| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09858021B2 |
Cloud device accounting in a decentralized environment
Example apparatus and methods are disclosed for monitoring and controlling networked printing devices. A computing device can capture a printing device identifier of a printing device, where the printing device can be communicatively coupled to at least the computing device via a local network. The computing device can send a request to unlock the printing device. The computing device can receive an indication that the printing device is unlocked. After receiving the indication that the printing device is unlocked, the computing device can send a job request requesting execution of a job on the printing device, where the job request can include identification information associated with the computing device and the printing device identifier. The computing device can send job accounting information related to usage of the printing device related at least to the executed job request. |
| US09858020B2 |
Printing system supporting unattended printing and a method of unattended printing by a printing system
The invention relates to a printing system for printing a plurality of print jobs, the printing system having a receiving unit for receiving the print jobs, a controller for controlling a scheduling process and a printing process of the print jobs, a print unit for printing the print jobs, a plurality of supply holders for holding supply material for printing, and a user interface for communicating to the operator scheduled supply operator actions. Each of the scheduled supply operator actions is linked to one of the plurality of supply holders. The controller has an establishing unit for establishing a time period of unattended printing of the printing system, and a determination unit for determining scheduled supply operator actions per holder needed to be done before the time period of unattended printing starts. The user interface displays the established time period of unattended printing and the determined supply operator actions per holder. The invention also relates to a method suitable for application in the printing system. |
| US09858018B2 |
Image forming system and image forming apparatus
An image forming system capable of executing a print job including a first job and a second job, the image forming system includes: an image forming apparatus configured to print an image on a sheet based on the first job, and thereafter, print an image on a sheet based on the second job; a sheet conveyance apparatus configured to insert the sheet that has been printed by the first job into the sheet that has been printed by the second job; an input unit configured to be used to input a time period in which execution of user operation related to the sheet conveyance apparatus is possible; and a control unit configured to print the job so as to finish the first job within the time period that has been input by the input unit. |
| US09858017B1 |
Enhanced GUI tools for entry of printing system data
Systems and methods are provided for indicating capabilities of a printer. One embodiment is a system that includes a memory storing instructions for operating a Graphical User Interface (GUI), and a controller that presents the GUI based on the instructions. A control of the GUI includes a list of entries that each correspond with a potential printer capability. Responsive to detecting new text entered into a text field, the GUI displays an add button. In response to detecting a cursor over an entry in the list: the GUI displays a select button for selecting the entry to indicate actual capabilities of a specific printer. In response to detecting that a user has clicked on one of the select buttons to indicate an actual capability of the printer, the GUI selects a corresponding entry for the select button in combination with other entries to indicate the actual capabilities of the printer. |
| US09858013B1 |
Scalable distributed storage system infrastructure
A computer-executable method, computer program product, and system for managing metadata within a distributed data storage system, including a compute node in communication with a data storage array, the computer-executable method, computer program product, and system comprising receiving a data I/O from an application executing within the distributed data storage system, and creating a first storage system within the compute node, wherein the first storage system is enabled to manage metadata related to the data I/O, and processing the data I/O using the first storage system. |
| US09858007B2 |
Decoupling host and device address maps for a peripheral component interconnect express controller
A controller includes a virtual memory mapped to device-side Peripheral component interconnect express address space includes virtual buffers allocation for each data transfer. Each virtual buffer is associated with a scatter/gather list entry in a host memory. The controller executes direct transfers between Peripheral component interconnect express devices and host memory without introducing address mapping dependencies between the host and device domains. |
| US09858000B2 |
Storage device and sustained status accelerating method thereof
A sustained status accelerating method for a storage device includes: controlling the storage device to receive a sustained status command from the outside; and controlling the storage device to enter the sustained status using a sustained valid page count (SVPC) table in response to the sustained status command so that each of a plurality of blocks constituting the storage device has a value greater than a predetermined valid page count. The SVPC table includes a valid page count with respect to each of the blocks in the storage device. |
| US09857991B2 |
Memory card and host device thereof
A memory card is attached to a host device, and includes a data control circuit which transfers data with respect to the host device in synchronism with a rise edge and a fall edge of a clock signal. |
| US09857987B2 |
Hierarchical pre-fetch pipelining in a hybrid memory server
A method, hybrid server system, and computer program product, prefetch data. A set of prefetch requests associated with one or more given datasets residing on the server system are received from a set of accelerator systems. A set of data is prefetched from a memory system residing at the server system for at least one prefetch request in the set of prefetch requests. The set of data satisfies the at least one prefetch request. The set of data that has been prefetched is sent to at least one accelerator system, in the set of accelerator systems, associated with the at least one prefetch request. |
| US09857986B2 |
Wear leveling of a memory array
In at least one embodiment, a controller of a non-volatile memory array including a plurality of subdivisions stores write data within the non-volatile memory array utilizing a plurality of block stripes of differing numbers of blocks, where all of the blocks within each block stripe are drawn from different ones of the plurality of subdivisions. The controller builds new block stripes for storing write data from blocks selected based on estimated remaining endurances of blocks in each of the plurality of subdivisions. |
| US09857985B2 |
Provision of information about fragmentation of file on sequential access medium
A mechanism is provided for providing information about fragmentation of a file on a sequential access medium by a computer system is disclosed. An actual time for reading the file recorded on the sequential access medium is estimated based on a physical position of the file. A total length of the file on the sequential access medium is calculated based on a physical length of each data piece constituting the file. An expected time for reading the file by assuming that the file is rewritten continuously is estimated based on the total length of the file. Information about the fragmentation of the file is then provided based on the actual time and the expected time. |
| US09857979B2 |
Optimizing page boundary crossing in system memory using a reference bit and a change bit
A computer determines whether a page boundary of a page has been crossed by a function. Based on the computer determining that the page boundary has been crossed by the function, the computer generates a hardware exception. The computer resets one or more of a change bit and a reference bit for the page. |
| US09857977B2 |
Physical address management in solid state memory
A storage system includes a memory controller connected to a solid state memory device and a read status table that tracks a pending read from the solid state memory device and a physical address of the solid state memory device that is associated with the pending read. The memory controller releases the physical address for reassignment when the read status table indicates that no pending reads are associated with the physical address. In certain embodiments, the read status table may be included within the memory controller. In certain embodiments, subsequent to the release of the physical address, erase operations may erase data at the physical address and the physical address may be reassigned to a new logical address by ensuing host write operations. |
| US09857972B2 |
Operation device
An operation device for performing an operation input on a play machine has an operation unit, a support that rotatably supports the operation unit, a first magnetic member that rotates integrally with the operation unit, a second magnetic member in which a magnetic force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and a switching unit that switches a distance between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. |
| US09857971B2 |
System and method for receiving user input and program storage medium thereof
A user input method includes the following steps. A virtual keyboard layout and a control region are displayed. The virtual keyboard layout includes a plurality of key subgroups each mapped to a respective one of a plurality of regions of the control region. Locations of an object from at least one captured image are extracted to identify a location of a feature point of the object. A target region in which the feature point is located is determined. Keys mapped to the target region are determined. Movements of the object are translated as input data to the user interface system. |
| US09857961B2 |
Thermostat user interface
An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat is described that includes a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy and an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body. The passive infrared sensor may be positioned behind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. The thermostat may also include a temperature sensor and a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based on measurements from the passive infrared sensor. |
| US09857959B2 |
Supporting webpage design and revision irrespective of webpage framework
The present disclosure is directed to providing a webpage design system that facilitates a simple and unified user-experience for users modifying responsive webpages. In general, the webpage design system provides an agnostic framework that allows a user to modify a responsive webpage irrespective of the responsive framework used to create the responsive webpage. For example, the webpage design system can translate one or more responsive frameworks into an agnostic framework. Further, the webpage design system can load a responsive webpage and correlate elements in the responsive webpage with operations of the agnostic framework. Upon correlating the elements with agnostic framework operations, the webpage design system can provide agnostic framework operations to a user when the webpage design system detects that a user selects an element from the responsive webpage. |
| US09857953B2 |
Image color and tone style transfer
In embodiments of image color and tone style transfer, a computing device implements an image style transfer algorithm to generate a modified image from an input image based on a color style and a tone style of a style image. A user can select the input image that includes color features, as well as select the style image that includes an example of the color style and the tone style to transfer to the input image. A chrominance transfer function can then be applied to transfer the color style to the input image, utilizing a covariance of an input image color of the input image to control modification of the input image color. A luminance transfer function can also be applied to transfer the tone style to the input image, utilizing a tone mapping curve based on a non-linear optimization to estimate luminance parameters of the tone mapping curve. |
| US09857952B2 |
Methods and devices for adjusting chart magnification
A method includes displaying a chart. The chart includes a first set of data marks and a line that connects adjacent data marks. The method further includes detecting a first input at a location that corresponds to the chart and, while detecting the first input: horizontally expanding at least a portion of the chart; expanding at least a portion of the line; and adding a second set of data marks on the line, where each data mark is placed on the line based on its respective abscissa, independent of the respective ordinate. The method also includes, for each data mark placed at a vertical position distinct from its respective ordinate: (1) animatedly moving the data mark vertically in accordance with the respective ordinate and a vertical scale for the vertical axis; and (2) animatedly adjusting the line so that the line connects the second set of data marks. |
| US09857951B2 |
File-centric form selection based on number of mandatory and optional input fields of a form satisfied by a selection of files
A method, executed by a computer, for file-centric form selection includes receiving a selection of files from a user, determining a relevance value for each form, and presenting the forms to a user in order of relevance value. Once a particular form is selected, a reference to each file may be automatically placed into the form's appropriate input fields. A user may also input non-file information into the form. In certain embodiments, the relevance value is determined by a history of use of the form by the user or by other users. In some embodiments, the relevance value is determined according to the percentage of the form's input fields completed by using the files as input. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein. |
| US09857950B2 |
Unified filtered social media content stream for single user interface access
A system, method and program product are provided for system for processing a set of social media (SM) streams. A system is disclosed that includes: a user interface for selecting the set of SM streams and for inputting a set of filtering definitions; a stream unification system that creates a single unified stream from the set of SM streams; a content filtering system that selects relevant content items from the single unified stream based on the set of filtering definitions and generates a unified filtered SM stream using selected content items; and an output system that outputs the unified filtered SM stream to a user display. |
| US09857948B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer-readable storage means for adjusting at least one parameter
The present invention concerns a method, an apparatus and a computer-readable storage means for adjusting at least one parameter, which can be used for enhancing the user experience of adjusting parameters, especially of adjusting parameters in common audio software through a system of assignable rotary encoders with capacitive-sensing knob caps and a parameter type aware software. In particular, the present invention ensures that parameters of (audio) software can be adjusted quickly, without diverting a user's attention from actual tasks.For this purpose, a method is proposed, where at least one touch sensitive input element is provided, for at least one of the input elements at least one of a time between subsequent sensed contacts and a time of the presence of the contact is determined, based on the determined time it is decided, whether the contact is a tap gesture, and a parameter is adjusted depending from the tap gesture. |
| US09857947B2 |
Metadata driven dialogs
Dialog metadata is used to generate a metadata driven dialog definition. The metadata can define logic that is run on the dialog, and customizations to the dialog are made by modifying the dialog metadata. |
| US09857943B2 |
Method for managing task on terminal device, and terminal device
A method for managing a task on a terminal device and the terminal device are provided. The method for managing a task on a terminal device may include: monitoring whether a first application on the terminal device is running, and monitoring a user's action of operating a desktop of the terminal device; and displaying, on the desktop of the terminal device, a running-state icon corresponding to the first application if it is detected that the first application is running, and disabling the first application if it is detected that the first application is running and the detected user action meets a preset disabling condition corresponding to the first application; or displaying, on the desktop of the terminal device, a disabled-state icon corresponding to the first application if it is detected that the first application is in a disabled state. |
| US09857941B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for navigating and displaying content in context
An electronic device displays one or more thumbnails. The device detects a first multi-contact gesture that includes movement of a first contact and a second contact; and, in response to detecting the first multi-contact gesture, the device displays content associated with a respective thumbnail and enlarges the content associated with the respective thumbnail to a respective enlarged size in accordance with the first multi-contact gesture. The device detects termination of the first multi-contact gesture; and, in response to detecting termination of the first multi-contact gesture: when a resizing metric based on the first multi-contact gesture is below a predefined threshold, the device ceases to display the content at the respective enlarged size; and, when the resizing metric based on the first multi-contact gesture is above the predefined threshold, the device displays the content on the display in a predefined arrangement. |
| US09857940B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing screens in a portable terminal
A method of managing screens of a portable terminal includes: requesting a movement of an icon; displaying summary information corresponding to each of the screens in response to the request; requesting a movement and a rearrangement of the icon in relation to one piece of summary information among the displayed summary information; and moving the icon to and rearranging the icon on a screen corresponding to the summary information in relation to which the movement and the rearrangement of the icon is requested. |
| US09857932B2 |
Capacitive touch sense architecture having a correlator for demodulating a measured capacitance from an excitation signal
An analog front end circuit utilizes coherent detection within a capacitance measurement application. The analog front end circuit uses coherent detection to measure capacitance of a touch screen display. An analog excitation signal is modulated by a capacitor to be measured. The modulated signal is synchronously demodulated using a correlator, which includes a discrete mixer and a discrete integrator. The excitation signal is also input to the mixer such that the modulated signal is multiplied by the excitation signal. The excitation signal is an analog signal having a sine wave function or other waveform. |
| US09857931B2 |
Touch sensor electrode, touch panel, and display device
A touch sensor electrode includes first and second layers and a substrate. The first layer has first strip electrodes along a first direction. Each of the first strip electrodes includes a first pad and a first group including first electrode lines. The second layer has second strip electrodes along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second strip electrodes each include a second group including second electrode lines. As viewed perpendicular to the substrate, one cell is a region in which one first group three-dimensionally crosses one second group, and the cells are arranged along the second array direction in each of the first strip electrodes. The cell placed closest to the first pad is a first closest cell. The first group includes, in the first closest cell, a first unconnected line not connected to the first pad and a first connected line connected to the first pad. |
| US09857927B2 |
Transparent resin laminate and touch screen panel including the same
A transparent resin laminate includes: a high-hardness hard coating layer having a pencil hardness of 6H to 8H; a transparent (meth)acrylic resin layer; and an impact resistant hard coating layer including a urethane bond-containing acrylic resin. |
| US09857921B2 |
Input signal correction architecture
A capacitive input device processing system comprises input signal correction circuitry. The input signal correction circuitry includes an amplifier, a correction signal generator, and a charge collection mechanism. The amplifier is configured to receive a combination signal. The combination signal comprises a resulting signal from a sensor element and a correction charge. The correction signal generator is configured to generate a correction signal. The charge collection mechanism is configured to accumulate the correction charge from the correction signal. |
| US09857917B2 |
Optical coupling of light into touch-sensing systems
A touch-sensitive apparatus operates by light frustration (FTIR) and comprises a light transmissive panel (1) with a front surface and a rear surface. Light emitters (2) and light detectors (3) optically face the rear surface along a perimeter of a touch-sensitive region (4) on the panel (1). At least one diffusively reflecting element (40) is arranged on the front surface (5) along the perimeter of the touch-sensitive region (4). The light emitters (2) are arranged to emit a respective beam of light onto the diffusively reflecting element (40), so as to generate propagating light that propagates by total internal reflection inside the panel (1) across the touch-sensitive region (4), and the light detectors (3) are arranged to receive detection light generated as the propagating light impinges on the diffusively reflecting element (40), so as to define a grid of propagation paths (D) across the touch-sensitive region (4) between pairs of light emitters (2) and light detectors (3). |
| US09857914B2 |
Touch sensing system
A touch sensing system includes a charge distributor, a pre-amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a temperature compensating device. The temperature compensating device varies one or more of a first reference voltage supplied to the charge distributor, a second reference voltage supplied to the pre-amplifier, and the capacitance of the charge distributor, in response to temperature data from a temperature sensor. |
| US09857912B2 |
Portable multi-touch input device
A portable input device is described. The portable input device can wirelessly send control signals to an external circuit. The control signals can derive from touch or gestures applied to a touch sensitive surface. The control signals can also include a mouse click equivalent control signal generated by mechanical manipulation of the portable input device. |
| US09857911B1 |
Bi-directional scalable intra-panel interface
A touch panel display subsystem for bi-directional intra-panel communication includes a forward link and a backward link between a timing controller and one or more source drivers. The forward link includes a timing controller transmitter in the timing controller to receive video signal, video control signal and touch control signal, and to transmit over the forward link in the format of frame based packet, and a source driver receiver in the source driver to receive video signal, video control signal and touch control signal over the forward link. The backward link includes a source driver transmitter in the source driver to receive the touch sensor data and transmit the touch sensor data over the backward link when the backward link is enabled, and a timing controller receiver in the timing controller to receive the touch sensor data over the backward link when the backward link is enabled. |
| US09857908B2 |
Display device having a touch unit
A display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed above the first substrate. A touch unit is disposed on the second substrate. A window is disposed on the touch unit. The window covers the first and second substrates. A touch printed circuit board is disposed on the second substrate. The touch printed circuit board is coupled to the touch unit. An adhesive layer is disposed between the first substrate and the window. A plurality of spacers are disposed between the touch printed circuit board and the window. Each of the plurality of spacers is spaced apart from each other. |
| US09857906B2 |
Touch window
A touch window includes a substrate including an active region and an unactive region, a resin layer provided on the substrate. The resin layer includes an intaglio part and an embossment part adjacent to the intaglio part, and an electrode layer in the intaglio part. The embossment part includes a curved surface. |
| US09857900B2 |
Array substrate, touch display panel and driving method for array substrate
An array substrate, a touch display panel and a driving method, where a driver circuit is in a non-display region of the array substrate, and the driver circuit includes: a first shift register including a first scan signal outputting terminal, where the first shift register is configured to output a first touch scan signal from the first scan signal outputting terminal within an interval between frame scanning periods of the array substrate; and a touch scanning circuit corresponding to the first shift register and including a first scan signal inputting terminal and a touch signal outputting terminal, where the first scan signal inputting terminal of the touch scanning circuit is connected with the first scan signal outputting terminal of the first shift register, and the touch scanning circuit is configured to output a touch signal from the touch signal outputting terminal thereof according to the first touch scan signal. |
| US09857898B2 |
Electronic device, control method, and integrated circuit
An electronic device includes a detector configured to detect a region touched on a touch panel, a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory, configured to approximate a first touched region detected by the detector at a first time and a second touched region detected by the detector at a second time to ellipses, calculate angles formed between the major axes of the approximated ellipses and a reference axis of the touch panel, and calculate reference points of the approximated ellipses, and control a predetermined process based on changes of the second angle and second reference point calculated from the second touched region with respect to the first angle and first reference point calculated from the first touched region. |
| US09857897B2 |
Device and method for assigning respective portions of an aggregate intensity to a plurality of contacts
An electronic device detects, on a touch-sensitive surface, a plurality of contacts via a plurality of intensity sensors. While detecting the plurality of contacts, the device assigns portions of an aggregate intensity of the contacts to each of the plurality of contacts based on: the first intensity measurement received from a first intensity sensor; the second intensity measurement received from a second intensity sensor; a location of the first intensity sensor relative to the touch-sensitive surface; a location of the second intensity sensor relative to the touch-sensitive surface; and a comparison between values of a set of one or more properties of the first contact and corresponding values of the second contact. In response to detecting the plurality of contacts, the device performs an operation based at least in part on the portion of the aggregate intensity assigned to the first contact. |
| US09857896B2 |
Touch control method and electronic device
A touch control method and electronic apparatus are described. The method includes a touch sensing unit on which an operational body carries out a continuous touch operation. The method includes determining a first coordinate of a first touch point on the touch sensing unit corresponding to the operational body at a first moment; determining a first operational area including the first coordinate on the touch sensing unit according to the first coordinate; determining a second coordinate of a second touch point on the touch sensing unit corresponding to the operational body at a second moment; obtaining a moving vector from the first touch point to the second touch point according to the first coordinate and the second coordinate; deciding whether the second coordinate is within the first operational area to generate a decision result; and executing a command corresponding to the moving vector according to the decision result. |
| US09857890B2 |
Information processing method and electronic apparatus
An information processing method and an electronic apparatus are disclosed. The method is applicable to the electronic apparatus. The method includes: detecting, with a touch display unit of the electronic apparatus, a first trajectory generated by a first input operation of an input unit; acquiring motion parameters of the input unit collected by a sensing unit in a case that it is determined that the first trajectory meets a predetermined condition; and using the motion parameters to correct the first trajectory in accordance with a first correction strategy. |
| US09857877B2 |
Apparatus and method of recognizing movement of subject
Provided is an apparatus and method of recognizing a movement of a subject. The apparatus includes a light source configured to emit light to the subject and an image sensor configured to receive light reflected from the subject. The apparatus includes a processor configured to detect a pixel that is receiving the reflected light, the pixel being included in a pixel array of the image sensor. The processor is configured to track the movement of the subject based on a change in a position of the detected pixel. |
| US09857876B2 |
Non-linear motion capture using Frenet-Serret frames
Implementations of the technology disclosed convert captured motion from Cartesian/(x,y,z) space to Frenet-Serret frame space, apply one or more filters to the motion in Frenet-Serret space, and output data (for display or control) in a desired coordinate space—e.g., in a Cartesian/(x,y,z) reference frame. The output data can better represent a user's actual motion or intended motion. |
| US09857874B2 |
Augmented reality system and augmented reality interaction method
An augmented reality interaction method includes: capturing an identification tag; capturing a depth information corresponding to the identification tag; generating a virtual object according to the identification tag; generating an augmented reality image; and displaying the augmented reality image; wherein, the augmented reality image comprises the virtual object, and when a processor detects that a tactile feedback device touches the virtual object in the augmented reality image according to the depth information, the processor transmits a control signal to the tactile feedback device for controlling the tactile feedback device, and the tactile feedback device provides a hand tactile effect. |
| US09857873B2 |
Pointing apparatus and imaging apparatus
A tactile sense providing apparatus comprising a tactile sense providing unit, a measuring light source unit, a light-receiving unit; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to calculate a distance to an object based on a light emitted by the measuring light source unit and received by the light-receiving unit, determine a tactile stimulus condition based on the distance; and drive the tactile sense providing unit according to the tactile stimulus condition. |
| US09857872B2 |
Multi-touch display screen with localized tactile feedback
Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and other means are described for utilizing touch-based input components that provide localized haptic feedback to a user. The touch-based input components can be used and/or integrated into any type of electronic device, including laptop computers, cellular telephones, and portable media devices. The touch-based input components can use, for example, a grid of piezoelectric actuators to provide vibrational feedback to a user, while the user scrolls around a click wheel, slides across a trackpad, or touches a multi-touch display screen. |
| US09857870B2 |
Method of acquiring gaze information irrespective of whether user wears vision aid and moves
Provided is a gaze tracking apparatus for a user wearing a vision aid, the apparatus including a lighting element unit including a first infrared lighting element and a second infrared lighting element to radiate an infrared light to a user, an image acquirer to acquire an eye image of the user, the eye image including a first corneal reflection light, a second corneal reflection light, a first lens reflection light, and a second lens reflection light, and a processor to turn off the second infrared lighting element when interference occurs between the second lens reflection light and the first corneal reflection light in the acquired eye image, and to compute a gaze position of the user based on user calibration information, and coordinates of the first corneal reflection light. |
| US09857869B1 |
Data optimization
A service such as an object tracking optimization service of a computing device is configured to optimize the use of object tracking information by, e.g., smoothing, averaging, or otherwise processing the information. Approaches enable the object tracking optimization service to acquire object tracking information (e.g., position information) at a variable input rate and provide the information to applications, services, and the like which require such information at variable rates. The information can be used to display image content (e.g., still or video content) in such a way that the image content will appear, to a viewer, to include portions with different locations in physical space, with the relative positioning of those portions being determined at least in part upon a current relative position and/or orientation of the viewer with respect to the device, as well as changes in that relative position and/or orientation. |
| US09857868B2 |
Method and system for ergonomic touch-free interface
With the advent of touch-free interfaces such as described in the present disclosure, it is no longer necessary for computer interfaces to be in predefined locations (e.g., desktops) or configuration (e.g., rectangular keyboard). The present invention makes use of touch-free interfaces to encourage users to interface with a computer in an ergonomically sound manner. Among other things, the present invention implements a system for localizing human body parts such as hands, arms, shoulders, or even the fully body, with a processing device such as a computer along with a computer display to provide visual feedback on the display that encourages a user to maintain an ergonomically preferred position with ergonomically preferred motions. For example, the present invention encourages a user to maintain his motions within an ergonomically preferred range without have to reach out excessively or repetitively. |
| US09857864B1 |
Systems and methods for reducing power consumption in a memory architecture
According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, systems and methods for reducing power consumption in a memory architecture are provided. In one embodiment, a method may include determining a transition from a first power state to a second power state. The method may also include determining, using a page location identifier to access a page location table, a first dirty memory page indication. Furthermore, the method may include copying data stored in a first memory location in a volatile memory corresponding to the page location identifier to a second memory location in a non-volatile memory corresponding to the page location identifier. The method may also include deactivating the volatile memory. |
| US09857854B2 |
Voltage regulator and method of controlling a voltage regulator comprising a variable inductor
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an improved switching regulator and a method for controlling a switching regulator, for example, to meet stringent transient demand and high efficiency requirements over wide operating range without impacting system stability. According to one embodiment, the switching regulator may be a voltage regulator comprising a plurality of voltage regulator phases, each phase comprising a power stage operable to produce an output voltage for a transient load, and a driver stage coupled for driving the power stage based on a modulated input signal supplied to the driver stage. A variable inductor is included within the power stages in order to meet stringent transient demand and high efficiency requirements over a range of load conditions and operating set points. A power controller is coupled for controlling the modulated input signals supplied to the driver stages to compensate for changing output filter characteristics when the inductance of the variable inductors changes with changes in the load current. |
| US09857853B2 |
System, apparatus, and method for device control
A device controlling system controls devices connected via a network. The device controlling system includes a reserving unit configured to receive place identifying information for identifying a place and a usage time and date when the place is used, and make a reservation for usage of the place and a device arranged at the place on the usage time and date; and a device controller configured to bring the device to a power-on state based on the usage time and date and device identifying information for identifying the device on the network. |
| US09857852B2 |
Management control system, server system, management control method, and program recording medium
Provided is a management control system for controlling the number of fan revolutions to avoid the number of fan revolutions likely to cause a high frequency of errors in a drive. The management control system includes: an error frequency calculating section for calculating a frequency of errors by acquiring the number of errors occurring in a drive and the number of fan revolutions, and then calculating the number of fan revolutions to avoid based on the frequency of errors; a storage section for storing the number of revolutions to avoid; and a fan revolution number controlling section for acquiring the number of fan revolutions and current ambient temperature in a housing, and controlling the number of fan revolutions within a revolution number range not including the number of revolutions to avoid stored in the storage section, depending on the ambient temperature. |
| US09857851B1 |
Toolless data storage device carrier
A data storage enclosure can house and electrically connect to multiple data storage devices respectively secured by a carrier. A toolless data storage device carrier can be configured with a data storage device disposed between first and second rails and a clip physically contacting each rail while spanning the data storage device. The clip being shaped to continuously force each rail into contact with the data storage device. |
| US09857848B2 |
Control mechanism and method for a hybrid hinge for electronic devices
A control mechanism and method for a hybrid hinge for electronic devices are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: a hybrid hinge for an electronic device, the hybrid hinge comprising: a pivot; and an auxiliary component including one or more electro-magnetic or electro-mechanical devices and a variable electrical power source, the one or more electro-magnetic or electro-mechanical devices being configured to apply a variable degree of torque force to the pivot based on a degree of electrical power supplied by the electrical power source. |
| US09857846B2 |
Portable computing device cover including a keyboard
Example implementations relate to powering a keyboard using power received via a secondary coil. For example, an apparatus includes a support member to support a part of a portable computing device in a tilted orientation. The support member includes a secondary coil to receive power from a primary coil in the portable computing device. The apparatus also includes a base member connected to the support member. The base member includes a first wireless module to receive a first portion of the power from the secondary coil and to communicate with a second wireless module in the portable computing device. The base member also includes a keyboard to receive a second portion of the power from the secondary coil and to generate signals to transmit to the portable computing device via the first wireless module. |
| US09857845B2 |
Flexible electronic device
A flexible electronic device includes a base substrate and first and second lines disposed thereon. The first and second lines extend in a first direction and are arranged in a second direction. Each of the first and second lines includes a first conductive layer including first and second portions alternately disposed with each other, and second conductive layers respectively overlapped with the first portions in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions. The second conductive layer are not overlapped with the second portions of the first conductive layer in the third direction. The first and second conductive layers have a first modulus and a second modulus, respectively. A first width in the second direction of each of the first portions is smaller than a second width in the second direction of each of the second portions. |
| US09857843B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes: an electronic component; a housing that has an accommodation space for accommodating the electronic component, and has an opening communicating with the accommodation space, the opening being provided at part of an outer member enclosing the accommodation space; a covering member that covers the opening and is in intimate contact with the outer member of the housing at a position enclosing the entire outer circumference of the opening and that has a slit provided at a position opposed to the opening; and a flexible printed circuit board including a first end and a second end, the first end being electrically coupled to the electronic component, the second end being drawn out to the outside of the accommodation space through the slit. |
| US09857841B2 |
Modular gang box docking system for computing devices
A modular docking system for being installed adjacent to an at least one additional electrical component within a gang box. In at least one embodiment, the system provides a docking plate engagable with the gang box and configured for removably receiving an at least one computing device. The docking plate provides an at least one elongate mounting aperture for allowing a screw to pass therethrough and be engaged with an at least one free mounting tab of the gang box while also allowing the docking plate to be selectively offset relative to the gang box. An at least one component adapter is engagable with one of a pair of opposing component tabs of the electrical component for increasing a height of the electrical component so as to substantially approximate a height of the docking plate. |
| US09857838B2 |
Information processing method and electronic device with auto adjustable working mode with different wearing positions
An information processing method and an electronic device are provided. The method includes: detecting a characteristic parameter of an electronic device by a sensing unit of the electronic device; determining wearing position data of the electronic device based on the characteristic parameter, where the wearing position data indicates a positional relation between the electronic device and a wearer when a fixed relation between the electronic device and at least a part of body of the wearer is maintained by a fixing element of the electronic device; and controlling the electronic device to operate in a working mode matching with the wearing position data. |
| US09857836B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal disclosed herein includes a main body having front and side surfaces, a window provided on a top of the main body and curved from the front surface toward the side surfaces to define at least a part of the side surfaces, a touch sensor provided on a rear surface of the window and curved along a shape of the window, a frame provided on a rear surface of the display and having a shape corresponding to the display for support, supporting members supporting ends of the window, the touch sensor and the display and partially defining the side surfaces of the terminal, and a rear case covering a rear surface of the main body, wherein the touch sensor and display are formed longer along side surfaces of the window, and the window contacts parts of the supporting members, externally exposed to define the side surfaces of the terminal. |
| US09857834B2 |
Information handling system hinge and flexible cover
A portable information handling system has lid and main portions rotationally coupled to each other with a set of hinges having motion managed by rack and pinion gears. The rack translates motion between pinions by moving outward from the housing portions during rotation of the housing portions. A flexible cover over the rack stretches in response to movement of the rack to contain the hinges within the portable information handling system structure. |
| US09857831B2 |
Flexible hinges for computing devices
A computing device may include a base member, a display member, a first hinge, and a second hinge. The first hinge may be attached to the base member to rotate the base member and the display member relative to each other about a first pivotal axis of rotation. The second hinge may be attached between the first hinge and the display member. The second hinge may be flexible to bend about a second pivotal axis of rotation to rotate the base member and the display member relative to each other about the second pivotal axis to transition the computing device between a laptop mode and a tablet mode. |
| US09857828B2 |
Electrode arrangement for gesture detection and tracking
An electrode arrangement has a matrix with rows and columns of capacitive touch sensors arranged in a single layer, wherein each touch sensor has a first electrode and an associated second electrode, wherein the first electrodes in each row of the matrix are connected and the second electrodes in each column of the matrix are connected, and wherein the electrode arrangement further has a capacitive coupling operable to feed an alternating transmission signal only to the top and bottom row of connected first electrodes and to the most left and most right column of connected second electrodes. |
| US09857826B2 |
Control and steering device for a crawler vehicle
A control device for a crawler vehicle comprises a control lever activated by an operator about a fulcrum and having a free end, the control lever being displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a proximal position closer to the operator and a distal position further from the operator in order to control a main clutch of the vehicle, the control device further comprising a support element suitable for being fixed to a body of the vehicle in order to support an operator's hand when the hand acts on the control lever, the control lever having an intermediate portion interposed between the free end and the fulcrum, the intermediate portion being so shaped as to partially embrace the support element in the proximal position. |
| US09857825B1 |
Rate based failure detection
This disclosure describes, in part, a system management component and failure detection component for use in a power grid data network to identify anomalies within the network and systematically adjust the quality of service of data published by publishers and subscribed to by subscribers within the network. In one implementation, subscribers may identify a desired data rate, a minimum acceptable data rate, desired latency, minimum acceptable latency and a priority for each subscription. The failure detection component may identify an anomaly within the network and a source of the anomaly. Based on the identified anomaly, data rates and or data paths may be adjusted in real-time to ensure that the power grid data network does not become overloaded and/or fail. |
| US09857823B2 |
Programmable temperature compensated voltage generator
A programmable temperature compensated voltage reference is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that uses a reference voltage and a code to generate a DAC output voltage. The apparatus also includes a temperature compensator that uses a temperature measurement (T) and the DAC code to generate a temperature compensation signal. The temperature compensation signal is represented by a third order polynomial equation. The apparatus also includes a signal combiner that combines the DAC output voltage and the temperature compensation signal to generate a temperature compensated programmable reference voltage. |
| US09857820B2 |
Method and device for simulating an electric/electronic load
A device connectable to a control device for simulating an effect of at least one electrical or electronic load being connected to at least one terminal of the control device includes: a processing unit configured to at least one of compute and make available a control variable corresponding to the effect of the at least one electrical or electronic load that is to be simulated, and a power supply device: The power supply device includes at least one auxiliary voltage source configured to form at least one of a current source and a current sink and configured to receive the control variable from the processing unit. The at least one auxiliary source is configured to draw a current from the control device or impress a current on the control device based on the received control variable. |
| US09857819B1 |
System and methods for multi-input switching regulator
Various embodiments of the invention provide for a multi-input switch regulator that is controlled to selectively receive power from one of multiple power sources in order to extend the range of available battery voltages at which the regulator can operate. Certain embodiments accomplish this by using an internal adaptive control circuit to coordinate multiple high-side switches to operate with a low-side switch to generate a desired output voltage. |
| US09857809B2 |
Fuzzy logic control of thermoelectric cooling in a processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes a fuzzy thermoelectric cooling (TEC) controller to: obtain a current TEC level associated with the processor; obtain a current fan power level associated with the processor; fuzzify the current TEC level to obtain a first fuzzy fan level; fuzzify the current fan power level to obtain a second fuzzy fan level; determine a new TEC power level based at least in part on the first fuzzy fan level, the second fuzzy fan level, and a plurality of fuzzy rules; and provide the new TEC power level to a TEC device associated with the processor, where the TEC device is to transfer heat from the processor to a heat sink. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09857797B2 |
Structure disposed with peripheral information detection sensor, and self-driving vehicle
A structure disposed with a peripheral information detection sensor includes: a peripheral information detection sensor that is disposed at a window frame portion of a side surface of a vehicle and that is equipped with a detection component that detects peripheral information relating to the area around the vehicle; a window member that is attached to the window frame portion and covers the peripheral information detection sensor from an exterior of the vehicle, with at least the section of the window member that opposes the peripheral information detection sensor being opaque or translucent; and an interior member that covers the peripheral information detection sensor from the vehicle interior side. |
| US09857792B2 |
Swarm management
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with swarm management are described. One example system comprises a communication component configured to establish a communication link with at least one element, where the at least one element is part of a swarm. The example system also comprises a management component configured to manage performance of a task list by the swarm through the communication link. |
| US09857791B2 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle charging station management
Methods, devices, and systems of various embodiments are disclosed for managing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) charging station having a docking terminal. In various embodiments, a priority of a first UAV and a second UAV may be determined for using the docking terminal when a docking request is received from the second UAV while the first UAV occupies the docking terminal. In some embodiments, the priorities of the first and second UAVs may be based on an available power level of each of the first and second UAVs. The first UAV may be instructed to undock from the docking terminal in response to determining that the second UAV has a higher priority. |
| US09857787B2 |
Numerical controller configured to perform teaching operation with mechanism sections switched
A numerical controller extracts control object axis from an axis control program to be taught. On the other hand, history information on an axis movement caused by an operator's manual operation is recorded, and an axis (teaching object axis) to be taught by the operator is estimated from the recorded history information. If the estimated teaching object axis is not included in the control object axis, reflection of the position of the axis on the program by a teaching operation is prohibited. |
| US09857786B2 |
System and method for aligning a coordinated movement machine reference frame with a measurement system reference frame
A method for aligning a machine tool reference frame with a camera reference frame includes applying at least two linear machine movements and at least two rotational movements to a machine arm. Measurements are taken during these movements. Transforming the camera reference frame to the machine reference frame is based on an angular offset and x, y and z offsets between a machine tool origin and a camera origin based on the measurements taken during the machine movements. |
| US09857785B2 |
Adjustable knockdown rollers for sugarcane harvester
A method and control system are disclosed for adjusting orientations of knockdown rollers for sugarcane harvesters. An upper knockdown roller may be moved along a first adjustment path using a first actuator. A lower knockdown roller may be moved along a second adjustment path using a second actuator. A substantially tangential alignment may be maintained for an outer diameter of the upper knockdown roller and an outer diameter of the lower knockdown roller with respect to a reference point along a cutting path of the base cutter assembly, during or after movement of the upper and lower knockdown rollers. |
| US09857784B2 |
Method for repairing with 3D printing
Methods and apparatuses for repairing a broken object. A processor retrieves information describing the size and shape of a broken object. A processor retrieves information describing the size and shape of an intact object, wherein the intact object includes a part missing from the broken object. A processor generates a first three-dimensional model of the broken object based, at least in part, on the information describing the size and shape of the broken object. A processor generates a second three-dimensional model of the intact object based, at least in part, on the information describing the size and shape of the intact object. A processor generates a third three-dimensional model based, at least in part, on a difference between the first and second three-dimensional model. A processor sends one or more instructions to a three-dimensional printer to create an object based, at least in part, on the third three-dimensional model. |
| US09857781B2 |
Peer communication between modules in an industrial controller
An output module for an industrial controller configurable to simplify setup and commissioning is disclosed. The output module includes configurable PWM outputs that may be scheduled to start at different times within the PWM period, that may be configured to generate a fixed number of PWM pulses, and that may have an extendable PWM period. The output terminals are configurable to enter a first state upon generation of a fault and further configurable to enter a second state after a configurable time delay following the fault being generated. The output module may receive inputs signals directly from another module and set output signals at the terminals responsive to these signals. |
| US09857780B1 |
Positioning work stop
The present invention is a positioning work stop for use with a machine tool for and having a signaling means that operates as a placement indicator effective for providing a signal if the work piece to be machined is in its proper position for machining or for signaling if the work piece has shifted out of position for machining. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the positioning work stop comprises a stop member having a stop surface, a switch element, a signaling means, and a power supply that are electrically coupled such that the signaling means activates when the work piece is in its proper position for manufacturing and for signaling if the work piece has shifted out of position for machining. |
| US09857775B2 |
Method, computer program, and computer for determining system situation
A method applied to a computer that determines a situation of a system includes the steps of: receiving measurement data from each of a plurality of measurement targets in the system; computing a plurality of sets of anomaly values based on the measurement data and a predetermined computation algorithm according to a plurality of classifications corresponding to a plurality of properties of each measurement target; and determining the situation of the system based on the sets of anomaly values and a predetermined determination algorithm. |
| US09857762B2 |
Image forming apparatus with detachable fixing device
An image forming apparatus with a detachable fixing device that is capable of printing with high quality without printing wastefully. A storage unit stores identification information about a fixing device in association with an attribute of a sheet that is printable with the fixing device concerned. A control unit executes printing when the storage unit does not store an attribute of a sheet corresponding to a fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus. The control unit determines whether to execute printing according to an attribute of a sheet used in printing and an attribute of a sheet stored in the storage unit when the storage unit stores the attribute of the sheet corresponding to the fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus. |
| US09857761B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a supporting member for dismountably supporting one or more cartridges
An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly having an opening; a supporting member for dismountably supporting a cartridge for forming an image on a recording material, the supporting member being movable between an inside position and an outside position through the opening; an openable member configured to open and close the opening; and a connecting member configured to connect the openable member and the main assembly with each other, the connecting member being provided with a movement regulating portion configured to regulate movement of the supporting member placed in the outside position in a state that the openable member opens the opening. |
| US09857760B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes image forming stations including respective electrophotographic photosensitive drums; an image transfer belt contactable to the drums; image transfer rollers, contactable to the transfer belt to urge the belt to the drums for transferring the toner images from the drums onto the belt, the rollers being provided with respective rotational shafts about an axis of which the rollers are rotatable; and a slidable member slidable in a direction in which the stations are arranged to retract the rollers away from the corresponding drums, the slidable member being provided with inclined surfaces contactable to the shafts, the inclined surfaces being disposed at such positions that the rollers are retracted from respective drums sequentially with the movement of the slidable member in the direction. |
| US09857759B1 |
Positive locking mechanism for a removable fuser
An imaging device includes a frame plate having an opening and first and second camming profiles about the opening. A removable fuser assembly includes a housing having front and back plates, a mounting shaft extending from the front plate to the back plate of the housing, a pin member on a first end of the mounting shaft having a pair of segments engaging with the first and second camming profiles on the frame plate, and a handle on a second end of the mounting shaft pivotable at a predetermined angle and moving the mounting shaft therewith. Pivoting the handle in a first direction causes the segments to travel along the camming profiles, locking the fuser assembly onto the imaging device. Pivoting the handle in a second direction causes the segments to align with the opening and the fuser assembly to be unlocked with the imaging device allowing removal thereof. |
| US09857756B2 |
Fuser with modular power input, device capable of printing including a fuser with modular power input, and method thereof
A fuser assembly for a device capable of printing, including: at least one heater roller; at least one first heater element located within the at least one heater roller; at least one second heater element located within the at least one heater roller; an electrical line; a power input component including a first power input for the at least one first heater element, a second power input for the at least one second heater element and a third power input for the electrical line; a first electrical circuit designed to operate at a first voltage range and including the at least one heater element and the first electrical line; and a second electrical circuit designed to operate at a second voltage ranged, different from the first voltage range and including the first and second heater elements. |
| US09857751B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program product which adjusts a density value of a special toner
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms, on a recording medium, an image including a special image based on special image data specifying a density value of a special toner that gives a special effect and a color image based on color image data specifying a density value of a color toner; a determining unit that determines whether the image is to be observed from an image formation surface or the image is to be observed from a surface opposite to the image formation surface through the recording medium; and an adjusting unit that performs adjustment to reduce the density value of the special image data based on a result of determination made by the determining unit. |
| US09857748B2 |
Sheet supporting device
A sheet supporting device comprises a first supporting unit, a second supporting unit provided to the first supporting unit and drawable in a draw direction from an insert position, a supporting portion on which sheets are supported and provided ascendably/descendably in the first supporting unit, first and second turning portions configured to turn in linkage with an ascendance and descendance move of the supporting portion, an elevation portion, and an indicator. The elevation portion, whose one end is connected with the first turning portion and another end is connected with the second turning portion, is configured to form a link mechanism together with the first and second turning portions and the first supporting unit. The indicator is provided in the second supporting unit and indicates an amount of the sheets supported on the supporting portion by moving in response to an ascendance and descendance move of the elevation portion. |
| US09857740B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method including sheet separation performance determination
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit for forming a toner image and transferring the toner image to a sheet material; a fixing device for fixing the transferred toner image to the sheet material; a measurement device for measuring the gloss of the toner image fixed to the sheet material; a separator for separating the sheet material from the fixing device; and a controller which determines a performance of separating the sheet material from the fixing device based on an output from the measurement device and controls the operation of the separator. |
| US09857737B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms a first image and a second image and transfers the first and second images to a recording medium, the first image including a metallic color image, the second image not including the metallic color image; and a fixing unit that fixes the first image and the second image to the recording medium. The image forming apparatus has a mode in which, when forming the first image on only one of a first surface and a second surface of the recording medium, the image forming unit transfers the first image to the first surface of the recording medium and the fixing unit fixes the first image to the first surface, and subsequently the image forming unit transfers the second image to the second surface of the recording medium and the fixing unit fixes the second image to the second surface. |
| US09857736B2 |
Image processing apparatus with human sensor to detect a person for controlling decoloration of the image
In accordance with an embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprises a human sensor, a fixing device and a controller. The human sensor detects a person in the vicinity of the image processing apparatus. The fixing device carries out fixation of an image formed with a decolorable recording agent serving as a recording agent containing a coloring agent which is decolored through heating on a medium and decoloration of the image formed on the medium. The controller controls the fixing device to stop the decoloration of the image when the person is detected by the human sensor. |
| US09857734B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image bearers, a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of first transfer devices disposed opposite the plurality of image bearers, a second transfer device, a cleaning device to remove toner remaining on the intermediate transferor after a secondary transfer process, and a processor to control the plurality of developing devices to perform a refresh process to discharge toner from the plurality of developing devices to the plurality of image bearers. Among toner of the colors, toner having a first circularity first reaches the cleaning device and toner having a second circularity higher than the first circularity subsequently reaches the cleaning device in the refresh process. |
| US09857732B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus provided with same
A developing device includes a developing roller and a conveyor roller. The developing roller includes a first magnet. The conveyor roller includes a second magnet. The first magnet includes a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole. The second magnet includes a third magnetic pole and a fourth magnetic pole. The first and fourth magnetic poles are magnetic poles having the same polarity. One of the second and third magnetic poles is a magnetic pole having the same polarity as the first magnetic pole. The other of the second and third magnetic poles is a magnetic pole having a polarity different from the first magnetic pole. The developer is transferred from the conveyor roller to the developing roller by the third and second magnetic poles. The developer is transferred from the developing roller to the conveyor roller by the first and fourth magnetic poles. |
| US09857730B2 |
Developer container, developing apparatus, process cartridge, apparatus main body, and image forming apparatus
A developer container includes: a housing chamber 147 which includes an opening 145 and which houses developer; a stirring member 160 which includes a sheet-like stirring portion 160b and a rotary shaft 160a to which the stirring portion 160b is attached; and a first electrode 143 and a second electrode 144 which are used to detect an amount of the developer and which are arranged with an interval therebetween, where in an area X1 between the first electrode 143 and the second electrode 144 in the housing chamber 147 is positioned below the rotary shaft 160a of the stirring member 160, and the sheet-like stirring portion 160b comes into contact with the area X1 due to rotation of the stirring member 160. |
| US09857729B2 |
Nozzle insertion member, powder container, and image forming apparatus
A nozzle insertion member arranged in a powder container includes a nozzle insertion opening; an opening/closing member opening/closing the nozzle insertion opening; a supporting member supporting the opening/closing member; and a biasing member provided to the supporting member to bias the opening/closing member toward a closing position. When the powder is supplied to the conveying nozzle along with rotation of a rotary conveyor arranged inside the powder container, the supporting member rotates with the rotation of the conveyor. The opening/closing member is rotated by a drive transmitting mechanism with rotation of the supporting member. The mechanism includes an elongated member arranged on the opening/closing member and penetrating through an opening formed on the supporting member; and a drive transmitted portion formed on the elongated member; and a drive transmitting portion formed on an inner surface of the opening and configured to come into contact with the drive transmitted portion. |
| US09857728B2 |
Toner container attachable to and detachable from image forming apparatus
A toner container is attachable to and detachable from a toner supply portion of an image forming apparatus. The toner container includes an attaching portion configured to be engaged with an attached portion of the toner supply portion such that the toner container is selectively attached to the toner supply portion. The attached portion includes an engaged portion around which first interruption keys are disposed. The attaching portion includes an engaging portion and a plurality of key members. The engaging portion is configured to be engaged with the engaged portion. The key members are larger in number than the first interruption keys and include second interruption keys formed in correspondence with the first interruption keys. Among the key members, the second interruption keys that interrupt with the first interruption keys are cut so that the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be engaged with each other. |
| US09857723B2 |
Light beam scanning apparatus and light beam scanning method
A light-beam-scanning apparatus includes first and second array-light sources including plural light-emitting units and a light-receiving unit; first and second light-source-control units for controlling light emission of the light-emitting units; a write-control unit for controlling the light-source-control units; a deflection unit for deflecting a direction of light emitted from the light-emitting units; and a synchronization-detection element for generating a synchronization-detection signal according to the light deflected by the deflection unit incident onto the synchronization-detection element. Initialization of the light-emitting units of the second array-light source is performed after initialization of the first array-light source is performed; and when the initialization of the light-emitting units of the first array-light source is being performed, a signal for causing the light-emitting units of the second array-light source not to emit light is input to the second light-source-control unit. |
| US09857722B2 |
Light source device, optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A light source device includes a semiconductor laser configured to emit a laser beam, the semiconductor laser including a stem provided with a cut-away portion; and a holder member including a cylindrical portion configured to hold the semiconductor laser, wherein an inner surface of the cylindrical portion has a surface opposing the stem, and wherein the opposing surface includes a contact portion disposed at a position corresponding to the cut-away portion and contacting the stem and a spaced portion spaced from the stem. |
| US09857714B2 |
Making a liquid electrophotographic (LEP) paste
A method of making a liquid electrophotographic (LEP) paste is disclosed herein. A base paste is made by forming a dispersion of a pigment and a non-polar carrier, adding a transparent resin dispersion to the pigment dispersion to form a dispersion mixture, and homogenizing the dispersion mixture. The transparent resin dispersion includes a polymer dispersed in a non-aqueous carrier. The homogenizing may be accomplished by agitating the dispersion mixture at a frequency of less than 1 kHz, thereby forming the paste. |
| US09857713B2 |
Resin particle and method of producing the resin particle, and toner and method of producing the toner
Provided is a toner, comprising a toner particle having a core-shell structure composed of a core particle and a shell phase on a surface of the core particle, the core particle containing a resin X and a colorant, the shell phase being derived from a resin fine particle containing a resin Y, in which a relationship among a SP value of the resin X, a SP value of the resin Y, and a SP value of an organic solvent falls within a specific range, and a relationship between a number-average particle diameter of the resin fine particle when the resin fine particle is dispersed in water and a number-average particle diameter of the resin fine particle when the resin fine particle is dispersed in the organic solvent falls within a specific range. |
| US09857709B2 |
Toner and developer
To provide a toner, containing: a binder resin; a colorant; a releasing agent; and a crystalline polyester resin, wherein the toner satisfies the following formulae (1) to (3): 40° C.≦X≦55° C. Formula (1) 85° C.≦Y≦92° C. Formula (2) 35° C.≦Y−X≦50° C. Formula (3) where X is an onset temperature and Y is an endset temperature of an endothermic peak on a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve of the toner as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). |
| US09857706B2 |
Electrophotographic recording media
An electrophotographic recording media containing a base substrate coated on at least one side with an image-receiving layer that contains a polymeric polyolefin resin and more than about 20 wt % of inorganic pigments dispersed into said resin. Also disclosed is a method of 5 making such recording media and process for producing an image on said electrophotographic recording media. |
| US09857705B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes an electroconductive support, and an intermediate layer, charge generation layer containing a charge generation material, and a charge transport layer containing a charge transport material sequentially disposed on the electroconductive support, wherein the intermediate layer contains a compound having two or more diarylphosphine oxide structures and a resin. |
| US09857701B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus is equipped with a fine movement stage that can hold a liquid with a projection optical system when the stage is at a position facing an outgoing surface of the projection optical system, and a blade that comes into proximity within a predetermined distance of the fine movement stage when the fine movement stage is holding the liquid with the projection optical system, and moves along with the fine movement stage while maintaining the proximity state, and then holds the liquid with the projection optical system after the movement. Accordingly, a plurality of stages will not have to be placed right under the projection optical system interchangeably, which can suppress an increase in footprint of the exposure apparatus. |
| US09857700B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposing method, method for manufacturing device, program, and recording medium
An exposure apparatus includes a liquid immersion member including a first member and a second member and configured to form a liquid immersion space of the liquid, a driving apparatus configured to move the second member with respect to the first member; and a controller configured to control the driving apparatus. The controller controls the driving apparatus so that a first operation of the second member in a first movement period of the substrate between exposure termination of a first shot region and exposure start of a second shot region is different from a second operation of the second member in a second movement period of the substrate between exposure termination of a third shot region and exposure start of a fourth shot region, the first and second shot regions being included in the same row, the third and fourth shot regions being arranged in different rows. |
| US09857699B2 |
Vacuum system for immersion photolithography
A vacuum system for extracting a stream of a multi-phase fluid from a photo-lithography tool comprises a pumping arrangement for drawing the fluid from the tool, and an extraction tank located upstream from the pumping arrangement for separating the fluid drawn from the tool into gas and liquid phases. The pumping arrangement comprises a first pump for extracting gas from the tank, and a second pump for extracting liquid from the tank. In order to minimize any pressure fluctuations transmitted from the vacuum system back to the fluid within the tool, a pressure control system maintains a substantially constant pressure in the tank by regulating the amounts of liquid and gas within the tank. |
| US09857695B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A liquid supply system for an immersion lithographic apparatus provides a laminar flow of immersion liquid between a final element of the projection system and a substrate. A control system minimizes the chances of overflowing and an extractor includes an array of outlets configured to minimize vibrations. |
| US09857692B2 |
Position measurement method, position control method, measurement method, loading method, exposure method and exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An exposure method and apparatus exposes an object with an exposure beam via a projection optical system and a liquid of a liquid immersion area formed under the projection optical system. A first stage on which the object is held and a second stage are moved relative to each other so that the second stage approaches the first stage that is placed facing the projection optical system, the second stage having an upper surface contactable with a liquid immersion area. The first and second stages that have approached each other are moved with respect to the projection optical system so that the second stage is placed facing the projection optical system instead of the first stage. For relative movement of the first and second stages in the approaching, driving of the first and second stages is controlled based on outer periphery positional information of the first stage. |
| US09857687B2 |
Method of manufacturing substrate and substrate and mask film
A method of manufacturing a substrate includes applying solder resist ink containing a mixing resin of epoxy-based resin and acrylic-based resin on at least one surface of a substrate body to form a solder resist layer, and irradiating a predetermined portion of the solder resist layer with ultraviolet rays and controlling an amount of irradiation of the ultraviolet rays irradiated to the predetermined of the solder resist layer to form the predetermined portion in transmissivity that transmits light. |
| US09857685B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition, resist laminate, cured product of photosensitive resin composition, and cured product of resist laminate (11)
The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a resin composition, a cured product of which has extremely low residual stress and exhibits excellent adhesion to a metal substrate such as a Pt, LT or Ta substrate after a wet heat test in the fields of semiconductors and MEMS/micromachine applications; a laminate of this resin composition; and a cured product of this resin composition or the laminate. The present invention is a photosensitive resin composition which contains an epoxy resin (A), a compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group (B) and a cationic photopolymerization initiator (C), and wherein: the epoxy resin (A) has a weighted average epoxy equivalent weight of 300 g/eq. or more; 20% by mass or more of the epoxy resin (A) is an epoxy resin represented by formula (1) and having an epoxy equivalent weight of 500-4,500 g/eq.; and the compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group (B) contains a phenolic compound having a specific structure. |
| US09857676B2 |
Method and program product for designing source and mask for lithography
A system and method for optimizing (designing) a mask pattern, in which SMO and OPC are collaboratively used to exert a sufficient collaborative effect or are appropriately used in different manners.The method for designing a source and a mask for lithography includes a step (S1) of selecting a set of patterns; a step of performing source mask optimization (SMO) using the set of patterns, under an optical proximity correction (OPC) restriction rule which is used for selectively restricting shifting of an edge position of a polygon when OPC is applied to the set of patterns; and a step (S3, S4) of determining a layout of the mask for lithography, by applying OPC to all patterns constituting the mask for lithography using the source optimized through the SMO. |
| US09857669B2 |
Projection type image display device with symmetrically arranged light source and power supply
A projection type image display device to be used with a mobile terminal has a housing with an upper side case having a reflective mirror attached thereto and an openable mirror cover formed thereon and a lower side case having a plurality of air exhausting openings provided on a side wall surface thereof. A light source is provided for shining image light that has been magnified and projected onto the reflective mirror; and an image is magnified and projected on the basis of the light from the light source. An optical system is disposed within the lower side case parallel to the bottom surface of the case along a central axis of the device, and also an image processing unit, which includes the light source, and a power supply unit are disposed within the lower case symmetrically with the optical system as the center. |
| US09857661B2 |
Photonic microwave generation apparatus and method thereof
A photonic microwave generation apparatus and a method thereof are disclosed. A comb-like optical signal generation module of the photonic microwave generation apparatus generates a comb-like optical signal. The comb-like optical signal is injected into a photonic microwave generation module of the photonic microwave generation apparatus, wherein the photonic microwave generation module includes a microwave generation laser. An optical power and a carrier frequency of the comb-like optical signal are adjusted so as to place the microwave generation laser in period-one nonlinear dynamics, and, at the same time, to phase-lock an oscillation sideband of the period-one nonlinear dynamics by one harmonic of the comb-like optical signal. Under such operation, the microwave generation laser emits an output optical signal that carries a microwave signal of a narrow linewidth and a stable frequency, which can be retrieved from the output optical signal by using a photodetector. |
| US09857657B2 |
Electrochromic whiteboard privacy window or divider
A partition assembly includes a rigid support frame and a first transparent pane in abutting contact with an inner surface of the frame. The first transparent pane includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The assembly further includes an electro-optic element received within the frame and positioned adjacent the interior surface of the first transparent pane. The electro-optic element operates between a transmissive condition and a dimmed condition with a surface of the electro-optic element exhibiting a first level of spectral reflectivity at least when in the dimmed condition. A cover assembly is received within the frame and is positioned opposite the electro-optic element from the first transparent pane. The cover assembly includes a light transmitting sheet and a plurality of light sources disposed at edges of the light transmitting sheet. |
| US09857654B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a first gate line, a data line, a first subpixel unit including a first switching element, and a first subpixel electrode connected with a second electrode of the first switching element, a second subpixel unit including a second switching element which includes a control electrode connected with the first gate line and a first electrode is connected with the data line, a second subpixel electrode connected with a second electrode of the second switching element, and a third switching element which includes a control electrode connected with the first gate line and a storage wiring including a first storage line, at least a part thereof overlapping the first subpixel electrode, and a second storage line, at least a part thereof overlapping the second subpixel electrode. |
| US09857650B2 |
Array substrate and liquid crystal display panel including the same
The present invention teaches an array substrate and a liquid crystal (LCD) panel including the array substrate. The array substrate contains a substrate, a number of scan lines, a number of data lines, and a number of common scan lines. The scan lines and the common scan lines are alternately interleaved with the data lines on the substrate so as to form a number of pixel units. Each pixel unit contains a main pixel unit and a sub pixel unit. The sub pixel units from two neighboring pixel units share a common scan line which drives the two sub pixel units simultaneously. As such, the number of common scan lines is reduced, thereby enhancing pixel aperture ratio. |
| US09857649B2 |
Display panel and display device comprising the same
A display panel includes: a pixel electrode including first, second, and third sub-pixel electrodes separated from each other; a first TFT connected to the first sub-pixel electrode; second and fourth TFTs connected to the second sub-pixel electrode; a third TFT connected to the third sub-pixel electrode; a first gate line connected to the first to third TFTs; a second gate line connected to the fourth TFT; a data line electrically insulated from and intersecting the first and second gate lines and connected to the first to third TFTs; and a storage electrode connected to the fourth TFT and overlapping the first sub-pixel electrode. |
| US09857645B2 |
Display panel, display apparatus, and manufacturing method
For the purpose of providing a display panel that realizes a high light utilization efficiency, a low power consumption, a fast response and a low cost, a display panel of the present invention includes, between a transparent substrate (102) and a TFT substrate (105), (i) a soft material layer (101) that expands or contracts in response to voltage application to the soft material layer (101), (ii) a flexible pixel electrode (102) that expands or contracts together with the soft material layer (101), and (iii) an upper electrode (103). |
| US09857644B2 |
Method of fabricating a transflective liquid crystal display device
A transflective liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate divided into a pixel part and first and second pad parts; a gate electrode and a gate line formed at the pixel part of the first substrate; a first insulation film formed on the first substrate; an active pattern formed as an island at an upper portion of the gate electrode and having a width smaller than the gate electrode; an ohmic-contact layer and a barrier metal layer formed on the first substrate and on source and drain regions of the active pattern; source and drain electrodes formed at the pixel part of the first substrate and electrically connected with the source and drain regions of the active pattern via the ohmic-contact layer and the barrier metal layer; a data line formed at the pixel part of the first substrate and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region including a reflective portion and a transmissive portion; a pixel electrode formed at the transmissive portion of the pixel region and electrically connected with the drain electrode; a source electrode pattern, a drain electrode pattern and a data line pattern formed at lower portions of the source electrode, the drain electrode and the data line, and formed of a conductive film that forms the pixel electrode; a reflective electrode formed at the reflective portion of the pixel region and electrically connected with the drain electrode and the pixel electrode; a second insulation film exposing the pixel electrode of the pixel region; and a second substrate attached to the first substrate in a facing manner. |
| US09857642B2 |
Display device and liquid crystal display device
The present invention realizes a high-definition and high-brightness display device with a high degree of energy efficiency. The above-described object can be realized by a display device including a display panel having a display surface and a backlight, wherein: the display panel has a wavelength conversion layer for each pixel on a surface parallel to the display surface, and has a light scattering layer between the wavelength conversion layers; the wavelength conversion layers have fluorescent materials; the light scattering layers have fine particles; a reflection layer is provided on the wavelength conversion layers on the backlight side; and a reflection layer is provided on the light scattering layers on the display surface side. |
| US09857640B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate opposing the first substrate; and a plurality of pixels on the first substrate, a pixel of the plurality of pixels includes: a switching element connected to a gate line and a data line on the first substrate; a first pixel electrode connected to the switching element; and a second pixel electrode connected to the switching element and overlapping the first pixel electrode. |
| US09857639B2 |
Method for manufacturing liquid crystal lens
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal lens includes: patterning an insulating layer into a plurality of insulating regions spaced apart from each other on a substrate using a first photo mask; depositing a conductive layer on the insulating layer; applying a first, negative photoresist onto the conductive layer; exposing the first photoresist using a second photo mask in which first regions of the first photoresist corresponding to portions between adjacent insulating regions are opened; exposing the first photoresist using a third photo mask in which second regions corresponding to tops of the plurality of insulating regions are opened; and etching the conductive layer using the first photoresist. |
| US09857636B2 |
Display substrate and liquid crystal display device
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the display technical field, and disclose a display substrate and a liquid crystal display device, which will improve the pressure resistant performance of the liquid crystal display device, while not substantially reducing the LC margin of the liquid crystal display device. The display substrate comprises a base substrate and spacers disposed on the base substrate; the spacers at least comprise main spacers, auxiliary spacers and first sub-spacers; the plurality of main spacers encircle to form a repeating unit, in which a plurality of the auxiliary spacers are arranged in an array, and at least one first sub-spacer is distributed in a center region of the repeating unit; wherein the vertical distances from the top of the main spacers, the top of the first sub-spacers, the top of the auxiliary spacers to the base substrate decrease sequentially. |
| US09857635B2 |
Display device
Provided is a display device, including: a display panel that includes a display layer on at least a first substrate; and a sealing resin layer that is provided on a peripheral edge of the display panel, wherein a surface of the sealing resin layer and a surface of the display panel include a same plane. |
| US09857631B2 |
Reflecting plate, backlight unit, and display device
Disclosed herein are a reflecting plate, a backlight unit, and a display device using the backlight unit, and the display device includes one or more light sources; a reflecting plate to which light radiated from the one or more light sources is incident and having a reflecting surface reflecting the incident light; one or more selective light absorbing parts disposed on the reflecting surface and configured to selectively absorb a portion of the incident light; and a quantum dot sheet into which at least one of light emitted without being absorbed by the selective light absorbing part and light radiated from the light source is incident. |
| US09857628B2 |
Display device
A display device having a light-emitting element and a see-through capability, with which a variety of display modes can be exhibited depending on a use application or situation. In such a display device having a see-through capability, between a first display portion having pixels including dual-emission type light-emitting elements and a second display portion having a light-scattering liquid crystal layer, a shutter-shaped light-blocking unit is provided so that a variety of display modes can be exhibited depending on use applications or situations by selecting modes of the first display portion, the second display portion, and the shutter-shaped light-blocking unit. |
| US09857625B2 |
Polarizing plate and display apparatus
A polarizing plate and a display apparatus including the polarizing plate are provided. The polarizing plate includes a polarizer, a first protective film disposed on one surface of the polarizer with a first adhesive layer having a thickness less than 2.0 μm being interposed, and a second protective film disposed on the other surface with a second adhesive layer having a thickness less than or equal to 2.0 μm being interposed, the second protective film being a protective film to be arranged on a side of a cell for display relative to the first protective film in arrangement of the polarizing plate on the cell for display, and the first adhesive layer being smaller in thickness than the second adhesive layer. |
| US09857621B1 |
Display device
A liquid crystal display with a high transmittance and a low power consumption rate, includes first and second transmittable substrates, a plurality of gate and data bus lines formed on the first substrate, a plurality of color filters formed on the second substrate, and a plurality of microlenses formed on the first or second substrate corresponding to the gate and data bus lines. The microlenses are formed at positions corresponding to the gate and data bus lines which block incident lights, so that most incident lights can be transmitted. Further, the transmittance can be greatly improved by forming the microlenses at the positions corresponding to storage capacitor lines as well as the gate and data bus lines. |
| US09857620B2 |
Display device
A display device is disclosed, which comprises: a first substrate; a second substrate; a black matrix layer having a light shielding portion and a light transmitting portion; and a main spacer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and at least partially overlapping with the light shielding portion. The light transmitting portion has openings, which define sub-pixel units including a first adjusted sub-pixel unit, a second adjusted sub-pixel unit, and a standard sub-pixel unit. The main spacer is disposed on a border junction between the first and second adjusted sub-pixel units, but is not disposed on a border of the standard sub-pixel unit. Areas of the first and second adjusted sub-pixel units are respectively greater than an area of the standard sub-pixel unit. |
| US09857614B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a curved display panel displaying an image, a bottom frame which is disposed below the curved display panel and curved along the curved display panel, and the bottom frame having an opening which is defined in the bottom frame with the display panel in a plan view, and a cover member covering the opening. |
| US09857609B2 |
Integrated microwave-to-optical single-photon transducer with strain-induced electro-optic material
Transducers and methods of making the same include a substrate having a cavity with a diameter that supports whispering gallery modes at a frequency of an input signal. A focusing structure in the cavity focuses the electric field of the input signal. A resonator directly under the focusing structure has a crystalline structure that generates an electro-optic effect when exposed to electrical fields. An electric field of the input signal modulates an output signal in the resonator via the electro-optic effect. |
| US09857608B2 |
Point-of-use-activated microbattery and biocompatible electronic device incorporating the same
A biocompatible electronic device incorporating a point-of-use-activated microbattery, the biocompatible electronic device comprising: a housing; a sealed control electronics chamber formed within the housing; control electronics contained within the sealed control electronics chamber for controlling the operation of the biocompatible electronic device; a sealed electrode chamber formed within the housing; a plurality of electrodes contained within the sealed electrode chamber and connected to the control electronics; an access port formed within the housing for providing fluid access to the interior of the sealed electrode chamber; and a removable tab for selectively sealing the access port; such that, upon removal of the removable tab, a contacting fluid can contact the electrodes and act as an electrolyte for activating the microbattery, whereby to enable the microbattery to power the control electronics for the biocompatible electronic device. |
| US09857589B2 |
Gesture registration device, gesture registration program, and gesture registration method
A gesture registration device, a gesture registration program and a gesture registration method that can rapidly and simply obtain and stock gesture data are provided. The gesture registration device of the present invention includes an external-shape detecting unit, an analyzing unit, and a recording unit. The external-shape detecting unit detects an external shape of an object having a predetermined form. The analyzing unit performs at least analysis of an external-shape feature part and analysis of the value for at least either the position or the direction of the external shape feature part, from the detected the external shape of the object. The recording unit records a result by the analysis unit as gesture data. |
| US09857588B2 |
Display device, head mounted display, display system, and control method for display device
A transmission type head mounted display allows a user to visually recognize a display screen as a virtual image, and includes a display control portion that displays a plurality of icons for calling respective applications on the display screen, and a display section that displays the plurality of icons, in which the display control portion displays the plurality of icons in retreating regions which avoid a view field securing region of the display screen. |
| US09857585B2 |
Rolling beam splitter optical switching mechanism for combination and selection of detector illumination
A rolling beam splitter optical switching mechanism for combination and selection of detector illumination includes a housing and an immersed cube beam splitter supported by the housing. The beam splitter is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation in a first direction and a second direction. The switching mechanism further includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the housing and the beam splitter to change a direction of electromagnetic radiation directed by the beam splitter in the second direction. |
| US09857581B2 |
Luminescence microscopy
The invention relates to a method for high-resolution luminescence microscopy of a specimen marked with marker molecules, and to a luminescence microscope for performing the method, wherein the marker molecules can be excited to emit luminescence radiation. The method for luminescence microscopy comprises the excitation and imaging of marker molecules and the transmission of a trigger time and a position of the specimen. An optical recording device images the marker molecules in a capture area and transmits data from the imaging to an image capture circuit. The recording device transmits a time for the imaging to a signal former as a trigger time; the trigger time is then transmitted to a data recorder. The data recorder generates a position of the specimen at the trigger time and transmits said position to the image capture circuit, which links the position of the specimen in the depth direction to the data of the imaging of a frame such that a three-dimensional tomographic image of the specimen can be created. |
| US09857580B2 |
Apparatus for holding a substrate within a secondary device
This disclosure is directed to an apparatus for securely holding a substrate, such as a microscope slide. A holder includes a frame including at least three walls, such as a base, a first arm, and a second arm. Each wall includes a platform or a portion of a platform to support the substrate. The first arm includes at least one securing block and a second arm opposite the first arm includes a secure bar with a securing block. The securing blocks include a ramp to guide the substrate off of the platforms and a stopper to set a maximum lift distance and to constrain the substrate. |
| US09857575B2 |
System and method for expansion of field of view in a vision system
This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments. |
| US09857570B1 |
Full flat mirror guiding reflections to aperture of panoramic optical device
A reflector can have a conical shape. The shape can tapers from a wide base to an apex. The apex can include an aperture, a mirror, and a set of one or more optical elements. A mirror is location in a cavity and is positioned within an overhang enclosure of the device in a plane approximately parallel to a circular cross section of the conical shape. The mirror can reflect environmental light that is reflected by the reflector into the aperture or reflect light emitting from the aperture onto the reflector. Stray light reflected by the mirror is absorbed by the cavity walls. A set of one or more optical elements can be positioned at least partially within a volumetric region of the reflector. The one or more optical elements focus light passing through the aperture to an image sensor. |
| US09857564B2 |
Optical image capturing system
A six-piece optical lens for capturing image and a six-piece optical module for capturing image are provided. In the order from an object side to an image side, the optical lens along the optical axis includes a first lens with refractive power; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; a fourth lens with refractive power; a fifth lens with refractive power; a sixth lens with refractive power; and at least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the six lens elements is aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09857563B2 |
Optical image system, image capturing device and electronic device
An optical image system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element has negative refractive power. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface and an image-side surface being both aspheric. The sixth lens element has an object-side surface and an image-side surface being both aspheric. |
| US09857562B2 |
Photographing optical lens assembly, image capturing device and mobile terminal
A photographing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof, and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The photographing optical lens assembly has a total of six lens elements with refractive power. |
| US09857560B2 |
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, and a fifth lens. At least one lens among the first to the fifth lenses has positive refractive force. The fifth 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 fifth lenses. The optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09857555B2 |
Lens moving apparatus
Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a housing supporting a driving magnet and having an opening, a bobbin provided at an outer circumferential surface thereof with a coil located inside the driving magnet, the bobbin being moved in a first direction parallel to an optical axis within the housing via electromagnetic interaction between the driving magnet and the coil, and a damper located between the housing and the bobbin. |
| US09857554B2 |
Spring clips for mounting optics structures on an associated circuit board, and assemblies including the spring clips
Clips are provided to secure optic element systems to a printed circuit board. Associated mounting systems may, for example, eliminate direct adhesion of an optic element to an associated illumination source (e.g., LED). Thereby, thermal management of the system may be improved, adding flexibility in, for example, mounting height and tilt of an optic element. Thus, manufacturing cost, associated with mounting optic elements to L.E.D. arrays, may be reduced. Associated mounting systems may enable a direct electrical connection from a printed circuit to, for example, optical path control elements embedded within an optic element using, for example, various electro-optical control technologies. |
| US09857553B2 |
Lens unit and imaging device
A lens unit may include a plurality of lenses; and a lens barrel made of resin and comprising a tube part. A first press-fitted lens of the plurality of lenses may include a first press-fitted portion that is press-fitted to the tube part. An outer peripheral face of the tube part may include a thread groove. The tube part may include a circular groove which is recessed from an image side end face of the tube toward an object side, the circular groove being formed between an inner peripheral face and the outer peripheral face of the tube part. The first press-fitted portion may be provided on an image side end of the first press-fitted lens. An object side end of the circular groove may be disposed on an object side of the first press-fitted portion. |
| US09857550B2 |
Method for reducing the effects of element misalignment in an optical system
Different rotational interfaces between individual optical components and their mounts are compared based on a sensitivity of optical system performance to misalignment of the optical component to an alignment axis of the optical mount within a clearance space. The rotational interfaces at which the sensitivity of the optical system performance to the misalignment of the optical component approaches a minimum are incorporated into the optical design. |
| US09857543B1 |
Bidirectional optoelectronic sub-assembly
A bidirectional optoelectronic sub-assembly. The bidirectional optoelectronic sub-assembly includes an assembly body. The assembly body is configured to interface a light source, a photodetector, an optical waveguide, coupling optics and a beam splitter in optical alignment. The assembly body includes a light source port configured to accommodate the light source, an optical port configured to interface with an optical connector of the optical waveguide, a beam splitter slot configured to accommodate the beam splitter on a first optical path between the light source and the optical waveguide, and on a second optical path between the optical waveguide and the photodetector, and a faraday cage cavity configured to accommodate the photodetector. |
| US09857540B2 |
Strain relief boot and fiber optic cable assembly including the same
A strain relief boot and a fiber optic cable assembly are described. The strain relief boot has a first conduit made of at least a first material. The first conduit has a front segment and a rear segment. The rear segment includes at least one discontinuity to make the rear segment more flexible than the front segment. The rear segment also includes at least one projection extending outwardly from the rear segment at a location adjacent to the at least one discontinuity. The strain relief boot also has a second conduit made from at least a second material that is less rigid than the first material. The second conduit at least partially surrounds at least the rear segment of the first conduit and extends rearwardly of the first conduit. |
| US09857538B2 |
Alignment adapter and alignment design for a connector therefor
An adapter with novel alignment features engages alignment features on a plug, providing general alignment of the ferrule holders and ferrules in the plug. After the plug engages the adapter, the ferrule holders engage a second set of alignment features in the adapter to provide fine alignment for the ferrules. |
| US09857537B2 |
Device for distributing hybrid cable and transitioning from trunk cable to jumper cable
A device for connecting a hybrid trunk cable to one or more jumper cables includes: an enclosure having two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls; a power connector mounted to a first end wall; a fiber optic connector mounted to the first end wall; and a plurality of mixed media connectors mounted to a first side wall. The power connector is electrically connected to the plurality of mixed media connectors, and the fiber optic connector is optically connected to the plurality of mixed media connectors. |
| US09857535B2 |
Method of packaging multichannel optical receiver module having a sub-mount with an optical block to guide incident parallel light beams and package of the same
A method of packaging a multi-channel optical receiver module and a package of the same are provided. The method includes installing a first lens on a sub-mount; aligning an optical block including a plurality of filters on the sub-mount; installing the aligned optical block on the sub-mount; aligning a second lens on the sub-mount; installing the aligned second lens on the sub-mount; and coupling the sub-mount to a TO-stem. The aligning of the optical block transmits light incident through the first lens to the plurality of filters, transmits light beams transmitted through the plurality of filters to an object lens, monitors positions of and intervals between the light beams transmitted through an infrared (IR) camera and aligns the optical block so that the intervals between the light beams transmitted through the plurality of filters are identical. |
| US09857534B2 |
Optical waveguide device having a light absorber for split out modes
An optical waveguide device includes: a mode splitter including a main waveguide in which lights can be propagated in at least two propagation modes with different propagation orders and a subsidiary waveguide which includes a coupling section disposed in parallel with the main waveguide at a certain distance away from the main waveguide so as to constitute a directional coupler and is capable of splitting at least one propagation mode out of the two or more propagation modes from the main waveguide. Also, ncore/ncladding which is a refractive index ratio between a core and a cladding which constitute the main waveguide and the subsidiary waveguide is in a range of 101% to 250%. |
| US09857533B2 |
Optical waveguide element, light-receiving device, optical communication device, optical modulator, optical resonator, and method for manufacturing optical waveguide element
An optical waveguide element includes a core and a cladding that is made of SiO2. When ng_i_TE is a group refractive index of a TE0 polarized wave in the i-th waveguide counted from a light incidence plane of the core and ng_i_TM is a group refractive index of a TM0 polarized wave in the i-th waveguide, the length L—i[m] of the i-th waveguide satisfies a predetermined relation. |
| US09857529B2 |
Optical fiber span with low differential mode delay
A fiber span comprising: a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber coupled to the first optical fiber, both fibers comprising the an inner core region with maximum refractive index delta, Δ0≦0.1% and an outer radius R1>4.5 μm, an outer core region with an outer radius R2 and a minimum refractive index delta Δ1 and alpha value α≧5, wherein Δ1<Δ0, 5.5 μm≦R2−R1≦12 μm; a cladding including a low index ring surrounding the core and a minimum refractive index delta ΔR,MIN<Δ1; and an outer cladding having ΔOuter-Clad>ΔR,MIN; the first fiber introducing differential mode delay DMD1 for wavelengths between 1525 and 1570 nm such that |DMD1|≦100 ps/km, and a first differential mode delay slope DMDS1; the second fiber introducing differential mode delay DMD2 for wavelengths between 1525 and 1570 nm such that |DMD2|≦100 ps/km, and a second differential mode delay slope DMDS2 that has an opposite sign from the first dispersion slope DMDS1; wherein total differential mode delay provided by the first fiber in conjunction with the second fiber is DMDtot=DMD1+DMD2, and −1.0 ps/km |
| US09857525B2 |
Double-sided display
A double-sided display may include a first panel module and a second panel module, a light-guiding plate, a first light source, and a brightness enhancement film. A light-guiding plate has a second light output surface, and a plurality of reflecting units are formed at the second light output surface. Also, a plurality of light converging units are protruding from a surface of the brightness enhancement film. By controlling the width between two adjacent light converging units of the brightness enhancement file to be greater than the width of each of the reflection units, the display quality of the second panel module is enhanced. Thus, the goal of high brightness and high quality on both sides of the display can be achieved. |
| US09857521B2 |
Liquid crystal display with backlight color compensation structures
A display may have an array of pixels that display images for a user. The backlight unit may have a light-guide layer. An array of light-emitting diodes may emit light into an edge of the light-guide layer. The light guide layer may overlap a backlight reflector. The backlight reflector may include a backlight reflector panel formed from a stack of dielectric layers on a rectangular substrate. The backlight reflector may also include a strip of backlight reflector tape having an edge that is overlapped by an edge portion of the backlight reflector panel. Color compensating features such as printed colored ink patterns may be formed on the backlight reflector to adjust the color of backlight illumination in portions of the backlight unit adjacent to the light-emitting diodes. |
| US09857512B1 |
Systems for passive optical correction of polarization leakages
Passive optical systems and methods for improving polarization of an optical reference beam are disclosed. For example, an optical system includes first and second quarter wavelength plates (QWPs) positioned in a beam path of the optical system. The second QWP is positioned in the beam path such that a fast axis of the second QWP is substantially orthogonal to a fast axis of the first QWP. First and second polarization elements are also positioned in the beam path. The first and second polarization elements are each configured to provide both diattenuation and retardance of the optical reference beam. |
| US09857511B2 |
Interference filter for non-zero angle of incidence spectroscopy
The present disclosure relates to thin film optical interference filters. The filters include a substrate and a plurality of alternating material layers deposited on the substrate. When operated at about 45° angle of incidence, the filters exhibit at least one of improved polarization splitting, edge steepness, bandpass bandwidth, and blocking, relative to conventional thin film interference filters. |
| US09857510B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device includes a window panel including a display area and a non-display area including a first non-display area and a second non-display area and a display panel including a pixel area generating an image to be displayed in the display area and a non-pixel area surrounding the pixel area. The window panel includes a window glass, decoration printed layers disposed on the window glass in the first and second non-display areas, and a light-blocking printed layer disposed on the window glass and the decoration printed layers to cover the decoration printed layers in the first non-display area and having a black color. A boundary line corresponding to a boundary between the display area and the non-display area is an inner surface of the light-blocking printed layer and the display area corresponds to the pixel area at the boundary line. |
| US09857508B2 |
Color filter pattern and manufacturing method thereof
A color filter pattern including a plurality of color filters arranged in a pattern and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. By performing at least one two-stage exposure process to a color filter layer, the plurality of color filters are formed with a sharp profile. |
| US09857505B2 |
Laminate body and manufacturing method thereof
A laminate body (1) is provided with a transparent substrate (10) and a refractive layer (11) which refracts incident light towards the top of the substrate (10). The refractive layer (11) contains, at least, one kind of fluorine compound (ss) selected from a group consisting of fluoro-silsesquioxane and fluoro-silsesquioxane polymers, and a resin (pl) having a refractive index higher than that of the aforementioned fluorine compound (ss). Of the side of the substrate (10) (the side of the back surface s2) and the side opposite thereof (the side of the front surface s1), the concentration of the fluorine compound (ss) in the refractive layer (11) is higher on said side opposite (the side of the front surface s1), and the refractive layer (11) forms a graded structure layer of high refractive indices and low refractive indices inside the layer. |
| US09857502B2 |
Method of fabricating film of substrate and film, backlight unit and liquid crystal display using the same
Provided is a method of fabricating a thick film of a large area substrate. The method of fabricating comprises applying a first rein on a base substrate to form a rein partition, and applying a second resin on an inner area formed by the resin partition.According to the present invention, by forming a first partition formed with resin when a film of a large area is coated and then by coating the film, uniformity and reliability of the coating can be improved. |
| US09857501B2 |
System and method for a wireless phone enabled with weather alerts
A system and method for processing weather alerts through a cell phone. One or more channels of a radio network of a weather service are received through the cell phone. One or more weather alerts are received through the one or more channels. A determination is made whether the one or more weather alerts are applicable to a user of the cell phone. The one or more weather alerts are communicated to a user through the cell phone in response to determining the one or more weather alerts are applicable to the user. |
| US09857494B2 |
System and method for locating an underground utility
A system for locating an underground utility that emits an electromagnetic signal comprises first and second receivers. The first receiver has electronics that respond to a spatial position of the first receiver with respect to the electromagnetic signal and therefore the utility. The second receiver is adapted for communication with the first receiver. The first receiver is configured for disposition within an underground excavation proximate to the utility. |
| US09857493B2 |
Method for detecting powder and powder detection device
A method for detecting powder is performed in a powder detection device including a pair of electrodes arranged to be opposed to each other with a gap interposed therebetween and an electric circuit electrically connected to the pair of electrodes. The method includes detecting powder filling in a case where the electric circuit together with powder and the electrodes forms a closed circuit when the powder fills the gap. |
| US09857490B2 |
Methods and systems for optimizing generation of seismic images
This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for stacking seismic data. The methods receive seismic data collected from a survey of a subterranean formation. A gather of seismic data may have flattened reflection events obtained as a result of normal moveout (“NMO”) corrections or pre-stack migration. Alternatively, the gather may be an unmigrated gather with non-horizontal reflection events. A smoothed-amplitude gather is generated from the gather. Traces of the gather are stacked to generate a trace with significantly reduced noise using corresponding smoothed amplitudes of the smoothed-amplitude gather as weights. |
| US09857489B2 |
System and method for ray based tomography guided by waveform inversion
Disclosed herein is a system and method for building a velocity model for a geographical area of interest (GAI). The system and method comprise determining a ray based tomography velocity image of said GAI using acquired data, determining a high resolution velocity guide (HRVG) image of said GAI, scaling said determined HRVG of said GAI, adding the scaled HRVG to the ray based tomography velocity image to determine an updated ray based tomography velocity image, and determining whether said updated ray based tomography velocity image has experienced convergence by determining whether a cost function of said ray based tomography velocity image does not improve compared to a previously determined cost function value of said ray based tomography velocity image. |
| US09857488B2 |
Efficient wavefield compression in seismic imaging
A system, method and computer program product for seismic imaging implements a seismic imaging algorithm utilizing Reverse Time Migration (RTM) and Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) techniques requiring large communication bandwidth and low latency to convert a parallel problem into one solved using massive domain partitioning. Since in RTM and FWI, the forward wave propagation is iteratively calculated on time step increments, there are very high statistical correlation between the intermediate wavefields at the adjacent time steps. This correlation is exploited in compression of the intermediate wavefields so as to achieve much higher compression ratio and avoid the disk IO bottleneck and reduce the overall computing time substantially. Further, during simulation of a reverse wavefield, reverse predictive encoding technique is performed such that snapshots are not recovered in the reverse propagation path due to a prediction chain. |
| US09857485B2 |
Methods and systems for marine survey acquisition
A marine survey acquisition system. The system may include a vessel for towing a marine survey spread. The marine survey spread may include streamers, marine vibrators and a cable. The cable may be coupled to a respective streamer from among the streamers and one of the marine vibrators. The cable may power the respective streamer and the one of the marine vibrators. The one of the marine vibrators may emit energy at a high frequency range. |
| US09857484B2 |
Method and apparatus for neutron detection
Embodiments of the present invention provide a neutron spectrometry system, comprising a plurality of semiconductor detector portions arranged in close proximity, wherein the detector portions are arranged in at least two non-parallel axes, wherein each detector portion is arranged to output a detection signal indicative of energy deposited in the detector portion by ionising particles induced in the device by incident neutrons, and a control unit arranged to receive the plurality of detection signals, and to allocate detection signals to one or more of a plurality of channels based on a number of substantially coincident detection signals for determining a spectrum of incident neutrons based thereon. |
| US09857481B2 |
Apparatus for reading out X-ray information stored in a storage phosphor layer
An apparatus for reading out X-ray information stored in a storage phosphor layer includes a light source for generating stimulating light which can stimulate the storage phosphor layer to emit stimulated emission, an optical fiber, in particular a single mode fiber, which is optically coupled to the light source and generates a stimulating light beam from the stimulating light, and a deflection element for deflecting the stimulating light beam to move over the storage phosphor layer. |
| US09857480B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting dilute concentrations of radioactive xenon in samples of xenon extracted from the atmosphere
A method and apparatus for measuring the concentrations of radioxenon isotopes in a gaseous sample wherein the sample cell is surrounded by N sub-detectors that are sensitive to both electrons and to photons from radioxenon decays. Signal processing electronics are provided that can detect events within the sub-detectors, measure their energies, determine whether they arise from electrons or photons, and detect coincidences between events within the same or different sub-detectors. The energies of detected two or three event coincidences are recorded as points in associated two or three-dimensional histograms. Counts within regions of interest in the histograms are then used to compute estimates of the radioxenon isotope concentrations. The method achieves lower backgrounds and lower minimum detectable concentrations by using smaller detector crystals, eliminating interference between double and triple coincidence decay branches, and segregating double coincidences within the same sub-detector from those occurring between different sub-detectors. |
| US09857477B2 |
Method for generating unambiguous correlation function for CBOC (6,1,1/11) signal based on partial correlation functions, apparatus for tracking CBOC signals and satellite navigation signal receiver system
A method of generating a correlation function for a CBOC(6,1,1/11) signal according to the present invention includes generating a delayed signal delayed based on a phase delay, with respect to a signal pulse train of a CBOC(6,1,1/11)-modulated received signal, generating first to twelfth partial correlation functions by performing an autocorrelation operation of the received signal and the delayed signal with respect to a total time, generating a basic intermediate correlation function by performing an elimination operation on sixth and seventh partial correlation functions, acquiring first to fifth and eighth to twelfth additional intermediate correlation functions by performing an elimination operation on each of partial correlation functions, excluding the sixth and seventh partial correlation functions from the first to twelfth partial correlation functions, and a basic intermediate correlation function, and acquiring the main correlation function by simply summing the basic intermediate correlation function and the first to fifth and eighth to twelfth additional intermediate correlation functions. |
| US09857475B2 |
Cellular interferometer for continuous earth remote observation (CICERO)
A fleet of small spacecraft (“cells”) in low Earth orbit combine to form an integrated Earth observing system providing many observations previously requiring distinct sensing systems. Each cell performs a few relatively primitive functions, including emission, reception, sampling, and recording of radio and microwave signals. Each cell observes over a spherical field of view, samples the received signals independently at many small antenna elements, and stores the data from each element. Data from all cells are sent to a common location where they can be combined in diverse ways to realize a wide range of observing functions. These functions may include ionosphere and gravity field mapping; atmospheric radio occultation; ocean, ice, and land altimetry; ocean scatterometry; synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging; radar sensing of soil moisture, land cover, and geological surface properties; and interferometric SAR sensing of surface change. The system can also provide real-time messaging, navigation and surveillance functions. |
| US09857470B2 |
Using photometric stereo for 3D environment modeling
Detecting material properties such reflectivity, true color and other properties of surfaces in a real world environment is described in various examples using a single hand-held device. For example, the detected material properties are calculated using a photometric stereo system which exploits known relationships between lighting conditions, surface normals, true color and image intensity. In examples, a user moves around in an environment capturing color images of surfaces in the scene from different orientations under known lighting conditions. In various examples, surfaces normals of patches of surfaces are calculated using the captured data to enable fine detail such as human hair, netting, textured surfaces to be modeled. In examples, the modeled data is used to render images depicting the scene with realism or to superimpose virtual graphics on the real world in a realistic manner. |
| US09857468B1 |
Lidar system
A lidar system with a pulsed laser diode configured to produce an optical seed pulse of light at an operating wavelength between approximately 1400 nm and approximately 1600 nm. The lidar system may also include an optical amplifier configured to amplify the optical seed pulse to produce an eye-safe output optical pulse that is emitted into a field of view. The optical amplifier may produce an amount of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) associated with the output optical pulse. The lidar system may include an optical filter configured to filter the output optical pulse to reduce the associated ASE. The lidar system may also include a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the output optical pulse reflected or scattered from the field of view. |
| US09857465B2 |
System and method for target detection
A sonar based sensor for localization of a target in air is described. The sensor comprises a wide or ultra-wide band emitter for emitting a wide or ultra-wide band signal, and a set of spatially randomly or irregularly positioned receivers for receiving the wide or ultra-wide band signal after reflection at the target. A corresponding processor and method for localizing also is disclosed. |
| US09857464B2 |
Device, method and program for processing signal, underwater detecting device and radar apparatus
A signal processor for processing target echo signal is provided. The signal processor includes a filter configured to generate a filtered echo signal by extracting echo signal components within a predetermined frequency band from the target echo signal, a high resolution signal generator configured to generate a high resolution signal based on the target echo signal, and a synthesizing module configured to synthesize the filtered echo signal with the high resolution signal. The high resolution signal has higher resolution than the filtered echo signal. |
| US09857462B2 |
Detection of concealed object on a body using radio frequency signatures on frequencies and polarizations
A method for detecting a concealed object in a target. The target may include a body and the concealed object. The method may include emitting radio frequency (RF) energy toward a direction of the target, receiving a scattered RF energy reflected from the target, generating a signal corresponding to the received scattered RF energy, comparing the signal with a plurality of stored RF scattering signatures, and detecting the concealed object when the signal matches one of a plurality of RF scattering signatures. Each of the RF scattering signatures may be associated with an object of interest. |
| US09857460B2 |
Waveform estimation device and waveform estimation method
A waveform estimation device includes: tracking filter processing units 11 and 12 that execute tracking filter processing on observation values using tracking filters having different drive noises; and a filter output selection unit 14 that selects a regular waveform component predicted by the tracking filter processing unit 11, in an irregular section, and selects a regular waveform component predicted by the tracking filter processing unit 12, in a regular section. A residual processing unit 16 calculates a residual between observation values extracted by an observation value extraction unit 1, and a regular waveform component selected by the filter output selection unit 14. An irregular waveform detection unit 17 determines whether the residual is an irregular waveform component. |
| US09857456B2 |
Arrangement structure for peripheral information detection sensor and self-driving vehicle
An arrangement structure for a peripheral information detection sensor includes the peripheral information detection sensor, a detection portion of which detects peripheral information of a vehicle, and an interior trim member. The peripheral information detection sensor is disposed at a vehicle cabin interior side of a windshield glass whose exterior surface is wiped by a wiper. The detection portion is disposed at a position opposing a wiping range of the wiper on the windshield glass. The interior trim member covers the peripheral information detection sensor from the vehicle cabin interior side thereof. |
| US09857454B1 |
Adaptive doppler filter re-optimization method for pulsed interference countermeasure
A range-gated Doppler radar configured to mitigate the effects of pulsed interference. A Doppler filter is constructed using a vector of weights, the vector of weights being calculated as the matrix product of (i) the inverse of an reduced overall covariance matrix and (ii) a reduced progressive phasor vector. The reduced overall covariance matrix is formed by deleting from an overall covariance matrix rows and columns corresponding to pulses corrupted by pulsed interference. The reduced progressive phasor vector is formed by deleting from a progressive phasor vector elements corresponding to pulses corrupted by pulsed interference. The elements of the progressive phasor vector have constant modulus and the phase of the elements changes linearly within the vector. The overall covariance matrix is a weighted sum of an identity matrix and several specific covariance matrices, that may represent distributed clutter with positive velocity, distributed clutter with negative velocity, and ground clutter. |
| US09857450B2 |
Module integrated solar position sensing device for concentration photovoltaic devices
The present invention refers to a sensing device for sensing the alignment with respect to the sun of a concentration photovoltaic CPV device of the type which comprises at least one principal optical element POE and a CPV receiver, a CPV system, or module, comprising a CPV receiver and an integrated sensing device, and an optimized method for aligning a concentration photovoltaic CPV system with respect to the sun. |
| US09857449B2 |
System and method for monitoring electrical power usage in an electrical power infrastructure of a building
A method of using a power consumption measurement device: determining at least two first current sensor readings from the one or more main electrical supply conductors; calibrating the power consumption measurement device, comprising applying a Kalman filter; electrically coupling a first calibration load to the electrical power infrastructure; determining at least one second current sensor reading from the one or more main electrical supply conductors; re-calibrating the power consumption measurement device, comprising applying the Kalman filter; uncoupling the first calibration load from the electrical power infrastructure; determining at least one third current sensor reading from the one or more main electrical supply conductors; and determining a first electrical power used by the electrical power infrastructure of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09857439B2 |
Sensor arrangement, circuit arrangement and method of manufacturing a sensor arrangement
A sensor arrangement is provided. The sensor arrangement may include at least one sensor element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and configured for sensing a magnetic field; and an electrically conductive line, wherein a first portion of the electrically conductive line may be arranged on the first side of the at least one sensor element and a second portion of the electrically conductive line may be arranged on the second side of the at least one sensor element in such a way that if a current is flowing through the electrically conductive line, the current has a first direction in the first portion and a second direction opposite the first direction in the second portion, such that a first magnetic field formed by the current in the first portion and a second magnetic field formed by the current in the second portion may at least partly add constructively at a sensing portion of the at least one sensor element. |
| US09857435B2 |
Corruption detection and smart reset of ferromagnetic structures in magnetic field sensors
A sensor package includes a magnetic field sensor and a corruption detection and reset subsystem. The magnetic field sensor has a magnetic sense element and a ferromagnetic structure characterized by a baseline magnetic state. The subsystem includes a detector element, a processor, and current carrying structure positioned in proximity to the ferromagnetic structure. Methodology performed by the subsystem entails detecting at the detector element an altered magnetic state of the ferromagnetic structure, where the altered magnetic state differs from the baseline magnetic state. Methodology further entails determining, at the processor, when a reset action is needed in response to the altered magnetic state and applying a reset magnetic field to the ferromagnetic structure to reset the ferromagnetic structure from the altered magnetic state to the baseline magnetic state. |
| US09857432B2 |
Battery monitoring system, semiconductor circuit, line-breakage detection program, and line-breakage detection method
The present invention appropriately detects line-breakages in a signal line related to a battery connected to a discharge circuit for discharging. Namely, an initialization operation produces a state in which a capacitor (C1) is charged with the difference between the voltage of a signal line (Vn) and a self-threshold voltage (Vx), and a capacitor (C2) is charged with the difference between the voltage of a signal line (Vn−1) and a self-threshold voltage (Vx), in a comparison circuit (26). In a comparison operation, a voltage adjusting section (ILn+1) produces a state in which line-breakage detection current is drawn out from a signal line (Ln), a signal line (Lc) is connected to the capacitors (C1, C2) and a voltage (DVn) is input to the capacitors (C1, C2). When an output OUT=L level, it is detected that there is no line-breakage, and when the output OUT=H level, it is detected that there is a line-breakage. |
| US09857429B2 |
Device and method for determining a range of a battery characteristic curve
A device for determining at least one range of a battery characteristic curve for a battery in a vehicle, having a measuring device for measuring battery parameters, and an analysis unit including a device for determining the current state of charge (SOC) of the battery from the measured battery parameters, a device for determining a shift value (VW) from the difference of a measured battery parameter and a standard value derived from a standard battery characteristic curve considering the determined state of charge (SOC), and a device for determining at least one range of a new battery characteristic curve by adding the shift value (VW) to the standard battery characteristic curve. |
| US09857427B2 |
Tap controller state machine scanning capturing plurality of scan paths
The disclosure describes novel methods and apparatuses for accessing test compression architectures (TCA) in a device using either a parallel or serial access technique. The serial access technique may be controlled by a device tester or by a JTAG controller. Further the disclosure provides an approach to access the TCA of a device when the device exists in a daisy-chain arrangement with other devices, such as in a customer's system. Additional embodiments are also provided and described in the disclosure. |
| US09857426B2 |
Test-used printed circuit board having in-series circuit involved with join test action group signal
A test-used PCB having an in-series circuit involved with a join test action group (JTAG) signal is provided. A first JTAG connection interface and a second JTAG connection interface are configured on test circuit boards. Test circuit boards can be seriously connected with each other through the first JTAG connection interface and the second JTAG connection interface. Therefore, the efficiency of providing series test circuit boards, reducing TAP controller and JTAG port may be achieved. |
| US09857422B2 |
Methods and systems for generating functional test patterns for manufacture test
Embodiments include methods, computer systems and computer program products for generating functional test patterns for diagnostics, characterization and manufacture test. Aspects include: receiving from a system designer, via a design verification tool module, certain verification sequences configured to verify system functional design, executing the verification sequences received at a functional exerciser module against a device to generate various traces, capturing traces generated in emulation compatible format, processing traces captured via trace processor module, including parsing the traces captured, verifying data integrity of the traces captured, and summarizing statistics of the traces captured, generating, via an emulated pattern generator module, a predetermined number of emulated test patterns having tester independent format ‘streams’ of data compatible with a device test port based on output of the trace processor module, and processing, via a tester specific post-processor module, the emulated test patterns to generate functional test patterns using a tester specific post-processor module. |
| US09857421B2 |
Dynamic design partitioning for diagnosis
Aspects of the invention relate to techniques for fault diagnosis based on dynamic circuit design partitioning. According to various implementations of the invention, a sub-circuit is extracted from a circuit design based on failure information of one or more integrated circuit devices. The extraction process may comprise combining fan-in cones of failing observation points included in the failure information. The extraction process may further comprise adding fan-in cones of one or more passing observation points to the combined fan-in cones of the failing observation points. Clock information of test patterns and/or layout information of the circuit design may be extracted and used in the sub-circuit extraction process. The extracted sub-circuit may then be used for diagnosing the one or more integrated circuit devices. |
| US09857417B2 |
Climate chamber
A climate chamber for measuring electronic circuits, having a housing that includes an interior space and an opening. The interior space is at least thermally insulated from the surroundings by the housing. Two movable jaws each have an end face. An interior space in a region of an opening is distanced from the surroundings according to the thickness of the jaws, and the jaws each comprise a thermal insulation layer, and each jaw has a front side facing the surroundings and a back side facing the interior space. The two jaws are spaced apart by a clear width being formed between the two end faces, so that the circuits disposed on a carrier can be introduced into the climate chamber and in a second state, the opening for the protection of the interior space is sealed against ambient conditions. |
| US09857414B1 |
Monitoring and fault detection of electrical appliances for ambient intelligence
The operation of electrical appliances receiving electrical power from an electrical system may be indirectly monitored using monitoring units engaged with outlets on branch circuits of the electrical system. Electrical systems providing power to appliances to be monitored in accordance with the present invention may comprise split phase alternating current systems, tri-phase systems, or any other type of electrical system. Known loads may be applied to calibrate the monitoring system. The monitoring system may measure the power consumption of appliances operating on the electrical system and/or detect possible fault conditions. The monitoring system may be distributed across multiple monitoring units and other computing devices. Output devices may be used to output a summary of the power consumption or other operation of monitored electrical appliances. |
| US09857412B2 |
Electronic device and a method for detecting a shield state in an electronic device
An electronic device and a method for determining a shield state in an electronic device are provided. The method includes at a detecting pad, detecting an electrical signal corresponding to a contact state of a shielding that contacts a ground or the detecting pad, and determining a shield state by the shielding based on the detected electrical signal. |
| US09857411B2 |
Electronic device having function of detecting degradation of printed circuit board
An electronic device including a printed circuit board has a degradation detection circuit that detects degradation of the printed circuit board at a plurality of different degradation levels, and a warning output unit that outputs a warning in accordance with the degradation level detected by the degradation detection circuit. |
| US09857409B2 |
Negative bias thermal instability stress testing of transistors
A circuit is powered through a P-type transistor whose thermal instability behavior is to be evaluated. The threshold of the P-type transistor under evaluation and consequently the saturation current of the transistor are reflected in the frequency of the circuit, which in one embodiment is a ring oscillator. Additional circuitry is connected to the P-type transistor and the ring oscillator to ensure the proper stress conditions for the transistor and consequently to the evaluation of the P-type transistor. |
| US09857401B2 |
Portable digital power analyzer
A device for determining an electrical power parameter of an adjacent electrical wire includes a magnetometer, a display, and a processor. The magnetometer is configured to monitor a magnetic field and to provide an output that is indicative of a magnetic field strength. The processor is in communication with the magnetometer and the display, and is configured to: receive the output from the magnetometer; determine an electrical power parameter from the received output; and provide a visual indication of the determined electrical power parameter via the display. |
| US09857395B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring average inductor current delivered to a load
Current flowing through an inductor in response to a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal is sensed to generate a sensed current. The sensed current is processed over one or more PWM cycles of the PWM control signal to generate an output signal indicative of average inductor current. This processing may include charging and discharging a capacitor at different rates dependent on the sense current, with the detection of capacitor discharge triggering a sampling of a voltage dependent on the sensed current that is indicative of average inductor current. The processing may include using the sensed to current to generate a first charge voltage associated with minimum inductor current and a second charge voltage associated with maximum inductor current, and then averaging the first and second charge voltages to generate an output signal indicative of average inductor current. |
| US09857388B2 |
Automatic analyzer
The dispensing mechanisms dips a dispensing nozzle in a dispensing target contained in a container 11, 21, and 31, aspirates the dispensing target, and discharges the dispensing target to a reaction container 41. One item of determination-purpose reference data is selected from multiple items of the determination-purpose reference data which is stored in a storage unit 93 and used in determining whether or not the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 are abnormal, based on the detection result from a pressure sensor 54 when the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 dispense a reference dispensing target configured to contain a known ingredient; and whether or not the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 are abnormal is determined, based on the detection result from the pressure sensor 54 and the selected determination-purpose reference data when the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 dispense a dispensing target used in analysis. |
| US09857386B2 |
Lipidomic biomarkers for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease
The present invention inter alia provides a method, and use thereof, of diagnosing and/or predicting atherosclerosis or CVD by detecting the lipid concentrations or lipid ratios of a biological sample and comparing it to a control and has identified specific lipid markers that are more specific and sensitive in detecting and predicting atherosclerosis and CVD than currently utilized clinical markers. Also provided is an antibody towards said lipids, and the use thereof for predicting, diagnosing, preventing and/or treating atherosclerosis or CVD. The invention additionally relates to kits comprising lipids and/or an antibody thereto, for use in the prediction and/or diagnosis of atherosclerosis or CVD. |
| US09857383B2 |
Multiple coagulation test cartridge and method of using same
Embodiments of the present invention relate to multiple coagulation test cartridges and methods of using such cartridges. In one embodiment the cartridge is a disposable single-use cartridge for use in evaluating blood clotting. The cartridge includes multiple containers, such as tubes, each of which includes one or more coagulation affecting substances. The containers can be pre-filled with substances in amounts suitable for use with a single patient's blood sample. The cartridge may include one or more containers, each of which has multiple sections, or volumes, each section storing a different coagulation affecting substance. In another embodiment the cartridge is used in a method for determining at least one appropriate coagulation affecting substance for modifying a patient's coagulation status using a multiple coagulation test system. |
| US09857378B2 |
Tuberculosis biomarkers and uses thereof
The present invention provides biomarkers, methods and kits for diagnosing active tuberculosis in a subject, methods and kits for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment for active TB, as well as methods for identifying a compound that can treat TB reduce or inhibit the development of complications associated with the disease in a subject, and methods to treat active TB. |
| US09857377B2 |
Method for quantification of proteome
The present invention relates to a method for quantifying the relative content of a protein in a sample. The present invention also relates to a method for comprising the relative content of a protein in at least two samples. |
| US09857373B1 |
Pregnancy test to assess disease risk
A system for providing pregnancy testing in conjunction with disease risk testing, comprising a testing device having an alignment target and having a plurality of immunoassay test strips, the plurality of immunoassay test strips each including a sample pad, a conjugate pad containing particles for conjugating with antibodies or antigens present in the biologic sample, and a membrane strip having a test line and a control line, wherein the test line and the control line are viewable, and a mobile device having a camera, a viewing screen, and a software application stored thereon, wherein the software application provides executable instructions to determine a risk value for each of at least one disease risk tested using the biologic sample, assess the risk value for each of the at least one disease risk tested, and present, if immediate medical action is required, a medical action indicator on the viewing screen. |
| US09857371B2 |
Biomimetic emulsions
A biomimetic system is provided for use in modeling cell-cell adhesion mechanisms comprising functionalized emulsion droplets. Further, a cell culture medium and a drug delivery system using said biomimetic system are provided. |
| US09857368B2 |
Method and apparatus for biomolecule analysis
Disclosed are devices or apparatus and methods for membrane-, bead- or cell-based biomolecule analysis, where a detectable signal can be measured after affinity binding and/or enzymatic reaction occurs on the membranes, beads or cells. The apparatus or device can rapidly separate the beads or cells from the liquid solution without using centrifugation, vacuum, or magnetic force. The apparatus or device includes a sample well for receiving a sample containing cells or beads, as well as other aqueous solutions, a porous filter membrane at the bottom of the well which is capable of retaining the cells or beads on its upper surface by size exclusion, and an absorbing plug in touch with the filter membrane for removing the liquid solution. Multiple devices can be arranged in a multi-well array in a plate so that signals from multiple assays can be directly analyzed in a plate reader or an imaging instrument. |
| US09857367B2 |
Sample plate systems and methods
A sample plate comprising a sample well is disclosed. The sample well can comprise one or more bead retaining chambers. Also provided herein is a method of using the sample plate and kits comprising the sample plate. |
| US09857365B2 |
Freeze-dried conjugate structure for point-of-care testing (POCT) immunochromatography, immunoassay kit comprising the same, and method for analysis using the kit
Described are immunoassay kits having a conjugate structure separate from an immunochromatographic strip in which the conjugate structure is freeze-dried with uniform droplet size, and related compositions and methods. The unique structure of the kits described here permits sample containing analyte to be reacted uniformly with the conjugate structure before being subjected to immunochromatography by application to the strip. This results in improved performance of the assay. In addition, the freeze-dried conjugate structure can be stored without contamination and is easy to carry. In addition, the freeze-dried conjugate structure can be rapidly and uniformly dissolved so that it is immediately allowed to react with a mixture of a buffer and a sample, the reaction product then being analyzed by immunochromatography, making it suitable for use in point-of-care testing. |
| US09857363B2 |
Membrane sensor capable of sequentially changing reaction condition by single sample injection
Disclosed herein are a membrane sensor capable of changing a reaction condition by a single sample injection and a method for measuring a reaction using the same, and more specifically, a membrane sensor designed so that a bio reaction having two or more reaction conditions is sequentially generated by a single sample injection, by forming an asymmetric membrane between a reactant storing part and a reaction membrane. |
| US09857359B2 |
Methods for determining drug efficacy using cereblon-associated proteins
Use of cereblon-associated proteins as biomarkers for clinical sensitivity to cancer, inflammatory diseases, and patient response to drug treatment. |
| US09857356B2 |
Muscle chips and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides high throughput assays for identifying compounds that modulate a contractile function, as well as devices suitable for these assays. |
| US09857352B2 |
Automated platelet function analyzer and its analytical methods
An automated platelet function analyzer includes a sampling vessel, a preparation vessel, an analysis vessel, a sampling needle, a blood sample syringe, an analysis solution syringe, and a blood mixing device. A method for platelet analysis is also disclosed. |
| US09857351B2 |
Concrete reinforcement assembly, method of installation, and method to determine cyclic load response
A concrete reinforcement assembly including a first hollow metal sleeve, an anchor bar that is nested concentrically within the first hollow metal sleeve, and a second hollow metal sleeve. The first hollow metal sleeve is nested concentrically within the second hollow metal sleeve and an infill material is disposed in between the first hollow metal sleeve and the anchor bar, and in between the first hollow metal sleeve and the second hollow metal sleeve. The infill material dampens energy transfer to and from the concrete reinforcement assembly when employed for structural stability in a concrete structure. A method for repairing a damaged concrete anchor with the concrete reinforcement assembly. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute a method of determining a cyclic response factor of a concrete reinforcement assembly in a concrete structure. |
| US09857349B2 |
Device and a method for permeation hydrogen measurements
A method and a device for measuring a content of hydrogen absorbed by a metal workpiece by permeation in the form of hydrogen atoms are described. The device includes a probe with a mixing chamber accessible to an amount of hydrogen emanating from the workpiece, and communicating with an inlet port of a measurement gas. The device further includes a solid-state hydrogen concentration sensor pneumatically connected with the mixing chamber, a gas transfer means for forming a flow of a measurement gas from the inlet port to the sensor, and a processor means for processing a concentration signal of the sensor and for producing a parameter related to the interaction between the metal workpiece and the absorbed hydrogen. |
| US09857344B2 |
Gas detection sensor, display panel, and display device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a gas detection sensor, a display panel, and a display device. The gas detection sensor comprises: a gas sensitive part; two detection electrodes electrically connected with each other through the gas sensitive part; and a protective layer enclosing the gas sensitive part and the detection electrodes. When one of the detection electrodes is applied with a detecting signal, the detecting signal is output from the other detection electrode after being modulated by the gas sensitive part, and a voltage signal output by the other detection electrode is related to a nature of the outside air to which the gas sensitive part is exposed, thereby a detection on air quality may be achieved through detecting the voltage signal output from the other detection electrode, such that a simply structured and portable gas detection sensor can be realized. |
| US09857330B2 |
Method and device for diagnosing the air reference channel of a broadband lambda probe
A method is provided for diagnosing a reference channel of a broadband lambda probe that is used to determine an oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas, at least one sensor element having a pump cell and a Nernst cell being used; in one measurement mode, a regulated pumping current flowing through the pump cell to determine the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas, and thus an exchange of oxygen ions between a measuring cell and the exhaust gas being achieved, and a lambda value in the measuring cell being regulated to a value of 1; the lambda value in the measuring cell being monitored through the Nernst cell, and the value of the pumping current required for that purpose being dependent on the oxygen concentration and thus on the lambda value of the exhaust gas to be determined. |
| US09857324B2 |
Analyte determination method and analyte meter
The presence of oxygen or red blood cells in a sample applied to an electrochemical test strip that makes use of a reduced mediator is corrected for by an additive correction factor that is determined as a function of the temperature of the sample and a measurement that reflects the oxygen carrying capacity of the sample. The measured oxygen carrying capacity can also be used to determine hematocrit and to distinguish between blood samples and control solutions applied to a test strip. |
| US09857320B2 |
Device and method for the stoichiometric analysis of samples
The present invention relates to a device and a method for the stoichiometric analysis of samples.In order to study the spatial distribution of different proteins in the plasma membrane of a complete cell within a short time frame, a device and a method are proposed for the stoichiometric analysis of samples.The object is established by means of a device for the stoichiometric analysis of samples, said device comprising a) a sample processing device comprising a sample holder for holding the sample, means for setting the temperature, means for adding and removing fluids (including gases) and at least one fluid reservoir, b) an electron microscope with a detector, and c) a computer-controlled process control system for controlling the means for setting the temperature and the means for adding and removing fluids (including gases), a computer-controlled and automated imaging device that captures images by means of the electron microscope, a unit that stores the captured images and an image analysis unit controlled by the computer. |
| US09857313B2 |
Method and system for inspecting wafers for electronics, optics or optoelectronics
A method for inspecting a wafer, includes: rotating the wafer about an axis of the wafer, emitting from a light source, two pairs of incident coherent light beams, each pair forming, at the intersection between the two beams, a measurement volume, a portion of the main wafer surface passing through each of the measurement volumes during the rotation, collecting a light beam scattered by the wafer surface, capturing the collected light and emitting an electrical signal representing the variation in the collected light intensity, detecting in the signal, a frequency, being the time signature of a defect through a respective measurement volume, for each detected signature, determining a visibility parameter, on the basis of the visibility determined, obtaining an item of information on the size of the defect, and cross-checking the items of information to determine the size of the defect. |
| US09857310B2 |
Method and system for testing sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate in water
A water testing system having a water sample container that is adapted to retain a water sample, a color indicator container that is adapted to dispense a color indicator which is adapted change the color of the water sample when the water sample contains DTC, and a colorimeter that is adapted to automatically determine a blank value and the concentration of sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate in the water sample. A method for determining the concentration of DTC in a water sample comprising providing a water testing system, placing the water sample in the water sample container, placing the water sample container in the colorimeter, automatically determining a blank value, adding the color indicator to the water sample, placing the water sample container in the colorimeter, and automatically determining the concentration of DTC in the water sample. |
| US09857305B2 |
Fluorometer with multiple detection channels
An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. The optical sensor may include filters that control the characteristics of light detected by each of the optical detectors. |
| US09857303B2 |
Selection by compartmentalised screening
The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, by compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsules; and identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development. |
| US09857301B1 |
Air quality sensor
Air quality sensor comprises an optical particle sensor and a programmable processor circuit. The optical particle sensor detects particles having a size of 10 microns or less in diameter in ambient air of the optical particle sensor. The programmable processor circuit continuously computes updated air quality measures for the ambient air using an estimation algorithm based on pulses in an output signal from the particle sensor over time, such as a cumulative particle density value and/or a cumulative particle weight value. The optical particle sensor may comprise a LED and accordingly detect particles based on reflection of light energy from the LED by particles in a chamber of the sensor. |
| US09857300B2 |
Apparatus for measuring light scattering
Apparatus for measuring light scattering of a sample comprising a light beam source, means for collimating the beam and making it impinge on the sample in a perpendicular direction, at least one light sensor, and at least one spatial filter between the sample and the optical sensor, provided with two apertures, means for measuring the total power reaching the sensor and means for measuring the power of beams with a low k vector after the beam traverses the filter. The invention provides thus a simplified, portable and compact device for measuring different parameters like haze, turbidity, etc. can be built, for any sample and without the need of changing detectors. |
| US09857298B2 |
Systems and methods for near-infrared based water cut monitoring in multiphase fluid flow
Embodiments of systems and methods for characterizing multiphase flow (MPF) of fluid and enhancing measuring and monitoring of a full range of water cut in a portion of a pipe for oil-related operations are provided. An embodiment of a system can include a flow director to direct the MPF between paired wide-band near-infrared (NIR) emitters and detectors electrically coupled to signal conditioning, processing, and characterizing modules to determine absorption and scattering of MPF and define and display MPF characteristics for measuring and monitoring in oil-related operations. |
| US09857297B2 |
Method for classifying seeds
The present invention relates to a method for classification and/or sorting of seeds with the help of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, use of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy for classification and/or sorting of seeds and seeds classified and/or sorted with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. |
| US09857296B2 |
Optical grain evaluation device and combine harvester provided with optical grain evaluation device
An optical grain evaluation device is provided with: a light-projecting part 58 through which light from a light source is projected to grain; a light-receiving part 59 on which light transmitted through the grain is incident; a grain evaluation unit 60 configured to evaluate the grain based on information relating to the received light; and a shielding part SH that separates an area between the light source 50 and the light-projecting part 59 from an area between the light-receiving part 59 and the grain evaluation unit 60, and prevents light from the light-projecting part 58 from directly entering the light-receiving part 59. The area between the light source 50 and the light-projecting part 58, and the area between the light-receiving part 59 and the grain evaluation unit 60 are configured, over the entirety of the areas, as air transmission areas in which light is transmitted through air. |
| US09857293B2 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle system for the extraction and electrochemical detection of explosives and explosive components in soils using filter paper and electrolyte
Described herein is an approach using inexpensive, disposable chemical sensor probes that can be mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and used to analyze a site (such as one known or suspected to contain explosive residue, spilled material or contaminated soil) without the need for a person to conduct ground operations at the site. The method involves contacting a soil or a surface with a filter paper wetted with a solvent, then subjecting the filter paper to voltammetry and/or spectroscopy, thus detecting a possible variation indicative of one or more analytes, wherein the solvent is the deep eutectic solvent consisting of a mixture of ethylene glycol and choline chloride. |
| US09857291B2 |
Metrology system calibration refinement
Methods and systems for matching measurement spectra across one or more optical metrology systems are presented. The values of one or more system parameters used to determine the spectral response of a specimen to a measurement performed by a target metrology system are optimized. The system parameter values are optimized such that differences between measurement spectra generated by a reference system and the target system are minimized for measurements of the same metrology targets. Methods and systems for matching spectral errors across one or more optical metrology systems are also presented. A trusted metrology system measures the value of at least one specimen parameter to minimize model errors introduced by differing measurement conditions present at the time of measurement by the reference and target metrology systems. Methods and systems for parameter optimization based on low-order response surfaces are presented to reduce the compute time required to refine system calibration parameters. |
| US09857280B2 |
Method for measuring coagulation of blood samples using viscoelastic tests (VET)
This disclosure provides a method for measuring coagulation of blood or plasma samples using viscoelastic tests (VET) wherein the measuring is performed in the presence of immobilized endothelial cells. |
| US09857278B2 |
Apparatus for and a method of characterising mechanical properties of a sample
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for characterizing mechanical properties of a sample. The apparatus comprises a structure for supporting the sample and applying a first pressure in a first direction to the sample and an actuator for modulating the first pressure. The apparatus also comprises a pressure applicator containing a liquid and arranged to apply a second pressure to the sample in a second direction that is transversal to the first direction. Further, the apparatus comprises a pore pressure applicator arranged to apply a flow of a fluid through a porous sample such that a pore pressure is applied to the porous sample. In addition, the apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing a change in the sample in response to a change in a pressure experienced by the sample. |
| US09857276B2 |
Wheel assembly and vehicle model with wheel assembly
The present embodiments provide a wheel assembly having a dynamic structure to influence an unloaded profile of a tire. In one embodiment the unloaded profile is also influenced by a centrifugal force on the wheel assembly and an inflation pressure of the tire. In one embodiment, a loaded profile of the tire is influenced by a weight of the wheel assembly, the inflation pressure of the tire, and the centrifugal force on the wheel assembly. |
| US09857272B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting wheel bearing wear with mounted accelerometers
A wheel monitoring system comprising a wheel, a bearing mechanically coupled to the wheel, an axle mechanically coupled to the bearing, and a wheel speed transducer (WST) disposed in the axle. The WST may be configured to detect vibrations. A method of monitoring a bearing is also provided and may comprise measuring a vibration of the bearing, comparing the vibration of the bearing to a predetermined vibration, and estimating a remaining useful life of the bearing. |
| US09857263B2 |
Systems and methods for evaporative emissions testing
A method for a vehicle, comprising: following a vehicle-off event, waking a powertrain control module based on a comparison of an ambient temperature and a bulk fuel temperature; and then initiating an evaporative emissions system leak test. In this way, the evaporative emission leak test may be initiated without waking the powertrain control module arbitrarily. By waking the powertrain control module and initiating the test based on ambient and bulk fuel temperatures the execution rate of the leak test can be increased. |
| US09857256B2 |
In-line contactless pressure sensors and methods of measuring pressure
A pressure sensor includes a housing that includes an interior surface and an axially symmetric liner disposed along the interior surface of the housing, where the liner includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The pressure sensor further includes a sensing member that includes an interior surface and an exterior surface, where the interior surface of the sensing member is adjacent to the exterior surface of the liner, and the sensing member is configured to expand with the liner. The pressure sensor further includes a strain gauge affixed to the exterior surface of the sensing member. |
| US09857255B2 |
Traction-battery vehicle test trailer
A trailer for a vehicle with a high voltage traction-battery. The trailer may be a self-propelled trailer to substantially match vehicle dynamics and minimize impact on the vehicle. Alternatively, the trailer may push the vehicle to simulate hill descent, or drag on the vehicle to simulate hill ascent. The trailer may provide power for the vehicle. The trailer may provide current to a vehicle electric machine. The trailer may also provide current to recharge a vehicle traction-battery. The trailer may also recharge its own traction-battery. |
| US09857253B2 |
Sensor assembly and method of manufacturing the sensor assembly having a magnetic sensor circuit, a holder holding the magnetic sensor circuit and including first and second holder members, and a resin case containing the holder
A sensor assembly for a torque sensor including a magnetic flux output device to output a magnetic flux in response to torsion produced between ends of a torsion bar. The sensor assembly includes a magnetic sensor circuit, a holder holding the magnetic sensor circuit and including first and second holder members, and a resin case containing the holder. The magnetic sensor circuit is provided to output a detection value indicating a torque applied to the torsion bar and calculated from the magnetic flux output from the magnetic flux output device. The magnetic sensor circuit has first and second circuit principal surfaces. The magnetic sensor circuit is partially disposed in a space defined by the first and second holder members and a first holder side wall of the first holder member inclined inward and in contact with the second holder member. |
| US09857252B2 |
Automated e-assist adjustment for an e-bike for elevation gains and loss
A system for, and method of, providing e-assist on a route. A determination may be made of whether terrain data for the route is available. A rider effort level may be determined. The terrain data may be read when available. Whether a change in slope has occurred, or is anticipated to occur, corresponding to a need for an additional input to the rider effort level may be determined. The e-assist level may be adjusted to provide a level that offsets the need for the additional input, or the rider may be informed to provide an increased effort level. |
| US09857250B2 |
Strain sensor and method for installing strain sensor
In a strain sensor and a method for installing a strain sensor according to the present invention, a first base fixes and supports one side of an optical fiber. A second base fixes and supports another side of the optical fiber. A connecting member is constituted of a separate member from the first base and the second base and is detachably mounted between the first base and the second base. Tension is applied to the optical fiber in a state in which the connecting member is mounted between the first base and the second base, and the optical fiber is fixed to and supported by the first base and the second base in a state in which tension is applied. |
| US09857247B2 |
Method and device for sensing isotropic stress and providing a compensation for the piezo-hall effect
A method determines isotropic stress by means of a Hall element which includes a plate-shaped area made of a doped semiconductor material and comprises four contacts contacting the plate-shaped area and forming corners of a quadrangle, two neighboring corners of the quadrangle defining an edge thereof. At least one van der Pauw transresistance value in at least one van der Pauw measurement set-up of the Hall element is determined, wherein the four contacts of the Hall element form contact pairs, a contact pair comprising two contacts defining neighboring corners of the quadrangle. One contact pair supplies a current and the other contact pair measures a voltage. A relationship between the supplied current and the measured voltage defines the Van der Pauw transresistance value. The method comprises determining a stress signal which depends on the at least one Van der Pauw transresistance value and determining isotropic stress. |
| US09857246B2 |
Sensing system including a sensing membrane
In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a sensing membrane including a plurality of conductive fillers included in a matrix. The apparatus can include a plurality of electrical leads coupled to an outer portion of the sensing membrane where the conductive fillers have a volumetric percentage of less than 25% of the volume of the sensing membrane. |
| US09857244B2 |
In-cylinder pressure measurement utilizing a magneto-elastic element for measuring a force exerted on an engine valve assembly
A force sensor can include a magnetic field generator, a magnetic flux return, and a magneto-elastic layer. The magnetic flux return can extend along a first portion of at least one pathway of magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generator. The magneto-elastic layer can be operable to be in contact with a surface subjected to force and thereby strained. The magneto-elastic layer can extend along a second portion of the at least one pathway of magnetic flux distinct from the first portion. |
| US09857236B2 |
Co-topo-polymeric compositions, devices and systems for controlling threshold and delay activation sensitivities
Co-topo-polymeric indicator compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. Indicator compositions of the invention include a polymer and undergo a color change, which may be reversible or irreversible, in response to an applied stimulus, e.g., temperature. Aspects of methods of producing the compositions include setting a fluid co-topo-polymeric precursor composition into a solid product and then subjecting the solid product (either immediately or after a delay period) to polymerizing conditions to produce the desired indicator composition. Also provided are indicator devices that include the indicator compositions of the invention. The compositions of the invention find use in a variety of different applications. |
| US09857235B2 |
Real-time modeling of heat distributions
Techniques for real-time modeling temperature distributions based on streaming sensor data are provided. In one aspect, a method for creating a three-dimensional temperature distribution model for a room having a floor and a ceiling is provided. The method includes the following steps. A ceiling temperature distribution in the room is determined. A floor temperature distribution in the room is determined. An interpolation between the ceiling temperature distribution and the floor temperature distribution is used to obtain the three-dimensional temperature distribution model for the room. |
| US09857234B2 |
Remote monitoring system
A temperature monitoring service in which remote monitoring units are distributed to customers who then set up monitoring as desired at their facilities. The devices may be registered through a web site using the Internet. Monitoring information may be communicated using a publicly available, wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network. The service may be provided with a system, including a server, which can deliver high levels of monitoring functionality. The server may support streaming monitoring information to a customer for analysis or sending a command activating a device connected to a remote unit. Remote units associated with the same location may be in a pool, comprising one active unit and one or more spare units, in which the server automatically identifies the active unit. The server may support analyzing monitoring information according to an expected cycle pattern of a ventilation system at the monitored facility. |
| US09857233B2 |
Low-power user interface device for environmental monitoring system
Embodiments of an environmental monitoring system that mitigates complexities in installation and maintenance while complying with strict regulations on operations of the system. The environmental monitoring system may communicate wirelessly between components such as sensor units and display devices, enabling these components to be separately and easily installed in an environment without needing to install wires in the environment to connect them. In addition, in embodiments at least some of the components (e.g., sensor units and display devices) of the environmental monitoring system may be adapted to wirelessly and reliably communicate using specific wireless communication protocols, described in detail herein, that exchange few communications between the components and thereby decrease power consumption of these components. Further, in some embodiments, a display device may include hardware and/or execute software that drive and/or update a display only when a condition is met. |
| US09857230B2 |
Infrared detector
An infrared detector based on carbon nanotubes is provided. The infrared detector includes a detecting element, a first electrode and a second electrode. The detecting element includes an absorbing part and a non-absorbing part. A first end is located in the absorbing part. A second end is located in the non-absorbing part. An angle between the absorbing part and the non-absorbing part is less than 90 degrees. A first electrode is electrically connected with the first end. A second electrode is electrically connected with the second end. |
| US09857228B2 |
Process conduit anomaly detection using thermal imaging
A diagnostic field device for detecting a condition of a process conduit includes an infrared detector comprising a plurality of pixels configured to receive infrared radiation from the process conduit and responsively provide a plurality of pixel outputs. A first pixel of the plurality of pixels is configured to receive infrared radiation from a first location on the process conduit. A second pixel of the plurality of pixels is configured to receive infrared radiation from a second location on the process conduit. A memory contains thermal profile information which relates an output from the first pixel to a first temperature at the first location and relates an output from the second pixel to a second temperature at the second location. A microprocessor identifies a process anomaly based upon outputs from the first and second pixels. Output circuitry provides a diagnostic output indicative of the identified process anomaly. |
| US09857223B2 |
Proximity focus imaging interferometer
An interferometer system comprising an optical detector including a substrate and a two-dimensional array of pixels disposed on the substrate is provided. The interferometer system may further comprise an interferometer disposed proximate the optical detector without an optical element between the interferometer and the optical detector. The interferometer may include a first plate positioned proximate the substrate and extending over the two-dimensional array of pixels, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, the first and second plates defining an optical gap between them, and at least one actuatable spacer positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to space apart the first and second plates from one another and to selectively alter a thickness of the optical gap. |
| US09857221B2 |
Spectral image acquisition apparatus and light reception wavelength acquisition method
A spectral camera includes a wavelength variable interference filter, an imaging unit having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a two-dimensional array configuration, and a wavelength acquisition unit which acquires center wavelengths of light beams received by the light receiving elements in accordance with signal values output from the light receiving elements when reference light is received by the imaging unit. Light amounts of the reference light corresponding to different wavelength components in a certain wavelength range are uniform in a plane, and different signal values are acquired when light beams of the different wavelength components are received by the light receiving elements. |
| US09857220B2 |
Photoelectric converter, focus detection apparatus, and optical apparatus which are used for autofocusing
A photoelectric converter includes a photoelectric conversion portion (PD) which receives light from an object to generate charges, a transfer portion (MTX) which transfers the charges generated by the photoelectric conversion portion, a capacitance portion (Cfd, Cs) which accumulates the charges transferred from the transfer portion, a determination unit (109) which determines whether an accumulation of the charges in the capacitance portion is to be stopped based on a signal corresponding to a charge amount accumulated in the capacitance portion during a first time period, and a setting unit (ST) which sets a height of a potential barrier in the transfer portion (transfer channel region), and the setting unit changes the height of the potential barrier in the transfer portion between the first time period and a second time period different from the first time period. |
| US09857217B2 |
Opto-electronic integrated circuit, array antenna transmitter, array antenna receiver, and transmitter
An opto-electronic integrated circuit includes an optical splitter (12, 13A, 13B) formed on a substrate, the optical splitter branching an input optical signal into N (N is an integer of 2 or more) optical signals, and outputting the optical signals, and N optical phase modulators (15A-15D) formed on the substrate for the respective optical signals output from the optical splitter, the optical phase modulators adjusting the phases of the optical signals based on a phase modulation characteristic in which the phase change amount changes depending on the wavelength of light, and output the optical signals. |
| US09857209B2 |
Measurement device for measuring airflow volume and ventilation resistance of wind-blowing apparatus
A measurement device for measuring an airflow volume and a ventilation resistance of a wind-blowing apparatus includes: a housing that includes an air duct with an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet being configured to take in air, the air outlet being configured to send out the taken air; an opening member installed inside the air duct, the opening member including an opening allowing the air taken from the air inlet to pass therethrough; pressure sensors configured to measure air pressures before and after the air passes through the opening member in the air duct; and an opening member replacing mechanism that forms a part of the air duct, the opening member replacing mechanism being configured to allow the opening member to be replaceable. |
| US09857198B2 |
Apparatus and method for inertial sensor calibration
An inertial sensor system according to one embodiment having a platform with an x axis and a y axis, a rotational table that is free to rotate about the x axis, a rotational table gyroscope mounted onto the rotational table to measure p, q, and r rotation rates referenced to the rotational table and at least one platform gyroscope mounted off the rotational table, wherein the rotational table gyroscope and the platform gyroscope provide sense rotation used to process gyroscope biases that are used to correct measurements for the inertial sensing system. |
| US09857192B2 |
Predictive natural guidance
In one embodiment, a navigation system provides predictive natural guidance utilizing a mobile landmark based on location data. The location data may be a schedule. A controller receives data of a schedule of a mobile landmark. The location data could be collected in real time or estimated. The mobile landmark may be a vehicle or a celestial body. The controller correlates a route from an origin location to a destination location and the location of the mobile landmark. The controller generates a message based on the correlation. The message is output during presentation of the route and references the mobile landmark. |
| US09857189B2 |
Energy-efficient navigation route for electric transportation device
A navigation system for an electric vehicle includes an electrical energy storing device having a currently-available energy and a controller. The electric vehicle is at least partially operated by a driver. An off-board control module is operatively connected to a remote server and configured to communicate with the controller. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method of determining a preferred route for travelling from a start location to an end location. The controller is programmed to obtain respective energy consumption for each of a plurality of routes based at least partially on a driving style profile of the driver. |
| US09857187B2 |
Apparatus and method for route searching
Embodiments of the present invention provide a one-to-many route searching method comprising searching map data to select links to form a plurality of routes from a departure node according to a cost function, and determining an extent of each route according to an objective function, wherein the searching of the map data is performed to a search boundary based upon a cost of an unreachable node. |
| US09857186B2 |
System and method for long-haul trip planning for commercial vehicles transportation
A computer system for controlling operation of a vehicle travelling from a starting location to a target location includes a memory and a semiconductor-based processor forming one or more logic circuits configured to generate a travel itinerary by selecting different highway segments on a map for the vehicle to drive over at respective speeds from the starting location to the target location subject to an arrival time deadline for arriving at the target location. Each of the highway segments has a distance that can be driven at the respective speed in less than a continuous driving time limit. The computer system sends the travel itinerary to a vehicle operator to drive the vehicle over the different highway segments with instructions to make a stop at the end of each highway segment to stay below the continuous driving time limit. |
| US09857185B2 |
Method and apparatus for presenting a comparison of progress information associated with transport modes or routes
An approach for presenting a comparison of progress information associated with transport modes, routes, or a combination thereof is described. A transport comparison platform determines progress information for at least one device associated with at least one mode of transport, at least one route, or a combination thereof. The transport comparison platform determines other progress information associated with at least another mode of transport, at least another route, or a combination thereof. The transport comparison platform causes, at least in part, a presentation of a comparison of the progress information against the other progress information. |
| US09857184B2 |
Method and apparatus for two-stage planning
A plan through a space having a near field and a far field is determined. Using a sensor device, measurements of the far field are obtained and stored in an electronic memory. A processor uses the measurements to determine the viability of each far field plan among a plurality of candidate far field plans. The processor also determines a flexibility score for each of the candidate far field plans and selects a composite plan comprising the viable far field plan having a highest flexibility score among the viable candidate far field plans. |
| US09857183B2 |
Travel support device, travel support method, and drive support system
A travel support device includes a planner, an information generator, and a traffic information obtaining unit. To each of a plurality of sections into which a travel route from the current location to the destination is divided, the planner is adapted to assign, based on a road load associated with each section, a travel mode among a first mode, in which a remaining energy charge of the battery of the vehicle is not maintained, and a second mode, in which the remaining energy charge of the battery is maintained. When traffic congestion information is acquired by the traffic information obtaining unit, the information generator is adapted to set a traffic congestion road load, which is a fixed road load, for a section in which the traffic congestion is occurring. |
| US09857179B2 |
Magnetic anomaly tracking for an inertial navigation system
One example includes an inertial navigation system (INS). The INS includes a navigation controller configured to generate inertial data associated with motion of a vehicle based on at least one navigation sensor configured on the vehicle and based on magnetic anomaly data. The INS also includes a magnetic anomaly INS-aiding system comprising a plurality of magnetometers distributed in a respective plurality of locations on the vehicle. The magnetic anomaly INS-aiding system can be configured to generate the magnetic anomaly data based on magnetic field measurements of a fixed magnetic anomaly at each of the plurality of magnetometers. |
| US09857175B2 |
Micro-gyroscope for detecting motions
The invention relates to a micro-gyroscope for detecting motions relative to an X and/or Y and Z axis, particularly as a 3D, 5D, or 6D sensor. Sample masses are disposed uniformly about an anchor and can be driven radially relative to the central anchor. Anchor springs are disposed to attach the sample masses to a substrate, and these sample masses can be deflected both radially within and out of the X-Y plane. A sensor mass is disposed on one-of the sample masses by means of sensor springs, and the sensor springs allow deflection of the sensor mass within the plane of the sample mass, and orthogonal to the radial drive direction of the sample masses. Drive elements oscillate these sample masses in the X-Y plane, and sensor elements captures the defection of the sample masses due to the Coriolis forces generated when the substrate is rotated. |
| US09857174B2 |
Gyro sensor with spring structures to suppress influence of the same phase mode on a vibration mode
A gyro sensor capable of suppressing influence of the same phase mode on a vibration mode includes a vibrating body, a first spring structure portion that extends in a direction along a first axis and is connected to the vibrating body, first and second vibrating portions that are disposed in parallel to each other in the direction along the first axis and are excited and vibrated in an opposite phase to each other, and a second spring structure portion that extends in the direction along the first axis and is connected to the first and second vibrating portions, in which a first spring constant K1 of the first spring structure portion is smaller than a second spring constant K2 from a middle point at which a length between both ends of the second spring structure portion is equally divided into two to one end of the second spring structure portion. |
| US09857169B1 |
Single-step interferometric radius-of-curvature measurements utilizing short-coherence sources
An interferometer includes a short-coherence source and an internal path-matching assembly contained within its housing. Because path matching occurs within the housing of the interferometer, it is removed from external environmental factors that affect measurements. Therefore, a single cateye measurement of an exemplary surface can be performed in advance and stored as a calibration for subsequent radius-of-curvature measurements. In one embodiment, a path-matching stage is incorporated into a dynamic interferometer where orthogonally polarized test and reference beams are fed to a dynamic imaging system. In another embodiment, orthogonal linearly polarized test and reference beams are injected into a remote dynamic interferometer by means of one single-mode polarization-maintaining optical fiber. |
| US09857167B2 |
Dual-projector three-dimensional scanner
A current problem with 3D scanners using structured light patterns is choosing a single light pattern to accommodate all possible object/range conditions. Objects far from the 3D scanner often require different patterns than objects that located close to the 3D scanner. In addition, large objects often require different patterns than small objects. To automatically sense and adapt to a wide variety of size/range conditions, the present invention embraces a 3D scanner for dimensioning that has two projectors for projecting two different light patterns. Based on the scanning requirements for a particular object, one of the two projected patterns may be used to obtain information regarding the shape of an object. In one possible embodiment, this shape information is used to obtain the object's dimensions. |
| US09857166B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for measuring a target object
An information processing apparatus includes at least one projection unit configured to project a light pattern on a measuring target object, at least one imaging unit configured to capture an image of the measuring target object with the light pattern projected thereon, a measurement unit configured to measure a distance from the at least one projection unit or imaging unit to the measuring target object based on the image captured by the at least one imaging unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether a measured distance is valid, and a control unit configured to reduce luminance of a light pattern, included in a projected light pattern, which is projected on an area with respect to which the measured distance is determined by the determination unit to be valid. |
| US09857165B2 |
System for characterizing the physiological state of plants and corresponding method
The invention concerns a system (1) for characterizing the physiological state of woody plants (2, 3) with branches grown in rows, such as vine plants, said system (1) including a vehicle (10) designed to move between said rows, a geolocation device (14) and a processing unit (15), and being characterized in that it includes a sensor (16) including a light source (17) designed to emit a light beam (18) and a light receiver (19), said light beam (18) being able to intersect the branches, as the vehicle (10) moves forward, said light beam (18) having a dimension (L) greater than the diameter (D) of the thickest of the branches in said row (6), said light beam (18) projecting, onto said light receiver (19), a shadow (20A, 20B) from which the processing nit (15) determines the diameter (D1, D2) of the branch (2A, 2B) in question. |
| US09857162B1 |
Mobile device positioning using modulated light signals and coarse positioning information
Disclosed are systems and methods for tracking position of a mobile device within a venue. In an aspect, the mobile device obtains a plurality of light source identifiers and a plurality of location identifiers corresponding to a plurality of light sources within the venue, determines a first position of the mobile device within the venue, the first position having a first position accuracy, determines a subset of the plurality of light source identifiers corresponding to a subset of the plurality of light sources based on a location of each light source in the subset of light sources being within a threshold distance of the first position, demodulates a fragment of a light source identifier, and determines a second position of the mobile device based on one or more location identifiers corresponding to the light source, the second position having a greater position accuracy than the first position accuracy. |
| US09857161B2 |
6DOF error laser simultaneous measurement system with a single polarization maintaining fiber coupling and transmitting the dual-frequency laser
A six degree of freedom laser simultaneous measurement system, wherein a laser emitting unit is separated from a fixed sensor head; the laser emitting unit is connected with the fixed sensor head by a single polarization maintaining fiber; a moving unit comprising the reflector and the beam splitter is mounted on the linear guide; utilizing of the single polarization maintaining fiber, which connects the laser emitting unit with the fixed sensor head, reduces the influence of heat generated by laser source on the measurement accuracy, and makes the system more compact and integrated. The six degree of freedom errors, including position error, horizontal and vertical straightness errors, pitch, raw and roll, can be measured simultaneously by only one incident light. The non-cable connection on the moving unit makes long-distance and in-situ measurement possible. |
| US09857160B1 |
Multi-mode frequency sweeping interferometer and method of using same
A multi-mode frequency sweeping interferometer has a single measurement light producing device configured to produce a coherent light source consisting of a single light beam. The single measurement light producing device transitions the single light beam between a fixed light beam and a scanning wavelength light beam. A primary beam splitter produces a first reference beam and a first measurement beam from said single light beam. The first reference beam is configured to travel a fixed path length to a primary reference reflector and the first measurement beam is configured to travel to and from a moveable reflective target over an unknown path length. A first interferometer is created by interfering the first reference beam with the first measurement beam and one or more optoelectronic devices may be configured to determine a measured distance to the movable reflective target. |
| US09857153B1 |
Broadhead with dynamic blades deployed on impact
A broadhead with dynamic blades that deploy upon impact with an animal includes a body defining an interior area. A pair of trigger blades is rotatably mounted inside the interior area and movable between an initially deployed configuration extending outwardly away from the side wall and a rotated configuration. A pair of dynamic blades is rotatably mounted inside the interior area and movable between a retracted configuration completely inside the interior area and an extended configuration extending outwardly from the body. A ring associated with the body is slidably movable between a flight configuration positioned proximate the front end of the body that prevents the dynamic blades from moving to the deployed configuration and an actuated configuration displaced from the front end that actuates the trigger blades to move the dynamic blades to the extended configuration. |
| US09857148B2 |
Controlled fiber-matrix adhesion in polymer fiber composites
A composite article includes a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded within a matrix. The fibers may be adhered to the matrix at a level of adhesion. The adhesion level between the fibers and the matrix may be varied spatially within the composite article. For example, the adhesion level may vary along a length of one of the fibers. The adhesion level may also vary among the fibers of a given layer. Furthermore, the adhesion level may vary between the layers of the composite article. |
| US09857143B2 |
Modular sighting assembly and method
A laser sighting system can be used in combination with a range finder for determining a distance to a target. An onboard ballistics computer processor in the laser sighting system calculates a trajectory and automatically rotates a pointing laser to the proper angle for causing the trajectory path of a fired projectile to intersect with the position of the target. The laser sighting system can also be used in a standalone mode wherein target distance information is input manually by the user. |
| US09857142B2 |
Swivel quick release
An improved device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach and detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a lower portion, an upper portion and a locking mechanism. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use. |
| US09857134B1 |
Firearm sear safety
A sear safety for a firearm is provided that includes a mode selection mechanism having a detent pin movable from an unlocked position to a locked position by a user. The sear includes a body having a first leg and a second leg. The body is pivotable about a pivot point between the first leg and the second leg. The sear has a first end surface on the first leg for contacting the firing element and a second end surface on the second leg for contacting a hard stop on the frame and for contacting the trigger bar. A pocket is on the second leg for receiving the detent pin when the detent pin is in the locked position to secure the sear against the hard stop. When the detent pin of is in the locked position, the sear is prevented from to rotating about its pivot point. |
| US09857133B1 |
System and method for authenticating an identity for a biometrically-enabled gun
Embodiments of the present invention may include a biometrically-enabled gun. The biometrically-enabled gun may detect a presence of a user. In response to detecting a presence of a user, a processor may be awoken from a power-saving mode. The processor may query for a presence of a finger of a user. A fingerprint image may be captured. A template of the captured fingerprint image may be generated. A correlation between the template and one or more authorized user templates may be determined. In response to the correlation exceeding a threshold, a processor may cause an actuator may unlock the gun. In response to a lapse of user contact with the gun, a processor may cause the actuator to lock the gun. |
| US09857131B1 |
Ammunition indicator systems, devices, and methods
An ammunition indicator system of the present disclosure uses a magazine configured for housing bullet cartridges, the magazine comprising an outward-facing surface and a cavity. The system further has a follower that fits within the cavity and interfaces with the bullet cartridges inside the cavity. The follower further moves in a direction toward an open end of the magazine as bullet cartridges from the cavity are spent. The system further has a channel in the outward-facing surface of the magazine and an ammunition indicator rod configured for slidably coupling to the channel and fixedly coupling to the follower, the ammunition indicator rod indicates an amount of ammunition in the magazine. |
| US09857127B2 |
Header for air cooled heat exchanger
A header for an air cooled heat exchanger is provided. The header includes a housing having top and bottom walls and side walls and an inlet and an outlet, one of said side walls being a tube wall for connection to a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. The header includes a partition wall between the top and bottom walls defining upper and lower regions, the partition being a sheet having a higher central area which extends downward to corners of the upper region. Each corner has a drain aperture for fluid in the upper region to drain by gravity out of the upper region. |
| US09857121B2 |
Ice maker of refrigerator and manufacturing method for the same
An ice maker includes a cooling unit for generating cold air; a case defining a cooling space for receiving the cold air; an ice making assembly for making ice; and a bucket for receiving the ice. The ice making assembly includes an ice tray; and a cold air guiding unit for guiding the cold air to the lower side of the ice tray. A guide member of the guiding unit defines a flow channel, along which the cold air flows, between the guide member and the bottom surface of the tray. The guide member includes a first inclined section extending in a longitudinal direction of the ice tray for guiding the cold air to the bottom surface of the tray. An imaginary extension line of the first inclined section reaches between two of the ice making recesses adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the ice tray. |
| US09857120B2 |
System and methods for improvements to a ultra-low temperature bio-sample storage system
This application uses technology found in existing patents U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,394 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,148B1. The application solves the problem of internal icing within bio-sample storage freezers by introducing three new techniques to traditional mechanical freezers. Highly effective hybrid insulation technique, Internal purging using water vapor free air and Close tolerance fitment of internal sub-assemblies. |
| US09857107B2 |
Thermoelectric device with internal sensor
A thermoelectric system which comprises two substrates spaced apart from each other to form a gap and a plurality of electrically-connected semiconductor elements disposed between the substrates in the gap. The thermoelectric system further comprises at least one sensor and a seal which extends between the substrates and encloses the sensor and at least one of the plurality of semiconductor elements. The sensor is disposed between the substrates at an interior location spaced from the peripheral edge of at least one of the substrates. Additionally, at least one of the semiconductor elements is disposed between the sensor and the peripheral edge. |
| US09857100B2 |
Heat collector for solar thermal power generation
There is provided a heat collector for solar thermal power generation that suppresses oxidization using a silicon-carbide ceramic sintered body as a base body. The heat collector includes the base body made of a silicon-carbide ceramic sintered body in which channels (cells) for passing through a heat medium are formed, a first glass layer of silicate glass that coats at least a part of surfaces of the base body and contains an alkali metal constituent and/or an alkaline-earth metal constituent, and a second glass layer of silicate glass that coats the first glass layer and has a sum of contents of an alkali metal constituent and an alkaline-earth metal constituent, which is smaller than a sum of contents of the alkali metal constituent and the alkaline-earth metal constituent in the first glass layer. |
| US09857099B2 |
Solar energy absorptive coating, arrangement of the coating on a substrate, method for manufacturing the arrangement and use of the arrangement
A solar energy absorptive coating for absorbing sunlight energy includes a multilayer stack, including a first absorbing layer with first absorbing layer material for absorbing an absorption radiation of a certain spectrum of the sunlight, a transmission dielectric layer with a transmission dielectric layer material for a transmission of the absorption radiation, and a second absorbing layer with a second absorbing layer material for absorbing the absorption radiation, wherein at least one of the absorbing layer materials has an absorbing layer material refractive index for the absorption radiation, between 1.5 and 4.0, and an absorbing layer material extinction coefficient for the absorption radiation, between 0.8 and 3.0, and the transmission dielectric layer material has a dielectric layer material refractive index for the absorption radiation, between 1.0 and 3.0, and a dielectric layer material extinction coefficient for the absorption radiation, between 0.0 and 0.2. |
| US09857096B2 |
Fluid heating system and instant fluid heating device
A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating device that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve connecting the at least one heat source to the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve. Another temperature sensor is on the heat source to enable it to be kept at an elevated temperature. The valve is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature on demand, for every demand. |
| US09857093B2 |
Air handler and method for assembling an air handler
An air handler and a method for assembling an air handler are provided, in which a case panel may be assembled with a plurality of module frames via a considerably simplified sliding coupling providing excellent hermetic sealing. As such, manufacturing costs may be reduced due to reduction in a number of components, and assembly time may be remarkably reduced due to a reduced number of assembly operations. This advantageously results in reduced labor cost and enhanced air conditioning efficiency. |
| US09857091B2 |
Thermostat circuitry to control power usage
An operation alteration of a network attached thermostat to control power usage. Control wires for a heating and air conditioning system may be connected to a thermostat control circuit configured to control the system. A power extraction circuit may be coupled to the control wires configured to extract power from the control wires. The power may be put into a storage device. The power may be provided to the thermostat control circuit and a WiFi radio module. The radio module may provide a network connection for the thermostat. Circuitry and techniques may be provided to reduce power usage by the thermostat components. |
| US09857089B2 |
Modular data center
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, relating to an air module and control thereof. An air module can include a controller, an air intake module configured to receive first air from a first air source and to receive second air from a second air source, an evaporative cooling module in fluid communication with the air intake module, and a mechanical cooling module in fluid communication with the evaporative cooling module. The controller can be configured to cause the intake module to mix the first air and the second air to form intake air, and selectively cool the intake air to form supply air by at least one of causing the evaporative cooling module to selectively cool the intake air, and causing the mechanical cooling module to selectively cool the intake. |
| US09857088B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit formed by connecting pipes, a compressor including a compression chamber and an injection port through which refrigerant is introduced into the compression chamber, a first heat exchanger, a subcooling heat exchanger that includes a first flow passage and a second flow passage and exchanges heat between refrigerant flowing in the first flow passage and refrigerant flowing in the second flow passage to subcool the refrigerant flowing in the first flow passage, a first expansion device, a second heat exchanger, and an accumulator In addition, a first bypass pipe connects the second flow passage of the subcooling heat exchanger with a segment of the pipes, positioned on a refrigerant inflow side of the accumulator; an expansion device to adjust a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the first bypass pipe; a second bypass pipe that connects a segment of the pipes with the injection port, the segment being positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and an expansion device to adjust a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the second bypass pipe. |
| US09857087B2 |
Household appliance and method of operating a household appliance
The invention in particular is directed to a household appliance, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, comprising a heat pump arrangement (3) with a heat pump (4, 5, 6) adapted to transfer heat to an operating medium (2) of the appliance (1, 3), with a closed storage tank (9) adapted to receive a phase change substance (10) and being heat exchangeably coupled with a process side (5) of the heat pump (4, 5, 6), with at least one sensor (11) adapted and arranged to detect an actual phase state of the phase change substance (10), and with a recovery unit (12) adapted and operable to actively recover the phase change substance (10) in dependence of a signal of the sensor (11). |
| US09857081B2 |
Bottom assembly unit for a combustion chamber assembly unit of a vaporizing burner
A vaporizing burner combustion chamber assembly unit, especially for a vehicle heater, includes a bottom part (32) with a bottom wall (34) and with a first circumferential wall (38) and a porous evaporator medium (42) at least partially covering a front side of the bottom wall, which is to face a combustion chamber (14). A ring-shaped holding part has a second circumferential wall (54) and a contact area (56) touching the porous evaporator medium. The first circumferential wall extends, from an outer edge area (36) of the bottom wall essentially in a longitudinal axis (L) direction of a bottom assembly unit (30), on a rear side of the first bottom wall facing away from a combustion chamber, in the direction away from the porous evaporator medium. The second circumferential wall extends at least partially over the first circumferential wall on its outer side and is fixed to same. |
| US09857074B2 |
Boiler water supply preheater system and boiler water supply preheating method
The present disclosure relates to a boiler water supply preheater system which preheats water (boiler water supply) supplied to a boiler by a predetermined preheating means, wherein the preheating means is a Rankine cycle (thermal cycle) which moves heat of a waste heat source in the boiler to the boiler water supply to perform preheating and drives a generator to generate electric power using a heat medium. |
| US09857071B2 |
Electrified medicine cabinet
A medicine cabinet with a horizontally oriented internal wire management and electronic component raceway structure where electrical wires from the building or home power supply and electronic components are housed. The uppermost portion of the internal wire management and electronic component raceway structure forms a shelf in the medicine cabinet with a translucent shelf surface. An LED light strip inserted inside the internal wire management and electronic component raceway activated by a motion sensor switch provides illumination in the cabinet through the translucent shelf. Electrical receptacles and USB ports protrude from the front face of the shelf/wire management and electronic component raceway shelf. These receptacles and ports are powered by the electrical wires from the house or building fed into the shelf/wire management and electronic component raceway. Defogger strips are located between the two mirrored faces of the cabinet door. These defogger strips are powered by electrical receptacles located on the bottom of each side of the shelf/wire management and electronic component raceway housing allowing the mirrored cabinet doors to be mounted on either the left or right side of the medicine cabinet. |
| US09857070B1 |
Waterproof LED lamp that is damp-proof, corrosion resistant, and has excellent heat dissipation characteristics
This new utility invention discloses a waterproof LED lamp comprising a power supply box and an LED lighting module block detachably connected to the power supply box. A power driving board and an LED controller are disposed in the power supply box. The LED lighting module block includes at least one LED module, which includes a module heat dissipater. The power supply box and the LED module are arrayed side-by-side in a parallel manner, and a lateral surface of the power supply box matches a lateral surface of the LED module in size and shape so that the power supply box and the LED module may be in close contact. The power supply box and the LED lighting module block are electrically connected with a conducting wire, which is arranged to go through the wiring hole and the slot. The power driving board provides power to the LED controller and the light board, and the LED controller drives the LED lighting beads on the light board to illuminate. The present invention disposes the power supply and power driver inside a power supply box to separate the power supply from the LED light source. For product maintenance, the power supply or LED light source may be replaced individually. |
| US09857066B2 |
LED illumination device with single pressure cavity
A light fixture includes a sealed path between a group of LED modules and a sensor cavity. The light fixture performs self-diagnosis and implements corrective measures upon detection of one or more environmental condition changes in the sealed path. In response to detecting an environmental condition change, the light fixture will automatically implement a corrective measure. |
| US09857064B1 |
Light with retractable sleeve
A light with retractable sleeve comprises a housing, a retractable sleeve disposed inside the housing, and a light body embedded in a front end of the retractable sleeve and protruding out of the housing; the retractable sleeve comprising an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve disposed outside the inner sleeve, and a connector; the inner sleeve having a gear rack; the outer sleeve having thereon a button corresponding to the gear rack; the button being attached on the gear rack via a resilient element to prevent the outer sleeve from undesirably moving out of the inner sleeve along the axial direction; the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve can be extended with each other, so that the outer sleeve is extended out of the housing, thereby facilitating the light body installed thereon, the structure is simple and easy to use. |
| US09857062B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode and arrangement with such a light-emitting diode
An organic light-emitting diode includes a substrate with a top; an organic layer on the top that generates radiation; first and second electrical contact area at or on the top that electrically contacts the diode; a holding device by which the diode is mechanically supported and electrically contacted; and a cover sheet on a side of the organic layer remote from the substrate that protects the organic layer, wherein at least one opening is in the cover sheet and the opening, in plan view, is surrounded by the cover sheet and the organic layer; the areas are located at an edge of the opening and freely accessible; the device engages through the opening; the first area has a different average distance from the opening than the second area; and the electrical areas are each arranged concentrically around the opening and partially or completely surround the opening in plan view. |
| US09857061B1 |
Projector of decorative lights
A projector for projecting moving decorative lights has a back housing containing a transparent lens sphere with an array of lens, rotating on an axis in the back housing, a motor in the back housing, entirely rearward of the sphere axis, a gear train chassis carrying the motor, mounted to the back housing and extending to the sphere axis, a gear train on the chassis rotates the lens sphere slowly compared to the motor, a post fixed to the back housing and extending into the lens sphere, a circuit and LED board fixed to the post, having at least one LED activated to cast light through the lenses, the light being projected to a plurality of locations and moving as the lens sphere rotates, a front housing covering a front end of the back housing and a stand for supporting the projector. |
| US09857059B2 |
Light emitting device, illuminating device and method of manufacturing light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a ceramic substrate including a mounting surface on which the light emitting element is mounted, and a non-mounting surface opposite to the mounting surface and on which the light emitting element is not mounted, and a metal reflection film formed on the non-mounting surface. The metal reflection film reflects light from light emitting element that has passed through the ceramic substrate. |
| US09857058B2 |
Tower light shield
The present invention relates to a beacon light shield or an obstruction light shield. The beacon or obstruction light shield includes a base for receiving the light fixture, a plurality of ribs mounted on the base, and concentrically rings mounted to the ribs. The concentric rings include an inner ring mounted at a first distance away from the center of the base and an outer ring mounted at a second distance away from the center of the base. The beacon or obstruction light shield masks light from the ground at both distances and at locations close to the tower, and does not interfere with the function of the required lighting for the aircraft. |
| US09857055B2 |
LED module and lens mounted thereon
A lens has a plurality of first, second, and third optical regions. The first, second and third optical regions are arranged in sequential order. Space angle defined between each first, second, and third optical region and an optical axis of the lens are different from each other. Each first, second and third optical region includes a refracting surface and a reflecting surface which are arranged in different planes. The invention also relates to an LED module having the lens described above. |
| US09857050B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device may include a light radiation source board carrying at least one electrically powered light radiation source, e.g. a LED source, and a frame-like housing having a window, the board of the light radiation source being arranged in the housing with the light radiation source facing window.A glass cover covering the window is inserted in the housing by sliding along the housing or by tilting against the housing. |
| US09857044B2 |
Lighting apparatus and automobile having lighting apparatus mounted therein
An illumination apparatus includes an LED, a first lens unit provided above the LED and a cylindrical lens provided above the first lens unit. The first lens unit receives light from the LED and emits the light toward the cylindrical lens. The cylindrical lens emits the light to the outside. |
| US09857042B2 |
Light source module and lighting device having same
A light source module includes a frame having a plurality of mounting surfaces at different levels and side surfaces respectively connected to the plurality of mounting surfaces; a plurality of heat dissipaters respectively disposed on the plurality of mounting surfaces and extending to cover a side surface of the frame; and a light source including a plurality of light emitting devices respectively disposed on the plurality of heat dissipaters and respectively positioned above the plurality of mounting surfaces. |
| US09857040B1 |
Kinematically linked optical components for light redirection
Embodiments described herein may relate to a system comprising a plurality of optical elements, comprising at least a first optical element and one or more secondary optical elements, a heliostat comprising the first optical element, where the heliostat is operable to move the first optical element to continuously reflect light from a non-stationary light source in a beam towards a first of the secondary optical elements, and where the secondary optical elements are arranged to re-direct the reflected beam of light towards an illumination target. The system further includes a controller configured to receive position data indicative of the position of the non-stationary light source over time, and in response to the position data, control at least the heliostat to continuously direct the beam of light towards the first of the secondary optical elements, such that the beam of light is continuously re-directed towards the illumination target. |
| US09857039B2 |
Lighting device comprising a ring-shaped light transmitting element
A lighting device is disclosed, which comprises a light transmitting element extending along a perimeter such that a hollow is defined by the light transmitting element. The light transmitting element comprises a light in-coupling surface adapted to couple light emitted by at least one light emitting element into the light transmitting element, and a light out-coupling surface adapted to couple light out of the light transmitting element. The lighting device is combined with a light reflecting envelope arranged to enclose the lighting device such that light emitted from the light out-coupling surface is reflected at an inner surface of the envelope. Thereby a reflected image may be produced, having an appearance resembling a candle flame. |
| US09857038B2 |
Recessed downlight fixture and method for installing and universally adjusting the fixture in a new construction application
A recessed downlight fixture and method for installation is provided. The recessed downlight fixture can be installed in a retrofit application, after a ceiling is installed, through a pre-existing opening in that ceiling. Alternatively, a recessed downlight fixture according to a second embodiment can be installed before a ceiling is present. In either embodiment, the light source coupled to, for example, a heat sink, can be universally moved in three degrees of movement, rotationally, along a tilt axis, or further within the ceiling to increase or decrease the recess. All such universal adjustments can take place through and below the ceiling opening during or after installation. |
| US09857037B1 |
Assembling structure for LED luminaire
The present invention provides an assembling structure for LED luminaire, including a main support, at least one LED luminaire and at least one connecting part. The main support includes front faces on radial side, slide tracks on the front faces, and two side faces. The LED luminaire includes a cap-like housing and a lamp-connecting portion. The connecting part includes a first locating block provided in one slide track, a second locating block passing through each side face and provided in another slide track different from that for the first locating block, and a support body connected with the first and second locating blocks while extending far away from the main support. The support body is connected, at one end far away from the first and second locating blocks, with the lamp-connecting portion, while the connecting part and LED luminaire are pivoted with respect to the main support. |
| US09857036B1 |
Robot servo capable of emitting light
A servo includes a servo casing, a servo cover connected to the servo casing, a circuit board, a light emitting member, and a light guide. The servo cover and the servo casing defines a receiving space. The circuit board is received in the receiving space. The light emitting member is arranged on the circuit board and electrically coupled to the circuit board. The light emitting member is capable of emitting light according to signals indicative of a motion state from the circuit board. The light guide includes a light incident surface that is located adjacent to the light emitting member, and a light exit surface that is exposed to an external surface of the servo cover. |
| US09857035B2 |
Light emitting device, light source for illumination, and illumination apparatus
A light emitting device that emits white light includes first and second light emitting elements which have different emission peak wavelengths within a range of 440 nm to 495 nm. The device also includes a wavelength conversion material which converts a wavelength of light emitted by at least one of the first and second light emitting elements. The white light has an emission spectrum peaked at a first peak wavelength and a second peak wavelength. The first peak wavelength corresponds to the emission peak wavelength of the first light emitting element, and the second peak wavelength corresponds to the emission peak wavelength of the second light emitting element. Where a light intensity at one of the first peak wavelength and the second peak wavelength is 1, a light intensity at a bottom of a valley between the first and second peak wavelengths is 0.5 or higher but lower than 1.0. |
| US09857027B2 |
Apparatus and method for self-regulating fluid chemical delivery
Methods and apparatus for chemical delivery are provided herein. In some embodiments, a first reservoir holds a first volume of fluid, receives a carrier gas, and outputs the carrier gas together with vapor derived from the first volume of fluid. A second reservoir holds a second volume of fluid and is capable of delivering a part of the second volume of fluid to the first reservoir. A self-regulating tube extends from the first reservoir to a region above the second volume of fluid in the second reservoir. |
| US09857025B2 |
Self-propelled working device
A self-propelled working device has a housing and an operating element arranged on the housing. A pivot bearing is arranged on the housing. A lid is pivotably arranged on the housing so as to pivot about a pivot axis of the lid, wherein the lid has a closed state in which the lid covers the operating element and an open state enabling access to the operating element. The lid has a bearing section interacting with the pivot bearing, wherein the bearing section and the pivot bearing define the pivot axis of the lid. A first Hall sensor is arranged in the housing and monitors a pivot position of the lid. A first magnet is arranged on the bearing section of the lid. The first magnet rotates when the lid pivots about the pivot axis and the magnetic field of the first magnet is detected by the first Hall sensor. |
| US09857018B2 |
Metal-containing polymeric reinforced pipe, method for manufacturing same and pipeline produced using said pipe
The polymeric pipes reinforced with a metal casing are used for transporting oil and gas, acids, alkali products, drinking water and industrial water, and also in the transportation of aggressive and neutral pulps. A metal-containing polymeric reinforced pipe includes a welded metal casing and a polymeric matrix having an amorphous-phase-based molecular structure. The metal-containing polymeric reinforced pipe is produced by extrusion moulding with simultaneous feeding of a polymer melt and the reinforcing metal casing into the mould cavity, followed by intensive cooling of the internal and external surfaces of the pipe being moulded. The invention increases the quality and endurance limit in the radial direction of the metal-containing polymeric reinforced pipe, productivity of the process for manufacturing the pipe, and also the strength and technological effectiveness of a pipeline constructed from the pipes produced. |
| US09857013B1 |
System for waste heat recovery for a fluid heater
A fluid heating apparatus has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid path, and comprises a fluid pumping assembly configured to increase the pressure of the fluid on the fluid path, and forms a portion of the fluid path. A heating assembly is configured to heat the fluid between the fluid inlet and outlet, and forms a portion of the fluid path. A heat recovery assembly is configured to recover heat from the exhaust gases, and forms a portion of the fluid path to transfer recovered heat to fluid moving through the fluid path. A collection assembly may be employed to collect condensation from exhaust gases passing through the recovery assembly. A method is also disclosed. |
| US09857007B2 |
Repair clamp bolt retaining assembly
A repair clamp bolt retaining assembly having a band with first and second edges and a gap there between, first and second lug elements extending from the band on opposite sides of the gap, multiple bolts configured to extend transversely from bolt receiving openings in the first lug element to bolt receiving openings in the second lug element, and a bolt retainer on at least one of the multiple bolts on the inner side of the opening in the second lug element and configured such that the bolt retainer does not pass through the openings in the second lug element. |
| US09857005B2 |
Fluid connector assembly and method of establishing a fluid connection
Fluid connector assembly and methods usable to establish a sealed fluid connection. The connector assembly comprises a female union connector having an axial bore extending therethrough, internal threads, and an internal shoulder. The connector assembly also comprises two male connectors, each male connector having an axial bore extending therethrough and external threads. The connector assembly further comprises two ring-shaped seals adapted to form a fluid seal between the female union and the male connectors. The first seal contacts the first side of the internal shoulder and a front end of the first male connector to form a fluid seal therebetween. The second seal contacts the second side of the internal shoulder and a front end of the second male connector to form a second fluid seal therebetween. |
| US09857004B2 |
Threaded connection and process for obtaining it
A female component for a tubular hydrocarbon working string subjected to dynamic bending strength includes a tapered female threading cooperating with a male threading to form a rigid mutual connection of tubular elements, a free end and female sealing surface disposed between the free end and the female threading, the female sealing surface to contact in a made up condition with a male sealing surface to form a metal-metal seal, and an annular groove provided between the free end and the female sealing surface, leaving an axial distance greater than zero between the free end and a transition region outwardly of the female sealing surface, and a radial distance greater than zero between the female sealing surface and a chamfer at the free end, the groove including borders formed by the chamfer and a portion of the transition region protecting the female sealing surface prior to makeup. |
| US09857003B2 |
Pipe, pipe connection and pipeline system
A pipeline system is enclosed including unlined or plastic lined pipes. A mechanical metal to metal connection is employed that can provide a fluid tight seal. A pipe coupling may be employed to span the connection. Plastic lined pipes can have their plastic liners connected to form a fluid tight bladder. Electro-fusion may be employed. |
| US09856999B2 |
Corrugated steel pipe and method for manufacturing the same
A corrugated steel pipe is disclosed. The corrugated steel pipe comprises a plurality of unit steel pipes, which are continuous in the axial direction. Each unit steel pipe comprises a first cylindrical pipe obtained by bending a first unit steel plate into a cylindrical shape, both ends of the first unit steel plate abutting each other and forming a first seam on one side of the first cylindrical pipe; and a second cylindrical pipe obtained by bending a second unit steel plate into a cylindrical shape, both ends of the second unit steel plate abutting each other and forming a second seam on one side of the second cylindrical pipe. The second cylindrical pipe is bent into a cylindrical shape and folded on the outer surface of the first cylindrical pipe so that the inner surface of the second unit steel pipe surrounds the first seam. The second seam is positioned not to correspond to the first seam. |
| US09856995B2 |
Tubular installation system for J-laying tubulars, marine pipelay system and method for handling a tubular or accessory
A tubular installation system includes a J-lay tower structure for lowering and raising a tubular or an accessory along a firing line; a tubulars supply system; an accessory supply system; and a loader system configured for transporting a tubular and an accessory between the horizontal tubular supply position and the firing line, wherein the loader system comprises: a loader device with a base and a boom which is pivotable with respect to the base between a lowered position for gripping a tubular and an accessory in the horizontal accessory supply position, and a raised position for delivering then to the firing line; a line-up tool, wherein the line-up tool is configured to exchange a tubular and an accessory with the loader device and transport a tubular between the loader device and the firing line. |
| US09856992B2 |
Solenoid valve
A solenoid valve includes a housing having a cylindrical shape and having a valve path, a spool adjusting an opening degree of the valve path, a coil producing a magnetic force when a current passes therethrough, a first and a second stator core excited by the magnetic force of the coil, a shaft configured to be movable along axial direction together with the spool, a plunger fixed to the shaft and moving in the axial direction by adsorption force acting between itself and the first stator core by the magnetic force of the coil, and a coil spring biasing the spool against the adsorption force acting on the plunger. A spring constant of the coil spring increases as the adsorption force increases by the movement of the plunger. |
| US09856990B2 |
Flow metering using a difference image for liquid parameter estimation
A flow meter includes an image sensor, a coupler, a support member and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The processor receives data from the image sensor and is configured to: receive a first image from the image sensor, compare the first image to a second image, and generate a difference image based upon the comparison between the first and second images. |
| US09856989B2 |
Method for producing a valve body for an electromechanically operable valve, a valve body, and an electromechanically operable valve comprising the valve body
A valve body for an electromechanically operable valve is produced by providing a base element with a circumferential sidewall having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the sidewall being made of a ferromagnetic material and enclosing a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis. The third portion is positioned in longitudinal direction between the first portion and the second portion. A thickness of the third portion is smaller than a thickness of the first portion and the second portion. Hardening the third portion is achieved by laser heating, which transforms a material structure of the third portion into a martensitic structure. The locally decreased thickness creates a bottleneck for a magnetic flux, and a magnetic flux bypass in the valve body is reduced due to magnetic saturation; however, a structural resistance of the valve body remains high due to the laser induced hardening. |
| US09856984B2 |
Sealing device
A sealing device seals an annular gap between a shaft and a housing, and includes a first annular member 200 provided with a first cylindrical part 201 that is secured to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft 20, and a first flange 202 extending radially outward from the first cylindrical part 201; a second annular member 300 provided with a second cylindrical part 301 that is secured to an outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical part 201, and a second flange 302 extending radially outward from the second cylindrical part 301; and an endless resin sealing ring 400 disposed between the first flange 202 and the second flange 302, the sealing ring providing a seal between itself and a shaft hole in the housing 30, and between itself and one of the first flange 202 and the second flange 302 on a low pressure side. |
| US09856982B2 |
Device for supporting mechanical seal faces
A device is for supporting within a coating chamber a mechanical seal face (8) having an annular sealing surface. The device includes a frame (1) housing first support means (9) for supporting the seal face when the device is in a first orientation with the annular sealing surface resting on a surface of said first support means. Second support means (2) within the frame supports the seal face when the device is in a second orientation. |
| US09856980B2 |
Vehicular parking lock device
In a vehicular parking lock device, supplying a hydraulic pressure from pressure regulation of a line pressure by a linear solenoid valve to a hydraulic brake via a switching valve operated by a first solenoid valve enables a transmission to carry out a shift change. If desired that a parking lock is not operated when an engine stops, the hydraulic pressure stored under pressure in an accumulator is discharged to a drain oil passage by connecting the linear solenoid valve selectively to the drain oil passage by the first solenoid valve, thereby making it possible to prevent the hydraulic pressure stored under pressure in the accumulator from being supplied to a locking oil chamber at the other end of the hydraulic actuator. The first solenoid valve is used for both controlling the operation of the hydraulic brake and discharge of the hydraulic pressure stored under pressure in the accumulator. |
| US09856979B2 |
Transmission control device and learning method for synchronizer balk position
A transmission includes first and second input shafts connected via a first clutch to a power source, an output shaft, a first shift gear group including shift gears arranged between the first input and output shafts, a first switching mechanism including a synchronizer for selecting one shift gear from the group, a second shift gear group including shift gears arranged between the second input shaft and the output shaft, and a second switching mechanism including a synchronizer for selecting one shift gear from the group. In order to learn a synchronizer balk position, either the first or second shift gear group, where no targeted synchronizer belongs, is set to any shift gear, both the first and second clutches are engaged, the balk position of the synchronizer is detected in a process of the targeted synchronizer being slid, and information specifying the detected position is stored. |
| US09856978B2 |
Control method of dual clutch transmission for vehicle and control system for the same
The present disclosure provides a control method and a control system of a dual clutch transmission for a vehicle. The method includes: a pre-engagement-determining step of determining whether any one of gears has been pre-engaged, by means of a controller; a clutch-moving step of generating an oscillation signal to the release input shaft and increasing a clutch position value of the release input shaft; and a signal-determining step of determining whether the oscillation signal generated to the release input shaft is sensed at the engagement input shaft. |
| US09856976B2 |
Vehicle lock-up clutch control device
A lock-up clutch control device is provided for a vehicle having a torque converter with a lock-up clutch disposed between an engine and a continuously variable transmission such that the occurrence of shocks during lock-up engagement is suppressed. The vehicle lock-up clutch control device is provided with a control unit that controls the lock-up capacity based on an engine torque signal when engaging the lock-up clutch. The control unit uses a predictive engine torque as the engine torque signal for use in the lock-up capacity control. The predictive engine torque is calculated based on an engine torque air response delay and a hydraulic response delay in the lock-up differential pressure and is faster in response than the actual engine torque. |
| US09856970B2 |
Belt drive for a motor vehicle
A belt drive for a motor vehicle having at least two toothed pulleys (1) which are spaced apart from one another and having a toothed belt which wraps around them, wherein a positively locking connection is formed between a toothing system of the wraparound means and a toothing system (2) of the toothed pulleys (1), which positively locking connection is of low-friction configuration by an anti-friction agent which acts between the toothing systems is provided. In order for it to be possible to configure a toothed belt inexpensively and without an anti-friction agent, the anti-friction agent is formed in the form of a lubricant-varnish layer (5) which is applied at least to a toothing system (2) of a toothed pulley (1). |
| US09856964B2 |
Gear
The invention relates to a gear (1) comprising a first, radially inner ring element (2), a second, radially outer ring element (3) and a connecting element (4), wherein the second, radially outer ring element (2) comprises a toothing (10), wherein the connecting element (3) is arranged in radial direction between the first, radially inner ring element (2) and the second, radially outer ring element (3) and is connected to the first, radially inner ring element (2) and the second, radially outer ring element (3), and wherein the connecting element (4) is made at least partly from a rubber-elastic material. In this case edges (11, 12) of the first, radially inner ring element (2) in the connecting area between the first, radially inner ring element (2) and the connecting element (4) and edges (16, 17) in the connecting area between the second, radially outer ring element (3) and the connecting element (4) are provided with a rounding (21 to 24). |
| US09856963B2 |
Driving force transmission mechanism
A driving force transmission mechanism is equipped with a first gear attached to a drive source, a second gear enmeshed with the first gear, and a damper shaft enmeshed mutually with the second gear and with a rack member of an air mixing damper. A first locator part formed on the second gear is inserted in a first locator groove in the first gear, while additionally, a second locator part is inserted with respect to a second locator groove in a damper gear. Further, a first narrow tooth formed on the first gear enmeshes with a meshing groove of the first locator part, whereas a second narrow tooth formed on the damper gear enmeshes with another meshing groove of the second locator part. |
| US09856961B2 |
Differential apparatus component, differential apparatus therewith and manufacturing method thereof
In a differential apparatus component (ring gear-integrated with differential case 12), a differential case and a ring gear are formed integrally and seamlessly of cast steel. Cast Steel is preferably composed of 0.3 to 1.0% by mass of silicon (Si), 0.5 to 1.2% by mass of manganese (Mn), 0.1 to 0.5% by mass of vanadium (V), 0.01 to 0.05% by mass of tin (Sn), 0.1 to 1.5% by mass of chromium (Cr), 0.2 to 1.0% by mass of copper (Cu), and the rest composed of iron (Fe) and unavoidable impurities. |
| US09856958B2 |
Torsional vibration damper
A torsional vibration damper includes a planetary gear set connected to a transmission input shaft, including a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear. A spring cage includes a first spring support member connected to the ring gear having multiple first spring contact members. A second spring support member is connected to the carrier and rotates with respect to the first spring support member. The second spring support member has multiple second spring contact members angularly oriented with respect to the first spring contact members. Multiple springs having opposed ends are positioned between and are compressed by rotation of the first or the second spring support member. The springs compress and extend to absorb vehicle engine vibration pulses. Each end of the springs has one of the multiple first spring contact members and or one of the multiple second spring contact members positioned proximate thereto. |
| US09856956B2 |
Rod-and-bracket connector system for securing a pivoting member to a guide anchor moveably secured within a guide track
The connector system (30) includes a pivoting member (38) pivotally attached to a guide anchor (36) that is moveable secured within a guide track (34). The guide anchor (36) is movably secured between first and second strength walls (58, 62). At least one guide shoulder (70) and the pivoting member (38) define throughbores (74, 76, 78) that receive a rod (92) of a rod-and-bracket connector (88) to pivotally secure the pivoting member (38), such as a convergent flap (26) of an exhaust nozzle assembly (22). The rod-and-bracket connector (88) utilizes an L-shaped arm (96) to eliminate need for a large thread and lock nut assembly (86) between the strength walls (58, 62) to thereby facilitate use of larger, stronger guide shoulders (70, 72) between the strength walls (58, 62) to maximize strength of the connector system (30) while minimizing its volumetric displacement. |
| US09856949B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission of vehicle
A planetary gear train for an automatic transmission may include input shaft, output shaft, first to fourth planetary gear sets and seven friction elements disposed to selectively connect the rotation elements with the rotation element and selectively connect the rotation elements with a transmission housing, and wherein the input shaft is/are continuously connected to the second rotation element, the output shaft is/are continuously connected to the eleventh rotation element, the third rotation element is/are continuously connected to the fifth rotation element, the third rotation element is/are continuously connected to the tenth rotation element, the fourth rotation element is/are continuously connected to the ninth rotation element, the sixth rotation element is/are continuously connected to the seventh rotation element, the input shaft is/are selectively connected to the sixth rotation element, wherein three friction elements among seven friction elements is/are operated at each speed stage. |
| US09856948B2 |
Transmission for a motor vehicle
A multi-speed transmission for a motor vehicle includes a housing, a drive shaft, an output shaft, and at least four planetary gear sets, whereas each of the planetary gear sets comprises one sun gear, at least one planet, one planetary carrier and one ring gear. Several shift elements are provided in the form of at least four clutches and at least two brakes. The drive shaft is connectable through the third clutch to the first brake and to the sun gear of the first planetary gear set and to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set. The ring gear of the first planetary gear set is connected to the planetary carrier of the fourth planetary gear set. The planetary carrier of the fourth planetary gear set is connectable through the fourth clutch to the drive shaft. The sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set is connected to the housing. The second brake is connected to the planetary carrier of the first planetary gear set. |
| US09856946B2 |
Gear transmission
A gear transmission is provided with a gear structure and a plurality of motors. The gear structure is provided with a plurality of crank shafts, an eccentric rotation gear, and a rotation gear. Each motor is attached to one of the crank shafts. At least one of the plurality of motors is a first motor, and at least another of the plurality of motors is a second motor. The second motor has a length in an axial direction shorter than that of the first motor. |
| US09856945B2 |
Planetary gear train of internal engagement type
Each of gear teeth of an external gear has a tooth-bottom portion, a tooth-middle portion and a tooth-front portion. The tooth-middle portion is operatively engaged with an internal gear. A cross-sectional shape of the tooth-bottom portion is formed by a hypocycloid curved line. A cross-sectional shape of the tooth-middle portion is formed by an epicycloid curved line. A cross-sectional shape of the tooth-front portion is formed by a first predetermined curved line, which is located at a position closer to a first pitch circle of the external gear in a radial-inward direction from a reference epicycloid curved line. The reference epicycloid curved line is continuously connected to each of the curved lines of the tooth-middle portion at both circumferential sides of each gear tooth. As a result, the tooth-front portion is so formed that a part of the tooth-front portion is escaped in the radial-inward direction from the reference epicycloid curved line. |
| US09856942B2 |
Articulated chain with low-friction link plate back
An articulated chain comprises alternate inner and outer chain links interconnected by a chain joint. Each inner chain link comprises at least one chain link plate and each outer chain link comprises at least two chain link plates, and the chain link plates have a structured link plate back that is adapted to be brought into contact with a tensioning or guide rail. The structured link plate back comprises at least one recess having a closed circumference or at least one recess having a circumference that is closed with the exception of an access opening, and is straight or slightly concave in shape for contact with a tensioning or guide rail. A chain drive comprising a driving sprocket, at least one driven sprocket, and at least one tensioning or guide rail and an articulated chain, in contact with the at least one tensioning or guide rail is provided. |
| US09856929B2 |
Electromagnetically-actuated direction-sensing roller clutch
A roller clutch includes an outer race, an inner race, a first engagement member situated between the outer race and the inner race, a second engagement member situated between the outer race and the inner race, and an electromagnetic mover to be energized or de-energized. The first engagement member is configured to engage the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race in response to the electromagnetic mover being energized and the inner race applying negative torque to the second engagement member while the outer race applies positive torque to the second engagement member. The second engagement member is configured to engage the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race in response to the inner race applying positive torque to the second engagement member while the outer race applies negative torque to the second engagement member. |
| US09856926B2 |
Transmission assembly including one-way clutch
A transmission assembly for a transmission of a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The transmission assembly includes a transmission case; a rotatable component inside the transmission case; and a wedge one-way clutch including an outer surface drivingly coupled to an inner surface of the transmission case. An outer radial end of the rotatable component is fixed to or forms an inner race for the one-way clutch. |
| US09856925B2 |
Dual-mass flywheel with integrated freewheeling mechanism
A torque transfer device (1) for a drivetrain (2) of a motor vehicle, having a torsional vibration damping unit (3) and a decoupling clutch (6) having at least two clutch elements (4, 5) which can be joined to each other, wherein a first clutch element (4) is permanently connected non-rotatingly to a flange section (7) of the torsional vibration damping unit (3) and a second clutch element (5) is coupled with the flange section (7) via a freewheeling unit (8), wherein at least some sections of the freewheeling unit (8) are positioned in a radial receiving space (9) of the torsional vibration damping unit (3). |
| US09856922B2 |
Frictional shifting element for a vehicle transmission
A frictional shift element for a motor vehicle transmission includes a first frictional element allocated to a first carrier; and a second frictional element allocated to a second carrier. One of the first frictional element or the second frictional element has an annular frictional surface, and the other of the first frictional element or the second frictional element has a corresponding frictional surface with at least one frictional surface that protrudes along a radial direction in an overlapping area. |
| US09856920B2 |
Smilled spline apparatus and smilling process for manufacturing the smilled spline apparatus
By combining shaping and milling actions, or smilling, the cutting tool can move through the entire usable portion of the spline and machine a tool relief into the face of the adjacent feature such as a shoulder before retracting, reversing direction, and repeating the cycle. The smilling apparatus and manufacturing method eliminates the need for an annular spline relief and the full length of spline engagement can be utilized for strength. The effective width of the spline connection apparatus manufactured by the smilling process conserves space and increases the load carrying capability of the spline connection. |
| US09856919B2 |
Bearing limiting system and limiting method
Disclosed is a bearing limiting system. The limiting system comprises a limiting bulge formed integrally with a shaft, a bearing inner race, and an acting force conduction part, wherein the acting force conduction part is arranged between the limiting bulge and the bearing inner race, and the inner diameter of the bearing inner race is larger than the outer diameter of the limiting bulge. The bearing limiting system is convenient in installation, can realize the effective limiting of a bearing inner race while not affecting either the strength of the shaft or the assembly and disassembly of the bearing, and is especially suitable for a bearing with a long shaft. |
| US09856912B2 |
Slide rail assembly
A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a first engagement element, and a second engagement element. The first rail includes a first blocking part. The second rail is movably connected to the first rail. The first and second engagement elements are connected to the second rail. When the second rail moves relative to the first rail toward a first position, the first engagement element abuts against the blocking part of the first rail. When the first engagement element is operatively detached from the blocking part of the first rail, the second rail to is able to move relative to the first rail toward a second position from the first position. When the second rail is located at the second position, at least part of the second engagement element is adjacent to the blocking part of the first rail. |
| US09856904B2 |
Shielding device with a shielding element and at least one temperature and oscillation-decoupled fastening device
The invention relates to a shielding device with a shielding element and at least one fastening eyelet for fastening the shielding device to a counterpart fastening piece and for receiving a fastening element. The fastening eyelet is movably supported in a fastening opening of the shielding device. The fastening eyelet is supported by a resiliently embodied coupling device so that the fastening eyelet is resiliently supported relative to the shielding element in an axial direction and is movable in the fastening opening relative to the shielding element in at least one radial direction when acted on with friction force. To produce friction force, radially outer regions of the coupling device cooperate in a resiliently prestressed fashion with sliding zones of opposing outsides of the shielding element. |
| US09856902B2 |
Extruded metal insert
A metal insert having a body at a base diameter, a plurality of retention regions spaced apart and extending radially from the body, and an end effector at one end, for engaging a mating member. Each retention region consists of a circumferential series of alternating prongs and recesses. The insert is manufactured by selecting or processing a solid raw bar to produce an engineered rod having a plurality of axially continuous protrusions at a protrusion diameter alternating circumferentially with a plurality of axially continuous channels at a channel diameter. At axial intervals, the diameter of the engineered rod is decreased with a form tool to a base diameter smaller than the channel diameter, thereby producing a featured rod having a series of axially alternating spacer regions at the base diameter and radially outwardly extending feature regions consisting of a circumferential series of alternating prongs and recesses. |
| US09856901B2 |
Fastener with saw tooth perimeter
A fastener includes an elongated shank body having one or more helical threads and a head connected with the body. The head can include a drive design indentation extending into a first side of the head that is configured to be engaged with a drive tool. The head also includes radially projecting saw teeth extending around an outer perimeter of the head. |
| US09856894B2 |
Clipboard clip
A novel clipboard clip comprises a bottom plate, torsion springs and a hook frame pivoted with the bottom plate through the torsion springs, wherein a clamping regulator is disposed between two end portions of the hook frame and includes a rotary shaft provided with a push block, a handle and an elastic member; the rotary shaft is fixedly connected with the hook frame which drives the rotary shaft to rotate; the handle is movably mounted on the bottom plate; the rotary shaft and the handle are adjacent to each other; both ends of the elastic member support the handle and the bottom plate respectively; in the process of opening the hook frame, the rotary shaft rotates and the push block pushes the handle until the push block is clamped below the handle. |
| US09856889B2 |
Propellant driven accumulator
A subsea accumulator comprising: an outer wall; a top surface; a bottom surface; and a piston disposed within the subsea accumulator, wherein a first chamber is defined by the top surface, the outer wall, and a top portion of the piston; a second chamber is defined by the bottom surface; the outer wall, and a bottom portion of the piston; and a solid oxidant is disposed within the first chamber. |
| US09856886B2 |
Multistage radial compressor baffle
An assembly can include a first radial compressor wheel that has a rotational axis and that includes a hub surface that includes an annular ridge disposed at a radius measured from the rotational axis; a second radial compressor wheel that includes a hub surface; and an annular baffle disposed at least in part between the hub surfaces where the annular baffle includes an outer surface and an inner edge that defines an opening having a central axis where the outer surface includes a surface portion to one side of the inner edge that faces the hub surface of the first radial compressor wheel, where the surface portion includes an annular channel over a radial width measured from the central axis and where the radial width spans the radius of the annular ridge. |
| US09856877B2 |
Vacuum pump having a disconnectable drive coupling
To provide a failsafe drive coupling capable of high torque transmission in direct dog drive, a vacuum pump drive is disconnectable from a drive shaft upon movement of a piston against a return spring, under the action of oil pressure. The piston comprises a speed synchronizing clutch engageable with the input shaft to rotate the piston at the speed of the input shaft, and teeth to directly dog the piston and input shaft together. |
| US09856872B2 |
Progressive cavity pump and method for operating same in boreholes
A method for operating a progressive cavity pump wherein the stator has at least first and second active stator sections that are at different locations on the stator, comprising inserting a first rotor having a first active rotor section that is aligned with the first active stator section, and rotating the first rotor relative to the first active stator section such that the aligned first active rotor and stator sections generate a pumping force. Subsequently, the first rotor is removed and a second rotor is inserted having a second active rotor section that is aligned with the second active stator section, and rotating the second rotor relative to the second active stator section such that the aligned second active rotor and stator sections generate a pumping force. |
| US09856871B2 |
Bicycle air pump
A bicycle air pump includes an air cylinder; a joining member on the cylinder and including upper, intermediate and lower chambers, and a passageway communicating the cylinder with the lower chamber and a relief valve; an activation assembly on the joining member and including a hollow spring-loaded stem in both the intermediate chamber and the lower chamber, an end seal, a cap on the upper chamber, a push rod through the cap to urge against the seal and having an axial hole and a lateral hole communicating with the axial hole, a knob secured to the push rod and the cap, and an outlet; a pressure gauge on the joining member and communicating with the passageway; an inlet assembly secured to bottom of the cylinder and including a check valve; and a blocking member secured to bottom of the stem for blocking the passageway when in an inoperative position. |
| US09856868B2 |
Piezoelectric fan
A piezoelectric fan includes a vibrating plate including blades and a base that are integral. Piezoelectric elements are mounted on the blade on the side of the base. Piezoelectric elements are mounted on the blade on the side of the base. Piezoelectric elements are mounted on the blade on the side of the base. Support bodies are disposed such that the base of the vibrating plate is sandwiched therebetween. A portion of each of the piezoelectric elements is sandwiched between the vibrating plate and the support plate, and a portion of each of the piezoelectric elements is sandwiched between the vibrating plate and the support plate. |
| US09856867B2 |
Linear compressor and refrigerator cycle including a linear compressor
A linear compressor and a refrigerator including a linear compressor are provided. The linear compressor may include a shell coupled to a suction inlet, through which a refrigerant may be introduced, and a discharge outlet, through which the refrigerant may be discharged, a cylinder disposed within the shell to accommodate a piston reciprocated to compress the refrigerant introduced through the suction inlet, a frame that accommodates the cylinder, the frame being mounted inside the shell, and a discharge cover coupled to a front surface of the frame to discharge the refrigerant compressed by the piston to the discharge outlet. A front surface of the cylinder that faces the discharge cover may be spaced a predetermined distance from the discharged cover. |
| US09856866B2 |
Oil-free air compressor for rail vehicles
An oil-free compressor for a rail vehicle includes a multi-piece compressor housing, a first piston cylinder supported in a first opening in the compressor housing, a second piston cylinder supported in a second opening in the compressor housing, and a multi-piece crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing. The crankshaft assembly is linked to pistons of the first and second piston cylinders by respective connecting rods. The connecting rods connect to a wrist pin associated with each of the pistons, and the wrist pins are respectively supported by a dry lubricant bushing to the associated piston. The compressor housing may have at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion and the second housing portion may form respective halves of the compressor housing that are secured together with mechanical fasteners. |
| US09856863B2 |
Shock absorbers
A damping unit, such as a shock absorber, includes a cylinder (2), a piston (4) dividing the cylinder into a compression chamber 6 and a rebound chamber (8), and a piston rod (10). The rod extends from the piston through at least the rebound chamber. The compression chamber reduces in volume and the rebound chamber increases in volume as the damping unit contracts generating a compression flow across the piston, and the rebound chamber reduces in volume and the compression chamber increases in volume as the damping unit extends, generating a rebound flow across the piston. The piston has a compression chamber piston face and an annular rebound chamber piston face. At least one rebound restriction is provided in or on the piston, such as one or more rebound ports (26)/passages/valving (28), and at least one compression restriction, such as one or more compression ports 14/passages/valving (20) is provided in or on the piston. The rod has at least one channel (36) in an outer surface of the rod extending along a portion of the length of the rod towards/into the piston such that at least a portion of the rebound flow across the piston flows from the rebound chamber, along said at least one channel, through the rebound restriction into the compression chamber. |
| US09856859B2 |
Wind turbine blade vibration detection and radar calibration
A wind turbine (1) is provided, having a wind turbine tower (2) and at least one rotatable blade (5), and further comprising a system for measuring rotor blade vibration of said wind turbine. The system comprises at least one Doppler radar unit (7) operatively configured to emit and receive radar signals, the radar unit being mounted on the wind turbine tower at a position above the lowest position of the at least one blade, the radar unit being positioned so as to measure reflections of an emitted radar signal from the turbine blade. A processing unit is configured to receive measurement data from the radar unit and to determine, by analysis of Doppler shift in received radar signals relative to transmitted signals due to movement of the blade towards or away from the turbine tower, the velocity of the blade in the direction towards or away from the turbine tower. Using a radar unit to measure blade velocity allows a determination to be made of the vibrations occurring in the blade without needing an internal sensor in the blade. This reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs of the blades since sensors in the blades will not need to be replaced, and sensors positioned on the tower are easier to replace in the field. |
| US09856857B2 |
Method and relevant system for converting mechanical energy from a generator actuated by a turbine into electric energy
A method and system for converting mechanical energy from a generator operated by a turbine into electric energy to be input into an electric network, comprising the following: (A) supplying a power electronic converter connectable to input of the generator and to output of the electric network; (B) supplying an electrical power outputting the generator to the power electronic converter; (C) adapting the electrical power using the power electronic converter to input the electrical power to the electric network by the following substeps: (C1) calculating rotation speed of the turbine; (C2) calculating wind speed moving the turbine; (C3) calculating reference rotation speed, corresponding to the maximum point of power input to the electric network, using a Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm; the method comprising substep (C1) implemented by an algorithm carrying out a virtual encoder, and substep (C2) implemented by training a neural network implementing a virtual anemometer. |
| US09856851B2 |
Opposed swash plate type fluid pressure rotating machine
An opposed swash plate type fluid pressure rotating machine in which a first piston and a second piston projecting from opposite ends of a cylinder block reciprocate in a cylinder, respectively following a first swash plate and a second swash plate includes a center spring for biasing the cylinder block toward the second swash plate. A housing hole (biasing force receiving part) for receiving a biasing force of the center spring is formed on one end part of the cylinder block. The tip of a second neck (reaction force receiving part) for receiving a reaction force from the second swash plate is formed on the other end part of the cylinder block. The cylinder block is biased only toward the second swash plate by the center spring. |
| US09856850B1 |
Apparatus, system and method for producing rotational torque to generate electricity and operate machines
An apparatus, system and method for utilizing a source of liquid to rotate an output shaft and produce rotational torque that operates a machine to produce electricity, operate a pump or accomplish other work. Liquid from the supply of liquid flows into a flow chamber where the liquid is mixed with pressurized gas to form an aerated flow stream that flows upward in the flow chamber to lift the liquid to a position above a liquid-driven rotating mechanism, such as a water turbine or open impeller. The liquid is directed to the rotating mechanism by liquid discharge devices. Liquid passing through the rotating mechanism rotates the output shaft and then flows back into the supply of liquid. A supply of pressurized gas supplies the gas to the flow chamber. Gas discharge vents remove the gas from the aerated flow stream upstream of the liquid discharge devices. |
| US09856843B2 |
Fluid injector
A fluid injector has a solid state actuator and a control piston unit arranged in a recess of an injector body. A transmission pin mechanically couples the actuator to the control piston unit. A first control chamber, coupled hydraulically to a second control chamber, is delimited by the control piston unit and the injector body. A control piston of the control piston unit has an end surface that is coupled to the transmission pin and which delimits the first control chamber. The control piston unit has a control sleeve arranged coaxially with the control piston and an inwardly directed projection that provides a driving coupling between the control piston and the control sleeve after a predefined control stroke of the control piston. The driving coupling results in the control piston influencing a free volume of the first control chamber during an axial movement of the control piston. |
| US09856842B2 |
Fuel injection device having a needle position determination
A fuel injection device includes a nozzle needle, an actuator for actuating the nozzle needle, a force sensor for detecting a force applied by the actuator, and a control unit which is connected to the force sensor. The force sensor supplies signals to the control unit and the control unit is designed for determining a position of the nozzle needle and for precisely determining an injected fuel quantity, based on the supplied signal. |
| US09856841B2 |
Fuel injector
A fuel injector is provided and may include an injector body and an injector valve. The injector body may define a longitudinally extending chamber and may include a first intake port, a second intake port and a fuel injection port. The injector valve may be disposed within the chamber and may include a longitudinally extending aperture in fluid communication with the longitudinally extending chamber. The injector valve may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the first intake port and the second intake port, and may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the fuel injection port and the second intake port. |
| US09856839B2 |
Fuel injection valve and fuel injection valve controller
A fuel injection valve includes a body including a first chamber that supplies fuel of a first pressure, a second chamber that supplies fuel of a second pressure, and an injection hole, a valve chamber member including a valve chamber connectable to the first chamber and the second chamber, a control chamber member including a control chamber connectable to the first chamber, a needle pressed by pressure of fuel in the control chamber in a direction that causes fuel injection from the injection hole to stop, an actuator, a valve element that selectively connects the first chamber, second chamber, and the valve chamber according to the actuator extending and contracting, and a transmission mechanism that when the actuator extends, transmits the force to the needle as a force in a direction that causes fuel to be injected from the injection hole. |
| US09856837B2 |
Apparatus and method for fuelling a flexible-fuel internal combustion engine
A flexible-fuel internal combustion engine apparatus comprises a combustion chamber, an intake valve, a first fuel injector, a second fuel injector, and a computer. The intake valve is operable to admit an intake charge into the combustion chamber. The first fuel injector injects a gaseous fuel directly into the combustion chamber. The second fuel injector injects a liquid fuel into the intake charge upstream of the intake valve. The computer is operatively connected with the first fuel injector and the second fuel injector to actuate injection of fuel respectively therefrom. The computer is programmed to command a gaseous-to-liquid fuel ratio as a function of at least one operating parameter from a group comprising gaseous fuel pressure, gaseous fuel mass, engine speed, engine torque, inlet air temperature, inlet air humidity, knock detection, operating history, torque command, and emissions. |
| US09856835B1 |
Fuel supply system for an engine with an electric ignition power source
A fuel supply system for a reciprocating-piston engine includes a storage tank; a wall of the storage tank defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough; a first fuel injector fluidly coupled with the first aperture of the storage tank via a pressure control module and a first fuel injector supply conduit; a pump fluidly coupled with the second aperture of the storage tank; and a second fuel injector fluidly coupled with an outlet port of the pump via a second fuel injector supply conduit. The pressure control module is configured to maintain a pressure in the first fuel injector supply conduit within a pressure range that includes a pressure value that is less than a pressure inside the storage tank. The pump is configured to maintain a pressure inside the second fuel injector supply conduit that is greater than the pressure inside the first fuel injector supply conduit. |
| US09856832B2 |
Mixer valve of an internal combustion engine
A mixer valve of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a single servo-motor and a differential. A flap arranged in an intake port and a flap arranged in a exhaust duct are driven by a differential. Spring elements tension the flaps in a base position counter to the stops and determine which of the flaps is driven in which control area of the servo-motor. |
| US09856831B2 |
Integrated EGR cooler
An integrated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler may include a cooling core having exhaust gas flowing therein, and an integrated housing accommodating the cooling core therein and having a coolant flowing therein, in which the integrated housing includes a coolant introduction port having the coolant introduced from an engine thereinto, a first exhaust port exhausting the coolant to a radiator, and a control valve controlling a flow of the coolant through the first exhaust port, and the cooling core includes U-shaped tubes including a bend so that a surface area is increased. |
| US09856828B2 |
Fuel vapor purging diagnostics for a multi-path purge ejector system
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing one or more canister purge valves in a fuel vapor recovery system. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more canister purge valves in a passage coupled to a fuel vapor canister of the fuel vapor recovery system to allow flow between an intake passage and an intake manifold of the engine based on engine operating conditions. Further, the method may include indicating the one or more canister purge valves are degraded and based on a change in air-fuel ratio after adjusting the one or more canister purge valves. |
| US09856825B2 |
Thrust reverser device for compact jet pipe
A bypass turbojet engine nacelle that forms a fan casing includes a first, upstream, streamlining element and a second streamlining element that forms a jet pipe. The second element can move translationally between a position ensuring aerodynamic continuity of the nacelle and a downstream position uncovering flow reversal openings. A thrust reverser device is housed in the nacelle and includes flow reverser flaps and cascades of vanes providing radial guidance for the flow. The cascades of vanes providing radial guidance for the flow can move in translation along the axis of the nacelle between a retracted position into the first steamlining element and an active flow-guidance position, the second streamlining element being secured to the cascades of vanes, the reverser flaps being mounted to rotate about axes that are transverse with respect to the axis of the nacelle and secured to the cascades of vanes. |
| US09856821B1 |
Open-faced piston assembly
The present disclosure provides an open-faced piston with a circumferential groove into which a piston ring assembly is arranged. Openings at the bottom of the circumferential groove and between a front land of the open-faced piston and the piston face are provided. The openings are arranged to allow for a combustion reaction to propagate through the volume defined between the bottom of the piston ring assembly and the piston face such that at least a portion of an air and fuel mixture located in that volume is reacted. |
| US09856817B2 |
Bolt-on cylinder kit and method for increasing the displacement of an engine
A cylinder for a V-twin engine including a body with a first end having a surface configured to mate with a cylinder head, and a second end configured to mate with a crankcase. A sleeve is fixedly secured within the body to define a cylinder bore. The sleeve includes a first portion that extends from the first end of the body to the second end of the body. The first portion of the sleeve has a first wall thickness. The sleeve further includes a second portion that extends out of the second end of the body to be received within a crankcase bore. The second portion has a second wall thickness that is thinner than the first wall thickness. The sleeve is constructed from a chromoly steel alloy material, and the second wall thickness is less than 0.060 inch. |
| US09856816B2 |
Control system for internal combustion engine of vehicle
When the temperature in a cylinder of an engine is low, the fuel injection amount of fuel that has a low vapor pressure and is less likely to be vaporized is increased, and the fuel injection amount of fuel that has a high vapor pressure and is more likely to be vaporized is reduced, so that the start timing of the engine can be kept constant. When the temperature in the cylinder is high, the fuel injection amount of the fuel that has a low vapor pressure and is more likely to be decomposed is reduced, and the fuel that has a high vapor pressure and is less likely to be burned (decomposed) is increased, so that the start timing of the engine can be kept constant. Thus, the start timing of the engine is kept constant irrespective of the fuel property, and deterioration of the drivability can be curbed. |
| US09856811B2 |
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine comprises a supercharger, a variable valve timing mechanism able to change a valve overlap amount, a catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage and able to store oxygen, a downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor arranged at a downstream side of the catalyst in an exhaust flow direction and able to detect an air-fuel ratio of outflowing exhaust gas flowing out from the catalyst, and a scavenging control device able to control a scavenging amount by controlling the valve overlap amount by the variable valve timing mechanism. The scavenging control device reduces the valve overlap amount when an air-fuel ratio detected by the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor changes from less than a lean judged air-fuel ratio leaner than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio to the lean judged air-fuel ratio or more during scavenging. |
| US09856807B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine, and control method for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus includes an electronic control unit configured to: carry out a first diagnosis and a second diagnosis; control a first injection valve and a second injection valve such that fuel is injected from both the first injection valve and the second injection valve, and such that a fuel injection amount from the second injection valve is not reduced and a fuel injection amount from the first injection valve is reduced, when carrying out the first diagnosis; and control the first injection valve such that fuel is not injected from the first injection valve, and control the second injection valve such that the fuel injection amount from the second injection valve is reduced in a state where fuel is injected from the second injection valve, when carrying out the second diagnosis. |
| US09856799B1 |
Methods and systems for an oxygen sensor
Methods and systems are provided for reducing blackening of an oxygen sensor due to voltage excursions into an over-potential region. Before transitioning the sensor from a lower voltage to an upper voltage during variable voltage operation, an operating temperature of the sensor is reduced via adjustments to a sensor heater setting. The reduction in temperature increases the range of temperatures available to the sensor before the over-potential region is entered. |
| US09856796B2 |
Application of probabilistic control in gas turbine tuning for power output-emissions parameters with scaling factor, related control systems, computer program products and methods
Various embodiments include a system having: at least one computing device configured to tune a set of gas turbines (GTs) by performing actions including: commanding each GT in the set of GTs to a base load level, based upon a measured ambient condition for each GT; commanding each GT in the set of GTs to adjust a respective power output to match a scaled power output value equal to a fraction of a difference between the respective power output and a nominal power output value, and subsequently measuring an actual emissions value for each GT; and adjusting an operating condition of each GT in the set of GTs based upon a difference between the respective measured actual emissions value, a nominal emissions value at the ambient condition and a nominal emissions value at the ambient condition. |
| US09856795B2 |
Gas turbine system, controller, and gas turbine operation method
The gas turbine system has: a gas turbine having a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine; a fuel supply mechanism for supplying fuel to the combustor; a composition detection unit for detecting the composition of the fuel; and a controller for controlling the flow rate of the fuel supplied from the fuel supply mechanism to the combustor, on the basis of a function of the exhaust temperature of exhaust gas passing through the turbine and either air pressure of air expelled from the compressor to the combustor or an expansion ratio of the turbine. The controller calculates the specific heat ratio of the combustion gas from the composition of the fuel detected by the composition detection unit, corrects the function on the basis of the calculated specific heat ratio, and controls the flow rate of the fuel on the basis of the corrected function. |
| US09856794B2 |
High pressure relief valve nozzle
In one featured embodiment, a nozzle for a valve comprises a nozzle body surrounding a center axis and defined by an overall length extending from an inlet end to an outlet end. The nozzle body has a nozzle bore defined by an outlet bore inner diameter at the outlet end and an inlet bore inner diameter at the inlet end. The inlet bore inner diameter is greater than the outlet bore inner diameter, and the nozzle body has a nozzle face defined at the outlet end. The nozzle face is defined between the outlet bore inner diameter and an outlet bore outer diameter spaced radially outwardly of the outlet bore inner diameter. A ratio of the outlet bore inner bore diameter to the outlet bore outer diameter at the nozzle face is between 0.95 and 0.98. |
| US09856791B2 |
Wave disc engine apparatus
A wave disc engine apparatus is provided. A further aspect employs a constricted nozzle in a wave rotor channel. A further aspect provides a sharp bend between an inlet and an outlet in a fluid pathway of a wave rotor, with the bend being spaced away from a peripheral edge of the wave rotor. A radial wave rotor for generating electricity in an automotive vehicle is disclosed in yet another aspect. |
| US09856788B2 |
Airborne engine additive delivery system
A method of introducing additives to an air intake system of an engine in order to overcome one or more of the various problems created by formulation of additives in fuels. The method controls at least one of the amount, aerosol particle size and timing of introduction of additives based on information relevant to operation of the engine. The introduced additives form an air-additive mixture and are carried by the airflow in the air-intake system to the combustion chamber of the engine. Another aspect of the invention is an additive introduction system that includes one or more containers for additives, a control system for determining at least one of the amount, aerosol particle size and timing of introduction of the additives, and a device to introduce the additives into the air intake system under the control of the control system. |
| US09856782B2 |
Method of operating a supercharger
A method of operating a supercharger (10) for an automotive engine (20) is disclosed. A supercharger (10) has an input shaft (30) for coupling to a crank shaft (22) of the engine and also for coupling to the rotor of a first electrical machine (40) and the annulus of an epicyclic gear train (60). An output shaft (70) is connected to a compressor (80) and a sun gear of the epicyclic gear train (60). A carrier carrying planet gears of the epicyclic gear train (60) is connected to the rotor of a second electrical machine (50). The first electrical machine (40) is selectively operable to supply electrical energy to the second electrical machine (50). The second electrical machine (50) is selectively operable as a motor or a generator to accelerate or decelerate the compressor (80), thereby tending to increase or decrease the power output of the engine. The first electrical machine (40) is selectively operable as a motor or a generator to control the torque transmitted from the input shaft (30) back to the crank shaft (22) caused by operation of the second electrical machine (50). |
| US09856781B2 |
Supercharger assembly with independent superchargers and motor/generator
An assembly for controlling air flow to an engine includes a first supercharger (20) and a second supercharger (22). The superchargers are arranged in parallel with one another and in series with the throttle (70) in the air flow to the engine cylinders, and are configured to be operatively connectable with the engine upstream in the air flow to the cylinders. The assembly includes a load device (38) selectively connectable to the first supercharger (20) and selectively alternately operable to provide energy to or receive energy from the first supercharger. The superchargers are configured to be separately selectively operatively connectable with the throttle and the crankshaft to enable different modes of operation. |
| US09856776B1 |
Muffler with double shell housing
A muffler is disclosed. The muffler may comprise an expansion chamber and a double shell housing surrounding the expansion chamber and extending from a first end to a second end. The double shell housing may include an annular perforated inner shell, an annular outer shell surrounding the inner shell, and an insulation between the inner shell and the outer shell. The muffler may further comprise at least one C-bracket between the inner shell and the outer shell at each of the first and second ends of the double shell housing. Each of the C-brackets may include a first leg, a second leg, and a linking portion connecting the first leg and the second leg. The second leg may be in abutting engagement with the outer shell. |
| US09856771B2 |
Exhaust gas control apparatus for internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a urea water injection valve, a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage downstream of the injection valve, and an electronic control unit. The injection valve is configured to add urea water to exhaust gas. The catalyst is configured to adsorb ammonia generated from the urea water. The electronic control unit is configured to (i) set a target adsorption amount of the ammonia adsorbed on the catalyst, (ii) control the injection valve such that the amount of the urea water added to the exhaust gas becomes an addition amount calculated based on the target adsorption amount, and (iii) execute an initialization processing for decreasing the amount of the ammonia adsorbed on the catalyst to (zero) when an integrated value of the amount of the NOx flowing into the catalyst is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. |
| US09856770B2 |
Method of increasing volumetric throughput of an internal combustion engines used in vapor destruction applications
A method and device for controlling emissions of VOC's comprises transporting VOC's to an engine and transporting the exhaust from the engine into a manifold. Supplemental air is transporting into the manifold and heat is transferred from the exhaust to the supplemental air within the manifold. The supplemental air is mixed with the exhaust and the mixture is transferred to a pollution abatement device. |
| US09856768B2 |
Power generation system exhaust cooling
A turbomachine system according to an embodiment includes: a gas turbine system including a compressor component, a combustor component, and a turbine component; a mixing area for receiving an exhaust gas stream produced by the gas turbine system; a fluid injection system for injecting a fluid into the mixing area to reduce a temperature of the exhaust gas stream; and an exhaust processing system for processing the reduced temperature exhaust gas stream. |
| US09856761B2 |
Valve timing controller, lock jig for valve timing controller, and production method of valve timing controller
A valve timing controller includes a first housing; a second housing fixed to the first housing; a driven rotor inside of a driving rotor defined by the first housing and the second housing; a revolving actuator disposed on an extension of an axial direction of the driven rotor; a deceleration mechanism; and an engaging part that is engaged with a lock jig locking a relative rotation between the driving rotor and an input rotor of the deceleration mechanism in advance of assembling the valve timing controller to an internal-combustion engine. The engaging part is located on a radially inner side compared with an insertion part of the revolving actuator inserted in a hole of a cover component of the internal-combustion engine. |
| US09856755B2 |
Thermal integration of a carbon dioxide capture and compression unit with a steam or combined cycle plant
A power plant system including a fossil fuel fired power plant (6) for the generation of electricity, a carbon dioxide capture and compression system (5, 13), and an external heat cycle system has at least one heat exchanger (1,2,3) for the heating of the flow medium of the external heat cycle system. The heat exchanger (1,2,3) is connected to a heat flow from the CO2 capture plant (5) or a CO2 compression unit (13). A return flow from the heat exchanger (1,2,3) is led to the CO2 capture and compression system (5,13) or to the power plant (6). The power plant system allows an increase in overall efficiency of the system. |
| US09856752B2 |
Exhaust-gas turbocharger and method for manufacturing the same
An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) having a charger housing (2) which has a compressor housing (3), a turbine housing (4) and a bearing housing (5), and having a control capsule (6) which is fastened to the charger housing (2) and which has a housing lower part (7) and a housing upper part (8). The charger housing (2) has a fastening bracket (9), and the control capsule housing lower part (7) and housing upper part (8) are formed as individual parts which can be preassembled to form the control capsule (6) and which are separate from the charger housing (2) and which, in the mounted state of the control capsule (6), are connected to the fastening bracket (9). |
| US09856751B2 |
Nonlinear rolling bearing radial support stiffness
A bearing support assembly includes a squirrel cage defining a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical portion defining a bearing seat. The squirrel cage is configured and adapted to provide a first level of radial support stiffness between a housing and a bearing seated in the bearing seat. A damper sleeve is operatively coupled to the cylindrical portion of the squirrel cage through a fluid film to dampen relative radial motion between the damper sleeve and the squirrel cage. A radial spring component is operatively connected to a side of the damper sleeve radially opposite the cylindrical portion of the squirrel cage to provide a second level of radial support stiffness. |
| US09856750B2 |
Cooling passages for a mid-turbine frame
A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes at least one spoke for connecting an outer frame case to an inner frame case. At least one spoke includes an inlet passage and at least two branches that extend transverse to the inlet passage. |
| US09856748B2 |
Probe tip cooling
A probe cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes a probe housing and a bushing disposed between an end of the probe housing and a gas path, the bushing extending from the end of the probe housing to form a cavity. The system also includes a first plenum defined within the probe housing and configured to direct air from an internal cooling air supply towards the cavity. The system also includes a second plenum defined between the bushing and the probe housing and configured to direct air from the internal cooling air supply towards the cavity. |
| US09856747B2 |
Nozzle guide vane with cooled platform for a gas turbine
A platform for supporting a nozzle guide vane for a gas turbine is provided. The platform has a gas passage surface arranged to be in contact with a streaming operation gas, and a cooling channel for guiding a cooling fluid within the cooling channel formed in an inside of the platform. A cooling portion of an inner surface of the cooling channel is in thermal contact with the gas passage surface. The platform is an integrally formed part representing a segment in a circumferential direction of the gas turbine. The cooling channel has a first cooling channel portion and a second cooling channel portion arranged downstream of the first cooling channel portion with respect to a streaming direction of the operation gas. The first cooling channel portion and the second cooling channel portion are interconnected. |
| US09856745B2 |
Acoustic treatment in an unducted area of a geared turbomachine
An exemplary geared turbomachine assembly includes an acoustic treatment that is in an unducted area of a geared turbomachine. |
| US09856738B2 |
Turbine guide vane with a throttle element
A turbine guide vane having an aerodynamically bent vane airfoil with a channel system equipped with a throttle element is provided herein. The channel system includes channel sections for the guidance of coolant. In order to provide an alternative turbine guide vane by means of which both a partial coolant flow flowing in the interior and a partial coolant flow guided out of the turbine guide vane are adjustable; therefore, in an embodiment, the throttle element is designed for the removal of coolant. |
| US09856736B2 |
Fish mouth seal carrier
A fish mouth seal carrier for a guide vane arrangement of a gas turbine comprises a first half-shell element and a second half-shell element bonded to it, which together form a box profile with two axial arms and two radial arms. A sealing element is arranged on one of the axial arms of the box profile. At least one of the two half-shell elements has an integrally formed axial flange for forming, with a guide vane platform, a fish mouth seal accommodating an axial flange of an adjoining moving blade radially between the guide vane platform and the axial flange of the seal carrier. |
| US09856734B2 |
Adaptive machining turbomachine blade shroud hard face
A system for adaptively machining a shroud of a blade used in a turbomachine is provided. The system may include a computer system including a module(s) configured to: extract geometric location data from a 3D model of the shroud after use in the turbomachine, the 3D model created by digitizing using a digitizing device. The geometric location data includes geometric location data of a hard face plane of the shroud exposed to wear during turbomachine operation and of a non-worn surface adjacent to the hard face plane substantially unexposed to wear during turbomachine operation. Comparing the geometric location data of the non-worn surface from the three-dimensional model to a manufacturing model of the blade determines a change in position of the non-worn surface from use of the blade in the turbomachine. The change in position is used to modify a machining instruction used by a machining device to repair the hard face plane. |
| US09856731B2 |
Apparatus and method for wellhead testing
A wellhead test system comprising: i) a Coriolis mass flow meter configured to receive a flow of a liquid; ii) a water analyzer configured to receive the flow of the liquid; and iii) a controller coupled to the Coriolis mass flow meter and the water analyzer. The controller receives from the Coriolis mass flow meter at least one of: mass flow measurement data, mass density measurement data, and drive gain and also receives from the water analyzer at least one of water frequency measurement data, oil frequency measurement data, and insertion loss measurement data. The controller determines a gas volume fraction (GVF) value and modifies the operation of the Coriolis mass flow meter and the water analyzer based on the GVF value. |
| US09856730B2 |
Microwave communication system for downhole drilling
In one embodiment of the invention, an air drilling downhole telemetry and control system is disclosed, comprising a telemetry and control interface, a topside unit, one or more repeater units, a bottom hole unit, and an air filled drill string composed of a drill pipe acting as a circular waveguide, wherein the topside unit is disposed at the surface end of the drill string, the repeater units are disposed along the drill string, and the bottom hole unit is disposed at the terminal end of the drill string, and each unit is a communications node along a communications link existing between the telemetry and control interface and the bottom hole unit. Each unit comprises a communications subsystem, a power subsystem, and optionally a telemetry and control subsystem. The communications subsystem contains a message buffer system capable of temporarily storing communications during a communications link disruption event. Obstructions along the drill string, such as one-way valves, are incorporated into the repeater units disposed along the drill string. |
| US09856726B2 |
Higher order simulation of hydrocarbon flows of hydraulic fracture treatments
Higher order simulation of hydrocarbon flows associated with complex fractures produced in the hydraulic fracturing process in a well system may be used to obtain high fidelity results while minimizing a cost of computation. The higher order simulation of hydrocarbon flows may provide efficient and stable simulation algorithms that avoid any artificial boundary treatment inconsistent with the governing equations, while maintaining a uniform order of accuracy. In particular, a re-normalization technique implements higher-order finite difference/finite volume discretization near the boundary of the complex fractures. The simulation of hydrocarbon flows may be used to determine a production activity for the well system. |
| US09856717B2 |
Slot actuated downhole tool
In wellbore completions it is desirable to access multiple formation zones in a single well where the more formation zones that can be accessed tend to make the well increasingly economically viable. In an embodiment of the current invention a dart having a tapered or angled spline with a particular width on the darts exterior surface is pumped into a casing string having a number of devices Incorporated at strategic locations along the casing string. Each of the devices incorporated into the casing string have a slot as a part of the device. Each slot also has a particular width. As the dart passes through the devices incorporated in the casing string but towards the surface of the targeted device, the width of the tapered or angled spline is less than the minimum width of the slots in each of those upper devices. Therefore the dart does not engage or otherwise affect any of the upstream devices. However when the dart reaches the targeted device the width of the spline matches the width of the slot such that the slot captures the spline and the dart to which the spline is attached thereby sealing the wellbore at the targeted device. |
| US09856715B2 |
Stage tool for wellbore cementing
A stage tool and a method for stage cementing a wellbore annulus. The method includes: running into a wellbore toward bottom hole with a tubing string to a position in the wellbore; setting the tubing string in the wellbore to create the wellbore annulus between the tubing string and a wall of the wellbore; opening a cementing port through a side pocket structure positioned alongside the tubing string; pumping cement through the cementing port; and closing the cementing port to hold the cement in the annulus. |
| US09856713B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlled pressure drilling
A rotating flow head (RFH) has a housing having an internal bore with diameter substantially equal to that of a riser and at least one flow port proximate one longitudinal end thereof. First and second arrays of radially extensible and retractable locking elements are disposed circumferentially around the RFH housing. The RFH has a bearing assembly (BA) housing having an exterior diameter selected to fit within the internal bore of the RFH housing so as to provide an annular space therein. The BA housing engages one of the arrays of locking elements when extended. A mandrel is rotatably, sealingly supported within the BA housing. Another end of the BA housing and the other array of locking elements provide longitudinal force on the BA housing when the other array is extended. A seal element disposed in the annular space is energized by the longitudinal force applied to the BA housing. |
| US09856712B2 |
Low shear trim
A system includes a subsea chemical injection system configured to inject a chemical into a well, wherein the choke trim comprises a first cylinder comprising a first plurality of spiral flow paths, a second cylinder comprising a second plurality of spiral flow paths, wherein the first cylinder is disposed within the second cylinder, and an outer portion comprising a plurality of axial passages, wherein the second cylinder is disposed within the outer portion. |
| US09856708B2 |
Adjustable seat assembly
Disclosed herein is a seat assembly for a drill string, the seat assembly having an outer tubular member and a seat disposed therein. The seat has a bore having a central axis. A plurality of cuts extends radially from the bore to an outer perimeter of the seat, the plurality of cuts also extending a distance longitudinally along the length of the central axis. Each of the plurality of cuts is present at an angle oblique to the peripheral circumference of the bore. |
| US09856695B2 |
System and method for integrated magnetic slider assembly for hanging partition
There is provided a system for an integrated magnetic slider assembly. The system has the integrated magnetic slider assembly with a slider portion, a hanger portion coupled to or integrated with the slider portion, and one or more magnets coupled to the hanger portion. The system further has a longitudinal hanging device configured for coupling to and suspending the slider portion of the integrated magnetic slider assembly. The system further has at least one hanging partition configured for coupling to the hanger portion of the integrated magnetic slider assembly, the at least one hanging partition having a plurality of pleats. All the magnets in a plurality of integrated magnetic slider assemblies are vertically aligned with respect to each other to cause a magnetic attraction between adjacent magnets in order to hold the plurality of pleats together, when the at least one hanging partition is in a retracted position. |
| US09856690B2 |
Shower threshold and methods of implementation
A shower threshold and a method of implementing a shower threshold are disclosed. The shower threshold includes an elongated base component having one or more sidewalls extending from a base region of the elongated base component to an apex of the elongated base portion. The shower threshold also includes a flexible cap coupled to and extending from the elongated base component along the apex of the elongated base component. The flexible cap may be composed of a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers includes a core layer and a shell layer. The core layer is composed of a material that is softer than the shell layer. |
| US09856689B2 |
Method and device for determining the offset of an electric window lift system
The invention relates to a method for operating an electric window lift system for electrically moving a vehicle door window by means of a cable, according to which, based on the length change of the cable, the offset of the movement of the window is determined, in which the charge modification of the electric motor is monitored, the offset being used to exactly position (opening, closing) the window. |
| US09856688B2 |
Bi-directional element drive system
A bi-directional element drive system includes a motor having a drive shaft, a cable anchor and a cable connector. The cable connector is carried on the drive shaft and has two ends connected to the cable anchor. In addition the drive system includes a support and a driven element. The driven element is displaced between a first position and a second position relative to the support by the motor. |
| US09856686B2 |
Hinge device for doors, shutters and the like
A hinge device includes a first fixed tubular half-shell having a working chamber defining a longitudinal axis, a second tubular half-shell rotatable about the longitudinal axis, a pivot rotating unitary with the latter which includes a single pass-through actuating member having a helical shape, a plunger member slidable along the longitudinal axis, and a tubular bushing having a pair of guide cam slots. A pin inserted within the pass-through actuating member is provided to allow the mutual engagement of the pivot and the bushing. The first tubular half-shell includes an end portion susceptible to rotatably support the pivot, the second tubular half-shell and the bushing are coaxially coupled to each other, and the bushing and the first tubular half-shell are mutually unitarily coupled. |
| US09856681B1 |
Push lifter
A push lifter includes a body portion; a rod slidably disposed inside the body portion; an urging portion to urge the rod in a direction away from the body portion; and a rotator disposed rotatably about an axial of the rod at the one end of the body portion to lock or unlock the rod. The rod includes a first rib portion, and a second rib portion distanced from the first rib portion in an axial direction of the rod, to rotate the rotator. The rotator includes an inner cam portion so that when the rod is pressed to slide inwardly of the body portion, the first rib portion abuts against the inner cam portion to rotate the rotator, and when the rod is released to project outwardly from the body portion, the second rib portion abuts against the inner cam portion to rotate the rotator. |
| US09856680B2 |
Method for producing motor vehicle locks with a twisted locking part edge
In order to minimize the sliding friction between the locking parts that is, between the pawl and the rotary latch of a motor vehicle lock, it is advantageous if, during the production process, the different latch surfaces of both locking parts are provided with a stamping contour having straight grooves and with a stamping contour characterized in that the provided grooves are oblique. Said oblique grooves of the latch surface on the pawl are placed in the position indicated in figure such that the entire pawl is twisted about the longitudinal axis thereof. Also, at least two overlapping points are provided between the straight grooves and the oblique grooves such that both of the locking parts come into mutual contact reducing the friction. |
| US09856679B2 |
Lid lock device
A lid lock device includes: a housing configured to be fixed to a vehicle; a lock member configured to be movably assembled in the housing and to lock a lid of the vehicle in a closed state; a driving source configured to be assembled in the housing and to drive the lock member toward a side where the lock is released; a side surface through-hole formed at a position that opposes a side surface of the lock member in the housing; and a protrusion which is formed in a side surface of the lock member, passes through the side surface through-hole to protrude from the housing, and receives a manual operation force for moving the lock member toward the side where the lock is released. |
| US09856677B1 |
Cylinder lock assembly
A cylinder lock assembly includes a lock cylinder inserted into a cylindrical chamber of a lock housing, the lock cylinder being formed with plate mounting slots, a latch slot, and a main key slot; primary locking plates inserted in the respective plate mounting slots, each of the primary locking plates being formed with a secondary plate recess, a first key slot, and a first latch groove; secondary locking plates inserted in the respective secondary plate recesses, each of the secondary locking plates being formed with a second key slot and a second latch groove, springs being provided between the primary locking plates and the lock cylinder and between the secondary locking plates and the lock cylinder respectively; and a latch inserted into the latch slot, a latch return spring being provided between the latch and the lock cylinder. |
| US09856676B2 |
External lock assembly with a pair of locking bolt members for sliding doors or windows incorporating an immobilizer device of at least one locking bolt member at locked condition
An external lock assembly for sliding doors or windows comprising a pair of reciprocatingly moving sliding bolt carriage handle members (8a, 8b) that move locking bolt members (7a, 7b) and a pair of associated guide blocks (18a, 18b) fixedly mounted onto the body (12) of the lock assembly. At least one of the guide blocks is provided with a recessed region (20) adapted to accomodate an immobilizer member (21) that maintains at least one corresponding locking bolt member at locked condition. The immobilizer member (21) is pivotally mounted with a bottom extending shaft (22) that enters into a hole (20a) of the recessed region (20) and comprises a V-section body extension with adjacent sides (23a, 24a) and extreme edges (23, 24) respectively, while a slot (21a) of the immobilizer member (21) is adapted to receive a key implement (30) by means of which it is being rotated through a predetermined arc to bring one of the extreme edges (23, 24) thereof in abutment with a bottom end of a V-sectioned body portion (26) of the guide block thereby providing an immobilized status of the associated locking bolt member at a locked condition. |
| US09856673B2 |
Tent
A tent includes a tent fabric and a supporting pole. The supporting pole is connected to the tent fabric for supporting the tent fabric. The tent further includes a first top pole and a securing and connecting device, and the securing and connecting device is connected to the tent fabric. When the tent is put up, the first top pole is inserted into the securing and connecting device, and the first top pole and the supporting pole are crosswise arranged, the securing and connecting device is located at an extension direction of the first top pole. Since a cross structure is formed at a top of the tent and the first top pole is secured by the securing and connecting device, a supporting plane can be formed at the top of the tent when the tent is put up, expending the usable area at the top of the tent. |
| US09856672B2 |
Privacy tent
Various implementations include a fully collapsible and portable tent. For example, in various implementations, the tent includes a frame assembly that includes two or more frame members and two hubs spaced apart from each other. Ends of the frame members are coupled to the hubs. At least one of the frame members is pivotably coupled to the hubs via pivotable brackets. The pivotably coupled frame member pivot about a first axis extending through each end of the pivotably coupled frame member and the respective pivotable bracket, and the pivotable brackets pivot about a second axis extending through the pivotable bracket and the respective hub, wherein the first axis is spaced apart from the first axis. The pivotable brackets allow the tent to be moved between the collapsed and expanded positions quickly and with minimal effort. |
| US09856668B2 |
Removable pool skimmer plug
A device to convert an existing pool skimmer assembly into a pressurizable pool skimmer assembly, thereby allowing the existing pool skimmer assembly to act with this existing pool pump in emergency situations, such as assisting firefighters with pool water for extinguishing local wildfires or house fires. A removable plug cap and o-rings enables the pool pump to draw the pool water from the pool main drain using the existing pool skimmer. This device can also be used to drain the pool for cleaning the pool or for winterizing the pool, without requiring an electrical sump pump. |
| US09856665B2 |
Method and apparatus for dampening waves in a wave pool
A wave pool for producing waves has a first wave-forming portion with an inclined section for causing the waves to begin breaking and a second wave-dampening portion with a raised floor with perforations extended above a bottom chamber floor. The raised floor is preferably adapted with a predetermined porosity such that a boundary layer of energy absorbing vortices and eddies is generated above and below the raised floor, resulting from water passing up and down through the openings, and the boundary layer effects on the raised floor help to dampen the waves. |
| US09856664B1 |
Wall protection supports
A system includes one or more wall coverings positioned against a wall, and a plurality of supports spaced generally evenly along the wall holding the one or more wall coverings in place. Each support of the plurality of supports includes an elongate, thin metal plate that is bent at an angle slightly greater than ninety degrees to delineate a base portion engaging a floor, and a back support portion engaging the wall and holding at least one of the one or more wall coverings in place. The back support portion includes a bumper secured to a back side of the back support portion proximate an upper end of the back support portion. |
| US09856662B2 |
Mobile large manipulator
A large manipulator includes a chassis, at least two front support arms, and at least two rear support arms. The support arms are coupled to corresponding extendable support legs that are each coupled to the chassis and that are each configured to be extended between a travel position and a support position. The large manipulator further includes a mast arm with a turntable coupled to the chassis. An operating range of the mast arm is dependent upon the support positions of the extendable support arms. The large manipulator further includes a computer with a monitor and a program-controlled positioning aid. The positioning aid is configured to generate a graphical representation of surrounding image data on the monitor. The operating range of the mast arm is visualized in the graphical representation. |
| US09856658B2 |
Floorboard assembly
A floorboard assembly includes floor boards and fasteners. Each floor board includes a rectangular body including a coupling tongue and a coupling groove at two opposite sides, a first pressure block and a second pressure block respectively disposed at a bottom side relative to the coupling tongue and the coupling groove, a recessed portion disposed in an outer upper side of the first pressure block and a step respectively disposed in an outer upper side of the second pressure block. Each fastener includes a base panel having a front baffle and a rear baffle at two opposite sides, a partition rib spaced between the front and rear baffles, and a hooked portion curved from the top of the partition rib. |
| US09856656B2 |
Mechanical locking of floor panels with a glued tongue
A tongue with edge sections that are used to glue the tongue into a groove of panel. A tongue for connection of a building panel, said tongue is of an elongated shape and made of molded plastic, the tongue including at least two protrusions at a first long edge of the tongue, wherein the protrusions are bendable in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the tongue and extending essentially in the parallel plane and, wherein the tongue has a second long edge, which is essentially straight over substantially the whole length of the tongue and the tongue includes a gluing part configured to be glued into a groove at an edge of the building panel. |
| US09856654B1 |
Collapsible stair with foldable ramp
A collapsible stair with foldable ramp can include a first step, and a second step nestable within the first step such that when the collapsible stair is in a closed position the second step is aligned with the first step and when the collapsible stair is in an open position a lateral offset between the second step and the first step is increased. A third step can be nestable within the first step such that when the collapsible stair is in a closed position the third step is aligned with the second step and is in an open position a lateral offset between the third step and the second step is increased. A ramp can be rotatably coupled to the first step to rotate from a stair position to a ramp position, wherein the ramp position comprises the second step and the third step being covered by the ramp. |
| US09856653B1 |
Modular precast concrete steps
A precast concrete step unit formed of left and right sidewalls, risers, and treads, wherein left and right sidewalls are assembled from a plurality of pre-cast sidewall panel modules, with a stepped panel module with two or more steps. Pre-cast concrete riser modules and tread modules extend between the right and left sidewalls. Reinforcing cross brace members are fastened to the inside distal surfaces of the left and right sidewalls where they are bolted into screw anchors embedded into the sidewalls. There are also screw anchor inserts embedded into the proximal ends of the sidewalls and into the ends of a first or lowest of the risers, and adapted for affixing the riser and sidewalls using clip angles or right-angle brackets. After alignment, the treads and remaining risers are installed using a construction adhesive which may be applied using a caulk gun. The precast modules each weight about 200 pounds or less, with none exceeding 250 pounds, and most much less. The installation can be carried out by an installation team of two workmen. One-piece concrete footing pieces can be used to support the lower edges of the sidewall panel modules. |
| US09856649B1 |
Process for manufacturing a multi-layer shingle
In an exemplary embodiment, a shingle manufacturing system comprises an entry pull roll for providing a substantially continuous sheet comprising shingle material, an adhesive applicator for applying a laminating adhesive to a surface of the sheet, and a cutting station for cutting the sheet, now carrying the laminating adhesive, into at least three longitudinal pieces. |
| US09856646B2 |
Length profile device
A long, hollow, multiple sided profile device where at least one of the sides is provided with a bolthole, and where at least one of the sides of the profile is provided with a bolt opening. |
| US09856642B2 |
Corrugated furring strips and use of same in upright wall structures
Corrugated furring strips are used on the outer side of an exterior insulation layer in an exterior wall construction. The corrugated furring strips support a final cladding layer at an offstanding position from the insulation, thereby providing a rainscreen. The corrugated furring strips are fastened to the framework of the wall through the exterior insulation layer. Optional bridging members shaped to conformingly mate with lands and grooves of the corrugated furring straps cooperate therewith to define a support grid with improved load capacity for heavier cladding materials and more fastening location options. The insulation layer is free of any thermal bridges other than the insulation-penetrating fasteners used to support the furring and optional bridges. Thermally insulative washers isolate the furring and optional bridges from the fasteners to further improve the insulating effect of the wall. |
| US09856640B2 |
Split gusset connection
A gusset connection that allows greater relative movement between connected structural members and simplifies erection in the field. The gusset connection can be a first gusset portion moveably or fixedly connected to a vertical column and a second gusset connection moveably or fixedly connected to a horizontal beam. A diagonal brace is moveably or fixedly connected to the gusset connection. The first and second gusset portions are not directly connected to each other to allow relative movement between the column, beam, and diagonal brace. |
| US09856638B2 |
Drain element
The invention relates to a drain element formed of a hydrophilic coherent man-made vitreous fiber substrate (MMVF substrate), wherein the MMVF substrate comprises man-made vitreous fibers bonded with a cured binder composition, the MMVF substrate having opposed first and second ends and a passage which extends from a first opening in the first end to a second opening in the second end. |
| US09856636B2 |
FOG disposal article
An article for properly disposing of FOG so that it does not enter and clog a pipe of a kitchen sink drain. The article may comprise a top opening for receiving said FOG, said opening defined in one embodiment by a perimeter rim configured for placement along the bottom sink surface surrounding the drain, and a body below the perimeter rim and the top opening, the exterior of the body defined by a membrane having a shape for fitting stably within the drain. In one embodiment, the entire lower interior of the membrane body is filled with absorbent material for absorbing FOG. In one embodiment, the absorbent material may be separable from the article body, for disposal of the absorbent material without the body. In one embodiment, the body volume may be configured for receiving an amount of FOG generated by one session of home cooking. |
| US09856630B2 |
Mixing systems for water storage tanks
A system may include a water storage tank configured to at least temporarily store an amount of water in an enclosed interior section and a mixing system. The mixing system may include an intake conduit having at least a portion positioned in the interior section to withdraw water from the lower portion of the water storage tank. A pump system may have an intake section and a discharge section, the intake section being coupled to the intake conduit. A discharge conduit may be coupled to the discharge section of the pump system. A discharge fixture may be positioned in the interior section and may include a plurality of discharge holes configured to spray water from the discharge conduit into the water storage tank so as to mix at least a portion of water inside the water storage tank. |
| US09856627B2 |
Remotely actuated swing locking mechanism for machinery with rotatable upper works
A locking mechanism for heavy equipment having a first structure moveable relative to a second structure, the locking mechanism having an actuator mechanism, coupled to one of the first structure and the second structure, operable between a deployed position and a retracted position, a biasing member, a carriage member operable between a restricted position, in response to the actuator being in the retracted position, and an extended position. The biasing member is configured to bias the carriage member toward the extended position in response to the actuator mechanism being in a deployed position and the carriage member is configured to prevent relative movement between the first structure and the second structure in the extended position. |
| US09856626B2 |
Hydraulic excavator
The hydraulic excavator capable of accurately positioning an engine and an exhaust gas treatment unit is provided. The hydraulic excavator includes a engine, an exhaust gas treatment unit, a front left pillar portion, a rear left pillar portion, a plurality of support portions, and a center frame. The exhaust gas treatment unit treats an exhaust gas from the engine. The plurality of support portions support the exhaust gas treatment unit. The center frame carries the engine. The center frame has a vertical plate. Two support portions are fixed to the vertical plate. |
| US09856625B2 |
Working vehicle
A working vehicle includes: a vehicle body; and a boom; a bucket; a boom driving unit including a boom cylinder; a bucket driving unit configured to swing the bucket; a boom-bottom pressure sensor configured to detect a boom-bottom pressure of the boom cylinder; and a working equipment controller configured to control at least one of a lift motion of the boom and a tilt motion of the bucket. The bucket includes an inclined portion. The working equipment controller controls the lift motion or the tilt motion by comparing a threshold set in accordance with an inclination angle of the inclined portion with the boom-bottom pressure. |
| US09856616B2 |
Self-restoring crash cushions
A self-restoring crash cushion including multiple diaphragms spaced along a length direction of the cushion, an elongated track adapted to be anchored to the ground that extends along the length direction under the cushion, the diaphragms being mounted to the track in a manner in which they can slide along the track when impacted by a moving vehicle or when the cushion is being restored, and means for dissipating energy of the moving vehicle. |
| US09856613B2 |
Self-propelled road milling machine
The road milling machine according to the invention comprises a cleaning device which has a cleaning unit arranged in front of the work roller in the working direction. The cleaning unit ensures that the surface of the terrain over which the wheels or running gears travel is clear of material. As a result, an optimum milling result is always achieved. The invention takes effect in particular when using small millers which have at least one rear wheel or running gear which can be moved into an inner working position in relation to a longitudinal side of the machine frame and into an outer working position in relation to a longitudinal side of the machine frame. In this preferred embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a pivot device which is designed in such a way that the cleaning unit can be moved into an inner working position in relation to a longitudinal side of the machine frame and into an outer working position in relation to a longitudinal side of the machine frame. In the inner or outer working position, the cleaning unit is arranged on the same track as the rear wheel or running gear which can be moved into the inner or outer working position. This ensures that the track of the rear wheel or running gear is clear of milled material or other dirt, wherein the cleaning unit does not protrude too far beyond the rear wheel or running gear. |
| US09856611B2 |
Apparatus for producing foamed bitumen and method for its maintenance
The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing foamed bitumen for a road construction machine, comprising at least one mixing device having a reaction chamber, in which hot bitumen and at least one reaction fluid can be mixed together via an inlet device comprising at least one inlet nozzle and can be discharged from the mixing device via an outlet device, with at least one compressed-air device being provided, via which the inlet device and/or the outlet device can be subjected to a compressed-air stream for testing and/or cleaning purposes. The present invention further also relates to a method for maintaining such an apparatus. |
| US09856608B1 |
Method for manufacturing fiber-based produced containers
Methods and apparatus for manufacturing vacuum forming a produce container using a fiber-based slurry. The slurry includes a moisture barrier comprising alkylketene dimer in the range of about 4% by weight, and a cationic liquid starch component in the range of 1%-7% by weight. |
| US09856607B2 |
Cellulose nanofilaments and method to produce same
Cellulose nanofilaments from cellulose fibers, a method and a device to produce them are disclosed. The nanofilaments are fine filaments with widths in the sub-micron range and lengths up to a couple of millimeters. These nanofilaments are made from natural fibers from wood and other plants. The surface of the nanofilaments can be modified to carry anionic, cationic, polar, hydrophobic or other functional groups. Addition of these nanofilaments to papermaking furnishes substantially improves the wet-web strength and dry sheet strength much better than existing natural and synthetic polymers. The cellulose nanofilaments produced by the present invention are excellent additives for reinforcement of paper and paperboard products and composite materials, and can be used to produce superabsorbent materials. |
| US09856604B2 |
Insulation for cylinder heads
The cylinder (1; 111) comprises: a shell (3; 113) and two heads (5, 7; 115, 117), defining an inner hollow space (9), inside which a heat-transfer fluid flows. Support and rotation journals (15, 17; 121, 123) are also provided, fixed to said heads; and a thermal insulation system (23, 25; 125, 125) for the heads (5, 7, 117, 119). The thermal insulation system comprises, for each head, a plurality of thermal insulation panels (27; 127), each of which comprises a closed space (10) defined in a shell, inside which there is housed a thermal insulating material (35). |
| US09856601B2 |
Method and apparatus for adding steam for a steam explosion pretreatment process
A method for treating cellulosic biomass feed stock including: feeding the feed stock to an upper inlet of a vertical reactor vessel, wherein the feed stock is deposited on a pile of feed stock within the vertical reactor vessel; adding heat energy to heat the feed stock by injecting steam to an upper region of the vertical reactor vessel; propelling the feed stock through an outlet in a lower region of the vertical reactor vessel by injecting steam into the biomass at, near or after the bottom outlet of the vertical reactor vessel, and moving the propelled feed stock through an expansion device, such as a steam explosion device, to subject the feed stock to a steam explosion process. |
| US09856593B2 |
Washing machine
Disclosed is a washing machine having an improved structure of enabling laundry to be put into the washing machine without restraint, the washing machine including a cabinet forming an external appearance of the washing machine, and provided at a front side thereof with an inlet port, a tub provided in the cabinet and accommodating wash water, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, and a door installed at the cabinet to open and close the inlet port, wherein the door is provided with a subsidiary door that is freely open and closed independent of the door during a washing cycle. |
| US09856590B2 |
Method of making a spunbond web from filaments
A spunbond nonwoven from thermoplastic filaments is made by spinning the filaments from at least one spinner, cooling and stretching the spun filaments, depositing the cooled and stretched filaments on a surface to form a nonwoven fleece web, and moving the fleece web in a travel direction. A liquid medium is introduced into the moving fleece web and it is then mechanically needled. The mechanically needled web is then subject to a hydraulic or hydrodynamic final consolidation by hydroentanglement to a basis weight of more than 80 g/m2 from a top side as well as from a lower side of the nonwoven fleece web by high-pressure water-jet bars above and below the nonwoven fleece web. O of the bars is upstream of the other bar and has a hpi density that is smaller than that of the other bar and that is equal to at most 40. |
| US09856586B2 |
Thread inserting device
A thread inserting device includes a guide pin having a thread capture portion at its tip for capturing a thread; a holder that fixedly holds the guide pin; a main body (first and second main bodies) slidably mounting the holder; and a thread cutting portion provided to the main body for cutting the thread to a length equal to or smaller than the protrusion of the thread capture portion from a thread captured position on a thread tip 6a side after the thread is captured by the thread capture portion. By shifting the holder, the thread capture portion is protruded to a predetermined length from the main body, and the thread cut to a predetermined length by the thread cutting portion is inserted into the thread inserting hole. |
| US09856585B1 |
Circular loom of mannequin
A rotatable loom with a mannequin such that the loom can be used to produce a hand-made single piece of cloth or cloth product in a three dimension with a thread of choice. The loom has two or more frames with graded rings such that the rings help in achieving a cylindrical or cubic shape cloth. |
| US09856583B2 |
Method of manufacturing silicon carbide single crystal
A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide single crystal includes steps of preparing a crucible, a source material disposed toward a bottom surface in the crucible, a seed crystal disposed to face the source material toward a top surface in the crucible, a resistive heater, and a heat insulator configured to be able to accommodate the crucible therein, measuring a mass of at least a portion of the heat insulator, comparing a measured value of the mass obtained in the measuring step with a threshold value, and growing a silicon carbide single crystal on the seed crystal by sublimation of the source material by heating the crucible placed in the heat insulator with the resistive heater. When the measured value of the mass is lower than the threshold value in the comparing step, the step of growing a silicon carbide single crystal is performed at least one or more times. |
| US09856582B2 |
SiC single crystal and production method thereof
A method is disclosed with provides stable growth of SiC single crystals, particularly 4H—SiC single crystals, with an effective crystal growth rate for a prolonged time even at a low temperature range of 2000° C. or lower. A raw material containing Si, Ti and Ni is charged into a crucible made of graphite and heat-melted to obtain a solvent. At the same time, C is dissolved out from the crucible into the solvent to obtain a melt. A SiC seed crystal substrate is then brought into contact with the melt such that SiC is supersaturated in the melt in the vicinity of the surface of the SiC seed crystal substrate, thereby allowing growth and production of an SiC single crystal on the SiC seed crystal substrate. |
| US09856568B2 |
System to verify rod anode integrity
A pressurized rod anode having a hollow core that is monitored by a sensor. The hollow core is pressurized at all times, or in the alternative, is of a pressure less than the pressure within a reactor tank. A rod anode that fails to maintain pressure indicates material removal sufficient to breach the integrity of the rod anode. A relay can be used to cause removal of the rod anode power source when a breach of integrity occurs. Indicator lights provide instant monitoring of the rod anode condition, a bypass switch allow temporary operation of a rod anode pending a timed shutdown for repair. |
| US09856565B2 |
Metallization and surface coating solution on glass filler high peformance amorphous polymer compositions
A composition including from 35 to 85% by weight based on the weight of the composition of a high-heat amorphous polymeric material, having a glass transition temperature of at least 180 degrees Celsius, from 10 to 50% by weight based on the weight of the composition of a filler selected from glass fiber, glass flake, flat glass fiber, glass bead, and combinations thereof; and from 0 to 10% by weight of composition of at least one additive selected from a flow promoter, a thermal stabilizer, a mold release agent, and combinations thereof. Products including the composition, such as a hard disc drive enclosure. |
| US09856564B2 |
Image processing-based lithography system and method of coating target object
A technique related with a lithography system is disclosed. The lithography system includes at least one target object disposed on a substrate, a processor configured to process an image of the target object to determine an optical pattern for a coating layer of the target object, and an exposure apparatus configured to provide light having the optical pattern determined by the processor to the substrate. |
| US09856561B2 |
Auto-refill ampoule and methods of use
Apparatus and methods for supplying a gas to a processing chamber are described. The apparatus comprises an inlet line, an outlet line and a fill line in fluid communication an ampoule. The apparatus described, and methods of use, allow a precursor ampoule to be refilled during processing without removing or replacing the ampoule and interrupting the process. |
| US09856559B2 |
Corona treatment system
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a color sensor is provided for sensing whether a ground roller in a corona treatment system needs to be serviced. The color sensor is capable of detecting imperfections which have changed the reflectance level of the ground roller from a predefined level. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, if a determination is made that the ground roller needs to be serviced, then an alarm is activated and/or the operation of the corona treatment system is ceased. |
| US09856552B2 |
Aluminum alloys and methods for producing the same
Heat treatable aluminum alloy strips and methods for making the same are disclosed. The heat treatable aluminum alloy strips are continuously cast and quenched, with optional rolling occurring before and/or after quenching. After quenching, the heat treatable aluminum alloy strip is neither annealed nor solution heat treated. |
| US09856549B2 |
Fe-based metal sheet and manufacturing method thereof
A cast slab containing C: less than 0.02 mass % and made of an Fe-based metal of an α-γ transforming component is subjected to hot rolling at a temperature of an A3 point or higher and is subjected to α-region rolling at a temperature of 300° C. or higher and lower than the A3 point, and thereby a base metal sheet having a {100} texture in a surface layer portion is fabricated. Then, by performing a heat treatment under predetermined conditions, an Fe-based metal sheet is obtained in which a Z value is not less than 2.0 nor more than 200 when intensity ratios of respective {001}<470>, {116}<6 12 1>, and {223}<692> directions in a sheet plane by X-ray diffraction are set to A, B, and C respectively and Z=(A+0.97B)/0.98C is satisfied. |
| US09856536B2 |
Method for treating castration-resistant prostate cancer
Methods and kits for characterizing a subject having a steroid-dependent disease such as prostate cancer are described. A method of treating a steroid-dependent disease in a subject by obtaining a biological sample from the subject, determining if the HSD3B1(1245C) gene or 3βHSD1(367T) protein is expressed in the biological sample, and providing treatment other than or in addition to steroid ablation to the subject if the HSD3B1(1245C) gene or 3βHSD1(367T) protein is expressed is also described. |
| US09856534B2 |
Selecting use of proteasome inhibitors based on NF-κB2 sequence
Provided herein are methods for selecting use of proteasome inhibitors. |
| US09856530B2 |
Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides
The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, systems, and devices for polynucleotide processing. Such polynucleotide processing may be useful for a variety of applications, including polynucleotide sequencing. |
| US09856529B2 |
Method for nucleotide detection
A method of inhibiting light-induced degradation of nucleic acids includes irradiating a portion of the nucleic acids in the presence of a detection solution comprising a polyphenolic compound. A method of detecting a nucleic acid having a fluorescent tag includes irradiating at least a portion of the nucleic acid with light of a suitable wavelength to induce a fluorescence emission and detecting the fluorescence emission. Optionally, the polyphenolic compound is gallic acid, a lower alkyl ester thereof, or mixtures thereof. A kit includes one or more nucleotides, an enzyme capable of catalyzing incorporation of the nucleotides into a nucleic acid strand and a polyphenolic compound suitable for preparing a detection solution. |
| US09856526B2 |
Method for electrochemically identifying target nucleotide sequences
A method and assembly for electrochemically identifying target nucleotide sequences. The method includes supplying a biological sample that may contain a predetermined target nucleotide sequence; supplying activatable amplification materials comprising free nucleotides to form replicated target nucleotide sequences; supplying an oxido-reducible compound capable of being inserted during replication between the nucleotides forming the replicated target sequences; and activating the activatable amplification materials before applying an electric field to the sample in order to activate the oxido-reducible compound. The replicated target sequences cause inhibition of electrochemical activity of the inserted oxido-reducible compound, and the presence of the predetermined target nucleotide sequence is determined in instances where the electric current decreases. |
| US09856525B2 |
Digital assays with associated targets
System, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for performing a digital assay with associated targets. In some embodiments, the assay of associated targets in partitions may lower the limit of detection (LOD) or otherwise increase assay sensitivity, accuracy, and/or specificity. The targets may represent spaced or overlapping regions of the same template and/or each may represent a region from a different complementary strand of the same template. In some embodiments, the associated targets may be provided by a type of biological particle, and the target content of partitions may be used to identify and quantify the type of biological particle in a sample. |
| US09856522B2 |
Method, microreactor and apparatus for carrying out real-time nucleic acid amplification
A method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification, includes providing a reaction chamber (31), accommodating an array (36) of nucleic acid probes (37) at respective locations; for hybridizing to respective target nucleic acids; and introducing a solution (50) into the reaction chamber (31), wherein the solution (50) contains primers, capable of binding to target nucleic acids, nucleotides, nucleic acid extending enzymes and a sample including nucleic acids. The structure of the nucleic acid probes (37) and of the primers is selected so that a hybridization temperature (TH) of the probes (37) is higher than an annealing temperature (TA) of the primers, whereby hybridization and annealing take place in respective separate (non-overlapping) temperature ranges (RH, RA). |
| US09856521B2 |
Ligation assays in liquid phase
Ligation assays in liquid phase for detecting nucleic acid sequences. |
| US09856519B2 |
Stable nanoreporters
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for detection and quantification of individual target molecules in biomolecular samples. In particular, the invention relates to improved, stable nanoreporter probes that are capable of binding to and identifying target molecules based on the probes' uniquely detectable signal. Methods for identifying target-specific sequences for inclusion in the probes are also provided, as are methods of making and using such probes. Polynucleotide sequences of certain nanoreporter components are also provided. The probes can be used in diagnostic, prognostic, quality control and screening applications. |
| US09856514B2 |
Methods of nucleic acid fractionation and detection
The invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid present in a biological sample, comprising combining the biological sample with a lysis buffer to form a lysis mixture comprising nucleic acid released from cells in said biological sample; and subjecting a volume of the lysis mixture to size-exclusion chromatography in a column comprising a volume of size-exclusion medium. In certain embodiments, the lysis buffer separates double-stranded nucleic acid into single-stranded nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, the elution can have a flow rate of separation of less than 10 minutes to produce an eluted solution comprising isolated nucleic acid. The invention provides for a method of accurately and rapidly detecting products of nucleic acid amplification. |
| US09856507B2 |
Method for screening food ingredients and food compositions
The present invention provides a method for screening for a food ingredient or a food composition that reduces a cancer risk and inhibits cancer development. A substance that reduces a cancer risk is screened by administering a candidate substance and analyzing alteration in gut microbiota or a metabolite produced by an intestinal bacterium. Also, candidate substances are screened by adding each candidate substance to a bacterial culture system and analyzing its effect on a bacterium involved in cancer development. |
| US09856497B2 |
Chimeric proteins and methods of regulating gene expression
The present disclosure provides systems, compositions and methods for regulating expression of a target polynucleotide in a cell. The systems, compositions and methods comprise a chimeric receptor polypeptide comprising a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) or a fragment thereof, a chimeric adaptor polypeptide, at least one actuator moiety and a cleavage moiety. |
| US09856495B2 |
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. |
| US09856494B2 |
Cloning and exploitation of a functional R-gene from Solanum x edinense
The invention relates to a new resistance gene, Rpi-edn2 and functional homologues or functional fragments thereof isolated from S. x edinense. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of said resistance gene, for example the use of said resistance gene in a method to increase or confer at least partial resistance in a plant to an oomycete infection. The invention provides an isolated or recombinant nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding one of the amino acid sequences of FIG. 4 or a functional fragment or a functional homologue thereof. |
| US09856491B2 |
Hybrid caulimovirus promoters and constructs thereof
The present invention relates to novel hybrid promoters comprising a caulimovirus promoter operably linked to one or more of an EF1α, Act8, Act2 or Act11 promoter. The present invention also relates to novel DNA constructs comprising at least one expression cassette which comprises the hybrid promoter thereof. The present invention further relates to transgenic plants/seeds comprising such DNA constructs. |
| US09856488B2 |
Plant with reduced protein productivity in seeds and method for producing same
According to the present invention, a gene having a novel function that can cause an increase or decrease in seed protein content is searched for. A chimeric protein obtained by fusing a transcription factor consisting of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 76 and a functional peptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into a transcriptional repressor or a transcription factor consisting of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 77 to 84 is expressed in a plant. |
| US09856487B2 |
Reducing levels of nicotinic alkaloids in plants
Two genes, A622 and NBB1, can be influenced to achieve a decrease of nicotinic alkaloid levels in plants. In particular, suppression of one or both of A622 and NBB1 may be used to decrease nicotine in tobacco plants. |
| US09856480B2 |
Dnazyme for silencing the expression of EGFR
The invention provides DNAzymes which are capable to silence the expression of EGFR at allele-specific level. These allele-specific DNAzymes against EGFR T790M mutation will knockdown the expression of EGFR T790M mRNA while keeping EGFR wild-type mRNA intact. Hence, these allele-specific DNAzymes against EGFR T790M mutation may overcome T790M-derived TKI resistance accompanied with lower unwanted side effects on normal cells in lung cancer patients. |
| US09856475B2 |
Formulations for treating amyloidosis
This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing a UNA oligomer targeted to TTR and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compositions can be used in methods for treating or preventing TTR-related amyloidosis in a primate. The compositions, upon administering a single dose to the primate, can reduce TTR protein in the primate for a period of days to weeks. |
| US09856473B2 |
Compositions and methods for modulation of LMNA expression
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of LMNA in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are methods of target validation. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders. Further provided are methods of identifying cis splicing regulatory elements of a selected mRNA using the disclosed compounds. |
| US09856471B2 |
Methods and devices for high fidelity polynucleotide synthesis
Disclosed are methods for synthesizing and/or assembling at least one polynucleotide product having a predefined sequence from a plurality of different oligonucleotides. In exemplary embodiments, the methods involve synthesis and/or amplification of different oligonucleotides immobilized on a solid support, release of synthesized/amplified oligonucleotides in solution to form droplets, recognition and removal of error-containing oligonucleotides, moving or combining two droplets to allow hybridization and/or ligation between two different oligonucleotides, and further chain extension reaction following hybridization and/or ligation to hierarchically generate desired length of polynucleotide products. |
| US09856470B2 |
Process for generating a variant library of DNA sequences
A method for generating a variant library of DNA sequences starting from at least one DNA starting sequence and including the steps: a) selecting at least two mutation sites in the starting sequence; b) dividing the DNA starting sequence into at least two sequence segments such that at least two of these sequence segments each contain at least one of the mutation sites; c) amplifying the sequence segments by polymerase chain reaction using at least five different oligonucleotides, where at (i) least one of the oligonucleotides can attach to each mutation site; (ii) at least two of the oligonucleotides can attach to at least one mutation site, and (iii) mutations are introduced, via mismatch positions, into the PCR amplificates by the oligonucleotides at the mutation sites where at least two mutations are introduced at at least one of the mutation sites; and d) linking the amplificates to give DNA sequences. |
| US09856469B2 |
AAV capsid proteins for nucleic acid transfer
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsid proteins are provided. Methods for generating the recombinant adeno-associated viral capsid proteins and a library from which the capsids are selected are also provided. |
| US09856459B2 |
Adsorptive membranes for trapping viruses
A disposable, virus-trapping membrane, and a corresponding method to remove viruses from solution are described. The membrane includes a disposable, micro-porous filter membrane and a ligand immobilized on the membrane. The ligand irreversibly and selectively binds viruses. The ligand also has a pKa sufficiently high to repel antibodies via electrostatic charge repulsion. |
| US09856458B2 |
3D in vitro bi-phasic cartilage-bone construct
A 3D in vitro bi-phasic cartilage-bone organoid includes a layer of an artificial cartilage tissue, and a layer of an artificial bone tissue comprising a structure-giving scaffold and a bone marrow structure. The layer of the artificial cartilage tissue contacts at least one surface of the layer of the artificial bone tissue. |
| US09856456B2 |
Delivery agent
A composition comprising a polycationic agent and a polyanionic agent, and kits comprising the composition, is provided. In embodiments, the polyanionic agent is a nucleic acid and the polycationic agent is a modified polyalkyleneimine polymer. |
| US09856448B2 |
Devices and methods for long-term intracellular access
Nanoscale probes for forming stable, non-destructive seals with cell membranes. The probes, systems including these probes, and methods of fabricating and using the probes described herein may be used to sense from, stimulate, modify, or otherwise effect individual cells or groups of cells. In particular, described herein are nanoscale cellular probes that may be used to fuse with, and in some variations span, the lipid membrane of a cell to provide stable and long lasting contact to the cell. Thus, the probes described herein may be used as part of a system, method or device that would benefit from stable, non-destructive access to and across a cell membrane. In some variations the nanoscale probe devices or systems described herein may be used as part of a drug screening procedure. |
| US09856446B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting and identifying microorganisms
The present invention is an apparatus for detecting the presence, quantity and identity of one or more microorganisms in a sample and a method for using the same. The apparatus is composed of one or more chambers and a sensing element for sensing microorganisms. In particular embodiments, the sensing element is an array of chemoresponsive dyes deposited on a substrate in a predetermined pattern combination, wherein the combination of the dyes have a distinct and direct spectroscopic, transmission, or reflectance response to distinct analytes produced by the microorganism which is indicative of the presence, quantity and identity of the microorganism. |
| US09856444B2 |
Methods for producing liquid detergent products
Disclosed herein are methods for producing liquid detergent products using a vessel comprising an inlet, an outlet, an agitation device, and an additive mixing zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The method comprises introducing an unstructured liquid detergent precursor into the inlet of the vessel; mixing an additive and the unstructured liquid detergent precursor in an additive mixing zone to form a combined additive detergent; adding a structurant to the combined additive detergent downstream of the additive mixing zone to form a liquid detergent product. The liquid detergent products may be used in a water-soluble pouch, for e.g., a multi-compartment water-soluble pouch. |
| US09856439B2 |
Thiophene azo dyes and laundry care compositions containing the same
This application relates to thiophene azo dyes for use as hueing agents, laundry care compositions comprising such thiophene azo dyes, processes for making such thiophene azo dyes, and laundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The thiophene azo dyes contain a formally charged moiety and are generally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. These thiophene azo dyes are advantageous in providing a hueing effect, for example, a whitening effect to fabrics, while not building up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to the treated fabrics. The thiophene azo dyes are also generally stable to bleaching agents used in laundry care compositions. |
| US09856438B2 |
Method for producing hypoallergenic peanut products
A peanut food product with reduced levels of allergenic proteins such as Ala h1/h2/h3 is produced by initiating the germination process in raw peanuts, holding the peanuts in moist conditions to initiate germination and then treating with bromelain. |
| US09856437B2 |
Amylase variants
The present invention relates to variants (mutants) of polypeptides, in particular Termamyl-like alpha-amylases, which variant has alpha-amylase activity and exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent alpha-amylase: substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage pattern, thermal stability, pH/activity profile, pH/stability profile, stability towards oxidation, Ca2+ dependency, specific activity, and solubility, in particular under production conditions. |
| US09856435B2 |
Polyurethane/polyacrylic hybrid dispersions for shine applications in home care
A hard surface cleaning composition which provides a shine to hard surfaces and which is water resistant includes 0.001-50 wt. % of at least one detersive surfactant, at least 10 wt. % of a diluent, the diluent including water, and 0.01-40 wt. % of particles comprising at least one of an anionic polyurethane polymer and an anionic polyurethane hybrid polymer, formed as an aqueous dispersion, the particles having an average particle size of less than 170 nm. |
| US09856434B2 |
Label removal solution for returnable beverage bottles
According to the invention, the compositions and methods provide for the complete removal of synthetic glues or adhesives from a plurality of surfaces through the use of organic solvents and/or amine solvents in combination with surfactants, chelants, acidulants and/or additional bottle wash additives. Beneficially, the compositions and methods are suitable for use at lower temperatures and pH conditions that conventional caustic-based adhesive removal compositions. |
| US09856431B2 |
Method and composition for improving the combustion of aviation fuels
An aviation fuel is formulated with manganese-containing compounds. The composition may include relatively high amounts of manganese up to about 500 mg Mn/l. A manganese-containing additive may reduce the smoke created during the combustion of the aviation fuel. Additionally, the aviation fuel composition may include manganese to improve octane and include a phosphorus-containing scavenger to reduce manganese oxide engine deposits. Further, isooctane is added in order to, with the manganese-containing compound, improve the octane number of the fuel. |
| US09856429B2 |
Manure treatment process with anaerobic digester
A process is provided for converting waste fibers to solid fuel. The process includes providing a supply of animal waste including the waste fibers in a predetermined quantity, subjecting the supply of animal waste to anaerobic digestion, producing a waste byproduct, dewatering the waste byproduct, and compressing the dewatered waste byproduct to form briquettes. |
| US09856427B2 |
Method to convert fermentation mixture into fuels
The present disclosure provides methods to produce ketones suitable for use as fuels and lubricants by catalytic conversion of an acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation product mixture that can be derived from biomass. |
| US09856424B2 |
Integrated hydrocracking process
The present invention relates to an integrated hydrocracking process for production of olefinic and aromatic petro-chemicals from crude oil. An object of the present invention is to provide an integrated hydrocracking process for production of olefinic and aromatic petrochemicals from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising crude oil wherein the portion of the crude oil converted to LPG is increased significantly. |
| US09856422B2 |
Process for removing naphthenic acids from crude oil and crude oil distillates
The present invention relates to a process for the removal of naphthenic acids from crude oils and crude oil distillates by use of supported basic ionic liquids. |