| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09851843B2 |
Providing near field communication through a touch screen
Embodiments of the present invention enable near field communication (NFC) through a touch display. Some embodiments include specialized touch displays with lower electromagnetic dissipation factors than standard touch displays. Some embodiments include methods and devices for detecting the activation or deactivation of NFC communication using the touch display and adapting the touch display to that activation or deactivation. Disclosed techniques for adapting the touch display include optimizing the behavior of the touch display for operation in the face of electromagnetic interference when NFC is activated and conducting a partial recalibration of the touch display when NFC is deactivated. |
| US09851842B1 |
Systems and methods for adjusting display characteristics
Systems and methods are described herein for adjusting display characteristics, such as brightness, contrast, sharpness, color balance, and gamma correction. A media guidance application may generate for display on a touch screen multiple indicators corresponding to a plurality of display characteristics. The media guidance application may detect a first contact point on the touch screen and a second contact point while the first contact point remains in contact with the touch screen. In response to detecting the first and second contact points, the media guidance application may retrieve a mapping for display characteristics that associate each of the contact points with one of the plurality of display characteristics based on certain criteria. The user may manipulate each contact point individually to change the display characteristics simultaneously and achieve the desired combination of display characteristics. |
| US09851841B2 |
Method and apparatus for classifying touch events on a touch sensitive surface
An apparatus classifies touch events. The apparatus includes a touch sensitive surface configured to generate a touch event when an object touches the touch sensitive surface. The touch event entails a mechanical vibration upon contact with the surface. The apparatus includes a touch event detector configured to detect the onset of a touch, and a touch event classifier configured to classify the touch event to identify the object used for the touch event. The mechanical vibration is created via any one of finger parts including a tip, a pad, a fingernail, and a knuckle, each of which has a unique feature different from each other. |
| US09851839B2 |
Display system
Eye-friendly display that can reduce eye strain on a user is achieved. A display system includes a display portion, an input portion, and a control portion. The display portion is configured to display an image. The input portion is configured to sense an input from a user and output a signal to the control portion. The control portion is configured to execute a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode executed by the control portion, an image is displayed on the display portion by an interlace method. In the second mode executed by the control portion, an image is displayed on the display portion by a progressive method. The control portion is configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with the signal. |
| US09851838B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling multiple displays with single controller and haptic enabled user interface
A method includes displaying information via a first display, displaying information via a second display, controlling the information displayed via the first display and the second display with a controller, and receiving a first input from a user through a user interface. The first input includes a command to change a setting of the first display or the second display and/or the information being displayed via the first display or the second display. The method also includes generating a first haptic effect to confirm receipt of the first input. |
| US09851832B2 |
Display panel, driving method thereof and display device
The present invention relates to the field of display, particularly to a display panel, a driving method thereof and a display device. The display panel comprises an array substrate provided with first electrodes and second electrode arranged in a same layer and a color filter substrate provided with third electrodes. The first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged in parallel at intervals and electrically isolated from each other. The second electrodes and the third electrodes are arranged correspondingly in space. The present invention has the following beneficial effects: by performing rectangular segmentation on the original plate-shaped common electrodes, the display panel ensures that common electrodes during display and driving electrodes during touch are electrically isolated from each other; in addition, as the diving electrodes are connected by redundant data lines, a display device comprising the display panel has a good image display effect and a higher touch sensitivity. |
| US09851827B2 |
Touch-screen assembly with rigid interface between cover sheet and frame
A touch-screen assembly for performing pressure sensing or force sensing is disclosed. The touch-screen assembly includes a cover sheet having touch-sensing capability and a frame having an upper surface portion. Spaced-apart adhesive islands are disposed between the cover sheet and the upper surface portion of the frame. The adhesive islands serve to secure the cover sheet to the frame and have a Young's modulus of greater than 1 MPa so that the energy associated with the touching force is not absorbed by the adhesive island. This makes for more accurate pressure-based or force-based touch sensing. |
| US09851809B2 |
User interface control using a keyboard
User interface control using a keyboard is described. In an embodiment, a user interface displayed on a display device is controlled using a computer connected to a keyboard. The keyboard has a plurality of alphanumeric keys that can be used for text entry. The computer receives data comprising a sequence of key-presses from the keyboard, and generates for each key-press a physical location on the keyboard. The relative physical locations of the key-presses are compared to calculate a movement path over the keyboard. The movement path describes the path of a user's digit over the keyboard. The movement path is mapped to a sequence of coordinates in the user interface, and the movement of an object displayed in the user interface is controlled in accordance with the sequence of coordinates. |
| US09851803B2 |
Autonomous computing and telecommunications head-up displays glasses
A pair of eyeglasses has a frame and lenses mounted on the frame. A computer processor is mounted on eyeglasses together with a plurality of cameras and a digital projection system. IR sensors and/or dual zoom cameras may also be mounted on the glasses and configured to track the movement of the user's hand. |
| US09851800B1 |
Executing computing tasks based on force levels
A method, medium, and system are provided for executing computing tasks based on force measurements corresponding to user interactions with a touch screen for a computing device. The touch screen displays content for applications executed by the computing device and receives user interactions. The computing device processes the user interactions to detect force measurements and to associate the force measurements with computing tasks for the applications executed on the computing device. A database stores the force measurements and corresponding computing tasks to identify matches between the stored force measurement for a user and subsequent force measurements received when the touch screen receives additional user interactions. When matching force measurements are located in the database, the corresponding computing tasks are executed by the computing device. |
| US09851798B2 |
Electronic device including spaced apart hall effect sensor based haptic actuator driving and related methods
An electronic device may include a haptic actuator that includes an actuator housing, coils carried within the actuator housing, and a field member movable within the actuator housing responsive to the coils. The haptic actuator may also include spaced apart Hall Effect sensors carried within the actuator housing between the coils and for sensing a temperature of the field member. The electronic device may also include a controller coupled to the haptic actuator and configured to determine a temperature of the field member based upon the spaced apart Hall Effect sensors and drive the haptic actuator based upon the temperature. |
| US09851797B1 |
Haptic arrangement of a multiple part electronic device
A multiple part electronic device is disclosed, the device comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a connecting element that mechanically couples the first housing portion to the second housing portion, and a haptic element configured to induce a haptic effect arranged in at least one of the first housing portion or the second housing portion. The haptic element is in direct contact with the connecting element. The connecting element is a haptics guiding element configured to transmit the haptic effect between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. |
| US09851796B2 |
Tactile keys and methods for their production and use
Disclosed are tactile keys and methods for their production and use. The tactile key may include a substrate; a conductive layer disposed on at least one region of the substrate; a porous layer disposed on at least a portion of the conductive layer; an insulating layer disposed on regions of the substrate that surround the conductive layer and the porous layer to form a well, the well having sidewalls defined by the insulating layer, and a bottom surface at least partially defined by the porous layer; an electroactive polymer composition disposed in the well; and a flexible layer having a conductive coating on at least a portion of a surface facing the electroactive polymer composition, the flexible layer covering the well and at least a portion of the insulating layer surrounding the well. When the tactile key is depressed, an electric field is activated causing the electroactive polymer composition to move towards the flexible layer to provide a tactile feedback. |
| US09851794B2 |
Bulk resistive glove
Gloves are disclosed that are worn by a user while manipulating an electronic device equipped with a capacitive touchscreen. The gloves allow the wearer to manipulate the capacitive touchscreen device without removing the gloves, which is very advantageous in cold environments. The gloves enable full hand functionality, allowing the user to type, swipe, squeeze, pinch, and select on the capacitive touchscreen device as if they were using their bare hand. The gloves are made with a low resistant yarn knit or woven into a comfortable fabric that connects the body's bioelectricity through the glove to a capacitive touchscreen. Ordinary gloves will not work with a capacitive touchscreen. In the manufacturing process, the low resistant yarn is first twisted around at least one other yarn having a specific performance property, such as thermal resistance. This twisting assists in uniform knitting and improves the consistent resistivity of the finished glove. |
| US09851793B1 |
Virtual reality system including social graph
The disclosure includes a system and method for receiving viewing data that describes a location of a first user's gaze while viewing virtual reality content. The method also determining an object of interest in the virtual reality content based on the location of the first user's gaze. The method also includes generating a social network that includes the first user as a member of the social network. The method also includes performing an action in the social network related to the object of interest. |
| US09851787B2 |
Display resource management
A system and related methods for a resource management in a head-mounted display device are provided. In one example, the head-mounted display device includes a plurality of sensors and a display system for presenting holographic objects. A resource management program is configured to operate a selected sensor in a default power mode to achieve a selected fidelity. The program receives user-related information from one or more of the sensors, and determines whether target information is detected. Where target information is detected, the program adjusts the selected sensor to operate in a reduced power mode that uses less power than the default power mode. |
| US09851783B2 |
Dynamic augmented reality media creation
According to one aspect of the present disclosure a system and technique for dynamic augmented reality media creation is disclosed. The system includes a processor and an augmentation module executable by the processor to: receive reality data; analyze the reality data; identify augmentation data based on the analysis of the reality data; and generate augmented reality content. The system also includes a capture module executable by the processor to determine if the reality data corresponds to predetermined capture event criteria and, responsive to determining that the reality data corresponds to the predetermined capture event criteria, capture the augmented reality content. |
| US09851782B2 |
Operation support device and attachment and detachment method thereof
An operation support device includes a connecting body in which a first support body and a second support body are detachably connected to each other; a first shaft engaging section; a shaft connecting member having a connection engaging section engaged with the first shaft engaging section; and a shaft fixing member. The shaft fixing member is movably installed with respect to a first shaft section or a second shaft section and is configured to selectively form a shaft engagement fixing state in which the connection engaging section is held down to retain an engagement state such that the connection engaging section is engaged with the first shaft engaging section and a second state in which holding down to the connection engaging section is released in accordance with a moved position with a moved position of the shaft fixing member. |
| US09851779B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling sleep mode using a low power processor in portable terminal
A method and an apparatus for controlling a sleep mode in a portable terminal having a main controller and a sub-controller operating at low power are provided. The method includes detecting, by the sub-controller, a first sensor signal generated by a first sensor when the main controller is in the sleep mode, extracting a sensed pattern from the detected first sensor signal, determining whether the extracted sensed pattern is substantially identical with a preset wake-up pattern, and cancelling the sleep mode by waking-up the main controller when the extracted sensed pattern is substantially identical with the wake-up pattern. |
| US09851778B2 |
Remote power down control of a device
In remote power down control of a device configured for externally initiated remote power down, such as over a network, all externally connected sources of valid power down requests for the device is monitored; and the device is powered down in response to a combination of either of a received power down request and a time out with respect to each of the sources of valid power down requests for the device. |
| US09851776B2 |
Semiconductor device
A low-power semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a movable portion, a plurality of scan line driver circuits, and a control portion. The movable portion includes a plurality of regions driven by the plurality of scan line driver circuits. One of the scan line driver circuits is electrically connected to another one of the scan line driver circuits adjacent to the scan line driver circuit through a switch. The control portion has a function of supplying a start pulse to one scan line driver circuit selected from the plurality of scan line driver circuits. The movable portion can be folded between the plurality of regions. |
| US09851771B2 |
Dynamic power measurement and estimation to improve memory subsystem power performance
Dynamic monitoring of current draw by a memory device or memory subsystem can enable a power management system to adjust a memory access performance parameter based on monitored power usage. The system can generate a power usage characterization for the memory device and/or memory subsystem based on monitoring current draw for a known pattern, and then subsequently use the power usage characterization to determine how to adjust the memory access performance parameter. |
| US09851770B1 |
Network devices with multi-level electrical isolation
A network apparatus architecture is disclosed that includes one or more isolation circuits to accommodate a predetermined isolation voltage. Each isolation circuit enables an independent DC voltage to be selected along a network signaling path to accommodate different DC voltages of network circuits along the network signaling path. For example, DC isolation may be provided between a physical interface and a network circuit via one or more capacitors, optoelectronic isolators, coupled magnetic devices, or semiconductor devices. A network circuit may be powered by a power supply that is isolated from the rest of the network apparatus. The one or more isolation circuits and network circuits may be included in a system-on-chip, or application-specific integrated circuit. |
| US09851767B2 |
Reset supervisor
Multiple processor systems are provided. A first processor is configured to monitor the state of at least one other processor by comparing received signals. When the first processor determines that another processor needs to be reset, the first processor provides a reset signal to a reset pin of the processor that needs to be reset. The first processor may reset itself after providing the reset signal. |
| US09851765B1 |
Data storage enclosure with a stop slot
A data storage enclosure can have one or more data storage devices positioned in an enclosure slot having one or more stops. A data storage device can be attached to a rail having a rail width and having first and second protrusions offset from one another. The first and second protrusions may each have protrusion widths that are less than the rail width with the second protrusion shaped to provide a positive stop that retains the rail in an enclosure slot. |
| US09851761B2 |
Computer and high-density server accommodating multiple modules
A computer, serving as a high-density server, includes a substrate, a plurality of connectors each including a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of modules detachably attached to the substrate via connectors. The modules are attached to the connectors via different combinations of electrodes such that a first module (e.g. a CPU) is attached to one connector via a first combination of electrodes while a second module (e.g. a storage module or an attachment module) is attached to another connector via a second combination of electrodes. The connectors are aligned in a first direction on the substrate or in an array defined by first and second directions perpendicular to each other, wherein the connectors are selectively and electrically connected together with electrodes. |
| US09851759B2 |
Multi-pivot hinge cover
The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include a flexible multi-pivot hinge cover assembly rotatably securing the first and second portions. |
| US09851758B2 |
Assembly for storing and deploying for use a handheld digital device
An assembly for storing and deploying for use a handheld digital device, the assembly incorporating a case adapted for nestingly receiving the handheld digital device; a pin and socket combination having upper and lower halves, the upper half being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the case; a flexible lanyard; a pair of loops interconnecting the flexible lanyard and the pin; a base; a socket; and a hinge mount interconnecting the socket and the base; the pin and socket combination's socket being slotted for passage of the lanyard. |
| US09851754B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device includes: a case; a base member that includes an attachment hole and a positioning hole, and that is provided inside the case; a switch that is fixed to the base member; a button member that includes an operation button that moves toward and away from the switch; an anchor member that is provided at the button member, and that includes an insertion tab that is inserted into the attachment hole and a claw that projects out from a leading end side of the insertion tab and that is hooked onto an edge portion of the attachment hole; and a positioning protrusion that is provided at the button member, and that is inserted into the positioning hole, the positioning hole being formed in an elongated hole shape extending along a projection direction of the claw. |
| US09851753B2 |
Electronic device and method for controlling power supply of electronic device
An electronic device includes a first body and a second body which are detachably connected. The first body includes a frame and a fixing apparatus, and the second body includes a main functional unit. The fixing apparatus is connected to the frame and configured to fix the electronic device to an operation body. When the electronic device is fixed to the operation body via the fixing apparatus, the fixing apparatus and the frame form a ring-shaped space. A method for controlling power supply of the electronic device is also provided. |
| US09851747B2 |
Electronic book reader with closely juxtaposed display screens
A portable electronic book reading machine has two display screens juxtaposed in close proximity to allow for automatic cross referencing between primary textual material displayed on the leftmost display screen and related secondary textual material displayed on the rightmost display screen. The machine has memory in which both primary text and secondary text are stored. As the user of the machine changes the page of primary text displayed on the leftmost screen display, ebook controller circuitry automatically refreshes the rightmost screen display to allow the user to cross reference between the primary textual material and the secondary textual material, or at his or her discretion to change the page of secondary textual material displayed, thereby fine tuning the juxtaposition of pages for study. |
| US09851745B2 |
Latch for a computer case
A latch is disclosed. The latch has a hook that rotates to engage with a case for a computer. The hook has one side fabricated from a ferrous material. The hook is unlatched by placing a magnet near the ferrous material thereby causing the hook to rotate and disengage with the top case. |
| US09851744B2 |
Address and control signal training
In one form, an apparatus comprises a delay circuit and a controller. The delay circuit delays a plurality of command and address signals according to a first delay signal and provides a delayed command and address signal to memory interface. The controller performs command and address training in which the controller provides an activation signal and a predetermined address signal with first timing according to the first delay signal, and the plurality of command and address signals besides the predetermined address signal with second timing according to the first delay signal, wherein the second timing is relaxed with respect to the first timing. The controller determines an eye of timing for the predetermined address signal by repetitively providing a predetermined command on the command and address signals, varying the first delay signal, and measuring a data signal received from the memory interface. |
| US09851741B2 |
Endoscopic cutting forceps with jaw clamp lever latching mechanism
A lever latching system comprising: a housing; a lever having a latch pin fixedly mounted to the lever, the lever being movably mounted to the housing so that the latch pin moves in an arc; and a latch plate movably mounted to the housing for linear movement with respect to the housing, the latch plate comprising a labyrinth for receiving the latch pin. |
| US09851739B2 |
Method and circuit for low power voltage reference and bias current generator
Circuits for generating a PTAT voltage as a base-emitter voltage difference between a pair of bipolar transistors. The circuits may form unit cells in a cascading voltage reference circuit that increases the PTAT voltage with each subsequent stage. The bipolar transistors are controlled using a biasing arrangement that includes an MOS transistor connected to a current mirror that provides the base current for the bipolar transistors. A voltage reference is formed by combining a PTAT voltage and a CTAT voltage at the last stage. The voltage reference may be obtained from the voltage at an emitter of one of the bipolar transistors in the last stage. |
| US09851736B2 |
System and method for controlling power output of a power source
A control system for a power source is disclosed. The control system includes a first sensor module and a second sensor module to generate signals indicative of an ambient condition of the power source and an operating parameter of an engine of the power source, respectively. The control system further includes a controller that receives signals indicative of the ambient condition and the engine operating parameter and determines a first power output based on the ambient condition and a second power output based on the engine operating parameter. A final power output is further determined based on the first and second power outputs, which is further compared with a predetermined power output of the engine. A power conversion device that is coupled to the engine is further controlled to regulate a power output of the power source based on the comparison between the final and predetermined power outputs. |
| US09851732B2 |
Split power supply bias with kill switch
Methods and systems for electrical bias generation are disclosed. Two or more different voltage levels can be created, one above a mid-rail value and one below the mid-rail value for each pair of voltage levels. Such voltage levels can be used to power processes in other circuits by providing a safe but adequate voltage value. Transition control between an on state and an off state for a power supply can also be implemented using this bias generation. |
| US09851731B2 |
Ultra low temperature drift bandgap reference with single point calibration technique
A bandgap voltage generator includes a plurality of calibration transistors. A test circuit measures the bandgap reference voltage generated by the bandgap voltage generator and enables a subset of the calibration transistors to correct to the bandgap reference voltage. |
| US09851729B2 |
Power-preserving communications architecture with long-polling persistent cloud channel for wireless network-connected thermostat
Methods and systems facilitate network communications between a wireless network-connected thermostat and a cloud-based management server in a manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of a energy-storage device of the thermostat, while at the same time accomplishing timely data transfer between the thermostat and the cloud-based management server for suitable and time-appropriate control of an HVAC system. The thermostat further comprises powering circuitry configured to: extract electrical power from one or more HVAC control wires in a manner that does not require a “common” wire; supply electrical power for thermostat operation; recharge the energy-storage device (if needed) using any surplus extracted power; and discharge the energy-storage device to assist in supplying electrical power for thermostat operation during intervals in which the extracted power alone is insufficient for thermostat operation. |
| US09851728B2 |
Inhibiting deleterious control coupling in an enclosure having multiple HVAC regions
The current application is related to environmental-conditioning systems controlled by intelligent controllers and, in particular, to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled HVAC system that detects and ameliorates control coupling between intelligent thermostats. Control coupling can lead to inefficient HVAC operation. When control coupling is detected, a settings-adjustment directive is sent to at least one intelligent thermostat to adjust one or more intelligent-thermostat settings, including an HVAC-cycle-initiation delay parameter, swing parameter, and a parameter that indicates whether or not an intelligent thermostat should first obtain confirmation or permission before initiating an HVAC cycle. |
| US09851727B2 |
Coordinated control of HVAC system using aggregated system demand
A control system for an HVAC system having a plurality of HVAC components operably associated with one or more terminal units is provided. The control system includes a coordination module and a controller having a processor and a memory, the controller operably associated with the coordination module and in signal communication with the plurality of HVAC components. The controller is configured to determine an aggregated thermal demand of the HVAC system, determine, with the coordination module, an operational setpoint for at least one HVAC component of the plurality of HVAC components based on the determined aggregated thermal demand, and send a signal indicative of each determined operational setpoint to each associated HVAC component of the plurality of HVAC components. |
| US09851716B2 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle and methods for controlling same
One variation of a method for imaging an area of interest includes: within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and receiving a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map; identifying a ground area corresponding to the set of interest points for imaging during a mission; generating a flight path over the ground area for execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; setting an altitude for the unmanned aerial vehicle along the flight path based on the selection for the resolution of the geospatial map and an optical system arranged within the unmanned aerial vehicle; setting a geospatial accuracy requirement for the mission based on the selection for the mission type; and assembling a set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission into the geospatial map. |
| US09851711B2 |
Robot cleaner, docking station, robot cleaner system including robot cleaner and docking station, and method of controlling robot cleaner
A robot cleaner system is described including a docking station to form a docking area within a predetermined angle range of a front side thereof, to form docking guide areas which do not overlap each other on the left and right sides of the docking area, and to transmit a docking guide signal such that the docking guide areas are distinguished as a first docking guide area and a second docking guide area according to an arrival distance of the docking guide signal. The robot cleaner system also includes a robot cleaner to move to the docking area along a boundary between the first docking guide area and the second docking guide area when the docking guide signal is sensed and to move along the docking area so as to perform docking when reaching the docking area. |
| US09851708B2 |
Sensor for moving equipment
The present invention relates to a moving equipment, such as in a medical examination system. In order to provide a facilitated way of moving equipment with high accuracy, a driving device (10) for moving equipment is provided, comprising a motor-driven positioning unit (12), a central processing unit (14), and a user interface (16) with at least one sensor unit (18). The motor-driven positioning unit is configured to carry out a movement (M) of movable equipment. Further, the central processing unit is configured to control the movement of the equipment provided by the motor-driven positioning unit. The at least one sensor unit comprises at least one touch sensitive area (20), and the at least one sensor unit is configured to provide control signals (22) to the central processing unit in dependency from a force (F) applied by a user to the at least one touch sensitive area. Still further, the at least one sensor unit is configured to be fixedly attached to the movable equipment. |
| US09851707B2 |
Bulk field device operations
A computer-implemented method for configuring a plurality of field devices is provided. The method includes defining a configuration template and mapping the configuration template to a plurality of field devices. The defined configuration template is automatically applied to the plurality of field devices. A method of verifying field device configuration information is also provided. |
| US09851703B2 |
Method for managing the dialogue between an item of equipment and at least one multi-application object
A portable object includes an antenna and a processor coupled to the antenna. The processor is configured to communicate with an item of equipment according to a contactless communication protocol that contains an anticollision procedure. The processor is also configured to execute a plurality of software modules. The software modules include application modules and a triggering module, which is configured to cause a triggering of the anticollision procedure between the single portable object and the item of equipment. The processor is configured to cause a signal, which is generated by executing the triggering module, to be transmitted from the antenna to the time of equipment. |
| US09851702B2 |
Assistance system for steering a machine tool
The invention relates to systems for steering machine tools and in particular to systems that display information to an operator of the machine tool. Such a system comprises a manually controlled cutting tool. The system receives data that defines a model of a desired cut to be made on a workpiece by the cutting tool. The system receives further data related to the current position of the cutting tool in, at least, two dimensions. A processor generates from the received data a display. The display shows the desired cut to be made and a cutting tool icon at the current position of the cutting tool relative to the desired cut. The display also shows an indication of the current error between either the current position, or direction of travel, of the cutting tool and the desired cut. An operator does not need to look at the workpiece, a drawing and the Digital Read Out simultaneously as with existing systems. |
| US09851701B2 |
Methods for optimizing an analysis of energy consumption to reduce cost and devices thereof
A method, energy usage analysis device, and non-transitory computer readable medium that obtain an amount of energy generated from wind resources and thermal resources at a plurality of intervals over a specified time period. An amount of energy consumed by a user at each of the intervals is obtained. An energy source wind number value is generated for each of the intervals based on the respective amount of energy generated from the wind resources and the thermal resources. An energy consumption wind number value is generated for each of the intervals based on the respective energy source wind number value and the respective amount of energy consumed by the user. An overall wind number value is generated for the specified time period based on the energy consumption wind number values and the amount of energy consumed at each of the intervals. The overall wind number value is output. |
| US09851699B2 |
Component interfacing in hazard safety systems
Systems and methods for interfacing a hazard detection device with a control panel system via a dongle are provided. The dongle may be configured to alternate between drawing first and second amounts of power from the control panel system in response to the hazard detection device alternating between operating in a normal mode when no hazard is detected and an alarm mode when a hazard is detected. The hazard detection device may operate independently of any characteristics of the control panel system. For example, the hazard detection device may operate without drawing any power from the control panel system. Therefore, the dongle may allow for various types of hazard detection devices to interface with a common two-line power control system. |
| US09851698B2 |
Process variable transmitter
A process variable transmitter provides an output representing a process variable. The process variable transmitter includes a process variable sensor that provides an analog sensor signal representing a process variable, an analog to digital converter that receives the analog sensor signal from the process variable sensor and converts it to digital sensor signal values, and a compensation processor. The compensation processor calculates, in a first mode, a compensated process variable value at a first slow rate. The compensation processor calculates a compensation factor relating the compensated process variable value to an initial digital sensor signal value. The compensation processor calculates, in a second mode, a process variable estimate as a function of an updated digital sensor signal value and the compensation factor. The process variable estimate is calculated at a second rate faster than the slow rate. |
| US09851697B2 |
Electronic apparatus equipped with solar panel
Disclosed is an electronic apparatus including a dial plate having light transparency, a module including an antenna for receiving circularly polarized waves which is disposed below the dial plate, the antenna having a radiation electrode, and a solar panel disposed between the dial plate and the module, wherein the solar panel includes a common substrate, a plurality of solar cells disposed on the common substrate, and an inactive segment disposed on the common substrate at a place corresponding to the place of the radiation electrode. |
| US09851693B2 |
Method and apparatus for correcting distortion on holographic display
A method and apparatus for correcting a distortion of a holographic display. The method includes tracking a location of a viewing window by tracking a location of a pupil of a user and calculating a central location of the viewing window, generating a wavefront aberration by determining an object point and an image point based on a location of a light source and the central location of the viewing window and using ray tracing, and calculating a complex aberration light field using the generated wavefront aberration. Thus, a quality of a holographically reproduced image in a viewing window-based holographic display may be improved. |
| US09851692B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a driving force transmission rotating body which transmits a driving force to a driving force receiving portion of a driven member
Provided is a technique for suppressing the occurrence of density non-uniformities in an image formed on a sheet. An image forming apparatus, which forms an image on a recording material by transmitting driving force to a cartridge, includes: a frame having a positioning portion which positions the cartridge by contacting the attached cartridge; a driving force transmission rotating body which transmits driving force by engaging with a driving force receiving portion of the driven unit; and a circumferential surface which is provided in one portion of the frame and rotatably supports the driving force transmission rotating body. |
| US09851686B2 |
Image-forming apparatus provided with guide for guiding movement of developing cartridge
An image-forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a developing cartridge including a developing roller; a developing pressing member for pressing the developing cartridge; a first developing guide; and a second developing guide. The developing cartridge is movable among a detachable position; a contact position at which the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum; and a separated position at which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. The developing pressing member presses the developing cartridge to place the developing cartridge at the contact position. The developing pressing member is disabled from pressing the developing cartridge to place the developing cartridge at the separated position lower than the contact position. The first developing guide can guide movement of the developing cartridge between the detachable position and the contact position. The second developing guide can guide movement of the developing cartridge between the contact position and the separated position. |
| US09851685B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, developing apparatus, and coupling member
An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a casing, a developer roller having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected to the developer roller and a second end portion, with the second end portion including at least one projection that is open to the axis L2 and an outer surface that faces away from the first end portion. For at least part of the outer surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outer surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 decreases as the distance along the axis L2 from the first end portion increases. |
| US09851684B2 |
Engaging mechanism for movable panel in image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an open/close member supported so as to be movable between an open position at which an inside of an apparatus body is exposed and a closed position at which the apparatus body is closed; an engaged portion provided on the apparatus body; an engaging member having an engaging portion that is engageable with the engaged portion and a lever portion that contacts the engaged portion to guide the engaging portion to the engaged portion when the open/close member is moved from the open position to the closed position, the engaging member being provided on the open/close member and being rotatable forward and in reverse; and an urging member that urges the engaging member. The urging direction of the urging member is changeable between fixing and releasing directions in which the engaging member is drawn into and moved away from the engaged portion, respectively. |
| US09851680B2 |
Power supply device and image forming apparatus including power supply device
A power supply device includes first and second transformers, a first power source configured to output a first DC voltage from the first transformer, a second power source configured to output a second DC voltage from the second transformer, a first winding on a primary side of the first transformer, an auxiliary winding which is wound in the same winding direction as the first winding, and a voltage generator configured to be connected to the auxiliary winding and to generate a power supply voltage for driving a first controller of the first power source and a second controller of the second power source. When an AC voltage drops, control is performed such that the second controller stops prior to the first controller. |
| US09851679B2 |
Processing cartridge, photoreceptor drum unit, and end member pair
A photoreceptor drum unit is provided with a cylindrical photoreceptor drum, and two end members which are respectively disposed at both ends of the photoreceptor drum in an axial direction. One of the end members is provided with an elastic member, is biased in the axial direction, and is extendable and contractable. The other of the end members is provided with a cylindrical bearing member and a shaft member held in the bearing member. |
| US09851677B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus
According to an embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus includes a first tray, a second tray, a discharge member, and a guide. The guide is provided to the second tray and changes a transport angle of sheets with respect to the second tray when the sheets are sent from a transport path toward the discharge member without passing through the first tray. |
| US09851676B2 |
Conveying apparatus, sheet conveying apparatus and image recording apparatus
A conveying apparatus includes: a casing formed with a first sheet-conveyance passage and a second sheet-conveyance passage positioned inwardly as compared with the first sheet-conveyance passage; a cover member including a first resin member having a first guide surface for defining the first sheet-conveyance passage, a second resin member attached to the first resin member and located on an inner side of the casing than the first guide surface and defining the first sheet-conveyance passage, and a third resin member attached to the second resin member at a position opposite to the first resin member with respect to the second resin member and having a third guide surface for defining the second sheet-conveyance passage; and a metal frame attached to the second resin member at a position between the second resin member and the third resin member. |
| US09851675B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of switching, with a simple configuration, the positional relation between a supporting member and a feeding member and the positional relation between a developing member and a photosensitive member. A separation cam 100 rotated by the driving force of a motor M and a slider 101 moving in accordance with the rotation of the separation cam 100 are configured to switch the positional relation between a lifting plate 13 and a feeding roller 3 and the positional relation between a developing roller 103b and a photosensitive drum 8. |
| US09851671B2 |
Method of controlling a printing process and controller therefor
An example method of controlling a printing process in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes controlling an optical density of a printed image such that the optical density is increased for a predetermined portion of a leading edge of a page. |
| US09851669B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes first and second members, a frame supporting the second member, and two pressure mechanisms provided on either end of the first member. The mechanism includes a lever having one end supported by the frame in a rotatable manner in a pressure direction, and a helical compression spring disposed between a first spring support provided on the other end of the lever and a second spring support on the frame. At least one of the first and second spring supports includes a first area and a second area closer to the spring in the axial direction than the first area, the first area is in contact with an area of the spring close to a winding end of the spring, and the second area is in contact with an area of the spring farther away from the winding end in a winding direction than the first area. |
| US09851666B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A fixing device includes a fixing unit configured to heat a sheet to fix an image on the sheet, a heating unit configured to heat the fixing unit, and a heat conduction unit disposed adjacent to a heated surface of the fixing unit. The fixing unit includes a first region not in contact with the sheet during heating of the sheet and a second region that is in contact with the heated sheet during heating of the sheet and has a temperature lower than the first region as a result of the contact with the sheet during the heating. The heat conduction unit is configured to transfer heat from the first region to the second region. |
| US09851665B1 |
Fixation device that heats a fixation belt by an electromagnetic induction heating method
According to an embodiment, a fixation device has a fixation belt, a coil, and a heat-generation auxiliary plate. The coil is opposed to the fixation belt and the heat-generation auxiliary plate and generates magnetic flux. The heat-generation auxiliary plate assists heating of a recording medium by the fixation belt. The heat-generation auxiliary plate has a magnetic layer and a non-magnetic layer formed on the magnetic layer and contacting a base layer of the fixation belt. The non-magnetic layer is harder than the base layer of the fixation belt. |
| US09851664B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes a cylindrical heat roller, a heating element, a pressure roller, and an auxiliary roller. The heating element is provided inside the heat roller and configured to apply heat to the heat roller. The pressure roller is configured to be pressed against the heat roller to form, with the heat roller, a nip area where a recording paper sheet is to be nipped. The auxiliary roller is provided inside the heat roller and configured to be pressed toward the pressure roller with a peripheral wall of the heat roller in between. An outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary roller pressed against an inner peripheral surface of the heat roller is formed into an inverted crown shape so that an outside diameter of the auxiliary roller gradually decreases from both axial ends of the auxiliary roller toward an axial center thereof. |
| US09851663B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a primary heater disposed opposite a fixing rotator to heat a circumferential span of the fixing rotator other than a fixing nip formed between the fixing rotator and a pressure rotator and a secondary heater disposed outboard from the primary heater in an axial direction of the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator at the fixing nip. The primary heater and the secondary heater heat a bi-heating span of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof. The secondary heater heats a mono-heating span of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof and generates a decreased amount of heat to be conducted to the bi-heating span of the fixing rotator. The decreased amount of heat is smaller than an increased amount of heat to be conducted to the mono-heating span of the fixing rotator that is heated by the secondary heater only. |
| US09851660B2 |
Image forming apparatus with controlled separation voltage and transfer voltage
An image forming apparatus has an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer member that is opposed to the image carrier, a transfer voltage being applied to the transfer member so that the toner image is transferred from the image carrier to a print medium passing between the transfer member and the image carrier; a first voltage application device that applies the transfer voltage to the transfer member; a separation member to which a separation voltage is applied so that the print medium is separated from the image carrier; a second voltage application device that applies the separation voltage to the separation member; a sensing device that senses an image density of the toner image; and a control section that controls a magnitude of the separation voltage based upon the image density of the toner image. |
| US09851656B2 |
Developing roller, toner and image forming apparatus
A developing roller includes a conductive axis body; a conductive elastic layer overlying the conductive axis body; and a toner bearing layer overlying the conductive elastic layer and having a surface dispersed with particles having an average particle diameter of from 11 nm to 40 nm. The rotary torque is from 2.5 N to 3.5 N. |
| US09851646B2 |
Electrophotographic apparatus and process cartridge
Provided is an electrophotographic apparatus, including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit arranged in a non-abutment manner with respect to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning unit or a developing unit arranged in abutment against the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a transferring unit. |
| US09851643B2 |
Apparatus and methods for reticle handling in an EUV reticle inspection tool
Systems and methods to control particle generation in a reticle inspection system are presented. The number of particles added to a reticle during an entire load-inspect-unload sequence of a reticle inspection system is reduced by performing all reticle contact events in a controlled, flowing air environment. In one embodiment, the reticle is fixed to a carrier by clamping outside of the vacuum environment, and the carrier, rather than the reticle, is coupled to the reticle stage of the inspection system. In this manner, the high levels of back-side particulation associated with electrostatic chucking are avoided. In addition, the carrier is configured to be coupled to the reticle stage in any of four different orientations separated by ninety degrees. |
| US09851638B2 |
Photosensitive polysiloxane composition and uses thereof
The invention relates to a photosensitive polysiloxane composition and a thin film formed by the aforementioned photosensitive polysiloxane composition. The thin film is a planarization film of a TFT substrate, an interlayer insulating film or an overcoat of a core material or a protective material in a waveguide. The invention is to provide a photosensitive polysiloxane composition having excellent surface flatness and high tapered angle of a pattern. The photosensitive polysiloxane composition comprises a polysiloxane (A), an o-naphthoquinone diazide sulfonic acid ester (B), an alkali-soluble resin containing a silyl group (C) and a solvent (D). |
| US09851636B2 |
Materials and methods for improved photoresist performance
A photosensitive material and methods of making a pattern on a substrate are disclosed. The photosensitive material includes a polymer that turns soluble to a developer solution after a chemically amplified reaction, and at least one chemical complex having a single diffusion length. The material includes at least one photo-acid generator (PAG) linked to at least one photo decomposable base (PDB) or quencher. |
| US09851633B2 |
Inorganic material film, photomask blank, and method for manufacturing photomask
An inorganic material film containing tin within the concentration range of 0.1 atomic percent or higher but no higher than 11.5 atomic percent eliminates the problem in which tin localizes and forms into particles, with the result that these particles turn into defects in an optical film. An inorganic material film for a photomask blank according to the present invention film-formed by sputtering and composed of a chromium-containing material includes a light-shielding layer having electrical conductivity, wherein the light-shielding layer contains 0.1 atomic percent or higher but no higher than 11.5 atomic percent of tin and no higher than 15 atomic percent of oxygen. The lower limit of oxygen concentration is, for example, 3 atomic percent. The inorganic material film has electrical conductivity, which is preferably no higher than 5000 Ω/cm2 when evaluated in terms of resistance values. |
| US09851628B2 |
Light source control apparatus, image projection apparatus and storage medium storing light source control program
The light source control apparatus controls drive of multiple light sources included in a light source unit to be used in a state where the multiple light sources are lit. The multiple light sources each include multiple light-emitting elements. The light source control apparatus includes an acquirer acquiring temporal information relating to a temporal change of each of the light sources, an estimator acquiring an estimated lifetime of each of the multiple light sources by using the temporal information, and a controller decreasing, when the multiple light sources include a first light source whose estimated lifetime is shorter than a target lifetime set for the light source unit, a light emission amount of the first light source. |
| US09851627B2 |
Optical engine and projector with same
An optical engine of a projector can include a light source device configured to emit light beam, an engine body and a dust cover. The engine body is located at a side of the light source device and is configured to receive the light beam from the light source device. The engine body can include a main body and a color wheel coupled to the main body. The dust cover is coupled to the engine body and covers the color wheel. A projector is also provided. |
| US09851621B2 |
Camera for vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles
A camera for use on vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles. The camera has a housing including a first accommodation portion and a second accommodation portion, an optical element disposed within the first accommodation portion, and a digital image capturing unit provided on a circuit board. The circuit board is disposed within the second accommodation portion. The housing is formed by a first part consisting of plastic and a second part which is vapor resistant. |
| US09851616B2 |
Non-moving optical beam steering using non-pixelated liquid crystal optical phased arrays
A method for directing light beams includes generating a light beam along a light path. A voltage differential is created by generating a voltage in a first and second linear electrode contacts arranged such that the first and second linear electrical contacts alternate with each other. The light path is altered by passing the light beam through a liquid crystal device coupled to the first and second linear electrical contacts. |
| US09851614B2 |
Electrophoretic device, electrophoretic display apparatus, electronic apparatus, and method of manufacturing electrophoretic device
An electrophoretic device includes a fiber layer, an electrophoretic particle configured to migrate through a gap in the fiber layer, and a partition wall extended in a thickness direction of the fiber layer to separate the fiber layer into a plurality of migration cells. The partition wall includes a cured body of a curable resin, and the cured body includes a constriction part between both end portions of the fiber layer in the thickness direction. |
| US09851612B2 |
Liquid crystal display with identifiers
A liquid crystal display with an identifier such as a watermark, serial number, logo or other graphic design, is disclosed. The identifiers can be read electronically or with the human eye. Methods are described for fabricating identifiers on cholesteric writing tablets in particular, with varying shades of gray and hence different degrees of visibility. The identifiers are permanent and not erased when a liquid crystal image on the display is erased. |
| US09851609B2 |
Display panel
A display panel includes a TFT substrate, an opposite substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first display area, and a second display area. The opposite substrate is opposite to the TFT substrate. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the opposite substrate. The liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. A horizontal electric field is formed in a portion of the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the first display area. A vertical electric field is formed in the other portion of the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the second display area. When the display panel is powered on, a portion of the liquid crystal molecules in one of the horizontal electric field and the vertical electric field are rotated, and the other portion of liquid crystal molecules in the other one of the horizontal electric field and the vertical electric field are rotated. |
| US09851608B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) including: a first electrode disposed on a first substrate; an insulating layer disposed on the first electrode; a second electrode disposed on the insulating layer, overlapping the first electrode, and including a plurality of branch electrodes; and a second substrate opposing the second substrate. Liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates are aligned to have pretilt angles in an alignment direction. The branch electrodes include a main branch portion forming a first angle with the alignment direction and a first center portion forming a second angle with the alignment direction, respectively. The branch electrodes include an outermost branch electrode, and the outermost branch electrode includes the main branch portion forming a first angle with the alignment direction and a second center portion forming a fourth angle with the alignment direction. |
| US09851604B2 |
Display substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and display device
Embodiments of the invention provide a display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The display substrate includes a display region and a sealant coating region provided outside the display region, and the sealant coating region is provided with a groove to limit a sealant. |
| US09851603B2 |
Optical compensation film and liquid crystal display including the same
A compensation film for a liquid crystal film includes a first layer including splayed rod-shaped nematic liquid crystal material and a second layer disposed on a surface of the first layer and including at least one of a biaxial layer and an A-plate. |
| US09851600B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing method thereof
Provided are a liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, a liquid crystal display panel including white pixels and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal display panel includes: a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of color filters positioned on the first substrate and representing different colors from each other, in which at least two of the plurality of color filters overlap with each other on the first substrate to form an overlapping portion, and the overlapping portion forms a first spacer; a transparent filter positioned on the first substrate and positioned in a transmitting area of a white pixel; and a second spacer including the same material as the transparent filter. |
| US09851598B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; and color filters disposed to face the pixel electrode, wherein a plurality of microcavities are between the pixel electrode and the color filters, the microcavities form a liquid crystal layer including a liquid crystal material, the microcavities are divided by a partition portion, and the partition portion is formed by a color filter of one color among the color filters. |
| US09851596B2 |
Optical composite layer structure with a built-in touch sensitive polymer dispersed liquid crystal structure
The invention provides an optical composite layer structure with a built-in touch sensitive polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) structure. The optical composite layer structure comprises an upper transparent substrate, a lower transparent substrate, an upper transparent conductive layer, a lower transparent conductive layer and a PDLC layer. A PDLC circuit and a touch sensitive circuit are provided on the upper and lower transparent conductive layers. A cable region that is electrically connected to external soft circuit cables is provided at an end of the upper transparent conductive layer and the lower transparent conductive layer to electrically connect to an external control unit. With a touch sensitive operation of a touch sensitive circuit of the optical composite layer structure, a signal instruction is provided to the control unit. The corresponding PDLC circuit may drive the corresponding regions of PDLC layer to conduct the change of light transmission of local region. |
| US09851592B2 |
Display device
According to an aspect, a display device includes: a substrate including a pixel portion and a terminal portion that are provided on a first surface of the substrate, a flexible printed circuit board that is bonded to the terminal portion, a polarizing plate that is bonded to a region facing the pixel portion in a second surface opposite to the first surface of the substrate, a support member that is bonded to a region facing the terminal portion in the second surface, and a covering member that is bonded to the polarizing plate and the support member. |
| US09851589B2 |
Meta-structure and tunable optical device including the same
A meta-structure and a tunable optical device including the same are provided. The meta-structure includes a plurality of metal layers spaced apart from one another, an active layer spaced apart from the plurality of metal layers and having a carrier concentration that is tuned according to an electric signal applied to the active layer and the plurality of metal layers, and a plurality of dielectric layers spaced apart from one another and each having one surface contacting a metal layer among the plurality of metal layers and another surface contacting the active layer. |
| US09851587B2 |
Eyeglass accessory
Disclosed herein is an eyeglass accessory that is configured to retain one or more eyeglass lenses and is also configured to receive a front portion of eyeglasses. |
| US09851582B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
Provided is a zoom lens, comprising, in order from an object side to an image side, first to fourth lens units having positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers. During zooming, first lens unit does not move, and second to fourth lens units move. Third lens unit comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, first and second lens subunits each having a positive refractive power. Second lens subunit moves in a direction having a component of a direction perpendicular to an optical axis during image blur correction. Third lens unit comprises at least two positive lenses and at least two negative lenses. Second lens subunit comprises a positive lens and a negative lens. A focal length (f2) of second lens unit, a focal length (f3) of third lens unit, and a focal length (f3b) of second lens subunit are each appropriately set. |
| US09851580B2 |
Projection type image display apparatus
A laser beam (L50) generated by a laser light source (50) is reflected by a light beam scanning device (60) and irradiated onto a hologram recording medium (45). On the hologram recording medium (45), an image (35) of a scatter plate is recorded as a hologram by using reference light that converges on a scanning origin (B). The light beam scanning device (60) bends the laser beam (L50) at the scanning origin (B) and irradiates the laser beam onto the hologram recording medium (45). At this time, scanning is carried out by changing a bending mode of the laser beam with time so that an irradiation position of the bent laser beam (L60) on the hologram recording medium (45) changes with time. Regardless of an irradiation position of the beam, diffracted light (L45) from the hologram recording medium (45) produces a reproduction image (35) of the scatter plate on the spatial light modulator (200). The modulated image of the spatial light modulator (200) is projected onto a screen (400) by a projection optical system (300). |
| US09851579B2 |
Optical sheet, light-emitting device, method for manufacturing optical sheet, and method for manufacturing light-emitting device
A light-diffusing layer is provided for diffusing incident light by diffracting at least a portion of the incident light, and the diffuse light diffused by the light-diffusing layer is diffused about a direction different from the emission direction of non-diffused light that passes through the light-diffusing layer without being diffused. |
| US09851578B2 |
Adaptive particle projection path indicator
Aiming systems are provided for use with a particle projection device. Such aiming systems may have a housing mountable to the particle projection device for movement therewith, a window defining a field of view when in a first orientation and a second field of view when in a second orientation. A first reticle image is visible in the window when the housing and particle projection device are at the first orientation with the first reticle image representative of a projection path of the particles in the first field of view. A second reticle image is visible in the window when the housing and particle projection device are at the second orientation with the second reticle image being representative of a projection path of the particles in the second field of view. |
| US09851577B2 |
Nano-structured lens for collimating light from surface emitters
A light source for providing light comprises a light emitting layer and a lens comprising a periodic structure therein that is periodic along at least one direction in a plane. The structure includes or is formed from at least two optically transparent materials of different optical indices. The lens is separated from the light emitting layer, and the radiation propagating from the light emitting layer within an angle to a line normal to the plane will be transmitted by the lens to a far field in an index-guided mode. The separation between the light emitting layer and the lens is such that near field radiation propagating from the light emitting layer towards the lens not within said angle to the line will be scattered and redirected by the first lens to the far field to thereby collimate the radiation propagating from the light emitting layer to the far field. |
| US09851571B1 |
Apparatus for generating a line-beam from a diode-laser array
Apparatus for generating a line-beam includes a diode-laser bar, a linear micro-lens array, and a plurality of lenses spaced apart and arranged along an optical axis. The linear micro-lens array and the lenses shape laser-radiation emitted by the diode-laser bar to form a uniform line-beam in an illumination plane. The lenses project a far-field image of the diode-laser bar onto an image plane proximate to the illumination plane. The diode-laser bar is rotated from parallel alignment with the linear micro-lens array for providing uniform line-beam illumination over a range of locations along the optical axis. |
| US09851570B2 |
Beam shaping of high intensity high frequency optical output
An optical output coupler includes an uncoated plano-concave lens having a planar side and a concave side. An optical axis of the plano-concave lens is tilted at or near a Brewster angle relative to a beam axis. A first optical element is configured to focus a beam of radiation emerging from the planar side of the plano-concave lens along a first axis that is perpendicular to the beam axis. The first optical element is disposed between the planar side of the plano-concave lens and a second optical element. The second optical element is configured to focus a beam of radiation emerging from the planar side of the plano-concave lens along a second axis that is perpendicular to the beam axis, wherein the second axis is different from the first axis. |
| US09851569B2 |
Mounting apparatus for head-mounted display device
A head-mounted display (HMD) device designed for quick and easy mounting and dismounting to and from, respectively, a mounting fixture comprises a display assembly and a chassis coupled to the display assembly. The display assembly includes optical elements configured to convey light to the eyes of a human user when the head-mounted display device is worn by the user. In certain embodiments introduced here, the chassis has an external surface and a fixture interface surface defined within, but not coplanar with, the external surface. The fixture interface surface is configured to mate with a device interface surface of the mounting fixture when the head-mounted display device is mounted to the mounting fixture. |
| US09851563B2 |
Wide-field of view (FOV) imaging devices with active foveation capability
The present invention comprises a foveated imaging system capable of capturing a wide field of view image and a foveated image, where the foveated image is a controllable region of interest of the wide field of view image. |
| US09851559B2 |
Optical scanning unit and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning unit includes a rotatable multi-faceted mirror having a plurality of faces reflecting light flux emitted from a light source to scan a scanning area in a main scanning direction. A width of the light flux striking the rotatable multi-faceted mirror is smaller than a length of a face of the rotatable multi-faceted mirror. The entire of light flux striking the rotatable multi-faceted mirror is reflected at a first face when the light flux reflected by the rotatable multi-faceted mirror is directed to the center portion of the scanning area. A part of the light flux striking the rotatable multi-faceted mirror is reflected at the first face while the remaining of the light flux is reflected at a second face when the light flux reflected by the rotatable multi-faceted mirror is directed to a least one of the two end portions of the scanning area. |
| US09851557B2 |
Optical systems including lens assemblies and methods of imaging fields of view using such optical systems
Optical systems including lens assemblies and methods of imaging fields of view using such optical systems are disclosed. An optical system for imaging a two dimensional field includes a first lens assembly, a first scanning mirror, a second lens assembly, and a two dimensional image sensor. The first lens assembly has a first transform function whose output is within 0.1% of f1*(c1*θ1+(1−c1)*sin(θ1)) for any ray of light that traverses the first lens assembly from a center of an entrance pupil of the first lens assembly at an angle θ1 relative to an optical axis of the first lens assembly. f1 is a focal length of the first lens assembly, and −0.5 |
| US09851556B2 |
Avalanche photodiode based imager with increased field-of-view
A GmAPD imager with an increased field of view includes at least one array of movable mirrors. Each movable mirror in the array switches between at least two positions (states). The movable mirrors receive light coming from a first direction when the mirror is in the first state and a second direction when the mirror is in the second state, thus increasing the field of view of the imager. |
| US09851553B1 |
Shutter with linear actuator
An optical shutter apparatus has a baseplate that defines an aperture in a plane and that has at least first and second tabs that extend outward from the plane. At least a first linear actuator is coupled to the first tab and drives a magnetic shaft between the first and second tabs according to an electrical signal. A shutter blade is coupled to the magnetic shaft and is linearly translatable along a translation path in the direction of the plane between a first and a second position, wherein the shutter blade blocks at least a first portion of the aperture in the first position and unblocks the first portion of the aperture in the second position. |
| US09851548B2 |
Optical microscope device and testing apparatus comprising same
The present invention allows observation or capturing of a high-contrast image of a sample for which sufficient contrast cannot be obtained in bright-field observation, such as a wafer having a pattern with a small pattern height. According to the present invention, a sample is illuminated through an objective lens used for capturing an image, and an imaging optics are provided with an aperture filter so that an image is captured while light of bright-field observation components is significantly attenuated. |
| US09851547B2 |
Microscope provided with plural optical units
In a microscope having a plurality of optical units each including a filter block between an objective and a tube lens, the optical unit closest to the objective among the plurality of optical units includes a first filter block provided with an optical filter having a first effective diameter. The optical unit closest to the tube lens among the plurality of optical units includes a second filter block provided with an optical filter having a second effective diameter larger than the first effective diameter. |
| US09851544B2 |
Concentrating solar power with glasshouses
A protective transparent enclosure, such as a greenhouse, encloses a concentrated solar power system having line-focus solar energy concentrators. The line-focus solar energy concentrators have a reflective front layer, a core layer, and a rear layer. The core and the rear layers, when bonded with the reflective front layer, enable the line-focus solar energy concentrator, in some embodiments, to retain a particular form without additional strengthening elements. In some embodiments, the core layer and/or the rear layer are formed by removing material from a single piece of material. |
| US09851543B2 |
Projection lens adjustment module and projector using the same
A projection lens adjustment module applicable to a projection lens is provided. The projection lens includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The projection lens adjustment module includes a flexible connection line, an adjusting element and a driving mechanism. The flexible connection line has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The adjusting element is connected to the first end. The driving mechanism is connected to the second assembly and the second end. When the adjusting element drives the first end to move along a first direction thereby leading the second end to move along a second direction non-parallel to the first direction, the second end drives the second assembly to move along an optical axis direction of the projection lens relative to the first assembly through the driving mechanism. |
| US09851541B2 |
Enhancing a fog penetration capability of an infrared optical system
An infrared optical system having a spectral range for achieving a fog penetration distance of at least 2.75 Runway Visibility Range (RVR) is provided herein. The optical system may include a single set of optical elements designed to have a wavelength range extending beyond 1.2 μm toward shorter wavelengths and comprising a short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) range and at least one of: a middle-wavelength infrared (MWIR) range and a long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) range, to enhance a detection range of the infrared optical system, wherein the single set of optical elements is laid such that the both the SWIR range and the at least one of the MWIR range and the LWIR range of infrared radiation pass through all of the optical elements. |
| US09851538B2 |
Optical imaging lens
Present embodiments provide for an optical imaging lens. The optical imaging lens comprises a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element positioned in an order from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least one inequality, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and enlarge field angle the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened. |
| US09851536B2 |
Optical image capturing system
An optical image capturing system includes, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens, and a seventh lens. At least one lens among the first to the sixth lenses has positive refractive force. The seventh lens can have negative refractive force, wherein both surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one surface thereof has an inflection point. The lenses in the optical image capturing system which have refractive power include the first to the seventh lenses. The optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09851535B2 |
Optical imaging lens
Present embodiments provide for an optical imaging lens. The optical imaging lens may comprise five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. By controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least one inequality, the view angle of the optical imaging lens may be increased to achieve better optical characteristics. |
| US09851533B2 |
Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens may comprise an aperture stop and five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. By controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least two inequalities, the optical imaging lens may exhibit better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens may be shortened. |
| US09851531B2 |
Optical lens assembly and imaging lens with infrared ray filtering
Example embodiments provide for an optical lens assembly and imaging lens with IR light filtering. The lens comprises a body having two surfaces and a plurality of layers of optical thin film layered along a direction formed on at least one surface. The optical thin films comprise less than 20 layers and thicker than 400 nm and thinner than 2000 nm thickness. Through the alternately layered layers of optical thin film, the transmittance of the lens for incident light in infrared ray band is reduced. Therefore, the infrared ray is mostly filtered without use of an additional infrared ray filter. |
| US09851521B2 |
Connectorized optical chip assembly
A connectorized optical chip assembly connectable to an external optical fiber having a fiber connector is provided. The connectorized optical chip assembly includes a substrate, an optical chip having an on-chip optical waveguide and a connectorized interface. The connectorized interface includes an optical coupling element mounted in optical alignment with the on-chip optical waveguide. The connectorized interface includes a chip connector engaging the optical coupling element and configured for mating with the fiber connector of the external optical fiber, so as to provide an optical coupling of light between the optical coupling element and the external optical fiber. The connectorized optical chip assembly also includes a mechanical support structure supporting the connectorized interface onto the substrate. Preferably, the components of the connectorized optical assembly are made of materials heat resistant to temperatures used to melt solder in surface mount processes. |
| US09851515B1 |
Receptacle for transceiver optical sub-assembly
A receptacle for transceiver optical sub-assembly is configured for optical elements such as a light-emitting unit, a light guide unit, a light-receiving unit and a filter to connect thereto. The receptacle includes a lower receptacle body having a through bore, to which the light-emitting unit is connected; and an upper receptacle body having an axial receiving bore, to which the light guide unit is connected. The upper and the lower receptacle body are movable relative to each other in the x-y plane. The lower receptacle body can be moved relative to the upper receptacle body until an optical signal emitted from the light-emitting unit is optically coupled and collimated with an optical fiber in the light guide unit, and then the upper and lower receptacle bodies are fixedly connected together. |
| US09851511B2 |
Axial preload for demountable connectors
The present invention provides a spring bias that is particularly suited for use to preload a low profile ferrule of an optical connector. In accordance with the present invention, an axial preload is applied to a connector ferrule by a spring structure provided external of the connector. In one embodiment, spring structure is provided outside a plurality of optical fiber connectors, which provides axial preload of multiple ferrules. Each ferrule could be of the type that supports a plurality of optical fibers of a fiber cable. In one embodiment, the spring bias is effected by a planar flexure external of the connector. The ferrule is coupled to the planar flexure with its longitudinal axis through the center of the planar flexure. The planar flexure is structured with flexure members in a plane that are configured to not create any torque load on the ferrule, or if torque loading is present, insignificant torque load to cause misalignment of the ferrule, when the flexure flexes out of its nominal plane to create an axial preload on the ferrule. In another embodiment, a common yoke is applied to bias planar flexures against a plurality of ferrules, wherein a planar flexure is coupled to each ferrule connector. In a further embodiment of the present invention, instead of using planar flexures, a yoke is provided to apply an axial preload to all ferrule connectors coupled to the yoke, by means of a coil spring applied to center of the yoke, external of the ferrule connectors. |
| US09851508B2 |
Wavelength selective switch for multimode optical systems
In an example embodiment, a WSS may include a steering element, an optical subsystem, and a cylindrical lens. The optical subsystem may include a collimating lens and a dispersive element. The optical subsystem may be located between a fiber array and the steering element. The collimating lens may be located between the fiber array and the dispersive element. The cylindrical lens may be located between the optical subsystem and the steering element. |
| US09851507B1 |
Broadband restricted MMI-based polarization beam splitter
A compact polarization beam splitter is formed by cascading two stages of three restricted MMIs. Each MMI is configured to set ultra compact width and length for a rectangular waveguide body to limit no more than 4 modes therein working as a polarization beam splitter in a 50 nm wavelength window around 1300 nm. Each MMI is further configured to couple an input at a first end and a TE bar output and a TM cross output at a second end of the rectangular waveguide body. The locations of the input/output waveguide ports are designated to be a distance of ⅙ of the width away from a middle line from the first end to the second end. Two second-stage MMIs have their inputs coupled to the TE bar output and the TM cross output of the first-stage MMI and provide a second-stage TE bar output and a second-stage TM cross output, respectively. |
| US09851505B2 |
Substrate-type optical waveguide element
Provided is a substrate-type optical waveguide element in which when (i) effective refractive indexes of a TE polarized wave and a TM polarized wave in the first core are NTE@WG1 and NTM@WG1, respectively, and (ii) effective refractive indexes of a TE polarized wave and a TM polarized wave in the second core are NTE@WG2 and NTM@WG2, respectively, a magnitude relation of the effective refractive indexes NTM@WG1 and NTM@WG2 at a start position of a parallel-core section is opposite to a magnitude relation of the effective refractive indexes NTM@WG1 and NTM@WG2 at an end position of the parallel-core section, and at least one of the cores includes (a) a main part having a quadrilateral cross section and (b) a protruding part protruding from one of side surfaces of the main part in a direction parallel to a boundary surface between a lower cladding and a upper cladding. |
| US09851503B2 |
Compact and low loss Y-junction for submicron silicon waveguide
A compact, low-loss and wavelength insensitive Y-junction for submicron silicon waveguides. The design was performed using FDTD and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The device was fabricated in a 248 nm CMOS line. Measured average insertion loss is 0.28±0.02 dB across an 8-inch wafer. The device footprint is less than 1.2 μm×2 μm, orders of magnitude smaller than MMI and directional couplers. |
| US09851502B2 |
Opto-electric hybrid board
An opto-electric hybrid board includes opto-electric module portions respectively defined on opposite end portions of an elongated insulation layer, and an interconnection portion defined on a portion of the insulation layer between the opto-electric module portions and including an optical waveguide. A metal reinforcement layer extends over the opto-electric module portions into the interconnection portion. A portion of the metal reinforcement layer present in the interconnection portion has a smaller width than portions of the metal reinforcement layer present in the opto-electric module portions, and has a discontinuity extending widthwise across the metal reinforcement layer. This arrangement makes it possible to protect the optical waveguide from the bending and the twisting of the interconnection portion, while ensuring the flexibility of the interconnection portion including the optical waveguide. |
| US09851498B2 |
Light source device and display apparatus
Provided is a light source device which includes a light guide plate for emitting light entered through one side surface from a front surface thereof, a light source disposed opposing the one side surface of the light guide plate, a rear housing body for housing the light guide plate and the light source, and a heat spreader. |
| US09851497B2 |
Light mixing chamber for use with color converting material and light guide plate and assembly
A light mixing chamber of a backlight includes a housing having a channel and a chamber exposed to the channel, an LED positioned within the chamber, and a capillary containing quantum dots positioned in the channel. A light guide plate is positioned adjacent the housing and adjacent the capillary. Relative dimensions of the elements of the light mixing chamber, as well as features added to the elements of the light mixing chamber, can be varied to balance efficiency and uniformity of light generated in the backlight. |
| US09851496B2 |
Frame device for backlight module and backlight module
A frame device includes a first frame, a plurality of fasteners and an second frame. The first frame includes a base wall and a side wall extending transversely from one end of the base wall. The fasteners are disposed on the side wall opposite to the base wall. The second frame is assembled to and covers an upper end of the first frame and has a plurality of spaced-apart positioning holes. A portion of each fastener passes out of a respective positioning hole and presses against the second frame when the second frame is assembled to the first frame. |
| US09851491B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a display panel; a light source configured to provide light to the display panel; a bottom chassis on which the light source is disposed; a mold frame coupled to the bottom chassis and comprising a projection; and a light conversion sheet disposed between the display panel and the bottom chassis. The light conversion sheet may have, at an edge portion thereof, a coupling hole into which the projection is inserted. |
| US09851490B2 |
Light guide for low profile luminaire
A luminaire comprising a heat sink, a light source and a light guide. The light source is carried by the heat sink and configured to emit a source light. The light source includes a heat spreader having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) carried by a circuit board and disposed generally along an outer peripheral perimeter portion of the inner surface of the heat spreader, and positioned in thermal communication with the heat spreader. The light guide includes a lens with a plurality of optical elements disposed within the lens. |
| US09851488B2 |
Light guide plate and backlight unit including the same
Disclosed are a light guide plate and a backlight unit including the same. The light guide plate includes: a light guide plate including: a light output surface for outputting light to the outside; a reflective surface which is located in the opposite side of the light guide plate; and a light incident surface which is provided in at least one side surface among side surfaces connecting the light output surface and the reflective surface, and to which the light emitted from a light source is incident. A flat portion having a constant thickness is provided in a space which is spaced apart from the light incident surface, and a light input portion is formed in a space between the light incident surface and the flat portion, and a thickness of the light input portion is changed in a greater range than that of the flat portion. |
| US09851483B2 |
Stereoscopic imaging method and system that divides a pixel matrix into subgroups
A stereoscopic imaging method where a pixel matrix is divided into groups such that parallax information is received by one pixel group and original information is received by another pixel group. The parallax information may, specifically, be based on polarized information received by subgroups of the one pixel, group and by processing all of the information received multiple images are rendered by the method. |
| US09851478B2 |
Optical cross talk mitigation for optical device having disrupting features formed on a shield
A system and method are disclosed for reducing light from one or more light sources from entering into a light sensor by reflection off of a visor and/or waveguiding within the visor. In embodiments, a shroud may be provided around the light sensor to block light reflected off of the visor from entering the light sensor. In embodiments, pattern of one or more grooves may be formed in the visor to block light waveguided within the visor from entering the light sensor. |
| US09851477B2 |
Fluid lens assembly
A non-round fluid lens assembly includes a non-round rigid lens and a flexible membrane attached to the non-round rigid lens, such that a cavity is formed between the non-round rigid lens and the flexible membrane. A reservoir in fluid communication with the cavity allows a fluid to be transferred into and out of the cavity so as to change the optical power of the fluid lens assembly. In an embodiment, a front surface of the non-round rigid lens is aspheric. Additionally or alternatively, a thickness of the flexible membrane may be contoured so that it changes shape in a spheric manner when fluid is transferred between the cavity and the reservoir. |
| US09851474B2 |
Optical component and method of producing the same
An optical component capable of sufficiently reducing reflection of light by controlling a change in refractive index, even if incident angle of light varies. An optical component includes a base, a moth-eye structure with predetermined concavities and convexities, and at least one buffer layer provided between the base and the moth-eye structure. A change in refractive index between the base and a medium is adjusted by the buffer layer and the moth-eye structure. |
| US09851472B2 |
Silicone-based hydrophilic copolymer and hydrogel compositions comprising the same
A hydrophilic siloxane copolymer of siloxane and hydrophilic organic monomer/s The copolymers can be functionalized to make them capable of undergoing further polymerization by thermal or actinic radiations. The hydrophilicity of these polymers can be varied by varying the siloxane versus organic monomer ratio thereby going from water dispersible to soluble states. The siloxane content can be tuned accordingly in order to provide moderate to high oxygen permeability. These copolymers can be used as a single component curable composition which results in hydrogels to minimize the presence of leachable components thus by reducing the processing cost. The polymers may also find applications in personal care formulations as copolymers, film-formers, hydrogels, coating, emulsions/latex etc. |
| US09851471B2 |
Weather forecasts based on expected location
A computing system is described that can automatically provide weather forecast information to a user based on the user's expected future location. In some embodiments, the methods can include predicting a future location of a user and storing the future location in the memory, fetching weather forecast information associated with the future location of the user, and outputting, to a mobile device associated with the user, the weather forecast information associated with the future location of the user. |
| US09851469B2 |
Production strategy plans assesment method, system and program product
A system, method and computer program product for generating well location plans and field development plans assessing and ranking the potential of the different plans with a small number of parameters or initial conditions, thus considerably reducing the decision time for taking a particular strategy when compared with the techniques described in the art. |
| US09851464B2 |
Methods for gathering marine geophysical data
In a first embodiment the invention comprises a method for gathering geophysical data, including towing geophysical data gathering equipment behind a survey vessel in a body of water, said equipment including an array of sensor streamers extending behind said vessel, and determining a geodetic location of a streamer steering reference point at a forward end of the sensor streamers and a reference direction. At least one sensor streamer included in said array of sensor streamers is laterally deflected in response to the determined geodetic location of said streamer steering reference point and the determined reference direction. |
| US09851463B2 |
Interference attenuation of a residual portion of seismic data
The present disclosure is related to methods, systems, and machine-readable media for interference attenuation of a residual portion of seismic data, such as may be recorded in a marine seismic survey. Recorded seismic data can be separated into a portion attributed to a source and a residual portion. Seismic interference attenuation can be performed on the residual portion. |
| US09851460B1 |
Apparatus and method for a high-flux photon-counting spectral application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having a charge summing mode
A method and apparatus is provided to detect and correct for distributed X-ray detection events in which the electrical signal arising from the detection of an X-ray is distributed across more than one element of an X-ray detection array. Examples of distributed-detection events include charge sharing across adjacent boundaries between detector elements and X-ray fluorescence between detector elements. Distributed-detection events can be determined by their corresponding to a partial-detection energy that is in a range of energies great than an upper energy for noise and cross-talk and less than a lower energy for an X-ray spectrum from an X-ray source. For a distributed-detection event, the energy of the event is recorded using a sum of electrical signals from the detector elements of the event. |
| US09851459B2 |
Threshold voltage calibration and compensation circuit for a digital radiographic detector
A two dimensional array of digital imaging pixels each include a photo-sensing element and a readout element. A test element within the two-dimensional array, a column of test elements peripheral to the array, or test monitoring circuits peripheral to the array are constructed using the same process as the readout elements. The test element within the array and the column of test elements are connected to a first and second external voltage sources. The test element within the two-dimensional array and the column of test elements may be connected to a test data line or to a data line used by the imaging pixels. |
| US09851458B2 |
Body wearable radiation detector having a ribbed scintillator
A wearable neutron detector is disclosed that includes a body attachment portion that is configured to be secured to a portion of a human body. The wearable detector includes a scintillator having a plurality of wavelength optical shifting fibers. One or more light converters are connected with the wavelength optical shifting fibers. A detection circuit is connected with the light converters configured to detect a neutron event. A control unit is connected with the detection circuit. An annunciator is connected with the control unit for generating an enunciation of the neutron event. The electronic components are housed within the body attachment portion. |
| US09851454B2 |
Detection devices and methods
A device for detecting neutrons with gamma discrimination and/or gamma radiation includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, an electron separator layer between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device, and a gadolinium-containing layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. |
| US09851446B2 |
GNSS receiver and method for determining whether to switch from one operation state to another operation state according to state switching criterion and positioning information
A method for controlling a GNSS receiver includes: providing a state switching criterion; obtaining at least one positioning information; determining whether to switch from a first operation state to a second operation state according to the obtained positioning information and the state switching criterion, a power consumption of GNSS receiver operating under the first operation state and the second operation state is different; the obtained positioning information includes at least one of a speed value of GNSS receiver, a satellite distribution value of GNSS receiver, a satellite signal strength value of GNSS receiver, a location identification of GNSS receiver, instant motion information from a motion sensor, or location information from a WLAN device, a Bluetooth device or a UV light sensor. |
| US09851442B1 |
LADAR augmented infra-red (LAIR) sensor
A system, method, and apparatus for detecting and tracking a target are disclosed. The disclosed method involves receiving, with an infra-red (IR) fine track sensor, a IR signal from the target. The method further involves determining, with at least one processor, an estimate of a direction of the target using the IR signal. Also, the method involves transmitting, with a Laser transmitter, a Laser beam towards the direction of the target. Further, the method involves receiving, with a Laser receiver, the Laser signal after it reflects off the target. In one or more embodiments, the Laser receiver is a photon receiver (e.g., a geiger-mode avalanche photo-diode (Gm-APD) receiver). |
| US09851437B2 |
Adjusting weight of intensity in a PHD filter based on sensor track ID
In one embodiment, a method for tracking multiple objects with a probabilistic hypothesis density filter is provided. The method includes comparing second track IDs corresponding to newly obtained measurements to one or more first track IDs corresponding to a Tk+1 predicted intensity having a predicted weight. If all of the one or more first track IDs match any of the second track IDs, the predicted weight is multiplied by a first value. If less than all of the one or more first track IDs match any of the second track IDs, the predicted weight is multiplied by a second value, wherein the second value is greater than the first value. The method then determines whether to prune the Tk+1 predicted intensity based on the predicted weight after multiplying with either the first value or the second value. |
| US09851436B2 |
Radar antenna assembly with panoramic detection
A radar antenna assembly suitable to mount atop a vehicle as part of a radar system for the vehicle includes a horizontal array and a vertical array. The horizontal array is configured to preferentially detect objects in a forward area and a rearward area about the vehicle. The vertical array is configured to preferentially detect objects in a leftward area and a rightward area about the vehicle. The horizontal array and the vertical array cooperate to detect an object in a panoramic area that surrounds the vehicle. |
| US09851434B2 |
Method and navigation system for assisting a visually impaired user to safely walk around obstructions and impediments
A computer-implemented method and a navigation system are described for guiding a visually impaired user to avoid obstructions and impediments while walking. The user may wear a plurality of subassemblies of the system. The tilt and rotation of the user's head may be monitored using one of the subassemblies worn on the user's head. Based at least in part on the tilt and rotation of the user's head, vertical and horizontal firing angles used by a distance measuring unit in each of the subassemblies may be calculated to transmit and receive laser signals to perform measurements. The user is then provided with navigation instructions and alarms based on whether an obstruction or an impediment is detected that is closer than a predetermined distance to the user while the user is walking based on the measurements. |
| US09851433B2 |
Single laser LIDAR system
In one general aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed cause one or more processors to perform a process. The process can include producing emitted electromagnetic radiation based on a frequency pattern and receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation reflected from an object. The process can include defining combined frequency data based on a frequency of the emitted electromagnetic radiation and a frequency of the reflected electromagnetic radiation. The process can also include defining a set of spectral bins, based on a Fourier transform, in a frequency domain based on the combined frequency data, and can include identifying a subset of the set of spectral bins. |
| US09851423B2 |
Patient-adaptive B0 homogenization of MR systems using different types of shim coils
The embodiments relate to methods and to magnetic resonance tomography systems having a shim system, where the shim system includes at least one global shim coil in an area surrounding the bore of the magnetic resonance tomography system, and where the shim system includes a local shim coil in a local coil of the magnetic resonance tomography system with a shim controller, where the shim controller embodied to define shim currents for the global shim coil and for the local shim coil. |
| US09851421B2 |
Differential atlas for cancer assessment
Methods and apparatus associated with producing a quantification of differences associated with biochemical recurrence (BcR) in a region of tissue demonstrating prostate cancer (PCa) are described. One example apparatus includes a set of logics, and a data store that stores a set of magnetic resonance (MR) images acquired from a population of subjects. The set of logics includes an image acquisition logic that acquires a diagnostic image of a region of tissue in a patient demonstrating PCa, a morphology logic that extracts a shape feature, a volume feature, or an intensity feature from the diagnostic image or from a member of the set of MR images, a differential atlas construction logic that constructs a statistical shape differential atlas from the set of MR images, and a quantification logic that produces a quantification of differences based on the shape feature, the volume feature, or the intensity feature, and the differential atlas. |
| US09851418B2 |
Diamond magnetometer
A magnetometer comprising: a sensor formed of diamond material and comprising a plurality of spin centers; a microwave source configured to subject the plurality of spin centers to microwave pulses; a light source configured to subject the plurality of spin centers to light pulses; and a detector configured to detect a fluorescent output signal emitted from the plurality of spin centers, wherein the magnetometer is configured to integrate the fluorescent output signal over a signal averaging time and process the fluorescent output signal such that a standard deviation of the fluorescent output signal decreases with the square root of the signal averaging time over a time period which spans at least two orders of magnitude in the signal averaging time to achieve a standard deviation of less than 100 picotesla. |
| US09851417B2 |
Structure and system for simultaneous sensing a magnetic field and mechanical stress
A structure having collocated magnetic field sensing elements can be used to simultaneously determine magnetic field and mechanical stress. A primary magnetic field sensing element generates a primary signal responsive to a magnetic field and a secondary magnetic field sensing element generates a secondary signal responsive to mechanical stress. A system includes a stress compensation module to receive the primary and signals, and to compensate for mechanical stress in the primary signal. |
| US09851416B2 |
Systems and methods for magnetic field sensors with self-test
Systems, methods and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BEST) circuits may be included. |
| US09851414B2 |
Energy storage cell impedance measuring apparatus, methods and related systems
Energy storage cell impedance testing devices, circuits, and related methods are disclosed. An energy storage cell impedance measuring device includes a sum of sinusoids (SOS) current excitation circuit including differential current sources configured to isolate a ground terminal of the differential current sources from a positive terminal and a negative terminal of an energy storage cell. A method includes applying an SOS signal comprising a sum of sinusoidal current signals to the energy storage cell with the SOS current excitation circuit, each of the sinusoidal current signals oscillating at a different one of a plurality of different frequencies. The method also includes measuring an electrical signal at a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the energy storage cell, and computing an impedance of the energy storage cell at each of the plurality of different frequencies using the measured electrical signal. |
| US09851413B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating current
A method and apparatus for estimating current is disclosed. The current estimation apparatus may receive a voltage value of a battery pack and voltage values of cells included in the battery pack, and may estimate a current of the battery pack based on the voltage value of the battery pack, the voltage values of the cells included in the battery pack, and resistance components within the battery pack. |
| US09851411B2 |
Suppressing HF cable oscillations during dynamic measurements of cells and batteries
Kelvin (4-wire) connecting cables are routinely used when performing dynamic measurements (i.e., measurements with time-varying signals) on electrochemical cells and batteries. Current-carrying and voltage-sensing conductor pairs within such cables comprise distributed-parameter two-wire transmission lines which may extend several meters in length. As with all such transmission lines, internally reflected waves can oscillate back and forth at high frequency (hf) whenever the lines are not terminated in their characteristic impedances. Such hf reflected waves, by interacting with measuring circuitry, can seriously degrade low-frequency measurement accuracy. Apparatus is disclosed herein that suppresses hf reflected waves oscillating on Kelvin connecting cables during dynamic measurements of cells and batteries. |
| US09851409B2 |
Energy storage device controlling method and power management system
A method for controlling energy storage device includes determining whether the operating frequency of the system falls within a dead band range corresponding to a preset frequency range, determining whether an SOC level indicating the charging amount of the energy storage device falls within a preset maintaining range, in a case where the operating frequency falls within the dead band range, and adjusting the SOC level so that the SOC level falls within the maintaining range in a case where the operating frequency of the system falls within the dead band range and the SOC level is outside the preset maintaining range, wherein the maintaining range represents a range between a preset lower limit and a preset upper limit. |
| US09851408B2 |
Methods and apparatus for battery testing
Methods and apparatus for testing electrical storage batteries monitor magnetic susceptibility of components of the storage batteries. In some embodiments, magnetic susceptibility of a plate in a lead-acid battery is determined to provide an indication of the state of charge of the battery. |
| US09851407B2 |
Self heating heater
The invention relates to a power management system for supplying backup DC power to peak and/or high current demand battery applications, such as motor starting or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) used to power a critical load, such as, a data bus or other critical load, after an event, such as loss of primary AC or DC input, during relatively cold ambient temperatures. Two or more heaters can be provided; for example, a low power heater and a high-power heater. In a maintenance mode, the low power heater is used to maintain batteries at a predetermined temperature. In this mode, a battery charger is used to power the low power heater. In a boost mode, after the primary AC or DC input is restored, and battery temperature is too low to back up the critical load, the battery charger supplies power to one or both of the heaters. Since capacity of the battery charger is normally insufficient to heat the batteries to an acceptable operating temperature in a relatively short period of time, a portion of residual power from the batteries is used to boost power to the heaters in order to speed up the time to get each battery of said batteries to its rated operating temperature. |
| US09851403B2 |
Safety device and method for an electric installation
A safety device capable of being connected between a circuit breaker device and an electric installation powered by an electric grid providing three-phase current having a first associated frequency, using a line for conveying electric current including three phase conductors, a neutral conductor and a protection conductor. The safety device makes it possible to verify at least one electric safety condition following a cut off of electric power of the electric installation by the circuit breaker device. The safety device comprises circuitry or a processor configured to verify presence of a residual voltage above a predetermined safety threshold on at least one of the conductors, and verify isolation between a tested pair of conductors, among the phase conductors. The safety device can be used to perform an associated safety verification method. |
| US09851400B1 |
System on a chip serial communication interface method and apparatus
A system, apparatus, and method for testing blocks of a system on a chip (SOC) are described herein. An SOC, in accordance with various embodiments, may include a serial communication interface configured to multiplex, serialize, and/or parallelize signals streams from selected blocks of the SOC to an off-chip test unit through an off-chip serial communication interface. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09851398B2 |
Via leakage and breakdown testing
Various particular embodiments include a via testing structure, including: a first terminal coupled to a first set of sensing lines in a top level of the structure; a second terminal coupled to a second set of sensing lines in the top level of the structure, wherein first set of sensing lines and the second set of sensing lines are disposed in a comb arrangement; a third terminal coupled to a third set of sensing lines in a bottom level of the structure; and a plurality of vias electrically coupling the second set of sensing lines in the top level of the structure to the third set of sensing lines in the bottom level of the structure, each via having a via top and a via bottom. |
| US09851395B2 |
Method and device for checking the operation of a photovoltaic module
A method for checking the operation of a photovoltaic module of a photovoltaic power station. The module has a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a number of solar cells, in particular thin-layer solar cells. An electric field emitted by the photovoltaic module as a result of solar radiation is measured at an exposed measurement location during the operation of the power station and the electrical voltage present between the positive terminal and the negative terminal is determined from the measured electric field. A corresponding measuring instrument has a sensor to be placed near the photovoltaic module so as to measure the electric field strength. A rod or wand may be used to position the sensor, or a robot may be configured for automatic travel on the photovoltaic module. |
| US09851394B2 |
Partial-discharge measurement method and high-voltage device inspected using same
The present invention provides a partial-discharge measurement method in which a partial-discharge defect signal and noise are separated, a partial-discharge defect position is detected, and the risk of a detected partial discharge defect is diagnosed. Further, this method provides a highly reliable high-voltage device. An electromagnetic wave generated by a sample is simultaneously measured by a plurality of sensors. A partial discharge and noise are separated through the comparison of the spatial intensity distribution of measured signals and a spatial signal intensity distribution measured beforehand at the time of the occurrence of a partial discharge, and a defect position is detected using a peak position. Further, the risk of a defective site is diagnosed on the basis of a simultaneously measured charge amount signal. |
| US09851390B2 |
Method for locating distribution network circuit fault based on full waveform information
A method for detecting and locating faulty line on the distribution network circuit based on full waveform information, which uses the current data on the fault occurrence and whole-process operation of the compensation device to effectively solve such common problems as low fault current, poor reliability and low sensitivity in case of single-phase grounding fault to the low-current system through precise GPS synchronization. It improves the sensitivity and reliability of the grounding fault detection, which does not interfere with the system and is applicable to high-resistance grounding. |
| US09851383B1 |
Method and system for performing vector spectral measurements of a radio frequency (RF) signal having a repetitive waveform
A method is provided for performing vector spectral measurements of a radio frequency (RF) signal having a repetitive waveform, using a receiver having a frequency span less than a total bandwidth of the RF signal. The method includes capturing multiple frequency segments of the RF signal corresponding to waveforms of the repetitive waveform synchronized to corresponding external triggering, each frequency segment having a corresponding segment bandwidth less than the total bandwidth of the RF signal; performing at least one instance of phase stitching and at least one instance of amplitude stitching between adjacent captured frequency segments; and using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to obtain a time-domain record of the repetitive waveform. |
| US09851381B2 |
Transmitter power monitor
The invention provides an in-line power monitor for an RF transmission line that is capable of being calibrated in-line during live conditions at the exact power level and frequency where it is used. This device uses forward and reflected directional couplers and a non-directional coupler to sample the RF voltage on the transmission line. The RF voltage of the forward and reflected channels are each split into two paths, one going to a test port and the other leading to additional circuitry which prepares the signals of the forward and reflected channels for output to power displays. Additionally, the monitor allows the user to compensate for any voltage offsets introduced by various circuitry components. Further, the monitor also allows to user to individually calibrate the output of the forward and reflected channels by applying an adjustable gain ratio correction to each channel. |
| US09851380B2 |
Power strip and electric power measurement system
The following disclosure provides a power strip including: a busbar electrically connected to a power source; multiple electrical outlets allowing multiple power plugs to be inserted thereinto, respectively; distribution bars which are branched out from the busbar and respectively supply the electrical outlets with electric currents of the power source; and a plurality of electric current measurement units each configured to measure the electric current flowing through a corresponding one of the distribution bars. |
| US09851378B2 |
Methods of fabricating probe cards including nanotubes
Methods of fabricating a plurality of carbon nanotube-bundle probes on a substrate are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes the following: providing a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; forming an array of electrically conductive pads on the top surface, the array of electrically conductive pads being formed to mirror an array of pads on an integrated circuit that is to be tested; applying a catalyst for promoting growth of carbon nanotubes on each of the array of electrically conductive pads; heating the substrate in a carbon-rich environment thereby growing nanotubes extending upwardly from each of the array of electrically conductive pads and above the top surface of the substrate thereby forming a plurality of carbon nanotube-bundle probes extending upwardly above the top surface of the substrate; and capping each of the plurality of carbon nanotube-bundle probes with an electrically conductive material. |
| US09851376B2 |
Apparatus and method to aid in finding misplaced, forgotten, or unused items
Devices to aid in finding items, including purses or other luggage, along with methods of operation of the devices. The resultant movement of an item during use, and lack of movement of an item during non-use, are exploited to alert a user to the whereabouts of the item through adaptive techniques. A device is located with the item, purse, or other luggage, and configured to sense motion information. Location notification may be based on such motion information. |
| US09851374B2 |
Inertial measurement of sports motion
Systems and methods of motion tracking are disclosed that can be used in connection with sports motion. Such a method can include placing one or more inertial measurement units (IMUs) on at least one of a person or one or more pieces of equipment, recording motion data associated with the at least one of the person or the one or more pieces of equipment, and synchronizing the recorded motion data. The method can also include analyzing the synchronized motion data in connection with a motion standard, and generating feedback based at least in part on the analyzed motion data. |
| US09851357B2 |
Method for the prognosis of survival time of a patient suffering from a solid cancer
The present invention relates to an in vitro method for the prognosis of survival of a patient suffering from a solid cancer, comprising the quantification of the cell density of CD8+ cells and DC-LAMP+ dendritic cells present in a tumor tissue sample from said patient, wherein a high density of CD8+ cells and DC-LAMP+ dendritic cells indicates that the patient has a favorable prognosis, a high density of CD8+ cells and a low density of DC-LAMP+ dendritic cells indicates that the patient has a poor prognosis, and a low density of CD8+ cells and DC-LAMP+ dendritic cells indicates that the patient has the worst prognosis. |
| US09851355B2 |
Methods of determining response to therapy
The present invention relates generally to methods of determining the response to metadoxine therapy for the treatment of Fragile X Syndrome and other cognitive disorders. The invention also relates to identifying individuals that will be responsive to metadoxine therapy. |
| US09851347B2 |
Flow conduit system for a biochemical sensor
A flow conduit system (100, 200a, 200b) suitable for biochemical sensing, the flow conduit system (100, 200a, 200b) having a first flow cell conduit (1) with one or more sensing areas for biochemical sensing; a first selector valve (4); a first inlet/outlet conduit (2) which fluidly connects the first flow cell conduit (1) to the first selector valve (4); a first injection conduit (6) having a first end and a second end; a second injection conduit (7) having a first end and a second end; a fluid injecting means (8) fluidly connected to the second ends of each of the first and second injection conduits (6, 7) so that the fluid injecting means can selectively inject fluids into the first and/or second injection conduits (6,7); wherein the first injection conduit (6) is fluidly connected, at its first end, to the first inlet/outlet conduit (2) by a valveless junction (9), and the second injection conduits (6) is fluidly connected, at its first end, to the first inlet/outlet conduit (2) by a valveless junction (9). |
| US09851346B2 |
Chemical sensitivity screening test
The present document describes a screening composition comprising a marker compound, chosen from at least one of iodine, and fluorescein; eosin Y, erythrosine, ponceau S, calcein, a catalyst, chosen from at least one boron trioxide (B2O3), potassium (K), Gallium (III) oxide (Ga2O3), Nickel (II) oxide (NiO), Vanadium (V) oxide (V2O5), magnesium oxide (MgO), a bismuth oxide chosen from bismuth subcarbonate [Bi2O2(CO3)], bismuth chloride oxide (BiClO), and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), cesium bromide (CsBr), lanthanum (III) oxide (La2O3), molybdenum (VI) oxide (MoO3), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), Nickel (II) carbonate anhydrous (NiCO3); and a pigment, chosen from at least one of scandium (III) oxide (Sc2O3), Lead (IV) oxide (PbO2), Sulfur (S) powder, and Tungsten (VI) oxide (WO3), chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3), copper (II) oxide (CuO), copper (I) oxide (Cu2O), iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), lead (II) oxide (PbO). The document also describes method of using the same. |
| US09851335B2 |
Method and system for analyzing a gaseous fluid comprising at least one rare gas by means of a getterizing substrate
The invention relates to a method and a system for analyzing rare gases present in a gaseous fluid (1). According to the invention, initially, the rare gases are extracted from the gaseous fluid by trapping by means of a getterizing substrate (5), then superconcentration of the rare gases is produced before injection (8) into the measuring instruments (9). By virtue of the invention, it is possible to increase the partial pressure of the rare gases in the gases to be analyzed before their injection into the analysis instruments. |
| US09851330B2 |
Rapid, highly-sensitive, and highly-specific nucleic acid detection
A nucleic acid (NA) detection method combines ultra-specific probe, on-chip isotachophoresis (ITP) which can separate single strand and double strand NAs, and enzyme amplification. The ITP device has a sieving matrix between the LE (leading electrolyte) and TE (trailing electrolyte) reservoirs, for separating double-strand and single-strand NAs. The LE or TE reservoir also contains a spacer ion having a mobility between the LE and the TE. The sample and a double-strand NA probe is added to the TE reservoir, the probe being formed of a protector strand modified with a fluorescent molecule and a complement strand, where the protector strand is released in the presence of the target NA. Fluorescent signal is detected downstream of the sieving matrix. Alternatively, the protector strand is modified with an enzyme and a single-strand NA modified with a substrate of the enzyme is added to the reaction mixture downstream of the sieving matrix. |
| US09851329B2 |
Analytical cell
Substrates forming an overlapping portion of an analytical cell have through holes each having a shape tapered from an outer surface of the substrate facing to outside of the overlapping portion toward an inner surface thereof facing to inside thereof. An observation window is formed between the through holes facing each other. In the overlapping portion, at least one of negative and positive electrode active materials is provided between transmission membranes of the observation window, and at least one pillar is provided between first and second positions. At the first position, edge portions of the through holes of the outer surfaces are face-to-face with each other. At the second position, edge portions of the through holes of the inner surfaces are face-to-face with each other. At least one spacer is further provided at a position shifted from the first position toward a circumferential edge of the overlapping portion. |
| US09851325B2 |
Cathodized gold nanoparticle graphite pencil electrode and method for glucose detection
The cathodized gold nanoparticle graphite pencil electrode is a sensitive enzymeless electrochemical glucose sensor based on the cathodization of AuNP-GPE. Cyclic voltammetry shows that advantageously, the cathodized AuNP-GPE is able to oxidize glucose partially at low potential (around −0.27 V). Fructose and sucrose cannot be oxidized at <0.1 V, thus the glucose oxidation peak at around −0.27 V is suitable enough for selective detection of glucose in the presence of fructose and sucrose. However, the glucose oxidation peak current at around −0.27 V is much lower which should be enhanced to obtain low detection limit. The AuNP-GPE cathodization increases the oxidation peak current of glucose at around −0.27 V. The dynamic range of the sensor is in the range between 0.05 to 5.0 mM of glucose with good linearity (R2=0.999). Almost no interference effect was observed for sensing of glucose in the presence of fructose, sucrose and NaCl. |
| US09851324B1 |
Sensing apparatus and material sensing method
A sensing apparatus includes a probe and a sensing module. The sensing module includes a material sensing circuit, an operation unit and a signal output circuit. The sensing module generates a frequency sweep signal and sends the frequency sweep signal to the probe to sense a status of a material. The frequency sweep signal is a plurality of signals having different frequencies from each other in a predetermined frequency range. When the frequency sweep signal touches the material, an equivalent capacitance of the material is utilized to generate a reflected signal. The material sensing circuit receives the reflected signal and sends the reflected signal to the operation unit. The operation unit operates the reflected signal to generate a waveform signal to determine the status of the material. The operation unit utilizes an impedance spectrum to determine the status of the material. |
| US09851323B2 |
Abnormality determination device of fuel property sensor and method of determining abnormality of the same
An abnormality determination device is applied to an electrostatic capacitance type fuel property sensor that has a sensing section that senses an electrostatic capacitance of a fuel to be detected. The abnormality determination device of the fuel property sensor acquires a first output that is an output when a predetermined voltage is applied to the sensing section and a second output that is an output when a voltage is not applied to the sensing section. The acquired first output and second output are compared and whether or not the fuel property sensor is abnormal is determined. |
| US09851322B2 |
Method and system for detecting malfunction of an electric boiler
A method for detecting malfunction of an electric boiler, the method including: a) detecting over scale accumulation by the steps of: metering the boiler's heating cycle, being a time from activating the boiler by a thermostat thereof until deactivating the boiler by the thermostat; if the heating cycle is longer than a threshold, then indicating over accumulation of scale in the boiler; b) detecting a malfunction of insulation of the boiler, by the steps of: metering the boiler's cooling cycle, being a time from deactivating the boiler by a thermostat thereof until reactivating the boiler by the thermostat; if the cooling cycle is shorter than the threshold, then indicating malfunction of insulation of the boiler; thereby allowing indicating malfunction of said boiler only by metering the heating and cooling cycles of said boiler. |
| US09851315B2 |
Methods for quantitative characterization of asphaltenes in solutions using two-dimensional low-field NMR measurement
A method for determining the concentration of asphaltenes in a solution is described. A model is first established for estimating the concentration of asphaltenes in a solution based on multiple samples of solutions of asphaltenes in the solvent in which the concentrations are known. The multiple samples have varying concentrations of asphaltenes. The diffusivity and relaxation time are measured for each sample using two-dimensional NMR. The ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time for each sample is then calculated. A linear equation is determined to fit the relationship between the ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time and the asphaltene concentration by weight for the multiple samples, thus creating the model. For a given solution sample for which the concentration of asphaltenes is desired to be determined, diffusivity and relaxation time are determined using two-dimensional NMR, and the ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time is calculated. This ratio is then used with the model, so that the linear equation can be solved for the asphaltene concentration in the given solution sample. |
| US09851312B2 |
Backscatter inspection systems, and related methods
Inspection systems employing radiation filters with different attenuation characteristics to determine specimen irregularities, and related methods are disclosed. An inspection system includes a radiation emitter configured to emit a radiation beam along a radiation trajectory. Some of the radiation may be reflected by the specimen as backscatter and received by at least one radiation detector of the inspection system along the radiation trajectory. Irregularities and various materials of the specimen may produce backscatter radiation at different energies and/or scatter angles which may be identified by employing radiation filters having different attenuation characteristics. By employing these filters in communication with the radiation emitter and the radiation detector, the backscatter radiation passed through the filters may be measured and integrated at different positions of the radiation beam to produce a composite image of the specimen. In this manner, irregularities and associated materials within the specimen may be more easily identified. |
| US09851311B2 |
Muon detector array stations
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for inspecting materials in a vehicle or object. In one aspect, a system for muon tomography detection includes a first and second housing structure each including a first array and second array of muon detection sensors, respectively, the first housing structure positioned opposite the second at a fixed height to form a detection region to contain a target object, in which the muon detection sensors measure positions and directions of muons passing through the first array to the detection region and passing from the detection region through the second array; support structures to position the first housing structure at the fixed height; and a processing unit to receive data from the muon detection sensors and analyze scattering behaviors of the muons in materials of the target object to obtain a tomographic profile or spatial distribution of scattering centers within the detection region. |
| US09851306B2 |
Reducing measurement variation related to optical measure of sample material
A measurement device includes mechanical support elements (101-104) for supporting a sample well, other mechanical support elements (105-109) for supporting a measurement head (112) suitable for optical measurements, and a control system (111) configured to control the measurement head to carry out at least two optical measurements from at least two different measurement locations inside the sample well, where each measurement location is a center point of a capture range from which radiation is captured in the respective optical measurement. The final measurement result is formed from the results of the at least two optical measurements in accordance with a pre-determined rule. The use of the at least two optical measurements from different measurement locations reduces measurement variation in situations where the sample well (153) contains a piece (158) of sample carrier. |
| US09851305B2 |
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering unit and Raman spectroscopic analysis method
A SERS unit 1A comprises a SERS element 2 having a substrate 21 and an optical function part 20 formed on the substrate 21, the optical function part 20 for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering; a transportation board 3 supporting the SERS element 2 during transportation, the SERS element 2 being removed from the transportation board 3 upon measurement; and a holding part 4 having a pinching part 41 pinching the SERS element 2 in cooperation with the transportation board 3, and detachably holding the SERS element 2 in the transportation board 3. |
| US09851304B2 |
Method and device for monitoring a cryopreserved biological sample
The invention relates to a method for monitoring a cryopreserved biological sample (1), comprising the steps of providing the biological sample (1) in a cryopreserved state, measuring at least one Raman spectroscopic sample characteristic by means of a Raman spectroscopic measuring apparatus (10, 20), comparing the at least one sample characteristic with a reference characteristic by means of an evaluating apparatus (30), and providing a state characteristic that depends on the result of the comparison and that is characteristic of a storage state of the biological sample (1). The invention further relates to a monitoring device for cryopreserved samples, in particular for performing said method. |
| US09851301B2 |
Method and device for recognizing a mixed or unmixed state of a sample
A method for automated identification of a state of a sample such as, for example, for identifying whether or not the sample was centrifuged is presented. A device for analyzing samples and a laboratory automation system are also presented in which the method is applied. |
| US09851298B1 |
Light-based shielding detection
Disclosed herein is a sunscreen detector for use with portable device, such as a mobile and/or wearable device. One variation of a sunscreen detector comprises an illumination system that is configured to illuminate a target skin area with ultraviolet and/or infrared spectrum light and a sensor system that is configured to detect the amount of ultraviolet and/or infrared spectrum light that is reflected from the target skin area. The sunscreen detector is configured to analyze the data collected by the sensor system to generate a notification to the user as to whether they should apply sunscreen. |
| US09851296B2 |
Diagnostic system for measuring temperature, pressure, CO2 concentration and H2O concentration in a fluid stream
A diagnostic system for measuring temperature, pressure, CO2 concentration and H2O concentration in a fluid stream is described. The system may include one or more probes that sample the fluid stream spatially, temporally and over ranges of pressure and temperature. Laser light sources are directed down pitch optical cables, through a lens and to a mirror, where the light sources are reflected back, through the lens to catch optical cables. The light travels through the catch optical cables to detectors, which provide electrical signals to a processer. The processer utilizes the signals to calculate CO2 concentration based on the temperatures derived from H2O vapor concentration. A probe for sampling CO2 and H2O vapor concentrations is also disclosed. Various mechanical features interact together to ensure the pitch and catch optical cables are properly aligned with the lens during assembly and use. |
| US09851294B1 |
Integrated mid-infrared, far infrared and terahertz optical Hall effect (OHE) instrument, and method of use
System Stage, and Optical Hall Effect (OHE) system method for evaluating such as free charge carrier effective mass, concentration, mobility and free charge carrier type in a sample utilizing a permanent magnet at room temperature. |
| US09851291B2 |
Realtime optical method and system for detecting and classifying biological and non-biological particles
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting and classifying individual airborne biological and non-biological particles, in real time, based on particle size and polarized elastic scatter. Auto-fluorescence content may also be used along with particle size and polarized elastic scatter for further orthogonal classification. With polarized elastic scattering, the degree of linear or circular depolarization produced from particle morphology, refractive index, internal asymmetric structures and molecular optical activity can be used for classifying individual airborne particles. Alternatively, circular intensity differential scattering (CIDS) or linear intensity differential scattering (LIDS) can be used to discriminate individual particles. |
| US09851290B2 |
Particle detector for particulate matter accumulated on a surface
Particle detectors and methods for detecting particulate matter accumulated on a surface are provided. According to one aspect, the particle detector may comprise a substrate, an optical light source configured to emit light along a light path, a waveguide associated with the substrate, having a surface exposed to a gaseous environment and configured to accumulate on the surface particulate matter from the gaseous environment, a detector configured to receive the emitted light from the waveguide, and a controller configured to determine the intensity of the detected light and output an indication of an opacity of the surface of the waveguide with the accumulated particulate matter. |
| US09851288B2 |
Event-driven coulter counter IC for high throughput particle counting
A particle occurrence sensing circuit for microfluidic particle sensing includes a set of particle event indicators, each of which includes: a Coulter counter having a sensing electrode exposable to a fluid within a microfluidic channel and configured for providing a particle sensing signal; an input stage configured for providing an extracted particle sensing signal; and a particle event detector configured for providing a set of particle event occurrence signals. Each of the set of particle event occurrence signals indicates a sensed occurrence of a particle greater than or equal to a given reference particle size during fluid flow through the microfluidic channel to which the sensing electrode is exposed. The particle event detector includes a successive approximation (SA) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured for generating a plurality of reference particle size threshold values and successively comparing the extracted particle sensing signal amplitude with reference particle size threshold values. |
| US09851286B2 |
Viscosity testing system and method of using the same
A highly efficient, highly accurate controllable digital viscosity testing system is provided. The system incorporates a variable speed motor, a digital encoder, a beam-deflection and/or magnetic torque resistance for unidirectional or bi-directional measurement of shear, and an API recommended practice 13B-11ISO 10414-1 bob and rotor sleeve measurement device for submerging in a test sample to measure shear forces exerted by the test sample. |
| US09851282B2 |
Sample cooling device, and autosampler provided with the same
There are provided a sample cooling device capable of preventing air containing moisture from flowing into an accommodating chamber from outside the accommodating chamber, and of desirably dehumidifying air inside the accommodating chamber, and an autosampler provided with the same. Air is sent into an accommodating chamber 11 by a blower section 100 from outside the accommodating chamber 11 and the air is cooled by a dehumidifier section 13 to thereby cause dehumidified air to be supplied into the accommodating chamber 11. With the air sent into the accommodating chamber 11 by the blower section 100 from outside the accommodating chamber 11, the inside of the accommodating chamber 11 may be placed in a pressurized state. Since dehumidified air is supplied into the accommodating chamber 11 by air sent into the accommodating chamber 11 by the blower section 100 from outside the accommodating chamber 11 being cooled by the dehumidifier section 13, the humidity inside the accommodating chamber 11 may be prevented from rising due to the air that is sent from the blower section 100. |
| US09851281B2 |
In-vial microextraction (IVME) systems and their method of making
An in-vial microextraction (IVME) device is a vial with at least a portion of the inner surface having a sol-gel coating that absorbs at least one target analyte. The sol-gel coating is a metal oxide comprising coating that is formed from a tri- and/or tetra-functional metal comprising precursor that condenses to form a gel network. The IVME device can be used to prepare a sample by the contacting of the IVME device with a solution or suspension. An analytical method is enabled where the absorbed analyte from the IVME device is subsequently desorbed with a solvent or solution or thermally desorbed and analyzed using GC-MS or LC-MS or other analytical instrument for separation and detection. |
| US09851279B2 |
Methods for determining strain on turbine components using traversable strain sensor readers
Traversable strain sensor readers for reading a plurality strain sensor reference features on a turbine component include a traversing system configured to traverse the traversable strain sensor reader along at least a portion of the turbine component, and a reader configured to read at least a portion of the plurality of strain sensor reference features while the traversing system traverses the traversable strain sensor reader along at least the portion of the turbine component. |
| US09851277B2 |
Network manageable advanced gas sensor apparatus and method
Mechanical, electronic, algorithmic, and computer network facets are combined to create a highly integrated advanced gas sensor. A sensor is integrated into switchgear housings. These sensors integrated into high voltage switchgear products, deployed by electric utility end users in replacement and expansion cycles, function to detect and mitigate atmospheric pollution caused by leaking SF6. As its associated gas insulated tank is charged with 10 to 350 lbs. of SF6, each gas sensor monitors its local cache of gas, accurately sensing and computing fractional percentage losses (emissions) and gains (maintenance replacement) in SF6 mass, storing data in onboard data logs, and communicating data when triggered by detection events or in response to remote requests over a hierarchical communications network, a process that continues without labor until a fractional leak is automatically detected and reported creating the opportunity for early leak mitigation. |
| US09851271B2 |
Sensor and method of manufacturing the same
A sensor and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sensor includes a substrate, a projecting portion including a plurality of projections that protrude upwardly from an upper portion of the substrate, and an electrode portion covering the projections and the upper portion of the substrate between the projections. The projecting portion of the sensor has micro projections to enable the sensor to sense pressure and a sliding movement. |
| US09851269B2 |
Pressure-sensitive safety device for monitoring a technical installation
A pressure-sensitive safety device for monitoring a technical installation, includes a sensor having first and second sensor cells, and first, second and third electrodes for making contact with the first and the second sensor cells. A pressure-sensitive material within the first and second sensor cells is configured, under local loading, to change an electrical property of the cells at the site of loading. An evaluation unit provides an output signal depending on an actuation of the first and second sensor cells. The first and second electrodes are connected to the first and second sensor cells, respectively, and the third electrode is connected to both the first and the second sensor cells. The first, second and third electrodes are connected to the evaluation unit by a first sequentialization element, and to a defined first potential by a second sequentialization element. |
| US09851266B2 |
Stress-detecting element, sensor module, and electronic apparatus
A stress-detecting element includes a support body, a support film, a first piezoelectric element, first and second elastic parts. The support body has an opening part with first and second rectilinear sections extending parallel to each other. The support film blocks off the opening part. The first piezoelectric element straddles the first rectilinear section from an interior area to an exterior area of the opening part as seen in plan view. The first elastic part straddles the first rectilinear section from the interior area to the exterior area of the opening part. The second elastic part straddles the second rectilinear section from the interior area to the exterior area of the opening part. The first and second elastic parts respectively have first and second elastic end sections disposed in the interior area of the opening part and spaced apart from each other. |
| US09851264B2 |
High-pressure colorimetric measurement cell
The supporting device (10) includes: a body (14), designed to be mounted on an enclosure of a calorimeter, an end-fitting (34) for supporting the measurement cell (12), including elements (36) for fastening the measurement cell (12) on that supporting end-fitting (34), and fluid flow members in the measurement cell (12), able to control the pressure in that measurement cell (12). |
| US09851258B2 |
Thermopile temperature sensor with a reference sensor therein
A sensor package having a thermopile sensor and a reference thermopile sensor disposed therein. In one or more implementations, the sensor package includes a substrate, a thermopile sensor disposed over the substrate, a reference thermopile sensor disposed over the substrate, and a lid assembly disposed over the thermopile sensor and the reference thermopile sensor. The lid assembly includes a transparent structure that passes electromagnetic radiation occurring in a limited spectrum of wavelengths and an electromagnetic blocker disposed over the lid assembly. The electromagnetic blocker defines an aperture over the thermopile sensor such that at least a portion of the electromagnetic blocker is positioned over the reference thermopile sensor. The electromagnetic blocker is configured to at least substantially block the electromagnetic radiation occurring in a limited spectrum of wavelengths from reaching the reference thermopile sensor. |
| US09851256B2 |
Apparatus and method for electromagnetic radiation sensing
Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing. The apparatus includes a radiation detection sensor including a plurality of micromechanical radiation sensing pixels having a reflecting top surface and configured to deflect light incident on the reflective surface as a function of an intensity of sensed radiation. In some implementations, the apparatus has equal sensitivities for at least some of the sensing pixels. In some implementations, the apparatus can provide adjustable sensitivity and measurement range. The apparatus can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces. |
| US09851255B2 |
Windowless microbolometer array
A windowless microbolometer for use in terrestrial applications and non-terrestrial applications is provided. The windowless microbolometer array may interact with a flow of gas such that a pixel-based image of the gas is generated when the flow of gas impinges upon the windowless microbolometer array. The windowless microbolometer array may also interact with a molecular beam to provide information related to density, shape, and propagation of the molecular beam. |
| US09851253B2 |
Infrared thermal sensor with good SNR
An infrared thermal sensor for detecting infrared radiation, comprising a substrate and a cap structure together forming a sealed cavity, the cavity comprising a gas at a predefined pressure; a membrane arranged in said cavity for receiving infrared radiation; a plurality of beams for suspending the membrane; a plurality of thermocouples for measuring a temperature difference between the membrane and the substrate; wherein the ratio of the thermal resistance between the membrane and the substrate through the thermocouples, and the thermal resistance between the membrane and the substrate through the beams and through the gas is a value in the range of 0.8 to 1.2. A method of designing such a sensor, and a method of producing such a sensor is also disclosed. |
| US09851250B1 |
Fully integrated gas concentration sensor
A gas concentration sensor is includes an integrated die-form electromagnetic radiation source and an integrated die-form infrared detector. In one or more implementations, the gas concentration sensor includes a package substrate defining at least one aperture, a gas permeable mesh coupled to the package substrate and covering at least a portion of the at least one aperture, a die-form electromagnetic radiation source positioned in an interior region of the package substrate, a die-form detector positioned in the interior region of the package substrate, and control circuitry operably coupled to the die-form detector and configured to detect and calibrate one or more signal outputs from the die-form detector to determine a gas concentration within the interior region of the package substrate. The gas concentration sensor can be configured for specific detection of various gases through control of the spectral wavelengths emitted by the electromagnetic radiation source(s) and/or detected by the detector(s). |
| US09851244B2 |
Vibration sensor with bonded drive
Vibration sensor comprising a membrane, which can be excited to vibrate by means of a drive, wherein the drive has at least one piezo actuator, which is designed so as to be bonded with the membrane, wherein the membrane has at least one centering device that is designed to be suitable for orienting and keeping the drive centered relative to the membrane. |
| US09851242B2 |
Collocated sensor for a vibrating fluid meter
A combined driver and pick-off sensor component (200, 300) for a vibrating meter is provided. The combined driver and pick-off sensor component (200, 300) includes a magnet portion (104B) with at least a first magnet (211). The combined driver and pick-off sensor component (200, 300) further includes a coil portion (204A, 304A) receiving at least a portion of the first magnet (211). The coil portion (204A, 304A) includes a coil bobbin (220), a driver wire (221) wound around the coil bobbin (220), and a pick-off wire (222) wound around the coil bobbin (220). |
| US09851238B2 |
Container filling device having an indicator
A container filling device including a body having a top end, a bottom end, a first opening at the top end, a second opening at the bottom end, and a channel formed there between is provided in an embodiment herein. A diameter of the body at the top end is greater than a diameter of the body at the bottom end, and a rod component is disposed within the channel and is slidable within the channel, the rod component having a first end and a second end, an indicator element is disposed toward the first end of the rod component and a contact element is disposed toward the second end, wherein upon filling the container with a fluid, the contact element remains at the surface of the fluid, and the indicator element visually indicates the level of the fluid in the container. |
| US09851231B2 |
Flow meter and heat meter that automatically determines flow direction
A flow meter records a flow rate and/or an amount of heat of a flowing fluid. A control and evaluation unit ascertains flow rate data and the fitting-dependent direction of through flow is automatically ascertained. A temperature measuring device has first and second temperature sensors for ascertaining a temperature difference between a feed temperature in the feed and a return temperature in the return. The fitting location of the first and second temperature sensors in the feed or the return is automatically ascertained by the control and evaluation unit on the basis of the temperature difference. The control and evaluation unit is automatically configured during first-time or re-installation of the flow meter such that the direction of flow through the meter is adapted to the fitted direction of through flow and/or the temperature sensors are assigned to the feed and the return, respectively. |
| US09851230B2 |
System, apparatus and method for automatic pipe type detection
A fluid flow meter can include a sensor capable of transmitting a transmit signal to propagate, at least partially, through a fluid in a pipe and receiving a respective receive signal. The fluid flow meter can include a memory storing computer code instructions and a plurality of pipe type signatures associated with a plurality of pipe types. Each pipe type signature of a respective pipe type of the plurality of pipe types can include one or more characteristics of receive signals associated with that pipe type. The fluid flow meter can also include a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the memory. When executing the computer code instructions, the processor can determine one or more signal features of the receive signal, and identify a pipe type of the pipe based on the one or more signal features of the receive signal and the plurality of pipe type signatures. |
| US09851229B2 |
Distributor valve having an integrated flow meter unit
A distribution valve with an integrated flowmeter unit, which exhibits a main flow channel, through which a medium can flow in a main flow direction, and a secondary flow channel branching from the latter. The distribution valve includes a distribution valve housing containing a main pipe, a first conduit pipe connection, a second conduit pipe connection and at least one branch lying in between. The main flow channel in the main pipe runs from the first conduit pipe connection to the second conduit pipe connection. The branch empties into a first housing part, which includes an outlet. The outlet of the first housing part empties into a second housing part, which accommodates a flowmeter body and includes an outlet that forms a third conduit pipe connection. The secondary flow channel runs from the at least one branch of the main pipe to the outlet of the second housing part. |
| US09851221B2 |
Hall sensor insensitive to external magnetic fields
A Hall sensor includes a first Hall element pair configured to provide a first measurement signal, a second Hall element pair configured to provide a second measurement signal, and a third Hall element pair configured to provide a third measurement signal. Each element in the third Hall element pair is arranged between Hall elements of the first Hall element pair and Hall elements of the second Hall element pair. The Hall element pairs are configured to be actuated such that the first, second, and third measurement signals can be combined into one aggregate measurement signal which corrects an error in an angle of rotation determination caused by an external magnetic field. |
| US09851219B2 |
Methods and systems for route-based scrolling of a navigational map
Methods and systems are provided for indicating the relationship of a displayed area on a map with respect to a route or flight plan. A method comprises displaying a navigational map on a display device and displaying a graphical adjustment element on the display device. The position of the graphical adjustment element on the display device corresponds to the along track distance between the displayed area of the navigational map and a first navigational reference point of a route comprising the first navigational reference point and a second navigational reference point. |
| US09851218B2 |
Method for planning a route in a system with a display and an input device
A method for planning a route in a system having a display and an input device, that comprises the steps of using a map database that stores data associated with an area that includes a required route; displaying the map or a portion thereof on the display, in this displaying step selecting the scale and position of the displayed map; adjusting and storing conditions or preferences as parameters associated with the required route; defining the requested route in which using said input device to draw the required route on the map displayed, storing the coordinate data of the required route; then determining a suggested route based on the required route, wherein an iteration algorithm is used to determine from successive points of the required route beginning with its starting point respective costs of vectors starting at said points and ending at points of possible routes that satisfy preset parameters and lie in the vicinity of said points of the required route, and selecting a suggested route from the plurality of said possible routes that has minimum overall cost, and storing and displaying this suggested route. |
| US09851217B2 |
Navigation device
Disclosed is a navigation device which extracts an entrance and exit section which exists ahead of a vehicle and in which a vehicle is permitted to make a lane change between an HOV lane and a normal lane on the basis of information about the position of the vehicle and map data in which the HOV lane and the normal lane are defined by a single link, extracts a branch point on the HOV lane existing ahead of the vehicle on the basis of the map data and the position information, determines a guidance time for the extracted entrance and exit section, and another guidance time for the branch point, and provides guidance notifying that the vehicle can exit the HOV lane or guidance notifying that the vehicle can enter the HOV lane at the guidance time, or provides guidance on the branch at the other guidance time. |
| US09851214B1 |
Road frustration index risk mapping and mitigation
A system for determining a road frustration index value includes a vehicle and a user computing device within the vehicle and a remote computing system, where a telematics system associated with the vehicle senses a speed of the vehicle. The computing device calculates, in near real-time and based on vehicle speed information and the road class of one or more route segments of a travel route, a first frustration level value associated with the driver of the vehicle and identify, based on whether the first frustration level value meets a criterion, an alternate route segment having second frustration level value predicted to be less than the first frustration level value. The remote computing system receives information associated with the first route segment and the alternate route segment and calculates insurance cost based on the road frustration index values associated with a route traveled in the vehicle. |
| US09851213B2 |
System and method for recommending charging station for electric vehicle
The present disclosure relates to a big data-based method or system for recommending electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with the shortest charge waiting time, which comprises a driving information receiving unit for receiving a charging station search request, and information about estimated discharge time and a current location from an electric vehicle; a charging station information receiving unit for receiving power consumption data from charging stations in real time; a charge waiting time calculation unit for receiving the power consumption data from the charging station information receiving unit, and, in response to a charging station search request, calculating charge waiting time of the charging stations on the basis of their power consumption; and an optimal charging station providing unit for receiving the information about the estimated discharge time and current location from the driving information receiving unit, and receiving the charge waiting time from the charge waiting time calculation unit, and providing information about at least one optimal charging station that can reached within the estimated discharge time based on the current location and can recharge the vehicle in the shortest time. |
| US09851202B2 |
Determining a return laser signal associated with a target in laser range finders
A laser range finder (LRF) and an automated method for determining a return laser signal associated with a target thereof are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the LRF includes a laser beam emitter to emit a laser beam towards a target. Further, the LRF includes a receiver circuit to receive multiple return laser signals reflected from objects including the target and to determine an amplitude of each of the multiple return laser signals. Furthermore, the LRF includes a processor coupled to the receiver circuit to compare the amplitude of each of the multiple return laser signals with a range varying threshold that accounts for range and atmospheric losses and to determine one of the multiple return laser signals as being associated with the target based on the comparison. |
| US09851200B2 |
Non-contact gaging system and method for contoured panels having specular surfaces
A system and method for gaging the shape of a curved panel includes, as components, (1) a system and method for acquiring three-dimensional surface data corresponding to the panel, and (2) a system and method for receiving the acquired surface data, comparing the acquired surface to a pre-defined surface description, and developing indicia of the level of conformance of the contoured panel to the pre-defined specification. The surface data acquisition system includes a conveyor for conveying the panel, at least one display projecting a preselected contrasting pattern, and at least one camera. The camera(s) and display(s) are uniquely paired and are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship a known distance and angle from the surface of the panel such that the camera detects the reflected image of the pattern projected on the surface of the panel from its associated display. |
| US09851194B2 |
Measuring apparatus
A measuring apparatus includes a first angle measuring member, a second angle measuring member, and a display module. The first angle measuring member includes a first connecting shaft, a first needle rotatably connected to the first connecting shaft, and a first angle measuring instrument. The second angle measuring member includes a second connecting shaft, a second needle rotatably connected to the second connecting shaft, and a second angle measuring instrument. The first angle measuring instrument is configured to measure a first angle between the first needle and the first connecting shaft, and the second angle measuring instrument is configured to measure a second angle between the second needle and the second connecting shaft. The display module is configured to calculate a size of the object based on the first angle, the second angle, and lengths of the first connecting shaft and the second connecting shaft. |
| US09851193B2 |
Tape measure apparatus with a rotating and sliding catch
An improved tape measure apparatus which includes a catch that is both slidable and rotatable relative to the rule blade in a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rule blade when the rule blade is extended from the tape casing. In one embodiment the catch can both rotate and slide relative to the rule blade when frictional forces exceed a predefined minimum or are within a predefined range. |
| US09851191B2 |
High voltage explosive assembly for downhole detonations
A downhole explosive detonation comprises a high voltage electro-explosive initiator comprising an input high voltage power supply with a low impedance shunting fuse, a flexible electrical link and a capacitor discharge unit. Explosive is initiated in a direction approximately parallel, or in another version perpendicular to the capacitor discharge unit. A unique configuration and construction of the assembly allows installation through a small service port in the gun housing structure for more efficient gun arming. A real time downhole voltage monitoring is described that transmits voltage readings to the surface during a firing sequence. |
| US09851189B2 |
Packaging machines suitable for shot bags and related methods
Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products are configured to package products using automated movement of components that fill, then clip bags in a manner that is particularly suitable for packaging blasting powder and/or explosives in shot bags. |
| US09851188B2 |
Decoupling assembly for a plumbing network
A vessel, such as a rocket motor tube, comprised of an insert, and a joint that allows the insert to decouple from the vessel to relieve pressure when subjected to excessive temperatures and/or a predetermined temperature or temperature range. |
| US09851186B2 |
High spin projectile apparatus for smooth bore barrels
A projectile apparatus is provided that includes a projectile, a propellant, and optional components such as a wading, a sabot, and an intermediary device. The projectile can be fired through a barrel having a smooth bore. A sabot is provided that can include molded features, for example, a base portion and a plurality of petal portions defining, in-part, a volume for accommodating a projectile. The sabot and wadding can include molded features that control and direct gases produced by the propellant. The apparatus can convert gas pressure or gas velocity into a high rate of projectile spin. The projectile has long-range accuracy due to a high or sustainable velocity and high rate of spin. |
| US09851185B2 |
Target
Target for helice target shooting comprising a helical body and a center piece that are snap-coupled together; the helical body comprising a cylindrical annular portion that extends according to a central axis (A) and is provided, peripherally, of at least one pair of mushroom-shaped projections so configured as to couple with the center piece in correspondence of respective peripheral seats; the annular portion having crack nucleation means suitable to facilitate the fracture, in use, by at least one shot. |
| US09851184B2 |
Personal defense accessory for a mobile communications device
A personal defense accessory for interaction with a mobile communications device includes a main housing. A pair of electrodes are disposed in the main housing. A controller is disposed with the main housing and connected to the pair of electrodes to deliver a stun rated shock. |
| US09851177B2 |
Coating for light security
A night vision system includes an eyepiece and a video camera to capture a video image that can be remote to the eyepiece. The eyepiece includes an optical device with a front side and a back side. A splitting surface within the optical device reflects some of a video image toward an eye of a user of the eyepiece, and the splitting surface further allows some light of an optical image received from in front of the eyepiece to past through the eyepiece to the eye of the user. The layer of switchable coating on the eyepiece can be switched between a transparent mode and an opaque mode by the user. When in an opaque mode no light can leave the front side of the optical device and only the video image can be seen through the eyepiece. |
| US09851176B2 |
Rail-mounted firearm handgrip assembly
A handgrip assembly for long-barreled firearms, the assembly having a generally C-shaped in cross-section handgrip, at least one channel recess and mounting clips received within the channel recess, the mounting clips affixing the handgrip to a rail, which may be part of the assembly or be a structural element present on the firearm. |
| US09851175B2 |
Fully adjustable gunstock with integrated tool holder
Presented are a firearm attachment and a method. An exemplary firearm attachment includes a gunstock comprising a cavity for attachment to a barrel, a handgrip port including a mount, a buttstock port, and a magazine port, the magazine port located on the gunstock to align with a magazine, the mount operable to slideably move and be affixed along a longitudinal axis of the gunstock. The firearm attachment further includes a handgrip, the handgrip removeably attached to the mount, the handgrip able to rotate relative to the gunstock to a plurality of locations, wherein the handgrip can be rotatably fixed at each one of the plurality of locations. The firearm attachment also includes a buttstock and a forearm grip. |
| US09851173B2 |
Arrow gun with controlled retention force and barrel vibration damping
An arrow gun is provided having a controllable retention force on the arrow. By setting the retention force on the arrow, increased energy from motive compressed gas can be imparted to the arrow. The arrow gun also includes a damping coupling for reducing vibration of an unsupported length of the barrel. |
| US09851171B2 |
Narrow crossbow with large power stroke
A crossbow may be a horizontal crossbow having a main beam and a bow assembly mounted to the main beam. The bow assembly may include: a bowstring; a riser attached to the main beam; a first bow limb; a second bow limb; a first wheel that is supported to the first bow limb; and a second wheel that is supported to the second bow limb. In some embodiments, the bow limbs may be separated at least as wide as a user's foot. In other embodiments, the bow assembly may include a trigger oriented parallel to pivot axes about which the wheels rotate. In yet other embodiments, a ratio of the distance between the wheels and the power stroke is less than 1.8. |
| US09851170B1 |
Arrow retention device of crossbow
An arrow retention device of a crossbow includes a fixing member which has one end thereof fixed to the shooting device, and an installation slot is defined axially in the underside of the fixing member. An arm is pivotably inserted into the installation slot and has a first end and a second end. The first end is exposed beyond the installation slot, and the second end of the arm is inserted into the shooting device. A restriction rod extends from each of two sides of the arm. A pushing spring connected to the top of the arm is biased between the second end of the arm and the shooting device. A retention member is connected to the arm and includes a contact portion for pressing an arrow. When shooting the arrow, the pushing spring pivots the arm back, and the contact portion is separated from the arrow. |
| US09851169B2 |
Archery bow
In at least one embodiment, an archery bow comprises a riser supporting a first limb and a second limb. The first limb supports a first rotatable member that defines a first axis of rotation. The second limb supports a second rotatable member that defines a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation move with respect to one another as the bow is drawn from a brace condition to a drawn condition. The bow defines a reference plane that includes the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation, wherein a distance between a predetermined location on the riser and the reference plane is greater in the brace condition than in the drawn condition. |
| US09851168B2 |
Cleaning implements for firearms
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for cleaning implements for firearms. In one embodiment, a single-use cleaning implement may include a hollow member; and a cleaning surface disposed along a length of the hollow member. The cleaning surface may be disposed about a circumference of the hollow member. A flexible shaft may be configured to extend through the hollow member. The flexible shaft may comprise a retainer component disposed at a distal end, the retainer component configured to abut a distal end of the cleaning implement and to impede the cleaning implement from passing over the retainer component. The flexible shaft may be used to pull the hollow cleaning implement through the barrel of the firearm while the retainer component abuts the distal end of the cleaning implement and the first cleaning surface engages with an inner surface of the barrel to clean the barrel. |
| US09851164B2 |
Laser centering of robotic arm
In a system and method of working tubes coupled to a tubesheet having a number of holes, wherein each hole in fluid communication with one of the tubes, an end-effector is positioned by a robot in coarse or rough alignment with a first hole in the tubesheet. Via lasers positioned on the end-effector, laser spots are formed on a surface of the tubesheet adjacent the first hole. The laser spots are detected by a camera and the alignment of the end-effector relative to the first hole in the tubesheet is refined via the robot based on the detected pattern of laser spots. The tool is then moved into the tube that is in fluid communication with the first hole in the tubesheet to work on (inspect, plug, sleeve or weld) the tube. |
| US09851157B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining a minimum temperature in a fluid
Apparatus and method for maintaining temperature in a sub-sea device, in particular in relation to fluid in the device. A material having a high latent heat on phase change is used to release latent heat to the fluid when the fluid temperature decreases towards a threshold value. |
| US09851156B2 |
Molten-salt-heated indirect screw-type thermal processor
A body of heat transfer fluid circulates in a first loop through an indirect screw-type thermal processor, a rundown tank, a pump, a heater and a fill tank, continuously heating the processor. With the pump operating, a first vertical distance between the fill tank bottom and the processor under the influence of gravity sets a minimum fluid pressure at the processor; a stem pipe opening in the fill tank at a second vertical distance above the processor sets a maximum pressure. With the pump inactive, the entire body of fluid passively drains to the rundown tank. Supplying the fluid may entail melting a salt, hydrating a salt, or both; such may be done in the rundown tank before circulation through the processor begins. A hydrated salt may be circulated, then heated and dehydrated, to gradually warm the processor. A dehydrated salt may be rehydrated and then stored; this may be done in the rundown tank after ceasing circulation through the processor. Also described: misting hydration and variable-speed-pump pressure regulation. |
| US09851149B2 |
Magnetic annealing apparatus and magnetic annealing method
Disclosed is a magnetic annealing apparatus including a processing container that performs a magnetic annealing processing on a plurality of substrates accommodated therein in a magnetic field; a substrate holder that holds the plurality of substrates substantially horizontally in the processing container; a division heater including a plurality of sub-division heaters and covering a substantially entire circumferential surface of an outer periphery of a predetermined region of the processing container along a longitudinal direction; a magnet installed to cover an outside of the division heater; and a controller configured to feedback-control a temperature of a predetermined control target heater among the plurality of sub-division heaters, and to control temperatures of the plurality of sub-division heaters other than the predetermined control target heater based on a control output obtained by multiplying a control output of the predetermined control target heater and a predetermined ratio. |
| US09851148B2 |
Extruded polycarbonate sticker for spacing wood
A sticker for spacing wood is extruded from an alloy that includes polycarbonate resin and polysulfone resin. The sticker can have a variety of different configurations, including a top surface that includes contact points that have an area substantially smaller than the area of the top surface, a single or multiple internal longitudinal hallow chambers separated by multiple reinforcing members, longitudinal external grooves that allow airflow, lateral external grooves that intersect the longitudinal external grooves, curved sides for a version where the stickers are placed manually, and substantially straight sides for a version where the stickers are placed by a machine. The sticker is extremely durable and can withstand hundreds or thousands of drying cycles. |
| US09851135B2 |
Compressor crankcase heating control systems and methods
A crankcase heating control system for a heat pump system includes a data receiving module and a power control module. The data receiving module receives data indicative of a temperature of a compressor of the heat pump system, data indicative of an ambient temperature, and data indicative of a current date and a current time. The power control module selectively applies power to a heater of a crankcase of the compressor and selectively disables the heater based on the temperature of the compressor, the ambient temperature, the current date, and the current time. |
| US09851134B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit formed by connecting a compressor that discharges a zeotropic refrigerant, an outdoor-side heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outside air and the refrigerant, a first expansion device that regulates the pressure of the refrigerant, and a load-side heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the air in an air-conditioning target space and the refrigerant. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a controller that has a composition computing function unit and a composition determining function unit The composition determining function unit is configured to adopt a predetermined value set in advance and related to composition as a circulating composition if the computation result is determined as incorrect, and adopt the computation result as the circulating composition if the computation result is determined as correct. |
| US09851130B2 |
Electronics cooling using lubricant return for a shell-and-tube style evaporator
A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component. |
| US09851128B2 |
Magneto caloric heat pump
A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM to provide for heating or cooling. The heat pump is constructed from a continuously rotating regenerator where MCM is cycled in and out of a magnetic field in a continuous manner. A heat transfer fluid is circulated therethrough to provide for heat transfer in a cyclic manner. The MCM may include stages having different Curie temperature ranges. A field of varying magnetic flux may be used. The rotating regenerator can be equipped with one or more gaskets to improve fluid seals between the rotating regenerator and stationary parts. An appliance using such a heat pump system is also provided. The heat pump may also be used in other applications for heating, cooling, or both. |
| US09851124B2 |
Room heater
A room heater is operated on receiving an on-command from a thermostat when a detected temperature detected by a second room-temperature detector falls below a first reference temperature, and is stopped on receiving an off-command when the temperature detected by the second room-temperature detector is above a second reference temperature that is set higher than the first reference temperature or when the thermostat is manually operated to be switched off. A setting temperature for temperature control to be carried out when the on-command is received again is updated according to a difference between the set temperature and the temperature detected by the first room-temperature detector on receiving the off-command. When the off-command is received before passing a predetermined period of time after receiving the on-command, the updating of the set temperature is prohibited if the temperature detected by the first room-temperature detector is below a predetermined minimum lower reference temperature. |
| US09851122B2 |
Ventilation system for storage covers and method of use
The present invention relates to a reliable, efficient, and low cost ventilation system for storage covers that improves the distribution of air flow and improves aeration of the particulate material and the method of installing the same. |
| US09851121B1 |
Heat-actuated fire damper sealing apparatus
A heat activated sealing apparatus for closing and locking a plurality of ventilation damper blades of a ventilation framework includes a fire detection assembly for detecting a fire condition and an actuator. A damper closure assembly includes an axle in communication with the actuator of the fire detection assembly and operatively coupled to the plurality of dampers of the ventilation framework, the axle being selectively rotatable between a start configuration at which the plurality of ventilation dampers are at the open configuration and a deployed configuration at which the plurality of ventilation dampers are at the closed configuration. The damper closure assembly includes a locking assembly movable between an unlocked configuration allowing rotatable movement of the axle and a locked configuration not allowing rotatable movement of the axle. The locking assembly is movable to the locked configuration only when exposed to a predetermined amount of heat from the fire condition. |
| US09851119B2 |
HVAC workload and cost logic
A method for HVAC workload and cost logic is described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a thermostat of an HVAC system being set to a target temperature and upon detecting the thermostat being set to the target temperature, detecting a current indoor condition and a current outdoor condition. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating an estimated runtime of an HVAC heating or cooling cycle for the target temperature. The estimated runtime is based on the target temperature, the current indoor and outdoor conditions, and on a result of querying a correlation database. The correlation database includes data points for a plurality of previous HVAC heating and cooling cycles. |
| US09851116B2 |
Displacement ventilation systems for enclosed spaces
A displacement ventilation system includes a vertical duct located inside an enclosed space and extending between a floor and a ceiling of the enclosed space, an air inlet coupled with the vertical duct for drawing air into the displacement ventilation system, and an elongated diffuser extending adjacent the floor for diffusing at least some of the outside air over the floor of the enclosed spaced. The displacement ventilation system desirably includes a return air duct extending adjacent the ceiling and being coupled with the vertical duct for removing return air from the enclosed space and advancing the return air toward the vertical duct, a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy between the return air and the outside air, and a heat pump for changing a temperature level of the outside air or the return air passing through the heat pump. |
| US09851115B2 |
Vent sealing device and system
A vent sealing device includes first and second elongated tubular members having a funnel shaped cap along the upper surface for directing rain water into a vent pipe. A screen is positioned along the top of the device. A vent sealing system includes the vent sealing device and a roof attachment having an elongated base structure and a flexible sleeve protruding outward therefrom. |
| US09851110B2 |
Heating system control method and heating system
A method of controlling a heating system includes: obtaining, from a power supply source, information specifying an output modulation period during which power consumption by a heat pump unit is to be reduced; and controlling, based on the information obtained in the obtaining, an amount of heat generated by the heat pump unit. In the controlling, the heat pump unit is caused to generate a first amount of heat per unit time in a period other than the output modulation period, and generate a second amount of heat per unit time during the output modulation period, the second amount of heat being less than the first amount of heat. |
| US09851109B2 |
Heating device with condensing counter-flow heat exchanger and method of operating the same
A method of operating a heating device includes heating air in a heating device chamber. The method further includes exhausting outgoing air from the heating device chamber via a first flow path through which the outgoing air flows in a first direction, and supplying incoming air to the heating device chamber via a second flow path through which the incoming air flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The latent heat in the outgoing air in the first flow path is transferred to the incoming air in the second flow path thereby condensing water vapor contained in the outgoing air to produce liquid water. |
| US09851100B2 |
Waste treatment apparatus and method
In apparatus and method for waste treatment by pyrolysis, treated waste is flushed through a grid (18) to trap recyclable material in the pyrolysis chamber (24). Pyrolysis is carried out at a temperature of from 400-700° C. and off-gases are dissolved in a solution in scrubber (13) for disposal in a water course. Water is introduced into the chamber as superheated steam via pipes (5) so as both to flush away treated material and clean the chamber. Recyclable waste is separated from non-recyclable by treating non-recyclable waste by pyrolysis, and flushing treated non-recyclable waste away through liquid exhaust (8). Apparatus is made as a modular, free-standing unit and comprises plugs for connection to an electricity supply, to a water supply, and to a sewerage system (16) and has a chamber with a volume in the range 0.01-0.5 m3. |
| US09851099B2 |
Flat-flame nozzle for burner
According to the present disclosure, a flat-flame nozzle is provided for producing a flat flame in a flame chamber included in a burner assembly. The flat-flame nozzle is configured to conduct fuel from a fuel supply to an ignition zone in the flame chamber. In some illustrative embodiments, the flat-flame nozzle is also configured to conduct oxygen from an oxygen supply to the ignition zone to produce a combustible oxygen-fuel mixture in the flame chamber. In illustrative embodiments, a removable first plate-separation border frame is positioned to lie between a first lower plate and a companion first upper plate. This border frame is configured to cooperate with those plates to form in the flat-flame nozzle a fuel-discharge outlet and a fuel-transport passageway communicating with the fuel-discharge outlet. |
| US09851097B2 |
Steam water separator, use of such water steam separator, and method for separating steam and water
A steam water separator includes: —a vessel having a vessel wall delimiting an interior of the vessel, where the vessel is configured to contain steam in a steam zone and water in a water zone in the interior of the vessel, —at least one inlet for introducing steam and/or water in the vessel, —at least one steam outlet for taking steam out of the vessel, —at least one water outlet for taking water out of the vessel, and a wetting device configured to wet in the steam zone an inner surface of the vessel wall. |
| US09851095B2 |
Candles and candle holder
A candle holder comprising a body having a mouth, a base and sides that connect the mouth to the base is provided. The mouth comprises an opening arranged to receive a candle and at least a portion of the sides taper inwardly from the mouth towards the base. The inward most point of the tapered portion of the sides defines an aperture having a size which is less than that of the widest part of the candle. Also provided are a candle and a candle stand having a catching device for use with the candle holder. In use, wax and waste material from the candle pass through the aperture of the candle holder into the catching device. Thus, the candle holder can be reused repeatedly without the need for cleaning or replacement of the candle holder. |
| US09851094B2 |
Light-emitting acoustic panel and lighting system comprising a set of such panels
The invention relates to a set (1) of panels forming a lighting system, the set comprising a light-emitting panel (2) and a light-reflecting panel (3), each panel having two opposing first sides (4), two opposing second sides (5) and two opposing main surfaces (6). Each panel is suspended from a ceiling (7) with a first side (4) thereof facing the ceiling. The light-emitting panel (2) comprises a light source (11) arranged on a second side (5) thereof. The second side (5) of the light-emitting panel (2) faces a main surface (6) of the light-reflecting panel (3) such that the light source (11) is arranged to illuminate the main surface (6) of the light-reflecting panel (3). The invention also relates to a lighting system including such set of panels and an acoustic panel as such. |
| US09851088B2 |
Light including a heat sink and LEDs coupled to the heat sink
A light includes a housing defining a bottom end and a top end, a heat sink disposed within the housing and including a central body that defines a central aperture, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central body and extending outward from the central body, each of the arms including a light receiving surface. A plurality of LEDs is coupled to each of the light receiving surfaces and a hollow tube extends from the bottom of the housing and is coupled to the heat sink to define a cooling air passage that passes through the hollow tube and the central aperture to direct cooling air from the bottom of the housing to the top of the housing. |
| US09851087B2 |
Light emitting device and lighting apparatus
A light emitting device includes: a substrate; one or more LED (light emitting diode) elements mounted on a substrate; and a radiator unit made of metal paste and arranged on a rear surface opposite to a principal surface on which the one or more LED elements are mounted. The height Ta of the radiator unit from a rear surface is less than thickness Tb of substrate. |
| US09851080B2 |
User-wearable illumination assembly
In one aspect, a user-wearable illumination assembly includes eyeglass frames and a headlamp removably coupled to the eyeglass frames. Electrical circuitry may be integrated with the eyeglass frames. The headlamp and the eyeglass frames have mounting structure that cooperate to removably support the headlamp thereon. A light source is disposed within the headlamp and electrical communication between the light source and the electrical circuitry of the eyeglass frames is provided by electrical contacts associated with the mounting structures of the headlamp and eyeglass frames. In another aspect, a user-wearable illumination assembly for use with eyeglass frames includes a clip assembly that is selectively removably couplable to a bridge portion of the eyeglass frames, and a headlamp coupled to the clip assembly. The illumination assembly further includes a battery that is selectively removably couplable to the eyeglass frames and at least one electrical conductor coupling the battery to the headlamp. |
| US09851079B2 |
System and technique for tensioned wall of individual LED tiles
Support wires can be used to hold up light tiles to provide a lightweight display system or technique. |
| US09851078B2 |
Heat sink
A heat sink (10) comprising a plurality of parallel fins (12) and a plurality of plates (14). Each plate (14) is located between an adjacent pair of fins (12) and one or more securing members is provided to secure the fins (12) and plates (14) in contact. Each of the plates (14) is formed of a material being softer than the material of the fins (12) such that compression of the fins (12) and plates (14) deforms the surface of the plates (14) to improve thermal conductivity between adjacent fins (12). |
| US09851076B2 |
Light-emitting device and mobile object
A light-emitting device includes: a holder having an elongate shape and flexibility; and a flat light-emitting element held by the holder and having a rectangular shape and flexibility. The holder includes a frame portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the holder, and a holding part protruding from the frame portion in a plan view. The frame portion of the holder and the flat light-emitting element overlap in a lateral-view direction, and the flat light-emitting element is joined to and held by the holding part. |
| US09851074B2 |
Surgical illuminator
The present invention provides a surgical illuminator. The surgical illuminator includes a base, a guide barrel, a cam barrel, a grip ring, a lens barrel, a printed circuit board having three light emitting diodes, a triple aspheric lens, a first lens mask, a triple double-convex lens and a triple double-convex lens. Methods of using the surgical illuminator are also provided. |
| US09851073B2 |
LED tube light with diffusion layer
An LED tube light, including LED light sources, end cap, a light tube, a diffusion film layer and a reflective film layer is provided herein. Diffusion film layer is disposed above LED light sources so that light emitted from LED light sources are transmitted through diffusion film layer and light tube. Diffusion film layer can also be optical diffusion coating coated on wall of light tube, and coated to an outer surface of rear end region of light tube, a hot melt adhesive is bonded to outer surface of optical diffusion coating to generate increased frictional resistance between end cap and the light tube. Reflective film layer is disposed on inner circumferential surface of light tube, and occupying a portion of inner circumferential surface of light tube along circumferential direction thereof. LED light sources are disposed above or adjacently to one side of reflective film layer. |
| US09851070B2 |
Systems and methods to impart visual quality to illumination systems
Implementations disclosed herein include optical sheets comprising one or more regions including one or more optical elements. Each of the one or more optical elements includes a plurality of microstructures. The one or more optical elements can be configured to tailor the radiation pattern output from a source of illumination. The one or more optical element can be further configured to impart a visual appearance to the optical sheet that is different from a standard lenticular or prismatic sheet. In various implementations, the one or more regions can be demarcated from each other or the surrounding by borders. The borders of the one or more regions can be configured to form one or more letters, one or more symbols or logos for identification and/or security purposes. Various implementations of the optical sheet can include nano-particles in addition to the optical elements to enhance the aesthetic quality of the optical film. |
| US09851069B2 |
Lighting device, lens, system and method
A lighting device comprising at least four optical devices. Each optical device has an associated light source and comprises a first surface with a plurality of micro sized facets. Each facet has a respective orientation and said plurality of facets has an optical axis which extends parallel to the normal vector to an average orientation of all said respective orientations. The optical devices are divided over at least two sets of optical devices which are designed to mutually issue a different pattern during operation as the optical devices of different sets are arranged in a mutually alternating manner. |
| US09851067B2 |
Motor vehicle light device
A motor vehicle light device, comprising a light guide layer equipped with optical decoupling zones, and a light generator able to send light toward the light guide layer. The light guide layer is locally covered with a light-absorbing material. |
| US09851064B2 |
Vehicle lamp assembled with moisture-curing type adhesive
A vehicle lamp including a lens component made of a resin, an insertion portion disposed on the lens component, and a lamp body made of a resin and defining a groove for receiving the insertion portion, and the lens component is fixed to the lamp body by a moisture curing type adhesive injected into a gap in the groove. The gap has a constant thickness ranging from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. |
| US09851059B2 |
Lens and light emitting module for surface illumination
A light-emitting module including a circuit board, a light-emitting device disposed on the circuit board, and a lens disposed on the circuit board and configured to distribute light emitted from the light emitting device. The lens includes a concave portion having an incidence surface configured to receive incident light emitted from the light-emitting device, and the light emitting device is disposed within the concave portion of the lens. |
| US09851058B2 |
Lighting module
Various embodiments may relate to a lighting module, including a first printed circuit board, on which at least one light source is arranged, a covering element, which at least partially covers the first printed circuit board, and a second printed circuit board, on which at least one electronic component is arranged, wherein the second printed circuit board is fastened to the covering element and is electrically connected to the first printed circuit board. |
| US09851057B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a heat dissipating frame having a receiving recess formed therein and a plurality of insertion holes formed in the upper surface thereof; a light source module mounted on an upper surface of the heat dissipating frame, and including a first substrate in which a plurality of coupling holes is formed at positions facing the plurality of insertion holes; and a control module received in the receiving recess of the heat dissipating frame, and including a second substrate having a plurality of connecting terminals formed on a side surface thereof and projecting in a lengthwise direction, wherein the control module is disposed vertically upright within the receiving recess such that the plurality of connecting terminals faces upward, and the plurality of connecting terminals is inserted in the plurality of insertion holes and the plurality of coupling holes is connected to the light source module. |
| US09851056B2 |
Compact light emitting diode chip and light emitting device having a slim structure with secured durability
A light emitting diode chip includes: a first conductive type semiconductor layer disposed on a substrate; a mesa disposed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer and including an active layer and a second conductive type semiconductor layer; an insulation layer covering the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the mesa, the insulation layer including at least one first opening exposing the first conductive type semiconductor layer and a second opening disposed on the mesa; a first pad electrode disposed on the insulation layer and electrically connected to the first conductive type semiconductor layer through the first opening; and a second pad electrode disposed on the insulation layer and electrically connected to the second conductive type semiconductor layer through the second opening. The first opening of the insulation layer includes a first region covered by the first pad electrode and a second region exposed outside the first pad electrode. |
| US09851055B2 |
Lighting device with mechanical fastening part
A lighting device (1) and a method of manufacturing a lighting device is provided. The lighting device comprises an envelope (100), a light generating unit (120), a stem (130) arranged to support the light generating unit inside the envelope, and a mechanical fastening part (110) arranged to fasten the light generating unit at the stem. The mechanical fastening part comprises at least one protrusion (115) and the light generating unit comprises at least one hole (126) adapted to mate with the at least one protrusion so as to fasten the light generating unit to the mechanical fastening part. |
| US09851049B1 |
Crane tie arm adjustment
Provided herein is a crane tie arm assembly for connecting a crane to a structure. The assembly comprises: (i) a first arm comprising a cylindrical female end portion having a plurality of internal, elongate protuberances parallel to one another and arranged in axially extending columns; and (ii) a second arm comprising a cylindrical male end portion having a plurality of spaced external, elongate protuberances, which protuberances are arranged in axially extending columns on the external surface thereof for mating engagement with channels formed between protuberances of the female end portion. The assembly can be coupled and locked in place by sliding the male end portion axially into the female end portion and then rotating either end portion circumferentially to sufficiently to engage surfaces of the protuberances with the channels. A stop element is disposed on the female end portion or the male end portion for preventing over-elongation of the assembly. |
| US09851048B2 |
Liner retention system for an aerial device
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a utility platform assembly a having a utility platform, an insulative liner, and a liner retention system. The insulative liner presents a complementary shape to, and is disposed in, the utility platform. The insulative liner is secured in place and protected from damage by the liner retention system. The liner retention system is disposed atop and through the liner near the top edge or edges of the insulative liner. The edge or edges of the insulative liner are therefore disposed between the liner retention system and the lip of the sidewall of the utility platform. The liner retention system generally comprises at least one retaining bar with an associated plurality of fastener receptors and fasteners. |
| US09851039B2 |
Valve access conduit assembly and method of installing the assembly
The combination of an underground valve, for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line, and a conduit assembly defining an access passage through which above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly further has a cap that can be selectively changed between: a) a first state wherein the cap blocks an entry opening; and b) a second state wherein above ground access can be gained to the valve actuator through the entry opening and access passage. A part of the cap and another part of the conduit assembly interact and are relatively moved as the cap is changed between the first and second states. At least one of: a) the part of the cap; and b) the another part of the conduit assembly is made from a non-metal material. |
| US09851038B2 |
Method and apparatus of hot tapping multiple coaxial or nested strings of underwater piping and/or tubing for overturned wells or platforms
A method and apparatus for tapping into a pressurized multiple strings of coaxially situated tubulars for wells and/or platforms which have overturned wherein the tapping occurs underwater via a diver or remotely operated vehicle. The assembly includes a tapping tool connectable to the tubular via a saddle connection and an adjustable tapping clamp with adjustable support/locking feet, compression plate with view ports, and angularly adjustable hot tapping system, along with a drill/saw system. |
| US09851034B2 |
Coupling
A coupling for attaching to an end of a tube, pipe, conduit or other round solid or hollow section. The coupling includes an inner body and a collar to be provided around the inner body. The inner body has an interior bore passing through at least a portion thereof to receive a tube and the bore has one or more interior annular protuberances extending into the bore. When the collar is provided around the inner body it applies a circumferential compressive force to deform the inner body such that the one or more annular protuberances engage the tube to seal with it. |
| US09851033B2 |
Component connector for connecting cylindrical components
Component connector for connecting cylindrical components includes an elastic sleeve which surrounds the components, the elastic sleeve can be braced, a radially deformable fixing sleeve is provided which encloses elastic sleeve. Elastic sleeve is braced via radial deformation of fixing sleeve in a perpendicular direction to a longitudinal axis of fixing sleeve, and at least one clamping ring is provided for radially deforming fixing sleeve. Fixing sleeve has a profiled outer wall and clamping ring has an oppositely profiled inner wall so clamping ring can be pushed concentrically onto fixing sleeve in an accurately fitting manner, during a relative rotation of clamping ring, placed in an accurately fitting manner, in a closing direction, the fixing sleeve can be deformed radially inwardly by the surface profiling; and, during a relative rotation of clamping ring counter to the closing direction, the surface profiling prevents any rotation. |
| US09851028B2 |
Coupling and joint for fixedly and sealingly securing components to one another
An assembly having a fitting body, a structure, an annular cavity within the fitting body, a grip ring, a seal element, and a spacing element. The structure has an end that is received in the fitting body. The annular cavity is disposed within the fitting body between an interior surface of the fitting body and an exterior surface of the structure. The grip ring, seal element, and spacing element are disposed in the annular cavity in a side-by-side relationship. The grip ring includes a plurality of first teeth that engage the exterior surface of the structure. Both the seal element and the spacing element extend radially across a height of the annular cavity such that the seal element and the spacing element each contact and sealingly engage the exterior surface of the structure and the interior surface of the fitting body. |
| US09851015B2 |
Pilot-operated pressure relief valve with lateral pressure connection
A valve includes a housing, in which a first valve body is accommodated so that it is moveable in a direction of a longitudinal axis, a first valve seat configured to be closed by the first valve body and arranged on the housing, a first fluid flow path extending from a first connection via the first valve seat to a second connection, a second valve seat closeable by a moveable second valve body, the second valve body formed separately from the first valve body, a second fluid flow path extending from the first connection via a bypass duct in the first valve body, onwards via the second valve seat to the second connection, so that pressure at the first connection is limited upwardly by the first and the second valve body in that hydraulic fluid is led to the second connection via the first fluid flow path. |
| US09851012B2 |
Vacuum valve seal
A vacuum valve includes a valve housing (1) having a first housing part (1a) and a second housing part (1b), between which a ring-shaped housing seal (3b) is arranged, and a closure member (9) which is adjustable between an open position in which the vacuum valve is open and a closed position in which the vacuum valve is closed. The housing seal (3b) is mounted on a ring-shaped carrier (3a). Additionally on the carrier (3a) radially inside the housing seal (3b) is mounted a ring-shaped seat seal (3c) against which the closure member (9) is pressed with the closure member (9) in the closed position, wherein the seat seal (3c) abuts against a sealing face of the valve housing (1). |
| US09851010B2 |
Seal
A seal with, on the one hand, a support body in the form of a carrier ring with an axial leg and, on the other hand, a sealing washer which is placed or arranged on the carrier ring and which surrounds the axial leg on the outer periphery, said carrier ring being made of a metallic material, wherein the carrier ring is made of a sheet of the HYS type. |
| US09851008B2 |
Seal land for static structure of a gas turbine engine
A seal land for a gas turbine engine can include a seal body circumferentially extending about a longitudinal centerline axis. The seal body includes at least one sealing surface that extends in a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal centerline axis. |
| US09851005B2 |
Actuator with screw-in gland and detent structure
A fluid actuator includes housing defining a cylinder bore and first and second fluid passages. A circumferential detent groove extends into the housing from the cylinder bore. The cylinder bore receives a piston having a top face and a skirt in sliding engagement. A circumferential detent ring groove extends radially inwardly into the skirt. The detent ring groove has a first portion of a first depth and a second portion of a second, greater depth. An o-ring is at least partially received in the second portion. A wear ring is at least partially received in the first portion and overlies the o-ring. The o-ring biases the wear ring outwardly of the detent ring so that the wear ring may be selectively engaged with the detent groove. |
| US09851001B2 |
Drive unit for vehicles
A drive unit for vehicles that prevents a blow out of lubrication oil from a breather during splash lubrication is provided. A partition plate is disposed along a flat face of a ring gear to divide an inner space of the chamber into a first reservoir in which the ring gear is disposed, and a second reservoir to which the lubrication oil partially flows thereinto to return to an oil pan. The partition plate comprises a main body disposed between the flat face of the ring gear and an inner face of the chamber opposed thereto, and a bent portion formed on an upper end of the main body to guide the lubrication oil scattered upwardly by a rotation of the ring gear in a direction away from the breather. |
| US09851000B2 |
Power transmission apparatus
A power transmission apparatus of a vehicle is provided. The power transmission apparatus includes: an input shaft; a brake mechanism; an oil pump; a housing case; a center support; a lubricating oil reservoir; and an oil passage. The brake mechanism includes a stationary race and a rotary race that are adjacently arranged in an axial direction of the input shaft. The center support is disposed between an inner surface of the housing case and the input shaft in the housing case. The center support is configured to support the input shaft relative to the housing case. The lubricating oil reservoir is disposed in a lubrication passage of the lubricating oil inside the housing case. The oil passage communicates the lubricating oil reservoir with the rotary race of the brake mechanism such that the lubricating oil reserved in the lubricating oil reservoir is supplied into the brake mechanism. |
| US09850998B2 |
Powered metal variator components
A variator having at least one roller which runs upon at least one race to transfer drive from one to the other at variable ratio. The variator has a fluid supply for supplying fluid to the race and roller thereby to provide a fluid film by which the roller and the race are separated in use. The roller has a running surface with root means square roughness Rq(roller) and the race having a root means square roughness Rq(race). The variator's specific film thickness is the minimum thickness of the fluid film in normal operation divided by the composite roughness, and is less than 1.0. At least one of the roller and the race has a powder metal surface with a Ra roughness above 0.1 micrometers. |
| US09850995B2 |
Hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle, comprising a torque input element (11) intended to be coupled to a crankshaft (1), an impeller wheel (3) rotationally coupled to the torque input element (11) and able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4) through a reactor (5), a torque output element (8) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft (2), clutch means (10) able to rotationally couple the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) in an engaged position, through damping means (21, 25) and able to rotationally uncouple the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) in a disengaged position. |
| US09850993B2 |
Continuously and/or infinitely variable transmissions and methods therefor
An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having a rotatable input shaft arranged along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, the input shaft is adapted to supply a lubricant to the interior of the transmission. In some embodiments, a stator assembly is coupled to, and coaxial with, the input shaft. The IVT has a plurality of planets operably coupled to the stator assembly. The planets are arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, a traction ring is operably coupled to the planets. The IVT is provided with a housing that is operably coupled to the traction ring. The housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. The traction ring is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. In some embodiments, the IVT is provided with a lubricant manifold that is configured to supply a lubricant to the input shaft. |
| US09850992B2 |
Motion transmission system of a bicycle
A sprocket assembly defining a sprocket assembly width. The assembly has at least eleven sprockets and the sprocket assembly mounts to a bicycle freewheel hub that rotates about a rotation axis which defines a predetermined axial distance on the hub between a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis. At least one point of the attachment seats for spokes closest to the freewheel body and a plane is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and defined in the fastening portion to the frame. The sprocket assembly width is lower than or equal to the predetermined axial distance. A chain that engages the sprockets has a maximum thickness in the direction of the rotation axis between and including 4.6 mm and 5.8 mm. |
| US09850991B2 |
Method of installing chain driven power take off
Assembly tools or aides assist the installation of chains and sprockets for a power take off in a motor vehicle automatic transmission. A first tool is an assembly clip having a semi-circular channel that engages the periphery of a chain disposed about a socket. The clip facilitates installation of the chain and a first sprocket through a slot or other opening in the side of a transmission housing while a second sprocket is being secured to a transmission shaft and the chain is engaged thereabout. The clip also facilitates positioning of the first sprocket in a desired location, typically on a driven shaft while retaining the chain thereabout. A second tool includes a pair of elongate, parallel pins which cooperate with the clip and the first sprocket to hold it in place during assembly of certain components of the transmission such as a power take off shaft or bulkhead. |
| US09850990B2 |
Belt tension adjusting device for engine
There is provided a belt tension adjusting device for an engine having a chain cover; a mount attaching portion; and a driving belt. An arm is swingably supported about a hinge pin fixed to the engine. A tensioner pulley is supported by the arm to be in contact with the driving belt. An auto tensioner is connected to the arm and configured to press the arm. The auto tensioner is arranged in a space, which is overlapped with the chain cover as viewed from a front side of the engine and located between the mount attaching portion and a crank pulley. |
| US09850981B2 |
Mechanical reducer device with high reduction ratio
A mechanical reducer with high reduction ratio, includes a box-like case (C), an input shaft (I), rotatably supported by the case and adapted to be brought into rotation at an input angular speed (VI), and an output shaft (U), mechanically connected to the input shaft via reduction members (1) and adapted to provide an output angular speed (VU) that is reduced with respect to the input speed. In the reducer device (300), the reduction members include: an input movable drive group (310), conducted in rotation by the input shaft and including one first secondary toothed wheel (Z2) and one second secondary toothed wheel (Z3) integral therewith; a reference fixed drive group (320), including a reference toothed wheel (Z1) which engages the first secondary toothed wheel; an output movable drive group (330), mechanically connected to the output shaft and including an output toothed wheel (Z4) which engages the second secondary wheel. |
| US09850977B2 |
Bolt through hydraulic mount with and without a decoupler
The present disclosure relates to an hydraulic mount for coupling first second components in a vehicle. The mount has a first elastomeric member defining a first portion of a first chamber, and a second elastomeric member defining a second portion of the first chamber and a second chamber. The chambers are each able to retain fluid in a liquid seal manner. An inner tube assembly defines an opening for receiving a bolt. The elastomeric members may be fixedly secured to an outer surface of the inner tube assembly. An inner ring is fixedly coupled to the inner tube assembly at a position between the two chambers. The second elastomeric member is fixedly secured to an outer surface of the inner ring. A decoupler is fixedly disposed within the inner ring and adapted to move between rigid surfaces adjacent the first and second chambers. |
| US09850975B2 |
Damper
A damper includes a piston provided with a rod, and a housing storing the piston, and generates a braking force by an operation of the piston. The piston is provided with a seal member relative to an inner wall of the housing; and a slider provided slidably relative to the piston, and contacting the inner wall of the housing with a predetermined frictional force. When the braking force is generated, the slider presses against the seal member, and a portion contacting the inner wall of the housing in the seal member deforms outwardly toward the housing. |
| US09850971B1 |
Disk brake piston
A disk brake piston having a spindle nut, and a load bearing column within a piston body. The load bearing column includes a footing configured to push against a brake pad and a core extending from the metal footing and slidably located within the piston body, wherein the spindle nut is configured to contact and push the metal core which pushes the metal footing which pushes on the brake pad. |
| US09850969B2 |
Multi-plane brake rotor hat holes and method of making the same
A method of forming a rotor by forming a mold by forming a first mold cake, a second mold cake, and a core that fits between the first and the second mold cake. The method includes a step of locating the core between the first mold cake and the second mold cake. The core includes a body, one or more projections extending from the body for forming one or more holes in a base portion of the rotor, and one or more projections extending from the body for forming one or more holes in a bat wall of the rotor. |
| US09850966B2 |
Control system and control method for reducing rattle noise of brake caliper
A control system for reducing rattle noise of a brake caliper may include a wheel speed sensor configured to detect a wheel speed of each wheel to which a caliper device is mounted, a controller configured to determine a vibration level value according to a road surface state by processing and analyzing a wheel speed signal received from the wheel speed sensor, and, when the road surface state of the road is determined as one in which unevenness exists, output a control signal for applying oil pressure for preventing rattle noise to a wheel cylinder of a brake device, a braking driver configured to generate and supply the oil pressure for preventing rattle noise according to the control signal output from the controller, and the wheel cylinder of the brake device, to which the oil pressure for preventing rattle noise, which is supplied by the braking driver, is applied. |
| US09850961B2 |
Clutch pedal system and master cylinder for a clutch pedal system of a vehicle
The clutch pedal system for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The clutch pedal system includes a pedal carrier having a fastening region configured to be associated with an aperture in a bulkhead and/or a dashboard carrier of the vehicle. A clutch pedal is pivotably mounted on the pedal carrier. A master cylinder is supported on an adapter region of the pedal carrier and is connected to the clutch pedal. The master cylinder is positioned such that at least a portion of the master cylinder extends through the aperture, wherein the pedal carrier is configured to position the master cylinder in a predetermined position relative to the bulkhead and/or of the dashboard carrier. |
| US09850957B2 |
Electronic device with haptic actuation stiction release after non-movement threshold time period and related methods
An electronic device may include a housing and at least one coil carried by the housing. The electronic device may include a field member that includes a magnetic body having a shaft-receiving passageway therein, and at least one bearing within the shaft-receiving passageway. A shaft extends through the at least one bearing and coupled to the housing to permit reciprocal movement of the field member along the shaft and within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. A controller may be capable of powering the at least one coil to move the field member after a threshold period of non-movement. |
| US09850956B2 |
Bearing assembly
The invention relates to a bearing assembly providing a bearing having a first ring with a hole, two front edges and an outer cylindrical surface, and a second ring having a hole, two front edges and an outer cylindrical surface, the first and second rings being relatively in relative rotation about a central axis. At least one row of rolling elements is housed in a bearing chamber formed between an outer cylindrical surface and a hole of the rings. The assembly is configured to be mounted in a housing. The assembly also includes at least one envelope mounted on one of the rings of the bearing, such that a dimensional difference between the housing and the bearing is compensated by the envelope. |
| US09850954B2 |
Bearing arrangement comprising an optimized sealing ring with sealing element
A bearing arrangement for a wheel hub of a motor vehicle, which wheel hub can be driven by a rotary joint. In the bearing arrangement, the wheel hub, which is connected to a wheel flange, and the rotary joint, which is connected to a drive shaft, are connected for conjoint rotation to one another and to a double-row rolling element bearing mounted on the wheel hub, the rolling element bearing having at least one separate inner bearing ring which is arranged axially outward, points towards the rotary joint, and which is axially pretensioned by a collar of the wheel hub impinging on an end face of the inner bearing ring. A sealing ring made of sheet metal rests on the inner bearing ring, and includes a sealing element that rests sealingly on the rotary joint. The sealing element has a sealing lip provided with a plurality of recesses, distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction on the sealing lip and are separated from one another by bars in order to achieve a reduced friction between the sealing lip and the rotary joint when the sealing ring is slid onto the rotary joint. |
| US09850951B2 |
Electrical insulated bearing
A bearing component having a ceramic surface, the ceramic surface including a plurality of pores, and at least some of the pores are at least partially filled with a resin comprising a resole phenolic resin. |
| US09850947B2 |
Axially self-positioning radial support bearing
A radial support bearing having a cylindrical cage including a central portion, a first end portion and a second end portion, the central portion defining a plurality of roller pockets, and at least one projection extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the cage, a plurality of rollers, each roller being disposed in a respective roller pocket, a cylindrical outer sleeve disposed about an outer surface of the cage so that the inner surface of the outer sleeve is adjacent the plurality of rollers, and an o-ring adapted to be axially fixed relative to the shaft. The o-ring is slidably received between the at least one projection of the cage and the central portion of the cage so that the cage is axially fixed with respect to the shaft. |
| US09850946B2 |
Bearing bush for use in toggle
A bearing bush 1 for use in a toggle has a cylindrical metallic base material 2 and a solid lubricant 3 embedded in the metallic base material 2, and the metallic base material 2 has dead end grooves 5 formed in a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 4, an annular groove 6 formed in the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 4, and circular holes 7a and 7b as well as 7c and 7d formed in each of a pair of semicylindrical inner peripheral surfaces 4a and 4b adjacent to each other in an axial direction X and two pairs of semicylindrical inner peripheral surfaces 4c and 4d sandwiching the pair of semicylindrical inner peripheral surfaces 4a and 4b in a circumferential direction R and adjacent to each other in the axial direction X in each pair. |
| US09850945B2 |
Position detection device of AMB
A position detection device of active magnetic bearings (AMB's) maintaining the position of a rotating shaft and comprising two sensing inductance coils, the position detection device comprising a programmable digital component for generating a 25 KHz square waveform signal, a current amplifier receiving the 25 KHz square waveform signal and injecting two identical control currents in the two sensing inductance coils, a differential amplifier for amplifying a voltage difference between the resulting voltages in the two sensing inductance coils and, depending on the displacement of the rotating shaft, an analog to digital (A/D) converter for delivering a position value from the voltage difference. |
| US09850936B2 |
Mounting structure for mounting component
A mounting structure includes a holding portion with a housing space for a mounting component. The holding portion includes a side wall portion upstanding from a base portion, and a seat portion being continuous with a top of the side wall portion and having a bolt through hole into which a bolt is inserted. A mounting component insertion hole is provided in the side wall portion for inserting the mounting component into the housing space. The bolt through hole abuts on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the mounting component. A communication portion provides communication between the bolt through hole and the mounting component insertion hole, for allowing passage of the cylindrical portion of the mounting component into the bolt through hole. Restrictions form a narrow portion in the communication portion, the narrow portion being narrower than the outer dimension of the cylindrical portion of the mounting component. |
| US09850928B2 |
Fastener for securing together two panels
A fastener is provided for securing a first panel to a second panel. The fastener includes a stud insertable through apertures in the first and second panels. A handle pivotally connected to a stud head and pivotal between an upright position and a folded. A biasing assembly is connected to the stud head and the handle that biases the handle outward relative to the stud head. A fastener is also provided for securing together the first and second panels, including a grommet, a receptacle and an insert in threaded engagement with an interior of the receptacle. The receptacle may be a rivet nut. |
| US09850924B2 |
Adapter device for an operating table
An adapter device for detachably fastening instruments and equipment to a side rail of an operating table includes a clamping device by means of which the adapter device can be clamped to the side rail of the operating table, a longitudinal profile onto which the instruments and equipment can be detachably fastened, and a joint having at least one pivot axis formed between the clamping device and the longitudinal profile so that the longitudinal profile is pivotable relative to the clamping device about the pivot axis of the joint. |
| US09850922B2 |
Soft buckling actuators
A soft actuator is described, including: a rotation center having a center of mass; a plurality of bucklable, elastic structural components each comprising a wall defining an axis along its longest dimension, the wall connected to the rotation center in a way that the axis is offset from the center of mass in a predetermined direction; and a plurality of cells each disposed between two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components and configured for connection with a fluid inflation or deflation source; wherein upon the deflation of the cell, the bucklable, elastic structural components are configured to buckle in the predetermined direction. A soft actuating device including a plurality of the soft actuators and methods of actuation using the soft actuator or soft actuating device disclosed herein are also described. |
| US09850920B2 |
Fluid control apparatus
A fluid control apparatus has a reduced number of components and enables simple alteration such as increasing or decreasing the number of lines. Chanel blocks on a lower stage include a plural-line (three-line) passage block disposed over a plurality of lines. The plural-line passage block receives an upper stage over three lines, with each of the lines including an inlet extension of a flow rate controller, and two inlet-side on-off valves arranged in series with the inlet extension. The plural-line passage block has longitudinal passages and transverse passages therein. The longitudinal passages are in communication with passages of the fluid control devices arranged in series per line. The transverse passages are in communication with passages of fluid control devices arranged in adjacent lines. |
| US09850916B2 |
Fail-safe actuation system
A fail-safe actuation system comprising an actuator having first and second chambers, a working circuit with a motor/pump device configured to actuate the actuator in an operative state, and a safety circuit configured to move the actuator into the safety position in a failure state, the safety circuit having a tank that holds pressurized fluid and that, in the failure state, is automatically connected to the first chamber via a switching valve, and having a drain valve that, in the failure state, is moved into a through-flow position in order to drain fluid out of the second chamber, the safety circuit configured such that, in the operative state, an inflow into the actuator—in a manner that is decoupled from the tank—is established by the working circuit, and, in the failure state, an inflow from the tank into the first chamber—in a manner that is completely decoupled from the working circuit—is created by the safety circuit, whereby a short-circuit fluid connection is provided between the first and second chambers that, in the failure state, is through-connected in order to generate a short-circuit flow between the first and second chambers. |
| US09850907B2 |
Cooling fan
A cooling fan (1) for cooling an electronic device (2) is disclosed. The cooling fan (1) comprises a heat sink (5) thermally connectable to the electronic device (2), the heat sink (5) having a first clearance side (6a, 6b) centered relative to a longitudinal axis (L) of the heat sink (5), and several thermally conductive fan blades (13) arranged in a circle centered on the longitudinal axis (L). The fan blades (13) are rotatable relative to the heat sink (5) about the longitudinal axis (L) by a motor (19) and each fan blade (13) has a second clearance side (14) facing the first clearance side (6a, 6b). A clearance space (18) is provided between the first clearance side (6) and each second clearance side (14), the majority of said clearance spaces (18) having a size of 100 micrometer or less in a direction perpendicular to the first clearance side (6a, 6b) and the corresponding second clearance side (18). |
| US09850905B2 |
Coolant pump with plastic bonded magnet
A coolant pump includes a pump frame, a driving wheel driven by an engine, a pump wheel driven by the driving wheel, and a clutch which couples the driving wheel with the pump wheel. The clutch comprises a friction surface arranged at the driving wheel, and a clutch disc which corresponds to the friction surface. The clutch disk is connected with and co-rotates with the pump wheel, and is axially shiftable between an engaged and a disengaged position. An axial pretension spring pretensions the clutch disc into the disengaged position. A permanent magnet forces the clutch disc into the engaged position. An electromagnet, when energized, generates a polarization which is opposite to a polarization of the permanent magnet to reduce a total magnetic attraction force of the permanent magnet with respect to the clutch disc and to thereby push the clutch disc into the disengaged position via the pretension spring. |
| US09850903B2 |
Capacity modulated scroll compressor
A system includes a compressor with an orbiting scroll member having a first end plate and a first spiral wrap. A non-orbiting scroll member has a second end plate and a second spiral wrap, the second spiral wrap forming a meshing engagement with the first spiral wrap to create a plurality of compression chambers between a suction port and a discharge port. A first port in communication with a first of the plurality of compression chambers selectively injects an injection fluid into the first of the plurality of compression chambers to increase a compressor capacity and selectively leaks a first compressed fluid from the first of the plurality of compression chambers to reduce the compressor capacity. A second port in communication with a second of the plurality of compression chambers selectively leaks a second compressed fluid from the second of the plurality of compression chambers to reduce a compressor capacity. |
| US09850899B2 |
Brushless DC compressor in micro-miniature form
A brushless DC compressor comprising a casing, a brushless DC motor, a compression device, and a driving mechanism. The casing has a left room, a right room adjacent the left room, and a lower room. The brushless DC motor is disposed in the left room, and the compression device is disposed in the right room. The driving mechanism is disposed in the lower room, including a driving gear engaging a rotor of the brushless DC motor, a driven gear engaging a hollow shaft of the compression device and driven by the driving gear; whereby refrigerant flows into a compression space of the compression device, rotating the rotor by the stator and driving the driving gear, the driven gear, then the compression device; then being discharged from a refrigerant discharge hole and an axial groove, to form a brushless DC compressor with stronger torque and greater compression efficiency. |
| US09850896B2 |
Screw compressor
Screw compressor with a compression chamber that is formed by a compression housing, in which a pair of meshed helical compressor rotors in the form of a screw are rotatably mounted and with a drive motor that is provided with a motor chamber formed by a motor housing, in which a motor shaft is rotatably mounted, and this motor shaft drives at least one of the aforementioned two compressor rotors, whereby the compression housing and the motor housing are connected directly together to form a compressor housing, whereby the motor chamber and the compression chamber are not sealed off from one another and whereby the rotor shafts of the compressor rotors, as well as the motor shaft, extend along axial directions that are oblique or transverse to the horizontal plane. |
| US09850895B2 |
Liquid pump and rankine cycle apparatus
A liquid pump of the present disclosure includes a container, a shaft, a bearing, a pump mechanism, a storage space, and a liquid supply passage. The shaft is disposed in the container. The bearing supports the shaft. The pump mechanism pumps a liquid by rotation of the shaft. The storage space is defined in the container at a position outside the pump mechanism. The storage space stores the liquid to be taken into the pump mechanism or the liquid to be discharged to outside of the container after being expelled from the pump mechanism. The liquid supply passage is a flow path including an inlet open to the storage space and supplying the liquid stored in the storage space to the bearing. |
| US09850889B2 |
Hydraulic fluid control system for a diaphragm pump
A hydraulic fluid control system for a hydraulic diaphragm pump including at least one hydraulic diaphragm containing a process fluid surrounded by at least one hydraulic fluid chamber containing a hydraulic fluid is provided. The system includes a differential pressure sensor operable to detect and measure a pressure difference between the process fluid contained in the at least one hydraulic diaphragm and the hydraulic fluid contained in the at least one hydraulic fluid chamber; a hydraulic fluid reservoir containing hydraulic fluid; and a hydraulic fluid pump fluidly connected to the hydraulic fluid reservoir and the at least one hydraulic fluid chamber, and operable to provide a volume of hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic fluid chamber in response to the pressure difference measured by the differential pressure sensor. The system is optionally operable to withdraw a volume of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid chamber. |
| US09850881B2 |
Sealing system and method of maintaining a clean environment in a wind turbine by absorbing lubricant used in the pitch or yaw bearings
A sealing system for a wind turbine comprises first component and a second component positioned proximate the first component and movable relative thereto. An absorbent element is secured to the first component and comprises an oil-absorbent material. A contact member is secured to the absorbent element and comprises a non-absorbent material. The contact member abuts the second component so that lubricant leaking from between the first and second components is collected by the absorbent element. A method of maintain a clean environment in a wind turbine with such a sealing system is also disclosed. |
| US09850880B2 |
System for servicing wind turbine rotor
A system for enabling servicing of a rotor of a wind turbine is provided. A rotor servicing fixture attaches to a first and second rotor blade, and contacts a wind turbine tower. A clamp assembly is connected to the rotor servicing fixture, and clamps onto a third rotor blade. The clamp assembly lowers the third rotor blade from a hub and raises it back to the hub. A lifting assembly is connected to the rotor servicing fixture and the clamp assembly, and is configured for raising and lowering the third rotor blade via the clamp assembly. A slide assembly is connected to the rotor servicing fixture, and is configured to support the rotor part and to slidably move the rotor part away from or towards the wind turbine. The system enables the rotor part to be removed or replaced without requiring the rotor to be removed from the wind turbine. |
| US09850879B2 |
Assembly with handling unit for moving a wind turbine component, such as a wind turbine hub, from a transportation position to a wind turbine assembly position in or on the nacelle, the main shaft or the hub
The invention relates to a method for moving a wind turbine component, such as a wind turbine hub, from a transportation position to a wind turbine assembly position. The method comprises the steps of: attaching a handling unit to a structural part of the wind turbine component, operatively connecting the handling unit to a wire of a crane system, lifting the wind turbine component with the crane system to an assembly position of the wind turbine, the handling unit and the wind turbine component being suspended from a wire of the crane system, and rotating the wind turbine component with the handling unit during the lifting of the wind turbine component in order to orientate the wind turbine component for assembly. The invention also relates to a handling unit and a wind turbine hub and use hereof. |
| US09850878B2 |
System and method for generating steam using a solar power source in conjunction with a geothermal power source
Systems and methods for generating electrical power using a solar power system that comprises a pressurized closed loop pipe containing a transfer liquid extending between a solar collector and a heat exchanger. The transfer liquid is heated by the solar collector and gives up its thermal energy at the heat exchange to produce steam. The system also includes a source of geothermal energy and a source of natural gas. The geothermal energy in the form of heat separates the natural gas from the ground water in a separation tank. At the resulting heated ground water from the separation tank is connected to the heat exchanger to supplement thermal energy from the solar collector. |
| US09850877B2 |
Spent flow discharge apparatus for an instream fluid power-extraction machine
A fluid power-extraction machine is immersed in an ambient flow of a fluid, captures (and extracts energy from) a portion of the fluid, and discharges it back into the ambient flow. The machine includes a housing bounding a fluid intake inlet and including an ambient flow deflector, a downstream body arranged rearwardly from the deflector and forming a discharge outlet between the deflector and the downstream body, and a power extraction device in a fluid flow channel communicating from the fluid intake inlet to the discharge outlet. The deflector outwardly deflects and accelerates a portion of the ambient flow adjacent to the discharge outlet. A mixing surface of the downstream body extends outwardly and rearwardly from the discharge outlet, mixing the accelerated flow, the discharged flow and the ambient flow together along the mixing surface. A backflow preventer of the downstream body prevents wake backflow from impeding discharge of spent flow at the discharge outlet. |
| US09850876B2 |
Ship screw, pump screw or turbine screw
A ship screw, pump screw or turbine screw for use under water or another liquid, comprising a front side and a rear side, wherein water or another liquid is forced from the front side to the rear side in use, and comprising a hub and at least two blades extending from said hub, wherein the blades are substantially helical/spiral shaped, their effective surface area increasing from the front side toward the rear side. |
| US09850873B2 |
Engine pre-heating system and method for multiple vehicles
An engine pre-heating system includes a housing that houses a climate control heating element and a controller configured in the housing. The controller generates an energizing signal for controlling an amount of electrical power provided to multiple engine heating elements that are thermally coupled to the engines of multiple vehicles. The controller also generates a climate control signal for controlling the climate controlled heating element to maintain the controller inside the housing within a specified temperature range. The energizing signal provided to the engine heating elements is inversely proportional to an ambient temperature proximate the engines. |
| US09850872B2 |
System and method for adjusting on-time calibration of a fuel injector in internal combustion engine
The disclosure provides a system and method for determining an amount of fuel injected or delivered by a single fuel injector in an internal combustion engine by generating one fuel injection event after the engine has stopped operating. The fuel delivered is statistically analyzed in comparison with a commanded fuel delivery amounts to determine the suitability of fuel injector on-time calibration for the analyzed fuel injector. If the fuel delivered deviates from the commanded amount of fuel delivery by a predetermined value, the fuel injector on-time calibration for the analyzed fuel injector is changed. |
| US09850865B2 |
Fuel supply device
A swirling wall structure-extends from a lower side toward an upper side in a sub-tank, and a fuel flow, which is outputted into an inside of the sub-tank from a flow outlet of a diffuser passage opened toward a lateral side, is swirled by the swirling wall structure. The swirling wall structure-includes a curved wall surface and a U-turn wall surface. The curved wall surface is curved about a longitudinal axis, which extends from the lower side toward the upper side in the sub-tank, to bend the fuel flow outputted from the flow outlet. The U-turn wall surface extends continuously from the curved wall surface to make a U-turn of the fuel flow, which is bent by the curved wall surface. |
| US09850864B2 |
Fuel system and method for operating a piston engine
The fuel system for introducing liquid fuel into the cylinders of a piston engine has a fuel tank for storing the fuel, a pump for pressurizing the fuel, at least one fuel injector for injecting fuel into a cylinder of the engine, and a fuel pipe for supplying fuel from the pump to the fuel injector. The fuel system further has a source of inert gas and means for introducing inert gas into the fuel pipe for purging the fuel pipe. |
| US09850857B2 |
Turbocharger blisk/shaft joint with heat isolation
This document discloses an exhaust gas turbocharger, which includes a turbine disk connected to a turbine disk hub. The turbine disk hub extends distally away from the turbine disk and towards a shaft that connects the turbine disk to a compressor. The shaft includes a proximal end that includes a shaft hub that extends proximally away from the shaft and towards the turbine disk hub. The turbine disk hub is coaxially connected to the shaft hub at a joint. The turbine disk hub and the shaft hub form a cavity between the turbine disk and the proximal end of the shaft. The turbocharger also includes a sleeve having an inner surface that surrounds and engages at least part of the turbine disk hub, at least part of the shaft hub and that further surrounds the joint and partially surrounds the cavity. The sleeve provides structural reinforcement for the joint and additional cooling functions beyond the cooling function provided by the cavity. |
| US09850855B2 |
Fuel evaporative gas emission control apparatus
When a leak test for a purge pipe and a vapor pipe as targets is executed, a sealing valve that is being closed is opened while an open state of a bypass valve is kept prior to the execution of the leak test, fuel evaporative gas in a fuel tank is caused to flow out to a canister side to reduce a tank internal pressure Ptan to a valve opening guarantee determination value P0, and after the bypass valve is closed subsequently, the leak test is started. |
| US09850853B2 |
Estimating vehicle fuel Reid vapor pressure
Methods and systems are provided for estimating fuel volatility. During a vehicle-off condition following a refueling event, fuel volatility may be estimated by operating a fuel pump of a fuel system immediately after the refueling event while a fuel tank temperature is stable. Based on estimated fuel volatility, fuel injection amount and leak test thresholds may be adjusted. |
| US09850851B2 |
Carburetor base of engine
A carburetor base of an engine defines an axial through hole and a pulsation hole channel. An anti-blocking component is mounted inside the axial through hole and defines an air inlet channel. The air inlet channel communicates with the pulsation hole channel so as to avoid blocking of condensed fuel oil inside the pulsation hole channel. |
| US09850842B2 |
Controller for a common-rail injection system
A controller for a common-rail injection system includes a plurality of fuel injectors, a common fuel supply line for the fuel injectors, a high-pressure pump for supplying the common fuel supply line with fuel, and a pressure sensor for determining the pressure in the common fuel supply line. A determination unit evaluates data of the pressure sensor and, from the pressure drop caused by an injection in the common fuel supply line, determines the fuel quantity actually injected during this injection or a value derived therefrom. An adaption unit uses the results of the determination unit in order to adapt the actuation of the fuel injectors. The determination unit carries out at least one test injection, and the actually injected fuel quantity or a value derived therefrom is effected by way of the test injection or injections. |
| US09850837B2 |
Monitoring device for fuel injection amount control apparatus
A microcomputer determines that an abnormality has occurred in calculation functions regarding calculation of an injection amount command value and the like, based on a deviation of the injection amount command value, in an increasing manner, from a monitoring injection amount. The microcomputer calculates, based on a cooling fluid temperature of an engine, a start-up injection amount such that the start-up injection amount becomes smaller when the cooling fluid temperature is high than when the cooling fluid temperature is low, and uses the start-up injection amount as the injection amount command value immediately after the completion of start-up of the engine. Besides, the microcomputer uses the smaller one of a start-up injection amount calculated this time and a monitoring start-up injection amount calculated last time, as a monitoring start-up injection amount that is used as the aforementioned monitoring injection amount immediately after the completion of start-up of the engine. |
| US09850833B2 |
Diagnosis device for internal combustion engine, and diagnosis method for internal combustion engine
A diagnosis device for an engine, the diagnosis device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute EGR diagnosis processing to diagnose whether or not the EGR device operates normally while a vehicle is being decelerated, execute air flow meter diagnosis processing to diagnose whether or not the air flow meter is normal while the vehicle is decelerated, execute the EGR diagnosis processing after starting the air flow meter diagnosis processing, and execute the EGR diagnosis processing when the air flow meter diagnosis processing has not been completed and predetermined conditions that a duration of deceleration of the vehicle being shorter than a diagnosis time that is required to execute the air flow meter diagnosis processing are fulfilled. |
| US09850829B2 |
Control device and control method for internal combustion engine
An electronic control unit (100), which serves as a control device for an internal combustion engine, executes feedback control for controlling the torque of an internal combustion engine (10) so as to coincide the rate of decrease in engine rotational speed with a target rate of decrease in the engine rotational speed. The electronic control unit (100) calculates a required torque that is a torque required to keep the engine rotational speed at a constant rotational speed, and increases a feedback gain in the feedback control as the calculated required torque increases. |
| US09850827B2 |
Method and apparatus for fuel injection and dynamic combustion control
Emission targets, such as NOx levels, for gaseous fuelled internal combustion engines that burn a gaseous fuel in a diffusion combustion mode are increasingly more challenging to achieve. A method of fuel injection for an internal combustion engine fuelled with a gaseous fuel comprises introducing a first amount of pilot fuel in a first stage of fuel injection; introducing a first amount of main fuel (the gaseous fuel) in a second stage of fuel injection; and introducing a second amount of main fuel in a third stage of fuel injection. The first and second amounts of main fuel contribute to load and speed demand of the internal combustion engine. Engine maps calibrated for different engine performance can be employed in different regions of the load and speed range of the engine. The engine maps are blended when the engine transitions between two regions; and momentary excursions into different regions do not change the engine calibration. |
| US09850823B2 |
Control system and method for controlling a gas turbine engine during transients
A control system and method for a gas turbine engine are provided A controller (40) is responsive to at least one parameter to control an air-to-fuel ratio. The parameter may be a measured engine exhaust temperature from a temperature sensor (42). During a transient, such as a ramping condition of the engine, a measured value of such parameter may have a time lag affecting one or more control settings during the transient condition. The controller is programmed to predictively determine a bias for the measured value of the parameter to correct such control settings and avoid combustion instabilities and high emissions during such transient conditions. |
| US09850821B2 |
Gas turbine engine with fan-tied inducer section
A gas turbine engine includes a shaft, a speed reduction device driven by the shaft, and a fan including a fan rotor driven by the speed reduction device. A compressor section has a plurality of compressor stages driven by the shaft. At least one inducer stage is positioned aft of the fan and coupled for rotation with the fan rotor. The at least one inducer stage is positioned upstream of the compressor section. |
| US09850820B2 |
Power transmission system for a turbine engine
A power transmission system for a turbine engine is provided. The power transmission system includes a transmission shaft that is connected to a drive shaft by bevel gears, and that drives equipment or accessories. The transmission shaft is designed to operate under supercritical conditions and includes a damper system for damping vibration at its resonant speed. |
| US09850816B2 |
Gas turbine inlet system and related method for cooling gas turbine inlet air
An inlet air conditioning system for a gas turbine includes an inlet duct for the with an air flow path to provide inlet air to the gas turbine; evaporative cooling media disposed in the air flow path; a water chiller; and a circulation pump that circulates water through the water chiller and the evaporative media in series. The chiller is configured to chill the water to below ambient wet-bulb temperature before the water is circulated to the evaporative cooling media. A power plant includes a gas turbine including a compressor, a combustion system, and a turbine section; a load; and the inlet air conditioning system. |
| US09850814B2 |
Annular spring for a bearing assembly of a gas turbine engine
An annular spring for a bearing assembly of gas turbine engine is provided. The annular spring includes a multiple of ligaments between an inner support and an outer support. |
| US09850812B2 |
Engine combustion control at low loads via fuel reactivity stratification
A compression ignition (diesel) engine uses two or more fuel charges during a combustion cycle, with the fuel charges having two or more reactivities (e.g., different cetane numbers), in order to control the timing and duration of combustion. By appropriately choosing the reactivities of the charges, their relative amounts, and their timing, combustion can be tailored to achieve optimal power output (and thus fuel efficiency), at controlled temperatures (and thus controlled NOx), and with controlled equivalence ratios (and thus controlled soot). At low load and no load (idling) conditions, the aforementioned results are attained by restricting airflow to the combustion chamber during the intake stroke (as by throttling the incoming air at or prior to the combustion chamber's intake port) so that the cylinder air pressure is below ambient pressure at the start of the compression stroke. |
| US09850808B2 |
Adjustment of engine operating conditions
A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an air intake coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to intake air and supply the air to the engine, a temperature controller coupled to the air intake and to the internal combustion engine, and a control system coupled to the air intake, the internal combustion engine, and to the temperature controller. The control system being configured to receive engine operating data and control a temperature of the air via operation of the temperature controller to control an operating condition of the engine. |
| US09850806B2 |
Active scavenge prechamber
In certain embodiments with large size prechambers and/or with prechambers that have large spark-gap electrode assemblies, a poor scavenge of the crevice volume may cause deterioration of the preignition margin, which then may limit the power rating of the engine, may cause the flow velocity field of the fuel-air mixture to be excessively uneven and may result in the deterioration of the misfire limit. One or more auxiliary scavenging ports may allow admission of fuel rich mixture to the crevice volume, thereby cooling the residual gases and preventing occurrence of preignition. More organized and powerful flow velocity fields may be obtained in the spark-gap electrode assembly region. This condition may result in a significant extension of the flammability limit and may significantly improve the combustion efficiency of the prechamber. Passive prechambers using the active scavenge concept may increase the engine power output and reduce the emission of pollutants from engine combustion. |
| US09850802B2 |
Coolant control device
A coolant control device includes: first control means for, at warm-up of an internal combustion engine, circulating coolant in a first passage bypassing the engine and stopping coolant circulation in the second passage passing through the engine; second control means for, at engine warm-up and when the quantity of heat required by a heater core is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, circulating coolant in the first passage while adjusting the flow rate of coolant circulating in the first passage and stopping coolant circulation in the second passage; and third control means for, at engine warm-up and when the required quantity of heat exceeds the predetermined threshold, circulating coolant in the first passage without decreasing the flow rate of coolant circulating in the first passage and circulating coolant in the second passage while adjusting the flow rate of coolant circulating in the second passage. |
| US09850799B2 |
Method of and apparatus for exhausting internal combustion engines
Disclosed herein is a method and an insert device for an internal combustion engine including: a central exhaust passage; a first expansion chamber in an upstream portion of the exhaust system and in fluidic communication with the central exhaust passage; a second expansion chamber in a downstream portion of the exhaust system and in fluidic communication with the central exhaust passage and the first expansion chamber, forming a continuous expansion chamber throughout a length of the insert device. |
| US09850798B1 |
Auto throttle and exhaust flow control module construction
A fluid flow control unit, in a preferred embodiment, mounted on a section of pipe having a tubular wall forming a fluid flow passage with a flow axis, the unit having a gate section, and a gate pivot section, the pivot section having a body portion mounted on the pipe outer wall surface, a gate mounting cavity formed in the body portion and opening through the pipe wall and providing an access port for the gate section to the mounting cavity, a pivot shaft positioned in the cavity and mounted on bearing structure on the body portion, the diameter of the shaft being dimensioned to allow a laterally curved gate which is affixed to a surface portion of the shaft to pivot up against a ceiling of the pipe to thereby be out of the flow passage main stream at a full open, non-blocking position of the gate, and a gate position control structure on the unit for allowing predetermined degrees of rotation of the pivot shaft in response to the magnitude of fluid flow pressure forces directed against the gate. |
| US09850795B2 |
Method and internal combustion engine arrangement for regenerating an exhaust after-treatment device
A process is provided for regenerating an exhaust gas after-treatment device in an exhaust line of an internal combustion engine arrangement, the exhaust line including a particle filter. The process includes identifying when soot loading of the particle filter exceeds a predetermined level. After that, temperature of exhaust gases at the particle filter is maintained within a first temperature range until at least one of a predetermined period of time has lapsed or a determination is made that soot loading of the particle filter is below the predetermined level. After that, the temperature of the exhaust gases at the particle filter is increased to within a second temperature range above the first temperature range. An internal combustion engine arrangement is also disclosed. |
| US09850791B2 |
Oil jet device
Oil jet device including a main body and having a fluid communication passage held in fluid communication with an oil passageway, a nozzle pipe having an oil ejection port, a check valve opening and closing the fluid communication passage when a check ball and a valve seat which are disposed in the main body abut against each other, and a filter having a fluid communication hole and being disposed upstream of the check valve, wherein the inside diameter of the valve seat is smaller than the inside diameter of the filter, and the valve seat has an upstream end wall surface facing at least some of the fluid communication holes, and the upstream end wall surface includes a slanted surface arranged such that the cross-sectional area of an oil channel is progressively smaller in a direction from an upstream region toward a downstream region of the oil channel. |
| US09850790B2 |
Internal combustion engine equipped with decompression mechanism
An internal combustion includes: a camshaft having a metal core rod insert formed centrally in the camshaft and a driven gear, an exhaust cam, etc. formed of resin integrally with the camshaft; and a decompression mechanism. The decompression mechanism includes: a pair of supporting protrusions provided on the driven gear and each having an insertion hole; a decompression member having a pair of projections disposed between the supporting protrusions; and a biasing spring disposed between the projections for normally biasing the decompression member toward the exhaust cam. The camshaft also has a guide recess and a balancing recess formed in opposite sides of the camshaft, and the metal core rod is exposed through the guide recess and the balancing recess. |
| US09850789B2 |
Continuous variable valve duration apparatus and engine provided with the same
A continuous variable valve duration apparatus may include camshaft, first and second cam portions of cam is formed thereto respectively, of which the camshaft is inserted thereto and of which relative phase angles with respect to the camshaft are variable, first and second inner brackets transmitting rotation of the camshaft to the first and second cam portions respectively, first and second slider housings of which the first and second inner brackets are rotatably inserted thereto and of which relative position with respect to the camshaft are variable, cam cap rotatably supporting the first and second cam portions respectively and of which each slider housing is slidably mounted thereto, control shaft disposed parallel to the camshaft and engaged with the first and second slider housings for selectively moving the first and second slider housings and a control portion selectively rotating the control shaft for changing positions of the inner brackets. |
| US09850787B2 |
Valve opening/closing timing control device
The valve opening/closing timing control device includes: the driving rotating body; the driven rotating body; an advancing chamber and a retarding chamber formed by partitioning a fluid pressure chamber between the driving and driven rotating bodies; and a phase control unit supplying pressurized fluid to the advancing or retarding chamber via an advancing channel or a retarding channel penetrating through the driven rotating body. In the driven rotating body, an outer circumferential member and an inner circumferential member are formed integrally/coaxially with each other. The advancing and retarding channel form a predetermined angle. Between every pair of an advancing channel and a retarding channel, a groove portion is formed in one of an inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential member and an outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential member, and an elongated protruding portion is formed on the other, at a position that corresponds to the groove portion. |
| US09850784B2 |
Method for converting energy with fuel regeneration in a cyclic process of a heat engine
In the method for conversion with recovery of energy carriers in a cyclical process of a thermal engine, a first recirculation cycle is formed involving gas generator, device for converting kinetic and thermal energy into mechanical energy, hydrogenation reactor, and gas generator. Water is evaporated in steam boilers, and steam is fed into turbine for converting steam energy into mechanical energy. In this process, steam boilers are located in gas generator and in hydrogenation reactor. The steam is carried onward from conversion device into condenser, and a second recirculation cycle is formed. Atmospheric oxygen from an air bubble is supplied to gas generator. The air is cooled, and cooling operation is repeated, until a maximum residual water content in the air of 0.2 g/m3 is attained. Formed condensate is collected and used steam boilers. Invention makes it possible to simplify process of recovering carbon oxides formed in thermal engines. |
| US09850780B2 |
Plate for directing flow and film cooling of components
An assembly includes a gas turbine engine component and a plate. The plate is spaced from a surface of the component and generally conforms to the shape of the surface. The plate and component form a passageway that allows for passage of a secondary gas flow between the component and the plate. |
| US09850777B2 |
Turbochargers
Embodiments of the present invention may include a turbocharger having a turbine, a turbine housing, a variable valve, a first plate, a second plate and a heat shield member. The turbine housing accommodates the turbine and has a flow path. The variable valve rotates about each pivot member provided thereon, thereby adjusting the flow velocity of fluid guided from the flow path to the turbine. The first plate supports one end of each pivot member, and defines the flow path. The second plate supports the other end of each pivot member or the variable valves, and defines the flow path. The heat shield member covers a wall surface of the turbine housing, and defines the flow path. |
| US09850776B2 |
Variable-section nozzle, and aircraft turbojet engine nacelle equipped with such a nozzle
A variable-section nozzle for an aircraft nacelle includes a deformable portion of which is movable between a narrow section position and a wide section position. In particular, the variable-section nozzle includes piezoelectric actuators and a controller to control the piezoelectric actuators in order to displace the deformable portion between the narrow and wide section positions. The piezoelectric actuators can be disposed on at least one faces of the deformable portion or be disposed end-to-end to form actuating rods. |
| US09850774B2 |
Flow diverter element and assembly
An assembly for a gas turbine engine, comprises a fairing assembly extending generally axially through a portion of the gas turbine engine, a first component disposed radially inward of the fairing assembly, a second component disposed axially adjacent to the first component, a flow diverter, and a finger seal. The flow diverter includes a mounting portion securing the flow diverter to the first component, and an arm extending in an axial direction from the mounting portion toward the second component. The finger seal includes a fixed end secured between the flow diverter mounting portion and the first component. |
| US09850773B2 |
Dual walled seal assembly
A seal assembly that may be for turbine engine includes a first wall defining in-part a first flowpath and a second wall defining in-part a second flowpath having a pressure that is greater than the first flowpath. The second wall has a plurality of metering apertures in fluid communication between the second flowpath and a cavity defined by and between the first and second walls. The walls may be convoluted and generally, resiliently compressed between two substantially opposing surfaces for providing a seal between the two flowpaths. |
| US09850769B2 |
Hula seal
A hula seal as disclosed extends in a circumferential direction, a radial direction and an axial direction relative to a central axis.The hula seal includes a first leaf extending from the first edge region to the second edge region and a second leaf extending from the first edge region to the second edge region. The first leaf is the same distance as the second leaf from the central axis in the radial direction, and is adjacent to and overlaps the second leaf in the circumferential direction, when installed in a gas turbine. The first leaf is attached to the second leaf such that the first leaf can move relative to the second leaf in the circumferential direction when installed in a gas turbine. |
| US09850767B2 |
Aluminum fan blade tip with thermal barrier
A fan blade for a gas turbine engine is described. The fan blade may comprise a body portion formed from a metallic material, and it may include a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a tip. A coating may be applied to the tip, and the coating may have a thermal conductivity of no more than about 10 watt per meter kelvin. The coating may be a thermal barrier coating comprising yttria-stabilized zirconia. |
| US09850766B2 |
Blade cascade
A blade cascade for a turbomachine, having a number of blades which include a monocrystalline material, each blade having a crystal orientation value, which is dependent on a crystal of first blades being less than a first limiting value and the crystal orientation values of second blades being at least equal to the first limiting value; and the blade cascade having at least one first sector, which includes at least three successive first blades, and having at least one second sector, which includes at least three successive second blades; and/or at least one first blade has a first body arrangement having at least one first body mounted so it is movable on the first blade and at least one second blade has a second body arrangement, which differs therefrom, having at least one second body mounted so it is movable on the second blade. |
| US09850757B2 |
Axial piston machine utilizing a bent-axis construction
A hydrostatic axial piston machine (1) has a cylinder barrel (7) with a plurality of piston bores having pistons (10) fastened in an articulated manner to a drive flange (3). For articulated fastening of the pistons (10) to the drive flange (3), ball joints (20) are provided that are formed by a spherical cap-shaped receptacle socket (3a) in an end surface (3b) of the drive flange (3) and a ball head (10a) that is operatively connected with the piston (10). The receptacle sockets (3a) are each in the form of hemispheres that extend to the ball equator, and on one end surface (3b) of the drive flange (3), in the vicinity of the receptacle sockets (3a), there is a retaining web (30) that extends beyond the ball equator of the hemisphere to grip the ball head (10a) at an angle of greater than 180°. |
| US09850754B1 |
High speed telemetry signal processing
A drilling system includes a sensor, an encoder operably connected to the sensor and a pressure pulse generator operably connected to the encoder. The pressure pulse generator is configured to produce a primary signal in response to input from the encoder. The drilling system further includes a primary transducer, a reference transducer and a signal processor connected to the primary transducer and the reference transducer. The signal processor includes a two-stage filter that is configured to extract the primary signal from noise observed at the primary transducer. |
| US09850753B2 |
Cable integrity monitor for electromagnetic telemetry systems
In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may include a signal integrity monitor that senses the signal transmitted between a surface device and a downhole device. The signal integrity monitor is adapted to disconnect power from the communication system if a fault in the communication line is detected. |
| US09850752B2 |
Hydraulically-metered downhole position indicator
A position-indicating tool includes an outer mandrel that accommodates two or more indicator lugs movable between a first position, where the indicator lugs extend past an outer diameter of the outer mandrel, and a second position, where indicator lugs are radially contracted within the outer diameter, an inner mandrel arranged at least partially within the outer mandrel and providing a radial protrusion that radially supports the indicator lugs in the first position, and a pressure block arranged between the outer and inner mandrels to control a flow of hydraulic fluid between an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber, wherein, when a pressure threshold is exceeded in the lower hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic fluid is able to flow into the upper hydraulic chamber and thereby allow the outer mandrel to axially translate with respect to the inner mandrel and move the indicator lugs to the second position. |
| US09850745B2 |
Hydraulic connector system
A system including a mineral extraction system, including a tubular with a fluid passage, a hydraulic connector system configured to couple to the tubular, the hydraulic connector system, including a hydraulic block configured to couple to one or more fluid lines, and a sleeve coupled to the hydraulic block and configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic block to couple and uncouple the hydraulic connector system with the tubular. |
| US09850742B2 |
Reclosable sleeve assembly and methods for isolating hydrocarbon production
Disclosed is reclosable sleeve assembly including a housing defining one or more flow ports that provide fluid communication between a wellbore annulus and an interior of the housing, an outer sleeve arranged within the housing and movable between a closed position, where the outer sleeve occludes the one or more flow ports, and an open position, where the one or more flow ports are exposed, and an inner sleeve concentrically arranged within the outer sleeve and defining a plurality of flow slots, the inner sleeve being movable between an open position and a closed position where, when in the open position, the plurality of flow slots are axially aligned with the one or more flow ports. |
| US09850739B2 |
Cement head stabber and method for lifting for installation
A stabber for assisting in the lifting and installation of a cement head assembly onto a bore hole casing includes a support member comprising a first end opposite a second end. A first connection element is disposed proximate the first end of the support member and a second connection element is disposed proximate the second end of the support member. A first weight is mounted to the support member in closer proximity to the second end of the support member than to the first end of the support member. A second weight is connected to the support member between the first and second ends of the support member. |
| US09850737B2 |
Simulating the effects of syntactic foam on annular pressure buildup during annular fluid expansion in a wellbore
Systems and methods for simulating the effects of syntactic foam on annular pressure buildup during annular fluid expansion in a wellbore to mitigate annular pressure buildup in the wellbore. |
| US09850736B2 |
Extended reach plug
A settable down hole tool is of increased drillability and/or of increased expansibility. The improvement in drillability can be caused by fracturing cast iron slips into a large number of small pieces that can be circulated out of a well without further reduction in size. The improvement in expansibility can be partially caused by providing an expander cone of increased hardness thereby allowing an increased angle on the expander cone and slips. The improvement in expansibility can be partially caused by increasing the thickness of the slips. |
| US09850730B2 |
Ram blowout preventer piston rod subassembly
A piston rod subassembly for use in a blowout preventer operator assembly includes a piston rod having a rod threaded interface and a rod shoulder on an outer diameter of the piston rod. A preload ring has a ring threaded interface for engaging the rod threaded interface to couple the piston rod to the preload ring. A protruding end surface of the piston rod protrudes past an end face of the preload ring when the piston rod is coupled to the preload ring and the rod shoulder engages a ring shoulder of the preload ring. A piston has a pocket for receiving the preload ring. Preload ring fasteners couple the preload ring to the piston to form a piston rod connection between the piston rod and the piston, such that the protruding end surface engages an interior surface of the pocket and a preload is induced in the piston rod connection. |
| US09850728B2 |
Wireline drilling system
A wireline drilling system for the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry incorporating a drilling cuttings removal system which acts to remove and store cuttings displaced by a drill bit during drilling operations. The cuttings removal system may employ a screw member having a tapered lower portion and a narrow upper portion to transport drilling cuttings to a cuttings basket and distribute the cuttings therein. Embodiments of the invention include an integral tractor to progress the wireline drilling system and provide weight-on-bit, as well as assist in retrieval of the wireline drilling system if the tool should become stuck. |
| US09850725B2 |
One trip interventionless liner hanger and packer setting apparatus and method
A liner hanger and packer are set at different times in a single trip without intervention. The running tool has a ball seat that accepts a ball for pressuring up which results in movement of a mandrel with a magnet mounted to it past a valve triggered by the magnetic field. Potential energy is released to set the liner hanger. Further mandrel movement then releases the running tool once the liner is supported by the hanger. After a cement job that starts with confirmation of release of the running tool, the same magnet is moved past another valve adjacent the liner top packer. Another valve is triggered open to release potential energy and move parts that set the packer. The running tool is removed from the liner and brought to the surface. |
| US09850723B2 |
Drill string components having multiple-thread joints
Drill string components having at least two threads extending around a body. The leading end of each thread can have a configuration having increased strength and resistance to jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of each thread can comprise a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of each thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading and can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. Each thread can further provide at least one of a variable thread width and a variable thread pitch configured to create an axial progressive fit. Each thread can also provide a cylindrical thread root and a thread crest that circumscribes a frusta-cone over at least a portion of the axial length of the threads configured to create a radial progressive fit. |
| US09850720B2 |
Helical control line connector for connecting to a downhole completion receptacle
Systems including wellbore tubing having an anchor assembly, an upper control line connector coupled to the anchor assembly, a first housing, and a first connector. The first connector provides a first angular mating face that faces tangentially with respect to the first housing, an upper control line operatively coupled to the first housing, and first communication media that extend through the first housing to the first angular mating face. A completion assembly within a wellbore has a completion receptacle to receive the anchor assembly, a lower control line connector coupled to the completion receptacle and a second housing and a second connector. The second connector provides a second angular mating face that faces tangentially with respect to the second housing, and a lower control line operatively coupled to the second housing and one or more second communication media that extend through the second housing to the second angular mating face. |
| US09850716B2 |
Remote-controlled adjustable-speed screw drill for gas-drive hydraulic-motive during gas drilling
A remote-controlled adjustable-speed screw drill for gas-drive hydraulic-motive during gas drilling is provided, including a piston speed control system, a motor assembly, a cardan shaft assembly and a transmission shaft assembly which are connected with each other from up to down in sequence. The motor assembly includes air inlets, a cam, air cylinders, pistons, a connecting rod, air outlets, liquid inlets, hydraulic cylinders, liquid check valves, a liquid storage chamber, liquid outlets, a liquid injecting chamber, a liquid injecting hole, an anti-drop cap, a rotor, a stator, and a motor assembly housing. The present invention utilizes the high-pressure gas injected by the gas drilling to drive the pistons to move back and forth at high-speed, so as to drive the incompressible liquid within the driving screw to achieve the self-circulating motion, and the screw rotor is driven to rotate by the liquid. |
| US09850715B2 |
Modular compaction boring machine system
A modular compaction boring device. The boring device comprises a compaction boring head which creates a borehole through a subsurface by operation of a thruster and a rear and forward anchor. Extension of the thruster while the rear anchors are engaged move the boring head forward. Retraction of the thruster while the forward anchors are engaged brings the rear anchors forward for an addition stroke. A steering geometry in the boring head and rotation of the boring head allow steering of the boring device. Steering, thrust, and anchors may be controlled remotely through an umbilical cable pulled through the borehole by the boring device. |
| US09850710B2 |
Enhancing torque electric motor drive and control system for rotary steerable system
An example embodiment of a pipe-in-pipe electric motor assembly includes a drilling string that includes an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and an electric motor. The electric motor is provided with power supplied by the inner pipe and the outer pipe acting at least as conductors. A latching mechanism connects the drilling string and an electric motor output shaft. The electric motor output shaft is driven by the electric motor. The latching mechanism prevents the electric motor output shaft from rotating slower than the drilling string and associated methods. |
| US09850709B2 |
Downhole mud motor with a sealed bearing pack
An improved sealed bearing pack for a downhole mud motor is disclosed. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a mud motor for straight and directional drilling with a sealed bearing pack designed to withstand higher torques, loads, and pressure operations and with a reduced failure rate. In some embodiments, the sealed bearing pack has more lateral support for improved horizontal drilling and extended operational life. Thus, one embodiment includes an adapter housing extending the length of the outer housing and a bearing within the adapter housing for increased support. Additionally, some embodiments include two thrust bearing assemblies for improved operations and reduced failures. Various embodiments include a longer flow sleeve than prior art sealed bearing packs. |
| US09850708B2 |
Drill string sub
The present disclosure is directed to a drilling system including a drill string with two or more drill pipes (e.g., tubular), a drive system configured to rotate the drill string, and a neutral point sub disposed proximate a neutral point of the drill string, where the neutral point sub is configured to detect motion of the drill string. |
| US09850705B2 |
Energy efficient shading systems for windows
A shading assembly configured to have a first selectable state that is transmissive to more than 40% of solar light and reflects more than 35% of solar heat, a second selectable state that blocks more than 75% of the solar light and transmits more than 50% of the solar heat, and a third selectable state that transmits more than 50% of the solar light and more than 50% of the solar heat. |
| US09850697B2 |
Safety power window system and operation method thereof
The present disclosure relates to a safety power window system capable of detecting jamming of an object between a window and a door frame by generating virtual pulse signals on the basis of pulse signals generated by two hall sensors positioned to have an interval of 90 degrees therebetween to calculate force acting on the window even though a window motor rotates only 0.75 turns, and an operation method thereof. |
| US09850694B2 |
Locking mechanisms for security containers
Embodiments described herein are directed to a locking mechanism having a door with an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface, a handle assembly comprising a handle that is selectively repositionable between a locked handle position and an unlocked and latched handle position, an engagement bolt coupled to the handle assembly and slidably mounted to the interior facing surface of the door, a biasing member coupled to the engagement bolt, wherein the biasing member applies a force to the engagement bolt biasing the engagement bolt in an inward direction, and a lock with a lock housing and a locking bolt that is selectively repositionable between a locked position to inhibit translation of the engagement bolt and an unlocked position to allow translation of the engagement bolt. The handle is biased toward the unlocked and latched handle position with the locking bolt in the unlocked position. |
| US09850690B2 |
Motor vehicle door lock status system and related method
A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed. |
| US09850685B2 |
Lock drive assemblies
An illustrative motor drive assembly is configured for use in a lockset comprising a case, a longitudinally movable link, and a catch configured to move among a locking position and an unlocking position in response to longitudinal movement of the link. The illustrative motor drive assembly includes a longitudinally extending shaft comprising a worm, a motor operable to rotate the shaft, a driver engaged with the worm, and a longitudinally extending spring. The spring is not directly engaged with the worm, and includes a first end coupled with the driver and a second end connectable with the link. Engagement between the worm and driver is configured to longitudinally move the driver in response to rotation of the shaft. |
| US09850684B2 |
Sensor assemblies for locks
A locking assembly including first and second hubs rotatably mounted in a case, a latch assembly which retracts in response to rotation of either of the hubs, and a locking member which selectively prevents rotation of at least one of the hubs. A sensor assembly is associated with at least one of the hubs, and is configured to transmit a signal in response to rotation of the at least one hub. |
| US09850679B2 |
Marine vessel canopy
A canopy assembly for a marine vessel having at least one U-shaped canopy support member each removably coupled to a first side section and a second side section of a marine vessel, a cover coupled to the at least two U-shaped canopy support members, with an upper surface providing a water barrier to, and in an overlapping relationship with, an upper surface of a bow of the marine vessel, spanning from the first and second ends of each of the at least one U-shaped canopy support member, and having a cover zipper assembly with a plurality of teeth. The assembly also includes a track zipper assembly having a plurality of teeth removably interlocked with the plurality of teeth of the cover zipper assembly to form a joint contouring a portion of the marine vessel that includes the first and second side sections and the fore section of the marine vessel. |
| US09850678B1 |
Temporary shelter for aircraft maintenance workers
A temporary shelter for an aircraft maintenance worker includes a base pad having a central opening for surrounding and exposing a repair site on an aircraft. A frame anchored within pockets on the base pad supports a canopy to create a protective enclosure for the worker. A junction box securable to the pad includes a plurality of electrical receptacles and quick-connect, compressed-air fittings on an upper surface for powering various work tools. When the pad is anchored to the aircraft with a pair of retaining straps, the erected canopy provides a temporary shelter that protects a worker from sunlight and inclement weather while providing convenient, uninhibited access to a maintenance site. |
| US09850676B2 |
Level adjustment tool, system and method for free standing poles and structural columns
A removable tool for leveling a vertical structure in a vertically level orientation is also disclosed, the tool including a flat substantially non-bendable material, wherein the tool has a central hole formed in the center thereof that does not extend to or open out to the periphery of the tool, and four slots extending radially away from the hole and spaced from each other evenly about the tool. Contemplated systems and methods for utilizing the removable tool are also disclosed herein. |
| US09850674B1 |
Vertical joint assembly for wind turbine towers
The present disclosure is directed to a tower assembly of a wind turbine having a joint assembly configured therein. The tower assembly includes at least one generally cylindrical tower section. The tower section is split into at least a first vertical tower section and a second vertical tower section. Each of the first and second vertical tower sections define an interior wall and an exterior wall separated by a thickness. Further, the tower assembly includes a joint assembly that secures the first and second vertical tower sections together. The joint assembly includes a first L-flange mounted to the interior wall of the first vertical tower section and a second L-flange mounted to the interior wall of the second vertical tower section. The first L-flange faces in a first direction and the second L-flange faces away from the first direction. Further, the first and second L-flanges are separated from the interior walls of the first and second vertical tower sections via an open space. |
| US09850673B1 |
Cable system for a disaster-resistant structure and method for constructing cable system
The present invention is a novel cable system for a disaster-resistant structure (such as a building or wall) and a method for constructing or assembling the cable system to secure the structure, including the roof of the structure, to a body of cast material such as a foundation, grade beam, base, platform, slab or floor by incorporating flexible cables to resist the very high loads that may occur due to high winds, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other severe storms. |
| US09850672B2 |
Alternating paddle mechanism for pool cleaner
Embodiments of the invention provide a paddle wheel mechanism for a pool cleaner. The paddle wheel mechanism includes a housing with an internal flow area, a paddle wheel shaft supported by the housing, and a paddle wheel supported by the paddle wheel shaft. The paddle wheel includes a base extending along a base width and a plurality of paddle wheel blades extending from the base within the internal flow area. The plurality of paddle wheel blades include a first-type blade with a first blade portion having a first blade width, and a second-type blade with a second blade portion having a second blade width. The first blade width and the second blade width are each less than the base width, and the first-type and second-type blades are arranged on the base in an alternating manner. |
| US09850671B2 |
Vehicle to project concrete
Vehicle to project concrete, including a truck provided with a main motor to move the truck using a movement unit, a unit to project the concrete equipped with a pumping device configured to feed the concrete along a pipe, where the vehicle includes a unit to generate and feed electric energy configured to selectively feed one or more of either the movement unit of the truck, the concrete projection unit and the pumping device. |
| US09850666B2 |
Panel system for covering a building wall
Disclosed herein is a panel system for covering a building wall. The panel system includes at least one panel assembly. Each panel assembly includes a panel having a front panel wall, a side panel wall, and a back mounting flange overhanging the front panel wall. Each panel also includes at least one perimeter extrusion. Each perimeter extrusion includes a panel engaging portion having a panel slot shaped to receive the back mounting flange of the panel, and a connector engaging portion having a connector slot. The panel system also includes at least one connector extrusion for mounting the panel assembly to the building wall. Each connector extrusion includes a connector base mountable to the building wall, and at least one connector flange shaped to fit in the connector slot of the perimeter extrusion. |
| US09850662B2 |
Flexible expansion joint seal
An expansion joint seal includes a central portion having at least one central chamber disposed around a centerline, a first flange portion extending outwardly from the centerline and a second flange portion extending outwardly from the centerline in a direction opposite the first flange portion. When installed on the structure, the first flange portion is attachable to a first substrate of the structure and the second flange portion is attachable to a second substrate of the structure such that the central portion is disposed within and seals a gap formed between the first substrate and the second substrate of the structure. Movement of one or both of the first substrate and the second substrate causes a response in the central portion to maintain the seal. |
| US09850660B2 |
Sandwich panel with a ductile hybrid core comprising tubular reinforcements
A hybrid core comprising a matrix and tubular structural reinforcements, such as a ductile matrix core reinforced with ductile hollow tubes, as well as panels which comprise such hybrid core. Embodiments of the invention manifest resistance to both interfacial debonding and ballistic penetration. |
| US09850659B2 |
Method of attaching a hanger to a deck
A hanger and method of attaching a hanger to a deck is described. The method includes attaching the hanger parallel to the ground by attaching them to opposing surfaces of a corrugation of the deck. Certain methods include expanding the length of the hanger to place it in compression. Other methods include flexing the hanger to place it in compression. The method is particularly useful in retrofitting as it generates very little noise and vibration in a structure. |
| US09850653B1 |
Modular elevator shaft assembly and method for making the same
An elevator shaft assembly and a method for forming the same includes a plurality of modules, each of the modules having a plurality of walls with an upper perimeter edge and a lower perimeter edge and spaced apart elevator rails. Adjacent modules are aligned with each other along mating upper and lower perimeter portions with complementary aligning members that are joined together with a fastener, the modules when joined together forming a tubular structure. |
| US09850652B2 |
Septic line cleaning assistance device
A septic line cleaning assistance device that positions into alignment with a lower opening in a T-pipe to plug the lower opening in the T-pipe. The blocked lower opening enables a suction apparatus to suck waste from a pipe connected to a waste opening in the T-pipe through an upper opening in the T-pipe. A rod is configured to be inserted along the T-pipe and positioned into place along the T-pipe. The rod comprises a plug end holding the plug that is configured to frictionally engage the lower opening in the T-pipe to effectively seal the lower opening. A handle end having a grip enables the positioning of the plug over the lower opening, and pulling the plug into a mating position with the lower opening. An adjustable peripheral fastener is slidably positioned over the upper end of the T pipe to hold the device and plug in place. |
| US09850651B2 |
Diffuser baffle for grease interceptor
A diffuser baffle for use in an in-line wastewater grease interceptor. The diffuser baffle lies within a grease collecting chamber between the inflow and outflow of a grease interceptor. The diffuser baffle has an open bottom which is sized and shaped respectively to fit into the grease collecting chamber. The diffuser baffle has an end operatively connected to the inflow opening to permit wastewater to flow into the body through the open bottom. The baffle has a downstream end which includes a deflector portion to deflect a wastewater stream in a direction generally into the grease collecting chamber. The body also includes a number of apertures to permit the deflected wastewater stream to pass through the baffle and into the grease collecting chamber, where FOG will separate before waste water exits the chamber through the outlet baffle. |
| US09850649B2 |
Vortex flow type water surface control device for draining device
A control plate is provided at a preferred position in a storm overflow chamber. An inflow pipe, an intercepting pipe, and an outflow pipe are connected to the storm overflow chamber. A vortex flow type water surface control device for a draining device includes the overflow chamber, and a control plate arranged in front of an opening portion of the intercepting pipe opening to the storm overflow chamber. A relation (1) 0.5 D≦X≦0.7 D and 0.83 D≦Y≦1.5 D holds true, or a relation (2) 0.4 D≦X≦0.5 D and 1.0 D≦Y≦1.5 D holds true, where D represents an inner diameter of the opening portion, X represents a projection length of the control plate with respect to the opening portion, and Y represents a distance between the control plate and the opening portion. As a result, contaminants enter the intercepting pipe. |
| US09850648B1 |
Stormwater chamber with stackable reinforcing ribs
An arch-shaped corrugated chamber having corrugation peaks and valleys, with reinforcing ribs provided on the corrugation peaks. The ribs extend upwardly from a chamber base to a rib upper end, and have an arch-shaped cross-section with an outer surface extending outwardly from a corrugation peak and a fin extending inwardly from the corrugation peak, and optionally, a rib line provided on the rib outer surface centered on the rib arch-shaped cross-section. A channel formed by the inner surface of the rib is sized to receive a corresponding rib of a second chamber so that multiple similar chambers with ribs may be stacked together. |
| US09850647B1 |
Two piece plastic stormwater chamber having locking rod
A molded plastic arch shape cross section stormwater chamber having a corrugated wall comprises separately molded half chambers which are connected by coupling features at a joint region at the top of the chamber, which coupling feature optionally includes at least one locking rod running lengthwise in proximity to the joint region. Preferably, the half chambers are made in the same mold and modified so they are mirror images of each other. The half chambers may be compactly stored and transported in nested condition. Near the point of use, the chambers may be assembled. |
| US09850645B2 |
Floating automatic toilet bowl cleaning device
The invention relates to free floating automated toilet bowl cleaning devices that dispense a volatile composition (e.g., a fragrance) into air surrounding the toilet and dispense a cleaning composition (e.g., hypohalite bleach) into toilet tank water on which the device freely floats. The device includes a first compartment for housing the volatile composition. The first compartment is permeable to air, with the permeable portion of the first compartment positioned above a water line when the device is floated. The device includes a second compartment for housing the cleaning composition. The second compartment includes one or more inlets through the device body to allow fluid communication with the liquid on which the device floats during use. A floatation member is positioned above the second compartment (e.g., between the first and second compartments). |
| US09850644B1 |
Plunger-type diaphragm valve
A plunger-type diaphragm valve is disposed in an accommodation trough of a flush device. The accommodation trough communicates with an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The valve includes a control unit. One end of the control unit is provided with a diaphragm member and an engaging member, and another end leans against the outlet passage to block the inlet passage and the outlet passage. An outer wall of the diaphragm member is fixed to the accommodation trough. The diaphragm member has a curved portion. When the valve is actuated, the curved portion is deformed by water pressure to bring the control unit to move away from the inlet passage for the inlet passage to communicate with the outlet passage. The stressed area of the diaphragm member is small and the deformation is less, so the diaphragm member won't wear. The valve is durable and has a long life. |
| US09850642B2 |
Faucet with articulating arm
A faucet includes a sprayhead removably supported by a positioning arm. The positioning arm is articulated to provide multiple degrees of freedom. |
| US09850637B2 |
Digging equipment with relative improved hydraulic system
The invention includes digging equipment having a self-propelled base machine provided with an arm that supports a digging tool. The digging tool is provided with a device for crumbling soil. The digging tool is operatively connected to the base machine through a suspending flexible element that can be wound or unwound by a winch arranged on the base machine. The base machine also includes a main power engine, to actuate all the hydraulic apparatuses of the digging equipment, and a hydraulic system consisting of two independent and separate hydraulic circuits (S; U). A first hydraulic circuit (S) is configured to control and supply the main service apparatuses of the base machine, including a movement apparatus for moving the digging tool. A second hydraulic circuit (U) is configured to control and supply the main digging apparatuses of the digging tool, including at least the actuators of the device for crumbling soil. |
| US09850636B2 |
Ring-wing floating platform
A ring-wing floating platform is disclosed. The ring-wing floating platform includes a floating hull, a top of the floating hull being above a sea surface and its geometry at a water plane is centrally symmetric, a ring-wing surrounding a perimeter of a bottom of the floating hull with a horizontal projection of concentric annular geometries, a positioning system located at the bottom of the floating hull, and a topsides located above the floating hull and connected to the floating hull by deck legs or installed directly on the top of the floating hull. The axes of the ring-wing and the floating hull are collinear, and their bottoms are in a same horizontal plane. The ring-wing and the floating hull are connected together as a unitary structure by multiple connecting components with an annular gap in-between. |
| US09850635B2 |
Irrigation network valve
Irrigation valves for channels and for irrigation tanks are of three types. All are activated by a pair of tilting float arms to which a pair of floats are attached. One type is a T-shaped duct with a cylindrical valve disposed at 90 degrees to the part that is connected to the incoming flow. The floats rotate the valve. The second type has the same construction as the first type, thereby giving flow control but additionally has a rise and fall gate in the duct part that is connected to the incoming flow. The gate acts as a stop valve. The third type has a cylindrical duct connectable to the incoming flow but no valve and provides both flow control and stop valve facilities through a rise and fall gate actuated by the tilting of the float arms. |
| US09850634B1 |
Aquatic protective unit
Cooperating protection units having both convex and concave walls are disclosed that have the potential to create lengthy protections structures that may be used in the protection of coastal areas. Certain versions of those protective units are configured to have semi-cylindrical wall faces that may cooperate with one another in a lengthy structure and certain other protective units have semi-spherical wall faces that may cooperate with one another in a lengthy structure. Soil and vegetation may accumulate in central cavities of the units. |
| US09850633B1 |
Method and structure for dampening tsunami waves
A tsunami-wave structure is provided for installation in the bottom of the sea/ocean in the near-shore area which is exposed to the air at the time of a low tide that precedes the arrival of tsunami. Normally, the structure is immersed in water and when exposed to air before arrival of the tsunami wave assumes a tsunami-wave dampening position under the effect of its own gravity. This is achieved by making the structure in the form of a two-lever mechanism having two lever arms separated by a fulcrum point with a counterweight attached to the end of one the lever arms and a tsunami-wave breaker pivotally connected to the end of the other lever arm so that when the structure is exposed to the air the tsunami-wave breaker is turned down and allows the counterweight to outweigh the tsunami-wave breaker and to raise it to the operation position. |
| US09850628B2 |
Road milling machine for working road or ground surfaces
A road milling machine includes a machine frame, front wheels or tracks, rear wheels or tracks, and a milling drum supported from the machine frame between the rear wheels or tracks. The front wheels or tracks are mounted on pivoting columns. Steering levers are attached to the pivoting columns. A steering tie rod includes a connecting part and a projecting arm. The connecting part is connected to the steering levers. A steering cylinder is connected to a free end of the projecting arm. |
| US09850625B2 |
Composite pavement structures
A composite pavement structure comprises a wearing course layer and a base course layer disposed below the wearing course layer. The wearing course layer comprises aggregate, e.g. glass and rock, and an elastomeric composition. The elastomeric composition comprises the reaction product of an isocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive component. The isocyanate component comprises a polymeric isocyanate, and optionally, an isocyanate-prepolymer. The isocyanate-reactive component comprises a hydrophobic polyol and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups and a molecular weight of from about 62 to about 220. The chain extender is present in the isocyanate-reactive component in an amount of from about 1 to about 20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the isocyanate-reactive component. The base course layer comprises aggregate which is the same or different than the aggregate of the wearing course layer. Methods of forming the composite pavement structure are also disclosed. |
| US09850624B2 |
Mobile automated tie replacement system
A device and method for the replacement of railroad ties is disclosed. The tie extends laterally under two rails and is attached to the rails via tie plates. An example rail changing machine includes a tie changing boom moveable to one side of the two rails. The tie changing boom including a gripping assembly for clamping the railroad tie. The tie changing boom is moveable between a proximate position and a distal position from the one side of the two rails to grip the tie and remove the tie from under the rails. A kicker is located on the opposite side of the rails from the tie changing boom and contacts one end of the tie to move the tie toward the tie changing boom. A pair of tie plate clamps to hold the tie plates in place when the kicker moves the tie. |
| US09850623B2 |
Water, grease and heat resistant bio-based products and method of making same
The present disclosure provides a stable aqueous composition comprising an aqueous component, a hydrophobic complex comprised of a multivalent metal salt complexed with nanocellulose fibers and lignin, with the composition exhibiting a viscosity sufficient to prevent coalescing and settling of the hydrophobic complex in the aqueous component. The composition may be used to coat surfaces of articles to produce a hydrophobic surface. Once applied to the surface, the aqueous coating is spread to form a wet film covering the surface and is then dewatered and dried to produce a dried hydrophobic coating. |
| US09850619B2 |
Cleaning apparatus and method
The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the treatment of substrates, whereby the apparatus comprises housing means having mounted therein a rotatably mounted drum (17), access means through which said substrates may be loaded into said drum (17), and a multiplicity of solid particulate material delivery means. |
| US09850616B2 |
Washing machine driving mechanism
A washing machine driving mechanism includes a shaftless rotator (23) for generating rotational energy; a gear reduction mechanism (200) mounted on the rotator (23) and configured to obtain rotational energy from an eccentric position of the rotator (23) and output the energy with or without speed reduction; and a first driving part (11) connected with the gear reduction mechanism (200) and configured to supply the rotational energy with or without the speed reduction to respective execution parts of the washing machine. The rotator is a rotor of a motor, and an output rotating shaft on the rotor is canceled. The washing machine driving mechanism has a technical effect of being compact in structure and small in space occupancy. |
| US09850613B2 |
Laundry system, communication device, communication method, communication program and washing machine
A display control unit switches a display screen to a detergent name list screen based on detergent name list screen information received by a second communication unit, an operation unit accepts a selection of an arbitrary detergent name by a user from a plurality of detergent names displayed as a list on the detergent name list screen, the second communication unit transmits, to a server, detergent name specifying information for specifying the arbitrary detergent name accepted by the operation unit and washing machine specifying information and receives, from the server, detergent information related to a detergent specified based on the detergent name specifying information and the washing machine specifying information, and a first communication unit transmits the detergent information received by the second communication unit to a washing machine. |
| US09850612B2 |
Laundry treating apparatus
A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes a first cabinet having a first receiving space to receive laundry, a second cabinet having a second receiving space to receive laundry, the second cabinet being separated from the first cabinet, a partition wall located at an upper part of the second receiving space to divide an interior of the second cabinet, a supply unit to selectively supply air to the first receiving space and the second receiving space, a discharge unit including an exhaust duct to discharge air in the first receiving space out of the first cabinet and a suction fan provided in the partition wall such that the suction fan is located in the second cabinet to suction air from the second receiving space such that the air from the second receiving space moves to the exhaust duct. |
| US09850611B2 |
Washing machine having drying apparatus
A washing machine having a drying apparatus, which can perform a heated drying operation and shorten a drying time of laundry, is provided. The washing machine having a drying apparatus includes a top cover which is provided in an upper part of a body and has at least one air hole formed in a top surface thereof, a drying duct which is provided in the top cover to supply air heated by a heater provided thereinside to the air hole, and a rack member which is provided to be extractable from the body to hang laundry above the body. |
| US09850608B2 |
Rotary hook with bobbin case for a lockstitch sewing machine including means to reduce the plays between bobbin case and basket and to reduce the noise thereof
A rotary hook (1) of a lockstitch sewing machine composed of at least one hook body (2) includes a cylindrical cavity (11) and a basket (6, 6b) free to rotate in the cylindrical cavity (11), a bobbin case (8, 8b) housed in the basket (6, 6b) and a bobbin (4, 4b) housed in the bobbin case (8, 8b), elements (30, 40, 50, 60, 61, 70,) suited to create a friction between the bobbin case (8, 8b) and the basket (6, 6b), so as to prevent the bobbin case (8, 8b) to move freely and to vibrate within the plays present between the bobbin case (8, 8b) and the basket (6, 6b) and to consequently reduce the noisiness created during the sewing operation. |
| US09850607B2 |
Balancing yarn use in designing tufted patterns for textiles
Tools are provided that communicate to a pattern designer how much yarn is being used on every needle for a given tuft height pattern and permit the designer to adjust the pattern accordingly to balance the yarn usage on the needles. An electronic representation of a pattern design is received for controlling a carpet tufting operation. The pattern design includes a pile height per tuft. A grid is provided for representing the pattern design using different visual cues to represent different pile heights. A graph depicting use-of-yarn per needle for the carpet tufting operation is generated. The grid and the graph are on a common user interface and are viewable at the same time on a display device. |
| US09850598B2 |
Woven multi-layer fabrics and methods of fabricating same
A multi-layer ballistic woven fabric, including an upper woven layer having upper warp yarns and upper weft yarns that are interwoven together to form the upper woven layer. The multi-layer ballistic woven fabric also includes a lower woven layer having lower warp yarns and lower weft yarns that are interwoven together, and a plurality of securing yarns, each securing yarn interwoven with at least some of the upper yarns and some of the lower yarns so as to secure the upper and lower woven layers together. At least one of the securing yarns is woven underneath a first lower weft yarn, then above a second upper weft yarn adjacent the first lower weft yarn, then underneath a third lower weft yarn adjacent the second upper weft yarn and then above a fourth upper weft yarn adjacent the third lower weft yarn. The multi-layer ballistic woven fabric is formed by interweaving the securing yarns with the warp yarns and weft yarns as the upper woven layer and lower woven layer are made. |
| US09850594B2 |
Thermal diffusion doping of diamond
Boron-doped diamond and methods for making it are provided. The doped diamond is made using an ultra-thin film of heavily boron-doped silicon as a dopant carrying material in a low temperature thermal diffusion doping process. |
| US09850584B2 |
Anode assembly with reduced attenuation properties for cathodic protection systems
An anode assembly is disclosed for use in a cathodic protection system. The anode assembly includes an elongated housing, an electrical cable, an anode, and electrically conductive backfill. The housing has a leading end and a trailing end through which the electrical cable extends. The anode is located within the housing and is in the form of a plurality of electrically conductive segments which are spaced apart from each other and which are electrically connected to the electrical cable at respective electrically conductive joints. The backfill surrounds the anode and cable within the housing. |
| US09850580B2 |
Alloy composition for the manufacture of protective coatings, its use, process for its application and super-alloy articles coated with the same composition
Alloy composition for the manufacture of protective coatings, comprising cobalt, nickel, chromium, aluminum, yttrium and iridium in amounts so as to obtain the phases α, β and σ, in particular for coating a super-alloy article. Preferably, such super-alloy article is a turbine component. |
| US09850579B2 |
Feedstock and methods of making feedstock for cold spray techniques
A feedstock for a cold spray process includes a plurality of globule bodies. The globule bodies include a plurality of discrete particles bonded to one another to define porous globule bodies. The bonds between the particles are of sufficient strength such that the globule bodies can retain both the body integrity as well as the body shape when the body experiences acceleration from a conveying gas in a cold spray technique. Methods of making the feedstock and globule bodies are also described. |
| US09850571B2 |
Method for preparing graphene
The invention belongs to the technical field of inorganic compounds, and particularly, relates to a method for directly preparing graphene by taking CBr4 as a source material and using methods such as molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A method for preparing graphene comprises the following steps: selecting a proper material as a substrate; directly depositing a catalyst and CBr4 on a surface of the substrate; and performing annealing treatment on the sample obtained through deposition. Compared with other technologies, an innovative point of the method in the invention is that the catalyst and CBr4 source can be quantitatively and controllably deposited on any substrate, and the catalyst and CBr4 source react on the surface of the substrate to form the graphene, so that the dependence of the graphene growth on a substrate material can be reduced to a great extent, and different substrate materials can be selected according to different application backgrounds. |
| US09850570B2 |
Ion implantation for modification of thin film coatings on glass
The use of non-mass analyzed ion implanter is advantageous in such application as it generates ion implanting at different depth depending on the ions energy and mass. This allows for gaining advantage from lubricity offered as a result of the very light deposition on the surface, and at the same time the hardness provided by the intercalated ions implanted below it, providing benefits for cover glass, low E enhancement, and other similar materials. In further aspects, ion implantation is used to create other desirable film properties such anti-microbial and corrosion resistance. |
| US09850569B2 |
Ion implantation for superconductor tape fabrication
A method of forming a superconductor tape, includes depositing a superconductor layer on a substrate, forming a metal layer comprising a first metal on a surface of the superconductor layer, and implanting an alloy species into the metal layer where the first metal forms a metal alloy after the implanting the alloy species. |
| US09850568B2 |
Plasma erosion resistant rare-earth oxide based thin film coatings
An article comprises a body and at least one protective layer on at least one surface of the body. The at least one protective layer is a thin film having a thickness of less than approximately 20 microns that comprises a ceramic selected from a group consisting of Y3Al5O12, Y4Al2O9, Er2O3, Gd2O3, Er3Al5O12, Gd3Al5O12 and a ceramic compound comprising Y4Al2O9 and a solid-solution of Y2O3—ZrO2. |
| US09850564B2 |
High-strength α+β titanium alloy hot-rolled sheet excellent in cold coil handling property and process for producing the same
A high-strength α+β type hot-rolled titanium alloy sheet containing 0.8 to 1.5 mass % Fe, 4.8 to 5.5 mass % Al, 0.030 mass % N, O and N, wherein cracks are prevented from spreading, wherein: (a) ND represents normal direction of a hot-rolled sheet; RD represents hot rolling direction; TD represents hot rolling width direction; θ represents the angle formed between c axis and ND; φ represents angle formed between plane including c axis and ND, and a plane including ND and TD; (b1) XND represents highest (0002) relative intensity of X-ray reflection by grains when θ is from 0° to 30° ; (b2) XTD represents the highest (0002) relative intensity of the X-ray reflection caused by grains when θ is from 80° to 100° and φ is ±10° . (c) The high-strength α+β type hot-rolled titanium alloy sheet has a value for XTD/XND of at least 4.0. Q(%)=[O]+2.77·[N]. |
| US09850558B2 |
Cermet, method for producing cermet, and cutting tool
A cermet contains hard phase particles containing Ti and a binding phase containing at least one of Ni and Co, and 70% or more (by number) of the hard phase particles have a cored structure containing a core and a peripheral portion around the core. The core is composed mainly of at least one of Ti carbide, Ti nitride, and Ti carbonitride, and the peripheral portion is composed mainly of a Ti composite compound containing Ti and at least one selected from W, Mo, Ta, Nb, and Cr. The core has an average particle size α, the peripheral portion has an average particle size β, and α and β satisfy 1.1≦β/α≦1.7. |
| US09850557B2 |
Cermet and cutting tool
A cermet contains hard phase particles containing Ti and a binding phase containing at least one of Ni and Co. 70% or more of the hard phase particles have a cored structure containing a core and a peripheral portion around the core. The core is composed mainly of at least one of Ti carbide, Ti nitride, and Ti carbonitride. The peripheral portion is composed mainly of a Ti composite compound containing Ti and at least one selected from W, Mo, Ta, Nb, and Cr. The core has an average particle size α, the peripheral portion has an average particle size β, and α and β satisfy 1.1≦β/α≦1.7. The hard phase particles in the cermet have an average particle size of more than 1.0 μm. |
| US09850550B2 |
Method for recovering saccharide from saccharified slurry, and washing device for washing residue
A saccharide recovering method for recovering saccharides from a saccharified slurry obtained after subjecting a slurry of cellulosic biomass to a hot water treatment and to provide a washing device for washing a saccharified slurry residue suited for conducting such a saccharide recovery method is provided. Saccharified slurry of cellulosic biomass is fed on a conveyor having a net conveyor belt, the saccharified slurry is dehydrated, washing water is sprayed to dissolve saccharides remaining in the residue into the washing liquid. The residue is washed by a plurality of washing water spraying units disposed in series in such a manner that the moving direction of the residue and the moving direction of the washing water are opposite to each other. The washing water having washed the residue is used as washing water for washing water spraying unit in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. |
| US09850547B2 |
Biosensor system for the rapid detection of analytes
A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell or that actively bind to a receptor or a receptor component expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein each signal transducing element is adapted to receive a detector molecule. |
| US09850546B2 |
Biosensor system for the rapid detection of analytes
A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell or that actively bind to a receptor or a receptor component expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein each signal transducing element is adapted to receive a detector molecule. |
| US09850545B2 |
Multi-primer assay for Mycoplasma detection
Disclosed is a multi-primer amplification assay, method and kits for detecting Mycoplasma species and closely related species utilizing a plurality of oligonucleotide primers in contact with a sample in a single vessel and detecting the amplification product, wherein the presence of an amplification product indicates Mycoplasma in the sample. |
| US09850531B2 |
Molecular code systems
The present invention relates to a method for protecting and. recovering nucleic acids. This method may be applied in a verification method of products using molecular code systems or it may be applied in a storage method for nucleic acids. The invention further provides specific particles, their use in secure marking; products suitable for such verification method, to processes for manufacturing such products and methods for reading the information. |
| US09850530B2 |
Automatic real-time PCR system for the various analysis of biological sample
The present invention relates to an automatic real-time quantitative amplification system which can perform analysis of various biological samples, and more particularly to an automatic real-time quantitative amplification system in which a plurality of decks for respectively accommodating biological samples are put in a deck storing/transferring device, whereby it is possible to automatically analyze an amount or existence of a target substance containing a target nucleic acid in the biologic sample, such as a particular gene, a particular, a particular pathogenic bacterium and a particular protein, by amplifying the target nucleic acid purified by some processes of purification, purification after culture, or purification after reaction of the target substance contained in the biological sample and then checking an amount of the amplified target nucleic acid. |
| US09850526B2 |
Assays and other reactions involving droplets
The present invention generally relates to droplets and/or emulsions, such as multiple emulsions. In some cases, the droplets and/or emulsions may be used in assays, and in certain embodiments, the droplet or emulsion may be hardened to form a gel. In some aspects, a heterogeneous assay can be performed using a gel. For example, a droplet may be hardened to form a gel, where the droplet contains a cell, DNA, or other suitable species. The gel may be exposed to a reactant, and the reactant may interact with the gel and/or with the cell, DNA, etc., in some fashion. For example, the reactant may diffuse through the gel, or the hardened particle may liquefy to form a liquid state, allowing the reactant to interact with the cell. As a specific example, DNA contained within a gel particle may be subjected to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification, e.g., by using PCR primers able to bind to the gel as it forms. As the DNA is amplified using PCR, some of the DNA will be bound to the gel via the PCR primer. After the PCR reaction, unbound DNA may be removed from the gel, e.g., via diffusion or washing. Thus, a gel particle having bound DNA may be formed in one embodiment of the invention. |
| US09850523B1 |
Methods for multi-resolution analysis of cell-free nucleic acids
The present disclosure provides a method for enriching for multiple genomic regions using a first bait set that selectively hybridizes to a first set of genomic regions of a nucleic acid sample and a second bait set that selectively hybridizes to a second set of genomic regions of the nucleic acid sample. These bait set panels can selectively enrich for one or more nucleosome-associated regions of a genome, said nucleosome-associated regions comprising genomic regions having one or more genomic base positions with differential nucleosomal occupancy, wherein the differential nucleosomal occupancy is characteristic of a cell or tissue type of origin or disease state. |
| US09850522B2 |
One-step rapid assay for the detection of inhibitors of enzymes
A device and method for the rapid on-site detection of inhibitors of enzymes, such as acetylcholinesterase, is described wherein the device contains all reagents added to a sample pad containing dried releasable enzyme creating a reaction mixture wherein inhibitor deactivates the enzyme, while said reaction mixture travels via a longitudinal membrane to a distal porous pad containing a substrate for the enzyme. The reaction of the enzyme and the substrate results in a product that can generate a measurable signal such as color, fluorescence or luminescence to serve as a reporter. Signal that is generated at this reaction zone is inversely proportional to inhibitor concentration in the test sample. A device containing two such strips, one for a test sample, the other for a negative control fluid as an onboard comparator is described. A purpose-built reader or an illuminating device, such as, containing an incandescent light source, a diode, a UV light source or any other illumination source that is suitable for the reporter or mere visualization is used to determine the level of reporter. |
| US09850519B1 |
Method for producing alpha-glucosidase inhibitors utilizing Paenibacillus sp
A method for producing alpha-glucosidase inhibitors utilizing Paenibacillus sp., wherein utilizing a Paenibacillus sp. strain which is deposited at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ) and numbered No. DSM 32521 to produce the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, the Paenibacillus sp. Strain is cultivated in a commercial culture medium or a shrimp/crab residue-contained culture medium, and the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors is separated from a fermented supernatant. The alpha-glucosidase inhibitors have strong inhibitory activity. |
| US09850516B2 |
Spore detector
A system and method of detecting spores includes a light source configured to emit a light pulse within a first wavelength range, and a light sensor configured to detect a resulting phosphorescence emitted from one or more desiccated spores phosphorescing within a second wavelength range in a vicinity of the light pulse. The spore detector also includes circuitry configured to trigger emission of the light pulse and record the emitted phosphorescence at a pre-determined time after the light pulse. |
| US09850515B2 |
Affinity-based partition assay for detection of target molecules
The present invention provides methods of detecting a target molecule in a sample comprising incubating the sample with two or more detectably labeled probes, partitioning the sample into multiple partitions, and detecting the presence of the two or more probes in the same partition. |
| US09850512B2 |
Hydrolysis of cellulosic fines in primary clarified sludge of paper mills and the addition of a surfactant to increase the yield
A method for processing a stream of cellulosic fines containing inorganic particles, to increase a hydrolysis yield of polysaccharide degradation enzymes, such fines in a waste stream from a recycled packaging paper mill to produce a stream of fermentable sugars, comprising treating the fines with a surfactant which selectively binds to the inorganic particles and which reduces binding to the inorganic particles by the polysaccharide degradation enzymes, and degrading polysaccharides in the waste stream with the polysaccharide degradation enzymes. |
| US09850507B2 |
Yeast cells having reductive TCA pathway from pyruvate to succinate and overexpressing an exogenous NAD(P)+ transhydrogenase enzyme
Yeast cells having a reductive TCA pathway from pyruvate or phosphoenolpyruvate to succinate, and which include at least one exogenous gene overexpressing an enzyme in that pathway, further contain an exogenous transhydrogenase gene. |
| US09850506B2 |
Modified microorganism for improved production of fine chemicals on sucrose
The present invention relates to a modified microorganism having, compared to its wild-type, a reduced activity of the enzyme that is encoded by the fruA-gene. The present invention also relates to a method for producing an organic compound and to the use of modified microorganisms. |
| US09850505B2 |
Microorganisms and methods for producing pyruvate, ethanol, and other compounds
Microorganisms comprising modifications for producing pyruvate, ethanol, and other compounds. The microorganisms comprise modifications that reduce or ablate activity of one or more of pyruvate dehydrogenase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, phosphate acetyltransferase, acetate kinase, pyruvate oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, cytochrome terminal oxidase, succinate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, pyruvate formate lyase, pyruvate formate lyase activating enzyme, and isocitrate lyase. The microorganisms optionally comprise modifications that enhance expression or activity of pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase. The microorganisms are optionally evolved in defined media to enhance specific production of one or more compounds. Methods of producing compounds with the microorganisms are provided. |
| US09850503B2 |
Control of conductivity in anaerobic fermentation
Process are provided which are effective for controlling medium conductivity during fermentation of a CO-containing gaseous substrate while providing an STY of about 10 g ethanol/(L·day) or more. The process includes balancing medium conductivity, specific carbon uptake or cell density levels. |
| US09850496B2 |
Compositions and methods for controlling Leptinotarsa
Disclosed herein are methods of controlling insect pests, in particular Leptinotarsa spp. which infest crop plants, and methods of providing plants resistant to such pests. Also disclosed are polynucleotides and recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful in such methods, insecticidal compositions such as topical sprays containing insecticidal double-stranded RNAs, and solanaceous plants with improved resistance to infestation by Leptinotarsa spp. Further disclosed are methods of selecting target genes for RNAi-mediated silencing and control of Leptinotarsa spp. |
| US09850492B2 |
Aptamer to IL-17 and use thereof
The present invention provides an aptamer that binds to IL-17 to inhibit binding of IL-17 and IL-17 receptor; a complex containing the aptamer and a functional substance (e.g., affinity substance, labeling substance, enzyme, drug delivery medium, drug and the like); a medicament containing the aptamer, or a complex containing the aptamer and a functional substance, a diagnosing drug and labeling agent and the like. |
| US09850486B2 |
Methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of CKAP5 by double-stranded RNA
This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing CKAP5 target RNA and protein levels via use of dsRNAs, e.g., Dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) agents. |
| US09850485B2 |
Method of regulating gene expression
The present invention relates, in general, to gene expression and, in particular, to a method of inhibiting the expression of a target gene and to constructs suitable for use in such a method. |
| US09850484B2 |
Comprehensive in vitro reporting of cleavage events by sequencing (Circle-seq)
Sensitive, unbiased methods for genome-wide detection of potential CRISPR-Cas9 off-target cleavage sites from cell type-specific genomic DNA samples. |
| US09850479B2 |
Method and apparatus for sampling macromolecules from a biological specimen
Apparatus and methods for laser ablation sampling, electrophoretic extraction from the laser plume, electrophoretic transport to a container, and capture of macromolecules of interest. In certain embodiments, when macromolecules of interest are nucleic acid, the apparatus and methods further provides for nucleic acid amplification and detection in a rapid mobile platform for environmental and clinical identification of pathogens. |
| US09850475B2 |
Method for delivering agents into cells using bacterial toxins
The invention provides compositions and methods for delivering a bioactive moiety comprising at least one non-natural component into a cell cytosol of a eukaryotic cell. The bioactive moiety is linked to an A component of a bacterial toxin, a functional wild-type or modified fragment thereof, or an A component surrogate or mimetic. For delivery, the cell is contacted with the linked bioactive moiety and a corresponding B component of the bacterial toxin or a functional fragment thereof. |
| US09850474B2 |
Methods for treating glycogen storage disease type IV usng lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase
The disclosure relates, in general, to Glycogen Storage Disease and, in particular, to a method of treating Glycogen Storage Disease and to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such a method. |
| US09850471B2 |
Enzymatic synthesis of L-nucleic acids
The invention relates to a method of reacting one or more L-nucleotides with a first L-nucleic acid in the presence of a D-enzyme that adds the one or more L-nucleotides to the 3′ end of the first L-nucleic acid. |
| US09850469B2 |
Methods of stapling and unstapling peptides and proteins
The present disclosure pertains to the field peptide stapling and/or macrocyclization, where a structural motif is used to improve the properties of amino acid sequences (e.g. protease resistance, cellular penetration, biological activity). Also within the scope of the disclosure are methods for unstapling the S,S-tetrazine-containing amino acid sequence. The disclosure is also directed to methods for the reductive removal of thiocyanates from an amino acid sequence with cysteine to recycle back to the native amino acid sequence. |
| US09850468B2 |
Infectious hepatitis E virus genotype 3 recombinants
The invention relates to the discovery of an HEV strain from a chronically infected patient. The virus grow unusually well in numerous cell cultures. Thus, the invention provides cell cultures, vectors, and vaccine compositions based on the virus. |
| US09850461B2 |
Hydrogel precursor formulation and production process thereof
The present invention relates to a hydrogel precursor formulation, its process of production as well as a kit comprising said formulation and a method of production of a hydrogel using said formulation. The precursor formulation comprises at least one structural compound, preferably vinyl sulfone (acrylated branched) poly(ethylene glycol), and at least one linker compound, preferably a peptide with two cysteines, wherein said structural compound and said linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group. The precursor formulation is in the form of a powder. |
| US09850454B2 |
Thickening polymer
Polymer obtainable by radical emulsion polymerization of (A) at least one acidic vinyl monomer or salt thereof; (B) at least one nonionic vinyl monomer, particularly preferably a hydrophobic nonionic vinyl monomer; (C) at least one monomer containing an unsaturated end group and a polyoxyalkylene part; (D) at least one crosslinking monomer; and (E) optionally, a protective colloid, characterized in that the polymerization is controlled such that (F) the gel effect occurs, at least at times, achieved by adding monomers of type (A), (B), and (C) (dosing time) during 120 minutes; and such that (G) the crosslinking monomer (D) is added, at the very earliest, 10 minutes after the first addition of the monomers (A), (B), and (C). |
| US09850448B2 |
Polymer grease manufacturing process
A process for the manufacture of a lubricating grease composition, the process comprising steps of: (a) providing an essentially homogeneous liquid composition comprising a lubricating oil and a thickening polymer, and (b) flowing the liquid composition through a shear-mixing device to mix and cool the liquid composition to form a lubricating grease composition. |
| US09850445B2 |
Sliding elastic body
Provided are a sliding elastic body capable of imparting excellent sliding properties and resistance to protein adsorption and, at the same time, maintaining sealing properties; and a syringe gasket, a catheter, and a tire which include the sliding elastic body. The present invention relates to a sliding elastic body including an elastic body whose surface is fully or partially laminated with a fluororesin film, the laminated elastic body being treated with a fluorinated oil. |
| US09850443B2 |
Aqueous working fluid
A water-soluble working fluid of the invention is used for cutting a brittle material using a wire saw. The water-soluble working fluid is provided by blending water, alkylene oxide adduct of acethylene glycol, and glycols. The water-soluble working fluid of the invention is capable of providing favorable cutting accuracy when the brittle material is cut using a wire, and thus is suitable for cutting out a large-diameter wafer. The water-soluble working fluid of the invention is especially suitably applicable to an abrasive-grain-fixed wire saw. |
| US09850435B2 |
Hydroprocessing with drum blanketing gas compositional control
A catalytic naphtha hydrodesulfurization process is operated in a process unit having a surge drum with equipped for gas blanketing with a blanketing gas containing controlled levels of CO and CO2. If the gas selected for blanketing normally contains more than the acceptable level of these inhibitors, they should be reduced to the levels appropriate for retention of catalyst functionality. |
| US09850433B2 |
Multistage thermolysis method for safe and efficient conversion of E-waste materials
Clean, safe and efficient methods, systems, and processes for utilizing thermolysis methods to processes to convert various e-waste sources into Clean Fuel Gas and Char source are disclosed. The invention processes e-waste sources, such as for example whole circuit boards, to effectively shred and/or grind the waste source, and then process using thermolysis methods to destroy and/or separate halogen and other dangerous components to provide a Clean Fuel Gas and Char source, along with the ability to recover precious metals and other valuable components from the Char. |
| US09850429B2 |
Firestop material
The invention relates to a firestop material consisting of a polymer foam, notably a polyurethane foam, containing flame-retardant means. This firestop material is characterized in that the flame-retardant means consist of means designed to form a charred layer on the foam surface, under the effect of a rise in the temperature of the material resulting from a fire, and are supplemented by at least one inorganic type flame retardant. The invention furthermore relates to a chemical composition intended, after expansion and drying, to form such a firestop material, and to a use of such a firestop material. |
| US09850428B2 |
Compound having poly (difluoromethylene) chain, liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
A polar compound has a high chemical stability, high ability to align liquid crystal molecules and high solubility in a liquid crystal composition, and causes no decrease of liquid crystallinity of the liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal composition contains the compound, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition.The compound is represented by formula (1), the composition contains the compound, and the liquid crystal display device uses the composition. In formula (1), R1 is alkyl having 3 to 15 carbons, alkenyl having 4 to 15 carbons or the like; a is an integer from 2 to 12; and R2 is a group represented by formula (1a), formula (1b) or formula (1c). In the formulas, S1 and S2 are independently a single bond, alkylene having 1 to 10 carbons; S3 is >CH— or >N—; S4 is >C< or >Si<; and X1 is —OH, —NH2 or the like. |
| US09850426B2 |
Monodisperse core/shell and other complex structured nanocrystals and methods of preparing the same
The present invention provides new compositions containing nearly monodisperse colloidal core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals with high photoluminescence quantum yields (PL QY), as well as other complex structured semiconductor nanocrystals. This invention also provides new synthetic methods for preparing these nanocrystals, and new devices comprising these compositions. In addition to core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals, this patent application also provides complex semiconductor nanostructures, quantum shells, quantum wells, doped nanocrystals, and other multiple-shelled semiconductor nanocrystals. |
| US09850423B2 |
Hydrolyzable particle compositions, treatment fluids and methods
A composition, treatment fluid and method using hydrolyzable fines. A treatment fluid, which may optionally include a high solids content fluid (HSCF) and/or an Apollonianistic solids mixture, includes a fluid loss control agent comprising a dispersion of hydrolyzable fines, optionally with one or more of a surfactant, plasticizer, dispersant, degradable particles, reactive particles and/or submicron particles selected from silicates, γ-alumina, MgO, γ-Fe2O3, TiO2, and combinations thereof. |
| US09850415B2 |
Compositions comprising latent heat storage materials and methods of making the same
In one aspect, compositions are described herein. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a latent heat storage material having a solid-to-gel transition between about −50° C. and about 100° C. at 1 atm. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a foam and a latent heat storage material dispersed in the foam, the latent heat storage material having a solid-to-gel transition between about −50° C. and about 100° C. at 1 atm. |
| US09850411B2 |
Use of an adhesive composition to provide a bonding in a wet environment
The invention relates to the use of an adhesive composition to provide a bonding in a wet environment. The invention also relates to a method for providing a bonding in a wet environment. |
| US09850410B2 |
Powder coating pretreatment compositions, and methods of using and making the same
The present document describes a composition for the pretreatment of surfaces, which comprises plasticizers, degassers, pH adjusting agents, pigments, a phenol formaldehyde resin based adhesive, process of making the same and method of using the same. |
| US09850405B2 |
Article comprising polyacrylate pressure sensitive primer and adhesive comprising polyacrylate component
An article is described comprising a substrate, a pressure sensitive polyacrylate primer layer disposed on the substrate, and an adhesive layer disposed onto the primer layer; wherein the adhesive layer comprises a polyacrylate component. The adhesive layer is typically further bonded to a second substrate or a release liner. In some embodiments, at least one substrate further comprises a microstructured surface layer and the primer layer is bonded to the microstructured surface layer. In other embodiments, the adhesive layer is further bonded to a (e.g. post) structure. In some embodiments, the articles are optical films or optical film stacks. Methods of making an (e.g. adhesive coated) article are also described. |
| US09850403B2 |
Cobalt polishing accelerators
The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) abrasive particles, (b) a cobalt accelerator selected from a compound having the formula: NR1R2R3 wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, carboxyalkyl, substituted carboxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, substituted hydroxyalkyl and aminocarbonylalkyl, wherein none or one of R1, R2, and R3 are hydrogen; dicarboxyheterocycles; heterocyclylalkyl-α-amino acids; N-(amidoalkyl)amino acids; unsubstituted heterocycles; alkyl-substituted heterocycles; substituted-alkyl-substituted heterocycles; N-aminoalkyl-α-amino acids; and combinations thereof, (c) a cobalt corrosion inhibitor, (d) an oxidizing agent that oxidizes a metal, and (e) water, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of about 3 to about 8.5. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the inventive chemical-mechanical polishing composition. Typically, the substrate contains cobalt. |
| US09850402B2 |
CMP compositions and methods for selective removal of silicon nitride
The present invention provides chemical mechanical polishing compositions and methods for polishing a substrate comprising silicon dioxide and silicon nitride, which provide selective removal of SiN relative to silicon oxide (e.g., PETEOS) on patterned wafers. In one embodiment, a CMP method comprises abrading a surface of a substrate comprising SiN and silicon oxide with a CMP composition to remove at least some SiN therefrom. The CMP composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a particulate abrasive (e.g., ceria) suspended in an aqueous carrier and containing a cationic polymer bearing pendant quaternized nitrogen-heteroaromatic moieties, wherein the composition has a pH of greater than about 3. |
| US09850401B2 |
Multilayered polyimide film having a low dielectric constant, laminate structure including the same and manufacture thereof
A multilayered polyimide film includes a first polyimide layer containing fluorine-containing polymer particles and having a first surface and a second surface, and a second polyimide layer and a third polyimide layer respectively disposed on the first surface and the second surface. The second and the third polyimide layers contain organic silicon oxygen compound particles. The multilayered polyimide film has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between about 13 and about 30 ppm/° C. |
| US09850400B2 |
Digestion of keratin
The present invention relates to the chemical digestion of keratin, such as avian feathers and wool. The digestion product is made by heating the feathers or wool with a solvent selected from glycols, alkanolamines, polyamines, and combinations thereof. The resulting digested keratin product is a keratin-derived polyol useful for making polymeric materials such as polyurethanes. The digestion products provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical based intermediates. |
| US09850399B2 |
Water/oil-repellent treatment agent having heat resistance, method of preparation, and treated article
A water/oil repellent treatment agent which includes a specific polymer-modified silane having a fluorooxyalkylene structure on the main chain and a hydrolyzable group at the end of the molecular chain, and/or a partial (co)hydrolyzate/condensate thereof, has a percent weight loss following one hour of exposure at 250° C. of 10% or less. The treatment forms a layer having excellent water and oil repellency, scuff resistance and mold release properties even when heated to 250° C. or more. |
| US09850395B2 |
Polymer coated metallic substrate and method for making
A composite material comprising a metallic substrate and a coating on at least one side of the metallic substrate, wherein the coating comprises an acrylic or styrene-acrylic based polymer and is less than about 0.2 mils thick, wherein the polymer has a molecular weight of 50,000 to 1,000,000, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 50-80° C., and comprises 90-100 wt. % of the total solids in the coating. The method of applying a coating to a metal substrate using a manifold flood and squeegee roll configuration or alternatively roll coater techniques; wherein the roll hardness, shape, pressure and speed are chosen to ensure that the coating composition forms a continuous wet film on the metallic substrate surfaces when the strip travels at up to 600 feet per minute; and the wet film has a uniform thickness of 2 mil (0.002 inch) or less. |
| US09850394B2 |
Resin composition, filler-containing resin film for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and method for producing filler-containing resin film for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
An object of the present invention is to provide a filler-containing resin film in which shedding of inorganic materials or the like is suppressed, a resin composition that can be used in production of the filler-containing resin film, and a method for producing the filler-containing resin film. The filler-containing resin film of the present invention is a filler-containing resin film comprising: a vinylidene fluoride copolymer obtained by copolymerizing vinylidene fluoride and a compound represented by formula (1) (in formula (1), R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, chlorine atoms, or alkyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbons; and X′ is an atomic group having a molecular weight of 472 or less and having a main chain configured from 1 to 19 atoms); and an insulating inorganic filler. The resin film is produced by applying onto a substrate and then drying a resin composition containing the vinylidene fluoride copolymer, the insulating inorganic filler, and an organic solvent. |
| US09850392B2 |
Ink composition for liquid jet printing
Non-aqueous ink composition for liquid ink jet printing including: a vehicle comprising one or more organic solvent(s) liquid at ambient temperature, or one or more organic compound(s) solid at ambient temperature and liquid at the projection temperature; one or more dye(s) and/or pigment(s); a binder, comprising at least one binding resin consisting of a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and of at least one other monomer, in solution at ambient temperature in the organic solvent(s) or in solution at the projection temperature in the organic compound(s). A method for marking substrates, supports or objects includes projection onto the substrates, supports or objects of the ink composition by a liquid ink jet printing technique. A substrate, support or object, particularly flexible substrate, is provided with a marking obtained by drying and/or absorption of the composition. |
| US09850385B2 |
Particle and composition of particles with controlled dimensions
A particle and a composition including a plurality of particles are provided, wherein the particles are platelets exhibiting a planar geometry which is circular or which is made up of a number (x) of planar (y)-sided polygon(s), wherein x is from 1 to 20 and y is at least 3 wherein if x is greater than 1 then said planar (y)-sided polygons are fused along one or more sides thereof, wherein the width (WP) of the platelets (P) at their widest point is no more than about 250 pm and the thickness of the platelets (P) is in the range of 10 nm to 50 nm. |
| US09850383B2 |
Uncharged pyrenyloxy sulfonamide dyes for conjugation with biomolecules
The invention relates to novel fluorescent dyes based on the following pyrenyloxy sulfonamide structure: wherein R1 is a leash joined to the pyrenyloxy group via an ether link containing generally a reactive functional group such as, activated carbonate, activated ester, amino group, azide or alkyne for conjugation with biomolecules; R2 and R3 are hydrogen atoms, or short alkyl chains, or cyclic rings with or without heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus. The spectral properties of the fluorescent dyes are sufficiently different in wave-lengths and intensity from fluorescein as to permit simultaneous use of fluorescein and/or more other fluorescent dyes with minimum interference and to avoid interference from endogenous green fluorescent protein in biological system. The dyes are non-ionic to facilitate their entry into cells for intracellular detection. The non-ionic structure also precludes undesired electrostatic reactions with ionic sites on biological components and structures. The dyes have bigger Stokes' shifts than other dyes with similar spectral properties allowing use of simpler, more efficient detection equipment, are not sensitive to pH, and have good solubility in aqueous solution. |
| US09850379B2 |
Gels and hydrogels
Gels and gel-containing materials, including hydrogels, are described. A gel can be formed by blending polyacrylic acid (PAA) and a polyglycol, such as polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) at room temperature and, in some cases, without using a catalyst. The blend material can be used to form soft or hard materials, films and particles. The blend material can be combined with vinyl monomers and polymerize to form a hydrogel. The hydrogel can have a high mechanical strength and high water absorbency. |
| US09850373B2 |
Curable polymer mixture
The invention relates to a composite formulation comprising a specific mediator additive component (A) of relatively high molecular weight, a filler component (B) and a binder component (C). The composite formulation can be cured to a composite which is especially suitable for the production of moldings. |
| US09850371B2 |
Methods for producing resin film and layered article
Methods for producing a resin film or a layered article which are excellent in gas barrier properties under high humidity conditions are disclosed. In the methods, a precursor film of a resin composition composed of alkali metal ions and a resin component having both hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups is subjected to treatments including (i) dry heating treatment of holding the precursor film under an atmosphere characterized by a temperature not lower than 100° C. and a water vapor concentration less than 50 g/m3, (ii) wet heating treatment of holding the precursor film resulting from the dry heating treatment under an atmosphere characterized by a temperature not lower than 100° C. and a water vapor concentration more than 290 g/m3 or in water at a temperature not lower than 80° C., and (iii) drying the precursor film resulting from the wet heating treatment. |
| US09850370B2 |
Additive for performance enhancement of PLA articles
Embodiments of the invention relate to method and an additive for a PLA article comprising at least one acrylic impact modifier between 10 and 80 weight % of the total weight of the additive; and at least one vinyl acetate ethylene copolymer (EVA) having ≧12 Wt % vinyl acetate, the EVA between 5 and 50 weight % of the additive; and at least one PLA carrier resin between 5 and 50 weight % of the total weight of the additive. |
| US09850368B2 |
Carbon fiber composite material
A carbon fiber composite material includes the material is made of carbon fibers and a thermoplastic resin; the proportion Y, relative to the total weight of carbon fibers, of carbon fiber bundles for which Mn/(Ln×D) is 8.5×10−1 (mg/mm2) or more, is 30≦Y<90 (wt %); the average value X of Mn/Ln for the carbon fiber bundles is 1.1×10−2≦X≦8.1×10−2 (mg/mm); and Y satisfies Y≧100X+30, wherein Mn: weight of carbon fiber bundles, Ln: fiber length of carbon fibers, D: fiber diameter of carbon fibers. The carbon fiber composite material combines high flowability and mechanical properties, has few variations in mechanical properties and shows an excellent adaptability of carbon fibers for small parts such as ribs. |
| US09850366B2 |
Epdxidized fatty acid alkyl ester plasticizers and methods for making epdxidized fatty acid alkyl ester plasticizers
Epoxidized fatty acid alkyl ester and methods for making epoxidized fatty acid alkyl ester. The epoxidized fatty acid alkyl ester is prepared from a fatty acid alkyl ester starting material comprising at least one of mono-unsaturated and di-unsaturated fatty acid alkyl ester molecules in a combined amount of at least 85 weight percent. Such epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters can be employed in plasticizer compositions, either alone or in combination with other plasticizers, such as epoxidized natural oils. Such plasticizers in turn may be used in the formation of polymeric compositions. |
| US09850362B2 |
Modified starch compositions, starch composite foam materials and method for preparing the starch composite foam material
The present disclosure provides a modified starch composition. The modified starch composition includes starch with a terminal siloxane having 100 parts by weight, water having 30-70 parts by weight, and a polyol having 5-35 parts by weight. The present disclosure also provides a starch composite foam material and method for preparing the same. |