| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09690441B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing message
A method and apparatus are provided for conveniently managing messages that are received from or sent to external devices through a network by a mobile device. At least one message is displayed and selected by a user for a further operation. Attribute information of the selected message is checked in a message history database. Based on the checked attribute information, a message related to the selected message is displayed. The selected message may be a previously marked message and the related message may be an unmarked message. |
| US09690436B2 |
Touch panel using single layer pattern and touch sensing apparatus including the touch panel
The touch panel includes a touch detecting region in which a plurality of sensing regions are two-dimensionally arranged on a single substrate, a plurality of first electrodes formed in shapes of predetermined patterns in the plurality of sensing regions, respectively, and sensing a position of a vertical axis of touch applied to the touch detecting region, and a plurality of second electrodes electrically insulated from the first electrodes in the plurality of sensing regions, respectively. |
| US09690430B2 |
Touch detection apparatus, touch detection method and recording medium
A touch detection method executed by a touch detection apparatus projects light that does not include a wavelength component of visible light onto a screen, has a sensitivity in a wavelength component of the light projected by the projecting, takes an image on the screen in a state where light is projected by the projecting, and performs detection pertaining to a touch, based on image data taken by the image-sensing. |
| US09690429B2 |
Tracking approaching or hovering objects for user-interfaces
An architecture is described that can utilize photo-sensors embedded in a substantially transparent layer of a UI display for tracking objects that approach or hover over the UI display. The photo-sensors can be configured to detect light of certain wavelengths (e.g., visible light, infrared light) that are propagated toward the UI display, while ignoring light emanating from the UI display when displaying content. Accordingly, by examining various characteristics of the incoming light such as intensity, the architecture can identify a location of a shadow incident upon the display caused by an approaching or hovering selector object blocking portions of incoming light. Additionally or alternatively, the architecture can identify a location of higher intensity for light emanating from the selector object. |
| US09690428B2 |
Optical touch screen apparatuses and methods of driving the optical touch screen apparatuses
An optical touch screen apparatus in which an oxide semiconductor transistor is used as a light sensing device, and a method of driving the optical touch screen apparatus. The optical touch screen apparatus includes an array including a plurality of light sensing pixels for sensing incident light, a gate driver for providing each of the light sensing pixels with a gate voltage and a reset signal and a signal output unit for receiving a light sensing signal from each of the plurality of light sensing pixels to output a data signal. The gate driver includes a plurality of gate lines that provide a gate voltage to each of the light sensing pixels and at least one reset line that provides a reset signal to each of the light sensing pixels and is electrically connected to the plurality of light sensing pixels. |
| US09690427B2 |
User interface device, and projector device
A user interface device for detecting an operation, by a finger of a user, on an operation member presented on a projection surface includes a distance detector for detecting a distance to the projection surface, and a distance to the finger, and a controller for detecting the operation based on the distances detected by the distance detector. When presence of the finger between the projection surface and the distance detector is determined, the controller calculates a normal vector of the projection surface based on distances from the distance detector to positions of at least three points on a surface of the projection surface and a distance from the distance detector to the finger, and detects, based on the normal vector, presence or absence of an operation on the operation member. |
| US09690420B2 |
Display device having touch sensor
A touch sensing device comprises a display panel including a plurality of data lines and a plurality of sensor interconnection lines, the plurality of data lines connected to a plurality of pixels of the display panel, and the plurality of sensor interconnection lines connected to a plurality of touch electrodes of the display panel, each pixel including a plurality of sub-pixels that each display a distinct color. A pattern of sub-pixels is arranged in the display panel such that a same number of sub-pixels for each distinct color is arranged adjacent to a first side and adjacent to a second side of one or more of the plurality of sensor interconnection lines, each of the sub-pixels for each distinct color being adjacent to either the first side or the second side of a corresponding one of the sensor interconnection lines. |
| US09690414B2 |
Touch sensor having a pressure detecting sensor with an electrode non-forming section
A touch sensor that includes a pressure detection sensor and a position detection sensor. The pressure detection sensor includes a piezoelectric film, a first piezoelectricity detecting electrode adjacent a first principal surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second piezoelectricity detecting electrode adjacent a second principal surface of the piezoelectric film. The position detection sensor includes a dielectric substrate, a plurality of first position detecting electrodes adjacent a first principal surface of the dielectric substrate, and a plurality of second position detecting electrodes adjacent a second principal surface of the dielectric substrate. In the pressure detection sensor, the second piezoelectricity detecting electrode includes an electrode non-forming section in a region where the first position detecting electrode and the second position detecting electrode overlap each other. |
| US09690409B2 |
Touch three-dimensional grating and display device
A touch three-dimensional grating and a display device are provided. The touch three-dimensional grating includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, a plurality of first strip electrodes, and a plurality of second strip electrodes, wherein in a touch time period, a part of the plurality of first strip electrodes serve as touch driving electrodes, and a part of the plurality of second strip electrodes serve as touch sensing electrodes, in a three-dimensional display time period, a part of the plurality of first strip electrodes serve as first three-dimensional driving electrodes, and all of the plurality of second strip electrodes serve as another three-dimensional driving electrode; or, a part of the plurality of second strip electrodes serve as second three-dimensional driving electrodes, and all of the plurality of first strip electrodes serve as another three-dimensional driving electrode. |
| US09690405B2 |
Display panel and manufacturing method thereof, and display device
The present invention provides a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The display panel is divided into display areas and non-display areas, and comprises an upper base plate and a lower base plate which is aligned with the upper base plate to form a cell, a control structure and a display structure are arranged in the display area on the lower base plate, a sensing structure is further arranged in the display area on the upper base plate and/or the lower base plate, the sensing structure and the display structure are correspondingly arranged, and a stabilizer sub-structure is arranged in the sensing structure. |
| US09690404B2 |
Method and electronic device for transmitting content
A method for transmitting content and an electronic device thereof are provided. In a method for transmitting content in an electronic device, a first electronic device transmits content information to an electronic pen. The electronic pen transmits the content information to a second electronic device. |
| US09690402B1 |
Scanning mirror touch screen
A touch panel system includes micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) groups. Each group includes an emitter producing a beam, and a MEMS mirror located about a corner of a touch panel screen. The MEMS mirror reflects the beam to create a beam sweep across a touch panel surface. An array of photo sensors is located parallel to an edge of the touch panel screen to detect reflected beams from an object about the touch panel surface. Based on when the reflected beams are detected, the angular positions of the MEMS mirrors can be determined and correlated to the object's position. |
| US09690400B2 |
Information handling system interactive totems
A totem device accepts inputs from an end user and communicates the inputs to an information handling system through a capacitive mat by moving an interactive portion of the totem relative to a main portion. In one embodiment, the capacitive mat integrates a display that presents input images proximate the totem, such as a volume gauge or mouse keys. Interactive portions include compressible materials that alter surface area pressed against a capacitive mat when pressed upon and plungers that move independent of a main body to press. In one embodiment, a camera captures images of the totem to enhance the distinguishing of inputs. |
| US09690393B2 |
Information processing device, program, recording medium, and information processing system
There is provided an information processing device which includes a receiving unit which receives handwriting data of an electronic pen accompanied by attribute information added by a user; a recognizing unit which recognizes a character string or a graphic from the handwriting data accompanied by the attribute information and associates the attribute information accompanying the handwriting data with the character string or the graphic; a search unit which searches for user-desired information on the basis of the character string or the graphic and the attribute information associated with the character string or the graphic; a converting unit which converts the user-desired information to display data; and a display unit which displays the display data. |
| US09690390B2 |
User interface devices
User interface devices (UIDs) for sensing position or motion of an actuator assembly in multiple degrees of freedom are disclosed. In one embodiment a UID includes a frame having a top and bottom assembly, an actuator assembly disposed within a volume between the top and bottom of the frame having magnets disposed therein, a sensor array for sensing magnetic fields from the magnets in multiple axes, and a processing element for receiving the sensed magnet fields and generating a UID output signal corresponding to a position, translation, rotation, deformation, or other action of the actuator assembly. |
| US09690386B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing motion recognition using motion sensor fusion, and associated computer program product
A method and apparatus for performing motion recognition using motion sensor fusion and an associated computer program product are provided, where the method is applied to an electronic device. The method includes the steps of: utilizing a plurality of motion sensors of the electronic device to obtain sensor data respectively corresponding to the plurality of motion sensors, the sensor data measured at a device coordinate system of the electronic device, wherein the plurality of motion sensors includes inertial motion sensors; and performing sensor fusion according to the sensor data by converting at least one portion of the sensor data and derivatives of the sensor data into converted data based on a global coordinate system of a user of the electronic device, to perform motion recognition based on the global coordinate system, in order to recognize the user's motion. |
| US09690385B2 |
Handheld dual display device having foldover ground tabs
A handheld communication device includes a screen to receive input from and provide graphical output to a user, a processor to execute machine readable instructions and control operation of the device, a computer readable medium to store the machine readable instructions, an energy storage device to power the screen, processor, and computer readable medium, and a substantially planar electrically conductive member positioned between the screen, processor, and computer readable medium on one hand and the energy storage device on the other. The conductive member engages a first side of the energy storage device and comprises a flexible tab extending from the first side of the energy storage device, around a side of the energy storage device, and to a second terminal on an opposing second side of the energy storage device. |
| US09690383B1 |
Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for generating tactile outputs
An electronic device, while tactile output generators are in a low-power state, receives an indication that a user interaction has started. The device, if the indication meets tactile output generator preparation criteria, sets the tactile output generators to a low-latency state at a first time. Thereafter, the device, if the user interaction has reached a respective portion of the user interaction that is associated with a tactile output before a predefined amount of time since the first time has elapsed and the tactile output generators are still in the low-latency state, generates the tactile output using the tactile output generators with a reduced latency. If a tactile output has not been generated for at least the predefined amount of time since the first time, the device transitions the tactile output generators from the low-latency state to the low-power state. |
| US09690380B2 |
Contextual haptic feedback
A touch sensitive device for generating contextual haptic feedback comprising a touch sensitive member, a transducer mounted to the member, a processor comprising a control process and a further processing device connected to the processor, the further processing device being adapted to use a context map to enable signals to be provided to the transducer, whereby the transducer can couple vibrational energy to the touch sensitive member to provide haptic feedback. |
| US09690375B2 |
Systems and methods for generating augmented and virtual reality images
A ride system includes at least one ride vehicle. The at least one ride vehicle is configured to receive a ride passenger. The ride system includes electronic goggles configured to be worn by the ride passenger. The electronic goggles include a camera and a display. The ride system includes a computer graphics generation system communicatively coupled to the electronic goggles, and configured to generate streaming media of a real world environment based on image data captured via the camera of the electronic goggles, generate one or more virtual augmentations superimposed on the streaming media of the real world environment, and to transmit the streaming media of the real world environment along with the one or more superimposed virtual augmentations to be displayed on the display of the electronic goggles. |
| US09690367B2 |
System and method for assisting a user in locating physical objects while the user is in a virtual reality environment
A method and apparatus is disclosed for assisting a user, wearing a head mounted display (HMD) that covers a user's field of vision and has a tracker providing information regarding the position and orientation of the HMD, in locating a physical controller located on a physical base station. A processor causes the HMD to display a virtual world, including a virtual representation of the physical base station and physical controller along with a virtual hand that helps guide the user to the physical base station to allow the user to pick up the physical controller. Another embodiment allows an area in the physical world to be defined within which the user should remain, for example to avoid physical obstacles. The processor causes the HMD to display a warning, such as a virtual fence, to alert the user if the user approaches to within a preselected distance of the boundary. |
| US09690366B2 |
Saving power when in or transitioning to a static mode of a processor by using feedback-configured voltage regulator
A method for reducing power utilized by a processor including the steps of determining that a processor is transitioning from a computing mode to a mode is which system clock to the processor is disabled, and reducing core voltage to the processor to a value sufficient to maintain state during the mode in which system clock is disabled. |
| US09690365B2 |
Dual-rail power equalizer
A processing device performs dual-rail power equalization for its memory cell array and logic circuitry. The memory cell array is coupled to a first power rail through a first switch to receive a first voltage level. The logic circuitry is coupled to a second power rail through a second switch to receive a second voltage level that is different from the first voltage level. The processing device also includes a power switch coupled to at least the second power rail and operative to be enabled to equalize voltage supplied to the memory cell array and the logic circuitry. |
| US09690364B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting memory state transition timers
Systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for dynamically adjusting memory power state transition timers. One embodiment of a method comprises receiving one or more parameters impacting usage or performance of a memory device coupled to a processor in a computing device. An optimal value is determined for one or more memory power state transition timer settings. A current value is updated for the memory power state transition timer settings with the optimal value. |
| US09690363B2 |
Method and system for optimizing a core voltage level and enhancing frequency performance of individual subcomponents for reducing power consumption within a PCD
A method and system for optimizing a core voltage level of a portable computing device (“PCD”) and enhancing frequency performance of individual subcomponents are disclosed. A plurality of voltage values for a plurality of subsystems is determined. At least one subsystem is a multiplexed subsystem. Next, a reduced set of voltage values is calculated based on the plurality of voltage values and an optimized voltage level is determined for a shared power domain. The shared power domain is subsequently set to the optimized voltage level. If the optimized voltage level is determined to exceed a required voltage level for the at least one multiplexed subsystem when it is running the plurality of processing engines, a subset of the plurality of processing engines may be identified to process a workload of the multiplexed system at a more efficient level of power consumption than the full plurality of processing engines. |
| US09690362B2 |
Surgical instrument control circuit having a safety processor
The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, the safety processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments is configured to control one or more operations of the surgical instrument. The safety processor is configured to monitor one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments. |
| US09690361B2 |
Low-power context-aware control for analog frontend
An analog frontend (AFE) interface is dynamically programmable based on a determined operating state. The AFE includes hardware to interface with multiple different sensors. The AFE includes analog processing hardware that can select input data from one of the multiple sensors. The analog processing hardware is coupled to a processor that computes features from the sensor, where the features represent selected operating condition information of the AFE for the sensor. The processor is to determine one of multiple discrete operating states of the AFE for the sensor based on the computed features and dynamically adjust operation of the AFE to interface with the sensor based on the determined operating state. Dynamically adjusting the operation of the AFE includes controlling a configuration of the AFE that controls how the AFE receives the input sensor data from the sensor. |
| US09690359B2 |
Power multiplexer for integrated circuit power grid efficiency
An integrated circuit is provided with a low-power island including embedded memory power domains that may selectively couple to either an active-mode power supply voltage supplied on a first power rail or to a sleep-mode power supply voltage supplied on a second power rail. |
| US09690355B2 |
Semiconductor device, power control method, and storage medium
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device can be in an operating state and a standby state with a choice of a plurality of standby state levels and has a CPU, an interrupt control circuit, and a hardware control circuit. The CPU makes a comparison of a first return time period corresponding to a first standby state level that is a shallowest one selected from among allowable standby state levels set for one or more tasks executed immediately before transition to the standby state with a second return time period selected from among allowable return time periods set for the one or more tasks executed, changes a standby state level of the standby state if the first return time period is judged to be longer than the second return time period as a result of the comparison, and controls the hardware control circuit. |
| US09690345B2 |
Power consumption control in computer system
A rack-style computer system is provided. The computer system includes a first server, a second server, and a power distribution unit (PDU). The PDU supplies power to the first server and the second server and monitors the power supplied to the first server and the second server and obtains a power sum value. The first server determines whether the power sum value exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the determination is affirmative, the first server performs a power throttling. |
| US09690338B2 |
Electronic device with cooling facility
An electronic device includes a housing defining a number of vents. A suction member is mounted in the housing and includes a hollow air guiding tube defining a plurality of air holes for a plurality of air shields to selectively shield or unshield each air hole. Two fans are disposed at opposite ends of the air guiding tube and aligned with the plurality of vents of a side plate. A number of electronic components which require cooling are mounted and located at each side of the suction member and the air shields can be removed or left in place as required to collect heat which is generated. |
| US09690336B2 |
Function card fixing structure having a releasing component to lock and unlock a sliding component
A function card fixing structure is provided, comprising a main body including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is perpendicular to the second portion, and the first portion comprises a plurality of trenches extending along a direction of a long axis of the main body. A sliding component is disposed at a side of the second portion, wherein the sliding component comprises a plate body and a locking portion, and one side of the plate body comprises a plurality of openings and stopping portions. A releasing component comprising a locking portion is at one side, wherein the locking portion of the releasing component is locked with the locking portion of the sliding component. |
| US09690326B2 |
Wearable display device
A wearable display device includes a display unit configured to transmit an image, a first housing having a first end connected to the display unit, a second housing having a first end disposed opposite to the first end of the first housing, and a sliding unit configured to slidably connect the first housing and the second housing to each other. |
| US09690323B2 |
Portable electronic device having a protective foldable cover with a built-in membrane keyboard
A portable electronic device includes a main body, a protective foldable cover, a membrane keyboard and a folding means. The protective foldable cover is attached structurally in a foldable manner to the main body and further has a foldable leaf to cover the main body. The membrane keyboard is mounted to the foldable leaf by facing the main body and is connected signally with the main body. The folding means is to provide at least one stand state for the main body to stand on the foldable leaf of the protective foldable cover and thus to present the membrane keyboard completely to a position in front of the main body. |
| US09690318B2 |
Control device and system of a bicycle electronic system
The present invention refers to a control device and to a control system of a bicycle electronic system as well as to a bicycle electronic system using the same, in particular a bicycle electronic gearshift. In particular, the control device of a bicycle electronic system comprises a containment casing, containing inside it at least one switch, and at least one manual actuation member faced at the containment casing and acting on a respective switch of the at least one switch for imparting at least one manual command to the bicycle electronic system. The containment casing is provided with a housing seat suitable for receiving at least one input multiplier able to be connected to the at least one switch to receive the manual command when the at least one manual actuation member activates the respective switch. |
| US09690317B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of driving the same
A semiconductor device includes: an internal voltage generation block suitable for generating an internal voltage based on first and second external voltages whose power-up sections are different from each other; and a control block suitable for fixing the internal voltage to a predetermined voltage level during a control section including a first power-up section of the first external voltage and a second power-up section of the second external voltage. |
| US09690315B2 |
Constant input current filter for power supplies and related system and method
A system includes a capacitor and a current source configured to draw a constant input current from a power source and to generate an output current. The current source includes an n-type field effect transistor that is biased to operate as a constant current source. The current source is configured to provide the output current to the capacitor and charge the capacitor during a first time period associated with operation of a load. The current source is also configured to provide the output current to the load and the capacitor is configured to provide an additional current to the load during a second time period associated with operation of the load. The load could represent an electronic device having a time-varying output power characteristic, such as a wireless radio. |
| US09690314B2 |
Inductive load power switching circuits
Power switching circuits including an inductive load and a switching device are described. The switches devices can be either low-side or high-side switches. Some of the switches are transistors that are able to block voltages or prevent substantial current from flowing through the transistor when voltage is applied across the transistor. |
| US09690313B2 |
Power transfer management for local power sources of a grid-tied load
A power transfer system provides power factor conditioning of the generated power. Power is received from a local power source, converted to usable AC power, and the power factor is conditioned to a desired value. The desired value may be a power factor at or near unity, or the desired power factor may be in response to conditions of the power grid, a tariff established, and/or determinations made remotely to the local power source. Many sources and power transfer systems can be put together and controlled as a power source farm to deliver power to the grid having a specific power factor characteristic. The farm may be a grouping of multiple local customer premises. AC power can also be conditioned prior to use by an AC to DC power supply for more efficient DC power conversion. |
| US09690311B2 |
Power supply apparatus
A power supply apparatus including a power conversion circuit, a single transformer, a conjugate energy-storing inductor and a first and a second rectifying and filtering circuit is provided. The single transformer has a primary winding, a first secondary winding and a second secondary winding. The primary winding is coupled to the power conversion circuit and the first and second secondary windings respectively induce a corresponding voltage based on a voltage of the primary winding. The conjugate energy-storing inductor has a first and a second conjugate coil isolated from each other. The first and second rectifying and filtering circuits respectively charges/discharges in response to the voltage induced by the first and second rectifying and filtering circuits, and thereby respectively provides a first and a second output voltage via the output terminals of the first and second rectifying and filtering circuits. |
| US09690304B2 |
Method of, and apparatus for, providing a gas mixture
There is provided a gas mixer arrangement comprising a first gas source for supplying a first gas; a second gas source for supplying a second gas different from said first gas; a first valve for regulating the flow of the first gas; a second valve for regulating the flow of the second gas; a mixer located downstream of the first and second valves and arranged, in use, to mix the first and second gases to provide a mixed gas; a meter arranged to measure the average molecular weight of the mixed gas, comprising a high-frequency planar piezoelectric crystal oscillator in contact with the mixed gas and a sensor operable to determine atmospheric pressure; and a controller operable, in response to the measured average molecular weight of said mixed gas, to control at least one of said first and second valves in order to control the relative proportion of the first and second gases in said mixed gas. |
| US09690300B2 |
Gas flow regulating device
A gas flow regulating device including a housing assembly, an inlet tube assembly, and a biasing device. The housing assembly has a main housing, a valve seat body, and a distal plate forming an outlet orifice. The inlet tube assembly includes a proximal inlet end, a tube forming a lumen, and a flange, and is slidably disposed within the main housing, biased to an open state by the biasing device. The flange separates middle and constant pressure chambers within the housing assembly. The inlet tube assembly is transitionable to a closed state in response to pressure in the constant pressure chamber to generate a relatively constant flow rate of air exiting the device via the outlet orifice. |
| US09690299B2 |
Method and system for controlling a flying wing
The invention relates to a method for control of a flying wing. The flying wing is arranged to be controlled to move along a predetermined trajectory by means of a fluid stream passing a wing of the flying wing. The flying wing comprises at least one control surface for controlling the movement of the flying wing along the predetermined trajectory. The flying wing is positioned in a reference frame where the x-axis is directed horizontally along a level L above which the flying wing moves, the y-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis in a vertical direction and the z-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis along the level L in a direction along the principal direction of the fluid stream. The invention further relates to a system comprising a flying wing and a computer-readable medium for use with a flying wing. |
| US09690296B1 |
Avoiding blind spots of other vehicles
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to detecting and avoiding blind spots of other vehicles when maneuvering an autonomous vehicle. Blind spots may include both areas adjacent to another vehicle in which the driver of that vehicle would be unable to identify another object as well as areas that a second driver in a second vehicle may be uncomfortable driving. In one example, a computer of the autonomous vehicle may identify objects that may be relevant for blind spot detecting and may determine the blind spots for these other vehicles. The computer may predict the future locations of the autonomous vehicle and the identified vehicles to determine whether the autonomous vehicle would drive in any of the determined blind spots. If so, the autonomous driving system may adjust its speed to avoid or limit the autonomous vehicle's time in any of the blind spots. |
| US09690287B2 |
Servo system and encoder
A servo system includes a motor having a stator and a movable element which moves relative to the stator, an encoder which detects at least one of a position and a speed of the movable element of the motor, and a controller including first circuitry which controls operation of the motor based on a detection result of the encoder. The first circuitry of the controller transmits a first command signal that changes a communication speed between the encoder and the controller from a first speed to a second speed which is higher than the first speed, and the encoder includes second circuitry which changes the communication speed between the encoder and the controller to the second speed when the first command signal is received from the controller. |
| US09690285B2 |
Presenting field users on process graphics
A method, field user presenting arrangement and a computer program product for enabling an operator of a process control system to determine the location of field users in the process control system are provided. The arrangement includes a presentation control unit that obtains position data of the position of a field user, obtain the positions of objects in the process control system, compares the position of the field user with the positions of the objects, determines that the field user is in the vicinity of an object if the distance between the position of the field user and the position of the object is below a proximity threshold, and presents the field user on graphics depicting the process, where a field user deemed to be in the vicinity of an object is presented at this object in the graphics. |
| US09690284B2 |
Machine tool for chamfering and chamfering method
After a Z-axis on which a chamfering tool is mounted is located in a machining position for chamfering, two orthogonal axes (X- and Y-axes) perpendicular to the Z-axis are positioned to be ready for the chamfering. The Z-axis is compensated simultaneously with the X- and Y-axes in accordance with a machining path in a machining program, based on tool data, whereby the entire cutting edge of the chamfering tool can be used for each chamfering cycle. Specifically, the radius of the tool is made variable so that a chamfering area can cover the entire cutting edge of the tool. |
| US09690283B2 |
Machine tool for a threading process
A machine tool includes a number-of-same-rotation-speed-cutting-passes computing section that decides the number of same rotation speed cutting passes. The number-of-same-rotation-speed-cutting-passes computing section determines the cutting mode of a threading process based on a set machining program etc., and automatically decides an optimal number of same rotation speed cutting passes according to the cutting mode. Thus, even unskilled operators can easily suppress chatter vibrations, and can easily use the machine tool. |
| US09690282B2 |
Computerized tool path generation
An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled milling machine to fabricate a machined object from a workpiece, the machined object being configured to facilitate subsequent finishing into a finished object, the method including defining a surface of the finished object, defining an offset surface defining an inner limiting surface of the machined object, defining a scallop surface defining an outer limiting surface of the machined object and calculating a tool path for the milling machine which produces multiple step-up cuts in the workpiece resulting in the machined object, wherein surfaces of the machined object all lie between the inner limiting surface and the outer limiting surface and the number of step-up cuts in the workpiece and the areas cut in each of the step-up cuts are selected to generally minimize the amount of workpiece material that is removed from the workpiece. |
| US09690281B2 |
Machine tool and machining control device thereof
A machining control device controls spindle rotational speed. A set of stability limit curve data is stored indicating a relation between a spindle rotational speed and a limit cutting-in amount whereby chatter vibrations are inhibited. Spindle rotational speed and tool cutting-in amount in starting machining are set based on the data. Vibrations of the spindle are detected during cutting. Whether chatter vibrations have occurred is determined based on vibrations detection. Spindle rotational speed is controlled with reference to the data to inhibit chatter vibrations. Cutting-in amount in starting machining is set to be less than a maximum cutting-in amount within a stable region of the data, and spindle rotational speed in starting machining is set to be less than a rotational speed when the cutting-in amount is maximum within the stable region. Spindle rotational speed is increased by an amount of a predetermined rotational speed when chatter vibrations have occurred. |
| US09690280B2 |
Power consumption output device and system for an automatic lathe
A power consumption output device for an apparatus that manufactures a plurality of products from a quantity of supplied material in a series of repeated cycles, includes a detector for detecting power consumption in a time period that includes at least the time needed for manufacturing all of the products that can be manufactured from a given quantity of supplied material, from the time at which the supply of the material to the apparatus commences to the time at which any remaining material is ejected, and delivers an output indicating power consumption per product by using the power consumption detected by the power detector and the number of products manufactured from the given quantity of supplied material. The device is thus capable of precisely calculating the electricity cost per product manufactured by an apparatus whose power consumption varies from one cycle of operation to another. |
| US09690273B2 |
Device for controlling lighting based on illuminance model, and lighting control method using the device
A device and method for controlling lighting based on an illuminance model. The method for controlling lighting based on an illuminance model includes modeling actual illuminance measured by one or more illuminance measurement devices; generating a lighting profile based on the illuminance model; and controlling one or more lighting devices for each lighting scene according to the generated lighting profile. |
| US09690269B2 |
Controller and process monitoring method including monitoring of process execution sequence
A controller and processing method includes executing, using an execution unit, a plurality of processes for controlling an operation of a device, monitoring an execution sequence of the processes executed by the execution unit, storing execution sequence information regarding multiple series based on identification information assigned to the processes, outputting the identification information assigned to the processes to be executed by the execution unit, specifying, for each series, the identification information of the processes to be executed by the execution unit, based on the execution sequence information regarding the multiple series stored, determining whether or not the identification information output in the output step matches the identification information specified for each series in the specifying step, and giving notification to an error handling unit if it is determined in the determination step that there is no match. |
| US09690266B2 |
Building automation system control with motion sensing
An arrangement configured to control an environmental parameter in a building space includes a building automation system. The building automation system includes a plurality of field devices configured to control the environmental parameter within the building space. The arrangement further includes a motion detector configured to determine a number of humans within the building space and a measure of movement for the number of humans. The building automation system is configured to control the field devices based at least in part on the determined number of humans and the measure of movement for the number of humans. |
| US09690265B2 |
Mobile device with automatic acquisition and analysis of building automation system
A building automation system includes a plurality of components, with each of the plurality of components associated with point data. A method of controlling the building automation system includes establishing communications between a mobile computing device and a building automation network of the building automation system. The method further includes receiving point data from the building automation system via the building automation network. In addition, the method includes identifying a plurality of components of the building automation system based on the point data received from the at least one building automation network and generating a model of the building automation system based on the point data. |
| US09690262B2 |
Display device and method for regulating viewing angle of display device
A display device and a method for regulating a viewing angle of a display device are provided and can realize the automatic regulation of angle. The display device comprises: a display main body (1); a base (2); at least three voice receiving devices (3) configured to receive voice information from outside of the display device and arranged on the display main body (1) and/or on the base (2), and projections, on a horizontal plane, of the voice receiving devices (3) being not located in a same straight line; a control device configured for recording a time point when it receives the voice information inputted by each of the voice receiving devices (3), calculating time difference between time points when any two of the voice receiving devices (3) receive the voice information, determining a location where the voice information is emitted according to the time difference and sending out a rotating instruction; and a rotation device (4) configured for rotating the display main body (1) according to the rotating instruction. |
| US09690258B2 |
Electronic device casing
A wearable electronic device holder having a retention member for retaining an electronic device, such as a smartwatch or an MP3 player, and a wrist strap attached to the retention member is disclosed. The retention member includes a protective frame comprising one or more covers or openings for receiving and allowing interaction with one or more buttons, knobs, and/or ports of the electronic device. At least one of the covers is configured to enable the dual-action functionality of a knob of the electronic device. The protective frame may also include an opening adapted to receive sound-permeable, waterproof inserts for an audio port of the electronic device. The protective frame further includes fastening holes for attachment to the wrist strap. The protective frame may be a two-piece frame that partially encloses the electronic device. |
| US09690256B2 |
Magnetic device for pivoting an arbor in a timepiece movement
The device for pivoting an arbor about a determined axis 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. Further, the bearing includes a magnetic flux centring structure arranged between the magnet and the pivot, and a support for the centring structure. This centring structure includes a peripheral portion and a central portion resiliently connected to the peripheral portion by at least one connecting element, the central portion being formed of a highly magnetically permeable material and having smaller dimensions than those of the magnet. The peripheral portion is rigidly force fitted to the support so that the central portion is centred on the pivot axis. |
| US09690249B2 |
Image forming apparatus that suppresses level of unwanted irradiation
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body and a unit. The unit is installed on the image forming apparatus body and includes a wireless tag. The image forming apparatus body includes a first power supply unit, a setting unit, a second power supply unit, a generating unit, and a communication unit. The second power supply unit generates a second value of voltage set in the setting unit. The generating unit uses the first power supply unit as a power source and generates a first signal for transmission to the wireless tag. The communication unit uses the second power supply unit as a power source, generates a second signal having amplitude in proportion to the second value set in the setting unit based on the first signal, and transmits the second signal to the wireless tag by wireless. |
| US09690248B2 |
Bearing member, end member, photoreceptor-drum unit, and process cartridge
There is provided a bearing member which is disposed at an end section of a photoreceptor drum for attaching a shaft member that transmits a rotating force to the bearing member, the bearing member including a tubular body, and a holding section which is disposed inside the tubular body attachably and detachably, and holds a rotating force transmission pin provided in the shaft member, wherein the holding section includes at least two swing grooves provided extending along an axial direction of the tubular body, and opposing each other, and introduction grooves, each having one end communicating with the swing groove and the other end communicating with an outside of the swing groove, and the introduction grooves in a posture in which the shaft member transmits the rotating force are disposed entirely at a position to be lower than an entirety or a part of the rotating force transmission pin. |
| US09690243B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a fixing device that includes a radiant heat heating source and a fixing member that rotates before an abnormality solved
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device. The fixing device includes a rotatable endless fixing member, a nip forming member arranged inside the fixing member, a pressing member in contact with the nip forming member via the fixing member, and a heating source configured to heat the fixing member. When an abnormality occurs in at least one of the fixing device and other devices included in the image forming apparatus, a rotation of the fixing member is stopped prior to stopping a rotation driving of a discharging unit and, after stopping, the fixing member is controlled to rotate. |
| US09690242B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a first rotary body, a second rotary body to contact the first rotary body, and a plain bearing that supports the first rotary body or the second rotary body. One rotary body of the first rotary body and the second rotary body has an outer diameter increasing, while the other rotary body has an outer diameter decreasing, in a curved line from an axial center portion to axial end portions of the first rotary body and the second rotary body at least between the first rotary body and the second rotary body. A recording medium passes between the first rotary body and the second rotary body with a circumferential component of a shear force generated between the first rotary body and the second rotary body by use of the plain bearing being in a range of from 15N to 25N. |
| US09690237B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of preventing displacement of transfer unit
An image forming apparatus includes: a guide groove for a rotation shaft; a positioning groove provided on a guide surface, for the rotation shaft, in the guide groove; a pressing member provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft provided at the opening side with respect to the positioning groove, and configured to press the rotation shaft in a groove depth direction of the positioning groove; and a lower surface portion configured to apply a first pressing force in the groove depth direction to the rotation shaft in a fit-in state where the rotation shaft is located at a fit-in position, and apply a second pressing force in the inserting direction to the rotation shaft against the first pressing force in an escape state where the rotation shaft is located at an escape position. |
| US09690236B1 |
Transfer device and image forming apparatus
A transfer device includes a transfer unit including an image carrier that carries a toner image to be transferred to a transfer surface of a recording medium, a transfer member disposed on a non-transfer-surface side of the recording medium, and an opposing member disposed opposite the transfer member with the image carrier therebetween; a cleaning unit that cleans a surface of the transfer member; a first application unit that applies a voltage, for transferring the toner image, to the opposing member; and a second application unit that applies an alternating voltage to the transfer member. |
| US09690232B2 |
Toner container and image forming apparatus
A toner container that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus such that a longitudinal direction of the toner container is parallel to a horizontal direction includes: a cylindrical container body that has an opening on one end thereof in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to convey toner contained therein toward the opening; a cap portion into which the opening of the container body is inserted, and which includes a toner outlet at a bottom portion thereof for discharging toner discharged from the opening of the container body to the outside of the toner container in a vertically downward direction; and a shutter member that is held on the bottom portion of the cap portion, and moves along an outer periphery of the cap portion to thereby open and close the toner outlet, wherein the cap portion is formed by integral molding. |
| US09690230B2 |
Toner cartridge with memory for image forming apparatus
A toner cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus includes a memory storing identification data of the toner cartridge and parameter information including image formation process parameters dependent on toner characteristic or ambient conditions. A transceiver unit communicates with the image forming apparatus to send the process parameter information stored in the memory to the image forming apparatus when the identification data is authentic. |
| US09690228B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and storage medium for maintaining linearity between an exposure intensity and density of an output image
An image processing apparatus that generates a halftone image to be used in a case where an image is formed on a printing medium by exposing a photoreceptor by intensity modulation of a light beam, having a multivalued dither processing unit configured to generate N-nary (N≧3) image from an input image by a dither method, a determination unit configured to determine whether a difference in pixel value between pixels adjacent to each other in an exposure scanning direction exceeds a predetermined limit value for each pixel of the N-nary image generated by the multivalued dither processing unit, and a correction unit configured to correct the pixel values of the adjacent pixels whose difference in pixel value has been determined to exceed the predetermined limit value so that the difference does not exceed the limit value. |
| US09690227B2 |
Vertical arrangement of components in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a photosensitive body, a toner accommodation component, a developing roller and an exposure unit configured to emit a laser beam toward the photosensitive body along an irradiating path. The image forming apparatus further includes a sheet feed roller configured to feed a sheet toward the photosensitive body. In some arrangements, the sheet feed roller is disposed at a position closer to the exposure unit than to the photosensitive body, and the developing device is disposed at a first height range relative to the bottom of the casing, the first height range being lower than the irradiation path. Moreover, the toner accommodation component is disposed at a second height range relative to the bottom of the casing, the second height range being higher than the irradiation path. |
| US09690221B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing toner
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each containing a binder resin. The toner particles each contain as the binder resin, a crystalline polyester resin and a non-crystalline polyester resin. An FT-IR spectrum of the electrostatic latent image developing toner obtained through FT-IR analysis based on an ATR method has an absorbency peak of at least 0.0100 and no greater than 0.0250 in a wave number range of 701 cm−1±1 cm−1. |
| US09690218B2 |
Intermediate transfer member
There is provided herein an intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer member includes conductive particles having thereon a shell comprising polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane dispersed in a polymer. A method of manufacturing and intermediate transfer member is also disclosed. |
| US09690216B2 |
Display manufacturing method and photo alignment process
A display manufacturing method comprises steps of: moving a first substrate and a second substrate by a conveying apparatus; and implementing a first exposure and a second exposure of the first substrate and a first exposure and a second exposure of the second substrate by at least one light emitting element when the conveying apparatus drives the first and second substrates to pass through the light source module. When the first exposures of the first and second substrates are implemented, the moving directions of the first and second substrates are opposite, or when the second exposures of the first and second substrates are implemented, the moving directions of the first and second substrates are opposite. A photo alignment process is also disclosed. |
| US09690210B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is provided and configured to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a substrate. The apparatus has a measurement system to provide measurement data related to a thickness of a resist layer on the substrate, and a controller to control the operation of the lithographic apparatus such that a radiation intensity level in the patterned beam to be projected onto the substrate is controlled based on the measurement data. |
| US09690209B2 |
Movable body apparatus, exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
In a measurement device, positional information of a mark of an object is measured. A holding member that holds the object, with a movable member that is supported by levitation on a base member, moves so that the mark is detected with a detection system having an optical member that irradiates the mark with a detection light, the base member being disposed below the detection system so that a surface of the base member is substantially parallel to a predetermined plane. The holding member is supported by the movable member and has a mounting area for the object on an upper surface side of the holding member in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined plane and being provided with a measurement surface on a lower surface side of the holding member, the measurement surface having a grating. |
| US09690206B2 |
Substrate holding apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device fabricating method
An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate to light passing through liquid, and includes a stage that holds the substrate. The stage includes a substrate holder including a support member that supports a rear surface of the substrate and a first circumferential wall surrounding the support member. A second circumferential wall surrounds the substrate holder and forms a first groove between the second circumferential wall and the substrate holder, and a second groove on an outer side thereof. A plate member surrounds the substrate on the support member, and a recovery passage recovers liquid flowing from a liquid supply system to a gap between the plate member and the substrate. The second circumferential wall is under the gap so that part of an upper surface of the second circumferential wall faces the substrate rear surface and another part of the upper surface faces a rear surface of the plate member. |
| US09690203B2 |
Method for adjusting an illumination setting
Method for setting an illumination setting in an illumination optical unit comprising at least one controllable correction device, which includes a multiplicity of adjustable correction elements for influencing the transmission, wherein the illumination setting is varied for adapting a predetermined imaging parameter in the region of an image field. |
| US09690197B2 |
Negative-type photosensitive white composition for touch panel, touch panel and touch panel production method
The present invention provides a negative-type photosensitive white composition for a touch panel, the composition including: (A) a white pigment; (B) an alkali-soluble resin; (C) a polyfunctional monomer; and (D) a photopolymerization initiator. |
| US09690191B2 |
Surface defect repair by irradiation
A method for repairing a defect on a substrate surface includes placing on the defect a nanoparticle that includes a conductive material. A region of the substrate surface in which the nanoparticle is placed is irradiated, the region being larger than the nanoparticle. An energy density of the irradiation is below a modification threshold for the substrate surface. |
| US09690182B2 |
Magnet screen device
There is provided a magnet screen device capable of satisfactorily displaying an image projected from a projector even at an edge portion of a screen sheet thereof. The magnet screen device comprises a screen sheet having a projection surface and a magnet surface opposed to the projection surface, and a roll part for rolling up the screen sheet. In non-use state of the device, the screen sheet is in a rolled-up position on the roll part such that the magnet surface is situated on the inside with respect to the projection surface in the rolled-up screen sheet. |
| US09690181B2 |
Multilayered screens for scanning beam display systems
A display screen includes a filter layer, a fluorescent layer having parallel fluorescent stripes, and an attachment layer between an excitation side of the fluorescent layer and a first side of the filter layer to attach the excitation side of fluorescent layer to the filter layer while providing vertical separation therebetween. The attachment layer includes attachment regions that are separated from each other by lateral spacings such that excitation-side air gaps are formed between areas of the fluorescent layer and the filter layer that correspond to the lateral spacings. During display operation, excitation light received on a second side of the filter layer propagates through to the first side of the filter layer, and at least a portion of the excitation light that propagates from the second side of the filter layer travels through the excitation-side air gaps to excite the fluorescent stripes. |
| US09690179B2 |
Illumination unit and image display device incorporating same
An illumination unit includes a light source, an optical mixer to form secondary light sources from a light beam from the light source, and an illumination system to illuminate an optical modulator with the light beam from the optical mixer, including an optical element having an anamorphic surface, in which the optical element is rotated at a certain rotational angle about a rotational axis which is a normal line from a vertex of a surface of the optical element. |
| US09690177B2 |
Lighting device, projector, light-source-device supporting instrument, and light source cartridge
A lighting device includes a supporting section configured to support a light source device unit, a fan housing section in which an outflow port for causing the air discharged by a cooling fan to flow out is formed, and a circulating device supported by the light source device unit. The outflow port is opened in a direction along a second direction. The light source device unit includes an inflow port opened to a side opposed to the outflow port and a channel for leading the air flowing in from the inflow port to a light source. The circulating device includes a moving section disposed between the light source device unit and the fan housing section in a predetermined position, a ventilation hole for causing the outflow port and the inflow port to communicate being formed in the moving section, and an urging section configured to urge the moving section. |
| US09690167B2 |
Image shake correcting device and control method therefor, lens barrel, optical apparatus, and image pickup apparatus
An angular velocity sensor detects a shake of an image pickup apparatus and a signal divide unit divides a shake detection signal to output it to each of a first drive amount calculating unit and a second drive amount calculating unit. A first drive amount and a second drive amount are calculated based on the divided shake detection signal to drive each of a first correction lens and a second correction lens. An aberration determination unit changes a limiter used in a drive amount limiting unit based on the first drive amount and the second drive amount so as not to increase the eccentric aberration of an imaging optical system generated by the movement of the two correction lenses. The drive amount limiting unit limits the drive amount based on the limiter set according to the result of the determination for the aberration to correct the image shake while suppressing the eccentric aberration. |
| US09690163B2 |
Reflectance variable element and method for manufacturing same
This invention enables obtainment of a reflectance variable element having a high cold tolerance. Two transparent substrates are disposed so as to face each other across a gap. On respective surfaces of the transparent substrates, the surfaces facing each other, respective transparent conductive films are formed. An electrolytic solution is charged in the gap. The electrolytic solution has a composition in which at least silver ions and copper ions, a content by weight of the copper ions being smaller than that of the silver ions, are contained in a non-aqueous solvent containing a non-aqueous solvent having a boiling point that is higher than that of methanol and methanol, a content by weight of the methanol being smaller than that of the non-aqueous solvent. |
| US09690158B2 |
Array substrate and display panel
The present invention discloses an array substrate and a display panel. The array substrate comprises a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines which are provided to intersect each other. The data lines are provided in parallel and the gate lines are provided in parallel, and the data lines and the gate lines vertically intersect to divide the array substrate into a plurality of pixel units each having a pixel electrode provided therein. The pixel electrode comprises a sub-pixel electrode comprising a root portion and a branch portion group connected to the root portion, the branch portion group consisting of a plurality of branch portions, adjacent ones of which are separated by slits. The branch portion group partially overlaps the data lines and/or the gate lines. |
| US09690155B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and method for producing same
A TFT substrate (100A) of a liquid crystal display panel includes: an organic interlayer insulating layer (24) covering a TFT; a first transparent electrically-conductive layer (25) provided in the first region of a surface of the organic interlayer insulating layer (24); and an inorganic dielectric layer (26) covering the first transparent electrically-conductive layer (25) and provided in a second region of the surface of the organic interlayer insulating layer (24) which is different from the first region, the inorganic dielectric layer (26) containing SiN, wherein an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the first region and the second region of the surface of the organic interlayer insulating layer (24) is not less than 3.45 nm and not more than 5.20 nm. |
| US09690153B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes a first light shielding film; a transistor element formed on the first light shielding film to overlap the first light shielding film; a second light shielding film formed on the transistor element to overlap the transistor element and electrically connected to an input terminal of the transistor element; a transparent conductive film extended toward an upper layer side of the second light shielding film in an opening region, through which light penetrates, of the display region; a dielectric film formed on the transparent conductive film in the opening region; and a transparent pixel electrode formed on the dielectric film in the opening region, constituting a storage capacitor together with the transparent conductive film and the dielectric film, and having a transparent pixel electrode which is electrically connected to the transistor element. |
| US09690152B2 |
Array substrate and display panel
An array substrate and a display panel are provided. The array substrate includes a transparent substrate including a display area and a rim area; a pixel structure and an antistatic switching tube which are arranged on a same side of the transparent substrate. The pixel structure includes a pixel thin-film transistor located in the display area, and the antistatic switching tube is located in the rim area. The pixel structure also includes first grounding wire located on a side of the antistatic switching tube facing away from the transparent substrate, and a second grounding wire located between the antistatic switching tube and the transparent substrate. |
| US09690147B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A first interlayer insulating film is arranged on a gate line and a source line. A first common electrode includes a first sub-common electrode extending in a first direction so as to face the gate line and a first main common electrode extending in a second direction so as to face the source line on the first interlayer insulating film. The first common electrode has a slit extending in the second direction. A second interlayer insulating film covers the first common electrode. A main pixel electrode extends in the second direction on the second interlayer insulating film so as to face the slit. A second common electrode includes a second sub-common electrode extending on the second interlayer insulating film so as to face the first sub-common electrode and a second main common electrode facing the first main common electrode. |
| US09690145B2 |
Display device
A display device is provided. The display device includes a pixel-displaying region, including: at least two pixels including a plurality of sub-pixels; and a light-shielding layer including a matrix portion and an enlarged portion, wherein the enlarged portion is disposed at an intersection of two of the adjacent sub-pixels and is adjacent to the matrix portion; wherein the matrix portion defines the sub-pixels, and a total area of the sub-pixels is defined as a first area and a ratio of an area of the enlarged portion to the first area is about 1.5% to 6%. |
| US09690143B2 |
System for display images
A system for displaying images including a display panel is provided. The display panel has a display area and a peripheral area. The display panel includes a metal layer disposed on a first substrate. A second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. A seal is disposed at the peripheral area and between the first and the second substrates and at the peripheral area. A patterned planarization layer is disposed on the first substrate, including an opening and two sidewalls, wherein the opening is located between the two sidewalls and corresponding to the peripheral area. A passivation layer is disposed between the seal and the first substrate, and wherein a portion of the seal is disposed between the two sidewalls of the patterned planarization layer. |
| US09690137B2 |
Airguide backlight assembly
The exemplary embodiments herein provide an airguide backlight assembly having an anterior element, a reflective pan positioned posterior to the anterior element, and a light source positioned to direct light towards the reflective pan. A lens element may be placed in front of each light source. The reflective pan preferably contains a slope or curve so that light emitted from the light sources can be reflected and/or refracted to distribute the light uniformly to the anterior element. In some embodiments, blinders may be positioned between the light sources and the anterior element as well as between the light sources and the reflective pan. |
| US09690132B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is provided. The liquid crystal display device comprises a backlight module and a display panel. The display panel includes an array substrate disposed on the light entering face side, a color filter substrate disposed on the light exiting face side and a liquid crystal layer between the two substrates. On the array substrate, there is provided a first polarizing plate. The color filter substrate includes a base substrate, a second polarizing plate disposed on the light exiting face side of the base substrate and a color filter layer disposed on the light exiting face side of the second polarizing plate. The backlight module is a collimated backlight module. |
| US09690131B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The elution of a color filter to a liquid crystal layer is reduced. A liquid crystal display device includes an active device substrate, a liquid crystal layer provided on the active device substrate, and a counter substrate provided on the liquid crystal layer. The active device substrate includes an active device, a common electrode, a common interconnection electrically connected to the common electrode, a reflection reduction film provided on the common interconnection, a first insulating layer provided on the reflection reduction film, and a pixel electrode having a flat portion provided on the first insulating layer and a first projecting portion protruding downwardly. The first the projecting portion is electrically connected to the active device. |
| US09690129B1 |
Display device
A display device including a display panel having a back surface and a front surface; a side frame extending along three sides of the display panel and including a flat portion facing a part of the back surface of the display panel and an inclined portion extended rearward away from the flat portion and being exposed outside of the display device; a main frame comprising a plate and being coupled with the side frame; a light source between the display panel and the main frame. Further, the part of the back surface of the display panel is fixed on the flat portion of the side frame via an adhesive layer formed on the flat portion of the side frame. In addition, the side frame further includes an outer frame forming an outer perimeter of the side frame; an inner frame positioned inside the outer frame; and a stepped portion formed by the inner frame and the outer frame and configured to seat the main frame. |
| US09690127B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes: a main body of the electronic device; a display, provided on the main body of the electronic device, where the display includes a first light transmitting layer, and a support layer between the main body of the electronic device and the first light transmitting layer, and where the first transmitting layer is located on a first surface of the electronic device; N sensors, provided in the display, and located inside the first transmitting layer, wherein a capturing module of the N sensors faces an inner surface of the first transmitting layer; and the N sensors are adapted to capture ambient light penetrating the first light transmitting layer or ambient light irradiating the N sensors via a through hole of the first light transmitting layer. |
| US09690126B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, image pickup method, and program
An image pickup apparatus includes: a polarization removing element layer including a plurality of polarization removing elements, each of the plurality of polarization removing elements being configured to polarize an incident light to thereby obtain light having a polarization axis in a predetermined direction and to transmit the polarized light; a polarizer layer provided in front of the polarization removing element layer, the polarizer layer being configured to twist polarization axes of light having a plurality of polarization axes by predetermined angles, respectively, and to transmit the light; an inclination detecting device configured to detect inclination of the incident light to an optical axis; a controller configured to control and drive the polarizer layer such that the polarizer layer twists the polarization axis of light depending on the inclination detected by the inclination detecting device and transmits the light; and an image pickup device configured to detect the light. |
| US09690124B2 |
Vacuum cell aligning device and method
The present disclosure provides a vacuum cell aligning device and a vacuum cell aligning method. The vacuum cell aligning device includes an upper machining platform, a lower machining platform, a plurality of first cell-pressing unit arranged in parallel in the upper machining platform, a plurality of second cell-pressing unit arranged in parallel in the lower machining platform, and an adjustment mechanism. Each first cell-pressing unit includes a first end-surface towards the lower machining platform and corresponds to a sub-region of the upper substrate. Each second cell-pressing unit includes a second end-surface towards the upper machining platform and corresponds to a sub-region of the lower substrate. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the first cell-pressing units to make a shape defined by the first end-surfaces match the upper substrate, and configured to adjust the second cell-pressing units to make a shape defined by the second end-surfaces match the lower substrate. |
| US09690117B2 |
Electrically conductive lens connection and methods of making the same
The present invention relates generally to electro-active optical systems, such as a pair of spectacles having one or more lenses that employ electro-active optical structures. In some embodiments, the invention relates to electro-active optical systems having a flexible electrically conductive connection between the lens and the frame. |
| US09690110B2 |
Fine-coarse autostereoscopic display
A device may have a display with an array of pixels for displaying three-dimensional images for a viewer. Each pixel may have an array of subpixels and associated lens structures. A beam steerer may be interposed between the array of pixels and the viewer. The beam steerer may steer light that is emitted from the array of pixels towards the viewer. The electronic device may have a camera that monitors the location of the viewer. The beam steerer may be adjusted based on information on the location of the viewer that is gathered from the camera. Other input-output devices such as an accelerometer may also be used in gathering information that is used in adjusting the beam steerer. Different sets of data may be supplied to the array of pixels based on the location of the viewer. |
| US09690109B2 |
Stereopsis image display device
Disclosed is a display device having a display panel wherein the display device includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines crossing each other to define a plurality of pixels in the display panel, each pixel being divided into N number of sub-pixel areas including a 2D sub-pixel and a 3D sub-pixel, wherein N is an integer and greater than 1; and a lenticular film including a plurality of lenses and attached to the display panel, wherein 3D sub-pixels on an odd-numbered horizontal line and 3D sub-pixels on an even-numbered horizontal line are alternately arranged on a line-by-line basis in a vertical direction. |
| US09690107B2 |
Device for wavelength combining of laser beams
A device for wavelength coupling of laser beams (2a, . . . 2n) with different wavelengths (λ1, . . . λn), comprising: at least one laser source for generating a plurality of laser beams (2a, . . . , 2n), and an overlapping device for spatial overlapping of the plurality of laser beams (2a, . . . , 2n) for forming an overlapped laser beam with a plurality of wavelengths (λ1 . . . λn). The device has a feedback device arranged between the laser source and the overlapping device for feeding a radiation proportion of the laser beams (2a, . . . , 2n) to be overlapped back to the laser source, the feedback device comprising a partially reflecting angle-dispersive optical element, in particular a partially reflecting diffraction grating. The overlapping device may, for example, be configured as a transmitting or reflecting diffraction grating whose optical properties are adapted to the optical properties of the partially reflecting diffraction grating to overlap the laser beams (2a, . . . , 2n) in an essentially dispersion-free manner. |
| US09690103B2 |
Display an image during a communication
An electronic device displays an image during a communication between two people. The image represents one of the people to the communication. The electronic device determines a location where to place the image and displays the image such that the image appears to exist at the location. |
| US09690102B2 |
Light-guiding prism and image display apparatus
Provided is a light guide prism including: an incident surface on which image light from a display device is incident; one or more reflection surfaces which reflect the image light incident thereon, the reflection surfaces including at least an emission side reflection surface; and an emission surface forming an acute angle with the emission side reflection surface and emitting the image light reflected by the emission side reflection surface, toward an eyeball of an observer. In one aspect, the light guide prism includes a prism tip disposed as protruding from an end of the emission side reflection surface and from an end of the emission surface, in a direction in which a width between the emission side reflection surface and the emission surface narrows. Further provided is an image display apparatus including: a display device which emits image light; the light guide prism; and a support. |
| US09690101B2 |
Virtual image display apparatus
As a first prism and a second prism respectively have a third surface and a sixth surface, which are reflecting surfaces which are asymmetrical with respect to an axis, inside thereof, it is possible to correct an aberration, and to display an video having high performance. Furthermore, in the first prism, as a plurality of reflecting surfaces (a second surface and the third surface) is provided, it is possible to reduce a size and a weight of the apparatus. Furthermore, like the second surface and a fifth surface, as a surface which functions not only as a light incident surface that causes video light to be incident but also as a total reflecting surface which totally reflects the video light is provided, it is possible to further reduce a size of an optical system. |
| US09690100B1 |
Wireless communication system with a liquid crystal display embedded in an optical lens
A wireless communication system includes a transparent lens system coupled to a frame that positions the lens system in front of a user's eye when the frame is mounted on the user's head. A wireless transceiver wirelessly receives display control signals and transfers the display control signals to an LCD system that is embedded within the transparent lens system. The LCD system renders images and transparency in response to the display control signals. In some examples, an optical receiver transfers the optical information signals to the wireless transceiver, and the transceiver wirelessly transfers the optical information signals. In some examples, a wireless communication device wirelessly transfers the display control signals and receives the optical information signals. |
| US09690098B1 |
Adjustable reflector of head-up display and head-up display comprising the same
An adjustable reflector of a head-up display includes a base, an adjusting frame, a reflecting element and a control module. The adjusting frame has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is pivoted to the base, and the second end is rotatable around the first end. The reflecting element is arranged on the adjusting frame for reflecting a light beam generated by an image source to an optical combiner. The control module includes a linkage arm and a driving unit. A first end of the linkage arm is slidably connected to the adjusting frame. The driving unit is connected to a second end of the linkage arm and configured to drive the linkage arm to rotate for adjusting an included angle between the adjusting frame and the base. |
| US09690092B2 |
MEMS scanning mirror light pattern generation
Techniques and configurations for an apparatus for projecting a light pattern on an object are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a laser arrangement configured to generate a laser line, a tiltable micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) mirror configured to tiltably reflect the laser line, and a controller configured to control tilting of the MEMS mirror to enable the reflected laser line to project a light pattern on the object. The controller may be configured to control the MEMS mirror with a tilting frequency that is complementary to an optical power of the laser line, or to control the optical power of the laser line to be complementary to the tilting frequency of the MEMS mirror. |
| US09690090B2 |
Visual target acquisition scope system
A visual target acquisition scope system including an adjustable connection between a zero magnification scope viewed by a first eye of a user and a power scope viewed by a second eye of the user. The system includes first and second movable sections connected and controlled by an adjustment locking mechanism. Using the system, while the user looks at an object through the zero magnification power scope with the first eye and looks at the object through the high power scope with the second eye, the target visible to the first eye is simultaneously visible to the second eye, so as to provide immediate acquisition and viewing of the object through the high power scope with the second eye. |
| US09690086B2 |
Wide-field microscope illumination system and wide-field illumination method
A widefield microscope illumination system and method with a microscope objective and an illumination light source that sends widefield illumination light along illumination beam paths. Illumination light penetrates into the microscope objective through illumination light entry sites located within a predetermined annular or annular-segment-shaped illumination light entry area having a large offset to an optical objective axis of the objective. A spatially resolving light detector detects light sent from an illuminated sample through the microscope objective along a detected light beam path. An automatic illumination light beam path manipulation device is controlled by a control system, which is arranged in front of the microscope objective in relation to the direction of the illumination light beam path, and by means of which illumination light beam path manipulation device the illumination axes are automatically movable at time intervals to a plurality of different illumination light entry sites. |
| US09690082B2 |
Wide-angle projection lens
A wide-angle projection lens includes a first lens group with negative refractive power, a second lens group with positive refractive power and a third lens group with positive refractive power, all of which are arranged in order from a projection side to an image source side along an optical axis. The third lens group includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens, all of which are arranged in order from the projection side to the image source side along the optical axis, wherein the third lens and the fourth lens are cemented together to form a cemented lens and there is no air gap between the third lens and the fourth lens. |
| US09690081B2 |
Lens system for generating an anamorphic image from a non-anamorphic image
A system for displaying an anamorphic image on a viewing surface comprises a screen having a viewing surface and an image source configured to display the anamorphic image on the viewing surface such that an image viewed on the viewing surface appears undistorted from a viewing point. In addition, the system may also include a reflective lens having a convex exterior surface and a refractive lens having a plurality of surfaces to redirect light toward an image capture device. Further, the system may include an image conversion module for converting a non-anamorphic image into the anamorphic image suitable for displaying on the viewing surface and a selected portion of the anamorphic image into at least one non-anamorphic image. |
| US09690079B2 |
Camera methods and apparatus using optical chain modules which alter the direction of received light
Methods and apparatus for capturing or generating images using multiple optical chains operating in parallel are described. Pixel values captured by individual optical chains corresponding to the same scene area are combined to provide an image with at least some of the benefits which would have been provided by capturing an image of the scene using a larger lens than that of the individual lenses of the optical chain modules. By using multiple optical chains in parallel at least some benefits normally obtained from using a large lens can be obtained without the need for a large lens. Furthermore in at least some embodiments, a wide dynamic range can be supported through the use of multiple sensors with the overall supported dynamic range being potentially larger than that of the individual sensors. Some lens and/or optical chain configurations are designed for use in small handheld devices, e.g., cell phones. |
| US09690073B2 |
Optical image capturing system
The invention discloses a three-piece optical lens for capturing image and a three-piece optical module for capturing image, which include, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens with positive refractive power having an object-side surface which can be convex; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; two surfaces of each of the three lenses can be both aspheric. The third lens can have positive refractive power, wherein an image-side surface thereof can be concave, and both surfaces thereof are aspheric; at least one surface of the third lens has an inflection point. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in a compact camera. |
| US09690067B2 |
Optical coupling systems, apparatus, and methods
Optical couplings systems, apparatus, and methods may include an optical cable coupling device, or spool, and one or more optical coupling features. The one or more optical coupling features may be configured to optically couple an optical cable and another optical cable, each of which are storable on the optical cable coupling device. The optical cable coupling device and optical cables may be used on a modular device (e.g., computing device, networking device, storage device, etc.). The optical cable coupling device may define a radius that less than about 200% the minimum bend radius of the optical cables. |
| US09690062B2 |
Film for a flame-retardant fiber optic cable
A flame-retardant fiber optic cable includes core elements, a film surrounding the core elements, and a jacket surrounding the film. The core elements include one or more optical fibers and at least one tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers. The material composition of the film differs from the jacket and the film is relatively thin. |
| US09690061B2 |
Multifiber subunit cable
A method of making a subunit cable includes providing at least two subunits along a process direction, each subunit comprising a plurality of optical fibers, compressing the subunits so that at least one of the subunits has a cross-section with a minor outside dimension and a major outside dimension, and the ratio of the minor dimension to the major dimension is less than 0.9, and extruding a subunit cable jacket around the subunits, wherein the subunits are compressed within the subunit cable jacket. |
| US09690056B2 |
Connector assembly
A system includes a substrate including a first row of first receptacles, a cradle including an opening and a spring member, connectors located within the opening, and cables connected to the connectors. The cradle is configured to connect each of the connectors simultaneously or nearly simultaneously to a corresponding first receptacle, and the spring member pushes on the connectors with a force greater than an insertion force of the first receptacle. |
| US09690055B2 |
Laser-based systems and methods for fiber-to-ferrule bonding for optical fiber connectors
Systems and methods for bonding a bare fiber section within a longitudinal bore of a ferrule are disclosed. The methods include inserting the bare fiber section into the ferrule bore along with a photoactivated adhesive. A diverging beam of activating light is directed into an endface of the bare fiber section at the ferrule front end. The activating light passes through the bare fiber section to expose the surrounding photoactivated adhesive, thereby bonding the bare fiber section within the longitudinal bore. The ferrule and fiber can then be incorporated into an optical fiber connector. |
| US09690051B2 |
Backside binary grated lens coupled to front side waveguide
A wafer structure includes a diffractive lens disposed on a backside of a wafer and coupled to a front side waveguide, the diffractive lens being configured to receive light and focus the light to the front side waveguide. |
| US09690050B2 |
Laser unit and optical fiber laser
A laser unit includes: multi-mode semiconductor lasers configured to output laser lights in multi-mode; an optical multiplexer configured to multiplex and output the laser lights; a multi-mode optical fiber configured to connect the multi-mode semiconductor lasers to the optical multiplexer, and including a core portion, a cladding portion, and a coated portion; a first bending portion formed to the multi-mode optical fiber and bent with a predetermined bending length and at a predetermined first bending radius; a radiation portion formed outside the coated portion at the first bending portion, and configured to radiate heat of the multi-mode optical fiber; and a second bending portion formed to the multi-mode optical fiber between the first bending portion and the optical multiplexer and bent at a predetermined second bending radius, wherein increase in a temperature at the second bending portion is restrained by radiation from the radiation portion. |
| US09690047B2 |
Hot melt connector stripping cutter tool
A hot melt connector stripping cutter tool comprises a first handle, a second handle, a reference block and a cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism comprises at least one group of upper and lower blade seats and a stripping cutter unit. The reference block is provided with an optical fiber guiding passage for an optical fiber to pass through and at least two blade guiding grooves both communicated with the optical fiber guiding passage. At least two groups of stripping cutter units used for scattering optical fiber stress points are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower blade seats. Each group of stripping cutter units is movable within one blade guiding groove. Along with the closing of the handles, each stripping cutter unit moves up and down along the blade guiding groove in the cutting direction, so as to cut an outer skin or part thickness of the optical fiber in the optical fiber guiding passage, and peel off a surface skin and a bare fiber coating layer of the optical fiber. A plurality of incisions can be cut out on the surface skin of the optical fiber in the optical fiber guiding passage by the plurality of stripping cutter units, the optical fiber stress positions are scattered, and the optical fiber is not easy to be pulled apart while being peeled. |
| US09690046B2 |
Optical circuit board and method for producing the same
The optical circuit board includes a wiring board including a plurality of laminated insulating layers, and a wiring conductor disposed between the insulating layers; an optical waveguide including a lower clad layer, an upper clad layer and a core sandwiched between the lower clad layer and the upper clad layer, disposed on an upper surface of the wiring board, and extending in one direction; a reflection surface including an inner surface of a groove formed in a part of the core of the optical waveguide, and being perpendicular to an extending direction in a plane view and having a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface in a cross sectional view; and a metal layer disposed on an upper surface of the insulating layer on the upper side than the wiring conductor of the wiring board, and set as a bottom surface of the groove. |
| US09690044B2 |
Waveguide mode converter, polarization beam splitter, and optical device
Provided is a waveguide mode converter (30) that converts a waveguide mode and that is placed in a transition area (connection section) (43) of a rib-type waveguide (50) and a channel-type waveguide (51). The rib-type waveguide (50) has a tapered section (23b). The tapered section (23b) constitutes a core layer (23) that extends on both sides of a rib (23a) and has a width (Wt) that changes gradually in a direction that is vertical to the waveguide direction. |
| US09690043B2 |
Optical waveguide, spot size converter and optical apparatus
An optical waveguide includes a waveguide core including a first region, a second region having a step at which a thickness varies, and a third region having a thickness smaller than that of the first region. The second region has thick film regions continuing with the first region and positioned at both sides in a widthwise direction. The thick film regions have a thickness that is equal to that of the first region and have a gradually reducing width from the first region side to the third region side. The second region further has a thin film region sandwiched by the thick film regions and continuing with the third region. The thin film region has a thickness equal to that of the third region. |
| US09690041B2 |
Air cavity LED backlight unit
A light-emitting diode (LED) backlight unit includes first and second curved bottom floor reflectors exhibiting mirror image symmetry along a center line extending in a latitudinal direction, first and second sides disposed along a longitudinal direction, the first and second bottom floor reflectors disposed therebetween, first and second back reflectors disposed on distal ends of the first and second bottom floor reflectors, respectively, away from the center line, and LEDs disposed in or adjacent to the first and second back reflectors. A curvature of the first and second bottom floor reflectors respectively reach a maximum near the center line. |
| US09690036B1 |
Controlling display lighting color and uniformity
In some examples, a lighting apparatus includes a light guiding component having a light absorbing material disposed on at least one surface. The light absorbing material may be selected to have light absorbing properties to compensate for variations in the color of portions of light emitted by a light source. For instance, the color of the light absorbing material may be generally complimentary to an undesirable color of a portion of the emitted light. Consequently, by reflecting the portion of light off the light absorbing material, the undesirable color may be absorbed from the portion of the light so that the resulting light is of a more uniform color. This disclosure also describes techniques for assembling electronic devices in a component stack to provide enhanced display lighting uniformity. |
| US09690033B2 |
Waveguides comprising light scattering surfaces and display devices comprising the same
Disclosed herein are waveguides comprising at least one scattering surface, a periodicity ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 2 μm, and an RMS roughness ranging from about 20 nm to about 60 nm. Single-layer waveguides having a thickness ranging from about 1 μm to about 100 μm are disclosed herein as well as multi-layer waveguides comprising at least one high index layer and optionally at least one low index layer. Lighting and display devices and OLEDs comprising such waveguides are further disclosed herein as well as methods for making the waveguides. |
| US09690030B2 |
Light emitting device including a lens at a predetermined position and backlight unit comprising same
A light emitting device capable of bonding a lens at a preset accurate position, and a backlight unit comprising the same are provided. The light emitting device includes a molded material having an opening through which light generated from a light emitting element disposed in the molded material is emitted, a projecting support disposed along at least part of a circumference of the opening of the molded material, and a lens having an inner surface that defines an internal surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, an outer surface that defines an external surface from which the incident light is emitted to the outside, and a bottom surface that connects the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein a boundary between the inner surface and the bottom surface, a lower part of the inner surface, or the bottom surface contacts the projecting support. |
| US09690029B2 |
Optical waveguides and luminaires incorporating same
According to one aspect, a waveguide comprises a waveguide body further comprising a first face and a second face opposite the first face and a coupling cavity comprising an extent between the first and second faces and defined by at least one light coupling feature that extends between the first and second faces. The coupling cavity is adapted to receive a light emitting diode and the coupling cavity is noncircular and nonrectangular in a cross-section perpendicular to the extent of the coupling cavity. Further, the at least one light coupling feature comprises at least one protrusion. |
| US09690027B2 |
Optical film and method of preparing same
The present invention relates to an optical film and method of manufacturing the same. The optical film of the present invention includes an acrylic resin and a core-shell type graft copolymer wherein the core includes a conjugate diene rubber, and the shell includes an acrylic monomer, an aromatic vinyl monomer, and a maleimide monomer. |
| US09690026B2 |
Direct write lithography for the fabrication of geometric phase holograms
A direct-write lithography apparatus includes a polarization selector stage configured to vary a polarization orientation angle of light from a light source, a focusing element configured to focus the light from the light source into a spot at a focal plane thereof, and a scanning stage configured to scan the spot in at least two dimensions along a surface of a polarization-sensitive recording medium that is arranged proximate to the focal plane such that neighboring scans substantially overlap. The polarization selector stage and the scanning stage are configured to be operated independently of one another. Related fabrication methods of and optical elements fabricated thereby are also discussed. |
| US09690024B2 |
Displays with polarizer layers for electronic devices
An electronic device may have a display. Inactive portions of the display may be masked using an opaque masking layer. An opening may be provided in the masking layer. A camera may receive light through the opening in the opaque masking layer. The display may include upper and lower polarizers, a color filter layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The upper polarizer may have an unpolarized window aligned with the opening in the opaque masking layer for the camera, a logo, or another internal structure. The unpolarized window may be formed from openings in polarizer layers such as a polyvinyl alcohol layer and optical retarder layers. The openings may pass through all or less than all of the polarizer layers. The openings may be filled with transparent filler material. The polarizer may include a try-acetyl cellulose layer that continuously covers the opening in other polarizer layers. |
| US09690022B2 |
Liquid crystal composition, phase difference plate, image display device, and method for controlling wavelength dispersion in optically anisotropic layer
Liquid crystal composition containing polymerizable liquid crystal compound with reverse wavelength dispersion and one additive-monomer-A and additive-monomer-B, wherein: liquid crystal compound includes (in molecule), a main chain mesogen and side chain mesogen, optical axis of the main chain mesogen and optical axis of the side chain mesogen in different directions when compound is uniformly oriented, reversing wavelength dispersion property of birefringence; when the additive-monomer is in liquid crystal compound, the additive-monomer-A satisfies Expression(i); the additive-monomer-B satisfies Expression(ii) within wavelength range λ=380 nm-780 nm: ne>nea and no |
| US09690021B2 |
Photochromic optical article having allophanate protective coating and process for making same
A photochromic optical article is provided, which includes: an optical substrate; a photochromic layer over a surface of the optical substrate, wherein the photochromic layer includes a photochromic compound; and a protective layer over the photochromic layer, wherein the protective layer includes a matrix that includes residues of an ethylenically unsaturated radically polymerizable material that includes at least one allophanate group. A method of forming the photochromic optical article is also provided. |
| US09690020B2 |
Optical film exhibiting excellent blocking properties for ultraviolet light and polarizing plate including the same
There is provided an optical film including an ultraviolet light absorbent having a first peak with a maximum absorption coefficient of 0.07 to 0.10 phr−1 μm−1 in a wavelength band of 290 to 320 nm and a second peak with a maximum absorption coefficient of 0.11 to 0.16 phr−1 μm−1 in a wavelength band of 330 to 400 nm, an acrylic resin, and a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS), and a polarizing plate including the same. |
| US09690018B2 |
Manufacturing method of grating
A method for making a grating includes the following steps. A first photoresist film is formed on a substrate. A second photoresist film is applied on the first photoresist film. A number of first cavities are formed in the second photoresist film, wherein part of the first photoresist film is exposed to form a first exposed part. A number of second cavities are formed, wherein part of the surface of the substrate is exposed to form an exposed surface. A mask layer is deposited on the second photoresist film and the exposed surface of the substrate. A patterned mask layer is formed, and part of the substrate is exposed to form a second exposed part. The second exposed part of the substrate is etched through the patterned mask layer. The patterned mask layer is removed. |
| US09690017B2 |
Spherically mounted retroreflector and method of making the same
A spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) includes a substrate, an optic, and an adhesive. The substrate has a partially spherical outer surface and a cavity, the partially spherical outer surface has a sphere center. The optic has a cube-corner retroreflector fixedly disposed within the cavity; the cube-corner retroreflector has an optical vertex. The adhesive is disposed between the optic and the substrate and fixedly adheres the optic to the substrate. The optical vertex is coincident with the sphere center. The substrate is made from a ferromagnetic material and has an electroless nickel outer coating. |
| US09690016B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet reflective element with amorphous layers and method of manufacturing thereof
An extreme ultraviolet reflective element and method of manufacture includes a substrate; a multilayer stack on the substrate, the multilayer stack includes a plurality of reflective layer pairs having a first reflective layer formed from silicon and a second reflective layer having a preventative layer separating a lower amorphous layer and an upper amorphous layer; and a capping layer on and over the multilayer stack for protecting the multilayer stack by reducing oxidation and mechanical erosion. |
| US09690014B2 |
Gradient index lens and method for its fabrication
A gradient-index lens for focusing incident electromagnetic radiation comprises at least first and second substrates. Each of the substrates has a plurality of trenches or holes formed therein. The first substrate is stacked on the second substrate such that trenches or holes in the first substrate are substantially aligned with corresponding trenches or holes in the second substrate to form combined trenches or holes. Each of the combined trenches or holes has a width or diameter that is less than a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, and the spacing between adjacent ones of the combined trenches or holes is less than the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation. The size and spacing of the combined trenches or holes in the stacked substrates are sufficient to produce an effective refractive index profile of the lens element that is graded. A method for producing the lens is also provided. |
| US09690006B2 |
Downhole logging system with azimuthal and radial sensitivity
Embodiments of the invention provide a downhole tool that includes a photon source, a photon detector having a plurality of detector pixels in a cylindrical row and column arrangement, and a radial collimator having at least two concentric frustoconical collimators circumferentially arranged about the photon detector and at least two azimuthal collimating members radially arranged with respect to the photon detector, wherein one of the azimuthal collimating members is on a first side of a detector pixel and a second azimuthal collimator is on a second side of a detector pixel opposite the first side. |
| US09690005B2 |
Wireless metal detector having headset with display and camera
A metal detector of the disclosure includes a detection head, a supporting rod, and a headset. The supporting rod is connected with the detection head. A first control printed circuit board (PCB) is located inside the supporting rod, and is electrically connected to the detection head. The headset includes a second control PCB connected to the first control PCB by wireless communication, and a display electrically connected to the second control PCB. When an operator wears the headset, a visual direction of the operator keeps within a display range of the display. The detection head detects a metal signal, the first control PCB transmits the metal signal to the second control PCB by wireless communication. The second control PCB transforms the metal signal into a video signal transmitted to the display to display for the operator. |
| US09690002B2 |
Device, system and method for geological-time refinement
A device, system and method for performing a 3D interpolation in a 2D interpolation stage and a 1D interpolation stage to generate a refined geological-time. A 3D model may be obtained of a subsurface region defined by an initial geological-time in the past when particles in the subsurface region are determined to have been originally deposited. The stages of the 3D interpolation may include a 2D interpolation along one or more initial 2D reference horizon surfaces to generate one or more reshaped 2D reference horizon surfaces, and a 1D interpolation based on the initial geological-time along one or more 1D interpolation lines to generate a refined geological-time, wherein each 1D interpolation line is approximately orthogonal to the initial 2D reference horizon surfaces. The 3D model may be displayed according to the refined geological-time. |
| US09689990B2 |
Dual coaxial NSS receiver system
A dual coaxial NSS receiver system is disclosed. One embodiment receives first location information about a first navigation satellite system (NSS) antenna mounted on an object at a first location. In addition, second location information is received from a second NSS antenna mounted on the object in a second location different from the first location. A spatial relationship is determined between the first NSS antenna, the second NSS antenna and a portion of the object. The first location information, the second location information and the spatial relationship are then utilized to determine the spatial location of the portion of the object. |
| US09689983B2 |
Radar apparatus and running vehicle sensing method
A radar receiver of a radar apparatus includes a Doppler frequency acquirer which, in operation, acquires a Doppler frequency for each of range bins from an echo signal, received via at least one antenna, which is a radar signal reflected by an object, a direction correlation power value calculator which, in operation, calculates, for each of combinations of the range bins and the Doppler frequencies, a direction correlation power value indicating strength of the echo signal for each of directions, a normalized direction correlation value calculator which, in operation, calculates, for each of the combinations of the range bins and the Doppler frequencies, a normalized direction correlation value indicating likelihood of a direction of arrival of the echo signal for each of the directions, and a running vehicle detector which, in operation, determines, on a basis of the direction correlation power value and the normalized direction correlation value, whether the object is a running vehicle. |
| US09689980B2 |
Secondary surveillance radar system for air traffic control
The invention refers to a secondary surveillance radar, referred to hereinafter as SSR, system (1) for air traffic control. The SSR-system (1) comprises a plurality of secondary radar stations (2) and is adapted for determining a location of an air traffic vehicle within the range of coverage of at least some of the secondary radar stations (2) by means of propagation time measurement of data signals (8) transmitted between the secondary radar stations (2) and a transponder (9) of the air traffic vehicle. Each of the secondary radar stations (2) works on a synchronized local time base. In order to provide for a high-precision synchronisation of the radar stations (2) of the SSR system (1) free of clusters, it is suggested that an SSR system's (1) secondary radar station (2) is synchronized depending on the content of synchronisation signals (10) received by the secondary radar station (2) to be synchronized and broadcast by one of the other secondary radar stations (2) of the SSR system (1). Preferably, the content comprises a time of transmission of the synchronisation signal (10). |
| US09689977B2 |
System and method to monitor powerlines
The invention encompasses a system and method for monitoring a power line. In certain embodiments, a system emits a series of signals that allow for analytic analysis of a power line. For example, by taking multiple signal readings, it is possible to detect an average height reading of a power line and observe long-term trends in the time delay from signal emission to reception of an echo-signal. This allows for accurate measurement of various physical parameters of a power line, for example, the height of the power line above the ground. |
| US09689975B2 |
Radar apparatus
A radar apparatus is configured to set a first target to be a non-output object with respect to a control apparatus of a host vehicle in a case where the first target (1) has a fore-and-aft distance from the host vehicle that is larger than a fore-and-aft distance from the host vehicle of a second target and (2) has a predetermined dependency to be an accessory portion which belongs to a same vehicle as the second target. The radar apparatus includes a signal processor configured to: determine whether or not the second target is present in an own lane of the host vehicle; determine whether or not the second target is changing a lane; and set the first target to be an output object with respect to the control apparatus of the host vehicle in a case where the second target is changing the lane from the own lane. |
| US09689971B2 |
Laser ranging calibration method and apparatus using the same
The disclosure relates to a laser ranging calibration method and a laser range finder including a line laser generation module, an image capturing module and a processing module. The line laser generation module projects a line laser beam to a first direction from a first position. The image capturing module at a second position captures a ranging image in the first direction. When the ranging image includes a calibration target image of a calibration target having a first width, the processing module calculates a measured width of the calibration target according to a position of a line spot image of a laser spot on the calibration target image, obtains a calibration parameter according to the first width and the measured width, performs range finding according to the laser spot shown in the ranging image, and performs a calibration task using a calibration parameter. |
| US09689968B2 |
Wholly optically controlled phased array radar transmitter
A wholly optically controlled phased array transmitter with integrated tunable optoelectronic oscillators, which are based on multi-wavelength optical sources and optical true time delay units, and optical time delay networks, having a multi-wavelength optical source, a first wavelength division multiplexer, a first optical splitter, a first electro-optic modulator, a second optical splitter, a first optical amplifier, a first optical time delay network, a photodetector, an electric amplifier, a DC-block, a second electro-optic modulator, a second optical amplifier, a second optical time delay network, an optical combiner, a second wavelength division multiplexer, an optical fibers, a photodetector array, a T/R component array, a microwave antenna array, a 1×2 optical switch, a 2×2 optical switch, a circulator, a third wavelength division multiplexer, a bundle of optical fibers with precise lengths, and a Faraday rotation mirror. |
| US09689967B1 |
Adaptive transmission and interference cancellation for MIMO radar
A radar system has different modes of operation. In one mode the radar operates as a single-input, multiple-output (SIMO) radar system utilizing one transmitted signal from one antenna at a time. Codes with known excellent autocorrelation properties are utilized in this mode. At each receiver the response after correlating with various possible transmitted signals is measured in order to estimate the interference that each transmitter will represent at each receiver. The estimated effect of the interference from one transmitter on a receiver that correlates with a different code is used to mitigate the interference. In another mode, the radar operates as a MIMO radar system utilizing all the antennas at a time. Interference cancellation of the non-ideal cross correlation sidelobes when transmitting in the MIMO mode are employed to remove ghost targets due to unwanted sidelobes. |
| US09689964B2 |
Electronic receiver device detection system and method
A super regenerative receiver detection system and method that includes a computing system that stores and executes a cross modulation correlation component to modulate a radio-frequency (RF) stimulation signal that is transmitted in an area using a modulating signal having a first modulating mode, and receive a response UEE signal from the area in which the response UEE signal includes a cross modulated signal emitted from a super regenerative receiver (SRR). The cross modulated signal having a second modulation mode that is different from the first modulation mode. Using this information, the cross modulation correlation component processes the received UEE signal to determine a cross modulation correlation level of a cross modulation signal relative to the modulating signal, and generates an alert signal when the determined cross modulation correlation level exceeds a specified threshold. |
| US09689960B1 |
Beam rejection in multi-beam microphone systems
The systems, devices, and processes described herein may identify a beam of a voice-controlled device that is directed toward a reflective surface, such as a wall. The beams may be created by a beamformer. An acoustic echo canceller (AEC) may create filter coefficients for a reference sound. The filter coefficients may be analyzed to identify beams that include multiple peaks. The multiple peaks may indicate presence of one or more reflective surfaces. Using the amplitude and the time delay between the peaks, the device may determine that it is close to a reflective surface in a direction of the beam. |
| US09689958B1 |
Device positioning using acoustic and radio signals
The present technology may be directed a system for determining an angle and distance between a positioning node and secondary device using a plurality of acoustic transmitters to transmit acoustic ranging signals that are modulated using ranging sequences, respectively. The system includes an acoustic receiver to detect the acoustic ranging signals, and a signal processor to calculate times of arrival and a plurality of aliased angles of arrival of the acoustic ranging signals. An anti-aliasing module may select an angle of arrival from the calculated plurality of aliased angles using the times of arrival of the acoustic ranging signals. A time of flight may be calculated from a comparison of times of arrival for radio signals and the acoustic signals. The time of flight may be used to calculate the distance between the positioning node and secondary device. |
| US09689954B2 |
Intergrated electron spin resonance spectrometer
An integrated electron spin resonance (ESR) circuit chip includes a chip substrate, a transmitter circuit, and a receiver circuit. The transmitter circuit and receiver circuit are disposed on the chip substrate. The transmitter circuit includes an oscillator circuit configured to generate an oscillating output signal and a power amplifier (PA) circuit configured to generate an amplified oscillating output signal based on the oscillating output signal. The receiver circuit receives an ESR signal from an ESR probe. The receiver circuit includes a receiver amplifier circuit configured to generate an amplified ESR signal based on the received ESR signal, a mixer circuit configured to receive the amplified ESR signal and to down-convert the amplified ESR signal to a baseband signal, and a baseband amplifier circuit configured to generate an amplified baseband signal based on the baseband signal. |
| US09689950B2 |
Systems and methods for self-calibrated, nonlinear phase contrast correction of magnetic resonance images
A system and method of self-calibrated correction for residual phase in phase-contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) imaging data. The method includes receiving PCMR image data from an MR scanner system, segmenting static tissue from non-static cardiovascular elements of the image data, calculating a non-linear fitted-phase basis function, the non-linear fitted-phase basis function based on system artifacts of the PCMR system, adding the non-linear fitted-phase basis function to linear fit terms, and subtracting the result of the adding step from the PCMR imaging data. The system includes a PCMR scanning apparatus configured to provide PCMR image data, a scanner control circuit configured to control the scanning apparatus during image acquisition, the scanner control circuitry in communication with a control processor, the control processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions that cause the control processor to perform the method. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also disclosed. |
| US09689948B2 |
System and method for reducing radio frequency peak voltage and power requirements in magnetic resonance imaging using time-shifted multiband radio frequency pulses
A system and method for producing images depicting a plurality of slice locations in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”} system is provided. In particular, the system and method utilize time-shifted multiband radio frequency (“RF”} pulses to lower peak voltage and peak power requirements when using conventional multiband RF pulses. A time-shifted multiband RF pulse includes at least two component RF pulses, which may be single-band or multiband pulses. The component RF pulses are designed such that they do not have temporal footprints that completely overlap; although, they may have temporal foot-prints that partially overlap or do not overlap at all. The MRI system is used to acquire magnetic resonance signals formed in response to a time-shifted multiband RF pulse and, from these acquired signals, images depicting each of the plurality of slice locations in the subject are reconstructed. |
| US09689943B2 |
Method and magnetic resonance system for automated determination of an acquisition volume related to an examination region for the acquisition of a magnetic resonance data set
In a computerized method and apparatus to automatically determine an acquisition volume of an examination region for the acquisition of a magnetic resonance data set, at least one magnetic resonance image data set is acquired that at least partially images an examination region, and the magnetic resonance image data set is processed into at least one magnetic resonance image. The examination region is segmented and at least one envelope enclosing a segment is determined. At least one rectangle including the envelope is determined. The acquisition volume is calculated using the rectangle. |
| US09689942B2 |
Quantitative NMR clinical analyzers with automatic NMR temperature sensitivity compensation that accommodate large ambient operational temperature ranges
NMR analyzers and associated methods, circuits and computer program products that allow NMR operation in fluctuating ambient temperature environments of at least +/−5 degrees F. in a relatively large operating temperature range, typically between about 60-85 degrees F.) with the ability to still generate accurate quantitative measurements using an electronically applied temperature sensitivity adjustment based on an a priori model of temperature sensitivity and a detected temperature proximate the NMR signal acquisition (e.g., scan). The clinical NMR analyzers can be remotely accessed to evaluate linearity and temperature compensation adjustments. |
| US09689938B2 |
Gradient magnetic field coil device, adjustment method therefor, and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
In a gradient magnetic field coil device including: a plurality of main coils generating in an imaging region of a magnetic field resonance imaging device a magnetic field distribution in which an intensity linearly inclines; and a plurality of shield coils, arranged on an opposite side of the imaging region across the main coils, suppressing residual magnetic field generated by the main coils on the opposite side. The plurality of main coils and the plurality of shield coils are connected in series. The device further includes a plurality of current adjusting devices, connected to the shield coils in parallel, independently adjusting currents flowing through the shield coils, respectively, to enhance symmetry of the residual magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field coil device is provided which can suppress generation of eddy current magnetic field even if there is a relative position deviation between the main coils and shield coils. |
| US09689936B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing a magnetic field using subarrays of magnetic sensing elements
An apparatus includes circuits including a first circuit and a second circuit, each circuit including subarrays of magnetic tunnel junctions, where: (1) the magnetic tunnel junctions in each subarray are arranged in rows, the magnetic tunnel junctions in each row are connected in series, and the rows are connected in parallel; and the subarrays are connected in series. The apparatus further comprises a field line configured to generate a first magnetic field for configuring an operating point of the first circuit based on a current flow through the field line, wherein impedance of one or more of the magnetic tunnel junctions in each of the plurality of rows of each subarray of magnetic tunnel junctions included in the first circuit is configured based on the first magnetic field. |
| US09689931B2 |
Magnetic field sensor and method for determining and correcting an offset voltage of a magnetic field sensor
A magnetic field sensor having a Hall sensor with a first terminal contact and with a second terminal contact and with a third terminal contact and with a fourth terminal contact and with a fifth terminal contact, whereby a first switch with a control input is provided between the first terminal contact and the fifth terminal contact, and the first switch connects or disconnects the first terminal contact to/from the fifth terminal contact, and a control unit is provided and the control unit is connected to the control input of the first switch. |
| US09689922B2 |
Online design validation for electronic devices
A computer implemented process is described for testing multiple electronic devices under test (DUTs). A design test pattern or command/instruction is generated with an electronic design automation tool (EDA). The generated design test pattern and command/instruction is sent directly to an automated test equipment apparatus (ATE) over a UNIX or scripting language based, and/or a network based, communication pipeline. The ATE converts the sent design test pattern to an instance of the test pattern directly executable by the ATE. The ATE apparatus inputs test signals to each of the multiple electronic DUTs based on the executable test pattern. The ATE apparatus then receives, from each of the multiple electronic DUTs, a test result based on the input test signals. The ATE returns the received test result, and a report of an action responsive to the command/instruction to the EDA tool, which may then process the test results and report. |
| US09689921B2 |
Testing SoC with portable scenario models and at different levels
A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output. |
| US09689920B2 |
Identification of unknown sources for logic built-in self test in verification
A tool for determining unknown sources in a circuit design for exclusion from logic built-in self test (LBIST) verification for the circuit. The tool initializes, by one or more computer processors, one or more nets contained in an initial nets list, wherein the initial nets list is a representation of a circuit design being tested. The tool removes, by one or more computer processors, the one or more nets initialized in response to initialization of each of one or more latches in one or more test channels of the circuit design being tested. The tool determines, by one or more computer processors, whether a latch of the one or more latches is corrupted by an unknown source. |
| US09689917B2 |
Digital voltage droop monitor with clock jitter adjustment
Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for measuring on-die voltage levels of an integrated circuit through a digital sampling circuit. In particular, the system and/or method utilize a delay line based analog-to-digital sampling circuit that produces a voltage reading over time, such as at every high frequency clock cycle. In one embodiment, the digital sampling circuit may include a clock jitter monitor circuit configured with a constant supply voltage. This clock jitter monitor is configured to measure the clock jitter that is experienced by the digital voltage monitor circuit and, when compared to measured voltage captured by the circuit, may be used to calibrate or otherwise correct the readings provided by the digital voltage monitor circuit. |
| US09689916B2 |
Method for determining set value of pressure for inspection in wafer inspection apparatus
In a method for determining a set value of a pressure for inspection in a wafer inspection apparatus, a surrounding space sealable between a chuck top and a probe card by a vacuum mechanism is evacuated and a highest negative pressure in the surrounding space is measured as a reference pressure when the chuck top has floated by the evacuation. Then as a reference height position, a height position of the chuck top corresponding to the reference pressure is obtained. Further, a pressure in the surrounding space is decreased to a level lower than the reference pressure, the pressure in the surrounding space, when the chuck top reaches a target height position obtained by adding a preset overdrive amount for a press-contact state between the probe card and the wafer to the reference height position, is measured and the measured pressure is set as the set value of the pressure. |
| US09689909B2 |
System for analyzing and locating partial discharges
A sensor detects partial discharges (PDs) in an electrical power system and generates a corresponding analog electrical signal. A data acquisition component receives the signal from the sensor and converts it to digitized zero span data for a series of uniformly spaced frequencies in a frequency spectrum of interest. A digital signal processing component receives the digitized zero span data, analyzes such data, and generates a corresponding phase resolved spectrum signal in three dimensional format including dimensions of amplitude, phase and frequency for each of the uniformly spaced frequencies. A display component receives the analyzed data stream from the processing component and actuates one or more displays from which characteristics of the PD can be identified, such as different types of PDs from different sources, and information on the location of a PD relative to the sensor. |
| US09689908B2 |
Method for determining the opening and/or closing time of the nozzle needle of an injection valve
A method is provided for determining the opening and/or closing time of the nozzle pin in an injection valve in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders. The nozzle pin is directly driven by a piezo actuator. The piezo voltage and/or the piezo charge at the respective piezo actuator functioning as a sensor is measured for the corresponding injection pulse in a plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, and the median value of the measured voltage and/or charge values of the piezo actuators for the plurality of cylinders for the corresponding injection pulse is calculated. The obtained median value is then used as a replacement value for determining the opening and/or closing time in case of non-detectability or disruption of the needle opening and/or needle closing information. |
| US09689907B2 |
Device for measuring the variation of a capacitance and associated measuring method
A method and device for measuring a variation of a capacitance, the device includes: a capacitance having a voltage across its terminals; a charging element and a discharging element; a comparison element; control elements activating the charging element or the discharging element as a function of the value of the voltage across the terminals of the capacitance and of which an output voltage has a high value during the charging and a low value during the discharging; a counter measuring a time representative of a predetermined number of charging and discharging cycles of the capacitance; and an additional capacitance electrically connected to the output voltage and to the capacitance, able to be charged and discharged simultaneously with the charging and discharging of the capacitance. |
| US09689906B2 |
Method and device for position detection
The method and device for position detection are disclosed. Corresponding to a first touch related sensing information, a second touch related sensing information is acquired for determining at least one position. Each position is used separately for determining the position of a centroid according to the first touch related sensing information or the second touch related sensing information. |
| US09689902B2 |
Magnetoresistance effect element
When miniaturizing an ammeter or wattmeter, a magnetoresistance effect element given a barber-pole electrode could be considered an efficient device. It was considered that a barber-pole electrode formed at 45° with respect to an axis of easy magnetization (the longitudinal direction of a rectangular-shaped element) would be the most efficient. Current is refracted, however, when the current passes through the boundaries of substances with different conductivity, so a barber-pole electrode formed at 45° is not the most efficient. According to the invention, it is possible to provide a highly efficient magnetoresistance element having a rectangular magnetic film whereupon an axis of easy magnification is induced in the longitudinal direction, and a barber-pole electrode which is formed upon the magnetic film at an oblique angle θ to the longitudinal direction, where the magnetoresistance element takes into account current refraction at the boundary between the electrode and the magnetic film. |
| US09689901B2 |
Apparatus and methods thereof for power consumption measurement at circuit breaker points
Apparatus and methods are provided for the measurement of power consumption at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. Accordingly, means are provided for measurement of power consumption for each electrical sub-network that is controlled by a circuit breaker. Each apparatus is enabled to communicate its respective data, in an environment of a plurality of such apparatuses, to a management unit which is enabled to provide finer granularity power consumption profiles. Challenges of measuring relatively low supply currents, wireless operation in an environment of a large number of apparatuses, and self-powering are addressed. |
| US09689899B2 |
Power meter with automatic configuration
A power monitoring system includes a plurality of current sensors suitable to sense respective changing electrical current within a respective conductor to a respective load and a conductor sensing a respective voltage potential provided to the respective load. A power monitors determines a type of circuit based upon a signal from at least one of the current sensors and a signal from the conductor, wherein the type of circuit includes at least one of a single phase circuit, a two phase circuit, and a three phase circuit. The power meter configures a set of registers corresponding to the determined type of circuit in a manner such that the configuring is different based upon each of the single phase circuit, two phase circuit, and three phase circuit suitable to provide data corresponding to the determined type of circuit. |
| US09689897B2 |
Performance enhanced semiconductor socket
A test socket for IC devices includes a multi-layered socket housing with at least one center layer and first and second surface layers. The first and second surface layers have a thickness and dielectric constant less than that of the center layers. A plurality of contact members are located in center openings in the center layer with distal ends extending into openings in the first and second layers. The distal ends of the contact members having at least one dimension greater than the openings in the first and second surface layers to retain the contact members in the socket housing. The contact members include center portions with major diameters less than the diameters of the center openings, such that an air gap is maintained between the contact members and the center layer. |
| US09689896B2 |
Separating device for electronic components
A separating device includes a base, a feed mechanism operable to convey first and second electronic component to a discharge end thereof, and a separating mechanism disposed on the base and including a first carrier connected slidably to the base and configured to carry the first electronic component, a second carrier connected slidably to the base and configured to carry the second electronic component, and a drive unit for driving reciprocation of the first and second carriers between a pick-up position, where the first carrier abuts against the second carrier, and a separating position, where the first and second carriers are separated from each other. |
| US09689895B2 |
Test connector retaining harness assembly
An electrical system may include a first electrical connector configured to be coupled to an electrical panel, a second electrical connector configured to be coupled to a testing device that is configured to test components coupled to the electrical panel, and a retaining harness assembly that removably connects to the first and second electrical connectors to maintain a secure mating relationship between the first and second electrical connectors. |
| US09689890B2 |
Fully digitally controller for cantilever-based instruments
A controller for cantilever-based instruments, including atomic force microscopes, molecular force probe instruments, high-resolution profilometers and chemical or biological sensing probes. The controller samples the output of the photo-detector commonly used to detect cantilever deflection in these instruments with a very fast analog/digital converter (ADC). The resulting digitized representation of the output signal is then processed with field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors without making use of analog electronics. Analog signal processing is inherently noisy while digital calculations are inherently “perfect” in that they do not add any random noise to the measured signal. Processing by field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors maximizes the flexibility of the controller because it can be varied through programming means, without modification of the controller hardware. |
| US09689889B1 |
Systems and methods to stabilize high-Q MEMS sensors
Various embodiments of the invention allow to reduce unwanted high-Q oscillations in capacitive MEMS sensors. In certain embodiments, stabilization of high-Q MEMS sensors is accomplished through a dedicated ultra-low power circuit that provides a bias voltage to one or more sensor electrodes during an OFF-phase. The bias voltage forces a balance condition that eliminates perturbations and enables smooth transitions that, ultimately, result in shorter sensor settling times. |
| US09689888B2 |
In-plane vibrating beam accelerometer
A device is described that includes a pendulous proof mass, a support base, a flexure, and at least two resonators. The support base defines a plane and supports the pendulous proof mass. The flexure flexibly connects the pendulous proof mass to the support base, suspends the pendulous proof mass within the support base, and in response to an acceleration of the device, the pendulous proof mass rotates about the flexure in the plane defined by the support base. The at least two resonators flexibly connect the pendulous proof mass to the support base and flex based on the rotation of the pendulous proof mass about the flexure, wherein each of the at least two resonators resonate at a respective resonant frequency. |
| US09689887B1 |
Fall event monitoring
In some examples, a portable electronic device may monitor onboard sensor information to detect and characterize a fall event. For example, the device may receive acceleration information from one or more accelerometers for determining that the device is falling, and may receive information from one or more gyroscopes for determining an orientation of the device. Based at least in part on the sensor information, the device may determine the fall duration, an estimated fall height, device orientation before during and after the fall, and/or a coefficient of restitution resulting from the device impacting a surface. The device may store the fall information on the device. Further, in some examples, the device may send the fall information to a remote computing device, which may aggregate the fall information from a plurality of the devices, such as for improving or optimizing the design of the devices. |
| US09689886B2 |
Flow angle probe with a passively rotating vane
A flow angle probe is provided comprising: (a) a probe vane configured to contact a moving fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) an optional probe mounting mechanically coupled to the probe vane; (c) a rotary shaft coupled either to the optional probe mounting or the probe vane; (d) a rotary encoder coupled to the rotary shaft; (e) a sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the rotary encoder; and (f) a probe housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the rotary encoder and the sensor. The novel flow angle probes disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety of turbomachines and fluid processing systems, and applications, including turbomachine design and operational control, as well as in flow assurance. |
| US09689885B2 |
Sensor unit, electronic apparatus and moving object
A sensor unit includes a sensor and a mount board on which the sensor is mounted. The mount board includes a mount terminal connected to a terminal provided in the sensor and a wiring extending from the mount terminal. The wiring is not provided in a region where the sensor and the mount board overlap each other when viewed in plan. |
| US09689884B2 |
Pipetting machine having a disposal container
A metering apparatus includes a base and a vertical support coupled to the base and extending upwardly from the base. The metering apparatus also includes a transverse support coupled to the vertical support, vertically spaced from the base. The metering apparatus also includes a pipetting device coupled to the transverse support, the pipetting device including at least one pipetting channel configured to attach to a pipetting tip. The metering apparatus also includes a disposal container configured to receive used pipetting tips from the pipetting channel, detachably coupled to the vertical support. The pipetting device is movable in first, second, and third directions substantially orthogonal to each other. The disposal container is moveable in one of the first, second, and third directions. |
| US09689882B2 |
Area monitoring system and corresponding method for operating the same
A monitoring system monitoring an environmental condition of an area by measuring an environmental quantity, including: a static monitoring section including plural static sensor units each configured to collect first measure data relating to the environmental quantity in respective portions of the area; a mobile monitoring section including at least one robot configured to move within the area to collect second measure data relating to the environmental quantity in a portion of the area surrounding the robot; and a central unit communicating with the static sensor units and robot to perform: conditioned to assessing an anomalous environmental condition from first measure data collected by at least one static sensor unit, commanding the robot to operate according to anomaly routines, and conditioned to assessing an anomalous environmental condition from second measure data collected by the robot, commanding at least one static sensor unit to operate according to anomaly routines. |
| US09689879B2 |
Specific and high affinity binding proteins comprising modified SH3 domains of Fyn kinase
The present invention relates to a method for the production of a library comprising recombinant derivatives of the SH3 domain of the Fyn kinase of SEQ ID NO: 1 as well as a method for selecting from a library comprising recombinant derivatives of the SH3 domain of the Fyn kinase of SEQ ID NO: 1 one or more of said derivatives having a specific binding affinity to a protein or peptide. |
| US09689878B2 |
Assay method using encoded particle-based platform
Provided is an assay method using an encoded particle-based platform. In the assay method, first, a plurality of encoded particles having codes distinguishable from one another according to kinds of included target materials are prepared. The plurality of encoded particles are provided onto a plate including a plurality of wells by pipetting, and disposed in the plurality of wells by a self-assembly method. An analyte is provided into the plurality of wells. The codes of the plurality of encoded particles disposed in the plurality of wells are decoded. The target materials of the plurality of encoded particles are released to cause a reaction between the target materials and the analyte. |
| US09689877B2 |
Water soluble fluorescent or colored dyes and methods for their use
Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (I): Formula (I), including stereoisomers, salts and tautomers thereof, wherein R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R2c, R2d, R2e, R2f, R2g, R2h, R2i, R2j, R2k, R2l, R2m, R2n, R2o, R2p, R2q, R2r and R2s are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds are also provided. |
| US09689876B2 |
Methods related to cancer treatment
The present invention relates to method for predicting a subject's relative response to cancer immunotherapy treatment. The methods involve providing a sample comprising a tumor cell or a peripheral blood cell from the subject; measuring the expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-23 (“MMP-23”) by the tumor cell or the peripheral blood cell; comprising the measured expression level of MMP-23 with a control or standard value; and determining the subject's predicted response to cancer immunotherapy, where, based on said comparing, a higher MMP-23 expression level compared to the control or standard value predicts the subject will have a poor response to cancer immunotherapy. The present invention also relates to methods for increasing production of tumor infiltrating leucocytes (“TILs”) in a subject, methods of identifying a subject as a candidate for adoptive T-cell therapy using T-cells that primarily express KCa3.1 channels, and methods of treating a subject having melanoma by administering an MMP-23 inhibitor. |
| US09689873B2 |
Method for diagnosing and differentiating HIV-2 infections
The present invention provides a method using immunoassay devices to differentiate infection with HIV-2 from infection with both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in a subject. |
| US09689870B2 |
Assay device having multiple reagent cells
An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone. The reagent zone includes at least two reagent cells containing a reagent material and arranged in the reagent zone such that each reagent cell experiences substantially the same flow conditions of sample from the sample zone. The reagent cells divide the sample flow from the sample zone into multiple flow streams. Also includes are: one or more flow control elements disposed downstream from the reagent zone which combine the multiple flow streams into fewer flow streams; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample addition zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path. |
| US09689865B2 |
Personal hygiene item
The present invention provides a personal hygiene item. In simple terms, one of the main features of the present invention is to provide a low-cost personal hygiene item capable of providing a multi-component detection function. The personal hygiene item of the present invention mainly comprises a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer is made of hydrophobic material, and the second material layer is disposed thereon. Also, the second material layer comprises a discolored portion. In actual practice, a fluid under test contacts with the corresponding discolored portions via the hydrophobic layer of second material layer for a color changing reaction. Meanwhile, since the hydrophilic performance of the discolored portion is better than the hydrophilic performance of the hydrophilic layer, the back permeation of the fluid under test can herein be prevented. |
| US09689862B2 |
Antigen binding protein and its use as addressing product for the treatment of cancer
The present invention relates to an antigen binding protein, in particular a monoclonal antibody, capable of binding specifically to the protein Axl as well as the amino and nucleic acid sequences coding for said protein. From one aspect, the invention relates to an antigen binding protein, or antigen binding fragments, capable of binding specifically to Axl and, by inducing internalization of Axl, being internalized into the cell. The invention also comprises the use of said antigen binding protein as an addressing product in conjugation with other anti-cancer compounds, such as toxins, radio-elements or drugs, and the use of same for the treatment of certain cancers. |
| US09689859B2 |
Analytical method for detecting fuel markers
A gas chromatographic method for detecting a first marker and a second marker in a fuel in two channels: (i) a first capillary column coated with polysiloxane and a second capillary column coated with polyethylene glycol; and (ii) a third capillary column coated with polymethylphenylsiloxane and a fourth deactivated capillary column. The steps are: (a) introducing a first sample into the first column to produce a first effluent; (b) introducing only a portion of the first effluent into the second column to produce a second effluent; (c) allowing the second effluent to pass through a mass spectrometer; (d) introducing a second sample into the third column to produce a third effluent; (e) introducing only a portion of the third effluent into the fourth column to produce a fourth effluent; (f) allowing the fourth effluent to pass through a mass spectrometer. |
| US09689857B1 |
Temperature influenced chemical vaporization and detection of compounds having low volatility
The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for detecting a chemical substance. The methods and systems include chemically modifying a sample of a substance of interest through combination with a reagent to increase the volatility of the substance of interest. The systems and methods further include performing an analysis of the substance of interest. |
| US09689855B2 |
Submersible multi-parameter sonde having a high sensor form factor sensor
Provided are multi-parameter sonde systems having a unique form-factor, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged in a tight-fit configuration. This provides a single distal sensing surface and minimal separation distance between adjacent sensors. The sensors may be pie shaped with an interlocking feature to tightly hold the sensors together, with a sensor guard disposed over the outer surface of the interlocked sensors. Sensor-guards disclosed herein may have an integrated sensor storage and sensor guard configuration, thereby avoiding a need for a separate storage cup and that are configured to minimize unwanted biological growth. Also provided are uniquely shaped individual sensors having interlocking features to hold several sensors together in a sonde. |
| US09689851B2 |
Heatable gas analysis device
A heatable gas analysis device which is monitored in a simply way, wherein a gas analysis device contains a monitoring unit which, after the device is switched on and until a predefined operating temperature is reached, generates a two-dimensional temperature profile from temperature progressions measured at different measuring points within the device, in which temperature profile one dimension indicates time and another dimension indicates the different measuring points, where the monitoring unit compares the temperature profile to a reference temperature profile generated and stored under reference conditions and, in the event of any deviation exceeding a predefined amount, generates an error message. |
| US09689850B2 |
Managing atmospheric conditions of a test computing device
A system for controlling an atmospheric condition. The system includes: a pre-atmospheric conditioner configured to: collect ambient air and generate test air comprising the atmospheric condition for a first test computing device by modifying the ambient air. The system also includes an intake conduit, external to the first test computing device, configured to channel the test air to the first test computing device. |
| US09689849B2 |
Colorimetric indicators for use in medical devices
A colorimetric time indicator configured to indicate time specificity is provided. The colorimetric time indicator includes a colorimetric layer configured to be operatively coupled to a disposable medical device. The colorimetric time indicator is configured to indicate the time specificity via one or more visual indicators upon exposure to one or more external stimuli. |
| US09689840B2 |
Conjugates of 1,4,7-triazacyclononanes, dinuclear metal complexes of such conjugates, and methods of use for both 1,4,7-triazacyclononanes and conjugate
Conjugates of 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanes with a variety of conjugating members are used in the formation of dinuclear metal complexes which bind to phosphate esters. By virtue of their conjugated forms, the complexes are incorporated into chromatographic media, affinity binding reagents, and dyes, which make the complexes useful in a wide range of assays, separations, and purifications. In addition, dinuclear metal complexes of 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanes that are not so conjugated are used in the detection of phosphate esters of biological species by either MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry or by dye displacement. |
| US09689839B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing ion concentrations in a fluid sample
The invention provides a method for the measurement of a concentration of a charged species in a sample, the sample having a plurality of types of charged species and at least one insoluble component. The method comprises: providing the sample on a surface of a partly permeable layer; allowing components of the sample to pass through the partly permeable layer into a channel; and separating the components into sections, such that each at least one of the sections substantially comprises a single type of the plurality of the types of charged species, and determining the charge concentration in the at least one of the sections. |
| US09689838B2 |
Analytical cell
An analytical cell includes a first substrate with a first through hole formed therein, and a second substrate with first and second through holes formed therein. First and second solid portions protruding respectively from the first and second substrates are solid-state bonded together to form a solid state joint. By the solid state joint, the first and second substrates are joined together such that transmission membranes of the first and second substrates are mutually spaced by a predetermined distance, to form an overlapping portion. In the overlapping portion, an observation window is formed at a position where the first through holes face each other, and an accommodating part is formed between a lid member and the first substrate through the second through hole. One of negative and positive electrode active materials is provided in the accommodating part, and the other is provided between the transmission membranes of the observation window. |
| US09689836B2 |
Functionalized carbon nanotube sensors, method of making same and uses thereof
A carbon nanotube sensor device includes one or more carbon nanotubes and a functionalization layer. An outer surface of the one or more carbon nanotubes is coated with the functionalization layer and the functionalization layer includes a chemical compound that binds to one or more specific analytes. Binding of the one or more specific analytes to the functionalization layer alters an electrical property of the carbon nanotube sensor device and contributes to their detection. The functionalization layer includes a first layer stacked onto an outer surface of the carbon nanotubes, a second layer stacked onto the first layer and a third layer stacked onto the second layer. The first layer enables stacking of a polymer onto the carbon nanotubes. The second layer includes the polymer and the third layer includes the chemical compound that binds to the one or more a specific analytes. |
| US09689834B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor including a plate-shaped detecting element is disclosed, wherein the detecting element has a pair of principle surfaces and a pair of side surfaces adjacent to the pair of principle surfaces, in a radical direction thereof, wherein a first chamfered portion is provided between at least one first principal surface of the pair of principal surfaces and the rear end surface of the detecting element, and wherein the angle between a first axis ridgeline portion formed by the first principal surface and a first side surface that is one of the pair of side surfaces and extending in the direction of the axis, and a first width ridgeline formed by the first principal surface and the first chamfered portion and extending in a width direction is larger than 90°. |
| US09689823B2 |
Steam quality meter and measurement method
A steam quality meter includes a pipe with an inlet and an outlet. A rod is located within the pipe between the inlet and the outlet. The rod defines an annular flow passage between an outer wall of the rod and an inner wall of the pipe. A mixing device is located within the pipe between the inlet and an upstream end of the rod. Spaced sensors are located within the annular flow passage. Each sensor is configured to sense capacitance and/or impedance of steam flowing through the annular flow passage. |
| US09689822B2 |
Characterization of dielectric materials
A system and a method for characterizing a dielectric material are provided. The system and method generally include applying an excitation signal to electrodes on opposing sides of the dielectric material to evaluate a property of the dielectric material. The method can further include measuring the capacitive impedance across the dielectric material, and determining a variation in the capacitive impedance with respect to either or both of a time domain and a frequency domain. The measured property can include pore size and surface imperfections. The method can still further include modifying a processing parameter as the dielectric material is formed in response to the detected variations in the capacitive impedance, which can correspond to a non-uniformity in the dielectric material. |
| US09689821B2 |
Conductivity measurement cell
The application relates to a conductivity measurement cell for measuring the concentration of a preselected biomarker or analyte in a body fluid, such as urine. In order to reduce the effect of sample dilution on measured concentration, the measured concentration can be normalized by a dilution factor, which can be determined from electrical conductivity. A test strip and measurement apparatus is disclosed for performing such normalized concentration measurement. |
| US09689816B2 |
XRF analyzer activation switch
The invention includes various electronic devices for avoiding or minimizing XRF analyzer user fatigue. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger sensor for activating an XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger tap switch for activating the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a microphone for activating the XRF analysis by receipt of a verbal command. Additional benefits of some embodiments include improving XRF analysis safety and avoiding XRF analyzer theft. |
| US09689814B2 |
Chemical detection system and related methods
A chemical detection system includes a frame, an emitter coupled to the frame, and a detector coupled to the frame proximate the emitter. The system also includes a shielding system coupled to the frame and positioned at least partially between the emitter and the detector, wherein the frame positions a sensing surface of the detector in a direction substantially parallel to a plane extending along a front portion of the frame. A method of analyzing composition of a suspect object includes directing neutrons at the object, detecting gamma rays emitted from the object, and communicating spectrometer information regarding the gamma rays. The method also includes presenting a GUI to a user with a dynamic status of an ongoing neutron spectroscopy process. The dynamic status includes a present confidence for a plurality of compounds being present in the suspect object responsive to changes in the spectrometer information during the ongoing process. |
| US09689813B2 |
Detecting gaps between fasteners and openings
A method and apparatus are presented. X-rays are directed at a workpiece. The workpiece includes a fastener installed in an opening. Backscatter is received from the workpiece. It is determined if the fastener installed in the opening has an out of tolerance gap using the backscatter. An output is generated if the fastener installed in the opening has the out of tolerance gap. |
| US09689808B1 |
Inspection of seal for high altitude balloons
Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and techniques for inspecting seals for high altitude balloons. In one example, a system may include a reflective surface, a translucent material on the reflective surface, and a movable light source configured to move along the reflective surface and provide light to the reflective surface. The light is provided such that it is reflected from the reflective surface and through the translucent material in order to backlight a balloon envelope seal for inspection. A method for inspecting a balloon envelope seal may include placing balloon envelope material on a table, forming a seal between portions of the material, moving a light over the seal, shining light onto a reflective portion of the table below the seal to backlight the seal, and inspecting the seal using the backlighting of the seal. |
| US09689807B2 |
Substrate detection device and method
A substrate detection device and a substrate direction method are disclosed in the embodiments for achieving a wide-range high-compatibility detection of leads in a peripheral circuit region of a liquid crystal display. The detection device comprises a converting unit configured to calculate a gray scale of a gray image of a circuit lead region of a substrate based on the gray image of the circuit lead region of the substrate, and to convert the gray image into an image of leads in the circuit lead region, based on a difference between the calculated gray scales of the leads and of the substrate in the circuit lead region; and a judging unit configured to judge a state of the leads in the circuit lead region based on the image of the leads in the circuit lead region. |
| US09689802B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for analysis of multiphase fluid mixture in pipelines
An apparatus and method to measure water content and water pH of multiphase fluid mixtures of water and oil. The apparatus employs a water content sensor containing an infrared light source and a photodetector. The pH sensor includes a pH indicator that exhibits a color change in an oleophobic coating including an image recording device. The apparatus and method may be applied to measure water fraction and pH within oil/water pipelines. |
| US09689799B2 |
System and method for measuring fluorescence of a sample
The present disclosure provides a system and a method for measuring fluorescence of a sample. The sample may be a polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) array, a loop-mediated-isothermal amplification array, etc. LEDs are used to excite the sample, and a photodiode is used to collect the sample's fluorescence. An electronic offset signal is used to reduce the effects of background fluorescence and the noises from the measurement system. An integrator integrates the difference between the output of the photodiode and the electronic offset signal over a given period of time. The resulting integral is then converted into digital domain for further processing and storage. |
| US09689794B2 |
Lithium measurement method
To provide to a method for measuring and examining lithium ions in an aqueous solution of a specimen such as biomaterials or environment samples, by using a lithium reagent composition as a coloration reaction reagent and by visual observing or a simple a colorimeter. The lithium ions measuring method is characterized by contacting the specimen including serum and plasma test sample with an aqueous solution of a lithium reagent composition comprising a tetraphenyl porphyrin compound, a pH regulator and a pH buffer, by irradiating or expose the resulting solution with white light, and by detecting change in color tone by a visual observation or by detecting the sensitivity by a colorimeter. |
| US09689792B1 |
Biological material detection apparatus
A particle detection apparatus and method includes an excitation source having a first emission band that excites a sample and a second emission band; a first optical device connected to the excitation source and attenuates radiation emitted in the second emission band; an optical cavity adjacent to the first optical device, which includes a sample excited by radiation from the excitation source; a substrate coupled to the optical cavity and exposed to the radiation from the excitation source; a binding compound coupled to the substrate, which includes a ligand coupled to the substrate; and a capture material coupled to the ligand and capturing the sample; a second optical device connected to the substrate and attenuates radiation emitted in the first emission band; and an optical detector connected to the second optical device and detects radiation emitted in the second emission band. |
| US09689789B2 |
Damage evaluation method and maintenance evaluation index decision method
A first measured value of a specific physical quantity at a target portion is correlated with a damage evaluation index to calculate a damage degree corresponding to the first measured value. The specific physical quantity is measured at least once at a position corresponding to the first measurement position in another time period having a different usage elapsed time from that of the first measurement, and these second and subsequent measured values are correlated with damage degrees calculated based on temporal changes corresponding to the second and subsequent measurements. A new damage evaluation index is approximately calculated based on a relationship between the first, second, and subsequent measured values and the damage degrees corresponding to the first, second, and subsequent measured values. |
| US09689787B2 |
Technical system, method and use for online measuring and monitoring of the particle contents in a flow of injection water in an underwater line
Technical system and method for online measuring and monitoring of the particle content in an injection water flow (6′) in an underwater line (8). The system comprises a data gathering means, a data communication link (48) and a data receiving means comprising an image analysis apparatus (2) provided with: a water sample line (18) for throughput of a partial flow (6″) of the injection water flow (6′); a means of conveyance (24) connected to the water sample line (18) for transport of the partial flow (6″); a light-transparent flow portion (18′) disposed along the water sample line (18); a camera (26) at the flow portion (18′); at least one light source (30, 32) for emission of light (34) via the flow portion (18′) and into the camera (26); an electronic control means (36) for (a) control of the image recording of the camera (26); (b) reception of image material from the camera (26); and (c) transmission of the image material to the data receiving means; and at least one energy supply. The image analysis apparatus (2) is disposed in a water-tight housing (4) under water (6); wherein the water sample line (18) is connected to the underwater line (8) at a connection site (62) between a shipment site (50: 64) for the injection water (6′) and an injection well (56); wherein the data receiving means is located at a distance from the image analysis apparatus (2); and wherein the control means (36) of the image analysis apparatus (2) is connected to the remote data receiving means. |
| US09689784B2 |
Device and method of characterization of the elastic properties of a friction material
A device (100) of characterization of the elastic properties of a friction material, comprising: —a support yoke (1) having a body (2) with a monoblock structure surrounding an inner chamber (3); —said inner chamber (3) being defined superiorly by a first monoblock body portion (2) or upper crossbar (4); —said inner chamber (3) being defined inferiorly by a second monoblock body portion (2) or lower crossbar (5); —said upper (4) and lower (5) crossbars being mutually connected by two side columns (6, 7) formed by a third and a fourth monoblock body portions (2); —said monoblock body comprising at least one access opening (8) to the inner chamber (3); —said upper crossbar comprising a threaded through hole (9) defining a device axis (X-X) arranged substantially orthogonal to said upper crossbar (4) and said lower crossbar (5) fully passing through the inner chamber (3); —said support yoke <(1) houses, substantially completely in said inner chamber (3), a measuring column (10); said measuring column (10) comprising transmission components of a static and dynamic actions, said components being arranged not necessarily in the order indicated herein below and being mutually arranged stacked substantially along said device axis (X-X) and suitable to be packed together between said upper (4) and lower (5) crossbars so as to transmit a static or dynamic action from one and the other: a preloading screw (11) suitable to engage in said threaded through hole (9) with at least one threaded length (22) thereof to enter said inner chamber (3) according to a predetermined displacement with respect to said upper crossbar (4) along substantially said device axis (X-X) to exert, once the measuring column (10) has been packed, a predetermined static preloading action; an actuator (12) capable of exerting, substantially along said device axis (X-X) an oscillatory thrust action having a predetermined period that is also variable in time in a controlled manner; —at least one load cell—(13) suitable to detect the preloading action and the oscillatory thrust action exerted by said actuator; at least one specimen support portion (14) to support a specimen of material to be tested (15) suitable to receive the preloading action by the preloading screw (11) and/or the oscillatory action of the actuator (12) and to transmit it to the specimen of material to be tested (15); at least one acceleration sensor or accelerometer (16) connected to said at least one support portion (14) to detect at least the acceleration of the support portion (14) generated by said oscillatory thrust action of the actuator (12); wherein—said measuring column (10) comprises a centering shaft (18). coupled to the end (17) of said preloading screw (11) projecting into said inner chamber (3); said centering shaft having a geometry substantially with a symmetry plane parallel to the device axis (X-X); said centering shaft (18) comprises at least one pair of geometric coupling portions (19) mutually arranged in opposite positions and for the direct or indirect geometric coupling to the monoblock body (2) of the support yoke (1), so as to be coupled to said centering screw to receive therefrom the axial preloading thrust but to avoid transmitting torsion actions to the remaining part of the measuring column (10), so as to transmit to said actuator (12) substantially a direct preloading action substantially along said device axis (X-X); —said measuring column (10) further comprises at least a ball joint (42) suitable to compensate for possible thrust misalignments between said preloading screw (11) and said actuator (12), and/or between said actuator (12) and said specimen support portion (14). |
| US09689782B2 |
Small object distribution automation
An automated small particle distribution system is provided for transferring small particles from source tubes to destination tubes. The system includes a loading deck that is structured and operable to store and provide a plurality of source tube trays and a plurality of destination tube trays. Each source tube tray includes a plurality of source tubes stored therein, and each destination tube tray includes a plurality of destination tubes stored therein. The system additionally includes a work deck is structured and operable to receive selected source tube trays and selected destination tube trays from the loading deck, aspirate various specified amounts of small objects stored in selected source tubes, and deposit the aspirated small objects into selected destination tubes without cross-contamination of small objects. |
| US09689781B2 |
Sample taking device
Sample taking device for extracting a fluid sample from a vessel comprising: a cover portion for closing the vessel such that, in use a headspace is defined between the cover portion and fluid held in the vessel, a sampling chamber comprising a sampling inlet and a sampling outlet, a cannula adapted to provide, in use, fluid communication between the fluid held in the vessel and the sampling chamber through the sampling inlet, and ports to operate the device in at least two operating conditions: a sample preparing condition in which a pressure in the headspace is greater than that of the sampling chamber such that fluid flows through the cannula towards the sampling chamber and can be retained therein, and a sample dispensing condition in which fluid retained in the sampling chamber can be delivered through the sampling outlet and fluid remaining inside the cannula can return to the vessel. |
| US09689780B2 |
Apparatus and methods for aliquotting frozen samples
A single-use coring probe for collecting a frozen aliquot from a frozen biological sample includes a hollow coring bit and an ejector adapted. The ejector is operable to eject a frozen sample core from the bit as it moves from a retracted position to an extended position. Use of the ejector converts the probe to a disabled configuration to discourage reuse of the coring probe to obtain another sample. The probe may include a locking mechanism adapted to prevent re-use of the single-use coring probe by locking the ejector in the extended position. A hand-held coring device can be used to take frozen sample cores from frozen samples. A tissue container is suitable for holding a frozen tissue sample in frozen storage and also for holding the sample while the sample is sectioned and/or a full-depth frozen sample core is extracted from the frozen tissue. |
| US09689769B2 |
Pressure transmitter having an isolation assembly with a two-piece isolator plug
A pressure transmitter connectable to a process line provides an output responsive to a pressure in the process line. The transmitter includes a housing having a base with a process end coupled to an interior cavity formed in the housing, a sensor for sensing the pressure and an isolating assembly mounted at the process end of the housing and isolating fluid in the process line from the interior cavity. The isolating assembly includes an isolation diaphragm configured to be fluidically coupled to the process pressure in the process line, and an isolator plug positioned in the process of the housing adapter. The isolator plug having a lower plug portion providing a first end surface adjacent the isolation diaphragm, an upper plug portion providing a second end surface distally spaced from the first end surface and adjacent a sensor cavity in which the sensor is positioned, a connection mechanism connecting the lower and upper plug portions, and a capillary filled with isolation fluid and extending from the first end surface through the lower and upper plug portions to the second end surface thereby coupling the pressure through the isolation diaphragm and the capillary to the sensor cavity and the sensor. The upper plug portion is formed from a first material and the lower plug portion is formed from a second material having higher corrosion resistance than the first material. |
| US09689768B2 |
Mechanical stabilizing and electrical as well as hydraulic adapting of a silicon chip by ceramics
A pressure difference sensor includes a pressure difference measuring cell, which has a measuring cell platform with pressure contactable measuring chambers in its interior, a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface. The mounting surfaces have a variable separation under pressure loading of the measuring chambers. A first reinforcement element with a first planar reinforcement area and a second reinforcement element with a second planar reinforcement area. A deflection of the mounting surfaces due to a pressure loading of the measuring chambers is lessened by the reinforcement elements, wherein especially at least 50% of an effective stiffness K=1/(dx/dp) of the reinforcement elements connected by the pressure difference measuring cell is provided only by these connections of the reinforcement element with the measuring cell platform without additional connections between the reinforcement elements in a parallel branch, wherein x is the separation between the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface having the greatest pressure dependence dx/dp. |
| US09689767B2 |
Semiconductor pressure sensor
A semiconductor pressure sensor for measuring an external pressure exerted on the sensor, comprises a membrane, and a bridge comprising a first and a second resistor pair, arranged on a first resp. second side portion of the membrane. The first resistor pair comprises a first and a second resistor (R1, R2) comprising elongated piezo-resistive strips connected in series, and located closely together, such that R1 and R2 have substantially the same temperature. The sensor has a reduced sensitivity to: a temperature gradient over the membrane, and optionally also a non-uniform stress gradient caused by packaging and a inhomogeneous disturbing electric field perpendicular to the sensor. The piezo-resistive strips of the first and second resistor may be oriented in orthogonal directions of maximum piezo-resistive coefficients. A second bridge may be added outside the membrane, for compensating for package pressure. |
| US09689766B2 |
Pressure sensor with cover layer
A pressure sensor, comprising: a substrate having a measuring membrane, and an electrically conductive cover layer, which has electrical contact elements and is electrically isolated from the substrate by an insulating layer. The cover layer is divided in such a manner that two independent measurements of the respective resistance between two contact elements are possible in two regions electrically isolated from one another. The regions of the cover layer serve to shield external electromagnetic influences from the sensor elements of the measuring membrane, to detect damage to the measuring membrane, as well as for determining exact temperature. |
| US09689762B2 |
Magnetic detection device and torque sensor including the same
A hole is formed in a substrate of a magnetic detection device, the hole being spaced away from an outer edge of the substrate. Magnetic detection elements of a magnetic sensor detects magnetic field formed at first and second collector portions. A mold section encapsulates the magnetic detection elements. The magnetic sensor is surface mounted such that a portion of the mold section overlaps with the hole. The first collector portion faces a front surface of the magnetic sensor. A portion of the second collector portion is positioned in the hole to face a rear surface of the magnetic sensor. Accordingly, compared to a case where a hole is not provided, a magnetic circuit gap between the first and second collector portions is reduced. |
| US09689761B2 |
Torque sensor and electric power steering system
A torque sensor includes a first magnet fixed to a first shaft, a tubular magnetic yoke assembly in which a magnetic yoke core is molded with a resin member, and a first magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic flux from the first magnet induced by the magnetic yoke core. The torque sensor also includes a collar made of a ferromagnetic body that is fixed to an inner circumference of the magnetic yoke assembly and to which a second shaft is press-fitted and fixed, and a second magnet for an index sensor that is disposed on an outer circumference of the magnetic yoke assembly. At least a part of the collar is disposed between the magnetic yoke core and the second magnet with respect to an axial direction of the magnetic yoke assembly. |
| US09689760B2 |
Stress detection in rail
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for determining rail stress. The method may include generating at least one ultrasonic guided wave to enable the at least one ultrasonic guided wave to propagate through a rail; detecting at least one of a fundamental frequency component of the at least one ultrasonic guided wave, one or more harmonics of the at least one ultrasonic guided wave, and/or a mixing component of the at least one ultrasonic guided wave; and determining a stress of the rail based on at least a nonlinearity parameter determined from the detected at least one of the fundamental frequency component, the one or more harmonics, and the mixing component. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US09689758B2 |
Solar battery wireless load cell
A load cell for transmitting load data of a polished rod in a rod pump system includes an outer shell having a u-shaped structure with two protrusions, the u-shaped structure configured to receive the polished rod, and the outer shell configured to be positioned between a rod clamp and a clamping bar of the rod pump system. Internal to the outer shell is a load sensor, a load signal processor, a modulator, a battery, and a charger, whereby the load cell measures a load on the polished rod and wirelessly transmits load signal data via a wireless transmitter internal to the outer shell but with an antenna that protrudes from the outer shell. Also internal to the outer shell is a battery which is charged by an external solar panel via the charger. The battery, charger, and solar panel provide power to the load cell. |
| US09689757B2 |
Strain transmitter
A strain transmitter for detecting strain of a structure includes a strain body, which has a strain axis with fastening devices for fastening the strain body on a structure, and a measurement element, which is arranged centrally between the fastening devices on the strain axis. The measurement element includes a metal sheet. The entire surface of a statically measuring, piezo-resistant silicon chip, which is connected to a full bridge and emits a voltage in the strained state proportional to the level of strain, is applied to the metal sheet. The measurement element includes a printed circuit board, and electric contacts are guided from the silicon chip along the printed circuit board. |
| US09689755B2 |
Temperature sensors
A temperature sensor includes a sensor body and a wedge extension. The sensor body extends from a sensor base to an opposed sensor tip along a longitudinal axis. The sensor body has a leading edge and opposed trailing edge. The sensor body also has an interior flow passage with an inlet for fluid communication of fluid into the interior flow passage and an outlet for exhausting fluid out from the interior flow passage. The wedge extension is on the sensor body between the sensor tip and the sensor base on the leading edge of the sensor body. |
| US09689754B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating the temperature of a semiconductor chip
The invention regards a method for estimating the temperature of a semiconductor chip accommodated in a power semiconductor device in operation, such as an IGBT power module, the method comprising the steps of; while the power semiconductor device is in operation determining a voltage drop over the power semiconductor device for a value of applied load current and; estimating the temperature of the semiconductor chip by evaluating the relationship between the determined voltage drop and the value of applied load current on the basis of a semiconductor chip temperature model. The invention also regards the corresponding apparatus for estimating the temperature of a semiconductor chip, as well as a wind turbine comprising such an apparatus. |
| US09689752B2 |
OFDR device and OFDR method
To provide an OFDR device and an OFDR method capable of measuring a large strain distribution or a large temperature distribution within a narrow measured wavelength range by using an FBG. A measured optical fiber 13 includes a plurality of gratings that is overlappingly formed in order to reflect a plurality of different wavelengths. An OFDR device 1 measures a strain distribution or a temperature distribution of the measured optical fiber 13 on the basis of the result of detection by a measuring range non-inclusion detector 26 that detects gratings of the plurality of gratings of which the reflected wavelengths are not included in the measured wavelength range from the peak wavelengths detected by a peak wavelength detector on the basis of measured wavelength range non-inclusion detecting condition data (Ds) in which a predetermined measured wavelength range is set in the direction of the axis of the peak wavelengths. |
| US09689741B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring ultraviolet light exposure
An electronic device comprising: an ultraviolet (UV) light sensor; and a processor configured to: generate a plurality of initial UV light measurements by using the UV light sensor, wherein each of the plurality of initial UV light measurements is associated with a respective orientation of the electronic device; and select a reference UV light measurement from the plurality. |
| US09689738B1 |
Method and apparatus for offset frequency separation and drop out mitigation in non-contact vibrometry
The present technology is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the performance of non-contact vibrometers in the presence of platform motion and speckle noise. In addition, systems and methods are described that allow intentional frequency displacement of heterodyne and/or homodyne vibrometer returns to enable disambiguation of the sign of the vibration direction in the presence or absence of platform motion. |
| US09689736B2 |
Method to provide a quality measure for meter verification results
A system for evaluating a flow rate measurement includes a flowmeter and a diagnostic system. The diagnostic system is configured to perform a diagnostic test for detecting a physical change in the flowmeter that could impair operation of the flowmeter, output a result of the diagnostic test, evaluate a reliability of the diagnostic test using information about a process condition, and output an indication of the reliability of the diagnostic test. |
| US09689731B2 |
Fluid meters
Meters are described. In one example, a meter includes a totalizer including an electronic circuit and a metering screen, a cap at least partially covering the totalizer, the cap including a window to facilitate viewing of data of the metering screen, and a screen cover mounted on the cap and movable between an open position and a closed position in order to cover the metering screen. In such an arrangement the electronic circuit includes a device for detection of the open position or the closed position of the screen cover, and the detection of the open position or the closed position controls scrolling of data of the metering screen. |
| US09689723B2 |
Batteryless signal transmitter having a wiegand sensor for gas or water meters
Disclosed is a batteryless counter (1) for gas or water meters having at least one Wiegand sensor (2) or another power generating element and an evaluation circuit (10) connected thereto for processing a pulse (31), and the batteryless counter (1) feeds the pulses (31) generated and processed by the Wiegand sensor (2) to an isolator (17), and that at the output of this isolator (17) a pulse duration setting (18) is disposed, which processes the pulses (31) simultaneously counted via the counting circuit (4) by a pulse selection circuit (6) and converts the other pulse shapes/pulse frequencies and guides them outwards. |
| US09689722B2 |
Method for monitoring a transmitter and corresponding transmitter
A method for monitoring a transmitter (1) with a measurement (2) and a transmission unit (3), with which a measurement (2) signal is generated that is dependent on a measurement quantity, and with the transmission unit (3) receiving the measurement signal, and based on the measurement signal, an output signal is transferred to a signal transmission element (4). To makes it possible to recognize an error, an input signal is taken from the signal transmission element (4) and is transferred to the measurement unit (2) as a comparison signal which corresponds to the input is compared with a stored signal and based upon the outcome of the comparison, either the measurement signal is transferred from the measurement unit (2) to the transmission unit (3) or the transmission unit (3) is shifted into a definable state and an error signal is transferred to it. |
| US09689721B2 |
Indicator device, notably for motor vehicles
An indicator device for motor vehicles includes a dial, an indicator unit with needle, and a motor device. The indicator device with needle is capable of being rotationally driven around an axis of rotation of the indicator device. The indicator unit with needle is designed to be rotationally driven by a torque generated by the motor device. The indicator device is capable of being operated with a motor device of a first type and with a motor device of a second type. The indicator device includes minimum time information matched with the motor device of the first type and with the motor device of the second type such that the position of the indicator unit with needle is identical for cases where the motor device of the first type or the motor device of the second type is used, and for different preceding displacements of the indicator unit with needle. |
| US09689717B2 |
Phase estimation method and apparatus therefor
Phase estimation apparatus processes sensor signals from sensors to estimate a phase of a periodically varying state of an object, such as position of a moving object. A phase estimation processor applies a first correlation calculation to simultaneously collected samples of the sensor signals to generate first quadrature values, where the first correlation calculation employs variable calculation values, and applies a phase calculation to the first quadrature values to generate the phase estimation. A pre-quadrature calibration circuit applies respective second correlation calculations to respective sequences of samples of the sensor signals individually to generate second quadrature values for each of the sensor signals, and applies phase and/or magnitude calculations to the sets of second quadrature values to generate the variable calculation values for the first correlation calculation, thereby compensate for the error component and improve accuracy of the estimated phase. |
| US09689715B2 |
Light source array used in an illumination portion of an optical encoder
A light source array used in illumination portions for optical encoders comprising an illumination portion, a scale grating extending along a measuring direction and receiving light from the illumination portion, and a detector configuration. The light source array comprises individual sources arranged in a grid pattern and coinciding with two transverse sets of parallel grid pattern lines that have two different grid line pitches between their parallel lines. Different instances of the light source array may be mounted with different rotational orientations about an axis normal to the grid pattern, for use in different illumination portions adapted for use with respective scale gratings having different grating pitches along the measuring axis direction. By using the different respective rotational orientations, the individual sources are aligned along respective illumination source lines that are spaced apart by different respective illumination source line pitches along the measuring axis direction. |
| US09689713B2 |
Rotation angle detection apparatus
A rotation angle detection apparatus includes three or more sensing portions and a controller. Each sensing portion includes a main circuit unit which is a full-bridge circuit and a subsidiary circuit unit which is a full-bridge circuit. An angle calculator of the controller calculates a rotation angle on the basis of a main signal corresponding to a main positive signal and a main negative signal outputted from at least one main circuit unit and a subsidiary signal corresponding to a subsidiary positive signal and a subsidiary negative signal outputted from at least one subsidiary circuit unit. An abnormality monitoring unit compares main signals and also compares subsidiary signals outputted from different sensing portions and monitors an abnormality occurrence according to a comparison result. A rotation angle can be thus detected with high accuracy. |
| US09689711B2 |
Position detecting device
A position detecting device includes a first sensor portion having a first mold resin object molded for a first magnetic sensor and a first wiring and a second sensor portion having a second mold resin object molded for a second magnetic sensor and a second wiring. The first sensor portion and the second sensor portion have a protrusion part defined between the first magnetic sensor of the first sensor portion and the second magnetic sensor of the second sensor portion to provide a clearance between the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. |
| US09689707B1 |
System, method, and indicator for distributing, generating, and presenting relative locations of points of interest
A system, method, and indicator for distributing, generating, and presenting relative locations of points of interest to a viewer are disclosed. A distribution system may include a discovery datagram generator and a flight navigation datagram generator for broadcasting a discovery datagram and flight navigation datagram, respectively, to a portable electronic device (PED), where the flight navigation datagram may be comprised of navigation data representative of flight navigation information. A generating method may be performed by the PED configured to listen for and receive the discovery datagram; listen for and receive the navigation datagram continuously; and generate a display data set representative of the indicator continuously, where the indicator includes a directional pointer, a first rounded indicator, a second rounded indicator, and one or more location indicators, where each location indicator indicates a relative bearing to a point of interest measured with reference to the directional pointer. |
| US09689699B2 |
Internationalization during navigation
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for internationalization of real-world features during navigation. The method includes receiving a request for navigation to a landmark in a particular language. The method further includes retrieving keywords from a database associated with the landmark, and scoring the keywords based on their level of recognition to a user. The highest ranked keywords are then sent to the user to navigate to the landmark. |
| US09689696B1 |
Determining handoff checkpoints for low-resolution robot planning
Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for determining and assigning intermediate handoff checkpoints for low-resolution robot planning. In various implementations, a global path planner may identify a task to be performed by a robot in an environment. In various implementations, the global path planner may determine, based at least in part on one or more attributes of the environment or the task, an intermediate handoff checkpoint for the robot to reach by a scheduled time while the robot performs the task. In various implementations, the global path planner may determine that a measure of reactivity that would be attributable to the robot upon the robot being assigned the intermediate handoff checkpoint satisfies a reactivity threshold. In various implementations, the global path planner may provide, to a local path planner associated with the robot, data indicative of the intermediate handoff checkpoint. |
| US09689695B2 |
Meeting point determination for group members
Technologies are generally described to coordinate group members that may be at distinct locations and optionally moving in distinct directions to meet at a coordinated meeting point and/or to move in a common direction. A coordinated meeting point may optimize a parameter of interest for each of the group members or group as a whole. Example parameters may include distance, time, fuel usage, remaining resource levels, a network coverage, and group members' patience, mood, and/or tiredness factors. In some examples, a controller may determine the meeting point that minimizes a parameter of interest for the group members or whole group, where the meeting point may be stationary or dynamic. The controller may map the calculated meeting point to a geographical location, and may determine an optimal or preferred route from each group member to the meeting point to gather the group members together optimizing for a particular parameter of interest. |
| US09689693B2 |
Systems and methods for learning and displaying customized geographical navigational options
Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and displaying a comparison of multiple modes of transportation for reaching a destination. One method includes receiving, for a user over an electronic network, log-in information, one or more transportation preferences and a destination; identifying a subset of available modes of transportation to the destination; determining a time, distance, and cost associated with traveling to the destination using each available mode; identify a further subset of acceptable modes by comparing the determined time, distance and cost of each available mode against one or more of the user's preferences, the user's history, a date and time, one or more assumption, and a mode total weighting; and identifying at least one option for traveling to the destination using each acceptable mode. |
| US09689689B2 |
Navigation device and program for performing route guidance along a route using, as a recognized road, an extension road not actually traveled which extends straight from and is continuous with a road actually traveled
A navigation device is provided, which includes a retrieval section that retrieves a route to a destination, and a storage device that stores a traveled road as a recognized road and stores an extension road as a recognized road. The traveled road is a road actually traveled by a vehicle. The extension road is a road continuous with the traveled road. The retrieval section includes a selection section. When multiple routes each to the destination are retrieved, the selection section selects a route from among the multiple routes based on a distance of an unrecognized road, a travel time taken to travel the unrecognized road, or a connection condition of the unrecognized road. The unrecognized road is a road other than the recognized road stored in the storage device. |
| US09689688B2 |
Image display system, image display method and program
A mobile terminal obtains image data related to a product posted on a flier by imaging and sends the image data related to the product to a shopping management server. Upon reception of the image data related to the product from the mobile terminal, the shopping management server determines the product by analyzing the image data related to the product, obtains at least one of inventory information and sales information of the product, and sends at least one of the inventory information and the sales information of the product to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal combines computer-graphics image data indicating at least one of the inventory information and the sales information of the product sent from the shopping management server with an image of the flier in real space and presents the combined image, thereby solving the problem. |
| US09689687B2 |
Generating navigation data
Navigation data is generated by receiving (502) a new experience data set (321) relating to a new experience capture. At least one stored experience data set (320) relating to at least one previous experience capture is also received (504). An experience data set includes a set of nodes, with each node comprising a series of visual image frames taken over a series of time frames. A candidate set of said nodes is obtained (506) from the stored experience data set that potentially matches a said node in the new experience data set, and then a check (508) if performed to see if a node in the candidate set matches the node in the new experience data set. If the result of the checking is positive then data relating to the matched nodes is added (510) to a place data set useable for navigation, the place data set indicating that said nodes in different said experience data sets relate to a same place. |
| US09689685B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for use in route navigation involving a mobile station
Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses to allow for delay zone information to be gathered by one or more mobile stations used in route navigation, provided to one or more computing devices and processed in some manner to establish navigation information that may be of use by mobile stations involved in route navigation. For example, in certain instances navigation information may be indicative of an expected delay with regard to at least one known delay zone that may affect a user of the mobile station attempting to adhere to a route. |
| US09689683B2 |
Magnetic positioning device
A magnetic positioning device includes a magnetic scanning unit and a magnetic sensing unit. The magnetic scanning unit is for forming a first magnetic surface and a second magnetic surface. The first magnetic surface and second magnetic surface rotatably form a detection space. The magnetic sensing unit is disposed in the detection space for recording a first time point and a second time point. The magnetic sensing unit is in contact to the first magnetic surface at the first time point and defines a first-angle data. The magnetic sensing unit is in contact to the second magnetic surface at the second time point and defines a second-angle data. The first-angle data and the second-angle data define a location data of the magnetic sensing unit in the detection space with respect to the magnetic scanning unit, wherein the first time point is not the same as the second time point. |
| US09689681B2 |
System and method for vehicle operation
A system includes an energy management processing unit that includes a trip planning module, a plurality of estimator modules, and an arbiter module. The trip planning module plans a trip profile specifying power settings based on trip data including a plurality of parameters having expected values. Each of the estimator modules generates an estimation re-plan request when the difference between an expected and experienced respective trip planning parameter value exceeds a threshold. The arbiter module receives at least one estimation re-plan request from the plurality of estimator modules, determines whether a re-plan is to be performed based on at least one of a state of the vehicle system or additional estimation re-plan requests, and provides an arbitrated re-plan request to the trip planning module for re-planning the trip profile when it is determined that a re-plan is to be performed. |
| US09689680B2 |
Method and apparatus for approaches to provide for combining contexts related to items of interest and navigation
An approach is provided for determining a request by a user to initiate route calculation to at least one destination. The approach involves determining one or more items of interest associated with the user. The approach also involves determining availability information of the one or more items of interest at the at least one destination. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, a presentation of at least one message regarding the availability information. |
| US09689679B2 |
Gyroscopes based on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond
A solid-state gyroscope apparatus based on ensembles of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV−) centers in diamond and methods of detection are provided. In one method, rotation of the NV− symmetry axis will induce Berry phase shifts in the NV− electronic ground-state coherences proportional to the solid angle subtended by the symmetry axis. A second method uses a modified Ramsey scheme where Berry phase shifts in the 14N hyperfine sublevels are employed. |
| US09689677B2 |
MEMS device with common mode rejection structure
A MEMS device includes a drive spring system coupling a pair of drive masses and a sense spring system coupling a pair of sense masses. The drive spring system includes a constrained stiff beam and flexures interconnecting the pair of drive masses. In response to drive movement of the drive masses the flexures enable pivotal movement of the constrained stiff beam about its center hinge point to enable anti-phase drive motion of the drive masses and to suppress in-phase motion of the drive masses. The sense spring system includes diagonally oriented stiff beams and a spring system that enable anti-phase sense motion of the sense masses while suppressing in-phase motion of the sense masses. Coupling masses interposed between the drive and sense masses decouple the drive motion of the drive masses from the sense motion of the sense masses. |
| US09689676B2 |
Yaw-rate sensor
A yaw-rate sensor having a substrate and a plurality of movable substructures that are mounted over a surface of the substrate, the movable substructures being coupled to a shared, in particular, central spring element, means being provided for exciting the movable substructures into a coupled oscillation in a plane that extends parallel to the surface of the substrate, the movable substructures having Coriolis elements, means being provided for detecting deflections of the Coriolis elements induced by a Coriolis force, a first Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis, a second Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a second axis, the second axis being oriented perpendicularly to the first axis. |
| US09689666B2 |
1-dimensional and 2-dimensional distributed fiber-optic strain and stress sensors based on polarization maintaining fiber using distributed polarization crosstalk analyzer as an interrogator
Techniques and devices for measuring polarization crosstalk in polarization maintaining fiber by placing the PM fiber in a 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional configuration for sensing stress or strain exerted on the PM fiber at different locations along the fiber with a high spatial sensing resolution. |
| US09689664B2 |
Dimensioning system with guided alignment
A dimensioning system including a computing device running an alignment software program is disclosed. The alignment software uses range information from a range sensor in order to generate alignment messages. The alignment messages may help a user define a frame of reference and align the dimensioning system's range sensor for improved dimensioning performance. |
| US09689660B2 |
Method and device for monitoring status of turbine blades
An object of this invention is to sense a transient displacement of the blade position to thereby detect abnormalities early. The invention includes: one or more first sensors mounted so as to be removable from an outer surface of a casing opposed to blade tips; a second sensor for acquiring a signal from a fixed point on a rotor shaft of the blades; a section configured to extract data groups from an output signal of the first sensor on the basis of information acquired by the second sensor; a section configured to average the data groups; a section configured to determine thresholds from averaged data obtained under a healthy condition; and an assessing section configured to compare magnitude of the thresholds and sensor signals obtained during blade status monitoring. Since a transient displacement of blade position can be sensed, abnormalities can be detected early in this invention. This early detection, in turn, enables a rotation to be stopped during an initial phase of blade damage. The invention is therefore advantageous in minimizing impacts on other devices. |
| US09689658B2 |
Method for detecting changes of position of shaftless spinning rotor of open-end spinning machine in cavity of active magnetic bearing and spinning unit of open-end spinning machine with active magnetic bearing for bearing shaftless spinning rotor
A spinning unit and method for detecting changes of position of a shaftless spinning rotor (1) of an open-end spinning machine in a cavity of an active magnetic bearing, in which the position of the spinning rotor (1) is detected by a system of sensors (A, B) and on basis of the detected changes in the position of the spinning rotor (1) is adjusted controlling of the active magnetic bearing in order to eliminate undesirable changes in the position of the spinning rotor (1) in the cavity of the active magnetic bearing. Continuously is detected radial shifting of the spinning rotor (1) and simultaneously is continuously detected inclination of the spinning rotor (1), whereupon according to the detected changes in the position of the spinning rotor (1) is determined shifting and/or inclination of the spinning rotor (1) which is used for subsequent adjustment of the controlling of position of the spinning rotor (1) in the active magnetic bearing, wherein both radial shifting and inclination of the spinning rotor are each detected by at least two pairs of sensors of the distance of monitored surface of the spinning rotor, the pairs of sensors for detecting radial shifting of the spinning rotor detect changes of distances of the cylindrical wall of the spinning rotor from the sensors. The sensors (A, B) of the position of the spinning rotor (1) are grouped into pairs, whereby two pairs of sensors (A1, A2) for detecting of radial shifting of the spinning rotor (1) are arranged on the opposite sides of the spinning rotor (1) against the cylindrical wall (10) of the spinning rotor (1) and at the same time another two pairs of sensors (B1, B2) for detecting of inclination of the spinning rotor (1) are arranged on the opposite sides of the spinning rotor (1) against the wall (11) of the spinning rotor (1), which is perpendicular to the rotation axis (OA) of the spinning rotor (1). |
| US09689653B2 |
Fastener size measurement tool
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for quickly and accurately measuring fastener sizes as disclosed. |
| US09689649B1 |
Obturator for 105MM projectile
A high efficiency, blow-by reducing obturator for a 105 mm tube-launched projectile is a generally annular ring having a central longitudinal axis and an outer circumferential surface. The outer surface has a first portion parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. The second portion extends forward and radially inward at an angle of about six degrees with the central longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, one or more grooves are formed in the inner circumferential surface of the ring. |
| US09689647B1 |
Target stand
A target stand includes right and left T-bar legs, corresponding right and left uprights with inwardly-facing grooves, and a base. Horizontal portions of the T-bar legs are removably secured to the base. Vertical portions of the T-bar legs have inwardly-facing grooves coinciding with the inwardly-facing grooves of the uprights, such that together they form substantially continuous inwardly-facing right and left grooves to receive and secure a target. Components of the target stand are sized and shaped to fit compactly in a container having a top and bottom which may serve as the base individually or together. |
| US09689646B1 |
System for magnetic coupling
An adapter system for attaching one or more accessories to an object comprising a first segment and a second segment, the first segment having a first bottom wherein the first bottom further comprises a first bottom chamfered recess having a central pin, the second segment having a second top wherein the second top further comprises a second top chamfered surface configured to be received into the first bottom chamfered recess and having an opening to receive the central pin, wherein one of the first top and second bottom have means of removably or slidably attaching to one or more rails and one of the first top and second bottom have means of removably attaching to one or more devices and wherein one or more of the first bottom chamfered recess and second top chamfered surface further comprises one or more strong magnets or electromagnetic field generating objects. |
| US09689644B1 |
Photoelectric sighting device capable of performing 3D positioning and display of target object
The present invention relates to the technical field of sighting, and specifically relates to a photoelectric sighting device capable of performing 3D positioning and display of a target object. The invention provides a photoelectric sighting device realizing integration of range-finding unit and multiple sensors and capable of performing 3D positioning to a target object. In the process of sighting, a target object is positioned, and displayed in the same 3D coordinate system together with the sighting device, so as to be sighted; the invention also provides a calibration method of sighting device, combined with the 3D positioning of a target object by the sighting device, such that a user calibrates a firearm before shooting. |
| US09689643B2 |
Optical device utilizing ballistic zoom and methods for sighting a target
A method of sighting a target includes receiving an initial condition of an optical device. The initial condition includes a size of a ranging element and a range associated with the size of the ranging element. The method further includes receiving a ballistic information and receiving an image from an imaging sensor. At least a portion of the image is displayed on a display. The ranging element is overlaid on the displayed portion of the image. A first zoom input is received to set a first zoom value that corresponds to a first distance from the optical device. The method also includes determining a first projectile position based on the first distance and the ballistic information. |
| US09689641B2 |
Hands free carrier system
A hands free carrier system that enables a hunter to easily and quickly accessed a hunting bow that is carried in a protected, hands-free manner. The system includes a bow with a mounting peg, a waist belt or chest harness mounted holster with an interior pocket that includes a vertically receiver slot. The mounting peg is attached to the bow in an offset location from its center axis so the bow automatically hangs with its longitudinal axis vertically aligned adjacent to the hunter's waist or back when attached to the holster. The peg includes a wide head attached to a narrow post. During use, the bow is positioned over the holster so the peg is oriented over the receiver slot in the holster. When the bow is moved downward, the peg slides into the receiver slot and captures the wide head. In another embodiment, the holster includes a rotating locking disc that engages the wide head that requires a combination movement of rotation and lifting of the bow in order to bow from the holster. |
| US09689636B2 |
Recoil reducing muzzle brake
A muzzle brake that will remove 80-90% of rifle recoil is disclosed. The invention uses cone shaped nozzles similar to rocket nozzles to expand the gasses properly in the correct direction to eliminate most of the rifle recoil and muzzle climb. The marksman can keep his rifle on target and fire all day without having a sore shoulder. |
| US09689635B2 |
Device for preventing the tensioning of a firing pin spring in the disarming of a hammerless self-loading pistol provided with a lock slide and a self-loading pistol with such a device
The invention relates to a device for prevention of the tensioning of a firing pin spring in the disarming of a hammerless self-loading pistol (1) provided with a lock slide (7), wherein the device can assume a disarming position and a locking position, with: a spring-loadable firing pin (17) with a lug (17a) formed on it for active engagement with a sear (19), which in the cocking position for cocking the firing pin spring protrudes into the path of motion of the lug (17a) and in the disarming position is disengaged from the lug (17a), a trigger bar (27) coupled with a trigger which in the disarming position disengages the sear (19) from the lug (17a), and is characterized by a disarming shaft (15), which in the disarming position enables a movement of the trigger (5) and thus the trigger bar (27) to the front, and a disconnector bar (21) that can be coupled to the trigger bar (27), said disconnector bar being impacted in the disarming position by the lock slide (7) moved to the front and as a result operatively disengaging the sear (19) from the lug (17a) by means of the trigger bar (27). The invention also relates to a self-loading pistol equipped with such a device. |
| US09689631B2 |
Heterogeneous surfaces
Condensation can be an important process in both emerging and traditional power generation and water desalination technologies. Superhydrophobic nanostructures can promise enhanced condensation heat transfer by reducing the characteristic size of departing droplets via a surface-tension-driven mechanism. A superhydrophobic surface can include a heterogeneous surface. |
| US09689630B2 |
Device and method for minimizing the effect of ambient conditions on the operation of a heat exchanger
A heat exchanger system for cooling liquid includes a generally rectangular arrangement of a plurality of horizontally spaced finned tube arrays arranged above the ground, the arrangement having longer sides extending in a length direction and shorter sides extending in a width direction. A plurality of fans are provided above the finned tube arrays for inducing air through the finned tube arrays, wherein at least two of said fans are mutually spaced in the width direction. At least one wind deflector is provided adjacent one of the longer sides, wherein the at least one wind deflector is installed on the ground separately from any of the plurality of finned tube arrays. |
| US09689625B2 |
Heat pipe
A method for manufacturing a heat pipe includes following steps: providing a tube; providing a rod; inserting the rod in the circular tube, a receiving portion is formed between an inner face of the tube and the upper portion of the rod; providing an amount of metal powder and filling the metal powder into the receiving portion; sintering the metal powder at a high temperature to form a first wick structure adhered on the inner face of the tube and then drawing the rod out of the tube; injecting a working medium into the tube and sealing the tube to form the heat pipe. |
| US09689624B2 |
Method for mitigating thermal propagation of batteries using heat pipes
A battery module with one or more battery cells and a heat exchange member placed in thermal communication with the battery cell, and a method of making a heat pipe system from the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member includes a container with a heat transfer fluid disposed therein. In one form, the heat transfer fluid is capable of going through a phase change as a way to absorb at least a portion of heat present in or generated by battery cell. A pressure control device cooperates with the container and heat transfer fluid such that upon attainment of a predetermined thermal event within the battery cell, the pressure control device permits liberation of at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid to an ambient environment, thereby relieving pressure on the container and removing some of the excess heat caused by the thermal event. |
| US09689618B2 |
Heat exchanger and air conditioner equipped therewith with water guiding condensate notches and a linear member
A heat exchanger (1) is provided with header pipes (2, 3), a plurality of flat tubes (4) disposed between the header pipes, and corrugated fins (6) disposed between the flat tubes (4). The end of the corrugated fin at the surface on the side, on which condensed water gathers, of the heat exchanger protrudes from an end of the flat tube (4), and a linear water-conducting member (10) is inserted between a gap (G) formed between the protruding portions of the corrugated fins. The interval between the water-conducting member and the protruding end of the corrugated fin located thereon is a distance at which the surface tension of water can act therebetween. A V-shaped cut (6a or 6b) is formed at the edge of the protruding end of the corrugated fin. |
| US09689617B2 |
System for reducing air temperatures adjacent an air cooler
A pre-chill system for reducing the temperature of air entering a cooling system includes a wicking material sheet and a series of frame segments. The frame segments are operable to secure the wicking material sheet to an outer casing of the cooling system in a path along which air enters the cooling system, each of the series of frame segments including one or more magnets magnetically attachable to the cooling system. A misting system is capable of directing moisture adjacent an outer face of the wicking material sheet. The frame segments are magnetically attachable to the outer casing of the cooling system over the wicking material sheet so as to retain the wicking material sheet against the outer casing with the wicking material sheet held between the frame segments and the outer casing. |
| US09689616B2 |
Device for supplying rinsing medium in a hammer drill
A device for supplying a rinsing medium to a tool of a hammer drill and a hammer drill. The device includes at least one of a rotatable and axially displaceable drilling tool holder having at least one supply channel for the rinsing medium, a transfer part interacting with the drilling tool holder, a housing, a feeder structured and shaped essentially in an axially symmetrical manner, and a holding part with a rinsing medium inlet. The feeder and the holding part are arranged as a connected component, and friction bearings are arranged on both sides of the feeder and arranged toward the drilling tool holder. The holding part is structured to be radially displaceable within limits via bending with respect to at least one of the housing and a fixing ring connected to the housing, but positively fixed tangentially. |
| US09689613B2 |
Continuous heating furnace
A continuous heating furnace includes one or a plurality of closed type gas heaters each having a combustion chamber, a guide section that guides an exhaust gas, an exhaust hole that discharges the exhaust gas and a first radiation surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to a baking object conveyance direction wherein the first radiation surface is heated by combustion in the combustion chamber and heat from the guide section and transfers radiant heat to the baking object. The continuous heating furnace also has at least one exhaust heat transfer unit that is juxtaposed with a corresponding closed type gas heater in the conveyance direction, wherein the at least one exhaust heat transfer unit has a second radiation surface that communicates with the exhaust hole of a closed type gas heater and is heated by the exhaust gas, and a heat transfer acceleration unit that accelerates heat transfer from the exhaust gas to the second radiation surface in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the second radiation surface. |
| US09689610B2 |
Raw material supply apparatus, raw material supply method and flash smelting furnace
A raw material supply apparatus that supplies a raw material into a flash smelting furnace and supplies a first gas contributing to a reaction of the raw material into the flash smelting furnace, includes: a raw material passage that is provided out of a lance through which the first gas passes, the raw material passing through the raw material passage; and an adjuster that adjusts a distribution of the raw material by blowing a second gas to the raw material passing through the raw material passage. |
| US09689606B2 |
Method of, and apparatus for, making frozen beverages, ice cream and other frozen confections
A frozen beverage device to convert a liquid beverage into a semi-frozen or frozen form has inner and outer walls forming at least one refrigerant cavity containing a refrigerant material with a freezing point below the freezing point of the liquid, the refrigerant material occupying at least 60% of the volume of the refrigerant cavity. The walls of the device can be squeezed to accelerate the heat transfer from the liquid to the refrigerant material; and the device may be placed in a squeezing apparatus. Where the device is to be disposable, the device can be placed in a flexible sheath or outer container before being squeezed to protect the device and/or insulate the user from the refrigerant material. A freezing spoon or stirrer can be used to assist, or accelerate, the freezing process. |
| US09689605B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is described. The refrigerator includes a body. The refrigerator further includes a door. The refrigerator further includes a first rail guide and a second rail guide. The refrigerator further includes a first rail assembly and a second rail assembly. The refrigerator further includes a shaft that is configured to connect the first rail assembly with the second rail assembly. The refrigerator further includes a first pinion that is located at a first end of the shaft and configured to engage the first rail guide based on the door being pushed in or pulled out. The refrigerator further includes a second pinion that is located at a second end of the shaft and configured to engage the second rail guide based on the door being pushed in or pulled out. The refrigerator further includes a torsion reduction part that is configured to reduce torsion of the door. |
| US09689603B2 |
Refrigerator and method of controlling the same
A refrigerator includes a body including a storage chamber; a door that is coupled to the body so as to open/close the storage chamber; a display that is disposed in at least one region of the door and is configured to be converted between a transparent mode and a display mode; and a controller that controls the display to display at least one among a text, an image, and color when the display is in the display mode. |
| US09689601B2 |
Bag sealer and ice vending machine using the same
A bag sealer and an ice vending machine using the same are provided. The ice vending machine includes an ice making module, an ice storage bin, a bag sealer, and an ice guiding mechanism. The ice storage bin is located below the ice making module and used for storing the ice manufactured from the ice making module. The ice guiding mechanism is disposed between the ice storage bin and the bag sealer. The ice guiding mechanism is used for guiding the ice from the ice storage bin into the bag sealer. Because a cutting tool of the bag sealer is using the first electrothermal element to cut the roll of the plastic bags, the bag sealer can be installed in the ice vending machine. |
| US09689598B2 |
Systems and methods of powering a refrigeration unit of a hybrid vehicle
Systems and methods for providing power to a refrigeration unit or an air conditioner used on a hybrid vehicle. The system includes an accumulation choke, a PWM rectifier, and a frequency inverter. The accumulation choke is configured to receive a first AC power, a second AC power, and a DC power. The accumulation choke and PWM rectifier convert the received power into an intermediate DC power having a peak voltage. The PWM rectifier provides the intermediate DC power to the frequency inverter. The frequency inverter converts the intermediate DC power to an output AC power. The frequency inverter provides the output AC power to the refrigeration unit. |
| US09689592B2 |
In-vehicle absorption heat pump device
An in-vehicle absorption heat pump device comprises a regenerator; an in-vehicle heat source heating absorbent in the regenerator; a gas-liquid separator; a condenser condensing gas phase separated from the absorbent; an evaporator evaporating a condensate to form vapor; an absorber for bringing the relatively concentrated absorbent in liquid phase in contact with the gas phase to cause the absorbent to absorb the gas phase and be relatively diluted; an absorbent circulation source circulating the absorbent; a bypass passage connecting a liquid-phase storing portion of the gas-liquid separator and the regenerator while bypassing the absorber; and a bypass transfer source in the bypass passage returning the absorbent in the gas-liquid separator to the regenerator. To dilute absorbent in the absorber, a diluent passage allows the condenser and the absorber to communicate and the condensate in the condenser to be supplied to the absorber through the diluent passage by a dilution element. |
| US09689585B2 |
Method of adaptive control of a bypass damper in a zoned HVAC system
A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct. |
| US09689579B2 |
Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier includes an improved structure of a water tank in order to enhance convenience in use of the water tank. The dehumidifier includes: a main body to form an external appearance of the dehumidifier, and including an air entrance and an air exit; a heat exchanger in which refrigerant to exchange heat with air coming through the air entrance circulates; and a water tank configured to store condensed water formed when the air come through the air entrance exchanges heat with the refrigerant, wherein the water tank includes: a storage space formed in the water tank to store the condensed water, and a handle coupled to the water tank at one side of the water tank, and inclined toward the other side of the water tank. |
| US09689576B2 |
Oven appliance and a method for operating an oven appliance
An oven appliance with one or more features for minimizing the time to preheat the cooking chamber and balancing the heat distribution within the cooking chamber of the oven appliance is provided. Features for minimizing the acoustic noise of the oven appliance are also provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to minimize the preheat time and balance the heat distribution within the cooking chamber of the oven appliance while minimizing acoustic noise is provided. |
| US09689575B2 |
Indoor grill
An indoor grill includes a system for retaining a desired amount of heat and smoke during cooking, while passing excess smoke through a filtering system. A water tray is disposed below the heating element, thereby resisting a tendency for dripping grease to create excessive smoke. A hood includes interior and exterior portions, with a space defined therebetween, and the space being accessible along the bottom edge of the hood. A filtration system is connected to the space between the interior and exterior housing portions. Smoke is drawn into the space between the inner and outer hood from the bottom edge, permitting some smoke to remain within the hood for flavoring. When the hood is opened, the hood's edge is raised, raising the entrance to the space between the inner and outer portions up towards the smoke that remained within the hood, and drawing that smoke into the filtration system. |
| US09689573B2 |
Combustion equipment having a sealing member that includes a flexible sleeve
Combustion equipment for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The combustion equipment includes an inner and outer case, wherein the outer case encloses the inner case creating a cavity located between the two cases. The combustion equipment also has a fuel delivery device for delivering fuel into a combustion region within the inner case, wherein the fuel delivery device passes through a hole in the outer case and a corresponding hole in the inner case. The combustion equipment also includes a seal assembly to prevent the leaking of pressurized gas into the cavity located between the outer and inner cases via the hole through which fuel delivery device passes. The seal assembly includes a flexible sleeve that extends around the fuel delivery device and interconnects the inner case with the outer case, permitting relative movement of the inner and outer cases when the combustion equipment is in use. |
| US09689572B2 |
Variable volume combustor with a conical liner support
The present application provides a variable volume combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The variable volume combustor may include a liner, a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles positioned within the liner, and a conical liner support supporting the liner. |
| US09689570B2 |
Heater and glow plug with the same
The present invention relates to a heater including a heating element of which a main component is V, Nb, Ta, Mo, or W, leads bonded to respective ends of the heating element, and an insulating base in which the heating element and the lead are embedded, in which the heating element and the insulating base are formed of a sintered body which is integrally sintered, the heating element includes a compound including at least one of V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, or Fe, which is an element different from the element used as the main component of the heating element, and the element is substantially not included around the heating element in the insulating base. |
| US09689562B2 |
Method of installing at least one lighting module
A lighting module includes a ribbon-like containment body with a web wall having a first and a second face opposite to each other and a pair of side walls extending sidewise of the first face of the web wall to define a channel-like shape of the containment body, a ribbon-like mounting board for mounting light radiation sources, the mounting board being arranged in the channel-like shape of the containment body with a mounting surface facing away from the first face of the web wall of the containment body, and a light radiation source mounted on the mounting surface of the board for projecting light radiation from the channel-like shape of the containment body. The lighting module includes a pair of hook-like profiles protruding from and along the second face of the web wall of the containment body to permit mounting of the lighting module by hooking to a mounting element. |
| US09689560B2 |
LED light bulb simultaneously using as nightlight
A LED light bulb simultaneously using as nightlight contains: a LED element, at least one LED filament, a base, a driving circuit, and a light guiding element. The base includes a hollow cavity for accommodating the driving circuit and LED element which electrically connects with the driving circuit, the base also includes an electrical fitting electrically connected with the driving circuit and a bulb holder. The light guiding element is made of photoconductive material and coupled with the base, and the light guiding element includes a light entering end corresponding to a light emitting end of the LED light to guide lights from the LED element. The at least one LED filament is electrically connected with the driving circuit and surrounds around the light guiding element, and the at least one LED filament is supported by the light guiding element to emit the lights. |
| US09689557B2 |
Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device having a cover (1), a heat sink (2) and a light-emitting assembly (3), wherein the heat sink (2) has at least one first locking part (a), the cover (1) has at least one second locking part (b) corresponding to the first locking part (a), the second locking part (b) engages with the first locking part (a) to form an enclosed cavity (5) for the light-emitting assembly (3), and the second locking part (b) has a pressing part (b1) pressing the light-emitting assembly (3) against the heat sink (2). |
| US09689553B2 |
Lens and light emitting device using same
The disclosure relates to a lens, the lens includes a bottom surface and a light emergent surface relative to the bottom surface, the bottom surface defines a recess configured to receive a light source. The lens further includes a light incident surface opposite to the recess, the light incident surface faces away from the light emergent surface. The light incident surface is formed by a number of ring-shaped curved surfaces connected to each other one by one. The disclosure also relates to a light emitting device using the same. |
| US09689552B2 |
Multi-lens LED-array optic system
A lighting apparatus including an LED light emitter having an axis. The apparatus comprising a first lens over the emitter a second lens spaced over the first lens. The first lens is configured to direct LED-emitted light primarily toward a preferential radial side with respect to the emitter axis. The first lens may be an asymmetric primary lens. The first lens may have a centerline which is offset from the emitter axis toward the preferential radial side. Alternatively or in addition, the first lens may have an outer surface configured to direct LED-emitted light primarily toward the preferential radial side. The second lens may be asymmetric and be configured to further direct the light primarily toward the preferential radial side. The secondary lens may include inner and outer surfaces each shaped to direct received light primarily toward the preferential side. |
| US09689546B2 |
Vehicle lighting unit
A vehicle lighting unit can be configured to include a thin light guide. The vehicle lighting unit can include a solid light guide having a first surface including an internal reflection portion and a light exiting portion that are formed as a single continued surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a light incident surface through which light enters the light guide so that the light reaches and is internally reflected off the internal reflection portion of the first surface, then is internally reflected off the reflection portion of the second surface, and exits through the light exiting portion of the first surface. The reflection portion of the second surface can include a plurality of divided reflection regions, and the reflection regions can include at least one reflection region disposed at a reference position and at least one reflection region disposed at a position closer to the light exiting surface than the reference position. |
| US09689545B2 |
Optical element having a plurality of interposed optical arrays
An optical element including a first head lens array having at least first and second head lenses joined together by a bar, and at least one second bead lens array having at least a third head lenses arranged between the first and second head lenses. |
| US09689544B2 |
Light engine for and method of simulating a flame
An apparatus, system, and method for lighting effects, including simulating a flame. A three dimensional carrier includes an array of a plurality of light sources distributed on it. A control circuit coordinates on/off of the light sources in a manner to simulate a jumping flame. In one embodiment, the three dimensional carrier and LEDs are encapsulated in an at least partially light transmissive cover. This light modular engine includes a control circuit and an interface to electrical power. The system can include the light engine in a light fixture such as an architectural fixture. The methodology can include a sequence of on/off and brightness variations for the array of light sources. |
| US09689531B2 |
Boss for composite container
A composite pressure container for fluids includes a pressure container, a boss (1), and a coupling or valve member (5) fitted in an opening in the boss. The pressure container includes an inner fluid-tight liner layer (4) and a pressure supporting layer (3) formed by winding fiber-reinforcement onto the liner layer. The boss is positioned in a central opening of the pressure container. The structure of the boss comprises a depressurization passage for preventing build-up of internal pressure inside the boss. |
| US09689519B2 |
Trampoline support structure
A trampoline support structure includes a manifold, a first annular tube, a mesh encircled tube, a second annular tube and a support tube. The manifold includes a longitudinal installation portion, a transverse installation portion and an installation hole located on the transverse installation portion. The first annular tube includes a first assembly section inserted into the transverse installation portion and an anchor hole located on the first assembly section. The mesh encircled tube includes an anchor section inserted into the installation hole, the anchor hole and the longitudinal installation portion. The second annular tube includes a second assembly section inserted into the first assembly section. The anchor section, the longitudinal installation portion and the support tube form a multi-layer structure, thus can solve the problem of inadequate structural strength occurred to the conventional techniques. |
| US09689512B2 |
Air hose delivery assembly with inner liner
An air hose delivery assembly includes an external conduit. The air hose delivery assembly also includes a continuous inner liner disposed within the external conduit. The continuous inner liner is secured to the external conduit only at the ends of the continuous inner liner to form a tubular structure that is configured to be collapsed to a flat structure. |
| US09689511B1 |
Tie wrap plastic anchor assemblies and methods of assembly
A tie wrap anchor assembly and methods of assembly include a body member having an internal passageway and an outwardly extending structure. A fastener element includes a first threaded end portion, a second end portion and a flange member between the first and second end portions. A cylindrical member is configured to extend within the internal passageway and receive at one end the fastener element for positioning the body member between the flange member on the fastener element and a laterally extending element on the cylindrical member. In one configuration, the body member is freely pivotable relative to the cylindrical member, and in one configuration the cylindrical member has a head with a plurality of surfaces that can be used to turn the cylindrical member. A tie wrap anchor assembly can be assembled by positioning a body member over a cylindrical member and inserting a fastener element into an opening in the cylindrical member to position the body member between the fastener element and a surface on the cylindrical member to limit axial movement of the body member. |
| US09689509B1 |
Hose clamping device
A device is described that can be employed to clamp a hose to the interior surface of a vessel intended to receive the liquid discharged from the hose. A one-piece device includes a central region incorporating end pieces that include circular slots that accept a range of hose/tubing sizes and clamp the hose/tubing to the central region. The central region also incorporates a number of clip-type devices at its edges that serve to securely attach the central region to the interior surface of the mouth of a receiving vessel. |
| US09689507B2 |
Vacuum valve
A vacuum valve includes a valve opening and a valve plate that opens and closes the valve opening. A part of an edge of the valve opening is a wedge edge portion having a wedge shape projected outward. The wedge edge portion is provided in a region where the valve plate starts to open the valve opening when the valve plate is moved to open the valve opening. |
| US09689504B2 |
Electronic expansion valve and connection assembly therefor
An electronic expansion valve and a connector assembly thereof are provided. The connector assembly includes a connector seat hermetically connected to a housing of the electronic expansion valve, and contact pins configured to connect an external control component. The housing has a valve cavity in which an electrical motor is arranged, the connector seat has a sealing cavity in communication with the valve cavity, an insulation sleeve is provided inside the sealing cavity and provided with mounting positions corresponding to terminals of the electrical motor, and the mounting positions are electrically insulated from each other and spaced from each other, the insulation sleeve is further provided with connecting holes, and each contact pin has one end passing through the respective connecting hole to be connected to the respective terminal, and another end extending out of the sealing cavity to form a connecting end to connect the external control component. |
| US09689502B2 |
Rotary exhaust valve system
According to one aspect, a rotary exhaust valve system includes an arcuate ring having a first plurality of apertures and a rotary valve ring disposed in an overlapping relation with the arcuate ring. The rotary valve ring has a second plurality of apertures forming therein corresponding to at least some of the first plurality of apertures. A first crank is disposed in a first side of the rotary exhaust valve system, and a second crank is disposed in a second side of the rotary exhaust valve system. The second crank is connected to the first crank and the rotary valve ring, and the first crank actuates the second crank and moves the rotary valve ring such that openings of the first plurality of apertures are closed and opened. |
| US09689499B2 |
Control valve
The invention relates to a control valve (10) for controlling a fluid flow, comprising a valve housing (22) and a positioning element (12) which can be translationally moved and which includes a shut-off portion (14, 70) and a throttle portion (16), with a valve seat being furthermore provided which includes a sealing portion (18, 44) and a throttle opening portion (28, 46), with the shut-off portion (14, 70) of said positioning element (12) being adapted to cooperate with the sealing portion (18, 44) of the valve seat (20, 40) so as to enable shut-off of the fluid flow, and with the throttle portion (16) of the positioning element (12, 54) being adapted to cooperate with the throttle opening portion (28, 46) of the valve seat (20, 40, 60) so as to enable the setting of a defined fluid flow, with at least the surfaces of the throttle opening (28) and the sealing portion (18, 44) being furthermore made of the same hard material. The invention is characterized in that the valve seat is designed as a valve seat insert (20, 40, 60) which includes the throttle opening portion (28, 46) and the sealing portion (18, 44), said insert being inserted into the valve housing. |
| US09689492B2 |
Torque converter having variable pitch stator
A transmission includes a torque converter stator with controllable blade angle. The blade angle is adjusted by adjusting the rotational position of a control ring with respect to a stator hub. The stator blades are supported by the stator hob, a locking ring, and an outer ring. The stator blades have teeth that mesh with teeth on the control ring to determine blade angle. A controller adjust the blades by commanding fluid pressures in hydraulic circuits routed to the stator hub. Various circumstances in which the controller would adjust the blade angle are discussed. |
| US09689490B2 |
Method of optimized gear selection on high speed directional shifts
Methods for machine velocity change gear selection and shift execution are disclosed. A current velocity and a maximum velocity change for a work machine from the current velocity may be determined. The maximum velocity change may be based on a maximum amount of energy expended to change the velocity of the work machine without exceeding an operational limit of a work machine component. A selected machine velocity change target gear may be a highest one of the available gears that will not cause a difference between the current velocity and an end of shift velocity of the work machine that is greater than the maximum velocity change so that the maximum amount of energy will not be exceeded. Factors affecting the maximum velocity change may include the grade, the mass of the work machine, and a transmission oil temperature. |
| US09689489B2 |
Apparatus and method for moving shift lever of vehicle
An apparatus for moving a shift lever includes an actuator to move the shift lever to a predetermined shift stage by applying a pressure to one side of the shift lever through a pressing member, a position detection unit to detect a position of the pressing member, and a control unit to drive a driving unit, which provides, if a stoppage of the pressing member is detected based on the detection result of the position detection unit, a driving force to the pressing member so as to eliminate the stoppage. |
| US09689485B1 |
Differential assembly with axle torque vectoring
A differential assembly for vehicle includes a differential, a prop shaft configured to drivingly couple the differential to a motive power source, a first half shaft configured to drivingly couple the differential to a first road wheel, and a second half shaft configured to drivingly couple the differential to a second road wheel. The differential assembly also includes a first electric machine having a first output shaft and a second electric machine having a second output shaft. The differential assembly additionally includes a first gearing assembly configured to selectively impose a controlled speed ratio between the first half shaft and the first output shaft and a second gearing assembly configured to selectively impose a controlled speed ratio between the second half shaft and the second output shaft. |
| US09689482B2 |
Ball type continuously variable transmission
A variable transmission includes an input shaft, a planetary gear set drivingly engaged with a variator comprising, a variator carrier assembly, a first ring assembly, and a second ring assembly; and the output shaft, arranged to produce transmissions with continuously variable or infinitely variable output ratios. |
| US09689481B2 |
One mode continuously variable transmission with low loss configuration
A one mode, front wheel drive continuously variable transmission includes a transmission input member interconnected to an engine of the motor vehicle, a transmission output member, a continuously variable unit having a first pulley pair, a second pulley pair, and a chain wrapped around the first pulley pair and the second pulley pair. A planetary gear set includes a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member is connected to the first pulley pair and the third member is connected to the transmission input member. A clutch is selectively engageable to connect the first member of the planetary gear set with the transmission input member. A band brake selectively engageable to connect the second member with a stationary member. The transmission output member is interconnected to a differential supported by sets of ball bearings. |
| US09689476B2 |
Continuously variable transmission and control method of continuously variable transmission
A fixed conical plate that is fixed to a rotation shaft, a movable conical plate that moves in the axial direction of the rotation shaft with respect to the fixed conical plate, a slide mechanism that moves the movable conical plate, and a controller that controls the state of the slide mechanism are provided. The controller changes the groove width of a second pulley by driving a motor generator, while a first clutch is engaged, and thus moving the movable conical plate, and drives the motor generator as a generator by the rotation of the rotation shaft, by engaging a second clutch. |
| US09689473B2 |
Multi-mode hybrid transmission using single planetary gear
A transmission includes a single planetary gearset, a first torque machine, an output member and a two-speed gearset that is coupled to the drive member. The single planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a carrier gearset and a ring gear, wherein the carrier gearset is rotatably couplable to the input member and rotatably couplable to the output member, the sun gear is rotatably coupled to a rotor of the first torque machine, and the ring gear is rotatably couplable to the input member and rotatably couplable to the output member. The output member is rotatably couplable to the two-speed gearset, which is configured to operate in one of a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio. |
| US09689471B2 |
Automatic transmission
A first retaining ring is disposed between a first outer circumferential groove provided in an outer circumferential surface of a radial bearing, and an inner circumferential groove of a cylindrical portion of a transmission case. A ring piece is provided with an outer ring of the radial bearing. The ring piece protrudes outward in a radial direction and is in contact with an output gear side end surface of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction. A return spring urges the piston in a direction opposite to a direction in which the pressure is applied by the piston. The return spring is retained in the axial direction by a second retaining ring. The second retaining ring is locked in a second outer circumferential groove of the ring piece. |
| US09689469B2 |
Transmission for vehicles
A transmission for a vehicle includes first, second, third and fourth planetary gear set, and a plurality of friction members. Each planetary gear set includes three rotating elements. The friction elements selectively and operably connect the rotating elements of the planetary gear sets to control rotation of the rotating elements. The transmission improves fuel efficiency by increasing the number of gears and enhances driving stability of the vehicle using an operating point in a low RPM range of the engine. |
| US09689468B2 |
Multi-speed transmission in planetary design
A multi-speed transmission in planetary design is proposed for a vehicle. A first shaft is provided as a drive (An) and a second shaft is provided as an output (Ab) arranged axially parallel to the drive. Three planetary gear sets (RS1, RS2, RS3) and additional shafts along with six shifting elements (K1, K2, K3, K4, B1, B2) are provided, through which actuation of several gears is realized. Machine elements (ST1, ST2) are provided for transfer of torque between the drive (An) and the output (Ab). The first shaft is connected or connectable, as a drive, the ring gear (HR3) of the third planetary gear set (RS3) and to the planetary gear carrier (PT2) of the second planetary gear set (RS2). The second shaft (2), as an output shaft (Ab), is connectable or connected to the first machine element (ST1) and to the second machine element (ST2). |
| US09689467B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms. |
| US09689466B2 |
Gear motor including reduction mechanism
The present invention provides a reduction mechanism in which high torque output can he achieved, thinness and size and weight reduction can be achieved, and the number of teeth of a gear and reduction ratio can be freely set. In a gear motor that includes a reduction mechanism in which a planetary two-stage gear is arrayed between a sun gear of a planetary gear mechanism and an internal gear of a planetary gear mechanism, the reduction mechanism has at least a single planetary two-stage gear arrayed such as to be positioned between the sun gear and the internal gear and including a small gear or a large gear that meshes together with a large gear or a small gear of the planetary two-stage gear, and both end portions of the at least a single planetary two-stage gear are supported by ball bearings. |
| US09689463B2 |
Roller for a pendulum mass of a centrifugal force pendulum
A roller (20) for a pendulum mass (4, 5, 6) of a centrifugal force pendulum (1), including a rolling section (42), a first maintaining section (26) and a second maintaining section (27). The maintaining sections have a larger diameter than the rolling section, and the roller (20) has a width (44) which is smaller or the same size as the first depth (9) of the centrifugal force pendulum. Due to roller (20), a centrifugal force pendulum can be constructed for particularly flat couplings. In particular, the total weight of the friction clutch is reduced and the mounting is simplified. |
| US09689462B2 |
Centrifugal pendulum device for vibration isolation
A centrifugal pendulum device for vibration isolation of a power take-off system of a drive unit, having a first pendulum element with a first mass and a second pendulum element with a second mass, which are set up to counteract vibrations of the drive unit in a resonance range. The first pendulum element has a first resonance range and the second pendulum element has a second resonance range, where the first and the second resonance ranges differ. Using the centrifugal pendulum device it is possible in a small construction space using efficient means to isolate an extended frequency range of vibrations from the drivetrain. In particular, with drive units which are designed as internal combustion engines having activatable cylinders, it is possible, using the centrifugal pendulum device proposed here to achieve a vibration isolation for many states of the drive unit. |
| US09689458B2 |
Vibration damper for a sensor unit and sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle
A vibration damper for a sensor unit comprises an elastic damping element including a central plate, a plurality of damping fingers joined at a first end to the central plate, and a plurality of fastening surfaces. At least two fastening surfaces of the plurality of fastening surfaces are disposed at a distance from each other in a first spatial direction. The damping element is flexurally elastically soft along the first spatial direction and is formed with a higher stiffness in a main extension plane defined perpendicular to the first spatial direction. A layer of adhesive is applied to each of the at least two fastening surfaces which are configured to be subjected to shear stress as a result of vibrations in the main extension plane. |
| US09689456B2 |
Magnetorheological fluid shock absorber
The entire length of a piston (20) of a magnetorheological fluid shock absorber (100) is reduced. The piston (20) includes a piston core (30) mounted on an end portion of a piston rod (21) and having a coil (33) provided on an outer periphery, a flux ring (35) surrounding the outer periphery of the piston core (30) and forming a flow passage for a magnetorheological fluid, a plate (40) formed annularly, arranged on an outer periphery of the piston rod, and joined to one end of the flux ring (35) through brazing, and a stopper containing a fixing nut (50). The flux ring (35) and the plate (40) are joined by a metal layer. |
| US09689453B2 |
Active vibration absorber
An active vibration absorber is attachable to a structure incorporating a positioning system which serves to vibrate the structure during its operation. The active vibration absorber comprises a mounting portion for attachment to the structure, an inertial mass that is resiliently coupled to the mounting portion and a force actuator which is operative to controllably move the inertial mass relative to the mounting portion. The force actuator is configured to move the inertial mass relative to the mounting body according to a motion profile during a motion cycle of the positioning system in order to attenuate vibrations in the structure. The motion profile is determined from a motion command which is operative to drive the positioning system during the motion cycle. |
| US09689438B2 |
Electromagnetic clutch device
An electromagnetic clutch device includes meshing member connected to a first rotational member, a biasing member that biases the meshing member in a direction where a second meshing portion is meshed with a first meshing portion, and a pressing mechanism including a locking portion that presses the meshing member against a biasing force of the biasing member so as to axially move the meshing member. The locking portion is axially immovable relative to the second rotational member, and a cylindrical cam member is provided with a plurality of locked portions to be locked at different axial positions. Locking of the locking portion is shifted from one of the plurality of locked portions to another locked portion placed at a different axial position, and friction torque is caused to synchronize rotation of the first rotational member with that of the second rotational member. |
| US09689437B1 |
Clutch mechanism
A clutch mechanism includes a meshing arrangement between a first plurality of teeth on a first component coupled to a driven shaft and a corresponding second plurality of teeth on a second component coupled to a driving shaft. |
| US09689436B2 |
Torque limiter
In one aspect, a torque limiter may include a roller provided on one end of a lever member that selectively engages an engagement recess. The other end of the lever member is connected to an end of a tension spring to urge the lever member in the direction to engage the one end of the lever member in the engagement recess. |
| US09689435B2 |
Pressure body arrangement for a claw coupling
A pressure body arrangement for a claw coupling includes a pressure body ring made of elastic material. The pressure body ring includes a ring element and pressure bodies which project radially outwards from the ring element. The ring element has an inner circumference which is provided with a circumferential slot-shaped cutout. Inserted in the slot-shaped cutout such as to be releasable non-destructively is a strengthening ring which is made from a material having a strength which is greater that a strength of the elastic material of the pressure body ring. |
| US09689434B2 |
Hydraulic controller for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle
A hydraulic controller for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes at least one gear shift piston-cylinder unit having a gear shift piston for actuating a shifting element in the form of a multi-plate clutch, and a gear shift pressure chamber in which an actuating pressure may be built up by supplying operating fluid. The gear shift piston-cylinder unit has a centrifugal oil chamber that is separated from the gear shift pressure chamber by a gear shift piston. Operating fluid may be supplied to the centrifugal oil chamber via a centrifugal oil line supplied by a first supply line. The hydraulic controller has a second supply line for supplying operating fluid to the centrifugal oil line. The second supply line may be closed and opened by a centrifugal oil valve. |
| US09689432B2 |
Bearing arrangement
A bearing arrangement includes a bearing cover and a bearing block fitting thereon. The bearing block has a recess in the area of the arrangement of the bearing cover, in which the bearing cover can be arranged. The bearing cover has vertically running positioning elements. The bearing cover can be positioned on the bearing block via the vertically running positioning elements. |
| US09689429B2 |
Method of manufacturing shell type needle roller bearing and manufacturing jig used for manufacturing thereof
According to a method of assembling a shell type needle roller bearing 10, after both flange portions 11b and 11c of a shell outer ring 11 are formed and a heat treatment 5 is applied to the shell outer ring 11, and either a retainer 13 or a retainer 18 and needles 12 are assembled with the shell outer ring 11, and thus a plating step in the related art is not required. In addition, the retainers 13 and 18 are not thermally affected by the heat treatment, and thus a resin material can be used as the material of the retainers 13 and 18. |
| US09689427B2 |
Tilting pad and radial plain bearing
A tilting pad, preferably for a radial plain bearing which supports a shaft, with a spaced position in relation to a bearing axis and comprising a supporting surface and a bearing surface opposite the supporting surface, whereby the supporting surface is delimited in an axial direction by two lateral surfaces when viewed transversely, and in a circumferential direction by a run-in edge and a run-out edge when viewed in an installation position, and whereby structures aiding removal of lubricant and coolant are provided on the run-out edge; wherein the structures aiding removal of lubricant and coolant on the run-out edge comprise open-edged recesses arranged on the run-out edge spaced apart from one another in an axial direction. |
| US09689423B2 |
Rolling bearing
A cage has a small-diameter annular portion provided between an inner ring and an outer ring on a first side of a bearing in an axial direction and a plurality of cage bars extending from the small-diameter annular portion toward a second side of the bearing in the axial direction. In each of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter annular portion, recessed portions are formed which is each open toward a bearing exterior on the first side of the bearing in the axial direction. An inner wall of each recessed portion has an inclined surface that serves to enlarge a cross section of the recessed portion toward the bearing exterior on the first side of the bearing in the axial direction. |
| US09689420B2 |
Method for manufacturing a nut by the progressive press forging of a laminar metal sheet and resulting nut
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A NUT BY THE PROGRESSIVE PRESS FORGING OF A LAMINAR METAL SHEET AND RESULTING NUT, in which said method comprises the steps of: producing a piece with a supporting washer, a dome and an emergent hexagonal part by press forging starting from a laminar metal sheet of material of suitable thickness, said piece being of uniform thickness; and creating a threaded internal cylinder by progressive press forging of the interior of said hexagonal emergent part, displacing material laterally from the central zones of said faces to the zones of the angles, heat treating the piece obtained, treatment intended to provide the piece with greater strength, especially a yield strength Rp 0.2% of approximately 1200 MPa and a tensile strength Rm of approximately 1400 MPa. |
| US09689417B2 |
Fastener arrangement with compressible washer
A washer includes a domed central portion with a central opening establishing a longitudinal axis, a base wall extending in a direction radially outwardly from the axis, and an extension wall extending in a direction radially outwardly and axially away from the base wall. The washer also includes a curled radially outer periphery with a peripheral wall extending radially outwardly from the extension wall and in a direction axially away from the extension wall back toward the base wall. A fastener assembly includes the washer and a fastener having a shank extending through the central opening of the central portion. A fastener arrangement includes the fastener assembly and an object to which the fastener assembly is fastened. A product, and a related method, include a panel carried by an underlying support structure to which the shank of the fastener assembly is coupled, with the curled radially outer periphery engaging the panel. |
| US09689415B2 |
Hollow metal screw and method of making
A hollow screw and related process of making is provided, wherein the hollow screw is formed from a generally circular corrosion resistant stainless steel disk cut from flat roll stock. The hollow screw includes a head and an elongated and hollow shaft having a wall thickness between about 0.2 to about 0.7 millimeters extending therefrom and defining a shank portion and a threaded portion having a plurality of threads thereon with a rotational drive mechanism configured to facilitate tightening via the threads. The process involves annealing to soften the stamped hollow screw, followed by thread rolling, and then age hardening the hollow screw. As such, the resultant hollow screw is relatively lightweight, about 50% the mass of a solid core screw made from the same material, with a sufficient thread strength to meet most aerospace applications and contributes to important aircraft fuel economy. |
| US09689412B1 |
Method and apparatus for magnetic panel attachment
A magnetic fastener assembly for securing an access panel to an aircraft structure. A panel magnetic foundation member is rigidly secured to a surface of the panel facing the aircraft structure and a land magnetic foundation member is rigidly secured to a surface of the aircraft structure facing the panel. A planar magnet is positioned between the panel magnetic foundation member and the land magnetic foundation member and being magnetically coupled thereto so as to secure the panel to the aircraft structure. A separation device, such as a pneumatic bladder, is positioned between the panel and the land structure and adjacent to the magnet, and is rigidly secured to the aircraft structure. The separation device is actuated to apply pressure to the panel and break the magnetic attraction between one or both of the panel magnetic foundation member and the magnet or the land magnetic foundation member and the magnet. |
| US09689411B2 |
Assembly for clamping and grounding objects
An apparatus for clamping and grounding an upper and lower solar panel mounting rail. The apparatus comprises a fastener with an enlarged end, and a shank, with the enlarged end having one or more sharp protrusions that resemble teeth, and a washer with one or more sharp protrusions, and an opening. When installed, the shank is inserted through the opening of the washer, the sharp protrusions of the enlarged end penetrate either the lower or upper mounting rail and the sharp protrusions of the washer penetrate the other mounting rail while at the same time creating a grounding path through the apparatus. |
| US09689410B2 |
Railing system
A railing system for mounting to railings of a fence includes a first strip and a second strip. The first and second strips each have a generally planar surface. The first and second strips can be mounted to respective fence railings. The first and second strips each have a plurality of openings extending for receiving a plurality of anchors. Each anchor has a flared portion to prevent passage of the flared portion through the respective opening and anchor the anchor against one of the first and second strips. A plurality of elongated barriers each of a fixed length extends from the first strip to the second strip when mounted to respective fence railings. Each barrier is connectable to a pair of anchors, and when connected to respective anchors, extends linearly from the first strip to the second strip. |
| US09689408B2 |
Bistable actuator, actuator arrangement, method for actuation and use
A method for bistably actuating an actuator includes applying positive pressure in an actuator fluid supply that is fluidly connected to an actuator chamber by means of an actuator fluid supply connection, wherein a working positive pressure is generated in the actuator chamber, whereby an actuator element fluidly connected to the actuator chamber is brought from a resting position to an actuation position, pressure-tight sealing of the actuator fluid supply connection, so that the working positive pressure in the actuator chamber is maintained and the actuator element remains in the actuation position. |
| US09689406B2 |
Gas generator driven pressure supply device
A gas generator driven hydraulic pressure supply device for supplying hydraulic pressure to an operational device that may be associated with a well system and/or an operational device that is located subsea includes an elongated body having an internal bore extending axially from a first end to a discharge end having a discharge port, a gas generator connected at the first end and a hydraulic fluid disposed in the internal bore between a piston and the discharge end so that a portion of the hydraulic fluid is exhausted under pressure through the discharge port in response to activation of the gas generator. |
| US09689404B2 |
Fan frame having temperture detecting element and fan having temperture detecting element
A fan frame and a fan having temperature detecting element are provided. The fan frame includes a body and a circuit board. The body includes an inlet. The circuit board is installed around the inlet of the body. The temperature detecting element traverses the inlet. The first wire electrically connects the first contact end and the first external contact terminal. The second wire electrically connects the second contact end and the second external contact terminal. At least one of the first wire and the second wire includes a plurality of bending sections. By utilizing the bending sections of the first wire or the second wire, the length of the first wire or the second wire can be increased. Therefore, the influence in the temperature detecting element caused by the circuit board can be lowered and the error of the detecting temperature can be decreased. |
| US09689403B2 |
Pump having selectable outlets
A liquid pump (10) comprises an impeller (60) housed in an impeller chamber (22) having an axial inlet (26) and a plurality of centrifugal passages (23, 24) communicating with a plurality of outlets (35a, 35b) through a valve (80). The rotation of the impeller (60) pumps the liquid into one of the centrifugal passages (23, 24) and elastically deforms the valve (80) that controls through which outlet (35a, 35b) the liquid is pumped out of the pump (10). |
| US09689402B2 |
Centrifugal pump impellor with novel balancing holes that improve pump efficiency
A centrifugal pump impellor includes balancing holes that reduce axial thrust while minimizing the loss of pump efficiency. In one general aspect, the balancing holes penetrate the rear shroud between the blades, and are angled in both axial and rotational directions so as to direct the leakage fluid approximately parallel to the primary process fluid, so that it causes minimal interference with the primary fluid flow. In a second general aspect, the balancing holes extend from the rear cavity within the impellor blades and through the leading edges of the blades, thereby entering the primary flow in locations where the process fluid is almost static relative to the blades. This minimizes the impact on the flow of the process fluid past the blades, and thereby minimizes the loss of pump efficiency caused by the balance holes. In embodiments, each blade leading edge includes a plurality of balancing hole outlets. |
| US09689399B2 |
Fluid filtration using splines
An assembly for filtering a fluid includes a first rotatable shaft with a first set of splines. The first rotatable shaft has an internal cavity containing the fluid. Also included is a second rotatable shaft with a second set of splines mated to the first set of splines. The second rotatable shaft includes at least a portion of a supply hole. The first rotatable shaft and the second rotatable shaft are configured to convey the fluid from the internal cavity through a tight clearance between the first set of splines and the second set of splines, to filter the fluid, and then out the supply hole. |
| US09689397B2 |
Turbine outlet diffuser
A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a rotating assembly having a turbine wheel disposed inside a turbine housing and a compressor wheel disposed inside a compressor cover. The turbine housing defines a turbine outlet cavity, a turbine housing inlet, and a turbine housing outlet. The turbine housing inlet is configured to channel engine post-combustion gases to the turbine wheel and the turbine housing outlet is configured to exhaust the gases aft of the turbine wheel. A diffuser arranged inside the turbine outlet cavity is configured to channel the post-combustion gases aft of the turbine wheel and out to the turbine housing outlet, without discharging into the turbine outlet cavity. |
| US09689392B2 |
Mechanical coolant pump
A mechanical coolant pump for an internal combustion engine includes a pump housing defining an outlet volute, a first outlet channel comprising a first valve opening, a second outlet channel comprising a second valve opening, an impeller pump wheel, and an outlet valve arrangement. The second outlet channel is separate from and fluidically parallel to the first outlet channel. The impeller pump wheel pumps a liquid into the outlet volute. The outlet valve arrangement is fluidically upstream of the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel. The outlet valve arrangement comprises an integral valve body which pivots between an open position and a closed position. The valve body comprises a first retaining section and a second retaining section. When the valve body is in the closed position, the first retaining section completely closes the first valve opening and the second retaining section only partially closes the second valve opening. |
| US09689391B2 |
Compressor having sound isolation feature
Scroll compressor designs are provided to minimize vibration, sound, and noise transmission. The scroll compressor has a bearing housing, and orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members. The non-orbiting scroll member has a radially extending flanged portion with at least one aperture substantially aligned with the axially extending bore. At least one fastener is disposed within the aperture and the bore. A sound isolation member contacts at least one of the non-orbiting scroll member, the fastener, or the bearing housing, to reduce or eliminate noise transmission. The sound isolation member may be formed of a polymeric composite having an acoustic impedance value greater than the surrounding materials. The sound isolation member may be an annular washer, an O-ring, or a biasing member, by way of non-limiting example. In other variations, fluid passages are provided within the fastener and/or bearing housing to facilitate entry of lubricant oil to further dampen sound and noise. |
| US09689390B2 |
Fluid pump with shaft driven pumping element
In at least some implementations, a fluid pump includes a drive shaft including at least one drive surface and a pumping element. The pumping element includes an opening in which a portion of the drive shaft is received so that the pumping element is driven for rotation by the drive shaft, and the opening is larger than the drive shaft to provide a clearance between the pumping element and at least part of the drive shaft. The pumping element also includes at least one engagement surface arranged to be engaged by the drive surface of the drive shaft when the drive shaft is rotated where one or both of the drive surface and the engagement surface are angled to provide a surface area of engagement between the drive surface and engagement surface that is at least 1% of the surface area of the drive surface. |
| US09689389B2 |
Shaft seal for an open-drive compressor
Devices and methods for maintaining lubrication of a shaft seal of an open-drive compressor that is operating in a vacuum condition. The external side of the shaft seal allows retention of a volume of lubricant for extending the lifespan of the shaft seal for the open-drive compressor. The devices can also reduce and/or prevent deterioration of the shaft seal regardless of the operation condition of the open-drive compressor. The devices can further reduce and/or prevent leakage of a lubricant and/or refrigerant that can cause deterioration of components within a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). |
| US09689388B2 |
Scroll compressor
A compressor according to the present disclosure may include a container; a drive motor provided in the container; a crankshaft coupled to a rotor of the drive motor; a first scroll coupled to the crankshaft to receive a rotational force of the drive motor to perform an orbiting movement; a second scroll coupled to the first scroll to form a first compression unit and a second compression unit along with the first scroll; and a vane provided in the first scroll or second scroll to be brought into contact with the other side scroll to form the second compression unit, wherein the first compression unit is carried out in a scroll compression mode and the second compression unit is carried out in a rotary compression mode. |
| US09689383B2 |
Controller for use with a reciprocating electric submersible pump
A system and method is provided for controlling a reciprocating electric submersible pump with an AC linear motor. The system includes a programmable logic controller for controlling an inverter to provide pulse-width modulated AC power to the linear motor. Under operating conditions, a constant voltage is applied to the linear motor whose operating frequency can be controlled by the pulse-width modulation. |
| US09689381B2 |
Method and apparatus for recovery of parasitic energy losses
A system for the recovery of parasitic energy loss in a vehicle includes a magnet and coil arrangement operatively and movable coupled with respect to one another, such that motion of the drive train of the vehicle with respect to the frame components causes relative motion therebetween to thereby induce an electrical current in the coil which may be used or stored in the vehicle. |
| US09689368B2 |
Method and apparatus for energy generation
A system for the generation of energy from the flow of water in a body of water is provided, the system comprising a support assembly extending across at least a portion of the body of water; a generator assembly mounted in the support assembly, the generator assembly comprising a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly, each rotor assembly comprising a vertical hub rotatable about a vertical axis and a plurality of vertical blades extending radially from the hub, the first and second rotor assemblies being arranged such that the volume swept by the blades of the first rotor assembly overlaps the volume swept by the blades of the second rotor assembly. The system may be used to generate energy, for example electricity. In addition, the system may be used to control the level of water on the upstream side of the installation, for example in the cases of flooding. |
| US09689367B2 |
Device and method for determining the starting capability of an internal combustion engine
A method for determining the starting capability of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, which can be started by an electric motor powered by a battery, including detecting first battery parameter values during a successful starting sequence of the internal combustion engine at a first time, detecting second battery parameter values at a second time following the first time, determining at the second time the expected battery voltage for a starting sequence of the internal combustion engine taking place at a third time based on the detected first and second battery parameter values, and comparing the battery voltage expected at the third time with a predetermined threshold value in order to derive therefrom the starting capability of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09689362B2 |
Fuel injection valve equipped with in-cylinder pressure sensor
A fuel injection valve equipped with an in-cylinder pressure sensor is provided, in which the fuel injection valve is fitted into an injection valve mounting hole provided in an engine, the in-cylinder pressure sensor is attached to a valve housing part of the fuel injection valve, the in-cylinder pressure sensor having a front end facing the combustion chamber and detecting a pressure of the combustion chamber, and a signal transmission device is connected to the in-cylinder pressure sensor, the signal transmission device transmitting an output signal thereof to an outside. The signal transmission device is disposed on the valve housing part and covered together with a part of the valve housing part by an insulating layer. In such arrangement, the signal transmission device is protected by the insulating layer, and a contact between the signal transmission device and an inner face of the injection valve mounting hole is prevented. |
| US09689359B2 |
Piezo injector
A piezo injector with an actuator chamber, in which a piezo actuator is arranged, includes an upper section (the injector body) and a lower section (the nozzle body). The piezo injector also has a control piston bore formed in the nozzle body, wherein a control sleeve, in which a control piston is received, is arranged in the control piston bore. The control sleeve seals against an intermediate plate with a first front face facing the piezo actuator. The control piston has a first side facing the piezo actuator, wherein the first front face of the control piston and the section of the control sleeve facing the piezo actuator form a first control chamber. |
| US09689357B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving engine performance
A method of modifying an engine after the engine has been initially sold by the manufacturer of the engine, wherein the engine has an air intake pipe and an air flow sensor, wherein the air intake pipe has an exterior wall surface and an interior wall surface, and wherein the air flow sensor has a sensing head disposed at a first location within the air intake pipe spaced apart from the interior wall surface of the air intake pipe, includes the step of: repositioning the sensing head from the first location to a second location, wherein the second location is closer to the interior wall surface of the air intake pipe than the position of the sensing head at the first location. |
| US09689351B2 |
Fuel vapor treatment apparatus
A fuel vapor treatment apparatus of a vehicle in which a supercharger that supercharges intake air is provided at an intake passage of an internal combustion engine includes a pump controller that drives a pump, a gas passage pressure detector that is provided between a canister and the pump in a gas passage and detects pressure of the gas passage, and an abnormality determining module that determines whether an upstream-side purge passage has an abnormality, on the basis of the pressure detected by the gas passage pressure detector. The pump controller drives the pump when an upstream-side valve is in an opened state. The abnormality determining module determines whether the upstream-side purge passage has an abnormality, on the basis of the pressure detected by the gas passage pressure detector after the upstream-side valve enters the opened state and the pump is driven. |
| US09689350B2 |
System and methods for mechanical vacuum pump exhaust
A system for an engine is provided, the system comprising a vacuum pump at least partially deposed within an engine crankcase, and a fuel vapor canister coupled to an exhaust conduit of the vacuum pump via a one-way valve. By coupling the vacuum pump exhaust to the fuel vapor canister, unmetered fuel vapor flow to the engine intake may be reduced, thus decreasing engine stall events. Further, crankcase pressure may more accurately represent airflow through the crankcase via a crankcase ventilation system, thereby improving the accuracy of crankcase ventilation diagnostics. |
| US09689347B2 |
Engine generating energy through physical and chemical energy conversions of a compressed gaseous fuel
An engine for propelling vehicles on land, in the air and on the water. The engine is able to extract energy from a same fuel twice, including extracting a first amount of energy with a gas turbine and a second amount of energy by burning the fuel in a combustion engine. |
| US09689337B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an engine, the control apparatus includes an ECU. The ECU is configured to: (i) estimate a characteristic value indicating divergence from a reference value of an intake air volume, (ii) store the characteristic value as a learned value, (iii) calculate the characteristic values for an opening degrees for which learning has not been completed, (iv) learn the characteristics of the throttle valve and reflect the characteristics in control of the intake air volume, (v) update the learned value at which an engine rotation speed is equal to or greater than an idling rotation speed during an initial engine operation after initialization of the learned values, (vi) update the learned value at which an engine rotation speed is lower than an idling rotation speed, by storing a value equal to the learned value for the smallest opening degree for which learning has already been completed. |
| US09689336B2 |
Engine system utilizing modal weighted engine optimization
An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine. The engine system may also have a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of an amount of power generated by the engine and a speed sensor configured to generate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the engine. The engine system may also have a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and the speed signal. The controller may also be configured to generate an operating histogram based on the sensor signal and the speed signal. Further the controller may be configured to receive modal points for the engine, the modal points having associated emissions limits. The controller may also be configured to generate a calibration parameter set for the operating histogram based on the weights. In addition, the controller may be configured to apply the calibration parameter set to the engine. |
| US09689324B2 |
Vaporized fuel processing apparatus
A vaporized fuel processing apparatus has a closing valve provided in a vapor path connecting an adsorbent canister to the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to detect the inner pressure of the fuel tank, and an electric control unit configured to determine whether the amount of increase in the inner pressure of the fuel tank is within an acceptable range or not, to learn a valve opening start position of the closing valve when the inner pressure of the fuel tank is reduced by an amount not less than a predetermined value, and to stop or prohibit the learning of the valve opening start position of the closing valve when the amount of increase in the inner pressure of the fuel tank is not within the acceptable range during or before the learning of the valve opening start position of the closing valve. |
| US09689318B1 |
Equilibrating flow distributor
An equilibrating flow distributor for a gas turbine engine includes a balancing valve and multiple flow dividers, each with a movable valve or divider member. The balancing valve has an inlet receiving media at a first pressure area and an outlet defining a plurality of first metering orifices. The valve member defines at least one second metering orifice receiving the media at a second pressure area. Each flow divider has an inlet receiving the media through an associated one of the first metering orifices at a third pressure area and an outlet defining one of a plurality of third metering orifices receiving the media at a fourth pressure area. Each flow divider has a second pressure area in communication with second pressure area of the balancing valve. Flow through the fourth pressure area of each flow divider is substantially the same. |
| US09689316B1 |
Gas turbine engine overspeed prevention
A controller for a gas turbine engine is configured to respond to one or more prescribed engine overspeed conditions. Rather than shutting the engine down, the controller substantially reduces N1 airflow and substantially concurrently activates one or more engine igniters. |
| US09689311B2 |
Method for monitoring performance of the lubricant cooler in aircraft auxiliary power unit
The present invention relates to a method for detecting performance of the lubricant cooler in aircraft auxiliary power unit APU, comprising: acquiring APU-related messages within a time period; obtaining the operation parameters of the APU lubricant cooler, the operation parameters comprise: lubricant temperature OT and load compressor inlet temperature LCIT; the revised lubricant temperature OT is obtained by the following formula: the revised lubricant temperature=lubricant temperature OTA−the load compressor inlet temperature LCIT; determining the performance of the APU lubricant cooler is in stable phase, decline phase or malfunction phase according to the change trend of the revised lubricant temperature OT with respect to time. |
| US09689309B2 |
Systems and methods for carbon dioxide capture in low emission combined turbine systems
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for generating power in combined low emission turbine systems and capturing and recovering carbon dioxide from the exhaust. In one or more embodiments, the exhaust from multiple turbine systems is combined, cooled, compressed, and separated to yield a carbon dioxide-containing effluent stream and a nitrogen-containing product stream. Portions of the recycled exhaust streams and the product streams may be used as diluents to regulate combustion in each combustor of the turbine systems. |
| US09689305B2 |
Method for operating a spark ignition internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas turbocharger
A method for operating an internal-combustion engine includes increasing a torque demand, controlling a throttle valve, opening an air injection valve and continuously measuring first and second gas pressures with an electronic control unit. The method also includes closing the throttle valve, measuring a first gas mass flow, retarding an ignition angle, and closing the air injection valve. In the method the throttle valve is opened with the control unit when the first gas pressure p1 equals the second gas pressure p2. The method also includes continuously controlling the fuel system with the electronic control unit to have a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio of the internal combustion engine being constantly combusting in the internal combustion engine. |
| US09689300B2 |
Engine control system and method
An engine control system is provided and includes an engine having combustion chambers and provides driving torque through combustion of a fuel injected into the combustion chambers. A turbocharger includes a turbine rotated according to flow energy of exhaust gas, a compressor compressing external air, and a vane adjusting amount of exhaust gas supplied to the turbine. An EGR device recirculates exhaust gas to the combustion chamber. An exhaust manifold includes a body with an internal fluid path, exhaust inlets in which exhaust gas is introduced, a partition to form internal fluid paths, and an exhaust outlet to which exhaust gas is exhausted. Temperature sensors measure temperature of exhaust gas flowing through the internal fluid paths. A controller adjusts an opening amount of the vane of the turbocharger, exhaust gas recirculated using the EGR device, and fuel to be injected to the combustion chambers based on measured temperature. |
| US09689297B2 |
Exhaust-gas aftertreatment system with venturi exhaust passage devices
A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) system including a Venturi exhaust passage device, in which a temperature and a pressure in a high pressure passage are measured, together with a difference of pressures in the high pressure passage and a low pressure passage, while a pressure drop across a DPF is monitored. A PM amount and an exhaust flow rate, which are key parameters in DPF control, can be calculated with the measured values. With the Venturi exhaust passage device, a two-stage bootstrapping heating device with two DOCs and an electrical heater can be further used to heat exhaust gas at a temperature lower than a light-off temperature, while a flow-back passage fluidly connected to an outlet of the DPF can be used for increasing exhaust flow-rate and making PM distribution in the DPF more uniform. |
| US09689294B2 |
Rotary-type exhaust heat recovery apparatus
A rotary exhaust heat recovery apparatus may include an exhaust gas pipe including a bypass path into which a high-temperature exhaust gas is introduced and bypassed and an extension part extending from a side of the bypass path in a semi-cylindrical shape to allow the exhaust gas to pass and a semi-cylindrical heat exchanger rotatably accommodated within the exhaust gas pipe, allowing heat exchange to be performed between the high-temperature exhaust gas supplied from the bypass path and a low-temperature coolant introduced through a coolant inlet, in which a side surface of the heat exchanger includes a diameter surface formed as a flat surface and an arc surface formed as a curved surface, and the diameter surface of the heat exchanger has a surface with a rotation axis of the heat exchanger as a reference thereof which is closed and another surface provided with exhaust gas inlets. |
| US09689289B2 |
Engine-exhaust-system apparatus and package-type engine electric power generator
An engine-exhaust-system apparatus includes: a main body that reduces noise generated by exhaust gas; and an exhaust outlet tube that includes an insertion section inserted into the main body, exhaust gas in the main body being discharged outside via the exhaust outlet tube, wherein the insertion section has an open end with a brim portion that spreads beyond a tube diameter of the insertion section. |
| US09689288B2 |
Oil pan and engine assembly including the oil pan
An engine assembly includes an oil pan including an oil pan body defining a cavity. The oil pan body includes a dividing wall separating the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment. The engine assembly further includes a drip tray coupled to the oil pan body. The drip tray is disposed over the second compartment and can direct oil to the first compartment where the oil is warmed up initially in order to minimize the time it takes to heat the oil when the internal combustion engine is warming up. The engine assembly further includes an oil scraper coupled to the oil pan body. The oil scraper is disposed over the drip tray and can scrape oil from a crankshaft. |
| US09689285B2 |
Solenoid valve for variable valve timing control devices, and variable valve timing control system
A solenoid valve 30 includes a spool 41 moving within a valve housing 40 in a direction of an axis thereof to adjust a fed or discarded amount of a working fluid flowing via ports 43 to 47 formed in the valve housing 40 according to an amount of the movement, and including lands 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d and recessed portions 41e, 41f, and 41g for connecting the lands with one another, and a solenoid unit 50 containing a moving member of a magnetic circuit for driving the spool 41. In edge portions 41b′ and 41c′ of the lands 41b and 41c or in hole edge portions of the valve housing corresponding to the edge portions 41b′ and 41c′, notch portions 60 or taper grooves 61, or penetrating holes 62 for adjusting the amount of the working fluid which is close to a central current value are formed. |
| US09689284B2 |
Camshaft adjusting device
A camshaft adjusting device, including a camshaft (1) and a camshaft adjuster (2) having a stator (5) that can be connected to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and a rotor (4) that is rotatably mounted in the stator (5) and can be connected to the camshaft (1) and a clamping device (3) for clamping the rotor (4) to the camshaft and a rolling bearing (8) absorbing both axial and radial forces for mounting the camshaft adjusting device in a stationary housing (11), wherein the rotor (4) is clamped to the camshaft (1) by the clamping device (3) via an inner ring (12) or an outer ring (13) of the rolling bearing (6). |
| US09689279B2 |
Cogeneration with nucleate boiling cooled internal combustion engine
A cogeneration system for generating electricity and process steam. The system includes an internal combustion engine having a shaft and a cooling system comprising a cooling fluid adapted to circulate through the engine and to cool the engine under conditions of nucleate boiling in which at least 10 percent of the coolant exits the engine in a vapor phase. It includes a vapor separator adapted to separate the coolant that exits the engine into a vapor phase coolant and a liquid phase coolant. The engine shaft drives an electric generator to provide electric power. A hot vapor line directs hot vapor exiting the vapor separator to a hot vapor process load. A coolant circulation pump is provided to force the cooling fluid through the engine, and a hot water line is provided to return hot water exiting the vapor separator to the coolant circulation pump. In preferred embodiments the system further includes an excess steam condenser for to collecting and condensing excess steam not needed by the hot vapor load, a condensate return tank adapted to store condensate from the hot vapor load and the excess steam condenser, and a condensate return line adapted to return condensate to the coolant recirculation pump. |
| US09689272B2 |
Gas turbine and outer shroud
A gas turbine includes a turbine blade, a turbine vane, a ring segment circumferentially surrounding the turbine blade, an outer shroud circumferentially surrounding the turbine vane, and a combustion gas flow-path provided in the ring segment and the outer shroud. The outer shroud is positioned on an upstream side of the ring segment in a gas flow direction of the combustion gas. Seal gas, of which temperature is lower than that of the combustion gas, is fed between the ring segment- and the outer shroud into the combustion gas flow-path. The outer shroud has a guide surface that is provided on an inner circumference thereof on a downstream side of the gas flow direction. The guide surface is formed such that a flow passage area of the combustion gas flow-path is gradually increased. |
| US09689271B2 |
Turbine engine impeller
A turbine engine rotor wheel including a disk including at least one slot formed in its outer periphery for mounting roots of blades, a presser being mounted between each blade root and a bottom of the slot. The presser is bistable in position and is capable of occupying a first stable position for assembly and disassembly in which it does not exert a force on the blade root, and a second stable position in which it exerts a radial force on the blade root to hold the blade stationary and to stabilize the blade in a final position. |
| US09689268B2 |
Turbine bucket closure assembly and methods of assembling the same
A rotor wheel assembly has a rotor wheel including a plurality of dovetail slots. The rotor wheel assembly includes a bucket closure assembly having a leading auxiliary bucket with a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a back side edge oriented at a first angle relative to the rotor wheel rotation axis. The bucket closure assembly includes a closure bucket having a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a front side and a back side edge, where the back side edge is oriented to a second angle and the front side edge is parallel to the back side edge of the leading auxiliary bucket. The bucket closure assembly includes a trailing auxiliary bucket having a dovetail coupled to a dovetail slot and an integral cover having a front side edge parallel to the back side edge of the closure bucket. |
| US09689266B2 |
Production facility comprising a transport system for processing elongated products, in particular wind turbine blades, with elongated mould assemblies
A production facility for forming elongated products, in particular wind turbine blades, includes elongated mould assemblies that may be accessed on the basis of an appropriate transport system which includes at least one support member laterally positioned between the elongated mould assemblies. The support member is positioned so as to enable a rotational movement of an arm or is configured to change position or includes a rotatable carrier element. The support member may be positioned in a non-interference position, in which one or both mould assemblies can be moved into a position so as to form a composite mould assembly. |
| US09689263B2 |
Droplet catcher for centrifugal compressor
A liquid droplet catching device installed in a compressor impeller, the device includes an aperture disposed on a surface of the impeller and configured to receive the liquid droplet, and a channel disposed beneath and in fluid communication with the aperture, wherein in the channel is configured to direct the liquid droplet away from the aperture and out of the compressor impeller. |
| US09689260B2 |
Rotary vane air motor with improved vanes and other improvements
A rotary vane air motor comprises a rotor, stator and vanes. The rotor has slots for the vanes, and the vanes may move between a retracted position and a contact position in which the vanes contact the cylinder. Each vane may have a longitudinal portion whose shape conforms generally to the slot, and a transverse portion that is radially outside of the slot and extends at least in part in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal portion and that may be tangential to the perimeter of the rotor at the slot. The shape of the perimeter may be a polygon with rounded corners. The vanes may also include a magnetic portion or a rotating portion. |
| US09689257B2 |
Guide rail rope deflection inhibition mechanism and method for parallel soft cable suspension system
A guide rail rope deflection inhibition mechanism and method for a parallel soft cable suspension system in ultradeep vertical shaft construction. The guide rail rope deflection inhibition mechanism comprises a T-shaped installation support base, a rotating frame, a hydraulic support rod, and a chuck. The T-shaped installation support base comprises a vertical support rod and a horizontal support rod. The hydraulic support rod comprises an upper hydraulic support rod and a lower hydraulic support rod. The rotating frame comprises an upper Y-shaped frame and a lower Y-shaped frame. The chuck comprises an upper chuck and a lower chuck. The guide rail rope deflection inhibition method treats two guide rail rope deflection inhibition mechanisms as one group, and arranges at least two groups along the vertical direction on the shaft wall. While guaranteeing the smooth sliding of a direction guiding frame, the freedom of the guide rail rope part is restrained by the chuck, thereby enhancing the stability and safety of hoisting containers. |
| US09689254B2 |
Well monitoring by means of distributed sensing means
Methods and apparatus for downhole monitoring are provided by interrogating an unmodified optic fiber (102) arranged along the path of a well bore (106) to provide a distributed acoustic sensor and sampling data gathered from a plurality of contiguous sensing portions of the fiber. The sampled data is processed to determine one or more well bore parameters. The well bore parameters may comprise a well condition profile, and may be obtained in response to an acoustic stimulus. |
| US09689253B2 |
Use of nanotracers for imaging and/or monitoring fluid flow and improved oil recovery
A method of monitoring a reservoir during an oil recovery process includes placing a plurality of electrodes proximate the reservoir, injecting a nanoparticle dispersion into the reservoir with an injection fluid, and recording a current measurement and a voltage measurement from the plurality of electrodes with an electronic control module during the oil recovery process. |
| US09689248B2 |
Dual tank structure integrally supported on a portable base frame
A dual tank structure includes first and second tanks with a common secondary containment structure which are all integrally supported on a common base frame. The common base frame includes longitudinal skids so as to be suitable for transport using a conventional winch truck. A passageway with an integral valve therein permits selective communication between the tanks. The common containment structure has a containment volume which is greater than a storage volume of a largest one of the first tank and the second tank and which is less than a combined storage volume of both the first tank and the second tank. |
| US09689247B2 |
Location and stimulation methods and apparatuses utilizing downhole tools
A propellant tool for use in a hydrocarbon bearing formation. The tool includes a tubular body having a connector on each end for connection with other tubular members within a tubular string. A coded marker is positioned on the tubular body and a propellant chamber is positioned on an outside surface of the tubular body. A propellant ignition mechanism positioned on the tubular body for igniting the propellant in the propellant chamber. |
| US09689246B2 |
Stimulation devices, initiation systems for stimulation devices and related methods
Downhole stimulation devices include an energetic material disposed within a housing and an initiator for igniting the energetic material. The initiator may comprise a shaped charge configured to produce a projectile to penetrate the energetic material to ignite the energetic material. The housing of the device may comprise a continuous outer surface. Methods of operating a downhole stimulation device include initiating an energetic material disposed within a housing of the stimulation device in order to burn the energetic material in a laterally extending direction transverse to a depth of a borehole in which the stimulation device is disposed. |
| US09689245B2 |
Quantification of skin in hydraulic fracturing of low and tight reservoirs
The feasibility of performing hydraulic fracturing can be assessed by analyzing the effect of skin on the overall deliverability of a reservoir. Aspects of the disclosure provide a method to determine equivalent skin in hydraulic fractured system through a semi analytical correlation obtained by numerical modeling. Two 3D models are considered: a base case without fracture and a complex case with fractures. The base case is simulated by varying matrix permeabilities while the fractured model is run with different sets of varying fracture's lengths, widths, and permeability as well as matrix permeabilities. The two cases are comparatively analyzed and skin is determined. A generalized correlation for determination of skin is derived through application of multivariate regression technique on obtained skins and their corresponding variables. |
| US09689244B2 |
Process for water wetting oil-wet surfaces
Process for water-wetting oil-wet surfaces by applying an aqueous formulation comprising at least one wettability modifier which is a water-soluble ester of an alkoxylated saccharide to the oil-wet surface. The oil-wet surfaces may be any hydrophobic surfaces such as the rocks of subterranean oil-bearing formations. |
| US09689243B2 |
Progressive cavity pump with free pump rotor
In a production apparatus for pumping production fluid to the surface of a well, a progressive cavity pump with a stator and a rotor in which the rotor has an extension which rests on a thrust bearing, lubricated by production fluid. |
| US09689242B2 |
Dart plunger
A gas-lift plunger includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a bore extending axially from the upper end to the lower end, and a port therein that is in communication with bore, and an obstructing member positioned in the bore. The obstructing member includes a valve stem and is movable between a closed position, in which the obstructing member substantially prevents fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end, and an open position, in which fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end is permitted. The plunger includes an end nut connected to the lower end of the body, and a clutch assembly including arcuate members that are positioned at least partially around and configured to engage the valve stem to impede movement thereof. The clutch assembly is positioned at least partially within the end nut. |
| US09689241B2 |
Gas lift valve assemblies having fluid flow barrier and methods of assembling same
A gas lift valve assembly includes a housing, a check valve, and a fluid flow barrier. The housing defines an inlet port, an outlet port, and a main flow passage providing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The main flow passage has an upstream end and a downstream end. The check valve includes a sealing element disposed at the downstream end of the main flow passage, and a valve member configured to sealingly engage the sealing element. The valve member is movable between an open position in which fluid flow is permitted in a downstream direction, and a closed position in which the valve member inhibits fluid flow in an upstream direction. The fluid flow barrier is disposed within the main flow passage, and is configured to direct fluid flow away from the sealing element when the valve member is in the open position. |
| US09689239B2 |
Wellbore gun perforating system and method
A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun. |
| US09689238B2 |
Wellbore gun perforating system and method
A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun. |
| US09689236B2 |
Liner hanger
An apparatus for suspending a liner within a bore comprising a central tubular member and first and second sets of radially expandable arms. Each set of arms are expandable by corresponding longitudinally movable cones spaced apart along the tubular member. The apparatus further includes a seal located between the first and second sets of radially expandable arms and a selectably longitudinally compressible sleeve located between the first and second sets of radially expandable arms. |
| US09689234B2 |
Propulsion generator and method
A propulsion generator which employs one or more unbalanced rotors, such as fly wheels or other unbalance rotating members, which can be connected at a lower portion of a downhole coiled tubing string or other downhole tubular string for inducing propulsion of the coiled tubing. The unbalanced rotors may be oriented at different positions with respect to each other. The instantaneous fluid flow through the propulsion generator is substantially equivalent to the average fluid flow rate through the tool to provide relatively consistent fluid flow to downhole motors below the propulsion generator for operating the drill bit and/or cutters. |
| US09689233B2 |
Platform to service a blowout preventer
A platform and a system including the platform are used for a ram blowout preventer including a bonnet and/or one or more components adjacent the ram blowout preventer. The platform includes a frame with a deck supported within the frame, and a support structure coupled to the frame to support the platform on the bonnet of the ram blowout preventer. The platform may further include a connector to removably couple the platform to the bonnet of the ram blowout preventer. |
| US09689232B2 |
Reverse flow actuation apparatus and method
An actuating apparatus for actuating a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an actuating member and a holding device. The actuating member disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the actuating member such that a port in the downhole tool is exposed to uphole pressure and actuates the actuating member to travel in an uphole direction. |
| US09689231B2 |
Isolation devices having an anode matrix and a fiber cathode
A wellbore isolation device comprises: a first material and a second material, wherein the first material and the second material form a galvanic couple and wherein the first material is the anode and the second material is the cathode of the galvanic couple, and wherein the second material is a fiber or a plurality of fibers. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprises: contacting or allowing the wellbore isolation device to come in contact with an electrolyte; and causing or allowing at least a portion of the first material to dissolve. |
| US09689230B2 |
Cementing plug apparatus and method
In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a valve assembly, the valve assembly including a tubular member and a valve connected thereto, wherein the valve permits fluid flow through the tubular member in a first direction and prevents fluid flow through the tubular member in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. A plug is adapted to be secured to the valve assembly so that the plug is prevented from moving, relative to the valve assembly, in the first and second directions. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is a cementing plug apparatus, which can plug a tubular string or casing so that fluid flow therethrough is prevented. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular string or casing may be positioned within a preexisting structure such as, for example, a wellbore. |
| US09689229B2 |
Rotating mandrel casing hangers
Rotating mandrel casing hangers are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a casing hanger having a lower end configured to engage a casing string and a running tool configured to engage the casing hanger. The system is configured to facilitate rotation of the casing hanger within a casing head to rotate the casing string while cementing the casing string within a well. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09689228B2 |
Downhole tool with one-piece slip
A downhole tool for use in a wellbore, the downhole tool having: a mandrel, a bearing plate, and at least one metal slip having a one-piece configuration. The mandrel is made of a composite material, and has a lower sleeve threaded therewith. The bearing plate has an angled inner plate surface configured for engagement with a corresponding angled surface of another part of the downhole tool. The one-piece configuration is defined by at least partial connectivity around the entirety of the metal slip body. The metal slip has at least one lateral groove therein. |
| US09689225B2 |
Tubing hanger assembly with single trip internal lock down mechanism
A tubing hanger assembly for suspending a tubing string into a wellbore comprises a hanger body having a radially outer surface including external threads having a first thread handedness. In addition, the assembly comprises a load ring coaxially disposed about the hanger body. The load ring has a radially inner surface including a first set of internal threads that matingly engage with the external threads of the hanger body and a second set of internal threads having a second thread handedness that is opposite the first thread handedness. The load ring also has a radially outer surface including a frustoconical cam surface. Further, the assembly comprises an expandable ring disposed about the hanger body adjacent the lower end of the load ring. The expandable ring has a radially inner surface including a frustoconical surface that slidingly engages the cam surface. Still further, the assembly comprises a load sleeve coaxially disposed about the hanger body and having an upper end that engages the expandable ring. |
| US09689223B2 |
Selectable, internally oriented and/or integrally transportable explosive assemblies
A system can include multiple explosive assemblies, each assembly comprising an outer housing, an explosive component rotatable relative to the housing, and a selective firing module which causes detonation of the component in response to a predetermined signal. A method can include assembling multiple explosive assemblies at a location remote from a well, installing a selective firing module, an electrical detonator and an explosive component in a connector, and connecting the connector to an outer housing, and then transporting the assemblies from the remote location to the well. A well perforating method can include assembling multiple perforating guns, each gun comprising a gun body, a perforating charge, and a selective firing module which causes detonation of the charge in response to a predetermined signal. The guns are installed in a wellbore, with the charge of each gun rotating relative to the respective gun body. |
| US09689222B2 |
Core drilling tools with external fluid pathways
Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly including external fluid pathways extending generally axially long the outer surface of the core barrel assembly. The one or more external fluid pathways can allow for increased fluid flow around a latch mechanism. The increased fluid flow around the latch mechanism can allow the core barrel assembly to travel faster within the drill string, can allow drilling fluid to pass by the latch mechanism when engaged. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including external fluid pathways, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems. |
| US09689220B2 |
Downhole apparatus
A setting tool (10) for use in a downhole wellbore is described as having a hydraulic fluid pumping mechanism (78) for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid. A piston mechanism (116) is moveable by said pressurized hydraulic fluid acting upon a portion of the piston mechanism (116). A resetting mechanism (84) is provided which when operated releases the pressurized hydraulic fluid from acting upon said portion of the piston (116) and which results in the resetting of the setting tool (10). In addition, a method for resetting a setting tool (10) is described including the steps of: (i) running the setting tool (10) downhole; (ii) actuating the setting tool (10) and thereby deploying an apparatus (203) downhole; (iii) retrieving the setting tool (10) to surface; and (iv) bleeding off pressure to reset the setting tool (10). |
| US09689215B2 |
Self-adjusting reel assembly apparatus, system and method
The present invention is a computer controlled reel apparatus, system and method of using same that may generally maintain constant tension on a reel umbilical. |
| US09689212B2 |
Method and system for directional drilling and coupling sub
The present invention provides a system and method for directional drilling of a borehole in a formation along a predetermined trajectory. The method comprising the steps of: providing a directional drilling system, comprising a rotatable drill string comprising a first drill string section and a second drill string section; a drill bit connected to a downhole end of the drill string; and a coupling sub comprising a first end connected to the first drill string section; a second end connected to the second drill string section; a hinge member between the first end and the second end allowing hinging of the second end relative to the first end; and locking means, operable between a hinge mode and a locking mode for locking the hinge member to prevent hinging of the second end relative to the first end; operating the directional drilling system with the locking means in the locking mode to drill a substantially straight section of the trajectory; and operating the directional drilling system with the locking means in the hinge mode to drill a curved section of the trajectory. |
| US09689210B2 |
Diamond mining core drill bit and methods of making thereof
A core drill bit includes an elongate hollow cylindrical body having opposite first and second end sections, a plurality of cutting segments with a connecting portion joined to the second end section, a plurality of reinforcing members joined to the second end section between the cutting segments and contacting adjacent cutting segments to offer rotational support thereto, and a plurality of current concentrators disposed on one or both of the second end section and the connecting portion. The cutting segments being capacitive discharge welded to the second end section whereby the surface of the second end section melts during the welding to affix the cutting segments with the tool body. The cutting segments include diamonds dispersed therein with portions having varying diamond concentrations. |
| US09689208B2 |
Method and system for a hole opener
A method and system for a hole opener are provided. The hole opener includes a shaft including a plurality of axial slots formed in an outer periphery and spaced circumferentially about the shaft, a plate coupled to the outer periphery between each pair of slots, the plate including fastening wings that extend radially outwardly from each circumferential end of the plate, and a blade extending radially outwardly from a respective one of the plurality of axial slots between a fastening wing of each of adjacent plates, the blade coupled to each fastening wing. |
| US09689199B1 |
Lift-cord guide for window blind
A lift-cord guide for window blind is disclosed to include a roller holder including a pull cord inlet and a pull cord outlet extending in a perpendicular manner relative to the pull cord inlet, and a first guide roller rotatably mounted in the roller holder at the intersection between the extending direction of the pull cord inlet and the extending direction of the pull cord outlet. The axial direction of the first guide roller obliquely intersects with the extending direction of the pull cord inlet, and defines with the extending direction of the pull cord outlet a contained angle smaller than 90-degrees. Thus, the lift-cord guide of the invention effectively reduces the turning angle of the pull cords, and smoothens the operation to open or close the blind slats. |
| US09689198B2 |
Window conduction heat shielding apparatus
A window conduction heat shielding apparatus capable of shielding heat conducted from the outdoors in the summer season and efficiently conducting heat to the outdoors in the winter season in a window of a computer room, thereby reducing a load of air conditioning is provided. A window conduction heat shielding apparatus 7 that shields heat conducted from an outdoor surface to an indoor surface of a window 3 of a computer room 1 includes: a heat shielding unit 17 that has a heat insulating material 8 formed according to a size of the window 3 and a fixing base 9 provided on an indoor surface of the heat insulating material 8; support bars 10a and 10b provided in both side parts of the fixing base 9; and base guides 16 that are provided in both side parts of a window frame 5 and have guide grooves 12 to 15 to guide the heat shielding unit 17 via the support bar 10a and 10b from a storage part 11 below the window to the indoor surface of the window 3 or from the indoor surface of the window 3 to the storage part 11. |
| US09689186B2 |
Hinge and electronic device
A hinge and an electronic device are provided according to the present application. The hinge includes a spindle, a spindle sleeve arranged with respect to the spindle, and a first material with a variable state arranged between the spindle and the spindle sleeve, and a torsion of the spindle is variable according to the variable state of the first material. The electronic device includes the hinge, a first body and a second body; and the first body and the second body are rotatably connected via the hinge. |
| US09689171B1 |
Staging transport assembly and method
A staging transport assembly comprises a base plate, an L-shaped attachment piece, a fastener to couple the base plate to the L-shaped attachment piece, a support plate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface where the second surface is coupled to the base plate, and at least two wheels coupled to the first surface of the support plate. The base plate comprises a first edge having a first protrusion and a second opposing edge having a second protrusion and further comprises a first surface and a second opposing surface. The L-shaped attachment piece includes a short side comprising a cavity configured to receive the first protrusion of the base plate, a first end terminating in a lip, and a second opposing end coupled with a long side disposed along a portion of the first surface of the base plate when the cavity is mated with the first protrusion. |
| US09689168B1 |
Floor-transition setting systems
A modular system for setting flooring transitions with adequate pressure during setup and curing of adhesive. The floor-transition-setting system includes a plurality of members such as a connector-body, a plurality of extension-bodies, a plurality of leg-members, and a plurality of pressure-feet. The connector-tubular-body being in functional and adjustable combination with each of the plurality of female-push-button-couplers. Each of the plurality of extension-bodies has a male-push-button-adjuster-coupler and an extension-tubular-body. The system may include one or more assemblies and may be configured without the use of tools. |
| US09689166B2 |
Gutter leaf slide bridge
A gutter protecting apparatus includes a plurality of substantially parallel rods extending in a downward slope from near a roof edge to and beyond the far side of the gutter. The rods extend substantially perpendicular to the gutter's length and to a frame to which the rods connect at the upper edge. Preferably, the lower rod ends are spaced above and slightly beyond the far edge of the gutter to allow debris to pass the gutter without catching. Legs can extend down from some rods to the gutter's far edge to provide support. The apparatus can be pivotably mounted to the roof, the fascia or the gutter, permitting access beneath. The apparatus forms a cage-like covering over the gutter to exclude matter and small creatures, while allowing the liquid to flow past. Sunlight bypassing the rods and movement of air through the gutter make the water exiting the downspout cleaner. |
| US09689162B2 |
Insulating wall assembly with framing member supports partially embedded within rigid insulation panels
An insulating wall assembly features a plurality of insulation panels fitted together end-to-end and each having least one slot in a side thereof facing into an interior space of a building. At each slot, a respective set of supports each have an insertion portion engaged in the slot and a fastening portion reaching outwardly from said slot past the first face of the insulation panel. A respective framing member is fastened to each set of supports with a longitudinal dimension of said framing member running along the slot in which said set of supports are engaged. Each framing member has a first leg fastened face-to-face with the fastening portions of the respective set of supports and a second leg facing away from the insulation panels to present a surface for fastening of wall-finishing panels thereto. Holes in the supports accommodate electrical wiring or other lines within the finished wall assembly. |
| US09689159B2 |
Panel for sheathing system and method
The panel includes a water resistant barrier layer secured atop its outward facing surface. The water resistant barrier layer includes a skid resistant surface. The panels are made of lignocellulosic material. The water resistant and skid resistant surface may include indicia for aligning strips of tape or for aligning fasteners. A method for manufacturing the water resistant building panels is also disclosed and includes the steps of feeding paper onto a forming belt, depositing lignocellulosic material and the binding agent onto the forming belt so as to form a lignocellulosic mat, applying heat and pressure so as to impart the skid resistant surface on the paper, and cutting panels to predetermined sizes. |
| US09689155B2 |
Flush water volume regulator, flush water tank apparatus comprising said flush water volume regulator, and flush toilet comprising said flush water tank
A flush water volume regulator is provided, capable of constraining the occurrence of a buoyancy force acting on a water reservoir, whereby flush water in the water reservoir can be circulated with flush water in a flush water tank outside the water reservoir. The flush water volume regulator 38 of the invention has a water reservoir, being a water reservoir 40 disposed inside this flush water tank 16, capable of storing a predetermined amount of flush water, on which an opening 40a through which flush water within water reservoir 40 and flush water outside water reservoir 40 can pass, and an opening-closing valve 42 for opening 40a during the standby state before starting a flush and for blocking opening 40a or reducing the opening surface area of opening 40a when the water level inside flush water tank 16 is dropping after starting a flush. |
| US09689148B2 |
Mixer connection mechanism convenient to be mounted on countertop
A mixer connection mechanism convenient to be mounted on a countertop is provided, which may be provided to be mounted to a countertop of a sink having a mounting hole. The mixer connection mechanism includes a base seat, a locking device, a screw rod assembly, and a position-limiting blocking lever. The screw rod assembly and position-limiting blocking lever are arranged between the base seat and the locking device. When mounted, the screw rod assembly is screwed up by an operation above the countertop of the sink to allow the screw rod assembly to be rotated, whereby rotation of the locking device is limited by the position-limiting blocking lever. Further, the locking device moves towards the countertop of the sink and abuts against a lower surface of the countertop of the sink. Meanwhile, an abutting end at the bottom of the surrounding wall abuts against the countertop of the sink. |
| US09689146B2 |
Reliable connection system and assemblies and methods for using the reliable connections
A securing apparatus including a first and second component. The first component has an opening extending along an axis. The elongated member has a piston hole penetrating the first component and aligned with the opening. A piston is located within the piston hole, and is complimentary shaped to sit within the piston. A pressure member is located within the opening, and an activator is configured to coordinate with and extend into the opening. The activator applies a force to the pressure member and distorts the pressure member. The second component, which compliments and mates with the first component, has an engaging surface that coordinates with an end of the piston. The force applied to the pressure member causes the pressure member to distort and apply pressure to the piston to extend the piston outward to interact with the engaging surface of the second component to restrain the second component. |
| US09689145B1 |
Work vehicle and method for obtaining tilt angle
A hydraulic excavator is provided with a tilt cylinder disposition data creating unit and a bucket information computing unit. The tilt cylinder disposition data creating unit creates tilt cylinder disposition data which indicates that a disposition of a tilt cylinder is either a first disposition in which a bucket is rotated in the clockwise direction due to extension or a second disposition in which the bucket is rotated in the clockwise direction due to contraction, when viewing the bucket from a vehicle body side. The bucket information computing unit obtains a tilt angle of the bucket based on the stroke length on the basis of the tilt cylinder disposition data. |
| US09689144B2 |
Configurable counterweight device and system for a material handling machine
The present invention provides a configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine comprising one or more planar paths, said planar paths containing any one or combinations of straight, curved or angled portions between at least a first and second end, said planar path having transferable counterweights, said planar path or counterweights communicating with a control device and system, said control device and system comprising one or more drive unit and optionally one or more sensors, said counterweights being able to move along any curved, angled or straight portions of said planar path. |
| US09689138B2 |
Loader coupler with removable mount pins
A loader coupler includes left and right spaced-apart inner rib mounts including inner mount pins connected to a body, and left and right inner locking regions aligned with the left and right inner rib mounts. The coupler includes left and right spaced-apart outer rib mounts including outer mount pins connected to the body, and left and right outer locking regions aligned with the left and right outer rib mounts. The coupler includes a lock system including: (i) left and right first lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right inner locking regions, respectively; and, (ii) left and right second lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right outer locking regions, respectively. The left and right outer mount pins and/or the left and right inner mount pins are removable from the body. |
| US09689136B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing helical piles
A method and apparatus for static load-bearing capacity testing of helical piles is provided. |
| US09689131B2 |
Water collecting structure
A water repellent sand layer that is made of water repellent sand and serves as a water shield layer is provided to be slanted between upper and lower soil layers, a water conveying belt portion is provided to include at least one or both of gravel and a culvert that are provided between the water repellent sand layer and the upper soil layer, and a water shield wall is provided at a slant downstream side. Water falling and permeating from a ground surface into the soil layer is blocked by the water repellent sand layer, flows downward in the water conveying belt portion located above the water repellent sand layer to the slant downstream side, and is blocked by the water shield wall at the slant downstream side, so that the collected water is recovered from a drain hole in the culvert that penetrates the water shield wall. |
| US09689129B2 |
Self-activating flood protection barrier
A self-activating flood barrier includes a chamber (1) having first and second side walls (3, 5), a dam member (9) adapted to self-deploy in the event of a flood to inhibit the passage of water to a region to be protected, and a low-friction device (77, 79) positioned between the dam member and at least one of the first and second side walls of the chamber when the dam member is deployed. The low-friction device prevents jamming between the dam member and the at least one side wall. |
| US09689126B2 |
Hand-guided work apparatus and assembly including said hand-guided work apparatus and a support
An assembly includes a handheld work apparatus and a support. The support has a holder worn by an operator and a connector arrangement which is held at a first attachment on the holder and on a second attachment on the work apparatus. The connector arrangement is mounted on the second attachment so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis and supports the work apparatus in a rearward direction in relation to the operator and prevents a rearward movement of the work apparatus. The center of gravity of the work apparatus and the first attachment have a spacing (a) to one another measured in a horizontal and lateral direction in relation to the operator. The holder has, at the first attachment, a bracing device for supporting the tilting moment acting on the first attachment by the weight force (F) of the work apparatus because of the lateral spacing (a). |
| US09689125B1 |
Pet waste collection apparatus
A pet waste collection apparatus includes a mobile housing assembly defining an interior, a pick-up roller disposed within the interior, wherein the pick-up roller is configured to collect solid waste, a plurality of fragmentation rollers disposed within the interior upstream from the pick-up roller, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers is configured to progressively break up the solid waste, and a hopper disposed within the interior, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers transfer the solid waste into the hopper. |
| US09689121B2 |
Piston-type variable speed control device
A piston-type variable-speed control device. The piston-type variable-speed control device comprises a plurality of piston-type speed bump structure apparatuses installed on a road surface, a vehicle speed detection device, a speed controller and an electrical power supply. Each of the piston-type speed bump structure apparatuses comprises a ridge platform. A height by which the ridge platform is raised, a time to raise the ridge platform, and a duration for which the ridge platform is raised are controllable to cause a jolting motion to one or more front wheels, one or more rear wheels, or a single wheel of a speeding vehicle. When the speed of a passing vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed limit, the piston-type speed bump structure apparatuses stay at moderately raised position to cause an obvious yet safe jolting motion to the passing vehicle. |
| US09689119B2 |
Frame width adjustment by steering
A self-propelled construction machine includes machine frame that is laterally extendible to adjust a width of the machine frame. A frame lock can selectively lock and unlock the machine frame to permit the width adjustment. A controller includes a frame extension mode configured to steer at least one ground engaging unit to provide a lateral force to adjust the width of the machine frame as the machine is driven across the ground surface by the ground engaging units. |
| US09689117B2 |
Paving machine
A paving machine that comprises a frame, a driving mechanism coupled to the frame, an asphalt delivery system, a spray assembly coupled to the frame, a pump coupled to the spray assembly, a screed coupled to a back side of the frame and configured to smooth asphalt material applied to the road, and a controller coupled to the driving mechanism. |
| US09689112B2 |
Method for making polyurethane foam floor covering products with postconsumer carpet fibers
Polyurethane floor covering products are formed from a web layer containing at least 30% by weight fibers. A cooled polyurethane foam formulation which includes at least one polyisocyanate, water and at least one polyol having an equivalent weight of at least 500 is applied to the web layer. The wetted web layer is then compressed to mechanically wet out the fibers, gauged and heated to cure the foam formulation. |
| US09689107B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting an error in the measurement of a water level in a washing machine
An apparatus for detecting an error in the measurement of a water level in a washing machine includes a water level sensor measuring a water level in a washing tub; a water supply and drain device supplying water to the washing tub or discharging water from in the washing tub; and a control unit controlling the water supply and drain device to adjust the water level in the washing tub, and detecting a measurement error of the water level sensor based on a water level change measured by the water level sensor while the water level is adjusted. |
| US09689098B2 |
Method for producing spun-bonded nonwoven fabric
The method of producing a spunbond nonwoven fabric promotes the bleed out of the additive, which has pleasant texture such as tactile feel and excellent flexibility. The spunbond nonwoven fabric is obtained by this method. Specifically, (1) the method of producing a spunbond nonwoven fabric includes annealing a spunbond nonwoven fabric formed by using a crystalline resin composition (I) containing a low crystalline olefin polymer (a) with an elastic modulus of 10 to 450 MPa in a content of 1 to 50% by mass, a high crystalline olefin polymer (b) with an elastic modulus of 500 to 2,000 MPa, the content of the component (b) being the rest, and an additive (c) in a content of 1 to 20,000 ppm by mass. Furthermore, (2) the method of producing a spunbond nonwoven fabric includes annealing a spunbond nonwoven fabric formed by using a core-sheath composite fiber containing a crystalline resin composition (I) as the sheath component; and a crystalline resin composition (II) as the core component containing a high crystalline olefin polymer (b′) with an elastic modulus of 500 to 2,000 MPa. |
| US09689097B2 |
Nonwoven composite fabric and panel made therefrom
Tough, durable nonwoven composite fabric panel product and two precursors thereof. |
| US09689094B2 |
Mobile cam device for commanding needles of a needle bed of a knitting machine
A mobile cam device (1) for commanding needles of a needle bed of a knitting machine, the device (1) comprising: at least a body (2) having at least an air inlet (3) destined to be connected to a source of compressed air, at least a first housing seating (4a) for movably housing at least a first actuator (5a) in the body (2), and having at least a first air pathway (6a) defined internally of the body (2) and connecting the at least an air inlet (3) with the first seating (4a) for moving the actuator by means of the compressed air, the device further comprises at least a first command cam (8a) movably mounted and associated to the body (2) and destined to interact with at least a needle of a needle bed of a knitting machine, and at least a first actuator (5a), movably housed at least partially in the first housing seating (4a) in the body (2) and destined to move in a controlled way the first command cam (8a). The device further comprises at least a first solenoid valve (9a) mounted and connected directly to the body (2) of the device and active directly at least on the first air pathway (6a), the first solenoid valve being configured and predisposed to selectively enable or prevent passage of air in the first air pathway (6a) such as to selectively activate the first actuator. |
| US09689092B2 |
Stretch circular knit fabrics with multiple elastic yarns
Articles of knit fabric having a surface side and a base side, and including a set of ground yarns and a layer of effect yarns, wherein the ground yarns and effect yarns are knit through intermesh points in a predetermined arrangement, wherein the effect yarns are alternately arranged with the ground yarns, and wherein the ground yarns contain at least one elastic fiber and optionally at least one hard fiber, and the effect yarns contain at least one hard fiber or at least one elastic fiber are provided. |
| US09689085B2 |
Underpotential deposition-mediated layer-by-layer growth of thin films
A method of depositing contiguous, conformal submonolayer-to-multilayer thin films with atomic-level control is described. The process involves electrochemically exchanging a mediating element on a substrate with a noble metal film by alternatingly sweeping potential in forward and reverse directions for a predetermined number of times in an electrochemical cell. By cycling the applied voltage between the bulk deposition potential for the mediating element and the material to be deposited, repeated desorption/adsorption of the mediating element during each potential cycle can be used to precisely control film growth on a layer-by-layer basis. |
| US09689079B2 |
Composite electrode for electrolytically producing alkaline water, apparatus comprising the same and use of the alkaline water produced
The present invention provides a permanent and cost-effective composite electrode for electrolytically producing alkaline water, comprising an electrode core made of steel, a filler densely packed around the electrode core, said filler capable of creating a mildly aqueous and alkaline environment to motivate formation of a layer of magnetite over a surface of the electrode core, and a housing enclosing the filler, said housing having a pore size selected such that very low permeation of gas and liquid takes place. The invention also provides an apparatus comprising the composite electrode, and the use of the alkaline water produced by the apparatus of the invention. According to the invention, no additional undesired side products, such as toxic chlorine gas and other pollutants, are produced and discharged to the environment. |
| US09689076B2 |
Method of cleaning turbine blades
In a process for cleaning contaminating silicon dioxide SiO2 off of turbine blades, silicon dioxide that is on the turbine blades is reduced selectively in a vacuum process that takes place in dry conditions and at elevated temperature inside a high vacuum furnace, by feeding gas having a reducing action, consisting of hydrogen gas or carbon monoxide, is introduced into the high vacuum furnace. The temperature inside the high vacuum furnace is at least about 1000 degrees Celsius, and the residence time of the turbine blades in the high vacuum furnace is determined with reference to the diminishment of the SiO concentration, as analyzed with a mass spectrometer. The electrically heatable high vacuum furnace is evacuable by means of a vacuum system that consists of a backing pump and a turbomolecular pump with an adjustable throttle valve and a water-cooled baffle. Further, the gas with reducing action is fed into the furnace via a precision high vacuum regulating valve, and it is equipped with a mass spectrometer. |
| US09689075B2 |
Cathodic protection device with joining mechanisms and articulated bars
Embodiments of a cathodic protection device include an anchor bar operably connected to a metallic structure placed in a marine or aquatic environment, a plurality of articulated bars and a joining mechanism. The plurality of articulated bars are connected to one another in a chain-like manner. The joining mechanism is configured to connect the anchor bar to the plurality of articulated bars. |
| US09689072B2 |
Method of depositing thin film
A method of depositing a thin film includes: supplying a first source gas to a reactor during a first time period; supplying a purge gas to the reactor during a second time period; supplying a second source gas to the reactor during a third time period; and supplying the purge gas to the reactor during a fourth time period, wherein the first source gas and the second source gas comprise polymer precursors, and wherein the first source gas and the second source gas are supplied at a temperature that is less than 100° C. or about 100° C. According to the method, uniformity and step coverage of a thin film can be improved by depositing an amorphous carbon layer using polymer precursors according to an Atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. |
| US09689068B2 |
Deposition and patterning using emitted electrons
A method of creating a localized deposition on a sample in a vacuum chamber having an ion source generating a positively-charged beam of ions and a separate source of primary radiation generating a beam of radiation. An ion beam from the ion source is directed toward the sample, and the primary radiation beam is applied to the sample to generate emitted electrons from the sample. The ion beam and the primary radiation beam are positioned so that the paths of at least some of the ions in the ion beam and the paths of at least some of the emitted electrons from the sample substantially overlap in space near the sample surface. The energy of the ions in the ion beam and the electric potential of the sample are adjusted to substantially prevent deposition of ions on the sample. The energy of the ions in the ion beam and the electric potential of the sample are adjusted so that a portion of the ions in the ion beam are neutralized by the emitted electrons from the sample, and such neutralized ions continue in their respective paths to deposit on the sample. |
| US09689065B2 |
Magnetic stack including crystallized segregant induced columnar magnetic recording layer
A stack includes a substrate, a magnetic recording layer having a columnar structure, and an interlayer disposed between the substrate and the magnetic recording layer. The columnar structure includes magnetic grains separated by a crystalline segregant or a combination of crystalline and amorphous segregants. |
| US09689061B2 |
Tool steel alloy with high thermal conductivity
A tool steel, in particular a hot-work steel, has the following composition: 0.26 to 0.55% by weight C; less than 2% by weight Cr; 0 to 10% by weight Mo; 0 to 15% by weight W; wherein the W and Mo contents in total amount to 1.8 to 15% by weight; carbide-forming elements Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta forming a content of from 0 to 3% by weight individually or in total; 0 to 4% by weight V; 0 to 6% by weight Co; 0 to 1.6% by weight Si; 0 to 2% by weight Mn; 0 to 2.99% by weight Ni; 0 to 1% by weight S; remainder: iron and inevitable impurities. The hot-work steel has a significantly higher thermal conductivity than known tool steels. |
| US09689056B2 |
Solvent extraction process
A process for extracting uranium from an acidic uranium, chloride, iron and sulphate containing solution, including the steps: a. contacting the solution with an organic phase containing a trialkylphosphine oxide to form a uranium loaded organic phase; b. scrubbing the uranium loaded organic phase to remove any impurities and form a scrubbed organic phase; c. stripping the scrubbed organic phase with an acidic sulphate solution to produce an aqueous uranium strip solution; and precipitating a uranium product from the aqueous uranium strip solution. |
| US09689053B2 |
Steel rod and high strength steel wire having superior ductility and methods of production of same
The present invention inexpensively provides with high productivity and good yield a steel rod superior in drawability and a steel wire superior in twistability using the same as a material, that is, draws a high strength steel rod superior in ductility where the chemical components contain C: 0.80 to 1.20%, Si: 0.1 to 1.5%, Mn: 0.1 to 1.0%, Al: 0.01% or less, Ti: 0.01% or less, one or both of W: 0.005 to 0.2% and Mo: 0.003 to 0.2%, N: 10 to 30 ppm, B: 4 to 30 ppm (of which, solute B is 3 ppm or more), and O: 10 to 40 ppm, which has a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, has an area percentage of pearlite structures of 97% or more, has a balance of non-pearlite structures, and has a total of the area percentage of the non-pearlite structures and the area percentage of the coarse pearlite structures of 15% or less, to obtain high strength steel wire superior in ductility having a tensile strength of 3600 MPa or more and a number density of voids of lengths of 5 μm or more at the center of 100/mm2 or less. |
| US09689052B2 |
Very thin steel sheet and production method thereof
The present invention provides a very thin steel sheet and production method thereof that, in a very thin steel sheet of 0.4 mm or less thickness, enable production at low addition of special elements, simultaneous achievement of both good workability and anti-aging property, and stable passing of even wide coil in a continuous annealing process, which very thin steel sheet and production method. |
| US09689051B2 |
Hollow seamless pipe for high-strength springs
A hollow seamless pipe for a high-strength spring with reduced occurrence of decarburization in the inner and outer peripheral surfaces, hardened surface layers in the inner and outer peripheral surfaces during quenching, and sufficient fatigue strength is provided. The hollow seamless pipe contains a steel material, which includes 0.2 to 0.7 mass % of C, 0.5 to 3 mass % of Si, 0.1 to 2 mass % of Mn, more than 0 and 0.1 mass % or less of Al, more than 0 and 0.02 mass % or less of P, more than 0 and 0.02 mass % or less of S, and more than 0 and 0.02 mass % or less of N. The C content in the inner and outer peripheral surfaces is 0.10 mass % or more. A thickness of a whole decarburized layer in each of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface is 200 μm or less. |
| US09689048B2 |
Continuous temperature measuring device and RH apparatus including the same
A Ruhrstahl-Heraeus (RH) apparatus for performing a vacuum degassing process of molten metal includes a sensor hole formed at a lower vessel of a vacuum vessel; a continuous temperature measuring device mounted on the sensor hole and including a light-to-temperature converter measuring temperature based on received light, a light guide rod receiving light from a measurement target, an optical fiber transferring the light received by the light guide rod to the light-to-temperature converter, a connector connecting the optical fiber to the light guide rod while maintaining straightness of the optical fiber, a primary protection tube enclosing an outer peripheral surface of the light guide rod, a flexible heat resistant tube protecting the optical fiber, and a joint connected to the flexible heat resistant tube and provided with a cooling gas injection tube; and a cooling gas supply unit supplying cooling gas to the cooling gas injection tube. |
| US09689046B2 |
System and methods for the detection of multiple chemical compounds
Methods that may be used for the electrochemical detection of multiple parameters, including chemical compounds. Further provided are cells that may be used in the electrochemical detection of multiple parameters, including chemical compounds, as well as a kit for the electrochemical detection of multiple parameters, including chemical compounds. |
| US09689045B2 |
Methods and compositions for producing capsicum plants with powdery mildew resistance
The invention relates to pepper plants and lines having resistance to Powdery Mildew, caused by the fungus Leveillula taurica. The invention also relates to parts of pepper plants from lines having Powdery Mildew resistance, including seeds capable of growing pepper plants with Powdery Mildew resistance, and fruit. Methods for the identification, use and breeding of Powdery Mildew resistant pepper plants are also provided. |
| US09689042B2 |
Use of glycolytic pathways for inhibiting or measuring oncogenic signaling
Disclosed are methods in which glucose metabolism is correlated to oncogenesis through certain specific pathways; inhibition of certain enzymes is shown to interfere with oncogenic signaling, and measurement of certain enzyme levels is correlated with patient survival. The present methods comprise measuring level of expression of at least one of the enzymes involved in glucose uptake or metabolism, wherein increased expression of the at least one of the enzymes relative to expression in a normal cell correlates with poor prognosis of disease in a patient. Preferably the genes whose expression level is measured include GLUT3, PFKP, GAPDH, ALDOC, LDHA and GFPT2. Also disclosed are embodiments directed towards downregulating the expression of some genes in glucose uptake and metabolism. |
| US09689039B2 |
Salivary biomarkers for lung cancer detection
Presented herein are biomarkers related to lung cancer. The presently identified salivary biomarkers create the basis for a lung cancer detection bioassay with sensitivity and specificity. Means and methods for evaluating the data generated using multiple biomarkers in order to validate findings and further use of the multiplexed lung cancer assay in clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic uses is also included. |
| US09689035B2 |
3′-OH unblocked, fast photocleavable terminating nucleotides and methods for nucleic acid sequencing
The present invention relates generally to 3′-OH unblocked nucleotides and nucleosides labeled and unlabeled with 5-methoxy-substituted nitrobenzyl-based photocleavable terminating groups for use in methods and systems related to DNA and RNA sequencing and analysis. These compounds may be used as reversible terminators as they exhibit fast nucleotide incorporation kinetics, single-base termination, high nucleotide selectivity, and rapid terminating group cleavage that results in a naturally occurring nucleotide. |
| US09689034B2 |
Targeted sequencing of biomolecules by pulling through a liquid-liquid interface with an atomic force microscope
A mechanism is provided for sequencing a biopolymer. The biopolymer is traversed from a first medium to a second medium. The biopolymer includes bases. As the biopolymer traverses from the first medium to the second medium, different forces are measured corresponding to each of the bases. The bases are distinguished from one another according to the different measured forces which are measured for each of the bases. |
| US09689033B2 |
Compositions and methods for polynucleotide sequencing
Methods and compositions for characterizing a target polynucleotide, including, characterizing the sequence of the target polynucleotide, using the fractional translocation steps of the target polynucleotide's translocation through a pore. |
| US09689032B2 |
Methods and systems for sequencing long nucleic acids
The present invention provides methods and systems for sequencing long nucleic acid fragments. |
| US09689031B2 |
Nicking and extension amplification reaction for the exponential amplification of nucleic acids
The invention is in general directed to the rapid exponential amplification of short DNA or RNA sequences at a constant temperature. |
| US09689026B2 |
Detecting single nucleotide polymorphism using overlapping hydrolysis probes
Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of a SNP in a target nucleic acid in a sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step utilizing a double stranded probe with two overlapping SNP specific hydrolysis probe sequences where one of the probe sequences can include a hairpin structure toward the 3′ end, and a detecting step. Furthermore, the double stranded SNP specific hydrolysis probes along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of a SNP in a target nucleic acid. |
| US09689022B2 |
Method and compositions for the detection of protein glycosylation
The invention provides methods and compositions for the rapid and sensitive detection of post-translationally modified proteins, and particularly of those with posttranslational glycosylations. The methods can be used to detect O-GlcNAc posttranslational modifications on proteins on which such modifications were undetectable using other techniques. In one embodiment, the method exploits the ability of an engine˜red mutant of β-1,4-galactosyltransferase to selectively transfer an unnatural ketone functionality onto O-GlcNAc glycosylated proteins. Once transferred, the ketone moiety serves as a versatile handle for the attachment of biotin, thereby enabling detection of the modified protein. The approach permits the rapid visualization of proteins that are at the limits of detection using traditional methods. Further, the preferred embodiments can be used for detection of certain disease states, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. |
| US09689019B2 |
Biomarker for diagnosing toxicity of nanoparticles and method for evaluating toxicity of nanoparticles using the same
Disclosed is a biomarker composition for diagnosing the toxicity of nanoparticles, which shows a change in expression by exposure to the nanoparticles, the biomarker composition comprising at least one gene selected from the group consisting of aldehyde dehydrogenase, glutamic-pyruvate transaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic acid decarboxylase and glutamate-ammonia ligase, and to a method for evaluating the toxicity of nanoparticles using the same. The biomarker is a gene marker having a high correlation with the toxicity of nanoparticles, and the use of the biomarker can determine whether nanoparticles have toxicity, with high detection sensitivity. Also, the method is useful in monitoring or evaluating the toxicity of nanoparticles by analyzing factors having a high correlation with toxicity of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the method can be effectively used as a tool for studying various diseases caused by exposure to nanoparticles or evaluating the effects of nanoparticles on health. |
| US09689018B2 |
Mixed cell diagnostic systems for detection of respiratory, herpes and enteric viruses
The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents. |
| US09689014B2 |
Use of lysozyme as a tag
The present disclosure provides a method to express and purify polypeptides and proteins. In the present disclosure the use of lysozyme as a fusion partner is disclosed. Furthermore, purification methods to isolate lysozyme-tagged polypeptides and proteins via lysozyme-specific antibodies are described. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a method to express and purify monomeric polypeptides and proteins by using lysozyme as a tag. |
| US09689013B2 |
Method for improving nucleic acid synthesis reaction
Provided are the following: a method, for improving reactivity of a nucleic acid synthesis reaction, comprising a step for adding an ω-amino acid to a reaction solution; a composition, for a nucleic acid synthesis reaction, comprising DNA polymerase, reaction buffer, at least one primer, at least one deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate, and an ω-amino acid; and a reaction buffer, for a nucleic acid synthesis reaction, comprising an ω-amino acid. |
| US09689012B2 |
Method of dual-adapter recombination for efficient concatenation of multiple DNA fragments in shuffled or specified arrangements
The present invention relates to methods of assembling a plurality of genetic units to form synthetic genetic constructs. This method involves appending universal adapter oligonucleotides and flexible adapter oligonucleotides to the 5′ and 3′ ends of separate genetic units to be assembled to form separate dual extended genetic units. The dual extended genetic units are assembled together via homologous recombination between the flexible adapter oligonucleotide portions of the dual extended units to form synthetic genetic constructs. The present invention further relates to synthetic genetic constructs formed using the methods of the present invention, and vectors, cells, and organisms containing such synthetic genetic constructs. |
| US09689011B2 |
Method for the manufacture of bio-products with a modified sugar profile
The invention relates to a method for the production of a solid bio-product wherein at least 80% of the original indigestible oligosaccharide (raffinose, stachyose and verbascose) content has been degraded into digestible mono- and disaccharides, comprising the following steps: 1) providing a mixture of milled or flaked or otherwise disintegrated biomass, comprising oligosaccharides and optionally polysaccharides and further comprising proteinaceous plant parts, water and one or more enzyme preparations containing α-galactosidase(s); 2) reacting the mixture resulting from step (1) under continuous mixing and under conditions where the water content in the initial mixture does not exceed 65% by weight, for 0.15-36 hours at a temperature of about 20-65° C.; 3) incubating the reacted mixture from step (2) at a temperature and in a time period which inactivate said α-galactosidase(s), as well as solid bio-products obtainable by such method. The invention further relates to uses of the bio-product and a food, a feed, a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product or a nutritional supplement containing the solid bio-product. |
| US09689008B2 |
Fermentation method for producing co-enzyme Q10
A fermentation method for producing coenzyme Q10 is provided, including stepwisly culturing of microbial strains capable of producing coenzyme Q10, wherein key promoting factors are added in each stage of culture, and in the stage of culture in a fermentor, dissolved oxygen feedback-fed batch culture technique is adopted to realize the feedback regulation of the production of coenzyme Q10, so as to improve the yield of coenzyme Q10. |
| US09689006B2 |
Microorganisms and methods for the biosynthesis of fumarate, malate, and acrylate
A non-naturally occurring eukaryotic or prokaryotic organism includes one or more gene disruptions occurring in genes encoding enzymes imparting increased fumarate, malate or acrylate production in the organism when the gene disruption reduces an activity of the enzyme. The one or more gene disruptions confers increased production of acrylate onto the organism. Organisms that produce acrylate have an acrylate pathway that at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an acrylate pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce acrylate, the acrylate pathway comprising a decarboxylase. Methods of producing fumarate, malate or acrylate include culturing these organisms. |
| US09688998B2 |
Powdery mildew resistance providing genes in Cucumis melo
The present invention relates to powdery mildew resistance providing genes of the Cucumis family, and especially Cucumis melo, wherein said resistance is provided by impairment of the present genes. Further, the present invention relates plants comprising the present impaired resistance conferring genes and seeds, embryos or other propagation material thereof. Especially, the present invention relates to powdery mildew resistance conferring genes, wherein the amino acid sequence encoded by said resistance conferring gene is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 2, SEQ ID No. 4, SEQ ID No. 6, SEQ ID No. 8, SEQ ID No. 10, SEQ ID No. 12 and SEQ ID No. 14, and amino acid sequences with more than 70% identity, preferably more than 80% identity, more preferably more than 90% identity, and most preferably more than 95% identity. |
| US09688997B2 |
Genetically modified plants with resistance to Xanthomonas and other bacterial plant pathogens
Applicants have successfully generated heritable phenotypes in plants making them resistant to bacterial blight. TAL effector binding elements, (EBEs) of bacterial pathogen disease susceptibility genes are modified to prevent induction of expression associated with disease states caused by the bacterial pathogens. Surprisingly, Applicants have found that modifications may be made in the EBEs of these genes which prevent bacterial pathogen induction, but still allow for normal plant development and seed production. Nucleic acid sequences for generating such plants, amino acid sequences, cells, vectors and expression constructs are included as well as resistant plants, seeds and lines. |
| US09688996B2 |
Use of a maize untranslated region for transgene expression in plants
Provided are methods, vectors and gene constructs for enhancing expression of a recombinant nucleic acid sequence in transgenic plants and plant tissues. According to the present invention, nucleic acid sequences are obtained and/or derived from the 3′ untranslated regions of genes encoding ubiquitin proteins and engineered to flank respective portions of a selected coding region of a vector. The vector construct may be introduced into plants and/or plant tissues through conventional or gene targeting procedures, resulting in enhanced expression of the selected coding region. In some embodiments, the selected coding region is a chimeric gene or gene fragment expressing one or more proteins known to impart a level of insecticidal activity to a transgenic plant and/or plant tissue. |
| US09688995B2 |
Gene encoding enzyme that reduces position 24 of steroid skeleton and plant in which expression level of the gene is lowered
This invention provides a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae that does not produce cholesterols, including glycoalkaloids. This invention concerns a protein having activity of an enzyme that reduces position 24 of the steroid skeleton of a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae, a novel plant in which a gene encoding such protein is suppressed, and a method for producing and testing such plant. |
| US09688993B2 |
Toll-like receptor 9 antagonist and methods of use thereof
The invention provides antagonist of TLR9 and methods of use thereof. These compounds inhibit or suppress TLR9-mediated signaling. The methods may have use in the prevention and treatment of diseases or disorders mediated by TLR9. |
| US09688992B2 |
Inhibitory oligonucleotide and use thereof
The inhibitory oligonucleotides (ODNs) which strongly block NF-κB activation induced by TLR9 agonists and TLR7 agonists are provided. The production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, is inhibited by the inhibitory-ODNs. Interferon production from human PBMC induced by TLR9 agonist is prevented by the inhibitory-ODNs. These ODNs can be used as a remedy for the treatment of immune-mediated disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndromes. |
| US09688988B2 |
Modified TGF-beta oligonucleotide for use in a method of preventing and/or treating an ophthalmic disease
The invention refers to an oligonucleotide consisting of 10 to 20 nucleotides of selected regions of the TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 or TGF-beta3 nucleic acid sequence, which comprises modified nucleotides such as LNA, ENA, polyalkylene oxide-, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methoxy and/or 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotides. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such oligonucleotide, wherein the composition or the oligonucleotide is used in a method for the prevention and/or treatment of glaucoma, posterior capsular opacification, dry eye, Marfan or Loeys-Dietz syndrome, riboblastoma, choroidcarcinoma, macular degeneration, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular endma, or cataract. |
| US09688986B2 |
Methods for treatment of alport syndrome
Provided herein are methods for the treatment of Alport Syndrome, using modified oligonucleotides targeted to miR-21. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide targeted to miR-21 improves kidney function and/or reduces fibrosis in subjects having Alport Syndrome. In certain embodiments, administration of a modified oligonucleotide targeted to miR-21 delays the onset of end-stage renal disease in a subject having Alport Syndrome. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide targeted to miR-21 delays the need for dialysis or kidney transplant in a subject having Alport Syndrome. |
| US09688981B2 |
Mapping of genomic interactions
The present invention relates to genomic analysis. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for mapping genomic interactions. |
| US09688975B2 |
Beta-glucosidase variants and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to beta-glucosidase variants, e.g. beta-glucosidase variants of a parent Family GH3A beta-glucosidase from Aspergillus fumigatus. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the beta-glucosidase variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the beta-glucosidase variants. |
| US09688974B2 |
Aspergillus mutant strain
An Aspergillus mutant strain characterized in that it is an auxotrophic mutant strain of Aspergillus oryzae strain AOK27L. |
| US09688962B2 |
Ultrasound technology to control the spatial organization of cells and proteins in engineered tissues
The present invention is directed to methods of inducing spatial organization of cells an in vitro culture system using ultrasound technology. The invention is further directed to methods of inducing extracellular matrix remodeling and neovessel formation in an in vitro culture system and generating vascularized engineered tissue constructs using ultrasound technology. |
| US09688961B2 |
Process of preparing human multipotent stem cells co-expressing CD34 and CD73
The present invention relates to testis somatic cell-derived pluripotent stem cells, and more particularly, to pluripotent adult stem cells which exhibit a positive immune reaction to both CD34 and CD73 and which are derived from testis somatic cells. The present invention further relates to a method for producing the testis somatic cell-derived pluripotent stem cells, and to a pharmaceutical composition including same for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. |
| US09688958B2 |
Acoustic bioreactor processes
A series of multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves is set up inside a growth volume of a bioreactor. The acoustic standing waves are used to hold a cell culture in place as a nutrient fluid stream flows through the cell culture. The nutrient fluid stream dislodges some cells from the cell culture, which can then be recovered for cell therapy applications. The cell culture continues to expand and reproduce, permitting continuous recovery of cells from the bioreactor. |
| US09688955B2 |
Materials for magnetizing cells and magnetic manipulation
A material comprising positively and negatively charged nanoparticles, wherein one of said nanoparticles contained a magnetically responsive element, are combined with a support molecule, which is a long natural or synthetic molecule or polymer to make a magnetic nanoparticle assembly. When the magnetic nanoparticle assembly is combined with cells, it will magnetize those cells. The magnetized cells can then be washed to remove the magnetic nanoparticle assembly and the magnetized cells manipulated in a magnetic field. |
| US09688953B2 |
Systems and methods of separating and singulating embryos
Separating and singulating embryos employs a spray module configured to spray a plurality of embryos which are loaded on a porous substrate so as to separate and singulate the plurality of embryos, and a drying module configured to dry the plurality of separated and singulated embryos retained on the porous substrate while the porous substrate is moved across the drying module. A robotic arm operates to transfer the porous substrate from module to module, and a control device controls the operation of the system of separating and singulating embryos. |
| US09688951B2 |
Algae growth system
The invention includes a bioreactor system for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture. The present invention further relates to a method for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture. The present invention further relates to a use of a harvester system arranged to collect at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture in a photo bioreactor system. |
| US09688948B2 |
Laundry detergent particles
The present invention provides a coated detergent particle having perpendicular dimensions x, y and z, wherein x is from 0.5 to 2 mm, y is from 2 to 8 mm, and z is from 2 to 8 mm, wherein the particle comprises: (i) from 20 to 39 wt % of a surfactant selected from: anionic and non-ionic surfactants; (ii) from 10 to 40 wt % of an inorganic salt coating selected from: sodium carbonate and/or sodium sulphate of which at least 5 wt % of the inorganic salt is sodium carbonate; and, (iii) from 10 to 40 wt % of calcite having a median particle size average diameter (D50) in the range from 10 to 70 microns, and wherein the inorganic salts are present on the detergent particle as a coating and the surfactant is present in a core with the calcite dispersed through the core. |
| US09688947B2 |
Dispersant copolymers having high compatibility with surfactants
A polymeric dispersant comprising: (a) from 50 to 95 wt % polymerized residues of monomer (A): wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or COOX; R2 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R3 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; and X is hydrogen, sodium, potassium, ammonium or a combination thereof; (b) from 1 to 20 wt % polymerized residues of monomer (B): wherein R4, R5, and R6 are independently hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R7 is C8-C30 alkyl or C8-C30 aralkyl; and (c) from 3 to 30 wt % polymerized residues of monomer (C): wherein R8, R9, and R10 are independently hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R11 and R12 are independently hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl or hydroxymethyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 3. |
| US09688946B2 |
Cleaning composition and method for using the same
A cleaning composition comprises at least one surfactant and at least one colorant. The cleaning composition can have a pH of about 3 or less. The colorant exhibits one of several specified structures at a pH of about 7. A method for cleaning a surface utilizes the cleaning composition. |
| US09688941B2 |
Lubricating oil composition for shock absorber
Provided is a lubricating oil composition for a shock absorber, which realizes excellent riding comfort in low-temperature and high-temperature environments and can suppress worsening of riding comfort with time, which is caused by evaporation and shearing of the lubricating oil. The lubricating oil composition for a shock absorber contains (A) a base oil having a pour point of lower than −40° C. and a kinematic viscosity at 80° C. of from 2.0 to 2.7 mm2/s, (B-1) from 1 to 15% by mass of a polymethacrylate having a weight-average molecular weight of from 10,000 to less than 100,000, and (B-2) from 0.1 to 5% by mass of a polymethacrylate having a weight-average molecular weight of from 100,000 to 200,000. |
| US09688937B2 |
Method for producing a stable boric solution
The invention relates to a method for producing a stable boron solution with lubricating characteristics which is intended to be used preferably as an addition in the form of a concentrate/additive to a liquid, e.g. to a liquid fuel or a lubricant. The invention is achieved by the method steps of using a boron substance of pharmaceutical quality (1, 11), using a liquid as solvent, applying a mixing ratio between the boron substance and the solvent (3, 13) of preferably 1 g of boron per 15-25 liters of liquid, agitating the mixture for an initial predetermined period of time (4, 14), adding further liquid to dilute the solution (6, 15), the quantity of liquid being chosen such that a final user mixture reaches a concentration of between 20 and 30 ppm of boron (8), and further agitating the mixture (7, 16) for a second predetermined period of time so that the boron substance is completely dissolved in the boron solution, resulting in a boron solution which is stable over time. |
| US09688936B2 |
Lube base oil comprising X-type diester acid dimer and method for preparing the same
The present invention relates to a preparation method of a lube base oil including a conversion of biomass fat to a fatty acid; a separation of a C18 unsaturated fatty acid from the fatty acid; a maximization of an oleic acid content through partial hydrotreating of the C18 unsaturated fatty acid; a synthesis of a dimer or higher-order oligomer through an oligomerization of the oleic acid; and an esterification of the oligomer, and relates to a lube base oil prepared therefrom. The lube base oil of the present invention contains an x-type diester dimer and has an excellent low-temperature stability and a high biodegradability resulting from its chemical structure, thus being ecofriendly. |