a positive pressure zone between the body and the felt between the third cleft and the second cleft. |
| US09605377B2 |
Polymeric blend formulations suitable for synthetic leather applications
The instant invention provides to polymeric blend formulation, and a multilayer structure comprising a skin layer derived from the polymeric blend formulation, and method of making the same. The polymeric blend formulation comprises: (a) 40 to 65 percent by weight of an ethylene-based copolymer composition; (b) 15 to 40 percent by weight of a chlorinated olefin polymer composition; (c) from 0.1 to 25 percent by weight of a filler; (d) 10 to 30 weight percent by weight of an adhesion promoting agent; and (e) optionally, 1 to 4 percent by weight of a mineral oil. |
| US09605373B2 |
Water supply valve and water supply valve assembly for wall mounted drum type washing machine
A water supply valve for a wall mounted drum type washing machine may include an integrated inlet housing, first water supply valve outlet housing, and second water supply valve outlet housing. The water supply valve includes an inlet housing including an inlet into which water enters and a first passage along an inner cavity; a first water supply valve outlet housing integral with and adjacent to the inlet housing and configured to communicate with the first passage; and a second water supply valve outlet housing integral with and adjacent to the first water supply valve outlet housing and configured to communicate with the first passage. |
| US09605370B2 |
Washing machine having dual-drum and assembly method thereof
Disclosed are a washing machine having a dual-drum of a main drum and a sub drum, and an assembly method thereof. The washing machine comprises: a cabinet; a tub provided in the cabinet; a main drum rotatably mounted in the tub; a sub drum mounted in the main drum so as to perform a relative rotation with the main drum; a hollow type outer shaft connected to the main drum; an inner shaft connected to the sub drum in the outer shaft; and a driving motor, wherein the driving motor comprises: a stator; an outer rotor connected to the inner shaft, and rotated outside the stator; and an inner rotor connected to the outer shaft, and rotated inside the stator, and wherein the driving motor drives the main drum and the sub drum in an independent manner. |
| US09605369B2 |
Washing machine and manufacturing method of balancer thereof
A washing machine includes a balancer to offset unbalanced load generated during rotation of a drum, wherein the balancer includes a balancer housing mounted at the drum, the balancer housing having an annular channel defined therein, a balancing module disposed in the annular channel such that the balancing module is movable when electric power from a power source outside a cabinet is supplied to the balancing module, a conductive film, one side of which is attached to an inside of the balancer housing and the other side of which is provided with a conductive rail to supply electric power to the balancing module, and an electric wire to electrically connect the power source outside the cabinet to the conductive rail. |
| US09605355B2 |
Method for producing anodic porous alumina, method for producing molded article having microscopic pattern on surface, and molded article having microscopic pattern on surface
This method for producing anodic porous alumina such that an oxide coating film having a plurality of minute pores is formed at the surface of an aluminum substrate is characterized by containing: a step (a) for immersing the aluminum substrate in an electrolytic liquid resulting from mixing a plurality of acids; a step (b) for imposing a voltage on the aluminum substrate immersed in the electrolytic liquid; a step (c) for holding the aluminum substrate in the state of being immersed in the electrolytic liquid essentially without imposing a voltage on the aluminum substrate; and a step (d) for alternately repeating step (b) and step (c). By means of the present invention, it is possible using a simple device and with few steps to provide a method that easily produces anodic porous alumina such that an oxide coating film having a plurality of minute pores is formed at the surface of an aluminum substrate. |
| US09605353B2 |
Apparatus and method for advanced electrochemical modification of liquids
An apparatus including at least one electrolytic cell having at least one electrode compartment structured to contain a liquid electrolyte and a plurality of electrically conducting particulates forming a particulate bed, at least one reaction region structured to support electrochemical reactions, at least one collection region structured to facilitate collection of electrically conducting particulates, at least one feeding region structured to facilitate input of electrically conducting particulates, at least one actuation module arranged substantially outside of the at least one reaction region of relevance for the electrochemical modifications. |
| US09605349B2 |
Decreasing bacterial responses on nano-modified titanium
Methods of manufacturing produce metal implants having nano-modified surfaces that contain antimicrobial properties. The methods may include immersing the implant in an acid, rinsing the acid-treated implant in an aqueous cleaner, and thereafter heating the rinsed implant. The nano-modified implants described herein may contain an increased surface roughness; surface features with increased width or height; and/or decreased surface energy. The implants that result from these methods contain a nano-modified surface that is resistant to microbial cell adhesion and ultimately reduce biomaterials-related infections at the implant site. |
| US09605343B2 |
Method for forming conformal carbon films, structures conformal carbon film, and system of forming same
Methods of forming carbon films, structures and devices including the carbon films, and systems for forming the carbon films are disclosed. A method includes depositing a metal carbide film using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Metal from the metal carbide film is removed from the metal carbide film to form a carbon film. Because the films are formed using ALD, the films can be relatively conformal and can have relatively uniform thickness over the surface of a substrate. |
| US09605342B2 |
Process gas management for an inductively-coupled plasma deposition reactor
Embodiments related to hardware and methods for processing a semiconductor substrate are disclosed. One example film deposition reactor includes a process gas distributor including a plasma gas-feed inlet located to supply plasma gas to a plasma generation region within the film deposition reactor and a precursor gas-feed inlet located to supply film precursor gas downstream of the plasma generation region; an insulating confinement vessel configured to maintain a plasma generation region at a reduced pressure within the film deposition reactor and an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) coil arranged around a portion of a sidewall of the insulating confinement vessel and positioned so that the sidewall separates the plasma generation region from the ICP coil; and a susceptor configured to support the semiconductor substrate so that a film deposition surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed to a reaction region formed downstream of the process gas distributor. |
| US09605336B2 |
Mask, method for manufacturing the same and process device
A mask and a method of making the mask are disclosed. The mask includes a transition region including at least one first region having a first thickness, and an active region having another thickness, where the thickness of the active region is greater than the first thickness. The method of making the mask includes forming a plurality of patterns in a mask body, the patterns being formed in regions of the mask body corresponding with the active region and the transition region of the mask. |
| US09605331B2 |
Batch annealing furnace for coils
A batch annealing furnace includes a coil support base on which an end face of a coil is mounted and that supports the coil with an axis of the coil being upright, an inner cover that covers an entire body of the coil mounted on the coil support base, and a cooling pipe that extends downward from the upper part of the inner cover to a cavity of the inner peripheral part of the coil mounted on the coil support base and cools the coil from the inner surface side by passing a coolant through the inside of the cooling pipe. |
| US09605330B2 |
Vacuum heat treatment device
The vacuum heat treatment device includes: a guide plate used to guide a cooling medium supplied by a cooling unit, into a heat-insulating container through one of at least two openings of the heat-insulating container in a state where the two openings of the heat-insulating container are opened; and a movement mechanism used to move the guide plate so that at least part of the guide plate is inserted into a movement area of a cover portion in a state where the two openings of the heat-insulating container are opened and so that the guide plate is retracted from the movement area of the cover portion before the cover portion is moved in order to close the two openings of the heat-insulating container. |
| US09605329B2 |
Cold rolled steel sheet and manufacturing method thereof
When the amount of C, the amount of Si and the amount of Mn are respectively represented by [C], [Si] and [Mn] in unit mass %, the cold rolled steel sheet satisfies a relationship of (5×[Si]+[Mn])/[C]>10, the metallographic structure contains, by area ratio, 40% to 90% of a ferrite and 10% to 60% of a martensite, further contains one or more of 10% or less of a pearlite by area ratio, 5% or less of a retained austenite by volume ratio and 20% or less of a bainite by area ratio, the hardness of the martensite measured using a nanoindenter satisfies H20/H10<1.10 and σHM0<20, and TS×λ representing the product of TS that is a tensile strength and λ that is a hole expansion ratio is 50000 MPa·% or more. |
| US09605324B2 |
Compositions and processes for clarification of sugar juices and syrups in sugar mills
This invention relates to compositions and processes for improving the clarification of sugar juices and syrups in sugar mills. The process involves adding compositions directly to the juice and or syrup. The compositions provided in this invention are mixed intimately into the sugar juices or syrups, and allowed sufficient time to react with the sugar juices or syrups as well as with the any other chemicals added in the clarification processes so as to impart an improvement in the purity of the clarified juice or syrup obtained therefrom. Compositions include at least one particulate sulfur reagent containing at least one sulfur atom and at least three oxygen atoms, and one or more particulate solids selected from the group consisting of (A) a silica reagent, (B) a particulate phosphorous reagent containing at least one phosphorous atom and at least three oxygen atoms in the chemical formula, (C) a particulate carbonaceous reagent, (D) a particulate aluminum reagent containing at least one aluminum atom and at least three oxygen atoms in the chemical formula, (E) a particulate filter aid, (F) a polymer decolorant, (G) a particulate ammonium reagent having at least one ammonium group (NH4) in the chemical formula, and (H) a bleaching earth. |
| US09605322B2 |
DNA recombination junction detection
The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for detecting the presence or absence of an integrated insertion polynucleotide. |
| US09605318B2 |
Gene expression markers for predicting response to chemotherapy
The present invention provides sets of genes the expression of which is important in the prognosis of cancer. In particular, the invention provides gene expression information useful for predicting whether cancer patients are likely to have a beneficial treatment response to chemotherapy FHIT; MTA1; ErbB4; FUS; BBC3; IGF1R; CD9; TP53BP1; MUC1; IGFBP5; rhoC; RALBP1; STAT3; ERK1; SGCB; DHPS; MGMT; CRIP2; ErbB3; RAP1GDS1; CCND1; PRKCD; Hepsin; AK055699; ZNF38; SEMA3F; COL1A1; BAG1; AKT1; COL1A2; Wnt.5a; PTPD1; RAB6C; GSTM1, BCL2, ESR1; or the corresponding expression product, is determined, said report includes a prediction that said subject has a decreased likelihood of response to chemotherapy. |
| US09605315B2 |
Detection of traumatic brain injury
The present invention provides minimally invasive methods of detecting, diagnosing, and assessing neuronal damage associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Specific species of microRNAs (miRNA), small, noncoding RNA molecules that play gene regulatory functions, are correlated with cellular damage and oxidative stress following TBI or CTE, allowing for rapid, minimally-invasive diagnosis and assessment of brain injury. The early identification and longitudinal assessment of neuronal damage in subjects suffering from or at risk of suffering from a TBI (e.g., football players, boxers, military personnel, fall victims) will improve clinical outcomes by guiding critical medical and behavioral decision making. |
| US09605307B2 |
Systems and methods for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer
Techniques for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer are described herein. In one example, an agitation stimulus level such as an electrical agitation stimulus is applied to a lipid bilayer wherein the agitation stimulus level tends to facilitate the formation of nanopores in the lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, a change in an electrical property of the lipid bilayer resulting from the formation of the nanopore in the lipid bilayer is detected, and a nanopore has formed in the lipid bilayer is determined based on the detected change in the lipid bilayer electrical property. |
| US09605306B2 |
Methods and nucleic acids for the analysis of gene expression associated with the development of prostate cell proliferative disorders
The invention provides methods, nucleic acids and kits for detecting prostate cell proliferative disorders. The invention discloses genomic sequences the methylation patterns of which have utility for the improved detection of said disorder, thereby enabling the improved diagnosis and treatment of patients. |
| US09605304B2 |
Ultra-stable oligonucleotide-gold and-silver nanoparticle conjugates and method of their preparation
A method for stabilizing conjugates between macromolecule and nanoparticle by forming a thin reinforcement layer over the surface of a nanoparticle after macromolecule chains have attached to the surface of the nanoparticle. The stabilized conjugates can be used in a wide range of applications such as in vitro diagnostics, in vivo imaging and therapeutics, which need to be conducted under various severe or harsh conditions. |
| US09605296B2 |
Fluorogenic peptidase substrate
The invention relates to novel peptidase substrates of formula (I): wherein R0, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and n are as defined in claim 1, and a method for detecting the presence of a catalytically active peptidase, by means of one of these substrates. |
| US09605292B2 |
Glucosyltransferase enzymes
A process for producing poly alpha-1,3-glucan with reduced molecular weight is disclosed. The process comprises contacting water, sucrose, a polar organic solvent, and a glucosyltransferase enzyme in a solution to produce poly alpha-1,3-glucan. This contacting step results in the production of poly alpha-1,3-glucan having a reduced molecular weight compared to the molecular weight of a poly alpha-1,3-glucan made in the absence of the polar organic solvent. |
| US09605290B2 |
Biocatalytic process for preparing eslicarbazepine and analogs thereof
The present disclosure relates to biocatalysts and its uses for the efficient preparation of eslicarbazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, and analogs thereof. |
| US09605283B2 |
Microorganism modified for the production of 1,3-propanediol
The invention relates to a modified microorganism for the production of PDO from a carbon substrate wherein the microorganism includes a three-step metabolic pathway including a first step of conversion of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate (DHB) to obtain 2-oxo-4-hydroxybutyrate (OHB) by an enzyme having 2,4-DHB dehydrogenase activity, a second step of decarboxylation of the OHB to obtain 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde by an enzyme having 2-oxo-4-hydroxybutyrate decarboxylase activity, and a third step of reduction of the obtained 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde to obtain PDO with an enzyme having 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde reductase activity and the genes enabling the microorganism for the synthesis of DHB. |
| US09605279B2 |
Methods and system for photo-activated hydrogen generation
Systems and methods for providing alternative fuel, in particular hydrogen photocatalytically generated by a system comprising photoactive nanoparticles and a nitrogenase cofactor are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a water soluble cadmium selenide nanoparticle (CdSe) surface capped with mercaptosuccinate (CdSe-MSA); and a NafY.FeMo-co complex comprising a NafY protein and an iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co); wherein the CdSe-MSA and the NafY.FeMo-co complex are present in about 1:1 molar ratio in a CdSe-MSA.NafY.FeMo-co system. In various embodiments, when illuminated, the CdSe-MSA.NafY.FeMo-co system is capable of photocatalytically producing hydrogen gas for an extended period of, e.g., at least 5 hours, at least 10 hours, or at least 90 hours. Methods for making and using the same are also provided. |
| US09605271B2 |
Disease resistant plant expressing WRKY45 under control of infection-responsive promoter
The present invention relates to plants that have been transformed so as to have both disease resistance and acceptable agronomic traits. More specifically, the present invention relates to transgenic plants that have acquired disease resistance through expression in the plants of a polynucleotide encoding the transcription factor WRKY45 in an infection-responsive manner, and methods for generating the transgenic plants. |
| US09605270B2 |
Chemically inducible cucumber mosaic virus protein expression system
The invention relates to a novel chemically inducible plant viral amplicon (CMViva) expression system that permits controllable, high level expression of foreign genes in plant hosts. This system employs agro-infiltration of plants to provide a transient production of a protein of interest, such as a human blood protein. This system provides a major advantage over existing plant expression systems because it allows for consistent expression of foreign or heterologous proteins in plant hosts. |
| US09605268B2 |
Method for introducing an exogenous DNA by overcoming the restriction modification barrier of a target bacterium
Disclosed is a method for introducing an exogenous DNA by overcoming the restriction modification barrier of the target bacterium. The method includes the steps of 1) co-expressing all DNA-methyltransferase-encoding genes in the genome of the target bacterium in E. coli in which the restriction modification system thereof has been deleted to obtain a recombinant bacterium A, 2) introducing an exogenous DNA molecule into the recombinant bacterium A for in vivo modification so as to obtain a methylation-modified exogenous DNA molecule, and 3) introducing the methylation-modified exogenous DNA molecule into the target bacterium. |
| US09605267B2 |
Compositions and methods for genetic constructs
In an aspect, the invention relates to compositions and methods for genetic constructs. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. |
| US09605264B2 |
Antisense oligonucleotides (ODN) against Smad7 and uses thereof in medical field
The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotidic sequences (ODN) against Smad7 suitably modified, and their uses in medical field as therapeutic biological agents, in particular in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. |
| US09605260B2 |
Alteration of neuronal gene expression by synthetic piRNAs and by alteration of piRNA function
Provided herein are compositions and methods for the alteration of neuronal methylation by synthetic piRNAs or by alteration of piRNA function. Such alterations find use in the regulation and control of neural gene expression and concomitant neural functions. Further provided herein are systems and methods for the identification of target sites for regulation by piRNAs. |
| US09605259B2 |
Compounds and methods for modulating protein expression
The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulating expression of a protein, including, but not limited to, modulating splicing of a pre-mRNA to modulate the amount of one or more variants of a protein. |
| US09605258B2 |
Compositions and methods for protein production
The present invention provides a method of selecting a mRNA for production of a polypeptide of interest comprising: a) producing an array of individual mRNA sequences comprising different nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptide of interest; b) determining one or more or two or more of the following parameters for each individual mRNA sequence of (a): (i) minimum free energy (MFE) RNA secondary structure; (ii) ensemble free energy (EFE); (iii) frequency of the minimum free energy (FMFE) RNA secondary structure in a thermodynamic ensemble; and (iv) ensemble diversity (ED); c) ranking the individual mRNA sequences of the array according the parameters determined in step (b); and d) selecting a mRNA sequence from the ranked array of step (c), wherein the selected mRNA produces the polypeptide of interest. The present invention further provides a method of selecting a mRNA for enhanced and reduced production of a polypeptide of interest. |
| US09605254B2 |
Electrokinetic confinement of neurite growth for dynamically configurable neural networks
Systems and methods for altering neurite growth are generally described. In some embodiments, a system may include a neuron comprising a neurite and electrodes able to generate a physical guidance cue. The physical guidance cue may be used to alter the growth of the neurite and may be temporally and spatially dynamic, such that neurite growth may be altered in a spatial and/or temporal manner. Dynamic control of neurite growth may be used to form directional neural connections, intersections, and/or overlaps. |
| US09605251B2 |
Compositions, methods and uses for stimulating immune responses
Embodiments herein report compositions, methods and uses for inducing an innate immune response in a subject. Embodiments herein also generally report compositions, methods and uses for bacterial-derived peptides to induce an innate immune response in a subject having a bacterial or viral disorder and/or cancer. In certain embodiments, compositions herein concern derivatives of p60 protein of Listeria monocytogenes. |
| US09605246B2 |
Endoribonuclease compositions and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure provides variant Csy4 endoribonucleases, nucleic acids encoding the variant Csy4 endoribonucleases, and host cells genetically modified with the nucleic acids. The variant Csy4 endoribonucleases find use in a variety of applications, which are also provided. The present disclosure also provides methods of detecting a specific sequence in a target polyribonucleotide; and methods of regulating production of a target RNA in a eukaryotic cell. |
| US09605245B1 |
Phytases and uses thereof
The present invention relates to variant phytase enzymes and their use thereof. |
| US09605239B2 |
Sensor attachment arrangement for flexible bags
An attachment arrangement for providing a sensor in a flexible bag, said attachment arrangement comprising: a sensor holding part adapted to be integrated with the flexible bag and comprising first locking part protruding out form the flexible bag, the sensor holding part holding an optical sensor inside the flexible bag; an adaptor part provided outside the flexible bag and adapted to hold an optical fiber, the adaptor part comprising second locking part adapted to mate with the first locking part to lock the first locking part and the second locking part together such that the optical fiber can communicate with the optical sensor inside the bag. |
| US09605238B2 |
Photo-bioreactor system and method for production of bio-materials
A photo-bioreactor and method of operating are described. The photo-bioreactor includes a reactor vessel arranged to contain a fluid medium within which bio-material is grown, and at least one light-emitting rod extending into the reactor vessel, wherein the light-emitting rod has an elongate tubular member characterized by a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along an axis normal to the longitudinal axis, and designed with an outer wall that encloses one or more light-emitting devices arranged along the longitudinal axis, the outer wall being transparent to at least part of the light emitted by the one or more light-emitting devices into the reactor vessel. The photo-bioreactor further includes a drive system coupled to the elongate tubular member, and operatively configured to rotate the light-emitting rod about the longitudinal axis within reactor vessel, and circulate the fluid medium through the reactor. |
| US09605234B2 |
Pyrophoric iron sulfide treatment using sodium nitrite
Pyrophoric material such as iron sulfide is frequently found in refinery equipment. When the equipment is opened to the atmosphere for maintenance, an exothermic reaction can take place that may cause injury to personnel and catastrophic damage to equipment. A process used to treat pyrophoric material uses sodium nitrite injected into a gaseous carrier stream to oxidize iron sulfides to elemental sulfur and iron oxides. The sodium nitrite solution may be buffered to a pH of about 9 with disodium phosphate or monosodium phosphate. A chemical additive that provides a quantitative measure of reaction completion may be added to the treatment solution. |
| US09605233B2 |
Oil extraction method and composition for use in the method
A composition is disclosed for aiding extraction of an emulsified oil from an oil and water emulsion. The composition includes silicon containing particles at a level of 0.1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; an emulsifying agent at a level of 1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; and water at a level of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) dispersing silicon containing particles into the material using a mechanical blending device; and (b) separating the oil from the material. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a dispersion of silicon containing particles in water; (b) metering the dispersion into the material; and (c) separating the oil from the material. |
| US09605231B2 |
Grease compositions comprising estolide base oils
Provided herein are grease compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 2; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are methods of making estolide-based grease products. |
| US09605229B2 |
Lubricant for lamination of lithium sheets into lithium thin films
A volatile methyl siloxane lubricant for use in the process of laminating lithium sheets into lithium films is disclosed. |
| US09605219B2 |
Solar gasifier
In various embodiments, the present invention provides a reaction chamber, including a catalyst, and a heating chamber configured to receive light. The heating chamber is positioned underneath at least a portion of the reaction chamber. |
| US09605212B2 |
Ultra-low water input oil sands recovery process
A method of processing oil sands material including bitumen. The method includes subjecting the oil sands material to a predistillation process. The predistillation process includes heating the oil sands material to between approximately 350° C. and approximately 400° C., to produce atmospheric gas oil from the bitumen, and intermediate dried oil sands material, and heating the intermediate dried oil sands material to between approximately 535° C. and at least approximately 600° C., to produce vacuum gas oil and coked oil sands material comprising carbon-heavy hydrocarbons and sand. The method also includes subjecting the coked oil sands material to gasification, to produce barren hot oil sands material, and syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases. |
| US09605208B2 |
Nematic liquid crystal composition
A liquid crystal composition exhibits a positive dielectric anisotropy and sufficiently low viscosity without decreasing or increasing refractive index anisotropy or nematic phase-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature, and does not cause display failures. The liquid crystal composition contains one or more compounds selected from compounds represented by general formula (LC0) and one or more compounds selected from a group of compounds represented by general formula (LC1) to general formula (LC5), in which the liquid crystal composition contains one or more compounds in which at least one of A01, A02, and A11 to A42 in general formulae (LC0) to (LC4) represents a tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl group. |
| US09605200B2 |
Deep-red light-emitting magnesium fluoro-germanate fluoroescent body and method for producing same
The deep red light-emitting magnesium fluorogermanate phosphor prepared by calcining a mixture comprising a fine magnesium oxide powder having a BET specific surface area in the range of 5-200 m2/g, a fluorine compound, a germanium compound and a manganese compound gives a light emission having a maximum peak of increased strength in the wavelength region of 640-680 nm upon excitation with a light having a wavelength of 400 nm. |
| US09605198B2 |
Mixed carbon length synthesis of primary Guerbet alcohols
In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight additives from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols comprising at least two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols to produce a mixture of Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols is then used to produce an additive composition comprising additives of different molecular weights. |
| US09605193B2 |
Three dimensional interconnected porous graphene-based thermal interface materials
A thermal interface material provides thermal conduction or thermal dissipation across an interface, using a three-dimensional interconnected porous graphene (3D-IPG) foam structure. The 3D-IPG foam structure is constructed of three-dimensional interconnected graphene sheets formed as a plurality of monolayers, and having an flexible interconnection architecture. The flexible interconnection architectures allow the 3D-IPG to maintain a high interfacial thermal conductance by the 3D-IPG filling a gap between a heat source and a heat sink across the interface, and by capping small features up to nanoscale roughened surfaces. |
| US09605191B2 |
Composite of adhesive films and shoe sole using same
Disclosed therein are adhesive films and a composite of the adhesive film, which can allow an outsole and a midsole to be simultaneously molded in manufacturing footwear. The adhesive film composite is formed of a polyester-type thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material, a polyethylene-based coupling agent, montan wax and fatty acid esters with pentaerythritol. |
| US09605190B2 |
Adhesive for hydrophobic or water-repellent substrate and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is an adhesive composition for hydrophobic or water-repellent substrate comprises an modified epoxy resin, a urethane resin, and a dilution solvent. The adhesive composition according to the present invention can be employed to be adhered the same or different materials or print pattern on a hydrophobic or water-repellent substrate. |
| US09605186B2 |
Adhesive compositions of ethylene-based and propylene-based polymers
The present invention is related to adhesive compositions and their applications. In particular, the adhesive compositions described herein comprise an ethylene-based polymer and a propylene-based polymer with varying comonomer content. |
| US09605185B2 |
Propylene-based polymer and hot melt adhesive
A propylene-based polymer which satisfies the following (a1) to (d1): (a1) [mmmm]=60 to 80 mol %; (b1) weight-average molecular weight (Mw)=10,000 to 55,000; (c1) Mw/Mn≦2.5; and (d1) [rmrm]≦2.5 mol %. |
| US09605181B2 |
Micropatterned structures for forming a seal with the face skin and other surfaces and method of make
The present invention is directed towards an article suitable for attachment to facial skin or other surfaces, which comprises microfibrils and continuous microribbons. The article provides good sealing when used on a regular skin, and on a challenge skin surface with facial hair, sweat and acnes. The article also provides good adhesion and sealing on any other rough surfaces, and can be used repeatedly against different surfaces. These dry adhesives can be used for improving sealing of mask respirators, swimming goggles, or for other applications such as medical bandage, working gloves, and protective clothing seal. |
| US09605180B2 |
Overprint varnishes reducing odor and contaminants
Solvent-based, or water-based, coating compositions are disclosed having primary or secondary amine concentrations of greater than 1.0 mg KOH/g (coating) equivalent. These coatings, when applied over inks or other coatings, reduce the level of materials that cause odor or other contamination problems. These coatings when applied over radiation-cured inks and coatings reduce the level of odor and contamination resulting from uncured monomers and oligomers, and also of photoinitiators and their photodecomposition products. |
| US09605176B2 |
Acrylic resin emulsion for aqueous inkjet ink, and aqueous inkjet ink composition employing the same
To provide an aqueous inkjet ink composition excellent in glossiness and other ink properties and imparted with a higher viscosity without the use of a tackifier, an acrylic resin emulsion for an aqueous inkjet ink is provided, which contains a particulate acrylic resin having an acid value of 1 to 100 mgKOH/g, wherein an acid-group-containing monomer is present at a content mole ratio (As) in surface regions of particles of the particulate acrylic resin and present at a content mole ratio (At) in the overall acrylic resin particles as measured with a 1H spin diffusion time of 5 ms, and a ratio (As/At) of the content mole ratio (As) to the content mole ratio (At) is not less than 9. |
| US09605175B2 |
Polymer coating compositions and coated products
Described herein are coating compositions for consumer and/or medical products. The coating compositions can be used to confer desirable properties to the consumer and/or medical products. |
| US09605174B2 |
Active energy ray curable aqueous resin composition, active energy ray curable aqueous coating material, and article coated with the coating material
The present invention provides an active energy ray curable aqueous resin composition prepared by reacting an acrylic resin (A), a polyisocyanate compound (B), and (meth)acrylate (C) having a hydroxyl group and dispersing the reaction product in an aqueous medium, the resin (A) being produced by copolymerizing an acrylic monomer (a1) having a polyoxyalkylene group, an acrylic monomer (a2) having a hydroxyl group, and an acrylic monomer (a3) other than the acrylic monomer (a1) and the acrylic monomer (a2) as essential raw materials. The active energy ray curable aqueous resin composition has excellent storage stability and forms a cured coating film with a good appearance and high adhesion to a substrate even after immersion in hot water, and thus can be desirably used for an active energy ray curable aqueous coating material. |
| US09605166B2 |
Emulsified electrorheological ink for indirect printing
An emulsified aqueous ink comprising an electrorheological fluid including a liquid phase and a solid phase, and a co-solvent, which is suitable for use in an indirect printing method. |
| US09605158B2 |
Polystyrene foam products with improved adhesion and water resistance, and methods of making the same
A water-resistant preformed polystyrene foam product with improved adhesive properties is provided. A water-resistant coating for preformed polystyrene products is also provided. The coating can be formulated as a sprayable composition and is easy to apply. Methods for making the coating formulations and water-resistant preformed polystyrene products are also provided. |
| US09605157B2 |
Surface treatment method and coating agent
A surface treatment method on a base material coated a surface with a carbon film includes: supplying at least any one of titanium, zirconium, niobium, vanadium, hafnium, tantalum, and tungsten to the carbon film; and heating the carbon film to 400° C. or more under an inert atmosphere, thereby forming a coating film on the base material. |
| US09605151B2 |
Microemulsion composition and a fiber treating agent
Disclosed is a microemulsion for a fiber treating agent providing softness, hydrophilicity, improving texture of a fiber and stability and dilution ability. A microemulsion composition includes the following components (A) to (E): (A) a linear organopolysiloxane having two or more polyoxyalkylene-containing organic groups represented by —CH2—CH(OH)CH2O—(C2H4O)b—(C3H6O)c—Z per molecule and a viscosity at 25° C. of 100 to 5,000 mPa·s in an amount of 80-98 mass %, (B) a nonionic surfactant, with an HLB factor of 12-16, in an amount of 1-10 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A), (C) an anionic surfactant in an amount of 0 to 3 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A), (D) an organic acid in an amount of 0.5-2 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the component (A), and (E) water in an amount of 1-5 mass %. |
| US09605149B2 |
Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic-resin molding material and method of manufacturing fiber-reinforced thermoplastic-resin molding material
A fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin molding material includes a carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin molding material, comprising 5 to 45 parts by weight of carbon fibers, 94 to 35 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin, and 1 to 20 parts by weight of a compound having a melt viscosity lower than the thermoplastic resin based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the carbon fibers, the thermoplastic resin, and the compound having a melt viscosity at 200° C. lower than that of the thermoplastic resin, wherein the thermoplastic resin is contained at an outer side of a composite obtained by impregnating the carbon fibers with the compound, and the length of the carbon fibers and the length of the carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin molding material are substantially the same. |
| US09605148B2 |
Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic-resin molding material
A fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin molding material includes 5 to 45 parts by weight of carbon fibers; 1 to 45 parts by weight of organic fibers; 20 to 93 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin; and 1 to 20 parts by weight of a compound having a melt viscosity lower than the thermoplastic resin based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the carbon fibers, the organic fibers, the thermoplastic resin, and the compound having a melt viscosity lower than the thermoplastic resin, wherein the thermoplastic resin is contained at an outer side of a composite obtained by impregnating a fiber bundle including the carbon and organic fibers with the compound; the carbon and organic fibers are unevenly distributed in a cross section of the fiber bundle; and the length of the fiber bundle and the fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin molding material are substantially the same. |
| US09605138B2 |
Resin composition and resin shaped product
There is provided a resin composition which contains a cellulose ester resin, a polyether ester compound, and an additive if necessary, the resin composition being capable of providing a resin shaped product with excellent transparency, tensile fracture energy property, and the like, and of being suppressed from deterioration of flowability. |
| US09605135B2 |
Polymer composite using shear thickening fluid
Disclosed are a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a polymer composite comprising a core filled with a shear thickening fluid containing silica particles dispersed in polyethylene glycol; an inner capsule layer formed of an emulsifier surrounding the shear thickening fluid; and an outer capsule layer formed of a thermosetting resin surrounding the inner capsule layer. |
| US09605133B2 |
Polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution
The present invention provides a polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution capable of suppressing contamination by components other than polyvinyl alcohol to form a film that contains few air bubbles and is excellent in adhesion to a base material, and a laminated film formed of the polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution. The present invention relates to a polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution including polyvinyl alcohol, a surface tension regulator, and water, the surface tension regulator being at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyether silicone compound, a glycerol compound, a cyclic hydrocarbon compound, a propylene glycol compound, and a fatty acid ester compound, the polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution containing 500 to 10000 parts by weight of water based on 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol and having a surface tension of 45 to 72 mN/m. |
| US09605126B2 |
Ultrafiltration process for the recovery of concentrated sulfopolyester dispersion
A process for recovering a concentrated sulfopolyester dispersion is provided comprising routing an aqueous dispersion comprising a water-dispersible sulfopolyester to a sulfopolyester concentration zone to remove water from the aqueous dispersion to produce the concentrated sulfopolyester dispersion and a recovered water stream; wherein the sulfopolyester concentration zone comprises at least one ultrafiltration membrane. |
| US09605124B2 |
Method for making impact-absorptive material
A method for making an impact-absorptive material is introduced. The method involves mixing silicon dioxide (SiO2) particles, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and an appropriate amount of an additive, allowing the mixture to settle until tiny bubbles in the mixture are evenly distributed, thereby forming a colloidal solution raw material, adding a crosslinking agent to the colloidal solution raw material to form a colloidal solution plastic material, filling a die with the colloidal solution plastic material, heating the colloidal solution plastic material in the die such that it takes shape and forms an effective impact absorbing material, quickly and at low costs, for use in physical education, medicine, transportation, and safety-enhancing equipment. |
| US09605123B2 |
Process for producing resin substrate having hard coating layer, and resin substrate having hard coating layer
A process for producing a resin substrate having a hard coating layer on at least one side of a resin substrate, comprising, in the following order, a step of applying a hard coating composition containing an organopolysiloxane to at least one side of the resin substrate to form a coating film of the composition, and then applying a first heat treatment to the coating film to form a cured film; an irradiation step of applying a Xe2 excimer light irradiation treatment to the cured film in an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of at most 5 vol %; and a step of applying an oxidation treatment to the cured film obtained by the irradiation step and then further applying a second heat treatment to form the hard coating layer. |
| US09605119B2 |
Method for producing thermoplastic elastomer composition
A method for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising using a twin screw kneader to melt-knead a thermoplastic resin and an elastomer; the twin screw kneader having at least two raw material inlets including a first raw material inlet and a second raw material inlet provided at a position separated by 15D to 38D on a downstream side from the first raw material inlet, where D is a cylinder inside diameter of the twin screw kneader; the elastomer being fed in a divided manner from the first and second raw material inlets; a proportion of the elastomer fed from the second raw material inlet being from 10 to 60 vol % of a total amount of the elastomer; and the elastomer being melt-kneaded in a kneading zone having a length of from 0.5D to 20D in a cylinder axis direction of the twin screw kneader. |
| US09605112B2 |
Biocompatible polymers for medical devices
The present invention relates to new classes of monomeric compounds, which may be polymerized to form novel biodegradable and bioresorble polymers and copolymers. These polymers and co-polymers, while not limited thereto, may be adapted for radio-opacity and are useful for medical device applications and controlled release therapeutic formulations. |
| US09605109B1 |
Phosphorous containing compounds and process for synthesis
The instant disclosure relates to phosphorus-containing compounds that can be used to form flame retardant phosphorus-containing resins, and also can serve as a hardener for a flame retardant epoxy resin compositions. In particular, the phosphorus-containing compounds are modified with acyloxy groups (—O—(C═O)—R), as shown below. Incorporation of the acyloxy groups results in resins that are water resistant and exhibit improved dielectric properties. |
| US09605104B2 |
Antioxidant treatment of asphalt binders
A combination of antioxidants and method of incorporating the antioxidants into an asphalt binder to make a modified asphalt binder are described. The antioxidants comprise a thioester and an aldehyde. The aldehyde and thioester, in a ratio between about 1:100 and about 100:1 parts by weight, are added to an asphalt binder. An acidic catalyst is also added in a concentration between about 0.1 wt % and about 18 wt % of the asphalt binder. The antioxidants, asphalt binder, and catalyst are mixed at a temperature between about 85° C. and about 135° C. for a time between about 30 minutes and about 6 hours. The antioxidants are capable of improving the performance grade of the asphalt binder. The modified asphalt binder possesses superior resistance to oxidative age hardening compared to other modified asphalt binder compositions that incorporate various antioxidants. |
| US09605102B2 |
Asymmetric regio-regular conjugated polymers for electronic applications
A polymer consisting of a regio-regular polymer backbone basing on asymmetric fluorine-substituted 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole units (FBT) having a Formula 1MP0: where. R1 is any alkyl group of 1-30 carbons; R2 is any alkyl group of 1-30 carbons; n is any number greater than 6; D is an aryl moiety. |
| US09605099B2 |
Olefin resin
Provided are a polyolefin resin having two crystallization temperatures, a resin composition including the polyolefin resin, an encapsulant film, a method for manufacturing the encapsulant for an optoelectronic device, and an optoelectronic device, in which the encapsulant having high light transmittance and low haze value can be provided even under the condition of low lamination, and the resin composition including the polyolefin resin can be used for manufacturing various encapsulants for an optoelectronic device, thereby providing excellent adhesive strength with the front substrate and back sheet included in the device, especially, a long-term adhesion property and improved heat resistance. |
| US09605098B2 |
Molecular weight control of polyolefins using halogenated bis-phenylphenoxy catalysts
A process for preparing an olefin homopolymer or copolymer comprises contacting ethylene, an alpha-olefin, or a combination, and a catalytic amount of a metal-ligand complex catalyst of a particular formula that requires at least one halogen atom that is ortho to a bridging moiety. The strategic location of the halogen atom(s) ensures a product having a molecular weight that is predictably and significantly reduced in comparison with that of copolymers produced using otherwise identical metal-ligand complex catalysts that lack halogen atoms at the specified sites. |
| US09605092B2 |
Polymerisation process
Polymerization process, in particular for the polymerization of monomer selected from ethylene and propylene in a reaction system containing at least three reactors operated in series. The process includes (a) polymerizing monomer in a first reactor having a volume of at least 50 m3 to produce a first polymer, (b) passing the first polymer to a second reactor and polymerizing monomer in the second reactor to produce a second polymer containing the first polymer and polymer produced in the second reactor, and (c) passing the second polymer to a third reactor and polymerizing monomer in the third reactor to produce a third polymer containing the second polymer and polymer produced in the third reactor. The polymerizations are performed such that between 0.01 and 5 w % of the total mass of the third polymer is polymer produced in the second reactor. |
| US09605091B2 |
Separation of monomer components from light components
Process for enhancing the separation of monomer components from light components other than monomer by providing a first stream containing monomer and light components other than monomer and passing the first stream to a first separator at a first pressure to separate a gaseous second stream containing at least some of the light components other than monomer and provide a liquid third stream containing monomer. A portion of the third stream and a fourth stream containing monomer and light components other than monomer is passed to a second separator at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure to separate a gaseous fifth stream containing at least some of the light components other than monomer from the fourth stream and provide a liquid sixth stream containing monomer. |
| US09605090B2 |
Activated clay for treating aromatic hydrocarbons
An activated clay for treating aromatic hydrocarbons, containing montmorillonite in an amount of not less than 34% by mass, having an SiO2/Al2O3 mol ratio in a range of 3.8 to 8.0, and desorbing ammonia in an amount in a range of 0.11 to 0.20 mmols/g as measured by the ammonia TPD method with the heat of adsorption in a range of 128 to 148 kJ/mol. The activated clay comprises an acid-treated product of smectite clay, imposes no limitation on the area where the starting clay is produced, and features long catalytic life free of dispersion in the properties. |
| US09605089B2 |
Attrition resistant catalyst system for manufacture of polyolefins
The present invention relates to regular shaped magnesium particles containing attrition resistant precursors and procatalysts thereof and processes for their synthesis and their use in the manufacture of polyolefins. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of a said precursor particles which give highly active and improved surface area procatalysts for producing high bulk density polyolefin resins containing low fines and capable of incorporating high rubber content. In particular, the present invention relates to process for the synthesis of an attrition resistant precursors to prepare an attrition resistant Zeigler Natta procatalysts synthesized by using the precursors and to the polyolefin resin synthesized using the said procatalysts. |
| US09605088B2 |
Catalyst compositions and their use for hydrogenation of nitrile rubber
This invention relates to novel catalyst compositions based on Ruthenium- or Osmium-based complex catalysts and to a process for selectively hydrogenating nitrile rubbers in the presence of such catalyst compositions. |
| US09605086B2 |
Resin composition and resin molded article
A resin composition includes a cellulose derivative, wherein a saturated water absorption of the resin composition is in a range of 7% or greater. |
| US09605085B2 |
Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion
A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided. |
| US09605081B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding anti-kit antibodies
Provided herein, in one aspect, are antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a human KIT antigen comprising the fourth and/or fifth extracellular Ig-like domains (that is, D4 and/or D5 domains), polynucleotides comprising nucleotide sequences encoding such antibodies, and expression vectors and host cells for producing such antibodies. The antibodies can inhibit KIT activity, such as ligand-induced receptor phosphorylation. Also provided herein are kits and pharmaceutical compositions comprising antibodies that specifically bind to a KIT antigen, as well as methods of treating or managing a KIT-associated disorder or disease and methods of diagnosing a KIT-associated disorder or disease using the antibodies described herein. |
| US09605080B2 |
Antibodies against CD73
The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human antibodies, that bind to human Cluster of Differentiation 73 (CD73) with high affinity, and inhibit the activity of CD73, and optionally mediate antibody dependent CD73 internalization. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting the growth of a tumor cell expressing CD73 using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating various cancers. |
| US09605079B2 |
Proteins that bind PI16 and uses thereof
The present disclosure provides an isolated protein comprising at least one antibody variable region that is capable of binding to peptidase inhibitor 16 (PI16), wherein the protein is also capable of competitively inhibiting binding of an antibody produced by a hybridoma designated CRCBT-02-001 deposited with the ATCC under Accession Number PTA-10685 to PI16. The present invention also provides use of the protein, e.g., in diagnosis, therapy or to isolate cells, preferably Treg cells. |
| US09605078B2 |
Pictet-Spengler ligation for protein chemical modification
Aldehyde- and ketone-functionalized proteins are promising new substrates for the development of chemically modified biotherapeutics and protein-based materials. Their reactive carbonyl groups are typically conjugated with a-effect nucleophiles, such as substituted hydrazines and alkoxyamines, to generate hydrazones and oximes, respectively. However, the resulting C═N linkages are susceptible to hydrolysis under physiologically relevant conditions, which limits their utility in biological systems. Here we introduce a Pictet-Spengler ligation that is based on the classic Pictet-Spengler reaction of aldehydes and tryptamine nucleophiles. The ligation exploits the bioorthogonal reaction of aldehydes and alkoxyamines to form an intermediate oxyiminium ion; this intermediate undergoes intramolecular C—C bond formation with an indole nucleophile to form an oxacarboline product that is hydrolytically stable. The reaction was utilized for site-specific chemical modification of glyoxal- and formylglycine-functionalized proteins, including an aldehyde-tagged variant of the therapeutic monoclonal antibody Herceptin. In conjunction with techniques for site-specific introduction of aldehydes into proteins, the Pictet-Spengler ligation offers a new means to generate stable bioconjugates for medical and materials applications. |
| US09605077B2 |
Recombinant monoclonal antibodies and corresponding antigens for colon and pancreatic cancers
The present invention provides for purified or highly pure recombinant monoclonal antibodies that bind to human colorectal and pancreatic carcinoma-associated antigens (CPAA), along with nucleic acid sequences encoding the antibody chains, and the amino acid sequences corresponding to said nucleic acids and uses for said sequences. |
| US09605074B2 |
Multifunctional nanobodies for treating cancer
The technology described herein is directed to methods and compositions directed to the treatment of cancer, e.g. using multifunctional receptor targeted cancer therapeutics. |
| US09605072B2 |
Nucleic acids that encode interleukin-6 receptor binding polypeptides
The invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against and/or that can specifically bind to IL-6 receptor, compounds or constructs that comprise the amino acid sequences, nucleic acids that encode the amino acid sequences, compounds or constructs, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the amino acid sequences, compounds or constructs as well as methods for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6 receptor. |
| US09605067B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding anti-IL-12 antibody
An anti-IL-12 antibody that binds to a portion of the IL-12 protein corresponding to at least one amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of residues 15, 17-21, 23, 40-43, 45-47, 54-56 and 58-62 of the amino acid sequence of the p40 subunit of IL-12, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one anti-IL-12 antibody, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof have applications in diagnostic and/or therapeutic compositions, methods and devices. |
| US09605065B2 |
Anti-IL13 antibodies and uses thereof
The present invention relates to anti-IL13 antibodies that bind specifically and with high affinity to both glycosylated and non-glycosylated human IL13, does not bind mouse IL13, and neutralize human IL13 activity at an approximate molar ratio of 1:2 (MAb:IL13). The invention also relates to the use of these antibodies in the treatment of IL13-mediated diseases, such as allergic disease, including asthma, allergic asthma, non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema, urticaria, food allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ulcerative colitis, RSV infection, uveitis, scleroderma, and osteoporosis. |
| US09605064B2 |
Methods and compositions for treatment of skin disorders
The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of a skin disorder associated with detrimental TNFα activity, such as psoriasis. The invention includes methods for treating a skin disorder associated with detrimental TNFα activity, such as psoriasis, in a subject who has failed or lost response to prior biologic therapy, such as prior administration of etanercept. The invention further provides methods for determining the efficacy of a human TNFα antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, for the treatment of a skin disorder associated with detrimental TNFα activity, such as psoriasis. |
| US09605062B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding ZCYTOR17 ligand antibodies
The present invention relates to zcytor17lig polynucleotide, polypeptide and anti-zcytor17 antibody molecules. The zcytor17lig is a novel cytokine. The polypeptides may be used within methods for stimulating the immune system, and proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto. |
| US09605052B2 |
Method for extracting IgY (γ-livetin) from egg yolk
A method for extracting IgY (γ-livetin) from yolk is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: (A) providing a buffer solution, a yolk sample, and an inorganic salt solution; (B) diluting the yolk sample with the buffer solution to obtain a mixture, stirring the mixture for a predetermined time, and performing a centrifugation on the mixture to obtain a supernatant; and (C) adding the inorganic salt solution into the supernatant to salt out IgY, wherein a pH value of the buffer solution is in a range from 4.6 to 5.4, a salt concentration of the buffer solution is in a range from 0.05 M to 0.15 M, and a saturation degree of the inorganic salt solution is in a range from 30% to 60%. |
| US09605047B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating hypertension
The technology described herein is directed to agents that reduce the level of oxidant-modified ET-B Cys405, Cys403, or Cys402 and the identification and use of such agents for, e.g. to treat hypertension. |
| US09605043B2 |
Fusion protein for suppressing cancer cell growth and suppressing vasculogenesis, and anticancer composition comprising same
The present invention relates to a fusion protein resulting from the fusion of a cancer-specific antibody and an angiogenesis inhibitor, and relates to an anti-cancer composition including the same. More specifically, in the present invention, it is preferable that the cancer-specific antibody is trastuzumab or a fragment thereof, and the angiogenesis inhibitor is a VEGF-Trap. When the fusion protein according to the present invention is used, there are advantages in that angiogenesis and cancer cell growth can be effectively inhibited as compared to trastuzumab or VEGF-Trap, and side effects can also be reduced. |
| US09605040B2 |
Nutritive proteins and methods
Nutritive proteins are provided. In some embodiments the nutritive proteins comprise at least one of a level of a) a ratio of branch chain amino acid residues to total amino acid residues present in the nutritive protein equal to or greater than the ratio of branch chain amino acid residues to total amino acid residues present in whey protein; b) a ratio of leucine residues to total amino acid residues present in the nutritive protein equal to or greater than the ratio of leucine residues to total amino acid residues present in whey protein; and c) a ratio of essential amino acid residues to total amino acid residues present in the nutritive protein equal to or greater than the ratio of essential amino acid residues to total amino acid residues present in whey protein. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the proteins, recombinant microorganisms that make the proteins, methods of making the proteins using recombinant microorganisms, compositions that comprise the proteins, and methods of using the proteins, among other things. |
| US09605037B2 |
Recombinant host cells and nucleic acid constructs encoding polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US09605036B2 |
Vaccines and diagnostics for the ehrlichioses
The present invention concerns VLPT immunoreactive compositions for E. chaffeensis and compositions related thereto, including vaccines, antibodies, polypeptides, peptides, and polynucleotides. In particular, epitopes for E. chaffeensis VLPT are disclosed. |