最新美国发明专利第2018-02-13期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US09891776B2	Electromagnetic touch display device and method for manufacturing the same The present disclosure provides an electromagnetic touch display device and a method for manufacturing the same. The electromagnetic touch display device includes a display device and an electromagnetic stylus. The display device includes an array substrate, a color filter substrate, a grid array electromagnetic induction layer and a control circuit. The grid array electromagnetic induction layer is arranged on the array substrate or the color filter substrate. The control circuit is connected to the grid array electromagnetic induction layer and configured to detect position information of the electromagnetic stylus on the grid array electromagnetic induction layer.
US09891773B2	Detecting hover distance with a capacitive sensor Techniques for estimating height of an input object in a sensing region of an input device are provided. The techniques include constructing a signal profile based on measured data. The techniques also include determining a fit value of a fitting parameter of a mathematical function that fits the mathematical function to the signal profile such that the fitting of the mathematical exceeds a quality threshold. The fitting parameter correlates to hover height of the input object and adjusting the fitting parameter affects the fit of the mathematical function to the signal profile. In some embodiments, fitting a curve includes varying the height parameter of a mathematical function until the curve generated by the mathematical function with the selected height parameter is deemed to fit obtained sensor data to within a certain tolerance. In other embodiments, fitting a curve may be accomplished with direct computation.
US09891772B2	Touch input device and display device A touch input device that includes a touch sensor and a control unit. The touch sensor includes a base material, a piezoelectric film, a plurality of first detecting conductors and a plurality of second detecting conductors. The base material is a flat plate. The piezoelectric film is made of uniaxially stretched PLLA, and is arranged on one principal surface of the base material. The first detecting conductors are arranged on a surface of the piezoelectric film opposite to the base material. The plurality of second detecting conductors are arranged on a surface opposite to the surface of the base material which abuts on the piezoelectric film. The control unit detects an operation position and a press by using detection signals outputted from the first detecting conductors and the second detecting conductors.
US09891770B2	Methods for forming a patterned structure in a sensor A sensor includes a patterned compliant layer positioned between two substrates. Each substrate can include one or more conductive electrodes, with each electrode of one substrate paired with a respective electrode of the other substrate. Each pair of conductive electrodes forms a capacitor. Several methods are disclosed that can be used to produce the patterned compliant layer.
US09891769B2	Touch window A touch window includes a substrate; and an electrode on the substrate, wherein the electrode includes a first mesh line extending in a first direction and having a first width; a second mesh line extending in a direction different from the first direction and having a second width; and an cross area in which the first and second mesh lines cross each other, the cross area having a third width, wherein the third width is larger than the first width, and the third width is equal to or less than 10 times of the first width.
US09891768B2	Touch panel, its manufacturing method and touch display device The present disclosure provides a touch panel, its manufacturing method and a touch display panel. A bridging point member of a bridging line, through which sensing electrodes in the touch panel are electrically connected to each other, is provided with at least one via-hole, so as to provide the bridging point member with a hollowed-out pattern.
US09891764B2	Touch screen panel A touch screen panel includes a substrate and a black matrix located on the substrate in a mesh pattern. On the black matrix are formed a first touch sense electrode and a second sense electrode. The first touch sense electrode extends in a first direction and the second touch sense electrode has a plurality of blocks extending in a second direction. An insulation layer with openings exposes portions of the blocks of the second touch sense electrode. A connection electrode connects the adjacent blocks of the second touch sense electrode via the openings in the insulation layer. The first touch sense electrode and the second touch sense electrode are covered by the pattern of the black matrix.
US09891760B2	Touch scanning and wireless scanning in a portable computing device In an example implementation, a portable computing device may alternate between scanning for tactile input, such as a user's finger on a trackpad, and scanning for wireless input, such as a near field communication (NFC) signal. If tactile input is received, the portable computing device may stop scanning for wireless input while the portable computing device continues to receive the tactile input. When the portable computing device stops receiving the tactile input, the portable computing device may return to alternating between scanning for tactile input and scanning for wireless input. If wireless input is received, the portable computing device may stop scanning for tactile input while wirelessly communicating with the device from which the wireless input was received. When the portable computing device is finished wirelessly communicating with the device, the portable computing device may return to alternating between scanning for tactile input and scanning for wireless input.
US09891758B2	Zoom gesture determination method and touch control chip A zoom gesture determination method for a touch control device includes detecting a first touch point and a second touch point; determining a position difference between the first touch point and the second touch point; and deciding a zoom gesture represented by the first touch point and the second touch point according to variations in the position difference.
US09891755B2	Operating device for motor vehicles An operating device includes at least one ToF sensor for emitting transmission signals, in particular in the form of light, receiving reception signals and outputting information signals, at least one optical waveguide for directing the transmission signals from the ToF sensor to at least one deflection point, for directing the deflection signals deflected where the operating device can be installed in a motor vehicle.
US09891752B2	Touch operation detection apparatus A touch operation detection apparatus includes a touch pad that has an operation surface touchable by an operator's body, and has a plurality of electrostatic sensors incorporated therein each of which detects electrostatic capacitance that is variable according to a touch on the operation surface; a number-of-touched-point determination part that determines whether the number of touched points at which touches are made on the operation surface of the touch pad is greater than or equal to 2 based on signals from the electrostatic sensors; and a sensitivity adjustment execution part that executes a sensitivity adjustment concerning the touch against the operation surface of the touch pad when the number-of-touched-point determination part determines that the number of touched points is greater than or equal to 2.
US09891750B1	Method and apparatus for determining a valid touch event on a touch sensitive device Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for determining a valid touch event on a touch sensitive device. At least two touch events are received from a touch interface. The at least two touch events are combined if a time difference between each of the at least two touch events is less than a time threshold and a proximity between each of the at least two touch events is less than a proximity threshold. A valid touch event is determined if a combined pressure indicator of a combined touch event is greater than a pressure threshold.
US09891749B2	Driving circuit and driving method for touch device, touch device, and display device The present disclosure provides a driving circuit and a driving method for a touch device, a touch device and a display device. The driving circuit includes an operational amplifier and a control circuit. A negative input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected with a touch-sensing electrode included in the touch device, and a positive input terminal of the operational amplifier is connected with the control circuit. The control circuit is to, at a touch stage, adjust a voltage at the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier to be within a first predetermined voltage range so as to control the touch-sensing electrode to implement a touch sensing operation, and at a display stage, adjust the voltage at the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier to be within a second predetermined voltage range so as to shield external static electricity.
US09891748B2	Display device and display device provided with sensor According to one embodiment, a display device includes plural display pixels arranged in a matrix, plural gate lines, plural source lines and a control circuit which controls by applying intermittent driving and a column-inversion drive scheme, an operation in which drive signals are supplied to the gate lines and the source lines, and an image signal is supplied to the display pixels and held thereby, wherein the display pixels each include a liquid crystal in which alignment of liquid crystal molecules is changed by a voltage between pixel electrodes and a common electrode, and the control circuit applies in a signal stop period in the intermittent driving, a voltage corresponding to a gradation higher than or equal to white gradation to the source lines in a case where a display mode of the liquid crystal is a normally-black mode.
US09891744B2	Capacitive detecting circuit, touch detecting circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit using the same The touch detecting circuit is a capacitive detecting circuit correctable with a sensor capacitance, and includes an integration capacitance. In the touch detecting circuit, a sensor capacitance connected with the touch detecting circuit is charged and discharged; electric charges to input and output for charging and discharging the sensor capacitance are cumulatively added to the integration capacitance. The electric charges to he added to the integration capacitance are inverted in polarity according to directions of charge transfer accompanying the charge and discharge. Not only when charging the sensor capacitance, but also when discharging the sensor capacitance, the absolute values of electric charges to be moved are integrated and therefore, the amount of signals is doubled.
US09891743B2	Driving method of an input device An input device making little false sensing is provided. An input device capable of outputting a signal in which input data in a plurality of regions are combined is provided. The input device includes a first region and a second region which are provided so as to face each other. The input device includes a means for obtaining first positional data input to the first region, a means for obtaining second positional data input to the second region, a means for converting the second positional data into third positional data, a means for obtaining fourth positional data, and a means for outputting a signal in accordance with the fourth positional data.
US09891742B2	Method and apparatus for managing touch functionality in a repetitively flexible device A method, information handling system, and display assembly utilizes wherein a first touch panel indication is detected, and it is determined whether the first touch panel indication is from a defined bending area or from a defined non-bending area. When the first touch panel indication is from the defined bending area, it is determined if there is a second touch panel indication from an other touch sensor element adjacent to the first touch sensor element. When there is a simultaneous second touch panel indication, the touch location is interpolated based on the locations of the first and the other touch sensor elements. When there is a sequential second touch panel indication, the touch location is extrapolated based on locations of the first and the other touch sensor elements and a sequence of the first touch panel indication and the second touch panel indication.
US09891741B2	Controller for interfacing with an interactive application A controller for interfacing with an interactive application includes an interface region disposed on a surface of a body of the controller. The interface region includes a plurality of interface elements for providing input to the interactive application. One of the interface elements is an input surface that is defined by an indentation and is configured to receive touch input. Plurality of sensors disposed under the input surface detects movement of a finger of a user. Processing circuitry is used to analyze the movement of the finger of the user over the input surface and transmit signals that are used by the interactive application to drive interaction in the interactive application.
US09891738B2	Ultrasound-based force sensing of inputs An electronic device that senses home button inputs through ultrasonic force sensing. The electronic device may correlate that amount of force that a user applies to the home button with a specific home button command. In certain embodiments, the system may combine the force of touch information with other information that is sensed for a particular touch to correlate the touch input with a greater number of home button commands. A home button embodiment discussed herein may include a home button image that is displayed on a touch sensitive panel. In other embodiments, a home button may be located outside of the boundaries of a touch sensitive panel.
US09891737B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program An information processing apparatus is provided which include a display control unit that causes a touch panel to display a slider to specify one of specifiable values by an operating body as a specified value and a start edge value and an end edge value stored in a storage unit and if the touch panel acquires position information indicating position on the slider, decides a value corresponding to the position information as the specified value and also decides an interval to decide a new specifiable range in accordance with a contact state quantity acquired by the contact state quantity acquisition unit, specifies the new specifiable range based on the interval using the specified value as a reference.
US09891727B2	Simulating multi-touch events on a browser system Technology provided here facilitates simulating multi-touch events on a browser system. In one example, a browser system receives low-level touch events from a touch-input system. The browser system generates script-callbacks from the low-level touch events. The browser system converts the script-callbacks into compliant touch events that are compliant with a multi-touch browser standard. The browser system then sends the compliant touch events to a web application. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09891726B1	Stylus with touch-sensitive retention clip A stylus includes an elongate gripping member terminating at a writing tip, a communication interface housed within the elongate gripping member, a touch-sensitive retention clip extending from the elongate gripping member, and a controller housed within the elongate gripping member. The communication interface is configured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device. The controller is configured to detect a position or movement of a finger along a length of the touch-sensitive retention clip, and send to the computing device, via the communication interface, information based on the position or movement of the finger along the length of the touch-sensitive retention clip.
US09891725B2	Electronic device A novel electronic device including a flexible display is presented. The electronic device has a flexible display including an organic light emission diodes and a plurality of columnar bodies linked together. Users can transform the shape of the electronic device into a tablet, an eBook, or a hand-held gaming device. The electronic device is configured to resize its main display area in accordance with the selected mode.
US09891724B2	Circuit and stylus for capacitive touchscreen Embodiments of a circuit and a stylus for interacting with a capacitive sensor are disclosed. The stylus includes a stylus body, a circuit disposed within the stylus body, a tip, and a power source. The circuit includes an input terminal, an amplifier, and an output terminal. The tip includes a sensing electrode and an emitting electrode, and the tip is disposed on a proximal end of the stylus body. The power source is electrically coupled to the circuit. The input terminal of the circuit is electrically coupled to the sensing electrode of the tip, and the output terminal of the circuit is electrically coupled to the emitting electrode of the tip. The circuit receives a signal through the sensing electrode, amplifies and inverts the signal, and outputs the signal through the emitting electrode. The amplifier of the circuit amplifies only a portion of the signal that exceeds a threshold voltage.
US09891719B2	Impact and contactless gesture inputs for electronic devices A docking station configured to mate to an electronic device enables methods of interacting with the electronic device by impacting (e.g., knocking) on a table on which the device and/or the docking station are disposed and by means of contactless gestures. The electronic device may remain in a powered off state while the docking station continuously monitors for user input. The docking station may have a processor that is capable of detecting a user's impact and contactless gesture inputs.
US09891715B2	Information processor, information processing method and program Disclosed herein is an information processor including, a storage section configured to store data representing the appearance features of a target device and data of an operation image used for operation of the target device, an acquisition section configured to acquire an image captured by a camera, a recognition section configured to recognize an object included in the image based on the feature quantity data stored in the storage section, and a display control section configured to display the operation image based on the data of the operation image stored in the storage section if the object included in the image is recognized by the recognition section as the target device.
US09891714B2	Audio enhanced simulation of high bandwidth haptic effects A system generates haptic effects using at least one actuator and at least one speaker. The system receives a high definition (“HD”) haptic effect signal and a corresponding audio signal if audio is to be played. The system generates a standard definition (“SD”) haptic effect signal based at least on the HD haptic effect signal, and generates an audio based haptic effect signal based at least on the HD haptic effect signal. The system mixes the audio signal and the audio based haptic effect signal, and then substantially simultaneously plays the SD haptic effect signal on the actuator and plays the mixed signal on the speaker.
US09891710B2	Haptic spatialization system A system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.
US09891709B2	Systems and methods for content- and context specific haptic effects using predefined haptic effects Systems and methods for content- and/or context-specific haptic effects are disclosed. In one embodiment electronic content is received by an electronic device. A plurality of predefined effects are received. The plurality of predefined effects may be a database of predefined haptic effects, a library of predefined haptic effects, or a list of predefined haptic effects. An association between at least one predefined haptic effect from the plurality of predefined haptic effects and a predefined event is received. An occurrence of the predefined event is identified wherein the occurrence of the predefined event is associated with a portion of the electronic content. In response to identifying the occurrence of the event, the predefined haptic effect can be generated.
US09891708B2	Method and apparatus for generating haptic effects using actuators A method and apparatus of actuator control mechanisms for haptic effects are disclosed. The apparatus can include an actuator and a controller for controlling a haptic cell. Depending on the type of haptic effect desired, as well as the damping characteristics of the system, the controller can generate a kick-in pulse followed by a main pulse to create an increased acceleration response, and/or a braking pulse to provide a damping effect for a short mechanical type of haptic effect.
US09891704B2	Augmented reality with direct user interaction Augmented reality with direct user interaction is described. In one example, an augmented reality system comprises a user-interaction region, a camera that captures images of an object in the user-interaction region, and a partially transparent display device which combines a virtual environment with a view of the user-interaction region, so that both are visible at the same time to a user. A processor receives the images, tracks the object's movement, calculates a corresponding movement within the virtual environment, and updates the virtual environment based on the corresponding movement. In another example, a method of direct interaction in an augmented reality system comprises generating a virtual representation of the object having the corresponding movement, and updating the virtual environment so that the virtual representation interacts with virtual objects in the virtual environment. From the user's perspective, the object directly interacts with the virtual objects.
US09891703B2	Head-wearable electronic device A head-wearable electronic device includes a frame worn on a head of a user and an electro-optical device coupled to the frame. The electro-optical device includes a display module generating a data image, an optical module, and a camera module. The optical module includes a first switchable mirror layer and a second switchable mirror layer, each having a light transmittance that is controllable. The first switchable mirror layer provides the second switchable mirror layer with the data image generated by the display module and the second switchable mirror layer provides eye of the user with the data image provided from the first switchable mirror layer. The camera module provides an external image having information about the eye of the user corresponding to an operation of the first and second switchable mirror layers.
US09891701B2	Apparatus, system, and method for automatic identification of sensor placement A location of a sensor is determined by: (1) receiving time series data including components in a plurality of dimensions, wherein the time series data correspond to measurements of the sensor that is applied to a subject; (2) determining a plurality of subsequences associated with the time series data, wherein each of the plurality of subsequences represents a characteristic pattern projected along one of the plurality of dimensions; (3) identifying a correlated subset of the plurality of subsequences as at least one instance of an activity of the subject; and (4) based on features of the correlated subset, determining the location of the sensor as applied to the subject.
US09891697B2	Optimizing power consumption in a communication system Within a communication system that includes multiple communication channels, a low-power mode of operation and a higher-power mode of operation are provided. Each channel is allocated to one of several groups, based on criteria such as whether power is allocated to that channel in low power mode, and whether power was allocated to that channel in a previous high power mode. Initial power levels for each channel for each mode are approximated using an interpolation rule known to both the receive and the transmitter. The system switches between modes according to a PMD pre-defined schedule. When a new power mode begins, the receiver measures signal power received on each channel and then transmits corrective information sufficient to allow adaptation of power levels to achieve PMD pre-defined levels of received power.
US09891693B1	Storage system comprising a communications port for charging an electronic device A storage system including a storage device comprising a media configured to store data, wherein the storage device is configured to be in a first operating mode or a second operating mode comprising a reduced power mode relative to the first operating mode, a communications port configured to connect to an electronic device, the communications port comprising one or more data lines configured to communicate data to the electronic device and to configure power supplied to the electronic device, and one or more controllers. The one or more controllers are configured to control an operation of the storage device, communicate data to the electronic device using the one or more data lines when the storage device is in the first operating mode, and configure power supplied to the electronic device using the one or more data lines when the storage device is in the second operating mode.
US09891690B2	Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling of a processor A method of Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS) of a processor includes measuring a first utilization of the processor utilized to execute at least one of a graphic task and a computing task. A second utilization is generated by adjusting the first utilization based on a duration of the graphic task and a duration of the computing task. An operation frequency of the processor is determined based on a comparison of the second utilization with at least one threshold value.
US09891685B1	Reconfigurable backup battery unit A backup battery unit that can be reconfigured to provide different currents and/or voltages depending upon load conditions. The backup battery unit can be reconfigured, for example, between a configuration in which battery cells for the battery unit are wired in series to a configuration where the battery cells are wired in parallel. Additional embodiments are directed to a backup battery unit that can isolate a battery cell and remove the cell from a circuit for the battery while the battery is under load or being charged. The isolated cell can then be serviced or tested.
US09891684B2	USB type-C dual-role power ports Techniques for protecting universal serial bus (USB) Type-C dual-role power ports in computing systems are described. In an example, a first USB Type-C dual-role power port of a computing system is enabled to sink current from a high voltage external device to a power supply of the computing system. The current is transferred through a high voltage path from the first USB Type-C dual-role power port to the power supply. Simultaneously, a high voltage path from the power supply to a second USB Type-C dual-role power port of the computing system is disabled.
US09891680B2	Information handling system multi-purpose connector guide pin structure A USB Type C connector port adapts to support docking solutions with enhanced power transfer features, including increased power transfer levels supported through a guide pin and connector interface, rapid power transfer configuration changes by applying pre-negotiated power settings, external battery charge and discharge at an information handling system with improved efficiency accomplished by transitioning voltage between native and boosted levels responsive to information handling system load, and robust connector port coupling in a cavity of a connector shell.
US09891676B2	Computer case A computer case includes a case body, a carrying structure and a cooler. The case body is with an opening formed thereon. The carrying structure is detachably connected to the case body from the outside and corresponds to the position of the opening. The cooler is fixed to the carrying structure. This way, computer peripherals can be installed without disassembling the case body.
US09891675B2	Systems and methods for packaging high density SSDs In various embodiments, a high-density solid-state storage unit includes a base section and a cassette section having plurality of flash cards. The cassette section can be removably attached to the base section to provide security of data stored on the plurality of flash cards. The cassette section provides for physical security of the flash cards in part through packaging of the enclosure and energy transfer to the base station. The cassette section further provides for security of the data stored on the flash cards in part through a trusted platform module (TPM) embodied as a removable module connected to a universal serial bus (USB) style connector.
US09891674B2	Information handling system planar integrated button touch pad assembly A portable information handling system integrated button touch pad provides consistent functional displacement with support of a touch surface from separate main and click brackets. The click bracket provides consistent displacement relative to a housing and a support plane so that an integrated button touch pad adapts to different housing sizes and materials with a common support arrangement of the touch surface and a common functional displacement feel provided by flexing of a main bracket that directly supports a touch pad relative to fixed click pad position.
US09891672B2	Information handling system low profile housing and hinge assembly A portable information handling system has a hinge assembly that rotationally couples lid and main portions with one or more communication cables passing between the lid and main portions. A flexible cover over the hinge assembly protects the cables and offers free rotational motion by stretching and compressing responsive to rotation of the lid and main portions relative to each other.
US09891670B2	Foldable display A foldable display is disclosed. In one aspect, the foldable display includes a foldable display panel and a folding adjustment part configured to adjust a folding configuration of the foldable display panel. The foldable display also includes a folding sensor configured to sense the folding configuration, a rear surface touch sensor configured to sense a touch input applied to a rear surface of the foldable display panel, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect first and second touch inputs applied to different portions of the rear surface and control the folding adjustment part so as to switch the folding configuration of the foldable display panel when the controller detects that the first touch input moves in a first direction and the second touch input moves in a second direction different from the first direction.
US09891669B2	Systems and methods for a configuration web service to provide configuration of a wireless power transmitter within a wireless power transmission system A system and method for a configuration web service to provide configuration of a wireless power transmitter within a wireless power transmission system is disclosed. The wireless power transmitter configuration network may include at least one wireless power transmitter connected to an energy power source and at least one computer device which may communicate with each other through wireless or wired network connections, where each wireless power transmitter may include a distributed system database coupled to web service software. The operator/user may browse the specific URL or IP address associated with the configuration web page, which the wireless power transmitter may host and render, to specify the wireless power transmitter's configuration information. The configuration web service may allow users to perform configurations with and without the need of an external network service in range and regardless of the physical location of the wireless power transmitter.
US09891668B2	Information processing device An electronic device includes: a case; a switch; an operation button; a press portion that projects out from a length direction central portion of a button back face on a switch side of the operation button; a bearing portion that is provided along a length direction of the operation button inside the case, and that faces the button back face; and a stopper rib that projects out from the button back face, that is disposed along the length direction of the operation button at one side in a transverse direction of the operation button relative to the press portion, that faces the bearing portion, and that has a projection length from the button back face at a length direction end portion side of the operation button that is shorter than a projection length from the button back face at a length direction central portion of the operation button.
US09891666B2	Apparatus with twistable electronics dock and rotatable connecting port having a plurality of heads The present invention relates to an apparatus such as a clock with an electronics dock that is twistable relative to a body and with a rotatable connecting port having a plurality of heads. The body has a top generally lying in a plane, a first face with a display and a second face with a display. An electronics dock is secured relative to the body in a twistable manner relative to the body top. In this regard, an electronic device held within the electronics dock can be selectively rotated for viewing about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the body top. Further, a connecting port with multiple charging heads is provided, such as for Android or Apple type devices. The connecting port can be rotated about an axis to allow access to the desired head. A lock is provided to hold the desired head in position for use.
US09891662B2	Double unlocking apparatus of a portable device equipped with an expandable display and controlling method thereof According to one embodiment disclosed to achieve the aforementioned object, the present specification provides a method of controlling a portable device including the steps of if the portable device is a first mode to lock the portable device, detecting an unlocking triggering signal, if the unlocking triggering signal is detected, converting the portable device to a second mode to display an unlocking interface in the expandable display, if a touch input signal for the unlocking interface is detected when the portable device is the second mode, recognizing a touch input pattern from the detected touch input, displaying the unlocking interface by reflecting to the touch input pattern and if the touch input pattern is matched with a pre-set pattern, converting the portable device to a third mode to unlock the portable device, and if the expandable display expands when the portable device is the second mode, displaying the unlocking interface by reflecting to an expansion of the expandable display and if a degree of expansion of the expandable display is greater than a threshold, converting the portable device to the third mode.
US09891658B2	Medical supply cabinet with lighting features A medical supply cabinet having improved features for user access, user control, and illumination is provided. The supply cabinet is provided with a selectively controllable illumination source, such as light-emitting diodes, that provide the operator with visual information regarding access to individual compartments of the supply cabinet.
US09891657B2	Electroconductive film, and touch panel and display device provided with same An electroconductive film is provided on a display unit and has at least two wiring layers that are disposed on both sides of a transparent substrate or each disposed on either side of each of the at least two transparent substrates in a laminate form and are regularly arranged. A wiring pattern of the wiring layers is superimposed onto a pixel array pattern of the display unit, the wiring pattern of a lower layer being displaced in phase in relation to an upper layer. The electroconductive film satisfies: fm1≦fm2, when a first lowest frequency (fm1) is the lowest frequency of the moire spatial frequency, and a second lowest frequency (fm2) is the lowest frequency of the moire spatial frequency.
US09891653B2	Techniques for clock rate changes during data rate changes in an integrated circuit (IC) An integrated circuit die includes interface and adapter circuits. The interface circuit exchanges data with an external device outside the integrated circuit die using a first clock signal. The interface circuit has a clock signal generation circuit to generate the first clock signal based on a second clock signal. The adapter circuit exchanges the data with the interface circuit. A frequency of the second clock signal is changed in response to an indication of a change in a data rate of the data. The adapter circuit causes the interface circuit to provide an adjustment to the first clock signal after the frequency of the second clock signal changes. The adapter circuit prevents the exchange of the data between the interface circuit and the external device until the adapter circuit receives an indication of completion of the adjustment to the first clock signal.
US09891652B2	Critical paths accommodation with frequency variable clock generator Aspects of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit and method for varying a frequency of a clock signal to accommodate critical paths in the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit can include a clock generator configured to generate a clock signal having a clock frequency that is variable, circuitry that includes a plurality of critical modules that can be selectively activated to operate under control of the clock signal, each critical module including one or more critical paths that a default clock frequency cannot accommodate, and a controller that causes the clock generator to vary the clock frequency of the clock signal based on propagation delays of those critical paths in activated critical modules.
US09891651B2	Rotatable input mechanism having adjustable output Disclosed herein is an input device that replicates mechanical actuation of a rotatable input mechanism in such a way that the haptic output provided by the input device is controllable.
US09891650B2	Current generation circuit, and bandgap reference circuit and semiconductor device including the same A current generation circuit including a first and a second bipolar transistors, a current distribution circuit that makes a first current and a second current flow through the first and second bipolar transistors, respectively, the first current and the second current corresponding to a first control voltage, a first NMOS transistor disposed between the first bipolar transistor and the first current distribution circuit, a second NMOS transistor disposed between the second bipolar transistor and the first current distribution circuit, a first resistive element, a first operational amplifier that outputs the second control voltage to the gates of the first and the second NMOS transistors according to a drain voltage of the first NMOS transistor and a reference bias voltage, and a second operational amplifier that generates the first control voltage according to a drain voltage of the second NMOS transistor and the reference bias voltage.
US09891649B2	Voltage regulator A safe and low-cost voltage regulator is provided through simplification of a circuit configuration of a protection circuit. The voltage regulator has a configuration in which current output of the protection circuit, which serves as a signal indicating that the protection circuit has started to operate, is input to a control circuit configured to improve responsiveness of the voltage regulator.
US09891647B2	Bandgap reference circuit and power supply circuit A bandgap reference circuit includes a first temperature correction circuit that is connected between a power supply terminal and a node between a first resistor and a second resistor. The first temperature correction circuit includes a first transistor that is connected between the first power supply terminal and the node between the first resistor and the second resistor, a control terminal of the first transistor being connected at a junction where the end of a first bipolar transistor connects together with a third resistor, and a fourth resistor that is connected in series between the first transistor and the first power supply terminal.
US09891644B1	Low-dropout regulator with dynamic pole tracking circuit for improved stability A low-dropout regulator, including: a dynamic pole tracking circuit having an active load, a voltage-to-current converter, a current amplifier, a bias circuit, a regulating transistor, a first feedback resistor, a second feedback resistor, and a first capacitor. The dynamic pole tracking circuit includes: a first PMOS, a second PMOS, a first resistor, and a second resistor. The voltage-to-current converter includes: a first NMOS, a second NMOS, a third NMOS, a fourth NMOS, a fifth NMOS, a sixth NMOS, a seventh NMOS, an eighth NMOS, a third PMOS, a fourth PMOS, a seventh PMOS, an eighth PMOS. The current amplifier includes: a fifth PMOS, a sixth PMOS, a ninth NMOS, a tenth NMOS, and a third resistor. The bias circuit includes: a ninth PMOS, a tenth PMOS, an eleventh PMOS, an eleventh NMOS, a twelfth NMOS, a thirteenth NMOS, and a fourth resistor.
US09891640B2	Sensing element for semiconductor An embodiment relates to a device comprising a high-side semiconductor, a low-side semiconductor, a first sensing element arranged adjacent to the high-side semiconductor. The first sensing element is isolated from the high-side semiconductor and the first sensing element is directly connectable to a processing device.
US09891637B2	Method for powering a module incorporated within a system-on-a-chip and corresponding electronic device A module incorporated within a system-on-a-chip operating in a steady-state power supply phase is powered by supplying to the module a regulated power supply voltage obtained from a feedback control loop. The receives a main power supply voltage and a negative feedback voltage. The negative feedback voltage is generated inside the system-on-a-chip starting from an effective supply voltage of the module and from a setpoint signal corresponding to a desired regulated power supply voltage.
US09891634B2	Solenoid valve control system, a control valve system, and a method of controlling electronic valve A solenoid valve control system comprising a solenoid valve drive circuit applying a drive current to the solenoid valve; a pressure data calculation unit calculating a pressure data including a band and a cycle of pressure fluctuation from a pressure value; a pressure hysteresis calculation unit calculating a difference between the pressure value when the drive current value is increased and the pressure value when the drive current value is decrease as a hysteresis amount; a vibration determination unit determining whether or not the pressure data is included in an area outside the pressure data range, which is outside a first predetermined range; a hysteresis determination unit determining whether or not the pressure hysteresis amount is included in an area outside the pressure hysteresis amount range, which is outside a second predetermined range; and a drive frequency adjustment unit adjusting a drive frequency based on the determination result.
US09891632B1	Point-and-shoot automatic landing system and method A point-and-shoot automatic landing system (P-A-S ALS) realizes safety and mission effectiveness benefits in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, allowing a pilot, using an inceptor device, to select an aim point with an aiming device providing visual indication of the aim point. Once a flight path is computed the pilot may allow the P-A-S ALS to automatically control the flight to touchdown. A suite of ranging devices determines the relative position of the aircraft to the selected aim point and an approach profile guidance algorithm computes the flight path. One or more devices provide confirmation that automatically controlled flight to the selected aim point is achievable. The P-A-S ALS is configured to allow termination of the controlled flight path at any time and selection of a new aim point through the inceptor device.
US09891631B1	Application program interface for weight and balance metrics An application program interface may be used to collect and disseminate physical metrics of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A weight distribution associated with a UAV may be determined prior to dispatch of the UAV and/or after the UAV returns from operation (e.g., a flight). In some embodiments, one or more UAVs may be placed on or proximate to a physical metrics acquisition (PMA) device to determine a distribution of weight of the UAV at three or more points associated with the UAV. The distribution of weight may be used generate analytics, which may include a total weight of a vehicle, a center of mass of the vehicle (in two or more dimensions), power requirements of the UAV for a given flight task (e.g., how much battery power the UAV requires, etc.), and/or other analytics. In various embodiments, the PMA device may perform moment of inertia tests for the UAV.
US09891630B2	Variable reference frames in unmanned vehicles A system, method and apparatus for implementation of variable references frames in unmanned vehicles is provided, which includes an unmanned vehicle comprising: a chassis; a propulsion system configured to move the chassis; sensor(s) configured to sense features around the chassis; a memory storing a global reference frame associated with an environment within which the chassis is to move; a communication interface; and a processor configured to: receive, using the interface, a command to move to a given coordinate in the global reference frame; control the propulsion system to move the chassis to the given coordinate; when the chassis is at the given coordinate, determine, using the sensor(s), that a given feature is detected; and, when so: automatically cease controlling the propulsion system according to the global reference frame; automatically move the chassis according to a local reference frame defined with reference to a point associated with the given feature.
US09891628B2	Sensor-based association of traffic control devices to traffic lanes for autonomous vehicle navigation A system for generating mapping data includes a host vehicle and at least one sensor coupled to the host vehicle. The sensor is capable of detecting a traffic control device and capable of detecting motion of a vehicle. The system additionally includes non-transient data storage and a processor. The processor is in communication with the sensor and the data storage. The processor is configured to, in response to the at least one sensor detecting a traffic control device and detecting motion of a vehicle during a drive cycle, identify a lane of traffic associated with the vehicle, associate the lane of traffic with the traffic control device, and store the association of the lane of traffic with the traffic control device in the data storage for subsequent access by an automated driving system.
US09891625B1	Vehicle with autonomous feature override for theft prevention Embodiments of the present invention provide an autonomous vehicle with an emergency escape mode. When fleeing a scene is critical, embodiments provide an AV that can operate in an emergency escape mode (EEM) to enable the AV to flee a scene, protecting its occupants. Typically, a passenger or operator invokes EEM in an AV when they are in imminent danger from criminal activity such as carjacking. A least resistance route can be computed to determine an escape route that provides for reduced chance of injury and/or increased probability of a successful escape.
US09891621B2	Control of an unmanned aerial vehicle through multi-touch interactive visualization Methods and systems are described for new paradigms for user interaction with an unmanned aerial vehicle (referred to as a flying digital assistant or FDA) using a portable multifunction device (PMD) such as smart phone. In some embodiments, a magic wand user interaction paradigm is described for intuitive control of an FDA using a PMD. In other embodiments, methods for scripting a shot are described.
US09891620B2	Control systems for water-sports watercraft An adjustable surf wake system can enhance a wake formed by a watercraft traveling through water. A rider control device can enable a rider to control the wake of the watercraft while riding the wake, such as for wake surfing. The rider can adjust the speed of the watercraft, can adjust the height of the wake, and/or can change the watercraft between a surf-left configuration and a surf-right configuration. The rider control device can include a position sensor. A drone can position a camera based on the position sensor of the rider control device for filming the rider.
US09891619B2	Device for checking the construction of an extruder screw A device for checking the construction of an extruder screw having a shaft and screw elements that are to be pushed or have been pushed one after the other onto the shaft in a defined sequence. Each screw element has an element-specific external geometry. A recording device being provided for determining information concerning the sequence of the screw elements that are to be pushed on or have been pushed on and for comparing the information determined with target information, which directly or indirectly describes the target sequence.
US09891616B2	Numerical controller with DNC operation function using a plurality of communication lines A numerical controller includes a numerical control unit, a DNC operation management unit, and first and second communication units. The first and second communication units receive the same NC program from a host through corresponding communication paths. The DNC operation management unit acquires the NC program from a reception data buffer included in one of the communication units to transfer the NC program to the numerical control unit, and when a failure occurs in the communication path used by the communication unit, an acquisition destination of the NC program is switched to a reception data buffer of the other communication unit.
US09891611B2	Cutting apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable medium A cutting apparatus includes a platen configured to receive and object, a cutting device having a cutter, a first moving mechanism configured to move the cutter so that the cutter comes close to or departs from the platen, and a second moving mechanism configured to move the object and the cutter on the platen relative to each other. The apparatus further includes a display unit and a control device. The control device is configured to cause the apparatus to obtain lengths of line segments composing a cutting line of the pattern for every line segment, to calculate a time length required to cut each line segment, to calculate a cutting time length required to cut the pattern by accumulating the time lengths required to cut the respective line segments, and to cause the display unit to display a calculated cutting time length required to cut the pattern.
US09891610B2	Computation unit, assistance device, output control method, display control method, and program A CPU unit of a PLC executes a motion control and a sequence control. The CPU unit stores a CAM table and a control program for performing the motion control using the CAM table. When a microprocessor receives a command for altering one of a plurality of phases and/or a displacement associated with the phase, the microprocessor alters the phase and/or the displacement in the CAM table to a value that is on the basis of the command. When the microprocessor performs the alteration, the microprocessor executes a control program using a post-alteration CAM table, and outputs the execution results to an apparatus to be controlled.
US09891609B2	Central control apparatus for controlling facilities and facility control system having the same This specification relates to a central control apparatus, which is configured to calculate time-division power usage as predicted power usage, which is consumed by at least one facility in a control area within a specific time section, on the basis of predicted external temperature corresponding to the control area within the specific time section and a time-division model, calculate variable-based degree day (VBDD) daily power usage as predicted daily power usage corresponding to the control area on the basis of the predicted external temperature and a VBDD model, and calculate final power usage as final predicted power usage consumed in the control area within the specific time section on the basis of the time-division power usage and the VBDD daily power usage, and a facility control system including the same.
US09891606B2	Method and system for transmitting position switch status signal A system for transmitting a position switch status signal, comprises a signal output unit, a first converting apparatus, a second converting apparatus, and a control unit. Status signals of position switches are outputted by the signal output unit, parallel status signals are converted into parallel first current signals by using the first converting apparatus, currents in the first current signals are summated to obtain a second current signal, and digital status signals of the position switches are restored by using the second converting apparatus and the control unit. Also provided is a method for transmitting a position switch status signal.
US09891604B2	Power control apparatus, power control system, and control method A HEMS (200) connects to a plurality of devices furnished to a consumer's residence, and performs control relating to power management of the plurality of devices. The HEMS (200) is provided with a controller (240) for transmitting control information for the purpose of respective control of the plurality of devices, respectively to the plurality of devices on the basis of a predetermined cycle. The controller (240) classifies the plurality of devices into a plurality of groups, transmitting the control information to devices respectively classified into the plurality of groups, at different timing for each group.
US09891601B2	Process control device, process control system, and process control method A process control device according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to control an industrial process implemented in a plant. The process control device includes: a virtualizer configured to run over a hardware in lieu of the hardware; and first and second controllers configured to run over the virtualizer and control operations of a plurality of field apparatuses configured to perform at least one of measurement and operation which are required to control the industrial process; an input distributor included in the virtualizer, the input distributor being configured to distribute a signal output from the field apparatus to the first and second controllers; and an output acquirer included in the virtualizer, and the output acquirer being configured to acquire outputs of the first and second controllers, and output any one of the outputs to at least one of the field apparatuses.
US09891600B2	Upgradable home awareness system A group of unsupervised detectors or control units in wireless communication with a user can be upgraded for the user with the addition of hardware and/or downloadable software to provide communications and information to a supervisory station. Supervisory station services can be implemented locally or via cloud based computer services. A displaced dealer can be contacted using codes carried by the detectors or the control units for installation or activation of additional services.
US09891599B2	Proportional integral derivative control incorporating multiple actuators Embodiments of the disclosure provide proportional integral derivative control (PID) using multiple actuators. In one embodiment, a process includes providing a PID controller in communication with a primary actuator and a secondary actuator, the primary actuator and the secondary actuator coupled to a handler, such as a robotic arm for manipulating an object. The process further includes receiving position feedback and a specified trajectory for the handler, and generating a dynamic feedforward force command and a position correction command for the handler based on the position feedback and the specified trajectory. The process further includes providing, from the PID controller, the dynamic feedforward force command to the secondary actuator and the position correction command to the primary actuator.
US09891597B2	Electronic device An electronic device includes a solar panel including a solar cell, the solar cell including a plurality of light receiving regions and a connecting region, the connecting region having a width narrower than widths of the plurality of light receiving regions and connecting the plurality of light receiving regions, wherein a conductive reinforcing material made of a conductive material is provided in the connecting region and is electrically connected to the plurality of light receiving regions.
US09891593B2	Fully-digital fully-synthesizable delay-line analog to digital converter The present invention relates to the realization of an ADC by using a one shot time cell as an analog-to-time converter and a time-to-digital converter. The present invention relates in general, to the design and Integrated Circuit (IC) implementation of a fully-digital fully-synthesizable, delay-line analog-to-digital converter (DL-ADC). The present invention is specifically relevant for power management applications where the silicon area of the controller is of key importance. The design of the ADC is based on the approach of delay cells string to reduce design complexity and the resultant of the silicon area.
US09891592B2	Information processing to improve sleep efficiency The present technique relates particularly to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program which can improve sleep efficiency. The information processing device according to one aspect of the present technique has: an acquisition unit which acquires information which indicates an action schedule of a user; and a first determination unit which determines whether the user needs to wake up or sleep, and determines the degree of necessity of waking up when determining that the user needs to wake up and the degree of necessity of sleeping when determining the user needs to sleep, according to the action schedule of the user. The present technique is applicable to a mobile device such as a mobile telephone, a PDA and a digital camera.
US09891590B2	Reverse battery protection device and operating method thereof A wearable device includes: a touch screen; an acceleration sensor configured to generate an acceleration signal; an optical sensor using a light source and configured to generate a touch interrupt signal; and a control unit configured to detect a wearing state of the wearable device, the wearing state of the wearable device including a not-wearing state for the wearable device, a wrist wearing state, and a hand gripping state on the basis of the acceleration signal and the touch interrupt signal, and to execute a function corresponding to the wearing state of the wearable device.
US09891588B1	Linear clock A linear clock and method of indicating the time includes twelve linearly arranged regions wherein each region includes an indicator termed a “marker,” which is capable of representing a unique hour with a twelve hour cycle or a block of time equal to a five minute increment. Interspersed with the twelve linearly arranged regions is a group of four indicators that are capable of representing a one-minute increment and collectively, up to four minutes.
US09891587B2	Composite component with stressed resilient means The invention relates to a composite component comprising an element with an opening into which extend stressed resilient means confined within a volume of an at least partially amorphous metal alloy, said composite component comprising a passage that, is centered with respect to said stressed resilient means.
US09891586B2	Near-eye device A near-eye device includes a spatial light modulator and a beam combiner. The spatial light modulator includes an array of phase modulating elements arranged to apply a phase delay distribution to incident light. The beam combiner includes a first optical input arranged to receive spatially modulated light from the spatial light modulator and a second optical input having a field of view of the real world.
US09891584B2	Coherent diffractive imaging with arbitrary angle of incidence Apparatus and methods for coherent diffractive imaging with arbitrary angle of illumination incidence utilize a method of fast remapping of a detected diffraction intensity pattern from a detector pixel array (initial grid) to a uniform spatial frequency grid (final grid) chosen to allow for FFT on the remapped pattern. This is accomplished by remapping the initial grid to an intermediate grid chosen to result in a final grid that is linear in spatial frequency. The initial grid is remapped (generally by interpolation) to the intermediate grid that is calculated to correspond to the final grid. In general, the initial grid (x,y) is uniform in space, the intermediate grid ({tilde over (x)},{tilde over (y)}) is non-uniform in spatial frequency, and the final grid ({tilde over (f)}x,{tilde over (f)}y) is uniform in spatial frequency.
US09891582B2	Process unit and image forming apparatus provided with the same A process unit includes a photoreceptor drum, a frame and seal members. The photoreceptor drum has drum flanges protruded outwardly from both end surfaces of a substrate. The frame supports the photoreceptor drum rotatably. The seal members are provided between both end surfaces of the photoreceptor drum and the frame, and support the drum flanges. Each of the seal members includes an elastic member and a hard member. The elastic member and the hard member are adhered and laminated with each other in an axial direction of the photoreceptor drum. Furthermore, the hard member is arranged so as to be brought into contact with the photoreceptor drum.
US09891579B2	Cleaning member and image forming apparatus A cleaning member includes a base member comprised of a first material that has a peak temperature of tan δ less than approximately zero degrees Celsius and a contact portion comprised of a second material that has a higher hardness than the first material and a tear strength of approximately 49 kilonewtons per meter or higher, the contact portion contacting an image carrier and cleaning the image carrier.
US09891578B2	Cleaner blade sealing in an electrophotographic image forming device A cleaner assembly according to one embodiment includes a cleaner blade that extends upward in a cantilevered manner and that includes a cleaning edge for contacting a surface to remove toner from the surface. A waste toner sump is positioned adjacent to a rear side of the cleaner blade for storing toner removed from the surface by the cleaner blade. A film seal extends in a cantilevered manner toward the rear side of the cleaner blade and contacts the rear side of the cleaner blade along a longitudinal length of the cleaner blade. A foam seal is positioned between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the wall below the contact between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the film seal. The foam seal extends along the longitudinal length of the cleaner blade.
US09891577B2	Image forming apparatus and image forming method using a toner carrier containing silicon derived from silica and silicone oil An image forming apparatus includes a charging unit that includes a conductive member which contacts with a surface of an image holding member, and that applies only a DC voltage to the conductive member to charge the surface of the image holding member; and a cleaning unit that has a blade which contacts with the surface of an image holding member and cleans the surface with the blade after a toner image is transferred onto a recording medium, wherein a developer includes toner particles, silica particles treated with a silicone oil, and a carrier, a volume average particle diameter of the carrier is from 20 μm to 35 μm, and a quantity ratio of an elemental silicon derived from a silicone oil and an elemental silicon derived from silica which are present on the surface of the carrier is from 0.05 to 0.2.
US09891574B2	High-voltage power supply apparatus and image forming apparatus A high-voltage power supply that outputs high voltages having a predetermined polarity and a reverse polarity performs control in a manner that, during a transition period in which switching of a target voltage of the high voltage having the reverse polarity from the predetermined polarity is performed, a setting value in accordance with a voltage higher than a target voltage is set as the voltage having the reverse polarity, and then a setting value in accordance with the target voltage is set as the voltage having the reverse polarity.
US09891564B2	Fixing device and image forming apparatus According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes a heat roller, a heat generating body, and a controller. The heat roller heats a conveyed sheet. The heat generating body generates heat with electric power in the heat roller. The controller applies thinning control to electric energy supplied to the heat generating body in processing for heating the heat roller.
US09891561B2	Image forming device and method of acquiring photoreceptor layer thickness An image forming device that forms an image by transferring a toner image formed by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor from the photoreceptor to an intermediate transfer body by applying a transfer bias to a transfer member and putting the transfer member in contact with the intermediate transfer body. The device includes: a current supplier selectively supplying a first constant current and a second constant current to the transfer member; a first voltage acquirer acquiring a first voltage occurring between the transfer member and the intermediate transfer body while the transfer member is supplied with the first constant current; a second voltage acquirer acquiring a second voltage occurring between the transfer member and the photoreceptor while the transfer member is supplied with the second constant current; and a thickness acquirer acquiring a value indicating photoreceptor layer thickness of the photoreceptor by using the first and second voltages.
US09891560B2	Image forming system An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a transfer rotator to contact the image bearer to form a transfer nip therebetween; a bias application device to apply, to the transfer rotator, a transfer bias, a cleaning bias to remove toner adhering to the transfer rotator, and a non-image area bias smaller in absolute value than the cleaning bias; and a controller to control the bias application device and set a sheet feeding interval according to a predetermined condition. When the sheet feeding interval exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller causes the bias application device to apply, to the transfer rotator, the non-image area bias for an application time Z and the cleaning bias for a time X−Z within the sheet feeding interval when X represents the sheet feeding interval, and the application time Z is increased as the sheet feeding interval is increased.
US09891555B2	Electrostatic charge image developing toner set, electrostatic charge image developer set, and toner cartridge set An electrostatic charge image developing toner set includes a brilliant toner including toner particles that include a brilliant pigment and a first binder resin, a black toner including toner particles that include a second binder resin, and a color toner except a black toner, including toner particles that include a third binder resin, wherein the brilliant toner, the black toner and the color toner satisfy Expression (1): Dielectric loss factor of the brilliant Toner>Dielectric loss factor of the black toner>Dielectric loss factor of the color toner and Expression (2): 25×10−3≦(Dielectric loss factor of the brilliant toner)−(Dielectric loss factor of the color toner)≦95×10−3.
US09891554B2	Developing device and image forming apparatus A developing device includes a container chamber that contains developer containing carrier and toner; a supply portion that is adjacent to the container chamber and to which supplying toner or supplying developer, which contains the supplying toner and supplying carrier, is supplied at a supplying position in the supply portion; a transporting member that transports the supplying toner or the supplying developer toward the container chamber in the supply portion; and a guide capable of guiding the developer to the supplying position.
US09891552B2	Image forming apparatus performing toner purge processing The image forming apparatus prevents a transfer roller from slipping when discharge processing for supplying toner to a contact portion between a photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade is performed. The developing unit performs transfer operation to form band-like toner images on a photosensitive drum to supply a predetermined amount of toner to a contact portion between the photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade without causing the transfer roller to perform transfer operation, so that the predetermined amount of toner is supplied in a plurality of batches.
US09891551B2	Roller member, roller supporting mechanism, and image forming apparatus A roller member used in an image forming apparatus includes a metallic shaft, and the metallic shaft includes a cylindrical portion formed of a metallic plate, and a projecting portion projecting outward from end surfaces of the cylindrical portion, wherein end portions of the metallic plate each include a straight portion, projections, and depressions, the projections on the one end portion engage the depressions on the other end portion, the depressions on the one end portion engage the projections on the other end portion, and the straight portions on both end portions oppose each other, a straight area is positioned on an end portion of the cylindrical portion, a projection and depression area is located adjacent to the straight area, and a projecting amount of the projection with respect to the straight portion is smaller than a projecting amount of the projection with respect to the depression.
US09891550B2	Developing device which can detect rotational position of developing roller A developing device is equipped with a developing roller rotationally driven for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of an image supporting body with toner, a screw rotationally driven of which a ratio of number of rotations to number of rotations of the developing roller being rotationally driven is constant, and a processor. The processor is configured to detect toner density in developer by using a sensor installed facing the screw, during rotationally drive of the screw, and detect information indicating a rotational position of the developing roller, based on ripples which occur in the toner density detected.
US09891547B2	Ultraviolet-curable liquid developer Provided is a ultraviolet-curable liquid developer containing a toner particle, a cationically polymerizable liquid monomer, and a photoinitiator that contains a compound according to formula (1): The cationically polymerizable liquid monomer contains a vinyl ether compound satisfying A/B×1,000≧8.5, wherein A is the molar average number of functional groups for the vinyl ether compound and B is the molar average molecular weight of the vinyl ether compound.
US09891545B2	Electrostatic charge image developer, developer cartridge, and process cartridge An electrostatic charge image developer includes a toner that includes a toner particle; and a carrier, wherein the toner particle contains a brilliant pigment, an exposed amount of the brilliant pigment contained in the toner particle is from 0.5% to 5%, the carrier has a core particle and a coating layer which covers a surface of the core particle, the coating layer contains a silicone resin and a siloxane oligomer, and a content of the siloxane oligomer is from 0.1 ppm to 500 ppm with respect to a total weight of the coating layer.
US09891544B2	Toner compositions with optimized beta-carboxyethyl acrylate shell latex for improved particle formation and morphology Disclosed herein include toner compositions with toner particles having a core-shell type structure, where the core comprises a first resin comprising a styrene-acrylate copolymer and an amorphous polyester resin, and the shell comprises a second resin comprising beta-carboxyethyl acrylate (b-CEA) in an amount of from about 0.05 pph to about 2.5 pph by weight of the second resin.
US09891543B2	Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, and toner cartridge An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles and an external additive that includes silica particles having a compression aggregation degree of 60% to 95% and a particle compression ratio of 0.20 to 0.40 and fatty acid metal salt particles.
US09891542B2	Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method A lithographic apparatus having a first outlet to provide a thermally conditioned fluid with a first flow characteristic to at least part of a sensor beam path, and a second outlet associated with the first outlet and to provide a thermally conditioned fluid with a second flow characteristic, different to the first flow characteristic, adjacent the thermally conditioned fluid from the first outlet.
US09891540B2	Measuring method, measurement apparatus, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method A measurement apparatus including an optical system to provide illumination radiation into a spot on a periodic structure and to receive radiation redirected by the periodic structure, the optical system including a first stop to block zero order radiation from the periodic structure and allow non-zero order radiation to pass, and a second stop to block zero order radiation passing the first stop and to allow the non-zero order radiation to pass, and a radiation detector, downstream of the optical system, to receive the non-zero order radiation.
US09891539B2	Projection optical system, exposure apparatus, and exposure method An immersion projection optical system having, for example, a catadioptric and off-axis structure, reduces the portion of an image space filled with liquid (immersion 5 liquid), The projection optical system, which projects a reduced image of a first plane onto a second plane through the liquid, includes a refractive optical element (Lp) arranged nearest to the second plane. The refractive optical element includes a light emitting surface (Lpb) shaped to be substantially symmetric with respect to two axial directions (XY·axes) perpendicular to each other on the second plane. The light emitting surface has a central axis (Lpba) that substantially coincides with a central axis (40a) of a circle (40) corresponding to a circumference of a light entering surface (Lpa) of the refractive optical element. The central axis of the light emitting surface is decentered in one of the two axial directions (Y˜axis) from an optical axis (AX).
US09891537B2	Maskless lithographic apparatus measuring accumulated amount of light Maskless lithographic apparatus measuring accumulated amount of light is provided. The maskless lithographic apparatus includes a light source which emits light, a stage on which a substrate is disposed, an optical system which converts the light into a beam spot array including a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows and irradiates the beam spot array onto the stage, a slit to which the beam spot array is irradiated and which passes an nth (n is a natural number) row of the beam spot array, an optical sensor which senses the nth row of the beam spot array which has passed through the slit, and a measuring unit which measures an accumulated amount of light in the nth row of the beam spot array sensed by the optical sensor.
US09891534B2	Optical imaging arrangement with multiple metrology support units Optical modules used in exposure processes, in particular to optical modules of microlithography systems, are disclosed. Methods for deforming an optical element of an optical module as well as to optical imaging arrangements, optical imaging of methods and a method of manufacturing an optical element, are also disclosed. The disclosed technology may be used in the context of photolithography processes for fabricating microelectronic devices, in particular semiconductor devices, or in the context of fabricating devices, such as masks or reticles, used during such photolithography processes.
US09891531B2	Exposure apparatus and exposure method, and device manufacturing method In corner sections of first to fourth quadrants whose origin point is a center of an upper surface of a stage, three each of two-dimensional heads are provided. The three each of two-dimensional heads include one first head and two second heads. The stage is driven, while measuring a position of the stage using three first heads that face a two-dimensional grating of a scale plate provided above the stage from the four first heads, and during the driving, difference data of measurement values of the two second heads with respect to the first head in a measurement direction are taken in for head groups to which the three first heads belong, respectively, and using the difference data, grid errors are calibrated.
US09891527B2	Developing solution and development processing method of photosensitive resin composition A developing solution for a polyimide precursor containing N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea and a lower alcohol having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. The developing solution increases a development margin and results in little or no decrease of the film thickness of a polyimide-based resin film. A development processing method of a photosensitive polyimide resin composition including developing a photosensitive polyimide precursor resin composition, at least a part of which is exposed, with the developing solution; and a pattern formation method including forming a coating film or molding including a photosensitive polyimide precursor resin composition, selectively exposing the coating film or molding, and developing the exposed coating film or molding by the development processing method.
US09891526B2	Pattern forming method A pattern-forming method includes applying an inorganic film-forming composition on an upper face side of a substrate to provide an inorganic film, forming a resist pattern on an upper face side of the inorganic film; and dry-etching once or several times using the resist pattern as a mask such that the substrate has a pattern The inorganic film-forming composition includes a polyacid or a salt thereof, and an organic solvent. The step for forming a resist pattern may include the steps of: applying a resist composition on an upper face side of the inorganic film to provide a resist film; exposing the resist film; and developing the resist film exposed.
US09891523B2	Photosensitive dry film and process for producing printed wiring board using the same Provided is a photosensitive dry film capable of forming a solder resist layer that has an excellent filling property of underfill and that exhibits an excellent adhesion with a mold material. The photosensitive dry film according to the present invention is a photosensitive dry film including a supporting film and a photosensitive resin layer provided on one side of the supporting film, wherein the arithmetic average surface roughness Ra of the side of the supporting film on which the photosensitive resin layer is provided is 50 to 390 nm.
US09891522B2	Method and composition of a chemically amplified copolymer resist The present disclosure provides a sensitive material. The sensitive material comprises a copolymer that includes polymer units including a hydrophobic unit; a hydrophilic unit comprising an acid generator; and a connection unit bonded between the hydrophobic unit and the hydrophilic unit, the connection unit comprising an acid-labile group.
US09891517B2	Translucent screen and image projection system An image projection system includes a translucent screen, a projector that projects image light to the translucent screen, and a controller that controls the projector and the translucent screen. The translucent screen includes a first light control film configured to be switchable between a transmissive state for transmitting incident light therethrough and a diffusion state for diffusing incident light, and a second light control film configured such that the transmittance thereof with respect to incident light can be changed. The controller has: a first mode in which, in the state where the projector does not project image light, the first light control film is in the transmissive state and the second light control film is in the state of having transmittance for transmitting incident light therethrough; and a second mode in which, in the state where the projector projects image light, the first light control film is in the diffusion state and the second light control film is in the state of having transmittance lower than the transmittance in the first mode. The controller is settable to the first mode or the second mode.
US09891516B1	Methods for calibrating a light field projection system The present disclosure relates to methods for calibrating a light field projection system that includes a screen having convex reflective elements. One example method for calibrating a light field projection system includes scanning the plurality of convex reflective elements with light modulated according to a baseline intensity profile. The method also includes detecting a light intensity profile of the scanned light using a light detector at a first perspective. The method further includes comparing the detected light intensity profile to an expected light intensity profile and modifying operation of a control system that determines light field modulation schemes for projecting light fields to account for any differences between the detected intensity profile and the expected intensity profile. The detector may be moved to a second perspective and the previously steps of the method may be repeated from the second perspective of the light detector.
US09891501B2	Polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor device and method of fabricating the same A method of fabricating a polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor device includes the following steps. A substrate is provided, and a buffer layer having dopants is formed on the substrate. An amorphous silicon layer is formed on the buffer layer having the dopants. A thermal process is performed to convert the amorphous silicon layer into a polycrystalline silicon layer by means of polycrystalization, and to simultaneously out-diffuse a portion of the dopants in the buffer layer into the polycrystalline silicon layer for adjusting a threshold voltage. The polycrystalline silicon layer is patterned to form an active layer. A gate insulating layer is formed on the active layer. A gate electrode is formed on the gate insulating layer. A source doped region and a drain doped region are formed in the active layer.
US09891500B1	Systems and methods for optical frequency comb generation using a microring resonator Systems and methods which provide for the generation of optical frequency combs using a microring resonator optical frequency comb generator configuration are described. A microring resonator optical frequency comb generator configuration of embodiments comprises a plurality of fiber loop laser cavities and at least one microring cavity are utilized. For example, an optical frequency comb generator may include a first fiber loop laser cavity, a second fiber loop laser cavity that is symmetrical with the first fiber loop laser cavity, and a microring resonator that is coupled into both of the first and second fiber loop laser cavities. The microring resonator may be configured to provide a high quality factor, Q, value. The microring resonator of embodiments works together with optical bandpass filters and amplifiers in the multiple fiber loops to make the generated optical frequency comb stable and flexible.
US09891491B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal layer between first and second substrates, a gate line and a data line on the first substrate, a first sub-pixel electrode in a first sub-pixel region of the first substrate, a first transistor connected to the gate line, the data line, and the first sub-pixel electrode, and a second sub-pixel electrode in a second sub-pixel region of the first substrate. The device further includes a second transistor connected to the gate line, the first transistor, and the second sub-pixel electrode, a first storage line extending along an edge portion of the first sub-pixel electrode, a third transistor connected to the gate line, the second sub-pixel electrode, and the first storage line, and a second storage line extending along a side of the second sub-pixel electrode, The second storage line is separated from the first storage line.
US09891490B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate comprising a pixel area, a second substrate having a common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first and second substrates, where the first substrate includes a first pixel electrode which is arranged on the pixel area and in which a diamond shaped open unit is defined, and a plate shaped second pixel electrode arranged on the first pixel electrode, the first pixel electrode having first and second sides parallel to one side of the pixel area, third and fourth sides extending from one side of the first and second sides, inclined against the first and second sides, and parallel to each other, and fifth and sixth sides that connect the first and second sides with the third and fourth sides, and are parallel to each other, and the second pixel electrode includes a cross-shaped stem unit.
US09891487B2	Array substrate for display device An array substrate for a display device includes a first substrate which includes a display region and a non-display region enclosing a periphery of the display region, a second substrate facing the first substrate which includes the display region and the non-display region enclosing a periphery of the display region, a color filter disposed on the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed on the color filter and a black matrix disposed on the first substrate in the non-display region and at least a part of the display region, where the black matrix has a thickness ranging from about 2.5 micrometers to about 6.0 micrometers.
US09891486B2	Display device A display device includes a display panel and a flexible wiring board, an end portion of which is joined to the display panel. The flexible wiring board includes a flexible base substrate in which a through-hole is formed in a position not overlapping the display panel of an extending portion extending from the end portion joined to the display panel in plan view, a first wiring pattern formed to close the through-hole on one surface of the flexible base substrate, and a first resin layer having more flexibility than the flexible base substrate and formed to fill the through-hole formed in the flexible base substrate.
US09891485B2	Liquid crystal display A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate and including a common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates, where the first substrate includes an insulating substrate, a thin-film transistor which is disposed on the insulating substrate and include a gate electrode, a first pixel electrode which is disposed on the insulating substrate to be spaced apart from the thin film transistor and charges a first voltage, a second pixel electrode which is disposed on the insulating substrate to be spaced apart from the thin film transistor, is disposed in a same layer as the first pixel electrode, and receives a second voltage having a magnitude different from the first voltage, and a storage electrode disposed on the same layer as the gate electrode and to overlap a portion of the second pixel electrode.
US09891482B2	Curved display device A curved display device including a gate line and a first data line, a first switching element connected to the gate line and the first data line, and a first subpixel electrode connected to the first switching element and including a first horizontal stem part, a second horizontal stem part, and a vertical stem part, in which the first subpixel electrode includes a first sub region, a second sub region, a third sub region, and a fourth sub region which are divided by the first horizontal stem part, the second horizontal stem part, and the vertical stem part.
US09891479B2	Liquid crystal display device including a pixel electrode and a common electrode According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a first line, a second line, a switching element, a common electrode, an insulating film disposed on the common electrode, a pixel electrode connected with the switching element and opposed to the common electrode with the insulating film interposed therebetween, and a first alignment film covering the pixel electrode. The second substrate includes a second alignment film. And the pixel electrode includes one main pixel electrode extending in a belt shape in a pixel area defined by the first line and the second line.
US09891478B2	Array substrate and liquid crystal display The present invention discloses an array substrate and liquid crystal display, and the array substrate comprises: a first substrate, which is transparent and a first electrode, located on the first substrate and employed to form a liquid crystal layer electrical field; wherein the first electrode comprises at least two non-parallel electrodes, a first strip electrode and a second strip electrode, and one end of the first strip electrode adjacent to the second strip electrode is bent/bent and extended to a tilt direction of the first strip electrode, and the one end of the first strip electrode adjacent to the second strip electrode is disconnected with the second strip electrode. With the aforesaid arrangement, the present invention can rapidly recover the liquid crystal molecules to the normal twisted directions as the liquid crystal display is acted upon by an external force, and is propitious to raise the image quality.
US09891476B2	Substrate and liquid crystal display device including the same A substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate including a display region displaying an image and a non-display region surrounding the display region; a dummy pattern in the non-display area over the substrate, the dummy pattern having a length that corresponds to a side of the display area; and an orientation film on the dummy pattern, the orientation film covering the non-display area and the whole display area.
US09891470B2	Reflector sheet, backlight module and display apparatus A reflector sheet, a backlight module and a display apparatus, which relate to the display technical field, are provided. They can reserve a space for deformation during thermal expansion of the reflector sheet and prevent the reflector sheet from being deformed, thereby avoiding uneven light. The reflector sheet comprises a reflector sheet body and apertures located in the reflector sheet body and configured for allowing a luminous body to pass therethrough, the apertures comprising first apertures and second apertures, wherein each of the first apertures is configured for relatively fixing a luminous body passing therethrough and the reflector sheet body, and each of the second apertures is configured for reserving a gap between a luminous body passing therethrough and the reflector sheet body. Also disclosed is use of the reflector sheet for manufacturing a display apparatus.
US09891469B2	Array substrate, liquid crystal display panel and display device An array substrate, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate (10) includes a base substrate (100) and a plurality of subpixels (103) disposed on the base substrate (100), wherein an area of each of the subpixels (103) includes a plurality of transmissive regions (105) and a plurality of reflective regions (104).
US09891468B2	Reflective liquid crystal display panel and display device A reflective LCD panel includes a first and second substrates spaced apart from each other, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates, a common electrode layer disposed on the side of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, a scattering layer disposed on the side of the common electrode layer facing the liquid crystal layer, a specular reflector disposed on the side of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer. The present invention also proposes a display device. Through this arrangement, the light inputted from the first substrate and common electrode layer scatters when passing through the scattering layer, and produces specular reflection when it further inputted into the specular reflector through the liquid crystal layer. The present invention delivers diffuse reflection effect through the scattering layer and specular reflector, effectively lowering the production cost.
US09891466B2	Liquid crystal display panel and fabrication method thereof A display panel includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate arranged opposite to the first transparent substrate, and multiple sub-regions arranged in an array, including a first sub-region and an adjacent second sub-region. The display panel also includes a first organic film layer configured on the first transparent substrate and a second organic film layer configured on the second transparent substrate. The first organic film layer and the second organic film layer comprise a polymer doped with a dichroic organic dye. The display panel also includes a first alignment layer configured on the surface of the first transparent substrate facing the second transparent substrate, and a second alignment layer configured on the surface of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate; and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.
US09891465B2	Liquid crystal display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same Provided is a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus including: a first substrate including a first region realizing an image and a second region which transmits external light; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first polarizer arranged on a surface of the first substrate; and a second polarizer arranged between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer and comprising a first polarization region positioned in the first region and a second polarization region positioned in the second region and having a polarization axis different from a polarization axis of the first polarization region.
US09891463B2	Mask for forming color filter layer, method for fabricating color filter substrate, and color filter substrate A mask for forming color filter layer, a method for fabricating a color filter substrate and a color filter substrate are provided. A light regulating structure is disposed in a portion of a transparent region of the mask for forming color filter layer, and the light regulating structure is disposed at a position corresponding to a base of a columnar spacer above the color filter layer.
US09891461B2	Display panel, manufacturing method thereof and display device The present invention provides a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The display panel comprises a base substrate, an opposite substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a plurality of original sub-pixels on at least part of which conversion sub-pixels are provided, and an upper water layer is provided on each of the conversion sub-pixels. The conversion sub-pixel is configured to, when an electric field is generated between the first and second electrodes, shrink to one side of the original sub-pixel so that the upper water layer covers the original sub-pixel from above, and, when no electric field is generated between the first and second electrodes, cover the original sub-pixel located under the conversion sub-pixel from above.
US09891455B2	Display device and method for manufacturing the same According to an aspect, a display device includes a display unit, a parallax adjuster that includes a plurality of unit areas, a controller that detects positions of a right eye and a left eye of a user, determines a pixel display of pixels of a right eye image and a left eye image, and sets a light transmission state to the unit areas in accordance with the positions of the right eye and the left eye and the pixel display; a plurality of conductors that are provided corresponding to the respective unit areas and each of which applies a signal to set the light transmission state of the unit area to the corresponding unit area; and a coupling unit that electrically couples the conductors together, the coupling unit providing a certain resistance value between the conductors.
US09891453B2	Integratable planar waveguide type non-reciprocal polarization rotator The present invention describes a planar waveguide-type integrated non-reciprocal polarization rotator. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the planar waveguide-type non-reciprocal 90° polarization rotator includes optical waveguide-type input and output ports, a reciprocal 45° polarization rotator based on an asymmetric optical waveguide structure, a non-reciprocal 45° polarization rotator based on an optical waveguide with a clad layer of magneto-optic material, and a phase compensator placed between the above reciprocal 45° polarization rotator and non-reciprocal 45° polarization rotator compensating the phase difference between two polarization modes.
US09891451B2	Rib-type waveguide silicon modulators and optical devices A ring optical modulator includes a SOI substrate, including at least first and second top silicon layers, and a silicon-based ring resonator formed on the SOI substrate. The silicon-based ring resonator includes first and second top silicon layers, a thin dielectric gate layer disposed between the top silicon layers, first and second electric contacts, and first rib-type waveguide and ring-shape rib-type waveguide formed on the second top silicon layer. The thin dielectric layer includes a first side in contact with the first top silicon layer and a second side in contact with the second top silicon layer. With electric signals applied on the electric contacts, free carriers accumulate, deplete or invert within the top silicon layers on the first and second sides of the thin dielectric gate layer beneath the ring-shape rib-type waveguide, simultaneously, and a refractive index of the ring-shape rib-type waveguide confining optical fields is modulated.
US09891447B2	Pair of progressive ophthalmic lenses A pair of progressive ophthalmic lenses (1, 2) meets special conditions for improving binocular vision of a wearer, while avoiding discomfort for peripheral vision. A first one of the conditions relates to height values of far vision fields, intermediate vision fields and/or proximate vision fields, for indicating that the fields are different enough in height between both lenses. A second one of the conditions sets a maximum value for the relative difference in mean refractive power gradient between both lenses.
US09891446B2	Imaging apparatus and image blur correction method An imaging apparatus includes: a detection unit that detects accelerations in directions of three orthogonal axes; a generation unit that, in a case in which a difference between the magnitude of a resultant vector of the accelerations in the directions of the three orthogonal axes and the magnitude of the acceleration of gravity is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, generates a reference vector using the resultant vector; and a correction unit that corrects an image blur caused by translational shakes in directions of two orthogonal axes perpendicular to at least an optical axis of an imaging optical system, using the reference vector, on the basis of the accelerations in the directions of the three orthogonal axes.
US09891436B2	Waveguide-based displays with anti-reflective and highly-reflective coating A near eye or heads up display system includes a display engine, at least two optical waveguides, and a respective coating on at least one of the major surfaces of at least one of the waveguides. At least one such coating has a low reflectance for light within a specific wavelength range for the waveguide and incident on a major surface of the waveguide on which the coating is located at an angle below a low threshold angle relative to a normal, and has a high reflectance for light within the specific wavelength range for the waveguide that is incident on the major surface on which the coating is located at an angle above a high threshold angle relative to the normal.
US09891433B2	Virtual image generation device and head-up display The virtual image generation device which visualizes images formed by an image forming unit as virtual images includes: a first optical element and a second optical element arranged opposite to each other along a travelling direction of an image light corresponding to the images. The first optical element and the second optical element have a characteristic of reflecting the light having a wavelength corresponding to the image light in accordance with an incident angle of the light and transmitting the light having the wavelength other than the wavelength corresponding to the image light, and give a predetermined optical effect only to the image light.
US09891432B2	Object detection device and sensing apparatus An object detection device includes: a light projection unit that includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting units that are arranged along at least one direction; a light scanning unit that scans light emitted from the light projection unit along the one direction; a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light scanning unit and reflected on an object; and a control unit that determines a light emitting unit to be turned on among the light emitting units, according to a direction of travel of light scanned by the light scanning unit.
US09891428B2	Optical measurement system, measurement method for errors of rotating platform, and two dimensional sine wave annulus grating An optical measurement system including a two-dimensional sine wave annuls grating and a measurement unit is provided. The two-dimensional sine wave annuls grating includes a rotary shaft and a plurality of sine wave structures surrounding the rotary shaft and continuously arranged. The measurement unit is adapted to output a light beam towards the two-dimensional sine wave annuls grating, wherein each of the sine wave structures is adapted to reflect the light beam from the two-dimensional sine wave annuls grating back to the measurement unit. A measurement method for errors of a rotating platform and a two-dimensional sine wave annuls grating are also provided.
US09891424B2	Actuator drive system, optical module, and electronic apparatus An actuator drive system includes electrostatic actuators and a voltage controller that applies drive voltages to the electrostatic actuators, and the voltage controller includes a digital control device that splits an 8-bit drive variable corresponding to an overall displacement amount provided by the electrostatic actuators into 4-bit individual drive variables, a first DAC that produces a first drive voltage signal based on a first individual drive variable, and a second DAC that produces a second drive voltage signal based on a second individual drive variable.
US09891419B2	Microscope illumination apparatus A microscope illumination apparatus includes: a dark-field illumination unit including a light source that is arrangeable in an outer periphery of an observation light path of a microscope, the dark-field illumination unit being removably provided in the outer periphery of the observation light path; a detector that detects that the dark-field illumination unit has been arranged in a prescribed position of the outer periphery of the observation light path, and outputs a turn-on signal; and a controller that controls the light source to be turned on in accordance with the detection of the detector.
US09891412B2	Imaging lens An imaging lens which uses a larger number of constituent lenses for higher performance and features a low F-value, low-profile design and a wide field of view. Designed for a solid-state image sensor, the imaging lens includes constituent lenses arranged in order from an object side to an image side: a first positive refractive power lens; a second negative refractive power lens; a third lens; a fourth lens; a fifth lens; a sixth lens having a concave image-side surface near an optical axis; and a seventh negative refractive power lens.
US09891409B2	Image pickup lens An image pickup lens includes a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object side surface, an aperture stop, a second lens with negative refractive power having a convex image side surface, a third lens with positive refractive power having a concave image side surface, a fourth lens with positive refractive power having a convex image side surface, and a fifth lens with negative refractive power as a double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image side surface near the optical axis; wherein the first lens and the second lens satisfy following conditional expressions (1) and (2); 50<ν1<85 (1) 20<ν2<35 (2) where ν1 represents an Abbe number of the first lens, and ν2 represents an Abbe number of the second lens, and where the second lens satisfies a following conditional expression (3); 1.55
US09891408B2	Mirror drive device that moves mirror holders and image pickup apparatus A mirror drive device that eliminates the need of an additional driving source for releasing a mirror from a locked state, and achieves power saving, lower cost, and size reduction thereof. When a main mirror holder and a sub mirror holder rotatably attached thereto are in respective mirror-down positions, cams of a cam gear and a mirror drive gear that moves the sub holder are in contact to restrict movement of the mirror drive gear. When the holders are between the mirror-down position and a mirror-up position, gears of the cam gear and the mirror drive gear are in mesh for moving the sub holder. When the sub holder is moved from the mirror-down position to the mirror-up position, the sub holder is brought into contact with the main holder to push and move the main holder from the mirror-down position to the mirror-up position.
US09891407B2	Lens driving module A lens driving module for driving a lens along an optical axis is provided. The lens driving module includes a stator having a hollow cylindrical shape through which the optical axis passes through and including coils, a rotator having a hollow shape through which the optical axis passes, mounted on an outer side of the stator, capable of rotating with respect to the stator with the optical axis as a center line, and including magnets facing the coils, and at least one of rotation connecting members connecting the rotator to the stator such that the rotator may rotate with respect to the stator to maintain a gap between the coils and the magnets.
US09891398B2	Wavelength division multiplexing module A telecommunications module includes a main housing portion and a cover, the main housing portion defining a first sidewall, a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, the cover defining a second sidewall when mounted on the main housing portion. An optical component located within the module receives an input signal from a signal input location of the housing and outputs an output signal toward a signal output location on the front wall. The telecommunications module is configured such that the signal input location can be selected to be either on the front wall or the rear wall of the main housing. The cover defines a protrusion extending from the second sidewall toward the main housing portion, the protrusion being selectively breakable to expose a recess on the front wall of the main housing portion that defines a signal input location.
US09891397B2	Multi-fiber, fiber optic cables and cable assemblies providing constrained optical fibers within an optical fiber sub-unit Multi-fiber, fiber optic cables and cable assemblies providing constrained optical fibers within an optical fiber sub-unit are disclosed. The optical fiber sub-unit(s) comprises optical fibers disposed adjacent a sub-unit strength member(s) within a sub-unit jacket. Movement of optical fibers within a sub-unit jacket can be constrained. In this manner, the optical fibers in an optical fiber sub-unit can be held together within the optical fiber sub-unit as a unit.
US09891394B2	Transceiver module plug connector In a transceiver module, where one end of a module substrate is inserted and connected to a concave portion of a plug connector and when one end face of the module substrate is touched to the inner periphery face forming the concave portion, a projection portion formed at the periphery of the concave portion of the plug connector is fitted to a notch portion of the module substrate.
US09891391B2	Boot for optical connector ferrule A boot for an optical connector ferrule is provided with a ribbon fiber insertion portion internally provided with vertical partition portions so as to section ribbon fibers into upper and lower stages and enable to insert the ribbon fibers, and a front opening portion exposing the optical fiber core wires in the respective leading ends of the inserted ribbon fiber groups to a forward outer side, and the boot for the optical connector ferrule is inserted to a boot insertion opening portion formed in a rear end side of the optical connector ferrule. An exposure notch portion is provided in a rear end portion of each of both upper and lower wall surfaces of the ribbon fiber insertion portion for forming a fiber guide of each of the ribbon fibers by making the rear end portion side of the vertical partition portions protrude outward from the ribbon fiber insertion portion.
US09891389B1	Cleaning nozzle, apparatus, nozzle assembly, and methods for optical fiber connectors The cleaning nozzle is used for cleaning an optical fiber connector using a cleaning fluid. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing. A ferrule is supported within the interior of the connector housing. The nozzle has inner and outer housing members that respectively define an inner channel and an outer channel. The inner channel is sized to accommodate a front-end section of the ferrule. The inner and outer channels are in fluid communication through the interior of the connector housing when the front-end section of the ferrule resides within the inner channel. The nozzle assembly includes the nozzle and the optical fiber connector. Methods of cleaning the interior of the optical fiber connector as well as the ferrule end face, the optical fiber end face and the ferrule outer surface are also disclosed.
US09891383B2	Monolithic silicon lasers An apparatus comprising a substrate having a silicon waveguide thereon. The apparatus also comprises a semiconductor layer with a direct band gap. The semiconductor layer is located on a segment of the silicon waveguide and the semiconductor layer and the silicon waveguide are in a hybrid optical waveguide.
US09891378B2	Cascaded core multicore fiber and manufacturing method for same A multicore fiber includes a plurality of unit multicore fibers each including: a plurality of core portions; and a clad portion which is formed in an outer circumference of the core portions and has a refractive index lower than a maximum refractive index of the core portions. The plurality of the core portions have substantially same refractive index profile and different group delays at same wavelength in same propagation mode. The core portions of the multicore fiber are configured so that the core portions of the plurality of the unit multicore fibers are connected in cascade, a maximum value of differential group delays between the core portions of the multicore fiber is smaller than a reduced value of a maximum value of differential group delays between the core portions of each unit multicore fiber as a value in terms of a length of the multicore fiber.
US09891376B2	Optical fiber An embodiment of the invention enables each core in an end face to be readily identified by observation of either one end face, regardless of the presence or absence of a twist of a pertinent MCF and difference of ends. In a cross section of the MCF, a core group constellation has symmetry but each core in a core group is identifiable by breaking of all types of symmetry in a common cladding, defined by a combination of the core group constellation with the common cladding, or, by making the fiber ends distinguishable.
US09891375B2	Backlight module and liquid crystal display apparatus A backlight board and a liquid crystal display apparatus are disclosed. The backlight module includes a plastic frame and a square-shaped adhesive tape. The plastic frame has an attachment surface on the top surface of the plastic frame. The attachment surface includes a first attachment sub-surface and a second attachment sub-surface. The first attachment sub-surface is parallel with a light-exiting surface; the second attachment sub-surface is connected to an end of the first attachment sub-surface, and is at a predetermined angle in relation to a plane on which the first attachment sub-surface is disposed. A portion of the square-shaped adhesive tape that may extend outwardly from an edge of the plastic frame can be attached to a transitional surface to avoid extending out of the plastic frame.
US09891368B2	Multilayer sheet A multilayer sheet includes a first resin layer, a second resin layer, a particle-containing layer disposed at least between the first and second resin layers and including plural particles and gaps formed between the particles, and an intermediate layer disposed at least one selected from between the first resin layer and the particle-containing layer or between the second resin layer and the particle-containing layer, including a copolymer having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 300,000 or more and a molecular weight distribution, expressed as a ratio of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to a number average molecular weight (Mn), of 6.0 or less and a structural moiety derived from a crosslinking agent adapted to crosslink the copolymer, and having a crosslinking density of from more than 0 mol/m3 to 450 mol/m3.
US09891362B2	Hybrid polarizer A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.
US09891360B2	Optical film Provided are an optical film and a display device including the same. The optical film may be disposed at the outermost side of a display device, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic light emitting display, or at an outside of a polarizing layer of the display in which the polarizing layer is disposed at a visible side. The film disposed as described above may overcome degradation of brightness that may occur when an observer watches an image with polarizing sunglasses. The optical film may also have hardness suitable for its use.
US09891357B2	Electromagnetic energy-absorbing optical product and method for making An electromagnetic energy-absorbing optical product useful particularly for automotive and architectural window films is disclosed. The electromagnetic energy-absorbing optical product includes a polymeric substrate and a composite coating with the composite coating including first and second layers each containing a binding group component which together form a complimentary binding group pair.
US09891350B2	Light blocking articles having opacifying layers A light-blocking article is designed to be lightweight but effective to block most incident actinic radiation and can be designed into fabrics, curtains, and other materials. Such an article has an opacifying layer that is capable of blocking predetermined electromagnetic radiation. The article contains (a) porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric binder and pores within the continuous polymeric binder, the porous particles having a glass transition temperature of at least 25° C. and a mode particle size of at least 2 μm and up to and including 50 μm. The article also contains an opacifying colorant that absorbs the predetermined electromagnetic radiation (such as within 400 nm to 700 nm), in an amount of at least 0.001 weight % based on the total dry weight of the opacifying layer, and a matrix polymer in which the porous particles and opacifying colorant are dispersed.
US09891348B2	Contact lens material and contact lens A contact lens for the human eye includes a matrix and polymer nanocapsules mixed in the matrix. The polymer nanocapsule is calculated to decompose by chemical reaction and thereby release oxygen, to prevent corneal hypoxia. A material for making a contact lens is also provided.
US09891342B2	Method of processing gravity gradient data The present disclosure provides a method of processing gravity gradient data indicative of an output generated by an airborne gravity gradiometer that is moving along a flight path over a terrain. The method comprises the step of providing the gravity gradient data. The gravity gradient data comprising gravity gradient data elements that are associated with respective flight path segments of the airborne gravity gradiometer. Further, the method comprises providing terrain data indicative of a topography and a density or a density distribution of the terrain above a datum that is below the surface of the terrain over which the airborne gravity gradiometer is moved. The method also comprises providing information concerning the flight path of the airborne gravity gradiometer in three dimensions. In addition, the method comprises calculating the gravity gradient response of the terrain using the provided terrain data and the provided information concerning the flight path. The gravity gradient terrain response data is calculated for a plurality of locations of the gravity gradiometer along at least some of the flight path segment. In addition, the method comprises correcting the gravity gradient data by forming a difference between the calculated gravity gradient terrain response of the terrain topography and the gravity gradient data.
US09891341B2	Gravity gradiometer system with spherical air bearing based platform A non-contacting spherical air bearing-based stable platform for use by a gravity gradiometer instrument (GGI) is provided by attaching a spherical ball-shaped bearing to a rotational stage of the GGI and integrating a concave spherical cup in the linear stage and mounting base assembly of the GGI which is fixedly attached to a host vehicle or platform. The spherical cup supports the spherical ball-shaped bearing on a thin cushion of air provided by a source of compressed air or gas at the concave surface of the spherical cup. The spherical ball-shaped bearing is supported, providing three degrees of rotational freedom of motion without the need for slip rings, flex capsules, races, or mechanical bearings, thereby reducing or eliminating gradient disturbance signals owing to parasitic torques and jitter in the output of the accelerometers of the GGI.
US09891335B2	Wireless logging of fluid filled boreholes A predetermined condition in a fluid-filled wellbore system can be detected by generating at least one sound in the wellbore system in response to the condition, such that a detectable change is created in some characteristic of the emitted sound, and detecting the at least one sound and the change, the detection being indicative that the predetermined condition has occurred. Equipment for facilitating detection of the condition can include a trigger operable in response to the condition; a generator operable to emit sound in the borehole and to create a detectable change in some characteristic of the emitted sound in response to the trigger; and at least one sensor operable to monitor the sound and detect the change, the detection being indicative that the predetermined condition has occurred. It is also possible to estimate a value of a property of a fluid-filled wellbore system. This can be accomplished by recording data including at least one of pressure and rate of flow at one or more locations in the wellbore system, and then estimating the value of the property by employing a model for predicting at least one of pressure and rate of flow dependent upon parameters detailing at least one of wellbore system geometry, viscoacoustic properties of the fluid and entrained solids contained in the wellbore system, locations of boundaries and entrained solids, and characteristics and locations of disturbances to pressure and flow in the wellbore system, in order to determine a best prediction of some attribute of the recorded data.
US09891334B2	System and methodology for determining fracture attributes in a formation A technique facilitates determination of fracture attributes through the recording and analyzing of borehole sonic data before and after a fracturing operation. The technique comprises generating broadband acoustic waves at an array of receivers based on output from a plurality of acoustic sources. The waveforms of the broadband acoustic waves are recorded and processed to estimate sonic signatures. The sonic signatures are then used to determine fracture attributes. In some applications, the data may be used to determine whether the fractures in the formation are filled with fluid or soft sediments. Information on the fracture attributes is output to a suitable system, e.g. a computer display.
US09891333B2	Touch down monitoring of an ocean bottom seismic node Apparatuses, systems, and methods for guiding and/or positioning a plurality of seismic nodes on or near the seabed by an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). In one embodiment, an underwater vehicle is configured to monitor the deployment of cable connected to a plurality of seismic nodes, including the touchdown monitoring, positioning, and guiding of deployed autonomous seismic nodes or ocean bottom cable. The underwater vehicle may comprise a propulsion system configured to steer and propel the vehicle in a body of water, a tracking system configured to automatically track the cable and/or attached seismic nodes, and a guidance system configured to communicate with a surface vessel node data in real time or near real time for active guidance and/or positioning of the deployment cable.
US09891324B2	GNSS signal processing device and method for code phase tracking A demodulation unit for a GNSS signal processing device includes an operator that uses a first error detecting method when one of a first selection criterion in which an early late differential value is higher than a first threshold (positive value) and an early differential value is lower than a third threshold (negative value), and a second selection criterion in which the early late differential value is lower than a second threshold (negative value) and a late differential value is lower than a fourth threshold (negative value) is satisfied, and the operator uses a second error detecting method when neither criterion is satisfied. A code phase range where an error detection value is not 0 is wide with the first error detecting method, and the code phase range where the error detection value is not 0 is narrow with the second error detecting method.
US09891313B2	Radar device and security monitoring system A radar device for detecting an OUD (Object Under Detection) includes a signal source, a first antenna, a second antenna, a mixer, and a 90-degree coupler. The signal source is configured to generate an incident signal. The first antenna is configured to transmit the incident signal to the OUD. The second antenna is configured to receive a reflective signal from the OUD. The mixer is configured to generate a baseband signal according to the incident signal and the reflective signal. The second antenna is coupled through the 90-degree coupler to the mixer, or the signal source is coupled through the 90-degree coupler to the first antenna.
US09891312B2	Personal radar Systems and methods for providing personal radar, object presence detection, and object localization are provided. Multiple devices that perform high-resolution ranging can be operated to perform radar in an area, detect objects and motion of objects in the area, and generate a virtual steerable antenna.
US09891309B2	Illumination light projection for a depth camera Various embodiments of TOF depth cameras and methods for illuminating image environments with illumination light are provided herein. In one example, a TOF depth camera configured to collect image data from an image environment illuminated by illumination light includes a light source including a plurality of surface-emitting lasers configured to generate coherent light. The example TOF camera also includes an optical assembly configured to transmit light from the plurality of surface-emitting lasers to the image environment and an image sensor configured to detect at least a portion of return light reflected from the image environment.
US09891308B2	Arrangement for, and method of, enhancing the accuracy of position detection and tracking of a mobile device movable in a venue A transmitter subsystem periodically transmits ranging signals at transmit times, and a receiver subsystem receives the ranging signals at receive times within a receiver window having an adjustable time duration. A real-time position of a mobile device supporting one of the subsystems is determined based on differences between the receive and transmit times. An expected arrival time for the transmitted ranging signals is determined based on the real-time position of the mobile device. Each receive time is compared with the expected arrival time to obtain a consistency rate of the ranging signals that are received by the receiver subsystem directly from the transmitter subsystem. The time duration of the receiver window is dynamically adjusted based on the consistency rate.
US09891290B2	Offset suppression in micromachined Lorentz force magnetic sensor by current chopping Offsets (short and long term) are significantly reduced in a Lorentz force magnetometer circuit. A modulated bias current supplied to the magnetometer is chopped by periodically switching its polarity. Magnetometer output is demodulated, then de-chopping performed to restore signal polarity output. Chopping of the bias current signal polarity modulates magnetic field signal to a frequency in which electrostatic force remains constant toward eliminating offset and long-term drift from said micromechanical resonator.
US09891289B2	Power transformer inrush current detector Techniques for detecting an inrush current in a power transformer in are disclosed. For example, the presence of an inrush current on a current path in a power transformer may be determined by receiving a signal from a Rogowski coil positioned on a current path of a power transformer, the signal corresponding to a current flowing in the current path; sampling the received signal to produce samples of the received signal; and analyzing the samples of the received signal relative to at least two criteria to determine whether an inrush current is present. When an inrush current is present, operation of a protective relay is blocked.
US09891287B2	Temperature-compensated state of charge estimation for rechargeable batteries The remaining state of charge of a rechargeable battery is calculated by: measuring the instantaneous voltage, impedance and temperature of the battery, and then inputting the measured voltage, impedance and temperature values into an equation, wherein the equation yields a state of charge value that is a function of the said measured voltage, impedance and temperature values.
US09891284B2	Addressable test access port domain selection circuitry TCK logic gate This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations. In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, an interface select circuit, FIGS. 41-49, provides for selectively using either the 5 signal interface of FIG. 41 or the 3 signal interface of FIG. 8.
US09891283B2	Multi-bit flip-flops and scan chain circuits A multi-bit flip-flop includes a plurality of multi-bit flip-flop blocks that share a clock signal. Each of the multi-bit flip-flop blocks includes a single inverter and a plurality of flip-flops. The single inverter generates an inverted clock signal by inverting the clock signal. Each of the flip-flops includes a master latch part and a slave latch part and operates the master latch part and the slave latch part based on the clock signal and the inverted clock signal. Here, the flip-flops are triggered at rising edges of the clock signal. Thus, the multi-bit flip-flop operating as a master-slave flip-flop may minimize (or, reduce) power consumption occurring in a clock path through which the clock signal is transmitted.
US09891280B2	Probe-based data collection system with adaptive mode of probing controlled by local sample properties A method for testing an integrated circuit (IC) using a nanoprobe, by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to register the nanoprobe to an identified feature on the IC; navigating the nanoprobe to a region of interest; scanning the nanoprobe over the surface of the IC while reading data from the nanoprobe; when the data from the nanoprobe indicates that the nanoprobe traverse a feature of interest, decelerating the scanning speed of the nanoprobe and performing testing of the IC. The scanning can be done at a prescribed nanoprobe tip force, and during the step of decelerating the scanning speed, the method further includes increasing the nanoprobe tip force.
US09891276B2	Performance-screen ring oscillator (PSRO) using an integrated circuit test signal distribution network Embodiments relate to an integrated circuit comprising a performance-screen ring oscillator (PSRO). An aspect includes a test signal distribution network, the test signal distribution network including a plurality of flushable pipeline latches, the test signal distribution network configured to deliver a test signal simultaneously, via the plurality of flushable pipeline latches, to each of a plurality of local clock buffers associated with components of the integrated circuit at a plurality of signal outputs. Another aspect includes a PSRO including an input multiplexer that outputs an oscillator signal to an input of a branch of the test signal distribution network; and a return path from a signal output of the branch of the test signal distribution network to the input multiplexer.
US09891273B2	Test structures and testing methods for semiconductor devices Test structures, methods of manufacturing thereof, and testing methods for semiconductors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a test structure for semiconductor devices includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a probe region, and a compliance mechanism disposed between the PCB and the probe region. A plurality of wires is coupled between the PCB and the probe region. End portions of the plurality of wires proximate the probe region are an integral part of the probe region.
US09891271B2	Techniques and circuits for testing a virtual power supply at an integrated circuit device A power grid provides power to one or more modules of an integrated circuit device via a virtual power supply signal. A test module is configured to respond to assertion of a test signal so that, when the power grid is working properly and is not power gated, an output of the test module matches the virtual power supply. When the power grid is not working properly, the output of the test module is a fixed logic signal that does not vary based on the power gated state of the one or more modules.
US09891269B2	Pulsed testing of through-body-vias An integrated circuit die has one or more through-body-vias and a testing circuit on board the die which tests for defects in a through-body-via by driving of pulses of current into a node. Pulses are counted until the voltage of the node reaches a threshold voltage to provide a pulse count which is a function of the capacitance of the node. A determination is made as to whether the through-body-via of the node has a defect as a function of the pulse count.
US09891268B2	Apparatus and method for generating signals for ESD stress testing an electronic device and system for performing an ESD stress test of an electronic device An apparatus and a method for generating signals for ESD stress testing an electronic device are disclosed. In an embodiment the apparatus is configured to receive a source signal including a source pulse, delay the source pulse to generate a test signal including a test pulse with a pulse width in an ESD time range and generate an auxiliary signal including an auxiliary pulse with a pulse width in the ESD time range.
US09891265B2	Voltage detecting circuit and method for measuring characteristic of transistor A voltage detection circuit includes: a transistor; a switch coupled to a drain terminal of the transistor; the drain terminal is coupled to an one end of the switch; a first driver that controls the switch in synchronization with a second driver that drives a gate terminal of the transistor; and a plurality of resistors coupled in series and coupled to an another end of the switch.
US09891263B2	Partial discharge measurement method, partial discharge measurement device, and method of producing insulated wire A partial discharge measurement method includes: a moving step of moving an insulated wire including an insulating layer on a surface of the insulated wire; a voltage applying step of bringing an electrode which is connected to a power supply into contact with the insulating layer of the insulated wire which is moving, and applying a predetermined test voltage to the insulating layer while moving the insulated wire; a detection step of detecting, as a partial discharge signal, a signal which is more than or equal to a threshold value among signals involved in partial discharge events occurring from the insulating layer due to application of the predetermined test voltage; and a determination step of determining, based on a result in the detection step, frequency of occurrence of partial discharge events at the predetermined test voltage.
US09891260B2	Predicting service life of electrical equipment The service life of electrical equipment is predicted using a thermal history sensor mounted in the electrical equipment. At least one thermal history sensor is mounted inside or on an outer wall surface of electrical equipment. The thermal history sensor includes dissimilar metal joints, and the resistance values of the dissimilar metal joints change in response to the amount of intermetallic compound growing in the dissimilar metal joints due to the temperature inside the electrical equipment or of the outer wall thereof during operation. A determining mechanism periodically or irregularly monitors and stores in memory the resistance values of the dissimilar metal joints from the thermal history sensor, and uses the stored history of resistance values to predict the service life of the electrical equipment.
US09891256B2	Determining the current return path integrity in an electric device connected or connectable to a further device A method for determining current return path integrity in an electric device with a plurality of signal lines and supply lines. A library with at least one reference signal pattern of a near end crosstalk signal on a defined signal line arising from an input signal on another defined signal line is provided, a predetermined signal to a selected signal line of the electric device is applied, the near end crosstalk signal on at least one further signal line of the electric device is detected, said near end crosstalk signal is compared with the corresponding reference signal pattern from the library, and if there is a deviation between the near end crosstalk signal and the corresponding reference signal pattern, an information that there is any defect in the electric device is displayed.
US09891252B2	Thermal management of self-powered power sensors Apparatus and methods are provided for handling the heating resulting from the operation of a self-powered power sensor (SPPS). The SPPS periodically switches between a sense mode and a harvest mode, each contributing to power dissipation that translates into heat, which may become a safety hazard. A duty cycle that is the ratio between the period in which sensing take place and the total time elapsed between sensing periods defines the duty cycle of the SPPS. In order to prevent overheating of the SPPS it is configured to provide a dynamic duty cycle that is higher for lower currents in the primary power wire and lower, for higher primary currents. This allows for better power dissipation of the SPPS and removing it from operation in unfavorable or dangerous conditions.
US09891250B2	Bidirectional voltage differentiator circuit A bidirectional voltage differentiator circuit comprises start-up circuitry, sensing circuitry, and output circuitry coupled to logic circuitry. The start-up circuitry acts to start-up the sensing circuitry when the circuit is powered on, and accelerates the response of the sensing circuitry thereafter. The sensing circuitry senses variation in an input voltage applied to an input node. Responsive to the voltage variation sensed by the sensing circuitry, the output circuitry produces a state change at a first or second output node. The logic circuitry receives the states of the output nodes and produces a logic output signal to indicate the occurrence of the variation sensed in the input voltage. The voltage sensing circuit is operable to sense variation of the input voltage regardless of whether the voltage is rising or falling and without regard to the DC value of the input voltage.
US09891249B2	Broad-range current measurement using duty cycling An apparatus, method and integrated circuit for broad-range current measurement using duty cycling are disclosed. Embodiments of an apparatus for sensing current through a transistor device may include an interface configured to receive a current from the transistor device for sensing. Additionally, embodiments may include a sensor component coupled to the interface and configured to receive the current from the transistor device and to generate a responsive sensor voltage. Embodiments may also include a sense control circuit configured to control a duty cycle of the sensor component.
US09891245B2	Real-time accelerometer calibration An electronic device configured for real-time calibration of an on-board accelerometer. A plurality of acceleration measurements are collected from the accelerometer to form a data set. An accelerometer error correction model is maintained that includes bias error calibration parameters, sensitivity calibration parameters, and cross-axis calibration parameters that each specify respective weights for each of bias error, sensitivity error, and cross-axis error. Calibration values are determined for one or more of the bias error calibration parameters, the sensitivity calibration parameters, and the cross-axis error calibration parameters for the data set of acceleration measurements using the accelerometer error correction model. A true acceleration vector may be determined that corresponds to a subsequently received acceleration measurement using the determined calibration values.
US09891242B2	Floating dual anemometer—mast and doppler A device of a dual floating anemometer comprised of a mast, support arms for instruments, purlins, a central buoy, connecting beams, the edge floaters, the buoy hoop, the buoy—anchorage connector, anchorage hoop, anchorage, wind measuring instruments A, the connector beam of the anemometer base B, the wind instrument base B wind measuring instruments B, the anchorages of the edge floaters, the connections of the anchorages of the edge floaters with the edge floaters and the connector hoops of the anchorages with the edge floaters, which can be placed in shallow or big water depths and can simultaneously measure the characteristic wind parameters using both common anemometers and Doppler anemometers, so that the measurements of the wind potential (velocity, direction, turbulence) are extended to a higher altitude than the altitude of the mast which bears the cup anemometers, because of the combinatorial action.
US09891237B2	Fluorescent sensor for metal cation detection based on 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole containing a Schiff base moiety Hydroxyphenylbenzazole compounds that are useful for the selective detection of zinc, aluminum, chromium, and iron cations in vitro and in vivo. The Hydroxyphenylbenzazole compounds include a 2-hydroxyphenyl group bound to a single benzazole group; a first ligand group that is a Schiff base moiety; and a second ligand group selected from a Schiff base moiety and a hydroxyl group.
US09891234B2	Biochemical markers for CVD risk assessment A method of bioassay for the quantification of peptide fragments comprising a neo-epitope formed by cleavage of mimecan, a protein of an atherosclerotic plaque, by a proteinase is provided. In the method a sample, such as urine or serum, is contacted with an antibody reactive with the neo-epitope and the level of binding of the antibody to peptide fragments in the sample is determined. The assay is predictive of risk of cardiovascular disease events.
US09891233B2	Methods for predicting time-to-delivery in pregnant women The present disclosure relates to methods for predicting time-to-delivery in pregnant women. The methods include predicting that a pregnant woman will deliver within a predetermined time frame if PAMG-1 is determined to be present at a level above a predetermined detection threshold in a vaginal fluid sample obtained from the pregnant woman. Also provided are methods for determining a patient's risk of preterm labor and/or spontaneous rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane.
US09891228B2	Method for determining ubiquitin chain length Protein ubiquitylation, an essential post-translational modification, regulates almost every cellular process including protein degradation, protein trafficking, signal transduction, and DNA damage response in eukaryotic cells. The diverse functions of ubiquitylation are thought to be mediated by distinct chain topologies resulting from eight different ubiquitin linkages, chain lengths, and complexities. Currently, ubiquitin linkages are generally thought to be a critical determinant of ubiquitin signaling. However, ubiquitin chain lengths, another key element of ubiquitin signaling, have not been well documented especially in vivo situation during past three decades from the discovery of ubiquitin. The reason of this was simply because no method has been available for determination of ubiquitin chain length in endogenous ubiquitylated substrates. In the present invention, a practical technique for determining the actual length of substrate-attached polyubiquitin chains from biological samples is established. Using the method, the mean length of substrate-attached polyubiquitin chains was determined and the robustness of ubiquitin chain length regulation in cells is investigated. The following is a summary of findings in this invention: 1. A method for determining ubiquitin chain length was developed and this method was named ‘ubiquitin protection from trypsinization’ (Ub-ProT). 2. Using Ub-ProT, it was determined that the mean length of substrate-attached ubiquitin chains is in the dimer to decamer range. 3. By quantitative proteomics, it was found that the mean lengths of five major types of ubiquitin chains can be divided into two groups. 4. Proteasome-inhibition did not alter the mean length of substrate-attached polyubiquitin chains, indicating that cells have a robust system for regulating ubiquitin chain length.
US09891223B2	Method of assaying leukocyte elastase inhibitor for the in vitro diagnosis of colorectal cancer The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro diagnosis of colorectal cancer by determining the presence of the Leukocyte Elastase Inhibitor tumor marker in a biological sample taken from a patient suspected of having colorectal cancer. Said method can be used for early diagnosis, screening, therapeutic follow-up and prognosis, and also for relapse diagnosis in relation to colorectal cancer.
US09891214B2	Immunological assay method [Problem] To provide a so-called competitive immunological assay method capable of more uniformly immobilizing on a solid phase a substance equivalent to an antigen. [Solution] This immunological assay method measures an analyte substance in a sample by using: an equivalent substance immobilized on the solid phase during the execution of the assay, the equivalent substance being immunologically equivalent to the analyte substance; and a labeled antibody for specifically binding to the substance equivalent to the analyte substance. The assay method is characterized in that the equivalent substance is immobilized on the solid phase using: a bond between the equivalent substance and a carrier substance, the carrier substance being a substance to which the labeled antibody does not bind; and a bond between the carrier substance and a specific binding substance immobilized on the solid phase, the specific binding substance being a substance that binds specifically to the carrier substance.
US09891212B2	Screening method, a kit, a method of treatment and a compound for use in a method of treatment A method to identify a candidate compound for use in the treatment of a condition involving dysregulation of glucose homeostasis or of glucose uptake in a mammal, by identifying a candidate compound that causes an increase in translocation of GLUT without causing an increase in the production of cAMP. A kit for use in such a method. A method of treatment of a condition involving dysregulation of glucose homeostasis or of glucose uptake in a mammal and a compound for use in such a method.
US09891202B2	Food packaging arrangement A food packaging arrangement (1) comprising a packaging (2) and a chemical composition (4) which, by reaction with a breakdown product of the food (3) in question, forms a light-emitting or fluorescent compound or emits light.
US09891197B2	Vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy system and method An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
US09891196B2	Ultrasonic inspection of composite parts One aspect of a process to inspect a composite component includes traversing multiple ultrasonic probe array portions on respective multiple component surfaces of the composite component. The multiple component surfaces are either separate from or at angles to each other. The process includes simultaneously passing an ultrasonic signal into the multiple component surfaces through the multiple ultrasonic probe array portions. The process also includes receiving a response to the ultrasonic signal through the multiple ultrasonic probe array portions.
US09891195B2	Method for the production of a flame ionization detector and corresponding flame ionization detector A flame ionization detector having at least one combustion chamber, at least one conduit for directing a gas or gas mixture, and at least one electrode structure, and a process for forming the flame ionization detector by providing two or more green ceramic films, forming geometric structures in said green ceramic films, depositing at least a portion of an electrically conductive structure on at least one of said green ceramic films, stacking said green ceramic films, laminating said green ceramic films, and sintering said laminated green ceramic films to form said flame ionization detector.
US09891193B2	Reagent impregnated swipe for chemical detection The invention is directed to a swipe with at least one ionization reagent associated with the swipe for detecting target analytes and methods of detecting the target analyte molecules that can indicate the presence of, for example, explosives, narcotics, chemical warfare agents, biological warfare agents, or toxins. The swipe can be used to transfer molecules from a surface to the swipe for further analysis. In particular, the swipes can include an ionization reagent that is preferably a low volatility compound and capable of forming ionization reagent-analyte complexes with target analytes. The swipe can also include multiple ionization reagents with different volatilities such that they are released sequentially during a thermal ramp-up. Alternatively, the swipe can have multiple ionization reagents associated with spatially separated portions of the swipe such that they can be releasable sequentially to detect multiple target analytes.
US09891190B2	Chemical coating of microwell for electrochemical detection device The described embodiments may provide a method of fabricating a chemical detection device. The method may comprise forming a microwell above a CMOS device. The microwell may comprise a bottom surface and sidewalls. The method may further comprise applying a first chemical to be selectively attached to the bottom surface of the microwell, forming a metal oxide layer on the sidewalls of the microwell, and applying a second chemical to be selectively attached to the sidewalls of the microwell. The second chemical may lack an affinity to the first chemical.
US09891187B1	Systems and methods for ion measurements Systems that can measure small changes in ion concentrations and method of manufacturing and using those systems. The system includes a substrate, a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, each multi-walled carbon nanotube from the plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes having two ends and a surface extending between the two ends, one of the two ends being disposed on and operatively attached to the substrate, the other of the two ends not being disposed on the substrate, a number of organic molecules; each organic molecule bound to one multi-walled carbon nanotube, each organic molecule also having an end group with affinity for a predetermined ion(s), and a substantially nonconducting polymer deposited on a portion of each multiwalled carbon nanotube, the portion substantially not including locations on each multiwalled carbon nanotube at which each organic molecule is chelated.
US09891184B2	Dithienylpyrrole-based biosensors and methods for their preparation and use Dithienylpyrrole compounds, compositions containing dithienylpyrrole polymers, and methods for making the compounds and compositions are disclosed herein. The compositions containing dithienylpyrrole polymers, can for example, be used as conducting polymers in biosensors for detecting analytes in a sample.
US09891183B2	Breach sensor One example discloses a breach sensor, comprising: a substrate including an integrated circuit; a passivation layer coupled to the substrate; a breach sensing element coupled to the circuit; wherein the breach sensing element is on a first side of the passivation layer and the substrate is on a second side of the passivation layer; a barrier configured to separate the breach sensing element from an ambient environment; wherein the breach sensing element is responsive to barrier damage.
US09891182B2	Systems and methods for single-molecule detection using nanotubes A method for single-molecule detection is provided and uses a carbon nanotube having a probe entity attached thereto to define a first state of the carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube is introduced to a target entity to define a second state of the carbon nanotube. The electrical conductance of the carbon nanotube in the first and second states is compared to detect the presence of a biomolecular entity. A system for single-molecule detection including a carbon nanotube is also provided.
US09891181B2	Measurement device for measuring a property of a flowing fluid A measurement device, in particular an electromagnetic flow meter, for measuring a flow, of a flowing fluid, comprising a measurement tube having an outer tube and a liner lining an inside of the outer tube, and a measurement structure for measuring a property of a fluid flowing through the lined measurement tube during measurement operation, capable of detecting abrasion of the liner. The liner consists of a thermally insulating material, in particular a rubber or a plastic material, structure are foreseen for measuring a temperature gradient (ΔT) across a measurement tube wall of the measurement tube, when the measurement tube wall is exposed to a temperature difference (ΔTL/A) between an ambient temperature (TA) and a fluid temperature (TL/A) of the fluid, and a detecting structure for detecting abrasion of the liner are foreseen, detecting abrasion in case a deviation between the measured temperature gradient (ΔT) and a predetermined reference temperature gradient (ΔTref(ΔTL/A)) representing a temperature gradient across a measurement tube wall exposed to the same or at least a similar temperature difference (ΔTL/A) of an identical measurement tube comprising an unimpaired liner exceeds a predetermined limit.
US09891180B2	Thermal needle probe According to embodiments of the disclosure, a thermal needle probe is provided. The thermal needle probe may include a heater, a cooler, a temperature measuring element, a heat conduction element and a processor. The heater is configured to heat an object. The cooler is configured to cool the object. The temperature measuring element is configured to measure a temperature raising curve of the object and a temperature dropping curve of the object. The heat conduction element is configured to conduct heat between the heater and the object. The processor is configured to determine a thermal property of the object according to at least one of the temperature raising curve and the temperature dropping curve.
US09891176B2	Lighting device for inspection and inspection system In the inspection lighting device, between a surface light source for emitting an inspection light and the inspection object, at least one shielding mask is disposed, and a lens is disposed on a side closer to the inspection object than the shielding mask such that the shielding mask is positioned across the focus position of this lens as a center. In an irradiation solid angle of the inspection light for the inspection object formed when the light emitted from the surface light source is irradiated on to the inspection object by the lens the shielding mask forms a dark area. So that, in accordance with a change in reflection, transmission, scattering occurring at a feature point on the inspection object, a shape, a size, a tilt of the irradiation solid angle of the inspection light can be changed.
US09891175B2	System and method for oblique incidence scanning with 2D array of spots A system to generate multiple beam lines in an oblique angle multi-beam spot scanning wafer inspection system includes a beam scanning device configured to scan a beam of illumination, an objective lens oriented at an oblique angle relative to the surface of a sample and with an optical axis perpendicular to a first scanning direction on the sample, and one or more optical elements positioned between the objective lens and the beam scanning device. The one or more optical elements split the beam into two or more offset beams such that the two or more offset beams are separated in a least a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The one or more optical elements further modify the phase characteristics of the two or more offset beams such that the two or more offset beams are simultaneously in focus on the sample during a scan.
US09891173B2	Method of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in air A method for detecting an element in a sample using molecular emission by double pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is provided. The method includes observing emissions from molecules including the element to be detected. The method is particularly useful for detecting halogens, whose elemental emissions are difficult to detect, rare earth elements and boron.
US09891171B2	Sensing module and sensing method A sensing module including a sample loading layer, a sensing layer and an optical resonance layer locating between the sample loading layer and the sensing layer is provided. The sample loading layer includes at least a sample loading depression, and the sample loading depression exposes part of the optical resonance layer, and the sample loading depression is adapted to load sample. A surface of the optical resonance layer has optical resonance structures, and the optical resonance structures are located beside bottom of the sample loading depression or below the bottom of the sample loading depression. The sensing layer is configured to receive light and turn it into electrical signals. A sensing method is also provided.
US09891164B2	Holmium oxide glasses as calibration standards for near infrared moisture sensors Near infrared moisture sensors using stable holmium oxide glass calibration standards that simulate different moistures levels in paper obviates problems associated with glass encased paper samples. Holmium oxide glass has a strong absorption at 1.93 microns which is close to absorption by paper. Standards can have varying thicknesses to simulate different moisture levels. Didymium glass can also be used with holmium oxide glass. The moisture sensor operates at reference and measurement infrared regions of 1.94 microns and 1.8 microns, respectively.
US09891163B2	Incorporation of integrated computational elements within optical analysis tools having a miniaturized operational profile Conventional optical analysis tools containing an integrated computational element may have an operational profile that is too large for convenient use within confined locales. Optical analysis tools having a miniaturized operational profile can comprise: an electromagnetic radiation source that provides electromagnetic radiation to an optical train; and an optical computing device positioned within the optical train. The optical computing device comprises a planar array detector having at least two optical detection regions. At least one of the at least two optical detection regions has an integrated computational element disposed thereon. The planar array detector and the integrated computational element are in a fixed configuration with respect to one another.
US09891161B2	Corrosion rate measurement A corrosion rate measurement system includes a first membrane of a first material configured to be exposed to a corrosive material and deflect in response to corrosion. A second membrane is configured to be exposed to a corrosive material and deflect in response to corrosion. A pressure sensor is operably coupled to at least one of the first and second membranes and configured to measure deflection of at least one of the first and second membranes as a function of a pressure and an amount of corrosion at least one of the first and second membranes.
US09891154B2	System and method for converting optical diameters of aerosol particles to mobility and aerodynamic diameters A system and a method of measuring a particle's size in a select aerosol using the optical diameter of the particle to perform a mobility and/or aerodynamic diameter conversion without any knowledge about the particle's shape and its optical properties in the aerosol being characterized. In one example embodiment of the invention, the method includes generating a set of calibration data and finding the optimal refractive index and shape that best fits the calibration data. In addition, the method includes creating a new calibration curve that provides a mobility-equivalent or aerodynamic-equivalent diameter.
US09891153B2	Evaluation of fluid-particle mixtures based on dielectric measurements A system is described for evaluating coagulation of particles in a downhole fluid-particle mixture based on dielectric measurements. An example downhole treatment is one in which flocs are used to plug a high-permeability subterranean formation zone as part of a stimulation procedure. An injection tube is positioned within the wellbore to the high-permeability zone. An instrumented section of tubing includes one or more dielectric probes that are positioned and configured to make dielectric measurements of the particle-fluid mixture flowing in the tubing or in the annulus. The downhole dielectric measurements are used to indicate whether or not the particle-fluid mixture has the desired structural properties. An operator on the surface can make adjustments in real-time according to the received dielectric measurements.
US09891152B2	Fluid rheology measurement using a funnel apparatus Methods for determining fluid rheology, the methods including determining a first discharged volume or weight of a fluid at a first time, determining at least a second discharged volume or weight of the fluid at a second time, and calculating fluid rheology based on the determined first and at least second discharged fluid volumes or weights at the first and second times.
US09891147B2	Automated systems and methods for preparing biological specimens for examination The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.
US09891144B2	Fluid sampler with confirmation feedback A positive pressure displacement fluid sampler, comprising: a sample probe disposed in a sample probe connection; a needle valve in communication with the sample probe; a three-way solenoid valve disposed between the needle valve, a sample collection body and a sample collection tank; an adjustment stem for adjusting the size of the sample to be collected on each draw; and a confirmation switch for sending an electronic or other type signal for confirming that a sample or samples have actually been collected at prescribed times and/or frequencies. The displacement sampler may be spring-loaded and the confirmation switch may comprise a radio transmitter.
US09891143B2	Cylinder tip mounting head, and head device and movement device each using same A cylinder tip mounting head includes: a shaft member; a first cylindrical rod having a cylindrical space, which is mounted to a lower end of the shaft member, which is configured to move in the up-down direction integrally with the shaft member; a stationary second cylindrical rod, which has a housing space for housing the first cylindrical rod so that the first cylindrical rod is movable in the up-down direction, the stationary second cylindrical rod including a syringe mounting portion; and a discharge rod housed in the cylindrical space in the first cylindrical rod, the discharge rod including a plunger mounting portion. The discharge rod is configured to coordinate with the movement of the shaft member in the up-down direction so that the plunger mounted to the discharge rod reciprocates in the tubular passage in the syringe to suck the object into the tubular passage and discharge the sucked object.
US09891141B2	Measuring device of process automation technology A measuring device of process automation technology for measuring at least one process variable of a medium. A control unit is provided, which measures the process variable at least with a predeterminable clock rate and provides the result of such measurement as a measured value. Associated with the clock rate is an energy requirement of the measuring device, wherein a display/service unit is provided, which shows the measured value and/or enables servicing of, respectively parameter input to, the measuring device. The display/service unit of the control unit of the measuring device switches from a measuring mode into a service mode, wherein in the service mode the control unit measures the process variable with a first clock rate, wherein in the measuring mode the control unit measures with a second clock rate, and wherein the first clock rate and the second clock rate are fixed in such a manner that the second clock rate is greater than the first clock rate and the total energy requirements of the measuring device in the service mode and in the measuring mode are equal.
US09891134B2	Long distance optical fiber sensing system and method A long-distance fiber optic monitoring system having a sensing unit and an analyzer that is remotely located from the sensing unit is provided. The sensing unit comprises a source of optical energy for injecting optical energy into the fiber optical cable and an optical detector configured to detect an optical return signal from the optical fiber. The detected optical return signal is associated with an acoustic signal impinging on the optical fiber. The analyzer receives a signal from the remote sensing unit via the optical fiber that is representative of the optical return signal, and determines a location of a disturbance based at least on the received signal. The representative signal can be transmitted from the remote sensing unit to the analyzer as an optical signal or via a metallic wired included with the optical fiber.
US09891131B1	Blowout preventer test system The present disclosure provides a cooling system and method for a reciprocating mandrel in a blowout preventer test system that provides coolant to the mandrel through a majority of its stroke. The system includes an inner coolant tube and an outer coolant tube, with both tubes inserted into a mandrel inner bore. The inner coolant tube is fixed in position on a base and not attached to the mandrel. The outer coolant tube is fixed in position and attached to the mandrel. The outer coolant tube slidably and optionally sealingly engages the inner coolant tube throughout the mandrel stroke. Coolant can flow through the base, upward through an inner volume of the inner coolant tube, and into an inner volume of the outer coolant tube and out of coolant openings in the outer coolant tube to flow on the inner bore surfaces of the mandrel to cool the mandrel.
US09891125B2	Electronic device, physical quantity sensor, pressure sensor, vibrator, altimeter, electronic apparatus, and moving object A physical quantity sensor includes a substrate, a piezoresistive element that is arranged on one face side of the substrate, a wall portion that is arranged to surround the piezoresistive element on the one face side of the substrate in a plan view of the substrate, and a ceiling portion that constitutes a cavity portion with the wall portion, in which the ceiling portion includes a cladding layer that has a pore which passes therethrough in the thickness direction of the cladding layer, and a seal layer that is stacked on the opposite side of the cladding layer from the substrate and closes the pore, the seal layer in which at least a part of the outer periphery of a contact portion where the seal layer is in contact with the cladding layer is on the outside of the cavity portion in a plan view.
US09891124B2	Pressure sensor, and mass flow meter, and mass flow controller using same There is provided a pressure sensor which includes: a diaphragm having an inside surface facing to a fluid-tight space, the diaphragm including a diaphragm film that is part of the inside surface and deformable in response to a pressure application, and a diaphragm film support that is part of the inside surface and constitutes a periphery of the diaphragm film; a strain sensor bonded to the inside surface so as to lie partially on the periphery and having plural strain gauges thereon; and a depression formed on the inside surface, when defining an x-direction oriented from center of the inside surface to a position bonded of the strain sensor and a y-direction perpendicular to the x-direction on the inside surface, the depression extending a certain length in the y-direction, the depression being adjacent to or a certain distance apart from an edge of the strain sensor in the y-direction.
US09891123B2	Wheel fastening inspection method, wheel fastening method, wheel fastening inspection device and wheel fastening device An wheel fastening inspection method includes: directly or indirectly applying vibration to a turbine shaft to be inserted to a bearing housing, the turbine shaft being provided with wheels at both ends protruding from the bearing housing, at least one of the wheels being fastened by a fastening member, and a rotary member being fastened by a fastening force generated by the fastening member to the turbine shaft to be integrally rotated with the wheel; measuring the vibration of the turbine shaft; and determining whether or not a vibration frequency at which a peak of the measured vibration of the turbine shaft is given is included in a setting range previously set.
US09891119B2	Sensor, strain sensor, and pressure sensor A sensor includes a first structure that is attachable to a measurement specimen, a second structure that is made of material which is smaller in thermal expansion coefficient than the first structure, a bottom surface of the second structure being connected to the first structure, and a detector that is connected to an upper surface of the second structure, the detector being configured to detect a deformation of the second structure.
US09891117B2	Temperature sensor The temperature sensor includes an insulating film; a thin film thermistor portion which is formed on the surface of the insulating film with a thermistor material of TiAlN; the pair of interdigitated electrodes which have a plurality of comb portions and are pattern-formed on the thin film thermistor portion using a metal so as to face each other; and the pair of pattern electrodes which are pattern-formed on the surface of the insulating film and are connected to the pair of interdigitated electrodes, wherein at least a part of each of the pattern electrodes is formed of a conductive resin.
US09891116B2	Signal generation circuit and temperature sensor To provide a signal generation circuit having a short settling time of an output voltage. In a PTAT signal generation circuit, a trimming circuit is coupled between the cathodes of 0-th to K-th diodes and a line of a ground voltage, the anode of the 0-th diode is coupled to a first node, the anodes of the first to the K-th diodes are coupled to a second node via a resistive element, the first node and the second node are set to the same voltage, a first current flowing through the 0-th diode and a second current flowing through the first to the K-th diodes are set to have the same value, and a third current flowing through the trimming circuit is set to have the value 2 times that of each of the first current and the second current.
US09891104B2	Spectroscopic detector Provided is a spectroscopic detector including: a light source for generating polychromatic light 11; a single diffraction grating 13; an excitation optical system for guiding the light from the light source 11 onto the diffraction grating 13, for selecting one wavelength from the light diffracted by the diffraction grating 13, and for casting the selected wavelength of light into a sample as excitation light; a detection optical system for guiding observation light emitted from the sample irradiated with the excitation light onto the diffraction grating 13 to disperse the observation light; and a photodetector 15 for detecting the observation light dispersed by the detection optical system. By using one diffraction grating 13 in both the excitation optical system and the detection optical system, the number of diffraction gratings is reduced, whereby both the cost reduction and the downsizing of the device are achieved.
US09891099B2	Optical detector and system therefor There is provided in a first form, a system including a detector and a reflector disposed about and proximal to the detector, at least of portion of the reflector being disposed in front of the detector. The reflector is configured to reflect at least a portion of the radiation directed to the system at an angle greater than a first predetermined value onto the detector, and the system is configured so that at least a portion of the radiation directed to the system at an angle less than the first predetermined value directly impinges on the detector.
US09891093B2	Method for determining liquid-vapor interface via gamma radiation A method for determining the position of a liquid interface between a lower tray and an upper tray in a process apparatus such as a distillation column, using gamma scanning and comparing the maximum count rate of gamma photons measured between two trays with the count rate attributed to scanning through the apparatus filled with vapor. The method enables the operating parameters of the apparatus to be optimized and provides a manner of calculating the % flood of an individual tray.
US09891088B2	Real-time flow compensation in usage accumulation Technologies are described herein for compensating for inaccuracies in flow measurement in real-time during accumulation of usage. A pulse count indicating an amount of flow in a meter over a measurement period is read. An average flow rate through the meter for the measurement period is determined and a correction factor is looked up from a table based on the average flow rate. A total usage accumulator for the meter is then updated with the amount of flow over the measurement period based on the pulse count and the correction factor.
US09891081B2	Method for producing a sensor housing and corresponding sensor housing A method for producing a sensor housing comprises forming three seals including a first annular seal and a second annular seal connected to each other by a connecting web formed materially integral in a unipartite fashion with the first annular seal and the second annular seal, and positioning the first annular seal and the second annular seal on a housing shell of the sensor housing.
US09891068B2	Mapping application search function Some embodiments provide a method for a mobile device connected to a vehicle's interactive communication system that includes a display screen. The method identifies at least one search term from audio data received through the vehicle's interactive communication system. At the mobile device, the method performs a search to identify at least one location related to the identified search term. The method generates a map, that displays the identified location, for output on the display screen of the interactive communication system of the vehicle.
US09891067B2	Voice transmission starting system and starting method for vehicle A voice transmission starting system and starting method for a vehicle are provided to start a voice transmission device through recognition of a motion. The method includes outputting, by a controller, an ultrasonic wave having substantially uniform amplitude and recognizing the output ultrasonic wave as an input. In addition, the controller generates a signal based on information regarding the recognized ultrasonic wave and transmits the signal to start the voice transmission device.
US09891065B2	Transit incidents Some embodiments provide a map application that identifies several different transit routes from a starting location to a destination location. Each identified transit route includes one or more transit legs that are serviced by different transit vehicles of different transit lines. The map application also identifies a set of incidents that are associated with one or more transit legs of one or more of the identified transit routes. The map application of some embodiments then ranks the transit routes based on a set of criteria and the identified set of incidents. The map application displays, in a display area, a representation of a highest ranked transit route over a portion of a map presentation.
US09891064B2	Selection of a route based on prior user behavior or commercial interests A non-transitory computer readable medium comprises instructions which cause performance of receiving a request from a user for directions to a destination, determining, based on historical user data, a commercial interest of the user, selecting a route based at least on a location related to the commercial interest being on the route, and directing the user to the destination according to the route.
US09891063B2	Automated point of interest updates A nomadic device may be configured to connect to a vehicle computing system (VCS) over a local connection and to a location service over a wide-area connection, receive point-of-interest data over the wide-area connection from the location service, and provide the point-of-interest data to the VCS over the local connection for use by a navigation application of the VCS. The VCS may be configured to connect over a local connection to a nomadic device configured to execute a location application to connect to a location service over a wide-area connection, receive user interface input requesting point-of-interest data for use by a navigation application of the VCS, and responsive to the input, send a command over the local connection to request the point-of-interest data from the location application.
US09891060B2	Occupancy based navigation system A system for navigating a vehicle using a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. The system includes a vehicle occupancy unit configured to determine vehicle occupancy data. The system also includes a memory configured to store map data and HOV lane data indicating HOV lane criteria. The system also includes a processor connected to the vehicle occupancy unit, the transceiver, and the memory. The processor is configured to determine an HOV lane section. The processor is also configured to determine whether the HOV lane section is accessible to the vehicle based on the vehicle occupancy data and the HOV lane data. The processor is also configured to determine an HOV lane route between the current location and a destination when the HOV lane section is accessible to the vehicle. The system also includes a display connected to the processor, the display configured to display the HOV lane route.
US09891059B2	Route smoothing A method is disclosed involving receiving GPS data from a personal portable training device. A smoothing operation is performed on the GPS data to generate a more accurate representation of the route travelled for display to a user (504). In the smoothing operation, a cubic spine algorithm is used to obtain an initial estimate of the route representation (500). The estimate is then subjected to a refinement using at least received user motion data recorded by the personal training device (502). In addition one or more of: data indicative of the GPS accuracy; historical route data; and digital map data, such as building footprints and bodies of water, may be used in refining the estimate.
US09891051B2	Self-leveling multi-line laser device A self-leveling multi-line laser device is disclosed. The multi-line laser device includes at least two laser beams and at least two reflecting cones, wherein the cone axes of the reflecting cones are perpendicular to each other and each of the laser beams can be directed, preferably eccentrically, parallel to the axis of one of the reflecting cones against the tip of said reflecting cone. With the multi-line laser device, at least two projectable laser lines can be generated.
US09891050B2	Measuring device having a function for calibrating a display image position of an electronic reticle Some embodiments of the invention relate to a measuring device, in particular a video theodolite or video tachymeter. The measuring device may include a base, a support, a telescope optics having a lens, a physical target marking, an eyepiece, and a camera. The measuring device may also include an evaluation and control unit containing stored calibration parameters with respect to an image position indicating the target direction as target image position in the captured image, and a display for displaying a captured image having marking for the target image position. In some embodiments, a function may be included to respect and/or restore. In some embodiments, the function may be in form of an application on the user-device interface that can be called up.
US09891049B2	Method of solving initial azimuth for survey instruments, cameras, and other devices with position and tilt information A method for solving the initial azimuth for a survey instrument, and other devices, with position and tilt information. The method may be part of bundle adjustment performed during the processing of image and position data collected from each camera of a survey instrument. The use of the initial azimuth generation method (and initial azimuth generator) makes it possible to get accurate azimuth orientation of a camera, such as each camera of a multi-camera survey instrument, without using data from a compass-like sensor. The initial azimuth generated by this method can then be used in later steps/processes of the bundle adjustment to find tie-points with an automatic tie-point finder. Prior to this method, the automatic tie-point finding algorithm relied on the compass and its accuracy, and inaccurate compass values would cause a complete failure, slow runtimes, or less accurate results for the bundle adjustment.
US09891047B2	Spirit level having reflection bubble The present invention provides a spirit level having reflection bubble which comprises an elongate body, a first surface and a second surface, a cavity which has an opening on the second surface is arranged between the first surface and the second surface; the spirit level arranged in the cavity comprising: a non-opaque body having a slope and a first viewing plane; a bubble component has a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the first surface is mounted in the body of the level, and the first surface is mounted between the first end of the bubble component and the measured surface, the first viewing plane is mounted between the second end of the bubble component and user; the image of the bubble component is formed by the reflection of the slopes; users can observe the image of bubble component from the first viewing plane via reflected by the slope. The present invention provides a spirit level having reflection bubble which using the reflection of light through the interface makes user can observe the bubble component from the front when the user measures the verticality, the spirit level is formed integrally, additional assembly and calibration are not needed, so the manufacturing is simple and the costs of production is low.
US09891046B2	Absolute rotary encoder for surveying device An absolute encoder includes a light-emitting mechanism including a light-emitting surface and emitting detection light from the light-emitting surface. A light-receiving mechanism including a scale plate having a scale area and receiving at a light-receiving area the detection light emitted from the light-emitting surface and passing through the scale area of the scale plate. The light-emitting mechanism and the light-receiving mechanism are set to a positional relationship that inclines an irradiation axis extending from the light-emitting surface through the scale area to the light-receiving area relative to a rotation axis direction of the scale plate.
US09891044B2	Method and device for determining deviation in pressure in a blood vessel Deviations of blood pressure due to stenosis caused by plaque pose a health risk. The deviation, often expressed in a fractional flow reserve, may be calculated on a per-location basis using deviations of the local cross-sectional area or local diameter from a reference value representing a healthy vessel. The reference value may be obtained by means of linear or higher order interpolation or linear regression techniques. Together with the flow velocity of a fluid through the vessel, a value of local deviation of a vessel geometry compared to a reference value allows for accurate, fast and efficient calculation of the fractional flow reserve for every location of the vessel for which geometry data is available. The reference value as well as actual data obtained by measurements may be represented or approximated by functions, allowing accurate and efficient calculation of data over a continuous region of the segment under scrutiny.
US09891037B2	Tip clearance measurement system A tip clearance measurement system (TCMS) includes a probe and sensing circuitry. The probe directs microwave signals toward a turbine blade and receives microwave signals reflected by the turbine blade. The sensing circuitry includes a switch having a first state in which a main frequency is provided at an output of the switch and a second state in which a reference frequency is provided at an output of the switch. The sensing circuitry further includes a first conditioning circuit that receives a frequency provided at the output of the switch and provides a conditioned frequency to the probe and a second conditioning circuit that receives both the conditioned frequency provided by the first conditioning circuit and a reflected frequency received by the probe, and provides a conditioned output based on the conditioned frequency and reflected frequency.
US09891036B2	Measuring system and measuring method for a road construction machine A measuring system for a road construction machine includes a control unit which is operationally connected using a field bus to at least one field device, wherein an exclusive bus address is respectively assignable in the measuring system for each field device connected in the field bus. Furthermore, a method for addressing at least one field device is also provided.
US09891034B2	Coordinate sensing system, coordinate sensing method and display system A coordinate sensing system includes a magnetic member, a direction sensor, a first magnetic sensor and a processor, wherein the processor communicates with the direction sensor and is electrically connected to the first magnetic sensor. The magnetic member has a magnetic dipole moment. The direction sensor is used for sensing a direction of the magnetic dipole moment. The first magnetic sensor is used for sensing a first magnetic field of the magnetic member. The processor is used for calculating a first distance between the magnetic member and the first magnetic sensor and calculating a direction of the first distance according to a value of the magnetic dipole moment, the direction of the magnetic dipole moment and the first magnetic field. The processor is further used for calculating a coordinate of the magnetic member according to the first distance and the direction of the first distance.
US09891033B2	Tilt angle adjuster for form measuring device A tilt angle adjuster includes a base plate attached to a Z slider; a hanging plate attached to a measuring device main body; a thin coupling plate supporting the hanging plate such that the hanging plate is suspended on a first surface side of the base plate; biasers biasing the hanging plate so as to impart a rotational force in a first direction to the hanging plate; and a micrometer head provided so as to push the hanging plate one of directly and indirectly toward a second direction opposite the direction of the rotational force imparted by the biasers.
US09891032B2	Electronically activated hand grenade An electronic hand grenade is provided, which includes a body having at least one charge therein. An electronic detonation unit is attached to the body for detonating the at least one charge. A pull pin is removably attached to the electronic detonation unit, for activating the electronic detonation unit upon removal thereof. The electronic detonation unit includes an accelerometer for detecting movement and acceleration of the body, a controller containing an operating program for controlling operation of the electronic detonation unit, a detonator for providing a spark to ignite the at least one charge, and a power source for powering the electronic detonation unit.
US09891027B2	System and method for neutralizing shaped-charge threats The invention relates to an interceptor type system for neutralizing a shaped charge threat, which comprises: (a) a detection system for detecting an approach of a shaped charge projectile, for calculating upon such detection its course of approach, and for activating an interceptor to create a flux of intercepting fragments within a destruction corridor; and (b) one or more of said interceptors, each comprising one or more magazines of fragments, each magazine comprises said fragments and an explosive layer which in turn explodes thereby to create said flux of intercepting fragments within said destruction corridor.
US09891020B2	Multi-platform ergonomic foregrip A foregrip for use with a firearm having a handguard mounting platform. The foregrip comprises a unitary body attachable to a handguard and configured with a front end, an intermediate section and a rear end. A front end designed to form a vertical engagement portion, an intermediate section designed to be partially curved engagement section and extending from the front end to the rear end, and a rear end designed to form a top portion and a lower portion. The top portion forming a first angled engagement portion, and the lower forming a second angled engagement portion. An attachment surface provides a method for mounting the foregrip onto a firearm handguard.
US09891015B2	Magnetic shield for a solenoid operated locking device A magnetic shield for a locking device such as a gunlock having a first portion and a second portion configured for controlled movement with respect to the other portion and for being held in a fixed and locked position vis-à-vis each other. At least one of the first and second portions includes an electromechanical locking mechanism including a solenoid and solenoid activated spring loaded pin configured, in a first position, for preventing the first and second portions from moving with respect one another and in a second position for allowing the first and second portions to move vis-à-vis one another. A magnetically conducive shield is disposed on or in at least one of the first and second portion that includes the solenoid locking mechanism, for preventing an unauthorized magnetic field from causing the solenoid to retract the spring loaded pin thereby allowing the locking device to be opened.
US09891014B2	Pistol A pistol having a handle piece, a slide that is movable on the handle piece along guides, and a barrel. Provided in the handle piece is a blocking device for the forward movement of the barrel, where the blocking device has a retaining platelet that is movable in a slot and is under the action of a spring, for a barrel projection. A spring platelet is provided in the slot between the spring and the retaining platelet, where the spring platelet is designed such that it can be partially extracted from the slot transversely with respect to the center plane of the pistol. In this extracted position, the spring platelet is pivotable, together with the retaining platelet, against the force of the spring, with the result that the retaining platelet passes out of the movement path of the barrel projection and the slide can be withdrawn forward.
US09891012B2	Device for controlling temperature of cooling water A device for controlling the temperature of cooling water includes a three-way valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet; a first feed pipe; a second feed pipe; and a return pipe for connecting between an outlet of the temperature-control target and an inlet of the cooling water supply unit. The device also includes a return-side bypass pipe for connecting between the return pipe and the second inlet of the three-way valve; a pump provided on the second feed pipe for circulating the cooling water between the three-way valve and the temperature-control target; and a temperature measuring unit for measuring a temperature of the cooling water flowing in the second feed pipe. In addition, the device includes a controller for controlling the three-way valve and the pump in accordance with a detection result of the temperature measuring unit.
US09891011B2	Post treat reactor inlet temperature control process and temperature control device In one aspect, a process for controlling a temperature of fluid entering a post treat reactor in a naphtha hydrotreater includes measuring a temperature of hydrotreater reactor effluent and determining a set point based on the measured temperature. The set point is transmitted to a first temperature indicator controller, and the first temperature indicator controller measures a temperature of fluid flowing into a post treat reactor and adjusts a combined feed flow through a bypass of an upstream combined feed exchanger. This reduces an amount of heat exchanged in the combined feed exchanger and thus prevents the fluid temperature of the fluid entering the post treat reactor from falling below the set point.
US09891008B2	Heat exchanger Each fin 30 is designed to have continuous lines of wave crests 34 and continuous lines of wave troughs 36 arranged at a preset angle in a specific angle range of 10 degrees to 60 degrees relative to the main stream of the air flow and symmetrically folded back about folding lines of a preset folding interval W along the main stream of the air flow. A ratio (a/p) of an amplitude ‘a’ of a waveform including one wave crest 34 and one adjacent wave trough 36 to a fin pitch ‘p’ satisfies a relation of 1.3×Re−0.5
US09891007B2	Bent heat exchanger and method for manufacturing the same A bent heat exchanger and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The bent heat exchanger includes: a first header and a second header spaced apart from each other, a plurality of flat tubes and a plurality of fins. A plurality of flat tubes are disposed between the first header and the second header, two ends of each flat tube are connected with the first header and the second header respectively. Each flat tube has straight segments and a bent segment between the straight segments, the bent segment is twisted by a predetermined angle relative to the straight segment around a longitudinal direction of the flat tube. The bent segments of a plurality of the flat tubes form a bent segment row extending in a thickness direction of the flat tube. A plurality of the flat tubes are divided into a plurality of groups.
US09891006B2	Metal-based microchannel heat exchangers made by molding replication and assembly Compression molding of metals is used to make microchannel heat exchangers. Heat transfer can be improved by employing controlled microchannel surface roughness. Flux-free bonding is achieved using a eutectic thin-film intermediate layer. Seals are leak-tight, mechanically strong, and uniform across multiple contact areas. The metal heat exchangers may be mass-produced inexpensively, and are useful for applications including the cooling of computer chips and other high-power electronic devices, air conditioning, refrigeration, condenser plates, radiators, fuel cell heat management, and instant water heating.
US09890999B2	Industrial heat treating furnace that uses a protective gas An industrial furnace (1) into which protective gas is admitted for the heat treatment of batches (5) of metal workpieces is described. The heat treating furnace includes an entrance lock (2) which can be sealed with respect to the surrounding environment by means of a first gas-tight closure device (2.2.1). The heat treating furnace also includes a third gas-tight closure device (3.1) disposed between a heat treatment chamber (3) of the furnace and a quenching facility (4) at the exit of the heat treatment chamber. With the foregoing arrangement a pressure of the protective gas admitted into the heat treatment chamber (3) can be maintained during loading and unloading of a batch of metal workpieces (5). The entrance lock may be configured as a dual-chamber vertical arrangement or as a single chamber horizontal arrangement.
US09890992B2	Domestic appliance having a door leaf which includes a recessed handle A domestic appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, includes an interior chamber and an electronic control apparatus having an electronics system and being constructed to control at least one function of the domestic appliance during operation thereof. A door leaf for opening and closing the interior chamber has an inner face facing the interior chamber and an outer face facing away from the interior chamber. A recessed handle in the outer face includes a grip forming an indentation in the outer face. A lighting configuration has at least one lighting device, in particular an LED, to illuminate the recessed handle. At least a large part of the electronics system and the at least one lighting device form a common assembly disposed within the door leaf adjacent the indentation, so that the at least one lighting device can radiate light out of the indentation into the recessed handle.
US09890991B2	Domestic appliance including piezoelectric components A domestic appliance such as a refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer is disclosed. The appliance may include a piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device may be configured to supply electrical power to various electrically-powered elements in the appliance, such as a light source, a drive status sensor, and active balancing components.
US09890989B2	Active insulation hybrid dual evaporator with rotating fan An appliance having a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer compartment. The appliance includes a forced air coil system disposed between the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer compartment and is configured to selectively provide cooling to one or both of the at least one fresh food storage compartment and the at least one freezer compartment. The forced air coil system includes an evaporator fan configured to provide cooling to the food storage compartment, the freezer compartment, or both.
US09890988B2	High temperature resistant shipping container A robust, durable, easy to use, reusable shipping container is disclosed that is capable of protecting contents from surrounding high temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of at least three and a half hours. The container includes an inner chamber surrounded by an outer chamber. A phase change liquid (PCL) is sequestered in a porous support matrix contained in the inner chamber, while the outer chamber is filled with high temperature insulation, forming an outer barrier layer that is designed to reduce heat flux into the inner chamber.
US09890983B1	Step flow chiller control device and methods therefor A Step Flow control device and methods therefore provide instructions to control operation of various absorption chiller components based on measured load or temperature information. Operating an absorption chiller according to Step Flow balances the flow of heat energy through the absorption chiller to increase efficiency and prevent crystallization. The control device may be integrated into various components of an absorption chiller or may be remote therefrom. In this manner, Step Flow can be used in new absorption chiller installations or be used to retrofit existing installations.
US09890978B2	Renewal method of air-conditioning unit for vehicle and air-conditioning unit for vehicle A renewal method of an air-conditioning unit for vehicle in which an air-conditioning unit using a former refrigerant disposed in a frame mounted on a vehicle is renewed to an air-conditioning unit using an alternative refrigerant, the renewal method including a removal step of: a removing the existing air-conditioning unit from the frame; an assembly step of disposing the new air-conditioning unit, which is configured so as to be capable of fitting in the frame, in the frame; and a filling step of filling the alternative refrigerant into the new air-conditioning unit. The circulating amount of refrigerant in the new air-conditioning unit is increased so as to be larger than that in the previous air-conditioning unit, and the heat exchange capacity per unit volume of each of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is made larger than that before the renewal.
US09890976B2	Air-conditioning apparatus An air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit including a compressor configured to compress a first-side refrigerant and a heat-source-side heat exchanger configured to cause heat exchange between air and the first-side refrigerant, plural indoor units including indoor heat exchangers configured to cause heat exchange between the air and a second-side refrigerant, plural intermediate heat exchangers configured to cause heat exchange between the first-side and second-side refrigerants and connected to the outdoor unit by a first-side refrigerant pipe and connected to the indoor units by a second-side refrigerant pipe, and a flow switching device configured to switch combination of connection between the indoor units and the intermediate heat exchangers. The indoor units include convective indoor units and radiant indoor units, the convective indoor units include a convective indoor heat exchanger, and the radiant indoor units include a radiant indoor heat exchanger.
US09890975B2	Thermoelectric heat transferring system A thermal system, comprising a thermoelectric element arranged for a heat flux through the element from the cold side for heat uptake to the hot side for heat dissipation, wherein the heat uptake of the thermoelectric element is arranged by convention, the system further comprising a primary loop for accommodating a cooling liquid for transferring the heat away of the thermoelectric element, wherein the thermoelectric element is arranged for having a maximum heat transfer capacity being higher than the maximum heat dissipation capacity of the primary loop and/or wherein the system is arranged for, manipulation of the flow which affects the stagnant film layer at the heat transmitting surface of the thermoelectric element of the forced convection, to enhance the heat transfer coefficient, and/or wherein a part of the primary loop forms a liquid channel for the heat transmitting surface of the thermoelectric element wherein the direction of the flow is traversing the direction of the liquid flow of the opposite side of the thermoelectric element.
US09890974B2	Air-conditioning apparatus An air-conditioning apparatus achieves improvement of safety and further achieves saving of energy without allowing a refrigerant to circulate in or near an indoor unit. The air-conditioning apparatus is configured such that heat medium pipes have a larger inner cross-sectional area per unit capacity than that of refrigerant pipes.
US09890973B2	Turbo refrigerator In a turbo refrigerator in which: a gas-phase refrigerant from an evaporator is compressed by a turbo compressor and then condensed by a condenser; the obtained liquid-phase refrigerant is evaporated by the evaporator; and a cooling target is cooled down by evaporation heat of the liquid-phase refrigerant, the compressor is a back-to-back two-stage centrifugal type, and the condenser is provided at a position outside a compressor rear stage so as to overlap the compressor rear stage when viewed from each of an axial direction and a radial direction. With this, the pressure loss of a vapor refrigerant is eliminated, and the deterioration in efficiency can be suppressed. In addition, size reduction can be realized by space saving. Further, an evaporated refrigerant can be smoothly introduced to the condenser with a simple configuration.
US09890971B2	User control device with hinged mounting plate A thermostat includes a housing, a touch-sensitive display configured to display visual media and receive user inputs, processing electronics configured to operate the touch-sensitive display, and a mounting plate. The housing includes a base that has walls that define an internal volume. The housing also includes a display mount cantilevered upward from the top wall. The display mount includes a mounting surface perpendicular to the top wall of the base. The housing also includes a touch-sensitive display configured to display visual media and receive user inputs. The touch-sensitive display is attached to the mounting surface of the display mount. The processing electronics are positioned within the interior volume of the base. The mounting plate is configured for attaching the housing to a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the bottom wall by a hinge so that the housing may pivot between an open position and a closed position.
US09890968B2	Air conditioning control system An air conditioning control system adjusts a consumed energy amount of air conditioners installed in a property in an adjustment time period. The air conditioning control system includes a control apparatus and an assessment apparatus. The control apparatus performs adjustment control of the air conditioners so that the consumed energy amount is adjusted in the adjustment time period. The assessment apparatus adjusts, after the adjustment time period, a possible amount of a next adjustment control based on an environmental parameter of an air conditioned space.
US09890966B2	Air-conducting device for a wheel-arch ventilation arrangement A fender has an air-conducting device with air-conducting lamellae fastened in a holding frame. The air-conducting device has, in the fender, an outer opening into which the air-conducting lamellae project. An air mass flowing into the wheel arch or the fender is conducted to the outside by the air-conducting lamellae.
US09890965B2	Roof ridge vent and ventilated roof employing same A vent for a roof includes a body having an inner surface facing the roof, an outer surface, first and second opposing ends and first and second opposing sides. First and second edge portions are disposed at or about the first and second sides, respectively, and include a plurality of openings for the passage of air. A plurality of protrusions extend outwardly from the inner surface of the body. A plurality of elongated resilient members extend longitudinally between the first and second ends of the body and cooperate with the protrusions. At least a portion of each of the elongated resilient members extends beyond a bottom edge of the vent and is compressed against the exterior surface of the roof, in order to substantially fill in and seal spaces between the exterior surface of the roof and the at least one vent.
US09890963B2	Air conditioner ventilation and pre-cooling device An air conditioner ventilation and pre-cooling device includes a carrying container, a cooling unit and an intake fan. The carrying container is provided for containing condensed water of the evaporator, the cooling unit is connected to the condensed water, and the intake fan guides outside air to pass through the cooling unit. The heat of the condensed unit is conducted to the cooling unit, and the outside air passes through the cooling unit and exchanges heat with the cooling unit to form a pre-cooled air. The outside air is pre-cooled before it enters into an indoor environment, so as to achieve the environmental protection and power saving effects and improve the cooling efficiency.
US09890962B2	Refrigerant socket and air conditioner having the same A refrigerant socket includes an accommodating body and a pipeline assembly. The pipeline assembly includes a refrigerant pipe connecting to the accommodating body and having an inner section inside the accommodating body and an outer section outside the accommodating body; a switch placed at the inner section and away from a free end thereof, the switch being used to selectively allow or block a flow inside the refrigerant pipe; a refrigerant pumping pipe communicating between the free end of the inner section and the switch; and at least one joint communicates between the free end of the inner section and the switch. Therefore, even if the diameter of the refrigerant pipe does not match an air conditioner indoor unit, connection can still be made without the need of removing the original piping, thereby avoiding wasting refrigerant.
US09890960B2	Water saving apparatus A water saving apparatus for use with a hot water system, the apparatus being sized and shaped for installation proximate one or more water outlet fixtures for delivery of heated water from the hot water system for use. The apparatus comprises an insulated reservoir having an inlet and an outlet to enable the reservoir to be installed in line with the flow of heated water from the hot water system to the one or more fixtures to store a quantity of heated water. Water that has cooled in the hot water pipe between the hot water system and the reservoir mixes with the stored heated water in the reservoir as water flows from the hot water system to the water outlet fixture.
US09890958B2	Removable enclosure for range tops An enclosure for a range hood. The enclosure has side curtains depending from the sides of the range hood and a front curtain depending from the front of the range hood, all of which extend downward to the range. A first horizontal row of permanent magnets is formed at a lower edge of the front curtain, the front curtain being coupled to the front side of the range hood by a T shaped member having a hook portion for attaching to the front side of the range hood and a second horizontal row of permanent magnets oriented away from the range hood. The two horizontal rows of magnets are configured to couple together to support the front curtain in an elevated position. The curtains of the enclosure are configured to fully enclose the range and range hood.
US09890955B2	Sequential combustion with dilution gas mixer The invention refers to a sequential combustor arrangement comprising a first burner, a first combustion chamber, a mixer for admixing a dilution gas via a dilution gas inlet to the hot gases leaving the first combustion chamber during operation, a second burner, and a second combustion chamber arranged sequentially in a fluid flow connection. The sequential combustor arrangement further includes four cooling zones with a cooling channel. During operation a cooling gas flows through the cooling channels. The disclosure further refers to a method for operating a gas turbine with such a sequential combustor arrangement.
US09890949B2	Hydrocarbon fuel reactor for separating and purifying carbon dioxide A reactor for hydrocarbon fuel is provided. The reactor uses interconnected fluidized beds (IFB) in chemical-looping combustion for multi-stage reduction reactions of an iron-based oxygen carrier, namely hematite (Fe2O3). Three-phase reduction reactions of Fe2O3 are accurately and completely controlled. The three-phase reduction reactions are separately processed while oxygen in Fe2O3 is fully released. Carbon dioxide with high purity is further obtained while hydrogen can be generated as a byproduct under a certain condition. Hence, the present invention has fast throughput, high-efficiency operation and low cost.
US09890944B2	Recessed light fixture A recessed light fixture is provided. The recessed light fixture includes a casing having an inner wall and an outer wall to define a space; a front flange extending outward from the casing and surrounding the space, wherein the front flange has a top surface and a bottom surface; and an intumescent material disposed in a first recess of the outer wall and/or disposed on the top surface of the front flange.
US09890939B2	Switch structure and flashlight with the same The invention provides a switch structure and a flashlight with the same. The switch structure includes: a switch housing; a control part, the control part being provided in the switch housing; and a moving part, the moving part being provided movably in the switch housing, the moving part has a first stroke where the control part is enabled to output a first control signal and a second stroke where the control part is enabled to output a second control signal and the second stroke being consisted of the first stroke and a subsequent stroke after the first stroke. The switch structure may conveniently switch different illumination modes.
US09890930B2	Light source module A light source module includes a substrate, a first illumination element, a second illumination element and a third illumination element. The first illumination element includes a blue LED chip disposed on the substrate and a first wavelength converting layer that covers the blue LED chip, in which blue light emitted from the blue LED chip can be converted to light in the range of a first wavelength. The second illumination element includes a blue LED chip disposed on the substrate and a second wavelength converting layer that covers the blue LED chip, in which blue light emitted from the blue LED chip can be converted to light in the range of a second wavelength. The third illumination element includes a blue LED chip.
US09890929B2	Polyhedron, rotational arrangements, light source arrangements, a light source device, a lighting device, a three-dimensional body and projectors According to an embodiment, a polyhedron may be provided. The polyhedron may include a first luminescent face; and a second luminescent face.
US09890927B2	Vehicular display apparatus A vehicular display apparatus can be provided on a vehicular instrument panel and the apparatus provides a display for a vehicular crew. The apparatus can include; a half mirror located at a back side of the vehicle with respect to the liquid crystal display, the half mirror configured to transmit an image from the liquid crystal display to the back of the vehicle, and to reflect light from a direction intersecting with a front-back direction of the vehicle to the back of the vehicle, a first decorative member located at a side of the intersecting direction, and a light emitting member configured to irradiate light at least one of from and towards the first decorative member.
US09890925B2	Optical device There is provided a device arranged to couple with an electromagnetic source. The device comprises an optical metamaterial arranged to increase the intensity of radiation at a predetermined optical wavelength. The optical metamaterial has a periodic reflective component having a dimension no greater than the predetermined wavelength.
US09890923B2	LED lamp assembly and reflective LED searchlight using the same An LED lamp assembly includes LED circuit boards having LEDs as light sources, and concave parabolic lens surfaces as light condensing surface to replace convex lens surfaces having been conventionally used for LED light sources as well as to allow the LED circuit boards to be deposited at sites where is so well air ventilation that heat generated thereby is dissipated rapidly to ensure good heat dissipation for the LED circuit boards; and a reflective LED searchlight comprises the LED lamp assembly as an essential component and features a good heat dissipation for its LED circuit boards.
US09890921B2	Optical element and backlight unit including the same Provided are an optical element and a backlight unit including the same. The optical element includes a light transmitting substrate including one face and the other face, a plurality of reflective lenses formed to protrude from the one face of the light transmitting substrate, and a scattering pattern which is formed on the one face of the light transmitting substrate and in an area between the plurality of reflective lenses.
US09890920B2	Vehicular lamp A vehicular lamp includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a row; and a light guide configured to receive light emitted from the light sources on a rear surface thereof, and emit the light from a front surface thereof. The light guide includes: a base having a rear surface extending in an arrangement direction of the light sources; a plurality of rear surface projections protruding from the rear surface of the base; and a plurality of front surface projections protruding from a front surface of the base. The rear surface projections and the front surface projections are arranged in the arrangement direction to be spaced apart from one another, and are formed in a plurality of projection forming areas, respectively. Each of the front surface projections has a polyhedral shape including a plurality of faces that are successive in a circumferential direction thereof.
US09890916B2	Lamp unit and vehicle using the same A lamp unit and a vehicle using the same are provided that include a substrate; and at least two light sources disposed on the substrate, wherein angles formed by a reference line and normal lines to the surface of the substrate, to which the at least two light sources are attached, are different from one another. The lamp unit and the vehicle using the same use a plurality of the light sources having different arrangement directions from a reference direction, so that it is possible to implement a surface light source by means of a small number of the light sources.
US09890911B2	LED module with uniform phosphor illumination The generally Lambertian LED die emission is modified by an optical structure formed over the LED die that reduces the light emission along a normal axis and enhances the light emission at an angle with respect to the normal axis, producing a certain light emission profile. A phosphor layer is provided overlying the optical structure, such as in a reflective light-mixing chamber. The light emission profile results in more uniform flux from the LED die impinging across the surface of the phosphor. Some of the LED light passes through the phosphor and some of the light is converted to light of a different wavelength. The light emission profile results in more uniform color and temperature across the phosphor. The light emission profile may be created by a lens, a patterned layer over the LED die, a semi-reflective layer over the LED die, an optical sheet, or other technique.
US09890909B2	LED tube lamp An LED tube lamp is provided herein, which implements the safety function for protecting the user from electric shock since it conducts only when both ends thereof have been correctly installed into a lamp socket. The LED tube lamp includes an installation detection module configured in the LED tube lamp to detect an installation state between the LED tube lamp and the lamp socket. The installation detection module includes: a detection pulse generating module, configured to generate a first pulse signal; a detection result latching circuit, configured to receive and output the first pulse signal; a switch circuit, configured to receive the first pulse signal from the detection result latching circuit, and configured to maintain a conductive state of the switch circuit during the first pulse to cause a power loop of the LED tube lamp to be conductive; and a detection determining circuit, configured to detect a first sampling signal on the power loop so as to determine the installation state between the LED tube lamp and the lamp socket.
US09890907B1	FCC catalyst cyclone sampling method and apparatus A method and apparatus for sampling fluid catalytic cracking catalyst wherein catalyst splashing is virtually eliminated, pluggage is reduced, and the temperature and velocity of the catalyst is also reduced.
US09890905B2	Method and system for filling a gas cylinder A charge station is provided for filling a gas cylinder with gas. The charge station includes a gas output port configured to be fluidly connected to a supply of gas. The gas output port is configured to be fluidly connected to the gas cylinder for filling the gas cylinder with gas from the supply of gas. The charge station also includes a control system operatively connected to the gas output such that the control system is configured to control filling of the gas cylinder, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader operatively connected to the control system, the RFID reader configured to read data from an RFID tag on the gas cylinder.
US09890904B2	Cryogenic tank A cryogenic tank includes a vapor barrier which is provided to abut an inner wall surface of a concrete wall and in which a plurality of panels are welded, and a pressing part which presses the panel toward the inner wall surface of the concrete wall when the panel are welded.
US09890902B2	High-pressure gas tank and liner with mouthpiece A high-pressure gas tank includes a seal member that covers an opening recess from a surface of a liner on an outer side of an inner circumferential wall of a mouthpiece placing portion to a surface of a mouthpiece flange on a center side of a flange outer peripheral edge. The flange outer peripheral edge and the inner circumferential wall of the mouthpiece placing portion satisfy Dt>(Sm/Xgs)·100. Dt denotes a width of an opening of the opening recess and is defined as a distance between a flange outer peripheral edge-side end and an inner circumferential wall-side end of an opening of the opening recess. Sm denotes a maximum tolerance of a relative positional misalignment between the inner circumferential wall of the mouthpiece placing portion and an outer circumferential end of the flange outer peripheral edge. Xgs [%] denotes a breaking elongation of the seal member.
US09890898B2	Adjustable rod A telescopic rod contains a first element, and a second element, and a locking mechanism. The first element is in the form of a hollow tube with an interior wall. The second element is arranged slidingly along a longitudinal axis within the first element. The locking mechanism is coupled with the second element to lock the relative position of the second element with regard to the first element. The locking mechanism includes a clamp washer to be moved between a locking position and an unlocked position it is located in an angular position axis. An angle of the clamp wash in the unlocked position with regard to the longitudinal is smaller than that in the locking position. An edge of the clamp washer meshes with the interior wall in the locking position, so that a frictional connection is formed between the edge and the interior wall.
US09890897B2	Support structure comprising a shock absorbing pillar The invention provides a support structure (10) comprising at least one cylindrical pillar (16) of vertical main axis, having a bottom end (16i) that is connected to the ground (14) and a top end (16s) connected to a component to be supported; the support structure being characterized in that the pillar (16) includes at least one helical slot (20) coaxial about the main axis of the pillar (16).
US09890883B2	Pipe joint, packing ring, and method for mounting pipe joint A pipe joint is provided with a pressing ring, a pipe or a pipe joint body having a containing section, a tightening element, and a packing ring compressed by being pressed by the pressing ring moved by the operation of the tightening element. The packing ring includes a base section fitted and mounted in the containing section at a rear thereof, a seal section contained within the containing section at a front thereof, and a connection section which connects the base section and the seal section and has a cutout groove. When the packing ring positioned by fitting and mounting the base section in the containing section at the rear thereof is subjected to pressing by the pressing ring, the seal section is bent into the cutout groove and is deformed, and compression caused by the deformation creates a sealed state.
US09890881B2	Pipe fitting A pipe connection assembly including: (a) a housing; (b) a first opening disposed within the housing, the opening having an inner surface adapted to receive a first end of a first pipe element; (c) an open-ended channel disposed within a wall of the housing, the channel having a wide cross-section disposed distal to the first opening, and a narrow cross-section disposed between the wide cross-section and the first opening, the channel fluidly communicating with the first opening via the narrow cross-section; and (d) a lock pin having a backbone and a tooth extending longitudinally therefrom, the backbone adapted to be received by the wide cross-section, the tooth adapted to be received by the narrow cross-section, the pin adapted to be urged along the open ended channel, whereby a bottom edge of the tooth protrudes through the narrow cross-section into the opening.
US09890879B2	Hose anti-collapse ribs, systems and methods An integral hose anti-collapse rib comprises a unitary body having a first cantilevered portion curved in a first direction. This first cantilevered portion defines a first end. A second cantilevered portion is curved in a direction opposite the direction of the first cantilevered portion, in a direction facing the first cantilevered portion. The second cantilevered portion also defines a second end disposed at an opposite extent of the rib from the first end. The hose anti-collapse rib also comprises a locking mechanism that locks the first end of the rib to the second end of the rib, such that the first and second cantilevered portions together form a generally circular shape. Embodiments of locking mechanisms may include a button and orifice locking mechanism and/or a tab and channel locking mechanism. In a relaxed state in which the locking mechanism is not engaged, the rib preferably defines a non-circular, generally spiral shape.
US09890875B2	Fluid device housing A fluid device housing includes a lower fluid device housing portion and an upper fluid device housing portion each formed with mating members. Each of the mating members of the lower fluid device housing portion mate with a corresponding mating member of the upper fluid device housing portion to form an inclined channel. A connector member is arranged to fit at least partially around peripheries of the lower and upper fluid device housing portions. The connector member includes lugs that are received in the inclined channels.
US09890873B2	Solenoid with supervision switch Embodiments of a solenoid valve are provided. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid portion having a housing. The housing has a first bore and a second bore with the first bore adapted to receive a first end of an armature assembly and the first bore being surrounded by a magnetic coil. The solenoid valve also includes a valve body. The valve body is adapted to receive a second end of the armature assembly. The solenoid valve further includes a detection device located in the second bore and a detection plate interposed between the solenoid portion and the valve body. The detection device interacts with the detection plate to produce a signal indicating whether the solenoid portion is installed on the valve body.
US09890870B2	Valve flow control optimization via customization of an intelligent actuator A valve arrangement including a valve and a valve actuation arrangement is provided. The valve has a known flow profile. The valve includes a valve member and a valve stem operably coupled to the valve member for adjusting the position of the valve member. The valve actuation arrangement is operably coupled to the valve stem. The valve actuation arrangement includes a drive arrangement and a control arrangement. The drive arrangement is operably coupled to the valve stem and configured to adjust an actual stem position of the valve stem based on an actual stem positional signal. The control arrangement is configured to generate the actual stem positional signal. The control arrangement is configured to generate the actual stem positional signal based on an input control signal representing a desired stem position based on a desired flow profile being different than the known flow profile.
US09890869B2	Electronic expansion valve An electronic expansion valve is provided, a valve rod of which is provided with an axial through-hole in communication with a valve port, and a lateral wall of the axial through-hole of the valve seat is sealed with respect to the valve rod. An end surface of the valve rod includes a sealing surface in sealing contact with an end surface at the valve port, the sealing surface includes a first sealing surface to bear an action force of refrigerant at one connecting port and a second sealing surface to bear an action force of refrigerant at another connecting port, and the effective pressure-bearing area of the first sealing surface is equal to that of the second sealing surface. Further provided is an electronic expansion valve in line contact seal with the valve seat.
US09890863B2	Piston slide valve A piston slide valve including a valve housing, a piston slide mounted movably in the valve housing, which is reciprocally movable in the valve housing and configured to manipulate a fluid flow, and a valve drive. The valve drive includes a rotatable drive shaft, which is mechanically connected to the piston slide via a mechanical coupling. The mechanical coupling includes an actuating element which is eccentrically mounted on the rotatable drive shaft and which engages with a coupling piece that is attached to a radial outside of the piston slide, wherein either the actuating element has a spherical outer surface, which engages into said cylindrical opening of said coupling piece, or the coupling piece has an outer surface, which engages into a cylindrical opening of the actuating element.
US09890859B2	Double-rail serrated metal gasket An insulation gasket that includes a metal core (100) defining an inner serrated annular section (105) that is radially spaced from an outer serrated annular section (110); and an annular groove (115) formed between the inner and outer serrated annular sections; and a first material (135) accommodated in the annular groove (115). In certain embodiments, a second material (125) engages the inner serrated annular section (105); and a third material (130) engages the outer serrated annular section. In one embodiment, the first and second materials comprise an electrical insulation material and the third material comprises a fire safe material.
US09890858B2	Sliding element and internal combustion engine A sliding element for an internal combustion engine may include a ferrous material base defining a plurality of surfaces. A binding nickel layer may be applied across all of the surfaces of the base. A deposited layer may be disposed on the binding layer. The deposited layer may include a metallic tungsten matrix and a tungsten carbide. The deposited layer may be provided with a thickness between 5 and 150 microns.
US09890853B2	Hydraulic control device of continuously variable transmission for vehicle A hydraulic control device has: a modulator valve using oil pressure from a hydraulic source for adjusting a modulator pressure; driving and driven-side hydraulic actuator control valves controlling hydraulic oil from the source to driving and driven-side hydraulic actuators; a driving-side control oil pressure adjusting electromagnetic valve using the modulator pressure for outputting a control oil pressure controlling the driving-side control valve; and a driven-side control oil pressure adjusting electromagnetic valve for outputting a control oil pressure controlling the driven-side control valve, the hydraulic control device including a failsafe valve switched from a normal to a failure position based on a failure disabling electric control for the driving-side and driven-side electromagnetic valves, the modulator valve making the modulator pressure lower than a value at the normal position based on an output switching pressure generated due to switching the failsafe valve from the normal to the failure position.
US09890849B1	Electronic shifter with tactile feedback An electronic gear shifter is described herein that provides tactile feedback imitating the tactile feedback generated by a manual transmission shifter. The shifter includes a tactile feedback mechanism having a base, a pivot through the base, one or more springs coupled to the base, and first and second detents. The base rotates about the pivot, whereas the springs resist rotations of the base from, and return the base to, and equilibrium position. The first detent resists rotation of the base from the equilibrium position. The second detent resists further rotation of the base past the first detent and away from the equilibrium position. Rotation of the base past the first and second detents imitates manual transmission tactile feedback, and rotation of the base past the second detent also closes one or more of the electronic switches.
US09890841B2	Rod rotator A rod rotator has a crankshaft with non-aligned crank journals, a first actuating pawl attached to the first crank journal and a second actuating pawl attached to the second crank journal, and a ratchet wheel connected to a polished rod. The first actuating pawl pushes on the ratchet wheel to rotate the ratchet wheel while the second actuating pawl pulls on the ratchet wheel to rotate the ratchet wheel at the same time.
US09890840B2	Electric linear actuator An electric linear actuator has a housing, an electric motor, a speed reduction mechanism and a ball screw mechanism. The ball screw mechanism has a nut and screw shaft. A blind bore is formed on the housing. The blind bore contains an end of the screw shaft. An anti-rotation mechanism for the screw shaft has a sleeve and guide pin. The sleeve is press-formed from steel sheet and fit into the blind bore of the housing. The guide pin is mounted on the end of the screw shaft, via a through aperture formed in the screw shaft. The guide pin axially movably engages the sleeve.
US09890837B1	Tensioner A tensioner comprising a first pivot arm having a first pulley journalled thereto, a second pivot arm having a second pulley journalled thereto, a frustoconical base having a base vertex, a frustoconical pivot shaft having a pivot shaft vertex, the base vertex is oriented opposite the pivot shaft vertex on a common axis, the first pivot arm disposed for pivoting movement about the frustoconical pivot shaft, the second pivot arm disposed for pivoting movement about the frustoconical base, a first bushing damping movement of the first pivot arm on the frustoconical pivot shaft, a second bushing damping movement of the second pivot arm on the frustoconical base, and a spring in compression urging engagement of the first pivot arm with the frustoconical pivot shaft and the second pivot arm with the frustoconical base.
US09890836B2	Sliding element for lubricated sliding system The invention relates to a chain guide, respectively a chain tensioner for use in a lubricated sliding system, comprising a surface layer or bearing or comprising a sliding element comprising a surface layer, the surface layer being mainly made of a polymeric material containing a matrix polymer and optionally other components dispersed in said matrix polymer, wherein the matrix polymer consists of a semi-crystalline polyamide (SCPA) having a tensile modulus at 140° C. of at least 800 MPa (measured by the method according to ISO 527-1A). The invention also relates to a power train drive system comprising an engine, a transmission differential and a drive shaft system, a drive chain and a plastic component comprising a sliding element in contact with the lubricated drive chain, wherein the chain guide, the chain tensioner, respectively the sliding element has a coefficient of friction (Co F), measured in lubrication oil at 140° C. at a nominal contact pressure of 1 MPa and a speed of 1 m/s, of at most 0.07.
US09890832B2	Cycloidal planetary gear speed reducer The invention relates to a cycloidal planetary gear speed reducer having a central shaft, comprising at least one ring gear disposed so as to be rigidly mounted in a housing, a set of planet gears in mesh with the ring gear, a rotatably supported planet gear carrier, on which the planet gears are mounted, and a plurality of drive plates arranged axially one behind the other in order to drive the planet gears, wherein the drive plates are mounted eccentrically on the central shaft in order to execute a circular translation movement, wherein at any given time during execution of a circular translation movement, the drive plates are in engagement with at least two planet gears.
US09890829B2	Protective sheet for vehicle suspension systems and method of installation thereof A protective sheet enveloping an air suspension module of a vehicle is disclosed. The protective sheet comprises a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, a fourth edge, and a middle portion. The first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge having a pleat with a plurality of incises. The third edge and the fourth edge are in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the first edge and the second edge. The middle portion having a mesh encapsulated within the pleat of the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge. The protective sheet envelopes around an outer circumferential surface of the air suspension module using fastening means. The plurality of incises provide flexibility for easy installation of the protective sheet over the air suspension module. The protective sheet protects the air suspension module during operation of the vehicle.
US09890826B2	Sensor device and disc brake comprising a sensor device A sensor device for a disc brake has a sensor gearing which can be coupled to at least one encoder, wherein the sensor gearing is arranged in a housing as a planetary gear mechanism and has an input for a first variable, which can be detected by the sensor device and which is associated with wear of the disc brake, and has an input for a second variable, which can be detected by the sensor device and which is associated with an operating movement of the disc brake. The sensor device can be changed over from a first state for detecting the first variable, which is associated with wear of the disc brake, and the second variable, which is associated with an operating movement of the disc brake, to a second state for detecting only the first variable, which is associated with wear of the disc brake.
US09890819B2	Hydraulically operated clutch actuator A clutched device including an actuator and a clutch. The actuator can include a housing and a piston having a first, second, and third face. The first face and the housing can define a first chamber. The second face and the housing can define a second chamber. The second face can have a greater surface area than the first face. The third face and the housing can define a third chamber, isolated from the first and second chambers. A conduit can couple the first and second chambers. A vent can be coupled to the third chamber. A pump can pump fluid from a reservoir to the first chamber. A valve can selectively inhibit fluid communication between the second chamber and the reservoir. A shift element can be coupled to the piston for common translation and can move a clutch member between first and second positions.
US09890815B2	Rolling bearing device A rolling bearing device includes a rolling bearing; and a spacer provided adjacent to one side of the rolling bearing in an axial direction and having a grease reservoir and a flow path, the grease reservoir being in a form of a groove, extending along a circumferential direction, and having grease reserved in the grease reservoir, and the flow path providing communication between the grease reservoir and an inner part of the rolling bearing. The spacer includes an annular wall surface that defines an inner periphery of the grease reservoir. An end of the annular wall surface on a side of the rolling bearing in the axial direction of the grease reservoir is continuous with an opposed end face of the spacer that is opposed to the rolling bearing. An entire area of the annular wall surface is constituted by a flat surface.
US09890814B2	Cage for hourglass roller bearings A cage for an hourglass roller bearing includes an annular ring having a first axial face and a second axial face. A plurality of first rails extend from the first axial face and a plurality of second rails extend from the second axial face. The cage includes a plurality of pockets. Each of the plurality of pockets is defined by opposing circumferentially facing walls of at least one of adjacent pairs of the first rails and adjacent pairs of the second rails. The circumferentially facing walls are arcuately formed so that each of the plurality of pockets is cylindrical.
US09890813B2	Gear pump bearings with hybrid pads A gear pump includes a drive gear mounted to a first gear shaft, a driven gear meshable with the drive gear, a plurality of journal bearings, and a first porting path. The first porting path is adapted to provide high pressure fluid communication from a discharge of the gear pump to a first hybrid pad location for a first journal bearing selected from the plurality of journal bearings, the first hybrid pad location circumferentially adjacent to a first fluid film location. Each location is disposed annularly between an inner surface of the first journal bearing, and an outer surface of the first gear shaft or second gear shaft corresponding to the first journal bearing.
US09890812B2	Liquid metal bearing A liquid metal bearing includes at least one first bearing part and at least one second bearing part that have a non-positive fit connection to one another. At least one first ductile sealing layer is disposed at least partly between at least a first bearing part of the at least one bearing and a second bearing part of the at least one second bearing part.
US09890810B2	Squeeze film damper, bearing unit, and turbine A squeeze film damper includes a bearing housing as an inner ring disposed around a radially outer side of a bearing which rotatably supports a rotary shaft, an outer ring disposed around a radially outer side of the bearing housing, a squeeze film formed by circulating a viscous fluid through a clearance in a radial direction between the bearing housing and the outer ring, and a coupling pin which couples the bearing housing and the outer ring to each other and is deformable in response to relative displacement in the radial direction between the outer ring and the bearing housing. The coupling pin has stiffness that is higher in a vertical direction than in a horizontal direction in a cross section perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotary shaft.
US09890809B2	Tilting pad thrust bearing and tilting pad thrust bearing assembly A tilting pad thrust bearing and a tilting pad thrust bearing assembly are provided. The tilting pad thrust bearing is configured such that when a load is concentrated on only a portion of a thrust bearing because of eccentricity or inclination of a rotating shaft, associated tilting pads are tilted so that the load can be dispersed to the other tilting pads to which comparatively small load is applied, whereby the tilting pads to which the concentrated load is applied can be prevented from being damaged. Furthermore, the tilting pads can be fixed by oil supply nozzles without using a separate fastening member, whereby the size of the tilting pad thrust bearing can be markedly reduced. The tilting pads and a plate have improved structures so that the time and cost required to manufacture the tilting pad thrust bearing or tilting pad thrust bearing assembly can be reduced.
US09890806B2	Threaded bushing, motor vehicle structure and method for producing the motor vehicle structure A threaded bushing (14) is provided for releasably connecting a fiber-reinforced plastic first component of the motor vehicle structure to a plastic or metal second component of the motor vehicle structure. The threaded bushing (14) has a sleeve-like basic body (15) made of metal. The basic body (15) has an external wall (16) with an external thread (17) and an internal wall (18) with an internal thread (19). The threaded bushing (14) can be screwed via the external thread (17) into a recess in the fiber-reinforced plastic of the first component. A screw penetrates a recess in the second component is screwed into the internal thread (19) of threaded bushing (14).
US09890800B2	Drive system for ground maintenance vehicle A mower includes an engine which is a power source for a drive wheel and a mowing mechanism. A drive system for the mower includes: a first control unit that controls operation and stop of the engine; a first power transmitting mechanism that performs transmission of power between the engine and the drive wheel; a second power transmitting mechanism that performs transmission of power between the engine and the mowing mechanism; and a second control unit that controls the second power transmitting mechanism. The first control unit also controls the first power transmitting mechanism. A signal transmitter is provided which transmits a control signal between the first control unit and the second control unit.
US09890799B2	Method to detect hydraulic valve failure in hydraulic system According to one aspect of the invention, a hydraulic system includes a controller connected to an operator interface, a pump operable in a first direction for supplying pressurized fluid, and a load-holding valve connected between the pump and a port for connection to an actuator. The load-holding valve may be controlled by the controller and operative in a first position to allow flow to the actuator to operate the actuator against a load and operative in a second position to block load-induced return flow from the actuator to the pump. The controller may be configured to receive a requested actuator stop, to control the first valve to move to the second position in response to the requested actuator stop, to monitor a first system condition in response to the requested actuator stop, to evaluate the monitored system condition with a prescribed criteria, and to determine whether or not to initiate a back-up control routine based on the evaluation.
US09890786B2	Rotary compressor having vane that has diamond-like carbon layer A rotary compressor includes: a compressing unit that includes an annular cylinder, an end plate, an annular piston which is fit in an eccentric portion of a rotation shaft, and a vane which protrudes from the inside of a vane groove of the cylinder to the inside of an operation chamber, comes into contact with the annular piston, and partitions the operation chamber into an inlet chamber and a compression chamber. The vane is formed of steel and has a diamond-like carbon layer formed on a sliding surface with respect to the annular piston. The annular piston is formed of Ni—Cr—Mo cast iron to which 0.15 wt % to 0.45 wt % of phosphorus is added, or is formed of cast iron or steel and has an iron nitride layer formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof.
US09890785B2	Rotary compressor with silicon dioxide A rotary compressor includes: a vertically-positioned airtight compressor housing having an upper section including a discharge portion of a refrigerant, and a lower section including an inlet unit of the refrigerant and storing lubricant oil; a compressing unit, disposed in the lower section, compressing the refrigerant sucked in via the inlet unit and discharging the refrigerant from the discharge portion; a motor, disposed in the upper section, driving the compressing unit via a rotation shaft; and an accumulator attached to the compressor housing and connected to the inlet unit. Inside the accumulator and/or the compressor housing, silicon dioxide having a crystal structure containing a vacancy with a diameter equal to or less than a diameter of a water molecule or a composite including silicon dioxide having a crystal structure containing a vacancy with a diameter equal to or less than that of the water molecule is placed.
US09890784B2	Cast-in offset fixed scroll intake opening A fixed scroll compressor body includes a scroll compressor body casting. The casting has a central body portion having a plate-like base with a spiral scroll rib projecting from the base at a right angle thereto. The spiral scroll rib includes a volume between the spiraled ribs for the compressing of refrigerant. The spiral scroll rib spirals from a central region of the plate-like base to an outer wall of the central body portion. The casting further includes a first inward-protruding portion that protrudes from the outer wall into the volume. A distance that the first inward-protruding portion protrudes into the volume is greater than a thickness of the first inward-protruding portion such that removal of the first inward-protruding portion results in a first intake opening in the outer wall. The first intake opening provides a path for a flow of refrigerant into the volume.
US09890783B2	Pump assembly with charge pump rotor, inversion pump rotor and scavenge pump rotor A pump assembly is provided and includes a housing having first, second and third pairs of fluid openings and first, second and third rotary pumps, which are co-rotatable about a common longitudinal axis defined through the housing to drive fluid flow relative to the first, second and third pairs of fluid openings, respectively. The first rotary pump includes an input member receptive of rotational drive energy for the first, second and third rotary pumps.
US09890782B2	Fluid pump with radial bearing between inner rotor and rotary shaft and lubrication groove in outer peripheral surface of radial bearing A pump housing receives an outer rotor and an inner rotor. A joint member couples between a rotatable shaft and the inner rotor to transmit a rotational torque from the rotatable shaft to the inner rotor. A radial bearing is shaped into a cylindrical tubular form. A cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the radial bearing rotatably and slidably supports the rotatable shaft. A cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the radial bearing rotatably and slidably supports an inner peripheral surface of the inner rotor. A lubrication groove is formed in the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the radial bearing and accumulates fluid, which is present in an inside of the pump housing.
US09890777B2	Delay-minimized detection of an auxiliary control variable A method for the delay-minimized detection of an auxiliary control variable for a system comprising a control system and a controller, whereby an output variable is detected at the end of the control system, whereby a disturbance variable is active in the control system, characterized in that a state variable is detected in the control system at a place before the point of action of the disturbance variable, whereby the auxiliary control variable is calculated from the state variable that has been weighted with a constant kx and from an estimation error, whereby the estimation error is calculated from a comparison between the detected output variable and the integrated auxiliary control variable.
US09890776B2	Solar drive control system for oil pump jacks A system for supplementing the electric power needed by a pump jack electric motor, thereby reducing the electric power purchased from the local utility or power supplier. The system comprises a solar photovoltaic system, or other forms of renewable energy, and regenerated power from the electric motor or drive. The system can be both “on-grid” and “off-grid.” Battery banks and capacitor banks may be used to store energy.
US09890775B2	Discharge valve cover for a linear compressor having a valve spring stopper and discharge pulsation reducing chambers A linear compressor may include a shell, a cylinder provided in the shell to define a compression space for a refrigerant, a frame to fix the cylinder to the shell, a piston reciprocated within the cylinder, a discharge valve disposed on or at one side of the cylinder, a discharge cover coupled to the frame and having at least one chamber to reduce pulsation of the refrigerant discharged through the discharge valve, and a valve spring disposed on the discharge cover to provide a restoring force to the discharge valve. The discharge cover may include a cover body having a discharge hole, through which the refrigerant discharged through the discharge valve may be discharged outside of the discharge cover, and a guide passage defined in the cover body to guide at least a portion of the refrigerant discharged through the discharge valve into the at least one chamber.
US09890773B2	Wobble piston having angled compression ring and spherical piston cap A wobble piston is provided to be used in an air compressor for providing compressed air, and includes a piston cap having a generally flat first plate and a peripheral edge extending downwardly from the first plate. A connecting support rod is connected to the piston cap, and a compression ring is clamped between the edge of the piston cap and the support rod in complementary fashion. Upon assembly between the cap and the support rod, the compression ring has an angled side wall that is bent upwardly inwardly at a predetermined obtuse angle relative to a longitudinal axis of a cylinder.
US09890767B2	Wind energy system with a pitch adjustment system The invention relates to a wind energy system with at least one pitch adjustment system for adjusting the pitch of at least one rotor blade of the wind energy system, wherein the pitch adjustment system comprises at least one electrohydraulic drive that comprises an unregulated electromotor rotating in one direction of rotation for generating pressure.
US09890766B2	Pitch drive system Pitch drive system for a wind turbine comprising a motor, a drive pinion operationally connected with the motor and a gear arranged to mesh with the drive pinion, wherein a first plate is provided on one side of the drive pinion, the first plate comprising one or more channels adapted to provide a lubricant to a tooth of the drive pinion that is in meshing engagement with teeth of the gear. The disclosure further relates to a wind turbine rotor.
US09890764B2	Trailing edge cap for a rotor blade and method of manufacturing same A trailing edge protective cap for a rotor blade of a wind turbine and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The method includes infusing a first material onto a first mold so as to form a first part having a length. While the first part is still in the first mold, the method may also include placing a second mold onto the first part. The method may then include infusing a second material onto the second mold and at least a portion of the first part so as to form a second part having a length. The first and second parts may then be joined or infused together along a portion their respective lengths so as to form the protective cap, wherein the protective cap includes a joined section and an open section.
US09890752B2	Muffler The invention relates to a muffler (1), in particular a vehicle muffler, comprising at least one resonator chamber (12), which is bounded by at least a first housing part (2) having a first outer jacket (15) and a first end wall (16) in which an inflow opening (19) is disposed arranged on the inflow side (25), and a first internal pipe segment (20). Furthermore, at least one coupling device (6) for coupling to a turbocharger (9) is provided, which is accommodated in the first end wall (16) of the first housing part (2). The coupling device (6) comprises a coupling body (7) which is designed as a deep-drawn part. The first housing part (2) is likewise formed by a deep-drawn part, and the inflow opening (19) of the first housing part (2) has an extension which is tapered in steps man axial section (23) in which the coupling body (7) and a sealing element (27), such as a radial sealing ring, are accommodated.
US09890750B2	Filter element A filter element, and filter apparatus, include a filter pack, a seal member, and a seal support frame operatively connecting the seal member to the filter pack. The seal support frame includes an annular extension, which is preferably canted at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis, for supporting the seal member. The seal support frame also preferably includes a first end thereof including the annular extension, and a second end thereof spaced from the first end thereof along the longitudinal axis, with the first and second ends of the seal support frame joined by a hub of the outer peripheral sidewall of the seal support frame to define a cavity within the seal support frame for receiving the filter pack. The first and second ends of the seal support frame, and the filter pack are preferably joined and sealed to one another by a single bead of adhesive.
US09890748B2	Method for calculating oxygen concentration in combustion chamber Provided is a method for calculating an oxygen concentration in a combustion chamber, including: calculating volume efficiency of the combustion chamber while a variable valve lift is in an on state and the volume efficiency of the combustion chamber and the volume of internal EGR from the volume of the combustion chamber while the variable valve lift is in an off state; and calculating a mass of the internal EGR from the pressure of an exhaust manifold, the temperature of the exhaust manifold, and the volume of the internal EGR.
US09890747B2	Tank pressure control solenoid with passive tank vacuum A valve assembly providing flow control between a fuel tank and a carbon canister, which includes two valves providing two different flow paths, where the first valve provides active vacuum relief along the first flow path, and the second valve provides passive vacuum relief along the second flow path. A reservoir is added to the cap which is common for both flow paths. The second valve has a sealing valve member and a biasable member that passively relieves fuel tank vacuum pressure at a predetermined vacuum level.
US09890746B2	Concentric conical fuel vapor canister A fuel vapor canister is presented, comprising two or more pneumatically coupled concentric adsorbent beds, a vent port configured to deliver fresh air to an outermost concentric adsorbent bed, and a purge port configured to couple an engine intake to an innermost concentric adsorbent bed. The concentric adsorbent beds facilitate improved purging of the canister, thus decreasing bleed emissions. The concentric adsorbent beds may have a bi-conical structure yielding a conical flow path which allows fresh air to flow through the adsorbent beds equally, reducing the size of a canister heel.
US09890745B2	Systems and methods for fuel vapor canister purge routing A method for an engine is presented, wherein purge air is routed through a fuel vapor canister during a first condition such that desorbed fuel vapor traverses a canister purge port en route to an engine intake, and wherein purge air is routed through a fuel vapor canister during a second condition such that desorbed fuel vapor traverses a canister load port en route to the engine intake. Bypassing the canister purge port during a canister purge event allows for cleaning adsorbed fuel vapor from the canister even if flow through the canister purge port is restricted. In this way, vehicle emissions may be mitigated during conditions where a carbon dust filter at the canister load port is clogged.
US09890744B2	Route and traffic information-based EVAP system leak test initiation Systems and methods for performing evaporative emissions leak detection in a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises initiating a leak test via an electronic controller in a vehicle responsive to selected route conditions. In this way, a leak test may run without premature termination, therefore saving resources.
US09890742B2	Method and device for operating a diesel engine with emulsion fuels of variable composition The invention proposes a method and an emulsifying apparatus for the operation of a diesel engine with a water-diesel fuel emulsion, wherein the water fraction is varied as a function of the engine operating point and/or the emulsifying apparatus and/or parts of the injection line are flushed with pure diesel fuel upon a shutdown of the engine.
US09890738B2	Cylinder head for an internal combustion engine The invention relates to a cylinder head (1) for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, having at least one valve seat ring (3) for a lifting valve, wherein the valve seat ring (3) is surrounded by an annular cooling duct (4) for a coolant that is at least partly molded into the cylinder head (1), wherein the cooling duct (4) at least partly surrounds the valve seat ring and extends between an inlet (5, 15, 25) and at least one outlet (6). In order to reduce the valve wear, provision is made for a plurality of inlets (5, 15, 25) to open into the cooling duct (4), wherein the inlets (5, 15, 25) are preferably arranged asymmetrically in relation to a meridian plane (δ) of the valve seat ring (3) through the outlet (6).
US09890737B2	Cylinder head assembly A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine has a housing (12) in which a plurality of elements (18, 44) are arranged. An optical duct (24) is formed in the housing (12) and is assigned to at least one of the elements (18). The optical duct (24) is assigned an infrared detector (28) that is designed to detect infrared radiation (30) from the at least one element (18) through the optical duct (24) to determine a temperature (T) of the at least one element (18).
US09890736B2	Injection control device for internal combustion engine of cylinder-injection type A injection control device for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection valve directly injecting a fuel into a cylinder of the internal combustion engine, and a drive current setting unit setting a drive current of the fuel injection valve according to a fuel pressure that is a pressure of the fuel supplied to the fuel injection valve, using a drive current profile specifying a relation between the fuel pressure and the drive current. When a compression stroke injection injecting the fuel in a compression stroke or an expansion stroke injection injecting the fuel in an expansion stroke is executed, the drive current setting unit sets the drive current using a predetermined profile having no hysteresis in change characteristics of the drive current with respect to the fuel pressure in a fuel pressure region of the compression stroke injection or the expansion stroke injection, as the drive current profile.
US09890735B2	Method for controlling a pressure A method and an assembly for controlling the pressure in a high-pressure region of an injection system in an internal combustion engine. A set high pressure is compared to an actual high pressure in order to determine a control deviation, the control deviation representing an input variable of a controller. A high pressure pump is controlled by a solenoid valve and the angle at which the delivery of fuel by the at least one high-pressure pump is to start is used as a manipulated variable of the high-pressure closed-loop control system.
US09890723B2	Methods to adapt air-fuel (A/F) controls for catalyst aging A system includes an exhaust treatment system configured to treat emissions from a combustion engine via a catalyst. The system includes a controller configured to obtain an operating parameter indicating catalyst performance. The controller is configured to determine a deterioration factor indicating deterioration of the catalyst based at least in part on the operating parameter. The controller is configured to determine an adaptation term configured to modify an air-fuel ratio command for the combustion engine to account for the deterioration.
US09890720B2	Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine A method for operating an internal combustion engine, which has: an intake section and an engine with an number of cylinders and a receiver which is arranged upstream of the cylinders wherein the intake section has: a supercharging system with a compressor and a bypass for bypassing the supercharging system, and wherein the receiver is assigned an engine throttle, and the bypass is assigned a compressor bypass throttle; and a setting of the engine throttle and/or of the compressor bypass throttle is set as a function of the operation in order to influence a charge fluid. The intake section is assigned an intake section model by which at least a mass flow and/or state of the charge fluid upstream of the engine are/is determined and on the basis of a determination result the compressor bypass throttle is set as a function of the engine throttle.
US09890707B2	Gas turbine efficiency and regulation speed improvements using supplementary air system continuous and storage systems and methods of using the same The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include additional heated compressed air injection from a power augmentation system and a motor-generator in selective operation with the power augmentation system.
US09890701B2	Toroidal engine A toroidal engine that can be powered by a fuel/air mixture or by a compressed gas source. The toroidal engine uses one-way bearings to transfer torque generated in a toroidal chamber directly to a drive shaft. Pairs of pistons are mounted on two crank assemblies, which are concentric with the drive shaft. One-way bearings allow the crank assemblies to turn, one at a time, in one direction only. The crank assemblies are directly coupled to the drive shaft, which eliminates the need for complex gear and linkage arrangements. A system can be used with the toroidal engine to alternately stop the crank assemblies at a pre-determined position and to time the ignition of the engine.
US09890699B2	Turbocharger turbine wastegate mechanism An assembly can include a turbine housing that includes a wastegate passage that extends to a wastegate seat; a wastegate valve that includes a control arm coupled to a wastegate shaft that extends to a wastegate plug; a control linkage operatively coupled to the control arm where the control linkage includes a control axis; an actuator operatively coupled to the control linkage for translation of the control linkage in a direction of the control axis; and a spring operatively coupled at an off-axis angle to the control axis of the control linkage where no load or a partial load is exerted to provide a clearance for centering of the wastegate plug in a closed state and where an increased load is exerted to reduce the clearance in an open state.
US09890697B2	Method and system for boost pressure control Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure in a staged engine system comprising a turbocharger and an upstream electric supercharger. In one example, a method may include accelerating an electric supercharger to choke the flow of air to the engine in the event of turbocharger overboost.
US09890694B2	Internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger, a variable valve gear, an A/F sensor in an exhaust passage, A/F feedback control means, and scavenge A/F control means. The variable valve gear drives intake and exhaust valves, and can drive with a valve open characteristic with valve overlap. The A/F feedback control means performs feedback correction of a fuel injection amount based on an A/F sensor output, and acquires a learning value of information relating to A/F control from a feedback correction amount. The scavenge A/F control means carries out A/F control by a value learned during an operation of the engine with non-scavenge valve open characteristic, when the variable valve gear is operated with the scavenge valve open characteristic. The scavenge valve open characteristic has a valve overlap amount of such a degree that blow-by of intake air occurs in an intake stroke during a turbocharger operation.
US09890692B1	Modular intercooler system An existing or new intercooler system is provided with modular fixed and removable mounting and support bracket plates that offers easy adaptability, reparability, serviceability that eliminates the need to replace an entire intercooler because a vehicle or automotive set up has been changed, portions of it has been damaged or because it has become clogged with debris. The modular and removable mounting and support bracket plates can turn existing or new intercoolers from a single automotive part into an automotive system with modular parts of different types and sizes that can be reconfigured, changed or replaced to make intercoolers fit different types of automotive system applications. These modular fixed and removable mounting and support bracket plates eliminates the need for all metal parts and permanent welding. The intercooler system having end tanks made of composite material with carbon fiber to eliminate heat retention and secured by bonding material.
US09890691B2	Method and system to reduce charge air cooler condensation Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes a compressor and charge air cooler are disclosed. In one example, air flow through the charge air cooler is increased in response to condensation accumulating in the charge air cooler without increasing engine torque. Air flow through the charge air cooler is increased to gradually reduce condensation within the charge air cooler.
US09890690B2	Passive prechamber direct injection combustion An injector-igniter assembly includes a passive prechamber and a fuel injector. In an internal combustion engine, fuel is directly injected into a combustion chamber to mix with air in the combustion chamber. Embodiments enable filing the prechamber at different air-fuel-ratio than the main chamber without directly filling the prechamber with fuel. The prechamber has jet apertures in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. In operation, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber though nozzles to form a cloud adjacent to openings into the prechamber. Subsequently, mixed fuel and air is ingested into the prechamber from the combustion chamber and ignited. The degree of mixing prior to ingestion into the prechamber can be controlled using different nozzles configurations. Ignited gaseous fuel and air is expelled from the prechamber through the jet apertures and into the combustion chamber as a flaming jet with a core of gaseous fuel.
US09890678B2	Multi-stage SCR control and diagnostic system A multi-stage SCR control system including a front reductant dosing device, a front SCR device, a back reductant dosing device, a back SCR device, and a dosing controller. In normal control cycles, a NSR of the front SCR device is controlled below a stoichiometric reaction ratio to decrease system sensitivity to catalyst aging. In a diagnostic cycle, the NSR of the front or the back SCR device is controlled lower than the stoichiometric reaction ratio, and a reductant quality ratio, which is indicative of reductant quality and dosing accuracy, is calculated. In another diagnostic cycle, the NSR is controlled above the stoichiometric reaction ratio, and an average deNOx efficiency is calculated. The reductant quality ratio and the average deNOx efficiency values are further used in SCR feedback control and permanent catalyst damages can also be isolated from temporary catalyst poisons with these values after a thermal recovery event is completed.
US09890674B2	Siloxane removal system and media regeneration methods A method of removing impurities from a gas including the steps of removing impurities from biogas comprising at least one adsorbents via a process vessel or reactor, directing the purified gas to an device to generate power and/or heat, regenerating the saturated adsorption media with the waste heat recovered from the engine exhaust and directing the regeneration gas (hot air or engine exhaust) to flare, engine exhaust stack, or atmosphere.
US09890672B2	Combustion gas cooling apparatus, denitration apparatus having the combustion gas cooling apparatus, and combustion gas cooling method A combustion gas cooling apparatus includes a cooling duct from which a cooling gas at a temperature lower than the temperature of a combustion gas flows out into a mixing duct to form a mixed gas in which the combustion gas and the cooling gas are mixed. The cooling duct has cooling gas flow inlets into which the cooling gas flows, a plurality of cooling gas outflow apertures through which the cooling gas having flowed into the cooling gas flow inlets flows out into the mixing duct, and distribution passages through which the cooling gas having flowed into the cooling gas flow inlets is distributed to the plurality of cooling gas outflow apertures.
US09890671B2	Crankcase ventilation system having an oil jet pump with an integrated check valve A crankcase ventilation system having a crankcase ventilation filter and a filter drain. The crankcase ventilation filter vents blow-by gases from a crankcase and separates oil from the blow-by gases. The crankcase ventilation filter drain collects oil separated by the crankcase ventilation filter and returns the separated oil to the crankcase or another component of the engine. A nozzle is coupled to a pressurized oil supply and directs an oil jet into a mixing bore of the system, which draws the oil back into recirculation. A valve is coupled to the filter drain and is configured to prevent collected oil from reentering the crankcase ventilation filter through an opening that connects the filter drain to the filter.
US09890665B2	Power plant with solar energy system A power plant (1) that includes at least one of a gas turbine (GT), a steam turbine (ST) with a water-steam cycle, and a heat recovery steam generator (B) operatively connected to a heat generating member such as solar energy system (Ssolar) by means of a primary circuit (10a, 10b, 10c) and a secondary circuit system (20a). The primary heat transfer circuit (10a, 10b) includes solar heating system (Ssolar) configured to heat a primary fluid (10), and the secondary circuit (20a) comprises a flow line (20A) for a secondary flow (20) and a main heat exchanger (23) to exchange heat between the secondary water flow and a gas turbine inlet air flow (2). A first line (10B) in the primary circuit (10b) leads to a first heat exchanger (12) to heat the water flow in the secondary circuit (20a).
US09890652B2	Turbine wheel for a turbine engine A rotating assembly for a turbine engine, comprising a disc having an outer periphery having alternating slots and teeth, blades radially extending from the disc and roots of which are axially engaged in the slots, with spaces called slot cavities being provided between the roots of the blades and the slots, platforms laterally extending from the blades and circumferentially arranged end-to-end, so as to form spaces called inter-blade cavities, and a downstream annular shroud, comprising an outer annular sealing lip opposite the downstream ends of the platforms. The downstream shroud further comprises an intermediate annular sealing lip opposite the downstream faces of the teeth of the disc, radially between the slot cavities and the inter-blade cavities.
US09890650B2	Carbon seal spring assembly A carbon seal assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The carbon seal assembly includes a first carbon seal. The carbon seal assembly also includes a first carbon seal spring configured to provide force against the first carbon seal in a first axial direction, the first carbon seal spring having an annular shape and circumferentially disposed around a first shaft of the gas turbine engine.
US09890649B2	Inlet guide assembly An inlet guide assembly for a turbine receiving a pulsed flow, including a duct having an internal volume, and an inlet port, first outlet nozzle and second outlet nozzle each communicating with the internal volume. The inlet port is configured to receive at least part of the pulsed flow. The first and second outlet nozzles each define a respective nozzle area communicating between the internal volume and a flow path of the turbine. The first and second outlet nozzles are spaced from one another with the first outlet nozzle located closer to the inlet port than the second outlet nozzle relative to a flow direction through the duct, the nozzle area of the first outlet nozzle being smaller than the nozzle area of the second outlet nozzle. A compound engine assembly and method of introducing a pulsed flow into a flow path of a turbine are also discussed.
US09890641B2	Gas turbine engine truncated airfoil fillet An integrally bladed rotor includes a rim integral with a web that extends radially inward to a bore. The rim provides an end wall from which integral blades extend radially outward to a tip. The blades have an airfoil that extends in a chord-wise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge. A fillet circumscribes the airfoil and joins the airfoil to the end wall. The fillet is at one of the leading edge and the trailing edge is truncated at least 50% in an axial direction to provide a face of the rim.
US09890634B2	Systems and methods for real-time measurement of gas content in drilling fluids Measuring the amount of individual gases in drilling fluids in real-time may be performed with optical computing devices that are calibrated in real-time or periodically with gas analysis devices to provide more accurate gas content measurements. In some instances, one or more drilling or completion parameters may be altered in response thereto the concentration or change in concentration of individual gases in drilling fluids.
US09890633B2	System and method for dual telemetry acoustic noise reduction A method for dual telemetry noise reduction on a drilling rig comprises receiving an acoustic signal including first telemetry data transmitted over a drill string of the drilling rig. A pressure signal is received including the first telemetry data transmitted through drilling mud of the drill string of the drilling rig. The pressure signal is substantially similar to the acoustic signal and offset from the acoustic signal by a first period of time. The telemetry data is determined and the noise contained within the acoustic signal and the pressure signal rejected responsive to both the received acoustic signal and the received pressure signal.
US09890632B2	Systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for logging using a logging tool with adjustable detectors Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for logging using a customizable logging tool. In some embodiments, the logging tool is capable of being disposed in a borehole formed in a geologic formation. The logging tool includes a source for emitting signals into the geologic formation surrounding the borehole and a plurality of detectors for detecting signals generated as a result of emission of signals by the source into the geologic formation surrounding the borehole. The plurality of detectors are independently repositionable such that a source-to-detector spacing for the detectors is independently variable, to provide optimum signal depending on the characteristics of the target reservoir, the borehole, and the tool source and detectors.
US09890625B2	Systems and methods for the treatment of oil and/or gas wells with an obstruction material Systems and methods for the treatment of oil and/or gas wells are generally provided. In some embodiments, a reservoir comprising oil and/or gas may contain regions that differ in permeability to the drive fluid used to displace the oil and/or gas. The higher permeability region(s) may limit oil and/or gas recovery from lower permeability regions. A method of enhancing oil and/or gas recovery in such a reservoir may comprise injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir prior to obstructing one or more region (e.g., higher permeability regions) of the reservoir. The use of a microemulsion prior to obstructing one or more region of the reservoir may enhance the barrier properties of the resulting obstruction. In some embodiments, injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir may also increase the overall production of the oil and/or gas well lacking the microemulsion treatment.
US09890624B2	Systems and methods for the treatment of oil and/or gas wells with a polymeric material Systems and methods for the treatment of oil and/or gas wells are generally provided. In some embodiments, a reservoir comprising oil and/or gas may contain regions that differ in permeability to the drive fluid used to displace the oil and/or gas. The higher permeability region(s) may limit oil and/or gas recovery from lower permeability regions. A method of enhancing oil and/or gas recovery in such a reservoir may comprise injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir prior to obstructing one or more region (e.g., higher permeability regions) of the reservoir. The use of a microemulsion prior to obstructing one or more region of the reservoir may enhance the barrier properties of the resulting obstruction. In some embodiments, injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir may also increase the overall production of the oil and/or gas well lacking the microemulsion treatment.
US09890623B2	Method of inhibiting scale in a geological formation A method of inhibiting scale in a geological formation comprising depositing a binder on the formation surface, delivering a nano-material to the surface where it chemically interacts with the binder, emplacing a scale inhibitor on the formation that is absorbed by the nano-material, where a sustained release of the scale inhibitor into the geological formation results.
US09890621B2	Two-piece plunger A two-piece well plunger is provided having an upper sleeve and a lower lance member that engages (e.g., unites) and disengages the upper member. The upper and lower member are sized for receipt within production tubing of a well and are configured to move upwardly in the production tubing when united and to fall separately when disengaged (e.g., separated). The upper sleeve is generally cylindrical and has an central bore. The lower lance member includes a dislodging rod that is sized to extend through central bore of the upper sleeve when the two pieces are united. The lance member and rod seal the central bore when the members are united. An upper end of the rod extends beyond a top end of the sleeve when the members are united and is utilized to disengage the members when the united plunger arrives in a well head.
US09890620B2	Firing switch and method of operation The present invention concerns a firing switch for a downhole ballistics device. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns a firing switch for a downhole ballistics device and a method of operating the firing switch. The invention also concerns various safety features relating to the firing switch. A firing switch arrangement for a downhole perforating gun (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) is provided, and comprises a firing switch (26′, 28′, 30′, 32′, 34′), and a detonator (40), the detonator arranged to be activated in response to an electrical signal from the firing switch. A removable safety tab (42) is associated with the detonator, the removable safety tab arranged to provide a short circuit to the detonator, such that the short circuit is removed if the removable safety tab is removed.
US09890619B2	Ballistic transfer module According to an aspect a deformable member is provided, wherein the deformable member is configured for use in a ballistic transfer module. The ballistic transfer module includes the deformable member, a booster holder, a booster and a detonating cord. A method of initiating one or more percussion initiators of a perforating gun assembly using the ballistic transfer module and deforming the deformable member is also provided.
US09890616B2	Horizontal well design for field with naturally fractured reservoir Methods, systems, and computer program products for designing a horizontal well in a hydrocarbon field having naturally fractured reservoir integrates workflows from multiple oilfield related disciplines, including a geophysics workflow, geomechanics workflow, and completion and production workflow to achieve an a dynamic and integrated solution.
US09890610B2	Mechanical method for restoring downhole circulation The finger or other protrusion allows downward movement of both fluid and balls, darts, or plugs through the tool or sliding sleeve until the ball, dart, or plug releases or actuates the gate. Once actuated the gate prevents further downward movement of any ball, dart, or plug past the gate while allowing fluid flow past both the gate and the ball, dart, or plug.
US09890609B2	Safety valve control system and method of use A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.
US09890605B2	Device for collection of particulate material in a conduit This invention relates to a movable collecting device (1) for downhole separation and removal of particulate matter (8) from a petroleum well, the collecting device (1) having a first end portion (11) and a second end portion (12), an exterior and an interior; the collecting device (1) comprising an outer wall (4) extending axially from the first end portion (11) and to the second end portion (12), a portion of the wall (4) surrounding a collecting chamber (5); a nose (2) at the first end portion (11) comprises at least one external inlet (23), the external inlet (23) being in fluid communication with the collecting chamber (5); a drive unit (3) positioned at the second end portion (12); and a means (6) for transporting the particulate matter (8) from the exterior of the collecting device (1) to the interior of the collecting device (1) through the external inlet (23), and a portion of the wall (4) comprises a screen in fluid communication with the collecting chamber (5) and the collecting device's (1) exterior. Use of a screen (40) to form at least a portion of a wall (4) surrounding a collection chamber (5) in a movable collection device (1) is described as well.
US09890604B2	Devices and related methods for actuating wellbore tools with a pressurized gas An apparatus for activating a wellbore tool may include a first sub, gas transfer sub, and a second sub. The first sub has an igniter that generates a flame output that ignites a power charge. The power charge generates a high pressure gas when ignited by the flame output. The gas transfer sub has a first end receiving a portion of the power charge, a longitudinal bore, and a plurality of flow passages radiating from the longitudinal bore. The flow passages provide fluid communication between the longitudinal bore and the first sub. The second sub includes a shaft having a first end connectable with the gas transfer sub.
US09890603B2	Quarter turn tubing anchor catcher A tubing anchor catcher for anchoring well equipment in a well conduit to arrest movement in both longitudinal directions and rotational directions. A mandrel connected to the equipment has one or more grooves for slideably receiving respective drive pins from a drag body on the mandrel. A slip cage on the mandrel houses a slip or slips for selectively engaging and disengaging the conduit. Manipulation of the mandrel at surface causes the drive pins to move within the one or more grooves on the mandrel and the drag body conical surface to move toward the slip cage driving the slip or slips outward to grip the conduit. Further pulling at surface maintains the set position. The anchor is unset at surface by releasing the tension, rotating the mandrel in the second direction, and pulling the mandrel to disengage the slip or slips.
US09890601B2	Mechanically activated bypass valve apparatus and method A mechanically activated bypass valve apparatus for allowing fluid being pumped through the pipe or coiled tubing string to be bypassed around a tool string and into the wellbore. Activation of the bypass valve is accomplished by applying weight-on-bit to the apparatus to shear a set of shear screws, allowing the mandrel to move axially relative to the tubular housing. Lowering the pipe string and setting down weigh on bit misaligns fluid bypass ports in the mandrel and housing, thus forcing fluid to continue to flow through the bore of the tool and to the toolstring below the bypass tool. Picking up on the pipe string aligns corresponding ports in the mandrel and housing and allows fluid to flow from the bore of the tool to the wellbore annulus, thus bypassing other tools downhole of the apparatus.
US09890600B1	Power tongs with supporting struts One or more specific versions disclosed herein includes a power tong for rotating tubulars in wellbore operations, including: an upper tong plate, a lower tong plate, a gear train disposed between the upper tong plate and the lower tong plate; and a strut removably coupled to the lower tong plate, the upper tong plate, or both.
US09890598B2	Anti-rotation wedge A key assembly is press fit into an annular space between a box and pin member to resist relative rotation of the box and pin members. The key assembly includes wedge like members that contact one another along complementary tapered surfaces, and when in contact generate radial forces into the box and pin member to secure the connection between the box and pin. The outer wedge is inserted first into the annular space between the box and pin members, and has rows of elongate teeth that project radially outward into contact with an inner surface of the box member. Because the outer wedge is pushed radially outward against the box member rather than axially sliding therebetween, the teeth protrude into the surface of the box member thereby increasing the anti-rotation force created by the outer wedge.
US09890596B1	Polycrystalline diamond compact including a non-uniformly leached polycrystalline diamond table and applications therefor In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDC”) includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table defines an upper surface and at least one peripheral surface. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains. The PCD table includes a first region adjacent to the substrate that includes a metallic constituent disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains thereof, and a leached second region extending inwardly from the upper surface and the at least one peripheral surface that is depleted of the metallic constituent. The leached second region exhibits a leach depth profile having a maximum leach depth that is measured from the upper surface. A leach depth of the leach depth profile decreases with lateral distance from a central axis of the PCD table and toward the at least one peripheral surface.
US09890590B2	Building roof safety assembly having a barrier and ladder restraint A safety assembly is provided for placement on a roof of a building, near an edge of the roof, having a ladder restraint, an upstanding barrier, and a counterweight. The ladder restraint has an opening to receive a ladder that provides access to the roof. The opening is sized to restrict left and right sideways movement of the ladder. The upstanding barrier extends on left and right sides of the ladder restraint to block falls by a user. The counterweight is interconnected to both the ladder restraint and the upstanding barrier, and is disposed to prevent forward tipping of the upstanding barrier by the user, and to prevent sideways tipping of the ladder during use, when the safety assembly is placed on the roof and the ladder is received through the ladder restraint. The safety assembly may be assembled on the roof without penetrating the roof's waterproofing membrane.
US09890589B2	Step adapter for rung ladders Step adapters for a rung ladder to provide an increased support surface or area is described. In one embodiment, the step adapter includes a brace, a platform, a lock and a safety bar. The lock, safety bar and platform are provided to structurally engage or embrace a rung of a ladder, and the brace supports the adapter against the rails of a ladder so that in total the step adapter provides an extended step structure to ease standing on the ladder, especially for an extended period of time. In another embodiment, the step adapter includes brace, platform and lock sections, where the platform section side edges are configured to lock the step adapter in place on a rung of a ladder. A tray overlay is also described which when used in combination with the step adapter (which serves as a support) provides a service area for holding work-related items.
US09890585B2	Method for operating a motorized shade An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.
US09890582B2	Door release mechanism A door hoist includes a bracket, drive sprocket, ring gear, hub assembly, set of planetary gears, and governor shaft. The drive sprocket has a drive sprocket axis. The ring gear is fastened to the drive sprocket. The ring gear has a ring gear axis that is in alignment with the drive sprocket axis. The hub assembly includes a connector to receive a door drive shaft and secure the door drive shaft in a fixed rotational alignment with the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is rotationally mounted to the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is configured to mate with the ring gear. The governor shaft includes a sun gear, brake assembly, and link. The sun gear is configured to mate with the set of planetary gears. The brake assembly has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The sun gear is rotationally fixed relative to the bracket in response to the brake assembly being in the engaged position. In response to the brake assembly being in the disengaged position, rotation of the sun gear is unfixed relative to the bracket. The link secures the brake assembly in the engaged position. The link is configured to melt in response to an ambient temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature.
US09890581B2	Self-assembly safety door The present invention provides a self-assembly safety door comprising: a doorpost coupled and fixed to both sides of a temporary doorframe formed on a distal end of a wall body; a door provided on the doorpost to horizontally rotate so as to be selectively opened/closed; a corner part provided on one end part of the door to be coupled to the door and hinge-coupled to the doorpost to rotate with the door at the same time; and a coupling part interposed between the door and the corner part to couple the door and the corner part.
US09890575B2	Movable barrier operator with removable power supply module The invention relates to a movable barrier operator with a removable power supply module for supplying power to the operator from a remote location. The power supply module may be decoupled from a barrier operator frame or housing, and installed in a remote location; the operator may therefore be observed and diagnosed remotely via a user interface that includes status indicators. In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface comprises one or more LED indicators to provide a user with information pertaining to the power supply of the operator.
US09890574B2	Device for influencing the movement of a furniture part, and a furniture part A device for influencing the movement of a first furniture part relative to a second furniture part of a piece of furniture, having a damper for damping the relative movement between the first and the second furniture parts. The damper is made up of a single damping component that includes a container with a housing in which is accommodated a damping fluid which is enclosed by the housing, wherein a portion of the housing is formed from an elastically deformable material.
US09890572B2	Latch assembly A latch assembly includes coplanar pairs of magnets that engage each other when the latch assembly is in a closed position in order to secure the latch assembly in the closed position. A related appliance with features for selectively securing a door of the appliance in a closed position is also provided.
US09890571B1	Window lock A window lock system selectively prevents a window from being opened. A window sash can be connected by a cord to the sill of the window. The cord has an attached lock insert. To lock the window, the insert on the cord is inserted into a track housed in a mount that is mounted to the sash or sill. The track may be formed as part of a rotatable disk. A key turns the track to move the track to a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the sash and sill are connected by the cord. To unlock the window, the key rotates the disk to allow release of the insert from the track.
US09890567B2	Padlock with indication device A padlock includes a shell, a shackle, a limit knob, an indicator and a lock core. The shell includes an opening in a wall thereof. The shackle includes a long section movably inserted in the shell, and a short section extended from the long section and located out of the shell. The limit knob is partly received in the shell via the opening and includes a button located out of the shell. The indicator is disposed on the limit knob and capable of moving to a predetermined position which is out of the shell. The lock core includes a rotor configured to be driven by a key so as to move the limit knob to a first position where the button of the limit knob keeps the shackle from rotating and a second position where the button of the limit knob allows the shackle to rotate.
US09890566B1	Theft proof ground vault and locking lid A locking lid for a ground vault, generally containing high voltage cable junctions or communication lines, provides a secure lid locking to the ground vault which prevents removal of the lid from the vault by an unauthorized person, preventing theft of the contents of the vault including high voltage electrical lines, communication lines or other buried equipment which might be stolen for salvage or subject to vandalism.
US09890564B2	Interconnected lock with direct drive for adjustable deadbolt to latchbolt spacing An interconnected lock for use on a door, where the lock has adjustable offset spacing between a deadbolt and latchbolt. The lock includes first and second shafts for actuating the deadbolt lock mechanism, at different offset spacings. A linkage arm connected to and moveable by the latchbolt actuator is alternately connectable to rotate either the first or second deadbolt-actuating shaft. The linkage arm has first and second upper positions, for alternate connection to rotate the first and second deadbolt-actuating shafts, respectively. Upon operation of the interior actuator, the linkage arm moves the deadbolt along the second axis from the latched to the unlatched position at the same time that the operation of the interior actuator moves the latchbolt along the first axis from the latched to the unlatched position.
US09890563B2	Central access control system A central access control system (10) includes a plurality of doors (44), a plurality of door locks (20) respectively mounted to the doors (44), a control device (33) connected to the door locks (20), and an unlocking device (40) for setting the control device (33) to be in an enabling state or a forbidding state. When the control device (33) is set to be in the forbidding state, the control device (33) outputs a forbidding signal to all of the door locks (20) to set the door locks (20) in a locking state. When the control device (33) is set to be in the enabling mode, the control module (33) outputs an enabling signal to all of the door locks (20), and a locking state or an unlocked state of a locking mechanism (24) of each door lock (20) remains unchanged.
US09890560B2	Locking apparatus A locking apparatus includes an actuating hub rotatably mounted on a base, a handle connected with the actuating hub, a control plate provided adjacent to the actuating hub and formed with a plurality of teeth, two locking tumblers, and a series of button engagement disc clutch plates and coding disc clutch plates mounted on the locking tumblers, whereby pressing a selected group of buttons rotates their respective button engagement disc clutch plates and coding disc clutch plates such that cut-out apertures formed on the coding disc clutch plates align with the teeth of the control plate, thereby allowing movement of the control plate and rotation of the actuating hub when the grip handle is rotated. The apparatus also includes a code change button and a reset button.
US09890558B2	Encoding tool for a combination cap Disclosed is an encoding tool used to encode a programmable combination locking cap. The encoding tools disclosed have an angled blade and alignment mechanisms so that a combination cap is easily encoded and placed on a container that optionally has an angled blocker so that the angled blocked efficiently blocks the combination of the programmable combination locking cap.
US09890555B1	Portable shelter A structure, which can be used as a portable shelter or tent, has a cover and structural elements disposed therein to permit the cover to lay flat or stand erect. The cover has two layers, one layer being thermally reflective and another layer being thermally absorptive. Similarly constructed removable panels can be attached to standoffs incorporated into the cover. The structure is reversible, so that the structure can either reject or absorb ambient heat. The standoffs are provided on each side of the cover and connections for attaching the removable panels to the standoffs are provided on each side of the removable panels. In this way, the removable panels can be attached to the interior or exterior of the structure with either side of a removable panel facing towards the cover.
US09890554B2	Hanging structures having zome geometry Hanging structure includes a structure frame, the structure frame having a substantially convex polyhedron shape, the structure frame comprising at least one facet, at least one level and a ratio; a plurality of compressive members being disposed to align along a substantially horizontal alignment on the structure frame and configured to absorb a compressive force, the plurality of compressive members further being disposed to delineate each of the at least one level; and a plurality of tensile members carrying the plurality of compressive members, the plurality of tensile members being disposed to align along a substantially vertical or diagonal alignment on the structure frame; and a plurality of moment resisting nodes defining attachment points between the plurality of compressive members and the plurality of tensile members.
US09890553B2	Protective enclosure for, and method of, protecting a patient on a stretcher A protective enclosure provides patient privacy and protection from inclement weather to a patient on a mattress on a stretcher. The enclosure includes a pair of slidable base portions and a cover connected to, and extending between, the base portions. The base portions are movable toward and away from each other in a transverse common plane underneath the mattress along a transverse axis that extends widthwise of the mattress. The cover bounds an interior space in which a body part of the patient is received. The cover has an overhead structure that extends along the transverse axis above the transverse common plane.
US09890547B1	Pool skimmer mounting arrangements and methods for installing a pool skimmer Mounting arrangements for pool skimmers, methods for mounting pool skimmers, pool skimmer adapter plates, and pool skimmer installation kits are provided that provide unique opportunities to overcome the limitations of the prior art. Aspects of the invention include an external adapter plate having an internal cavity sized to receive an inlet of a pool skimmer assembly and an internal adapter plate having an internal cavity positioned to at least partially align with an inlet opening of the inlet of the pool skimmer assembly. The use of the adapter plates allows the pool designer and installer broad latitude in selecting a proper skimmer assembly with minimal if any impact upon the design of the pool wall or panel used. Aspects of the invention are uniquely adapted to panel-type pool construction, but may be adaptable for any pool skimmer installation.
US09890541B2	Floor board, in particular for flooring The invention relates to a floor board having connection geometries corresponding to each other and made of plastics, wherein the first connection geometry is provided along two abutting side surfaces and has a groove which is open toward the bottom and is bordered by a lip toward the outside, and the groove has an undercut along its walls. The second connection geometry is provided along the abutting side surfaces and has a groove which is open toward the top and is bordered by a lip toward the outside, and the groove has an undercut along its walls. The lip of the first connection geometry and the lip of the second connection geometry each have at least one slot at least in sections. The invention also relates to a floor board having a connecting element that is made of a multi-component material.
US09890540B2	Floor or wall covering system with laying units which can be combined in a modular manner Surface laying unit (100) for laying with other surface laying units (100) on an underlying surface (300), wherein the surface laying unit (100) has a useful layer (102) and a connecting structure (104) which is provided directly on an underside of the useful layer (102) and which is designed for connecting to the underlying surface (300).
US09890539B2	Wall covering system of self-adhering wood panels A wall panel system is provided that includes a series of interlocking wall panels with a pressure-adherent backing. The wall panels are configured to be placed on a wall in interlocking fashion, with the interlocking attributes contributing to the overall appearance of the panel. In one aspect, surface features are provided on the wood panels that add surface texture to the panel by laser burning into the surface of the wood panel. The width of the surface features can be changed by adjusting the properties of the laser, such as beam focus. The wood panels are conveniently sized so that they can be easily manipulated for interlocking placement on the wall.
US09890537B2	Siding or roofing panel system A panel for attachment to a mounting surface includes a plurality of raised faces formed and extending between an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel, and a plurality of recessed keyways defined between each of the raised faces. The panel may have a recessed base at the lower edge of the keyways defining a fold lip adjacent the mounting surface, and a full base formed at the lower edge of the raised faces and extending beyond the recessed base.
US09890535B2	Gutter debris barrier system A gutter debris barrier system for preventing debris from entering a gutter includes a frame that is attached to a fascia of a building and a filter screen. The frame may include a floor with slots punched therein, with ribs on either side of the slots that form channels. The channels may be tapered to improve the speed and efficiency of heat transfer, and also to funnel water down into the gutter. The ribs may have planar upper surfaces or tips lying in a common horizontal plane and supporting a flat filter screen.
US09890528B1	Automatic toilet flush device An automatic toilet flush device including a weight sensor between a toilet bowl rim and a toilet seat and a capacitive touch plate disposed on the toilet lid, both of which are configured to automatically flush a toilet either when someone sits on the toilet seat or touches the capacitive touch plate, respectively. The weight sensor is in operational communication with a sensing module transmitter which in wireless communication with a flush module receiver in operational communication with a microprocessor disposed within a housing inside the toilet tank. The capacitive touch plate is also in operational communication with the microprocessor, to which a timer is connected to permit flushing after a pre-determined time. When the microprocessor activates the flush module receiver, the flush motor activates an arm on a flush lever which, in turn, controls the flush valve to flush the toilet and to re-fill the toilet bowl.
US09890527B2	Operating device, flush water tank device, and flush toilet An operating device includes a rotary shaft, an operating handle, an operating wire, and a drive unit; wherein this drive unit includes: a rotary member, a rotary windup member, a locking device for mutually locking the rotary member and the rotary windup member until the rotary windup member rotates in the forward rotational direction from a first operating position and reaches a second operating position, a lock release device for releasing the lock between the rotary member and the rotary windup member so the rotary windup member rotates in the reverse rotational direction and moves to the first operating position regardless of any operation of the operating handle when the rotary member and the rotary windup member reach the second operating position, and a biasing device for restoring the rotary member to an initial position at which a toilet flush operation can be started from the operating position.
US09890526B2	System and method for a diaphragm valve controlled through measurement of water pressure and solenoid opening time A flush valve system is provided having an inlet and an outlet, and a main valve element adapted for transition between a closed position and an open position is disclosed. The flush valve further includes a control chamber in communication with the inlet, and a vent outlet in communication with the outlet. The system includes a solenoid for establishing communication between the control chamber and the vent outlet to establish a pressure differential across a portion of the main valve element. The system also includes a power supply for energizing the solenoid, a deployable actuator in communication with the power supply, and a microprocessor in electrical communication with the main valve element. The microprocessor is adapted to determine a valve opening time, calculate fluid pressure based on the valve opening time, and deliver a predetermined quantity of fluid through the valve based on fluid pressure.
US09890524B1	Plunger device A plunger device includes, but is not limited to, a shaft; a plunger suction cup coupled to the shaft, which plunger suction cup flares from the shaft to a perimeter edge to define a concavity; and a receptacle centrally positioned within the concavity on an underside of the plunger suction cup for removably retaining one or more disposable plunger bags.
US09890522B2	Adjustable overflow closure device with cable drain An overflow drain for a tub includes a bracket configured to be located against an inside surface of the tub and connected to an overflow elbow. A first elongated slot is disposed through the bracket. A faceplate is configured to be attached to the bracket. A second elongated slot is disposed through the faceplate. A first knob is movably connected to the faceplate. An elongated seal plate is disposed on the inside of the faceplate and connected to the first knob. The seal plate is configured to move between an open position and a closed position by a movement of the first knob, wherein in the closed position the seal plate is configured to create a watertight seal around either the first or second elongated slots, and wherein in the open position the seal plate is configured to drain a fluid through the first and second elongated slots.
US09890520B2	Water capture device for storage and distribution A water capture device for installing in an elevated location on a building. The water capture device comprises a plurality of exterior walls, an input opening, a main chamber, a release opening, an overflow channel, and an overflow opening. The plurality of exterior walls defines a cavity. The input opening allows for allowing water to enter the cavity. The main chamber is within the cavity configured to fill with water. The release opening is for selectively releasing water from the main chamber for use by a user. The overflow channel within the cavity is for receiving excess water from the main chamber that rises above a threshold associated with the overflow channel. The first overflow opening is for allowing excess water within the overflow channel to freely exit the water capture device.
US09890517B2	Hybrid wheel loader A hybrid wheel loader includes a control device (200) that estimates output power of an engine (1) and an electricity storage device (11) when the hybrid wheel loader is inferred on the basis of output values of detectors (62, 63) to be traveling towards an object of excavation in order to perform an excavating work, and then, if the output power is less than target power considered necessary for the excavating work, accelerates the engine (1) to a target revolution speed while increasing the electric power supplied from the electricity storage device to a traveling motor (9). Accordingly, power necessary for excavation can be drawn from the engine even when the engine revolution speed is low and there is a fear of power deficiency occurring at the time of the excavating work.
US09890513B1	Locatable slab assembly A locatable slab assembly for overlying a manhole cover located beneath a lowermost surface of a pavement. The locatable slab assembly includes a slab body, a tubular member, a protective plug, and an electronic marker. The slab body is deposed to permit a central line of the slab body in line with a center line of the manhole cover. The electronic marker is configured to permit a region of the pavement in alignment with the center line of the manhole cover to be located. The locatable slab assembly together with the pavement thereon can be lifted to permit access of the manhole cover.
US09890512B2	Retaining wall Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.
US09890509B2	Offshore structure with self-install, self-level and self-pile capabilities A offshore structure (10) comprising a tube (12) having a longitudinal axis (32) and comprising an open-ended lower end (22) whose peripheral edge (24) is adapted to cut into the sea bed (14) as the offshore structure (10) is driven into it, the offshore structure (10) comprising: a plurality of stabilisers (18) each comprising a main body portion forming a hollow interior volume (23) and having an open lower end (22) whose peripheral edge (24) is adapted, in use, to cut into the sea bed (14), whereby in use, a trapped volume of fluids is retained in the hollow interior volume between the main body portion and the sea bed (14), each stabiliser (18) further comprising an outlet (34) communicating with its respective hollow interior volume (23) and a control means (36) to control, in use, the egress of the trapped volume of fluids from the hollow interior volume (23) of each respective stabiliser (18), and wherein the geometric centres of the hollow interior volumes (23) of the stabilisers (18) are radially offset (44) from the longitudinal axis (32) of the offshore structure (10).
US09890508B2	Spill clean-up system and method A mobile cleaning system to be used for cleaning organic liquids from a hard surface includes tanks for storing water, and for storing used, dirty water after cleanup. A water-based cleaner is sprayed onto the spill, which can be, but need not be, done in connection with the cleanup system. A high throughput vacuum system removes the hot water and the spill materials concurrently as the hot water is applied to the treated area. The vacuumed liquids are stored in an on-board tank for later disposal.
US09890505B2	Precast concrete beam A precast concrete beam including a substantially planar web extending longitudinally between ends of the beam; a pair of flanges formed integrally with the web, each flange extending laterally from an elongate edge of the web and extending longitudinally between the ends of the beam so as to define a structure engaging surface of the beam; and a plurality of diaphragms formed integrally with the web and the flanges, each diaphragm spanning laterally between a side of the web and one of the flanges, wherein the diaphragms are spaced apart along the beam to thereby support the flanges.
US09890502B2	Tissue products comprising high carbohydrate content fillers The present invention generally relates to tissue webs and products, which generally have a basis weight less than about 80 grams per square meter (gsm) and a sheet bulk greater than about 5 cubic centimeters per gram (cc/g) comprising a blend of conventional papermaking fibers and high carbohydrate fillers. Surprisingly, the fillers may displace a relatively large amount of conventional papermaking fibers, such as hardwood kraft pulp, without negatively affecting important tissue properties such as caliper, bulk, slough, absorbent capacity and softness. In fact, in certain instances the use of fillers actually improves tissue properties.
US09890497B2	Anti-perspirant glove A method of making garment material, the method having the steps: applying coagulant (34) to a substrate (32); applying a foam (38) of the polymeric material to the substrate (32); allowing the coagulant (34) to coagulate some of the foam (38); and removing uncoagulated foam (38) from the substrate (32) to leave a layer of coagulated polymeric material on the substrate (32).
US09890490B2	Laundry treating appliance and methods of operation A method of detecting high friction events in a laundry treating appliance includes rotating the drum, determining, during the rotation, a torque of the motor, an acceleration of the drum, a speed of the drum, and/or an angular position of the drum at each of multiple speeds, and repeatedly estimating with a parameter estimator, during the rotation, viscous friction, coulomb friction, and total friction based on the torque, acceleration, speed, and/or angular position of the drum. A high friction even is determined based on the estimated viscous friction, coulomb friction and/or total friction.
US09890488B2	Stain cleaning device Stain cleaning devices are presented including: a base forming a tapered cylinder and having a base upper opening and a base lower opening, the base configured for receiving a fabric; and a ring forming a tapered sleeve that is complementary with the base, where the ring includes a ring upper opening and a ring lower opening, and where the ring secures the fabric over the base. In some embodiments, devices further include: an insert disc having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the insert is positioned between the base upper opening and the fabric and where the insert includes, a washboard surface along the top surface and a soaking tray surface along the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the washboard surface includes a texture selected from the group consisting of: a raised cross texture, a raised parallel texture, and a number of raised individual features.
US09890485B2	Method of knitting a gusseted tongue for a knitted component A knitted component including a knit element and a gusseted tongue is incorporated into an upper of an article of footwear. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The knit element and the gusseted tongue are formed together as a knitted component during a knitting process as a one-piece element. The gusseted tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and is joined with the knit element in an instep area of the upper. The knitting process includes steps of forming portions of the knitted component, transferring portions of the knitted component to opposite needle beds, shifting needle beds along a lateral direction to cause portions to overlap, and joining the overlapped portions by knitting to form the gusseted tongue.
US09890482B2	Methods for producing and merchandising a custom fit pant and custom fit pants Methods for producing a pant, pants and methods for merchandising a pant. A pant is produced at a production facility by weaving right and left portions thereof using a multi-layer weaving process so as to produce an outer woven fly-cover layer and an inner woven left fly extension layer, or to form at least one pocket in at least one such portion, or both, and attaching the left portion of the pant to the right portion of the pant by stitching at least a portion of the crotch seam. The pant is then finished at a point of sale by stitching any remaining portion of the crotch seam and the inseams based on body dimensions and preferences of a purchaser to provide a custom fit. A pant produced at least in part by these steps is also presented.
US09890479B2	Polyurethane resin, polyurethane resin composition, and method for manufacturing polyurethane resin The present invention relates to a polyurethane resin including, as constituent units, a diol (a1) having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 10,000, an organic diisocyanate (b), and a chain extender (a2). The total concentration of urethane groups and urea groups in the polyurethane resin is 1.25 to 2.50 mmol/g based on the weight of the polyurethane resin. Hard segment domains of the polyurethane resin have an average domain size of 20 to 30 nm as measured with an atomic force microscope.
US09890476B2	Spinning unit of an air spinning machine along with a top frame for the fixing of a spinning nozzle of an air spinning machine A spinning unit of an air jet spinning machine with a spinning nozzle, which serves the purpose of producing a yarn from a fiber composite fed to the spinning nozzle. The spinning nozzle features an inlet for the fiber composite, an internal vortex chamber, a yarn formation element protruding into the vortex chamber along with an outlet for the yarn produced inside the vortex chamber. The spinning unit is allocated with an additive supply, which is designed to supply the spinning nozzle with an additive. The additive supply includes at least one top frame fixed on the spinning nozzle, through which the additive is able to be fed to the spinning nozzle. In addition, a top frame for fixing on a spinning nozzle of an air jet spinning machine is proposed.
US09890474B2	Crystal of nitride of group-13 metal on periodic table, and method for producing the same An object of the present invention is to provide a crystal of a nitride of a Group-13 metal on the Periodic Table which has good crystallinity and has no crystal strain, and to provide a production method for the crystal. The crystal of a nitride of a Group-13 metal on the Periodic Table of the present invention, comprises oxygen atom and hydrogen atom in the crystal and has a ratio of a hydrogen concentration to an oxygen concentration therein of from 0.5 to 4.5.
US09890473B2	Batch epitaxy processing system having gas deflectors Embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for batch processing of substrates during epitaxial film formation. In one example, a process chamber includes a chamber lid and substrate support. The chamber lid includes a centrally disposed gas inlet and a first gas deflector coupled to the chamber lid and adapted to direct the first process gas laterally across surfaces of a plurality of substrates. The lid also includes one or more gas outlets disposed radially outward of the centrally disposed gas inlet, and a plurality of lamps disposed between the centrally disposed gas inlet and the one or more gas outlets. The substrate support is rotatable and includes both a gas passage formed therein for introducing a second process gas to the internal volume of the process chamber and a second gas deflector adapted to direct the second process gas laterally across the surfaces of the plurality of substrates.
US09890472B2	Monolithic integrated lattice mismatched crystal template and preparation method thereof The present invention provides a monolithic integrated lattice mismatched crystal template and a preparation method thereof by using low-viscosity material, the preparation method for the crystal template includes: providing a first crystal layer with a first lattice constant; growing a buffer layer on the first crystal layer; below the melting point of the buffer layer, growing a second crystal layer and a template layer by sequentially performing the growth process of a second crystal layer and the growth process of a first template layer on the buffer layer, or growing a template layer by directly performing a first template layer growth process on the buffer layer; melting and converting the buffer layer to an amorphous state, performing a second template layer growth process on the template layer grown by the first template layer growth process at the growth temperature above the glass transition temperature of the buffer layer, sequentially growing a template layer until the lattice of the template layer is fully relaxed. Compared to the prior art, the invention has advantages of simple preparation, achieving in various lattice constant material combinations on one substrate and low dislocation density, high crystal quality.
US09890469B2	Process for unitary graphene layer or graphene single crystal A unitary graphene layer or graphene single crystal containing closely packed and chemically bonded parallel graphene planes having an inter-graphene plane spacing of 0.335 to 0.40 nm and an oxygen content of 0.01% to 10% by weight, which unitary graphene layer or graphene single crystal is obtained from heat-treating a graphene oxide gel at a temperature higher than 100° C., wherein the average mis-orientation angle between two graphene planes is less than 10 degrees, more typically less than 5 degrees. The molecules in the graphene oxide gel, upon drying and heat-treating, are chemically interconnected and integrated into a unitary graphene entity containing no discrete graphite flake or graphene platelet. This graphene monolith exhibits a combination of exceptional thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, surface smoothness, surface hardness, and scratch resistance unmatched by any thin-film material of comparable thickness range.
US09890468B2	Method of making a breath sensing tube A method of making a breath sensing tube includes: (A) dispersing a nanowire material in a solution in a dielectriphoretic bath, such that the nanowire material is formed into individual nanowires and nanowire aggregates; (B) adsorbing the nanowire aggregates on a bath electrode through dielectrophoresis so as to obtain a nanowire-containing solution containing the individual nanowires; contacting sensor electrodes of a substrate with the nanowire-containing solution; and subjecting the nanowire-containing solution to dielectrophoresis, so that one of the individual nanowires is adsorbed to the sensor electrodes to interconnect the sensor electrodes.
US09890462B2	Corrosion-protection system for treating metal surfaces The present invention relates to a corrosion-protection system suitable for producing aqueous metal treatment and metal processing fluids, particularly corrosion-protection, cleaning and cooling lubricant emulsions. The corrosion-protection system comprises carbonic and/or phosphonic acids, as well as at least one amine with at least one oxybis(alkylamine) unit. Such corrosion-protection systems effectively protect metal surfaces from corrosion and have a high level of water solubility, which is essential for formulating aqueous concentrates for metal treatment and metal processing fluids. The present invention further relates to an aqueous surface-active and corrosion-protecting preparation containing the corrosion protection system and an emulsifier system, as well as an oil-containing water-miscible emulsion concentrate, which supplies the ready-to-use corrosion-protection, cleaning and cooling lubricant emulsions by dilution with water.
US09890461B2	Chemical conversion coated plated steel sheet and method for producing same The present disclosure relates to a chemically treated zinc-based plated steel sheet that is superior in weather resistance, water resistance, blackening resistance and film adhesion. A chemical conversion film having a thickness 0.5-10 μm is formed by coating and drying a chemical treatment solution on a surface of an aluminum-containing zinc-based alloy plated steel sheet. The chemical treatment solution contains a fluororesin containing 0.05-5% by weight of a hydrophilic functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group and a sulfonic acid group and 7-20% by weight of a fluorine atom, the fluororesin in which a number-average molecular weight is 1,000-2,000,000, and an oxoate, a fluoride, a hydroxide, an organic salt, a carbonate or a peroxygenated salt of a group 4A metal.
US09890447B2	Zirconium-based and beryllium free solid amorphous alloy The invention concerns a zirconium and/or hafnium based, beryllium free, solid, amorphous alloy, with the addition of silver and/or gold and/or platinum to increase its critical diameter.
US09890443B2	6XXX aluminum alloys, and methods for producing the same New 6xxx aluminum alloys are disclosed. The new 6xxx aluminum alloys may include 1.05-1.50 wt. Mg, 0.60-0.95 wt. % Si, where the (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Si) is from 1.30 to 1.90, 0.275-0.50 wt. % Cu, and from 0.05 to 1.0 wt. % of at least one secondary element, wherein the secondary element is selected from the group consisting of V, Fe, Cr, Mn, Zr, Ti, and combinations thereof.
US09890442B1	Method of preparing a metal matrix nanocomposite A method for synthesizing a metal matrix nanocomposite (MMNC) is an in-situ synthesis technique for preparing a metal matrix with ceramic reinforcements dispersed homogenously therein. The method includes mixing a base metal matrix material with two or more ceramic-forming elements to form a mixture; blending the mixture; drying the mixture; ball milling the mixture with a plurality of milling balls to form a milled mixture; using induction heating to form a melt flow and induce electromagnetic forces; and initiating a plurality of stirring vortexes in the melt flow to form the metal matrix nanocomposite.
US09890438B2	Aluminum copper clad material An aluminum copper clad material has excellent bonding strength and includes an aluminum layer and a copper layer that are bonded without a nickel layer interposed therebetween. The aluminum layer and the copper layer are diffusion-bonded via an Al—Cu intermetallic compound layer. The copper layer satisfies Dcs≦0.5×Dcc, where Dcc represents the average crystal grain size of crystal grains in a central portion in the thickness direction of the copper layer, and Dcs represents the average crystal grain size of an interface adjacent portion C2 in the copper layer that is about 0.5 μm apart from the interface between the copper layer and the intermetallic compound layer. The intermetallic compound layer has an average thickness of about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm.
US09890435B2	Cold work tool material and method of manufacturing cold work tool A cold work tool material has an annealed structure including carbides, and a composition including, in mass %, C: 0.80% to 2.40%, Cr: 5.0% to 15.0%, Mo and W contained alone or in combination in an amount of (Mo+½W): 0.50% to 3.00%, and V: 0.10 to 1.50%, and adjusted such that the material has a martensitic structure by quenching. The material includes a cross sectional region of an annealed structure and a length of 90 μm and a width of 90 μm and including no carbides having a circle equivalent diameter exceeding 5.0 μm. In the cross sectional region, a proportion of a number of carbides B having a circle equivalent diameter of more than 0.1 μm and not more than 0.4 μm to a number of carbides A having a circle equivalent diameter of exceeds 0.1 μm and not more than 2.0 μm is greater than 80.0%.
US09890434B2	Method for identifying compound for inhibiting an activity of a histone lysine demethylase The present invention relates to a method for identifying a compound that inhibits an activity of a histone lysine demethylase.
US09890433B2	Compositions and methods for detecting human papillomavirus nucleic acid Disclosed are nucleic acid oligomers, including amplification oligomers, capture probes, and detection probes, for detection of a human papillomavirus (HPV) nucleic acid. Also disclosed are methods of specific nucleic acid amplification and detection using the disclosed oligomers, as well as corresponding reaction mixtures and kits.
US09890430B2	Copy number aberration driven endocrine response gene signature Disclosed are methods of predicting the likelihood of long-term survival without recurrence of breast cancer for a subject having estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer treated with adjuvant endocrine monotherapy. In various embodiments, these methods comprise performing a gene expression profile of a breast tissue sample of substantially all of the genes of the “CADER set” described herein; calculating a risk score using a regression model; and applying a double median cutoff classification to assign the subject to a sensitive, indeterminate or resistant group, wherein assignment to a sensitive group predicts longer relapse-free survival compared to the median relapse-free survival of ER+ breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant endocrine monotherapy.
US09890428B2	MiRNA biomarkers for radiation biodosimetry Disclosed herein are miRNA biomarkers and methods for measuring exposure of a mammalian subject to ionizing radiation using a cell-free biological sample. Also disclosed are dosimeters and methods for triaging and treating a subject exposed to ionizing radiation.
US09890424B2	Sequencing device A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.
US09890423B2	Polymer particles, nucleic acid polymer particles and methods of making and using the same The disclosure relates to methods of making polymer particles, said methods including the steps of: making an aqueous gel reaction mixture; forming an emulsion having dispersed aqueous phase micelles of gel reaction mixture in a continuous phase; adding an initiator oil comprising at least one polymerization initiator to the continuous phase; and performing a polymerization reaction in the micelles. Further, the initiator oil is present in a volume % relative to a volume of the aqueous gel reaction mixture of between about 1 vol % to about 20 vol %. The disclosure also relates to methods of making nucleic acid polymer particles having the same method steps and wherein the aqueous gel reaction mixture includes a nucleic acid fragment, such as a primer.
US09890422B2	Plant eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E The invention relates to plants, and in particular to virus-resistant plants, and to methods of generating such plants. The invention extends to eukaryotic translation initiation factor variants and isoforms thereof, and to nucleic acids involved in the splicing of such variant factors, and uses thereof in methods for producing plants that are resistant to viral infections.
US09890421B2	Assay systems for genetic analysis The present invention provides assays systems and methods for detection of chromosomal abnormalities and status of single loci associated with monogenic or polygenic traits in a sample containing nucleic acids from a maternal and a fetal source.
US09890420B2	Non-fouling polymeric surface modification and signal amplification method for biomolecular detection An article such as a biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon is described. The article comprises: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; (c) a polymer layer comprising brush molecules formed on the linking layer; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.) coupled to the brush molecules. The polymer layer is preferably formed by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon. Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form the brush molecule on the surface portion. Methods of using the articles are also described.
US09890414B2	Preparation of gene-specific templates for the use in single primer amplification This disclosure relates to methods for creating engineered templates that are useful for amplification of one or more antibody genes without the use of gene-specific primers. More specifically, templates engineered using these methods in a polymerase chain reaction setting which allows for the specific amplification of one or more antibody genes.
US09890413B2	Isolation of nucleic acid from stool samples and other biological materials which are rich in inhibitors The invention related to a method for the stabilization, purification or/and isolation of nucleic acids from material samples, in particular, stool samples, which can contain impurities and inhibitors or interfering substances. The invention further relates to a reagent kit for carrying out this method. The basis of the invention is, in particular, a method for purification, stabilization or/and isolation of nucleic acids from material samples, whereby a buffer is added to the sample containing the nucleic acids, with a pH value of 2 to 7, a salt concentration of at least 100 mM, or/and a phenol neutralizing substance. According to the invention, pure nucleic acids which may be amplified can be obtained from faecal samples by a simple method, which are suitable for diagnostic proof of infection, in particular, bacterial or viral infection, or mutation, in particular, for tumor-specific DNA mutations.
US09890409B2	Composition for astringin product Provided is a composition for producing astringin among metabolites of polydatin, wherein the astringin may be mass-produced by oxidizing the polydatin using a CYP102A1 chimera and mutants thereof as a catalyst, the CYP102A1 chimera being produced by fusing a reductase domain of a wild-type CYP102A1 which is a bacterial cytochrome P450 enzyme, with a heme domain of a CYP102A1 mutant.
US09890404B2	Microorganisms for producing putrescine and method for producing putrescine using same The present invention relates to a putrescine-producing microorganism and a method for producing putrescine using the same. To be more specific, the present invention is directed to a microorganism given the ability to produce putrescine which is generated by blocking a biosynthetic pathway from ornithine to arginine, increasing the intracellular level of glutamate, enhancing the biosynthetic pathway of ornithine from glutamate, and introducing extracellular ornithine decarboxylase; and a method for producing putrescine by using the microorganism.
US09890403B2	Method for producing single cell oil from lignocellulosic materials The present disclosure relates to methods for producing microbial lipids. The present disclosure also relates to methods for producing microbial lipids using inhibitors obtainable from lignocellulosic materials to suppress the proliferation of unwanted microorganisms in the fermentation broth. The method can therefore reduce the risk of having contaminating microbes establish in the system and the cultivation and thus higher yields of microbial lipids may be obtained.
US09890400B2	Method of production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyric acid A method for the preparation of 2,4-dihydroxybutyric acid (2,4-DHB) including the successive steps of converting malate, succinyl-CoA and/or glyoxylate into malyl-CoA, converting malyl-CoA previously obtained into malate-4-semialdehyde, and converting malate-4-semialdehyde into 2,4-DHB using a DHB dehydrogenase.
US09890396B2	Adeno-associated virus vector variants for high efficiency genome editing and methods thereof Adeno-associated virus (AAV) Clade F vectors or AAV vector variants (relative to AAV9) for precise editing of the genome of a cell and methods and kits thereof are provided. Targeted genome editing using the AAV Clade F vectors or AAV vector variants provided herein occurred at frequencies that were shown to be 1,000 to 100,000 fold more efficient than has previously been reported. Also provided are methods of treating a disease or disorder in a subject by editing the genome of a cell of the subject via transducing the cell with an AAV Clade F vector or AAV vector variant as described herein and further transplanting the transduced cell into the subject to treat the disease or disorder of the subject. Also provided herein are methods of treating a disease or disorder in a subject by in vivo genome editing by directly administering the AAV Clade F vector or AAV vector variant as described herein to the subject.
US09890395B2	Methods and compositions for inactivating alpha 1,6 fucosyltransferase (FUT8) gene expression Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for inactivating a FUT8 gene, using fusion proteins comprising a zinc finger protein and a cleavage domain or cleavage half-domain. Polynucleotides encoding said fusion proteins are also provided, as are cells comprising said polynucleotides and fusion proteins.
US09890393B2	Methods for engineering T cells for immunotherapy by using RNA-guided CAS nuclease system The present invention relates to methods of developing genetically engineered, preferably non-alloreactive T-cells for immunotherapy. This method involves the use of RNA-guided endonucleases, in particular Cas9/CRISPR system, to specifically target a selection of key genes in T-cells. The engineered T-cells are also intended to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) to redirect their immune activity towards malignant or infected cells. The invention opens the way to standard and affordable adoptive immunotherapy strategies using T-Cells for treating cancer and viral infections.
US09890390B2	CRY1D for controlling corn earworm The subject invention relates in part to the surprising discovery that Cry1Da is active against corn earworm (CEW), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Methods for using Cry1Da in transgenic plants to prevent serious crop damage is described. Leaf and silk bioassays using transgenic maize expressing full length, core toxin region or chimeric Cry1Da demonstrated good insect protection against CEW larvae damage.
US09890386B2	Soybean transcription terminators and use in expression of transgenic genes in plants Five novel plant transcription terminators MYB2, KTI1, PIP1, EF1A2, and MTH1 are isolated from soybean and their functions in the regulation of RNA transcription and processing in plants are described.
US09890385B2	Type II restriction modification system methylation subunit of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for modulating or altering recombination inside or outside of a cell using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and/or nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.
US09890381B2	Antisense nucleic acids The present invention provides a pharmaceutical agent which causes skipping of the 55th, 45th, 50th or 44th exon in the human dystrophin gene with a high efficiency. The present invention provides an oligomer which efficiently enables to cause skipping of the 55th, 45th, 50th or 44th exon in the human dystrophin gene.
US09890378B2	Surface anchored light chain bait antibody display system The present invention provides, in part, an antibody display system that simultaneously uses a secretion and a display mode. Embodiments of the invention provide a system in which a bait complexed with a monovalent antibody fragment can be captured prior to secretion in a host cell by virtue of surface displaying an antibody light chain and utilizing the covalent interaction of this light chain with the heavy chain of an antibody molecule that is co-expressed in the same host. Polypeptides, polynucleotides and host cells useful for making the antibody display system are also provided along with methods of using the system for identifying antibodies that bind specifically to an antigen of interest.
US09890373B2	Modified isoprene synthase The present application relates to a modified isoprene synthase that has an isoprene synthetic activity and has at least one mutation of an amino acid residue in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, an amino acid sequence having one or several amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions or additions in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or an amino acid sequence having 90% or more identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. The modified isoprene synthase is useful for preparing isoprene monomers in improved yields.
US09890372B2	Aspartic proteases Methods and composition, thereof, relate to aspartic proteases, and particularly to aspartic proteases for plants. Disclosed are modified plant aspartic proteases, and methods for their manufacture, and uses thereof. Particularly contemplated are the uses of aspartic proteases in inducing skin desquamation.
US09890371B2	Thermophilic ethanol-resistant β-glucosidase and encoding gene and application thereof The present invention discloses thermophilic ethanol-resistant β-glucosidase and an encoding gene and application thereof. The amino acid sequence of the thermophilic ethanol-resistant β-glucosidase of the present invention is as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, and the nucleotide sequence of the encoding gene is as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. The nature of the thermophilic ethanol-resistant β-glucosidase of the present invention is conductive to the application of cellulose high-temperature simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, the enzyme has a relatively high enzyme activity and obvious active effect, cellobiose is kept at low concentration level during the whole fermentation period, the inhibition of terminal products can be effectively eliminated, the thermophilic ethanol-resistant β-glucosidase can be applied on the process of fuel ethanol production, and the important application value of the thermophilic ethanol-resistant β-glucosidase of the present invention in the aspect of bioenergy is further indicated.
US09890366B2	DNA polymerases with improved activity Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.
US09890362B2	Compositions, methods and uses for inducing viral growth Embodiments herein report methods, compositions and uses for inducing and/or accelerating viral growth. In certain embodiments, methods, compositions and uses generally relate to copolymer compositions for inducing viral growth, reducing lag time and/or increasing viral plaque size. In other embodiments, methods, compositions and uses of copolymer compositions can be for inducing flaviviral growth, reducing lag in growth and/or increasing plaque size.
US09890355B2	Electroporation systems having a plurality of hollow members An electroporation apparatus comprising an elongated hollow member in order to provide a uniform electric field during electroporation, wherein specifically, electroporation is carried out b applying electric pulses through a couple of electrodes from both end parts of the elongated hollow member, after the hollow member is charged with fluid specimen including cells and material which would be injected into the cells.
US09890349B2	Process and system for producing liquid biofuel from bio-based oils and/or fats A process for utilizing bio-based oils and/or fats for producing biofuels includes the steps of: mixing alcohol with a raw material for forming a reaction mixture; pumping the reaction mixture to a reactor; mixing biogas as a catalyst with the reaction mixture in a selected process step either before or after the supply of the reaction mixture to a high-pressure pump, the biogas including methane and carbon dioxide; adjusting a temperature and pressure of the reactor so that the reaction mixture achieves a supercritical state; esterifying the reaction mixture to produce liquid biofuel and by-products; separating the by-products including methane and alcohol from the liquid biofuel; and recovering separated methane. An equivalent system for utilizing bio-based oils and/or fats for producing biofuels is also disclosed.
US09890348B2	Natural oil metathesis compositions and methods A metathesized natural oil composition comprising (i) a mixture olefins and/or esters, or (ii) a metathesized natural oil, is disclosed. The metathesized natural oil composition has a number average molecular weight in the range from about 100 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol, a weight average molecular weight in the range from about 1,000 g/mol to about 100,000 g/mol, a z-average molecular weight in the range from about 5,000 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol, and a polydispersity index of about 1 to about 20. The metathesized natural oil composition is metathesized at least once.
US09890342B2	One-step production of long-chain hydrocarbons from waste-biomass-derived chemicals Methods for deriving a high-C hydrocarbon fuel from an organic source feedstock are provided. The method can include: contacting a mixture of the organic source feedstock and an aldehyde with a catalytic material to produce a product stream comprising a high-C hydrocarbon fuel, and separating the high-C hydrocarbon fuel in the product stream from any remaining organic source feedstock or aldehyde. The catalytic material comprises a metal and a zeolite.
US09890339B2	Additive for inhibiting acid corrosion and method of using the new additive The present invention relates to the field of corrosion inhibition in hydrocarbon fluid processing units. The present invention comprises a new additive for inhibiting acid corrosion comprising polymeric thiophosphate ester, which is obtained by reaction of a polymer compound having mono, di or poly hydroxyl group, preferably polymer compound which is hydroxyl-termination, more preferably said polymer compound comprising hydroxyl-terminated polyisobutylene or polybutene and phosphorous pentasulphide. Said polymeric thiophosphate ester is further reacted with any oxide selected from group consisting of ethylene oxide, butylenes oxide or propylene oxide or such other oxide, preferably ethylene oxide, capably forming ethylene oxide derivative of thiophosphate ester. The invention is useful effecting acid corrosion inhibition on the metal surfaces of a distillation unit, distillation column, trays, packing and pump around piping.
US09890338B2	Process and apparatus for hydroprocessing and cracking hydrocarbons A process and apparatus is for recycling LCO and/or HCO to an FCC unit to recover additional distillate. Spent catalyst recycle in the FCC unit may be used to improve distillate yield. A hydroprocessing zone may saturate cycle oil aromatics for cracking in an FCC unit. The recycle cracked stream may be recycled to a downstream hydroprocessing zone to avoid a first hydroprocessing zone for hydrotreating feed to the FCC unit. Additional recovery of cycle oil for recycle is obtained by heating slurry oil prior to vacuum separation.
US09890336B2	Method and apparatus for the purification of a hydrocarbon-containing stream A method for removing sulfolane from hydrocarbon streams by serial separation using raffinate wash column and at least one raffinate wash drum. The separation may be particularly useful in retrofitting existing separation facilities to produce motor fuels meeting the specifications requiring lower sulfolane content. A method is provided for the purification of a hydrocarbon-containing stream having a sulfolane therein. The method includes separating a first sulfolane-depleted stream from a hydrocarbon stream in a first counter-current separation unit and then separating a second sulfolane-depleted stream from the first sulfolane-depleted stream in a second counter-current separation unit. The first and second counter-current separation units are preferably different and chosen from a raffinate wash column or at least one raffinate wash drum. An apparatus for performing the methods is also described.
US09890334B2	Fluid catalytic cracking unit with low emissions An FCC unit enables the normal regenerator to be eliminated by carrying out catalyst regeneration in the reactor section of the unit using air, oxygen-enriched air or even relatively pure oxygen as the stripping medium in the stripping section of the reactor while maintaining overall reducing conditions so that sulfur and nitrogen are produced in the form of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other reduced species. The combustion gases from the stripper are sent from the reactor with the cracking vapors to the FCC main fractionator, wet gas compressor and gas plant to process the by-products of the coke combustion along with the FCC reactor effluent. The principle is applicable to grass-roots FCC units with its potential for elimination of a major unit component but it also has potential for application to existing units to reduce the load on the regenerator or eliminate the need for the existing regenerator so that an existing regenerator may be converted to a parallel or auxiliary reactor system.
US09890333B2	Packed-bed tubular reactor for heterogeneous exothermic or endothermic catalytic reactions A reactor for Fischer-Tropsch reaction effected in a three-phase system essentially consisting of a gaseous reagent phase, a liquid reacted phase and a solid catalytic phase, wherein the solid catalytic phase is composed of packed bodies encaged in at least one open-cell foam structure with a high thermal conductivity.
US09890331B2	Gasification facility A gasification facility which uses flammable gas as a carrier medium for air-transporting powder fuel, used as a gasification raw material, to a gasification furnace and which can safely release the flammable gas, exhausted from a fuel feed hopper, to the atmosphere. In the gasification facility using flammable gas as a carrier medium for transporting pulverized coal as powder fuel from a pulverized coal feed hopper (7) to a gasification furnace (11), the flammable gas discharged from the pulverized coal feed hopper (7) is subjected to incineration treatment and then released to the atmosphere, so that safe release to the atmosphere can be implemented.
US09890329B2	Quantum dot nanocrystal structure A quantum dot nanocrystal structure includes: a core of a compound M1A1, wherein M1 is a metal selected from Zn, Sn, Pb, Cd, In, Ga, Ge, Mn, Co, Fe, Al, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ni, Ag, Ti and Cu, and A1 is an element selected from Se, S, Te, P, As, N, I, and O; an inner shell having a composition containing a compound M1xM21-xA1yA21-y, wherein M2 is a metal selected from Zn, Sn, Pb, Cd, In, Ga, Ge, Mn, Co, Fe, Al, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ni, Ag, Ti and Cu, A2 is an element selected from Se, S, Te, P, As, N, I and O; and a multi-pod-structured outer shell of a compound M1A2 or M2A2 enclosing the inner shell and having a base portion and protrusion portions extending from the base portion.
US09890328B2	Phosphor compositions and lighting apparatus thereof A lighting apparatus that includes a light source and a phosphor composition radiationally coupled to the light source is presented. The phosphor composition includes a first phosphor that includes a phase of general formula (I): L3ZO4(Br2-nXn):Eu2+ wherein 0≦n≦1; L is Zn, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, or combinations thereof; Z is Si, Ge, or a combination thereof; and X is F, Cl, I, or combinations thereof.
US09890325B2	Method for labeling nanoclay for tracking them within different solid and liquid material A method of monitoring a location of a nanoparticle within a material is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing at least one nanoclay particle, attaching a fluorescent tag to the at least one nanoclay particle, and determining a fluorescence of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle. The method also includes forming the material including the at least one fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle, depositing the material in an aqueous solution, and detecting a movement of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle from the material to the aqueous solution.
US09890323B2	Multifunctional boronic crosslinkers as dual viscosification and friction reducing agents A method includes steps of: providing a treatment fluid including an aqueous base fluid, a gelling agent, and a multifunctional boronic crosslinker, and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. The multifunctional boronic crosslinker includes a dendritic polymer including a water-soluble monomer and a boronic acid group, and the ratio of the water-soluble monomer to the boronic acid group is in the range from about 1:210 to about 1:800.
US09890320B2	Methods and systems for iron control using a phosphinated carboxylic acid polymer The presence of iron in a subterranean formation, particularly ferric iron, can be problematic during an acidizing operation due to sludge formation that can occur. Methods for treating a subterranean formation in the presence of iron can comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an acid and an iron stabilization agent comprising a phosphinated carboxylic acid polymer, the treatment fluid having a pH of about 3 or below and the phosphinated carboxylic acid polymer being soluble in the treatment fluid; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and interacting the phosphinated carboxylic acid polymer with ferric iron in the subterranean formation.
US09890318B1	Drilling fluid additive composition and water-based drilling fluid suitable for high-pressure plugging The present invention relates to the well drilling field in petroleum industry, in particular to a drilling fluid additive composition and a water-based drilling fluid suitable for high pressure plugging while drilling. The composition contains a bridging agent, a nano-plugging agent, a rheological modifier, a bionic wall bracing agent, and a bionic shale inhibitor, wherein, the bridging agent is a weak-crosslinked copolymer, in which the content of cross-linker structures is 0.1-1 wt. %; the nano-plugging agent is modified nanometer silicon dioxide particles; the rheological modifier is a dimer acid-organic amine copolymer; and the bionic wall bracing agent is carboxymethyl chitosan with a dopamine-derived base group grafted on its main chain. With a synergistic effect among the bridging agent, the nano-plugging agent, the rheological modifier, the bionic wall bracing agent, and the bionic shale inhibitor in the composition provided in the present invention, the water-based drilling fluid containing the composition as additive can attains an excellent plugging effect in a drilling process.
US09890316B2	Fluid mobility modifiers for increased production in subterranean formations Embodiments including methods comprising providing a treatment fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a polymeric gelling agent, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a first surface tension; introducing a fluid mobility modifier into the treatment fluid, wherein the fluid mobility modifier comprises: a first surfactant selected from the group consisting of a non-ionic surfactant; a cationic surfactant; and any combination thereof, and a solvent-surfactant blend comprising a second aqueous base fluid, a second surfactant, a solvent, and a co-solvent, wherein the ratio of the first surfactant to the solvent-surfactant blend is in the range of between about 1:5 to about 5:1, wherein the fluid mobility modifier causes the treatment fluid to adopt a second surface tension that is less than the first surface tension; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
US09890312B2	Method of selecting refrigerant-lubricant combinations The present invention provides methods for selecting refrigerant and lubricant combinations for use in heat transfer cycle systems and provides methods for operating said heat transfer systems. More particularly, the invention provides methods to select lubricant and refrigerant combinations for a heat transfer cycle system wherein at the lower temperatures of the heat transfer cycle the refrigerant and lubricant are miscible and at the upper temperatures of the heat transfer cycle the refrigerant and lubricant are phase separated and such that the density phase inversion temperature of the combination is below the upper operating temperature of the heat transfer cycle.
US09890311B2	Compositions comprising fluoroolefins and uses thereof The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.
US09890305B2	Method of producing a laminate comprising a cured adhesive sheet Problem: To provide a method for producing a laminate comprising a thick, highly transparent cured adhesive sheet exhibiting flow characteristics accompanied by satisfactory fluidity and satisfactory initial adhesion to an adherend before irradiation, and satisfactory hardness (in particular, a high storage modulus) after irradiation. Solution: A method for producing a laminate comprising a first substrate, a second substrate, and a cured adhesive sheet disposed therebetween, the method comprising steps of: forming into a sheet a radiation-curable adhesive sheet precursor comprising a polymer/monomer mixture comprising a partially polymerized (meth) acrylic monomer, a monomer having radiation reactive sites activated by short-wavelength radiation of a first wavelength or less, and a photoinitiator for initiating polymerization of the polymer/monomer mixture and the radiation reactive site-possessing monomer via radiation of a wavelength greater than the first wavelength; irradiating the precursor with radiation of a wavelength greater than the specific wavelength to polymerize the radiation-curable adhesive sheet precursor, forming a radiation-curable adhesive sheet; disposing the radiation-curable adhesive sheet adjacent to at least one surface of the first substrate; disposing the second substrate adjacent to a radiation-curable adhesive sheet; applying heat and/or pressure to the radiation-curable adhesive sheet; and irradiating the radiation-curable adhesive sheet with radiation comprising short-wavelength radiation of a first wavelength or less to obtain a cured adhesive sheet.
US09890302B2	Adhesive article including primer layer and method of making the same Adhesive articles that include a substrate, a silicone polyoxamide-containing primer layer, and a silicone adhesive are disclosed. Methods of making the adhesive articles and the use of a silicone polyoxamide as a primer for improving adhesion between a substrate and a silicone adhesive are also disclosed.

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