| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09709422B2 |
Rotation angle and stroke amount detection device
A rotation angle and stroke amount detection device includes a sensor unit, a rotation angle calculation unit, and a stroke amount calculation unit. The sensor unit includes sin and cos sensors which are magnetic sensing elements that detect changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation or linear displacement of a detection target. The sensor unit outputs sin and cos signals based on detection values of the sin and cos sensors. The rotation angle calculation unit calculates a rotation angle of the detection target based on the sin and cos signals output by the sensor unit. The stroke amount calculation unit calculates a stroke amount of the detection target based on the same signals as those used by the rotation angle calculation unit, i.e., the sin and cos signals. Accordingly, the configuration of the sensor unit may be simplified and the physical size of the device may be reduced. |
| US09709413B2 |
Directions based on predicted future travel conditions
A device is configured to receive a request for directions from a user device. The device determines a start time, a start location, and a destination location for the directions. The device determines a route from the start location to the destination location and obtains travel condition information corresponding to the route. The travel condition information indicates a traffic condition or a weather condition. The device predicts a future travel condition along the route based on the travel condition information and the start time. The device generates the directions based on the future travel condition and provides the directions to the user device. |
| US09709412B2 |
Navigation apparatus, vehicle information display apparatus, and vehicle information display system
An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation apparatus, a vehicle information display apparatus, and a vehicle information display system, that enables a travelable range to be recognized even while a user is not riding on an electric vehicle.A vehicle information display system according to the present invention includes a navigation apparatus and a vehicle information display apparatus. The navigation apparatus includes: a storage section mounted on an electric vehicle, for storing map information and a destination; an own vehicle position information acquisition section for obtaining own vehicle position information; a remaining power amount acquisition section for obtaining a remaining power amount; a travel cost calculation section for calculating a power cost based on the map information, the destination, and the own vehicle position information; a travelable range calculation section for calculating a travelable range based on the power cost and the remaining power amount; and a communication section for transmitting vehicle information including the travelable range to the outside. The vehicle information display apparatus includes: a communication section installed outside the electric vehicle, for receiving the vehicle information; and a control section for outputting the vehicle information. |
| US09709409B2 |
Navigation system acquisition and use of cellular coverage map data
A mobile device can obtain wireless network signal strength map data that indicates, for various nearby geographical regions, the wireless network signal strength in each such region. A mobile device can transmit that data to a vehicular navigation system responsible for automatically selecting a high-quality route of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination. The system can take the wireless network signal map data into account when selecting that route. When selecting from among multiple different routes of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination, the system may employ an algorithm that considers wireless network signal strengths along those routes, in addition to the other factors. Consequently, the system can select a longer route having better signal strength over a shorter route having worse signal strength. The system can present the selected route within a set of suggested routes, potentially along with reasons for each route's suggestion. |
| US09709406B2 |
Navigation methods and systems
Lane speed profiles are determined for each of a plurality of individual lanes of a multi-lane road section. The plurality of individual lanes are lanes for a given direction of travel. The lane speed profiles are determined using real-time vehicle probe data. The speed profiles are used to determine a timing for provide an instruction to a user of a navigation apparatus to change lane. The timing may be determined to provide a quickest route through at least a part of the road section, to increase the time available for the user to perform the lane change, or to enable a user to pass an incident affecting a lane most quickly. |
| US09709402B1 |
Concepts for determining the accuracy of map data
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for determining the accuracy of map data. In one embodiment, map data and collected telematics data can be compared. The difference between the map data and the telematics data can be used to determine the accuracy of the map data. |
| US09709398B2 |
Footer square apparatuses
A footer square apparatus may be used to measuring a building foundation and may include a footer square body, a first guide line, a second guide line, a third guide line, a corner marking, and at least one angle marking. The first guide line and second guide line may be perpendicular, and the third guide line may form a 45° angle with the first guide line and second guide line. The at least one angle marking may identify an angle as measured between a line from the corner marking to the angle marking and at least one of the first guide line, the second guide line, and the third guide line. |
| US09709393B2 |
Device for making collinear equidistant marks
The present invention is directed to a marking device that includes a main backplate. At the center of the marking device there may be a central hole, and attached to the backplate, are two extendable arms, each designed with a pin attachment to make marks and/or small holes in the wall material. The extendable arms are attached to the backplate in a manner that the arm pin attachments on each arm are perfectly aligned with the central hole. Using a set of gears or other method, the extendable arms are fitted to the back plate in a manner whereby the extension and/or retraction of one arm causes the other arm to move in an equal, but opposite manner. With this, the holes and/or marks will be equidistant from the central hole/pin hole, and also in-line with the center hole/pin hole and each other. |
| US09709390B2 |
Method and a device for the inspection of surfaces of an examined object
A method and a device for the inspection of surfaces of an examined object includes illuminating a the surface using an illumination unit and capturing an image of the surface using an area image sensor. The captured images are forwarded to an image analysis unit configured to ascertain surface anomalies as defect areas and delimit, if required, the defect areas in a segmentation relative to one another or against the image background, to summarize defect areas belonging together in a regional analysis, to derive characteristic defects from defect areas or defect regions in a feature extraction or both. |
| US09709389B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring the sloshing in the cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas carrier
An apparatus and method for measuring the sloshing in the cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas carrier is provided. The apparatus includes: a plate-shaped floating mat coupler which floats on the surface of the liquefied natural gas contained in the cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas carrier and moves in accordance with the movement of the liquefied natural gas; and an optical sensor measuring acceleration using optical sensor technology to measure acceleration when the floating mat coupler floats by being inserted in one or more positions in the floating mat coupler. The characteristics of the movement occurring in accordance with the sloshing of the liquefied natural gas in the cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas carrier, and the shock and deformation which the inner wall of the cargo tank is subjected to because of such movement, are measured at multiple angles. |
| US09709387B2 |
Image generation device for acquiring distances of objects present in image space
An imaging signal obtained during pattern light projection and an imaging signal during pattern light non-projection are separated from an imaging signal, and the projection angle of a light spot is specified on the basis of an array of light spots in the projection image component. The projected pattern light includes a plurality of cells that accompanies the light spots and that constitutes a discrimination code, and specifies the position of the light spots accompanied by the discrimination code in the projection pattern on the basis of the discrimination code. Distance information to an object to be imaged can be acquired using a low amount of computation. |
| US09709386B1 |
Apparatus and methods for measuring properties in a TSV structure using beam profile reflectometry
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for measuring a characteristics of a through-silicon via (TSV) structure. A beam profile reflectivity (BPR) tool is used to move to a first xy position having a TSV structure. The BPR tool is then used to obtain an optimum focus of at the first xy position by adjusting the z position to a first optimum z position for obtaining measurements at the first xy position. Via the BPR tool, reflectivity measurements for a plurality of angles of incidence are obtained at the first xy position. One or more film thicknesses for the TSV structure are determined based on the reflectivity measurements. A z position can also be recorded and used to determine a height of such TSV structure, as well as one or more adjacent xy positions. |
| US09709385B2 |
Detection device and detection method
The present invention provides a detection device and a detection method. The detection device comprises a light source module, a receiving module, an image generation module and a judgment module, wherein the light source module is configured to emit light towards a film at a predetermined angle, the receiving module is configured to receive interference light formed by first reflected light reflected by an upper surface of the film and second reflected light reflected by a lower surface of the film, the image generation module is configured to generate an interference fringe image according to the interference light, and the judgment module is configured to judge whether thickness of the film is uniform according to the interference fringe image. The detection device can perform high accuracy detection on uniformity of the thickness of a film, thereby facilitating improving display quality of a display panel. |
| US09709375B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating magnetic field map based on floor plan information of building
Provided are a method and an apparatus for creating a magnetic field map that extracts magnetic field information of a building from floor plan information of the building. The magnetic field map of the building may be generated based on the floor plan information and the magnetic field information. |
| US09709374B2 |
Pointer type angle measuring device
The invention discloses a pointer type angle measuring device, comprising a shell consisting of a front cover and a rear cover, windows respectively arranged on the front cover and the rear cover, respectively; a front transparent cover and a rear transparent cover respectively arranged on the windows of the front cover and the rear cover; a pointer, arranged within an inner cavity of the shell inside the front transparent cover and the rear transparent cover; a dial of circular shape, fixed at the outer edge of the windows on the shell. The double-sided readout pointer type angle measuring device with lighting of the invention is convenient to be used in measurement and correction of horizontal and vertical angles of objects when it is inconvenient to be read from single side. |
| US09709369B2 |
Disarming system and method for disarming ammunition cartridges
A dismantling system (5) for separating ammunition cartridges (10) comprising a casing (12), a bullet (11) and powder among its components, the system being characterized in that it comprises an extraction head (53) for extracting the bullet (11) from the casing (12), and retaining elements (52) for retaining the casing (12) in an extraction position while extracting the bullet (11). The invention also comprises a disarming system and a method for separating the components of an ammunition cartridge (10). |
| US09709364B1 |
Firearm target with lock on pattern
A firearm target is specially adapted for the purpose of sighting in a scoped firearm. The scope has a reticle with horizontal and vertical lines forming crosshairs. The target has a cross pattern in contrasting colors with a cross shaped gap. The gap is highly visible and may even be in a reflective color. The gap size is selected to match the crosshair thickness and the targeting distance. Aligning the crosshairs to the gap significantly or completely hides the gap. Misaligning the crosshairs to the gap causes the gap to become more visible because of the gap's highly noticeable and contrasting colors. The target thereby provides a lock-on functionality for a marksman. |
| US09709360B2 |
Marksmanship aid
The present disclosure relates to a device for aiding marksmanship and a method of use thereof. In a particular form the present disclosure relates to a device for teaching the principle of leading a target. According to one aspect, the device comprises a base securable to a firearm, a compensating sight spaced apart from the base to at least a side of the firearm and positionally adjustable with respect to the base, wherein in use, the compensating sight is so positioned with respect to the base that when the firearm is aimed at a moving target via the compensating sight an appropriate amount of lead is applied to the target. |
| US09709359B1 |
Fixed optic for boresight
A significantly simplified sight unit for a mortar is provided consisting of a gauge tool for boresight procedures containing a frame with two legs, each containing a level secured to the frame by a securing bracket. A plurality of C-brackets and screw assemblies stabilize and help further secure the levels to the frame. |
| US09709356B1 |
Multi-axis firearm foregrip
A multi-axis firearm foregrip which is highly adjustable and which enables a firearm to be held or supported in a position which is ergonomic for the user or appropriate for use of the firearm. The foregrip may be rapidly adjusted to a selected one of many different positions as deemed appropriate by the user to enable optimal use of the firearm. The foregrip comprises a mount, a handle and a joint. The mount may be engageable to the firearm, for example to a rail system of the firearm. The handle is adjacent to the mount. The joint engages the handle to the mount and allows for handle movement relative to the mount. In embodiments, the foregrip utilizes a ball-and-socket joint which enables swiveling movement of the handle relative to the mount providing a wide range of handle adjustment before the handle is held at the selected position by the foregrip. |
| US09709349B2 |
Structures for radiative cooling
Various aspects as described herein are directed to a radiative cooling device and method for cooling an object. As consistent with one or more embodiments, a radiative cooling device includes a solar spectrum reflecting structure configured and arranged to suppress light modes, and a thermally-emissive structure configured and arranged to facilitate thermally-generated electromagnetic emissions from the object and in mid-infrared (IR) wavelengths. |
| US09709346B2 |
Centrally threaded plug for heat exchanger tube and removal tool
A tube plug insertable in one end of a heat exchange tube, the tube plug formed as an shaft having a distal part and an opposite proximal part which terminates in a proximal end with an threaded hole extending axially in the proximal end in the distal direction, and a plug removal tool having a proximal handle part and a distal stem part which has external threads that match threads in the threaded hole in the plug's shaft, the stem part being threadedly insertable into the threaded hole in the proximal end of the tube plug, whereby rotation of the stem will urge the tube plug to rotate relative to the heat exchange tube and break free from being lodged in the bore thereof. |
| US09709344B2 |
Heat exchanger
A coolant cooler has a cooling block formed by tubes arranged parallel to one another. The tubes form multiple first flow ducts through which a first fluid can flow. In regions between the tubes multiple second flow ducts are formed through which a second fluid can flow. The coolant cooler includes a first collecting box on which a first fluid inlet is arranged and a second collecting box on which a first fluid outlet is arranged. The first flow ducts are in fluid communication with a first cooling circuit via the first fluid inlet, the first fluid outlet, and the collecting boxes. The first or second collecting box has a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet such that the second fluid inlet, the respective collecting box, and the second fluid outlet are in fluid communication with a second cooling circuit. |
| US09709340B2 |
Fluid heat exchanging apparatus
In a small-sized fluid heat exchanging apparatus that heats or cools a huge amount of gas or liquid, a structure makes fluid having a high flow speed impinge perpendicularly against a wall. A flow passage is divided into a high-speed flow passage and a low-speed flow passage, and the high-speed flow passage and the low-speed flow passage are arranged so as to intersect perpendicularly with each other, according to guidelines for the shape of the flow passage. A flow passage designed according to the guidelines provides highly-efficient heat exchange. |
| US09709335B2 |
Dispatch control method for furnace process
A dispatch control method for a furnace process including the following steps is provided. Before a plurality of lots of wafers is loaded into a furnace, the characteristic variation value of each of the plurality of lots of wafers is calculated. The plurality of lots of wafers is ordered according to the size of the characteristic variation values. The plurality of lots of wafers is placed in the furnace in a descending order of the characteristic variation values corresponding to a plurality of locations in the furnace causing the characteristic variation values to change from smaller to larger. |
| US09709334B2 |
Heat treatment container for vacuum heat treatment apparatus
Provided is a heat treatment container for a vacuum heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment container includes a bottom and a sidewall. An exhaust passage is defined in an upper portion of the sidewall. |
| US09709333B2 |
Multipurpose rack for processing parts through multiple manufacturing processes
A rack for simultaneously processing a plurality of parts includes a frame, a plurality of defined locations on the frame for receiving and holding individual parts for processing and a latching assembly for locking the parts to the frame in the defined locations. The rack further includes a security feature for indicating if the latching assembly is opened after the parts have been loaded and locked into the defined locations on the frame. |
| US09709329B2 |
Surface dryers producing uniform exit velocity profiles, and associated systems and methods
Surface dryers having uniform exit velocity profiles, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. Surface dryers in accordance with certain embodiments include a housing, a gas driver positioned in the housing, an inlet aperture formed in the housing and positioned upstream of the gas driver, and a nozzle carried by the housing and positioned downstream of the gas driver. The nozzle can have an indentation forming a convergent portion positioned to accelerate the flow of air and a divergent portion positioned to decelerate the flow of air. |
| US09709321B2 |
Refrigerator and method of replacing water tank for refrigerator
A refrigerator equipped with a water tank that is easily accessible to a user and a method of using the same. A water dispenser is installed on the front side of a refrigerator. A water tank coupled to the water dispenser is detachably installed on a lower inner inside of a refrigerator door such that a user can conveniently observe the state of the water tank and access the water tank for maintenance and refill. |
| US09709319B2 |
Cooling device comprising a rear wall having an outer surface produced from cellulosic material
The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) having a rear wall (3) having an inner surface (4), an outer surface (5) produced from cellulosic material and an insulation material (6) filled in the volume between the inner surface (4) and the outer surface (5), and wherein the insulation material (6) is prevented from forming deformations on the outer surface (5) during its solidification. |
| US09709318B2 |
Handle assembly for a refrigerator
A handle assembly for mounting to a door of a refrigerator includes a main body member having first and second end portions separated by an intermediate portion. Each of the first and second end portions includes a cavity adapted to receive an end insert formed of soft material. Each of the end inserts includes an attachment member. The handle is mounted to a front face of the door through interengagment of the attachment members and base members provided on the door without scratching the surface of the door. |
| US09709314B2 |
Low-temperature storage device with rotating lock chamber
The storage device comprises a storage chamber for storing objects at e.g. −80° C., a transfer chamber for intermediate object storage at e.g. −20° C. and a transport device arranged between them. The transport device comprises a pivotal and vertically displaceable carriage and is arranged in a rotatable lock chamber. |
| US09709309B2 |
Air conditioning system and control method thereof
An air conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units installed in the same indoor space, an outdoor unit and a control device. The indoor units include respective usage-side heat exchangers capable of setting set temperatures individually. The outdoor unit includes a heat-source-side heat exchanger. The control device performs temperature control using a thermo-ON condition set in advance in accordance with the set temperatures, and relaxes the thermo-ON condition of thermo-OFF indoor units when the indoor units include both those that are thermo-ON and those that are thermo-OFF and a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is that at least one of the plurality of indoor units continues to be thermo-ON for a first elapsed time or longer, and at least one of the plurality of indoor units continues to be thermo-OFF for a second elapsed time or longer. |
| US09709308B2 |
Heat pump device and refrigerant bypass method
An outdoor unit includes a bypass circuit that makes a part of refrigerant that is discharged from a compressor be bypassed to a connecting part at the time of defrosting operation. A control device of the outdoor unit performs control of opening an electromagnetic valve in the bypass circuit based on an water temperature TW (in) in an water inlet and an water temperature TW (out) in an water outlet of an water heat exchanger at the time of the defrosting operation. Further, a control device controls a valve travel of the valve of the third expansion valve in the bypass circuit based on a refrigerant temperature TR (in) in a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant temperature TR (out) in a refrigerant outlet of the water heat exchanger in a case of the electromagnetic valve being in an open state at the time of the defrosting operation. |
| US09709306B2 |
Suction pipe and capillary tube arrangement for a refrigerator
A structure of a suction pipe provided with a capillary tube having a spiral shape being inserted into an inside thereof, capable of easily fixing the capillary tube to the suction pipe, and a refrigerator having the same, the refrigerator including a suction pipe, and a capillary tube having a spiral portion being inserted into the inside the suction pipe, the suction pipe including a first wall making contact with the spiral portion, a second wall making contact with the spiral portion while facing the first wall, and a connecting wall configured to connect the first wall to the second wall while being spaced apart from the spiral portion. |
| US09709298B2 |
Indoor air-conditioner unit with air deflector
An indoor air-conditioner unit comprises an air duct, an air outlet connected with the air duct, and an air deflector guiding directions of air flow from the air-conditioner. A volute tongue is provided in the air duct and near an outer end of the air outlet. Wherein, the indoor air-conditioner unit further comprises a central support mechanism, which is elastically arranged between the central part of the back of the air deflector and the volute tongue, thus a complete seal of the air outlet can be achieved when the air deflector is closed, i.e., there are no gaps in the air outlet. |
| US09709292B2 |
System and method for using a mobile electronic device to optimize an energy management system
Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one mobile electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces. |
| US09709290B2 |
Control unit with automatic setback capability
Methods for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure such as a dwelling are described that include an “auto-away” and/or “auto-arrival” feature for detecting unexpected absences which provide opportunities for significant energy savings through automatic adjustment of the setpoint temperature. According to some preferred embodiments, when no occupancy has been detected for a minimum time interval, an “auto-away” feature triggers a changes of the state of the enclosure, and the actual operating setpoint temperature is changed to a predetermined energy-saving away-state temperature, regardless of the setpoint temperature indicated by the normal thermostat schedule. The purpose of the “auto away” feature is to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling when there are no occupants present to actually experience or enjoy the comfort settings of the schedule, thereby saving energy. |
| US09709288B2 |
Air-conditioning system
An air-conditioning system includes: an air-conditioning apparatus in which indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit; a conveying fan; and control means for controlling the air-conditioning apparatus and the conveying fan on the basis of a target evaporating temperature. The control means resets an upper limit of the target evaporating temperature when: a control determination temperature difference which is a difference between a set temperature and a temperature of an air-conditioned space is within a predetermined range; a humidity of the air-conditioned space is equal to or lower than a predetermined value; and a thermo-ON indoor unit and a thermo-OFF indoor unit are present together in the same air-conditioned space. |
| US09709279B2 |
System and method for control of combustion dynamics in combustion system
A system includes a gas turbine engine that includes a first combustor and a second combustor. The first combustor includes a first oxidant flow path and a first perforated structure comprising a first plurality of oxidant ports, wherein the first perforated structure is disposed in the first oxidant flow path. The second combustor includes a second oxidant flow path and a second perforated structure comprising a second plurality of oxidant ports. The second perforated structure is disposed in the second oxidant flow path and the first perforated structure has at least one difference relative to the second perforated structure. |
| US09709277B2 |
Fuel plenum premixing tube with surface treatment
The present application provides a micro-mixer fuel plenum for mixing a flow of fuel and a flow of air in a combustor. The micro-mixing fuel plenum may include an outer barrel and a number of mixing tubes positioned within the outer barrel. The mixing tubes may include one or more heat transfer features thereon. |
| US09709274B2 |
Auxetic structure with stress-relief features
A material which exhibits auxetic characteristics and control of thermal expansion characteristics while experiencing significant stress reduction is disclosed. The material has a repeating pattern of void structures along both lateral symmetry lines and longitudinal symmetry lines. |
| US09709273B2 |
Portable charcoal starting grill
Portable Charcoal Starting Grill (FIG. 4) has a built in replaceable/interchangeable heating element in the grate (FIG. 3) that is used to start the charcoal briquettes. Electric current to power the electric heating element (FIG. 2) comes from an interchangeable/rechargeable battery (FIG. 5) that is built on the side railing 12 of the grill (FIG. 4). Predetermined configuration of the heating element will start the charcoal briquettes on fire in a more uniform evenly manner. |
| US09709267B2 |
Safety device for catalytic converter
Safety devices prevent packaged catalytic converters from being expelled from stacks, or at least reduce the velocity with which such a package may be expelled, in case of an explosion in a bio-fueled appliance, such as a wood-burning stove. |
| US09709265B2 |
Porous metal foam burner
A gas burner including a gas distribution element and a metal foam matrix burner covering the distribution element. A heat sink partially surrounds, and is spaced apart from, the metal foam matrix. The heat sink has an open end to vent exhaust emissions. The gas burner provides reduced nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide emissions and effective heat transfer modes (conduction, convection and radiation) compared to state-of-the-art burner technologies. |
| US09709258B2 |
Modular lighting system and method employing loosely constrained magnetic structures
A lighting system including modules containing LEDs or other electroluminescent devices and loosely constrained magnetic structures at least partially contained within cavities in the module substrate that are connected to fixtures under magnetic force. The loosely constrained magnetic structures accommodate mechanical variations in the system and provide a method to connect modules mechanically, electrically and thermally to different fixtures or positions in fixtures without tools. The relatively short distance separating magnetic structures provides high connection forces with the use of relatively small magnets. Magnets and electrical contacts are not located directly between the LED subassembly and the fixture, which provides higher thermal conductivity pathways to remove heat from the LEDs. Biasing members may be used to increase thermal contact. Magnetic structures may, but are not required, to conduct electricity. Fixtures that attach to modules include rails, sockets, heat sinks and two-dimensional structures with recessed electrodes for improved electrical safety. |
| US09709257B2 |
Recessed light apparatus
A recessed light apparatus for being installed at a ceiling includes a light source unit, a heat sink for dissipating heat generated from the light source unit, and a thermal insulating member coupled between the heat sink and the light source unit to define an upper space above the heat insulating member and a bottom space below the thermal insulating member. In case of fire, the heat insulating member prevents flame or fire spreading from the bottom space to the upper space. |
| US09709255B2 |
Smart home-care security device
A smart home-care security device includes a security device that includes a master control board and installed for home use. The master control board is electrically connected with an image-taking module that recognizes a target body, a communication module connectable with multiple electrical appliances, and a detection module, and a reminder module for indicating and reminding. The detection module includes: a microwave measurement module using microwave to detect blood pressure data of the target body; a biological recognition module using microwave to detect a physiological signal of the target body; and a water quality measurement module installed in home water supply facility to inspect and wirelessly transmit water quality. The security device uses the detection module to conduct remote monitoring of the target body in order to establish detailed data of the target body and allow the communication module to provide voice control and wireless connection with the electrical appliances. |
| US09709254B2 |
LED track lighting
A light member includes a housing having a top side and a bottom side. The top side faces away from a space to be lit, and the bottom side faces the space to be lit. A lighting control region is disposed on the bottom side of the housing that illuminates the space and has a first control channel, a second control channel, and a neutral channel. A first light-emitting module is electrically connected to the first control channel and the neutral channel and a second light-emitting module is electrically connected to the second control channel and the neutral channel. A switch assembly is coupled to the housing and is operable to selectively deliver power to the first control channel and the second control channel. |
| US09709253B2 |
Light emitting diode recessed light fixture
A recessed light fixture includes an LED module, which includes a single LED package that is configured to generate all light emitted by the recessed light fixture. For example, the LED package can include multiple LEDs mounted to a common substrate. The LED package can be coupled to a heat sink for dissipating heat from the LEDs. The heat sink can include a core member from which fins extend. Each fin can include one or more straight and/or curved portions. A reflector housing may be coupled to the heat sink and configured to receive a reflector. The reflector can have any geometry, such as a bell-shaped geometry including two radii of curvature that join together at an inflection point. An optic coupler can be coupled to the reflector housing and configured to cover electrical connections at the substrate and to guide light emitted by the LED package. |
| US09709245B2 |
Artificial illumination device
An artificial illumination device for generating natural light similar to that from the sun and the sky includes a direct-light source; and a diffused-light generator, wherein the direct-light source includes a first light-emitting device configured to emit a primary light, and a first emitting surface positioned downstream the first light-emitting device, wherein the diffused-light generator is at least partially light-transparent and is positioned downstream of the first light-emitting device and includes a second emitting surface and is configured to cause diffused light at the second emitting surface. Both co-operate to form outer light at an outer emitting surface which includes a first light component which propagates along directions contained within the narrow peak and a second light component which propagates along directions spaced apart from the narrow peak, and wherein the first light component has a CCT which is lower than a CCT of the second light component. |
| US09709240B2 |
Lamp
A lamp includes a frame, a light source, a light guide unit and a decorative unit. The light source is disposed on the frame. The light guide unit has a light-incident surface and a light-emitting surface. The light-incident surface faces towards the light source, and light emitted from the light source enters the light guide unit from the light-incident surface and is emitted out from the light-emitting surface to form a light plane. The decorative unit is detachably disposed on a position different from the light plane. |
| US09709237B2 |
Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp comprises a reflector, a semiconductor light source, and a projection lens. The lens axis of the projection lens shifts upward relative to the center of a light emission surface. A reflection surface rotates upward about the center or near the center of the light emission surface. The light emission surface rotates upward to face the reflection surface about the center or near the center of the light emission surface. The rotation angle of the light emission surface is greater than the rotation angle of the reflection surface. |
| US09709233B2 |
Modular vehicle light device
A vehicle light device comprising an element made up of a plurality of portions each having a functional surface, at least two consecutive portions being linked together by an articulation. The main feature of a light device according to the invention is that each articulation allows the displacement of the two consecutive portions until their functional surfaces come into continuity with one another. |
| US09709232B2 |
Pixel mirror-type reflection mirror for natural lighting device
A pixel mirror-type reflection mirror for a natural lighting device is provided. A pixel mirror-type reflection mirror for a natural lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a natural lighting device to reflect introduced light to an irradiation area, and comprises: a support plate having a predetermined area; a plurality of reflection units provided as plate-shaped planar mirrors having a predetermined area and arranged on a surface of the support plate to be adjacent to each other, and at least one fastening member for fixing the plurality of reflection units to one side of the support plate, respectively, wherein the initial setting angle of the plurality of refection units is individually adjusted through the fastening member, and the plurality of reflection units expand and transfer sunlight areas using diffusion characteristics of sunlight. |
| US09709224B2 |
Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus includes a tube type light-transmissive cover, and light emitting module having a substrate provided in one region of an inner circumferential surface of the cover and a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on the substrate. A reflector extends in a longitudinal direction of the cover and includes a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an edge positioned between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface. One end of the first reflective surface and one end of the second reflective surface are connected to the inner circumferential surface of the cover. |
| US09709223B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a light emitting element, a first resin member and a second resin member. The substrate includes a base member, a plurality of wiring portions disposed on a surface of the base member, and a covering layer covering the wiring portions with an opening formed in a part of the covering layer. The light emitting element is arranged on the substrate in the opening of the covering layer and having an upper surface at a position higher than the covering layer. The first resin member is arranged at least in the opening of the covering layer and at periphery of the light emitting element. The second resin member seals the substrate and the light emitting element. The second resin member is disposed in contact with the first resin member. |
| US09709222B2 |
Lamp and lighting fixture
The present invention relates lamp (10), comprising: a carrier (12); a series (28a) of solid state light sources (30) mounted on the carrier; and a cover member (32a) covering the series of solid state light sources, wherein openings (40) are provided in the carrier between the solid state light sources of said series of solid state light sources, such that light emitted from the series of solid state light sources and reflected back towards the carrier by the cover member is allowed to pass the carrier through the openings. The present invention also relates to a lighting fixture comprising at least one such lamp. |
| US09709221B2 |
LED-based light bulb device
An LED light bulb device including a bulb body, a flex circuit leg, an LED, conversion circuitry and a cap. |
| US09709220B2 |
Method for constructing universal LED bulb and snap ring lens type LED bulb and LED lamp
The present invention provides a method for constructing a universal LED bulb (102), a snap ring lens type LED bulb (102) and a lamp. The constructing method includes: supporting an optical engine core member of the LED bulb using a lens snap ring (8) as the supporting main body, using a light distribution optical lens (7) as an auxiliary supporting structure, and further using the light distribution optical lens (7) as an installation base of the optical engine core member, or using the light distribution optical lens (7) as an installation base of an LED bulb radiator (103) in cooperation with an inner snap ring (81), wherein an installation flange is provided to the lens snap ring (8) for installing the LED bulb (102). The LED bulb (102) may be provided with the radiator (103) to independently work and may also be installed on the radiator (103) of the lamp. |
| US09709218B1 |
Computer suction mounting base assembly
A computer suction mounting base assembly having a suction cup assembly, a base assembly, a disk assembly, and a mount assembly with a housing assembly. The housing assembly houses a magnet. Protruding upwardly from the disk assembly is an actuating sidewall defining an actuating pin locking edge, an actuating transitioning edge, and an actuating pin release edge. The mount assembly is rotated in a first predetermined direction to create a vacuum between the suction cup assembly and a surface the suction cup assembly is biased against. The housing assembly comprises at least one aperture. The magnet is larger than the at least one aperture. The magnet partially protrudes through the at least one aperture and adheres onto a magnetic material of a computer and/or computer cover when the computer and/or computer cover is mounted onto the housing assembly. |
| US09709217B2 |
X-tra arm item holder
An assistive device for holding an object having a mounting clamp for securing the device to a surface, an arm attached to the mounting clamp by means of a first rotatable and lockable joint, a fist arm attached to the first rotatable and lockable joint, a second rotatable and lockable joint, a second arm attached to the second rotatable and lockable joint, an integrated clamp holder mounted to the second am by means of a third rotatable and lockable joint. |
| US09709213B2 |
Holder for smart device
A holder for a smart device has a skeleton made from a bendable metal wire, the skeleton including at least one upper leg extending upwardly, two arms extending outwardly, and two lower legs extending in a forward direction that is generally perpendicular to the orientation of the at least one upper leg and the two arms. Each upper leg has an extremity that is bent to form a hook-shaped retention section, each arm has a hand that is also bent to form retention sections, and each of the lower legs has feet that are bent to form retention sections. The lower edge of the smart device rests adjacent the retention sections formed by the feet, the upper edge of the smart device rests adjacent the retention sections defined by the extremities of the upper legs, and the side edges of the smart device rest adjacent the retention sections defined by the hands. |
| US09709212B2 |
Extendable/retractable support column
An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections. The linked sections include a plurality of individual sections linked end to end. As the linked sections are extended, each of the individual sections of the linked chains engage individual sections of adjacent linked chains to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual sections of the linked chains disengage from the individual section of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up for compact storage. |
| US09709211B1 |
Mounting system to display an object and method of use
A support system includes a stand having a first vertical member and a second adjacent vertical member; a first horizontal member and a second adjacent horizontal member; a first pole and a second pole extending from the second horizontal member; a first leg and a second leg extending from the first vertical member and the second vertical member; a first hook and a second hook extending from the second horizontal member; a sign removably attached to the first hook and the second hook; and an object, having a body; a first locking member configured to extend within the body and configured to engage with the first pole; and a second locking member configured to extend within the body and configured to engage with the second pole. |
| US09709210B2 |
Support device, display device
A support device (01) comprises a base (10) and at least one support member (20) disposed on an upper surface of the base (10), the support member (20) each at least comprises a support portion (210) contacting a back shell to be supported. The support portion (210) comprises: a contact surface (211) facing the back shell; the contact surface (211) comprising a first subarea (211a) parallel with a plane where the back shell is located and a second subarea (211b) which intersects a side, away from the upper surface, of the first subarea (211a), and the second subarea (211b) being angled in a direction away from the plane where the back shell is located; and a first retainer portion (212) disposed at a position where the first subarea (211a) intersects the second subarea (211b), and a second retainer portion (213) disposed at the second subarea (211b). The support device (01) may reduce the forward/downward inner stress of the back shell per se and improve the stability and strength of the overall structure of the back shell. |
| US09709209B2 |
Load support mechanism
To achieve a mechanism that supports an article at a desired position in a displaceable manner in accordance with a weight of the article with a simple, small, and lightweight structure.An article supporting device 1 includes a base member 2, a supporting member 3, a spring member 4 which is a compression coil spring, a spring force transmission member 5, a cam member 6, and a cam follower member 7. The cam follower member is pressed against a downward-facing cam surface 15 of the support member, an upward-facing cam surface 18 of the spring force transmission member, and a sideward-facing cam surface 22 of the cam member by a load of an article and a spring force of the spring member. The downward-facing cam surface and upward-facing cam surface are inclined in reverse directions to each other and disposed opposite to each other with the cam follower member interposed therebetween. A pressing force of the sideward-facing cam surface against the cam follower member includes a vertical direction component depending on a height position of the supporting member. The downward-facing cam surface, upward-facing cam surface, and sideward-facing cam surface are designed such that, in a moving range of the support member, the load, spring force, and pressing forces of the respective cam surfaces against the cam follower member are in equilibrium about the cam follower member. |
| US09709205B2 |
Press seal having a press body
The invention relates to a press body (1), adapted for a press seal having an elastomer body (91) for contacting a conduit sealingly, said press body (1) and a tensioning bolt (212) for tensioning said press body (1), wherein said press body (1) can be pressed onto said elastomer body (91) by tensioning said tensioning bolt (212) in such a way that said elastomer body contacts said conduit sealingly, and wherein further said press body (1) comprises a read out member at which a force transmitted to said elastomer body (1) during said tensioning of said tensioning bolt (212) can be read out. |
| US09709203B2 |
Color changer module and color changer
Exemplary embodiments relate to a color changer module including an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a duct channel arranged between them to form a fluidic connection, and a first valve for interrupting the duct channel. A docking valve, lies fluidically in series with the first valve and with which the duct channel can also be interrupted. |
| US09709198B1 |
Clamped connector systems for use with piping assemblies
A clamp connector system for use with a plurality of flanged connections is provided. Each of the flanged connections includes a first hub, a first flange, a second hub, and a second flange. The system includes a first clamp connector sized to circumferentially couple about the first and second flanges of a first of the flanged connections, and a second clamp connector sized to circumferentially couple about the first and second flanges of a second of the flanged connections. The system further includes an interference feature defined on at least one of the first flanged connection and the second clamp connector. The interference feature is oriented to prevent the first flange of the first flanged connection from coupling to the second flange of the second flanged connection. |
| US09709193B2 |
Pliable air ducts with anti-condensation nozzles
Pliable air ducts with anti-condensation nozzles are disclosed. An example system includes a tubular duct comprising a pliable wall dividing an interior of the tubular duct from an exterior of the tubular duct. The system includes an outlet member to be attached to the pliable wall. The outlet member defines a main air passageway with a first flow resistance therethrough and places the interior of the tubular duct in fluid communication with the exterior of the tubular duct. The system includes a secondary air passageway with a second flow resistance therethrough. The secondary air passageway is defined by at least one of the outlet member or the pliable wall and extends from the interior of the tubular duct to the exterior of the tubular duct to define an airflow path proximate the outlet member. The second flow resistance is significantly greater than the first flow resistance. |
| US09709192B1 |
Strap for suspending wires that is reconfigurable for various attachment systems
A strap assembly which may be attached to an overhead hangar is molded with three components used for suspending wires or pipes from an overhead structure such that the three components may be sold and shipped as a single unit, then singulated by the user to use separately. One component is a strap for forming a saddle to hold wires, pipes, and the like; a second component is a dual-function fastener which may be used to permanently attach the strap to a connector, such as a multifunction clip and temporarily fasten the other end of the strap to itself; a third component is a protective tip which may be pushed onto the end of the hangar. The dual-function fastener may be used alone for other purposes. |
| US09709186B2 |
Modular actuator unit for a fuel injection valve
An actuator unit for a fuel injection valve of a vehicle internal combustion engine. The actuator unit includes an electronic component formed as a stack. The component includes a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of material layers which are arranged alternately and react to the application of an electric field. The component also has two outer electrodes electrically connected to respective electrode layers on at least one circumferential side of the component. Additionally, the actuator unit has a piezoelectric sensor coupled to the component in a force-fitting manner, in the stroke direction of the component. When the component is in operation, the sensor detects a force generated by the component, as a voltage or charge between two electrodes arranged on opposing end faces, of a sensor element. The electrodes are deposited from an electrically conductive material directly onto at least the end faces of the sensor element. |
| US09709183B2 |
Inflation valve allowing for rapid inflation and deflation of an inflatable object
Disclosed is an inflation valve enabling a user to quickly inflate and deflate an inflatable object. The inflation valve can include an inflation chamber that is an adequate size to capture a breath of air blown by a user from a distance away from an outside opening of the inflation chamber. This allows surrounding air into the area of low pressure created by the moving air, thereby greatly increasing the amount of air entering the inflatable object. To prevent air from escaping the inflatable object, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and/or an invertible one-way valve. Each valve can prevent air from escaping the inflation chamber until adequate pressure is applied from the outside opening of the inflation chamber, for example, as a result of a user blowing air into the inflation chamber. The invertible one-way valve can be inverted to reverse the properties of the valve. |
| US09709179B2 |
Device for controlling fluid flows in lab-on-a-chip systems
An array of valves are arranged in n columns and m lines and which are each designed to control a fluid flow in an associated flow channel in a lab-on-a-chip system. The array includes at least two valves, every column having not more than one valve and every line having from zero to n valves. A device is used for actuating the valves. The valves are pressure-actuated. To produce the device, the flow channels are arranged in accordance with the arrangement of the valves. Which valves are actuated being changeable by movement of projections relative to array of valves so as to change which valves the projections are pressed against. |
| US09709177B2 |
Two-position, two-stage servo valve
A two-position, two-stage servo valve includes a valve body, a valve element, a control pressure chamber, and a control element. The valve body has an inner surface that defines a valve element chamber that includes a first control chamber and a second control chamber. The first control chamber is larger than the second control chamber. The valve element has first and second ends and is disposed within the valve element chamber and is movable between a first valve position and a second valve position. The first end is larger than the second end and is disposed within the first control chamber, and the second end is disposed within the second control chamber. The control pressure chamber includes a control pressure port that is in continuous fluid communication with the first control chamber. The control element is movable between a first control position and a second control position. |
| US09709175B2 |
Valve having reduced operating force and enhanced throttling capability
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a flow control valve element, which may comprise a generally spherical shape. An inlet and outlet are formed in the element, with a fluid passage disposed between. The respective inlet and outlet are defined by a lip, and at least the outlet has a lip face comprising a width less than that of an adjacent element wall thickness. The element can comprise a pair of opposing flats formed in the wall, where the flats respectively comprise an external flat portion of the element wall and an opposing internal flat portion of the element wall. |
| US09709174B2 |
Sealing device
A sealing device is provided with a floating ring between an outer periphery of a rotating shaft and an inner periphery of a casing and is characterized by including a plurality of inversely directed dynamic pressure generation grooves for creating an action whereby a sealed fluid attempting to leak out is pushed back. The plurality of inversely directed dynamic pressure generation grooves are provided in a circumferential direction to the inner peripheral surface of the floating ring, and thereby the amount of leaking of the sealed fluid is reduced and the center of the floating ring and the center of the rotating shaft are matched together. |
| US09709173B2 |
Sealing assembly
A radial-shaft sealing assembly includes a sealing lip disposed on a support ring. A cylindrical portion of the sealing lip that abuts on a rotatable shaft contains an elastomeric material and has a profiling for pumping oil or lubricant back to an oil side of the sealing assembly. The profiling includes first and second annular ridges disposed in parallel, and first and second groups of radially-projecting pumping elements disposed therebetween and distributed around the circumference of the cylindrical portion. Each pumping element extending at an angle (α) to the circumferential direction (U) of the cylindrical portion, but the first group of pumping elements has an opposite orientation to the second group of pumping elements. |
| US09709171B2 |
Sealing reducing washer
A sealing reducing washer is formed from a metallic reducing washer having a front surface, a rear surface, an outer periphery, and an inner periphery with a pliable rim secured over the outer periphery of the metallic reducing washer, a portion of the rim circumferentially depending below the rear surface of the metallic reducing washer adjacent the outer periphery of the metallic reducing washer so as to form a weathertight seal against a surface of an electrical enclosure when the sealing reducing washer is secured to the enclosure, and a pliable toroid circumferentially positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the metallic reducing washer and extending circumferentially above the front surface of the metallic reducing washer in the region adjacent the inner periphery of the metallic reducing washer, the toroid dimensioned to form a weathertight seal with an electrical conduit or raceway. |
| US09709167B2 |
Shift control method and system for hybrid vehicle
A shift control method and system for a hybrid vehicle are provided to increase the recovery rate of regenerative energy, improve the fuel efficiency, and minimize the loss of the fuel efficiency upon reaccelerating after braking. The method include: acquiring in real-time information regarding a transmission input speed during driving and sensing a brake pedal operation. In addition, whether a road driving situation or a driver tendency corresponds to a skip shift allowable condition is detected when the brake pedal operation is sensed. A target shift stage to which a skip shift of two or more stages is performed is selected from a current shift stage based on the transmission input speed in real-time, when the road driving situation or the driver tendency corresponds to the skip shift allowable condition. Then a transmission is operated to shift to the selected target shift stage. |
| US09709162B2 |
Hydraulic control device of automatic transmission
A hydraulic control device of an automatic transmission configured such that: a first gear stage is formed by engagement of an LR brake and a low clutch; a third gear stage by engagement of the low clutch and an R35 brake; and a reverse gear stage by engagement of the LR brake and the R35 brake. The hydraulic control device includes a cut valve configured to be switched between a first state where a source pressure port of a third linear solenoid valve (SV) configured to control an oil pressure supplied to the R35 brake is connected to an oil pressure source and a second state where the pressure is discharged from the port. The cut valve becomes the second state when the third gear stage is shifted to the first gear stage, and the oil pressure supplied to the low clutch is less than a predetermined oil pressure. |
| US09709160B2 |
Hydraulic system for a dual-clutch transmission
A dual-clutch transmission includes a hydraulic system for actuating hydraulic cylinders of the clutches and the shifting elements. The hydraulic system has a pressure accumulator providing an accumulated pressure in the hydraulic system, and control valves actuatable by a control unit and respectively arranged in pressure lines routed to the hydraulic cylinders of the clutches to adjust the hydraulic pressure applied to the clutches. Pressure sensors associated with the control unit detect the hydraulic pressure. The control unit activates a pressure reduction mode when detecting a long vehicle downtime, and the accumulated pressure can be reduced in the pressure reduction mode, in which the control unit continuously opens the control valve associated with one clutch. Additionally, the pressure sensor associated with the first clutch together with the control unit is integrated into a control circuit in which the first pressure sensor assumes the detection of the actual accumulated pressure value. |
| US09709159B2 |
Method for controlling the transfer of torque of a force-fitting shift element
A method for controlling torque transfer of a force-fitting shift element includes controlling a closing pressure at least temporarily upon presence of a closing request for the force-fitting shift element and when a prevailing system pressure of the hydraulic circuit is above a threshold value for the system pressure. The closing pressure is controlled in a manner that is different than upon the presence of the closing request for the force-fitting shift element and when the prevailing system pressure is below the threshold value for the system pressure. |
| US09709158B2 |
Anti-backlash gear control device
An anti-backlash gear control device is disclosed that includes a first bias module operable to generate a first bias to be applied to a first motor operable with a first gear, and a second bias module operable to generate a second bias, opposite the first bias, to be applied to a second motor operable with a second gear. The first gear and the second gear are operably connected to a load gear, such that rotation of at least one of the first gear and the second gear causes the load gear to move. Additionally, a command module can receive a drive command and output at least one of first and second command signals based on the drive command to be summed with the first and second biases, respectively, to generate first and second drive signals to operate the first and second motors to drive the first and second gears, respectively. |
| US09709152B2 |
Joined multiple cam comprising individual prefabricated cams
A joined prefabricated individual cam includes multiple cams for an adjustable camshaft in particular for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The camshaft has two shafts mounted concentrically one inside the other, namely an inner shaft and an outer shaft. The joined multiple cam is fixedly pinned to the inner shaft via radial openings provided in the outer shaft with a rotatable bearing on the outer shaft. Such a multiple cam has at least one prefabricated individual cam which is placed as a cam ring on the outside circumference of a carrier pipe at an axial distance from the neighboring individual cams and is fixedly connected to this carrier pipe at a predetermined angle of rotation and axial distance assignment. |
| US09709151B2 |
Wave generator and strain wave gearing
A wave generator of a strain wave gearing has a plug, a wave generator bearing mounted to an outer peripheral surface of the plug, an input shaft protruding from the center of the plug to a first side running along a center axis, and a bearing arrangement on which a support bearing supporting the input shaft is arranged. Relative to an outer ring end surface of the wave generator bearing that faces the first side, a center-side plug end surface of a plug end surface facing the same direction is in a position withdrawn from the first side toward the opposite direction. The bearing arrangement is provided between the center-side plug end surface and the outer ring end surface encircling the input shaft. The input shaft can be fitted within the width dimension of the wave generator, and a strain wave gearing having a short axial length can be achieved. |
| US09709150B2 |
Differential having piston housing integrated with differential case
A differential gear includes a differential casing having a first differential case portion that defines a first output shaft opening and a second differential case portion that defines a second output shaft opening. The first differential case portion can include an annular pocket formed thereon and defined by an outer circumferential wall, an inner circumferential wall and an end wall. A piston can be slidably disposed in the annular pocket and configured to actuate a clutch assembly. A first and a second side gear can be rotatably mounted within the differential casing. The first and second side gears can be co-axially aligned along an axis of rotation of the differential casing. |
| US09709149B2 |
Driven axle gear for a motor vehicle
A powered axle gear (I) for a motor vehicle. The axle gear can cope with large driving torques and at the same time be accommodated in an axle beam between the vehicle's tractive wheels. The axle gear has a gear housing (10) which accommodates a pinion (40) and a crownwheel (50) for transmission of rotary motion to the vehicle's powered axles (Y1, Y2). To this end, there are two bearings (62, 64), one on each side of the crownwheel (50) and the pinion's centerline (X), with a differential situated between the bearings (62, 64). The bearing (64) situated beyond both the crownwheel (50) and the pinion's centerline (X) has running round it an undivided bearing seat (30) provided with a portion running in the circumferential direction which protrudes over the pinion (40) towards the latter's centerline (X) in a configuration which at least partly overlaps the pinion (40). The invention relates also to a motor vehicle with this axle gear. |
| US09709144B2 |
Start-up element with torsional vibration damper and vibration damper
A starting element has a torsional vibration damper coupleable with a drive with a drive-side input element rotatable against an action of a first spring element and a driven-side output component rotatable against the action of a second spring element arrangement around an axis of rotation. The driven-side output component is coupled with an output of the starting element. A hydrodynamic coupling device has a turbine and a turbine flange connected therewith fixed with respect to rotation. The turbine flange is coupled with the output to be fixed with respect to rotation a first connection. A tuned mass damper a mass damper support element coupled with an intermediate transmission arrangement by a second mechanical connection. The mass damper support element extends opposite to a radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to a component of the output. |
| US09709143B2 |
Variable hydraulic transmission
The invention refers to hydraulic rotation transmissions and can be used in power transmissions and transmissions where the stepless ratio variation is essential. It can also be used as stepless speed transmission for vehicles (FIG. 1). Getting any transmission ratio with higher performance factor is achieved by applying in the hydraulic transmission new scheme, including motionless and movable bodies containing two coupled rotors, composing of camshafts with pistons and separated by motionless wall. Transmission ratio varies from 0 to maximal value displacing the movable body in axial direction by means of overhanging control arm. |
| US09709142B2 |
Wave energy conversion system
A wave energy conversion system is provided including a pod, multi-radius energy transmission mechanism, and an electrical generating device. The pod is rotatably supported by a platform structure and the multi-radius energy transmission mechanism is in mechanical communication with the pod. The multi-radius energy transmission mechanism is configured to transmit a variable torque over a range of motion and is in mechanical communication with the electrical generating device. |
| US09709137B2 |
Orbital tensioner assembly
In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning an endless drive member that is engaged with a rotary drive member on a shaft of a motive device. The tensioner includes a base that is mountable to the motive device, a ring that is rotatably supported by the base in surrounding relationship with the shaft of the motive device and which is rotatable about a ring axis, a tensioner arm pivotally mounted to the ring for pivotal movement about an arm pivot axis, and first and second tensioner pulleys. The first tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm. The tensioner arm is biased towards a first span of the endless drive member on one side of the rotary drive member. The second tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted at least indirectly to the ring and is biased towards a second span of the endless drive member on another side of the rotary drive member. The ring is rotatable in response to hub loads in the first and second tensioner pulleys that result from engagement with the first and second spans of the endless drive member. |
| US09709135B1 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle is provided. In particular, nine or more forward speeds and one or more reverse speed are achieved by the planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle. The gear set includes an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets respectively having three rotational elements, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotational elements and a transmission housing. |
| US09709131B2 |
Manual transmission
When a reverse select operation is performed, a pre-balk lever (180) rotates to a rotation position as a control rod (100) rotates. The pre-balk lever (180) has an engagement portion (190), which engages with a tip end portion of a pre-balk pin (162) at the rotation position. As a reverse lever (136) swings while they are engaged with each other, a shift rod (113) moves in such a direction as to activate a synchronizer (60). The engagement portion (190) has a guide surface (192), which guides the tip end portion of the pre-balk pin (162) to the engagement position while the pre-balk lever (180) is rotating toward the rotation position. |
| US09709130B2 |
Inverted tooth chain having inner flank engagement
A chain and sprocket drive system that includes a sprocket and an inverted tooth chain assembly configured to mesh with the sprocket is provided. The chain assembly includes at least two rows of links, each of the links having teeth with a pair of inner flanks, a pair of outer flanks, tips interconnecting a respective inner flank and outer flank, and a radiused crotch located between the pair of inner flanks. The inner flanks have an enlarged profile in a direction toward a center of the link in comparison to a profile of the outer flanks. A contact position with a tooth of the sprocket engaged therewith is located on the link in an area extending from the inner flank into the radiused crotch and on the sprocket in an area of the radiused tip of the tooth. |
| US09709128B2 |
Article, particularly drive belt, having a textile layer and method for producing a drive belt
The invention relates to an article including an elastic main body on the basis of a vulcanized rubber (17) having an article surface that is susceptible to wear, which is provided with a textile layer. The textile layer, particularly a woven fabric (16) or knitted fabric, has a mesh design that allows the vulcanized rubber (17) to penetrate to the textile surface to form a textile-vulcanized rubber hybrid system (15), wherein the vulcanized rubber portion on the textile surface can be controlled by means of the stitch number, stitch width and the thread design of the textile layer. The article is in particular a drive belt and in connection with the primary intended use, a method for making a drive belt is provided. |
| US09709123B2 |
Active mount
An active mount in which a nozzle plate is mounted between an insulator and a diaphragm to divide an inner space into an upper liquid chamber and a lower liquid chamber, and an encapsulated hydraulic liquid flows from the nozzle plate through a first flow path depending on a change in fastened state of the liquid chambers may include the nozzle plate having a second flow path and allowing the upper liquid chamber and the lower liquid chamber to be in communication with each other, the diaphragm made of a material having elasticity and coupled to a lower portion of the nozzle plate to form the lower liquid chamber, the diaphragm having an inflection portion, and a yoke including a body portion having an upper end in close contact with a lower portion of the inflection portion, and a rod portion coupled to a lower portion of the body portion. |
| US09709119B2 |
Compliance compensator
A compliance compensator apparatus provides a mechanically compliant coupling between, e.g., a robot arm or robotic tool and a mechanical load. The compliance compensator apparatus comprise a base component and a compliance component attached to the base component and independently moveable in several aspects. The compliance component may move, with respect to the base component, axially, transversely, rotationally, and skew, in response to mechanical force from an engaged load. When the load is disengaged, the compliance compensator apparatus returns to a reset position wherein the compliance component is spaced apart from, but parallel to, the base component. |
| US09709118B2 |
Elastic member, and elastic structural member capable of implementing bearing capability combining rigidity and flexibility
An elastic member can implement functions of buffering and shock absorption while effectively supporting a vehicle body. On end of the elastic member is turned and bent towards the other end, and passes through the body of the elastic member. The turned and bent part forms a curled portion (3). Portions of the curled portion (3) extending towards two ends form a first arm (1) and a second arm (2). The curled portion (3) pre-stores deformation of a material to integrate an elastic capability of the material and specifically gather a weak elastic capability of a rigid material, thereby obtaining a higher elastic bending moment, and providing functions of buffering and shock absorption while bearing is provided. For a flexible material, the flexible material can be restrained by using the curled portion to increase rigidity and reduce randomness of deformation of the flexible material, thereby combining flexibility and rigidity. |
| US09709114B2 |
Vented brake drum
The Vented Brake Drum has a pattern of through holes arranged around it circumferentially, the holes intersecting the inside cylindrical braking surface radially of the inner surface as well as intersecting the outside surface of the drum. The holes may be drilled into the finished drum or cast into the drum prior to machining the inner braking surface of the drum, to present a smooth albeit perforated internal circumferential surface (ID) to the arcuate brake lining. |
| US09709112B2 |
Electric brake device
An electric brake device that allows reduction of generation of an operating noise without impairing a function of a brake, is provided. The electric brake device includes a brake rotor, a brake pad, an electric motor, a linear motion mechanism, and a controller. The controller includes: a motor angular velocity control section configured to control an angular velocity of the electric motor; differential value calculator configured to calculate a differential value of a braking command value; and angular-velocity-corresponding-to-differential-value limiting section configured to limit the angular velocity of the electric motor by the motor angular velocity control section such that the less the differential value calculated by the differential value calculator is, the lower the angular velocity of the electric motor is. |
| US09709110B2 |
Brake disc ventilation arrangement
An internally ventilated brake disc cooling air flow enhancement arrangement is provided. Between a radially inner region of a brake disc that includes brake disc-to-axle hub mounting elements and cooling vanes between the parallel friction rings of the brake disc there are provided cooling air flow-modifying features. The flow-modifying features are circumferentially arranged around the radially inner region and are sized, shaped and positioned in a manner that deflects cooling air entering the internally ventilated brake disc in the radially inner region toward the entrances of cooling channels between the vanes to increase cooling air mass flow and thereby increase heat transfer an removal from the brake disc. |
| US09709106B2 |
Railway vehicle disc brake apparatus
Provided is a railway vehicle disc brake apparatus that is capable of ensuring sufficient strength and that can be reduced in weight. The railway vehicle disc brake apparatus has: a pair of calliper levers for supporting a pair of pads; a pair of fulcrum shaft members that pivotally support the pair of calliper levers; and a cylinder device for driving the pair of calliper levers around the pair of fulcrum shaft members. Arm sections of the calliper lever have first and second portions that extend in such a manner as to intersect each other in a cross section that is perpendicular to the direction in which said arm sections extend. |
| US09709105B2 |
Clutch mechanism
When a clutch relay connects between a control device and a vehicle electric power source in response to outputting of a clutch OFF signal from an electronic control device to the clutch relay, a timer circuit starts a control operation for energizing coil portions. When a predetermined time period elapses, the timer circuit terminates energization of the coil portions. When the clutch relay connects between the control device and the vehicle electric power source in response to outputting of a clutch ON signal from the electronic control device to the relay, the timer circuit starts a control operation for energizing the coil portions. When a predetermined time period elapses, the timer circuit terminates energization of the coil portions. |
| US09709102B2 |
Transmission for a powertrain system
A transmission includes an input member, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic circuit, a clutch assembly for transferring torque between the input member and an output member. A mechanically-driven hydraulic pump is rotatably coupled to the input member and is fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit. The clutch assembly includes a friction clutch pack, a clutch-apply piston, a clutch-release piston and a coned-disc spring. The clutch-release piston is fluidly coupled to a first hydraulic chamber that is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic circuit. The clutch-apply piston is fluidly coupled to a second hydraulic chamber that is selectively fluidly coupled to the hydraulic circuit. A second spring urges the clutch-apply piston and the coned-disc spring urges the clutch-release piston. When the hydraulic pump is not rotating, the clutch assembly is activated by the coned-disc spring urging the clutch-release piston. |
| US09709096B2 |
Cage for a rolling bearing, notably for a motor vehicle electric power steering bearing
A cage for a rolling bearing, wherein the cage is intended to ensure the circumferential spacing of a row of rolling elements. The cage comprises pockets for the rolling elements and connecting portions, each connecting portion connecting two successive pockets. At least one of the connecting portions is elastically deformable at least in a circumferential direction so as to allow the two associated pockets to move relative to one another in the circumferential direction. |
| US09709087B2 |
Preload loss prevention system for a clamping ball stud
A product that may include a first linked element that may have an opening that may have a coaxial counter bore. A collar may be included and may have a parti-spherical section and may have a countersunk section that may extend into the counter bore. A stud may have a sphere-like section and may be engaged with the parti-spherical section. The stud may include a shank extending from the sphere-like section and through the collar and the opening. A fastener may be engaged with the shank, and the collar and the first linked element may be compressed between the sphere-like section and the fastener. A second linked element may be included and may have a race within which the sphere-like section may be engaged. |
| US09709085B2 |
Blind fastener with integrated anti-rotation feature, systems and methods
Fasteners and related systems according to the invention include a collet body having a first part of a two part anti-rotation arrangement and a cylinder body having a second part of the two part anti-rotation arrangement wherein the collet body and the cylinder body are matably axially translatable with respect to each other, and have the same or similar outer diameter in some embodiments or not in others. A threaded member rotationally engages the collet body and compressively contacts the cylinder body during operation of the fastener to creating a clamping effect. Rotational interference between the first and second parts of the anti-rotation arrangement preferably occurs at sectional face portions of at least the collet body. Resistance to induced rotation of the cylinder body relative to a work piece rotation of the threaded member is preferably provided by a tool engaging a tool interface present on the cylinder body. |
| US09709074B2 |
Airlift pump
An airlift pump comprising a hollow, cylindrical main body having an injection hole near the bottom end, a channel routed in the outside surface of the main body and extending continuously from the injection hole to the top end, and an air tube seated in the channel and bonded to the main body. The air tube comprises an injection end having an elbow forming an injection angle such that the air is injection into the main body in a downward direction toward the bottom end. The air tube further comprises a receiving end extending past the top end of the main body and connecting to air supply tubing. The pump has a restricted lateral width enabling the pump to fit inside the narrow monitoring wells typical in the groundwater monitoring industry. |
| US09709071B2 |
Self-cleaning screw-type centrifugal wheel pump with recirculation behind the impeller
The screw-type centrifugal wheel pump includes a pump housing and a screw-type centrifugal wheel arranged rotatably within the pump housing and having a hub and a blade, and comprises a rotatable drive shaft connected to the screw-type centrifugal wheel, and includes a cover plate arranged between the screw-type centrifugal wheel and a housing rear wall, wherein the cover plate has a central opening through which the hub or the drive shaft runs, and wherein an interior space is formed between the cover plate and the housing rear wall, wherein a gap is formed between the central opening of the cover plate and the hub or the drive shaft, which gap is connected in fluid-conducting fashion to the interior space, wherein the cover plate has at least one aperture, which is arranged spaced apart from the central opening, in order to generate a fluid flow which flows into the interior space via the aperture and out of the interior space again via the gap. |
| US09709065B2 |
System and method for a turbocharger driven coolant pump
Methods and a system are provided for powering a coolant pump to drive a coolant flow through a charge air cooler using exhaust gas-driven rotations of a turbocharger. In one example, a method may include adjusting a coolant flow through a charge air cooler with a coolant pump, the coolant pump mechanically driven by rotative power from a turbocharger. As such, coolant flow may increase with increasing turbocharger speed and the method may further include adjusting a wastegate of a turbocharger turbine to adjust power provided to the coolant pump. |
| US09709063B2 |
Fan structure with wear resistant film coated shaft liner
A fan structure with a wear resistant film coated shaft liner includes a stator, a fan blade and a fan shield. The stator includes an axle center at a center portion thereof. The fan blade comprises a blade wheel, a shaft liner arranged at a center of the blade wheel and extended axially therefrom, a plurality of blades arranged to circumference the blade wheel externally and a magnetic unit arranged on the blade wheel. The fan shield covers the fan blade externally and includes a fixation portion for securing the axle center. The shaft liner of the fan blade includes an axial hole in order to allow the axle center of the stator to pivotally attach thereto. The axial hole is of a blind hole shape, and an inner wall surface of the axial hole is coated with a wear resistant film in contact with the axle center. |
| US09709062B2 |
Centrifugal compressor and manufacturing method therefor
A centrifugal compressor includes: a volute casing including a first casing and a second casing that are mutually coupled, the first casing including a volute chamber therein and the second casing including an impeller installation space therein; an impeller provided in the impeller installation space so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis; and a vaneless diffuser that has an inlet that communicates with an inside of the second casing and has an outlet that communicates with an inside of the first casing. The vaneless diffuser has a width having a non-axisymmetric distribution in the circumferential direction. |
| US09709061B2 |
Impeller position compensation using field oriented control
A centrifugal pump system having an impeller rotating with first and second magnetic structures on opposite surfaces. A levitation magnetic structure is disposed at a first end of a pump housing having a levitating magnetic field for axially attracting the first magnetic structure. A multiphase magnetic stator at a second end of the pump housing generates a rotating magnetic field for axially and rotationally attracting the second magnetic structure. A commutator circuit provides a plurality of phase voltages to the stator. A sensing circuit determines respective phase currents. A controller calculates successive commanded values for the phase voltages in response to the determined phase currents and a variable commutation angle. The angle is selected to correspond to an axial attractive force of the stator that maintains a levitation of the impeller at a centered position within the pumping chamber. |
| US09709058B2 |
Compressor
A compressor includes a closed container, a compression element disposed in the closed container, and a motor disposed in the closed container to drive the compression element via a shaft. The compression element includes a first and second bearings supporting the shaft. At least one cylinder having at least one cylinder chamber is disposed between the first and second bearings, with at least one roller fitted to the shaft disposed in the at least one cylinder chamber. The first bearing is disposed closer to the motor than the second bearing. The first and second bearings have first and second annular grooves formed in first and second opposing surfaces opposed to end faces of the at least one roller. The first and second annular grooves are opened to the at least one cylinder chamber. A width of the second annular groove is larger than a width of the first annular groove. |
| US09709054B2 |
Test and monitoring system for a pump installation
A test and monitoring system for a pump installation that initiates a cycle, admits liquid to the pump installation by an electrically-actuated valve, detects a predetermined event, stops admittance of the liquid to the pump installation by the electrically-actuated valve, and indicates results of the test cycle. The predetermined event may be a passage of a predetermined amount of time, an input from a liquid level sensor, or an input from a current sensor. The current sensor may be in electrical communication with a pump of the pump installation. The pump installation may be a sump pump installation. |
| US09709053B2 |
Piston pump for delivering fluids, and associated vehicle brake system
A piston pump for delivering fluids includes a piston, a cylinder element and a pressure chamber which is arranged between an inlet valve and an outlet valve and is closed by a cover, wherein a throttling mechanism for throttling the fluid flow is provided in the fluid flow downstream of the outlet valve, and a vehicle brake system has a piston pump of this type. The throttling mechanism includes a movable annular disc which is guided on the cylinder element and the internal diameter of which is adapted to the external diameter of the cylinder element, wherein the axial travel of the annular disc sets a variable first throttle cross section. |
| US09709051B2 |
Tube pump and printer provided with the same
A tube pump includes a tube, a housing member having a cylindrical chamber including an inner peripheral surface, a rotator having a first shaft and a first portion, the first portion having a guide, and a roller having a first shank received by the guide. The tube pump includes a contact member having a contact portion in the cylindrical chamber extending outwardly towards the inner peripheral surface at least the first distance and less than the second distance, the contact portion being configured to selectively contact the roller. |
| US09709049B2 |
Piston drive device
A piston drive device includes: a crankcase; first and second compression cylinders fixed to the crankcase; first and second vacuum cylinders fixed to the crankcase; a rotational shaft rotatably supported within the crankcase; first and second compression pistons connected to the rotational shaft and reciprocating respectively within the first and second compression cylinders; and first and second vacuum pistons connected to the rotational shaft and reciprocating respectively within the first and second vacuum cylinders; wherein each diameter of piston heads of the first and second compression pistons is smaller than each diameter of piston heads of the first and second vacuum pistons, and the first and second compression pistons are connected to the rotational shaft so as to sandwich the first and second vacuum pistons in an axial direction of the rotational shaft. |
| US09709047B2 |
Reciprocating pump assembly for liquids
A reciprocating pump assembly for dispensing liquids is provided. The pump assembly comprises a pump housing providing an interior compartment and being provided with an inlet for providing a liquid to be dispensed, and an outlet for dispensing the liquid. The assembly further comprises a piston being movably mounted within the interior compartment of the pump housing and comprising ferromagnetic material. The assembly comprises a magnetic actuator for generating a linearly moving magnetic field acting on the piston. The magnetic actuator comprises a permanent magnet arranged to be moved in linear directions, whereby the piston is moved in the pump housing between a resting position and an actuated position under influence of the linearly moving magnetic field. |
| US09709045B2 |
Variable displacement swash plate compressor
A variable displacement swash compressor includes a housing, a drive shaft, a swash plate, a link mechanism, a piston, a conversion mechanism, an actuator, and a control mechanism. The swash plate is rotatable together with the drive shaft in a swash plate chamber. The conversion mechanism reciprocates the piston in a cylinder bore. The actuator changes the inclination angle of the swash plate. The actuator is rotatable integrally with the drive shaft. The actuator includes a partitioning body, a movable body, and a control pressure chamber. The control mechanism changes the pressure of the control pressure chamber to move the movable body. The movable body is adapted to pull the swash plate and increase the inclination angle when the pressure of the control pressure chamber increases. |
| US09709043B2 |
Crushed seal arrangement for motor electrical connection of submersible well pump
A submersible well pump assembly has a pump and an electrical motor for driving the pump. The motor has an electrical receptacle with a base and a central bore containing a plurality of motor electrical terminals. An annular groove in the base encircles the central bore and has a closed bottom. A motor lead extends to the motor for supplying power to the motor. An electrical connector on an end of the motor lead has a rim that inserts into the groove. Either the forward edge of the rim or the bottom of the groove is conical, defining an annular void within the groove that is triangular in cross section when the rim is fully inserted into the groove. A seal ring is located in the void of the groove and is deformed by the forward edge of the rim into sealing engagement. |
| US09709040B2 |
Reconfigurable skin system based on spatially targeted activation of shape memory polymers
Reconfigurable skin systems may include a multi-cellular structure, in which individual cells are filled with a shape memory polymer having conductive chains of conductive particles embedded or dispersed therein. The systems are configured such that application of a stimulus to selected cells causes the shape memory polymer to undergo a phase change in the selected cells and impart a textured surface to one side of the multi-cellular structure. |
| US09709039B2 |
Lightning current transfer unit for a wind turbine
A lightning current transfer unit (100) for a wind turbine, the lightning current transfer unit (100) comprising a first portion (20a) configured to be electrically coupled to an electrically conducting portion of a blade of a wind turbine electrically connected to a down conductor of the blade and a second portion (20b) configured to be electrically coupled to an electrically conducting portion of a nacelle of the wind turbine connected to a down conductor connected to earth. The first portion (20a) and the second portion (20b) are both independently movable to maintain electrical coupling to the electrically conducting portion of the blade and nacelle respectively. A lightning current transfer portion (104) is provided that comprises a spark gap (106) formed between an electrical connection (108) to the first portion (20a) and an electrical connection (110) to the second portion (20b). The electrical connections (108, 110) are moveable with their respective first or second portion (20a, 20b). The spark gap (106) has a spark gap distance (111) and the lightning current transfer portion (104) is configured such that the distance is substantially constant during movement of the first portion (20a), second portion (20b) and electrical connections and such that lightning current is transferred from the first portion (20a) to the second portion (20b). |
| US09709038B2 |
Tool and a method for moving a wind turbine drivetrain component
The invention includes a tool for moving a drive train component in a nacelle of a horizontal axis wind turbine, the nacelle comprising a nacelle structure (55, 56), the component being connected, in operation of the wind turbine, to a rotor (51) of the wind turbine, the tool comprising—at least one carrier (403, 405, 4041) adapted to be connected to the component, to carry the weight of the component, and to be supported by the nacelle structure, and—at least one drive unit (407) adapted to be connected to the nacelle structure and to the carrier, so as to provide a force between the nacelle structure and the carrier, so as to drive the carrier with the component in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotor. |
| US09709033B2 |
Method for controlling a wind turbine during shutdown
A method for controlling an individually pitched wind turbine during shutdown is disclosed, the wind turbine comprising at least three wind turbine blades (1a, 1b, 1c). In response to a shutdown command for stopping operation of the wind turbine, a blade parameter of each of the wind turbine blades (1a, 1b, 1c), e.g. pitch angle, bending moment or blade acceleration, is determined. The blade parameters of the wind turbine blades (1a, 1b, 1c) are compared, and a shutdown strategy for the wind turbine is selected from a group of two or more predefined shutdown strategies, based on the comparing step. Finally, the wind turbine blades (1a, 1b, 1c) are moved towards a feathered position in accordance with the selected shutdown strategy. |
| US09709032B2 |
Airflow generation device and wind power generation system
An airflow generation device of an embodiment has a main body and a voltage application unit. The main body has a base formed of an insulating material and provided with a first electrode and a second electrode. The voltage application unit generates an airflow by applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. Here, the main body is formed to include a portion which gradually decreases in thickness from a center portion to an end portion. |
| US09709029B2 |
Morphing segmented wind turbine and related method
A downwind morphing rotor that exhibits bending loads that will be reduced by aligning the rotor blades with the composite forces. This reduces the net loads on the blades which therefore allow for a reduced blade mass for a given maximum stress. Also provided is a pre-aligned configuration rotor whereby the rotor geometry and orientation does not change with wind speed, and instead is fixed at a constant downwind deflection consistent with alignment at or near the rated wind speed conditions. Also provided is a twist morphing rotor where the airfoil-shapes around the spars twist relative to the wind due to aerodynamic forces so as to unload the rotors when there is a gust. This can help reduce unsteady stresses on the blade and therefore may allow for reduced blade mass and cost. The twist morphing rotor may be combined with either downwind morphing rotor or pre-alignment rotor. |
| US09709026B2 |
Airfoil for a flying wind turbine
An airfoil for an airborne wind turbine including a main wing adapted for attachment to an electrically conductive tether, a pivotable trailing element positioned behind the main wing, wherein a chord line of the airfoil has a length that is measured from the leading edge of the main wing to a trailing edge of the trailing element, wherein when the main wing and trailing element are positioned in a first flying position, a slot gap exists between a trailing edge of the main wing and the leading edge of the trailing element, wherein the main wing has a thickness that is 15-28% of the length of the chord line; and wherein a spar bulge exists in the main wing such that 15-25% of the overall length of the chord line has a thickness that is 95% or more of a maximum thickness of the main wing. |
| US09709019B2 |
Plasma generation device and internal combustion engine
In a plasma generation device that generates electromagnetic wave plasma by emitting electromagnetic waves in a target space, the electromagnetic wave plasma is generated in a plurality of locations with a simple configuration and relatively low electromagnetic wave energy. The plasma generation device is provided with an antenna that emits electromagnetic waves supplied from an electromagnetic wave generator in the target space, a discharger that forcibly discharges free electrons from gas molecules in the target space, and an electric field concentration member that concentrates electric field of the electromagnetic wave emitted from the antenna. The electric field concentration member is arranged in non-contact relationship with the antenna. The plasma generation device causes the discharger to discharge free electrons and the antenna to emit electromagnetic waves, thereby generating electromagnetic wave plasma in the vicinity of the antenna and in the vicinity of the electric field concentration member. |
| US09709017B2 |
Ignition device of spark-ignition internal combustion engine
In an ignition device of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine that performs ignition with high energy efficiency while reducing power to be input to a spark plug, after a DC-voltage-pulse generation circuit that generates a DC voltage pulse between electrodes of a spark plug is operated by a control circuit, an AC-pulse generation circuit that generates an AC pulse between the electrodes of the spark plug is operated. Furthermore, the control circuit controls the AC-pulse generation circuit with a plurality of group pulses and quiescent periods between the group pulses are provided. |
| US09709014B2 |
Systems and methods for optimization and control of internal combustion engine starting
An engine starting system and technique include selecting a target engine speed profile from a plurality of engine speed profiles based on operator inputs and operating parameters of the vehicle. A feedback control strategy is used to substantially conform the engine speed with the target speed profile during starting until a target speed is reached in which fueling is initiated to start the engine. |
| US09709011B2 |
Fuel injection valve
A high-pressure-side valve portion makes contact with and moves from a high-pressure seat surface formed in a body to control communication between a control chamber communication passage and a high-pressure passage. A low-pressure-side valve portion makes contact with and moves from a low-pressure seat surface formed in the body to control communication between an exhaust passage and a second intermediate chamber. A releasing portion in the high-pressure-side valve portion communicates with the control chamber communication passage when the high-pressure seat surface is in contact with the high-pressure-side valve portion to block the control chamber communication passage from the high-pressure passage. A valve element internal passage is formed in the valve element to communicate the releasing portion with the second intermediate chamber. |
| US09709010B2 |
Fuel injection valve
Injection holes of an injection nozzle are respectively formed such that an inner diameter of an outer opening is larger than an inner diameter of an inner opening. Furthermore, the injection holes are formed such that when an imaginary plane, which includes a valve seat portion that is a portion of a valve seat and is adjacent to the injection hole, is extended toward a central axis, the imaginary plane first intersects with an injection hole inner wall portion of an injection hole inner wall of the injection hole. |
| US09709008B2 |
Supercharger exhaust bypass
A supercharger exhaust bypass system, comprises a supercharger comprising an inlet and outlet, a bypass valve connected to the supercharger outlet, a first intercooler connected to receive compressed air from the outlet of the supercharger and connected to cool and expel air, a second intercooler comprising an envelope inlet, an exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet, an exhaust passage between the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet, and an envelope connected to the envelope inlet and surrounding the exhaust passage, an engine system connected to receive expelled air from the first intercooler and further connected to output exhaust to the exhaust inlet of the second intercooler, and a bypass conduit connected to the bypass valve and connected to the envelope inlet. |
| US09709006B2 |
Systems and methods for depressurizing a fuel tank
Methods and systems are provided for depressurizing a fuel tank prior to refueling the fuel tank. One example method includes adjusting a latchable refueling valve to a latched open position to enable vapor flow from the fuel tank to a vapor canister at a first rate, and responsive to fuel tank pressure being higher than a first pressure threshold after a pre-determined duration at the latched open position, modifying the latchable refueling valve to an unlatched open position. The unlatched open position of the latchable refueling valve enables a second flow rate for fuel vapors, the second flow rate higher than the first flow rate at the latched open position. |
| US09709003B2 |
Actuator device for moving a movable cowl of a thrust reverser
The invention relates to an actuator device (8) for moving a movable cowl of a thrust reverser, including: an actuator (12) including a screw (14) and a nut (15) capable of engaging with the screw (14) such that a rotation of the screw relative to the nut translates the nut relative to the screw; a locking device (30) including a locking part (31, 57) which is movable relative to the screw (14) between a locked position in which the locking part (31, 57) prevents the rotation of the screw (14) and an unlocked position in which the locking part (31, 57) allows the rotation of the screw (14), in which the screw (14) includes a body (17) and a lock-inhibiting device (38), the lock-inhibiting device (38) including an inhibiting part (47, 48) which is movable relative to the body (17) between a first position in which the part (47, 48) allows the locking part (31, 47) to move between the locked position and the unlocked position, and a second position in which the inhibiting part (47, 48) prevents the locking part (31, 57) from moving into the locked position. |
| US09708999B2 |
Method and system for engine control
Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting an injection profile for different fuels injected into an engine cylinder from different fuel injectors during engine start and crank. By splitting fuel injection during start and cranking so that fuel of lower alcohol content is port injected and fuel of higher alcohol content is direct injected as one or multiple injections, the soot load of the engine can be reduced and fuel economy can be improved. |
| US09708996B2 |
Method and system for sampling intake manifold pressure
An engine system and method for improving sampling of a port throttle pressure sensor. In one example, the port throttle pressure sensor is sampled a plurality of times during a cylinder cycle and different engine operating conditions are determined from selected samples. The system and method may improve engine air-fuel control as well as engine diagnostics. |
| US09708981B2 |
Method and device for supplying a lubricant
A device and method feeding turbomachines with lubricant, the turbomachine including a first set of bearings and a second set of bearings. Both the first and the second sets of bearings are fed with lubricant, and the second set of bearings operate at a temperature higher than the first set. The second set of bearings is fed with lubricant at a temperature higher than the first set. |
| US09708975B2 |
Oscillating rotary engine
An oscillating rotating engine has one or more rotating and oscillating rotors traveling around a shaft, crankshaft or central axis. As the rotor oscillates and rotates in one consistent motion, successive chambers are positioned at intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust locations to complete the two or four cycle combustion sequence, one or more times per rotation in relation to the accompanying housings. Igniting the air-fuel mixture in the ignition position causes the rotor to oscillate and rotate, and if present, rotate the crank shaft. |
| US09708968B2 |
Carburetor for two-stroke internal combustion engine
A carburetor for a two-stroke internal combustion engine whereby airtightness is maintained and intake of uncombusted fuel into an air path is prevented. The carburetor includes a circular cylindrical valve hole and a rotary valve fitted into the valve hole such that it can rotate and is disposed perpendicularly across a fuel intake path and an air intake path which are formed substantially parallel with respect to each other, and a fuel supply-side bore which controls the flow rate along the fuel intake path and the air supply-side bore which controls the air capacity along the air path pass through part of the cylindrical portion perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rotary valve, and annular recesses formed in part of a circumferential wall of an outer circumference of the rotary valve so as not to correspond to at least the fuel supply-side bore and the air supply-side bore. |
| US09708967B2 |
Fresh gas supply device for an internal combustion engine and method of operating same
A fresh gas supply device for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbocharger includes a charge air inlet for taking in a compressed charge air flow from the exhaust gas turbocharger; an outlet which is connected to the charge air inlet via a valve section, said valve section being closed in a closed position by at least one flap valve which can be pivoted, preferably, about a flap rotational axis; an adjusting device which is coupled to the at least one flap valve for adjusting the same in the closing direction; and a compressed air inlet for taking in compressed air into the outlet. The compressed air inlet is arranged such that the compressed air is directed into a compressed air flow in the direction of the valve section to the at least one flap valve. A corresponding method for operating the fresh gas supply device is provided. |
| US09708963B2 |
Exhaust device of motorcycle
An exhaust device includes left and right exhaust pipes and mufflers connected to a downstream side of the left and right exhaust pipes. The pair of left and right exhaust pipes respectively includes a merging portion. A catalyst is provided to the merging portion respectively. The pair of left and right exhaust pipes respectively includes, on a downstream side of the catalyst, a branching portion that has one side thereof extending to the muffler and the other side thereof extending to a connecting pipe. An oxygen sensor is provided to one side on a downstream side of the pair of left and right branching portions. |
| US09708961B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for diagnosing an exhaust aftertreatment component
An apparatus includes an engine output module that determines an engine output power parameter for an engine. The apparatus includes an output power threshold module that determines if the engine output power parameter is below an output power threshold. The apparatus includes a NOx module that determines a nitrogen oxide (“NOx”) efficiency of a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) system in response to the output power threshold module determining that the determined engine output power parameter is below the output power threshold. The SCR system is in exhaust receiving communication with the engine. The apparatus includes a NOx threshold module that determines if the NOx efficiency is below a NOx efficiency threshold, and a NOx warning module that sends a NOx alarm signal in response to the NOx threshold module determining that the NOx efficiency is below the NOx efficiency threshold. |
| US09708959B2 |
Filtering method for intermittent ultrasonic level sensors
Methods are provided for determining an exhaust fluid level in an exhaust fluid storage tank based on a signal, and a quality of the signal from an exhaust fluid level sensor located in the exhaust fluid tank of a vehicle. |
| US09708956B1 |
Emission control system and reductant injector
An emission control system for an engine is described herein. The emission control system includes a reductant injector extending into an exhaust conduit upstream of a catalyst. The reductant injector includes a reductant passage selectively receiving reductant from a reductant reservoir, an exhaust gas inlet receiving exhaust gas from the exhaust conduit, and an interior exhaust passage adjacent to the reductant passage, the interior exhaust passage receiving exhaust gas from the exhaust gas inlet and fluidly separated from the reductant passage. |
| US09708954B2 |
Vehicular fluid injection system, controller and method for heating said fluid injection system
A vehicular fluid injection system including a storage tank, an injection line, a heating system including an electrical heating element being powered by a power source, and a voltage converter inserted between the power source and the heating element, alone or combined with a PWM power regulation. |
| US09708949B2 |
Exhaust aftertreatment system for a compression-ignition engine
An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying exhaust gases from a compression-ignition engine includes a first exhaust aftertreatment device including an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter element fluidly coupled to an exhaust outlet of the engine. A second exhaust aftertreatment device includes an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction catalyst fluidly coupled to a downstream outlet of the first exhaust aftertreatment device. A reductant injection system is configured to inject urea reductant into the exhaust gas feedstream between the first exhaust aftertreatment device and the second exhaust aftertreatment device. |
| US09708943B2 |
Device for delivering compressed air for pneumatically operated equipment in motor vehicles
A device for delivering compressed air for pneumatically operated equipment in motor vehicles, in particular of brake systems in commercial vehicles, whereby compressed air can be tapped via a controllable valve from the combustion chamber of at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine, includes a valve arranged outside the combustion chamber and connected to the combustion chamber, in particular via a connecting passage which opens into the combustion chamber. |
| US09708940B2 |
Internal combustion engine with a camshaft phaser
An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis; a camshaft rotatable by the crankshaft about a camshaft axis; an engine cover defining an engine cover volume within the internal combustion engine; a drive member disposed within the engine cover volume which transfers rotational motion from the crankshaft to the camshaft; a camshaft phaser disposed within the engine cover volume which controllably varies the phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft; an actuator which operates the camshaft phaser; and an actuator mount within the engine cover volume which mounts the actuator structurally independent of the engine cover, thereby allowing removal of the engine cover independently of the actuator. |
| US09708939B2 |
Valve open/close timing control device
The valve open/close timing control device includes a housing that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft, an inner rotor that is disposed inside of the housing and rotates integrally with a camshaft, a fluid pressure chamber formed between the housing and the inner rotor, an intermediate lock mechanism capable of switching between a locked state and an unlocked state, an unlocking channel that allows passage of working oil to be supplied to or discharged from the intermediate lock mechanism, a lock discharge channel that allows passage of working oil discharged from the intermediate lock mechanism, and an electromagnetic valve that controls the supply/discharge of the working oil to/from the fluid pressure chamber and the intermediate lock mechanism. With this valve open/close timing control device, the lock discharge channel allows passage of the working oil in the case where the electricity supply amount to the electromagnetic valve is 0 or the maximum. |
| US09708938B2 |
Switching roller finger follower with rapid transition from locked to unlocked mode and method thereof
A switching roller finger follower, including: a body including a locking barrel arranged to receive pressurized fluid; a first chamber partially enclosed by the body; at least one arm rotatably connected to the body; and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes: a locking pin at least partially disposed in the first chamber; and a shuttle assembly including a shuttle pin and a check valve. The shuttle pin: is at least partially disposed in the locking barrel; includes a through-bore in communication with the first chamber; and is displaceable, in response to the pressurized fluid, to engage and disengage the locking pin with the at least one arm. The check valve is arranged to enable flow of the pressurized fluid through the through-bore to the first chamber. |
| US09708937B2 |
Multi-functional fecal waste and garbage processor and associated methods
At least one aspect of the technology provides a self-contained processing facility configured to convert organic, high water-content waste, such as fecal sludge and garbage, into electricity while also generating and collecting potable water. |
| US09708932B2 |
Turbine housing assembly
An object is to provide a turbine housing assembly in which reduction of weight, facilitation of manufacture, cost-cutting, and reduction of heat capacity are further promoted compared to a conventional turbine housing made of sheet metal. A turbine housing assembly includes a plurality of constituent members connected to one another to constitute a turbine housing into which a turbine wheel is inserted. The turbine housing assembly at least includes a scroll part 2 and an exhaust part 8 of a tubular shape having a separate body separate from the scroll part 2. The scroll part 2 is formed by processing a single piece of sheet metal so that, on a back face side of a bottom face part 22 of the scroll part 2, a recess portion 22b on which a through-hole of an exhaust gas outlet 2B is formed and a projecting portion 22a formed by a bottom surface of an exhaust gas flow path 2A projecting toward the back face side are formed, the projecting portion 22a surrounding the recess portion 22b. The recess portion 22b of the scroll part 2 is connected to an end portion 8a of the exhaust part 8 in a turbine axial direction so that the exhaust part 8 is in communication with the exhaust gas outlet 2B of the scroll part 2 in a state where a gap “a” is formed between an outer circumferential face of the exhaust part 8 and the projecting portion 22a of the scroll part 2. |
| US09708929B2 |
Method and device for suppressing the formation of ice on structures at the air intake of a turbomachine
The application relates to a method and a device for suppressing ice formation on intake structures of a compressor, particularly the compressor of a gas turbine. The technical aim of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for suppressing the formation of ice on said structures, which avoid the disadvantages of known solutions, such as a reduction of the performance of the gas turbine, and have a simple and broad applicability. According to the present invention the mechanical vibratory energy of said structures during operation is converted into electrical energy by a piezoelectric element, firmly applied to said structure, and in a connected electrical circuit the generated electrical energy is then converted into thermal energy by an ohmic resistor and this thermal energy is conducted to at least a portion of the structure for suppressing ice formation. Excess energy may be transmitted by a transmitter to other circuits in adjacent structures. |
| US09708925B2 |
Adjustable-trim centrifugal compressor, and turbocharger having same
A centrifugal compressor for a turbocharger includes an inlet-adjustment mechanism in an air inlet for the compressor, operable to move between an open position and a closed position in the air inlet. The inlet-adjustment mechanism includes a variable-geometry orifice actuated by a rotatable actuator ring. In the closed position, the orifice's inner diameter is smaller than that of a shroud surface of the compressor housing and therefore dictates the effective inlet diameter for the compressor. In the open position the orifice no longer forms an inner diameter smaller than the shroud surface, so that the effective inlet diameter is determined by the shroud surface. |
| US09708924B2 |
Combined pump and energy recovery turbine
The combined pump and energy recovery turbine includes at least one fluid flow pressurizing a sliding vane pump and a sliding vane energy recovery turbine that recovers energy from a second fluid flow, such as the brine discharge from an RO seawater desalination system. A cylindrical rotor has two sliding vanes in respective slots, the rotor being concentrically disposed within an oval-shaped enclosure defining two mirror image crescent-shaped chambers, each chamber having inlet and outlet passageways. The first chamber pressurizes the first fluid flow, and the second chamber functions as a second outflow-driven energy recovery turbine, thus enabling the single rotor device to operate as a pressurizing pump on the first fluid flow, and second outflow-driven energy recovery turbine recovering energy from the pressure drop in the second fluid flow. |
| US09708923B2 |
Adjustable labyrinth seal
An adjustable seal and method for varying a radial distance between the adjustable seal and a rotor of a turbomachine are provided. The adjustable seal may include a first annular member defining a plurality of radial channels, and a second annular member defining a plurality of slots at least partially extending therethrough. The second annular member may be concentric with the first annular member and configured to rotate relative to the first annular member. The adjustable seal may also include a plurality of seal segments interposed between the first annular member and the second annular member. Each seal segment of the plurality of seal segments may be slidably disposed in a respective radial channel of the plurality of radial channels and may have an axial projection slidably disposed in a respective slot of the plurality of slots. |
| US09708920B2 |
Gas turbine support element permitting thermal expansion between combustor shell and rotor cover at turbine inlet
A gas turbine includes a compressor, an annular combustion chamber, and a turbine, a combustion chamber shell of the combustion chamber adjoining the turbine inlet in a transition region in order to introduce the hot gases generated in the combustion chamber into the downstream turbine such that a thermal expansion-induced relative movement between the combustion chamber and the turbine inlet is possible. Combustion chamber shell support elements distributed on the periphery come into contact with a conical contour on the shaft cover due to the thermal expansion that occurs during operation and are supported on said contour. An improvement with respect to loading and service life is achieved in that the conical contour and the machine axis form an angle that allows the combustion chamber shell support elements to slide onto the conical contour. |
| US09708918B2 |
Hollow-blade turbine vane made from composite material, turbine or compressor including a nozzle or guide vane assembly formed by such blades, and turbomachine comprising same
A turbine engine vane is made of composite material comprises a hollow airfoil with an internal passage extending along its entire length, an inner platform, and an outer platform. The airfoil is extended on the outside of the outer platform by an upstream attachment portion and a downstream attachment portion for mounting the vane in a casing. The attachment portions are formed by an attachment extending from the outer longitudinal ends of the pressure side wall and the suction side wall of the airfoil with continuity of the fiber reinforcing texture of the composite material between the walls and the attachment tabs. |
| US09708914B2 |
Gas turbine engine airflow member having spherical end
A gas turbine engine airflow member is disclosed having spherical interface shapes at a tip end and a hub end. In one embodiment, the airflow member is a fan blade. The spherical interface shapes can be convex or concave. In one form, the tip end spherical shape is axially shifted aft relative to a hub end. The tip end can include relatively little forward portion in an expanding flow path with predominant portion of the tip end in a contracting flow path. Such a configuration can occur with a midpoint and trailing edge located in the contracting flow path. A center of gravity of a swept airflow member having spherical end shape can be located on a pivot axis of the airflow member. Divot depressions can be provided to permit concave flow path shapes. |
| US09708910B2 |
Inwardly opposed pistons, fixed position common cylinder engine with external induction
An engine with a design for an inwardly opposed-piston, 4 cycle engine with a common, fixed cylinder and external induction system. The present invention features include a fixed, common cylinder in which 2 pistons move towards each other during the cycling of the engine, external, modular, fix mounted induction and exhaust system, multiple power take off shafts as well as additional cylinder/piston bank modularity. The production of such design provides for increased thermal, mechanical and volumetric efficiency as it relates to similar internal combustion engines. |
| US09708905B2 |
Wellbore wireless thermal conductivity quartz transducer with waste-heat management system
Wellbore wireless thermal conductivity quartz transducer comprising a thermal conductivity quartz transducer and a wireless communication system comprising an external device and an internal device, a cable, and a surface device. The thermal conductivity quartz transducer comprises a first quartz resonator, a heat dissipation element, a second quartz resonator, an electronics circuit and heat guiding means arranged for transferring a heat generated by said electronics circuit to said heat dissipation element, so that said dissipation temperature is higher than said ambient temperature. The invention is also a method for wirelessly performing transient response analysis of a formation in a wellbore with such transducer. |
| US09708904B2 |
Determining whether a wellbore sealing operation has been performed correctly
The invention relates to methods of determining whether a wellbore sealing operation has been performed correctly, and to wellbore-lining tubing which facilitates the determination of whether a wellbore sealing operation has been performed correctly. The invention has a utility in determining whether cement has been correctly supplied into an annular region defined between an internal wall of a wellbore and an external surface of a wellbore-lining tubing located in the wellbore, or whether a packer has been properly set to seal such an annular region. One disclosed method comprises the steps of: locating a wellbore-lining tubing (140) in a wellbore (100), said tubing having at least one pressure sensor (80); performing a wellbore sealing operation in an annular region (178) defined between an external surface of said tubing and an internal surface (130) of a wall of the wellbore, or between an external surface of said tubing and an internal surface of another wellbore-lining tubing (118) in which said tubing is located, to seal said tubing in the wellbore; monitoring the pressure of fluid in the annular region using the at least one pressure sensor; and recovering data concerning the pressure of the fluid monitored by the sensor to surface, the pressure data indicating whether the wellbore sealing operation has been performed correctly. |
| US09708894B2 |
Inertial occlusion release device
In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including an occlusion retaining mechanism; a rupture member associated with the occlusion retaining mechanism; an inertial member configured to puncture the rupture member in response an inertial event to release an occlusion from the occlusion retaining mechanism. In another aspect, a method for isolating a portion of a wellbore is disclosed, including providing a tubular in the wellbore; deploying a perforation gun in the tubular; deploying a frac plug in the wellbore; setting the frac plug in the wellbore; deploying a frac ball release tool associated with the perforation gun; selectively retaining a frac ball within the frac ball release tool; releasing the frac ball in response to an inertial event via an inertial member associated with the frac ball release tool. |
| US09708893B2 |
Downhole method and apparatus
A method of injecting fluid into a formation, comprises exerting a mechanical force on a wall of a bore extending through a formation to modify the permeability of the formation; and injecting fluid into the modified formation. The mechanical force may be exerted through inflation of at least one pressure deformable member mounted on a base member. The base member may be a base pipe. The pressure deformable member may be a hollow or tubular member mounted externally of the base pipe. |
| US09708890B2 |
Blowout preventer cleaning tool
A BOP cleaning tool includes a first pipe section with a through central channel and radial channels to external fins, with nozzles for flushing fluid from the central channel out into a BOP bore for washing cavities in the BOP bore, the central channel provided with a flow control sleeve provided with holes, the flow control sleeve displaceable from a radially closed initial first closed position to a second position with the holes aligned with the inner radial channels for starting flushing through the nozzles, and further displaceable to a radially closed third position with the holes out of alignment with the inner radial channels for halting the flushing through the nozzles. The flow control sleeve is displaceable from the first, initial position by a first dart dropped into the first pipe section and stopping in a first seat in the flow control sleeve below the holes, thereby closing the central channel, building pressure in the central channel, displacing the flow control sleeve to the second position and redirecting pipe flow to the nozzles. Flow control sleeve is displaceable from the second position to the third, closed position by a second dart dropped into the first pipe section and stopping at the first dart, the second dart blocking the holes thereby building pressure in the first pipe section, further displacing the flow control sleeve to the third position triggering a release mechanism for the first seat to release the first dart and the second dart. |
| US09708887B2 |
Ball seat for use in a wellbore
A downhole device shifts a component from a first state to a second state. The device includes a body having the component in a bore thereof and an annular space formed within an inner and outer wall of the body. The annular space includes a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with the bore at a first location and with a pressure transducer at a second location, the transducer constructed and arranged to measure pressure of the fluid and provide a signal to circuitry controlling a valve upon reception of a predetermined fluid pressure pulse sequence. When the pulse sequence is delivered, the valve opens, placing a source of pressurized fluid in communication with an actuator that shifts the valve. |
| US09708886B2 |
Control choke system
A system includes a wellhead system, and a flow control system coupled to the wellhead system. The flow control system includes a housing with a flow path between an inlet and an outlet. The flow control system also includes a flow control device disposed in the housing along the flow path. The flow control system also includes a bonnet assembly surrounding the flow control device. The bonnet assembly is configured to selectively mount one of a manual actuator and a powered actuator to actuate the flow control device. |
| US09708885B2 |
System and method for extracting energy
A method and apparatus for efficiently extracting geothermal energy from a subterranean thermal reservoir through a wellbore where the heat exchange fluid is introduced at a slower velocity than the velocity at which the fluid is extracted. The method and apparatus further comprises a region void of cement between the outer wall of a casing and the inner wall of the wellbore, such that thermally conductive material can be injected therein. |
| US09708883B2 |
Flow control in subterranean wells
A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well. |
| US09708880B2 |
Swellable packer with enhanced anchoring and/or sealing capability
A swellable packer for use with a subterranean well can include a swellable seal having a circumferentially extending recess formed on a surface of the seal. Another swellable packer can include a swellable seal having a helically extending recess formed in the seal. A method of constructing a swellable packer can include forming a circumferentially extending recess on a surface of a swellable seal. |
| US09708878B2 |
Applications of degradable polymer for delayed mechanical changes in wells
Degradable polylactic or polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers may be used to viscosify aqueous fluids for use in wells. Sand control screen or liner can be coated with a solid degradable polymer during placement in a well. Mechanical changes or flow changes in a well can be caused by solid degradable polymer that changes physical properties after it is placed in a well. Parts of devices or entire devices can be made of solid degradable polymer that converts to a fluid after selected times in an aqueous environment in a well. |
| US09708877B2 |
Blowout preventer monitoring system and method of using same
A blowout preventer for sealing a tubular of a wellbore is provided. The blowout preventer has a housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the tubular, at least one ram slidably positionable in the housing (each of the rams having a ram block for sealing engagement about the tubular), an actuator for selectively driving the ram block (the actuator comprising a piston slidably positionable in a cylinder), and a monitor for detecting the piston therein. The monitor has a visual indicator on an exterior of the cylinder. The visual indicator is operatively coupled to the piston for displaying a position of the piston as the piston travels within the cylinder whereby a position of the ram may be determined. |
| US09708876B2 |
Ram assemblies for blowout preventers
A ram assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the ram assembly includes a base ram having a tapered profile and a seal coupled to the base ram in a manner that allows the seal to slide relative to the base ram during operation of the ram assembly. In some instances in which the ram assembly is installed in a blowout preventer, the tapered profile of the base ram can facilitate compression of the seal in multiple directions. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09708873B2 |
Hydraulic assembly
The present invention relates to a downhole tool, comprising a hydraulic assembly, an arm assembly, the arm assembly comprising a wheel, a hydraulic motor for rotating the wheel, thereby driving the downhole tool in a forward direction, and a hydraulic pump unit for simultaneous generation of a first and a second pressurized fluid, characterized in that the arm assembly is movable between a retracted position and a projecting position in relation to the tool housing, and the downhole tool furthermore comprises an arm activation assembly for moving the arm assembly between the retracted position and the projecting position, and the hydraulic motor drives the downhole tool in the forward direction when the arm assembly is in the projecting position, the arm activation assembly being in fluid connection with the first pressurized fluid and the hydraulic motor being in fluid connection with the second pressurized fluid, a hydraulic control block for controlling the pressure of the first pressurized fluid having a first pressure and controlling a second pressure of the second pressurized fluid, and a hydraulic control block comprising a first sequential valve for controlling a sequence of retraction of the arm assembly, a projection of the arm assembly and a rotation of the wheel, wherein the sequential valve is fluidly connected with one of the fluids and changes between an open and a closed position based upon the pressure of the other fluid. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a projection of an arm assembly of a driving unit of a downhole tool and to a downhole system. |
| US09708870B2 |
System and method for treating produced, desalted, and flow back water
A system adapted to condition an initial water feed stream into a treated water stream and to discharge the treated water stream. The initial water feed stream includes at least one of: a plurality of particles; an oil; a volatile organic compound; a hydrogen sulfide; a non-volatile compound; a heavy metal; and, a dissolved ion. The system includes a particle and oil removal subsystem adapted to form a first partial treated water stream, a chemical oxygen demand reduction subsystem adapted to form a second partial treated water stream, and a heavy metal and dissolved ion removal subsystem adapted to form a treated water stream. |
| US09708869B2 |
High strength, operationally robust lost circulation preventative pseudo-crosslinked material
A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, at least one viscoelastic surfactant (VES), at least one monovalent or multivalent salt, at least one magnesium powder, and at least one retarder. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid by the action of the VES forming elongated micelles; where the at least one monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of the aqueous fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the at least one magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water. |
| US09708868B2 |
Slip device for suspending a drill or casing string
An apparatus for gripping a cylindrical member is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a clamping device having clamping dies that enable the clamping device to grip a tubular string. The clamping dies have clamping faces configured to adapt to curvature of the tubular string when the clamping dies engage the tubular string via the clamping faces to facilitate use of the clamping device with tubular strings of different external diameters. Additional devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09708867B2 |
System and methods using fiber optics in coiled tubing
Apparatus having a fiber optic tether disposed in coiled tubing for communicating information between downhole tools and sensors and surface equipment and methods of operating such equipment. Wellbore operations performed using the fiber optic enabled coiled tubing apparatus includes transmitting control signals from the surface equipment to the downhole equipment over the fiber optic tether, transmitting information gathered from at least one downhole sensor to the surface equipment over the fiber optic tether, or collecting information by measuring an optical property observed on the fiber optic tether. The downhole tools or sensors connected to the fiber optic tether may either include devices that manipulate or respond to optical signal directly or tools or sensors that operate according to conventional principles. |
| US09708866B2 |
Downhole driving unit having a hydraulic motor with a static cam ring
The present invention relates to a downhole driving unit (11) for insertion into a well, comprising a driving unit housing (51), a hydraulic motor comprising a hydraulic motor housing (93), the hydraulic motor comprising a cam ring (24), a wheel assembly (90) comprising a stationary part (91) and a rotational part, the stationary part (92) being connected with the driving unit housing and a rotatably connected with a rotational part, the stationary part and the rotational part constituting the hydraulic motor housing, said hydraulic motor comprising a rotatable section (84) connected with the rotational part, the cam ring being connected with or forming part of the stationary part of the wheel assembly, the rotational part comprising a wheel ring (99), where in a bearing (36) is arranged between the cam ring and the wheel ring. The present invention also relates to a downhole system comprising the driving unit and to use of such driving unit. |
| US09708864B2 |
Riser assembly and method of forming a riser assembly
A riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location is disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser having at least one segment of flexible pipe and a plurality of buoyancy compensating elements connected to the riser and connected together in an in-line configuration to form a mid-line buoyancy section. The riser assembly also includes at least one buoyancy aid connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the mid-line buoyancy section. The at least one buoyancy aid forms a first distributed buoyancy section and is sufficiently buoyant to maintain a tension load on the riser between the first distributed buoyancy section and the mid-line line buoyancy section. The riser assembly further includes at least one further buoyancy compensating element connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the first distributed buoyancy section to form a second distributed buoyancy section. The second distributed buoyancy section is configured to support a portion of the riser in a wave configuration. |
| US09708862B2 |
Annular barrier with axial force mechanism
The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone and a second zone of the borehole. The annular barrier comprises a tubular part extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the well tubular structure; an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular part and defining a space being in fluid communication with an inside of the tubular part; a first fluid passage for letting fluid into the space to expand the sleeve; and a connection unit comprising a connection part slidably connected with the tubular part, a first end of the expandable sleeve being connected with the connection part, wherein the connection unit further comprises a stationary part fixedly connected with the tubular part and an actuation mechanism adapted to induce an axial force on the first end of the expandable sleeve. |
| US09708860B2 |
Ground level rig and method
A completion system and method adapted for use in wells having long lateral boreholes includes a mast assembly, a pipe handling mechanism, a pipe arm, a pipe tub, a pump/pit combination skid, a rig carrier, and a control system. The control system can be used to automate operations of the completion system to facilitate rapid and safe make-up and breaking of tubular connections. |
| US09708855B2 |
Drilling machine power pack which includes a clutch
A drilling machine includes a compressor coupled to a prime mover through a hydraulic clutch, wherein the hydraulic clutch is repeatably moveable between engaged and disengaged conditions. The compressor is allowed to provide air and is restricted from providing air in response to the hydraulic clutch being in the engaged and disengaged conditions, respectively. The hydraulic clutch is moveable between the engaged and disengaged conditions during operation of the prime mover. |
| US09708854B2 |
Device and method for drilling with continuous tool rotation and continuous drilling fluid supply
A device is for a drilling rig for forming of a bore hole in a subterranean structure. The drilling rig comprises a first, top driven drilling machine arranged vertically displaceable along a guide track, where a second drilling machine is arranged between the first drilling machine and the bore hole, vertically displaceable along a guide track and provided with a rotary table arranged to be able to take the weight of a pipe string. A rotary drive unit is arranged for continuous rotation of the pipe string. A fluid chamber is arranged to, in a fluid communicating way, be able to connect a pipe string end portion with a drilling liquid plant. As the fluid chamber is provided with pipe string ports comprising means arranged to, in a fluid sealing way, be able to close the pipe string ports. A power tong is arranged for continuous rotation of an element connected to the pipe string, as the power tong is arranged in the fluid chamber. Also, a method is for drilling with continuous tool rotation and continuous drilling liquid supply. |
| US09708853B2 |
Animal crate
The present disclosure provides a door assembly for an animal enclosure. The assembly includes a door frame having a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires that define an opening for an animal to pass therethrough. The assembly also includes a door configured to move between an open position and a close position relative to the door frame. A latch is pivotably coupled to the door and includes a mechanism that is removably coupled to the door frame. The assembly further includes a first vertical wire and a second vertical wire of the door. A first guide wire and a second guide wire are coupled to the door frame. The first vertical wire is coupled to and moves along the first guide wire between the open and close positions, and the second vertical wire is coupled to and moves along the second guide wire between the open and close positions. |
| US09708852B2 |
Energy-efficient integrated lighting, daylighting, and HVAC with controlled window blinds
Methods for integrated room management in a building management system and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes determining a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for a room in a building and determining predicted room temperatures for the room at the plurality of time intervals based on the SHGC and a plurality of window blinds tilt angles. The method includes determining illumination heat and illumination energy for the room and determining climate energy for the room. The method includes determining a total room energy as a function of the window blinds tilt angles based on the climate energy, illumination energy, and predicted room temperatures. The method includes determining an optimal blind tilt angle that minimizes the total room energy at each of the time intervals and controlling the tilt angles of window blinds according to the optimal blind tilt angle. |
| US09708850B2 |
Arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering
An arrangement for mounting an actuator button to a rail wherein the fastener for securing the button housing to the rail is hidden from view of the user. |
| US09708849B1 |
Curtain assembly
A curtain assembly includes a curtain, a cord unit connected to the curtain and adjustable to raise or lower the curtain in an up-down direction, and a retaining unit. The retaining unit is detachably coupled to the curtain and includes an outer hollow member, an inner rod member, and a confining member. The outer hollow member extends in a lengthwise direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, has a surrounding wall formed with an opening, and has a receiving space defined by the surrounding wall. A part of the curtain surrounds the inner rod member, extends through the opening, and is fixed between the surrounding wall and the inner rod member. The cord unit extends through the confining member. |
| US09708848B2 |
Magnetic curtain and sliding panel formed therefrom
A magnetic curtain and a sliding panel formed therefrom are revealed. A magnetic curtain includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a plurality of a plurality of middle portions arranged between the upper portion and the lower portion, and a plurality of magnetic parts disposed on an interface between two adjacent portions of the magnetic curtain. While the magnetic curtain is retracted, the two adjacent middle portions are folded in half in turn to form a curved part respectively. The two adjacent curved parts are away from each other so as to prevent protrusion and extension caused by overlapping of the curved parts. Thus the magnetic curtain has more applications and higher use efficiency. |
| US09708841B1 |
Protective hinge cover
A hinge cover can be removably attachable to a hinge and include a snap on feature comprising a cylindrically shaped inner surface with a c-shaped cross-section, the c-shaped cross-section comprising an opening and a top portion opposite the opening configured to be releasably coupled to a hinge without adhesive, screws, or nails. The hinge cover can further include a deflecting feature, the deflecting feature further including a width extending in a direction of an axis of the cylindrically shaped inner surface of the snap on feature. The hinge cover can include a first ramp portion sloping away from the top of the snap on feature in a first direction. The hinge cover can include a second ramp portion sloping away from the top of the snap on feature in a second direction opposite the first direction. |
| US09708837B2 |
Motor vehicle door lock
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a lock housing (1) and at least one lever (2) that is arranged in the lock (1) and projects through an opening (4) at least partially out of the lock (1), wherein the lever (2) is formed as a pivot lever (2) which is movable along the opening (4) and mounted in the interior and/or on the lock housing (1) and the opening (4) is equipped with at least one seal (6) that, for the most part, closes an opening gap (5). |
| US09708835B2 |
Gun lock for securing a weapon within a vehicle gun rack
A gun lock for use in securing a weapon within a gun rack of a police vehicle or the like utilizes a housing supporting a pair of curved lock gates in curved travel paths between an abutting closed configuration and a separated open configuration. The curved lock gates are constrained in curved travel paths by a top plate and a lower plate and each define a curved gear rack. A coupling gear is rotatably supported within the housing and simultaneously engages both curved gear racks to provide movement of the lock gates between open and closed configuration. A solenoid operated latching mechanism secures the lock gates from movement away from the closed and locked configuration in the absence of an electrical activation. A key override is provided in the event of an electrical failure within the host vehicle. |
| US09708831B2 |
Handle unit
A handle unit having a handle element for opening and/or closing a lock provided on a moving part includes a lock cylinder, which is protected by a covering cap, and an attachment element, on which the covering cap is releasably disposed. The covering cap has at least one guide projection on the interior thereof, which bears on a guide surface when in the snap-in position, which is formed on the attachment element and is complementary to the guide projection. The attachment element forcibly guides the movement of the covering cap when the covering cap is released, such that the at least one guide projection moves along the complementary guide surface, away from the attachment element. |
| US09708824B2 |
Universal swimming pool main drain adaptor
A transitional mounting adaptor to connect a pool main drain to a pool main drain cover with or without water in the pool. The adaptor consists of a trim ring with four cardinal point screw slots (NSEW) molded to a perpendicular mounting ring with three equally spaced, threaded pointed thumb screws, passing perpendicularly thru the mounting ring, via a series of threaded mounting holes, creating three pressure points which secures the adaptor to the main drain pot. The cardinal point screw slots in any position will receive coarse thread main drain screws used for mounting a main drain cover onto the trim ring. Further, the edge of the trim ring is bull-nosed. The cardinal point screw slots of the trim ring can also be used to mechanically fasten the adaptor to a main drain pot. The adaptor allows water to pass thru the trim ring, thru the mounting ring, and continue thru the main drain, as with the normal functioning of pool water flow. |
| US09708822B2 |
Process to maintain large clean recreational bodies of water
The invention discloses a process to implement and maintain water bodies larger than 15,000 m3 for recreational use, such as lakes or artificial lagoons, with excellent color, transparency and cleanness properties at low cost, which comprises the following steps:a.—providing a structure able to contain a large water body larger than 15,000 m3;b.—feeding the structure of step (a) with inlet water having iron and manganese levels lower than 1.5 ppm and turbidity lower than 5 NTU;c.—measuring water pH, ideally it should be within a range lower than 7.8;d.—adding an oxidizing agent to the water contained in the structure of step (a), with which a 600 mV minimal ORP is controlled in water for a minimal period of 4 hours and in maximal cycles of 48 hours;e.—adding a flocculating agent in concentrations within 0.02 and 1 ppm with maximal frequencies of 6 days and cleaning the bottom of the structure of step (a) with a suction device to remove precipitated impurities from the bottom of said structure, together with the additional flocculants and; f.—generating a displacement of surface water containing impurities and surface oils by means of the injection of inlet water according to step (b), which generates said displacement in such a way to remove said surface water by means of a system for impurities and surface oils removal arranged in the structure of step (a), which together with step (e) replaces traditional filtering. The present invention also discloses a structure to contain large water bodies comprising a system for the removal of impurities and surface oils by means of skimmers and the suction device to clean said structure. |
| US09708818B2 |
Double floor plate material structure and method for forming the same
Disclosed are a raised access floor panel material structure disposed on a floor of a structure, wherein a floor panel material of floor material capable of easily accommodating wires for power, computer and communication or devices such as air conditioning facilities etc. at its lower part is formed in an assembled manner by a floor consisting of combined unit panels and is conveniently laid on the a floor surface to form a neat floor panel and a method for forming the raised floor panel material structure. |
| US09708815B1 |
Operable ramp
An operable ramp is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position to provide a sloped transition surface between upper and lower surfaces of an architectural setting. The operable ramp includes a housing disposed on the lower surface of the architectural setting and having a selectively adjustable height. A first ramp panel has a support element extending from a first end. The operable ramp also includes a drive assembly located within the housing. The drive assembly includes an endless loop coupled to an end of the support element to move the operable ramp between the stowed position and the deployed position. The endless loop has a linear portion located between first and second arcuate portions. The endless loop raises the end of the support element to deploy first ramp panel. The distance between the first and second arcuate portions is selectively adjustable. |
| US09708814B2 |
Formed interlocking roofing panels
An interlocking panel system for top-down installation on an underlying structure including a plurality of panels, with an uphill course and a downhill course where each panel is generally rectangular, having an uphill edge and opposing downhill edge. An interlocking member is disposed along the uphill edge, and a receiving member adapted to receive the interlocking member and a joining flange are disposed along the downhill edge. A panel of the uphill course is affixed to an underlying structure via fasteners through the joining flange. The interlocking member of a panel of the downhill course is insertable into the receiving member of the uphill course, and the position of the panel of the downhill course is adjustable within the span of the receiving member. |
| US09708813B2 |
Beam reinforcing metallic material and beam reinforcing structure
A beam reinforcing metallic material includes a welding surface, a counter-flange-part surface, a contacting surface, a protrusion, and the like. The beam reinforcing material is a member that is made of metal such as steel for example. The beam reinforcing metallic material is not plate shaped but has a three dimensional shape. More particularly, the cross-sectional shape varies from the edge parts toward the center part in longitudinal direction. The cross section (cross-sectional area) of the center part of the beam reinforcing metallic material in longitudinal direction is larger than the cross sections (cross-sectional areas) of the both end parts. Increasing the cross-sectional area of the vicinity of the center part of the beam reinforcing metallic material allows the part that receives maximum stress to securely obtain the flexural strength when the beam reinforcing metallic material is fixed to the beam. |
| US09708808B2 |
Trap primer
An embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a trap primer with upper and lower chambers separated by a flexible diaphragm which also interacts with a valve stem to start and stop the flow of water from the trap primer to the trap(s). The lower chamber contains a polymeric foam medium such as a foam ring containing closed cells containing gas or gases. In use, equilibration of water pressures in the upper and lower chambers causes distortion of the foam ring, resulting in equilibration of the gas pressure in the closed cells with that of the chambers. A decrease in line water pressure causes water from the lower chamber to be emitted into the traps. |
| US09708806B2 |
Drainage body surface unit
Drainage body surface units are known with conical spacer elements which are connected together via a base. The spacer elements have casing surfaces which run undulating in cross-section, comprising successive wave peaks and wave troughs. In order to guarantee as high a strength as possible with as little material usage as possible, a construction is proposed in which the wave peaks transform into the wave troughs via transitional regions, wherein the transitional regions have a smaller material thickness than the wave troughs. |
| US09708803B1 |
Pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly
A pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly contains: a lift rod, a drain base, a connector, a threaded rod, a threaded sleeve, a driving rod, and a drain stopper. The lift rod is pulled upward or pressed downward by a user after extending through the basin. The drain base is disposed on the basin and includes an outlet. The connector is fixed on the drain base. The threaded rod is connected with the lift rod and moves vertically in response to the lift rod. The threaded sleeve screws with and moves vertically in response to the threaded rod and includes a first retaining portion. The driving rod includes a first segment, a second segment, a spherical ball, and plural second retaining portions. The drain stopper is secured on the drain base and includes a bottom end moving vertically in response to a lever movement of the driving rod. |
| US09708799B2 |
Water supply outlet cap
An apparatus for covering or sealing Storz-type outlets is shown and described. The apparatus includes an outer cap portion having a continuous sidewall, a connector portion for connecting the outer cap portion to the water supply assembly and a sealing cap portion rotatably coupled to the outer cap portion and located at least partially within a void defined by the continuous sidewall, the sealing cap portion including a pliable sealing portion for forming a seal about the water supply outlet. The connector portion includes a pair of lugs and a pair of ramped lug guides associated with an inner surface of the continuous sidewall. The pair of ramped lug guides are provided for receiving a pair of lugs of the water supply assembly. A nut portion extends from an outer face of outer cap portion for engagement by a tool such as a wrench or socket for rotating the outer cap portion about the water supply outlet. |
| US09708796B2 |
Hydraulic valve
A valve for a hydraulic system is provided including a work port channel, a load sense channel, and a tank channel. Additionally, a body cavity extends between the work port channel and the tank channel, and a spool is movably positioned in the body cavity. The body cavity defines an inner surface and the spool defines an outer surface. The inner surface of the body cavity and the outer surface of the spool together define a interface between the body cavity and the spool that extends outwardly from a longitudinal axis, such that an increased pressure differential between the work port channel and a load sense channel increases a sealing force, allowing for a more responsive valve in the hydraulic system with less leakage. |
| US09708795B2 |
Work vehicle and control method for same
A work vehicle includes a control unit having a connection determining unit and a motor switch control unit. The connection determining unit determines whether assistance from a third motor is required or not. The third motor is set to a connected state when the connection determining unit determines that assistance from the third motor is required. The motor switch control unit controls the motor switching mechanism so that the third motor is set to a disconnected state when the connection determining unit determines that assistance from the third motor is not required. |
| US09708793B2 |
Work vehicle and running control apparatus causing automatic running of work vehicle
A work vehicle includes an automatic running control unit 51 that executes automatic running based on an own vehicle position and a target running path; a manual running control unit 52 that executes manual running based on an operation signal from a manual running operation unit 9 that is manually operated; a first control unit 61 that executes a change from manual running to automatic running, a manual stoppage of the vehicle being a condition for the change; a second control unit 62 that executes a forced stoppage of the vehicle when changing from automatic running to manual running; and a third control unit 63 that executes a forced stoppage of the vehicle by temporarily suspending automatic running in response to a suspend instruction from the manual running operation unit 9, and resumes automatic running in response to a resume instruction from the manual running operation unit 9. |
| US09708792B2 |
Construction machine having cooling function
Provided is a construction machine capable of suppressing overcooling of fluid by heat exchangers, while requiring only a small space. The construction machine includes: a lower travel body; an upper slewing body mounted on the lower travel body and having an engine compartment; an engine compartment cover covering the engine compartment; an air filter which collects dust in outside air taken into the engine compartment and has a filter surface; a heat exchanger disposed downstream of the air filter in an air flow direction and having a core surface; an air filter holding section holding the air filter removably in an attitude opposing the filter surface of the air filter to the core surface of the heat exchanger; and a shut member installed removably on the air filter to shut at least a part of the filter surface. |
| US09708786B2 |
Inflatable flood defense structural unit and arrangement
An inflatable flood defence structural unit is described for creating an inflatable flood defence arrangement. The unit comprises at least one inflatable chamber comprising a front wall and a rear wall which extend in a substantially parallel orientation. At least one of the front and rear walls provide a water barrier, and a first and second end wall are arranged to couple the front and rear walls together at a respective first and second end of the front and rear walls. The unit further comprises a first inflatable buttress which is rigidly bonded at a proximal end thereof to the rear wall of the chamber, proximate the first end of the chamber and which extends in a direction which is away from the chamber, and a second inflatable buttress which is rigidly bonded at a proximal end thereof to the rear wall of the chamber, proximate the second end of the chamber, and which similarly extends in a direction which is away from the chamber. The unit further comprises a fastening arrangement disposed upon at least one of the first or second buttress for fastening the first and second buttress to a second and first buttress respectively, of a further structural unit to create the flood defence arrangement. |
| US09708779B2 |
Material transfer vehicle having an expandable truck-receiving hopper
A material transfer vehicle includes a truck-receiving hopper that is adapted to receive asphalt material from a delivery truck. The truck-receiving hopper includes an expandable front portion having a right expandable sidewall assembly and a left expandable sidewall assembly. The right expandable sidewall assembly has a right outer front sidewall panel and a mechanism for moving the right outer front sidewall panel between an inner right position and an outer right position. The left expandable sidewall assembly has a left outer front sidewall panel and a mechanism for moving the left outer front sidewall panel between an inner left position and an outer left position. The truck-receiving hopper also includes a rear portion having a right sidewall panel and a left sidewall panel. The right and left sidewall panels of the rear portion are fixed against movement with respect to each other. |
| US09708774B2 |
High softness, high durability bath tissue incorporating high lignin eucalyptus fiber
A cellulosic tissue includes cellulosic fibers that include at least one of (a) chemically pulped fibers and (b) mechanically pulped fibers. The cellulosic fibers include (i) from about 10% to about 50% by weight eucalyptus fibers, and (ii) a percentage by weight of regenerated cellulosic microfibers. The cellulosic fibers further include virgin chemically pulped fibers, recycle fiber with a percentage by weight The eucalyptus fibers have been prepared from eucalyptus chips by alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping, exhibiting an ISO brightness of at least 0.82×(% VCP)+0.795×(% RF)0.98+0.84×(% APMP), in which % VCP is the percentage of virgin chemical pulp in the tissue, % RF, the percentage of recycle fiber, and % alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP), the percentage of APMP eucalyptus. |
| US09708773B2 |
Security sheet or document having one or more enhanced watermarks
The invention generally relates to a security sheet or document having one or more enhanced watermarks. In one exemplary embodiment, the inventive security sheet or document is a single-ply paper that is made up of a paper layer including one or more watermarks, and a micro-optic security device (e.g., a patch or thread) that at least partially covers an upper or face portion of the watermark(s). The overlying patch or thread increases the durability of the watermark(s), thereby allowing for the watermark(s) as well as reduced fiber density areas therein to be made larger, and further allowing for the reduced fiber density areas to be made thinner. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device projects one or more synthetic images that coordinate or link in with the watermark design(s). In a more preferred embodiment, the micro-optic security device offers a machine detectable/readable feature in the form of enhanced IR-brightness, especially when measured in transmission. As will be readily appreciated, the inventive security sheet or document offers greatly improved counterfeit-resistance. |
| US09708772B2 |
Method of providing fiber web making furnish with filler, and paper or paper board
The present invention relates to a method of producing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) where a retention/strength enhancing chemical is added to milk of lime to form a mixture thereof prior to adding the mixture of the retention/strength enhancing chemical and milk of lime to paper making stock in a pipeline leading to a headbox of a paper making machine, whereafter carbon dioxide is introduced to the paper making stock, and the carbonation reaction between milk of lime and carbon dioxide is allowed to proceed in the presence of both fibers and the retention/strength enhancing chemical. |
| US09708771B2 |
Aqueous emulsion of a sizing agent
A method of preparing an aqueous emulsion of a sizing agent for use in a papermaking process comprising, emulsifying the sizing agent into an aqueous liquid, in which an aqueous dispersion of a water-soluble polymer of N-vinylformamide and/or N-vinylacetamide units is added to either the sizing agent or the aqueous liquid before, during or after emulsification, wherein the dispersion contains, based on 100 parts by weight of water, (A) from 0.1 to 80 parts by weight of a water-soluble polymer containing N-vinylformamide units and/or N-vinylacetamide units, and (B) from 0.02 to 50 parts by weight of at least one polymeric dispersant. |
| US09708767B2 |
Extended nip roll for use in a nip through which a fibrous web is to be passed
The invention relates to an extended nip roll 1 for use in a nip N through which a fibrous web W is to be passed. The roll has two axial ends 3, 4 and comprises a support beam 5 having an axial extension between the axial ends 3, 4 of the extended nip roll and a press body 6 with an axial extension and which press body 6 is substantially parallel with the support beam 5 as well as means 7 supported by the support beam 5 for causing the press body to move or expand radially outwards towards a counter roll 2 to form a nip N. The inventive roll also comprises a tubular flexible jacket 8 with two axial ends 12, 13, the tubular flexible jacket 8 forming a loop around the press body 6 and the support beam 5. At each end of the extended nip roll 1, there is an end wall 9, 10 which is rotatably journalled to allow each end wall 9, 10 to rotate about the support beam 5. Each end wall 9, 10 being attached to an axial end 12, 13 of the tubular flexible jacket 8 such that the end walls 9, 10 and the tubular flexible jacket 8 form together an enclosed space 14. On the support beam 5, there is at least one support element 15 for the tubular flexible jacket 8 which support element 15 is arranged to support a part of the tubular flexible jacket 8 at a location spaced away from the press body 6. According to the invention, the at least one support element 15 is arranged to be movable in a circumferential direction such that it can be moved to different positions along the circumference of the tubular flexible jacket 8. |
| US09708765B2 |
Rotor refiner plate element for counter-rotating refiner having curved bars and serrated leading edges
A refining plate segment for a mechanical refiner of lignocellulosic material including: a refining surface on a substrate, wherein the refining surface faces a refining surface of an opposing refiner plate, the refining surface including bars and grooves between the bars, wherein an angle of each bar with respect to a radial line corresponding to the bar increases at least 15 degrees along a radially outward direction, and the angle is a holdback angle in a range of 10 to 45 degrees at the periphery of the refining surface, and wherein the bars each include a leading sidewall having an irregular surface, wherein the irregular surface includes protrusions extending outwardly from the sidewall towards a sidewall on an adjacent bar and the irregular surface extends from at or near the outer periphery of the refining surface extends radially inwardly along the bars without reaching an inlet of the refining surface. |
| US09708761B2 |
Array for processing materials
Materials (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems equipment, and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, using an array of vaults. |
| US09708760B2 |
Esterified cellulose pulp compositions and related methods
Esterified cellulose pulp compositions produced in high yield from commercially available wood pulp sources, methods for making the esterified cellulose pulp compositions, and articles prepared from the esterified cellulose pulp compositions. |
| US09708754B2 |
Laundry receptacles and related methods
Liners for laundry receptacles are at least substantially comprised of an elastic material and include a peripheral edge, a central region, and an outer region between the peripheral edge and the central region. The outer region includes ridges and valleys each extending at least substantially parallel to the peripheral edge. Laundry receptacles include a frame including a top member and a liner coupled to the top member. The liner exhibits a modulus of elasticity of about 2,000 MPa or less and an elongation rating of about 100% or more. Methods of forming a laundry receptacle include forming a top member of a frame, forming a liner, and coupling the liner to the top member of the frame to hang the liner from the frame. |
| US09708753B2 |
Laundry treating apparatus
A laundry treating apparatus (100) is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus (100) includes a cabinet (1) forming an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, a support part (2) configured to be withdrawable from the cabinet (1), the support part (2) providing a space to support laundry when the laundry is withdrawn from the cabinet (1), and a laundry treating unit (5) configured to be withdrawable from the cabinet (1), the laundry treating unit (5) supplying at least one of heat and moisture to the laundry supported by the support part (2). |
| US09708748B2 |
Laundry treatment apparatus
A laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a drawer with a drawer body and a drawer panel, an accommodation unit in the drawer body and defining a space for receiving washing water, a discharge unit for discharging washing water from the accommodation unit to the outside of the accommodation unit, a water discharge channel for guiding discharged washing water in the discharge unit to the outside of the cabinet, and a residual water discharge unit that provides an alternative path for discharging washing water in the discharge unit to the outside of the cabinet, wherein at least a portion of the residual water discharge unit is exposed to and accessible from the outside of the cabinet based on the drawer body being withdrawn from the cabinet, and wherein the entire residual water discharge unit is covered by the cabinet based on the drawer body being retracted within the cabinet. |
| US09708746B2 |
Motor driving apparatus and laundry treatment machine including the same
A laundry treatment machine includes a drum, a motor to rotate the drum, and a driving unit to drive the motor, wherein the driving unit includes an inverter to convert direct current (DC) voltage into alternating current (AC) voltage and to output the AC voltage to the motor and an inverter controller to control the inverter to supply an alignment current to the motor so as to align the motor during a starting operation of the motor and to supply a torque current for rotating the motor to the motor together with the alignment current after the motor is aligned. Such a laundry treatment apparatus prevents a reverse rotation phenomenon of the drum due to load. |
| US09708744B2 |
Motor driving apparatus and laundry treatment machine including the same
The laundry treatment machine includes an inverter to convert direct current (DC) voltage into alternating current (AC) voltage and to output the AC voltage to a motor. The laundry treatment machine includes an inverter controller to control the inverter to supply current corresponding to a direction opposite to back electromotive force generated from the motor to the motor so as to align the motor during a starting operation of the motor. It is feasible to rapidly align a rotor of the motor during the starting operation of the motor. |
| US09708743B2 |
Wall-mounted drum-type washing machine
A wall-mounted drum type washing machine includes a rear panel forming a rear surface of a cabinet, comprising a water supply device installed to supply wash water and a driving unit to provide power for a washing operation, mounted on a wall surface; a tub in the cabinet to contain wash water, integrated with the rear panel, and having a rotatable drum therein; a box unit connected to a cover unit having a door thereon, forming an outer wall of the cabinet, and coupled to the rear panel and surrounding the tub; a water supply device supplying wash water into the tub through a top surface of the cabinet; and a drain device discharging wash water from the tub to the bottom of the box unit. |
| US09708740B2 |
Balancer, balancer housing, washing machine having the same and control method thereof
A washing machine having a balancer housing capable of transmitting electric power from an external power source to a balancing module. The washing machine includes a rotary drum, and a balancer to counterbalance an unbalanced load generated in the rotary drum. The balancer includes a balancer housing mounted to the rotary drum, and a balancing module having a moving unit to move inside the balancer housing. The balancer housing includes an electrode provided at an inner surface of the balancer housing in a circumferential direction thereof in order to transmit electric power to the moving unit of the balancing module, an electric wire electrically connected to the electrode in order to apply electric power from an external power source to the electrode, and a connector provided at an outer surface of the balancer housing in order to electrically connect the electric wire and the electrode. |
| US09708737B2 |
Proliferated thread count of a woven textile by simultaneous insertion within a single pick insertion event of a loom apparatus multiple adjacent parallel yarns drawn from a multi-pick yarn package
Disclosed are a method, a device and/or a system of proliferating a thread count of a woven textile by simultaneous insertion within a single pick insertion event of a loom apparatus multiple adjacent parallel yarns drawn from a multi-pick yarn package. In one or more embodiments, multiple texturized polyester weft yarns of denier between 15 and 65 are wound on a single bobbin in a parallel adjacent fashion such that they may be fed into an air jet pick insertion apparatus and/or a rapier pick insertion apparatus of an air jet loom to weave a textile that has between 90 to 235 ends per inch cotton warp yarns and between 100 and 965 polyester weft yarns. |
| US09708732B2 |
Susceptor with groove provided on back surface and method for manufacturing epitaxial wafer using the same
The present invention provides a susceptor for supporting a semiconductor substrate at the time of performing vapor-phase epitaxy of an epitaxial layer, wherein a pocket in which the semiconductor substrate is to be placed is formed on an upper surface of the susceptor, the pocket has a two-stage structure having an upper-stage-pocket portion for supporting an outer peripheral edge portion of the semiconductor substrate and a lower-stage-pocket portion that is formed on a central side of the pocket below the upper-stage-pocket portion, through holes that penetrate to a back surface of the susceptor and are opened at the time of performing the vapor-phase epitaxy are formed in the lower-stage-pocket portion, and a groove is provided on the back surface of the susceptor at a position corresponding to that of the upper-stage-pocket portion. |
| US09708731B2 |
Method of producing silicon single crystal
A method of producing a silicon single crystal is provided. The method may include taking a real image of a heat shield including a circular opening and a mirror image of the heat shield reflected on a surface of the silicon melt, measuring a spacing between the real image and the mirror image, calculating a position of the surface of the silicon melt, taking an image of a bright zone that appears in a vicinity of an interface between the silicon melt and the silicon single crystal, calculating a position of the surface of the silicon melt based on a center position of the silicon single crystal determined from the image of the bright zone, and controlling the position of the surface of the silicon melt during a pulling of the silicon single crystal while referring to data of the calculated positions of the surface of the silicon melt. |
| US09708727B2 |
Stirring apparatus of ingot casting furnace
A stirring apparatus of an ingot casting furnace includes a rotating shaft and at least one fin. The fin is provided onto the rotating shaft, and has a first edge, a second edge of unequal length provided correspondingly, and a third edge connecting the first and the second edges. The rotating shaft can be driven to rotate, which consequently drives the at least one fin to stir materials in a crucible. The length of the first edge is different from that of the second edge in order for the materials in the crucible can be mixed with dopants more uniformly during the stirring process to produce ingots of stable quality. |
| US09708726B2 |
Silicon wafer heat treatment method
A silicon wafer heat treatment method includes: placing a silicon wafer on a SiC jig and into a heat treatment furnace; performing heat treatment on the silicon wafer in the heat treatment furnace in a first non-oxidizing atmosphere; reducing the temperature; and carrying the silicon wafer out of the heat treatment furnace. In the heat reduction step, after the temperature is reduced to the temperature at which the silicon wafer can be carried out of the heat treatment furnace, the first non-oxidizing atmosphere is switched to an atmosphere containing oxygen, an oxide film having a thickness of 1 to 10 nm is formed on the surface of the SiC jig in the atmosphere containing oxygen, and the atmosphere containing oxygen is then switched to a second non-oxidizing atmosphere. A silicon wafer heat treatment method can prevent carbon contamination from a jig and an environment during a heat treatment process. |
| US09708725B2 |
Method for maintenance of used permanent cathode plates
A method for maintenance of used permanent cathode plates, said used cathode plate having scratches, crud formations and oversize grain boundaries on a surface of the cathode plate. The method comprises removing of scratches and accumulated crud from the surface of the cathode plate. The method further comprises removing substantially completely the oversize grain boundaries from the surface, and thereafter regenerating the grain boundaries of the surface of the cathode plate to an average grain boundary width of 1 to 3 μm and an average grain boundary depth less than 1 μm. |
| US09708722B2 |
Electrochemical co-production of products with carbon-based reactant feed to anode
The present disclosure is a system and method for producing a first product from a first region of an electrochemical cell having a cathode and a second product from a second region of the electrochemical cell having an anode. The method may include a step of contacting the first region with a catholyte comprising carbon dioxide. The method may include another step of contacting the second region with an anolyte comprising a recycled reactant and at least one of an alkane, haloalkane, alkene, haloalkene, aromatic compound, haloaromatic compound, heteroaromatic compound or halo-heteroaromatic compound. Further, the method may include a step of applying an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode sufficient to produce a first product recoverable from the first region and a second product recoverable from the second region. |
| US09708719B2 |
Multi-layer water-splitting devices
Water-splitting devices and methods for manufacturing water-splitting devices or solar cells is disclosed. The method seeks to provide a relatively high-volume, low-cost mass-production method. In one example, the method facilitates simultaneous co-assembly of one or more sub-units and two or more polymer films or sheets to form a water-splitting device. According to another aspect, there is provided an improved water-splitting device. In one example form, there is provided a water-splitting device which includes a first electrode for producing oxygen gas and a second electrode for producing hydrogen gas from water. The first electrode and the second electrode are positioned between a first outer polymer layer and a second outer polymer layer, and at least one spacer layer is positioned between the first outer polymer layer and the second outer polymer layer. |
| US09708716B2 |
Methods and systems for the reduction of molecules using diamond as a photoreduction catalyst
Methods for the photoreduction of molecules are provided. The methods use diamond having a negative electron affinity as a photocatalyst, taking advantage of its ability to act as a solid-state electron emitter that is capable of inducing reductions without the need for reactants to adsorb onto its surface. The methods comprise illuminating a fluid sample comprising the molecules to be reduced and hydrogen surface-terminated diamond having a negative electron affinity with light comprising a wavelength that induces the emission of electrons from the diamond directly into the fluid sample. The emitted electrons induce the reduction of the molecules to form a reduction product. |
| US09708710B2 |
Atomic layer deposition method for coating a substrate surface using successive surface reactions with multiple precursors
Methods for providing one or more coating layers on a surface of a substrate by successive surface reactions of at least a first and second precursor are provided. The methods generally include supplying the first precursor from a first precursor nozzle and the second precursor from a second precursor nozzle to the surface of the substrate, and moving the substrate relative to at least one of the first and second precursor nozzle. The methods can further include subjecting only one or more first limited sub-areas of the surface of the substrate to the first and second precursor by cooperation of supplying the first and second precursor and simultaneously moving the substrate relative to at least one of the first and second precursor nozzle. |
| US09708707B2 |
Nanolayer deposition using bias power treatment
A hybrid deposition process of CVD and ALD, called NanoLayer Deposition (NLD) is provided. The NLD process is a cyclic sequential deposition process, comprising introducing a first plurality of precursors to deposit a thin layer with the deposition process not self limiting, followed by introducing a second plurality of precursors for plasma treating the thin deposited layer. The plasma can be isotropic, anisotropic, or a combination of isotropic and anisotropic to optimize the effectiveness of the treatment of the thin deposited layers. |
| US09708702B2 |
Wiping device and hot dip coating apparatus using the same
A wiping device which blows a wiping gas toward a steel sheet from a pair of wiping nozzles disposed on both sides of the steel sheet so as to face sheet surfaces of the steel sheet, wherein the steel sheet is interposed between the pair of wiping nozzles and is pulled from a hot dip coating bath, the device includes a suctioning tube, wherein: the suctioning tube is disposed on both sides in a width direction of a section of the steel sheet, the section being positioned between the pair of wiping nozzles, so that the suctioning tube is in parallel to the steel sheet; the suctioning tube has a suctioning port that suctions an air; the suctioning port is disposed to face a side end surface of the steel sheet; a cross-sectional shape of the suctioning tube has the largest dimension thereof along a pulling direction of the steel sheet. |
| US09708698B2 |
Wear resistant steel having excellent toughness and weldability
Provided is a wear resistant steel including 2.6 wt % to 4.5 wt % of manganese (Mn), carbon (C) satisfying (6-Mn)/50≦C≦(10-Mn)/50, 0.05 wt % to 1.0 wt % of silicon (Si), and iron (Fe) as well as other unavoidable impurities as a remainder, wherein a Brinell hardness of a surface portion is in a range of 360 to 440. The wear resistant steel further includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of 0.1 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of niobium (Nb), 0.1 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of vanadium (V), 0.1 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of titanium (Ti), and 0.02 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of boron (B) to complement the performance thereof. The wear resistant steel is characterized in that a microstructure includes martensite in an amount of 90% or more, and an average packet diameter of the martensite is 20 μm or less. |
| US09708692B2 |
Sliding bearing
The invention relates to a sliding bearing (1) comprising a support element (2) on which at least one additional functional layer (3) is arranged which consists of a silver-based alloy with silver as the main constituent of the alloy. The functional layer (3) contains, in addition to silver, at least one element from a group including gallium, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc, germanium, indium, tin, antimony and aluminum, wherein the total content of said elements is between 0.01 wt. % and 70 wt. % and the remainder is formed by silver containing production-related impurities, with the proviso that the proportion of each of the elements gallium, manganese, nickel, zinc, germanium and antimony in the binary silver-based alloys is a maximum of 49 wt. %, the proportion of indium being not more than 10 wt. %, the proportion of tin or copper content in the functional layer embodied as a sliding being not more than 10 wt. % and 14 wt. % respectively. |
| US09708691B2 |
Process for investment casting and casting grain for use in the process
In an Ag, Cu, Ge alloy containing boron as grain refiner, investment castings of a clean bright silvery appearance and/or free from cracking defects are obtained by incorporation of silicon, in some embodiments in the absence of added zinc. |
| US09708688B2 |
Mineral processing
Methods and systems for processing ores by assaying the ore to determine what ore constituent has to be separated, by controlling the volume of ore processed at one time, and/or by controlling the amount of heat added to or extracted from the ore. |
| US09708685B2 |
Structural component including a tempered transition zone
The invention provides a hot stamped structural component (20) for an automotive vehicle, such as a B-pillar, including a first part (22) formed of a high strength steel material joined to a second part (24) formed of a high ductility steel material. The structural component (20) also includes a locally tempered transition zone (26) along the joint (28) to reduce the potential for failure along the joint (28). The transition zone (26) has strength and ductility levels between the strength and ductility levels of the remaining portions of the first and second parts (22, 24). The tempering step can be incorporated into a laser trimming cell or assembly cell, and thus the transition zone (26) can be created without adding an additional process step or increasing cycle time. |
| US09708683B2 |
Coated steel strips, methods of making the same, methods of using the same, stamping blanks prepared from the same, stamped products prepared from the same, and articles of manufacture which contain such a stamped product
Coated steel having a well defined and uniform thickness is useful and advantageous for preparing products by hot stamping. Products prepared by hot stamping such a steel are particularly advantageous when subjected to a subsequent spot welding step. |
| US09708680B2 |
Hot rolled steel sheet for square column for building structural members
A hot rolled steel sheet for a square column for building structural members, the hot rolled steel sheet having a composition of, in terms of % by mass, C: 0.07 to 0.18%, Mn: 0.3 to 1.5%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.015% or less, N: 0.006% or less, Al: 0.01 to 0.06%, and the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, and having a microstructure that includes a primary phase constituted of ferrite and a second phase constituted of pearlite or pearlite and bainite, wherein a second phase frequency defined by equation (1) below is 0.20 to 0.42 and a mean crystal grain diameter of the primary phase and the second phase together is 7 to 15 μm Second phase frequency=(Number of second phase grains intersecting line segments of particular length)/(Number of primary phase grains and second phase grains intersecting line segments of particular length) (1). |
| US09708677B2 |
Method of heat treating a cast iron, in particular a nodular cast iron
The invention relates to a method of heat treating a cast iron having graphite particles, in particular a cast iron having graphite nodules with a substantially spherical geometry. The method comprises the step of subjecting the cast iron to a first austenitizing temperature, in order to obtain a cast iron having an austenite matrix with a substantially homogeneous carbon content. Subsequently, at least part of the cast iron is subjected to at least a second, different austenitizing temperature in order to change, in at least part of the cast iron, the carbon concentration in a part of the matrix surrounding the (spherical) geometry of the graphite particles. The method yields improved controllability on strength properties characteristics for cast irons including malleable irons, in particular for ductile iron. |
| US09708676B2 |
Method for preparing low-cost clean steel
A method for preparing low-cost clean steel includes steps of: preliminarily desulfurizing iron melt: preliminarily desulfurizing in an iron melt channel during blast furnace tapping and during iron folding in an iron folding room, adding a desulfurizing ball into the iron melt during the blast furnace tapping or the iron folding; dephosphorizing and controlling sulfur: dephosphorizing and controlling sulfur during converter steelmaking, in such a manner that P≦0.014% and S≦0.004% during tapping; rapidly dephosphorizing by slag-forming: rapidly dephosphorizing by slag-forming during converter tapping, at a converter end point, controlling a C content at 0.02˜0.10%, adding a dephosphorizing ball through an alloy chute during the converter tapping, blowing argon and stirring at the same time; purifying steel melt during RH refining: adding a purifying ball at a late stage of the RH refining when a vacuum degree is at 66.7˜500 Pa; and continuously casting with whole-process protection. |
| US09708675B1 |
Method of tanning and washing leather, canvas, cotton and any other materials, as well as the finished product
Present invention related to method of washing and finishing leather, canvas, cotton and any other material, as well as the finished products such as, but not limited to shoes, bags, accessories, clothing, denim, T-Shirts, and components of these products by washing in brewed coffee.Material, for example leather, canvas, cotton, denim, washed in coffee before manufacturing the product. |
| US09708674B2 |
Resistance alleles in soybean
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting and/or producing a soybean plant or germplasm having iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance. A soybean plant, part thereof and/or germplasm, including any progeny and/or seeds derived from a soybean plant or germplasm identified, selected and/or produced by any of the methods of the present invention is also provided. |
| US09708669B2 |
Method for detecting genes sensitive to low-level ionizing radiation
A method for detecting genes sensitive to low-level ionizing radiation and genes detected by the method. More specifically, genes sensitive to low-level ionizing radiation, discovered in a carcinogenic entity and verified in a normal entity are detected by subjecting a cancerous AKR/J mouse and a normal ICR mouse to low-level radiation. Thymus is collected therefrom, and glycometabolism-related genes are classified via microarray processing of the thymus. The genes are amplified and the levels of gene expression are measured. Thus, a gene having a specific reaction to radiation can be accurately detected by preventing the interference of confounding variables. |
| US09708666B2 |
Prognostic molecular signature of sarcomas, and uses thereof
Described herein are methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue sarcoma cancer phenotypes and soft tissue sarcoma cancer-associated diseases. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of soft tissue sarcoma cancer. |
| US09708663B2 |
Use of SAA1B/B homozygote in the prognosis and diagnosis of liver cirrhosis
Provided is uses of SAA1β/β(1.5/1.5) homozygote in prognosis and/diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, and in preparation of a reagent for liver cirrhosis prognosis and/or liver cirrhosis diagnosis. Recognition of liver cirrhosis susceptible populations can be achieved by detection of human SAA1β/β homozygote and non-SAA1β/β homozygote through real-time fluorescence quantitative allele specific PCR. |
| US09708661B2 |
Advanced detection of sepsis
The present invention relates to methods, monitors and systems, useful, for example, for advanced detection of sepsis in a subject. |
| US09708658B2 |
Enrichment of target sequences
Methods and compositions are provided for enriching for target sequences from a population of nucleic acids, that includes combining in solution, a population of nucleic acids and a target isolation probe wherein the target isolation probe includes an affinity binding domain; permitting a single stranded region of the target isolation probe to hybridize to all or a portion of a target sequence in the population of nucleic acids; selectively immobilizing the hybridized nucleic acids from the population containing the target sequences by associating the target isolation probe with a capture domain and removing unbound material; and removing from the 3′ end of the target sequence, a non-target sequence by means of one or more 3′ single strand specific exonucleases. Target enrichment may be used to detect variations in nucleotide sequence for detecting phenotypic changes related to health or disease. |
| US09708656B2 |
Real-time electronic sequencing
Real time electronic sequencing methods, devices, and systems are described. Arrays of nanoscale electronic elements comprising capacitive devices with one or two electrodes, or arrays of nanoFET devices are used to provide sequence information about a template nucleic acid in a polymerase-template complex bound proximate to the nanoscale electronic elements or to the substrate proximate to the nanoscale electronic element. A sequencing reaction mixture comprising nucleotide analogs having impedance labels, capacitive labels, or conductivity labels is introduced to the array of nanoscale electronic elements comprising capacitive devices or nanoFETs under conditions of polymerase mediated nucleic acid synthesis. The time sequence of incorporation of nucleotide analogs is determined by identifying the types of labels of the nucleotide analogs that are incorporated into the growing strand using measured impedance, conductivity, or capacitance. |
| US09708655B2 |
Compositions, systems, and methods for detecting events using tethers anchored to or adjacent to nanopores
Compositions, systems, and methods for detecting events are provided. A composition can include a nanopore including a first side, a second side, and an aperture extending through the first and second sides; and a permanent tether including head and tail regions and an elongated body disposed therebetween. The head region can be anchored to or adjacent to the first or second side of the nanopore. The elongated body including a reporter region can be movable within the aperture responsive to a first event occurring adjacent to the first side of the nanopore. For example, the reporter region is translationally movable toward the first side responsive to the first event, then toward the second side, then toward the first side responsive to a second event. The first event can include adding a first nucleotide to a polynucleotide. The second event can include adding a second nucleotide to the polynucleotide. |
| US09708654B2 |
High throughput sequencing of multiple transcripts
The present disclosure generally relates to sequencing two or more genes expressed in a single cell in a high-throughput manner. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for high-throughput sequencing of pairs of transcripts co expressed in single cells (e.g., antibody VH and VL coding sequence) to determine pairs of polypeptide chains that comprise immune receptors. |
| US09708651B2 |
DNA polymerase activity assays and methods enabling determination of viable microbes
A method for performing a diagnostic assay for the detection of the presence or amount of a microorganism within a sample matrix containing active DNA polymerase, is disclosed. The method utilizes the measurement of DNA polymerase extension activity, wherein the assay comprises the steps of incubating DNA polymerase in the sample matrix with a selected suitable substrate, and performing PCR cycling and detection via the use of a selected suitable nucleic acid probe, thereby to detect endogenous DNA polymerase extension activity in the sample matrix as an indication of the presence or amount of said microorganism. |
| US09708645B2 |
Nucleic acid preparation method
A method for processing a nucleic acid, in which the nucleic acid is exposed to an aqueous medium which includes a polyol in sufficient proportion for at least a portion of the nucleic acid to enter or remain in an extra-solution phase. Thus, a polyol may be used to bind a nucleic acid which is in solution to a solid support or to wash a nucleic acid on a solid support while maintaining it on the support. The polyol may for example be a C2-C10 alkanediol. |
| US09708643B2 |
Circulating miRNA biomaker signatures
Methods for diagnosis and surveillance of complex multi-factorial disorders such as cancer by screening of easily accessible biomarkers are disclosed. Highly stable cell free Circulating Nucleic Acids (CNA) present as both RNA and DNA species have been discovered in the blood and plasma of humans. Correlations between tumor-associated genomic/epigenetic/transcriptional changes and alterations in CNA levels are strong predictors of the utility of this biomarker class as clinical indicators. Methods for using microRNAs (miRNAs) representing a class of naturally occurring small non-coding RNAs of 19-25 nt as markers that can associate their specific expression profiles with cancer development are disclosed. Methods for isolating plasma fractions for the study of miRNA biomarkers and for measurement of circulating miRNA levels are disclosed. |
| US09708641B2 |
Mobile app for chemical detection
The present invention incorporates the camera from a mobile device (phone, iPad, etc.) to capture an image from a chemical test kit and process the image to provide chemical information. A simple user interface enables the automatic evaluation of the image, data entry, gps info, and maintain records from previous analyses. |
| US09708637B2 |
Method for producing lower alkyl ester
A method for producing an L-amino acid is described, for example, L-phenylalanine and L-histidine, by fermentation using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, wherein the bacterium has been modified by attaching a DNA fragment able to be transcribed encoding the peptide represented in SEQ ID NO: 2, or a variant thereof, particularly a portion of the ssrA gene, to the 3′-end of gene encoding for the bacterial enzyme, which influences on the L-amino acid biosynthesis, such as chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydrogenase or phosphoglucose isomerase. |
| US09708636B2 |
Artificial introns
The invention concerns the field of recombinant gene engineering. It concerns novel artificial introns and compositions comprising such introns as well as a method to improve expression of polypeptides from nucleic acids such as cloned genes, especially genes encoding antibodies and antibody derived fragments, and the production of various polypeptides in eukaryotic host cells using said novel artificial intron sequences. |
| US09708634B2 |
Process for making chitin derivatives
Disclosed is a process comprising (1) forming an aqueous mixture comprising a microbial composition and solid chitin, wherein said microbial composition comprises one or more microbes that produce chitin digesting enzymes; and (2) fermenting the mixture for a time sufficient to enzymatically digest all or part of the chitin to form a fermented mixture comprising chitosan and glucosamine. In some embodiments, the chitin is derived from the biodegradation of chitin containing marine Arthropods. In other embodiments, the chitin is obtained from chitin containing fungi, filamentous fungi and yeast which is extracted via a chemical process. In yet another embodiment, the chitin is obtained by the biodegradation of chitin containing fungi, filamentous fungi, yeast and/or insects, preferably using HQE for the digestion. In some embodiments, the process is carried out with a solution that already contains chitosan and/or glucosamine such as HYTb, the aqueous fraction obtained from the biodegradation of chitin containing organisms. |
| US09708632B2 |
Organisms for the production of 1,3-butanediol
A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,3-BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,3-BDO. The pathway includes an enzyme selected from a 2-amino-4-ketopentanoate (AKP) thiolase, an AKP dehydrogenase, a 2-amino-4-hydroxypentanoate aminotransferase, a 2-amino-4-hydroxypentanoate oxidoreductase (deaminating), a 2-oxo-4-hydroxypentanoate decarboxylase, a 3-hydroxybutyraldehyde reductase, an AKP aminotransferase, an AKP oxidoreductase (deaminating), a 2,4-dioxopentanoate decarboxylase, a 3-oxobutyraldehyde reductase (ketone reducing), a 3-oxobutyraldehyde reductase (aldehyde reducing), a 4-hydroxy-2-butanone reductase, an AKP decarboxylase, a 4-aminobutan-2-one aminotransferase, a 4-aminobutan-2-one oxidoreductase (deaminating), a 4-aminobutan-2-one ammonia-lyase, a butenone hydratase, an AKP ammonia-lyase, an acetylacrylate decarboxylase, an acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (CoA-dependent, aldehyde forming), an acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (CoA-dependent, alcohol forming), an acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (ketone reducing), a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA reductase (aldehyde forming), a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA reductase (alcohol forming), a 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydratase, and a crotonase. A method for producing 1,3-BDO, includes culturing such microbial organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,3-BDO. |
| US09708630B1 |
Cells and methods for producing fatty alcohols
Recombinant cells and methods for improved yield of fatty alcohols. The recombinant cells harbor a recombinant thioesterase gene, a recombinant acyl-CoA synthetase gene, and a recombinant acyl-CoA reductase gene. In addition, a gene product from one or more of an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene, an enoyl-CoA hydratase gene, a 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene, and a 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase gene in the recombinant cells is functionally deleted. Culturing the recombinant cells produces fatty alcohols at high yields. |
| US09708627B2 |
Vectors with modified initiation codon for the translation of AAV-REP78 useful for production of AAV
The present invention relates nucleic acid constructs for the production of recombinant parvoviral (e.g. adeno-associated viral) vectors in insect cells, to insect cells comprising such constructs and to methods wherein the cells are used to produce recombinant parvoviral virions. The insect cells preferably comprise a first nucleotide sequence encoding the parvoviral rep proteins whereby the initiation codon for translation of the parvoviral Rep78 protein is a suboptimal initiation codon that effects partial exon skipping upon expression in insect cells. The insect cell further comprises a second nucleotide sequence comprising at least one parvoviral (AAV) inverted terminal repeat (ITR) nucleotide sequence and a third nucleotide sequence comprising a sequences coding for the parvoviral capsid proteins. |
| US09708625B2 |
Methods of controlling seed size in plants
This invention relates to the identification of a regulator protein (termed CYP78A6, or EOD3) which controls the size of plant seeds and organs in Arabidopsis and other plants. Manipulation of CYP78A protein expression may useful, for example, in improving crop yield and increasing plant biomass. |
| US09708621B2 |
Methods and means for obtaining modified phenotypes
Methods and means are provided for reducing the phenotypic expression of a nucleic acid of interest in eukaryotic cells by providing aberrant, preferably unpolyadenylated, target-specific RNA to the nucleus of the host cell. Preferably, the unpolyadenylated, target-specific RNA is provided by transcription of a chimeric gene comprising a promoter and a DNA region encoding the target-specific RNA. |
| US09708620B2 |
Recombinant DNA constructs and methods for controlling gene expression
The present invention provides molecular constructs and methods for use thereof, including constructs including heterologous miRNA recognition sites, constructs for gene suppression including a gene suppression element embedded within an intron flanked on one or on both sides by non-protein-coding sequence, constructs containing engineered miRNA or miRNA precursors, and constructs for suppression of production of mature microRNA in a cell. Also provided are transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing such constructs, and methods for their use. The invention further provides transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing recombinant DNA for the ligand-controlled expression of a target sequence, which may be endogenous or exogenous. Also disclosed are novel miRNAs and miRNA precursors from crop plants including maize and soy. |
| US09708617B2 |
Method of anaerobic tissue-targeted gene expression initiated by alcohol dehydrogenase promoter and the application thereof
A proteomic screening method for anaerobic-specific and expression-effective promoter, and a method of specially delivering and selectively stably expressing target gene in anaerobic tissue by an alcohol dehydrogenase promoter and uses thereof. The latter comprises an anaerobically-induced alcohol dehydrogenase promoter which is used as target gene promoter, anaerobic target bacteria and low copy number plasmid. Therefore, the target gene can be specially and highly expressed under hypoxia condition in vivo or in vitro. The selective gene expression which is driven by the alcohol dehydrogenase promoter in anaerobic tissue can be used as gene therapy method to treat anaerobic tissue disease including tumor, or to prepare anti-tumor drug. |
| US09708615B2 |
Therapeutic compositions
This application relates to therapeutic siRNA agents and methods of making and using the agents. |
| US09708612B2 |
Methods and compositions using miR-3151 in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer
Compositions comprising therapeutic oligonucleotide miR-3151 compounds that target the expression of genes associated with tumorigenesis or cell transformation are provided. |
| US09708609B2 |
Methods to screen compounds for regulating USF1 activity and methods and compounds to treat cardiometabolic and lipid pathologies
The deficiency of Usf1 confers a remarkable number of clinically relevant beneficial metabolic effects in mice via activation of brown adipose tissue. The Usf1 deficient mice have high serum HDL-cholesterol and low triglyceride levels, a beneficial lipid profile opposite to that of human metabolic syndrome. The elevated HDL-C is associated with enhanced cholesterol efflux, and low triglycerides with decreased hepatic VLDL production and elevated triglyceride clearance. Despite their elevated food intake and lower physical activity, the Usf1 deficient mice are protected against diet-induced obesity. Their concomitant increase in energy expenditure is related to the activation of brown adipose tissue. The protective effects of Usf1 deficiency against obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver, dyslipidemia, vascular inflammation, and atherosclerosis coupled with brown adipose tissue activation are demonstrated. Inhibition or silencing of USF1 is suggested as a therapeutic target to treat various human diseases. |
| US09708603B2 |
Method for amplifying cDNA derived from trace amount of sample
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for preparing a sample for comprehensively and accurately analyzing gene expression in a single cell or a few cells, for example, by a large-scale DNA sequencer. The present invention relates to a method for amplifying cDNA from mRNA in a cell, comprising: (1) capturing mRNA derived from the cell by a first DNA probe containing a first tag sequence and a poly T sequence and being immobilized to a solid carrier in a single reaction vessel, and synthesizing a first strand cDNA from the mRNA by a reverse transcription reaction; (2) removing a reaction reagent from the reaction vessel while keeping the first strand cDNA synthesized onto the solid carrier in the reaction vessel; (3) adding a polynucleotide sequence consisting of one type of nucleotides to 3′ terminal of the first strand cDNA on the solid carrier; (4) hybridizing a second DNA probe containing a second tag sequence and a complementary sequence to the polynucleotide sequence with the cDNA to which the polynucleotide sequence is added, and synthesizing a second strand cDNA; and (5) performing a DNA amplification reaction using the second strand cDNA synthesized on the solid carrier as a template. |
| US09708599B2 |
Sample processing methods
A method of processing a sample may include introducing a sample into a vessel, the vessel having proximal and distal ends, the sample being introduced into the proximal end of the vessel; incubating the sample in the vessel with a substance capable of specific binding to a preselected component of the sample; propelling components of the incubated sample, other than the preselected component, toward the proximal end of the vessel by clamping the vessel distal to the incubated sample and compressing the vessel where the incubated sample is contained; propelling the preselected component toward a distal segment of the vessel by clamping the vessel proximal to the preselected component and compressing the vessel where the preselected component is contained; and mixing the preselected component with a reagent in the distal segment of the vessel. |
| US09708598B2 |
Methods of using improved polymerases
This invention provides for methods of sequencing and performing polymerase reactions using an improved generation of nucleic acid polymerases. The improvement is the fusion of a sequence-non-specific nucleic-acid-binding domain to the enzyme in a manner that enhances the processivity of the polymerase. |
| US09708592B2 |
Polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding same
Provided are isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using polypeptides. |
| US09708587B2 |
P450-BM3 variants with improved activity
The present invention provides improved P450-BM3 variants with improved activity. In some embodiments, the P450-BM3 variants exhibit improved activity over a wide range of substrates. |
| US09708585B2 |
Influenza virus reassortment
New influenza donor strains for the production of reassortant influenza A viruses are provided. |
| US09708580B2 |
Bacterial culture media and methods for their preparation and use
Provided herein are methods and compositions for bacterial cellulose production. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions involve or are made from distiller's grain. |
| US09708575B2 |
Systems and methods for wine processing
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to extracting the liquid from a container (such as a bottle of wine) in varying amounts at a desired serving temperature while preserving the liquid for later consumption. Various embodiments may be built within an appliance so the consumer experience is fully automated. Embodiments may include a variety of wine preservation techniques including the use of inert gases that prevent the oxidation of wine. |
| US09708574B2 |
Laundry scent additive
A laundry scent additive having polyethylene glycol and perfume. The laundry scent additive enables consumers to control the amount of scent imparted to their laundry. |
| US09708572B2 |
Detergent composition comprising bluing agent and clay soil removal / anti-redeposition agent
A laundry detergent composition having: (a) detersive surfactant; (b) bluing agent, and (c) a clay and soil removal/anti-redeposition agent; and (d) optionally, one or more additional laundry detergent ingredients. |
| US09708571B2 |
Reduced color epoxidized esters from epoxidized natural fats and oils
Reduced color epoxidized fatty acid esters are provided which may be used as primary plasticizers for PVC, in replacement of phthalate plasticizers. The reduced color epoxidized fatty acid esters are prepared from natural fats or oils by transesterification and interesterification processes, whereby through the use of borohydride, materials having Pt—Co colors according to ASTM D1209 on the order of 50 and lower are possible. |
| US09708563B2 |
Lubricating composition containing an antiwear agent
The invention provides a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity, a compound derived from the hydroxy-carboxylic acid and a nitrile compound. The invention further relates to a method of the lubricating an internal combustion engine with the lubricating composition. |
| US09708555B2 |
Combustible gas composition
The present invention provides a method and a system for synthesizing a combustible gas composition as well as a combustible gas composition obtained by such a method. In particular, the method comprises providing a primary gas (30) obtained by splitting water (12) by means of an electric field; and mixing the primary gas (30) with a secondary gas (44) and with air, wherein the secondary gas (44) comprises a combustible gaseous hydrocarbon. |
| US09708551B2 |
Regenerator for catalysts
The present invention concerns a moving bed catalyst regenerator (1) comprising a vessel (2) extending in a vertical direction, said vessel being divided into at least two regeneration zones extending along the vertical height of said vessel, in which particles of catalyst move under gravity, the regenerator being configured such that each regeneration zone is capable of separately regenerating a different composition of catalyst and in which each regeneration zone comprises, in succession and in the order in which the catalysts move: a) a combustion section (CO); b) an oxychlorination section (O) disposed below the combustion section and comprising means for bringing catalyst from the combustion section (CO) to the oxychlorination section (O); c) a calcining section (CA) disposed below the oxychlorination section. |
| US09708550B2 |
Extraction of sulphur-containing compounds in a first pretreatment reactor operating in batch mode followed by a second pretreatment reactor of the piston type
Process of extracting sulphur-containing compounds from a hydrocarbon cut of the gasoline or LPG type by liquid-liquid extraction with a soda solution employing a unit (2) for pretreatment of the feedstock to be treated located upstream of the unit (4) for extraction with soda, said pretreatment unit consisting of a first pretreatment reactor operating in batch mode followed by a second continuous reactor of the piston type operating in piston mode. |
| US09708549B2 |
Method for making polyalphaolefins using aluminum halide catalyzed oligomerization of olefins
The present application relates to method for oligomerizing olefin or for producing polyalphaolefin utilizing catalyst mixtures comprising aluminum halides and an organic liquid carrier. A process comprising contacting 1) a catalyst mixture comprising i) an aluminum trihalide and ii) an organic liquid carrier comprising first olefins, wherein the organic liquid carrier first olefins comprise at least 60 mole % 1,2-disubstituted olefins, trisubstituted olefins, or any combination thereof; and 2) a monomer comprising second olefins to form an oligomer product. An oligomer product produced by the process comprising contacting 1) a catalyst mixture comprising i) an aluminum trihalide and ii) an organic liquid carrier comprising first olefins, wherein the organic liquid carrier olefins comprise at least 75 mole % 1,2-disubstituted olefins, trisubstituted olefins, or any combination thereof; and 2) a monomer comprising second olefins to form an oligomer product. |
| US09708547B2 |
Water-based formulation of H2S/mercaptan scavenger for fluids in oilfield and refinery applications
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and/or mercaptan scavengers are chemicals that remove H2S and/or mercaptans from gas, oil and water. Water-based formulations may be made and used employing scavenging compounds having the formulae: wherein each R1, R2, R3, and R4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, an acyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a nitro, an alkyl ester, an aryl ester, an alkyl ether, an aryl ether, a hydroxymethyl, an anhydride group, an amino, and a sulfide. In one non-limiting embodiment the compounds (A) and (B) do not contain nitrogen atoms. Water-based formulations, such as those using a protic solvent with the above compounds, work well as H2S scavengers. |
| US09708543B2 |
Producing hydrocarbons from catalytic fischer-tropsch reactor
An integrated plant for the conversion of a hydrocarbon gas such as natural gas to useful hydrocarbon liquid fuels and feed-stocks comprises an H2+CO syn-gas generation system which provides feed gas to a Fischer-Tropsch catalytic hydrocarbon synthesis system with an associated power and heat energy system. |
| US09708541B2 |
Multi-level furnace and method for thermal treatment of a material flow
The invention relates to a multi-level furnace for thermal treatment of the material flow which has at least two process chambers arranged one above another, each providing at least two level floors, and is equipped with one or more transfer devices for transferring the treated material flow from an upper process chamber to a lower process chamber. In order to separate the two process chambers in terms of gas flow, the transfer device has means for forming a material column in the transition region between the upper and the lower process spaces, wherein said means for forming a material column comprise at least one conveying unit or at least one chute, and the at least one conveying unit or at least one chute also forms a material removal device for the upper process chamber and/or a material input device for the lower process chamber. |
| US09708539B2 |
Steeping liquor used as a means of controlling the risk of fire and explosion of organic extractive materials
The invention relates to the use of a concentrated steeping liquor from the starch industry, referred to as corn steep, as a means for controlling the risks of fire caused by self-heating and the risks of explosion of dust caused by the particles and microparticles contained in the inflammable organic materials from the extractive industry, as well as by explosive gases released during the self-heating process during the storage, transport, and/or handling thereof. The concentrated steeping liquor of the invention is diluted with water and mixed with the material to be treated in respective proportions so as to obtain, for an index P up to 315 μm, a percentage of fines at most equal to 6%. |
| US09708535B2 |
Liquid crystal alignment layer
An object of the present invention is to provide a photoalignment layer with a more reliable absorption anisotropy parameter as a photoalignment layer that allows for reduced AC image-sticking. Specifically, provided is a photoalignment layer, obtained by exposure to polarized UV radiation, that has a maximum ΔA (=A1−A2, where A1 is the absorbance in a direction parallel to a vibration direction of the polarized UV radiation, and A2 is the absorbance in a direction parallel to the vibration direction of the polarized UV radiation) of 0.35 or more per micrometer of layer thickness in a range of 230 to 380 nm. |
| US09708529B2 |
Bulk polymer composites
A method for the synthesis and use of transparent bulk conjugated polymers prepared from liquid monomers via bulk polymerization. The liquid monomer contains pi-electron conjugated moieties and polymerizable moieties. The monomer solution may also have functionalizing additives such as a luminescence additive that includes organic dyes, luminescent molecules, fluorescent compounds, phosphorescent compounds, and luminescent quantum dots. The monomer solution may also have sensitizing additives such as high-energy photo sensitizing compounds, nanoparticles of compounds containing atoms with atomic numbers greater than 52 and neutron sensitizing additives. The monomer solution is polymerized by heating to an elevated temperature with or without addition of an initiator. Alternatively, the monomer is polymerized by photo-induced polymerization. A photoinitiator may be employed to initiate the photopolymerization. Scintillation materials with significant light yields are illustrated. |
| US09708528B2 |
Robust photochromic compounds with silicon- or phosphorus-containing heterocyclic ring and the production thereof
In one embodiment, provided are a new class of diarylethene-containing photochromic compounds with the incorporation of silicon- or phosphorus-containing heterocycles into the “ethene” part of the diarylethene backbone that has been shown to be capable of displaying tunable, robust and thermally stable photochromic properties. Also provided are methods for synthesizing these compounds, as well as uses of these compounds as these compounds may be used as the photochromic layer in an optical recording material and other optical functioning devices. |
| US09708525B2 |
Methods of using nano-surfactants for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery
Suspensions comprising amphiphilic nanoparticles and at least one carrier fluid. The amphiphilic nanoparticles include at least a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophilic portion comprises at least one hydrophilic functional group and the hydrophobic portion includes at least one hydrophobic functional group. Methods of forming the flooding suspension and methods of removing a hydrocarbon material using the flooding suspensions. |
| US09708520B2 |
Concentrated sugar additive as anti-dusting agent
The present invention generally concerns a concentrated sugar additive comprising (a) raffinate derived from citric acid recovery industry and (b) sugar-containing solution useful for controlling dust emission from particulate materials during manufacturing, handling, storage or transportation. Such particulate materials comprise fertilizers, minerals, coal, etc. |
| US09708516B2 |
Polyurethane adhesives containing alkyl-substituted 4,4′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkanes, 2,4′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkanes and/or 2,2′-di(aminocyclohexyl)amines
Two component polyurethane adhesives contain (a) at least one alkyl-substituted 4,4′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkane wherein each cyclohexyl group is alkyl-substituted in at least one position ortho to the amino group, (b) at least one 2,4′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkane or 2,2′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkane, (c) a mixture of (ii) at least one alkyl-substituted 4,4′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkane wherein each cyclohexyl group is alkyl-substituted and (ii) at least one 2,4′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkane and/or 2,2′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkane, or (d) a mixture of 40 to 99.9% by weight (a), (b) or (c) with 0.1 to 60% by weight of at least one unsubstituted 4,4′-di(aminocyclohexyl)alkane, The adhesives also contain one or more polyols, in which at least 50% of the hydroxyl groups are secondary hydroxyls. These adhesive provide a useful combination of long open time and excellent sag resistance. |
| US09708515B2 |
Process for the preparation of radiation curable compositions
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a radiation curable composition comprising at least one (meth)acrylic copolymer A and at least one radiation curable compound B, said process comprising a first copolymerization step, and a subsequent ring opening step. |
| US09708509B2 |
Adhesives and related methods
Cure in place pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are described that comprise one or more of a bodying component, a structural diluent, a radical diluent as well as additives such as crosslinkers, external catalysts, photoinitiators and stabilizers/process aids. The bodying component can be acrylic or non-acrylic. |
| US09708508B2 |
Slurry for chemical-mechanical polishing of metals and use thereof
A composition and a method for chemical mechanical polishing. The composition includes a surfactant anion an alkyl alcohol and a diluent. The composition further includes abrasive particles and an oxidizer. The method includes providing the composition on a surface to be polished and polishing the surface by contacting the surface with a polishing pad. |
| US09708507B2 |
Method for improving chemical resistance of polymerized film, polymerized film forming method, film forming apparatus, and electronic product manufacturing method
A method for improving a chemical resistance of a polymerized film, which is formed on a surface of a target object and to be processed by a chemical, includes: consecutively performing a treatment for improving the chemical resistance of the polymerized film subsequent to formation of the polymerized film within a processing chamber of a film forming apparatus where the polymerized film is formed, without unloading the target object from the processing chamber. |
| US09708506B2 |
Ink, ink cartridge, and image recording method
An ink containing a self-dispersing pigment, polyurethane resin particles, a surfactant, and water, wherein the self-dispersing pigment is a pigment having a phosphonate group bonded directly or via another atomic group to the surface of the pigment, wherein the polyurethane resin particles have an anionic functional group content of 0.1 mmol/g or more and 0.4 mmol/g or less on the surfaces of the polyurethane resin particles and have a volume average particle size of 10.0 nm or more and 50.0 nm or less, and the surfactant includes a surfactant represented by a general formula (1), wherein the amount of the surfactant represented by the general formula (1) is 0.05 times or more and 1.00 times or less the amount of the polyurethane resin particles. |
| US09708505B2 |
Surface coated polyester-based fibrous substrate
This invention relates to polyester-based fibrous substrates being surface coated at least partially with a coating composition comprising perfluoropolyethers. Processes of application of the coating compositions are also provided. The polyester-based fibrous substrates after surface coating have improved wear and/or abrasion resistance relative to uncoated fibrous substrates. |
| US09708504B2 |
Branched polyester polymers and coatings comprising the same
A polyester prepared by free radical polymerization of an unsaturated polyester prepolymer, wherein the polymerization occurs primarily by reaction of the unsaturation is disclosed. Coatings comprising the same are also disclosed, as are substrates coated at least in part with such coatings. |
| US09708501B2 |
Polymer dispersion and its application in high pigment volume concentration coatings
The present invention relates to a polymer dispersion of polymer particles comprising phosphorous-containing (meth)acrylate monomers and phosphorus-containing allylic monomers. The present invention further relates to a coating composition made from the polymer dispersion with both satisfactory coating viscosity stability and improved coating performances such as scrub resistance, stain resistance, corrosion resistance and durability. |
| US09708498B2 |
Azo compound, ink containing azo compound, display including said ink and electronic paper
The present invention relates to an ink comprising: a solvent having a relative permittivity, measured at a frequency of 1 kHz and a temperature of 22° C., of 3 or less and a solubility in water at 25° C. of 20 mg/L or less; and a specific azo compound. |
| US09708491B2 |
Optical fiber coating and composition
A treated monomer for optical fiber coatings, a coating composition containing the treated monomer, a coating formed from a coating composition containing a treated monomer, and a fiber coated with the coating formed from a coating composition containing a treated monomer. The monomer is an alkoxylated alkyl acrylate and is formed by acrylating a polyol precursor. The monomer may include residual unreacted polyol precursor. The monomer is treated with a derivatizing agent to convert residual unreacted polyol to a derivative form. The derivative form is less susceptible to degradation to the corresponding non-alkoxylated alcohol or other lower alkoxylated alcohol. The treated monomer includes the alkoxylated alkyl acrylate and the derivative form of the polyol. |
| US09708488B2 |
Polycarbonate containing compositions
Polycarbonate-containing compositions having desirable properties, such as good resistance to environmental stress cracking, are achieved using a combination of a polycarbonate polymer, a compatibilizing agent and an olefinic elastomer. The polycarbonate-containing composition may include about 40-98 weight percent of one or more carbonates polymers; about 0.1-10 weight percent of one or more compatibilizing agents; and 0.1-10 weight percent of one or more olefinic elastomers. The polycarbonate-containing compositions (e.g., polycarbonate blend compositions) preferably have good chemical resistance to medium chain triglycerides. The compositions may be employed in components, such as housings, that require resistance to cleaning fluids used in hospitals. For example, the composition may be employed in components that require resistance to hospital grade tuberculosis disinfectants. |
| US09708487B2 |
Aromatic polycarbonate resin composition and optical molded article
Provided are an aromatic polycarbonate resin composition, including, with respect to 100 parts by mass of an aromatic polycarbonate resin (A), 0.005 to 0.5 parts by mass of a diphosphite compound (B) represented by the following general formula (I) and 0.001 to 0.5 parts by mass of an alicyclic epoxy compound (C), and an optical molded article: in the formula (I), R1, R2, R4, R5, R7, R8, R10, and R11 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or the like, R3, R6, R9, and R12 each independently represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, or the like, and m each independently represent an integer of 0 to 3. |
| US09708484B2 |
Resin composition and uses of the same
A resin composition is provided. The resin composition includes a thermosetting resin component and a filler, wherein the thermosetting resin component has a dissipation factor (Df) of not higher than 0.006 at 1 GHz, and the filler is selected from the following group: strontium titanate, calcium titanate, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, combinations thereof and the sintered material of any of the combinations. The filler is doped or not doped with one or more elements selected from silicon, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements. The average particle size (D50) of the filler ranges from about 2 μm to about 10 μm. The amount of the filler is about 10 parts by weight to about 600 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the thermosetting resin component. |
| US09708479B2 |
Multistage process for producing polyethylene compositions
A process for polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst by copolymerizing ethylene with a comonomer selected from the group of C4-C10 alpha-olefins in three polymerization stages. The polymers produced in the three stages have different melt flow rates. The polymer composition produced by the process has good mechanical properties and can be used for making pipes. The process has a good productivity and provides a stable and economic operation. |
| US09708472B2 |
Cellulose esters in highly-filled elastomeric systems
An elastomeric composition is provided comprising at least one non-fibril cellulose ester, at least one non-nitrile primary elastomer, optionally a starch, and at least 70 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of one or more fillers, wherein the weight ratio of the cellulose ester to the starch is at least 3:1, wherein the cellulose ester is in the form of particles having an average diameter of not more than 10 μm. |
| US09708470B2 |
Lightweight wall repair compounds
Herein are disclosed wall repair compounds comprising at least one or more polymeric binder latex emulsions, one or more inorganic fillers, and comprising an amount of organic polymeric thickener that is less than about 0.1 percent by weight based on the total weight of the wall repair compound. In certain embodiments, the wall repair compound comprises an inorganic filler system selected such that such that synthetic inorganic fillers comprise essentially 100 percent of the inorganic filler used. In certain embodiments, the wall repair compound comprises one or more glycol ether smoothing agents. |
| US09708468B2 |
Thermosetting resin composition, prepreg, metal clad laminate plate, and printed wiring board
A thermosetting resin composition contains a thermosetting resin, a hardener capable of reacting with the thermosetting resin, and a flame retardant. The flame retardant contains a first phosphor compound compatible with a mixture of the thermosetting resin and the hardener, and a second phosphor compound incompatible with the mixture. |
| US09708467B2 |
Polymer compositions comprising one or more protected antioxidants
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to polymer compositions including a protected antioxidant. In some examples, the compositions can also include a deprotected antioxidant, an unprotected antioxidant or both. Methods of producing compositions including a protected antioxidant and articles including a protected antioxidant are also described. |
| US09708464B2 |
Rubber composition, method for manufacturing rubber-metal composite body, rubber-metal composite body, tire, industrial belt, and rubber crawler
A rubber-metal composite body constituted of a rubber composition and a metal material embedded therein is conventionally used in a rubber article requiring high strength in order to reinforce rubber to improve strength and durability thereof. The present invention provides a rubber composition having good initial adhesive properties and good heat resistant adhesive properties with respect to a metal material, mainly for use in the rubber-metal composite body as described above. Specifically, the present invention provides a rubber composition, containing a cobalt compound by an amount, according to cobalt atoms, in the range of 0.0025 to 0.05 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a rubber component. |
| US09708459B2 |
Rubber composition and method for low resin crosslinking
Tire components comprising rubber compositions based upon cross-linkable elastomer composition, the cross-linkable elastomer compositions including, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr), a highly unsaturated diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a methylene acceptor of the form wherein R is selected from H, an alkyl moiety, a cycloalkyl moiety, an aryl moiety, an amine moiety or combinations thereof. The rubber compositions include a methylene donor in an amount that provides little or no change in the rigidity of the cured rubber composition. Since the methylene acceptor may be described as having antidegradant properties, then resulting rubber composition has improved resistance to degradation. |
| US09708454B2 |
Mixtures containing 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutene and 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene
The present invention relates to mixtures of 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutene (1336mzzm) and 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (1233zd). The blends are useful as blowing agents for polymer foam, solvents, aerosol propellants and heat transfer media. |
| US09708452B2 |
Method of preparing superabsorbent polymer
This disclosure relates to a method for preparing superabsorbent polymer. The method for preparing superabsorbent polymer according to one aspect of the invention comprises obtaining hydrogel polymer during the process of preparing superabsorbent polymer, and then, spraying a surface crosslinking solution comprising a surface crosslinker, alcohol, and ionic liquid to crosslink the surface of the pulverized polymer. The method for preparing superabsorbent polymer may use ionic liquid without using lower alcohol, or if lower alcohol is used together, may minimize the amount, and thus, reduce cost and additional drying treatment, and may control swelling of gel to prepare superabsorbent polymer with excellent product properties. |
| US09708450B2 |
Silicone hydrogel contact lens and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a silicone hydrogel, including the steps of: preparing a polyethylene glycol-containing secondary or tertiary amino alcohol, a crosslinking agent having at least two epoxide rings, and a copolymerization mixture capable of performing a radical chain polymerization reaction, wherein the copolymerization mixture contains a linear silicone prepolymer, a silicone monomer, and a hydrophilic monomer, the linking process is activated by heating to let the epoxide rings of the crosslinking agent open and respectively link with the amino alcohol and any one component of the copolymerization mixture; and completing the radical chain polymerization reaction to obtain a silicone hydrogel. The present invention also provides a contact lens manufactured by the aforementioned method. The present invention distributes and affixes polyethylene glycol of the amino alcohol onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel, thus providing hydrophilicity and electrical charges to the silicone hydrogel. |
| US09708448B2 |
Method for making poly(butylene oxide) polyols
1,2-butylene oxide is homopolymerized or randomly copolymerized in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst such as a zinc hexacyanocobaltate catalyst complex. The polymers unexpectedly contain significant amounts of monofunctional impurities, which can be partially controlled through selection of polymerization conditions. |
| US09708443B2 |
Efficient synthesis of rigid ladder polymers
A molecule includes at least one moiety represented by: where R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from hydride group and groups different from hydride group, and X1 and X2 are bridging moieties including a carbon atom or a heteroatom. |
| US09708440B2 |
High temperature three dimensional printing compositions
A thermosetting resin composition has particular applications in three dimensional (3-D) printing. The thermosetting resin composition exhibits high performance and is characterized by a high temperature two stage cure resin composition. The thermosetting resin composition comprises cyanate esters and other high temperature resins, photo curable monomers, photo initiator, metal catalyst or ionic liquid catalyst. The thermosetting resin composition cures at room temperature to form 3-D objects and upon further post cure these objects exhibit high temperature properties enabling use at temperatures exceeding 150 C. |
| US09708439B2 |
Composition of allophanate and hydrophobic resin
The invention relates to a composition for preparing (poly)urethane from an allophanate and from a hydrophobic resin. The invention also relates to the use of this composition as a replacement for poly(methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) (pMDI), in particular for the preparation of a material for encapsulating an electrical device. |
| US09708438B2 |
Thermoplastic polyurethane copolymer molding compositions
Compositions for forming molded articles, particularly, shells for automotive applications are made up of melt blends of aliphatic thermoplastic urethane elastomer and an olefin-containing block copolymer crosslinked to a gel content of from 5 to 95%. These compositions may be blended to form a powder, pellets, microspheres or minibeads which may then be cast to form air bag door and instrument panel cover skins which may meet automotive deployment and weathering requirements. |
| US09708430B2 |
Vinylidene fluoride copolymer and preparation method therefor
Provided in the present invention is a vinylidene fluoride copolymer. Same is acquired via a polymerization reaction taking place at conditions of 30-100° C. and 2-7 MPa with vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, and perfluorinated dioxole or C1-4 alkoxy-substituted perfluorinated dioxole as raw materials, with an initiator added into an emulsion consisting of water, fluorinated emulsifier, a chain transfer agent, a pH regulator, and an antifouling agent, and then via steps of separation, purification, refinement, condensation, washing, drying, and granulation, where the molar ratio of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, and perfluorinated dioxole or C1-4 alkoxy-substituted perfluorinated dioxole is 13-17:2-4:1-3. The vinylidene fluoride copolymer of the present invention provides excellent transparency, flexibility, and solubility, is widely applicable in optical apparatus such as lenses, and is for use in specialty films in the fields of solar panels and of capacitors as a fuel cell membrane, a transparent and tough coating, and a large-sized blown object. |
| US09708429B2 |
Method of making iminosilane stabilized polymers, polymer compositions, and articles containing such polymers
Methods of making polymers by polymerizing conjugated diolefin in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator are described. Trialkyl or triaryl siloxy iminosilane functionalizing agents are reacted with the polymer, followed by desolvatizing the polymer. The resulting polymer not only has good filler interaction and processability, but results in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity. A polymer made by the process of the present invention, including silica, and carbon black fillers, and rubber compositions, and tires containing side walls and treads containing the polymers are also described. |
| US09708428B2 |
Polymerization using a spiral heat exchanger
This invention relates to a polymerization process for forming polymer comprising: contacting (typically in a solution or slurry phase), a monomer and a catalyst system in a reaction zone comprising at least one spiral heat exchanger and recovering polymer, wherein the monomer, the catalyst system and the polymer flow through the at least one spiral heat exchanger in a cross-flow direction relative to spirals of the at least one spiral heat exchanger. |
| US09708418B2 |
Process for recycling solvent used in an ethylene-based polymerization reaction and system therefor
A process for recycling solvent used in an ethylene-based polymerization comprising: passing a solvent stream which has been used in a first ethylene-based solvent polymerization reactor through an online purification bed to produce a recycle solvent stream, wherein the solvent stream prior to being passed through the online purification bed comprises solvent, ethylene, hydrogen, polymerization by-products and optionally comonomer; and passing the recycle solvent stream from the online purification bed to a second ethylene-based solvent polymerization reactor; wherein the second ethylene-based solvent polymerization reactor exhibits a catalyst efficiency dip of less than or equal to 20% for no longer than a forty-eight hour period following a swap of the online purification bed to a regenerated purification bed which contains an adsorbent having low reactivity to alkenes is provided. |
| US09708417B2 |
Nanoparticles and films composed of water-insoluble glucan
Nanoparticles composed of water insoluble glucans and films composed of tile above nanoparticles, in addition, there is disclosed a process for producing nanoparticles composed of water insoluble glucans. Furthermore, surfactant stabilized nanoparticles composed of water insoluble glucans and films composed of the above nanoparticles. In addition, a process for producing surfactant stabilized nanoparticles composed of water insoluble glucans. |
| US09708415B2 |
Esters of cellulosic materials and diacids and method of making thereof
The present invention relates to esters of diacids and cellulosic materials and methods for making thereof. The ester has the chemical composition of Formula (I) Formula I where R1, R2, and R3 can be the same or different, and each of which is selected from —H, —COR′, —R′″, or —COR″ COOH, with the proviso that at least one of the R1, R2, or R3 is —COR″ COOH; R′ is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aromatic group; R″ is an alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms (≧C4); and R′″ is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyol, or aromatic group. |
| US09708414B2 |
Methods and products for increasing frataxin levels and uses thereof
Methods and products (e.g., recombinant proteins) are described for increasing frataxin expression/levels in a cell, as well as uses of such methods and products, for example for the treatment of Friedreich ataxia in a subject suffering therefrom. |
| US09708413B2 |
Glycosylated linker, compound containing glycosylated linker moiety and physiologically active substance moiety or salt thereof, and methods for producing said compound or salt thereof
[Problem] The purpose is to provide a compound containing a carrier linker moiety and a physiologically active substance moiety or a salt of the compound, wherein a carrier in the carrier linker moiety is biodegradable and is soluble in water.[Solution] The purpose can be achieved by employing a sugar chain as a carrier and focusing on the structure of a carrier-linker having a specified structure. A compound containing a carrier linker moiety and a physiologically active substance moiety or a salt of the compound is discovered. |
| US09708409B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies with enhanced ADCC function
The invention concerns a method for obtaining and selecting monoclonal antibodies by an ADDC-type test, said antibodies capable of activating type III Fcy receptors and having a particular glycan structure. The inventive anti-D antibodies can be used for preventing Rhesus isoimmunisation in Rh negative persons, in particular for haemolytic disease in a new-born baby of for uses such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic pupura 9ITP). |
| US09708405B2 |
Anti-CXCR4 antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates
The present invention provides antibodies and related molecules that bind to chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). The invention further provides antibody-drug conjugates comprising such antibodies, antibody encoding nucleic acids, and methods of obtaining such antibodies. The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these antibodies and anti-CXCR4 antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of a disorder associated with CXCR4 function or expression (e.g., cancer), such as colon, RCC, esophageal, gastric, head and neck, lung, ovarian, pancreatic cancer or hematological cancers. |
| US09708404B2 |
Anti-NTB-A antibodies and related compositions and methods
Disclosed are antibodies, including antibody drug conjugates, that specifically bind to NTB-A. Also disclosed are methods for using the anti-NTB-A antibodies to detect or modulate activity of (e.g., inhibit proliferation of) an NTB-A-expressing cell, as well as for diagnoses or treatment of diseases or disorders (e.g., cancer) associated with NTB-A-expressing cells. Further disclosed is a method of treating multiple myeloma using an anti-NTB-A antibody drug conjugate, which optionally includes an anti-NTB-A antibody as disclosed herein. |
| US09708403B2 |
KIR-binding agents and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to agents and methods that are capable of augmenting NK-mediated killing of target cells by reducing inhibitory KIR signalling without reducing the binding of KIR to HLA-C. As described herein, transduction of negative signaling via KIR, upon binding of KIR to its HLA class I ligand, can involve a ligand-binding induced, conformational reorientation of the KIR molecules allowing interactions to form between adjacent KIRs in specific domains, leading to accelerated clustering. Methods and agents such as monoclonal antibodies for reducing KIR-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity without reducing or blocking HLA-binding by, e.g., reducing or blocking dimerization of KIR, are provided. |
| US09708401B2 |
IL-17A/F cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies and methods of using the same
The present invention relates to antagonizing the activity of IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-23 using bispecific antibodies that comprise a binding entity that is cross-reactive for IL-17A and IL-17F and a binding entity that binds IL-23p19. The present invention relates to novel bispecific antibody formats and methods of using the same. |
| US09708389B2 |
Method for preparing homodimer protein mixture by using charge repulsion effect
The invention relates to a method for preparing a homodimer protein mixture by using repulsive interaction of charges. The method comprises the step of replacing part of residues with the opposite-charged residues, so that different proteins or antibodies are unfavorable to forming heterodimers due to the repulsive interaction between like charges, while same proteins or antibodies are favorable to forming homodimers due to attractive interaction between opposite charges. The homodimer protein mixture obtained according to the method of the invention can simultaneously act on different epitopes of the same target, and simultaneously inhibit the effects of a plurality of antigens by binding to the antigens from different sources, thereby providing a new approach towards immunological diagnosis and treatment of tumors and other diseases. |
| US09708388B2 |
Antibody light chains
The present invention relates to methods for improving biophysical properties, including the stability of antibody lambda light chains, to antibody lambda light chains with improved biophysical properties, including stability, nucleic acid and vectors encoding such antibody lambda light chains, and to uses of such antibody lambda light chains, nucleic acid and vectors. |
| US09708381B2 |
Method for forming a reversible protein nanocluster using light in a cell
To efficiently analyze interaction and function between proteins, the present invention relates to a method for forming a light-induced protein nanocluster, comprising: an expression vector preparation step of preparing a first expression vector including polynucleotides coding a first fusion protein including a light-induced heterodimer-forming protein and a first self-assembly protein, and a second expression vector including polynucleotides coding a couple protein that forms a homodimer with said light-induced heterodimer-forming protein, or a second fusion protein including said couple protein and a second self-assembly protein; a transformed cell, tissue or individual preparation step of transforming cells, tissues or individuals using said first expression vector and second expression vector; and a light radiation step of radiating light having a wavelength for inducing the formation of heterodimer between said light-induced heterodimer-forming protein and said couple protein, to said transformed cells, tissue or individuals. |
| US09708380B2 |
Human leukolectins and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a polypeptide, described as a lectin, its encoding nucleic acid sequence and antibodies to the polypeptide and their use in various medical applications, particularly for treating or preventing an autoimmune disorder, an inflammatory disorder or damaged skin in an animal. |
| US09708375B2 |
Inhibitory polypeptides specific to WNT inhibitors
The present application is directed to avimers and peptides and various combinations thereof in addition to methods of making and using them. |
| US09708372B2 |
Agonistic autoantibodies to the alpha1-adrenergic receptor and the beta2-adrenergic receptor in Alzheimer's and vascular dementia
The invention relates to means for detecting, binding, removing and/or neutralizing agonistic antibodies associated with dementia, preferably Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia. |
| US09708365B2 |
Purification process for monoclonal antibodies
The present invention provides an improved method for the purification of monoclonal antibody from cell culture. Process of purification of the desired monoclonal antibody comprises affinity, hydrophobic interaction and optionally ion exchange column chromatography. It provides more than 99% purity of the desired monoclonal antibody. |
| US09708360B2 |
Phosphorodiamidate backbone linkage for oligonucleotides
This invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides comprising at least one N3′→P5′ phosphorodiamidate linkage (NPN) in the backbone, and kits and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, useful for modulating gene expression involved in the pathogenesis of a disease. Also included are compounds useful as building blocks of said antisense oligonucleotides and methods of preparing said antisense oligonucleotides and building block compounds including NPN linkages. |
| US09708356B2 |
Method for manufacturing monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals from biomass
The present invention provides a method for efficiently producing monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals from biomass. A biomass is hydrolyzed under conditions under which monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals are produced while continuously supplying an aqueous suspension of the biomass from a supply port of a continuous primary hydrolysis device and moving the suspension through the device. A hydrolysis solution is continuously discharged from a discharge port of the continuous hydrolysis device, and a hydrolysis solution containing monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals are extracted from an intermediate extraction port provided at any position between the supply port and the discharge port of the continuous primary hydrolysis device. The extracted hydrolysis solution is then subjected to secondary hydrolysis. |
| US09708354B2 |
Methods for the synthesis of sphingomyelins and dihydrosphingomyelins
The present invention includes methods for the synthesis of sphingomyelins and dihydrosphingomyelins. The present invention also includes methods for the synthesis of sphingosines and dihydrosphingosines. The present invention further includes methods for the synthesis of ceramides and dihydroceramides. |
| US09708353B2 |
Heterobicyclic sphingosine 1-phosphate analogs
Compounds that have agonist activity at one or more of the S1P receptors are provided. The compounds are sphingosine analogs that, after phosphorylation, can behave as agonists at S1P receptors. |
| US09708352B2 |
Echothiophate iodide process
The present invention relates to a process for preparation of Echothiophate Iodide (I). Echothiophate Iodide (I) obtained by the process of the present invention is obtained as new crystalline form designated as Form-SET. The process for preparation of Echothiophate Iodide (I) according to present invention is an ecofriendly process that avoids the use of hazardous solvent systems and provides Echothiophate Iodide (I) of high purity. Pharmaceutical composition of the said crystalline Form-SET of Echothiophate Iodide (I) of high purity is useful in the treatment of ocular disorders like Glaucoma. |
| US09708351B2 |
Alkenes as alkyne equivalents in radical cascades terminated by fragmentations
Disclosed are methods for rerouting radical cascade cyclizations by using alkenes as alkyne equivalents. The reaction sequence is initiated by a novel 1,2 stannyl shift which achieves chemo- and regioselectivity in the process. The radical “hopping” leads to the formation of the radical center necessary for the sequence of selective cyclizations and fragmentations to follow. In the last step of the cascade, the elimination of a rationally designed radical leaving group via β-C—C bond scission aromatizes the product without the need for external oxidant. The Bu3Sn moiety, which is installed during the reaction sequence, allows further functionalization of the product via facile reactions with electrophiles as well as Stille and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. This selective radical transformation opens a new approach for the controlled transformation of enynes into extended polycyclic structures of tunable dimensions. |
| US09708348B2 |
Trisubstituted bicyclic heterocyclic compounds with kinase activities and uses thereof
Trisubstituted bicyclic heterocyclic compounds (e.g., chromenones and quinolines) and pharmaceutical compositions,that modulate kinase activity, including PI3 kinase activity, and methods of treatment of diseases and conditions associated with kinase activity, including PI3 kinase activity, are described herein. |
| US09708339B2 |
1,3-benzothiazinone, sulfoxide, and sulfone compounds with electrophilic substituent
A compound, having the following formula: or resonance form thereof, or salt thereof, or salt of resonance form thereof is provided, wherein E includes an electrophilic site, and wherein R1-R4 and n are defined herein. Compositions and methods including the compound are also provided. |
| US09708333B2 |
Fused bicyclic 1,2,4-triazine compounds as TAM inhibitors
This application relates to compounds of Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are inhibitors of TAM kinases which are useful for the treatment of disorders such as cancer. |
| US09708331B2 |
Metabotrophic glutamate receptor 5 modulators and methods of use thereof
Compounds that modulate GluR5 activity and methods of using the same are disclosed. |
| US09708329B2 |
Selective dual inhibitors of PI3 delta and gamma protein kinases
The present invention relates to a selective dual delta (δ) and gamma (γ) PI3K protein kinase modulator (S)—N-(5-(4-amino-1-(1-(5-fluoro-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl)ethyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)-2-methoxyphenyl) methane sulfonamide, methods of preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of treatment, prevention and/or amelioration of PI3K kinase mediated diseases or disorders with them. |
| US09708328B2 |
Pteridines useful as HCV inhibitors and methods for the preparation thereof
The present invention relates to the use of pteridines as inhibitors of HCV replication as well as their use in pharmaceutical compositions aimed to treat or combat HCV infections. In addition, the present invention relates to compounds per se and their use as medicines. The present invention also concerns processes for the preparation of such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and combinations of said compounds with other anti-HCV agents. |
| US09708327B2 |
Polymorphic forms of a hydrochloride salt of (S)-2-(1-(9H-purin-6-ylamino)propyl)-5-fluoro-3-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one
Polymorphs of a hydrochloride salt of (S)-2-(1-(9H-purin-6-ylamino)propyl)-5-fluoro-3-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one, compositions thereof, methods for their preparation, and methods for their use are disclosed. Solvent forms of a hydrochloride salt of (S)-2-(1-(9H-purin-6-ylamino)propyl)-5-fluoro-3-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one, compositions thereof, methods for their preparation, and methods for their use are also disclosed. |
| US09708322B2 |
Substituted pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalines for inhibiting serotonin reuptake transporter activity
The invention relates to substituted heterocycle fused gamma-carbolines of the Formula Q as described herein, in free base or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use in the treatment of diseases involving the 5-HT2A receptor pathway, the serotonin transporter (SERT) pathway and/or the dopamine D2 receptor pathway signaling systems. |
| US09708319B1 |
Synthesis of PARP inhibitor talazoparib
Provided is a new method for preparing PARP inhibitor talazoparib. |
| US09708317B2 |
Process for the preparation of 8-(4-aminophenoxy)-4H-pyrido[2,3-B]pyrazin-3-one derivatives
The present invention pertains generally to the field of organic chemical synthesis, and in particular to certain methods for the synthesis of 8-(4-aminophenyoxy)-4H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-3-one and related compounds (denoted herein as (3)) from 4-(4-aminophenyoxy)pyridine-2,3-diamine and related compounds (denoted herein as (1)), by reaction with glyoxylic acid (denoted herein as (2)). The compounds (3) are useful in the synthesis of known anti-cancer agents, such as 1-(5-tert-butyl-2-(4-methyl-phenyl)-pyrazol-3-yl)-3-[2-fluoro-4-[(3-oxo-4H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-8-yl)oxy]phenyl]urea. |
| US09708315B2 |
1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine compounds and their use as positive allosteric modulators of MGLUR2 receptors
The present invention relates to novel 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine compounds as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (“mGluR2”). The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes for preparing such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds and compositions for the prevention or treatment of disorders in which mGluR2 subtype of metabotropic receptors is involved. |
| US09708311B2 |
Benzimidazole derivatives as EP4 antagonists
The present invention relates to novel benzimidazole derivatives of the general formula processes for their preparation and their use for the production of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases and indications that are connected with the receptor EP4. |
| US09708310B2 |
Phenanthroindolizidine and phenanthroquinolizidine alkaloid having a hydroxyl group on the phenanthrene ring thereof, preparation method and use thereof
A phenanthroindolizidine and phenanthroquinolizidine alkaloid having a hydroxyl group on the phenanthrene ring thereof was synthesized, which exhibits potent activity as an anticancer agent against, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. |
| US09708307B2 |
Heterocyclic acetamide compound
A compound which is useful as a dopamine D1 receptor positive allosteric modulator (D1 PAM) is provided. The present inventors have studied a compound which has a dopamine D1 receptor positive allosteric modulating activity and is useful as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating cognitive impairment, negative symptoms of schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, drug addictions, or the like, and they have thus found that a heterocyclic acetamide compound has a dopamine D1 receptor positive allosteric modulating activity, thereby completing the present invention. The heterocyclic acetamide compound of the present invention has a dopamine D1 receptor positive allosteric modulating activity and can be used as an agent for preventing and/or treating cognitive impairment, negative symptoms of schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, drug addictions, or the like. |
| US09708302B2 |
Flouro-naphthyl derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of formula wherein R1 is C4-6-cycloalkyl or C4-6-heterocycloalkyl, which are optionally substituted by one or two substituents, selected from hydroxy or lower alkyl; A is phenyl, pyridinyl or piperidinyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, cyano, C4-6-cycloalkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy substituted by halogen, or is a five- or six-membered heteroaryl, optionally substituted by lower alkyl; n is 1 or 2; or to a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt, to a racemic mixture or to its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomers thereof. The compounds may be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, pain or sleep disorders. |
| US09708298B2 |
Meglumine salt formulations of 1-(5,6-dichloro-1H-benzo[D]imidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid
The meglumine salt of 1-(5,6-dichloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (compound (1)) and pharmaceutically acceptable formulations thereof are described. Such compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by prolyl hydroxylase activity. |
| US09708295B2 |
Substituted 2-aminopyridine protein kinase inhibitor
The present invention discloses substituted 2-aminopyridine derivatives as protein kinase inhibitors; specifically, the invention relates to 2-aminopyridine derivatives having protein kinase inhibitory properties, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and use of the compounds and the pharmaceutical compositions thereof for the treatment of diseases associated with protein kinase. |
| US09708294B2 |
Organic compounds
The invention relates to compounds and methods of treatment relating to nicotinic receptor antagonists. For example, the compounds and methods of treatment function block the activity of certain acetylcholine receptors and subtypes therein, and are useful treating diseases and conditions mediated by nicotinic receptor stimulation, e.g., small cell lung cancer. |
| US09708293B2 |
N-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-4-amine derivatives containing a sulfone group
The present invention relates to N-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-4-amine derivatives containing a sulfone group of general formula (I) as described and defined herein, and methods for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders, in particular of hyper-proliferative disorders and/or virally induced infectious diseases and/or of cardiovascular diseases. The invention further relates to intermediate compounds useful in the preparation of said compounds of general formula (I). |
| US09708292B2 |
Cyanopyrimidine derivative
The present invention relates to a novel cyanopyrimidine compound and a pharmaceutical composition which have a safe and potent adenosine A2a receptor agonistic activity. |
| US09708291B2 |
Intermediate and process useful in the preparation of {2-[1-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl]-pyridin-3-yl)-(2-chlorophenyl)-methanone
The present invention relates to novel compounds, (2-chlorophenyl)-[2-(2-hydroxy-2-pyridin-4-yl-vinyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanone benzoate, and (2-chlorophenyl)-[2-(2-hydroxy-2-pyridin-4-yl-vinyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanone toluate, which are useful intermediates for the preparation of the compound of Formula I: The present invention further relates to novel processes for preparing a crystalline compound, which is {2-[1-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-(2-chlorophenyl)-methanone, Form IV. |
| US09708288B2 |
Pesticidal compositions and processes related thereto
This document discloses molecules having the following formula (“Formula One”): and processes related thereto. |
| US09708287B2 |
Chiral compounds, compositions, products and methods employing same
Compounds that function, alone or in combination, as inhibitors of pigmentation for the improvement of mammalian skin are described herein. Specifically, the compounds of the present disclosure, namely chiral, non-racemic compounds, function as pigment formation inhibitors thereof to beautify skin and discourage the production of melanins. One or more products, consumer and otherwise, comprising the chiral, non-racemic compounds are disclosed herein. Methods of employing both the compounds of the present disclosure and the products incorporating the present compounds are also disclosed herein. |
| US09708285B2 |
Dioxolane derivative, liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal element, and liquid crystal display device
A dioxolane derivative represented by formula (G1) is provided. The explanation of the substituents is given in the specification. The use of the dioxolane derivative enables the production of a liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal composition. |
| US09708283B2 |
Isoflavonoid compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer
Provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an isoflavonoid derivative and a cyclodextrin. Also provided herein are methods of treating cancer, sensitizing cancer cells, and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells by administering such compositions. In specific instances, provided herein are intravenous compositions and therapies. |
| US09708277B2 |
Inhibitors of cholesterol ester transfer protein
The invention relates to novel oxazolidinones their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitors. |
| US09708276B2 |
Small molecules targeting androgen receptor nuclear localization and/or level in prostate cancer
A method for treating prostate cancer in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent to the subject, wherein the agent is selected from: (a) a phenyl-substituted imidazole, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; or (b) a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, having a formula I of: wherein R20 is an aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, a silyl-containing group, a boryl-containing group, a phosphine-containing group, amino, a thio-containing group, a seleno-containing group, halide, or a nitro-containing group; R21 is an alkanediyl or a substituted alkanediyl; a is 0 or 1; c is 0 or 1; X is C or S; R22 is a moiety that includes at least one divalent amino radical; and R23 is an aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, a silyl-containing group, a boryl-containing group, a phosphine-containing group, amino, a thio-containing group, a seleno-containing group, halide, or a nitro-containing group. |
| US09708271B2 |
Extraction reactor and also method for extraction from granular material
The present application relates to an extraction reactor with which granular material, in particular granular polyamide, can undergo extraction, soluble components being dissolved out of the granular material with an extraction liquid during the extraction. In the case of polyamide materials, these are for example oligomeric or monomeric components which have remained in the granular material during the polycondensation reaction for the production of the polyamide materials. |
| US09708267B2 |
Activators of human pyruvate kinase
Disclosed are pyruvate kinase M2 activators which are compounds of Formula (I), including those of Formula (II), wherein A1, A2, L, R, R1 to R3, X1 to X3, k, n, and m are as defined herein, that are useful in treating a number of diseases that are treatable by the activation of PKM2, for example, cancer. A1-NR-L-A2(I). |
| US09708265B2 |
Urethanes, ureas, amidines and related inhibitors of factor Xa
The invention relates to a new class of compounds, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions that are effective as selective inhibitors of factor Xa, both in the isolated state and in a complex with other proteins. The compounds of the invention can be used for treating and preventing diseases, such as acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, refractory angina, thromboses caused by post-thrombolytic therapy or coronary angioplasty, acute ischemia mediated cerebrovascular syndrome, embolic stroke, thrombotic stroke, and other diseases in humans and other mammals associated with blood coagulation problems. |
| US09708262B2 |
Compounds for electronic devices
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) and to the use thereof in organic electronic devices, and to organic electronic devices which comprise compounds of the formula (I), preferably as hole-transport materials and/or as matrix materials, in particular in combination with a further matrix material. |
| US09708252B2 |
Fatty acid alkyl ester sulfonate metal salt powder mixture and method for producing the same
The invention provides a fatty acid alkyl ester sulfonate metal salt mixture of (a) a fatty acid alkyl ester sulfonate metal salt having an endothermic peak area at 50 to 130° C. of less than 50% relative to the whole endothermic peak area at 0 to 130° C. as measured on a differential scanning calorimeter, and (b) a fatty acid alkyl ester sulfonate metal salt having an endothermic peak area at 50 to 130° C. of 50% or more relative to the whole endothermic peak area at 0 to 130° C. as measured on a differential scanning calorimeter, with a ratio of (a) to (b) by mass of 95/5 or less. The mixture of the invention is excellent in anti-caking properties. |
| US09708249B1 |
Compositions and methods related to the production of acrylonitrile
Disclosed herein are a catalyst and method useful in the process of converting sugars to acrylonitrile. |
| US09708246B2 |
Method for recovering fluorinated emulsifier
To provide a method for recovering, from a liquid to be treated containing a fluorinated polymer and a fluorinated emulsifier, the fluorinated emulsifier easily and efficiently.A liquid to be treated containing a fluorinated polymer and a fluorinated emulsifier, and a strongly basic anion exchange resin having an ion exchange capacity of at most 1.0 eq/L and a water content of at least 60 mass %, are brought into contact with each other, so that the fluorinated emulsifier is adsorbed on the strongly basic anion exchange resin, whereby the fluorinated emulsifier is recovered from the liquid to be treated. |
| US09708242B2 |
Method of manufacturing nitrone compound
A method of manufacturing nitrone compounds is provided. The method includes: providing a nitro compound; and performing a photoreaction of the nitro compound, a catalyst and an additive under visible light to obtain the nitrone compound. |
| US09708240B2 |
Method for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether carbonyl compound and methyl methoxyacetate
A method for preparing a polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether carbonyl compound and/or methyl methoxyacetate as intermediates for producing ethylene glycol, which comprises passing a raw material: polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether or methylal together with carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas through a reactor carrying an acidic molecular sieve catalyst, and performing a reaction to prepare a corresponding product under an appropriate condition where no other solvent is added, in which the process of the reaction is a gas-liquid-solid three-phase reaction, the raw material of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether or methylal has a high conversion rate, each product has a high selectivity, the catalyst has a long service life, additional solvents are not required to be used, and reaction conditions are relatively mild. |
| US09708239B2 |
Process for the separation of levulinic acid from a biomass hydrolysate
The invention provides a process to separate levulinic acid from a biomass hydrolysate said process comprising extraction using as an organic solvent a substituted benzene comprising (i) at least one OR1 group wherein R1 is H or CH3; and (ii) at least one C1-3 alkyl group, wherein each of the at least one OR1 group is ortho positioned to at least one C1-3 alkyl group. Using said substituted benzene as extraction solvent gives good extraction efficiency, the extraction can advantageously be carried out at elevated temperature, and is very suitable for subsequent distillation steps. |
| US09708234B2 |
Process for producing fluorine-containing olefin
The present invention provides a process for producing a fluoroolefin by reacting, in a gas phase, a fluorinating agent and a chlorine-containing alkene or a chlorine-containing alkane in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of chromium oxide, at least part of which is crystallized, and fluorinated chromium oxide obtained by fluorinating the chromium oxide. According to the present process, a target fluoroolefin can be obtained at a high conversion rate of the starting material and with high selectivity. |
| US09708233B2 |
Aromatics production process
In a process for producing para-xylene, at least one feed comprising C6+ aromatic hydrocarbons is supplied to a dividing wall distillation column to separate the feed into a C7− aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream, a C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream. At least part of the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream is then supplied to a para-xylene recovery unit to recover para-xylene from the C8 aromatic hydrocarbon-containing stream and produce a para-xylene depleted stream. The para-xylene depleted stream is contacted with a xylene isomerization catalyst in a xylene isomerization zone under conditions effective to isomerize xylenes in the para-xylene depleted stream and produce an isomerized stream, which is then at least partially recycled to the para-xylene recovery unit. |
| US09708231B2 |
Method and apparatus for converting hydrocarbons into olefins using hydroprocessing and thermal pyrolysis
An apparatus and method are provided for processing hydrocarbon feeds. The method may contact hydrogen (H2) and a hydrocarbon feed containing ≧10 wt % resid in the hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst to form a hydroprocessed product. Then, a pyrolysis feed derived from the hydroprocessed product is exposed at high-severity thermal pyrolysis operating conditions to produce a reactor product that comprises ethylene and acetylene. Further, at least a portion of the hydrogen (H2) may be separated from the reactor product, wherein the hydrogen (H2) contacting the catalyst includes at least a portion of the separated hydrogen (H2). |
| US09708227B2 |
Method for producing a fragment / reactive material assembly
A method for the manufacture of a composite fragmenting material having exothermic properties includes the steps of packing a mold with preformed metal fragments; filling interstitial spaces surrounding the metal fragments with a reactive metal powder to form a mixture; and then sintering the mixture at a temperature effective to both coat the metal fragments with the reactive metal powder and to bond the metal fragments together. In one embodiment the composite fragmenting material is formed into a nosecone for a warhead. |
| US09708226B2 |
Method for producing high strength ceramic matrix composites
A high strength ceramic matrix composite and method for same is provided. A fiber preform is provided that is either self-supporting or is constrained by a tool for subsequent processing. The preform is coated with about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm of silicon carbide. The silicon carbide is coated with about 0.05 μm to about 2 μm boron nitride, carbon, or other interface layer. The interface layer is coated with at least about 0.2 μm to about 40 μm of silicon carbide. |
| US09708225B2 |
Laser ablation method for treating a zirconia containing ceramic surface
A method of treating a ceramic surface containing zirconia, whereby the ceramic surface is ablated by directing a laser beam with a diameter of 200-400 μm produced by a CO2 laser with a pulse frequency of 1200-1800 Hz onto the ceramic surface, and a N2 assist gas is concurrently applied with a pressure of 550-650 KPa co-axially with the laser beam to form an ablated ceramic surface comprising microgrooves with ZrN present on a surface of the microgrooves, wherein the ablated ceramic surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity than the ceramic surface prior to the ablating. |
| US09708224B2 |
Method of making textured ceramics
The invention proposed a novel hot pressing flowing sintering method to fabricate textured ceramics. The perfectly 2-dimensional textured Si3N4 ceramics (Lotgering orientation factor fL 0.9975) were fabricated by this method. During the initial sintering stage, the specimen flowed along the plane which is perpendicular to the hot pressing direction under pressure, through the controlling of the graphite die movement. The rod-like β-Si3N4 nuclei was easily to texture during the flowing process, due to the small size of the β-Si3N4 nuclei and the high porosity of the flowing specimen. After aligned, the β-Si3N4 grains grew along the materials flowing direction with little constraint. textured Si3N4 ceramics fabricated by this invention also showed high aspect ratio. Compared to the conventional hot-forging technique which contained the sintering and forging processes, hot pressing flowing sintering proposed is simpler and lower cost to fabricate textured Si3N4. |
| US09708218B2 |
Method for microwave curing of mineral wool including binder material
In a method for curing mineral wool that is mixed with binder through microwaves, generating additional heat through installation of microwave active substances is performed through curing the binder material. |
| US09708216B2 |
Phosphorous containing glass having antimicrobial efficacy
A strengthened antimicrobial glass including greater from about 50.0 mol. % to about 65.0 mol. % SiO2, about 14.0 mol. % to about 22.0 mol. % Al2O3, about 14.0 mol. % to about 22.0 mol. % R2O, wherein R is an alkali metal, and about 4.0 mol. % to 10.0 mol. % P2O5. The glass may have a compressive stress layer having a thickness of greater than or equal to about 20 μm to less than or equal to about 60 μm and having a compressive stress of greater than or equal to about 700 MPa. The glass may have an antimicrobial activity greater than or equal to about 1.0 log kill at about 23° C. and about 40.0% relative humidity. A method for making the glass may include obtaining a glass article, strengthening the glass article by contact with a first ion-exchange liquid, and contacting the glass article with second ion-exchange liquid comprising an antimicrobial agent. |
| US09708210B2 |
Striae-free chalcogenide glasses
A method to synthesize striae-free chalcogenide glass using melt processing. A striae-free chalcogenide glass with uniform refractive index. |
| US09708208B2 |
Energy production with hyperthermophilic organisms
The present invention relates to the field of degradation with hyperthermophilic organisms, and in particular to the use of hyperthermophilic degradation to produce heat from a biomass. In some embodiments, a biomass is fermented in the presence of hyperthermophilic organisms to produce heat. The heat is used to heat a liquid which is used directly in a heat pump or radiant heat or to produce electricity or drive a steam turbine. |
| US09708204B2 |
Multi-function water treatment container for magnetizing water
A multi-function water treatment container for magnetizing water comprises a base, a connection barrel, a son bottle body, a first magnetic element, a second magnetic element, a cap, and a mother bottle body. The N, S poles of the first magnetic element and the N, S poles of the second magnetic element are corresponding to each other and a repelling magnetic field is generated. When shaking the container, the water molecules may be affected by magnetic waves with low frequencies to make the water become the magnetizing and resonating water. The water molecules may become finer. After being cut by the magnetic fields and vibrating with the frequencies, the activity of the water may be enhanced and the molecule arrangement may be more orderly. Furthermore, the oxygen content, the solubility, and the permeability of the water molecules are enhanced substantially so as to being absorbed more easily by human body. |
| US09708198B2 |
Antimicrobial capture system with carbon container
According to one embodiment, a container for removing antimicrobials from an antimicrobial composition includes a container body having an exterior and an interior. The interior is at least partially filled with carbon granules configured to remove a portion of the antimicrobials in the antimicrobial composition. The interior is further filled with a liquid to at least a level that completely submerges each of the carbon granules. The container further includes an agitator configured to agitate at least a portion of the carbon granules. The container further includes a drain and a drainage valve. The location of the drainage valve is configured to prevent the drainage valve from lowering a current level of the liquid below the level that completely submerges each of the carbon granules. |
| US09708194B2 |
Dense layered double hydroxide, and method for producing same
The present invention provides and produces a high-grade layered double hydroxide (LDH) dense body having a relative density of 88% or greater in a simple and stable manner. The present invention provides a LDH dense body including a layered double hydroxide as a main phase and having a relative density of 88% or greater, the LDH being represented by general formula: M2+1-xM3+x(OH)2An−x/n.mH2O wherein M2+ is a divalent cation, M3+ is a trivalent cation, An− is an n-valent anion, n is an integer of 1 or greater, and x is 0.1 to 0.4. This LDH dense body can be produced by compacting and firing a raw material powder of a LDH to obtain an oxide fired body, retaining this oxide fired body in or immediately above an aqueous solution comprising an n-valent anion to reproduce the LDH, and removing excessive water from the resulting water-rich LDH solidified body. |
| US09708190B2 |
Modified graphene, method for producing a modified graphene and applications thereof
A method for producing a modified graphene includes the steps of intercalating or inserting a mixture of intercalating agents in a spacing between interlayers of carbon substrates or between carbon substrates, whereby the binding force between the interlayers of the carbon substrates or between the carbon substrates is weakened; and then exfoliating the pretreated carbon substrates to form the modified graphene. With the environmental friendly purpose, the method according to the present invention is useful for reducing the total amount of a strong acid. Therefore, the amount of the generated oxygen-containing functional groups attached on the modified graphene is modulated to avoid defects and maintain a yield over 80%. |
| US09708187B2 |
Thermal spray material
A thermal spray material comprising granules containing a rare earth oxyfluoride has a particle diameter of 1 to 150 μm at a cumulative volume of 50 vol % before ultrasonic dispersion and 10 μm or smaller after ultrasonic dispersion at 300 W for 15 minutes as determined by laser diffraction/scattering particle size distribution analysis. The particle diameter after ultrasonic dispersion is one-third or less of that before ultrasonic dispersion. The thermal spray material has an average aspect ratio of 2.0 or lower and a compressibility of 30% or less. When the granules further contain a rare earth fluoride, upon being analyzed by X-ray diffractometry using Cu-Kα or Cu-Kα1 radiation, S1/S2 is preferably ≧0.10. S1=intensity of the maximum peak assigned to the rare earth oxyfluoride. S2=intensity of the maximum peak assigned to the rare earth fluoride, both observed in a 2θ angle range of 20° to 40°. |
| US09708186B2 |
Steam methane reforming reactor of shell and tube type with cylindrical slots
A convectively heated steam/methane reformer having a shell and tube reforming reactor for hydrogen production. A reactor core containing the reactants is convectively heated by hot air flowing through the shell or annulus of the reactor. Heated air is supplied to the reactor through several fluid inlets on the shell side of the reformer. |
| US09708185B2 |
Device for producing a gaseous fuel composite and system of production thereof
The invention relates to a gaseous fuel composite, a device for producing the gaseous fuel composite, and subcomponents used as part of the device for producing the gaseous fuel composite, and more specifically, to a gaseous composite made of a gas fuel such as natural gas and its oxidant such as air for burning as part of different systems such as fuel burners, combustion chambers, and the like. The device includes several vortex generators each with a curved aerodynamic channel amplifier to create a stream of air to aerate the gas as successive stages using both upward and rotational kinetic energy. Further, a vortex generator may have an axial channel with a conical shape or use different curved channel amplifiers to further create the gaseous fuel composite. |
| US09708182B2 |
Methods for producing a cavity within a semiconductor substrate
A method for producing at least one cavity within a semiconductor substrate includes dry etching the semiconductor substrate from a surface of the semiconductor substrate at at least one intended cavity location in order to obtain at least one provisional cavity. The method includes depositing a protective material with regard to a subsequent wet-etching process at the surface of the semiconductor substrate and at cavity surfaces of the at least one provisional cavity. Furthermore, the method includes removing the protective material at least at a section of a bottom of the at least one provisional cavity in order to expose the semiconductor substrate. This is followed by electrochemically etching the semiconductor substrate at the exposed section of the bottom of the at least one provisional cavity. A method for producing a micromechanical sensor system in which this type of cavity formation is used and a corresponding MEMS are also disclosed. |
| US09708180B2 |
MEMS device with polymer layer, system of a MEMS device with a polymer layer, method of making a MEMS device with a polymer layer
A MEMS device, a method of making a MEMS device and a system of a MEMS device are shown. In one embodiment, a MEMS device includes a first polymer layer, a MEMS substrate disposed on the first polymer layer and a MEMS structure supported by the MEMS substrate. The MEMS device further includes a first opening disposed in the MEMS substrate and a second opening disposed in the first polymer layer. |
| US09708179B2 |
Method of improving getter efficiency by increasing superficial area
In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a MEMs (microelectromechanical system) package device having a getter layer. The MEMs package includes a first substrate having a cavity located within an upper surface of the first substrate. The cavity has roughened interior surfaces. A getter layer is arranged onto the roughened interior surfaces of the cavity. A bonding layer is arranged on the upper surface of the first substrate on opposing sides of the cavity, and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate by the bonding layer. The second substrate is arranged over the cavity. The roughened interior surfaces of the cavity enables more effective absorption of residual gases, thereby increasing the efficiency of a gettering process. |
| US09708173B2 |
Nozzle and keyed flush face receiver
An apparatus and system are disclosed for fluid transfer. The apparatus includes a fluid nozzle having a nozzle base. A poppet is rigidly coupled with the nozzle base. The poppet includes a poppet end surface. The fluid nozzle also includes a seal ring having a seal ring end surface disposed between a pull-back collar end surface and the poppet end surface. The seal ring is movable between a first position that prevents fluid flow through the fluid nozzle, and a second position that forms an annular fluid outlet that allows fluid flow through the fluid nozzle. The fluid nozzle also includes a tubular ball ring disposed around an outer surface of the seal ring. The ball ring includes at least one opening for housing a tumbler, which is configured to engage a surface feature of a keyed receiver. The system includes a fluid receiver and the fluid nozzle. |
| US09708172B2 |
Lock-out device and method
A method and device to insure that a particular dispensing package (18) can only be engaged into an appropriate dispensing location (14). Specifically, the package and the dispenser have mating concentric rings (24, 30) (or portions thereof) to prevent engagement and dispensing of an inappropriate product. In one embodiment, the package (18) is provided with one or more concentric ring projections (24) (or portions thereof) and the dispenser (10) is provided with one or more matching concentric ring recesses (30). The projections and the recesses have similar diameters to define a mating set. In some embodiments, the concentric ring projections are placed on a closure (20), such as a cap, of the package. In alternative embodiments, the projections are placed on the dispenser and the recesses are placed on the package. |
| US09708169B2 |
Apparatus for the removal of liquids from containers
An apparatus for the removal of liquids from deformable containers includes a first holding device for holding a first region of a container, and a second holding device for holding a second region of the container. The second region is arranged at a distance from the first region, with a removal device for removing liquid from the container and with a drive device which moves the second holding device in a pre-set direction of movement (L) with respect to the first holding device. The removal device is arranged on the second holding device in a removable manner and a support element is provided which supports at least one element of the removal device in the direction of movement (L) in a removal operation. |
| US09708168B2 |
Rotary distributor for distributing free-flowing media
A distributor for distributing free-flowing media has a distributor shaft with a distributor head, which is rotatable relative to the distributor shaft with respect to a predetermined axis of rotation D. The distributor head has at least one inlet opening for delivering the free-flowing medium and a plurality of outlet openings for discharging the free-flowing medium. A flow connection exists between this inlet opening and the outlet openings. The distributor shaft has at least one first distributor shaft segment and a second distributor shaft segment. The second distributor shaft is releasably disposed on the first distributor shaft segment closer to the distributor head than the first distributor shaft segment, and has a surface facing the free-flowing medium. The first distributor shaft segment and the second distributor shaft segment differ with regard to their materials and/or their surface coating. |
| US09708166B2 |
Self-propelled trolley
The invention describes a self-propelled trolley for handling a wind-turbine blade, which trolley comprises a driving device for propelling the trolley between locations; and a lifting device, which lifting device is realised to raise and lower the wind-turbine blade. The invention also describes a method of handling a wind-turbine blade, which method comprises the steps of positioning a self-propelled trolley according to any of the preceding claims at a point underneath the wind-turbine blade; actuating a lifting device of the self-propelled trolley to raise or lower the wind-turbine blade; and controlling a driving device of the self-propelled trolley to propel the trolley between locations. |
| US09708163B2 |
Crane having frame formed from subassemblies
A crane, particularly a rubber-wheel container crane includes a frame which has, on opposite sides of its lower part, main beam structures at both ends of which, i.e. in the lower corners of the crane, there are two successive rubber wheels or wheel arrangements through which the crane is supported by its moving carrier. These wheels are supported by the main beam structure rigidly and in an unsuspended manner. |
| US09708157B2 |
Controlling speed of an elevator using a speed reducing switch and governor
A system and method for controlling speed of an elevator car in an elevator system is disclosed. The elevator car may have a speed governor adapted to trip when an electrical tripping point of the speed governor is reached. The elevator system may also have a control system for controlling operation of the elevator car, the control system providing a speed reducing switch adapted to trip when a software tripping point of the speed reducing switch is reached, the software tripping point being reached before the electrical tripping point of the speed governor. |
| US09708154B2 |
Off-road rolling film vision system
Disclosed is an Off-Road Rolling Film Vision System comprising a Controller Module (200), a Takeup Module (300), and a Rollout Module (400). The Controller Module (200) comprises a Command Input (205), a Controller Process Module (210), a Command Transmitter (215), and a Power Supply (220). The Controller Module (200) is configured to remotely control a Motor (325) in the Takeup Module (300). The Command Input (205) comprises at least one Button configured to accept a knuckle bump for controlling a Motor (325) in the Takeup Module (300) when the Controller Module (200) is attached to a handlebar of an off-road vehicle. The at least one Button configured to accept a knuckle bump may be configured to be adjacent to a user's metacarpophalangeal index finger joint. The at least one Button configured to accept a knuckle bump may be configured to be adjacent to a user's metacarpophalangeal thumb joint. The Takeup Module (300) comprises a Motor Compartment (305), a Takeup Spool Compartment (310), a Takeup Spool Gear Compartment (315), a Takeup Film Window (320), a Motor (325), a Motor Gearbox (330), and at least one Takeup Spool Gear (340). The Takeup Module (300) may further comprise a Takeup Spool Window (350) configured to provide a view of a Takeup Spool (345) within the Takeup Module (300). Also disclosed is a Takeup Spool (500) comprising a Spool Alignment Tab Wheel (505), a Spool Ribbed Shaft (510), a Rib Quarter Section Cutout (515), a Spool Alignment Slot Wheel (525), a Spool Alignment Tab (530), a Spool Alignment Slot (535), a Plurality of Wheel Cutouts (540), and a Plurality of Wheel Slots (545). Also disclosed is a method for maintaining clear vision with goggles comprising receiving a command input via a knuckle bump, transmitting a designated signal to a module comprising a Motor and a Takeup Spool, activating the Motor to cause the Takeup Spool to rotate, and winding a Transparent Film a designated distance over goggles. |
| US09708153B2 |
Easily removable paper tube, article using the paper tube, and method for successively using the articles
The present invention relates to an easily removable paper tube used for winding material, such as fabric, a band, a film, and so forth, and a method for successively using articles, each of which uses the paper tube, and, more specifically, to an easily removable paper tube and a method for successively using articles that use the paper tube, in which the paper tube is effectively removed, without deforming a roll of material wound around the paper tube, such use of the material enabled by releasing it from the inside of the roll with the paper tube removed, thereby increasing the unrolling speed of the material, and a first article and a second article, each of which includes wound material, are connected to each other for use, thereby allowing successive provision of the articles, and thus remarkably increasing a rate of successive production. |
| US09708148B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes plural medium transport paths that branch at a predetermined branching position and along which a medium is transported in a curved state; a switching member disposed at the branching position and including a guide surface that allows the medium to be transported along one of the medium transport paths, the switching member switching between the medium transport paths; an output unit that outputs the medium toward a stacking portion, on which the medium is to be stacked, while corrugating the medium; and a guide portion that guides the medium from the branching position toward the output unit in a region in which the medium is corrugated. |
| US09708141B2 |
Sheet transport device and image forming system
Sheet transport device including: first tray having receiving area receiving sheets ejected in first direction; second tray in second direction intersecting first direction with respect to first tray; transporter causing pushing member to move between first and second positions at respective sides of receiving area along second direction, second position closer to second tray than first position, transporter transporting first sheet set to second tray by putting pushing member in contact with end of first sheet set facing first position and causing pushing member to move from first to second position when first sheet set is ejected onto first tray; and direction changer causing guide member to guide, in subsequent second sheet set, at least sheet ejected while pushing member moves across receiving area and to change sheet traveling direction to upward direction over pushing member by putting guide member in predetermined angle with respect to horizontal direction. |
| US09708139B2 |
Solar power plant construction method
A Solar power plant construction method includes a string formation step of arranging solar modules delivered to an assembly plant on support frames to form planar solar strings, a conveyance step of stacking the solar strings in a container and loading the container on a container truck to convey the container to a power plant site, and a solar string installation step of transferring the container delivered to the power plant site to a site machine and measuring distances and directions between a crane included in the site machine placed at a predetermined position of a stand array group for mounting solar array provided in the power plant site and stands to pull up the solar strings by the crane of the site machine to sequentially distribute the solar strings to respective stand positions measured in the stand position measurement step to form and fix a solar array. |
| US09708138B2 |
Vacuum-pneumatic device for conveying granular materials having high mass concentration
Invention refers to the pneumatic transport field, namely to vacuum-pneumatic transportation of bulk materials of high mass concentrations through the long-distance pipelines. The invention can be used in various fields of technology, particularly when it is necessary to carry out the technological processes and transportation processes simultaneously.The device comprises at the inlet the suction pipeline with bulk material input part having vertical and horizontal sections connected to bulk material discharger. Bulk material discharger is provided with the sluice gate and vacuum gauge and connected to vacuum pump. This connection is realized through two or more vacuum receivers, interconnected in parallel by air ducts with high-speed valves so that on the one side of the receivers the air ducts are connected to suction pipe of vacuum pump, and on the other side of the receivers the air ducts are connected to the discharger. |
| US09708134B2 |
Machine and method for making single-use capsules for beverages
A machine for making single use capsules (1) for extract or infusion beverages comprises: a transport element (8) for transporting rigid containers (2) and configured to define a plurality of pockets (10) for receiving the rigid containers (2) and which are positioned one after the other, in succession, each having a respective vertical axis (Z10); a plurality of stations which are positioned along a path (P) followed by the transport element (8) and which are configured for operating in phase with the same transport element (8) and comprising: a feed station (11) for feeding the rigid containers (2) into respective pockets (10) of the transport element (8); a dosing station (12) for dosing the product into the rigid container (2); a closing station (13) for closing the rigid container (2) with a length of sheet (7); an outfeed station (14) which withdraws the capsules (1) from the transport element (8); the outfeed station (14) comprises a contact head (21) for contacting and picking a capsule (1) from a respective pocket (10) of the transport element (8) and placing the capsule (1) on a receiving table (20). |
| US09708133B2 |
Device for the sorted feeding of a packaging machine for bottles and the like
A device for the sorted feeding of a packaging machine for bottles, which comprises elements for feeding the bottles to a carousel provided with receptacles, and comprises pickup star conveyors, each receptacle of the carousel being provided with a lever that is connected to a device for moving the lever between a first position for locking a bottle and a second, open position that allows the exit of the bottle toward a pickup star conveyor, the elements for moving the lever being actuated by a cam arranged at the position at which a bottle is accommodated in the corresponding receptacle and by a motor, which is activated by a signal that arrives from the lane connected to the pickup star conveyor that lacks a bottle. |
| US09708129B1 |
Adjustable auger assembly for a trencher
An adjustable auger assembly for a trencher including an auger housing and a position attachment assembly. The auger housing having a central auger tube having a first end and a discharge end opposite the first end. An auger shaft is positioned within the auger tube and is rotatable relative to the central auger tube. At least one material inlet is positioned one of at the first end and between the first end and the discharge end. The position attachment assembly has a first component member coupled to the trencher, and a second component member coupled to the auger housing. The first component member is movably positionable relative to the second component member, to, in turn, adjust the position of the auger housing relative to the trencher. |
| US09708125B2 |
Card processing apparatus
A card processing apparatus detects an insertion/non-insertion of a card and a position of an inserted card regardless of any existence/non-existence of an opaque part on any position of the card. A first card detector is disposed at a first position in a conveying path, a second card detector is disposed at a second position after the first card detector, and a third card detector is disposed at a third position in the conveying path. A conveying mechanism is controlled by detection signals outputted from the first to third card detectors. Each of the card detectors include an operating member movable from a standby position to a shifted position due to contact with the card. A sensor detects any displacement of the operating member, wherein one of the detection signals provides a detection/non-detection of a card, an insertion or non-insertion of a card and an inserted card position. |
| US09708117B1 |
Packaged product
A packaged product including a container wherein the container includes an opening and an internal compartment, and at least two flexible water-soluble unit dose articles held within the internal compartment of the container, wherein the unit dose articles are positioned side-by-side to form a single row of unit dose articles within the container, and wherein the ratio of the largest cross-sectional dimension of the unit dose article to the smallest cross-sectional dimension of the internal compartment is from 1.2:1 to 1:1.8 and a process of its use. |
| US09708112B2 |
Carrier for containers
A carrier for holding a plurality of articles. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a first top panel foldably connected to a second top panel and a back panel. The second top panel can be oblique with respect to the first top panel and the back panel. A crown retention feature can be in the back panel adjacent the first top panel for at least partially receiving a top portion of a first article of the plurality of articles. A crown receiving opening can be in the second top panel spaced apart from the first top panel for at least partially receiving a top portion of a second article of the plurality of articles so that the top portion of the second article extends at least partially through the crown receiving opening. |
| US09708110B2 |
Venting liner and method
A venting liner is connectable in fluid communication between a closure and an interior of a device for venting gas from the interior into the ambient atmosphere. The venting liner has a first fluid impervious and gas permeable outer layer, a second relatively rigid and substantially incompressible outer layer defining an open cell structure, and an inner foam layer defining an inner surface and an outer surface, a plurality of fluid-flow apertures spaced relative to each other, extending between the inner and outer surfaces, and forming substantially vertical fluid-flow paths through the inner layer. The first outer layer is in fluid communication with the interior of the device for venting gas through the interior of the first outer layer, substantially vertically through the apertures and, in turn, through the interior open cell structure of the second outer layer and into the ambient atmosphere. |
| US09708109B2 |
Post-mix beverage system
A beverage dispensing system comprises a container, an attachment mechanism, and a cartridge. The container may hold a mixing solution or liquid, such as water, to be mixed with the contents of the cartridge. The attachment mechanism is generally located within the container. The cartridge generally engages with the attachment mechanism to open the cartridge to be dispensed into the container, thereby combining the contents of the cartridge with the liquid within the container to create a drinkable beverage. The cartridge may include a unique identifier to track a set of beverage characteristics associated with the contents of the cartridge and the beverage. The container may capture the unique identifier of the cartridge associated with the set of beverage characteristics and transfer the set of beverage characteristics over a wireless network to a computing device or network. |
| US09708108B2 |
Portable beverage container and lid assembly
A portable beverage container includes a base adapted to contain a liquid and a lid assembly that is removably coupled to the base. The lid assembly is reconfigurable between an open position, whereby a user can drink the liquid from the base at any portion along the circumference of the top of the lid assembly, and a closed position, whereby the liquid is substantially prevented from exiting the base, such that the lid assembly prevents accidental spilling or splashing. |
| US09708106B2 |
Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab
A container which includes a base (12) that can hold food and a lid (14) that closes on the base, which clearly indicates if the lid has been opened after a clerk loaded food into the base and closed the lid. The base and lid each have trapping portions (20, 22) and pull-open portions (24, 32) with a tear-tab, or tear-open barrier (80). To close the lid, a clerk projects a tab (30) on the pull-open portion of the lid through a slot (26) in the pull-open portion of the base, and then presses down the entire trapping portion of the lid into the trapping portion of the base. The lid cannot be lifted up because the tear-open barrier (80) forming the top wall of the slot lies over the tab. To open the container, a person must tear the barrier so he/she can pull up the tab 30 and open the lid. The fact that the barrier has been torn is obvious. |
| US09708104B2 |
Reclosable flexible packaging and methods for manufacturing same
Flexible film packages having a partial, initial seal against ambient atmosphere and are easily openable and reclosable. The flexible film packages are generally resealable to extend the shelf-life or freshness of products contained therein once the package is initially opened. By one approach, the flexible film has two opposing edge portions that meet to form a longitudinal seal extending from a first end seal to a second end seal. The flexible film may have a score that defines a package opening. An elongated closure layer (14) may extend over the score and may extend from a first end seal (26) to a second end seal (28) and within the opposing edge portions that form the longitudinal seal (24). The elongated closure layer may have a tack-free gripping portion (40) used to release at least a portion of the elongated closure from the flexible film to form the package opening. |
| US09708103B2 |
Receptacle, and method and device for producing receptacles
The invention relates to a receptacle (10), in particular a flexible bag (10) made of paper, with a front part (20), a back part (30) and a bottom (50), which is closed by a bottom unit, and with an opening (1) lying opposite the bottom (50), wherein the bottom unit has a bottom portion (120) of the front part (20) and a bottom portion (130) of the back part (30), the bottom portion (130) of the back part (30) is shorter than the bottom portion (120) of the front part (20), such that the bottom portion (120) of the front part (20) is secured directly on the back part (30) by turning the bottom unit (100) back along a fold line (101), and the opening (1) is formed by a peripheral edge (2) which extends at a height of the front part (20) and of the back part (30) and which is at least partially frayed, thereby reducing the danger of injury at the edge (2). |
| US09708100B2 |
Plastic container with carrying handle
A plastic container with a base region, a main body which adjoins this base region and is suitable to receive a volume of liquid, and with a mouth region, wherein a carrying element for carrying the container is disposed on the mouth region is provided. The carrying element is designed to be at least in sections flexible and has a fastening portion by which it can be fastened at least intermittently to the mouth of the container and at least one first gripping portion which is connected to this fastening portion and has an opening through which a region of a human hand can be passed, wherein this opening is delimited by several edge regions, wherein a holding element which is flexible relative to this edge region and extends in the direction of the opening, is disposed on at least one edge region. |
| US09708099B2 |
Check valve and fluid container comprising the same
A check valve including a silica gel valve body, an upper valve cover, and a lower valve cover. The upper valve cover is provided with an air hole, and the lower valve cover is provided with an air inlet leg. The silica gel valve body includes an outer ring and an inner ring, a sealed valve plate is arranged inside the inner ring, and the outer ring is connected to the inner ring through elastic pieces. The outer ring is fixed between the upper valve cover and the lower valve cover. The inner ring is in a suspended state between the upper valve cover and the lower valve cover. |
| US09708098B2 |
Fully eversible beverage receptacle
A receptacle has at least one elastomeric sidewall with a contoured non-linear shape defining a container with a predetermined volume for housing a substance to be contained. The at least one sidewall includes a substance-contacting surface. The receptacle is fully reversibly eversible to transform between a first stable conformation with the substance-contacting surface facing inward and a second stable conformation with the substance-contacting surface facing outward allowing for facile cleaning and drying of the substance-contacting surface. The at least one elastomeric sidewall possesses sufficient structural strength to stand upright in the first and second stable conformations without extraneous support. The receptacle can include a cap and an attachment joint for securing the cap to the elastomeric receptacle. |
| US09708097B2 |
Bulk bin with integrated shock absorber
A stackable bulk bin container having shock absorbing elements is provided. The bulk bin container includes a base portion and four collapsible sidewalls. The base includes feet extending downward. The feet are connected by stringers forming four corner portions. Shock absorbing elements are positioned proximate the corner portions in the base of the container. The shock absorbing elements absorb energy from impacts when the container is stacked on like containers. |
| US09708096B2 |
Self-opening closure with optimized force transmission
The invention relates to a self-opening closure with a pouring spout (12), a self-opening sleeve (20) which is guided in the connector in a helical manner, and a cover (30) which covers the pouring spout (12). A driver cam (24) is formed on the self-opening sleeve, said driver cam defining a guide surface (241). The cover has a driver (34) which defines a front edge (341). The front edge interacts with the guide surface of the driver cam. The front edge and the guide surface are inclined by the same angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis in order to allow an optimal force transmission between the cover and the self-opening sleeve. Additionally, the guide surface can be designed in a concave manner, and the front edge of the driver can be rounded in a corresponding manner in order to prevent a radial deflection of the driver towards the inside. |
| US09708095B2 |
Device and method for packaging of thin body containers, and loading group of said containers
A device for packaging thin body containers comprises transport means, a tip-up unit (21), auxiliary guides (30), an unloading zone (58) and movement means suitable for cooperating with the tip-up unit (21) in the unloading configuration and with the auxiliary guides in the active configuration, to move the containers towards the unloading area (58). |
| US09708089B2 |
Separation system and method for a packaging facility
The invention relates to a packaging facility and a method for operating a packaging facility, comprising a multi-lane packaging machine, a multi-lane separation system, a first transfer device, a second transfer device and a group packaging unit, wherein the first transfer device is adapted to transfer a plurality of packages of each lane consecutively from the packaging machine onto a first conveyor belt of the separation system, wherein the distance of two consecutive packages is changed in order to individually inspect the packages in an inspection module and the separation system comprises at least two conveyor belts. |
| US09708087B2 |
Silicone hydrogel lens with a crosslinked hydrophilic coating
The present invention generally relates to a cost-effective and time-efficient method for applying a crosslinked hydrophilic coating onto a silicone hydrogel contact lens to reduce its positively charged preservatives such as PHMB uptake and to improve its hydrophilicity and lubricity. |
| US09708084B2 |
Method for applying an underlayment layer to trucking cargo
A method for applying an underlayment layer to trucking cargo includes providing a roll of underlayment layer that is independent of the trucking cargo and a vehicle that transports the trucking cargo. The leading edge of the underlayment layer is secured and the underlayment layer is dispensed from the roll of underlayment layer such that the underlayment layer is applied to the trucking cargo in the longitudinal direction of the trucking cargo so as to cover the trucking cargo. |
| US09708082B2 |
Radial release device
A release device having a multi-segment split spool with a central bore adapted to axially restrain a tensioned member. A tensioned tape is overlappingly wound around the spool segments thereby preventing radial movement of the spool segments. The overlapping winding allows for a low profile housing for the-release device. The multiple segments require less radial motion for release of the tensioned member. |
| US09708075B2 |
Lightning protection and detection system
A lightning protection and detection system includes a non-conductive substrate material of an apparatus; a sensor formed of a conductive material and deposited on the non-conductive substrate material of the apparatus. The sensor includes a conductive trace formed in a continuous spiral winding starting at a first end at a center region of the sensor and ending at a second end at an outer corner region of the sensor, the first and second ends being open and unconnected. An electrical measurement system is in communication with the sensor and receives a resonant response from the sensor, to perform detection, in real-time, of lightning strike occurrences and damage therefrom to the sensor and the non-conductive substrate material. |
| US09708072B2 |
Aircraft engine nacelle bulkheads and methods of assembling the same
An engine nacelle includes an exterior wall and an interior wall. A forward bulkhead is coupled between the interior wall and the exterior wall, wherein the forward bulkhead comprises a curvilinear body portion that extends between the interior wall and the exterior wall. The engine nacelle also includes an aft bulkhead coupled between the interior wall and the exterior wall, wherein the aft bulkhead comprises a curvilinear body portion that extends between the interior wall and the exterior wall. |
| US09708071B2 |
Aircraft propulsion system comprising an AFT pylon fairing with lateral walls that are profiled for injecting cool air along a thermal protection floor
The invention proposes to protect a rear part of a floor of an aft fairing of a pylon of an aircraft bypass turbojet engine using a film of cool air formed of part of a bypass flow of the jet engine which is guided under the floor by two lateral wall portions of this fairing which have been profiled for this purpose. To do that, these two lateral wall portions delimit respective air passage spaces formed between a forward part of the floor and a jetpipe of the turbojet engine and which open laterally and towards the rear. |
| US09708070B2 |
Parachute
A parachute includes a resistive body which is formed in a bag shape and receives air resistance, and two suspension lines, one end of each of which is connected to the resistive body and the other end of each of which can be connected to an object to be braked. The resistive body includes an opening through which air passes, a bottom part provided at an opposite side of the opening, and a side part provided extending toward a periphery of the opening from the bottom part while expanding. The side part includes a base part having an approximately constant height from the bottom part, and two tapered extension parts, each of which extends from the base part, while reducing a width thereof, to each of two ends as apexes located symmetrically with each other in the periphery of the opening. |
| US09708065B2 |
Crown cabin configuration for an aircraft
An aircraft configuration having a crown cabin above a main cabin, with the crown cabin having a hanging floor structure. This enables a fuselage design that substantially increases passenger seating capacity relative to traditional single-passenger-deck configurations, while minimizing fuselage perimeter and fuselage wetted area relative to double-passenger-deck configurations. |
| US09708063B2 |
Aircraft lavatory unit
An aircraft lavatory unit includes a toilet disposed in a lavatory in front of a rear wall. A wash basin is provided at a location on a second side wall between the toilet and front wall, and has a bowl. A bottom compartment, including a contour matching the contour of a section of a bowl on the rear wall side, is provided between a bottom wall and the bowl, and a trash receptacle, consisting of a trash can and a fire extinguisher, is provided in the bottom compartment. The toilet is disposed inclined at an angle relative to the second side wall, so that the center line passing through the center of the toilet in the widthwise direction is farther from the second side wall, as it gets closer to the front wall side relative to the second side wall. |
| US09708059B2 |
Compound wing vertical takeoff and landing small unmanned aircraft system
Systems, methods, and devices are provided that enable robust operations of a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) using a compound wing. The various embodiments may provide a sUAS with vertical takeoff and landing capability, long endurance, and the capability to operate in adverse environmental conditions. In the various embodiments a sUAS may include a fuselage and a compound wing comprising a fixed portion coupled to the fuselage, a wing lifting portion outboard of the fixed portion comprising a rigid cross member and a controllable articulating portion configured to rotate controllable through a range of motion from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and a freely rotating wing portion outboard of the wing lifting portion and configured to rotate freely based on wind forces incident on the freely rotating wing portion. |
| US09708058B2 |
Device for folding a blade, a blade, and an aircraft
A device (20) for folding a blade (5), the device comprising a fitting (30) and a cuff (50) connected to said fitting (30). The fitting (30) has at least one horizontal pin axis (31) perpendicular to a radial direction (AX2) and a clevis (35) axially offset relative to the horizontal pin axis (31) in the radial direction (AX2). The cuff (50) has an insert (51) inserted in said clevis (35), a vertical pin (70) passing through said clevis (35) and said insert (51). The cuff (50) includes at least one horizontal fastener pin axis (55) axially offset relative to said insert (51) along the radial direction (AX2), at least one lateral arm (80) connects said horizontal pin axis (31) to said fastener pin axis (55). |
| US09708055B2 |
Aircraft wheel with rotational drive attached to clevises projecting from wheel rim
An aircraft wheel equipped with rotation-drivers (10) attached to clevises (19) projecting from a side of wheel rim (5). The rotation driver includes a ring (11) that is adapted to cooperate with a drive actuator and is provided with members (12) for attaching to the clevises in such a way that, between two attachment members, the ring forms a flexible and deformable segment. |
| US09708052B2 |
Fire barrier layer and fire barrier film laminate
A fire barrier laminate is provided for use in thermal and acoustical insulation systems, such as, but not limited to, those used in commercial aircraft. |
| US09708051B2 |
Aircraft interior component system and method for mounting an interior component system in an aircraft
An aircraft interior component system includes an aircraft interior component, a first structure holder fastened to an element of the aircraft structure, and a first component holder fastened to the aircraft interior component. The first component holder is fastened to the aircraft interior component in a first region thereof which faces an aircraft cabin ceiling when the aircraft interior component is mounted in an aircraft. The first structure holder and the first component holder attach the aircraft interior component in a suspended manner to the element, such that a mounting gap is present, at least in a second region of the aircraft interior component facing an aircraft cabin floor when the aircraft interior component is mounted in an aircraft, between a rear side of the aircraft interior component and an aircraft component opposite the rear side of the aircraft interior component. |
| US09708050B2 |
Stiffener for an aircraft fuselage, method for manufacturing same, and aircraft fuselage equipped with such a stiffener
This stiffener is intended for a fuselage. It comprises a hollow section that can be trapezoidal, with a base attached to the fuselage or to the floor, high enough rising sides and a top side contributing to the rigidity and cohesion of the stiffener. A direct assembly with the fuselage is possible. The base is made of two edges provided one on the other or in front of the other. This rigid stiffener, in spite of its discontinuous section, can be manufactured by simple foldings of a planar metal sheet at the beginning. |
| US09708048B2 |
Outboard motor
The outboard motor includes a lower unit that rotatably supports a propeller shaft and a shift unit that switches a shift position. A drive shaft that transmits rotational power to the propeller shaft has upper and lower drive shafts provided coaxially and in series, end to end. The shift unit has an upper gear rotating in synchronization with the upper drive shaft, a lower gear provided rotatably with respect to the lower drive shaft, an intermediate gear that transmits rotation of the upper gear to the lower gear, and a bearing that rotatably supports the middle shaft provided with the intermediate gear. The intermediate gear and the bearing are modularized and are detachably installed to the lower unit. |
| US09708045B1 |
Watercraft adjustable shaft spacing apparatus and related method of operation
An outdrive for a marine vessel, such as a watercraft having an inboard engine, is provided. The outdrive can include an upper drive unit having a driveshaft that rotates in response to rotation of an input shaft coupled to an engine within a hull of the watercraft. The upper drive unit is movably joined with a lower drive unit, which includes a propeller shaft that rotates in response to rotation of the driveshaft, and an associated propeller. The lower drive unit is movable from a raised mode, in which it is adjacent the upper drive unit, to a lowered mode, in which it is a preselected distance from the upper drive unit, thereby lowering a thrust point produced by the propeller, all while the watercraft is moving through water and while the propeller is producing thrust. A related method and outdrive upper unit are also provided. |
| US09708040B2 |
System for transferring a fluid product and its implementation
The invention relates to a system for transfer of a fluid product and its use, comprising at least one tubular arrangement for conveying the product between two locations and having two segments (2a, 2b) articulated to each other by a first of their ends, the opposite end of a first of the two segments being rotatably suspended from a support arm (1) adapted to be installed at one of the two locations and the opposite end of the second segment being able to be connected to a coupling means adapted to be installed at the second location, first means (13, 15) for turning the first segment (2a) relative to the arm, for the purpose of lowering its first end from a storage position on the same side as the support arm and second means (33,11) for pulling up the end of the second segment (2b) which end is adapted to be linked to the coupling means for the purpose of connecting that end to the coupling means (6) from underneath. |
| US09708039B2 |
Portable boat ladder
The portable telescoping boat ladder is easily stored, installed, and used. The ladder comprises a ladder assembly mounted to a base assembly. The ladder assembly comprises telescoping ladder sections able to be collapsed into a stored position with the rungs adjacent each other. The base assembly comprises a platform, a means for engagement with a boat hand rail, and a means for providing a maximum angle at which the ladder assembly may be deployed. |
| US09708038B2 |
Boat entry assistance system
A boat entry assistance system for use with small, manual or paddle or oar powered watercraft (such as canoes and kayaks) is provided with guide rails on either side of a boat positioning unit, such as a boat lift, which can be utilized by a boater to propel his watercraft into the unit. The system includes a specially designed bench system which assists disabled persons with entering and exiting such small watercraft. |
| US09708033B2 |
Shock-absorbing assembly for an apparatus at least partially submerged in a body of water, and related apparatus and method
The assembly includes a one group (40A to 40C) of hydraulic shock absorbers (42), each shock absorber (42) comprising a hydraulic jack comprising a cylinder designed to be supported by the first element (14), and a shock-absorbing member partially received in the cylinder. The shock-absorbing member has a head protruding outside the cylinder, the head being designed to come into contact with the second element during mounting of the second element on the first element (14).The shock-absorbing assembly (17) includes, for each group (40A to 40C) of shock absorbers (42), a fluid accumulator (44) connected to each cylinder of the group of shock absorbers (42), to allow a hydraulic fluid transfer between the different cylinders of the group of shock absorbers (42) during contact between each head and the second element. |
| US09708032B2 |
Method for disassembling and/or assembling an underwater section of a retractable thruster unit
A method for disassembling and/or assembling an underwater section of a retractable thruster unit of a swimming vessel. A supporting cradle is detachably fixed to the underwater section from below, and the thruster unit is lifted so that the underwater section is at least partly brought inside the well formed in the bottom of the vessel. Lifting wires of an auxiliary lift are connected to the supporting cradle for supporting the thruster unit. Water is drained from the well, and the lower gear is disengaged and the intermediate section and the lower gear are sealed. After that water is let to ingress into the well and the underwater section is lowered down by the auxiliary lift to dock bottom or sea bed, from where the underwater section is picked up with a crane. |
| US09708031B1 |
Boat with reconfigurable running surface for wake adjustment
A watersports boat includes a hull having an underside that defines a running surface that contacts water when the hull moves therein. The running surface includes a planing mode trailing edge and a pre-planing mode trailing edge. An aft running surface section of the hull includes port and starboard recesses that extend from a respective step at a forward end thereof aft to a respective aft edge thereof. The steps form the planing mode trailing edge where water disengages from the aft corners of the aft running surface section when the boat travels in planing mode and the aft edge of the recesses form the pre-planing mode trailing edge where water disengages from the aft corners of the aft running surface section when the boat travels in pre-planing mode. |
| US09708029B2 |
Stepper exercise scooter
A stepper scooter provides step pads that are connected to a laterally arranged rocker bar assembly. Vertical movement of the step pads causes the rocker bar assembly to reciprocally pivot which translates drive chains which cause rotation of the drive wheel or wheels. The rocker bar assembly comprises two four bar linkages between a center fork and each step pad. An alternate embodiment uses the rocker bar to reciprocally rotate a gear axle which drives a bevel gear arrangement to rotate the drive wheel or wheels via one-way bearings. Another embodiment incorporates a chain and sprocket drive between the bevel gear arrangement and the drive wheel or wheels, wherein the one-way bearings are replaced with a one-way sprocket drive. |
| US09708028B1 |
Motorcycle shock with assist coil device, apparatus, system and method
Single adjustable air suspension shocks with built-in damper device and coil assist, apparatus, system and method for motorcycles. Air suspension systems, devices, apparatus, and methods for allowing motorcycle drivers to increase and decrease compressed air supplies in air suspension devices. Deflating interior air springs/airbags (bladders) inside the devices allows for springs and pistons on shock absorbers in the devices to expand outward separating lower front and rear frame portions which effectively lowers the motorcycle to the ground surface and for the driver to have a firmer ride. Inflating the air springs/airbags (bladders) allows for the springs and the pistons on the shock absorbers in the devices to retract into the devices so that the devices have a more shock absorbing effect giving the rider a smoother ride, which also raises the motorcycles above the ground surface. |
| US09708026B2 |
Bicycle frame with removable down tube clips
A bicycle frame having a replaceable flexible down tube assembly, wherein the down tube assembly includes a resilient arcuate down tube member with connectors in the form of releasable mounting clips removably attached to the ends of down tube member. The clips clamp on transverse mounting pins in stems attached to the bicycle frame at the ends of the down tube assembly. The clips are releasable to remove the down tube assembly from the frame for replacement or substitution of a down tube having different performance or appearance characteristics. The clips are removable from the down tube for separate replacement of clips and the down tube. |
| US09708020B2 |
Adjustable bolster swing legs for reorienting crawlers for slipform paving machines
A paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete having a main frame, center module, bolsters laterally movably, and a crawler track associated with respective aft and forward ends of the bolsters. A bolster swing leg for each crawler track supports an upright jacking column. A worm gear drive permits rotational movements of the crawler track and the jacking column. A hinge bracket is interposed between each swing leg and a surface of the bolsters to enable pivotal movements of the swing leg. A length-adjustable holder engages the pivot pin on the hinge bracket and pivotally engages the swing leg. The holder permits pivotal motions of the swing leg in its length-adjustable configuration and prevents substantially any motion of the swing leg in its fixed-length configuration. A feedback loop cooperates with transducers keeping the crawler tracks position. The paving machine can be reconfigured into a narrowed transport configuration. |
| US09708015B2 |
Rear spoiler device for a vehicle
A rear spoiler device for a vehicle with at least one rear door includes at least one lateral air-deflector element and a roof air-deflector element that can be adjusted between a default position and a travel position for contour extension and aerodynamic air conduction when the rear door is closed. The device comprises a wing, which has a first swivel joint to enable pivotable fastening to the rear door. The wing is adjustably attached to the lateral air-deflector element via at least one second swivel joint. At least one locking device is provided for locking the lateral air-deflector element with the wing. A coupling device is provided for coupling an adjustment of the locking device to the adjustment of the roof air-deflector element. |
| US09708011B2 |
Motor vehicle floor having an upper reinforcing skin and an accessibility opening for accessing hollow bodies
Motor vehicle floor including a lower skin and an upper skin, the lower skin and upper skin being fixed together so as to form, in at least a part of the floor, at least one hollow body between the skins. The hollow body has at least one technical element and/or at least one fastener for fastening the technical element or an internal vehicle fitting. The hollow body is provided with at least one opening that is positioned and dimensioned so as to allow the fastener and/or the technical element to pass through the opening. |
| US09708009B2 |
Integral roof/ceiling assembly for vehicles and manufactured housing
The present invention involves a roofing assembly of a plurality of structural components arranged unattached as a frame in a mold. The frame is sprayed with foam and the structural components are encapsulated within the foam. |
| US09708005B2 |
Inclination-enabling wheel suspension for vehicles
A wheel suspension for a vehicle with a supporting vehicle element includes at least one pair of single-sided swing arms. Each single-sided swing arm is associated with a hydraulic cylinder, which is linked to the single-sided swing arm and/or the supporting vehicle element. Each hydraulic cylinder is subdivided in a fluid-tight manner into two chambers. |
| US09708003B2 |
Parking assist device
When performing automatic control of a steering device that assists a host vehicle to be pulled into or out of a parking space, an electronic control unit performs the following procedure. When there is, as a path for pulling the vehicle into or out of the parking space, a path in which a predicted temperature of the steering device for when the automatic control is performed to move the vehicle along the path would be lower than an allowable upper limit value, the electronic control unit starts the automatic control to move the vehicle along the path. In contrast, when there is no path in which the predicted temperature is lower than the allowable upper limit value, the electronic control unit prohibits the automatic control. |
| US09708002B2 |
Driver assistance system including additional information in connection with a road map
A driver assistance system and a method for storing additional information for a road map for a driver assistance system are provided, the supplementary information concerning location- and/or time-specific compliance with traffic rules being stored. The supplementary information is taken into account by the driver assistance system. |
| US09708001B2 |
Automatic steering system for working vehicle
An automatic steering system for a working vehicle, for automatic maneuvering of the working vehicle running on a working ground surface along a desired running path, in which the influences of various ground surface environments and of any aging degradation and/or individual variation of the working vehicle may be minimized, and the automatic steering operation may be conducted with improved stability. The automatic steering system includes a measurement section for acquiring measurements including those of the position, velocity, heading direction, and attitude of the vehicle and a data processing section. The data processing section includes a vehicle related parameter estimator for determining a value of a vehicle related parameter and a ground surface related parameter estimator for determining a value of a ground surface related parameter. |
| US09707999B2 |
Steering unit
A steering unit includes a guide unit and a support unit having a second fastening section fixed to a first fastening section of the guide unit and a load-bearing section accommodating a spring unit, a second plane is oriented orthogonally with respect to a width of the second fastening section, the load-bearing section is asymmetrical with respect to the second plane, the guide unit extends predominantly along a first plane, wherein, in an assembled state, the first plane is oriented to the second plane, wherein the first plane is oriented orthogonally with respect to a pivot axis of a pivotable mounting of the guide unit in a bearing section, wherein, in a mounted state, at least one fastening structure is arranged in the first plane, and wherein the first plane runs centrally through the bearing section of the guide unit. |
| US09707995B2 |
Piston assembly
A steering rack piston assembly (10) employed in a power steering rack and piston assembly. The assembly includes a shaft (bar) (11) upon which there is mounted a piston (12). The shaft (11) has a longitudinal axis (13), that is also the longitudinal axis of the piston (12). The piston (12) has an outer groove (15) that receives a seal (16) that slidably engages in a cylindrical surface of an outer housing that is not illustrated. The piston (12) and shaft (11) move along the axis (13) relative to the outer housing as a result of pressure within the fluid located on opposite sides of the piston (12). |
| US09707989B2 |
Steering wheel cover with inflatable hand-holds
The disclosed invention is a steering wheel cover with inflatable bladders thereon that provide the driver with a comfortable place to position his or her hands on the steering wheel while preventing injuries associated with maintaining a tight grip on the steering wheel for long periods of time. Said inflatable bladders are placed at roughly the four o'clock and eight o'clock positions and at locations roughly equidistant between the ten and eleven o'clock positions and roughly equidistant between the one and two o'clock positions on the steering wheel, where drivers tend to rest their hands. The bladders are inflatable so that they fit comfortably within the driver's cupped hands, thus avoiding the need to grip the wheel. When the driver's hands are on the bladders, his or her wrists remain in line with the palm of his or her hand, thus relieving fatigue while reducing vibration from the wheel. |
| US09707982B1 |
Railcar bearing and wheel monitoring system
A system which eliminates the need for wayside monitoring of railcar wheel bearings and wheels includes a temperature sensor located on the railcar in close proximity to the bogie; a measuring laser located on the railcar in close proximity to the bogie and arranged to monitor breakage; a power source for the temperature sensor and the measuring laser; and a wireless transmitter to transmit the data collected by the temperature sensor and the measuring laser. |
| US09707981B2 |
Car-coupler buffer and rail way car
A coupler buffer is provided that includes a coupler yoke for connection to a coupler, a front stop body for mounting to a vehicle body, a first elastic element, wherein a rear end thereof abuts against the coupler yoke and a front end thereof abuts against the front stop body, a casing arranged at a rear end of the coupler yoke, wherein a rear end of the casing is configured to be connected to the vehicle body, and the casing is connected with the coupler yoke via a connecting shaft, and the coupler yoke is movable along an axial direction of the connecting shaft, and a second elastic element arranged between the casing and the coupler yoke, wherein even when a vehicle body suffers a traction force or a compression force, the coupler buffer may function well. |
| US09707979B2 |
Top operating H tightlock coupler
A system comprising a type H tightlock coupler comprising a channel and an inner chamber, the channel running from a top side of the type H tightlock coupler to the inner chamber, and an anti-creep shelf disposed on an interior surface of the inner chamber, a plug comprising a first surface operable to contact the anti-creep shelf, the plug configured to fit at least partially within the channel, a link comprising a second surface operable to contact the anti-creep shelf and a hook, the link configured to fit at least partially within the channel, and a lock comprising a slot operable to receive the hook, the lock configured to fit at least partially within the inner chamber. |
| US09707978B2 |
Railway freight car truck with transom
A stabilized railway car truck consists of two side frames and a bolster. The bolster has laterally opposite ends, each end extending into and supported within a side frame opening on a spring group. The stabilized railway car truck also includes a transom extending into, and supported within, a side frame opening. The spring group is supported at each transom end. Each side frame includes an integrally cast transom bearing over which a transom support bearing is fitted. The pivotal decoupling of the side frame and transom eliminates track displacement irregularities from reacting at the bolster and into the vehicle. |
| US09707975B2 |
Vehicle and method for advising driver of same
A method for advising a driver of a vehicle including a haptic driver interface may include determining a speed of the vehicle, determining a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle, and activating the haptic driver interface based on the speed and distance. |
| US09707974B2 |
Vehicle with identification system
A vehicle may include an identification system configured to acquire information from a token in a vicinity of the vehicle and to classify a driver of the vehicle based on the information. The vehicle may also include at least one controller in communication with the identification system and configured to characterize a driver's control of the vehicle and to record a history of the characterization if the driver classification is of a particular type. |
| US09707973B2 |
Drive assist device
Disclosed is a drive assist device including: a driver state detection unit that outputs a control start signal; a consent confirmation unit that inquires of a driver, whether the driver consents to execution of an emergency evacuation control, and receives a reply to the inquiry from the driver; a control section that executes the emergency evacuation control when receiving a consent reply of the execution of the emergency evacuation control from the driver; and an erroneous operation determination unit that determines whether the driving operation of the driver is an erroneous operation, in which the control section limits the driving operation of the driver when it is determined that the driving operation of the driver is an erroneous operation in a period from the time when the control start signal is received to the time when the consent reply of execution of the control is received. |
| US09707972B2 |
Operator assistance system for an agricultural machine
An operator assistance system for an agricultural machine which has at least one variable operating parameter which influences a plurality of different result parameters of the working result of the machine is equipped with an input device, a processor and a display device. The processor is programmed to receive, via the input device an input of a selectable result parameter, to be optimized, of the working result for an operation to be carried out, to calculate an optimized operating parameter on the basis of the input, and to output, on the display device, an expected value, associated with the optimized operating parameter, for the working result of the machine for the operation. |
| US09707969B2 |
Vehicle control system
A vehicle control system configured to carry out an energy saving control is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having an engine, a torque converter, a transmission and a clutch device selectively connecting a turbine runner to the transmission. The vehicle control system executes the energy saving control by controlling both an operating condition of the engine and an engagement condition of the clutch device or only the engagement condition of the clutch device. The vehicle control system comprises a clutch control means configured to increase the torque transmitting capacity of the clutch device using an increasing amount of a speed of the turbine runner as a target value, when bringing the clutch device into engagement being in disengagement during execution of the energy saving control. |
| US09707966B2 |
Methods and systems for determining instructions for pulling over an autonomous vehicle
Methods and systems for determining instructions for pulling over an autonomous vehicle are described. An example method may involve identifying a region of a road ahead of the autonomous vehicle based on lane boundaries of the road, one or more road boundaries indicating an edge of the road, and a size of the autonomous vehicle. The method may also involve determining a braking profile for reducing the speed of the autonomous vehicle based on the region and a speed of the autonomous vehicle. The method may also involve determining, based on the braking profile, a trajectory such that the autonomous vehicle will travel within the region while reducing the speed of the autonomous vehicle. The method may further involve determining instructions for pulling over and stopping the autonomous vehicle in the region in accordance with the determined trajectory and storing the instructions in a memory accessible by a computing device. |
| US09707965B2 |
Method for freeing a motor vehicle by rocking
A method for rocking a motor vehicle free. The vehicle has a drive-train with an automatic drive torque adjusting element, which transmits torque to a wheel, and a rotational speed and direction sensor system for detecting movement of the vehicle such that when the accelerator pedal is biased to a position different from its non-actuated position a desired drive torque can be produced. The torque adjusting element can be controlled based on the accelerator pedal position in relation to the drive torque that can be produced by the driver, and, in a rocking-free process, alternating deflection and release of the accelerator pedal causes the drive torque to fluctuate. With the rotational speed and direction sensor system, the drive torque adjusting element is controlled to suppress drive torque transmission if the travel direction of a current unpowered vehicle movement is not the same as a forthcoming power-driven vehicle movement. |
| US09707962B2 |
Method for anticipatory controlling a cruise control of a motor vehicle
A method for predictive control of a cruise control system of a motor vehicle in which a selection is made from a variety of control variants in order to set a target speed with respect to a stretch of road ahead. In so doing, the selection is made as a function of a gradient profile of the stretch of road ahead. In order to now implement an optimum predictive control with respect to fuel consumption with low complexity, the gradient profile is segmented through allocation to gradient ranges, which are determined as a function of the target speed. A respectively suitable control variant is then selected on the basis of at least one segment of the gradient profile. |
| US09707959B2 |
Driving assistance apparatus
A driving assistance apparatus includes a proximity detection section that detects an obstacle within a set distance, a behavior regulation section that performs a forced braking of a vehicle when the obstacle is detected by the proximity detection section, an arrangement memory that stores a past captured image around a target parking region, a captured image acquisition section that acquires a present captured image around the target parking region at parking or departing with respect to the target parking region, and an obstacle specification section that specifies a non-stationary obstacle around the target parking region, based on a difference between the past captured image stored in the arrangement memory and the present captured image acquired by the arrangement acquisition section. The proximity detection section assigns a stationary object with the set distance that is smaller than the set distance assigned to a non-stationary object. |
| US09707954B2 |
Method for operating a hybrid vehicle
A method is provided for operating a hybrid drive train of a hybrid vehicle. The drive train has an internal combustion engine, a first electric machine, a transmission with an input shaft, a separating element and a first axle. The internal combustion engine can be connected to the first electric machine via the separating element. When the separating element is opened and the internal combustion engine is stationary, a difference in rotational speed occurs at the separating element between the internal combustion engine and the rotating first electric machine. The separating element is opened below and up to a maximum permissible difference in rotational speed at the separating element to drive the hybrid vehicle purely electrically by the first electric machine or to brake the vehicle or to coast. Above the maximum permissible difference in rotational speed the separating element and the first electric machine are separated from one another. |
| US09707950B2 |
System and method for measurement and evaluation of brake pedal performance
Linear brake pedal travel measurements are provided using a diagnostic unit with at least two linear measurement devices. The at least two linear measurement devices are offset in at least a vertical direction from a face of the brake pedal lever, and therefore directly measure non-linear pedal travel values. Thus, in certain embodiments, the system is further configured to convert the non-linear pedal travel measurements received from each of the at least two linear measurement devices to a linear brake pedal travel value corresponding to an operated position of the brake pedal lever. The resulting linear brake pedal travel information may then be used to evaluate brake pedal performance or measure customer brake feeling in an objective and reproducible way. |
| US09707949B2 |
Electrohydraulic servo brake
An electrohydraulic servo brake includes a master brake cylinder, which is controlled by a push rod. The push rod is configured to be actuated by a first auxiliary piston via a reaction disk. A plunger piston presses on the reaction disk. An end of the push rod is connected to the first auxiliary piston by a connection apparatus. The connection apparatus includes a rest for a rated compression spring, which rest is rigidly connected to the push rod, and a central piston, which rests against the reaction disk along an axis and is surrounded by a second auxiliary piston, which is placed against the reaction disk and is moved by the spring and is held in an end position by the central piston. The second auxiliary piston is configured to recede in relation to the central piston rigidly connected to the push rod. |
| US09707946B2 |
Surge brake actuator
A hydraulic actuator which may be used as a surge brake actuator may include a housing defining a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, a low pressure piston assembly which is in the low pressure chamber and has a contact surface, a high pressure piston assembly which is in the high pressure chamber and which moves forward in response to forward movement of the low pressure piston assembly, and an unloader valve in fluid communication with the low pressure chamber and having a closed position and an open position adapted to allow hydraulic fluid to flow out of the low pressure chamber through the unloader valve, wherein the contact surface engages and pushes the unloader valve from the closed position to the open position during forward movement of the low pressure piston assembly. The actuator may be used for actuating a brake system. |