| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09778891B2 |
Communication apparatus control method and storage medium
A communication apparatus including a near field wireless communication unit which holds communication information regarding a communication sets a communication mode to be used for a wireless communication unit supporting a longer field wireless communication than a wireless communication using a near field wireless communication unit in accordance with write information written from an external apparatus to the near field wireless communication unit. |
| US09778881B2 |
Techniques for automatically freeing space in a log-structured storage system based on segment fragmentation
A method includes (a) writing blocks of data to a storage device, pluralities of the blocks of data being organized into macroblocks, macroblocks having a first fixed size, pluralities of the macroblocks being organized into segments, segments having a second fixed size, (b) marking some of the written blocks as deleted, (c) computing a ratio of storage marked as deleted (SMD) from a segment and storage written (SW) to the segment (ratio SMD:SW), and (d) in response to the computed ratio exceeding a threshold value, performing a compaction operation on the segment. Performing the compaction operation on the segment includes (1) copying blocks which have not been marked as deleted from within macroblocks that contain at least one block marked as deleted to a new macroblock of the first fixed size and (2) in response to copying, marking the macroblocks from which the blocks were copied as free for reuse. |
| US09778877B1 |
High capacity, high performance memory system
Memory devices and a memory controller that controls such memory devices. Multiple memory devices receive commands and addresses on a command/address (C/A) bus that is relayed point-to-point by each memory device. Data is received and sent from these devices to/from a memory controller in a point-to-point configuration by adjusting the width of each individual data bus coupled between the individual memory devices and the memory controller. Along with the C/A bus are clock signals that are regenerated by each memory device and relayed. The memory controller and memory devices may be packaged on a single substrate using package-on-package technology. Using package-on-package technology allows the relayed C/A signals to connect from memory device to memory device using wire bonding. Wirebond connections provide a short, high-performance signaling environment for the chip-to-chip relaying of the C/A signals and clocks from one memory device to the next in the daisy-chain. |
| US09778875B2 |
Multi-partitioning of memories
Various embodiments comprise devices to manage multiple memory types and reconfigure partitions in a memory device as directed by a host. In one embodiment, the apparatus is to manage commands through a first interface controller to mapped portions of a first memory not having an attribute enhanced set, and map portions of a second memory having the attribute enhanced set through a second interface controller. Additional devices are described. |
| US09778873B2 |
Maintaining versions of data in solid state memory
Various embodiments are directed to maintaining versions of data within a solid state memory. At least one request to write at least one dataset to a logical page of a solid state memory is received from a file system. At least one physical page in a data block of the solid state memory associated with the logical page is identified. A processor stores the dataset in the at least one physical page. At least one data versioning tag is associated with the at least one dataset in a data structure associated with the logical page. The data versioning tag identifies the at least one dataset as a given version of the logical page. The at least one dataset is maintained as accessible from the at least one physical page irrespective of subsequent write operations to the logical page in response to associating the at least one data versioning tag. |
| US09778871B1 |
Power-reducing memory subsystem having a system cache and local resource management
Systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for method for reducing memory subsystem power. In an exemplary method, a system resource manager provides memory performance requirements for a plurality of memory clients to a double data rate (DDR) subsystem. The DDR subsystem and the system resource manager reside on a system on chip (SoC) electrically coupled to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). A cache hit rate is determined of each of the plurality of memory clients associated with a system cache residing on the DDR subsystem. The DDR subsystem controls a DDR clock frequency based on the memory performance requirements received from the system resource manager and the cache hit rates of the plurality of memory clients. |
| US09778866B1 |
Method and system for providing storage checkpointing to a group of independent computer applications
A method and system for checkpointing at least one application in an application group. At least one full checkpoint and at least one incremental checkpoint are created for the application in the application group. The at least one incremental application checkpoint is merged against the at least one full application checkpoint, and checkpointing across all applications in the application group is synchronized. A storage checkpoint is taken for at least one of the full checkpoint and the incremental checkpoint, and memory and storage checkpoints are synchronized and consistent. |
| US09778859B2 |
Doorless protocol having multiple queue read requests in flight
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for performing operations in a communications protocol. An example method can include submitting, from a device, a request for a queue entry representing a command from a host comprising a request for data stored at a device memory location; receiving the command from the host; and executing the command. An example method can also include selecting a bit string representing whether a requested data stream has been received, and storing the bit string into a memory buffer portion to mark the buffer portion. The method can include receiving, into the memory buffer, the stream. The method can include retrieving contents of the buffer portion, and determining whether the contents contain the bit string. If so, the method can include determining that portions of the stream have not been received. Otherwise, the method can include determining that the stream has been received. |
| US09778852B1 |
Automated storage tiering based on application awareness
Predictors of future application activity/inactivity are used in combination with monitored data access activity to prompt movement of data between tiers of storage. The apparent amount of activity for data associated with an application that is expected to become active to be increased even before data associated with that application becomes active. Further, the apparent amount of activity for data associated with an application that has become inactive is rapidly decreased by overriding algorithms that control rate of change to counter thrashing. |
| US09778850B1 |
Techniques for zeroing non-user data areas on allocation
Described are techniques for processing a write operation that writes first data to a target location of a logical address range of a logical device. It is determined whether the target location is mapped to physical storage. Responsive to determining that the target location is not mapped to physical storage, performing first processing to service the write operation. The first processing includes sending the write operation along with a hint to a caching layer where the hint indicates to store zeroes to locations that do not include user data. The caching layer forms a data portion denoting data stored at a logical address subrange of the logical device. The logical address subrange includes the target location. The data portion includes the first data and zeroes stored at remaining locations of the logical address subrange not including user data. The data portion is stored in cache by the caching layer. |
| US09778847B2 |
Techniques for surfacing host-side storage capacity to virtual machines when performing VM suspend or snapshot operations
Techniques for surfacing host-side flash storage capacity to a plurality of VMs running on a host system are provided. In one embodiment, the host system creates, for each VM in the plurality of VMs, a flash storage space allocation in a flash storage device that is locally attached to the host system. The host system then causes the flash storage space allocation to be readable and writable by the VM as a virtual flash memory device. |
| US09778845B2 |
File management system
Disclosed herein is a file management system that includes an unformatted raw data area storing a plurality of raw data files at respective locations within the unformatted raw data area. The storage medium also includes a formatted partitioned area that includes a plurality of partitions each associated with a different file system. Each partition includes a plurality of metadata files each corresponding with one of the plurality of raw data files. Each metadata file includes metadata regarding the corresponding one of the plurality of raw data files. |
| US09778843B2 |
Gestures for keyboard switch
In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a first one of a plurality of touch-screen keyboards on a touch-screen display of a computing device; and, in response to a touch gesture, displaying a second one of the keyboards on the touch-screen display in place of the first one of the keyboards. |
| US09778841B2 |
Apparatus having random ordered keypad
An apparatus including: a touch screen display for displaying information, including displaying a keypad comprising an array of touch keys; a processor for controlling software and firmware operation; and a housing for supporting the touch screen display and configured to facilitate an operator keypad data entry, wherein the processor changes the displayed key configuration at a predetermined time. |
| US09778840B2 |
Electronic device with an interactive pressure sensitive multi-touch display
An information view may be displayed on a multi-touch display based on detected force or pressure from a push by a touch on a displayed image and from the push an indentation of a component portion. |
| US09778839B2 |
Motion-based input method and system for electronic device
A method for efficient data input may include displaying a user interface, detecting a plurality of positions of an object, and, controlling a display screen to display a data content, in response to a plurality of movements of the object. If the controller determines the object moved substantially in a first direction, the display screen modifies the data content based on a group of data choices. If the controller determines the object moved substantially in a second direction, the controller stores, into a memory, the data content currently being displayed on the display screen. |
| US09778838B2 |
Vessel touch panel device
A vessel touch panel device mounted on a vessel includes a touch panel, a first instruction output that outputs a first instruction when a first operation instruction is input to the touch panel, a second instruction output that outputs a second instruction when a second operation instruction is input to the touch panel, a non-touch panel type activation operator that is provided separately from the touch panel, and a controller. The activation operator is operated by a user in order that a state of the vessel touch panel device is transferred from a first state where the first instruction output is inactive to a second state where the first instruction output is active. The controller performs activation control based on when a predetermined first condition is satisfied when in the first state, and deactivation control when in the second state a predetermined second condition is satisfied. |
| US09778834B2 |
Multidimensional split view for a pivot table or other grid-based component
A data view may be into multiple data panes. Splits between data panes may be horizontal or vertical, allowing data panes to be arranged horizontally and vertically. Scroll boundaries are set for each pair of adjacent data panes, such that each data pane may only scroll through a portion of the data on its side of the scroll boundary. Data panes may be scrolled independently in the direction of a split. Data panes may be scrolled together perpendicular to the direction of a split. |
| US09778833B2 |
Identifying and surfacing relevant report artifacts in documents
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and software for enhancing document productivity. In at least one implementation, an attempt to add a data connection in a document is identified. In response to identifying the attempt to add the data connection in the document, at least one other document is identified as relevant to the attempt. A suggestion may be surfaced in a user interface that identifies at least a portion of the one other documents. |
| US09778828B2 |
Presenting object properties
The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for presenting object properties by receiving selection of a component of a model presented in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer aided design tool, the GUI including an interactive display element having an arrangement of property fields related to the selected component, determining property values associated with the property fields based on the selected component, and providing the determined property values in corresponding property fields of the interactive display element for presentation in the GUI in conjunction with the model, such that responsive to receiving selection of a different component of the model, the property fields are updated with property values corresponding to the different component. |
| US09778827B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus
In the present invention, a plurality of functions are allocated to respective rotary encoders (RE1 to RE5) from among numerous functions involved in ultrasonic diagnosis, and each of the rotary encoders selectively targets for operation each of the allocated plurality of functions. Names for the plurality of functions allocated to each of the rotary encoders are displayed as a bundle within respectively corresponding function menus (FM1 to FM5). Within each of the function menus, the name of the function that is currently being targeted for operation is given a special display mode. For example, the function menu (FM1) displays BbH and AIP, which are the names for two functions allocated to the rotary encoder (RE1), the lower AIP being displayed at a lower brightness than the higher BbH, to explicitly show that the current target for operation is BbH. |
| US09778826B2 |
Method and system for computer-aided consumption of information from application data files
The present invention provides a system and method for collecting and aggregating user-generated data based on user provided parameters and measures of relevance of underlying content. A user's data is combined with already existing collective data to generate relevant mark-ups for a document or other consumable data file, such as audio or video. The marked-up version of the document or data file is then displayed to users to, inter alia, help increase efficiency and assist in comprehension. |
| US09778825B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes a display unit configured to display an image including at least one object on a screen and a controller searching for at least one associated information on the object using a partial image corresponding to the object in the image, the controller displaying the searched associated information. Accordingly, when a user searches for an information on a specific object in an image using an image search function, it is unnecessary for the user to crop a partial image corresponding to the specific object in the image one by one. Instead, a mobile terminal automatically recognizes the specific object in the image and is then able to search for at least one associated information on the specific object using a partial image of the automatically recognized specific object. |
| US09778824B1 |
Bookmark overlays for displayed content
Virtual bookmarks can be set in digital content to enable a user to quickly locate a portion of interest. A user can provide an input to enter into an overview mode wherein multiple pages of content are displayed concurrently. The user can navigate through the pages, and when a bookmarked page is caused to no longer appear on the display an overlay element such as a thumbnail of the page can be positioned near the edge of the display, representing the current relative location of the page in the overview. A user can select one of the displayed pages to view, or can select the bookmark overlay element to return to the current page. A user can perform an action to cause the bookmarked page to be updated, or can perform various actions to cause multiple bookmarks to be created with respect to the content. |
| US09778822B2 |
Touch input method and electronic apparatus thereof
A touch input method and an electronic apparatus thereof are provided. The touch input method is adapted to a touch module and includes the following steps. A first position of a terminal point of a sliding trail and a second position of a click action are obtained on a defined plane of the touch module. There is a time interval between the times of obtaining the first position and the second position. On the defined plane, the first position is utilized as an origin to define a plurality of quadrants for determining a relative distance between the first position and the second position and for determining which quadrant the second position is located. According to the relative distance, the quadrant where the second position is located, and the time interval, it is determined whether to execute a specific function. |
| US09778820B2 |
Managing applications on a computing device
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable storage media for managing applications on a computing device. A computing device may receive allowed application data indicating applications that are launchable by a base application. A user interface with one or more selections of the applications may be displayed at a display of the computing device. The computing device may receive input data indicating a selection of an application. Identifier data associated with the base application and selection data associated with the application may be provided to the application. |
| US09778818B2 |
System and method for pyramidal navigation
In a system and method for navigating content, a first selection of an aggregated content category is received from a plurality of aggregated content categories provided in a first portion of a user interface for an application for browsing and viewing media content. A second portion of the user interface is populated with media content items categorized in the selected aggregated content category. A second selection of a media content item of the media content items categorized in the selected aggregated category is received. The media content items are shifted to the first portion of the user interface, and the second portion of the user interface is populated with user interface panels relating to aspects of the selected media content item. A third selection of an indicator to view the aspects of the selected media content item is received. The user interface is regenerated to cause the display of only the user interface panels. |
| US09778812B2 |
Screen transition diagram creator
A screen transition diagram creator that creates a screen transition diagram illustrating complicated transition relations in an easy-to-understand manner, including: a screen transition diagram editor providing the screen transition diagram in which transition relations among plural screens are illustrated by plural screen nodes and arrows between the screen nodes; a screen transition pattern applying unit applying a predetermined screen transition pattern to a target screen node group that includes at least part of the screen nodes illustrated in the screen transition diagram to provide a pattern-applied screen node group; and a screen transition structure diagram creator creating a screen transition structure diagram by abridgement processing on the pattern-applied screen node group according to a display layout corresponding to the screen transition pattern. In the abridgement processing, arrows are deleted and an icon that simplistically illustrates a transition pattern between the screen nodes displayed in the display layout is added. |
| US09778810B2 |
Techniques to modify content and view content on mobile devices
A computer-based method for rendering modified graphical content is disclosed. The graphical content includes a plurality of cells. The method includes receiving the graphical content with metadata modifying the graphical content, rendering the graphical content upon a screen according to the metadata, and receiving user input. The method also includes in response to the user input, progressing through at least a subset of the cells, wherein the progressing includes moving a camera view from cell to cell in the at least a subset, each of the cells in the at least a subset being displayed as a focus point with surrounding area being adjusted in opacity according to the metadata. |
| US09778808B2 |
Touch panel and method for manufacturing the same
A touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same, where the touch panel includes: a substrate; a first sensing electrode pattern disposed on the insulation substrate, including a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a first connection to connect the plurality of first sensing electrodes in a first direction, and a plurality of floating electrodes; and a second sensing electrode pattern including a plurality of second sensing electrodes insulated from the plurality of floating electrodes and overlapping the plurality of floating electrodes and a second connection to connect the plurality of second sensing electrodes in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first sensing electrode pattern includes nanowire. The second sensing electrode pattern includes a transparent conductive material. |
| US09778807B2 |
Multi-touch input discrimination
Techniques for identifying and discriminating between different types of contacts to a multi-touch touch-screen device are described. Illustrative contact types include fingertips, thumbs, palms and cheeks. By way of example, thumb contacts may be distinguished from fingertip contacts using a patch eccentricity parameter. In addition, by non-linearly deemphasizing pixels in a touch-surface image, a reliable means of distinguishing between large objects (e.g., palms) from smaller objects (e.g., fingertips, thumbs and a stylus) is described. |
| US09778806B2 |
Electronic device and method of controlling the same for detecting a conductive object on a touch-panel
Provided is a touch detection device, including: a determining unit configured to determine a region of a conductive object based on measurement of a self-capacitance of each of a plurality of electrodes arranged to intersect with each other; and a detecting unit configured to detect the conductive object based on measurement of a mutual capacitance of, among the plurality of electrodes, an electrode corresponding to the region of the conductive object determined by the determining unit, without measuring a mutual capacitance of an electrode outside of the region of the conductive object determined by the determining unit. |
| US09778805B2 |
Electrostatic capacitance input device and electro-optical device having input device
Disclosed herein is an electrostatic capacitance input device including: an input region of a substrate, in which a plurality of input position detection electrodes are provided; a plurality of wires that are electrically connected to the plurality of input position detection electrodes and extend outside the input region of the substrate; and a shield electrode that overlaps the wires on the input operation side. |
| US09778804B2 |
Calibrating charge mismatch in a baseline correction circuit
Various embodiments provide a processing module that calibrates a current-mode baseline correction system to account for features in an input device that lead to “offset” in output of a charge integrator used for sensing presence of an input object. The offset is a difference between a common mode voltage, which is the average voltage output of the charge integrator over a sensing cycle and a mid-rail voltage midway between high and low power supply voltages. Calibration is performed by adjusting an N-side and/or P-side current flow duration parameter until common mode voltage falls within a low offset window in which the offset is deemed to be sufficiently close to the mid-rail voltage. The resulting duration parameters are stored and used for current-mode baseline corrections when operating an associated sensor electrode for capacitive sensing. |
| US09778799B2 |
Capacitive sensing circuit for multi-touch panel, and multi-touch sensing device having same
A capacitive sensing circuit for a multi-touch panel includes a transmitting circuit configured to supply a transmitting signal to a transmitting line; and a receiving circuit part configured to detect a difference of a capacitance between the transmitting line and a receiving line. A control signal generator in the capacitive sensing circuit is configured to output first and second integral control signals respectively having an opposite phase to and the same phase as the transmitting signal in a first phase mode, and to output the first and second integral control signals respectively having the same phase as and an opposite phase to the transmitting signal in a second phase mode. The first and second integral control signals are mutually opposite to each other. A touch determining part is configured to determine whether a touch is generated based on capacitance values detected in the first and second phase modes. |
| US09778789B2 |
Touch rejection
The rejection of undesired touch events on a touch surface is disclosed. A weighted meta-centroid of all touch events can be computed. In some examples, touches can be weighted inversely to their size and distance to the nearest neighboring touch. In some examples, touches can be weighted based on the size of their minor radii. A meta-ellipse can be fit to the weighted touch events. In some examples, the major axis of the meta-ellipse can be used to determine the orientation of a user's hand to reject undesired touches. In other examples, touches within the meta-ellipse can be rejected. |
| US09778785B2 |
Touch sensing system and method for providing proximity sensing function using touch screen panel
Provided is a touch sensing system and method for providing a proximity sensing function using a touch screen panel. The touch sensing system may include at least one storage unit including at least one program, a touch screen configured to detect a touch of an object, and at least one processor configured to activate a proximity sensing function on the touch screen according to a control of the at least one program, to detect proximity of the object based on sensing information of a proximity sensing area predetermined on a partial area of the touch screen, and to process a predetermined operation in response to detecting the proximity of the object. |
| US09778782B2 |
Single-layer projected capacitive touch panel and method of manufacturing the same
A single-layer projected capacitive touch panel has a glass cover, a touch sensing circuit layer, an insulating ink layer, a conductive wire layer, an insulator layer, a conductive glue layer and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board. The touch sensing circuit layer, the insulating ink layer, the conductive wire layer, the insulator layer and the conductive glue layer are mounted on a circuit surface of the glass cover in sequence. The insulating ink layer covers the touch sensing circuit layer and has multiple through slots. Each through slot is filled with an electric conductor. The FPC is fastened on the conductive wire layer by a conductive glue laver. |
| US09778777B2 |
Electromagnetic input device and coil detection circuit thereof
A coil detection circuit thereof for an electromagnetic input device including a plurality of first loop coils and second loop coils includes a first detection unit, a second detection unit and a selection unit. When the selection unit selects one the first loop coils to emit an electromagnetic signal for each one of the second loop coils, each one of the second loop coils forms a second closed loop for receiving the electromagnetic signal, and the second detection unit detects a second signal. When one of the second loop coils forms an open circuit or short circuit, the second detection unit detects an open-circuit signal or a short-circuit signal. |
| US09778774B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a body having a front surface, a roar surface and side surfaces; a window disposed on the front surface, and having its edge portion bent so as to form at least part of the side surfaces; a frame configured to support the window; a display disposed to face the window, and configured to output visual information and formed such that its edge portion is bent in correspondence to a bent shape of the window; and a touch sensor disposed between the window and the display, configured to sense a touch input applied to the window. Also, the touch sensor includes a folded part. Furthermore, the touch sensor comprises a curved portion curved by the folded part of the touch sensor. In addition, the curved portion is spaced from an end part of the display in a thickness direction of the body so as to form a space between the end part of the display and the curved portion. Lastly, an accommodation groove is recessed from the frame in the thickness direction of the body and is configured to accommodate therein at least part of the curved portion of the touch sensor. |
| US09778773B2 |
Method and device for decreasing leakage current of in-cell touch liquid crystal panel
The disclosure provides a method and a device for decreasing a leakage current of an in-cell touch liquid crystal panel. The method includes: outputting a signal after adjusting a voltage by the data line during a time period of scanning a touch signal according to a voltage on the data line connected to the pixel and a signal inputted to a common electrode of the pixel for scanning the touch signal, so as to decrease a drain source voltage of a thin film transistor in the pixel. According the method and the device, it is capable of decreasing the leakage current of the in-cell touch liquid crystal panel effectively. |
| US09778772B2 |
Bendable device with display in movable connection with body
A bendable device is provided. The device comprises: a body comprising a bending region and a flexible display stack comprising at least one active layer and a supporting layer positioned on the bottom of the flexible display stack. The supporting layer of the flexible display stack comprises one or more fastening areas; the body comprises one or more fastening components; and one or more fastening components of the body are configured to be operable in a movable connection with one or more fastening areas of the flexible display stack. |
| US09778768B2 |
Touch display screen and time division driving method thereof
The present invention provides a time division driving method for touch display screen, comprising multiple driving periods. For any two adjacent driving periods, in a former driving period, the method comprises: S1, providing scanning signals to N scanning lines sequentially arranged; S2, stopping providing scanning signals, and providing touch driving signals to the touch display screen; in a latter driving period, the method comprises: S3, providing scanning signals to N scanning lines sequentially arranged; S4, stopping providing scanning signals, and providing touch driving signals to the touch display screen, wherein the first n scanning lines scanned in step S3 are the last n scanning lines scanned in step S1, both N and n are positive integers and N>n; and gray-level signals of the first n scanning lines scanned in step S3 are the same as those of the last n scanning lines scanned in step S1. |
| US09778767B2 |
Display control apparatus and control method of display control apparatus
To achieve an improved touch operation, a display control apparatus includes a monitor unit provided with a display unit and rotatably connected to a main body via a hinge portion, a touch panel configured to detect a touch operation on the display unit, a variable angle state detection unit configured to detect a position of the monitor unit, and a system control unit configured to display a Q button to be used for releasing lock at a position nearer to the hinge portion than other display items when it is determined that the monitor unit is moved from a first position to a second position based on the detection result of the variable angle state detection unit. |
| US09778758B2 |
Electronic device, display control method, and display control program
A cellular telephone device with a control unit sets a display mode of a display unit to any one of a first display mode for performing two-dimensional display, and a second display mode for performing three-dimensional display; the cellular telephone device displays both of first information and second information, which is subordinate information to the first information, on the display unit, in a case of being set to the second display mode; and the cellular telephone device displays any one of the first information and the second information on the display unit, in a case of being set to the first display mode. |
| US09778755B2 |
Image processing system using polarization difference camera
A fast and stable image processing system detecting a mark from a polarization image is described. The system includes a camera capturing separately a first polarization image and a second polarization image, and an image processing device outputting a difference image of the first polarization image that is captured and the second polarization image that is captured. |
| US09778754B2 |
Method for controlling electronic apparatus and electronic apparatus applying the method
A method for controlling an electronic apparatus with a display and an input device, which comprises: sensing a tilt angle of the electronic apparatus in a sleep mode, wherein the display is off and the input device is non-active in the sleep mode; activating the input device without turning on the display based on the tilt angle of the electronic apparatus; receiving a user input from the input device while the display is off; and performing a predetermined function based on the user input. |
| US09778750B2 |
Hand-gesture-based region of interest localization
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for localizing a region of interest using a hand gesture are disclosed. For example, the method acquires an image containing the hand gesture from the ego-centric video, detects pixels that correspond to one or more hands in the image using a hand segmentation algorithm, identifies a hand enclosure in the pixels that are detected within the image, localizes a region of interest based on the hand enclosure and performs an action based on the object in the region of interest. |
| US09778746B2 |
Transversal actuator for haptic feedback
An actuator configured to provide haptic feedback to a user. The actuator is located on a plate and is configured to apply various excitations to the plate to generate a mechanical wave propagating in the controlled direction. The excitations can be a translational motion of the actuator (or a portion of the actuator) in two or three perpendicular axes. Alternatively, the excitations can be a non-translational motion (e.g., rotation about an axis) of the actuator (or a portion of the actuator). By generating the mechanical wave traveling in the controlled direction, loss of energy due to scattering of the mechanical wave can be obviated. |
| US09778745B2 |
Force feedback system including multi-tasking graphical host environment and interface device
A force feedback system provides components for use in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback interface device. An architecture for a host computer allows multi-tasking application programs to interface with the force feedback device without conflicts, where a single active application may output forces. A background application also provides force effects to be output and allows a user to assign force effects to graphical objects in a graphical user interface. Force feedback effects and structures are further described, such as events and enclosures. |
| US09778741B2 |
System and method for providing a three dimensional (3D) immersive artistic experience and interactive drawing environment
A method for providing a three dimensional (3D) drawing experience. The method includes capturing a 3D image of a participant and then processing this image to key the participant's image from a background. The keyed participant's image is mixed with a 3D background image such as frames or scenes from a 3D movie, and the mixed 3D image is projected on a projection screen. For example, left and right eye images may be projected from a pair of projectors with polarization films over the lenses, and the projection screen may be a polarization-maintaining surface such as a silver screen. The user moves a drawing instrument in space in front of the projection screen, and spatial tracking performed to generate a locus of 3D positions. These 3D positions are used to create a 3D drawing image that is projected with the 3D background and participant images in real time. |
| US09778739B2 |
Display device, control method, and control program for stereoscopically displaying three-dimensional object
According to one of aspects, a display device includes: a display unit configured to three-dimensionally display a planar object for executing processings related to spreadsheet, by displaying images respectively corresponding to both eyes of a user by being worn; a storage unit configured to store a rule in which operation to the object and a processing included in the processings are associated with each other; a detection unit configured to detect the operation; and a control unit configured to determine the processing to be executed according to the operation detected by the detection unit, based on the rule. |
| US09778736B2 |
Methods and systems for calibrating user devices
Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that improves the customization and calibration of user devices to a particular user. For example, in response to erroneously detecting (or failing to detect) a user input of a first type, the media guidance application may re-calibrate the user device based on subsequent corrective inputs issued using a second input type such that future user inputs of the first type will not be erroneously detected (or fail to be detected). |
| US09778732B2 |
Intelligent electronic device with powering options for the display when not in use
An assembly includes a cabinet having an interior and a door to gain access to the interior. An intelligent electronic device (IED) is within the interior of the cabinet and includes inputs providing electrical connections to the IED, pushbuttons to provide user input to the IED, a display module including a display, a component, and a timer circuit. The timer circuit powers the component OFF or places it in a reduced power state when not in use after a certain amount of time. A switch is associated with the door and is electrically connected to at least one of the inputs so that when the display module is powered OFF or in the reduced power state and when the door is opened, the switch causes a signal to be sent to the timer circuit to cause the timer circuit to power the component fully ON. |
| US09778731B2 |
Method for performing system power budgeting within electronic device, and associated apparatus
A method for performing system power budgeting within an electronic device and an associated apparatus are provided. The method includes the steps of: utilizing a power consumption index generator positioned in a specific subsystem to generate a power consumption index corresponding to the specific subsystem, where the electronic device includes a plurality of subsystems, and the specific subsystem is one of the plurality of subsystems; and performing configuration adjustment on at least one portion of the electronic device according to the power consumption index corresponding to the specific subsystem. |
| US09778727B2 |
Ambient light sensors with auto gain switching capabilities
An ambient light sensor that is operable in high gain mode and low gain mode is provided. The high gain mode may help provide satisfactory sensitivity at low light levels but may generate saturated output levels in bright ambient lighting conditions. Low gain mode may therefore be switched into use when bright ambient lighting conditions are detected. The ambient light sensor may be placed in high gain mode by default. An auto-gain switch controller may detect whether the ambient light reading is saturated during as given period of time. In response to determining that the ambient light reading is saturated for a programmable number of consecutive time periods, the auto-gain switch controller may reset and switch the ambient light sensor to the low gain mode. The gain state may optionally be embedded into the ambient light sensor output. |
| US09778725B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic device
The semiconductor device has a touch panel controller, a processor, and a display driver. The display driver has a memory circuit which rewritably stores control data for drive control of a display panel from outside the semiconductor device. The processor controls the touch panel controller based on a command provided from outside the semiconductor device, and accesses control data in the memory circuit for controlling internal parts of the semiconductor device. With the aid of the arrangement like this, the processor is allowed to control a touch panel based on the read control data fit to the control by the display driver, and to control, by writing control data, the display panel fit for a control condition of the touch panel. |
| US09778724B2 |
Power-saving computer system with a watchdog computer and method for controlling power saving of computer system with a watchdog computer
A first computer system including a first computer and a first display device is provided. The first computer includes a processor. The first display device is connected to the first computer and displays a graphics signal. The processor receives at least one of system state information and power state information from a second computer system including a second computer and a second display device, and generates a first power saving control command on the basis of the received state information. The processor transmits the first power saving control command to the second computer system. The first power saving control command is a command for controlling power saving of at least one of the second computer and the second display device. |
| US09778723B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for exiting low power states in memory devices
According to one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a memory device having a device identification, The apparatus further includes a low power wake circuit configured to receive a low power wake signal and an identification information, and further configured to initiate a transition of the memory device from a low power state to an active state responsive to an active low power wake signal and the wake identification information matching the device identifier. |
| US09778722B2 |
Enclosure power controller
A system and method for controlling power consumption is described herein. A computer system includes an enclosure. The enclosure is configured to contain a plurality of removable compute nodes. The enclosure includes a power controller configured to individually control an amount of power consumed by each of the plurality of removable compute nodes. The power controller provides a plurality of power control signals. Each power control signal is provided to and controls the power consumption of one of the plurality of removable compute nodes. |
| US09778720B2 |
PCIE device power state control
An apparatus, system, and method, the method including receiving an indication of a idle state capability of a platform connected device; determining, by a chipset, an idle power state compatible with the device; and directing the device to enter the determined idle power state based on a power state of the chipset. |
| US09778716B2 |
Printer and control circuit for powering a cash drawer of a point-of-sale system
A printer connected to an external host device and a peripheral device, the printer comprising: a power generation circuit configured to supply a preset drive voltage required for an operation of the peripheral device to the peripheral; a drive circuit configured to operate the peripheral device with the drive voltage in response to input of a drive signal; a control circuit configured to output the drive signal to the drive circuit to operate the drive circuit only in a preset drive period during which the drive circuit operates; and a communication circuit connected to the control circuit and configured to receive data input from the external host device. |
| US09778715B2 |
Master-slave communication system including a standby operation in which a standby voltage is provided that is lower than a lower voltage threshold in a normal operating mode
The application describes a master/slave communication system, in particular a PSI5 communication system, including at least one slave participant, at least one master participant, and a communication connection between the slave participant and the master participant. In this case, the slave participant is supplied by the master participant with a supply voltage between a lower voltage threshold and an upper voltage threshold via the communication connection in a normal operating mode. The master/slave communication system has, in addition to the normal operating mode, a standby operating mode at its disposal in which the master participant supplies the slave participant with a standby voltage below the lower voltage threshold via the communication connection. |
| US09778703B2 |
Locking assemblies for computing devices
A locking assembly may be to locate a display member of a computing device relative to a base member of the computing device. A spring may be to attach to the display member. A first magnetic member may be in contact with to the spring. A wheel may be to attach to the display member to roll on the base member. A lock may be to engage the spring to lock the wheel when the first magnetic member is in proximity to a second magnetic member of the base member such that a magnetic force is exerted therebetween. |
| US09778700B2 |
Integrated pen holder for tablet computers and personal display and input devices
A sheath, or an encapsulated sheath, within tablet computers, smart phones, and similar electronic devices, or with enclosures for such electronic devices that would enable the seamless latching and unlatching of electronic pens of various sizes and thicknesses to such devices, or enclosures to such devices, through the pens' integrated flexible clips. |
| US09778694B2 |
Docking system
In some examples, a docking system includes a base, a deck having an upper surface to contact a computing device resting upon the deck, wherein the deck includes apertures therethrough, and projections extending upwardly from a surface of the base. The docking system further includes resilient bias elements to bias the deck at a raised position at which the upper surface of the deck extends at or above a height of each of the projections, where the deck is linearly movable from the raised position to a lowered position at which the projections extend through the apertures, the deck being linearly movable without being pivotably coupled to the base. |
| US09778693B2 |
Docking station and electrical apparatus
A docking station adapted to an electrical device is provided. The docking station includes a base and an input device. The base has a supporting portion and a bottom plate portion. A first angle is formed between the supporting portion and the bottom plate portion. The electrical device is adapted to be supported on the supporting portion. The input device has an input portion and a leaning portion. The leaning portion leans against the supporting portion. A second angle is formed between the input portion and the leaning portion. When the supporting portion is moved relatively to the bottom plate portion to change the first angle, the supporting portion drives the input portion and the leaning portion to be moved correspondingly to change the second angle. In addition, an electrical apparatus including the docking station and the electrical device is also provided. |
| US09778685B2 |
Housing for portable electronic device with reduced border region
An electronic device having a housing structure that is configured to receive at least one glass cover is disclosed. The glass cover serves to cover a display assembly provided within the electronic device. The glass cover can be secured to the housing structure so as to facilitate providing a narrow border between an active display area and an outer edge of the housing structure. The enclosure for the electronic device can be thin yet be sufficiently strong to be suitable for use in electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices. |
| US09778684B2 |
Locking arms for computing devices
A computing device may include a base member, a display member, a first hinge, a second hinge, a stop, and a locking arm. The first hinge may be attached to the base member to rotate the base member and the display member relative to each other about a first pivotal axis of rotation. A second hinge may be attached between the first hinge and the display member to rotate the base member and the display member relative to each other about a second pivotal axis of rotation to transition the computing device between a laptop mode and a tablet mode. The stop may be in the first hinge. The locking arm may be to engage the stop when the computing device is in the tablet mode to limit rotation of the base member and the display member relative to each other about the first pivotal axis. |
| US09778683B2 |
Locking mechanisms to lock key movement of keyboards
An example device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a base housing, display housing, and locking mechanism. The base housing includes a keyboard, and the display housing is pivotably coupled to the base housing. The locking mechanism is to lock key movement of the keyboard based on the display housing being pivoted according to a first range. The locking mechanism is to unlock key movement based on the display housing being pivoted according to a second range. |
| US09778681B2 |
Display device
An example display device includes a display device stand and display device housing pivotably connected to display device stand. The display device housing is to pivot between a vertical operating position and a horizontal servicing position, and a lid portion of the display device housing is to rotatably open away from a back portion of the display device housing to provide access to components within the display device housing. |
| US09778680B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device is provided for solving a technical problem existed in the prior art that an electronic device is incapable of supporting itself independently. The electronic device includes a first component including a display unit, where the display unit is arranged on a first surface of the first component; and a second component including a connecting member and a supporter, where the second component is arranged at a first side portion of the first component. The supporter is movable with respect to the first component via the connecting member, and when the supporter moves to a first relative position with respect to the first component, the supporter may be used to support the first component. |
| US09778676B2 |
Power distribution network (PDN) droop/overshoot mitigation in dynamic frequency scaling
Systems and methods for power distribution network (PDN) droop/overshoot mitigation are provided. In certain embodiments, overshoot is mitigated by ramping down a frequency of a clock signal to a processor when the processor is switching clock frequencies and/or the processor is transitioning from an active mode to an idle mode. In certain embodiments, droop is mitigated by ramping up a frequency of a clock signal to a processor when the processor is switching clock frequencies and/or the processor is transitioning from an idle mode to an active mode. |
| US09778673B2 |
Collaborative load balancing within a community of energy nodes
A system for collaborative load balancing within a community of energy nodes includes a central allocation control device and local agent devices each associated with an energy node. The local agent devices solve an optimization problem over a planning horizon and communicate the solution to the central allocation control device. The central allocation control device uses the solutions in an allocation algorithm so as to determine an amount of energy which will be received from or supplied to individual ones of the energy nodes and provide the collaborative load balancing within the community. |
| US09778670B2 |
Current limiting circuit
A current limiting circuit includes a current sensing module that is configured to sense an output current of a power transistor and to generate a corresponding sensing current which is proportional to the output current. A first current limiting module coupled to the current sensing module is configured to generate a first limiting current based on the sensing current when a variation of the output current of the power transistor exceeds a first current level. A second current limiting module coupled to the current sensing module is configured to generate a second limiting current based on the sensing current when a variation of the output current of the power transistor exceeds a second current level. A converting module coupled to the first and second current limiting modules and the power transistor controls a gate voltage of the power transistor based at least on the first and second limiting currents. |
| US09778666B2 |
Dynamic current limit apparatus and method
A dynamic current limiter circuit is disclosed. The dynamic current limiter includes an input node an output node. The dynamic current limiter also includes a current control valve coupled between the input and output nodes, the current control valve being configured to limit current flow between the input and output nodes based on a control input. The dynamic current limiter also includes a current change detector coupled between the input and output nodes, the current change detector being configured to detect a change in current through the input and output nodes and generate a control signal configured to drive the control input. The current control valve is configured to limit current flow between the input and output nodes in response to the current control signal. |
| US09778665B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive remote control information transmitted from a remote control device, an adapter configured to receive remote information including operation details conveyed through an external network, an information outputting unit configured to output information when the adapter receives the remote information or when the receiving unit receives the remote control information, and a controller configured to control operations of the information outputting unit. The controller includes an information adjustment unit configured to cause the information outputting unit to output different information when the adapter receives the remote information and when the receiving unit receives the remote control information. |
| US09778661B2 |
Selective processing of sensor data
Systems and methods for navigating a vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a method comprises: (a) selecting, with aid of a processor, a subset of a plurality of sensors to be used for navigating the vehicle within the environment based on one or more predetermined criteria, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged on the vehicle such that each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to obtain sensor data from a different field of view; (b) processing, with aid of the processor, the sensor data from the selected sensor(s) so as to generate navigation information for navigating the vehicle within the environment; and (c) outputting, with aid of the processor, signals for controlling the vehicle based on the navigation information. |
| US09778656B2 |
Multimode vehicular navigation control
Included are embodiments for multimode vehicular navigation control. Some embodiments include a vehicle that has a memory component and a vehicle control module (VCM), where the VCM includes a controller. Additionally, the memory component may store functional modes of operation and control modes of operation, each of the control modes of operation being associated with a mechanism for controlling the vehicle, and each of the functional modes of operation being associated with a desired function of the vehicle. In some embodiments the VCM receives control commands from a system operator and implements the control commands, utilizing the controller. In some embodiments, at least one of the control modes of operation is configured for automatic control of the vehicle and at least one of the control modes of operation is a torque control mode for providing a power signal directly to a vehicle motor, without utilization of the controller. |
| US09778653B1 |
Systems, devices and methods delivering energy using an uncrewed autonomous vehicle
Devices such as vehicles, remote sensors, and so forth consume energy during operation. Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for transferring energy from an uncrewed autonomous vehicle to a vehicle such as a car. The uncrewed autonomous vehicle may locate the vehicle at a rendezvous location, and connect with the vehicle while the vehicle moves. Once the uncrewed autonomous vehicle connects to the vehicle, the uncrewed autonomous vehicle may transfer the energy to the vehicle. |
| US09778645B2 |
Numerical controller provided with function of correcting displacement error caused by work
A numerical controller uses a work lattice region setting unit and a rotation axis work lattice region setting unit to form lattice points for error correction and uses a work-caused translation correction amount setting unit to set a correction amount of a work-caused translation error. A work-caused translation correction amount calculation unit calculates a correction amount at a tool center point position, and a correction section of the numerical controller adds the work-caused translation correction amount to positions of three commanded linear axes for error correction. |
| US09778639B2 |
Systems and methods for adaptively updating equipment models
An operating data aggregator module collects a first set of operating data and a second set of operating data for building equipment. A model generator module generates a first set of model coefficients and a second set of model coefficients for a predictive model for the building equipment using the first set of operating data and the second set of operating data, respectively. A test statistic module generates a test statistic based on a difference between the first set of model coefficients and the second set of model coefficients. A critical value module calculates critical value for the test statistic. A hypothesis testing module compares the test statistic with the critical value using a statistical hypothesis test to determine whether the predictive model has changed. In response to a determination that the predictive model has changed, a fault indication may be generated and/or the predictive model may be adaptively updated. |
| US09778638B2 |
Programmable logic controller communication system
A PLC communication system includes a PLC; a plurality of devices; three or more communication processing nodes that are provided respectively in the PLC and the devices to allow the PLC to communicate with each of the devices; and a plurality of communication lines that connect the communication processing nodes to each other to allow data communication. The PLC detects an incommunicable state between two of the communication processing nodes. The PLC communication system further includes a display device, and in a case where there are a plurality of types of incommunicable states detected by the PLC, the display device displays a portion where communication lines constituting the incommunicable states among the plurality of communication lines overlap with each other, as a line failure portion. |
| US09778636B2 |
Method for classifying and correlating simulation components to functional models
Methods for classifying and correlating simulation components to functional models. A method includes receiving a simulation component library comprising a plurality of simulation components into a memory of the data processing system, parsing the plurality of simulation components from the simulation component library, analyzing a plurality of extracted functions into a plurality of function graphs for each of the plurality of simulation components, composing an extracted functions graph with the plurality of extracted functions of the plurality of function graphs, and storing the extracted functions graph of the plurality of extracted functions in a components-to-function database. |
| US09778634B2 |
Method of controlling a target apparatus, selected from a plurality of apparatuses based on a selection from displayed apparatus information, place information, or operator information
A control method for controlling at least one of a plurality of apparatuses. The control method includes: displaying candidate information and obtaining, via a network, an operation history of each of the apparatuses. The method includes generating a control signal for performing a predetermined control on a target apparatus, when the user confirms that the predetermined control is to be performed. |
| US09778629B2 |
Situational awareness / situational intelligence system and method for analyzing, monitoring, predicting and controlling electric power systems
A system and method for modeling, controlling and analyzing electrical grids for use by control room operators and automatic control provides a multi-dimensional, multi-layer cellular computational network (CCN) comprising an information layer; a knowledge layer; a decision-making layer; and an action layer; wherein each said layer of said CCN represents one of a variable in an electric power system. Situational awareness/situational intelligence is provided therefrom so that the operators and grid control systems can make the correct decision and take informed actions under difficult circumstances to maintain a high degree of grid integrity and reliability by analyzing multiple variables within a volume of time and space to provide an understanding of their meaning and predict their states in the near future where these multiple variables can have different timescales. |
| US09778627B2 |
Method of controlling a power network
A method is provided for controlling a power network that includes a plurality of power generation facilities connected to an electricity grid and a plurality of power storage facilities connected to the power generation facilities. The method includes monitoring a production capacity of the power generation facilities, monitoring a storage capacity of the power storage facilities and determining an optimal facility control plan on the basis of the storage capacity and the production capacity. The method further includes operating the power network, according to the facility control plan, to feed power from the power generation facilities into the electricity grid and/or to transfer power from the power generation facilities to the power storage facilities and/or to consume power from the power storage facilities. |
| US09778622B2 |
Swim lap counting and timing system and methods for event detection from noisy source data
Systems and methods for lap timing and counting in athletic events are disclosed. The systems and methods do not require the athlete to wear a counter/timer, a transmitter, a reflector or another kind of marker. A portable computing device with a sensor, such as a tablet computer with a camera, is positioned in an appropriate location. Data from the sensor is transformed into a time series of data, and one or more learned statistics are calculated in real time as benchmark ambient conditions. The learned statistics are essentially continuously updated and data that indicates irrelevant volatility is excluded. A detection threshold is determined and essentially continuously updated based on the learned statistics, and lap completion is determined based on the threshold. Times, lap counts, and other data are displayed on the portable device in real time. |
| US09778615B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus are provided. The process cartridge is detachably mountable in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a first outer side plate which is provided on one side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a second outer side plate which is provided on the other side of the photosensitive drums in the axial direction, and opposes the first outer side plate with the photosensitive drums interposed therebetween, and a plurality of input parts which are provided on ends of the photosensitive drums at the one side, respectively. An end face of each of the input parts being provided inward with respect to the outer surface of the first outer side plate. |
| US09778614B2 |
Drive transmitting unit and image forming apparatus including this
A drive transmitting unit includes a plurality of gears and a gear case. The plurality of gears composes a part of a gear train transmitting a rotational force from a main driving part to a rotational element within an apparatus body. The gear case is provided attachably to/detachably from an attachment part defined from a lower surface or aback surface of the apparatus body to inside of the apparatus body while rotatably supporting the plurality of gears. The gear case includes a hook part, a fitting part and a fixing part. The hook part is hooked with a hooked part provided within the attachment part. The fitting part is fitted with a fitted part provided within the attachment part. The fixing part is fixed to the apparatus body through a fastening member. |
| US09778610B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a carrying part that carries media, a supply part that forwards the media to the carrying part piece by piece, wherein when a preceding medium is detected to have been fed to the carrying part, a succeeding medium is next fed to the carrying part, and a carrying controller that stops the preceding medium at a stop position of the media before the preceding medium is carried to the image forming process. The carrying controller obtains a medium length of the preceding medium in the carrying path, and changes the stop position of the preceding medium based on the medium length such that the trailing edge of the preceding medium is maintained distant from the leading edge of the succeeding medium while the preceding medium stops at the stop position. |
| US09778609B2 |
Image forming device, image forming system, and program
An image forming device includes: a paper feeding unit configured to feed continuous form paper; an image forming unit configured to form an image on the continuous form paper; a fixing unit configured to fix the image formed on the continuous form paper; a measuring unit configured to measure a temperature of the fixing unit; and a control unit configured to control an operation of each of the paper feeding unit, the image forming unit, and the fixing unit, wherein when detecting a trouble with which feeding of the continuous form paper is suspended, the control unit performs determination processing of determining whether to prompt a user to execute removal of a part of the continuous form paper, which part is influenced by heat from the fixing unit, according to the temperature of the fixing unit which temperature is measured by the measuring unit in the detection of the trouble. |
| US09778606B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a first heater and a second heater disposed inside a fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. The first heater generates an increased amount of heat and includes a first heat generator having a first heating span in a longitudinal direction of the first heater. The second heater generates a decreased amount of heat and includes a second heat generator having a second heating span in a longitudinal direction of the second heater. A partition is interposed between the first heater and the second heater to define a first compartment having an increased size and accommodating the first heater and a second compartment having a decreased size and accommodating the second heater. |
| US09778604B2 |
Image forming apparatus including an electric charge applying unit
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier carrying a toner image; a transfer unit disposed to contact the image carrier and transferring the toner image carried on the image carrier to a recording medium; and a gap forming unit that forms a gap between the image carrier and the transfer unit when one or more regions of the recording medium are positioned between the image carrier and the transfer unit. The one or more regions include at least one of a leading end and a trailing end of the recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes an electric charge applying unit disposed on an upstream side of the transfer unit and applies electric charges to the one or more regions of the recording medium. The electric charges have an opposite polarity to a charging polarity of a toner which forms the toner image. |
| US09778602B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes at least an image bearer; an electrostatic latent image former to form an electrostatic latent image on the image bearer; an image developer to develop the electrostatic latent image with a toner to from a toner image; a first transferer to transfer the toner image from the image bearer onto an intermediate transfer belt; and a cleaner including a cleaning blade having a Martens hardness of from 0.8 to 10.0 N/m2, to clean the intermediate transfer belt while contacting the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The intermediate transfer belt includes a thermoplastic resin and a conductive resin, and has a surface concentration of oxygen atoms derived from the conductive resin, measured by XPS, of from 1.0% to 3.0% by atom. |
| US09778600B2 |
Image forming apparatus with removable intermediate transfer belt
An image forming apparatus includes a belt unit capable of being inserted into and pulled out of the apparatus, the belt unit including a movable endless belt, a supporting frame supporting the endless belt and having an accommodating portion, a grip member which is provided on the supporting frame at a position outside the belt in a widthwise direction of the belt that is orthogonal to a moving direction of the belt and which is movable between a first position in which the grip member is projected out of the accommodating portion in a direction orthogonal to the widthwise direction and a second position in which the grip member is accommodated in the accommodating portion, and an urging member configured to urge the grip member in a direction from the second position toward the first position. |
| US09778596B2 |
Toner container and image forming apparatus including a shutter having extension
A system with a container including a protrusion, and a receiver to receive the container. The receiver includes a slide block that is movable relative to a body of the receiver, the slide block including two surfaces, a first surface, initially contacted by the protrusion of the container during insertion of the container into the receiver, having a first slope to resist movement of the container towards the receiver, and a second surface, subsequently contacted by the protrusion of the container during the insertion of the container into the receiver, having a second slope to interact with the protrusion of the container to assist movement of the container towards the receiver. This construction provides the user with a changing insertion force to indicate proper mounting of the container. |
| US09778595B2 |
Cartridge unit and electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the same
A cartridge unit to discharge toner via a toner outlet and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus are provided. The cartridge unit includes a shutter unit movable between an opening position in which the toner outlet is opened and a closing position in which the toner outlet is closed in a first direction, and a lever unit movable in a second direction across the first direction, and connected to the shutter unit such that the shutter unit moves in the first direction when the lever unit moves in the second direction. |
| US09778590B2 |
Charging device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
To provide a charging device which can be reduced in size and increased in speed while suppressing the occurrence of charging irregularities on the surface of the photosensitive drum, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus. A charging device 311Y which charges a surface of a photosensitive drum 310Y, comprises a discharge electrode 610 which applies a potential to the surface of the photosensitive drum 310Y and charges the surface, and a grid electrode 670 with a porous place shape disposed between the discharge electrode 610 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 310Y so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 310Y and which controls the charging potential of the surface, wherein the grid electrode 670 is divided into a plurality of regions approximately parallel to a direction orthogonal to a direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum 310Y, and the plurality of regions is characterized in that an opening ratio of a midstream region 672 close to the photosensitive drum 310Y is greater than an opening ratios of an upstream region 671 and a downstream region 673. |
| US09778589B1 |
Image forming apparatus and voltage applying method
According to one embodiment, a charger charges a surface of an image carrier by discharge in a wide-angle. A charging bias voltage application section applies a charging bias voltage to the charger. An exposing device forms an electrostatic latent image in a charged image carrier. A toner carrier causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed in the image carrier. A developing bias voltage application section applies the developing bias voltage to the toner carrier. In addition, the developing bias voltage application section changes the charging bias voltage in one step and changes the developing bias voltage applied to the toner carrier in multiple steps. |
| US09778586B2 |
Core material of magnetic carrier for electrophotographic developer and process for producing the same, magnetic carrier for electrophotographic developer, and two-component system developer
The present invention provides a magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer which has an excellent durability and a stable charging property and is free from occurrence of spent toner thereonto, and a two-component system developer comprising the magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer and a toner. The present invention relates to a core material of a magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer comprising spherical composite particles comprising at least ferromagnetic iron oxide fine particles and a cured phenol resin and having an average particle diameter of 1 to 100 μm, a resin index of the spherical composite particles being within the range of 35 to 80%, and a magnetic carrier obtained by coating a surface of respective particles of the magnetic carrier core material with a resin. |
| US09778584B2 |
Toner for developing electrostatic charge image, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
According to one example of the present application, there is provided a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image, containing: a toner particle containing a binder resin; a particle adhering to a surface of the toner particle; and an elastomer particle containing one or more kinds of oil, wherein a volume particle size distribution index GSDT (D50T/D16T) on a small diameter side of the toner particle and a volume particle size distribution index GSDE (D50E/D16E) on a small diameter side of the elastomer particle satisfy Formula (1): GSDE/GSDT≧1. Formula (1): |
| US09778581B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a hole transporting layer containing a polyester resin having a structural unit expressed by formula (1) as a hole transporting substance. |
| US09778580B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small. |
| US09778579B2 |
System and method for controlling a temperature of a reaction assembly
A stage assembly (10) that includes (i) a stage (14) that retains a device (26); (ii) a reaction assembly (18) that is spaced apart from the stage (14); (iii) a stage mover (16) that moves the stage (14), the stage mover (16) including a magnet array (38) that is coupled to the stage (14) and a conductor array (36) that is coupled to the reaction assembly (18); (iv) a temperature adjuster (20); and (v) a control system (22) that selectively controls the temperature adjuster (20). The conductor array (36) includes a set of first zone conductor units (250), and a set of second zone conductor units (252). The temperature adjuster (20) independently adjusts the temperature of the set of first zone conductor units (250), and the set of second zone conductor units (252). |
| US09778578B2 |
Low contact imprint lithography template chuck system for improved overlay correction
Imprint lithography template chucks and related systems and methods are provided that substantially maintain structural support functions while significantly enhancing imprint quality functions. The chucks incorporate dynamic vacuum seals to substantially reduce template contact during alignment and distortion correction while still providing good structural support upon separation. |
| US09778572B1 |
In-plane scanning probe microscopy tips and tools for wafers and substrates with diverse designs on one wafer or substrate
Cantilevers, SPM tips and nanomachining tools are created in the plane of wafers to obtain new and high performance parts. The method produces more parts for any given wafer, then conventional methods and allows every part on any given wafer to be different from any other, permitting great freedom in new SPM and nanomachining techniques and product development. |
| US09778571B2 |
Processing liquid supplying apparatus, processing liquid supplying method and storage medium
A processing liquid supplying apparatus supplies a processing liquid to a process object via a discharging part. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a processing liquid source that supplies a processing liquid; an intermediate tank connected to the processing liquid source via a transport line; a feed line provided between the intermediate tank and the discharging part; an evacuating unit that evacuates an interior of the intermediate tank to transport the processing liquid from the processing liquid source to the intermediate tank through the transport line; and a pressure adjusting unit that supplies a gas into the intermediate tank to return a pressure in the evacuated intermediate tank from a reduced pressure to a normal pressure, thereby to place the intermediate tank ready for feeding the processing liquid, having been transported into the intermediate tank, into the feed line. |
| US09778569B2 |
Positive photosensitive resin composition, method for producing film using same, and electronic component
A positive photosensitive resin composition according to the present invention contains at least (A) a polysiloxane compound having at least a structural unit of the general formula (1), (B) a photoacid generator or quinone diazide compound and (C) a solvent [(RX)bR1mSiOn/2] (1) where RX represents the following group; R1 each represents a hydrogen atom, C1-C3 alkyl group, phenyl group, hydroxy group, C1-C3 alkoxy group or C1-C3 fluoroalkyl group; b represents an integer of 1 to 3; m represents an integer of 0 to 2; n represents an integer of 1 to 3; and b, m and n satisfy b+m+n=4, where X each represents a hydrogen atom or acid labile group; and a represents an integer of 1 to 5. It is possible by the use of this positive photosensitive resin composition to provide a film with high resistance and heat-resistant transparency and provide an electronic component with such a film. |
| US09778566B2 |
Photocurable and thermocurable resin composition and dry film solder resist
Provided are a photocurable and thermocurable resin composition including: an acid-modified oligomer including an iminocarbonate-based compound containing a carboxyl group and a photocurable unsaturated functional group; a photopolymerizable monomer having two or more photocurable unsaturated functional groups; a thermocurable binder having a thermally curable functional group; a functional filler including one or more selected from the group consisting of carbon allotrope particles having a ceramic compound bound to a surface thereof and heat radiating ceramic particles; and a photoinitiator, and a dry film solder resist manufactured therefrom. |
| US09778563B2 |
Imprint lithography
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that has a first substrate table arranged to hold a substrate and a second substrate table arranged to hold a substrate, an imprint template holder arranged to hold an imprint template, and an imprintable medium dispenser, wherein the first substrate table is moveable between a first position located at or adjacent to the imprintable medium dispenser, and a second position located at or adjacent to the imprint template holder, and the second substrate table is moveable between the first and second positions, such that the first and second substrate tables swap positions. |
| US09778553B2 |
Light-emitting apparatus and a related projection system
A light-emitting apparatus and a related projection system. The light-emitting apparatus comprises an excitation light source generating an excitation light and a first supplemental laser source generating a first light; a wavelength conversion apparatus comprising a first wavelength conversion layer for absorbing the excitation light to generate a converted light without absorbing the first light; the wavelength conversion layer receiving at one side thereof the excitation light and the first light and emits at same side at least a portion of the first light; a light guide apparatus comprising a smaller first area and a larger second area, the first light and the excitation light respectively entering the first and second areas via a first optical path, and being respectively guided by the first and second areas to the wavelength conversion apparatus; the second area also guiding the converted light and the reflected first light to a second optical path. |
| US09778541B2 |
Acousto-optic element, acousto-optic element array, and display apparatus including the acousto-optic element
Provided are an acousto-optic element, an acousto-optic element array, and a display apparatus including the acousto-optic element array. The acousto-optic element includes: an acousto-optic modulator which includes an acousto-optic layer formed of an acousto-optic material; a light supplier which supplies light to the acousto-optic modulator in a first direction; a first sound-wave modulator which applies first elastic waves to the acousto-optic modulator in a second direction; and a second sound-wave modulator which applies second elastic waves to the acousto-optic modulator in a third direction. The light supplied from the light supplier to the acousto-optic modulator is deflected by diffraction caused by the first elastic waves applied from the first sound-wave modulator and diffraction caused by the second elastic waves applied from the second sound-wave modulator, and is output from the acousto-optic modulator through a front side of the acousto-optic modulator. |
| US09778538B2 |
Aggregate particles for use in electrophoretic color displays
A multi-color display device has front and rear electrodes on opposed sides of an electrophoretic medium. The device has a voltage controller configured to apply a first and a smaller second potential difference, of either polarity, between the electrodes. The electrophoretic medium has first, second, and third species of particles of differing colors and charge polarities. The first and second particles move independently of one another in response to the first potential difference, but upon application of the second potential difference form charged aggregates, moving as a unit, having an aggregate color different from the first and second colors. |
| US09778535B2 |
Particle dispersion for display, display medium, and display device
A particle dispersion and the display devices in which the dispersion may be incorporated are provided. The particle dispersion includes a dispersion medium, one or more types of particle groups that are dispersed in the dispersion medium that may differ based on color and/or charge, and counter-ions oppositely charged than the one or more particle groups. The particle groups and counter-ions are moved in the dispersion medium according to an electric field formed in the dispersion medium. The one or more types of particle groups are configured such that the total amount of charges of one type of particle group (a) among the one or more types of particle groups is greater than a total amount of charges of the counter-ions that are charged with a polarity opposite to that of the particle group (a). |
| US09778533B2 |
Window construction
The present invention refers to a window construction, particularly to be used in a train, vehicle, car, helicopter, aircraft or building, which comprises a laminated window glazing having electrically switchable layer means arranged in a laminate, and controlling means being coupled to the switchable layer means for controlling the sunlight transparency of the switchable layer means. |
| US09778528B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes gate lines configured to receive gate signals, data lines arranged to cross the gate lines and configured to receive data voltages, and pixels grouped into first pixel groups and second pixel groups and connected to the gate lines and the data lines. The gate signals are configured to be applied to the gate lines in a predetermined order while skipping at least one gate line without being sequentially and consecutively applied to two gate lines adjacent to each other among the gate lines. |
| US09778526B2 |
Display panel and pixel array thereof
A pixel array includes pixel rows. Each pixel row includes a first gate line, a second gate line, sub-pixels and data lines. Each data line includes a main portion, a branch portion and a connecting portion. The main portions of the data lines are arranged along a second direction in sequence. The branch portions and the main portions of the data lines are arranged alternately along the second direction in sequence, and each sub-pixel is disposed between any two of the adjoining main portion and branch portion. The connecting portion of each of the data lines is disposed between the first gate line and the second gate line, the connecting portion of each data line is electrically connected with the main portion and the branch portion of each data line, and the connecting portion of each data line penetrates through the corresponding sub-pixel along the second direction. |
| US09778525B2 |
Display device
A display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the display device includes a plurality of pixels each including first and second switching elements connected to a first gate line and a data line. Each pixel also includes a first memory capacitor connected to the first switching element and a capacitance voltage line, a second memory capacitor connected to the second switching element and the capacitance voltage line, and a third switching element and a fourth switching element each connected to a second gate line and a reference voltage line. Each pixel further includes a fifth switching element connected to a third gate line and the first memory capacitor, a sixth switching element connected to the third gate line and the second memory capacitor, a first subpixel electrode connected to the third and fifth switching elements, and a second subpixel electrode connected to the fourth and sixth switching element. |
| US09778524B2 |
Liquid crystal display, liquid crystal panel, and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines disposed on a substrate in horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, pixel electrodes formed at intersecting regions of the data lines and the gate lines, a plurality of erasing signal lines disposed parallel to the gate lines, first thin film transistors, each including a first source electrode connected to one data line, a first gate electrode connected to one gate line, and a first drain electrode connected to one pixel electrode, and second thin film transistors, each including a second drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode, a second gate electrode connected to the erasing signal line, and a second source electrode connected to a predetermined potential. |
| US09778523B2 |
Array substrate, liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display device
An array substrate, a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display device of the present disclosure provided are designed to form a MIS storage capacitor by the polycrystalline semiconductor layer, the first metal layer and the insulating layer between the two or the polycrystalline semiconductor layer, the second metal layer and the insulating layer between the two. When one side of the first metal layer or the second metal layer is receiving the negative gray scale voltage, a P—Si in the polycrystalline semiconductor layer will gather to form a cavity, when receiving the positive gray scale voltage, a blocking layer will be formed on the P—Si to reduce the capacity of the MIS storage capacitor. |
| US09778520B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device, a common electrode is formed on an organic passivation film, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the common electrode, a pixel electrode with a slit is formed on the interlayer insulating film, and a through hole is formed in the organic passivation film and the interlayer insulating film, so that the pixel electrode is connected to a source electrode of a TFT through the through hole. Further, the taper angle around the upper base of the through hole is smaller than the taper angle around the lower base. Thus, the alignment film material can easily flow into the through hole when the diameter of the through hole is reduced to connect the pixel and source electrodes, preventing display defects such as uneven brightness due to the absence of the alignment film or due to the alignment film irregularity around the through hole. |
| US09778512B2 |
Array substrate having spacer, method for manufacturing the same, and display panel
A method for manufacturing an array substrate includes steps of: forming a pattern which includes a scanning line and a gate on a base substrate (301); forming a gate insulating layer on the pattern which includes the scanning line and the gate; forming a pattern which includes an active layer, a data line and a spacer matrix on the gate insulating layer; forming a passivation layer on the pattern which includes the active layer, the data line and the spacer matrix; dry etching the passivation layer to form a via hole which exposes the spacer matrix; under effect of an electric field generated between the spacer matrix exposed from the via hole and an etching gas, products obtained during the etching is induced to be deposited on the exposed surface of the spacer matrix so as to form a spacer. An array substrate and a display pane are further provided. |
| US09778502B2 |
Color filter and liquid crystal display comprising the same
Disclosed here is the technical field of liquid crystal display, and in particular to a color filter and a liquid crystal display with the color filter. The color filter has a plurality of diaphragm groups, each diaphragm group consists of at least one red diaphragm, at least one green diaphragm and at least one blue diaphragm, wherein the diaphragms of at least one of said diaphragm groups are configured in such a sequence that color cast caused by a RC delay of a pixel signal can be compensated. |
| US09778499B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having a pixel electrode and a common electrode provided thereon; a second substrate formed of a resin material; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; an optical film facing the liquid crystal layer with the second substrate being provided between the optical film and the liquid crystal layer; and a conductive layer facing the second substrate; wherein the optical film is provided between the conductive layer and the second substrate. |
| US09778496B2 |
Nonreciprocal three-way divider based on a magneto-optical resonator
The present invention is based on a two-dimensional photonic crystal in which defects are inserted in a controlled manner, has the main function of division of the power of an input signal, excited in one of its six waveguides, among other three waveguides (output ones), while keeping isolation of the input port by means of two other waveguides. The operating principle of the device is based on the alignment of a dipole mode excited in the resonant cavity, in such a way that the nodes of this mode are oriented in the direction of two waveguides, so that these waveguides are not excited. Due to this alignment, each of the three output waveguides receive about one third of the power of input signal. The orientation of dipole mode is controlled by the applied DC magnetic field and the physical and geometrical parameters of the resonator. |
| US09778494B1 |
Temperature control of components on an optical device
The optical device includes a waveguide positioned on a base and a modulator positioned on the base. The modulator includes a ridge of an electro-absorption medium having a top side and a lateral side. The lateral side is between the top side and the base and the top side has a width. The waveguide is configured to guide a light signal through the modulator such that the light signal is guided through the ridge of electro-absorption medium. A heater is positioned over the lateral side of the electro-absorption medium without being positioned over the entire width of the ridge. |
| US09778491B2 |
Adjustable tint eyewear using polarized filters
Eyewear is configured to use pairs of polarized lenses, with one pair held stationary within an eyeglass frame, and the remaining pair disposed adjacent with the fixed pair and permitted to rotate under the control of the wearer. A novel mechanism is included within the eyewear for the wearer to use in rotating the movable lenses with respect to the fixed lenses. In particular, a flexible member is included to surround a majority of each rotatable lens, with the flexible member riding within a channel formed in the frame. A lever, or other type of hand control fixture, is attached to the flexible member. The wearer may than move the lever back and forth, which imparts a linear motion to the flexible member. The linear motion of the flexible member is translated into a rotational movement of the attached lenses, thus creating a wearer-adjustable tint. |
| US09778489B2 |
Electro-active spectacles
A spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens provides a vision correcting area for the correction of a wearer's refractive error. The viewing correction area provides correction for non-conventional refractive error to provide at least a part of the wearer's vision correction. The lens has a prescription based on a wave front analysis of the wearer's eye and the lens can further be modified to fit within an eyeglass frame. |
| US09778482B1 |
Pair of eyeglasses without temples
A pair of eyeglasses without temples includes two spectacles frames, an elastic connection piece, and two nose pads. Each of the spectacles frames accommodates a lens internally. The elastic connection piece is integrated between the spectacles frames and includes a horizontal top and two interconnecting portions respectively extending downward from two ends of the top. Each of the nose pads is integrated with an inner side of a corresponding spectacles frame and includes a pad body and a bonding segment. The pad body has a mounting hole internally in which a lower segment of one of interconnecting portions is engaged. The bonding segment has an upper portion with a groove internally in which a top segment of the inner side of one of the spectacles frames is engaged. |
| US09778481B2 |
Lens drive apparatus including damper compound suppressing undesired resonance
A lens drive apparatus includes an image stabilizer portion moves an auto-focusing lens driving portion in first and second directions orthogonal to an optical axis and perpendicular to each other, and the image stabilizer portion includes a fixed member disposed apart from the auto-focusing lens driving portion in a direction of the optical axis, a plurality of suspension wires each comprising an end fixed to the fixed member at an outer region thereof, a narrowing portion that is disposed between the fixed member and the auto-focusing lens driving portion and that narrows part of a gap between the fixed member and the auto-focusing lens driving portion, and a damper compound that is disposed at the narrowed part of the gap between the fixed member and the auto-focusing lens driving portion and that suppress undesired resonance in the direction of the optical axis of the auto-focusing lens driving portion. |
| US09778476B2 |
3D depth sensor and projection system and methods of operating thereof
A diffractive optical element includes: a first facet configured to perform an expansion optical function; and a second facet configured to perform a collimation optical function and a pattern generation function. |
| US09778474B2 |
Display panel and display apparatus
A display panel includes a plurality of display elements arranged in a matrix manner, a first transparent substrate including a plurality of signal input parts at a circumferential part of the first transparent substrate and a wiring connecting the signal input parts and the display elements formed on the first transparent substrate, and a second transparent substrate including a rectangular light shielding layer shielding light among the display elements and shielding light at an outside of a display region including the display elements, wherein markers for indicating positions with respect to the display elements are located in at least two parts of a circumferential edge of the first transparent substrate, and each of the markers has a crossing part crossing any one of rims at a circumferential edge of the light shielding layer. |
| US09778471B2 |
Method and device for producing multi-view images and optical film used in said method and device
A method and a device for producing multi-view images optical films used therein are disclosed. The method and device use an optical film 2, comprising a superlens array 3 with between 0.5 to 225 superlenses per inch, formed by two arrays of positive microlenses which are fixed relative to one another. In order to produce a multi-view image 1 between a viewer 11 and the optical film 2, an array 10 of elemental images is arranged between the focal plane 9 of the superlenses 3 and the optical film 2. |
| US09778466B2 |
Flexible arm and head-mounted display
The present invention provides a head mounted display and flexible arm that is easily bendable yet capable of maintaining a bent state thereof. The flexible arm 8 is constituted with a coil 80 and a tube 90 provided on an outer periphery thereof. The coil 80 is formed as a double-strand coil containing a wire rod, stainless used steel for coil springs with high tensile strength, (SUS304WPB) 82 having a round cross-section and a Stainless Used Steel wire rod (SUS) (SUS304) 84 having a triangular cross-section. On the outer periphery of the coil 80, the tube 90 made of silicone is provided so as to be in close contact therewith. By making an outside diameter of the coil 80 slightly larger than the inside diameter of the tube 90 (approximately 10% of the tube diameter), the tube 90 fits tightly to the outer periphery of the coil 80. The tube 90 is fitted over the coil 80 in a state stretched from a natural state thereof in a direction A in the figure. Accordingly, the flexible tube 90 attempts to move in the contraction direction, and therefore force in a direction compressing the coil 80 can be applied. Thus, the bent state of the flexible arm 8 can be maintained. |
| US09778463B2 |
Head-up display device
A head-up display device includes a housing, a guiding base, a projecting board assembly, a protecting cover and a driving mechanism. The projecting board assembly is movably arranged at the guiding base. The driving mechanism includes a link, a lever, and a drive wheel. A front end of the link is pivotally connected to the protecting cover, and a rear end of the link is engaged with the drive wheel. A lower end of the lever is pivotally connected to the projecting board assembly. The drive wheel is rotatable and can be selectively engaged with the lever. The rotation of the drive wheel can drive the link and the lever to move and thus drive the protecting cover and the projecting board assembly to move. Therefore, the driving mechanism can be more easily arranged, so as to simplify the structure and reduce cost. |
| US09778459B1 |
Assembly to reduce liquid droplet accumulation
An assembly to reduce droplet accumulation and impingement on a lens assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a camera body; a camera lens mounted within the camera body; and a groove surrounding the camera body. The groove has a first portion defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a first floor portion and a second portion defined by the first sidewall, a third sidewall, and a second floor portion. The first portion has a first width and a second portion has a second width larger than the first width. |
| US09778452B2 |
Sighting device
A sighting device, including an optical element having a concave reflection surface and an aiming light source and forming in a visual field frame, comprises a main-body housing section that houses the optical element and the aiming light source and has an opening on an upper surface side, a cover member that covers the upper surface side of the main-body housing section, and a link mechanism that couples the main-body housing section and the cover member and moves the cover member with respect to the main-body housing section. The cover member is moved by the link mechanism between a closed position where the cover member covers the opening of the main-body housing section and an open position where the cover member is disposed in a position separated from the opening of the main-body housing section and forms an optical path of the aiming light. |
| US09778451B2 |
Microscope system
The invention provides a microscope system including a correction-gain storage portion that calculates a correction gain for performing shading correction of an image related to optical images of a specimen, obtained by a microscope, and stores specimen information indicating features of the specimen and optical information at the time of obtaining the image in association with the correction gain; a correction-gain selecting portion that selects the correction gain for use when performing the shading correction of the image to be corrected; and a correction portion that performs the shading correction of the image to be corrected, on the basis of the selected correction gain, wherein the correction-gain selecting portion selects, on the basis of the specimen information or a result of the shading correction with the plurality of correction gains, the correction gain to be used in the shading correction of the image to be corrected. |
| US09778448B2 |
Optical cross-coupling mitigation systems for wavelength beam combining laser systems
In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate optical cross-coupling mitigation systems and/or engineered partially reflective output couplers in order to reduce or substantially eliminate unwanted back-reflection of stray light. |
| US09778447B2 |
Luminescent solar concentrator
A solar concentrator device comprising a solar concentrator element comprising a radiation transmissive surface, a radiation absorptive material and a radiation concentrating/collection point and disposed on the incident radiation side thereof a recapture element for recapturing at least a portion of radiation lost from the concentrator element has improved solar radiation collection efficiency by reintroducing recaptured radiation into the concentrator element or by propagating said recaptured radiation through the recapture element to a radiation concentration point associated with the recapture element. It has been found that planar elements having a grooved or corrugated outer surface make for very good recapture elements for planar concentrator elements. |
| US09778444B1 |
Optical assembly for a wide field of view point action camera with low astigmatism
An optical assembly for a point action camera with a wide field of view includes multiple lens elements configured to provide a field of view in excess of 150 degrees. One or more lens elements has an aspheric surface. The optical assembly exhibits a low longitudinal astigmatism of approximately 0.3 mm or less. |
| US09778438B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens is constituted by, in order from the object side to the image side: a positive first lens group; a stop; a negative second lens group; and a positive third lens group. Only the second lens group moves in the direction of the optical axis to perform focusing operations. The second lens group is constituted by one or two positive lenses and one negative lens. The third lens group is constituted by, in order from the object side to the image side, two or three positive lenses and one negative lens. |
| US09778436B2 |
Lens driving apparatus
A lens driving apparatus includes a holder, a cover, a carrier, a first magnet, a coil, a spring, two second magnets and a hall sensor. The holder includes an opening hole. The cover is made of metal material and coupled to the holder. The carrier is movably disposed in the cover, and for coupling to a lens. The first magnet is connected to an inner side of the cover. The coil is wound around an outer side of the carrier, and adjacent to the first magnet. The spring is coupled to the carrier. The second magnets are disposed on one end of the carrier which is toward the holder. The hall sensor is for detecting a magnetic field of any one of the second magnets, wherein the magnetic field is varied according to a relative displacement between the hall sensor and the second magnet which is detected. |
| US09778435B2 |
Lens barrel
The present invention provides a lens barrel applicable to digital cameras, image pickup devices and cell phones. The lens barrel is small, low-cost and high-performance, and can suppress, by means of a simple mechanism provided in the lens barrel, a variation in the focal position of the lens barrel caused by the change in temperature. The lens barrel comprises a lens group consisting of a plurality of lenses and a lens chamber for holding the lens group. An elastic member is provided between a set of adjacent lenses of the lens group, for urging the set of adjacent lenses in an optical axis direction of the lenses. The space between the set of lenses is increased or decreased by the elastic member, which causes a back focus of the lens barrel to move in a direction opposite to the direction in which the focal position of the lens barrel varies due to thermal expansion or thermal contraction of the lens group and the lens chamber and the change of refractive index of the lens group resulting from a temperature change. Hence, by increasing or decreasing the space in the optical axis direction between the lenses at both ends of the elastic member, the variation in the focal position of the lens barrel is suppressed. |
| US09778433B2 |
Splice module for fiber blade
A blade arrangement for use in a bladed chassis system includes a splice module coupled to a blade. The splice module includes a splice region, a storage region, a first enter/exit region at the first side, and a second enter/exit region at the second side. Either of the enter/exit regions can be faced towards a rear of the blade when the splice module is mounted to the blade. The splice allows unterminated optical cables routed to the rear of the blade to be optically spliced to connectorized pigtails that are received at rear ports of optical adapters on the blade. |
| US09778430B2 |
Structures and method for thermal management in active optical cable (AOC) assemblies
Disclosed are structures and methods for active optic cable (AOC) assembly having improved thermal characteristics. In one embodiment, an AOC assembly includes a fiber optic cable having a first end attached to a connector with a thermal insert attached to the housing for dissipating heat from the connector. The AOC assembly can dissipate a suitable heat transfer rate from the active components of the connector such as dissipating a heat transfer rate of 0.75 Watts or greater from the connector. In one embodiment, the thermal insert is at least partially disposed under the boot of the connector. In another embodiment, at least one component of the connector has a plurality of fins. Other AOC assemblies may include a connector having a pull tab for dissipating heat from the assembly. |
| US09778429B2 |
Heat sink for optical module array assembly
Apparatus comprising: a heat sink, the heat sink comprising: a body formed out of a heat-transmissive material; at least one channel extending through the body, the at least one channel having an inlet port and an outlet port; at least one opening extending through the body, the at least one opening being configured to receive an optical module therein; at least one securement element mounted to the body for releasably securing an optical module within the at least one opening; and at least one alignment element mounted to the body for ensuring appropriate alignment of an optical module received in the at least one opening. |
| US09778427B2 |
Cable assembly with cable attach structure having off-axis fiber routing
A cable attach structure for attaching a fiber-optic cable to a rear end and a connector to a front end is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cable attach structure is a portion of a fiber optic cable assembly having a fiber optic cable with at least one optical fiber and a connector attached to the optical fiber. The fiber optic cable is attached to the cable attach structure at a rear end and circuit board is attached to the cable attach structure at the front end. The cable attach structure also routes the at least one optical fiber away from the centerline of the connector for off-axis fiber routing. In other embodiments, the optical fiber can enter the connector from a first direction and attach to the connector in a second direction if desired. |
| US09778420B2 |
Connecting structure of optical module and optical connector
To make connection work be done easily and certainly, and, further, space-saving be achieved, when an optical fiber and an optical module are connected. An optical module includes a connecting face connected with an optical connector and a first diffraction grating, provided in an end part of a first optical waveguide, to convert an optical axis direction of the first optical waveguide to a direction toward an opposing face of the optical connector; in the optical connector, the second optical waveguide is provided in the optical connector along the opposing face toward the connecting face; the optical connector includes a second diffraction grating, provided in an end part of the second optical waveguide, to convert an optical axis direction of the second optical waveguide into a direction toward the optical module; and while the optical module and the optical connector are connected mechanically to make the opposing face of the optical connector oppose the connecting face of the optical module, the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating opposing each other and being coupled optically. |
| US09778414B2 |
Curved electronic display element
A head-mounted display (HMD) including an electronic display. The electronic display is configured to output image light. The electronic display includes a display panel including a surface configured to emit image light, and a fiber optic taper. The fiber optic taper includes a mounting surface and a display surface. The mounting surface is formed to, and affixed to, the surface of the display panel to receive the image light from the display panel. The display surface has a shape configured to output the image light corrected for optical distortion in the image light received from the cylindrically curved display panel. The HMD includes an optics block configured to optically direct the corrected image light to an exit pupil of the HMD corresponding to a location of an eye of a user of the HMD. |
| US09778412B2 |
Snap-fit for fixing optical film, and backlight module and liquid crystal display with the same
A snap-fit for fixing optical films is disclosed. The optical film includes at least one ear hook arranged above a border of a plastic frame. The plastic frame is assembled with a back frame so as to fix a light guiding plate within the back frame. The snap-fit includes a press portion and a connection portion extending from a first side of the press portion. The connection portion and the press portion cooperatively form an angle with a predetermined degree. The press portion presses the ear hook of the optical films on the border of the plastic frame. The connection portion clasps with the hook of the sidewall. By adopting the snap-fit, not only the narrow bezel design can be achieved, but also the optical film can be stably fixed. A backlight module with the above snap-fit and the liquid crystal display are also disclosed. |
| US09778409B2 |
Optical member, display device, and light emitting device having the same
Disclosed are an optical member and a display device. The display device includes a light source; a light conversion layer to convert a wavelength of light emitted from the light source; and a display panel into which the light is incident from the light conversion layer. Further, the light conversion layer includes a plurality of concave surfaces. |
| US09778405B2 |
Light guide plate and light source module
A light guide plate and a light source module are described. The light guide plate includes a main body, first stripe microstructures and second stripe microstructures. The main body includes a light incidence surface, a light-emitting surface and a light reflective surface opposite to the light-emitting surface. The light incidence surface is connected between the light-emitting surface and the light reflective surface. The light-emitting surface includes a first microstructure region and a second microstructure region arranged sequentially, and the first microstructure region is near the light incidence surface. The first stripe microstructures are disposed in the first microstructure region and extending along a direction from one side near the light incidence surface to the other side away from the light incidence surface. The second stripe microstructures are disposed in the second microstructure region along the direction. A gradient of each second stripe microstructure is gradually varied along the direction. |
| US09778404B2 |
Achromatic holographic phase masks, methods, and applications
A phase converting device capable of use over a broad wavelength range, which may be used for optical beam transformations and combining, conversion of resonator and waveguide modes, correction of aberrations in optical systems, and selection of photons with specific phase profile. This provides significant advantages in high power laser systems. Large-mode-area fibers can be used to provide higher incident powers than can be achieved by single-mode fibers, reducing the number of elements in a system necessary to achieve the desired output. The profiles of these LMA fiber modes can then be converted from the undesired modes into the desired mode while combing their total power into a single beam. |
| US09778402B2 |
Light reflective film and light reflector produced using the same
The light reflective film has improved adhesive property between a light reflective layer and a hard coat layer.The light reflective film has a high refractive index layer, a low refractive index layer, a resin adhesive layer, and a hard coat layer laminated on a substrate, in this order. The hard coat layer has an active energy ray-curable resin. The resin adhesive layer has at least one resin selected from polyvinyl acetal resins, acrylic resins, and urethane resins. |
| US09778398B2 |
Hard coating film and preparation method thereof
The present invention relates to a hard coating film and a preparation method thereof, and, more particularly, to a hard coating film having high hardness and excellent properties and a method of preparing the same. The method is advantageous in that a high-hardness hard coating film, which is not easily curled, can be easily prepared. The hard coating film prepared by this method can be usefully used in various fields because it has high hardness, scratch resistance, transparency, durability, light resistance, light transmittance and the like. |
| US09778393B2 |
Method and system for density correction for geophysical well logging inside drilling rods
A method and system for estimating density of material surrounding a borehole in mineral exploration, the method including inserting a tool into a drilling rod located within a borehole, the tool having a gamma radiation source and at least one sensor; raising the tool within the drilling rod; receiving gamma count readings at the at least one sensor; sending the gamma count readings to a computing device; and removing effects of the drilling rod from the gamma count readings at the computing device to calculate a density of material surrounding the borehole. |
| US09778392B2 |
3Helium gas proportional counter
A 3Helium gas counter comprising polyethylene slabs, a rectangular gas tube within the polyethylene slabs, and a mixture of 3Helium and Xenon. A 3Helium gas counter comprising polyethylene slabs, a rectangular gas tube within the polyethylene slabs, and a mixture of 3Helium and Krypton. A method of making a 3Helium gas counter comprising providing polyethylene slabs, placing a rectangular gas tube within the polyethylene slabs, and depositing a mixture of 3Helium and Xenon into the rectangular gas tube. |
| US09778389B2 |
Communication applications
In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to transmit and receive data. Transmission may comprise transforming larger values of acquired data into smaller values of transformed data using a transform defined by a seed value selected to reduce digital pulse position modulation transmission time for the acquired data. Additional activities include digital pulse position modulating the transformed data and a checksum associated with the transformed data to provide a propagation signal, and transmitting the propagation signal into drilling fluid or a geological formation. Reception may comprise receiving the propagation signal, demodulating the propagation signal to extract the transformed data and the checksum, and transforming the transformed data into an estimate of the acquired data, using the transform defined by the seed value validated by the checksum. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described. |
| US09778379B2 |
Photon-counting X-ray CT apparatus and photon-counting X-ray diagnostic apparatus
A photon-counting X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus of an embodiment includes photon-counting CT detection circuitry, integral CT detection circuitry, switching circuitry, and a feedback capacitance. Photon-counting CT detection circuitry outputs count values for respective energy bins, based on voltage pulses output from a feedback capacitance with electric charges output from an X-ray detection element configured to detect incident X-rays. Integral CT detection circuitry outputs an integral value, based on the voltage pulses output from the feedback capacitance with the electric charges output from the X-ray detection element. Switching circuitry switches between a case of transmitting the electric charges output from the X-ray detection element to the photon-counting CT detection circuitry and a case of transmitting the electric charges output from the X-ray detection element to the integral CT detection circuitry. The feedback capacitance is connected with the photon-counting CT detection circuitry and the integral CT detection circuitry in parallel. |
| US09778375B2 |
X-ray detector and method for its production
An X-ray detector including a substrate having opposite first and second faces, at least a first temperature sensor on the side of the first or second face, and at least one stack including of a copper oxide layer and a copper layer. The copper oxide layer is located between the copper layer and the substrate. The stack covers at least partially the first temperature sensor or is at least partially opposite the first temperature sensor. |
| US09778369B2 |
Pedestrian positioning in high-reflection environments
A positioning system operates by first determining that a user is pedestrian, and then estimating a speed of the user. Having tracked a first signal from one radio transmitter whose position is known, the system attempts to detect additional signals from the one transmitter, in a search space such that the first signal and the or each additional signal are consistent with the estimated speed of the user and with one or more of the signals having been reflected off a reflector in the vicinity of the user. One or more detected additional signals from the one transmitter are then tracked, and candidate measurements, derived from the first signal and the one or more detected additional signals, are provided for use when estimating the position and/or velocity of the user. |
| US09778367B2 |
Anti-jamming apparatus and method for compact array antenna
An anti-jamming apparatus and method for a compact array antenna are provided. The anti-jamming apparatus for a compact array antenna includes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) array antenna unit including a plurality of GNSS antennas for receiving GNSS signals transmitted from a satellite. A first beam-forming unit includes a plurality of combination units for receiving respective signals received by the plurality of GNSS antennas as a first reference signal and first auxiliary signals and combining the first reference signal with the first auxiliary signals, thus forming different beams. A second beam-forming unit receives signals of the different beams, and combining the signals of the different beams, thus forming an anti-jamming beam in which an invisible area is minimized. |
| US09778365B2 |
Single receiver GPS pointing vector sensing
A system and method of determining a pointing vector using two GPS antennas and a single GPS receiver is disclosed. Two stationary GPS antennas, with a separation preferably less than half of a wavelength (˜100 mm) may use a single receiver to determine the pointing vector of the system. Incorporation of a three axis angular rate measurement allows pointing determination during system rotation. Incorporation of three axis gyroscope system allows pointing determination while in motion. The system provides the ability to sense multipath and jamming. Also the system can potentially eliminate the impact and certainly alert the user that the measurement may not be reliable. |
| US09778364B2 |
Vehicle with multiple light detection and ranging devices (LIDARs)
A vehicle is provided that includes one or more wheels positioned at a bottom side of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a first light detection and ranging device (LIDAR) positioned at a top side of the vehicle opposite to the bottom side. The first LIDAR is configured to scan an environment around the vehicle based on rotation of the first LIDAR about an axis. The first LIDAR has a first resolution. The vehicle also includes a second LIDAR configured to scan a field-of-view of the environment that extends away from the vehicle along a viewing direction of the second LIDAR. The second LIDAR has a second resolution. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to operate the vehicle based on the scans of the environment by the first LIDAR and the second LIDAR. |
| US09778363B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coded time-of-flight camera
In illustrative implementations, a time-of-flight camera robustly measures scene depths, despite multipath interference. The camera emits amplitude modulated light. An FPGA sends at least two electrical signals, the first being to control modulation of radiant power of a light source and the second being a reference signal to control modulation of pixel gain in a light sensor. These signals are identical, except for time delays. These signals comprise binary codes that are m-sequences or other broadband codes. The correlation waveform is not sinusoidal. During measurements, only one fundamental modulation frequency is used. One or more computer processors solve a linear system by deconvolution, in order to recover an environmental function. Sparse deconvolution is used if the scene has only a few objects at a finite depth. Another algorithm, such as Wiener deconvolution, is used is the scene has global illumination or a scattering media. |
| US09778362B2 |
Relative speed measuring doppler LiDAR
The general field of the invention is that of Doppler lidars intended to measure the speed of a target. The lidar according to the invention comprises:First means for modulating the optical frequency of the transmission signal, said frequency being the sum of a constant frequency and of a variable frequency of determined amplitude modulated by a periodic temporal function;Second means for computing the spectrum of the measured heterodyne signal and for creating two measurement spectra obtained by shifting the spectrum of the heterodyne signal by a positive and negative frequency value, said realignment frequency equal to the difference between the instantaneous frequency of the transmission signal and the frequency of a signal transmitted at a time shifted by the round-trip travel time between the lidar and the target;Third means for comparing the two measurement spectra, the difference in amplitude between the two spectra at the Doppler frequency determining the direction of the speed of the target. |
| US09778353B2 |
Handheld device, object positioning method and computer-readable recording medium
A handheld device, an object positioning method thereof and a computer-readable recording medium are provided. The handheld device includes a radar sensor, an image sensor and a control unit. The radar sensor emits a detection wave, and receives a reflected wave generated by an object by reflecting the detection wave. Each object generates one of the reflected waves. The image sensor captures an image. The image includes a subset of the objects. The control unit extracts a waveform signature of each reflected wave, recognizes the waveform signature in a time domain and a frequency domain to determine a first type of each object, obtains a first position of the object according to the reflected wave, obtains a second type and a second position of each object according to the first image, and performs object mapping to combine or compare the first position and the second position of the object. |
| US09778352B2 |
Object recognition apparatus
In an object recognition apparatus mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of recognizers each adapted to conduct object recognition ahead of the vehicle at intervals; and an object continuity determiner adapted to conduct object continuity determination based on a result of the object recognition conducted by the recognizers; the object continuity determiner determines that, when a first object recognized by any of the object recognizers at time (N) is present at a position within a predetermined area defined by a position of a second object recognized by other of the object recognizers at time (N−1) earlier than the time (N), the first object and the second object are identical to each other to be one object which is kept recognized continuously for a time period ranging from at least the time (N−1) to the time (N). |
| US09778351B1 |
System for surveillance by integrating radar with a panoramic staring sensor
Described is system for surveillance that integrates radar with a panoramic staring sensor. The system captures image frames of a field-of-view of a scene using a multi-camera panoramic staring sensor. The field-of-view is scanned with a radar sensor to detect an object of interest. A radar detection is received when the radar sensor detects the object of interest. A radar message indicating the presence of the object of interest is generated. Each image frame is marked with a timestamp. The image frames are stored in a frame storage database. The set of radar-based coordinates from the radar message is converted into a set of multi-camera panoramic sensor coordinates. A video clip comprising a sequence of image frames corresponding in time to the radar message is created. Finally, the video clip is displayed, showing the object of interest. |
| US09778350B2 |
Angularly resolving radar sensor
An angularly resolving radar sensor having multiple antenna elements that, in a direction in which the radar sensor is angularly resolving, are disposed in different positions, and having a control and evaluation device that is designed for an operating mode in which several of the antenna elements transmit signals that are respectively received by several of the antenna elements, and the angle (θ) of a located object is identified on the basis of amplitudes and/or phase relationships between signals which correspond to different configurations of transmitting and receiving antenna elements, wherein the control and evaluation device is embodied to supply several of the transmitting antenna elements simultaneously with identical-frequency signals (f1-f4) in such a way that the common phase center of said signals is located between the positions of two adjacent antenna elements. |
| US09778348B1 |
Symmetric receiver switch for bipolar pulser
Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multilevel pulser is described, which can provide bipolar pulses of multiple levels. The multilevel pulser includes a pulsing circuit and pulser and feedback circuit. Symmetric switches are also described. The symmetric switches can be positioned as inputs to ultrasound receiving circuitry to block signals from the receiving circuitry. |
| US09778344B2 |
System and method of utilizing RF signaling to determine range and relative coordinates
A system and method of measuring the distance and determining the coordinate position of one or more target transceivers relative to a set of anchor transceivers with known locations is provided. The position of the target transceiver is determined by using a time-of-flight (TOF) initialization signal generated by the master anchor transceiver, a TOF response transmission generated by the target transceiver, calculation of the distances between the target transceiver and each anchor transceiver, and transmission of a TOF distance report by the master anchor transceiver. The system and method of the present invention permit the accurate locating of a target transceiver that is located “outside the box.” |
| US09778332B2 |
Spinning controller for NMR sample tube
A spinning controller has an arithmetic unit (18) and a controller (20). The arithmetic unit (18) establishes gate periods Tg for a pulse sequence signal (110) produced concomitantly with spinning of a sample tube (40) and obtains a count value (Ns) by counting the number of pulses falling within each gate period Tg. The arithmetic unit (18) has functions of finding differences in time from each gate period Tg to the pulse sequence signal (110) occurring around the starting point and ending point of each gate period Tg by making use of a high-speed clock signal (120) and of correcting the duration of the gate period Tg, based on the differences in time. |
| US09778322B2 |
Lighting jig
The present invention discloses a lighting jig for testing a backlight module, comprising a switch unit and a delay unit; wherein the switch unit is connected to a power supply, and when the switch unit is in closed position, a power output terminal of the lighting jig is electrically connected to a power input terminal of the backlight module, a closing signal is generated at the same time, and the closing signal is output to the delay unit; and the delay unit is connected to the power supply, and outputs a delayed power signal to the power input terminal of the backlight module upon receipt of the closing signal output from the switch unit so as to delay the lighting up of the backlight module. |
| US09778320B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring the function of a safety switch means
An apparatus and a method are provided for monitoring the function of a safety switch means, wherein the safety switch means in particular can be used to switch an actuator. The apparatus and method enable the function of a safety switch means to be reliably monitored in a cost-effective manner. Further, the apparatus and method can provide universal function monitoring. |
| US09778314B2 |
Capacitive opens testing of low profile components
A probe assembly for capacitive testing electrical connections of a low profile component to a circuit assembly. The probe assembly is configured to reduce coupling of noise signals from the circuit assembly to the capacitive probe. The probe assembly includes a sensing member with a geometry that allows the probe to preferentially couple to test signals from the pins of a component under test rather than conductive structures on the circuit assembly, such as pads, and signal traces to which those pins are attached. The sensing member may be a vertical capacitive sense plate such that coupling is to an edge of the plate. The sensing member alternatively may be a horizontal capacitive sense plate with an active area of the probe surrounded by an isolation ring. Measurements made with such capacitive probes may provide test measurements that yield a reliable discrimination between a properly attached pin and an open pin. |
| US09778311B2 |
Semiconductor inspection apparatus
The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment includes a first detecting unit capable of being electrically connected to a source electrode of a field effect transistor to be evaluated, the first detecting unit used for detecting voltage, a first diode including a first anode electrode and a first cathode electrode, the first cathode electrode capable of being electrically connected to a drain electrode of the field effect transistor, a second detecting unit electrically connected to the first anode electrode, the second detecting unit used for detecting voltage, a first resistance element of which a first end is electrically connected to the first anode electrode, and a first electric power source electrically connected to a second end of the first resistance element. |
| US09778310B2 |
Apparatus and method for detection of solenoid current
An apparatus for detecting leakage current through a solenoid coil that includes a capacitor connected to one end of the solenoid coil and a feedback circuit that monitors the rate of decay of the capacitor voltage to determine if an excessive leakage current is present. |
| US09778305B2 |
Pulse width measurement method and apparatus
A tire monitoring apparatus comprising a monitor installed on a tire and a pulse width measuring apparatus for measuring the width of pulses produced by the monitor. The pulse width measuring apparatus comprises a frequency analyzer for producing a frequency representation of the pulse, a signal processor for determining a minimum value of the frequency representation, and a pulse width estimator that inverts the minimum value to produce a measurement for the pulse width. The tire monitoring apparatus uses the pulse width measurement as an indication of characteristics of the tire. |
| US09778303B2 |
Method and system for continuous off chip capacitor detection for linear regulators
Various embodiments efficiently detect the presence of an external capacitor electrically coupled to the output of a voltage regulator by perturbing the voltage output of the voltage regulator while the regulator is in operation and supplying, or ready to supply, regulated voltage to a load, and detecting the reaction of the regulator's output. |
| US09778297B2 |
Power detector and associated method for eliminating the difference of I-V phase difference between transmission path and detection path
A power detector for detecting an output power of a power amplifier is provided. The power amplifier is used to transmit signal power to the antenna. The power detector includes a phase shifter, a multiplier and a calibration unit. The phase shifter sequentially applies a plurality of candidate phase calibration amounts to the output voltage of the power amplifier to generate a plurality of adjusted signals with different phases in a calibration mode. The multiplier sequentially mixes the replica current and each of the plurality of adjusted signals, to generate a plurality of analog signals with different phases. The calibration circuit determines a target phase calibration amount of the phase shifter from the candidate phase calibration amounts according to the plurality of analog signals. |
| US09778294B2 |
Non-contact AC voltage measurement device
A non-contact AC voltage measurement device 100 applied to a conductor 12 of an electric wire 16, the device 100 being characterized in that a first electrode 32 is provided outside the electric wire 16, whereby a coupling capacitance 34 is formed between the conductor 12 and the first electrode 32, a parallel circuit 38 having a capacitor 40 and an opening/closing means 50 connected in parallel to the capacitor 40 is provided, the parallel circuit is connected in series to the coupling capacitance, and a first current I1 which flows through the parallel circuit 38 when the opening/closing means 50 of the parallel circuit 38 is closed and a second current I2 which flows through the parallel circuit 38 when the opening/closing means 50 is open are measured for the purpose of measuring the AC voltage 8 applied to the conductor 12. |
| US09778288B2 |
Fluxgate-based current sensor
Operating a current sensor by conducting a current serially through a first region and a second region of an electrically conductive member. A first magnetic field produced by the current in the first region is sensed using a first magnetic field based current (MFBC) sensor having a first sensitivity. The sensitivity of a second MFBC is reduced. A second magnetic field produced by the current in the second region is sensed using the second MFBC sensor having a reduced sensitivity, in which the reduced sensitivity is lower than the first sensitivity. A magnitude of the current is calculated based on the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. A dynamic range of the current sensor is extended by calculating a magnitude of the current using the second magnetic field after the first MFBC is saturated. |
| US09778287B2 |
Current sensor
Provided is a current sensor capable of being assembled even if a bus bar inserted through a magnetic core has a complex shape that is difficult to insert through an opening portion of a case. A case includes a first case segment and a second case segment provided with opening portions having a cut-out shape that is open toward a direction orthogonal to a direction in which a detection target portion of a bus bar extends, and the case is assembled to the detection target portion by inserting the detection target portion into the opening portions from the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the detection target portion extends. |
| US09778285B2 |
Electrical sensor systems and methods
Various techniques are disclosed for providing electrical current and/or voltage sensor probes or tags integrated with measurement circuitry. For example, an electrical sensor is provided that includes a probe adapted to be arranged to at least partially encircle a conductor to be measured, wherein the probe has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end terminating in a base portion that houses measurement circuitry. The base portion may also include electrical components suitable for displaying, wirelessly transmitting, and/or otherwise conveying the measured electrical parameters. In some embodiments, the distal end of the probe may be removably received by the base portion, such that the probe forms a loop encircling the conductor when measuring it. In other embodiments, the probe may resiliently clip on to the conductor. In another example, an electrical sensor includes an attachable tag that can be mounted to the conductor to be measured. |
| US09778281B1 |
Tachometer signal jitter reduction system and method
Assessing and removing jitter from tachometer signals enhances the performance of condition monitoring systems where accurate tachometer signals are needed. A system as disclosed herein can be designed and configured to have a low order of operations, so as to allow for implementation on low cost microcontrollers, which can be important for bused, distributed monitoring systems in which the tachometer zero crossing data is collected at a tachometer sensor and then broadcast to other remote sensors needing that information for vibration or other advanced analysis. Moreover, for monolithic architecture systems (e.g., a centralized processing and control architecture), the low order of operation and small software code base allows the system to be a simple/low cost addition to existing monitoring systems. |
| US09778280B2 |
Methods and systems for identification of event data having combined activity and location information of portable monitoring devices
Systems and methods for segmenting a period of time into identification of locations of a user who performs activities are described. One of the methods includes detecting activity of a monitoring device worn by the user. The activity includes an amount of movement of the monitoring device. The activity is performed for a period of time. The method further includes obtaining geo-location data for the monitoring device and storing, during the period of time, the detected activity and corresponding geo-location data. The method also includes analyzing the detected activity and the corresponding geo-location data to identify one or more events. Each event is associated with a group of activity data and one or more of the groups of activity data is associated with an identifier, which is obtained using the geo-location data. |
| US09778279B2 |
Inertial force sensor
An inertial sensor includes oscillating-type angular velocity sensing element (32), IC (34) for processing signals supplied from angular velocity sensing element (32), capacitor (36) for processing signals, and package (38) for accommodating angular velocity sensing element (32), IC (34), capacitor (36). Element (32) and IC (34) are housed in package (38) via a vibration isolator, which is formed of TAB tape (46), plate (40) on which IC (34) is placed, where angular velocity sensing element (32) is layered on IC (34), and outer frame (44) placed outside and separately from plate (40) and yet coupled to plate (40) via wiring pattern (42). |
| US09778278B2 |
Sample-taking unit
A sample-taking unit having a sampling unit and a hold-down device which is movable relative thereto in a parallel manner, said sample-taking unit including a self-holding mechanism which, as a result of a self-locking effect, automatically fixes the hold-down device in a lowered fixing position against an upward movement until the self-locking effect is removed again as a result of the self-holding mechanism being acted upon with a detaching force, preferably as a result of contact between the sampling unit and a clamping element of the self-holding mechanism. |
| US09778277B2 |
Process and apparatus for testing substances for potential carcinogenicity
An apparatus (2) for the automatic testing of substances for carcinogenicity comprises: a plate support (3) on which at least one micro-well plate (1) can be placed; a movable pipetting unit (4) comprising a predetermined number of pipettes (40); a number of containers (5) containing a liquid culture medium (50), the number of containers (5) corresponding to the number of pipettes (40) of the pipetting unit (4); a dish support (6) on which a corresponding number of dishes (60) can be placed, each having a bottom and an upstanding side wall (601); a plurality of spinners (63) for spinning the dishes (60); a plurality of suction cups (62) for placing a lid (600) on each of the dishes; and a plurality of laterally arranged belts (64,65) for transporting the closed dishes (60) to an intermediate storage (8). |
| US09778276B2 |
Liquid handling device
A liquid handling device that determines a position of a tray utilizing light reflected from structural features of the tray. |
| US09778267B2 |
Methods for identifying modulators of ion channels
The invention provides methods for identifying modulators of ion channels without the use of recombinant cell lines over-expressing the ion channel proteins or the use of detection labels. |
| US09778265B2 |
Charged peptide appendage to facilitate oriented protein covalent immobilization
Genetic fusions of proteins, for example single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), with a positively-charged domain enhanced immobilization of active protein in a desired orientation. |
| US09778262B2 |
Antibody cocktail
The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least three primary antibodies or fragments thereof, wherein the at least three antibodies or fragments thereof binds specifically to at least three different proteins, and wherein the at least three different proteins are AMCAR, CK 5/6, and HMWC. Methods for using the composition in diagnosis, prognosis, and assessing efficacy of treatment is further included as well as kits comprising said composition, and optionally, instructions of its use. |
| US09778256B2 |
Biochip substrate and biochip
A biochip substrate which is free from cross-contamination due to spot spreading or contact with spots adjacent to each other, and a biochip using the same. A biochip substrate on which multiple valleys for immobilizing biological substances are formed so as to prevent cross-contamination due to spot spreading or contact with spots adjacent to each other, and a biochip using the same are provided. Moreover, it is found out that a desired binding in a target molecule contained in a test sample occurs at a detectable level in a solution system even in the case where a valley have such a small capacity as 1 nL to 10 nL. |
| US09778253B2 |
Tube for measuring bio-related substance and quantifying system
A bio-related substance assay tube 2 comprises a target substance capture bead 3 serving as a first microparticle, compensation bead 4 serving as a second microparticle on which a given amount of a bio-related substance has been immobilized, and a negative control bead 5 serving as a third microparticle for use as a negative control. A mount unit 12 comprises a nozzle communicating with a pump, and the bio-related substance assay tube 2 is mounted in the mount unit 12 to ensure communication with this nozzle. An analyte is introduced into the bio-related substance assay tube 2, followed by labeling the bio-related substance bound to each microparticle to cause light emission. Based on light emission from each microparticle, a calibration curve is prepared or the emission intensity of the first microparticle is compensated to quantify the bio-related substance. |
| US09778249B2 |
Sequence and chiral selectivity of DNA-drug interactions revealed by force spectroscopy
Methods of quantifying the efficiency of a drug molecule for its targeted receptor, using a differential binding force to quantify the efficiency of a drug molecule to its targeted receptor. |
| US09778248B2 |
Method for measurement of thrombocyte function
With a method for measurement of thrombocyte function, a solution is created, by which the sensitivity of individual thrombocytes can be measured with the least possible apparatus effort, with high throughput, by passing a liquid thrombocyte solution, in which the thrombocytes are present in isolated form, into a microfluidic chamber and brought into contact with at least one stimulant, wherein an electrical field directed transverse to the entry direction of the thrombocyte solution is applied to the chamber, and the movement path of the thrombocytes in the electrical field is observed and evaluated, in such a manner that thrombocytes having a movement path directed in the direction toward the minus pole of the electrical field are classified as non-activated thrombocytes, and thrombocytes having a movement path directed in the direction toward the plus pole of the electrical field are classified as activated thrombocytes. |
| US09778247B2 |
Systems and methods for an equilibrium wet bath
A wet standard calibration system which utilizes a heat conducting foam with the liquid therein to serve as a primary heating device to avoid the need to include mechanical agitation. The system is particularly useful for generating a vapor comprising water and ethanol which can be used for the calibration of breath alcohol testers. |
| US09778245B2 |
Diagnostic devices and methods
A diagnostic device is provided that comprises a light source for transmitting a light beam through a blood sample to a light detector, and a permanent magnet, wherein one of the permanent magnet and blood sample is automatically movable relative to the other between a “HIGH” magnetic state position and a “LOW” magnetic state position, such that a substantially high magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing any hemozoin in the blood sample to tend toward perpendicular orientation to the substantially magnetic field and the suppression, or enhancement of light based on its polarization, and a zero-to-near-zero magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing the randomization of any hemozoin in the blood sample and a baseline amount of light to pass through the blood sample in the “LOW” magnetic state position. |
| US09778243B2 |
Methods for measuring renewable bio-source content in renewable bioplastic materials
The present invention relates to improved methods for measuring the renewable bio-source carbon content and renewable bio-content in renewable bioplastic resins produced in manufacturing plants. In particular, the present invention relates to measuring the renewable bio-source carbon content in renewable bioplastic resins produced during a production run by correlating measured δ13C values are measured by iTOC-CRDS and CM-CRDS with actual renewable bio-source carbon content measurements (AMS or LSC 14C) via a linear regression. |
| US09778241B2 |
Quartz crystal characterization of fractions derived from pre-refined crude and/or cracked streams
Methods are provided for characterizing the stability of a distillate fraction using a quartz crystal microbalance apparatus, such as a distillate fraction derived at least in part from a pre-refined crude oil. A sample can be aged for an aging period in a quartz crystal microbalance apparatus, and a frequency value for the sample in the quartz crystal microbalance apparatus can be determined before and after the aging period to determine a frequency difference. This frequency difference can be correlated directly with the ability of a jet fuel fraction to satisfy a stability test standard, such as a jet fuel breakpoint stability. The methods can also include using a temperature profile during characterization that can reduce or minimize operator error during the characterization. |
| US09778240B2 |
Characterization of crude oil by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy
A system and a method for characterizing a crude oil sample from the weight and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy of the sample, including calculating a crude oil ultraviolet visible index and using the index to calculate the API gravity and the aromaticity of the sample. |
| US09778237B2 |
Systems and methods for determining combustion properties of wellhead gas
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for determining combustion properties of wellhead gas. A methane concentration of a gas mixture is measured. A non-methane hydrocarbon concentration of the gas mixture is measured. An inert concentration of the gas mixture is calculated. A first surrogate for the non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is selected, where the first surrogate is selected as propane if the methane concentration is greater than a first threshold, and where the first surrogate is selected as pentane if the methane concentration is less than or equal to the first threshold. A methane number of the gas mixture is determined, where the methane number is based on the methane concentration, the first surrogate, and the inert concentration. |
| US09778220B2 |
Electrochemical gas sensor
An electrochemical gas sensor (10) with a housing (11), with an electrolyte reservoir (12) and with a plurality of electrodes (31, 32, 33). The electrodes (31, 32, 33) include at least one working electrode (31), one counterelectrode (32) and one reference electrode (33). The electrolyte reservoir (12) is filled with a liquid electrolyte (60). All of the electrodes (31, 32, 33) are arranged at or on a common electrode carrier (20). |
| US09778219B2 |
Electrochemical detection system and method of operation
An electrochemical detection system for determining a concentration of a gas in exhaust gases of a combustion process. The system includes an electrolyte, a reference electrode, and a sense electrode that cooperate to form an electrochemical sensor that exposes both the reference electrode and the sense electrode to the exhaust gases. The electrochemical sensor is configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a species concentration of a species gas in the exhaust gases. The sensor signal exhibits a transient error in response to a change in a reference concentration of a reference gas in the exhaust gases. The processor is configured to determine the species concentration based on the sensor signal, and to determine an estimate of the transient error based on an operating condition of the combustion process. |
| US09778217B2 |
Explosion-proof miniaturized combustible gas sensor
The present invention provides an explosion-proof miniaturized combustible gas sensor, comprising: a metal casing having an accommodation space therein; a wire mesh, a vertical surface perpendicular to a side surface where the wire mesh is located and the other side surface opposite thereto being used as a transfer surface of the combustible gas; a heat insulation module embedded in the metal casing; a detection module sensitive to a combustible gas; a compensation module insensitive to a combustible gas and matching the detection module; where the detection module has a higher catalytic combustion activity than the compensation module; a sealant, where a bonding length of the sealant in the accommodation space of the metal casing is used as an effective bonding surface, and the effective bonding surface is perpendicular to the transfer surface. The present invention has the advantages of a miniaturized size, good explosion-proof property and reliable performance. |
| US09778216B2 |
Hygrometer and dew-point instrument
A hygrometer and dew-point instrument is provided that is structurally simple while reducing the workload during maintenance. The hygrometer measures relative humidity of a measurement space, and has a main body that encapsulates a working fluid therein and causes a heat-pipe phenomenon. The main body is disposed across the measurement space and an external space spaced from the measurement space by a heat-insulating part and has a temperature lower than the measurement space. A first temperature deriving part derives the temperature of the main body in a section where the working fluid evaporates. A space temperature detecting unit detects the temperature of the measurement space. A computation unit calculate relative humidity of the measurement space based on the temperature of the main body derived by the first temperature deriving part and the temperature of the measurement space detected by the space temperature detecting unit. |
| US09778209B2 |
Substrate for mask blanks, mask blank, transfer mask, and method of manufacturing them
Provided is a mask blank substrate being a substrate having two main surfaces, in which one of the two main surfaces of the mask blank substrate on a side on which a transfer pattern is formed has such a surface profile that, when a measurement region of 2.8 mm×2.1 mm of the main surface in a transfer pattern formation region is measured using a white light interferometer under conditions of a pixel number of 640×480, a power spectrum density at a spatial frequency of 1.0×10−2 μm−1 calculated from a result of the measurement is 6.0×107 nm4 or less. |
| US09778205B2 |
Delta die and delta database inspection
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for inspecting a photolithographic reticle. An inspection tool is used to obtain a plurality of patch area images of each patch area of each die of a set of identical dies on a reticle. An integrated intensity value for each patch area image is determined. A gain is applied to the integrated intensity value for each patch area image based on a pattern sparseness metric of such patch area image and its relative value to other patch area images' pattern sparseness metric. A difference between the integrated intensity value of each patch of pairs of the dies, which each pair includes a test die and a reference die, is determined to form a difference intensity map of the reticle. The difference intensity map correlates with a feature characteristic variation that depends on feature edges of the reticle. |
| US09778199B2 |
Classification and identification of solid propellant rocket motors
Pressure variations within a solid propellant rocket motor produce like variations in the optical radiance of the motor exhaust plume. The periodicity of the variation is related to the length L of the rocket motor or speed of sound in the rocket motor combustion chamber to length ratio a/L. The optical radiance is collected and converted to electrical signals that are sampled at or above the Nyquist rate. An array of single-pixel photo detectors is well suited to provide amplitude data at high sample rates. The sampled data from the one or more detectors is assembled to form a high fidelity time sequence. A window of sampled data is processed to form a signal frequency spectrum. The mode structure in the frequency spectrum is related to the rocket motor length or speed of sound in the rocket motor chamber to length ratio. The rocket motor length or speed of sound to length ratio is used alone or in combination with other information to either classify or identify the rocket motor. |
| US09778198B2 |
Apparatus for performing a sensing application
An apparatus for performing a sensing application may a substrate having a plurality of nano-fingers positioned to receive the dispensed solution , first and second reservoirs, first and second dispensers to dispense first and second solutions from the first and second reservoirs onto first and second subsets of the plurality of nano-fingers. The plurality of nano-fingers are flexible, such that the plurality of nano-fingers are configurable with respect to each other. The apparatus may include an illumination source to illuminate the first and second solutions and an analyte introduced around the plurality of nano-fingers, wherein light is to be emitted from the analyte in response to being illuminated. The apparatus may include a detector to detect the light emitted from the analyte. |
| US09778194B2 |
In-situ combined sensing of uniaxial nanomechanical and micromechanical stress with simultaneous measurement of surface temperature profiles by raman shift in nanoscale and microscale structures
Embodiments of the present disclosure include separating a measured Raman shift signal into mechanical and thermal components when a uniaxial compressive load is applied in situ. In some embodiments, in situ uniaxial compressive loads are applied on examined specimens from room temperature to 150° C. In alternate embodiments, Raman shift measurements are performed as a function of strain at constant temperature and/or as a function of temperature at constant strain levels. It was realized that the Raman shift measured at a given temperature under a given level of applied stress can be expressed as a summation of stress-induced Raman shift signal and temperature-induced Raman shift signal measured separately. Such a separation of Raman shift signal is utilized by various embodiments to measure localized change in thermal conductivity and/or mechanical stress of structures (e.g., semiconductor structures) under applied stress. |
| US09778190B2 |
Fabrication of a fluorescent material for sensing an analyte
An analyte indicator may include a porous base and may be included in an analyte sensor. The analyte indicator may retain its physical, chemical, and optical properties in the presence of compression. The porous base may not vary in opacity. The analyte indicator may include (i) a polymer unit attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) an analyte sensing element attached to the polymer unit or copolymerized with the polymer unit. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator molecule. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator polymer chains. The analyte indicator may include (i) an indicator polymer chain attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) indicator molecules attached to the indicator polymer chain. |
| US09778185B2 |
Analytical instrument with collimated and adjustable length optical path
This disclosure relates generally to analytical instruments for measuring one or more properties of specimens or samples to be analyzed and, more particularly, to an analytical instrument with an adjustable optical path length. An analytical instrument may include a specimen support upon which a specimen may rest and a compression plate for controllably adjusting an optical path length of the specimen between the specimen support and the compression plate. In particular, a specimen may contact both the specimen support and the compression plate such that controlling a distance of the compression plate with respect to the specimen support effectively controls the optical path length of the specimen. An analytical instrument may include collimating lenses to collimate electromagnetic energy for transmission through a specimen and converging lenses for directing electromagnetic energy transmitted through the specimen into one or more sensors. |
| US09778183B2 |
Sensing chip
A sensing chip is provided, which includes a substrate and a plurality of nano structures periodically arranged on the substrate, wherein each of the nano structures includes a bottom metal layer disposed on the substrate, a middle dielectric layer disposed on the bottom metal layer, and a top metal layer disposed on the middle dielectric layer. The bottom metal layer has an area that is larger than that of the top metal layer. |
| US09778182B2 |
Device and method for monitoring fluid in subsea equipment
Monitoring device and method for monitoring a fluid in subsea equipment, wherein the monitoring device includes a sensing element in contact with the fluid, at least one detector and a waveguide, where the sensing element is configured to implement an evanescent field absorption technique, the at least one detector is configured to detect an attenuated optical signal fed into the waveguide by at least one radiation source, and where the attenuation is caused by evanescent field absorption due to the fluid. |
| US09778181B2 |
System and method for analyzing a sample liquid
The present invention provides a system for analyzing a sample liquid comprising a test tape having a plurality of test elements, a tape transport device which successively transports the test elements to a sample application site while advancing the tape, and a measuring device which scans the test elements loaded with sample liquid at a measuring site. The measuring site is located at a distance from the sample application site in the direction of tape movement. The tape transport is interrupted in order to exactly position a wetted area of the test elements carrying a sample liquid at the measuring site by means of a positioning device that responds to the presence of sample liquid on the test element. |
| US09778174B2 |
Single device for gas and flame detection, imaging and measurement
A device images radiation from a scene. The scene can include two materials with spectral characteristics in different radiation wavelength regions. A static filtering arrangement includes two filters with different passbands corresponding to the two wavelength regions. An image forming optic forms an image of the scene on a detector. The radiation from the scene is imaged simultaneously through an f-number of less than 1.5 onto two detector pixel subsets. The imaged radiation on one pixel subset includes radiation in one wavelength region. The imaged radiation on the other pixel subset includes radiation in the other wavelength region. Electronic circuitry produces a pixel signal from each detector pixel. The pixel signals include information associated with absorption or emission of radiation in one of the respective wavelength regions by the two materials. The electronic circuitry determines the presence or absence of each of the two materials based on the pixel signals. |
| US09778171B2 |
Optical cup
The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a disposable cartridge and an optical cup or cuvette having a tapered surface; wherein the walls are angled to allow for better coating and better striations of the light, an optics system including an optical reader and a thermal controller; an optical analyzer; a cooling system; and an improved spectrometer. The system may utilize the disposable cartridge in the sample processor and the optical cup or cuvette in the optical analyzer. |
| US09778170B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a barrier effect of a coating on a substrate
Determining a barrier effect of a coating for a medium includes: providing a substrate having the coating on its surface, the substrate undergoing a volume change on contact with the medium; conditioning the substrate with the coating; removing the coating from a first part of the surface, leaving the coating on a second part, the first part having an extent in a first direction delimited by the coating remaining on the second; determining a height profile of the coating on the second part and the first part on a path in the first direction; exposing the remaining coating and the first part to the medium; determining a second height profile of the coating on the second part and the first part on the path in the first direction and/or determining a difference in height profile on the second and first part with respect to the height profile determined beforehand. |
| US09778168B2 |
Coating monitor for evaluating the effectiveness of protective coatings
The coating monitoring system is based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The system consists of one or more compact and rugged mini-potentiostat modules coupled to one or more electrodes mounted on top of the paint coating of the structure being monitored. The electrodes and modules can be coated with a topcoat if desired. Alternatively, they may be mounted only temporarily to the structure for spot inspection. They periodically report to a laptop. Communications may be implemented using a wireless protocol. The units may be battery powered with an estimated battery lifetime of up to ten years, depending on the frequency of measurement and interrogation Alternative power supplies may be used to replace or supplement the battery to allow extended battery lifetime. Moisture, humidity, or other sensors may be incorporated into the coating monitor. |
| US09778166B2 |
Microparticle measurement device
In a microparticle measurement device, a sample is passed through each channel in a multi-flow channel, and a predetermined linear area is illuminated with light. Measurement light originating from a microparticle in the sample, such as scattered or fluorescent light, is shaped into a parallel beam by an objective lens and passes through a first and second transmission portions. The beams transmitted through these two portions are converged as first and second measurement beams onto the same straight line by a cylindrical lens. The intensity of the interference light formed by these beams is detected with a detector. Meanwhile, the light emitted from the light source and passing through the multi-flow channel without hitting the microparticle falls through the objective lens onto a non-reflection portion and does not travel toward the cylindrical lens. Accordingly, only the interference light formed by the measurement beams is allowed to fall onto the detector. |
| US09778160B2 |
System for sensing particulate matter
Systems and methods are described for sensing particulate matter in an exhaust system of a vehicle. An example system comprises a first outer tube with a plurality of intake apertures on an upstream surface, a second inner tube with a plurality of intake apertures on a downstream surface, and a particulate matter sensor placed within the second inner tube. The second inner tube may be positioned within the first outer tube such that a central axis of the second inner tube is parallel to a central axis of the first outer tube. |
| US09778159B2 |
System and method for assessing rheological properties of grease
A system for investigating rheological properties of grease, the system including grease sample preparation arrangement for preparing a grease sample with a predetermined quantity of grease, at least two sample holder plates for holding the grease sample by sandwiching the grease sample between the sample holder plates, wherein at least one of the sample holder plates is transparent, and a loading system for generating a predetermined force acting on the grease sample sandwiched between the sample holder plates by pressing on the sample holder plates such that a spot formed by the grease sample on the sample holder plates is expanded. The loading system can include at least one transparent portion enabling a continuous observation of the expansion of the spot while the predetermined force is acting on the grease sample. |
| US09778157B2 |
Output member for a direct impact Hopkinson pressure bar
An output member for a Direct Impact Hopkinson pressure bar includes an elongate tube portion and a disc-shaped cap portion. The tube portion has a first end and an opposite second end, while the cap portion includes a first face and an opposite second face. A circular stub protrudes from a center of the first face, and a circular cavity is formed in the second face. Each of the stub and the cavity is concentric with the cap portion, with a diameter of the cavity being greater than a diameter of the stub. The second face of the cap portion is positioned in intimate contact with the first end of the tube portion, with the cap portion being concentric with the tube portion. |
| US09778156B2 |
High pressure and temperature valve
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods which provide a seal-less high temperature and pressure valve for use in many applications. |
| US09778153B2 |
Microfluid device and method of producing diffusively built gradients
A microfluid device for producing diffusively built gradients comprising a bottom plate and a cover plate, wherein the cover plate has recesses and is connected to the bottom plate in a liquid-tight manner so that the recesses form at least two reservoirs and one observation chamber, which connects the reservoir, a reservoir can be filled particularly through an inlet/outlet through the cover plate, and the cross-sectional surface of the observation chamber is at least 5 times, preferably at least 200 times smaller at the aperture of the observation chamber into one of the reservoirs than the maximum cross-sectional surface of the reservoir in parallel to this cross-sectional surface of the observation chamber. |
| US09778143B2 |
System and method for estimating engine exhaust manifold operating parameters
A system and method are provided for estimating an operating parameter of an exhaust manifold of an engine. In the system, a flow value is determined that corresponds to a flow rate of exhaust gas through an EGR conduit fluidly coupled between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold. The EGR conduit includes an exhaust gas cooler disposed in-line with the EGR conduit and a property of the exhaust gas exiting an exhaust gas outlet of the cooler is measured. The operating parameter of the exhaust manifold is estimated as a function of at least the flow value and the property of the exhaust gas exiting the exhaust gas outlet of the cooler. Illustratively, the operating parameter of the exhaust manifold may be exhaust manifold pressure and/or temperature. |
| US09778141B2 |
Video inspection system with deformable, self-supporting deployment tether
Non-destructive evaluation optical inspection systems include video cameras or other reflective-photonic optical instruments, such as laser profilometers or 3D white light laser dimensional scanners, which are incorporated in a camera head. The camera head is coupled to a distal end of a self-supporting and shape-retaining elongate deformable deployment tether. The deployment tether is bendable, for insertion through cavities of power generation machines and orientation of the camera head field of view on the internal area of interest. The deployment tether is capable of being deformed repeatedly, for inspection of different areas of interest. In some embodiments, interchangeable camera heads are selectively coupled to the deployment tether, so that a kit or family of different optical inspection instruments are available to carry out multiple types of inspections within a single or multiple types of power generation machinery. |
| US09778140B2 |
Engine testing apparatus, and engine testing method
An engine testing apparatus is provided with a memory portion for storing a control command value obtained when the rotation speed of a dynamometer is changed by the control command value in accordance with the change of the engine rotation speed in a real vehicle in a period in which the engine behavior in a real vehicle is reproduced without connecting the dynamometer to an engine under test. The engine testing apparatus is provided with an output portion that supplies the control command value stored in the memory portion to the dynamometer with reference to an engine output signal showing the start of the reproducing period. |
| US09778137B2 |
Methods and apparatus for measurement of modal characteristics of multimode fiber using Rayleigh scatter
One or more modal characteristics are determined for a waveguide that supports more than two modes. In an example implementation, optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) is used to couple light into the waveguide and detect Rayleigh scatter reflections associated with a segment of the waveguide. An original set of Rayleigh scatter data associated with the detected Rayleigh scatter reflections is generated. In addition, a scaled set of Rayleigh scatter data associated with the detected Rayleigh scatter reflections is generated. The original set of Rayleigh scatter data is correlated with the scaled set of Rayleigh scatter data. One or more modal characteristics of the waveguide are determined based on the correlation. |
| US09778131B2 |
Pressure data acquisition assembly
A method and assembly for acquiring pressure data. A pressure sensor is applied to a target surface on an individual. A calibrator and a processing element are in communication with the pressure sensor. Processing element receives pressure data and provides an integrated pressure value over a measurement time period. The integrated pressure value is compared to an alert value and to a change condition value. Where an alert value is exceeded, an alert is transmitted to an output device for display. Where a change condition value is exceeded, a measurement parameter of the pressure sensor is changed, or the calibrator is applied to the pressure sensor to recalibrate the pressure sensor to a recalibrated pressure range. |
| US09778127B2 |
Physical quantity measuring device
A differential pressure sensor includes: a sensor module including: a sensor case including a port through which a target fluid is to be introduced and a base attached with the port; a sensor configured to detect a physical quantity of the target fluid; a sensor substrate attached with the sensor, the sensor substrate having an outer circumferential surface facing an inner circumferential surface of the base; and a cover configured to press the sensor substrate against the base; and a case body including an electric circuit that is housed therein and electrically connectable to the sensor module, the case body having an open end to which the sensor module is externally attached, in which a sensor module clearance is defined between the outer circumferential surface of the sensor substrate and an inner circumferential surface of the sensor case. |
| US09778126B2 |
Gage pressure transducer and method for making the same
A method, device and system for a gage pressure transducer including the making thereof are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a first diaphragm, a first pressure, wherein the first diaphragm is composed of metal; transferring, from the first diaphragm, to a first sensor, the first pressure using a first oil region, wherein the first oil region is disposed between the first diaphragm and the first sensor; receiving, at the first sensor, the first pressure; measuring, by the first sensor, the first pressure to generate a first pressure signal; and outputting, from the first sensor, to a first header pin, the first pressure signal, wherein the first header pin is electrically coupled to the first sensor using a first conductive glass frit. |
| US09778120B2 |
Load cell
A load cell includes a flexure element having a Roberval mechanism in which the respective ends of a pair of top and bottom parallel beams including a thin section are integrated in a fixed portion and in a movable portion, and a stopper for preventing an overload disposed between the pair of the top and bottom parallel beams by being fixed to the fixed portion. The front portion of the stopper is disposed in a concave portion for engaging the stopper formed on the inner side surface of the movable portion and extending in the width direction, and the front portion of the stopper of which a width is larger than the movable portion projects outwardly in the width direction of the movable portion. |
| US09778119B2 |
Load transducer and force measurement assembly using the same
A load transducer is disclosed herein. The load transducer includes a body portion having a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides of the body portion including a first side; a plurality of beam portions including a first beam portion and a second beam portion, the first beam portion being coupled to the body portion, the second beam portion being coupled to the first beam portion, and the second beam portion extending along the first side of the body portion; and at least one load cell disposed on one or more of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one load cell configured to measure at least one force or moment component of a load applied to the load transducer. A force measurement assembly including a plurality of load transducers with first and second beam portions is also disclosed herein. |
| US09778112B2 |
Segmented chirped-pulse Fourier transform spectroscopy
An emission can be obtained from a sample in response to excitation using a specified range of excitation frequencies. Such excitation can include generating a specified chirped waveform and a specified downconversion local oscillator (LO) frequency using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), upconverting the chirped waveform via mixing the chirped waveform with a specified upconversion LO frequency, frequency multiplying the upconverted chirped waveform to provide a chirped excitation signal for exciting the sample, receiving an emission from sample, the emission elicited at least in part by the chirped excitation signal, and downconverting the received emission via mixing the received emission with a signal based on the specified downconversion LO signal to provide a downconverted emission signal within the bandwidth of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The specified chirped waveform can include a first chirped waveform during a first duration, and a second chirped waveform during a second duration. |
| US09778111B2 |
Method for estimating a cardiac frequency and associated device
The invention is a method for estimating a cardiac frequency via the detection of radiation backscattered or transmitted by a bodily zone. The part is illuminated, simultaneously or successively, by light radiation extending over a first spectral band and a second spectral band. A photodetector detects radiation emitted by the bodily zone under the effect of its illumination, in each of the spectral bands. A first detection function and a second detection function are formed from the radiation detected in each spectral band, respectively. The method allows the cardiac frequency to be determined via the determination of characteristic instants that are identified from the first detection function and the second detection function simultaneously. |
| US09778107B2 |
Linear frequency domain grating and multiband spectrometer having same
A linear frequency domain grating and a multiband spectrometer having the same. The linear frequency domain grating includes a dispersive optical element and a diffractive optical element being substantially in contact with the dispersive optical element or being substantially integrated with the dispersive optical element, configured to receive a beam of incident light along an incident optical path, and diffract and disperse it into its constituent spectrum of frequencies of the light that is output from the dispersive optical element along an output optical path, such that the output light has a spatial distribution on a focal plane in the output optical path that is a linear function of the frequency. The linear frequency domain grating is a transmissive-type grating or a reflective-type grating, depending on whether the incident optical path and the output optical path are in different sides or the same side of the diffractive optical element. |
| US09778105B2 |
Static interferometer with step-style reflective element
An apparatus for performing Raman spectral analysis of a sample is described, comprising a coherent light source, an first optical chain to direct the coherent light to impinge on the sample, a second optical chain to direct the scattered light onto a diffraction grating, and a third optical chain to direct the diffracted light onto detection array. The diffraction grating is a stairstep with a metalized surface, and a plurality of metalized stripes on a flat surface is disposed in a direction orthogonal to the long dimension of the stairsteps. The region between the flat surface and the stairstep is transparent. The zeroth-order fringe is selected by a slit and directed onto camera. The resultant interferogram is Fourier transformed to produce a representation of the Raman spectrum. |
| US09778104B2 |
Optical sensor for range finding and wind sensing measurements
Techniques are disclosed for providing an optical sensor that can be used for wind sensing and an optical scope. The optical sensor can include a photodiode, an electrical switch, a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA), and a capacitive trans-impedance amplifier (CTIA), enabling the optical sensor to perform both wind-sensing and range-finding functions. Some embodiments may include some or all of these components in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), depending on desired functionality. |
| US09778100B2 |
Flame detector coverage verification system having a declination indicator to determine and visually display the tilt angle of a center line of the flame detector
An embodiment of a flame detector coverage verification system includes an optical source for generating a light beam, and a control unit configured to point the beam in a direction generally co-aligned with an optical center line of the flame detector and through a range of movement about the direction to visually demarcate an area that falls within the flame detector's field of view. In one embodiment, the control unit includes a movable mirror to deflect the laser beam. The system may include an indicator device configured to determine and visually indicate a pan direction of the detector optical center line with respect to a defined direction, and a declination indicator configured to determine and visually display the tilt angle (angle of declination) of the detector optical center line with respect to a ground plane. |
| US09778098B2 |
Natural-frequency measurement device
A natural-frequency measurement device for measuring the natural frequency of a belt includes: an acceleration sensor attached to a portion of the belt between an adjacent pair of pulleys to sense acceleration resulting from the vibration of the belt; and a measuring instrument configured to measure the natural frequency of the belt based on the acceleration sensed by the acceleration sensor. |
| US09778096B2 |
Method of measuring characteristics of crystal unit
A method of measuring characteristics of a crystal unit, includes: driving a crystal unit having a cover transmitting light, a crystal substrate, a first excitation electrode disposed on a first surface of the crystal substrate facing the cover, and a second excitation electrode disposed on a second surface of the crystal substrate opposite to the first surface; irradiating light to the first excitation electrode through the cover in the driving state of the crystal unit; and measuring vibration characteristics of the crystal unit based on reflected light obtained from the irradiated light. |
| US09778091B2 |
Systems and methods for analyzing fluid from a separator
A method for analyzing the reliability of a measured volumetric flow rate of a fluid in a gas outlet line of a gas-liquid separator is provided. In one embodiment, analyzing the reliability of the measured volumetric flow rate includes measuring a gas volume fraction of the fluid in the gas outlet line, comparing the measured gas volume fraction of the fluid to a threshold gas volume fraction level, and determining whether the measured volumetric flow rate of the fluid is reliable based on the comparison. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09778090B2 |
Sensor for determining a filling level
The invention relates to a sensor for determining a filling level of a liquid fellable into a container, having a light transmitter for transmitting at least one light pulse; having a receiver for receiving at least one reflected back light pulse, wherein the light pulse is at least partly reflect able at a liquid surface; having a control and evaluation unit for controlling the sensor and for evaluating the received back light pulse; and having a coupling and decoupling unit for coupling the light pulse into a liquid jet which can be introduced into the container and for decoupling the back light pulse to the receiver, wherein the control and evaluation unit is configured for determining a time difference between a transmission of the light pulse and a reception of the back light pulse to calculate a distance between the coupling and decoupling unit and the liquid surface. |
| US09778088B2 |
Sensor device for detecting a liquid and method therefor
The sensor device serves for detecting the absence or presence of a liquid (1) at the outlet (10a) of a feed line (10) through which there can be fed a feed substance which, when exiting from the outlet, has a pressure (p) in the feed line which has a course over time with a first characteristic in the absence of the liquid and has a course over time with a second characteristic in the presence of the liquid. The sensor device includes a sensing instrument (20-23) for sensing the pressure fluctuations in the feed line (10) and evaluator (30) which is designed to assign the sensed pressure fluctuations to the first or second characteristic and to generate a corresponding signal which indicates whether the liquid (1) is absent or present at the feed line outlet (10a). |
| US09778085B2 |
Flow sensor with a protruding portion for height control and a cover for suppressing sinking of the cover during welding
A flow rate sensor includes: a housing made from a resin material and having a bottom base portion and a side wall, at least one surface side of the housing being open; a cover made from a resin material, covering the one surface side of the housing, welded to an upper surface of the side wall of the housing, and defining, with the bottom base portion and the side wall of the housing, an auxiliary passage within which a gas to be measured flows that is taken in from a main passage; and a flow rate detection unit disposed within the auxiliary passage. A protruding portion for height control is provided to one of the housing and the cover at least in a vicinity of the side wall around the flow rate detection unit so as to suppress sinking in of the cover during welding. |
| US09778084B2 |
Flow-rate measurement device
A flow-rate measurement device which measures a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a fluid flow channel unit includes a tubular measurement flow channel unit that is stored in the fluid flow channel unit and has an inside in communication with the fluid flow channel unit. The flow-rate measurement device also includes a pair of sealing materials that blocks a flow of a fluid and is provided to encircle outer peripheries of the measurement flow channel unit at a first end and a second end; and a measurement unit including a substrate, on which a measurement circuit is mounted, and a pair of ultrasonic transducers. Further, the pair of ultrasonic transducers is electrically and fixedly connected to the substrate in the measurement unit, and the measurement unit is disposed between the pair of sealing materials on the measurement flow channel unit. |
| US09778081B2 |
Flow meter
A paddle wheel flow meter designed for measuring the flow rate of a viscous or debris-laden fluid with fewer parts, higher durability and simplicity of servicing. The flow meter includes a housing including a flow bore and an insert body with an integral rotor shaft. The insert body is removably insertable into the housing. A rotor includes rotor blades and is attached to the rotor shaft so as to be at least partially located in the flow bore such that flow of the fluid causes the rotor to rotate. A sensor unit generates a signal indicative of the rotational rate of the rotor, which can be used to determine the flow rate of the fluid. |
| US09778080B2 |
Selective decimation and analysis of oversampled data
Useful and meaningful machine characteristic information may be derived through analysis of oversampled digital data collected using dynamic signal analyzers, such as vibration analyzers. Such data have generally been discarded in prior art systems. In addition to peak values and decimated values, other oversampled values are used that are associated with characteristics of the machine being monitored and the sensors and circuits that gather the data. This provides more useful information than has previously been derived from oversampled data within a sampling interval. |
| US09778076B2 |
Proximity sensor having an optical routing module for guiding emitted light and target-reflected light
A proximity sensor for an electronic device comprises a proximity module, a lens and an optical module secured in an air gap therebetween. The proximity module has an emitter and a detector and is configured to generate a signal that is a function of light emitted by the emitter, and light detected by the detector, some portion of the detected light having been reflected by a target external to the electronic device. A transmissive-reflective surface of the optical module is aligned with the emitter field of view (FOV) and the detector FOV. The optical module guides emitted light through a transmissive portion of the lens to the exterior of the electronic device, and guides target-reflected light collected by the transmissive portion to the detector. The emitter FOV and the detector FOV are substantially aligned with one another. |
| US09778072B1 |
Absolute electromagnetic position encoder
An absolute electromagnetic position encoder comprises a readhead and an absolute scale. The readhead comprises a spatially modulated signal coupling configuration and a readhead processor. The absolute scale comprises a passive signal pattern, an active signal pattern and a timing and activation circuit connected to the active signal pattern. During a first signal generating cycle, the readhead processor is configured to provide first cycle spatially periodic signals and the timing and activation circuit is configured to receive and store energy. During a second signal generating cycle, the timing and activation circuit is configured to drive the active signal pattern and the readhead processor is configured to provide at least one corresponding second cycle signal. The readhead processor is configured to determine an absolute position of the readhead relative to the absolute scale based on at least the second cycle signal and the first cycle spatially periodic signals. |
| US09778070B2 |
Sensor device for use in determining an angle of rotation
A sensor device includes: at least one magnetic field generator having an end face line, the at least one magnetic field generator being configured to determine an angle of rotation by use of at least one sensor unit; and the at least one sensor unit configured to detect a magnetic flux density representative of the angle of rotation about an axis of rotation, which axis of rotation lies in a magnet plane of the at least one magnetic field generator and runs perpendicularly to the end face line. The magnetic field generator is formed as a dipole magnet with a north pole and a south pole. A pole separation plane separates the north pole and south pole. |
| US09778067B2 |
Sensing a physical quantity in relation to a sensor
A sensor operates to produce a differential signal with a voltage regulated that generates a regulated voltage to a first sensor element for detecting a physical parameter. A current mirror circuit is configured to provide a first sensor current to the first sensor element, detect the first sensor current at the first sensor element and duplicate the detected current to provide a second sensor current to a second sensor element. The second sensor element detects the physical quantity with the replicated current. |
| US09778066B2 |
User query and gauge-reading relationships
Domain agnostic systems and methods for the capture, storage, and analysis of sensor readings including: collecting gauge readings from a plurality of gauges; storing the gauge readings in a database; normalizing select gauge readings in near-real time at the server from the database of the server in response to a user query; and generating a relationship among the select gauge readings in response to the user query; generating information for configuring an entity that provides feedback in a domain agnostic system, based on said relationship among the select gauge readings; and generating an alert in response to the select gauge readings satisfying a certain condition. |
| US09778064B2 |
Method for providing traffic conditions data using a wireless communications device, and a navigation device in which this method is employed
A traffic condition data providing method using a wireless communication device and a navigation device performing the method are disclosed. The navigation device includes a travelling path displaying unit that searches a travelling path to a destination set by a user and displays the travelling path on map data, a traffic condition data receiving unit that receives traffic condition data from a content managing server through a wireless communication device in response to a request of providing the traffic condition data over the travelling path, and a traffic condition data providing unit that provides the user with the received traffic condition data. |
| US09778057B2 |
Selecting a route to a destination based on zones
A travel coordination system provides suggestions to providers for where they should go to reduce the wait time between trips. A geographic region is broken down into zones and a score is generated for each zone. A zone score can be generated by determining the estimated wait time for the zone and generating a model for the wait time. A zone score can also be generated using a model for the wait time using factors that likely contribute to the wait time. The zone score for each zone is displayed to the provider on a road map of the geographic region along with the boundaries of each of the zones and the provider's position within the region. The travel coordination system also suggests driving routes. The travel coordination system selects a target zone and generates candidate routes to the zone. A route is selected based on route scores. |
| US09778055B2 |
Transportation routing
A computer-implemented method of providing personalized route information involves gathering a plurality of past location indicators over time for a wireless client device, determining a future driving objective using the plurality of previously-gathered location indicators, obtaining real-time traffic data for an area proximate to the determined driving objective, and generating a suggested route for the driving objective using the near real-time traffic data. |
| US09778053B2 |
Generating user preference activity maps
Generating user preference activity maps is disclosed, including: collecting a plurality of user activities recorded by a plurality of GPS recording devices; and aggregating the plurality of user activities to a base map to generate a user preference map. |
| US09778041B2 |
Ratiometric nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope system
An NMR gyroscope system includes a vapor cell that includes an alkali metal, a first gyromagnetic isotope, and a second gyromagnetic isotope, and a pump laser generates an optical pump beam. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field that is substantially aligned with a sensitive axis to cause the first and second gyromagnetic isotopes to counter-precess based on the optical pump beam and the alkali metal. A probe laser provides an optical probe beam through the vapor cell that exits the vapor cell as a detection beam, and a detection system monitors the detection beam and to determine a rotation of the NMR gyroscope system about a sensitive axis based on a modulation of the detection beam in response to precession of the first and second gyromagnetic isotopes and based on a predetermined constant ratio of precession of the first and second gyromagnetic isotopes. |
| US09778040B1 |
Systems and methods to reduce sensor bias
Various embodiments of the invention provide for automatic, real-time bias detection and error compensation in inertial MEMS sensors often used in handheld devices. Real-time bias correction provides for computational advantages that lead to optimized gyroscope performance without negatively affecting user experience. In various embodiments, bias non-idealities are compensated by utilizing raw output data from the gyroscope itself without relying on additional external sensors. |
| US09778035B2 |
Scale, encoder, lens apparatus, and image pickup system having a plurality of patterns with different modulating periods
A scale (20) has a plurality of patterns so as to spatially modulate an energy distribution, and the scale includes a first pattern having a first modulation period in a moving direction, and a second pattern having a second modulation period different from the first modulation period in the moving direction, a relative phase between the first pattern and the second pattern changes in accordance with a direction perpendicular to the moving direction, each of the first pattern and the second pattern is configured by including a reflective portion (26) that reflects light and a non-reflective portion (25) that does not reflect the light, and a width of the reflective portion (26) in the moving direction at a first position is different from the width at a second position different from the first position along the direction perpendicular to the moving direction. |
| US09778031B2 |
Method for thermally monitoring process for forming plastic blow-molded containers
The present invention provides a method of measuring the placement of material forming a blow-molded plastic container after the container is released from a mold of a blow molder having a plurality of molds, wherein each plastic container comprises a continuous sidewall and a base, the method comprising the steps of: detecting with an infrared camera infrared light emitted from the container after the container is released from a mold; converting the detected infrared light into corresponding electrical signals; transmitting the electrical signals to a microprocessor; comparing in the microprocessor the electrical signals with stored data regarding desired material distribution forming the plastic container; and producing output information regarding the placement of material forming the container. |
| US09778024B2 |
Target material thickness measuring apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a target material thickness measuring apparatus including: a support; and a plurality of distance measuring units mounted on the support and arranged in a first direction, the plurality of distance measuring units being configured to respectively measure thicknesses of portions of a target material at a plurality of positions in the first direction. A plurality of thickness values of different portions of the target material along a straight line can be obtained at one time, for example, by performing a single measurement of thicknesses of the portions of the target material at the plurality of positions by means of the plurality of distance measuring units, thereby improving measurement efficiency. |
| US09778022B1 |
Determining moving properties of a target in an extreme ultraviolet light source
A method is described for measuring a moving property of a current target as it travels along a trajectory toward a target space. The method includes: detecting a plurality of two-dimensional representations of light that are produced due to an interaction between the current target and each of a plurality of diagnostic probes prior to the current target entering the target space; determining one or more moving properties of the current target based on an analysis of the detected plurality of two-dimensional representations of light, the determining being completed prior to the current target entering the target space; and, if the determined one or more moving properties of the current target are outside an acceptable range, adjusting one or more characteristics of a radiation pulse directed to the target space. |
| US09778019B2 |
Differential polarization interferometer
A differential polarization interferometer is provided. An interferometer performs direct measurement of phase shift of a light wave passed under an arbitrary angle through a sample composed of a transparent substrate holding a thin deposited test film, for metamaterial testing. An example apparatus has a laser source and a first polarizer, and two optically connected arms. A first arm creates orthogonally polarized components of a single output beam for a broadband non-polarizing beam splitter. A second arm has a controllable phase retarder to introduce a phase shift into one polarization component of the reflected single output beam, and a second polarizer to equalize and mix the polarization components of the reflected single output beam. This transforms the reflected single output beam into a beam resulting from interference of polarization components of the reflected single output beam. A photodetector transforms an intensity of the beam into an electric signal for output. |
| US09778016B2 |
Method and device for locating a magnetic object
Locating a moving magnetic object includes determining its position or orientation from measurements from an array N tri-axial magnetometers (N>5) mechanically linked to one another with 0-DOF by repeatedly estimating its position relative to the array from measurements made either in a preceding iteration or from a sensor distinct from the array's magnetometers before making a new measurement using the array's magnetometers; computing the distance between each magnetometer and the object's estimated position; eliminating Ni magnetometers closest to this estimated position, where Ni |
| US09778014B2 |
Method and position sensor assembly for determining a mutual position between a first object and a second object
A method and position sensor assembly for determining a mutual position between a first object and a second object. The position sensor assembly includes a first body, a coil, a control unit, and a sensor circuit, the first body being reciprocally displaceable in the axial direction in relation to the coil. The sensor circuit includes in turn a comparator connected to a first branch including the coil, a power switch, and a measuring resistance coupled in series with each other. |
| US09778007B1 |
Matching a spent firearm cartridge
Disclosed is a novel system, and method for matching a spent firearm cartridge. The method starts with applying a directed self-assembly (DSA) process to produce a nano-scale pattern on a tip of a firing pin for a firearm. The DSA process including: a) disposing a neutral substrate on the firing pin; b) lithographically placing two or more base polymer chains on the neutral substrate, at least two of the two or more base polymer chains being different lengths, so that the two or more base polymer chains align end-to-end in an alternating structure, and c) extracting at least one of the two or more base polymer chains leaving at least one of the base polymer chains remaining thereby forming a randomly oriented pattern. Next, the randomly oriented pattern is used as blocking mask to form a randomly oriented metallization pattern. |
| US09778006B1 |
Explosive device and mini depth charge grenade
An explosive device contains a water-reactive material that ignites upon exposure to water. The water-reactive material ignites a water-activated fuse that has a predetermined burn rate and length. The predetermined burn rate and length allows the device to sink to a desired depth before exploding. Hence, the device explodes after a desired period of time and/or at a desired depth. Defense against underwater swimmers is an advantageous feature of embodiments of the disclosure. The device can use a forty millimeter (40 mm) form factor, which permits launch of the device from convention grenade launchers. |
| US09778002B2 |
Shot cup wad
A wad or shot cup having a forward cylinder portion receiving a payload and a rear cylinder portion receiving a charge of propellant. One or more latent deceleration features can be formed in a surface of the sidewall extending along the rear cylinder portion. The latent deceleration features can be spaced apart from a rearward end of the shot cup and can be deployed to form deceleration petals after the shot cup is fired from a firearm. A series of longitudinal slits can be formed in the forward cylinder portion so that a portion of the sidewall expands radially adjacent the longitudinal slits after the shot cup is fired from a firearm for urging at least a portion of the payload to exit the forward cylinder portion. |
| US09778000B2 |
Off-board influence system
An influence system including open cell structures with one or more fractal reflective or resonating structures, wherein the fractal reflective or resonating structures are adapted to produce an emitted reflective or resonance signal that approximately matches a target electromagnetic signal reflection or resonance profile comprising a plurality of electromagnetic signal characteristics, said plurality of electromagnetic signal characteristics, a tow yoke coupled to one end of said blanket comprising a floatation chamber section, a tow cable adapted to tow said tow yoke and blanket, said tow cable comprising a low electromagnetic observable material or having a radar absorptive material coating. |
| US09777996B2 |
Mounting assembly
A mounting assembly which may be releasably mounted on a standard mounting rail, where said rail includes a base plate and evenly spaced upwardly extending rail projections with evenly spaced transverse slots there between, each rail projection having an angulated upper side surface and an angulated lower side surface, said mounting assembly comprising: a first rail engaging surface and a second rail engaging surface, said first rail engaging surface and said second rail engaging surface facing said angulated lower side surface, when mounted on the rail, a third rail engaging surface and a fourth rail engaging surface, said third rail engaging surface and said fourth rail engaging surface facing said angulated upper side surface, when mounted on the rail, wherein at least said third rail engaging surface and said fourth rail engaging surface are formed with alternating flat surfaces and indentation surfaces, each indentation surface having a width extending a width of each of said transverse slots, and each flat surface having a width smaller than a width of each rail projection. |
| US09777995B2 |
System and method for displaying weapon engagement feasibility
Disclosed is a system and method for generating, in an aircraft (1) in flight, a display indicative of the feasibility of a weapon carried on the aircraft (1) successfully engaging a determined target (5, T) and/or the feasibility of a weapon carried on the target (5, T) successfully engaging the aircraft (1). The method comprises: using a performance envelope of the weapon and performance envelope(s) for one or more different types of aircraft (1), determining a further performance envelope specifying the performance of the weapon when carried by any of the different aircraft (1) types; determining coefficients for a generic polynomial that fit the generic polynomial to the further performance envelope; uploading, to the aircraft (1), the generated coefficients; and, on the aircraft (1), reconstructing the further performance envelope and generating the feasibility display. |
| US09777994B2 |
Method and system for aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device
A method of aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device is disclosed. Using a superposition device coupled to the projectile device, at least three reference points are superposed within a first target area with at least three diverging beams of the superposition device. Positions for at least three of the reference points are noted. A projectile is shot from the projectile device at a second target area, while the positions of the at least three reference points are maintained, to create the point of impact. The point of aim for the projectile device is adjusted to correspond with the point of impact while the positions of the at least three reference points are maintained. A system for aligning a point of aim with a point of impact for a projectile device is also disclosed. |
| US09777992B2 |
Embedded cant indicator for rifles
A device comprised of bubble level inserted into and secured within a cavity located above the rifle grip and behind the barrel to facilitate the measurement and compensation of the rifle's cant while lining up the rifle's sights. The device is precision machined to allow the bubble to be aligned with the axis of the barrel to produce a true “zero-cant” condition. Graduation markings are placed on either left or right of the bubble level to allow the user to better judge the relative degree of cant. Methods of using the embedded cant indicator for precision shooting are presented. |
| US09777989B2 |
Launch system for a guided missile and a guided missile for such a launch system
The present embodiment relates to a guided missile launch system comprising a launch tube with a guided missile space for receiving a guided missile and with a cartridge space for receiving a blank cartridge, further comprising a handle piece mountable on the launch tube and separable from the launch tube, the handle piece having a striking pin system for firing the blank cartridge. |
| US09777988B2 |
Concealed carry anchor and holster system
A concealed carry anchor and holster system secures a holster to a user in order to conceal a firearm from perception. The concealed carry anchor and holster system includes: a holster, to support the firearm; a garment portion, which is a portion of a garment the user wears in order to support and/or conceal the holster and subsequently a firearm; at least one anchor magnet and a holster magnet to secure the holster onto the garment portion. The holster magnet is integrated into the holster, while the at least one anchor is positioned adjacent to the garment portion. The garment portion is positioned between the at least one anchor magnet and the holster magnet. The at least one anchor magnet is magnetically engaged with the holster magnet in order to secure the holster to the garment portion. Therefore, a supported firearm is anchored to the user's body for efficient access. |
| US09777984B1 |
Skeletonized grip for an automatic rifle having interchangeable grip panels
A grip for an AR-10 and AR-15 automatic rifle comprises a skeletonized frame that mates with the receiver of the automatic rifle. The skeletonized frame includes a plurality of frame members that interconnect at angles to reinforce the structural integrity of the frame. The skeletonized frame comprises an open area. The open area stores items pertinent to operation of the automatic rifle. The frame is also configured to receive multiple interchangeable grip panels for altering the visual and functional aspects of the grip. The interchangeable grip panels detachably recess into an appropriate section of the frame, such that their edges are protected from damage from inadvertent impact and abrasion. For example, the grip panels provide a texture that helps cushion the palm of the hand, or accommodate left hands and/or right hands. The panels align through an alignment pin that passes through the opening of the frame. |
| US09777983B2 |
Integrated handgun grip and rail
An integrated grip and rail adapter for a handgun includes two side panels having both grip sections that are adapted to form at least portions of the handgun grip and receiver sections that are adapted to extend from the grip sections along the receiver frame of the handgun beyond a trigger guard and beneath a barrel of the handgun. A mounting rail for mounting accessories beneath the barrel of the handgun is formed in the two receiver sections. |
| US09777982B2 |
Shrouded barrel and sight for revolver
A revolver has a shroud for housing a barrel. The shroud has a receptacle formed on an upper surface. The receptacle is aligned with one sight receiving flat on an exterior periphery of the barrel. The flat is located adjacent to the muzzle end of the barrel. A front sight is disposed within the receptacle. A bottom portion of the sight is in registration with the flat so as to prevent rotation of the barrel. |
| US09777980B2 |
Compact semi-automatic firearm
A firearm has a frame, a barrel assembly and a slide assembly which holds a recoil assembly. The slide and recoil assemblies are located above the barrel so that the barrel is situated between the topmost part of the frame and the bottom of the slide assembly. The barrel assembly includes a housing which is covered by the slide assembly and secures one side of the recoil assembly. The barrel assembly can be removably connected to the frame through front and rear mounts that may be secured using removable pins. The barrel assembly can modularly connect with the frame and slide assembly so that different caliber barrels can be interchanged with each other using the same frame and slide assembly. The firearm is operated by the firing system which includes the trigger assembly and linear striker assembly. |
| US09777977B1 |
Method and device for facilitating disassembly of a firearm and release of a magazine
Disclosed is a device for facilitating disassembly of a firearm and release of a magazine removably attached to the firearm. The device comprising a fulcrum configured to be attached to the firearm, wherein the firearm comprises an upper receiver, a lower receiver, a rear takedown pin and a magazine release mechanism, wherein the rear takedown pin is configured to secure the upper receiver to the lower receiver, wherein the magazine release mechanism is configured to release the magazine from the firearm based on actuation of the magazine release mechanism. Further, the device includes a lever arm configured to operationally engage with the fulcrum, wherein a first part of the lever arm is operationally engaged with the rear takedown pin, wherein a second part of the lever arm is operationally engaged with the magazine release mechanism, wherein actuation of the lever arm displaces the rear takedown pin and actuates the magazine release mechanism, wherein displacement of the rear takedown pin results in disassembly of the upper receiver from the lower receiver, wherein disassembly of the upper receiver from the lower receiver occurs prior to actuation of the magazine release mechanism. |
| US09777976B2 |
Spent cartridges router
Spent cartridges router means in a configuration of a four bars or four bar linkage mechanism for routing spent cartridges ejected from a chain fed automatic weapon towards means for gathering cartridges that is installable as an ad-on and independent (stand alone) mechanism on a weapon station of the type that comprises a base assembly that is rotatable for traverse motion, a cradle assembly that is located on the base assembly and linked with it in axial (pivotally) manner and chain fed automatic weapon that is affixable on the cradle assembly in a manner that it will be rotatable for elevation and lowering around the cradle's axis. |
| US09777975B2 |
Semiautomatic firearm
A semiautomatic firearm is presented that is a combination of known parts from the AR-15 style firearms and AK-47 style firearms and new parts. The firearm includes a receiver and a removable trunnion inserted into the receiver. A barrel is threaded and pinned into the trunnion and an adjustable gas block is connected to the barrel. The gas block includes a gas bore and an adjustable member that extends into and out of the gas bore thereby adjusting the amount of gases that travel through the gas block. The firearm also includes a foregrip installed over the barrel and gas block. The foregrip has a pattern of venting openings therein and an opening that provides access to the adjustable member of the gas block as well as a top rail and a bottom rail. The combination of these components provides a semiautomatic firearm that operates smoothly while being rugged and durable. |
| US09777973B2 |
Device for mixing and heat exchange
A device (1) for static mixing and heat exchange comprises a cladding element (2) and a mixer insert (3), whereby the mixer insert (3) is in the operative state arranged inside the cladding element (2). The mixer insert has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first group (5) of web elements and a second group (6) of web elements. The first group (5) of web elements extends along a first common group plane (7) and the second group (6) of web elements extends along a second common group plane (8). At least a portion of the web elements (9, 10) is provided with channels (11, 12). The channels extend from a first end (13) of the web element (11) to a second end (14) of the web element (11). The cladding element (2) comprises a corresponding channel, which is in fluid connection with the first end (13) and the second end (14) of the web element whereby the transition from at least one of the first (13) and second ends (14) of the web element to the corresponding channel in the cladding element (2) is free from gaps. |
| US09777971B2 |
Modular heat exchanger
A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of plates that are demountably attached to a frame is disclosed. Each plate comprises a plurality of channels for conveying a primary fluid through the heat exchanger. The frames are arranged in the frame so that spaces between adjacent frame pairs define conduits for conveying a secondary fluid through the heat exchanger. The plates are mounted in the frame so that they can be individually removed from the frame. Further, each of the channels is fluidically connected to input and output ports for the primary fluid by detachable couplings. As a result, heat exchangers in accordance with the present invention are more easily repaired or refurbished than prior-art heat exchangers. |
| US09777970B2 |
Reduced thermal expansion closure bars for a heat exchanger
A plate fin heat exchanger is configured to receive hot flow from a hot source and cool flow from a cool source. The plate fin heat exchanger includes a plurality of plates arranged in parallel to define a plurality of flow passages there between, and a set of closure bars arranged at a first side of the plurality of plates to seal a first set of the flow passages against ingress of the hot flow, thereby directing the hot flow into a second set of the flow passages. Each respective closure bar includes an inner core formed of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and an outer cladding arranged about the inner core, the outer cladding formed of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The first coefficient of thermal expansion is less than the second coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| US09777969B2 |
Pipe member equipped with heat insulation core pipeline and U-shaped annularly-distributed pipeline
The present invention relates to a U-type piping capable of thermal energy transmission with each other in a radiate arrangement, wherein the piping segments of the U-type fluid piping inlet end and/or outlet end of the U-type piping capable of thermal energy transmission with each other in the radiate arrangement are directly made of thermal insulating materials, or a thermal insulating structure is installed between the inlet end and the outlet end, and a thermal conductive body made of thermal conductive material is further installed thereof, so as to prevent thermal energy loss because of thermal conduction by temperature difference between adjacent piping segments with temperature difference of the inlet end and the outlet end installed on the same side when fluid with temperature difference passing through. |
| US09777965B2 |
Countercurrent heat exchanger/reactor
Counter-flow heat exchanger is constructed with plenums at either end that separate the opposing fluids, the channels of which are arrayed in a checkerboard patterns, such that any given channel is surrounded by channels of opposing streams on four sides—laterally on both sides and vertically above and below. |
| US09777964B2 |
Micro-port shell and tube heat exchanger
A heat exchanger adapted to transmit a first fluid through an interior, having a tubular body receptive of a second fluid, whereby heat transfer occurs between the fluids is provided, the tubular body extending longitudinally through the interior, having a non-circular cross-section, and being formed to define microchannels extending longitudinally along the tubular body through which the second fluid is transmitted. |
| US09777960B2 |
NGL recovery from natural gas using a mixed refrigerant
An NGL recovery facility utilizing a single, closed-loop mixed refrigerant cycle for recovering a substantial portion of the C2 and heavier or C3 and heavier NGL components from the incoming gas stream. Less severe operating conditions, including a warmer refrigerant temperature and a lower feed gas pressure, contribute to a more economical and efficient NGL recovery system. |
| US09777958B2 |
Refrigerator
Provided is a refrigerator including a cabinet having a storage compartment provided therein, a main door pivotably mounted at the cabinet for opening and closing the storage compartment, an auxiliary storage compartment mounted at a rear of the main door, and an auxiliary door pivotably mounted over a front of the main door for opening and closing the auxiliary storage compartment. A first hinge bracket may be fixed to an upper end of the cabinet, the first hinge bracket including a rotation shaft that is coupled to an upper portion of the main door. A second hinge bracket may be fixed to an upper portion of the sub door, the second hinge bracket including a rotation shaft that is coupled to the upper portion of the main door. The rotation shaft of the second hinge bracket may be positioned more forward than the rotation shaft of the first hinge bracket. |
| US09777957B1 |
Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing condensate and/or water
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, assembly, device, and/or manufacture and/or a method for activities that can relate to, a condensate trap that can comprise a float and a housing configured to receive condensate from a condensate-producing source and contain the float, the condensate trap configured to allow condensate to exit from the housing to a condensate drain. |
| US09777946B2 |
Liquid heating method, liquid heating apparatus, and heated liquid supplying apparatus
A liquid heating method and apparatus including a heat device 7 having a flow passage member forming a tubular flow passage for passing a sulfuric acid solution, a heater arranged on an outside of at least one of opposing flow passage surfaces of the tubular flow passage, a liquid draining line 10, an atmosphere opening line 12, valves 11 and 13, a liquid draining mechanism for draining the sulfuric acid solution heated at least in a heat receiving area between the opposing liquid flow passage surfaces of the tubular flow passage, a flow meter 6 for measuring a flow rate of the sulfuric acid solution, and a control unit 14 responsive to the flow meter 6 for determining a defective liquid flow in the tubular flow passage and for draining the sulfuric acid solution using the liquid draining mechanism. |
| US09777945B2 |
Adjustable washing rack for air conditioner
An adjustable washing rack for an air conditioner contains: a body and a water collection bag. The body includes two opposite supports, a first adjusting rod, and a fixing rod. Each support has a first connecting portion, a rotatable coupling portion, and a second connecting portion. The first adjusting rod is defined between two first connecting portions of the two supports and has a first outer fitting extension and a first inner fitting extension. The fixing rod has a second outer fitting extension and two second inner fitting extensions. The each second inner fitting extension has a first end coupled with a connector for rotatably connecting with the rotatable coupling portion of the each support, and a positioning device is mounted between the connector and the rotatable coupling portion of the each support. The water collection bag includes an opening and a U-shaped surrounding part. |
| US09777943B2 |
Drainage device with a low-noise drainage shell for air-conditioning equipment
A drainage device with a low-noise drainage shell for air-conditioning equipment is disclosed to include a housing, a motor, a radiating fan, a drainage shell, and a drainage blade. The motor is mounted in the housing. The radiating fan is mounted in the housing above the motor. The drainage shell mounted in the housing and has a drainage partition block extended from an inside wall thereof to divide the inside space of the drainage shell into an accommodation trough and a drainage trough in communication with each other. The drainage partition block has a backwardly upwardly tilted sloping surface. Thus, the sloping surfaces of the drainage partition block can guide the drain water smoothly to the drainpipe to reduce the water resistance, thereby significantly reducing the level of water drain noise. |
| US09777941B2 |
Heat recovery ventilator and rotary damper assembly
A damper assembly in a heat recovery ventilator, comprising a rotor, a bearing, drive means, and sealing means. The rotor rotates about an axis of rotation and includes a pair of end walls in spaced-apart relation to define a substantially open periphery. The rotor also includes an air-deflecting member connected between the end walls. The bearing is associated with one of the end walls and is located at the axis of rotation, to support rotation of the rotor. The drive means rotates the rotor about the axis of rotation and positions the air-deflecting member in first and second orientations. The sealing means is in slide contact engagement with the rotor and seals between the rotor and a surrounding damper compartment of the ventilator. The sealing means isolates the exhaust airstream from the supply airstream in the damper compartment while the air-deflecting member is in the first or the second orientation. |
| US09777938B2 |
Installation guide system for air conditioner and method of using the same
Provided is an installation guide system for an air conditioner. The installation guide system may include a display that displays a user interface for designing an installation for an air conditioner, a memory that stores at least one image for a building in which the air conditioner is installed, and a controller to control a display of the stored images on the user interface. The user interface may include a first region that displays the stored image including a plurality of tubes that connect an indoor unit to an outdoor unit of the air conditioner, and a second region that displays information regarding an interference between at least two of the plurality of tubes. |
| US09777935B2 |
Humidifier and air-conditioning apparatus including the same
A humidifier, including: a flat humidification member formed of a water absorbing member and arranged in an upright posture; a nozzle serving as a water supply unit configured to supply water to the humidification member; and an airflow direction changing plate arranged with a clearance secured between the airflow direction changing plate and the humidification member. On a flat surface of the airflow direction changing plate opposed to the flat humidification member, an airflow direction changing portion is arranged to project toward the flat humidification member, the airflow direction changing portion being configured to change a direction of an air current flowing between the flat humidification member and the airflow direction changing plate. |
| US09777934B2 |
Panel filter and method for manufacturing the same
A panel filter includes a first media layer constructed from a first material that is permeable to air and impermeable to particulates of a targeted size or type, a support grid, and a second media layer constructed from a second material that is permeable to air. The second media layer is adhesively coupled to the first media layer without a mechanical seal. When the first media layer and second media layer are coupled, the support grid is retained between the first media layer and the second media layer. |
| US09777930B2 |
Downdraft that is telescoping
A telescoping downdraft ventilator with a movable fan and efficient way of removing gases and fumes is disclosed. The telescoping downdraft ventilator has the ability to fit behind a cook top unit beneath a countertop when the cook top unit is located against a wall. The telescoping downdraft ventilator has a fan that may be attached in front of the unit or behind the unit. The ventilator collects and draws in exhaust fumes and smoke, filters it, and re-circulates or expels it through a movable exhaust duct. |
| US09777928B2 |
Double oven cycle sync
An oven appliance having at least two cooking chambers with features for ensuring the cooking chambers exit preheat and finish cooking food items within each cooking chamber at the same time is provided. A method for operating an oven appliance having at least two cooking chambers also is provided. The method includes features for ensuring the cooking chambers exit preheat and finish cooking food items within each cooking chamber at the same time. |
| US09777922B2 |
Submerged combustion burners and melters, and methods of use
Submerged combustion burners having a burner body, a burner tip connected thereto. Submerged combustion melters including the burners and methods of using them to produce molten glass. The burner body has an external conduit and first and second internal conduits substantially concentric therewith, forming first and second annuli for passing a cooling fluid therethrough. The burner tip body is connected to the burner body at ends of the external and second internal conduits. The burner tip includes a generally central flow passage for a combustible mixture, the flow passage defined by an inner wall of the burner tip. The burner tip includes a crown portion defining a circumferential concavity. |
| US09777920B2 |
Oxygen carrying materials
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an oxygen carrying material may include a primary active mass, a primary support material, and a secondary support material. The oxygen carrying material may include about 20% to about 70% by weight of the primary active mass, the primary active mass including a composition having a metal or metal oxide selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Mn, Sn, Ru, Rh, and combinations thereof. The oxygen carrying material may include about 5% to about 70% by weight of a primary support material. The oxygen carrying material may include about 1% to about 35% by mass of a secondary support material. |
| US09777916B2 |
Light source module, fabrication method therefor, and lighting device including the same
A light source module includes at least one light source and a body supporting the light source. The body includes a heat sink supporting the light source on a top surface thereof for absorbing heat from the light source and dissipating the heat to the outside, an electrically insulating layer provided on at least one surface of the heat sink, and a conductive layer provided on the insulating layer, the conductive layer being at least provided in a path region through which electric current is applied to the light source. The conductive layer includes light source connection parts supplying the electric current to the light source, and a light source mounting part disposed between the light source connection parts. One portion of the light source connection part is divided into at least two portions to be connected to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain effects such as rapid fabrication processes, inexpensive fabrication cost, facilitation of mass production, improvement of product yield, and optimization of a conductive material. |
| US09777915B2 |
LED lamps and luminaires
An LED downlight lighting module is provided including an LED module having one or more single LEDs on a first printed circuit board, a heat sink, and a second printed circuit board. In an embodiment, the first printed circuit board is in good thermal contact with the heat sink such that heat from the LEDs is dissipated through the heat sink. In an embodiment, the second printed circuit board is adapted to accommodate a power and control circuitry for the LEDs, and is thermally insulated from the heat sink and from the first printed circuit board, and thus from the LED module. According to an aspect, the LEDs serve as the principal heat generating component on the printed circuit board, thus helping to increase the light output from the LEDs and/or increase the lifespan of the LED downlight lighting module. |
| US09777913B2 |
Controlling the integral light energy of a laser pulse
An embodiment of an illumination system for use with an endoscope includes a laser source comprising laser light emitters, an electromagnetic sensor embedded within the laser source to sense light energy, and a control circuit in electronic communication with the electromagnetic sensor and at least one emitter. The control circuit is configured to cause the laser source to pulse light between pixel readout periods. The electromagnetic sensor receives light from at least one emitter and measures an amount of electromagnetic energy generated by at least one emitter. The control circuit controls a duty cycle of the emitters based on a predetermined, known output and in response the amount of electromagnetic energy generated by at least one of the emitters and obtains a desired exposure response for images captured by the image sensor. |
| US09777908B1 |
Strut channel recessed lighting fixture
Embodiments herein are directed to a lighting fixture for insertion into a strut channel member. In an installed position, a light source supported by the housing of the lighting fixture is disposed at least partially within an interior volume of the strut channel member. The lighting fixture can be attached to the strut channel member by the lips of the strut channel member. When the lighting fixture is installed in the channel member, light from the light source emanates in a direction out of the channel member through the slot in the channel member. The lighting fixture may be snapped or slid into or out of place in the channel member. |
| US09777900B2 |
Light-emitting diode input for hybrid solar lighting systems
A hybrid lighting system is disclosed in which light emitting diodes (LEDs) provide input light when illumination with solar light is unavailable. Light from LEDs are propagated through an optical fiber, which delivers the light to a point of illumination. The disclosed system reduces the amount of electricity and electric conduit for light in areas using hybrid lighting systems. |
| US09777899B2 |
Support for pendant clusters
A plurality of lighting pendants and a distributor are arranged in a cluster and hung vertically. The distributor includes a plurality of sockets, one socket being connected to a hanger for receiving power and the remaining sockets being connected to the pendants to support the pendants and to provide power thereto. The pendants include parallel rods terminating in rod ends that slide into the respective sockets and then are attached to the distributor using set screws. |
| US09777894B2 |
Luminaire and method of production of a luminaire
A method of producing a partial luminaire includes arranging at least one semiconductor chip that emits electromagnetic radiation on a substrate, and applying an elastic waveguide, disposed downstream of the at least one semiconductor chip in an emission direction, such that the elastic waveguide projects at at least one of its side surfaces beyond the substrate. |
| US09777893B2 |
Light tube and power supply circuit
A replacement light tube for replacing a fluorescent light tube includes a bulb portion extending between a first end and a second end, the bulb portion comprising a support structure, a plurality of white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an elongate light-transmissive cover. The support structure has a first surface extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of LEDs are supported by the first surface and arranged between the first end and the second end. The elongate light-transmissive cover extends between the first end and the second end and over the first surface of the support structure. A first end cap and a second end cap are disposed on the first end and the second end, respectively, each configured to fit with a socket for a fluorescent light tube. A power supply circuit is configured to provide power to the plurality of LEDs. The plurality of LEDs are arranged to emit light through the elongate light-transmissive cover and at least a portion of the power supply circuit is packaged inside at least one of the end caps. |
| US09777892B1 |
Tube light system and method of manufacture thereof
A lighting system having a tubular, translucent housing including a light source disposed within the a recess of the housing. The light source includes one or more light-emitting elements on one or both sides. The lighting system is sized to fit within a receiving member, which may be a portion of a landscape structure or may be a stand-alone unit. Adjustment of the orientation of the housing relative to the receiving member changes the direction of light emitted by the light-emitting elements. |
| US09777889B2 |
Vapor cooled shielding liner for cryogenic storage in composite pressure vessels
A novel tank cryogenic-compatible composite pressure vessel that beneficially utilizes Vapor Cooled Shielding (VCS) is introduced to minimize thermal gradients along support structures and reduces heat loads on cryogenic systems. In particular, the configurations and mechanisms to be utilized herein include: providing for a desired number of passageways and a given thickness of the VCS, reducing the thermal conductivity of the VCS material, and increasing the cooling capacitance of the hydrogen vapors. |
| US09777885B2 |
Support device
A support device is configured to receive an electronic device. The support device includes a base, a holder rotatably mounted to the base, a semi-gear engaged with the holder, an eccentric gear including an shaft inserted into the holder, a wheel module selectively to drive one of the semi-gear and the eccentric gear to rotate, and a rotating module fixed to the wheel module; when the rotating module is rotated in a first direction, the wheel module drives the semi-gear to rotate, so as to make the holder to move up and down with respect to the base; when the rotating module is rotated in a second direction reversed to the first direction, the wheel module drive the eccentric gear to rotate, so as to drive the holder to rotate with respect to the base to adjust an angle between the holder and the base. |
| US09777878B2 |
Connector
A connector for a component fitting assembly of an air conditioning system includes a substantially planar plate having a recessed portion and a slot portion. The recessed portion and the slot portion are formed in the plate to define an opening for receiving a conduit therein. A method for coupling the conduit to the connector includes the step of urging at least the portion of the conduit through the slot portion and into the recessed portion of the plate, whereby the at least the portion of the conduit is deformed to correspond with a configuration of the opening to militate against disengagement between the plate and the at least the portion of the conduit disposed in the opening of the plate. |
| US09777877B2 |
Pipe connector and arrangement with a pipe connector
A pipe connector comprises a first connection, a second connection and a third connection. Longitudinal axes of the connections are located substantially in a first plane. The first connection and the second connection are arranged on a common side in relation to a second plane, wherein the second plane is aligned perpendicular to the first plane and runs through the longitudinal axis of the third connection. The first connection and the second connection are linked by means of a U-shaped pipe section, wherein an elongated pipe section has the third connection being formed out from the U-shaped pipe section. The first connection and the second connection are spaced from one another in such a manner that the first connection and the second connection are accessible for connection of pipe lines by means of a tool, in particular a pressing tool. |
| US09777874B2 |
Rotary coupling
A rotary coupling includes an annular outer section which has a female end, a threaded portion, and a Z-ring relief. A connector pipe has a connection end, a shoulder, and a seal end. A Z-ring is housed within the Z-ring relief and packing seals are housed within a packing chamber; and a retainer ring is threadably received into the threaded portion of the outer section. The retainer ring receives compression screws there-through, wherein in the engaged position the compression screws urge a packing end of the Z-ring longitudinally against packing seals thereby compressing the packing seals into the packing chamber creating a seal. The compression screws are movable between an engaged and disengaged position in order that in the disengaged position the compression pressure against the Z-ring and packing seals is released by backing off the compression screws without disassembly of the rotary coupling. |
| US09777872B2 |
Fluid spill containment, location, and real time notification device with cable based sensor
Described herein is an autonomous fluid spill containment device for a pipeline which has a carrier conduit for transporting a fluid and a containment conduit located around the carrier conduit to define an interstitial space for receiving fluid spilled from the carrier conduit. The device includes a spilled fluid barrier for stopping spilled fluid flow. The fluid barrier is located in the interstitial space and extending between the carrier conduit and the containment conduit. A cable sensor is associated with the containment conduit for detecting spilled fluid flowing in the containment conduit. |
| US09777868B2 |
Compressed-air device for controlling valves
The invention relates to a compressed-air device for controlling valves comprising, in a longitudinal direction, a first vane-type rotary cylinder (1) having a front face (2) as well as a back face (4), said front face (2) being provided with a rotatable head (3), and a second vane-type rotary cylinder (10) having a front face (11) and a back face, said first (1) and second (10) cylinders each being supplied with compressed air by means of a compressed air valve connected to two ports (7, 8; 14, 15) on each of said first and second cylinders. |
| US09777867B2 |
Valve arrangement
A valve arrangement comprising a valve housing, a pilot chamber, a main valve member and a control valve member. The main valve member is axially movably arranged in the valve housing and is arranged to restrict a main fluid flow. The control valve member is movable in an axial direction relative the main valve member in response to an actuating force acting on the control valve member. The control valve member is arranged to interact with the main valve member to define axially separated pilot and bypass fluid restrictions. The pilot restriction restricts a pilot fluid flow out from the pilot chamber. The bypass restriction restricts a bypass flow bypassing the main fluid flow. The bypass flow is separate from the pilot fluid flow. The pilot and bypass restrictions are adjustable in response to the actuating force, thereby allowing simultaneous adjustment of the pilot pressure and the bypass fluid flow. |
| US09777864B2 |
Method and device for controlling a solenoid actuator
A solenoid actuator for an injection valve or an intake valve is driven with current control during closed-loop control phases. In between the closed-loop current control, the actuator must be clamped to an opposite voltage so as to quickly decrease the current through the solenoid. The current is measured immediately following the clamping phase so as to determine whether or not the clamping phase resulted in the correct current level. If the measured current indicates an extraneous reduction in the current, the clamping phase duration is shortened for the next activation of this clamping phase. If the measured current indicates an insufficient decrease, the clamping phase duration is lengthened for the next following activation cycle. |
| US09777860B2 |
Valve housing with collared spindle guide
A valve and method for producing a valve for regulating a fluid, the valve including a valve housing with a central part and two connection ends, the connection ends extending away from the central part. Internally of the central part, there is arranged a valve body with a through-going aperture that is arranged in a valve seat and connected to a valve spindle, the valve spindle being arranged in a spindle guide stub on the valve housing. The valve housing is made from a plastically deformed tubular item and includes a collared spindle guide stub with at least one projection, the projection or projections extending in continuation of the spindle guide stub. This projection can be used as a lock ensuring that the valve spindle is retained in its intended position, and at the same time, such projections can form stops at the extreme positions of the valve body. |
| US09777857B2 |
Flow control valve
A flow control valve includes a valve body, a control member and a cover. The valve body has a receiving space, a resting face, a stepped face, a positioning groove and a plurality of water outlet holes. The control member is provided with an elastic portion, a sealing portion and an abutting face. When a flow pressure of the fluid is under a normal condition, the elastic portion of the control member is contracted inward, so that the abutting face of the control member is disposed at an open state. When the flow pressure of the fluid is under an abnormal condition, the elastic portion is expanded outward and abuts the stepped face of the valve body, so that the abutting face of the control member abuts the resting face of the valve body, to seal the water outlet holes of the valve body. |
| US09777856B2 |
Pressure vacuum relief valve
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a pressure vacuum relief valve and a seal assembly of the pressure vacuum relief valve. The seal assembly includes a ribbed substrate disposed against a flanged seat of the pressure vacuum relief valve. The ribbed substrate includes ribs extending from a base of the ribbed substrate. The seal assembly also includes a pallet coupled to and disposed below the ribbed substrate. The pallet includes a top ring, a bottom ring, and a flexible diaphragm captured between the top ring and the bottom ring. The flexible diaphragm of the pallet is configured to seal against the ribbed substrate in a sealed position. The pallet and ribbed substrate are configured to move together away from the flanged seat when a pressure on a sealed side of the pressure vacuum relief valve exceeds a maximum pressure threshold. The pallet is also configured to pivot open at an angle relative to the sealed position of the pallet when the pressure on the sealed side of the pressure vacuum relief valve falls below a minimum pressure threshold. |
| US09777855B2 |
Pressure vacuum relief valve providing monitoring capabilities
A mounting assembly is provided for coupling a monitoring device to a valve assembly for relieving vacuum and over pressure conditions in a storage container. The valve assembly includes a body including a first port adapted to be in fluid communication with the storage container and a first valve seat disposed in the body, and a first control assembly including a first valve stem and a first closure element coupled to the first valve stem, the first closure member being movable relative to the first valve seat in response to changes in pressure in the container. The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be coupled to a portion of the body and a mounting tube configured to be slidably coupled to the mounting bracket. The mounting tube is adapted to receive the monitoring device, which is configured to obtain data indicative of the operation of the valve assembly. |
| US09777853B2 |
Valve assembly for controlling fluid communication between fluid chambers, inflatable device, and method
A valve assembly for controlling fluid communication between fluid chambers in a device such as an inflatable device includes a valve body having first and second ports for fluidly connecting to first and second fluid chambers, and defining a plurality of primary valve seats in series between the ports. A plurality of compound valves are within the valve body and each includes a primary valve member movable to close or open one of the primary valve seats, and a secondary valve member movable to close or open a secondary valve seat in the primary valve member. |
| US09777850B1 |
Apparatuses and systems for regulating fluids through a pipe and methods of using the same
Apparatuses regulate the flow of fluids, such as, for example, water or other like fluids, through pipes. The apparatuses comprise a poppet valve having a spheroid-shaped valve portion and one or more shims for adjusting effective spring length during use thereof. Specifically and without being bound by theory, the apparatuses of the present invention creates a backward pressure in fluid traversing a pipe, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression to the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid, allowing more accurate water meter measurements. Moreover, the apparatuses of the present invention provide backflow prevention. Systems and methods for regulating the flow of fluids within a pipe are further provided. |
| US09777849B2 |
Linear hydraulic valve
Examples are provided that describe a linear hydraulic valve. In one example a linear valve comprises a sleeve with a plurality of ports spaced apart from each other at a distance. The plurality of ports are associated with a plurality of pressurized fluids. A spool comprising a plurality of openings that correspond to the plurality of ports is provided within the sleeve. The plurality of openings are spaced apart in a manner that enables alignment of a given opening of the plurality of openings to a given port of the plurality of ports based on a given position of the spool within the sleeve. The linear valve comprises an actuator for moving the spool in a forward or reverse linear motion along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The spool may be moved to a given position based on selection of a pressurized fluid of the plurality of pressurized fluids. |
| US09777846B2 |
Relating to gate valves
A gate valve (10) is provided and comprises: a valve body (12,14) including an aperture (20, 22); a gate (42) reciprocally movable within the body between a first position in which the aperture is occluded to a second position in which the aperture is open; a bearing member (36a, 36b) over which the gate moves in the body; and a loading member (30a, 30b) for urging the bearing member against the gate. The loading member comprises a lattice-like elastomeric mat (30a, 30b). |
| US09777843B2 |
Steam valve and steam turbine
A steam valve includes a valve body having a valve seat in a steam channel, a valve stem configured to close the steam channel by coming in contact with the valve seat and to open the steam channel by moving from the valve seat and a guide portion configured to slidably guide the valve stem in a moving direction thereof. The guide portion has a guide body that encloses the valve stem from a radial outer side of the valve stem and a guide bush that is detachably fixed inside the guide body, has an inner surface which abuts and slides on an outer circumferential surface of the valve stem, and is formed of a material having corrosion resistance. |
| US09777840B2 |
Sliding component
A sliding component is characterized in that dimples are provided on one sealing face of a pair of sliding parts that mutually slide relative to each other, where the cavitation formation area on the upstream side of each dimple is positioned closer to the low-pressure fluid side and the positive-pressure generation area on the downstream side is positioned closer to the high-pressure fluid side, and the fluid that has been suctioned in the cavitation formation area of each of the above dimples travels in the dimple and is returned to the high-pressure fluid side from the positive-pressure generation area. |
| US09777838B2 |
Gasket seal, door of aircraft, seal structure for opening portion of aircraft, and aircraft
To reliably prevent entrance of electro-magnetic waves in a door that closes an opening portion formed in an airframe of an aircraft. A gasket seal 20 which is arranged between an opening portion 12 formed in an airframe of an aircraft and a door 13 for closing the opening portion 12, includes: a gasket seal body that is made of a rubber material; and conductive fiber 24 that covers a surface of the gasket seal body. When the door 13 is in a closed state, the gasket seal 20 whose surface is made conductive is abutted against a striker 30 provided on a skin 11 side of the airframe and made of a conductive material. The door 13 and the skin 11 of the airframe are electrically connected together via the conductive fiber 24 and the striker 30, and electro-magnetic waves can be reliably shielded. |
| US09777837B2 |
Apparatus and method for sealing a dock leveler assembly
A sealing device for use in sealing a gap formed by the interface between the floor, the dock leveler assembly, and a parked vehicle cargo frame includes a base portion having a bottom surface, an inner vertical surface, and a rear vertical surface. The bottom surface is adapted for sealing engagement with a loading dock floor. The sealing device further includes a first brush portion secured to the rear vertical surface of the base portion. The first brush portion includes a plurality of bristles and is adapted for sealing engagement with a vehicle cargo frame. The sealing device further includes a second brush portion secured to the inner vertical surface of the base portion. The second brush portion includes a plurality of bristles and is adapted for sealing engagement with an underside of the lip of a dock leveler assembly when the lip is in an extended position. |
| US09777836B1 |
Park lock for an automatic transmission
A park lock for an automatic transmission includes a primary actuator that is operable to move a primary rod such that the primary rod rotates a pawl and selectively meshes a tooth of the pawl with teeth of a park wheel. A secondary actuator is operable to move a secondary rod. A distal end portion of the secondary rod holds the tooth of the pawl in meshing with the teeth of the park wheel in a park configuration. The distal end portion of the secondary rod blocks the tooth of the pawl from meshing with the teeth of the park wheel in a drive configuration. A related automatic transmission is also provided. |
| US09777833B2 |
Method and control device for operating an automatic transmission
A method for operating an automatic transmission includes determining at least one of an elapsed time from adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration or a differential speed rotation of the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element and shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if the elapsed time from adjusting the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element towards the closed configuration reaches or exceeds a time limit and/or the differential speed rotation of the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element reaches or exceeds a rotational speed limit. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided. |
| US09777830B2 |
Power transmission device
A power transmission device that is mounted on a vehicle and provided with a transmission having a plurality of engagement elements for transmitting power from a motor to an axle, a case that accommodates the transmission, and a hydraulic control device that controls hydraulic pressure to the plurality of engagement elements. |
| US09777829B2 |
Transmission control device
An enhanced control system for an electronic automatic transmission enables the transmission to operate in a full neutral idle, a reverse lock-out, and an inching mode. These functions improve the mileage and durability of the operation of the transmission. They also enable the inching mode for use especially in industrial applications. |
| US09777828B2 |
Fluid supply device
An oil supply device comprises a main pump driven by an engine and capable of supplying oil to an automatic transmission and to a hydraulic control valve, an electric motor, a subsidiary pump driven by the electric motor that raises the pressure of a portion of the oil discharged from the main pump and supplies the oil to the hydraulic control valve, and a motor controller which controls driving of the electric motor on the basis of the pressure of the oil supplied to the automatic transmission. The motor controller implements control to drive the subsidiary pump by the electric motor to raise the pressure of a portion of the oil discharged from the main pump to a prescribed pressure or above and supply the oil to the hydraulic control valve when the pressure of the oil supplied to the automatic transmission is less than the prescribed pressure. |
| US09777827B2 |
Method for operating a hydraulic system of an automatic transmission
A method for operating a hydraulic system of an automatic transmission, in particular a dual clutch transmission of a vehicle, includes analyzing by a provisioning module of a control device of the automatic transmission whether an intention of a driver to initiate operation of the vehicle exists, wherein the automatic transmission includes a high-pressure circuit which includes a pressure accumulator, at least one clutch, actuators and a charge pump, and when the intention to initiate operation of the vehicle and a requirement to charge the pressure accumulator exist, activating a partial charging operation in which the charge pump is controlled with a charging rotational speed for increasing an actual accumulator pressure of the accumulator to a predetermined switch-off pressure value at which the automatic transmission is ready for operation for a defined period of time. |
| US09777825B2 |
Oil baffle for gas turbine fan drive gear system
A turbine engine includes a housing supporting compressor and turbine sections. An epicyclic gear train includes a carrier, a sun gear and intermediate gears arranged about and intermeshing with the sun gear. The intermediate gears are supported by the carrier. A baffle is supported relative to the carrier and includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on at least one of the sun gear and the intermediate gears. A spray bar is external to the carrier and is in communication with the lubrication passage. The spray bar terminates near the sun gear for directing lubricant on the sun gear. |
| US09777818B2 |
Two-speed drive module
A drive module that includes an electric motor, a differential assembly with a differential input member and a pair of differential output members, a multi-speed transmission assembly, which transmits rotary power between the electric motor and the differential input member, and a pair of axle shafts that are each coupled to an associated one of the differential output members for rotation therewith. The multi-speed transmission assembly and includes a housing, a two-speed planetary transmission stage, a plurality of clutches and a transmission output member that provides rotary power to the differential input member. The two-speed planetary transmission stage has an input sun gear, which is driven by the motor, and employs a set of planet gears having compound planet gears that provide a gear reduction between the sun gear and the transmission output member. The clutches are employed to control an overall reduction ratio. |
| US09777815B2 |
3-mode front wheel drive and rear wheel drive continuously variable planetary transmission
A front wheel drive or rear wheel drive continuously variable transmission is provided having an input shaft, an output shaft, a continuously variable tilting ball planetary variator, a compound planetary gearset assembly having first, second, third, and fourth rotating elements, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The compound planetary gearset assembly has a simple single pinion gearset and a compound double pinion gearset, having fixedly connected planetary carriers and fixedly connected ring gears, creating a joint planetary gear carrier and joint ring gear. The outer planetary gears engage the ring gear which drives the output shaft. Selective torque transmitting devices include clutches and braking clutches. |
| US09777814B2 |
Three mode continuously variable transmission
A three mode continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a motor vehicle includes an optional speed change device connected to a pulley and a belt assembly or other continuously variable unit. The pulley and belt assembly is also connected to a planetary gear set arrangement. The planetary gear set arrangement generally includes two planetary gear sets, two brakes and two clutches. The planetary gear set arrangement is connected to a final drive unit. Engagement of the clutches and brakes provides three modes of operation to the CVT. |
| US09777812B2 |
Actuator including handling-proof position feedback mechanism
An actuator includes a housing assembly, an actuator shaft, an actuation member, and an anti-rotation rod. The actuator shaft is rotationally mounted in the housing assembly, is adapted to receive a drive torque, and is configured, upon receipt of the drive torque, to rotate. The actuation member is mounted on the actuator shaft, and is configured to translate in response to rotation of the actuator shaft. The anti-rotation rod is coupled to the actuator housing and extends therefrom. The anti-rotation is rod configured to at least selectively engage, and thereby prevent rotation of, the actuation member. |
| US09777811B2 |
Sliding door device for vehicle
A sliding door device for a vehicle may include a sliding door opening/closing a door opening formed in a vehicle body, a door rail mounted on the sliding door, a vehicle body rail mounted on the vehicle body, a central support structure for movably supporting the sliding door, a hook releasably locking the central support structure to the door rail, and a lower support structure for movably supporting a lower portion of the sliding door. The central support structure includes a central slider. The lower support structure includes a lower slider, a gear device, a link mechanism, a chain, and a chain tensioner. |
| US09777801B2 |
Transmission for vehicle
A transmission for a vehicle may include a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third, planetary gear set, and a fourth planetary gear set each including three rotary elements, and a plurality of friction members, in which the friction members are connected to at least one or more of the rotary elements of the planetary gear sets and control rotation of the rotary elements. |
| US09777799B2 |
Transmission and electric vehicle comprising same
A transmission device includes an output shaft, first and second input shafts, a first gear mechanism, a selective fixing device and a connecting and disconnecting device. The second input shaft is coaxially arranged on an outside periphery of the first input shaft. The first gear mechanism couples the first input shaft and the output shaft with a first gear ratio. The first gear mechanism includes an idle gear mounted on one of the first input shaft and the output shaft. The selective fixing device selectively fixes the idle gear to one of the first input shaft and the output shaft. The second gear mechanism couples the second input shaft and the output shaft with a second gear ratio. The connecting and disconnecting device selectively connects and disconnects the second input shaft to the rotating shaft. |
| US09777794B2 |
Pendulum damping device for a motor vehicle torque transmission device
A pendulum damping device for a motor vehicle torque transmission device, having a support washer, a flyweight capable of being displaced with respect to the support washer in order to damp vibrations deriving from an engine of the vehicle, the flyweight exhibiting on a lateral terminal edge a receptacle receiving a limit stop. The limit stop comprises an insert intended to be fastened in the receptacle of the flyweight and delimiting a cavity having a bottom and a mouth opposite the bottom, and a stop body projecting outside the cavity through the mouth.The invention also relates to a torque transmission device utilizing a pendulum damping device of this kind. |
| US09777792B2 |
Variable damping system using a piezoelectric device
A damper assembly includes a housing and rod supported by the housing. A piston assembly is attached to the rod, and is positioned to separate an interior chamber of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate that defines at least one orifice. The orifice interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The damper assembly includes a piezoelectric device that is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, in response to a control signal. When disposed in the disengaged position, the piezoelectric device does not affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice. When disposed in the engaged position, the piezoelectric device does affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice, to adjust a damping rate of the piston assembly. |
| US09777788B2 |
Rotorcraft vibration suppression system in a four corner pylon mount configuration
The vibration suppression system includes a vibration isolator located in each corner in a four corner pylon mount structural assembly. The combination of four vibration isolators, two being forward of the transmission, and two being aft of the transmission, collectively are effective at isolating main rotor vertical shear, pitch moment, as well as roll moment induced vibrations. Each opposing pair of vibration isolators can efficiently react against the moment oscillations because the moment can be decomposed into two antagonistic vertical oscillations at each vibration isolator. A pylon structure extends between a pair of vibration isolators thereby allowing the vibration isolators to be spaced a away from a vibrating body to provide increased control. |
| US09777787B2 |
Spring assembly and process of producing a spring assembly
A spring assembly comprises a spring with a coating, a spring retainer made of plastic material, an adhesive layer by which the spring and the spring retainer are bounded adhesively to one another, wherein the hardness of the adhesive layer is lower than the hardness of the coating. Further, a process of producing such a spring assembly is provided. |
| US09777784B2 |
Disk brake rotor with hollow portions
A disc brake rotor apparatus includes an annular inner member for mounting to a hub, an annular outer member concentric with the annular inner member and having opposite braking surfaces, a first intermediate member extending radially outwardly from the annular inner member to the annular outer member, and a second intermediate member extending radially outwardly from the annular inner member to the annular outer member. The first intermediate member is at least partially and axially spaced apart from the second intermediate member and forms a chamber therebetween. |
| US09777772B2 |
High capacity axial cylindrical roller cage
A roller-cage assembly including rolling elements and a cage is provided. The cage includes crossbars extending between an inner and outer ring that define rolling element pockets. Each of the crossbars is tapered from a larger width at the radially outer ring to a smaller width at the radially inner ring, and is connected to the radially inner ring at a first cross-sectional connection area. The crossbars have a first and second lateral surface for supporting the rolling elements. The first cross-sectional connection area of each of the crossbars has a minimum width and a first height. A maximum distance is defined between outer surfaces of adjacent rolling elements and is greater than zero. The minimum width of the first cross-sectional connection area is greater than the maximum distance defined between outer surfaces of adjacent rolling elements at radially inner ends thereof, and is 30-50% of the first height. |
| US09777767B2 |
Relief contour for a roller bearing
A roller bearing includes an outer raceway, an inner raceway, and a roller positioned between the outer and inner raceways. The roller bearing also includes a relief contour between the roller and at least one of the outer and inner raceways. The relief contour defines a slope along its length. The slope of the relief contour defines at least one inflection region. |
| US09777765B2 |
Fastening system
The present disclosure relates to a fastening system for fastening a first component on a second component, wherein the first component has a first bearing surface and a first direction of extent, and the second component has a second bearing surface and a second direction of extent, and an included angle between the first direction of extent and the second direction of extent is adjustable steplessly within an angle range. The fastening system has a clamp element with which the first component can be fastened on the second component when the first bearing surface lies on the second bearing surface, and, in the fastened state of the two components, at least one force-transmitting element is clamped between the two bearing surfaces. |
| US09777763B2 |
Hook with magnetic closure
A hook formed into a body formed into a hook shape and having a neck and fabricated from nonferromagnetic material with the body having a first end and a second end. The neck is proximate the first end. One side of the neck includes a center ridge with a flat top surface with either a magnet or ferromagnetic material embedded in the center ridge. The hook also includes a closure having a first closure end and a second closure end and a channel with a floor flanked by two lateral sides. A second magnet or a ferromagnetic material is embedded into the floor opposed to the first magnet or ferromagnetic material. The closure being pivotally and/or pivotally and slidably attached to the hook body by at least one pin. The magnet(s) and/or ferromagnetic material hold the closure in a closed position enclosing a defined space. |
| US09777762B2 |
Spring bolt assembly apparatus and methods of use and manufacture thereof
Some embodiments are directed to an apparatus for facilitating manual connection of a spring bolt assembly to a mounting structure. A handle is connected to a bolt holder. The bolt holder can define a proximal section adjacent the handle, a spring support, a front concavity disposed between the spring support and the proximal section, and a rear concavity disposed distally relative to the spring support. The front concavity can be configured to retain a bolt head and a washer of the spring bolt assembly. The spring support can be configured and disposed to retain a spring of the spring bolt assembly. A retainer can be disposed at a distal end of the bolt holder, and can be configured to contact the mounting structure so as to retain the mounting structure within the rear concavity, while also facilitating attachment of a nut to a distal end of the bolt shaft. |
| US09777761B2 |
Vehicle wheel lock assembly
A vehicle wheel lock assembly includes a main body and a first sleeve. The main body has a wheel engaging end, a key portion, a first supporting section and a key receiving end. The key portion has a plurality of surface contours defining a first key pattern configured to couple with a tool for torsional movement of the main body. The first sleeve has an open end and a closed end. The open end is installed to the first supporting section of the main body such that the closed end of the first sleeve covers the key receiving end with the key portion exposed relative to the first sleeve. The first sleeve is retained by the first supporting section for rotation about the central axis of the main body and is non-movably retained relative to an axial direction of the main body. |
| US09777757B2 |
Fixture
A fixture includes a base portion and a pair of holding portions on the base portion. Each holding portion include a clamping portion for clamping an object, and a head portion on the clamping portion side opposite to the base portion side. Each head portion includes a through-hole for a fastening member for adjusting a gap between the holding portions. The rigidity of the clamping portions is smaller than the rigidity of the head portions, with respect to deformation caused by the fastening member. The distance from the base portion to end portions of the holding portions in a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the object is determined according to the tolerance prescribed for the object. The gap when external force is not being applied by the fastening member is determined according to an allowable amount of stress to be applied to the object. |
| US09777756B2 |
Glass edge snap attachment
A fastener attachment includes a main panel, a fastener component secured on one side of the main panel, and a channel cooperable with the main panel and extending from an opposite side of the main panel. The fastener attachment may be attachable to a boat windshield and provides an easily securable fastener component so that a cover or the like can be secured over the windshield. |
| US09777755B2 |
Locking actuator with a collision detection system for a lift
A locking actuator with a collision detection system for a lift is arranged to detect misalignment relative to a locking receptacle and to stop activation of the locking actuator when misalignment is detected. |
| US09777753B2 |
Methods and apparatus for shape control
In exemplary implementations of this invention, a shape controller controls the shape of a bladder as the bladder inflates. The shape controller includes a first set of regions and a second set of regions. The second set of regions is more flexible than the first set of regions. The shape controller is embedded within, or adjacent to, a wall of the bladder. When the bladder is inflated, the overall shape of the bladder bends in areas adjacent to the more flexible regions of the shape controller. For example, the shape controller may comprise paper and the more flexible regions may comprise creases in the paper. Or, for example, the more flexible regions may comprise notches or indentations. In some implementations of this invention, a multi-state shape display changes shape as it inflates, with additional bumps forming as pressure in the display increases. |
| US09777752B2 |
Flexible pneumatic actuator
A flexible pneumatic actuator assembly includes a front base, a rear base, a length of flexible tubing having a front end secured to the front base and a rear end secured to the rear base, a flexible piston rod extending through an aperture in the front base and into an internal volume of the length of flexible tubing, and a piston secured to the piston rod within the internal volume of the length of flexible tubing. The piston is configured to maintain an air tight seal against an inner wall of the tubing upon bending of the tubing in a region including the piston. |
| US09777750B2 |
Hydraulic driving apparatus for working machine
Provided is a hydraulic driving apparatus including a calculation section calculating a temporary target engine rotation speed corresponding to an engine operation amount, a calculation section calculating a temporary target pump displacement volume based on first-control and second-control target pump displacement volumes corresponding to an actuator operation amount and a pump load pressure, and a command section calculating a final target engine rotation speed and a final target pump displacement volume to output commands. The command section calculates a target pump discharge amount from the temporary target engine rotation speed and the temporary target pump displacement volume, sets the final target pump displacement volume to one larger than the temporary target pump displacement volume, and sets the final target engine rotation speed to one being lower than the temporary target engine rotation speed and allowing a pump discharge amount equivalent to the target pump discharge amount to be obtained. |
| US09777749B2 |
Electro-hydraulic system with float function
A method of controlling a float function of a cylinder 25 having a first side and a second side includes connecting the second side of the cylinder to a reservoir 15; connecting the first side of the cylinder to an output of a pump 20 and to the reservoir; and supplying an amount of flow from a pump less than an amount supplied by the pump under loaded conditions. A three-position directional control valve 30 having a pump port, a reservoir port, a first cylinder port, and a second cylinder port may be provided to effectuate aspects of this method. |
| US09777747B2 |
Turbocharger with dual-use mounting holes
A housing for a turbocharger includes a first outer surface, a second outer surface opposite the first outer surface, and a mounting hole extending between the first outer surface and the second outer surface. The mounting hole includes a first end opposite a second end and a counterbore formed at the first end. The counterbore includes threads that are configured to engage with threads on a shank of a lifting device. The mounting hole also includes a throughbore extending from the counterbore to the second end and configured to receive a fastener for mounting the turbocharger housing. The counterbore forms a first opening through the first outer surface of the turbocharger housing, and the throughbore forms a second opening through the second outer surface of the turbocharger housing. The mounting hole is configured to receive only one fastener or shank at a time. |
| US09777745B2 |
Pump housing and drainage pump
A drainage pump has an impeller, a motor for driving the impeller, and a pump housing surrounding the impeller. The pump housing has an end wall, a side wall, an inlet, and an outlet. The side wall extends from the end wall. The side wall and the end wall cooperatively define a pump chamber. The inner surface of the side wall has at least one interfering surface for mixing of fluid flowing through the pump housing. |
| US09777740B2 |
Water pump
A water pump includes a mechanical seal provided between a housing and a rotary shaft for preventing cooling water from leaking from a whirl chamber. The housing forms a space into which cooling water leaked from between the mechanical seal and the rotary shaft is flown and a water vent for discharging cooling water flown into the space. The housing is joined with a thermostat cover to form a reservoir communicating with the water vent. The reservoir has a drain for releasing evaporated cooling water to the air and a control wall for preventing cooling water remaining as liquid from flowing out through the drain. |
| US09777739B2 |
Rotation shaft supporting structure for electric supercharger
A rotation shaft supporting structure for an electric supercharger includes a rotation shaft that supports a compressor wheel, an electric motor including a motor rotator securely installed to the rotation shaft, and a stator for applying torque to the motor rotator. The supporting structure further includes a bearing provided on a bearing side end of the rotation shaft, which is adjacent to the compressor wheel, to support the rotation shaft, and a damper unit for absorbing shaft vibration of the rotation shaft. The compressor wheel is a wheel of a supercharging side, and the damper unit is provided at a shaft end on an opposite side to the bearing side. |
| US09777737B2 |
Adjustable compressor trim
An assembly can include a compressor housing, an adjustable wall disposed within the compressor housing that defines an air inlet to an inducer portion of a compressor wheel, and an adjustment mechanism to adjust the wall and thereby adjust at least a diameter of the air inlet. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09777732B2 |
Hydrodynamic thrust bearings for rotary blood pump
A rotary blood pump includes a casing defining a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a blood inlet and a tangential blood outlet. One or more motor stators are provided outside of the pumping chamber. A rotatable impeller is within the pumping chamber and is adapted to cause blood entering the pumping chamber to move to the blood outlet. The impeller has one or more magnetic regions. The impeller is radially constrained in rotation by magnetic coupling to one or more motor stators and is axially constrained in rotation by one or more hydrodynamic thrust bearing surfaces on the impeller. |
| US09777727B2 |
Batching/delivering system comprising at least one remotely actuated volumetric batching pump
A batching/delivering system for delivering and batching high viscosity products, having at least one managing and actuating device, where the managing and actuating device have at least one control motor and at least one remotely-actuated volumetric batching pump for delivering and batching high viscosity products. The remotely-actuated volumetric batching pump has at least one sucking, volumetrically batching and delivering element with a first duct for sucking the product to be batched, at least one volumetric batching device of the product, and at least one second duct for exiting the product batched by the device. The device is connected to at least one control motor of the device by interposing at least one flexible rotary shaft. |
| US09777724B2 |
System and method for controlling a system that includes variable speed compressor
A system and method for controlling a system that includes a variable speed compressor are described. The method can provide improved accuracy in the control of a system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes a variable speed compressor, and can reduce a compressor cycling frequency of the compressor when a required capacity is below a minimum capacity of the compressor. |
| US09777718B2 |
Electrical inflator
An electrical inflator has a cylindrical shell, an electrical aeration pump, an illumination assembly, a cell base and a switch assembly. The cylindrical shell has a tube, a front cover and a rear cover. The electrical aeration pump is mounted in the tube near the front cover and has a gas outlet located in the tube. The illumination assembly is mounted in the tube towards the front cover. The cell base is mounted in the tube behind the electrical aeration pump. The cell base has at least one cell. The switch assembly is mounted in the tube and electrically connects to the cell base, the electrical aeration pump and the illumination assembly. |
| US09777717B2 |
Double acting refrigeration compressor
A double-acting refrigerant compressor includes a piston freely guided on two cylinder portions arranged opposite to each other and being immobile relative to each other. The piston includes a flow channel extending internally through the piston. Each cylinder portion and the piston include, along the flow channel, respectively at least one back-check valve. The back-check valves are arranged in such a manner that their flow directions are unidirectional. |
| US09777716B2 |
Dual displacement fluid level control pump
A pump for exchange of fluid between an apparatus reservoir and a reserve reservoir. The pump may have an elongated tubular body with a central bore with a reservoir end portion, an inlet end portion and an intermediate barrel portion. A piston assembly with a driving piston with a stem member with nonmagnetic properties attached and the stem member has a tubular extension member attached with all in longitudinal axis alignment slidably positioned in the central bore to position the driving piston adjacent to an electromagnetic coil assembly that is positioned around the intermediate barrel portion and to position the tubular extension member for a reservoir end to extend outwardly at the reservoir end portion opening. An output tubular member with a pressure relief valve is attached to an output port in a side wall of the reservoir end portion positioned for release of fluid through an output port. |
| US09777715B2 |
Apparatus for cost effective wireless actuator using SMA and MRC
A system and method for wirelessly controlling a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator using magnetic resonant coupling (MRC). The SMA actuator is part of a receiver circuit including an actuator coil, where the SMA actuator is configured into a certain shape. The system includes a transmitter circuit having a transmitter coil and a controller, where the transmitter coil receives an AC current that causes the transmitter coil to generate an oscillating magnetic field in resonance with the actuator coil in the receiver circuit and be magnetically coupled thereto. The current induced in the actuator coil creates heat that reconfigures the SMA actuator to provide the actuation. |
| US09777714B2 |
Heat/acoustic wave conversion component and heat/acoustic wave conversion unit
A heat/acoustic wave conversion component includes a partition wall that defines a plurality of cells extending from a first end face to a second end face, and has a cell hydraulic diameter HD of 0.4 mm or less, an end face open frontal area of 60% or more and 93% or less, and heat capacity per unit length in the extending direction that tends to decrease with distance from the first end face. A first end portion on the first end face side that accounts for a region of 10% of a total length of the heat/acoustic wave conversion component has 1.1 times or more the heat capacity of that of a second end portion on the second end face side that accounts for a region of 10% of the total length. |
| US09777704B2 |
Rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine having variable-length blade bolts
The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine that controls pitch bearing load distribution. The assembly includes a rotor blade having a body shell extending between a blade root and tip, a pitch bearing at an interface between the blade root and a hub of the wind turbine, and plurality of blade bolts coupling the blade root to the hub through the pitch bearing. The pitch bearing includes an outer bearing race and an inner bearing race rotatable relative to the outer race. Thus, in one embodiment, the blade bolts couple the blade root to the hub through the inner race of the pitch bearing. Further, each of the blade bolts has a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween and at least two of the blade bolts have varying lengths so as to distribute loads experienced by the pitch bearing. |
| US09777703B2 |
Method for retrofitting vortex generators on a wind turbine blade
A method of retrofitting vortex generators on a wind turbine blade is disclosed, the wind turbine blade being mounted on a wind turbine hub and extending in a longitudinal direction and having a tip end and a root end, the wind turbine blade further comprising a profiled contour including a pressure side and a suction side, as well as a leading edge and a trailing edge with a chord having a chord length extending there between, the profiled contour, when being impacted by an incident airflow, generating a lift. The method comprises identifying a separation line on the suction side of the wind turbine blade, and mounting one or more vortex panels including a first vortex panel comprising at least one vortex generator on the suction side of the wind turbine blade between the separation line and the leading edge of the wind turbine blade. |
| US09777702B2 |
Generating energy from changes in atmospheric pressure
A system and method for generating energy by exploiting changes in atmospheric pressure. A system is provided that includes a pair of submerged vessels, each vessel containing a fluid; a mechanism for alternatively raising and lowering the submerged vessels to cause the fluid to expand and contract; a system for capturing mechanical energy resulting from the expansion and/or contraction; and a system for converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy. |
| US09777701B2 |
Carpet of wave energy conversion (CWEC)
A carpet of wave energy conversion (CWEC) device mechanically couples an absorber carpet to one or more energy converters, thereby allowing for wave energy extraction from passing waves. The absorber carpet may be flexible material of a composite material that has a low elastic modulus in a longitudinal direction (to allow for stretching), and a relatively higher elastic modulus in a transverse direction (to better couple energy from wave to converters). Such designs have minimal wave reflections and high efficiencies within a relatively short extent of deployment. The resultant converted useful energy is available as either: 1) mechanical power including direct desalinization or electrical production; or 2) hydraulic power for a number of applications (including hydraulically powered motors supplying power to powered devices including generators), or pumping of the wave medium under pressure to an alternate location for irrigation or energy storage. |
| US09777697B2 |
Spark plug fouling detection for ignition system
Methods and systems are provided for determining a type of spark plug fouling. In one example, a method may include differentiating spark plug fouling due to soot accumulation from spark plug fouling due to fuel additive accumulation based on a current on a control wire of the spark plug following application of a dwell command. Further, exhaust oxygen sensor degradation and/or exhaust catalyst degradation may be determined based on switching frequencies of one or more exhaust oxygen sensors and the type of spark plug fouling. |
| US09777695B2 |
High-frequency discharge ignition device
A high-frequency discharge ignition device includes a current supply device which supplies an AC current to a spark discharge path formed in a gap of an ignition plug, a control device which controls the operation of the current supply device, and a voltage detection device which outputs a signal of a section where a magnetic induction voltage of a primary coil generated after a switch element of an ignition coil device is placed in a shutoff state exceeds a predetermined voltage, and the control device determines the timing when the spark discharge path has been formed in the gap of the ignition plug according to an output signal of the voltage detection device and operates the current supply device based on the timing when the spark discharge path has been formed in the gap of the ignition plug to supply the AC current to the spark discharge path. |
| US09777684B2 |
Fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines
The invention relates to a fuel injection valve comprising a housing (1) in which pressure is applied to a nozzle needle (8), in a control chamber (28), at least indirectly with a closing force in the direction of a valve seat (10). The pressure in the control chamber (28) can be adjusted using a control valve (40) as said control chamber (28) is able to be connected to a low pressure chamber (46) via an outlet restrictor (31) and be filled with fuel at high pressure via an inlet restrictor (30). A longitudinally-displaceable control piston (29) is arranged in the control chamber (28) and divides said chamber (28) into a first control sub-chamber and a second control sub-chamber (228), the first control sub-chamber (128) being able to be connected to the low pressure chamber (46) by means of said outlet restrictor (31). A sealing surface (38) is formed on the control piston (29) and interacts with a sealing seat (39) in the control chamber (28) such that the inlet restrictor (30) is hydraulically disconnected from the second control sub-chamber (228) when the sealing surface (38) comes to rest against the sealing seat (39). Said first control sub-chamber (128) and second control sub-chamber (228) are constantly hydraulically interconnected by means of a restrictor connection (34). |
| US09777683B2 |
Engine starting system with purge pump
A starting system for an internal combustion engine that includes: a pump device in communication with a purging and priming circuit of a carburetor; a driven member coupled to the pump device; and a drive member rotatably carried by a recoil starter pulley of an engine. The drive member may positively drive the driven member in two directions, and the driving of the driven member may actuate the pump device. |
| US09777673B2 |
Alternative method for dismantling solid-propellant motors
A method is provided for solid-propellant engines to be dismantled safely and in accordance with environmental standards having been scrapped. For each engine to be dismantled, it is mounted on a static test rig, immersed in a tank filled with water and started such that propellant is used up under the water. The soluble part of the combustion products (gases or condensates) thus remains trapped in the water in the tank while the non-soluble solid products drop to the bottom of the tank. The body of the engine emptied of its fuel in this way and rendered pyrotechnically inert is then taken apart or disassembled. Periodically, the water in the tank is withdrawn and the tank stripped of its deposits such that subsequent dismantling operations can be carried out under proper conditions. All of the combustion products recovered are sent to appropriate reprocessing plants. The method allows high dismantling rates. |
| US09777670B2 |
Aircraft propulsion unit including at least one turbojet engine and a nacelle
The present disclosure relates to a nacelle for a dual-flow turbojet engine includes a cold airstream having a non-constant cross-section over the periphery of the nacelle, such that at least one flap is radially offset with respect to the central axis of the turbojet engine, relative to the adjacent flaps. The system for driving the radially offset flaps is suitable for ensuring that the kinematics of the flaps are offset relative to the kinematics of the flaps mounted along the remainder of the periphery of the airstream. |
| US09777663B2 |
Method, a computer program, an electronic storage medium, and an electronic control unit for controlling an internal combustion engine
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine provides that the internal combustion engine is operated based on a first injection pattern in a first operating state, and based on a second injection pattern in a second operating state. At least one parameter of the injection patterns in the transition from the first to the second operating state is selected in such a way that the noise emission remains constant. In the transition to the injection pattern having greater noise, first the at least one parameter of the first injection pattern is varied, whereupon the switchover takes place. In the transition to the injection pattern having the lower noise, first the switchover is implemented, whereupon the at least one parameter of the second injection pattern is varied. |
| US09777662B2 |
Method and device for operating a fuel delivery device of an internal combustion engine
A method for operating a fuel delivery device of an internal combustion engine includes switching an electromagnetic actuating device of a volume control valve so as to set a delivery volume. An intensity of an energy that is supplied to the electromagnetic actuating device for switching purposes, in particular of a current supplied to the electromagnetic actuating device and/or a level of a voltage applied to the electromagnetic actuating device, depends at least intermittently on a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09777660B2 |
Parameter estimation in an actuator
A method for parameter estimation in an electromagnetic actuator having an electrical coil and an armature includes applying a voltage pulse to the electrical coil of the actuator prior to an actuator event and of sufficient duration to ensure that a resulting electrical current achieves steady state. At least one parameter of the actuator is estimated based upon the voltage pulse and the steady state current. |
| US09777659B2 |
Control device of internal combustion engine
A control device of an internal combustion engine calculates on the basis of the air-fuel ratio difference a correction for the estimated fuel supply amount correction for correcting the estimated fuel supply amount to make the estimated and detected air-fuel ratios correspond to each other and calculates correction values for the fuel supply difference compensation and the air amount detection difference compensation by dividing the correction value for the estimated fuel supply amount correction, using the fuel supply and air amount detection difference proportions, and performing the air-fuel ratio control, using the corrected estimated fuel supply and detected air amounts. The correction value for the estimated fuel supply amount correction is divided to the correction values for the fuel supply difference compensation and the air amount detection difference compensation such that a value equivalent to the air-fuel ratio difference becomes equal to the air-fuel ratio difference, using these correction values. |
| US09777657B2 |
On-line adaptive PID control of air charging system
An internal combustion engine includes an air charging system. A method to control the air charging system includes providing a desired operating target command for the air charging system, and monitoring operating parameters of the air charging system. An error between the desired operating target command for the air charging system and the corresponding one of said operating parameters of the air charging system is determined, and scheduled PID gains are determined based on the error utilizing a PID controller. An adaptive algorithm is applied to modify the scheduled PID gains, and a system control command for the air charging system is determined based upon the modified scheduled PID gains. The air charging system is controlled based upon the system control command for the air charging system. |
| US09777653B2 |
Method for controlling a turbocharger arrangement of an internal combustion engine, and control device
Embodiments for controlling exhaust gas turbines are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling a turbocharger arrangement of an internal combustion engine, the turbocharger arrangement having at least a first exhaust-gas turbine and a second exhaust-gas turbine arranged downstream of the first, and an exhaust-gas aftertreatment system being arranged downstream of the second exhaust-gas turbine comprises, in a warm-up mode, controlling at least one exhaust-gas turbine so as to increase an inlet temperature of an exhaust-gas flow at the inlet into the exhaust-gas aftertreatment system. In this way, the exhaust-gas aftertreatment system may be rapidly heated. |
| US09777648B2 |
Electronic controller
An electronic controller controls a drive of a vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as a driving source. The electronic controller includes a travelling distance calculation portion, a diagnosis portion, and a control portion. The travelling distance calculation portion calculates a travelling distance where the vehicle can travel by using the electric motor as the driving source, based on a power surplus quantity of a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor. The diagnosis portion diagnoses a diagnosis object included in the internal combustion engine. The control portion controls the internal combustion engine. When a condition that the travelling distance is shorter than or equal to a threshold distance that is predetermined is satisfied, the control portion forcibly drives the diagnosis object and controls the diagnosis portion to execute a malfunction diagnosis of the diagnosis object. |
| US09777646B2 |
Direct injection of diluents or secondary fuels in gaseous fuel engines
A method for operating an engine, comprising port injecting a first quantity of a first gaseous fuel in a cylinder cycle and direct injecting a second quantity of a secondary injectant in the cylinder cycle as a function of a desired air-to-fuel ratio (AFR), the desired AFR based on a temperature of an engine cylinder valve. The desired AFR may be outside the AFR range available during natural gas combustion alone and thus allows for cooler engine operation. |
| US09777641B2 |
System for turbomachine vane control
A gas turbine system includes a compressor. The compressor has a plurality of inlet guide vanes disposed at an inlet of the compressor. Furthermore, the compressor may have at least one unison ring coupled to a plurality of variable stator vanes disposed between the inlet and an outlet of the compressor. The gas turbine system includes a first actuator that may adjust a first pitch of the plurality of inlet guide vanes and a second actuator that may adjust a second pitch of the plurality of variable stator vanes. A first electric motor may drive the first actuator, while a second electric motor may drive the second actuator. |
| US09777640B2 |
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 an axially elongated ring. In the open position, the radially outer surface of the ring is spaced from a tapering inner surface of the air inlet so that air can flow in an annular passage between the tapering surface and the ring. In the closed position, the ring abuts the tapering surface to close off the annular passage, whereby the effective inlet diameter is then defined by the inner diameter of the ring at its trailing edge. Movement of the inlet-adjustment mechanism from the open position to the closed position is effective to shift the compressor's surge line to lower flow rates. |
| US09777639B2 |
Turbine engine gearbox mount with multiple fuse joints
A turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine case, a gearbox and a plurality of mounts connecting the gearbox to the case. Each of the mounts includes a linkage and a fuse joint. The linkage extends towards the case substantially in a first direction. The fuse joint is configured to substantially prevent movement between the gearbox and the case when the fuse joint is subject to loading less than a threshold, and to permit a constrained movement between the gearbox and the case when the loading is greater than the threshold. The fuse joint of a first of the mounts has a different configuration than the fuse joint of a second of the mounts. |
| US09777638B2 |
Systems and methods for turbine system restarts
A turbine system includes a compressor system compressing a fluid, a combustor system fluidly coupled to the compressor to combust a fuel mixed with the fluid to produce a combusted fluid, a gas turbine system fluidly coupled to the combustor to rotate a gas turbine shaft based on the combusted fluid, a power turbine system fluidly coupled to the gas turbine to rotate a power turbine shaft based on the combusted fluid existing the gas turbine, the shaft mechanically coupled to a clutch system, a clutch system mechanically coupled to a generator shaft, and an electric generator having the generator shaft to produce electricity based on rotations of the generator shaft. The turbine system includes a controller operatively coupled to the clutch system to restart production of the electricity via the clutch system. |
| US09777634B2 |
Tube fed tangential on-board injector for gas turbine engine
A tangential on-board injector assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an annular housing including a plenum. A plurality of discrete tubes is fluidly connected to the plenum and is configured to provide a cooling fluid to the annular housing. |
| US09777632B2 |
Anti-ice splitter nose
Splitter apparatus for gas turbine engines are disclosed. An example splitter apparatus may include a splitter including an annular outer wall substantially defining a convex leading edge; an annular splitter support positioned radially within the outer and including a forward end disposed substantially against a splitter inner; and an annular first bulkhead spanning between the outer wall and the splitter support. The outer wall, the splitter support, and the first bulkhead may define a generally annular splitter plenum. The forward end of the splitter support may include spaced apart, radially oriented metering slots. The outer wall may include an inner portion disposed radially inward from the splitter inner surface extending aft and including spaced-apart exit slots. The splitter plenum, the metering slots, and the exit slots may conduct airflow from the plenum, through the metering slots against the splitter inner surface, and through the exit slots. |
| US09777630B2 |
Gas turbine fast regulation and power augmentation using stored air
The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of an electrical grid. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include systems and methods for providing rapid response given a change in electrical grid. |
| US09777629B2 |
Power generation system
This power generation system is provided with: a gas turbine (11) having a compressor (21), a combustor (22) and a turbine (23); a first compressed air supply line (26) that supplies compressed air, which has been compressed by the compressor (21), to the combustor (22); a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) (13) having an air electrode and a fuel electrode; a compressed air supply device (61) capable of generating compressed air; and a second compressed air supply line (31) that supplies compressed air, which has been compressed by the compressed air supply device (61) to the SOFC (13). The fuel cell can thus be stably operated regardless of the operating state of the gas turbine. |
| US09777625B2 |
Reciprocating internal combustion engine
A reciprocating internal combustion engine includes at least one piston, which is operatively connected by two connecting rods having two crankshafts rotating in opposite directions and running parallel to each other, which crankshafts are oriented in an upright manner to a horizontal water line of a boat, and an internal combustion engine housing of the internal combustion engine is composed of at least a cylinder crank housing and a cylinder head, having inlet and outlet valves, and is bounded by an upper end face and a bottom end face. To optimize the internal combustion engine, a joint ventilation system has an oil separating device provided with an oil pre-separator and a main oil separator, via which, when operating the internal combustion engine, a mixture of oil and leaking gas, resulting in a crankcase of the cylinder crank housing, reaches, by way of a discharge line extending adjacent to the upper end face, the oil pre-separator, from where the mixture of oil and leaking gas is led into the main oil separator and there is separated into the components of oil and leaking gas. The oil flows into an oil pan connecting at the bottom end face and the leaking gas near the upper end face flows into an intake system of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09777623B2 |
Failure detector of turbocharged engine
When opening or closing an exhaust cut valve in accordance with an operation range of an engine and performing feedback control for an opening degree of a wastegate valve such that a target supercharging pressure is achieved in each of an open operation range where the exhaust cut valve is opened and a closed operation range where the exhaust cut valve is closed, a failure of the exhaust cut valve can be accurately determined. Whether or not an abnormal state occurs is determined in each range. In the abnormal state, although feedback control for closing the wastegate valve is performed, the actual supercharging pressure is lower than the target supercharging pressure, and a deviation between the actual supercharging pressure and the target supercharging pressure is maintained at not less than a predetermined value. Further, whether the exhaust cut valve is normal or in failure is determined. |
| US09777622B2 |
Adjustable guide vane mechanism for a turbine, turbine for an exhaust gas turbocharger and exhaust gas turbocharger
In an adjustable guide vane mechanism for a turbine, comprising a bearing ring with a plurality of guide vanes rotatably supported on the bearing ring by means of guide vane shafts provided with actuating levers which are engaged by a rotatable ring, the rotatable ring comprises axially spaced radial inner and outer sections with a radially inclined center section joining the spaced radial inner and outer sections, the radially inner section being rotatably supported and the radially outer section extending around the actuating levers and having recesses in which the actuating levers are received for pivoting the actuating levers and the guide vanes upon rotation of the rotatable ring. |
| US09777620B2 |
Turbocompound scheme, in particular in the field of industrial vehicles
An improved turbocompound system, in particular in the field of industrial vehicles. A first turbine drives a fresh air compressor. A power turbine is arranged downstream of the first turbine and operatively coupled with the crankshaft of the engine through a clutch. A first electric motor/generator is operatively coupled with the turbocharger system. A second electric motor/generator is operatively coupled with the power turbine. The first and second electric motor/generators are electrically interconnected, and controlled as a motor or a generator in an opposite way with respect to each other, so that the electric energy produced by one is consumed by the other and vice versa. |
| US09777615B2 |
Cooling device for multiple cylinder engine
The present invention is configured such that: a cylinder block includes an introducing portion provided at a first side of a cylinder row, cooling liquid being introduced through the introducing portion to a water jacket, a restrictor portion provided in a vicinity of the introducing portion and configured to restrict the cooling liquid, introduced through the introducing portion, from flowing to an intake-side portion of the water jacket, and a discharging portion provided at a middle portion of the cylinder row at an intake side, the cooling liquid being discharged from the water jacket through the discharging portion; and an exhaust-side portion of the water jacket is formed such that a passage cross-sectional area of a cylinder axis direction upper side of the exhaust-side portion is larger than the passage cross-sectional area of a cylinder axis direction lower side of the exhaust-side portion. |
| US09777613B2 |
Regulation of a diesel exhaust after-treatment system via exhaust energy determination
A method is disclosed for regulating an exhaust after-treatment (AT) system for a diesel engine. The method includes detecting the engine's cold start when the engine's exhaust gas flow directed into the AT system is at a temperature below a threshold value. The method also includes determining flow-rates of the engine's exhaust gas and its fuel supply. The method additionally includes determining a magnitude of exhaust gas energy using the determined exhaust gas flow-rates and the fuel supply over an elapsed time following the cold start. The method also includes integrating a detected temperature of the exhaust gas over the elapsed time and comparing the determined magnitude of exhaust gas energy with the integrated temperature. Furthermore, the method includes regulating operation of the AT system using the determined exhaust gas temperature when the determined magnitude of exhaust gas energy is within a predetermined value of the integrated exhaust gas temperature. |
| US09777612B2 |
Deposit detection device for exhaust pump and exhaust pump
A deposit detection device for an exhaust pump is provided, which can be easily put into operation without the burdens of, for example, installing equipment for flowing a gas, or adding or changing operation modes in apparatuses. The device is configured to include: a means for detecting motor current values a motor that rotates a rotating body; a current value storage portion that stores only motor current values that are equal to or greater than a preset value from among detected motor current values; an average value calculation portion that calculates an average value per unit time of the stored motor current values; an average value storage portion that stores the calculated average value; an approximation calculation portion that determines a linear approximation of the stored chronologically ordered average values; and a difference value calculation portion that determines a difference value between a predicted motor current value calculated by using the linear approximation and an initial motor current value at a start of use of the exhaust pump. A time when the difference value exceeds a predetermined threshold is determined as a time for maintenance of the exhaust pump. |
| US09777607B2 |
Lubricating oil passage structure for bearing
A lubricating oil passage structure for a bearing of an oil cooled rotating machine includes a bearing (114) arranged in the center of a bracket (111) to rotatably support a rotary shaft (101). Protruding ribs (116, 117, 117a) are spirally arranged on the inner surface of the bracket (111). Also, a bearing rib (112) having an oil passage groove (113) for supplying the bearing (114) with lubricating oil is formed on the inner surface of the bracket (111). An upper projection hole (110) is formed in the upper portion of the bracket (111) for introducing the lubricating oil. The protruding ribs located on the right and left of the upper projection hole (110) in the circumferential direction are the upper protruding ribs (116) which function as guides for guiding the lubricating oil to the bearing rib. Therefore, the lubricating oil passage structure constitutes a structure that captures the lubricating oil and guides the oil to the bearing (114) without reducing the support rigidity of the bearing, while also constituting a rib structure capable of both improving the support rigidity of the bearing and inhibiting failure of the bearing (114). |
| US09777605B2 |
Motor control apparatus
A motor control apparatus for adjusting a cam phase includes a motor control part, which controls a current supplied to a stator coil by controlling plural switching elements forming an inverter to turn on and off. The motor control part stops the current supplied to the stator coil each time a motor rotates a predetermined rotation angle interval in a power generation control mode, in which a rotation torque is generated in a direction to impede the motor rotation. The motor control part maintains the power generation control mode when a rotation signal is determined as varying in a predetermined time period. The motor control part switches over an operation mode to a normal control mode to generate a rotation torque in a direction to promote the motor rotation when the rotation signal is determined as not varying in the predetermined time period. |
| US09777603B2 |
Shifting camshaft groove design for load reduction
A camshaft assembly includes a base shaft including at least one lobe pack axially movably mounted on the base shaft, the lobe pack including a control groove therein. An actuator device includes a pin movably mounted to the actuator between a retracted position and an extended position for engaging with the control groove to cause axial movement of the lobe pack. The control groove includes a pin engagement region, a shifting region and an ejection region. The pin engagement region of the control groove has a first pair of sidewalls. The shifting region extends from the pin engagement region and has a second pair of sidewalls angled relative to the first pair of sidewalls and having a first portion with a varying groove width that varies relative to a groove width of the pin engagement region. |
| US09777602B2 |
Supplementary thermal energy transfer in thermal energy recovery systems
A system for controlled recovery of thermal energy and conversion to mechanical energy. The system collects thermal energy from a reciprocating engine (for example, from engine jacket fluid) and may also collect further thermal energy from a natural gas compressor (for example, from compressor lubricating fluid). The collected thermal energy is used to generate secondary power by evaporating an organic propellant and using the gaseous propellant to drive an expander in production of mechanical energy. Secondary power is used to power parasitic loads, improving energy efficiency of the system. A supplementary cooler may provide additional cooling capacity without compromising system energy efficiency. |
| US09777599B2 |
Fan casing arrangement for a gas turbine engine and related method
A fan casing arrangement for a gas turbine engine having a propulsive fan, the arrangement having a fan case and a fan track liner and being configured to circumscribe the fan, wherein the fan track liner is provided around the inside of fan case so as to adopt a radial position between the fan and the fan case. The fan track liner includes an elongate member which is helically-wound against the inside of the fan case in a plurality of turns. A method of installing a fan track liner in a fan casing arrangement for a gas turbine engine having a propulsive fan, the method involving: providing a fan case to circumscribe the fan, providing a flexible and elongate liner member, and helically winding the liner member against the inside of the fan case in a plurality of turns to define at least part of the fan track liner. |
| US09777593B2 |
Hybrid metal and composite spool for rotating machinery
A hybrid metal and composite spool includes metal rings on an outer diameter of a composite spool shell. Metal rings may include features such as annular or axial dovetail slots. Adhesive layers may be between the metal rings and composite shell which may be connected by a shrink bonded joint. The metal rings may include a single seal tooth ring with an annular radially extending seal tooth. A method for fabricating the spool may include fabricating one or more metal rings with the features therein, positioning the metal rings in place on an outer surface of an uncured composite spool shell of the spool before curing the shell, and curing the shell with the one or more metal rings positioned in place. Alternatively, rings may be heated to a temperature at least sufficient to slide rings over a cured composite shell, and allowed to cool and shrink onto shell. |
| US09777592B2 |
Post FBO windmilling bumper
A bearing arrangement rotatably supports a shaft of an aircraft engine. The bearing arrangement comprises a bearing having rolling elements disposed between inner and outer races. The inner race is affixed to the shaft. A decoupler normally structurally couples the outer race of the bearing to a stator structure of the engine. The decoupler is configured to release the bearing from the stator structure when subject to a predetermined critical load. A bumper is mounted to the stator structure and encircles the bearing. The bumper has a radially inwardly facing surface disposed in close proximity to a radially outer surface of the outer race of the bearing and defines therewith a radial gap to accommodate and constrain an orbiting motion of the rotor about the central axis of the engine after decoupling at the bearing. The bumper further has an axially forwardly facing surface which is axially spaced by a predetermined axial fore gap from a first flange projecting radially outwardly from a front end portion of the outer race of the bearing. The first flange of the outer race is axially trapped between the stator structure and the bumper. After decoupling, the bearing is free to axially and radially move within the radial gap and the axial fore gap. |
| US09777587B2 |
Seal apparatus of turbine and thermal power system
A sealing device for a turbine has a sealing member provided in a gap between a rotor and a stator arranged to surround the rotor, and a fluid path provided within the stator, to introduce, into the stator, a cooling medium used to cool stationary blades extending radially inward from the stator, and to flow the cooling medium at least to an upstream side of the sealing member. |
| US09777585B2 |
Guide vane assembly
A guide vane assembly for a stator vane stage comprises at least two aerofoil members joined together using a vane assembly attachment web. The vane assembly attachment web may be provided at the inner and/or outer radius of the aerofoil members. The vane assembly attachment web allows the guide vane assembly to be attached to an inner and/or outer attachment ring, thereby forming a stator vane stage. Such an arrangement may allow composite fiber reinforced guide vane assemblies to be readily assembled together to form stator vane stages. Stator vane stages that comprise such composite fiber reinforced guide vane assemblies may be lighter than conventional metallic stator vane stages. |
| US09777583B2 |
Erosion resistant coating
A platinum plus chromium coating applied to the roots and firtrees of turbine blades where the inclusion of chromium creates a single phase outer zone which minimizes diffusion paths for sulphur which can preferentially diffuse down phase boundaries and enables a chromium rich outer oxide scale to form on top of the coating. |
| US09777563B2 |
Natural gas hydrate reservoir heating
A heating system for heating a natural gas hydrate reservoir. The heating system includes a fully enclosed wellbore extending through a portion of the natural gas hydrate reservoir. A heating fluid is passed through the wellbore to heat the portion of the natural gas hydrate reservoir. Additionally, a production system includes a perforated wellbore that is used to extract the natural gas hydrate water after heating. |
| US09777559B2 |
Reliability assessment and risk management for managed pressure drilling
A managed pressure drilling (MPD) system employs reliability models such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Ishikawa diagram, Pareto chart, Reliability Block Diagram (RBD) in assessing and optimizing the system reliability. The MPD drilling system is suitable for offshore drilling operations. |
| US09777558B1 |
Methods and devices for one trip plugging and perforating of oil and gas wells
A tubing conveyed tool for use in perforating a well bore utilizing abrasive perforating techniques. The perforating tool is particularly useful in non-vertical wells. The perforating tool is designed to permit running and setting a bridge plug, and then perforating the well bore without requiring the removal of the tool string. An eccentric weight bar can also be used to allow for directional perforating in non-vertical wells. The eccentric weight bar uses gravity to cause the bar to rotate to a predetermined position. |
| US09777551B2 |
Downhole system for isolating sections of a wellbore
A setting sleeve useable with a downhole system for isolating sections of a wellbore. The setting sleeve includes a first end; a second end; an outer surface; and an inner surface. There is a wall thickness formed between the inner surface and the outer surface. The setting sleeve can have at least one channel. There can be a plurality of linear channels disposed in the outer surface. In aspects, at least one channel has a rounded cross-sectional shape. |
| US09777548B2 |
Conformable devices using shape memory alloys for downhole applications
An apparatus for use in wellbore includes a device having a shape conforming member that includes a shape memory alloy that has been compressed from a first expanded shape to a second compressed shape. The apparatus further includes a device for supplying electrical energy to the shape memory alloy downhole to transform the shape memory alloy from the second shape to or near the first shape. |
| US09777545B2 |
Well tractor
A method for operating a well tractor is presented. The method involves running a well tractor coupled to a wireline into a wellbore and supplying an amount of electric power to the well tractor to operate the well tractor at a first speed to urge the wireline through the wellbore at a first force. A variable gear ratio transmission of the well tractor is adjusted and an amount of electric power is supplied to the well tractor to operate the well tractor at a second speed different than the first speed to urge the wireline through the wellbore at a second force different than the first force based on adjusting the variable gear ratio transmission. |
| US09777542B2 |
Automated drilling fluid analyzer
An automatic drilling fluid property analyzer including a housing having an inlet and an outlet; at least one valve disposed proximate the inlet and configured to open and close to provide a sample of fluid into the housing; an electronic control module configured to send a signal to the at least one valve; a probe assembly operatively coupled to the electronic control module, the probe assembly including an electrode probe having two electrodes and a probe gap therebetween; a viscometer sleeve disposed in the housing; a bob disposed in the sleeve, wherein an annulus is formed between the viscometer sleeve and the bob, and wherein at least one of the viscometer sleeve and the bob is configured to rotate, a motor operatively coupled to at least one of the viscometer sleeve and the bob; and a torque measuring device operatively coupled to the viscometer sleeve and the bob. |
| US09777540B2 |
Drilling motor with one-way rotary clutch
A drilling motor assembly can include a housing, a shaft, and a pawl which selectively engages a recess, the pawl having an axis of rotation and a generally planar engagement face which engages a generally planar engagement face of the recess when relative rotation between the housing and the shaft is prevented. The engaged engagement faces can be oblique relative to a radius extending from the axis of rotation to the engaged engagement faces. A method of drilling a wellbore can include flowing a fluid through a drilling motor assembly, thereby rotating a shaft relative to a housing, and rotating the housing, thereby engaging a pawl with a recess and preventing relative rotation between the housing and the shaft, the pawl and recess each having a generally planar engagement face, whereby the engaged engagement faces prevent relative rotation between the shaft and the housing. |
| US09777538B2 |
Insulating component
An insulating component for inclusion in a down hole drill string comprising a first part or connected group of parts, and a second part or group of parts. The first part or group of parts includes a first connection site and the second part or connected group of parts includes a second connection site. The insulating component also includes a first right-hand threaded connection located between the first connection site and the second connection site, and a second, left-hand threaded connection located between the first connection site and the second connection site. The first part or group of parts is electrically insulated from the second part or group of parts through insulating material provided between the first part or group of parts and the second part or group of parts, so that the first and second connection sites are electrically insulated from one another. |
| US09777535B1 |
Step adaptor for transitioning between sections of an extension ladder
The problem of traversing the offset area between the fly section and the base section of an extension ladder is solved by a step adaptor of the subject invention. A step adaptor can have two or more steps which can be progressively narrower in depth. The step adaptor can be placed on the first available rung just below the fly section. The progressively narrower depth of the steps of a step adaptor create a transition zone in the offset area that reduces the abrupt change in distance between the rungs in the fly section and the rungs in the base section. |
| US09777529B2 |
Loading dock alert report system
A system and method for remotely controlling loading dock components is disclosed that includes a distribution center having at least one dock station for exchanging materials and a dock component configured to in at least two operational states. An actuator is included that is configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to an activation signal. A mobile remote control is configured to generate the activation signal to cause the actuator to change the operational state of the dock component and at least one predefined non-activation zone is included such that changing of operational state of the dock component is inhibited when the mobile remote control is located within the at least one predefined non-activation zone. |
| US09777526B1 |
Automated storm door closure system
An automated door closure system regulate the release and closure of a door in a door assembly that includes a primary door, a secondary door, and a door frame. The system includes a door closer, a control unit, and an automatic input sensor. The door closer, which is connected between the secondary door and the door frame and includes a cylinder and an operating rod, biases the secondary door toward a closed position. The control unit includes a motive device and a rod catch element. The rod catch element, which may be moved by the motor, is positioned in proximity to the operating rod to adjustably prevent the secondary door from being closed. The automatic input sensor detects a door assembly use condition. The control unit controls the motive device based on the detected condition to move the rod catch element, allowing the door closer to close the secondary door. |
| US09777523B2 |
Home appliance having movable door handle
A home appliance comprises a cabinet having a chamber, a door configured to open or close the chamber by being rotated about a door rotating shaft, and a handle assembly provided at the exterior of a front surface of the door. The handle assembly includes a handle configured to assist a user in opening or closing the door, a handle link rotating shaft, a handle link attached to the handle, and a distance spacer provided between the handle link and the handle link rotating shaft to maintain a distance between the handle link and the handle link rotating shaft. The handle link is rotatable about the handle link rotating shaft as the door is rotated to an open position and extends out of the door in an increasing length as an opening angle of the door increases. |
| US09777520B2 |
Unique anti-warping anti-sagging interlocking gate, having anti-warping anti-sagging interlocking triple-U-shaped-clamp brackets, anti-warping anti-sagging interlocking L-shaped hinges, and interlocking tube nuts
A unique anti-warping anti-sagging interlocking gate comprises: multiple triple-U-shaped-clamp bracket systems having front and rear plates and bracket tube nuts, multiple anti-warping anti-sagging interlocking-tube-nut hinge systems having crisscross 90-degree hinge tube nuts, multiple struts, a truss having cable ends and a cable clamp, and a truss-cable-clamp-hiding tunnel system. The front and rear plates and bracket tube nuts are for uniquely securing the triple-U-shaped-clamp bracket systems to the struts to prevent the interlocking gate from warping and sagging. The crisscross 90-degree hinge tube nuts are for uniquely interlocking the hinge systems to a fence post in two 90-degree interlocking directions and in five different crisscross interlocking elevations. The truss-cable-clamp-hiding tunnel system is for uniquely hiding the cable ends and a cable clamp inside one of the struts and under one of the triple-U-shaped-clamp bracket systems. |
| US09777519B1 |
Door checker unit for vehicle
A door checker apparatus for a vehicle may include a checker arm which has one end portion mounted on a side outer panel through a hinge bracket, the other end portion at which a stopper is disposed, and a groove; and a slide device which is mounted on a door inside panel, and slides along the checker arm. |
| US09777518B2 |
Collision protection device for a pivotable hatch of a motor vehicle, hatch, motor vehicle and corresponding method
The invention relates to a collision protection device for a pivotable hatch of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one sensor for detecting an obstacle in the pivoting range of the hatch, and comprising a control unit, which is designed to output, in dependence on sensor signals of the at least one sensor, control commands for stopping an opening movement of the hatch, wherein the at least one sensor is an optical visibility sensor, which is designed for capturing an optical visibility in an environment of the sensors. |
| US09777517B2 |
Lock for a panel or door
The aim of the invention is to provide a reliably functioning lock for a motor vehicle in particular. This is achieved in that the claimed lock for a door or a panel has a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl for locking the rotary latch. The rotary latch and the pawl are preferably designed such that the rotary latch is capable of introducing an opening torque into the pawl. The locking mechanism has a triggering lever for opening the locking mechanism. A transmission device is further provided which increases the pivotal movement of the triggering lever and which comprises a transmission lever in particular for moving the pawl out of the locking position of the pawl by means of a follower. On the basis of the pivotal movement transmission caused by the transmission lever, a relatively small pivotal movement of the triggering lever is sufficient to move the pawl completely out of the locking position by means of the follower. The invention thus ensures that a locking mechanism can be reliably opened even when the triggering lever can no longer be pivoted over the entire original distance due to the effects of aging. |
| US09777512B2 |
Locking apparatus for a rollup door or other movable object
A locking apparatus for a rollup door, comprising a striker member, latch assembly including a latch, a release lever, a trigger, a cam and a solenoid. The latch assembly may also include a limit switch for detecting when the latch assembly is in an unlocked position. The locking apparatus can be electronically unlocked or it can be unlocked manually by a user by actuating the solenoid which causes the latch to release the locked striker member. |
| US09777510B2 |
Tamper switch activation without power
A tamper-detection device and system are disclosed. The tamper-detection device includes one or more components which enable the tamper-detection device to detect a state change, even in the absence of a power supply. A capacitor is provided in the tamper-detection device that, when shorted, discharges and induces a state change at a microcontroller of the tamper-detection device. |
| US09777509B2 |
Flush lock for casement window and method of operating the same
A low profile actuating window lock for casement windows having a handle actuate a lifter that slides vertically on a fork component in slidable communication with the window lock casing, the handle pivotable about the lifter and pivotable about a restrictor arm that pivots relative to the casing, allowing the handle to rotate fully from the locked position to the unlocked position with low clearance from the window frame. The pivot points of the handle, lifter, restrictor arm configuration allow for an over center linkage that prevents back driving the casement window lock. |
| US09777506B2 |
Portable shelters having a hinged side wall
A portable shelter having a hinged side wall includes an enclosure having a plurality of interconnected side walls defining a floor space and being connected to a top wall. At least one of the side walls is a hinged side wall that is pivotally connected to the enclosure and includes opposed first and second side edges and a tope edge that defines an opening in the enclosure. At least one connecting member on the enclosure is configured to selectively connect and disconnect at least the first side edge and the top edge of the hinged side all at the opening. The disclosure also provides a method of hinging the side wall of the portable shelter to an open position. |
| US09777500B1 |
Pole reinforcement
A utility pole is reinforced by assembling and installing a reinforcement channel assembly comprising a lower reinforcement channel driven into the ground alongside the pole, an inner splice plate supported on and against an inner surface of the lower reinforcement channel, an upper reinforcement channel supported on and against an outer surface of the inner splice plate, and an outer splice plate supported on and against respective outer surfaces of upper and lower portions of the upper and lower reinforcement channels. An outer splice plate is secured to the inner splice plate, sandwiching between them the respective upper and lower portions of the lower and upper reinforcement channels, and the upper reinforcement channel is secured to the pole. |
| US09777499B2 |
Precast segment, stacking structure and energy dissipation column thereof
A precast segment suitable for block-stacking concept is disclosed. The precast segment includes a first surface, an opposite second surface, plural through holes, and plural male-female connecting sets. The through holes extend from the first surface and toward the second surface to communicate between the first surface and the second surface. Each male-female connecting set includes a shear key and a joint hole, wherein the shear key protrudes from one of the first surface and the second surface to serve as a male connecting unit, and the joint hole is formed in the other of the first surface and the second surface to serve as a female connecting unit. Accordingly, the precast segments can be block-stacked by mortise-and-tenon joints to construct a bridge pier system. Compared to the conventional construction methodology, the present invention can enhance the efficiency of segment fabrication and avoid high prestress force. |
| US09777498B1 |
Flush mounted vinyl nozzle assembly and methods of use
A pool nozzle assembly having a body, a clamp ring, a plurality of screws, a cover ring, and a nozzle is disclosed. The body includes a body rim having a plurality of screw receivers and a female threaded portion. The clamp ring is removably coupled to the body and couples a vinyl liner between the clamp ring and the body. The clamp ring includes an inner rim and an outer rim. The plurality of screws removably couple the clamp ring to the body. The cover ring includes a cover rim and a male threaded portion threadedly coupled to the female threaded portion. The cover rim covers the plurality of screws and is substantially planar with the outer rim. The nozzle is removably coupled to the base of the body such that a top end of the nozzle is substantially planar with outer rim and the cover rim. |
| US09777494B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing progressive waves suitable for surfing using staggered wave generators in sequence
The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for a wave pool having a deep end and a shallow end, wherein a plurality of wave generators is provided for producing wave segments in the wave pool. The wave generators are preferably extended substantially along the deep end in a substantially staggered manner relative to the travel direction of the wave segments. A pair of dividing walls is preferably provided in front of each wave generator, wherein the dividing walls are extended substantially forward in the travel direction and substantially parallel to each other or with a fade angle of no more than about 20 to 30 degrees relative to each other. The wave generators are preferably operated in sequence from one side of the pool to the other, such that a plurality of wave segments is generated at pre-selected time intervals, and such that the plurality of wave segments can travel forward and then, due to the stagger of the wave generators, merge together to form a substantially uniform resultant periodic wave. The resultant wave forms and travels forward and then breaks along the shallow end which preferably comprises a break line. |
| US09777481B2 |
Multifunctional roofing material
A roofing material including: a polycarbonate layer which is a polycarbonate panel having a predetermined thickness and in which a convex portion and a concave portion are alternately repeated in order to diffuse light incident on the roofing material, wherein a two-dimensional array of a plurality of bumps for diffusing light incident on the roofing material, is formed on a surface of each convex portion and a surface of each concave portion of the polycarbonate layer. |
| US09777477B2 |
Pergola provided with extensible roof surface
A pergola comprising a base module having a quadrangular support structure provided with vertical uprights connected to each other by at least one pair of rails and at least one transverse crossbeam connecting the pair of rails. The base module delimits a first roof surface. The pergola includes an extension module having a framework provided with at least one pair of struts. Each strut is at least partially vertically superposed on a corresponding rail, and is provided with at least one support leg that supports the overhanging framework on the side opposite the base module in the longitudinal direction. The extension module delimits a second roof surface at least partially superposed on the first. A guide structure is interposed between the struts and the rails for guiding a reciprocal longitudinal translation between the base module and the extension module, to modify the overall roof surface of the pergola. |
| US09777475B1 |
Floor vent
A floor vent including a grille defining a plurality of vent openings and cross-members therebetween, and one or more pins corresponding to a respective one or more of said cross-members, wherein each of the one or more pins may be either (a) contained within the respective cross-members, or (b) affixed to the respective cross-members, and wherein the one or more pins are formed of material or materials that are substantially stronger than the material or materials of which the respective cross-members are formed, to provide for strengthening the respective cross-members. |
| US09777471B2 |
Shelter, a curved element and a use of a shelter
Disclosed is a shelter having a base having base buses; a frame having curves and beams supporting the curves. Each end of the curves are attached to corresponding base bus; each curve is composed of curved elements, the curved element has means for connecting a curve to another curve with a beam. The shelter further has a cable, which cable is for tightening and supporting the frame. Additionally, there is a curved element, and a use of a shelter as a shelter for aircrafts or as a sports hall. |
| US09777464B2 |
Variable load sense open center hybrid system
A load sense open center hydraulic system provides efficiency and operator feedback and includes one or more constant flow-open center valves (218); respective one or more parallel power cores (238) operatively coupled to the one or more constant flow-open center valves; a variable capacity pump (246) directly fluidly connected to the one or more parallel power cores; and a pressure compensated flow control fluidly connected between the variable capacity pump and the one or more constant flow-open center valves. The one or more constant flow-open center valves are not fluidly coupled to a fixed capacity pump. |
| US09777463B2 |
Construction machine
A construction machine, comprising a hydraulic pump, a swing hydraulic motor, a swing electric motor, a delivery capacity regulating device, and a control unit which controls the driving/braking of the swing structure, is configured to comprise an operation amount detection device for detecting the operation amount of the swing control lever and a speed detection device for detecting the speed of the swing electric motor. The control unit includes a hydraulic pump output reduction control unit which takes in an operation amount signal representing the operation amount of the swing control lever detected by the operation amount detection device and a speed signal representing the speed of the swing electric motor detected by the speed detection device and controls the delivery capacity regulating device by calculating a reduction rate of the output of the hydraulic pump based on the detection signals. |
| US09777461B2 |
Distributed operator control for work vehicles
An operator control arrangement has first and second operator controls with pluralities of first and second controls configured to provide inputs to at least one controller to control respective first and second sets of operations of machine-positioning and implement-positioning components. The first and second sets of operations include pluralities of machine-positioning and implement-positioning operations. The pluralities of first controls and/or inputs are numbered within fifty percent of the pluralities of second controls and/or inputs, respectively. |
| US09777459B2 |
Attachment for a skid steer loader and method of use thereof
Disclosed herein is an attachment and vehicle that includes a left loader arm, a right loader arm, and a boom arm operatively attached to the left loader arm and the right loader arm. The boom arm extends in substantially the same direction that both the left loader arm and the right loader arm extends, is positioned between the left loader arm and the right loader arm, and includes a rotating mechanism at a first end for attaching and rotating a vertical column for installation in the ground. The attachment includes a first hydraulic cylinder attaching the left loader arm with the boom arm and a second hydraulic cylinder attaching the right loader arm with the boom arm. The first and second hydraulic cylinders exact rotation on the boom arm, and the first and second hydraulic cylinders extend at least substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the boom arm. |
| US09777458B2 |
Detachable thumb assembly and backhoe digging apparatus comprising the same
A detachable thumb assembly for a construction equipment machine includes a mounting bracket for attaching the thumb assembly to a digging apparatus of the machine, a thumb pivotally connected on the mounting bracket, a thumb cylinder including a cylinder body connected to the mounting bracket and a cylinder rod which extends from a front end of the cylinder body and which is connected to the thumb. The body of the thumb cylinder is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket at a connection portion of the body which is distinct from a body back end portion. |
| US09777456B1 |
Universal pole foundation
A pre-fabricated pole foundation provided employing a cavity to retain pole assembly of different profile, shape, size, and material interchangeably, a tapered structure onto which the pole rests, and recesses in the pole cavity wall enabling foundation hoisting, plumbing and anchoring, whereas the cavity wall is capable to accommodate for electronic devices enclosure and fill material provides structural support to an embedded pole or the embedded pole and foundation. |
| US09777455B2 |
Water-permeable woven geotextile
A water-permeable woven geotextile fabric for providing soil reinforcement and/or stabilization, for example as an underlayment in road construction, utilizes a series of round warp fibers, in combination with a series of flat warp fibers, across the width of the fabric to increase water flow while still providing desired filtration. In particular, the round warp fibers form angles that allow greater amounts of water to pass through the fabric. In addition, using both round and flat warp fibers results in increased roughness of the fabric surface, which makes the fabric more resistant to being pulled out of the soil when pulled on. Furthermore, one or more of the round and/or flat warp fibers can include a color selected for high visibility to the human eye in daylight conditions. |
| US09777453B2 |
Hydraulic pole tamper handle and adapter
A hydraulic pole tamper with an extended ergonomic handle including a frame and hose clamps to extend the life of the hose by securing the hoses to the frame and to improve the handle, orientation, and usability of the pole tamper. The pole tamper is used to tamp or compact the dirt around a pole which has been set into a hole in the ground to fixedly secure the pole vertically in the ground. |
| US09777450B2 |
Snow removal device, vehicle, and track transportation system
A snow removal device includes: a brush rotary shaft that is mounted on a vehicle body traveling along a track and in front of a running wheel of the vehicle body and that is rotated in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the running wheel; a travel brush part that protrudes radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the brush rotary shaft and comes into contact with a runway of the track with which the running wheel is in contact; and a brush pressing part that presses the travel brush part toward the runway. The travel brush part is provided in a spiral region formed on the outer circumferential surface of the brush rotary shaft in a spiral manner extending toward an axis direction in which the axis extends as going toward a circumferential direction of the brush rotary shaft. |
| US09777448B2 |
Flexible crash barrier with improved impact energy-absorbing capacity
A crash barrier is provided. The crash barrier includes a plurality of supports, a guard rail, and connection parts which are inclined so as to mutually connect the supports and the guard rail at certain intervals, such that an impact energy-absorbing capacity can be improved by preventing impact energy from being directly applied to the supports in a direction orthogonal to the guard rail. |
| US09777445B1 |
Screed assembly for paving machine
A screed assembly for a paving machine includes a main screed unit having a first section and a second section. A hinge assembly located above the main screed unit pivotally couples the first section with the second section. The first section and the second section rotate around a horizontal axis passing through the hinge assembly. A seal member located between the hinge assembly and the main screed unit covers a gap defined between the first section and the second section below the hinge assembly such that the seal member covers the gap and laterally extends beyond the gap above the first section and the second section. A pair of heating components attached to the first section and the second section heats the first section and the second section. |
| US09777442B2 |
System and method of applying material to a surface
A system including a first feeder configured to transport asphalt, a second feeder configured to receive the asphalt from the first feeder, and a controller configured to control a speed of the first feeder and the second feeder in response to an input from an operator. |
| US09777440B2 |
Systems and methods for use in rail track corrections
Systems and methods for use in carrying out rail track corrections. A projector device is positioned on a vehicle deployed ahead of a rail maintenance vehicle and includes a Fresnel lens and a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged to provide a light beam that provides a uniform “spot.” The projector device modulates the light beam in such a manner that a pair of receiver receivers disposed on the rail maintenance vehicle can detect the light source and the light intensity and frequency of wavelength of light received into each receiver of a receiver pair is substantially equal. Recorded values may be used to triangulate the geometry of the section of track being worked, while a computer compares the previous section of track already corrected to the current section and makes calculations for desired corrections to be made at work heads on the rail maintenance vehicle. |
| US09777437B2 |
Systems and methods for reversing banknote limpness
A method for enhancing the structural strength of a porous substrate having pores therein is disclosed. The method includes soaking the porous substrate in a solution having a first solvent and at least one polymer dissolved in the first solvent at a specific temperature and pressure, such that the solution is deposited within pores of the porous substrate, soaking the porous substrate in a second solvent, such that the first solvent diffuses into the second solvent, and such that the at least one polymer remains within the pores of the porous substrate, and flushing out the second solvent from the porous substrate. |
| US09777436B2 |
High efficiency wet strength resins from new cross-linkers
Compositions and methods related to new wet strength resins are provided. By using functionally-symmetrical cross-linkers and mono-functional modifiers, and separating the steps of reacting a prepolymer with the cross-linkers from the reaction of intermediate cross-linked prepolymer with epichlorohydrin, new wet strength resin products are provided having improved properties. |
| US09777431B1 |
Excess heat recovery during high temperature pulp bleaching
An excess heat recovery apparatus and process for high temperature chlorine dioxide bleaching of pulp is provided. The pulp of the high temperature chlorine dioxide bleaching stage enters a tube-side of a chlorine dioxide preheater through a pipeline. The low-temperature chlorine dioxide in the storage tank enters a shell-side pipeline of the chlorine dioxide preheater. 0.5 mol/L of a stabilizer may be added during preheating to prevent ClO2 from decomposing during the heating process. Preheated chlorine dioxide is then moved into a pulp mixer and the pH is adjusted to 3.2-3.8. The mixed pulp is then moved into a high temperature chlorine dioxide bleaching tower for bleaching. The cooling pulp, now out of the preheater, is washed in an alkaline extraction stage. The waste water from the washing flows directly into an effluent treatment system and is recycled after treatment. |
| US09777428B2 |
Operating method for clothes treating apparatus
A method for operating a clothes treating apparatus comprising a hot air supplying unit provided with a heater and a blowing device, and having a drying function of drying clothes by supplying hot air into a drum by use of the hot air supplying unit, includes rotating the drum with the clothes introduced therein, and supplying hot air into the drum by using the heater and the blowing device while the drum is rotated, wherein an air flow rate supplied by the blowing device changes during the hot air supplying step. |
| US09777425B2 |
Drain hose holder for a washing machine
A washing machine includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of the washing machine, a tub provided in the cabinet to accommodate wash water, a drain pump coupled to a drain hose configured to guide wash water pumped by the drain pump to outside of the cabinet, and a holder coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet to fix the drain hose to the cabinet. The holder is coupled to the outer surface of the cabinet while having both ends coupled to each other to form an accommodation hole surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the drain hose, and at least one movement preventing protrusion formed on an inner circumferential surface of the holder to prevent the drain hose from being separated from the holder protrudes toward inside of the holder to come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drain hose. |
| US09777421B2 |
Control panel and clothes treating apparatus having the same
Disclosed are a control panel provided on an apparatus to control the apparatus and a clothes treating apparatus having the same. The clothes treating apparatus includes a includes a cabinet; a drum provided within the cabinet and configured to receive clothes; a driving unit that rotates the drum; a power supply unit that supplies power to the driving unit; and a control panel located on the cabinet. The control panel includes a panel body that defines the external appearance of the control panel; a printed circuit board (PCB) located adjacent to the panel body; input units; and an anti-separation unit located on at least one of the panel body and the PCB and configured to restrict the connection damper from being separated from the bar. |
| US09777418B2 |
Laundry treating appliance laundry mover with liquid diverter
A laundry mover for a laundry treating appliance may include a protrusion located on an upper side of the laundry mover and forming an open-bottom cavity. The protrusion may have at least one opening fluidly communicating the cavity with a portion of the treating chamber above the protrusion. A diverter may be located on a lower side of the laundry mover such that rotation of the laundry mover brings the diverter into contact with liquid in a portion of the treating chamber underneath the laundry mover, and the diverter directs the liquid through the cavity to expel the liquid through the at least one opening. |
| US09777416B2 |
Movable guide for a sewing machine
A sewing machine according to the present disclosure includes a base and a support member that is movable with respect to the base between multiple use positions. The support member is configured to support multiple tools such that a selected one of the tools is useable when the support member is positioned in each of the use positions. |
| US09777415B2 |
Method and apparatus for dry-forming a fibrous product
The invention regards a forming box for use in dry-forming a mat of fibrous material, said forming box comprising a housing with an open bottom for providing direct access of the fibers onto an underlying forming wire and a vacuum box underneath said forming wire, at least one inlet for supplying fiber material into the inside of the housing, a number of spike rollers are provided in at least one row in the housing between the fiber inlet and the housing bottom, wherein a screen is provided adjacent said spike rollers, said screen comprising a plurality of slats, wherein each slat is rotatable. |
| US09777411B2 |
Woven shielding textile impervious to visible and ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation
A woven shielding textile includes a set of weft yarns and a plurality of warp yarns, including a set of primary warp yarns and a set of secondary warp yarns. The set of primary warp yarns and the set of secondary warp yarns are selectively interlaced with the set of weft yarns using a double beam weaving system such that the woven shielding textile is warp-faced. A face surface is predominantly composed of the set of primary warp yarns and a back surface is predominantly composed of the set of secondary warp yarns, while the plurality of warp yarns alternates between the set of primary warp yarns and the set of secondary warp yarns. A substantial percent of light incident to the woven shielding textile does not pass through. |
| US09777407B2 |
Hydrophilic polyproylene melt additives
Melt additive ionic and non-ionic surfactants to impart stable durable hydrophilicity to thermoplastic polymers or blends thereof. |
| US09777406B2 |
Process for detecting or quantifying nucleic acids in a library
This invention provides novel compositions and processes for analyte detection, quantification and amplification. Nucleic acid arrays and libraries of analytes are usefully incorporated into such compositions and processes. Universal detection elements, signaling entities and the like are employed to detect and if necessary or desirable, to quantify analytes. Amplification of target analytes are also provided by the compositions and processes of this invention. |
| US09777405B2 |
Article comprising a semiconducting material
Single crystals of the new semiconducting oxychalcogenide phase were synthesized using a novel crystal growth method. The crystals had low defects and homogeneous composition as characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Heat capacity and resistivity measurements were in agreement with the calculated band structure calculations indicating semiconductivity, with a band gap of about 3 eV. |
| US09777400B2 |
Method for producing single crystal
A method for producing a single crystal includes a step of placing a source material powder and a seed crystal within a crucible, and a step of growing a single crystal on the seed crystal. The crucible includes a peripheral wall part and a bottom part and a lid part that are connected to the peripheral wall part to close the openings of the peripheral wall part, the lid part having a holder that holds the seed crystal. The bottom part has a connection region connected to the peripheral wall part and a thick region that is thicker than the connection region and that surrounds a central axis passing through a center of gravity of orthogonal projection of the bottom part, the orthogonal projection being formed on a plane perpendicular to a growth direction of the single crystal, the central axis extending in the growth direction of the single crystal. |
| US09777392B2 |
Method of fabricating single crystal colloidal monolayer on substrate and display device comprising the substrate
Disclosed is a method of fabricating a single crystal colloidal monolayer on a substrate. The method includes preparing a pair of adhesive substrates, arranging powder particles between the substrates, and uniaxially rubbing one of the substrates in any one direction to allow the particles to be close-packed between the substrates, thereby forming a single crystal monolayer. |
| US09777391B2 |
Purification methods and systems for contaminated liquids and mineral slurries
The present disclosure describes methods and systems comprising hydrodynamic cavitation, microwave irradiation, and at least one of oxidative sonoelectrolysis and reductive sonoelectrolysis, providing feedstock purification of at least one of water, fluid and mineral. Contaminants, broken down and chemically degraded into smaller and more volatile substances by hydrodynamic cavitation are ultimately destroyed in the course of one or more sonoelectrolysis steps. In various embodiments, at least one of oxidative sonoelectrolysis and reductive sonoelectrolysis is irradiated with microwaves in order to heat the sonoplasma present within acoustic cavitation bubbles to temperatures sufficient to destroy contaminants therein. |
| US09777389B2 |
Fabrication of nanopores using high electric fields
A method is provided for fabricating a nanopore in a membrane. The method includes: applying an electric potential across the membrane, where value of the electric potential is selected to induce an electric field which causes a leakage current across the membrane; monitoring current flow across the membrane while the electric potential is being applied; detecting an abrupt increase in the leakage current across the membrane; and removing the electric potential across the membrane in response to detecting the abrupt increase in the leakage current. |
| US09777388B2 |
Electroplating system and method of using electroplating system for controlling concentration of organic additives in electroplating solution
Electroplating techniques including an electroplating system and a method for using the electroplating system are provided. The electroplating system has: an electroplating apparatus for electroplating a workpiece, the electroplating apparatus has an electroplating tank configured to contain a solution including target organics; a first reservoir configured to receive the solution including the target organics from the electroplating tank, and to hold the solution including the target organics; a foaming mechanism configured to, in the first reservoir, separate the target organics from the solution through foaming action such that the solution with a reduced concentration of the target organics is separated from a foam including the separated target organics; and a diverting mechanism configured to selectively feed the solution with the reduced concentration of the target organics to one of the first reservoir and the electroplating tank of the electroplating apparatus. |
| US09777386B2 |
Chemistry additives and process for cobalt film electrodeposition
Various embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for electroplating cobalt on a substrate. In many cases, the cobalt is electroplated into recessed features. The recessed features may include a seed layer such as a cobalt seed layer. Electroplating may occur through a bottom-up mechanism. The bottom-up mechanism may be achieved by using particular additives (e.g., accelerator and suppressor), which may be present in the electrolyte at particular concentrations. Further, leveler, wetting agent, and/or brightening agents may be used to promote high quality plating results. In various embodiments, the substrate is pre-treated to remove oxide (and in some cases carbon impurities) from the seed layer before electroplating takes place. Further, the electrolyte may have a particular conductivity to promote uniform plating results across the face of the substrate. |
| US09777384B2 |
Microfabrication of tunnels
A system and method to form beam tunnels in interaction circuits. Forms, such as fibers or sheets can be located and secured above a substrate at a desired size and desired shape to form the final shape of the beam tunnels. Fiber holders can be utilized to position the forms above the substrate. A photoresist can then be applied over the substrate embedding the forms. A single exposure LIGA process can be performed on the photoresist, including the steps of ultraviolet photolithography, molding, and electroforming. After the process, the forms can be removed to leave the beam tunnels in the interaction circuits. |
| US09777382B2 |
Electrochemical cell, oxygen reduction device using the cell and refrigerator using the oxygen reduction device
According to one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode and an electrolytic membrane interposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode is formed of an integral solid conductive plate and includes a first surface in contact with the electrolytic membrane and a second surface apart from the first surface in a thickness direction. The at least one of the anode and the cathode includes a plurality of first pores opened in the first surface and a plurality of second pores opened in the second surface, the second pores communicating with a part of the first pores. The first pores are smaller than the second pores, and the concentration of pores in the first surface is higher than that in the second surface. |
| US09777379B2 |
Plating apparatus, plating method and storage medium
A plating apparatus can perform a plating process on an entire surface of a substrate uniformly. A plating apparatus 20 includes a substrate holding/rotating device 110 configured to hold and rotate a substrate 2; a discharging device 21 configured to discharge a plating liquid toward the substrate 2 held on the substrate holding/rotating device 110; and a controller 160 configured to control the substrate holding/rotating device 110 and the discharging device 21. Further, the discharging device 21 includes a first nozzle 40 having a multiple number of discharge openings 41 arranged in a radial direction of the substrate 2 or having a discharge opening 42 extended in the radial direction of the substrate 2; and a second nozzle 45 having a discharge opening 46 configured to be positioned closer to a central portion of the substrate 2 than the discharge opening of the first nozzle 40. |
| US09777371B2 |
ALD systems and methods
A gas deposition system (1000) configured as a dual-chamber “tower” includes a frame (1140) for supporting two reaction chamber assemblies (3000), one vertically above the other. Each chamber assembly (3000) includes an outer wall assembly surrounding a hollow chamber (3070) sized to receive a single generation 4.5 (GEN 4.5) glass plate substrate through a load port. The substrate is disposed horizontally inside the hollow chamber (3070) and the chamber assembly (3000) includes removable and cleanable triangular shaped input (3150) and output (3250) plenums disposed external to the hollow chamber (3070) and configured to produce substantially horizontally directed laminar gas flow over a top surface of the substrate. Each chamber includes a cleanable and removable chamber liner assembly (6000) disposed inside the hollow chamber (3070) to contain precursor gases therein thereby preventing contamination of chamber outer walls (3010, 3020, 3030, 3040). |
| US09777369B2 |
Method of depositing a film, recording medium, and film deposition apparatus
A method of depositing a thin film on a substrate inside a vacuum chamber includes a first process that deposits a first film on the substrate, the first process including a process of supplying an active species that is obtained by changing a gas to plasma and is related to a quality of the thin film to the substrate; and a second process that deposits a second film that is the same type as that of the first film on the first film, the second process including a process of supplying the active species to the substrate so that a supply quantity of the active species per a unit film thickness is greater than a first supply quantity of the active species per the unit film thickness in the first process by adjusting a controlled parameter. |
| US09777361B2 |
Thermomechanical processing of alpha-beta titanium alloys
One embodiment of a method of refining alpha-phase grain size in an alpha-beta titanium alloy comprises working an alpha-beta titanium alloy at a first working temperature within a first temperature range in the alpha-beta phase field of the alpha-beta titanium alloy. The alloy is slow cooled from the first working temperature. On completion of working at and slow cooling from the first working temperature, the alloy comprises a primary globularized alpha-phase particle microstructure. The alloy is worked at a second working temperature within a second temperature range in the alpha-beta phase field. The second working temperature is lower than the first working temperature. The is worked at a third working temperature in a third temperature range in the alpha-beta phase field. The third working temperature is lower than the second working temperature. After working at the third working temperature, the titanium alloy comprises a desired refined alpha-phase grain size. |
| US09777360B2 |
Method for heat-treating a cast component
A method for heat-treating a cast component composed of an aluminum base alloy, in which method the cast component is annealed at a predetermined annealing temperature for a predetermined annealing period in a first heat transfer medium and then transferred into a water bath. Between being annealed and transferred into the water bath, the cast component is transferred into a second heat transfer medium at a predetermined intermediate cooling temperature, where it is held for a predetermined intermediate cooling period. |
| US09777357B2 |
Stainless steel foil
According to aspects of the invention, provided are an Fe—Cr—Al-based stainless steel sheet which has improved manufacturability by improving the toughness of a hot-rolled steel sheet and a cold-rolled steel sheet without deteriorating oxidation resistance at a high temperature and shape stability when used at a high temperature, and a stainless steel foil which is manufactured by rolling the stainless steel sheet. V and B are added in combination to Fe—Cr—Al-based stainless steel in amounts within specified ranges. Specifically, V content is controlled to be 0.010% or more and 0.050% or less and B content is controlled to be 0.0001% or more and 0.0050% or less, in which the relationship {V content (V %)}/{B content (B %)}>10 is satisfied. |
| US09777355B2 |
Process for producing precipitation strengthening martensitic steel
There are provided a precipitation strengthening type martensitic steel having both a tensile strength of a 1500 MPa class and a high Charpy absorption energy of 30 J or higher, and a manufacturing process thereof. The precipitation strengthening type martensitic steel includes, in terms of mass %, 0.05% or less of C, 0.2% or less of Si, 0.4% or less of Mn, 7.5 to 11.0% of Ni, 10.5 to 13.5% of Cr, 1.75 to 2.5% of Mo, 0.9 to 2.0% of Al, less than 0.1% of Ti, and a remainder of Fe and impurities, and contains 0.1 to 6.0% of austenite in terms of a volume fraction. |
| US09777353B2 |
Hot-rolled steel sheet for nitriding, cold-rolled steel sheet for nitriding excellent in fatigue strength, manufacturing method thereof, and automobile part excellent in fatigue strength using the same
A hot-rolled steel sheet for nitriding or a cold-rolled steel sheet for nitriding, in which a dislocation density within 50 μm in the sheet thickness direction from the surface is not less than 2.0 times nor more than 10.0 times as compared to a dislocation density at the position of ¼ in the sheet thickness direction; and a method of manufacturing the same. The manufacturing method comprises, on a hot-rolled steel sheet or a cold-rolled steel sheet, performing pickling, and then performing skin pass rolling under the condition that a reduction ratio is 0.5 to 5.0% and FIT, defined as a ratio of a line load F (kg/mm) of a rolling mill load divided by a sheet width of the steel sheet and a load T (kg/mm2) per unit area to be applied in the longitudinal direction of the steel sheet, is 8000 or more. |
| US09777351B2 |
Method for heat treatment of hypereutectoid steel rail
The present invention discloses a method for heat treatment of hypereutectoid steel rail, including the following steps: holding the temperature of the steel rail of which temperature is above 900° C. after finish rolling, conducting a first cooling stage for the steel rail at the first cooling speed after the temperature holding to reduce the temperature of railhead surface layer of the steel rail to 700-750° C., conducting a second cooling stage for the steel rail at the second cooling speed to reduce the temperature of railhead surface layer of the steel rail to 550° C., conducting a third cooling stage for the steel rail at the third cooling speed to reduce the temperature of railhead surface layer of the steel rail to 450° C. or less, and continuing to cool the steel rail in the air. While obtaining good tensile property, the steel rail treated by the method for heat treatment provided by the present invention can effectively reduce secondary cementite and have excellent resistance to abrasion and contact fatigue. The product is particularly suitable for heavy rails. |
| US09777347B2 |
Manufacture of near-net shape titanium alloy articles from metal powders by sintering with presence of atomic hydrogen
Disclosed herein is a process that includes: (a) providing a powder blend comprising (1) one or more hydrogenated titanium powders containing around 0.2 to around 3.4 weight % of hydrogen, and (2) one or more master alloys, comprising Al, V, or a combination thereof, (b) consolidating the powder blend by compacting the powder blend to provide a green compact, (c) heating the green compact to a temperature ranging from around 400° C. to around 900° C., thereby releasing the majority or all of the hydrogen from the hydrogenated titanium, and partially sintering the green compact without fully sintering it, to obtain a partially sintered article having a density of about 60% to about 85% of theoretical density, (d) sizing the partially sintered article at a temperature at or around room temperature to obtain an sized article having a density of about 80% to about 95% of theoretical density, (e) heating the sized article in vacuum thereby sintering the article to form a sintered dense compact having a density of 99% of theoretical density or higher. |