| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09898013B2 |
Mass flow controller for improved performance across fluid types
Mass flow controllers and methods for improving the control of a flow of a variety of fluid types are described. The method includes selecting a process gas type for the process gas that will be controlled and obtaining molecular mass information for the selected processed gas type. General characterization data is obtained that includes, for each of a plurality of flow and pressure value pairs, a corresponding control signal value and operating characterization data is generated by modifying the flow values in the general characterization data based upon the molecular mass for the selected process gas type. The operating characterization data is then used to operate a valve of the mass flow controller in open loop control mode. |
| US09898012B2 |
Air assistance and drift reduction technology for controlled droplet applicator
A controlled droplet applicator (CDA) system comprising a CDA nozzle cup having an open end; a shroud covering all but a portion of the open end; and an air assist device disposed proximal to the open end, the cup and the air assist device separated by at least a portion of the shroud. |
| US09898009B2 |
Autonomous travel vehicle
An autonomous travel vehicle includes a platform, a traveler, a storage, an arrival position predictor, a corrected speed calculator, and a reproduction travel command calculator. The traveler controls the platform to travel in accordance with a travel control command. The storage stores travel route data, which stores subgoal points, arrival times, and traveling speeds in association with each other. In the reproduction travel mode, the arrival position predictor predicts a predicted arrival position. In the reproduction travel mode, the corrected speed calculator calculates a corrected traveling speed based on a predicted traveling distance and a required traveling distance. The reproduction travel command calculator calculates a reproduction travel control command based on the corrected traveling speed, as the travel control command. |
| US09898004B2 |
Method and system for operating a vehicle when an occupant experiences a potential medical condition
There is provided a method and system for operating a vehicle when a vehicle occupant experiences a potential medical condition. The system may include an external object control module (EOCM) configured to wirelessly receive diagnostic signals from an occupant-coupled device, such as a smart watch or implanted cardiac pacemaker. The method and system process the diagnostic signals, for example by determining the nature and/or severity of the potential medical condition and carrying out one or more responses in reaction thereto. The type of response carried out can depend on whether the occupant is a driver or passenger, as well as the nature and/or severity of the potential medical condition, and can range from giving medical instructions to vehicle occupants to automatically slowing the vehicle down and bringing it to a safe stop in the event that the driver is unable to do so. |
| US09898000B2 |
Planar positioning system and method of using the same
A positioning system having a flat base comprising (i) a X-axis assembly having a X-axis linear actuator means arranged orthogonal to the Y-axis; (ii) a Y-axis assembly having a pair of Y-axis linear actuator means mounted onto the flat base forming a H-configuration; (iii) a Z-axis assembly having an aerostatic bearing mechanism that floats on thin film of externally pressurized air on top of the flat base; and a θ-axis actuator anchored from the X-axis to drive the Z-axis assembly which carries a workpiece, wherein the Z-axis assembly is rotated with the rotary axis for the θ-axis perpendicular to the flat base. |
| US09897996B2 |
Positional applicator device for use with stretchable electronic devices and related methods
Positional applicator devices and methods are for application of stretchable electronics relative to subsurface features of an object. In some embodiments, a positional applicator device for applying a stretchable electronic device to a surface of an object includes: a holder for a stretchable electronic device; a signal emitter positioned to direct an emitted signal toward a surface of an object; a receiver positioned to detect a return signal from the surface of the object; circuitry operably connected to the signal emitter and the receiver, the circuitry configured to compare the emitted signal with the return signal in order to identify surface and subsurface features of the object; circuitry configured to compare the identified features with a map of surface and subsurface features of the object stored in memory; and a positioner, the positioner structured to apply the stretchable electronic device to a position on the surface of the object. |
| US09897995B2 |
Positional applicator device for use with stretchable electronic devices and related methods
Positional applicator devices and methods are for application of stretchable electronics relative to subsurface features of an object. In some embodiments, a positional applicator device for applying a stretchable electronic device to a surface of an object includes: a holder for a stretchable electronic device; a signal emitter positioned to direct an emitted signal toward a surface of an object; a receiver positioned to detect a return signal from the surface of the object; circuitry operably connected to the signal emitter and the receiver, the circuitry configured to compare the emitted signal with the return signal in order to identify surface and subsurface features of the object; circuitry configured to compare the identified features with a map of surface and subsurface features of the object stored in memory; and a positioner, the positioner structured to apply the stretchable electronic device to a position on the surface of the object. |
| US09897992B2 |
Numerical control apparatus
A numerical control apparatus that controls a machine tool including a plurality of linear axes and rotation axes, and controls a relative tool posture with respect to work on a table includes a program reading unit that sequentially reads a tool posture with respect to the work from a machining program, a determining unit that determines whether the read tool posture is within a predetermined tool posture range, a tool-posture control unit that determines control content of the tool posture according to the determination by the determining unit, and an interpolation/acceleration and deceleration processing unit that controls the linear and rotation axes according to the control content of the tool posture. When the read tool posture is within the predetermined range, the tool-posture control unit determines rotation axis angles of the rotation axes such that a change of tool posture from the last tool posture is limited. |
| US09897989B2 |
Method and system for utilizing a device's user location to monitor and control the device power usage
An autonomous system for managing power distribution to an electrically-powered device that includes a power controller module that includes power input and power output abilities and operably connected power switching abilities, wherein the power switching is configured for actuation by an integral power management module operably connected thereto, the integral power management module including integral actuation signal detection and actuation abilities configured for, in accordance with commands and operational parameters, upon detection of an actuation signal, actuation the integral power switching to alter power output through the power output from a first output level to a second output level. The system further includes memory for storing the commands an operational parameters, and wherein the actual signal include an identification component for identifying an actuating signal, and wherein the integral actuation signal detection and actuation is configured for, upon detecting signals other than actual signals, reacting other than in response to the actuation signal. |
| US09897983B2 |
Control of a machine using relaxed abduction method
A method and apparatus for actuating a machine is provided in which a relaxed abduction problem is determined in order to explain the greatest possible part of the observations with the fewest possible assumptions. Based upon two preference orders over a subset of observations and a subset of assumptions, tuples are determined so that the theory together with the subset of assumptions explains the subset of observations. On the basis of the formal validity of the approach certain characteristics of the set of results (such as correctness, completeness, etc.) are checked. By the choice of underlying representational language and the preference relations, the complexity of the problem-solving process is influenced and thus flexibly adapted with regard to domain requirements. The invention may be used for any machines, e.g. gas turbines or steam turbines. |
| US09897980B2 |
Drug delivery device
A drug delivery device comprising; a housing; a cylindrical member configured to be rotatably supported inside the housing, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical member is provided with a track comprising a sequence of encoded images; and a sensor directed at the track of the cylindrical member and configured to detect features of the encoded images. |
| US09897979B2 |
Electronic timepiece and control method of an electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece having a satellite signal receiver; a standard time signal receiver; a storage battery; a voltage detection circuit that detects the remaining capacity of the storage battery; a satellite signal reception controller; and a standard time signal reception controller. The satellite signal reception controller operates the satellite signal receiver when the battery capacity detected by the voltage detection circuit is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the automatic reception condition is met. The standard time signal reception controller operates the standard time signal receiver when the automatic reception condition for the standard time signal is met whether the reserve power is greater than or equal to the first threshold and when the reserve power is less than the first threshold. |
| US09897978B2 |
Case closure detection system for a portable object
A portable object including a case middle closed by a back cover, in which an electronic module is placed, the electronic module including a plate to which a printed circuit board is secured, the printed circuit board carrying at least one contact area connected to at least one input of at least one integrated circuit, the integrated circuit supplying at least one signal to an electronic signal processing device. The portable object further includes a detection member changing from at least a first position, indicating that the back cover is secured to the case middle, to a second position, indicating that the back cover is not secured to the case middle. |
| US09897977B2 |
Arrangement of electrodes for a digital display
Arrangement of electrodes for a juxtaposed two digit display including a left digit and a right digit is disclosed. The right digit includes an upper electrode, a median electrode and a lower electrode. The right digit includes a lateral upper left electrode, a lateral lower left electrode, a lateral upper right electrode and a lateral lower right electrode. The left digit includes an upper electrode, a median electrode and a lower electrode. The left digit includes a lateral upper left electrode, a lateral lower left electrode, a lateral upper right electrode and a lateral lower right electrode. In the left digit, the upper electrode, the median electrode and the lower electrode are each formed of a first and second point-shaped electrode. A first additional electrode is provided between the lateral upper left electrode and the lateral upper right electrode of the left digit, the first additional electrode being adjacent to the lateral upper right electrode, and a second additional electrode is provided between the lateral lower left electrode and the lateral lower right electrode, the second additional electrode being adjacent to the lateral lower right electrode. |
| US09897976B2 |
Fractional divider using a calibrated digital-to-time converter
An apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a divided clock signal and a control signal in response to (i) an input clock signal and (ii) a configuration signal. The second circuit may be configured to generate an output clock signal in response to (i) the control signal and (ii) the divided clock signal. The second circuit may add a delay to one or more edges of the output clock signal by engaging one or more of a plurality of capacitances. A number of the capacitances engaged may be selected to reduce jitter on the output clock signal. The capacitances may be used each cycle to calibrate the output clock signal. |
| US09897975B2 |
Calibration method and apparatus for high TDC resolution
Various embodiments include a time to digital converter device comprising: a medium resolution delay unit including a plurality of buffers, the medium resolution delay unit configured to receive as inputs a reference clock signal and a data clock signal and configured to output a plurality of delayed data clock signals wherein the delay between the plurality of delayed data clock signal is a medium resolution delay value; a fine resolution delay unit including a plurality of cores configured to receive as inputs the reference clock signal and the plurality of delayed data clock signals from the medium resolution delay unit, wherein the plurality of cores includes: a first bank of delays configured to receive one of the plurality of the delayed data clock signals, a second bank of delays configured to receive the reference clock signal, and; and a fast flip flop connected to the outputs of the first bank of delays and the second bank of delays, wherein the output of the fast flip flop is used to check the phase alignment. |
| US09897974B2 |
Watch bracelet
A watch including a bracelet or strap and a watch case, the bracelet including a first arm in which is housed a first printed circuit portion and a second arm in which is housed a second printed circuit portion, the first arm being connected to the second arm via a median part configured to act as a seat for the watch case and which includes a mechanism ensuring electrical continuity between the first printed circuit portion and the second printed circuit portion. The first and second printed circuit portions carry at least one electronic component and an electrical energy source supplying the electronic component with electrical current. |
| US09897967B2 |
Cleaning unit and image forming apparatus
A cleaning unit configured to clean toner left on an image bearing unit includes a cleaning member configured to remove the toner, a coil spring conveying the toner removed by the cleaning member in a longitudinal direction of the cleaning member, and a support member being rotatable and supporting one end of the coil spring to transmit a rotational driving force to the coil spring. The support member is provided with a long hole lengthy in the longitudinal direction of the coil spring such that one end of the coil spring engages with the long hole. |
| US09897966B2 |
Image formation apparatus and method for controlling the same
An image formation apparatus includes: an image carrier; a developing device which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier as a toner image; a transfer device which transfers the toner image to a medium; a cleaning device which recovers toner remaining on the image carrier after the toner image is transferred; and a lubricant application adjustment mechanism which applies a lubricant on the image carrier and recovers toner present on the image carrier upstream of the cleaning device; and a controller which controls the lubricant application adjustment mechanism. The controller causes the lubricant application adjustment mechanism to recover more toner when the toner image formed on the image carrier has a larger image area ratio. |
| US09897965B2 |
Image forming device having a suction device
An image forming device includes an image carrier, a charging device that charges the surface of the image carrier, an electrostatic image forming device that forms an electrostatic image on the surface of the image carrier, a developing device that uses a developer containing toner particles and external additives adhering to the surface of the toner particle to develop the electrostatic image into a toner image, a transfer device that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, a cleaning device having a blade that cleans off residual toner from the image carrier, a suction device that suctions all or part of residual toner excepting the external additives released from the surface of the toner particles, and a fixing device that fixes the toner image to the recording medium. |
| US09897964B2 |
Power supply apparatus and image forming apparatus
The power supply apparatus includes first line and lines to each of which an AC voltage is input, a first capacitor arranged between the first and secondary lines, a voltage detection unit configured to detect the AC voltage, a conversion element to be connected to the first line or the secondary line, the conversion element being configured to convert the AC voltage to be input to the first line or the secondary line into a current corresponding to the AC voltage, a switch configured to switch between connection and disconnection of the voltage detection unit and the conversion element, and a control unit configured to control the voltage detection unit and the switch. |
| US09897960B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a toner container, a toner amount detection unit, a driving unit, a toner accommodating unit, a remaining toner amount detection unit, and a control unit is provided. The toner container supplies the toner to the toner accommodating unit by being rotated in a first direction. The toner amount detection unit detects a value related to an amount of the toner in the toner container. The control unit controls the driving unit so as to rotate the toner container in a second direction in a case where the remaining-toner amount detection unit has detected that the amount of the toner accommodated by the toner accommodating unit is smaller than a first set amount and the amount of the toner contained in the toner container detected by the toner amount detection unit reaches a second set amount. |
| US09897956B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a converting unit configured to convert image data based on a conversion condition; an image forming unit; a measurement unit; and a controller configured to control the image forming unit to form a plurality of measurement images including a first measurement image and a second measurement image. The controller obtains first output characteristics based on a current measurement result of the first measurement image and a previous measurement result of the second measurement image to generate the conversion condition, and the controller obtains second output characteristics based on a current measurement result of the second measurement image and a previous measurement result of the first measurement image to generate the conversion condition. |
| US09897955B2 |
Pressure member, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a rotatably-supported first fixing member and a second fixing member pressed against the first member. The second member includes a belt-shaped component, a support component, and a pressing component. The belt-shaped component extends in a width direction of a medium passing through a contact region between the belt-shaped component and the first member. The support component is disposed opposite the first member with the belt-shaped component interposed therebetween. The pressing component has a base end supported by the support component and a free end extending toward the contact region and presses the belt-shaped component against the first member. The pressing component has biasing portions arranged apart in the width direction and elastically deformable in correspondence with the medium thickness. The biasing portions are connected in the width direction by the free end. The free end is disposed at an upstream side in a medium transport direction. |
| US09897954B2 |
Base for fixing belt, fixing belt, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A base for a fixing belt comprising at least: a nickel layer; and a copper layer, both laminated each other, wherein an orientation ratio I(200)/I(111) calculated based on a ratio between a peak strength of (200) crystal face and a peak strength of (111) crystal face by X-ray diffraction analysis of the copper layer is 0.1 or less. The base for the fixing belt further includes a protective layer, disposed on a surface of the copper layer opposite a surface on which the nickel layer is laminated, and the protective layer is formed of nickel. |
| US09897953B2 |
Fixing device having hardness adjusting unit for adjusting a nip load, and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a hardness adjusting unit to adjust hardness of an outer circumferential surface of a fixing belt at a nip. When a sheet to be passed through the nip is an envelope, and the envelope is passed through the nip by side-flap sheet passing for feeding the sheet so that a fold line between an envelope body and a flap extends in a sheet passing direction through the nip, the hardness adjusting unit brings the outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt at the nip during passage of the sheet into a softer state than when the sheet is a plain sheet. |
| US09897949B2 |
Image formation apparatus having lockable and unlockable cover
An image formation apparatus includes: an image formation device which forms a developer image on a medium; a storage device which stores medium information concerning the medium; a fixation device which fixes the developer image to the medium by heating the developer image while causing the medium to travel; a first detector which detects a stop or a speed reduction of travel of the medium in the fixation device; a second detector which detects a temperature of the fixation device; a cooler; and a controller which, when the first detector detects the stop or the speed reduction of the travel of the medium, stops an operation of the fixation device, and operates the cooler based on the medium information and the temperature of the fixation device, thereby cooling the medium stuck in the fixation device. |
| US09897947B2 |
Image forming apparatus executing charge removal for photoconductor thereof and control method for same
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation of the photoconductor with light, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a charge removal execution determiner, and a power supply controller. The charger receives a superimposed voltage of a DC voltage and an AC voltage to charge the photoconductor. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor into a toner image. The transfer device transfers the developed toner image to a recording medium. The charge removal execution determiner issues a charge removal command when a flow of electric charge from the transfer device into the photoconductor has occurred in an image forming outputting operation. The power supply controller applies only the AC voltage to the charger for a predetermined period in a state in which the photoconductor is rotated, when the charge removal command is issued. |
| US09897943B2 |
Belt unit, transfer unit, and image forming apparatus including a pressing member that presses an edge of a belt
A belt unit is detachably attachable to a body of an image forming apparatus. The belt unit includes a belt, a pressing member, and a frame. The belt is wound around a plurality of supports to travel in a belt travel direction. The belt includes a base layer and an elastic layer. The pressing member presses warping on an edge of the belt. The frame supports the plurality of supports. The pressing member is positioned on the frame. |
| US09897940B2 |
Developing device and conveying screw for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing member
In the present invention, an image forming apparatus using a method of replacing a developer is configured such that an immobile area in which the heights of a discharge passage and a conveyance passage are changed on the upstream side of a returning screw is filled. This causes the immobile area of the developer to be unlikely to occur and accordingly suppresses formation of a toner stain image due to an aggregation toner, enabling stable image formation over a long period of time. |
| US09897939B2 |
Developer cartridge
A developer cartridge includes a casing and a developer container detachably attached to the casing. The developer container includes a tubular member, a conveyor, an end member, and a sealing member. The tubular member is configured to contain developer therein and has an axis. The conveyor is disposed in the tubular member and is configured to convey the developer toward one end of the tubular member along the axis. The end member is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the one end of the tubular member. The sealing member is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the end member and an outer peripheral surface of the tubular member, and is configured to be broken with rotation of at least one of the tubular member and the conveyor. |
| US09897938B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A developing device includes a developer bearer to carry, by rotation, developer to a developing range, a casing including a developer container to contain the developer and housing the developer bearer, a gap retainer adjacent to the developer container and downstream from the developing range in a rotation direction of the developer bearer, an opposing wall opposing an end face of the gap retainer in an axial direction of the developer bearer, a first seal disposed between the end face of the gap retainer and the opposing wall, and a contact portion disposed adjacent to an end portion of the gap retainer in the axial direction of the developer bearer. The gap retainer secures a predetermined gap between the developer bearer and the gap retainer. The contact portion contacts, via a second seal, the gap retainer in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the developer bearer. |
| US09897937B2 |
Development cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same
A development cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive unit including a photosensitive drum, a developing unit including a developing roller and rotatably coupled to the photosensitive unit with respect to a hinge axis, a driving gear configured to rotate in a first direction for a printing operation or a second direction opposite the first direction, a driving member positioned coaxially with the driving gear and configured to be rotated by the driving gear, a first one-way clutch configured to connect the driving member with the driving gear only when the driving gear rotates in the second direction, and a first moving member configured to be connected to the driving member so as to reciprocate between a first location where a development nip is formed and a second location where the development nip is released. |
| US09897936B2 |
Method of producing curable liquid developer and curable liquid developer
A curable liquid developer production method that can efficiently produce a curable liquid developer is provided. A curable liquid developer is also provided. The method is a method of producing a curable liquid developer containing a pigment, a binder resin, a toner particle dispersing agent, and a curable insulating liquid, this method including: a pigment dispersion step of preparing a pigment dispersion containing a pigment, a binder resin, a toner particle dispersing agent, and a solvent; a mixing step of mixing the pigment dispersion with a curable insulating liquid; and a distillative removal step of distillatively removing the solvent from a mixture obtained in the mixing step. |
| US09897935B2 |
Image forming method, electrostatic charge image developer set, and image forming apparatus
An image forming method forms a color toner image and a white toner image using an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing machines. The color toner image is formed using a color developer containing a first carrier and at least one color toner selected from a yellow toner, a magenta toner, and a cyan toner. The white toner image is formed using a white developer containing a second carrier and a white toner containing at least titanium oxide as a pigment. Formula (1): Iw |
| US09897932B2 |
Toner
A toner comprising: a toner particle containing a toner base particle containing a binder resin and a colorant, and a resin particle fixed to a surface of the toner base particle; and an inorganic fine particle A, wherein the surface of the toner particle has protruded portions originating in the resin particle, an average length (D) of long sides of the protruded portions is 50 nm to 300 nm, an average Height (H) of the protruded portions is 25 nm to 250 nm, the average long-side length and the average height of the protruded portions satisfies a specific relationship, and an average value of a compactness of the inorganic fine particle A is 0.40 to 0.80, and the attachment rate of the inorganic fine particles A is 0.1% to 5.0% by area. |
| US09897929B2 |
Homogeneous thermal equalization with active device
A system and method is provided for providing a thermal distribution on a workpiece during a lithographic process. The system provides a source of lithographic energy to workpiece, such as a workpiece having a lithographic film formed thereover. A workpiece support having a plurality of thermal devices embedded therein is configured to support the workpiece concurrent to an exposure of the workpiece to the lithographic energy. A controller individually controls a temperature of each of the plurality of thermal devices, therein controlling a specified temperature distribution across the workpiece associated with the exposure of the workpiece to the lithographic energy. Controlling the temperature of the thermal devices can be based on a model, a measured temperature of the workpiece, and/or a prediction of a temperature at one or more locations on the workpiece. |
| US09897928B2 |
Lithographic apparatus, support table for a lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A support table configured to support a substrate, the support table having a support section to support a substrate and a conditioning system to supply heat energy to and/or remove heat energy from the support section, wherein the conditioning system comprises a plurality of conditioning units that are independently controllable. |
| US09897924B2 |
Illumination optical unit for projection lithography
An illumination optical unit for projection lithography serves for illuminating an object field. A first transmission optical unit serves to guide illumination light emanating from a light source. An illumination-predetermining facet mirror is disposed downstream of the first transmission optical unit and comprises a multiplicity of illumination-predetermining facets. The facet mirror generates a predetermined illumination of the object field via an arrangement of illuminated illumination-predetermining facets. This results in an illumination of an illumination pupil of the illumination optical unit, which predetermines an illumination angle distribution in the object field. The illumination pupil has an envelope deviating from a circular form. The illumination pupil is subdivided into sub-pupil regions, which are present arranged in a line-by-line and/or column-by-column manner. |
| US09897923B2 |
Micromirror array
A micromirror array has the form of a sheared rectangle. In an arrangement in an illumination optical unit, one side is aligned perpendicular to a scanning direction. |
| US09897920B2 |
Sensor for detecting saccharide and manufacturing method thereof and detection method of glycated hemoglobin using the same
The present disclosure relates to a sensor for detecting saccharide and manufacturing method thereof and detection method of glycated hemoglobin using the same wherein the sensor for detecting saccharide includes a reactive layer synthesized with hydrogel having a boronic acid-modified 3D mesh structure. A selective and sensitive detection of the glycated protein including glucose or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in blood through high level of signal may be enabled, and the durability of the sensor for detecting saccharide may be enhanced. |
| US09897914B2 |
Resist composition and patterning process
A resist composition comprising a base polymer and a 2,5,8,9-tetraaza-1-phosphabicyclo[3.3.3]undecane salt compound offers a high dissolution contrast, minimal LWR, and dimensional stability on PPD. |
| US09897910B2 |
Treating a capping layer of a mask
A method for forming a lithography mask includes forming a capping layer on a reflective multilayer layer, the capping layer comprising a first material, forming a patterned patterning layer on the capping layer, and introducing a secondary material into the capping layer, the secondary material having an atomic number that is smaller than 15. |
| US09897906B2 |
Projection screen
A projection screen includes a plurality of projection plates and at least one fixing component. Each of the projection plates has a projection surface and at least one connection side. Through the connection sides, the projection surfaces of the projection plates lean against each other to be coplanar. The fixing component includes two fixing sections connected with each other, wherein the two connection sides leant against each other are clipped at the two fixing sections, respectively. |
| US09897901B2 |
Light source system and related projection system
A light source system comprises: a light-emitting device for emitting a first light and a second light in sequence; a beam splitting system with which the first light is divided into one beam in a first range of wavelength and the other beam in a second range of wavelength, respectively emitted along a first optical path and a second optical path, and also with which at least a part of the second light is emitted along the first optical path; a first spatial light modulator for modulating the beam emitted from the beam splitting system along the first optical path; a second spatial light modulator for modulating the beam emitted from the beam splitting system along the second optical path. The light source system has the advantages of high light-emitting efficiency and low cost. A projection system comprising the aforementioned light source system is also provided. |
| US09897900B2 |
Light source system and related projection system
A light source system comprises: a light-emitting device for emitting a first light and a second light in sequence; a beam splitting system with which the first light is divided into one beam in a first range of wavelength and the other beam in a second range of wavelength, respectively emitted along a first optical path and a second optical path, and also with which at least a part of the second light is emitted along the first optical path; a first spatial light modulator for modulating the beam emitted from the beam splitting system along the first optical path; a second spatial light modulator for modulating the beam emitted from the beam splitting system along the second optical path. The light source system has the advantages of high light-emitting efficiency and low cost. A projection system comprising the aforementioned light source system is also provided. |
| US09897896B2 |
Protective case for electronic camcorders for air, land and underwater use employing dual lens covers
A protective case for electronic camera/camcorders for air, land and underwater use employing a discardable, dispensable second lens cover within a second surrounding lens cover frame in overlying protection of a first clear lens cover within a first surrounding lens cover frame incorporated within a front surface of the protective case. |
| US09897893B2 |
Terahertz wave generation apparatus
In a terahertz wave generation apparatus including a first non-linear optical crystal 3 on which first laser L1 and second laser L2 from laser generation means 2 are incident to generate terahertz wave TH1, the laser generation means includes a second non-linear optical crystal 7 on which laser having the same wavelength as that of the second laser is incident to generate idler light L1 including a plurality of wavelengths, and makes the idler light L1 generated from the second non-linear optical crystal incident on the first non-linear optical crystal as the first laser L1, to generate terahertz wave including a plurality of wavelengths from the first non-linear optical crystal 3, and wavelength selection means including a transmission section which transmits an idler light having the specific wavelength in the idler light including the plurality of wavelengths can be provided, as needed. Thus, terahertz wave having a high output power and including a plurality of wavelengths can be obtained, and the wavelength selection means easily obtains a required terahertz wave having the specific wavelength. |
| US09897892B2 |
Non-mechanical beam steering tracking system
A non-mechanical optical beam steering device includes one or more polarization gratings (PG) coupled to one or more Steerable Electro-Evanescent Optical Refractors (SEEOR). It provides the coarse steering advantage of the PG and also the continuous fine steering advantage of the SEEOR. The result is far less complexity, size, weight, and cost over the alternative non-mechanical beam steering approaches as well as considerably less complexity, size, weight, cost, scanning-time, and mechanical breakdown over the more traditional gimbaled mirrors commonly used. |
| US09897889B2 |
Electro-optic mirror element and process of making same
A process for filling an electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes providing an unfilled mirror cell and providing a filling element having a fluid reservoir, a mirror cell receiving portion, and a channel that provides fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the mirror element receiving portion. The unfilled mirror cell and the filling element and compressible sealing element are positioned in a vacuum chamber such that the mirror cell receiving portion receives an upper portion of the unfilled mirror cell. Negative pressure is established in the vacuum chamber and electro-optic fluid is provided at the fluid reservoir of the filling element, with the fluid flowing through the channel and passageway and fill port to fill an interpane cavity of the mirror cell with electro-optic fluid. After filling the interpane cavity, the filling element and sealing element are removed and the fill port is plugged. |
| US09897882B1 |
Methods of fabricating COA type liquid crystal display panels and COA type liquid crystal display panels
The present application provides a method of fabricating a COA type liquid crystal display panel and the COA type liquid crystal display panel, which utilizes reactive liquid crystal, reactive monomers, red quantum-rods and green quantum-rods to fabricate a color filter thin film. Due that light generated by the red and green quantum rods in the color filter thin film when they are excited are polarized light, and the red and green quantum rods therein are arranged along the same direction, the excited red and green quantum rods generate red and green linear polarized light conforming to the polarized direction so as to play a role of a lower polarizer and to allow the COA type liquid crystal display panel fabricated by the method not only obtain bright trichromatic light for increasing color saturation, but also omit the lower polarizer for reducing fabrication cost. |
| US09897879B2 |
Display panels
A display panel includes a substrate. A scan line and a data line intersect with each other and are disposed on the substrate. An active layer is disposed on the substrate and between the data line and the substrate. A transparent conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and above the active layer. The active layer includes a contact region electrically connected to the data line, a second contact region electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer, and an intermediate region disposed between the first and the second contact regions. A portion of the intermediate region overlapping with the scan line is a channel region. A portion of the intermediate region not overlapping with the scan line is a non-channel region. The width of the non-channel region is greater than the width of the channel region. |
| US09897872B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel with switchable viewing angle and driving method thereof
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display panel with a switchable viewing angle and a driving method thereof. A pixel unit located in a display area of the liquid crystal display panel comprises: a main pixel region, which is horizontally aligned, wherein pixel electrodes and common electrodes are alternately arranged on the lower substrate and spaced from one another; and a sub-pixel region, which is perpendicularly aligned, wherein upper substrate electrodes and corresponding pixel electrodes are arranged below the upper substrate and on the lower substrate, respectively. When no bias voltage is applied to the upper substrate electrodes in the sub-pixel region, liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the sub-pixel region do not deflect, such that large viewing angle light leakage occurs in the sub-pixel region, thereby achieving narrow viewing angle display. When a bias voltage is applied to the upper substrate electrodes in the sub-pixel region, the liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the sub-pixel region deflect to a flat state, such that large viewing angle light leakage ceases in the sub-pixel region, thereby achieving wide viewing angle display. |
| US09897871B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first scanning line, a third scanning line, a second scanning line, a first linear electrode, a second linear electrode and a third linear electrode. The first linear electrode is located between the first scanning line and the second scanning line, and extends in a third direction. The second linear electrode is located between the first scanning line and the second scanning line, and extends in a fourth direction. The third linear electrode is located between the second scanning line and the third scanning line, and comprises a portion extending in the fourth direction. The second linear electrode is electrically connected to the third linear electrode. |
| US09897869B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates disposed to be opposed to each other; a liquid crystal layer held between the first and second substrates, formed of a p-type liquid crystal material, and configured to take a vertical alignment in a state in which no electric field is applied; one or a plurality of linear pixel electrodes provided on the first substrate; a first common electrode provided on the first substrate, and formed in a manner to surround or sandwich the pixel electrode with a predetermined spacing; and a second common electrode provided on the second substrate, having substantially the same planar shape as the first common electrode, and formed such that at least a part of the second common electrode overlaps the first common electrode in planar projection. |
| US09897861B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display panel thereof
The disclosure provides a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal display panel thereof. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a sealant and multiple first supportive members embedded in the sealant. The material of the plurality of first supportive members is the same as a second supportive member in a display region of the liquid crystal display panel. The first supportive member has a contact hole, such that the array substrate conducts with the color film substrate through the contact hole. The disclosure can avoid gap mura of the frame section, where the sealant is located. Meanwhile, a narrow frame of the liquid crystal display panel can be ensured, and the cost is lowered. |
| US09897858B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a spacer. The first substrate includes pixel areas including first and second pixel areas adjacent to each other and arranged in a matrix form defined by first and second directions substantially perpendicular to each other. The second substrate faces the first substrate. The spacer is disposed on the second substrate to extend toward the first substrate. Each of the pixel areas includes a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor connected to the pixel electrode through a contact hole. |
| US09897856B2 |
Display panel, manufacturing method thereof and display device
A display panel and a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are provided. The display panel includes an array substrate and an opposed substrate that are opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer located between the array substrate and the opposed substrate. The display panel includes a display area and a non-display area, a phase shift layer is disposed at the non-display area of the array substrate, and the phase shift layer is configured to shift a phase of light passing through the phase shift layer. The display panel is used to solve color cast problem when a TFT-LCD displays a pure color, which is caused by cross color when the display panel is viewed at a side angle. |
| US09897852B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and backlight module
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display technical field and disclose a liquid crystal display apparatus and a backlight module thereof. The backlight module comprises: a backboard having a bottom plate and a plurality of side plates to form a light source receiving chamber; a plurality of light sources located in the light source receiving chamber and mounted on the bottom plate; an optical film located in the light source receiving chamber, edges of the optical film being mounted on the backboard; a plurality of supporting strips located at a side of the optical film facing toward the bottom plate and made of transparent elastic material, a surface of the supporting strips facing toward the optical film abutting against a surface of the optical film facing toward the bottom plate and two ends of the supporting strip being mounted on two opposing side plates of the backboard respectively. The backlight module is a direct type backlight module, and the supporting strips are in a line contact or surface contact with the optical film, thus stress concentration will not occur between the supporting strips and the optical film. In the above backlight module, the optical film is structurally stable while used as a diffusion element and may increase the display quality of the liquid crystal display apparatus. |
| US09897851B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display portion, a light source, and a reflector. The reflector reflects light from the light source. The reflector has a rectangular bottom part, first and second peripheral parts that partially extend from first opposing sides of the bottom part, and third and fourth peripheral parts that extend from second opposing sides of the bottom part that are adjacent to the first opposing sides. The first and second peripheral parts and the third and fourth peripheral parts have overlapping regions that overlap each other. |
| US09897850B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus for displaying an image, including: a liquid-crystal panel which displays the image; a back light which emits light toward a rear face of the liquid-crystal panel; a rear frame which supports the back light via a screw; and a rear cover which covers part of a face of the rear frame which is different from a face of the rear frame on which the back light is provided, wherein the back light extends beyond an inner-frame region of the rear frame covered by the rear cover, and the screw is provided only in the inner-frame region. |
| US09897845B2 |
Display
A display is provided which includes: a first substrate; gate lines and data lines; transistors respectively located in pixel areas, wherein each of the transistors includes: an active layer on the first substrate and having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a necked-down portion connecting the first and the second end portions; a second substrate on the first substrate; and a display medium between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US09897843B2 |
Optical film for enlarging viewing angle and TFT-LCD device including the same
The viewing angle enhancement film contains a substrate and a prism layer fixedly attached to the substrate. A light emission face of the prism layer contacts a light incident face of the substrate. The prism layer and the substrate are both made of transparent materials. Multiple separate triangular prisms are configured along a light incident face of the prism layer with a flat face between neighboring triangular prisms. The TFT-LCD device contains a first polarizer film, a LCD panel, a color filter film, a second polarizer film, and a viewing angle enhancement film described above, arranged sequentially along a light propagation direction. A light incident face of the viewing angle enhancement film faces a light emission face of the second polarizer film. The TFT-LCD device equipped with the viewing angle enhancement film is able to provide enlarged viewing angle and superior image quality. |
| US09897841B2 |
Display device comprising a plurality of microcavities and a roof layer having a partition wall portion between the plurality of microcavities
A display device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor, a pixel electrode, a roof layer, a plurality of microcavities, a groove, liquid crystal molecules, and an encapsulation layer. The thin film transistor is disposed on the substrate. The pixel electrode is connected to the thin film transistor. The roof layer is disposed on the pixel electrode so as to be spaced apart from the pixel electrode while interposing the plurality of microcavities. The groove is formed in a first surface of the roof layer. The liquid crystal molecules are disposed in the microcavities. The encapsulation layer is disposed on the roof layer and seals the liquid crystal molecules in the microcavities. |
| US09897840B2 |
Seamless splicing multi-panel display devices
A seamless splicing multi-panel display device includes a plurality of first liquid crystal panels being spaced apart, at least one second liquid crystal panel between every two the first liquid crystal panels, and a backlight module opposite to the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel. The first liquid crystal panel includes a first display portion and first non-display portions extending from edges of the first display portion. The second liquid crystal panel includes a second display portion and second non-display portions extending from edges of the second display portion. The second non-display portion is fixed on an area between the first display portion and the first non-display portion. In this way, the multi-panel display device realizes the seamless splicing display so as to enhance the display performance. |
| US09897837B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a middle frame, a plastic frame, a backplane, and a display module including a display panel and a backlight module. The plastic frame includes a first frame and a second frame. Two opposite sides of the backlight module respectively abut the first frame and the second frame such that the backlight module is received in the plastic frame. The backplane carries the backlight module and plastic frame. The middle frame surrounds the plastic frame and the display module. The middle frame, the plastic frame and the backplane are formed integrally as a case. The present mobile terminal omit the plastic frame and the backplane to realize slim effect, narrow frame and frameless for the mobile terminal. Besides, an assembly for the display module, the plastic frame and the backplane are omitted to simplify the assembly process and reduce the production cost. |
| US09897832B2 |
Optical element, and display device, electronic apparatus, lighting device using the same
To provide an optical element capable of stably securing an intermediate mode between two operations modes. The optical element of the present invention includes: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate provided by opposing to the first transparent substrate; a plurality of first conductive patterns and second conductive patterns disposed in parallel to each other on a face of the first transparent substrate opposing to the second transparent substrate; light transmission regions disposed between the first conductive patterns and the second conductive patterns; a transparent conductive film disposed on a face of the second transparent substrate opposing to the first transparent substrate; and an electrophoretic element disposed between the neighboring light transmission regions, which is constituted with light-shielding electrophoretic particles of a specific electric charge and a transmissive dispersion material. |
| US09897831B2 |
Blue phase liquid crystal panels
A blue phase liquid crystal panel includes a plurality of pixel cells. Each of the pixel cells comprises a display area and a viewing angle controlling area. The viewing angle controlling area includes a plurality of first electrode pairs spaced apart from each other, and each of the first electrode pairs includes a first pixel electrode1 and a first common electrode. In a wide viewing angle mode, no electrical field is generated by the first electrode pair of the viewing angle controlling area. In a narrow viewing angle mode, a vertical electrical field is generated between the first pixel electrode and the first common electrode of each of the first electrode pairs within the viewing angle controlling area. In this way, the liquid crystal panel may transit between the wide viewing angle mode and the narrow viewing angle mode. |
| US09897829B2 |
Sealant curing device and packaging method
The present disclosure provides a sealant curing device and a packaging method. The sealant curing device includes a bearing platform on which a display panel is placed, and a light conversion layer arranged on the bearing platform and configured to convert a light beam at a first wavelength into a light beam at a second wavelength. The light beam at the first wavelength is one of a UV light beam and an IR light beam, and the light beam at the second wavelength is the other one of the UV light beam and the IR light beam. |
| US09897827B1 |
Feedback controlled closed loop on-chip isolator
Embodiments herein relate to a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with an on-chip optical isolator. The PIC may comprise a laser, a waveguide coupled with the laser, and a closed loop resonator coupled to the laser through the waveguide. A magneto-optical (MO) layer is over and in contact with the waveguide and the closed loop resonator. The closed loop resonator may comprise a first polarization rotator (PR) and a second PR. A light from the laser in transverse electric (TE) mode through the waveguide is rotated in the first PR to a light in transverse magnetic (TM) mode, and the light in TM mode is rotated in the second PR to light in TE mode. The isolator may further comprise a micro-heater over or along a side of the waveguide and separated from the closed loop resonator; and a feedback control loop connected to the closed loop resonator and the micro-heater. |
| US09897826B2 |
Optical modulator
In an optical modulator, a light-receiving element, and an output port are disposed in a substrate. In addition, at least a part of an electrical line, which electrically connects the light-receiving element and the output port to each other, is formed in the substrate. In addition, a plurality of the optical modulation sections are provided. In addition, among a plurality of the light-receiving elements which are provided to the optical modulation sections, at least one light-receiving element is disposed at a position different from positions of the other light-receiving elements in a light wave propagating direction. A plurality of the output ports are disposed in an arrangement in the light wave propagating direction in correspondence with an arrangement of the plurality of the light-receiving elements in the light wave propagating direction. |
| US09897825B2 |
Optical modulator
An optical modulator includes a substrate having an electro-optic effect, an optical waveguide that is formed in the substrate, and a modulation electrode (not illustrated) for modulating a light wave that propagates through the optical waveguide. In the optical modulator, a light-receiving element is disposed on the substrate, and the light-receiving element includes a light-receiving section that receives a light wave that propagates through the optical waveguide, and the light-receiving section is located on the downstream side of a center of the light-receiving element in a light wave propagating direction. |
| US09897823B2 |
Colored polarizing films, colored polarizing sheets, and colored polarizing lenses, and methods thereof
A polarizing film is produced by swelling a polyvinyl alcohol film with water, uniaxially stretching it, dyeing it with an organic dichroic dye, and drying it, wherein a dichroic organic dye composition includes a combination of organic dyes having a dichroic ratio of 13 or higher used in an amount to keep the degree of polarization at 90% or more, and wherein the coloration dye composition comprises a combination of dyes having extremely low dichroic ratios of 4 or less or substantially having no dichroic ratio, laminating at least one layer of a transparent plastic sheet onto at least both sides of the polarizing film, curving the polarizing sheet so as to impart spherical or aspherical surfaces thereto to obtain a polarizing and injecting a transparent resin to the concave surface of the curved polarizing sheet to obtain an injection polarizing lens. |
| US09897821B2 |
Protective eyewear
Protective eyewear including a primary frame is joined with first and second separate and independent protective elements that can move relative to one another. The frame can be constructed from polymeric material, and can include a central portion and opposing left and right side portions that extend rearward to attachment elements and subsequently a strap. The protective elements can be in the form of metal cages, each including a perimeter element that generally surrounds a user's eye and a transverse element that reinforces the perimeter element. The protective elements are primarily only connected via the frame and can move relative to one another, optionally about a flex element defined by the frame. This can enable the eyewear to readily conform to a variety of different facial contours thereby meeting the demand of different players having different facial structure. |
| US09897815B2 |
Optical alignment device and spatial beam splitting prism thereof
An optical alignment device and a spatial beam splitting prism thereof are provided. The optical alignment device includes a polarized UV light source and a spatial beam splitting prism including a light-transmissive substrate. At least one of top and bottom surfaces of the substrate has a prism structure which is disposed by areas to have at least two refraction directions. When light rays emitted from the polarized UV light source are incident perpendicular to the spatial beam splitting prism, the light rays in a same area are deflected along a same slanting direction after being refracted by the prism structure, and the light rays in neighboring areas are deflected along different slanting directions after being refracted by the prism structure. The invention can achieve the purpose of performing multi-area alignments by only one time UV light irradiation, and also can save production time, reduce production difficulty and thereby increase productivity. |
| US09897814B2 |
Device for sampling a large, high-energy laser beam combined with a compressor comprising a sample-taking device with a sampling diopter
A device for the sampling of a pulsed laser beam of high energy, typically greater than 1 J, and of large size, having a diameter typically greater than 1 cm, combined with a compressor, comprises, upstream of the compressor: a sample-taking device provided with a sampling diopter capable of transmitting T % of the pulsed laser beam, T being greater than 90, and of reflecting (1−T) % of the pulsed laser beam, the reflected beam being called sampled beam, an afocal capable of reducing the size of the sampled beam, the compressor having a determined useful aperture, a device for reinjecting the reduced sampled beam into this useful aperture. |
| US09897812B2 |
Strap system for virtual reality head-mounted display
A strap system and a method for wearing the strap system are disclosed. The strap system includes a first flexible segment comprising a first stretchable band; a first semi-rigid segment to conform to a portion of the user's head and comprising a first arc portion to extend from above a user's first ear to below the user's occipital lobe; and a first rigid guide segment connected to the first flexible segment and the first semi-rigid segment. The first flexible segment extends beyond a first end of the first rigid guide segment and the first semi-rigid segment extends from a second end of the first rigid guide segment, the first and second ends of the first rigid guide segment being opposite to each other in a lateral dimension. The first flexible segment is stretchable within the first rigid guide segment along the lateral dimension. |
| US09897801B2 |
Multi-hinge mirror assembly
A scanning device includes a substrate, which is etched to define a recess in the substrate and to define the following structures contained in the recess: At least first and second mirrors are disposed along a common axis of rotation. Torsion hinges extend collinearly along the axis of rotation and connect the first and second mirrors to the substrate so that the first and second mirrors rotate on the torsion hinges about the axis of rotation. Rigid struts are disposed alongside the axis of rotation and connect the first mirror to the second mirror so that the struts rotate about the axis of rotation together with the first and second mirrors. |
| US09897799B2 |
Piezoelectric element
A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode having a film shape and provided on a base portion, a second electrode having a film shape and opposed to the first electrode on an opposite side of the first electrode from the base portion, a piezoelectric film interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and partially covered with the second electrode, and an insulation film covering the second electrode and the piezoelectric film with extending over at least a part of an outer edge of the second electrode. The insulation film may cover a whole of the outer edge of the second electrode without covering an inner region of the second electrode. Accordingly, a withstand voltage of the piezoelectric film can be increased. |
| US09897795B2 |
Color wheel device
A color wheel device is used in a projector. The color wheel device includes a housing, a color wheel, a motor, and a thermally conductive member. The housing has at least one through hole for a light beam to pass through. The color wheel is disposed in the housing and includes a substrate and a phosphor layer. The substrate has a light-receiving surface. The phosphor layer is disposed on the light-receiving surface. The light beam forms a light spot on the phosphor layer. The motor is disposed in the housing for driving the substrate to rotate. During the rotation of the substrate, the light spot forms a circular path on the phosphor layer. The thermally conductive member is disposed on the housing substantially at a location to which the circular path maps. |
| US09897794B2 |
Electrowetting display device including a strengthened hydrophobic layer
An electrowetting display device includes a base substrate, a hydrophobic layer disposed on the base substrate and including at least about 49 atomic percent (at %) of fluorine atoms in a surface thereof, a wall disposed on the base substrate which partitions a pixel area, and an electrowetting layer that includes a first fluid and a second fluid, which are disposed in the pixel area and are immiscible with each other. The second fluid has an electrical conductivity or a polarity. The electrowetting display device further includes an electronic device is configured to apply an electric field to the electrowetting layer to control the electrowetting layer. |
| US09897792B2 |
Method and system for extended depth of field calculation for microscopic images
The invention relates to an image processing method and system for constructing composite image with extended depth of field. The composite image may be constructed from a plurality of source images of a scene stored in an image stack. The method includes aligning the images in the image stack such that every image in the image stack is aligned with other images in the stack, performing illumination and color correction on the aligned images in the image stack, generating an energy matrix for each pixel of each illumination and color corrected image in the image stack by computing energy content for each pixel, generating a raw index map that contains the location of every pixels having maximum energy level among all the images in the image stack, generating degree of defocus ma and constructing the composite image. |
| US09897783B2 |
Optical image lens system
An optical image lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has positive refractive power. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof, wherein at least one surface of the fifth lens element is aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein at least one surface of the sixth lens element is aspheric, and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element has at least one inflection point thereon. |
| US09897782B1 |
Six-piece optical lens system with a wide field of view
A six-piece optical lens system with a wide field of view includes, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens element with a negative refractive power, a second lens element with a positive refractive power, a stop, a third lens element with a positive refractive power, a fourth lens element with a negative refractive power, a fifth lens element with a positive refractive power, a sixth lens element with a negative refractive power. Abbe numbers of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth lens elements are V3, V4, V5, V6, a focal length of the six-piece optical lens system with a wide field of view is f, a distance from an object-side surface of the first lens element to an image plane along an optical axis is TL, satisfying the relations: 29 |
| US09897779B2 |
Camera lens system with three lens components
An optical imaging lens assembly that may have three lens components. All lens components may have positive refractive power. The first object side lens component has a plano object side surface. The remaining refracting surfaces may be aspheric. The second and third lens components may have a meniscus form. All three lens components may have the same index of refraction and Abbe number. |
| US09897778B2 |
Four-surface narrow field-of-view compound lens
A four-surface narrow field-of-view compound lens includes a first biplanar substrate between a first lens and a second lens, the first lens being plano-convex and the second lens being plano-concave. The compound lens also includes a second biplanar substrate between a third lens and a fourth lens, the third lens being plano-convex and the fourth lens being plano-concave. The second lens and third lens are between the first biplanar substrate and the second biplanar substrate. The first lens, second lens, third lens, and fourth lens are coaxial and are formed of materials having a first, second, third, and fourth Abbe number respectively and focal lengths F1, F2, F3, and F4 respectively. The first Abbe number exceeds the second Abbe number and the third Abbe number exceeds the fourth Abbe number. Ratio F1/F2 may satisfy −0.32 |
| US09897771B1 |
Method for correcting optical aberrations in electromagnetic radiation in an optical system
An optical system is provided. The optical system includes a corrector lens that is configured to reduce aberrations in electromagnetic radiation (EMR) received from a window having a window axis of symmetry. A rotation mechanism is coupled to the corrector lens, and is configured to selectively rotate the corrector lens about an optical axis of the corrector lens to maintain a Y-axis of the corrector lens in a same plane as the window axis of symmetry of the window. |
| US09897770B2 |
Fibre stub device and method using butt coupling for receptacled photonic devices
A novel, hybrid optical fiber stub device comprises a first ferrule transparent to UV light and a second ferrule including a conventional material. An optical fiber is disposed through the first ferrule and second ferrule. The input and output faces of the optical fiber are prepared suitable for optical coupling. A photonic device is coupled to the first optical fiber surface. A UV curable epoxy is disposed between the photonic device and the first optical fiber surface. The UV curable epoxy includes an index of refraction between an index of refraction of the first optical fiber and an index of refraction of the photonic device. A second optical fiber is coupled to the first optical fiber. |
| US09897768B2 |
Optical fiber module
An optical fiber module has a package housing having an internal space defined by a base plate, a side wall, and a cover member, a laser device disposed on the base plate within the internal space, an optical fiber that transmits a laser beam emitted from the laser device to an outside of the package housing, a light scattering member that scatters light having a wavelength of the laser beam and covers an outer circumferential surface of the projecting end of the optical fiber, and a heat dissipation portion disposed on the base plate. The optical fiber has a projecting end projecting from an inner surface of the side wall toward the internal space. The heat dissipation portion covers a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the light scattering member and exposes another portion of the outer circumferential surface of the light scattering member to the internal space. |
| US09897767B2 |
Fiber optic cassette
A fiber optic cassette includes a body defining a front and an opposite rear. A cable entry location is defined on the body for a cable to enter the cassette, wherein a plurality of optical fibers from the cable extend into the cassette and form terminations at non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body. A flexible substrate is positioned between the cable entry location and the non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body, the flexible substrate rigidly supporting the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body includes a ferrule, a ferrule hub supporting the ferrule, and a split sleeve surrounding the ferrule. |
| US09897766B2 |
Bayonet lock MPO connector
Optical fiber connectors for MT/MPO type ferrule assemblies are disclosed, having an overall connector length less than about 37 mm, for example, an overall length of about 18.5 mm. In one embodiment, a connector comprises a ferrule assembly, and a housing coupled to the ferrule assembly and configured to couple to an adapter corresponding to the ferrule assembly. The connector further includes a lock coupled to the housing and configured to rotate so as to lock and unlock the housing from said adapter. |
| US09897763B2 |
Transceiver interface having staggered cleave positions
The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates an optically transmissive substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment, along with redirecting and shaping of the optical beam. |
| US09897760B2 |
Optical device, optical modulator, and method for manufacturing optical device
To provide an optical device which enables both (i) suppression of an increase in production cost and (ii) suppression of an increase in optical loss which increase is caused in accordance with a change in temperature of an external environment. In the optical device, a holding member and an optical fiber are bonded and fixed to each other via a first resin layer which is provided between a holding surface of the holding member and a surface of the optical fiber, and the substrate waveguide and the holding member are bonded and fixed to each other via a second resin layer which is provided between an upper surface of the substrate waveguide and a region (bonding surface 31) of a lower surface of the holding member which region is outside the holding surface. |
| US09897744B2 |
Backlight assembly having assymetric light leakage promoting features
An electronic device may have a display including an array of display pixels and a backlight assembly that provides backlight for the array of pixels. The backlight assembly may include a light guide layer having first and second opposing sides. The first side of the light guide layer may receive light from a first light source and the second side of the light guide layer may receive light from a second light source. To avoid overheating the first light source, the light emitted by the first light source may be less bright than the light emitted by the second light source. To compensate for the reduced brightness of the first light source, light leakage promotion features on the light guide layer may have a peak density that is closer to the first side of the light guide layer than the second side of the light guide layer. |
| US09897743B2 |
Illumination device including cores and clad and display device comprising the illumination device
According to one embodiment, an illumination device includes a light source, clad, and a plurality of cores. The clad includes a first edge at a light source side, a second edge opposite to the first edge, and a plurality of grooves formed by a plurality of partitions extending in parallel to each other from the first edge to the second edge. The cores are accommodated in the grooves, and each core includes an incident surface on which light from the light source is incident and an exit surface exposed from the groove to emit the light incident on the incident surface. |
| US09897741B2 |
Light guide structure, backlight module, and display device
A light guide structure (10), a backlight module (20) and a display device are disclosed, which can reduce loss of light in travelling and increase utilization rate of light. The light guide structure (10) including: a light guide plate (1) including a light-exiting surface (11) and a reflection surface (12) that are opposite to each other and a side surface (13) connecting the light-exiting surface (11) with the reflection surface (12), a material of the light guide plate (1) being an isotropic material; a reflection type brightness enhancement film (2) that is disposed at a side where the light-exiting surface (11) of the light guide plate (1) is located; a quarter wavelength plate (3) that is disposed between the light-exiting surface (11) of the light guide plate (1) and the reflection type brightness enhancement film (2), with an angle of 45 degree existing between a slow axis of the quarter wavelength plate (3) and a transmission axis of the reflection type brightness enhancement film (2); and a reflection film (4) that is disposed at a side where the reflection surface (12) of the light guide plate (1) is located. |
| US09897734B2 |
Polarizing film and display device having the polarizing film
The present application discloses a polarizing film and a display device including the polarizing film. The polarizer includes a transparent substrate; a linear polarizer disposed on the transparent substrate; an optical retardation film disposed on the transparent substrate; the linear polarizer including a first dielectric layer covered on the transparent substrate and a metal layer disposed on the first dielectric layer; and the optical retardation film including a second dielectric layer disposed on the transparent substrate to solve the mechanical, optical and lifetime issues faced to the conventional organic polarizing film, while solving the problem of the increased thickness of optical films owing to the manufacture and adhesion of polarizer and retardation film separately. |
| US09897733B2 |
Spatial light modulator including nano-antenna electrode and display apparatus including the spatial light modulator
A spatial light modulator including an electrode having a nano-antenna structure, and a display apparatus including the spatial light modulator are provided. The spatial light modulator includes a refractive index changing layer, and a pixel electrode and a common electrode which are configured to apply an electric field to the refractive index changing layer, and at least one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode include a nano-antenna pattern structure configured to resonate light. |
| US09897730B2 |
Display device
Disclosed is a display device comprising a blue color filter including a blue colorant and a purple colorant, whereby a position of a blue color is optimized on color coordinates, and a sharpness of a peak wavelength of the blue color is more enhanced, thereby improving a color gamut. |
| US09897729B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition for color filter and application thereof
The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition for color filter and application thereof. The aforementioned photosensitive resin composition includes an alkali-soluble resin (A), a compound having a vinyl unsaturated group (B), a photo-initiator (C), an organic solvent (D), and a pigment (E). The alkali-soluble resin (A) is obtained by copolymerizing a vinyl unsaturated monomer having a carboxylic group (a1), a vinyl unsaturated monomer having a silane group (a2), a vinyl unsaturated monomer having an oxetanyl group (a3) and an other copolymerizable vinyl unsaturated monomer (a4). |
| US09897725B2 |
Dual view field display panel and dual view field display apparatus
Embodiments of the present application provide a dual view field display panel and a dual view field display apparatus. The dual view field display panel includes first display regions and second display regions alternatively arranged in a row direction and/or a column direction. The dual view field display panel further includes a first substrate; a second substrate arranged opposite to the first substrate; a grating structure between the first substrate and the second substrate. The grating structure includes a first grating layer made of metal and located within the first substrate, and the first grating layer is provided at one side of the first substrate facing the second substrate. |
| US09897722B2 |
Optically diffusive plastic having high stiffness
An optically diffusive plastic can comprise 40 to 94.9 mass % of a polymer resin matrix; 5 to 50 mass % of a glass filler; and 0.1 to 10 mass % of a light diffusing component; wherein the difference between refractive index of the polymer resin matrix and refractive index of the glass filler is less than or equal to 0.02; wherein a 1 millimeter (mm) thick sample of the optically diffusive plastic comprises a DLD value of greater than or equal to 1 degree (°) as measured by goniophotometry; wherein the 1 mm thick sample comprises a total transmittance of greater than or equal to 40% for incident light having a wavelength of 360 nanometers (nm) to 750 nm in air; and wherein a 3.2 mm thick sample of the optically diffusive plastic comprises a flexural modulus, measured at 23° C., of greater than or equal to 2,500 Megapascal (MPa). |
| US09897720B2 |
Container with detection device for determining a status of the container and monitoring system for dynamic status monitoring with at least one such container
A container for the transport and/or the storage of objects is described. A container of this type features a detection device for determining information on the occupancy status and/or the filling status of the container. The detection device is capable of detecting different light intensities in the region of the inner container wall and of generating corresponding sensor signals. Furthermore, an interface is provided for producing a connection with a signal processing unit, in which image information on the filling status and/or occupancy status of the container can be generated based on the sensor signals. |
| US09897718B2 |
Neutron-absorbing gamma ray window in a downhole tool
Methods and downhole tools involving neutron-absorbing gamma ray windows are provided. One such method involves emitting neutrons from a neutron source in a downhole tool in a well into a surrounding geological formation. This may produce formation gamma rays through interactions between the neutrons and elements of the geological formation. The formation gamma rays may be detected by a gamma ray detector when the gamma rays pass via a gamma ray window that includes a neutron-absorbing material disposed in a substrate material of the downhole tool. The gamma ray window may be both more transmissive of gamma rays than the substrate material and less transmissive of neutrons than a window without the neutron-absorbing material. This may decrease a neutron flux that would otherwise reach the gamma ray detector and the tool materials surrounding it and thus would otherwise lead to a background signal contaminating a signal corresponding to the detected formation gamma rays. |
| US09897715B2 |
Multi-axial induction borehole imager
Various systems and methods are disclosed for implementing and using a multi-axial induction borehole imaging tool that includes emitters that induce, at azimuthally-spaced positions on a borehole wall, a plurality of fields having components in three non-coplanar directions within a formation. The tool also includes directionally sensitive inductive sensors that sense the components caused by each of the one or more inductive emitters, and a downhole controller that processes signals received from the directionally sensitive inductive sensors to provide a set of measurements representative of an impedance tensor at each position. |
| US09897714B2 |
Use of monte carlo simulations for establishing correlations and their uncertainties
A method and computer-readable medium for establishing an uncertainty for obtained values of a one-dimensional logging parameter mapped to a three-dimensional volume is disclosed. A relation is formed between the obtained values of the logging parameter and a volumetric parameter of the three-dimensional volume. A set of representative data points is obtained that relates the obtained values of the logging parameter to the volumetric parameter by binning the obtained values. A plurality of regression curves are then determined, wherein each regression curve is obtained by adding a random error to the set of representative data points to obtain a set of randomized data points and performing a regression analysis using the set of randomized data points. The plurality of regression curves are used to establish the uncertainty for the values of the logging parameter in the three-dimensional volume. |
| US09897711B2 |
Method for determining aggregate fracture properties for evaluation of fracture procedures
A method for imaging microseismic events includes determining a hypocenter of microseismic events generated by at least one stage of a hydraulic fracturing procedure from recorded signals detected by seismic sensors disposed above a wellbore in the subsurface. Spatial position of the microseismic events occurring sequentially in the fracturing procedure is determined with reference to a center of fracturing procedure. Each microseismic event is assigned to one of a plurality of selected size bins defined positionally with reference to the center of the fracturing procedure. A property of each microseismic event assigned to each bin is aggregated and an image of the aggregated property is generated with respect to position referenced to the center of the fracturing procedure. |
| US09897706B2 |
Materials, method, and apparatus for detecting neutrons and ionizing radiation
Embodiments include a scintillator material, a scintillator system, and/or a method of detecting incident radiation using a scintillator material, or scintillator system, comprising a polymer material that comprises chromophores. Additional embodiments provide a scintillator material, scintillator system, and/or a method of detecting incident radiation using a sctintillator material, or scintillator system, comprising a polymer material having one, two, three, or more, organic dyes dissolved therein wherein the polymer material having the one, two, three, or more dyes dissolved therein comprises chromophores. At least one of the dyes, termed the base dye, has a concentration in the range 0.5 to 3.5 mol/L. In an embodiment, the base dye has a concentration in the range 1.0 to 3.0 mol/L. This base dye concentration is high enough to achieve a substantial triplet-triplet state annihilation rate despite the negligible diffusion of the dye in the rigid polymer matrix. |
| US09897704B2 |
Scintillator for detecting neutrons and/or gamma photons and associated detector
The invention relates to a scintillator for detecting neutrons and/or gamma photons, characterized in that it comprises a structure consisting of two undoped plastic materials for detecting neutrons and which contain different fluorescent complexes, a first plastic material containing at least one fluorescent complex able to produce a fluorescence light having a first relaxation time and the second plastic material containing at least one fluorescent complex able to produce a fluorescence light having a second relaxation time higher than the first relaxation time. |
| US09897701B2 |
Method for efficiently detecting impairments in a multi-constellation GNSS receiver
Methods and apparatuses for a receiver of signals from one or more satellite navigational systems to detect and/or eliminate impaired satellites from the set of estimated/acquired satellites in view are described. One method includes acquiring coarse position, time, and frequency values for each of a plurality of satellites from one or more satellite navigational systems, the plurality of satellites being those currently estimated to be in view of the receiver; determining whether one or more of the acquired coarse values are within a minimum range; and if it is determined that the one or more acquired coarse values are within the minimum range: determining a pseudo-true peak of a position domain correlogram comprising Line of Sight (LOS) vectors of each of the plurality of satellites; and identifying any satellite whose cross-correlation peak is beyond a maximum distance from the pseudo-true peak as an impaired satellite. |
| US09897697B2 |
Distance measuring method using dynamic pulse width adaptation
A method for measuring a distance to an object with emitting pulsed laser light with defined measurement pulse width is disclosed. In some embodiments, the pulse width of the laser light is dynamically adjustable. The method may include receiving at least a part of the pulsed laser light with defined measurement pulse width reflected from the object, and precisely determining the distance to the object by means of the received laser light. Some embodiments may include pre-adjusting an actual pulse width of the emitted laser light in an automated and continuous manner for providing the defined measurement pulse width by performing a test measurement by emitting an amount of adjusting laser light with the actual pulse width. Some embodiment may include receiving at least a part of the adjusting laser light reflected from the object and determining a test distance to the object using the received adjusting laser light. |
| US09897694B2 |
Ultrasound imaging probe
An elongate probe (204) including a probe head (214) with a transducer array (216), a shaft (210) and an articulating member (212). The articulating member is located between the probe head and the shaft. The articulating member is configured to articulate between a position in which the probe head extends along a longitudinal axis of the probe and at least one articulated position in which the probe head extends at a non-zero angle from the longitudinal axis of the probe. The probe further includes a stiffener (224) configured to controllably move from a retracted position to an extended position at which the stiffener inhibits articulation of the articulating member. |
| US09897691B2 |
Device and method for measuring distance values and distance images
A distance camera includes at least one photo element, a trigger generator activating the photo element during a temporal integration gate, a light source illuminating an object with light pulses having a predetermined temporal intensity profile with a duration Tp, and an intensity sensor determining the intensity Ip of the light pulses arriving on the photo element. The integration gate has a predetermined delay to the light pulse emission start point in order to capture the light pulses back reflected from the object. The photo element outputs a signal value U at an integration end point in time T1e and in accordance with an intensity Ip and a duration of the light pulse arriving on the photo element during its activation. |
| US09897687B1 |
Lidar system with improved scanning speed for high-resolution depth mapping
A lidar system may have a light source configured to emit pulses of light along a field of view of the light source and a scanner to scan the light source field of view in a scanning direction across a plurality of pixels located downrange from the lidar system. The scanner can direct a pulse of light, which is emitted by the light source along the light source field of view, toward a pixel and can scan a field of view of a first detector. The first detector field of view can be scanned in the scanning direction across the plurality of pixels and the scanning speed of the first detector field of view can be approximately equal to the scanning speed of the light source field of view. The first detector can detect a portion of the pulse of light scattered by a target located at least partially within the pixel. |
| US09897682B2 |
Magnetic synchronization for a positioning system
A synchronization system for an acoustic signal-based positioning system is provided that generates a magnetic field as a synchronization signal. The magnetic synchronization signal is transmitted by a transmitter of the positioning system and received by the receiver of the positioning system. The receiver may include a magnetic synchronization signal receiver that may receive the magnetic synchronization signal on a same acoustic channel as an acoustic positioning signal. Moreover, the magnetic synchronization signal receiver may be a component already present in the receiver and capable of receiving a magnetic synchronization signal. |
| US09897681B2 |
Calibration method and calibration arrangement
The present invention relates to a calibration method and a calibration arrangement for a RF test apparatus for testing a RF device under test. Instead, a calibration board is provided and connected to each of the cables of the RF test apparatus. A calibration board is configured to provide a plurality of connection loops by connecting the input/output channel terminals of the test apparatus one after the other with each other. This results to a bunch of different connection loops. Then a physical parameter, such as the attenuation over frequency, is measured for each of these connection loops. Since each physical parameter can be described by a single equation, this results to an amount of different equations which form an equation system. The idea underlying the present invention is that the amount of equations of this equation system, which amount corresponds to the different connection loops, is at least equal or higher than the amount of unknown parameters of the equation system. Consequently, the equation system is overdetermined and—as a consequence of that—mathematically solvable. |
| US09897680B2 |
Ultrasound bone phantom material compatible with MRI
A method of fabricating ultrasound bone phantom material compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The bone phantom material has ultrasound and physical parameters that are characteristic of human cortical and trabecular bones, and is well suited for the fabrication of bone phantoms intended for the development and testing of ultrasound medical diagnostic imaging techniques as well as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy methods and other MRI imaging applications. |
| US09897678B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging data correction methods and systems
Systems and methods for correcting magnetic resonance (MR) data are provided. One method includes receiving the MR data and correcting errors present in the MR data due to non-uniformities in magnetic field gradients used to generate the diffusion weighted MR signals. The method also includes correcting errors present in the MR data due to concomitant gradient fields present in the magnetic field gradients by using one or more gradient terms. At least one of the gradient terms is corrected based on the correction of errors present in the MR data due to the non-uniformities in the magnetic field gradients. |
| US09897676B2 |
Radio frequency excitation method and device for magnetic resonance imaging system
In an RF excitation method and device for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the RF pulses are emitted in a STEAM sequence, the STEAM sequence including, in time order, a first 90-degree excitation pulse, a second 90-degree excitation pulse and a third 90-degree excitation pulse. Gradient pulses are activated that act in cooperation with the STEAM sequence, the gradient pulses including, in time order, a first gradient pulse, a second gradient pulse and a third gradient pulse. Each of the gradient pulses is activated simultaneously with the corresponding RF pulse. The direction of each of the gradient pulses is the vector sum of multiple gradient pulses in different directions, the directions of any two of the gradient pulses being the same and intersecting with the direction of another of the gradient pulses. |
| US09897675B2 |
Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with simultaneous multivolume acquisition
Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with simultaneous multivolume acquisition (SMVA) is described. One example nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples (k, t, E) spaces associated with different volumes (e.g., slices) in an object to simultaneously acquire sets of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) spaces. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and compares the NMR signal evolution to reference signal evolutions. Since different volumes are excited differently, resulting signal evolutions can be acquired simultaneously from the different volumes and NMR parameters may be simultaneously determined for the multiple volumes, which reduces acquisition time and parameter map creation time. |
| US09897669B2 |
Electronically controllable groups of artificially structured unit cells providing localized B1 magnetic fields for MRI and NMR devices
Described embodiments include a system, apparatus, and method. A system includes an array of at least two groups of at least two artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells. Each group includes a controllable amplifier responsive to a B1 localization control signal and configured to amplify a received pulse of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves. Each group includes an electromagnetic wave conducting structure configured to deliver an amplified pulse of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves to the at least two artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells. The at least two artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells are configured to transform the incident amplified pulse into a pulse of radiofrequency magnetic field B1 orientated transverse to a segment of the z-axis. A control circuit selects an arbitrary examination segment transverse to the z-axis responsive to data indicative of a transverse slice selected for examination, and generates the B1 localization control signal defining an amplification state assigned to each group. |
| US09897666B2 |
Chip-scale optomechanical magnetometer
An optomechanical oscillator for measuring a magnetic field may include a fixed substrate, a moveable mass separated from the fixed substrate by a slot, a photonic crystal comprising an optomechanical cavity formed at the slot, and a current source operably coupled to provide current to the photonic crystal. The moveable mass may be moveable responsive to placement of the optomechanical oscillator in a magnetic field based on interaction of the magnetic field and the current. The magnetic field may be measureable based on displacement of the moveable mass. |
| US09897665B2 |
Power grid outage and fault condition management
An outage intelligence application receives event messages indicative of occurrences associated with various devices within a power grid. The outage intelligence application determines a state of the various devices based on the event messages. Based on the event messages, the outage intelligence application can determine and confirm an outage condition associate with a particular device. A fault intelligence application receives synchrophasor data for each phase in a multi-phase power grid. The synchrophasor includes phasor magnitude and phasor angle information for each phased. Based on the synchrophasor data, the fault intelligence application determines the presence of a fault involving one or more of the phases and identifies a particular fault type. |
| US09897661B2 |
Automatically determining a number of functioning batteries
Systems, methods and computer program products are described herein that can automatically determine the number of functional rechargeable batteries within an electronic device that includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries without having to open up the electronic device to inspect the batteries. In an embodiment, an external computing device or the electronic device itself determines a measure of impedance associated with the plurality of rechargeable batteries based on a first voltage level of the plurality of rechargeable batteries obtained during a discharging state thereof and a second voltage level of the plurality of rechargeable batteries obtained during a charging state thereof and then determines the number of operational rechargeable batteries within the plurality of rechargeable batteries based on the measure of impedance. |
| US09897660B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating parameter of secondary battery
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of a secondary battery. The apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a sensor means configured to measure a plurality of current-voltage data while a charging current decreases when a secondary battery is charged in such a pattern that the charging current increases to a peak value and then decreases, and a control means configured to receive an input of the plurality of current-voltage data from the sensor means, calculate a linear approximation equation representing a correlation between a current and a voltage from the plurality of current-voltage data, and estimate a Y intercept of the linear approximation equation as an open-circuit voltage of the secondary battery. |
| US09897657B2 |
Method and apparatuses for determining a state of charge
Methods and apparatuses for determining a state of charge of a battery are provided, wherein measurements of a terminal voltage of the battery and stored precharacterization parameters are used for determining the state of charge. |
| US09897654B2 |
Two signal JTAG wafter testing bist and scan tap domains
Testing of die on wafer is achieved by; (1) providing a tester with the capability of externally communicating JTAG test signals using simultaneously bidirectional transceiver circuitry, (2) providing die on wafer with the capability of externally communicating JTAG test signals using simultaneously bidirectional transceiver circuitry, and (3) providing a connectivity mechanism between the bidirectional transceiver circuitry's of the tester and a selected group or all of the die on wafer for communication of the JTAG signals. |
| US09897649B2 |
Method for testing comparator and device therefor
An integrated circuit facilitates a self test routine that verifies proper operation of an analog comparator. In response to entering the self test routine, the voltage provided to an input of a comparator is changed from being at an operating voltage supply to being at a self test voltage that is used to verify operation of the comparator. In response to the comparator operating properly, the self test voltage provided to the input of the comparator is replaced with the operating voltage supply, and normal operation resumes. The duration of the self test cycle is based upon the amount of time during which the self test voltage is provided to the comparator is asynchronous in nature, and therefore not a function of a clock signal. |
| US09897648B2 |
On-chip built-in test and operational qualification
Operational and functional testing of the optical Physical Media Dependent Integrated Circuits (“PMD ICs”) is achieved by constructing a switchable on-chip load with similar or equivalent electrical characteristics of a targeted photonic device. |
| US09897639B2 |
Method for implementing electromagnetic anti-interference filter impedance match and measuring system thereof
A measuring system for implementing impedance matching of an electromagnetic immunity filter comprises an impedance measuring chip, an impedance reading device, and a power supply module and a load circuit in a circuit to be applied by the electromagnetic immunity filter; wherein, the impedance measuring chip, connected between the power supply module and the load circuit, is configured to output an excitation voltage to the load circuit, receive a current returned by the load circuit, calculate an impedance of the load circuit based on the excitation voltage and the current returned by the load circuit, and output the impedance to the impedance reading device; and the impedance reading device is configured to read the impedance calculated by the impedance measuring chip. Accordingly, the present invention further provides a method for implementing impedance matching of an electromagnetic immunity filter. |
| US09897633B2 |
System and method for switch status detection
Systems, methods, and circuits for determining one or more switch statuses are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system for determining a status of a switch having first and second terminals includes a first port configured to be coupled to the first terminal, a second port configured to be coupled to the second terminal, and a capacitor coupled between the first port and ground. Additionally, the system includes a comparator device having first and second input ports and an output port, the first input port being coupled at least indirectly to the first port, a current source coupled to the first input port, and a voltage source coupled between the second port and the second input port. The comparator device is configured to provide an output signal at the output port that is at least sometimes indicative of the status of the switch. |
| US09897629B2 |
Bioelectric signal detecting circuits, lead wire detecting circuits and medical devices
This disclosure relates to bioelectric signal detecting circuits, lead wire detecting circuits and medical devices. The lead wire detecting circuit may include a reference voltage generator, at least one comparator, and a logic control module, wherein input ends of the comparator are connected to an output end of the reference voltage generator and an signal output end of a lead wire, respectively, for inputting a reference voltage and a lead signal, and the comparator compares the lead signal with the reference voltage and changes an output voltage at an output end of the comparator according to a comparison result; wherein an input end of the logic control module is connected to the output end of the comparator, and the logic control module determines whether the lead wire is in a connected state or disconnected state by the output voltage at the output end of the comparator. |
| US09897626B2 |
Scanning probe microscope with a reduced Q-factor
A scanning probe microscope is provided comprising a scanning probe (10), a holder (5) for holding a sample (SMP) in an environment free from liquid. A scanning arrangement (20) is provided therein for inducing a relative motion of the scanning probe (10) with respect to said sample (SMP) along a surface of the sample (SMP). A driver (30) generates a drive signal (Sd) to induce an oscillating motion of the scanning probe (10) relative to the surface of the sample to be scanned. A measuring unit (40) measure a deflection of the scanning probe (10), and provides a deflection signal (Sδ) indicative for said deflection. An amplitude detector (50) detects an amplitude of the oscillating motion as indicated by the deflection signal (Sδ) and provides an amplitude signal (Sa) indicative for the amplitude. The scanning probe (10) is at least partly arranged in a liquid (L) to dampen motion of said scanning probe, and therewith has a quality factor Q which is less than or equal than 5. The scanning probe (10) is accommodated in a casing (90) comprising said liquid (L), the scanning probe (10) comprising a flexible carrier (11), the flexible carrier having a movable part provided with a tip (12), which tip (12) extends through an opening (91) in said casing. |
| US09897610B2 |
Calibration material delivery devices and methods
A device includes: a first portion configured to be grasped by the hand of the user, and a second portion defining a reservoir containing a control material, wherein the control material contains a target analyte in a known or predetermined concentration. Methods for verifying the accuracy of an analyte monitoring device include receiving control information from a test cartridge, transporting control material to an analysis site, determining the presence of the control material, analyzing the control material, and providing a pass or fail signal. |
| US09897608B2 |
Detection of ovarian cancer using antibody arrays
Disclosed are antibody arrays for the detection of cancer in a human or animal subject, comprising a solid support having disposed thereon in a predetermined spatial configuration, a panel of antibodies specific to biomarkers comprising CA-125, MSP-α, TIMP-4, PDGF-Rα and OPG, wherein the panel comprises a first antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds CA-125, a second antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds MSP-α, a third antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds TIMP-4, a fourth antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds PDGF-Rα, and a fifth antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds OPG. Also disclosed are systems containing the arrays and methods of using the arrays to detect cancer such as ovarian cancer. |
| US09897607B2 |
Methods, kits, and systems for treatment of metastatic papillary thyroid cancer
Provided herein are methods for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), or a subject with an increased likelihood of developing or having recurrent PTC, and the treatment of such a subject. |
| US09897606B2 |
Reagents and methods for detecting influenza
Two universally conserved sequences from influenza type A neuraminidases were identified by large scale sequence analysis then chemically modified and conjugated to carrier proteins to generate mono-specific and monoclonal antibodies. The two antibodies, one targeting the N-terminus of the type A neuraminidase and the other sequence close to enzymatic active site, were capable of binding to all 9 subtypes of neuraminidase while demonstrating remarkable specificity against the viral neuraminidase sequences since no cross-reactivity against allantoic proteins was observed. Quantitative analyses of NA using slot blot suggest that the antibodies can be used for NA antigen quantitation in vaccines. These represent the first time the antibody-based immunoassay can be used for NA quantitative determination. |
| US09897604B2 |
4,4-disubstituted cyclohexyl bridged heptamethine cyanine dyes and uses thereof
The invention relates to a family of compounds that comprise fluorescent cyanine dyes. The compounds are near infrared absorbing heptamethine cyanine dyes with a 4,4-disubstituted cyclohexyl ring as part of the polymethine chromophore. The compounds are generally hydrophilic and can be chemically linked to biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and therapeutic small molecules. The compounds can be used for imaging in a variety of medical, biological and diagnostic applications. |
| US09897603B1 |
Nanodiamond counting
Methods and systems for detecting the locations of individual instances of an analyte (e.g., individual cells, individual molecules) in an environment are provided. The environment includes functionalized fluorophores that are configured to selective interact with (e.g., bind with) the analyte and that have a fluorescent property that can be modulated (e.g., a fluorescence intensity that can be affected by the presence of a magnetic field). Detecting the location of individual instances of the analyte includes illuminating the environment and detecting signals emitted from the fluorophores in response to the illumination during first and second periods of time. Detecting the location of individual instances of the analyte further includes modulating the modulatable fluorescent property of the fluorophores during the second period of time and determining which individual fluorophores in the environment are bound to the analyte based on the signals detected during the first and second periods of time. |
| US09897601B2 |
Test kit
The present invention provides a test kit capable of rapid and highly sensitive detection.The test kit has a dropping region, which contains a portion onto which a liquid sample drops, a labeling substance holding region, at least a portion of which is connected downstream of the dropping region in the developing direction, and in which a labeling substance with a label immobilized on a substance that specifically binds with the substance to be detected is held, a developing region, which has a detection zone where the labeling substance is captured through the substance to be detected, at least a portion of which is connected downstream of the labeling substance holding region in the developing direction, and which allows the labeling substance having been made to flow out from the labeling substance holding region by the liquid sample, to develop into the detection zone, and retention inhibition means for inhibiting retention of the labeling substance in the labeling substance holding region when the liquid sample develops downstream. |
| US09897598B2 |
Tamm structures for enhanced fluorescence based sensing, imaging and assays
Techniques for enhanced fluorescence include a Tamm substrate for a target optical frequency comprising a metal nanoscale layer deposited on a Bragg grating. The Bragg grating includes multiple dielectric layers including multiple high index of refraction layers alternating with multiple low index of refraction layers. The dielectric layers are parallel to the metal nanoscale layer; and, the thickness of each dielectric layer is about a fourth of a wavelength of the target optical frequency in the layer. The metal nanoscale layer is configured to host a fluorophore such that an S polarized emission from the fluorophore at the target optical frequency propagates out of the substrate perpendicular to the plurality of dielectric layers. |
| US09897596B2 |
Microfluidic disc for use in with bead-based immunoassays
The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a rotary motor; a means for controlling said motor; a platform coupled to the rotary motor and adapted to provide at least one particle-washing structure and one particle receiving structure for receiving washed particles; and a detection zone for detection of particles of the sample in the particle receiving structure while the platform rotates. The invention provides a sample processing system that is both automated and prone to fewer errors than manual processing. This is accomplished using a centrifugal microfluidic platform that can process raw biological samples (e.g., blood, sputum, urine,) in order to perform high-quality bead-based immunofluorescent assays. The invention uses a simple rotary motor and custom-designed plastic disc to perform the sample preparation steps outlined above. |
| US09897595B2 |
Compositions and methods for the detection of zinc
The invention relates generally to compositions and methods for the detection of zinc. In particular, compositions and methods are provided to detect changes in cellular zinc concentration and to correlate them to cellular phenomena. |
| US09897594B2 |
Membrane assay method
The present invention provides an assay method for a cell-containing body sample, the method comprising treating the sample under conditions whereby to cause cell lysis, preferably by means of a detergent; and subjecting the thus-generated lysed sample to conditions causing the cleavage of nucleic acid molecules. The invention additionally provides the use of nucleic acid cleavage conditions in enhancing a membrane assay, a device for carrying out such an assay, and a kit for use in the assay. |
| US09897593B2 |
Systems and methods for automated handling of live organisms
There is provided a system for automated handling of live organisms for studying biological development of the organisms. The system has a reservoir for containing a plurality of the organisms, a module for automatically trapping and orienting the organisms in desired positions for imaging purpose, a module for automatically controlling orientation of the organisms leaving the reservoir and entering the trapping and orienting module, and a module for automatically loading the organisms from the reservoir into the orientation control module. The trapping and orienting module may include an array of channels configured to allow flow of fluid and travel of the organisms in the system. |
| US09897592B2 |
Methods for identifying arthropod repellents and attractants, and compounds and compositions identified by such methods
Provided herein are screening methods for identifying compounds for use as an arthropod repellent based on the masking or inhibition of the detection of the skin odor by a cpA neuron. Provided herein are also screening methods for identifying compounds for use as an arthropod attractant based on activation of the cpA neuron. Further provided are one or more compounds identified using the screening methods described herein, and compositions containing such compounds. |
| US09897590B2 |
Breath capture and sampling system
A device for capturing a breath sample has a mouthpiece with a chamber that receives a breath sample through a breath inlet aperture. The device further includes a pump assembly with a pump that draws a portion of the breath sample from the chamber and discharges the portion of the breath sample to the sensor. |
| US09897589B2 |
Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components
An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient. |
| US09897588B2 |
Method for analyzing body fluids
A test instrument for analyzing body fluids such as blood or urine. The instrument includes a wound test tape which can be transported from a storage space into a waste space by advancing the tap. The test tape has a plurality of test sections to which body fluid can be applied at a receiving position and also includes a measuring unit for detecting a constituent of the body fluid on an active test section. In order to carry out auxiliary instrument functions, in addition to the test sections, the test tape has one or more functional sections which can be brought into a functional position by advancing the tape. |
| US09897585B2 |
Geomechanical fluid-solid coupling testing device for water inrush from coal mine collapse column
A geomechanical fluid-solid coupling testing device for water inrush from coal mine collapse column, which has a testing bed and a collapse column simulating device, wherein the testing bed has a box type structure with an opening at its top and is provided therein with multiple layers of similar materials in which a tunnel or a mining face can be dug out; and the collapse column simulating device comprises a plexiglass barrel with openings at both its top and bottom, the plexiglass barrel is provided at its top opening with a plexiglass lifting device and a hard plastic baffle, and the plexiglass lifting device is provided with a lifting level which is connected with a lifting rope. |
| US09897584B2 |
Short-wave infrared super-continuum lasers for natural gas leak detection, exploration, and other active remote sensing applications
A measurement system performs non-destructive quality control or constitutive analysis using a light source generating an output optical beam using semiconductor sources that generate an input optical beam, a multiplexer configured to receive the input beam and to form an intermediate optical beam, and fibers configured to receive the intermediate beam and to form the output beam. The fibers include a fused silica fiber having a core diameter less than 400 microns. The output beam includes wavelengths between 700 and 2500 nanometers and has a bandwidth of at least 10 nanometers. The system includes a measurement apparatus that receives the output beam and delivers the beam to a sample to generate a spectroscopy beam. A receiver is configured to receive the spectroscopy beam and process the beam to generate an output signal. The light source and receiver are remote from the sample, which includes plastics or food industry goods. |
| US09897583B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting filter contamination of a fuel cell
An apparatus for detecting a filter contamination of a fuel cell includes: a signal transmitter configured to transmit at least one signal; a signal receiver configured to receive the at least one signal from the signal transmitter; and a resistor unit including a silver compound disposed between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver and having a resistance which varies according to a chemical reaction. |
| US09897575B2 |
Diagnostic testing sensors for resonant detectors
Biosensor apparatus and associated method for detecting a target material using a vibrating resonator having a surface that operably interacts with the target material. A detector is in electrical communication with a sensor, the sensor comprising a first paddle assembly connected to a second paddle assembly, the first paddle assembly having at least one microbalance sensing resonator proximate a proximal end and at least one sensing electrical contact proximate a distal end in electrical communication with the sensing resonator. The at least one sensing resonator has a target coating for operably interacting with the target material, and the second paddle assembly has a microbalance reference resonator proximate the proximal end and at least one reference electrical contact proximate the distal end in electrical communication with the reference resonator. |
| US09897573B2 |
System, method and computer-accessible medium for providing generalized local maxwell tomography for mapping of electrical property gradients and tensors
Exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium can be provided for determining at least one property (e.g., an electrical property or a cross-section property) of at least one target. For example, it is possible to determine electromagnetic-field-related quantities associated with signals provided from the target(s). The electromagnetic-field-related quantities can be provided to procedures to relate the electromagnetic-field-related quantities to a plurality of unknown electrical property values and residual field-related unknown values of the target(s). The property(ies) of the target(s) can be determined by determining the plurality of unknown electrical property values and residual field-related unknown values of the target(s). |
| US09897569B2 |
Circuits, devices and sensors for fluid detection
An electronic device includes a first field effect transistor that includes a first gate electrode, a first drain electrode, and a first source electrode; a second field effect transistor that includes a second gate electrode, a second drain electrode, and a second source electrode, the first and second gate electrodes being at least one of electrically connected or integral, and the first and second source electrodes being at least one of electrically connected or integral; an input electrode electrically connected to the first and second gate electrodes; and an output electrode electrically connected to the first and second source electrodes. The first field effect transistor also includes a first semiconductor material. The second field effect transistor further also incudes a second semiconductor material. At least one of the first semiconductor material and second semiconductor material has a surface that can be exposed to a fluid and changes an electrical property thereof while being exposed to the fluid. |
| US09897568B2 |
NW-FET sensor comprising at least two distinct semiconducting nanowire detectors
NW-FET sensor comprising: first and second semiconducting nanowires; a first semiconducting source portion, of which the first and second parts doped differently from each other are connected to the first ends of the nanowires; a second semiconducting drain portion, of which the first and second parts doped differently from each other are connected to the second ends of the nanowires; a first electrical contact placed on the first semiconducting portion and electrically connected to the first and second parts of the first semiconducting portion; a second electrical contact placed on the second semiconducting portion and electrically connected to the first and second parts of the second semiconducting portion; |
| US09897563B2 |
Amperometric sensor system
A sensor system that measures at least one parameter of water includes an electronics subsystem and includes a sensor housing electrically and mechanically coupled to the electronics subsystem. The sensor housing encloses a chamber that receives water via at least one inlet and that releases water via at least one outlet. At least one sensor has at least one electrode exposed to water in the chamber. A flow generator causes water to flow through the chamber. A plurality of objects within the chamber move in response to the water flow and abrasively clean the at least one electrode. Preferably, the sensor system includes a chlorine sensor having at least two electrodes. The electronics subsystem applies a first differential voltage between the two electrodes during a measurement interval and then applies a second differential voltage between the two electrodes during an interval following the measurement interval. |
| US09897559B2 |
Method for collecting accurate X-ray diffraction data with a scanning two-dimensional detector
An X-ray diffraction system uses a two-dimensional detector to detect diffracted X-ray energy at a plurality of radial positions surrounding a sample location, the results at each position being combined to form a final diffraction image. To minimize smearing in the final image, the detector pixel intensities at each position are reapportioned among the pixel locations prior to being combined with the intensities collected at other positions. A two-dimensional pixel array space of the detector is projected onto a cylinder to form a projected pixel array space, and a virtual cylindrical detection surface representative of an ideal cylindrical detector is determined. An overlap between the pixels of the projected pixel array space and the pixels of the virtual cylindrical detection surface is determined, and pixel intensities are reapportioned accordingly. The reapportionment may include dividing each pixel space into subpixels and redistributing the subpixels among adjacent pixels. |
| US09897558B2 |
Scanning method and apparatus
The invention discloses a scanning method and apparatus suitable for scanning a pipeline or process vessel in which a beam of gamma radiation from a source is emitted through the vessel to be detected by an array of detectors which are each collimated to detect radiation over a narrow angle relative to the width of the emitted radiation beam. |
| US09897555B2 |
Defect inspection method and apparatus therefor
A defect inspection apparatus includes a first slit light source together with a machine base in which a through hole is formed. A second slit light source and a half mirror are provided inside the through hole. First slit light from the first slit light source is directly incident on an object to be photographed (for example, an automobile body). On the other hand, second slit light from the second slit light source proceeds in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first slit light proceeds, and thereafter, is refracted by the half mirror, led out from the through hole, and made incident on the object to be photographed. |
| US09897551B2 |
Method for accelerated degradation of thermoplastics
A method of determining degradation of a thermoplastic when exposed to light and heat includes illuminating the thermoplastic with a desired wavelength of light at a desired irradiance while maintaining the thermoplastic at a desired temperature. The method is useful to measure the discoloration rate of transparent, translucent and opaque thermoplastics such as polycarbonates, the discoloration rate being determined by transmission or reflectance spectra of transmitted or reflected white light through or from the thermoplastic. |
| US09897548B2 |
Method and apparatus for detection of contaminants in air by laser-induced filamentation
A method using a laser to propagate a laser beam through an optically-transparent medium, wherein the laser has a power level beyond a critical value Pcr, and wherein the laser beam interacts with the optically transparent medium to generate a laser-induced plasma filament (LIPF); and adjusting the power level to qualitatively detect chemical components within the optically-transparent medium. |
| US09897545B2 |
Fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device, fluorescence and phosphorescence detection method, and paper-sheet processing device
A fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device includes a fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor, a data acquiring unit, and an emission detection unit. The fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor includes a light source that emits an excitation light of a predetermined wavelength, and a photodetection unit that detects fluorescence emission and phosphorescence emission excited from the paper sheet by the excitation light. The data acquiring unit acquires a time-series waveform of a signal outputted from the fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor in response to the detection of the emission in the photodetection unit. The emission detection unit detects the fluorescence emission from the time-series waveform of a period in which the excitation light is emitted from the light source and detects the phosphorescence emission from an attenuation curve appearing on the time-series waveform of a period in which emission of the excitation light from the light source is stopped. |
| US09897542B2 |
Infrared absorption spectroscopy
The present invention relates to an infrared absorption spectroscopy apparatus including an infrared transparent substrate comprising a first and second surface, an array of plasmonic nano-antennas arranged on the first surface of the infrared transparent substrate, a flow cell for holding a liquid to allow spectroscopy measurements in a liquid environment, the array of plasmonic nano-antennas being located inside the flow cell, an optical source providing an incident light probe signal incident on at least a part of the array of plasmonic nano-antennas via the second surface of the infrared transparent substrate, and an optical element to collect reflected light signal reflected by said part of the array of plasmonic nano-antennas. |
| US09897535B2 |
Optical reader systems and methods for microplate position detection
Optical reader systems and methods with accurate microplate position detection capability are disclosed. The optical reader systems having scanning optical systems that are configured to scan select position-detecting features on the microplate to accurately determine their respective positions. The measurement of the positions of the position-detecting features can also be used to calibrate the optical reader system to reduce or eliminate adverse positioning effects from system non-linearities that arise from one or more of the system components, including the scanning optical system. |
| US09897534B2 |
Method and apparatus to determine colour of egg yolk
The present concept is a method of preparing an egg to determine the color of the egg using an egg yolk cover. The egg yolk cover is dome-shaped with a base edge and inspection area. The egg yolk cover eliminates ambient light from impinging on the egg yolk and is used in combination with a light sensor to determine the color of egg yolks. The light sensor includes a single flat printed circuit board with a top and bottom side which includes at least one LED light and one color sensor, at least one light pipe receiving light from the LED and transmitting it onto a substrate at an angle theta and a tube frame including an optical tube for receiving light reflections from the substrate. The light pipes and the tube frame are compression fit between the printed circuit board and a lower housing. To determine the color of the egg yolk, the egg is first cracked onto a flat surface. The egg yolk cover is then placed over the egg yolk and the color sensor is placed onto the inspection area to measure the color. |
| US09897530B2 |
Compensation of motion-related error in a stream of moving micro-entities
Apparatus and methods for detecting, characterizing, and compensating motion-related error of moving micro-entities are described. Motion-related error may occur in streams of moving micro-entities, and may represent a deviation in and expected arrival time or an uncertainty in position of a micro-entity within the stream. Motion-related error of micro-entities is observed in a flow cytometer, e.g., as pulse jitter, and is found to have a functional dependence on a parameter of the system. The pulse jitter can be compensated, according to one embodiment, by adjusting data acquisition observation windows. For the flow cytometer, a reduction of pulse jitter can improve measurement accuracy, resolution of doublets, system throughput, and enable an increase in an interrogation region for probing the micro-entities. |
| US09897521B2 |
Rotating device
A rotating device includes a carrier, a rotating plate, and a driving unit. The rotating plate rotatably connected with a pivot portion of the carrier contains a test liquid. The rotating plate or the driving unit has a stopping portion. When the driving unit drives the rotating plate to rotate so the stopping portion moves to a first position and interferes with the carrier, the driving unit applies driving force to the pivot portion of the carrier along a first rotation direction through the rotating plate. When the carrier rotates along the first rotation direction and the driving unit applies driving force to the rotating plate along a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the rotating plate rotates relative to the carrier, the stopping portion moves to a second position and interferes with the carrier, and the driving unit applies driving force to the pivot portion of the carrier along the second rotation direction through the rotating plate. |
| US09897517B2 |
Method for monitoring a thrust fault of an aircraft turbofan
A method for monitoring a thrust fault of a turbofan during a modification of the thrust setting of the turbofan, the method including a step of processing the thrust setting via a filtering function and a transient-phase model such as to obtain a modelled thrust, a step of comparing the modelled thrust to the actual thrust such as to determine a thrust difference, a step of comparing the thrust difference to an alarm threshold; and a step of emitting an alarm in the event of exceeding the alarm threshold, wherein at a given iteration, in which the prior modelled thrust is known, the transient-phase model provides a time constant in accordance with the prior modelled thrust, and the filtering function provides a modelled thrust in accordance with the time constant obtained, the prior modelled thrust and the thrust setting. |
| US09897516B2 |
Data acquisition system for condition-based maintenance
Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components. |
| US09897514B2 |
Machine arrangement
A machine arrangement, comprising at least one carrier, wherein a glass fiber is connected with the machine arrangement. To allow a proper measurement of stresses even at curved surfaces of the machine arrangement, as it is typical in the case of a carrier being attached to bearing rings, the connection between the glass fiber and the machine arrangement is established by a metallic material which metal material is connected by material bonding with the machine arrangement as well as with the glass fiber. |
| US09897513B2 |
Energy beam size verification
A method for verifying a size of an energy beam spot, said method comprising the steps of providing a first beam spot having a predetermined size and power at a first position on a work piece, varying a focus and/or astigmatism lens setting for said first beam spot until max intensity for the beam spot is detected, comparing the detected settings of said focus lens and/or astigmatism lens for said maximum intensity of the beam spot with stored settings of said focus lens and/or astigmatism lens for the beam spot with said predetermined size and power, repeating step a-c for different predetermined beam powers, repeating step a-d for different positions on said work piece, wherein said beam spot size is verified if each detected settings of said focus lens and/or astigmatism lens are deviating less than a predetermined value from corresponding stored settings of said focus lens and/or astigmatism lens. |
| US09897510B2 |
System and method for detecting water-leaking part of vehicle
A system for detecting a water-leaking part of a vehicle comprises; a sound wave generator disposed in a vehicle; a plurality of acoustic sensors disposed outside the vehicle and receiving a sound wave generated by the sound wave generator; a time-reversed signal generator configured to time-reverse sound wave signals received by the acoustic sensors and to transmit the time-reversed sound wave signals to the vehicle; and a controller configured to determine whether the vehicle has the water-leaking part based on the sound wave signals received by the acoustic sensors and the time-reversed sound wave signals generated by the time-reversed sound wave signal generator. |
| US09897509B2 |
Fuel dispensing environment component health monitoring
Methods and systems for monitoring the health and operational status of components in a fuel dispensing environment. In one aspect, a method includes providing a control system having a memory in which is stored information representative of a first vibration characteristic of a component, providing a sensor in electronic communication with the control system, the sensor operative to sense vibration characteristics of the component, and coupling the sensor with the component. The method also includes sensing a second vibration characteristic of the component using the sensor, transmitting information representative of the second vibration characteristic to the control system, and comparing the information representative of the second vibration characteristic to the information representative of the first vibration characteristic. |
| US09897507B2 |
Automated work piece center of mass identification system and method for same
A method and system for identifying a work piece center of mass includes coupling a work piece to a manipulator assembly. The manipulator assembly includes a force and torque sensor. The work piece is positioned in at least two different orientations relative to a gravity vector with the manipulator assembly. The at least two different orientations include at least first and second orientations. In the first orientation the force and torque sensor measures a first torque and at least a first force associated with the work piece in the first orientation. In the second orientation the force and torque sensor measures a second torque associated with the work piece in the second orientation. The work piece center of mass is identified according to at least the measured first and second torques and at least the first force. |
| US09897506B2 |
Systems and methods for liquid dynamic pressure testing
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for dynamic pressure testing of transducers in communication with a liquid. A method is provided that can include dynamically pressurizing a liquid in a cavity associated with a housing. While dynamically pressurizing the liquid, the method includes simultaneously measuring: a change in volume of the liquid; a test frequency response, by a test transducer in communication with the liquid; and a reference frequency response, by a reference transducer in communication with the liquid. The method may further determine a normalized frequency response of the test transducer, based at least in part on the test frequency response and the reference frequency response. The method may further provide an indication of the normalized frequency response of the test transducer and an indication of the bulk modulus of the liquid. |
| US09897501B2 |
Flange fastening skill determination apparatus and flange fastening skill determination program
A flange fastening skill determination apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive output signals from respective tightening force detectors when a testee tightens a plurality of bolts for connecting flanges together, the tightening force detectors corresponding to the plurality of respective bolts; a measurer configured to obtain measurement results indicating transition of change in each of the output signals from a start to an end of tightening a corresponding bolt; a calculator configured to obtain a first calculation result indicating variation among output signal values during the tightening, a second calculation result indicating variation among output signal values at a time of completion of the tightening, and a third calculation result indicating a degree of tightening force of each of the plurality of bolts at the time of completion; and a determiner configured to determine a skill level of the testee based on the results. |
| US09897498B2 |
Method for detecting a torque applied to a shaft
A method for detecting a phase angle difference between a first periodic measurement signal and a second periodic measurement signal, wherein, for the purpose of determining a torque applied to a shaft, the two periodic measurement signals describe a rotation of the shaft at an axial distance from one another including superimposing a periodic auxiliary signal which simulates a previously known rotational speed for the shaft on the first periodic measurement signal in order to form a superimposition signal, and determining the phase angle difference on the basis of the superimposition signal and the second measurement signal. |
| US09897494B2 |
Strain sensing element, pressure sensor, microphone, blood pressure sensor, and touch panel
According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element provided on a deformable substrate, includes: a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; and an intermediate layer. The second magnetic layer includes Fe1-yBy (0 |
| US09897492B2 |
Method for manufacturing temperature measure units of thermometers
A method for manufacturing a temperature measure unit of a thermometer to measure an object temperature and convert to an electric signal through the temperature measure unit that is sent to a central processing unit located in the thermometer to be processed and converted to an information obtainable by users through an output unit located in the thermometer, the method includes: providing a substrate with surfaces attached a first transmission circuit and a second transmission circuit in a spaced manner; providing a thermistor chip positioned against the substrate such that one side of the thermistor chip forms electric connection with the first transmission circuit and an opposite side forms electric connection with the second transmission circuit; and providing a transmission plate with desired electric conductivity and thermal conductivity to achieve thermal transfer and electric connection between the thermistor chip and the second transmission circuit. |
| US09897490B2 |
Temperature measurement device, integrated circuit, and temperature measurement method
In a first sensing state in which a first current flows in a forward direction with respect to a pn junction of a first semiconductor element and a second current of a different magnitude from the first current flows in a forward direction with respect to a pn junction of a second semiconductor element, a difference between a forward direction voltage of the pn junction of the first semiconductor element and a forward direction voltage of the pn junction of the second semiconductor element is converted into a digital value by a computer and acquired as a first digital value. In a second sensing state in which the second current flows in the forward direction in the pn junction of the first semiconductor element and the first current flows in the forward direction in the pn junction of the second semiconductor element, a difference between the forward direction voltage of the pn junction of the first semiconductor element and the forward direction voltage of the pn junction of the second semiconductor element is converted into a digital value by the computer and acquired as a second digital value. A temperature measurement value is computed based on an average value of the first digital value and the second digital value by the computer. |
| US09897489B2 |
Processing apparatus and method of measuring temperature of workpiece in processing apparatus
A processing apparatus and a method capable of accurately measuring a real temperature of a workpiece contained and heated in a chamber. The processing apparatus includes a chamber containing a workpiece, a measurement piece installed in the chamber, and a measuring unit. The measurement piece is capable of thermal expansion and contraction in response to an internal temperature of the chamber. The measuring unit measures a thermal expansion and contraction amount of the measurement piece to thereby measure the real temperature of the workpiece. |
| US09897485B2 |
Absorption spectrometer
In order to reduce a variation in the light amount of light detected in every reference measurement cycle in an absorption spectrometer 1, it is adapted to tilt at least one surface selected from among incident surfaces and emitting surfaces of all translucent members constituting a reference cell with respect to the light axis of light traveling along a light path. |
| US09897484B1 |
Measuring wideband spectrum information in mobile devices via an integrated optical system that uses multiple spectral sensors, multiple light sources and MEMS actuation
Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for a light collector to capture an inbound optical signal and a plurality of detectors, wherein each detector is associated with a wavelength detection range that differs from one or more wavelength detection ranges associated with one or more remaining detectors in the plurality of detectors. Additionally, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device may include a plurality of mirrored columns, wherein each mirrored column is coated with a material that is associated with a wavelength reflection range that differs from one or more wavelength reflection ranges associated with one or more remaining mirrored columns in the plurality of mirrored columns. In one example, the MEMS device positions the plurality of mirrored columns to route the inbound optical signal to one or more of the plurality of detectors based on an input signal from a user input device. |
| US09897474B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring fuel oil delivery
The apparatus for monitoring the delivery of fuel oil through a fuel oil delivery pipe including a flow meter and temperature sensor associated with the oil delivery pipe for measuring the temperature and flow rate of the fuel oil as it moves through the pipe. The digital output signals from the flow meter/temperature sensor are used to generate data signals which are a function of the measured temperature and flow rate parameters. A memory records the data signals. The actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered through the pipe is calculated based upon the data signals. A clock circuit generates a timing signal reflecting the date and time the measurements were taken. A transmission signal formed of the calculated actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered and time signal may be sent to a remote location by a WiFi transmitter or through the internet using a modem. |
| US09897473B2 |
Measuring transducer of vibration-type
The measuring transducer comprises four measuring tubes (181, 182, 183, 184) as well as two oscillation exciters and (51, 52). The oscillation exciter (51) includes a coil (511) secured to the measuring tube (181) as well as a permanent magnet (512) secured to the measuring tube (182) and movable relative to the coil (511) and the oscillation exciter (52) includes a coil (521) secured to the measuring tube (183) as well as a permanent magnet (522) secured to the measuring tube (184) and movable relative to the coil (521). In the case of the measuring transducer of the invention, the coils (511, 521) are connected electrically in parallel with one another. |
| US09897472B2 |
Water metering system
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for metering water are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving, from a first meter that is connected to a first pipe, first audio data collected during a time period and first temperature data collected during the time period. The actions further include receiving, from a second meter that is connected to a second pipe, second audio data collected during the time period and second temperature data collected during the time period. The actions further include, based on the first audio data, the first temperature data, the second audio data, and the second temperature data, determining a first amount of material that has flowed through the first pipe during the time period relative to a second amount of material that has flowed through the second pipe. |
| US09897468B2 |
Position detection device
A processor of a position detection device intermittently performs an acquisition process during a measurement period to acquire a detection signal induced in a detection coil depending on the position of an object by driving an excitation coil. The processor configured to monitor whether or not the processor is executing the acquisition process without driving the excitation coil during a monitoring period set before the measurement period of the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a predetermined process when the processor is executing the acquisition process. |
| US09897467B2 |
Rotation number detector
A rotation number detector outputs a signal based on a detection signal from a sensor, the detection signal reflecting a movement of a detected portion of a detection object. The output signal from the sensor is rectified by a comparator. A cycle measurement circuit measures a cycle of a rectangular wave signal from the comparator. A variable divider variably divides the cycle in reverse proportion to the measured cycle of the cycle measurement circuit, dividing the cycle by a smaller dividing ratio when the measured cycle becomes longer and dividing the cycle by a greater dividing ratio when the measured cycle becomes shorter. A one shot circuit converts the rectangular wave signal of the variable divider to a signal having a dividing ratio discernible wave form, which represents the dividing ratio of the variable divider, and outputs such a signal. |
| US09897466B2 |
Rotor position sensor signal correction
A motor control system includes a shaft configured to be rotationally driven by a motor. A rotor position sensor is configured to detect rotation of the shaft and output a rotor position signal. A controller is in communication with the motor and the rotor position sensor. The controller converts the rotor position signal to an angle with error, tracks the angle with error to provide an angle that retains mechanical dynamics as stationary reference frame signals, transforms the stationary reference frame signals and the angle with mechanical dynamics to rotating reference frame signals, filters the rotating reference frame signals, transforms the filtered rotating reference frame signals to provide filtered stationary frame signals, and takes an arctangent of the filtered stationary reference frame signals to create a corrected motor control angle. The controller commands the motor based upon the corrected motor control angle. |
| US09897462B2 |
Flap angle measurement system and method
A system for monitoring movements of rotor blades attached by flapping hinges to a central head or hub of a helicopter. At least one sensor is arranged to continuously measure vertical angular movement of a rotor blade and/or the flapping hinge. Also a method for monitoring movements of rotor blades attached by flapping hinges to a central head or hub of a helicopter. |
| US09897458B2 |
Route information displaying method and apparatus
The present disclosure is applicable to the field of information technologies, and provides a route information displaying method and apparatus. The method includes: creating a three-dimensional coordinate system, and loading an electronic map in the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinate system; acquiring, by using a satellite positioning system, a real-time location of a mobile terminal and a real-time speed, of the mobile terminal, corresponding to the real-time location; and drawing both a moving route and a speed curve of the mobile terminal in the three-dimensional coordinate system according to the acquired real-time location and real-time speed, where the real-time location of the mobile terminal is represented in the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinate system, and the real-time speed of the mobile terminal is represented on the Z axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system. |
| US09897453B2 |
Position information correcting device and position information correcting application program product
A position information correcting device includes a reception processing unit receiving position information transmitted from a nearby mobile object, a position correcting unit performing a position correcting process for correcting, based on map data, the position information of the nearby mobile object such that a corrected position of the nearby mobile object is on a running area of a road, a nearby mobile object type acquiring unit acquiring a mobile object type of the nearby mobile object, and a correction performance determining unit determining, based on the mobile object type acquired by the nearby mobile object type acquiring unit, whether the position correcting process needs to be performed to the position information of the nearby mobile object. The position correcting process is performed to the position information of the nearby mobile object only when the correction performance determining unit determines that the position correcting process needs to be performed. |
| US09897448B2 |
Systems and methods for multiple species atom interferometry
An inertial measurement apparatus based on atom interferometry. In one example, the inertial measurement apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, first and second atom capture sites housed within the vacuum chamber, each of the first and second atom capture sites being selectively configured to trap and cool first and second atom samples of distinct atom species, an atom interferometry region disposed between the first and second atom capture sites, and first and second atom interferometers operating in the atom interferometry region, the first atom interferometer being configured to generate a first measurement corresponding to a common inertial input based on the first atom sample, and the second atom interferometer being configured to generate a second measurement corresponding to the same common inertial input based on the second atom sample. |
| US09897446B2 |
Physical quantity data correcting device and physical quantity data correcting method
A physical quantity data correcting device accurately and rapidly makes corrections of physical quantity data by appropriately controlling an approximate ellipsoid computing unit and/or a correction coefficient computing unit on the basis of a control parameter group. A physical quantity data acquiring unit acquires physical quantity data output from a physical quantity detecting unit that detects physical quantities. A data selecting unit selects the acquired physical quantity data. An approximate ellipsoid computing unit computes an approximate expression of an n-dimensional ellipsoid indicating a distribution shape obtained by distributing the selected physical quantity data in an n-axis coordinate space. A correction coefficient computing unit computes correction coefficients for correcting the computed n-dimensional ellipsoid to an n-dimensional sphere. A computation control unit controls the approximate ellipsoid computing unit and/or the correction coefficient computing unit on the basis of a control parameter group. A correction data output unit corrects the physical quantity data. |
| US09897438B2 |
Diffraction optical element, projection device, and measurement device
To make it possible to emit a light pattern with a uniform light quantity within a detection surface in spite of 0th-order diffracted light included therein or to emit a light pattern for overall irradiation with a uniform light quantity distribution, without limiting a degree of freedom for design of the emitted light pattern.In a diffraction optical element according to the invention, a divergence angle converting function that is a function of converting the divergence angle of incident light due to diffraction effect and a light beam splitting function that is a function of splitting an incident light beam into a plurality of light beams due to diffraction effect are combined so that incident light as divergent light is split into a plurality of diffracted lights with different divergence angles from the divergence angle of the incident light and the diffracted lights is emitted. |
| US09897432B2 |
Inductance-based position sensing in a digital camera actuator
Inductance-based sensing in a digital camera in which actuation of at least one electromagnetic (EM) actuator that includes at least one stationary ferromagnetic member associated with a large air gap causes a moving ferromagnetic member mechanically coupled to an optical element to by-pass or bridge the large air gap through at least one smaller air gap. The stationary member includes at least one ferromagnetic core surrounded at least partially by a coil. An inductance value correlated with a position of the optical element may be measured using the same coil as the one used for the actuation. In some embodiments, a single EM actuator includes two coils and the actuator is driven using both coils, while a regular or a mutual inductance is measured. In some camera embodiments that include two opposite EM actuators, one actuator is used to move the optical element while the other actuator is used to measure the inductance value. |
| US09897429B2 |
Harvester suspension
A harvesting vehicle including a body including a plurality of picking systems configured to be carried over plants growing in one or more plant beds to harvest crops of the plants. Each picking system can include an imaging system and can be configured to (a) determine a height of the picking system over one of the one or more plant beds as the picking system is carried over the plants and (b) provide distance measurement data based on the height. The harvesting vehicle also can include a plurality of wheels each having a vertical position with respect to the body. The harvesting vehicle also can include a suspension control system configured to perform: receiving the distance measurement data from the plurality of picking systems; determining adjustment information for an adjustment of the vertical position of one or more of the plurality of wheels with respect to the body based at least in part on the distance measurement data provided by at least one of the plurality of picking systems; and controlling the adjustment of the vertical position of the one or more of the plurality of wheels with respect to the body based on the adjustment information. Other embodiments are provided. |
| US09897425B1 |
Painted shear liner/density gradient liner
An explosive warhead includes shear liners to enhance rupturing of the warhead's housing following an initiation of a detonation charge in the warhead. The shear liners are positioned directly upon the warhead housing's inside surface. The shear liners are applied as metallic powder granules embedded in structural patterns, and applied in a liquid form which is allowed to cure before the charge is installed in to the warhead. Rupture patterns of the warhead housing upon detonation, approximately mimic the structural patterns on the said shear liners. |
| US09897423B2 |
Color changing lighted nock for arrow shafts
An LED of a lighted nock sequentially advances through multiple different emitted colors by exposing the nock to a magnetic field. The nock is placed in the activated or lit state. Then a magnet is brought within range of a magnetic sensor included in the electronic circuit of the nock assembly. The change in the magnetic field causes the electronic circuit to advance the emitted LED light to the next color in a sequence of multiple colors. Repeated removal and re-application of the magnetic field while the LED remains lit advances the LED color repeatedly through the available colors until the user reaches their desired color. Then the LED is deactivated or turned off. Then when the LED is re-lit, it will still be in the last color chosen, and will remain there until the color is advanced again. |
| US09897422B1 |
Fireworks aerial display shell with multiple breaks and a method involving same
A fireworks aerial display shell is provided with multiple casings of cylindrical configuration that are joined together in end-to-end relationship. Each casing defines an interior volume in which an effects charge is packed. A plug is positioned between the effects charges and has an opening through which an ignition source passes to ignite one of the effects charges as a result of burning of another of the effects charges. An outer casing may surround at least parts of the multiple cylindrical casings and includes multiple partially ball-shaped segments. |
| US09897418B2 |
Electric reactive armour
An electric reactive armor (10) comprises a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (2) spaced apart from the first electrode, to which electrodes (1, 2) a high voltage can be applied so as to disrupt a charge contacting the electrodes. The second electrode (2) comprises an electrically conductive structure (21) having a plurality of surfaces (22) embedded in an insulating material (23), such that the charge jet penetrates successive surfaces of the electrically conductive structure. The electrically conductive structure (21) comprises a meandering structure and/or a structure of linked cavities, such as a honeycomb structure. |
| US09897415B2 |
Infrared-light and low-light two-phase fusion night-vision sighting device
The present invention relates to the technical field of sighting device, and specifically relates to an infrared-light and low-light two-phase fusion night-vision sighting device. The night-vision sighting device comprises a field-of-view obtaining unit, a two-phase fusion unit, a control unit and a display unit, the two-phase fusion unit in the night-vision sighting device can perform infrared-light and low-light fusion processing to the optical image obtained by the field-of-view obtaining unit, and display on the display unit, which realizes to obtain a night-vision image featured by image stabilization, clear outline, high resolution, high contrast, high SNR, and low pepper and salt noise, to thereby ensure night-vision sighting of the electronic gun sight under the condition of night or low brightness. |
| US09897408B2 |
Power saving action module for toy gun
The action module includes an action member, a switch element, and an activation element. The action member includes a power provision device. The switch element is on the action member electrically connected to the power provision device, and includes a switch trigger. The activation element is rotatably configured on the action member adjacent to the switch element, and includes a magazine contact part to be pressed or released when a magazine is mounted to or removed from the action module, and a switch engaging part for engaging the switch trigger. As such, by the interaction between the switch element and the activation element, the toy gun does not function as long as the magazine is not mounted, and therefore electrical power will not be wasted. The action module may work with any type of magazines. |
| US09897407B2 |
Firearm-mounted camera device with networked control and administration system and method
An electronic camera device, and associated system and interfaces, that generates, records and transmits video, audio and sensor data. Camera device comprises a housing with a fastening mechanism adapted to mount the device to a firearm. The device has a processor module, a memory module for storage, a camera module configured to generate and record video and store the video to memory. The device further includes a magnetic sensor configured to detect the presence and absence of a magnet and an accelerometer that is configured to detect a draw motion (e.g., a firearm being unholstered). When the magnetic sensor detects the absence of a magnet, and the accelerometer detects a draw motion, one or more corresponding signals are generated and transmitted, directing the camera to begin recording (and transmitting) video and send an alert signal to assets in the field to provide support. |
| US09897403B2 |
Recoil attenuating mechanism for a firearm
The present invention relates to firearms, especially to guns, and more particularly to a system for attenuating recoil, reducing muzzle climb and increasing accuracy. The invention provides a recoil attenuating mechanism that is an improvement on the well-known and widely used Browning tilting barrel system which is used mostly in semi-automatic pistols. The recoil attenuation is achieved by redirecting and manipulating the forces of the recoil of the slide of the pistol to a different axis than what is the norm on a regular Browning action, thus reducing muzzle climb substantially in addition to attenuating recoil, and therefore improving accuracy, recovery time, and controllability. |
| US09897392B2 |
Heat conduction device and manufacturing method thereof
A heat conduction device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The heat conduction device includes a first plate, a second plate and a capillary structure. The first plate is connected opposite to the second plate. The capillary structure is formed on space between the first plate and the second plate. A vapor channel is formed on a region of the space outside the capillary structure. |
| US09897385B2 |
Helical coil heating apparatus and method of operation
A heating apparatus comprises an exposed tube formed into an outer coil and an inner coil. The outer coil is formed around the inner coil with a gap separating the outer coil and the inner coil. The tube is supported by a support frame. The heating apparatus also comprises a spacer frame that extends from the top portion of the support frame to the base portion of the support frame. The spacer frame has a plurality of apertures formed therein, each aperture operable to support a corresponding ring of the outer coil. The apparatus also comprises a spacer rod having a first end that couples to the top portion of the support frame and a second end that couples to the base portion of the support frame, wherein the spacer rod is threaded through the spacer frame between the outer coil and the vertex of the spacer frame. |
| US09897384B2 |
Heat exchanger, especially for a motor vehicle, and corresponding air intake device
A heat exchanger for heat exchange between at least two fluids, especially for a motor vehicle, comprises a bundle (7) for heat exchange between said fluids, and a housing (9) for receiving said bundle (7), said housing (9) having at least one raised edge (11). The heat exchanger also has a seal (15) of a rigid plastic material, said seal enveloping said at least one raised edge (11) and being designed to ensure the tightness between the exchanger and a container of said exchanger. The heat exchanger can also be included in an air intake device including such a heat exchanger and an air intake collector. |
| US09897383B2 |
Heat exchanger
An exemplary heat exchanger is configured for removing heat energy from a heat generator. The heat exchanger including at least one conduit for a working fluid, which is arranged in an upright position of at least 45°, each conduit having an exterior wall and at least one interior wall for forming at least one evaporator channel and at least one condenser channel within the conduit. Furthermore, the heat exchanger includes a first heat transfer element for transferring heat into the evaporator channel and a second heat transfer element for transferring heat out of the condenser channel. |
| US09897382B2 |
Method and device for treating exhaust gases
The present invention relates to a method for treating exhaust gases containing nitrogen oxide from technical processes, such as fume gases, for the purpose of removing or precipitationg the nitrogen oxide and/or for the purpose of reducing the nitrogen oxide content, in particular by chemically reducing the nitrogen oxide. |
| US09897379B2 |
Shaft furnace charging device equipped with a cooling system and annular swivel joint therefore
A shaft furnace charging device and cooling system includes a suspension rotor with a charge distributor and stationary housing. The cooling system includes an annular swivel joint arranged coaxially on an axis, connecting stationary and rotary circuit portions. The swivel joint includes forward connections for receiving cooling fluid from the stationary circuit portion and supplying cooling fluid to the rotary circuit portion; return connections for receiving cooling fluid from the rotary circuit portion; and returning cooling fluid to the stationary circuit portion. The swivel joint includes a partition dividing the annular volume into cavities wherein an internal cavity is partially surrounded by an external cavity, and the forward connections are coupled via one of the cavities and the return connections are coupled via the other of the cavities. The swivel joint includes leakage-permitting communication between the external and internal cavities through annular clearances. Annular flow restrictors are provided in clearances. |
| US09897377B2 |
Exhaust safety system
An exhaust system includes a filter; and a fan downstream for the filter whereby activating the fan clears the filter. The exhaust system may form part of a lint collection system that is for attachment to a dryer. |
| US09897375B2 |
Continuous flow dryer for treating bulk material
A continuous flow dryer system according to various embodiments can include a source for supplying a material to be treated having a high moisture content, such as a distiller wet grain, a profile screw compression dryer, a profile screw, and a drive coupled to the profile screw for axially rotating the profile screw. The profile screw compression dryer includes an inlet for receiving the material for drying, which is fed therein in a controlled manner. The profile screw is provided within the housing of the dryer. The profile screw has a diameter that increases in dimension in a direction away from the inlet for increasing the compressive force applied to the material to assist with drying as the profile screw rotates and moves the material longitudinally along the profile screw to produce a final product, for example, a distiller dried grain for use as an animal feed. |
| US09897364B2 |
High efficiency refrigerator
A thermal storage container is coupled to a pump for circulating cooled liquid from the thermal storage container in at least one of two circuits. One circuit includes a heat exchanger coupled to the fresh food evaporator for assisting in cooling the fresh food section of the refrigerator or for chilling the liquid. Another circuit includes a sub-cooler between the condenser and the evaporator for cooling the output from the condenser before entering the evaporator, herby increasing the efficiency of the system. A three-way valve is coupled from the output pump to couple the stored coolant selectively to one or the other or both of the coolant circuits. |
| US09897359B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle that includes one or more intermediate heat exchangers, exchanging heat between a heat source side refrigerant and a heat medium different from the heat source side refrigerant, a heat medium circuit that includes at least one pump configured to circulate the heat medium for heat exchange by the intermediate heat exchanger, a use side heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and air in an air-conditioning target space, and flow switching valves configured to switch between passing the heated heat medium through the use side heat exchanger and passing the cooled heat medium through the use side heat exchanger and in which the pump, the use side heat exchanger, and the flow switching valves are connected by pipes, and a controller configured to calculate an actual temperature efficiency ratio based on a temperature at a heat medium inlet of the heat exchanger in the heat medium circuit and determine whether a flow rate of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit is abnormal based on the actual temperature efficiency ratio and a set reference temperature efficiency ratio. |
| US09897357B2 |
Isentropic expansion device
Systems and methods may include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a heat exchanger and an expansion device disposed upstream and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. The expansion device includes a pressure recovery portion. The expansion device may also include an isentropic expansion device and/or a substantially isentropic expansion device. |
| US09897356B2 |
Refrigeration plant with refrigerant evaporator arrangement and process for parallel air and battery contact cooling
A refrigeration plant with refrigerant evaporator arrangement and process for parallel air and battery contact cooling. The refrigeration plant includes a refrigerant evaporator arrangement for parallel air and battery contact cooling, having with a refrigerant compressor and a condenser An evaporator with an assigned controllable expansion member for air cooling and an evaporator as a battery contact cooler with an assigned controllable expansion member for battery cooling are provided. A throttling member is located between the evaporator and the tap of the assigned controllable expansion member. |
| US09897351B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner includes a compressor, a flow switching part, an outdoor heat exchanger including a plurality of refrigerant tubes for guiding the refrigerant heat exchanged with outdoor air, a main expansion valve disposed at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger, a first inlet/outlet tube extending from the flow switching part to the outdoor heat exchanger, and a second inlet/outlet tube extending from the outdoor heat exchanger to the main expansion valve. The outdoor heat exchanger includes a header defining a flow space for the refrigerant, the header including an upper header and a lower header, a check valve disposed between the upper header and the lower header to guide the refrigerant to flow in one direction, and a bypass tube extending from the lower header to the second inlet/outlet tube to guide a discharge of a liquid refrigerant existing in the lower header. |
| US09897348B2 |
Device for converting thermal energy
The invention relates to a device for converting thermal energy of a low temperature into thermal energy of a high temperature by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa, comprising a rotor which is mounted so as to rotate about a rotational axis and in which a flow channel is provided for a working medium that circulates in a closed circuit process, said medium being conducted outwards, relative to the rotational axis, in a compression unit in order to increase pressure, and being conducted inwards, relative to the rotational axis, in an expansion unit in order to reduce pressure. At least one heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat between said working medium and a heat exchange medium. |
| US09897344B2 |
Solar collector having Fresnel mirrors
The present invention relates to a solar collector (1) having Fresnel mirrors comprising a mounting for a set of mirrors made up of strips of mirrors (2) referred to as primary mirrors (2), each pivoting about a respective axis of rotation (5) referred to as the large axis (5) relative to the mounting, and intended for collecting solar radiation and for concentrating said radiation toward one or more concentrating elements (100) which can be mutually similar or different, carrying a heat-transfer fluid, characterized in that the invention comprises a means (10, 20, 30) for moving one or more concentrating elements (100) such as to make the collector mobile relative to the mounting of the set of primary mirrors (2). |
| US09897342B2 |
Hot water generator
A cold water intake pipe 4 and a hot water extraction pipe 5 that communicate with multiple spiral tubes 101 and a steam supplying pipe 2 and a condensate discharge pipe 3 that communicate with a shell are connected to a corrugated spiral tube type heat exchanger 1. Between the cold water intake pipe 4 and multiple spiral tubes 101, communication paths 46 that communicate between the cold water intake pipe 4 and some multiple spiral tubes 101a are provided, and a valve 44 is provided to communicate between the cold water intake pipe 4 and the other multiple spiral tubes 101b when the force acting from the cold water intake pipe 4 becomes larger than the force acting from the other multiple spiral tubes 101b and to block the cold water intake pipe 4 from the other multiple spiral tubes 101b when the force acting from the cold water intake pipe 4 becomes smaller than the force acting from the other multiple spiral tubes 101b. |
| US09897340B2 |
Economizer having source-specific damper blade assemblies and heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit employing the same
An economizer having a first air inlet, a second air inlet and an air outlet, a method of operating an economizer and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system employing the economizer. In one embodiment, the economizer includes: (1) a first damper blade assembly in fluid communication with the first air inlet and the air outlet and having a first plurality of damper blades configured to move in parallel and (2) a second damper blade assembly in fluid communication with the second air inlet and the air outlet and having a second plurality of damper blades configured to move in opposition. |
| US09897339B2 |
HVAC wall mountable connector with memory
A wall mountable connector configured to facilitate a user in removing a first thermostat from the wall mountable connector and installing a new, different second thermostat on the wall mountable connector without having to do any wiring work. The field wires remain coupled to the wall mountable connector, and the wall mountable connector provides the appropriate electrical connections between the field wires and the first and second thermostats. In some cases, the wall mountable connector may include a memory for storing data communicated by a first thermostat, and to communicate the stored data to a subsequently installed second thermostat. In some instances, the first and second thermostats may be selected from a line of compatible thermostats. |
| US09897338B2 |
Coordinated air-side control of HVAC system
A method and apparatus for controlling an HVAC system. The method may include receiving a fan speed signal from a fan control loop, and choosing among an independent mode, a first linked mode, and a second linked mode, depending on the fan speed signal. The method may also include providing a signal to a pressure control loop to reduce a speed of a supply air fan of an AHU, when the first linked mode is chosen. The method may further include providing a signal to a temperature control loop to decrease a speed of a heat exchange wheel, to decrease a flow rate of a heat exchange fluid to an evaporator coil, or both, when the second linked mode is chosen. The method may additionally include allowing the fan control loop to operate independently of the temperature and pressure control loops, when the independent mode is chosen. |
| US09897335B2 |
Indoor unit of air conditioning apparatus
An indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus is fixed with respect to a ceiling, and includes an indoor unit casing having an air inlet and plural air outlets, plural airflow direction adjusting plates disposed in the air outlets, and an airflow direction adjusting control unit to independently adjust rotational states of the adjusting plates in order to adjust the airflow direction of conditioned air blown out from the air outlets. The control unit causes an entire body of at least one of the adjusting plates to be positioned inside a corresponding one of the air outlets in an air volume reducing state to reduce volume through the air outlet or a suppressing state to suppress flow from the air outlet toward an opposite side relative to an air inlet side. |
| US09897334B2 |
Water heater controller or system
A method of measuring the amount of energy consumed from a water heater having a tank with two or more temperature sensors located a predetermined heights on or in the tank, the method including the step of; for each sensor, determining a corresponding volume of a segment of the tank, measuring the change of temperature at each temperature sensor, calculating the energy for the corresponding volume for each sensor, and summing the energy changes for all the sensors to determine the amount of energy consumed. The energy usage can be recorded with chronological information to construct a usage pattern which can be used for controlling the heater and for providing the user with details of energy usage. The system does not require the use of data derived from a flow meter. |
| US09897331B2 |
System and method for mounting undercabinet ventilation hood
A system and method for installing a ventilation hood to an underside of a wall cabinet includes providing structure for initially establishing mounting or anchoring points for the ventilation hood, securing first mounting structure for the ventilation hood, supporting the ventilation hood on the first mounting structure, and then further securing the ventilation hood with an additional fastening arrangement to complete the installation. |
| US09897329B2 |
Cooktop with downdraft ventilator
A cooktop is provided that has a downdraft ventilator with a seal arrangement that may include a plenum seal and a vent grate seal. The plenum and vent grate seals may be arranged at interconnections of a plenum, a panel of the cooktop, and a vent grate to provide a layered and substantially airtight interconnection between such components. |
| US09897328B2 |
Tabletop cooking assembly
A tabletop cooking assembly for preparing foods thereon comprises a cooking element having a cooking area and a vent disposed peripherally to one side of the cooking element defining an aperture for receiving smoke from the cooking element. The assembly includes a first exhaust duct, a filter assembly, an electrostatic precipitator, and a high velocity blower. The first exhaust duct is substantially unobstructed and in fluid communication with the vent for directing smoke away from the cooking element. The high velocity blower is in fluid communication with the first exhaust duct and the filter assembly for drawing smoke from the cooking element through the vent. The heating system includes a retaining plate, a plurality of heating strips, and an insulating material. The heating strips are disposed between the retaining plate and the heating surface to heat the cooking area for preparing foods thereon. |
| US09897321B2 |
Fuel nozzles
A nozzle includes a nozzle body defining a longitudinal axis. The nozzle body includes an air passage having a radial swirler and a converging conical cross-section. A fuel circuit is radially outboard from the air passage with respect to the longitudinal axis. The fuel circuit extends from a fuel circuit inlet to a fuel circuit annular outlet. The fuel circuit includes a plurality of helical passages to mitigate gravitational effects at low fuel flow rates. Each helical passage of the fuel circuit opens tangentially with respect to the fuel circuit annular outlet into an outlet of the air passage. |
| US09897319B2 |
Igniter position for a combustor of a gas turbine engine
The present disclosure relates combustor configurations for a gas turbine engine. In one embodiment, a combustor includes a combustor shell enclosing a first area of free space, and an igniter for the combustor shell, the igniter including a distal end. The combustor also includes one or more elements configured to retain the igniter and to interface with the combustor shell, wherein the igniter is retained that the distal end of the igniter is recessed from the first area of free space. According to another embodiment, a combustor configuration may include one or more elements configured to retain an igniter and interface with the combustor shell, wherein the one or more elements define a boundary between the combustor shell and one or more elements, and wherein the igniter is retained within the one or more elements such that the distal end of the igniter is recessed from the boundary. |
| US09897318B2 |
Method for diverting flow around an obstruction in an internal cooling circuit
A rotary machine including: a casing providing an annular chamber for rotating components of the machine; a cooling passage extending through the casing or mounted to a surface of casing; a plug assembly connected to the cooling passage and in the casing or mounted to the casing, wherein the plug assembly includes a collar and a conduit aligned with an axis of the collar, and the collar includes a cooling air by-pass passage in fluid communication with the cooling passage such that cooling air from the cooling passage flows through the by-pass passage and returns to the cooling passage, and another cooling passage or a port extending through the conduit of the plug assembly. |
| US09897314B2 |
Gas turbine damper with inner neck extending into separate cavities
The invention relates to a damper for reducing pulsations in a gas turbine, which includes an enclosure, a main neck extending from the enclosure, a spacer plate disposed in the enclosure to separate the enclosure into a first cavity and a second cavity and an inner neck with a first end and a second end, extending through the spacer plate to interconnect the first cavity and the second cavity. The first end of the inner neck remains in the first cavity and the second end remains in the second cavity. A flow deflecting member is disposed proximate the second end of the inner neck to deflect a flow passing through the inner neck. With the solution of the present invention, as a damper according to embodiments of the present invention operates, flow field hence damping characteristic in the second cavity constant regardless the adjustment of the spacer plate in the enclosure. |
| US09897307B1 |
Selectively illuminable decorative fixture assemblies for pools, spas and fountains
A selectively-illuminable decorative water feature in the form of an assembly includes a base, casing, and a light source in communication with a semi-translucent or translucent fixture. The base may, for example, be a portion of a component/feature of a swimming pool, a spa or a fountain. The casing and light source may be mounted within the base and the fixture attached to a front surface of the base. The translucence or semi-translucence of the fixture creates an illumination effect due to limited transmission of light, emitted from the light source, through the feature. The water feature may take on a variety of forms, including, for example, decorative fixtures, receptacles, a bowl-shaped fixture, and a hand grip attached to a structural surface of a pool, spa or fountain. |
| US09897306B2 |
Vanity mirror
A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror. Certain embodiments of the mirror include an algorithm to adjust light based on the position of a user relative to the mirror, the level of ambient light, and/or the activation of different light modes. |
| US09897305B2 |
Controlled environment light fixture
Controlled environment light fixture configurations include an LED light source. The light fixtures can be installed and removed from below the ceiling. The light fixture can be installed and removed without opening the lens frame of the light fixture. The light fixture includes a sealed housing and seals to the ceiling when installed. The light fixtures are provided in exterior dimension sizes that allow the fixtures to be installed in a variety of controlled environment ceilings in recessed configurations. The lower surface exposed to the controlled environment is free of welds and grinds in order to provide a corrosion resistant surface. |
| US09897302B2 |
Flat LED lamp assembly
An LED-based lamp assembly for use with a light fixture having a socket portion including a driver assembly having a base portion rotateably engageable with the socket portion to make a first electrical contact with the light fixture. The base portion is coupled to a driver housing. The driver assembly includes an electrically conductive tip portion coupled to the base portion. The tip portion is engageable with the socket portion to make a second electrical contact with the light fixture wherein the tip portion and driver housing are moveable relative to each other when the tip portion is in the second electrical contact with the socket portion. The driver assembly includes first electrical contacts. A lamp housing assembly is operably connected to the driver assembly. The lamp housing assembly includes second electrical contacts operatively connected to the first electrical contacts of the driver assembly. |
| US09897299B2 |
Wearable light assembly and method for controlling same
A wearable light assembly includes an opaque housing that is open towards the ground and is configured to reflect light emitted from a first light source downward onto a first location that is close to the wearer and reflect light from a second light source downward onto a second location on the ground that is farther away from the wearer than the first location. In an embodiment, the wearable light assembly senses motion of the wearer and switches between the first light source and the second light source depending on whether the wearer is moving slowly (in which case it activates the first light source) or moving quickly (in which case it activates the second light source). |
| US09897297B2 |
Moving light with follow spot
A luminaire that has multiple removable handles thereon, and can operate in multiple different modes, including a mode where a manual follow spot can occur. To operate in the manual follow spot mode, the luminaire is placed into a free moving mode in which it can be moved, and then the luminaire is moved using the removable handles to manually place the luminaire in a desired location. Then, the luminaire is commanded to remain in that desired location by turning on breaks or the like. In the manual movement mode, movement of the luminaire is manually controlled and not remotely controlled and all of at least color, gobo, beam size and other parameters are remotely controlled. |
| US09897296B1 |
Lampholder with universal joint
A light fixture allowing a user to tighten a single tightener to simultaneously restrict movement around a first axis and a second orthogonal axis. The light fixture includes a joint housing coupled between an anchor and a light housing assembly, the anchor has a first protrusion rotatably coupled to the joint housing along a first axis, the light housing assembly has a second protrusion rotatably coupled to the joint housing along a second axis, a clamp arm inside the joint housing that has a first end clamp and a second end clamp, and a tightening member is operably coupled to the clamp arm through the joint housing allowing tightening of the tightening member to apply pressure from the first end clamp to the first protrusion and simultaneously apply pressure from the second end clamp to the second protrusion, thereby limiting rotation in both the first and second axes. |
| US09897295B2 |
LED display screen
The invention provides a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display screen, including: fixing assemblies and a display assembly. The fixing assemblies are provided at an upper side and lower side of the display assembly so as to fix the display assembly. The display assembly includes: an LED display light bar and a connecting structure connected with the LED display light bar. The display assembly further includes an angle adjustment structure provided between the connecting structure and the LED display light bar. The angle adjustment structure can adjust a mounting angle of the LED display light bar. The technical solution of the invention effectively solves the problem in the traditional art that an angle of an LED display light bar cannot be adjusted. |
| US09897294B2 |
Commercial lighting integrated platform
One or more interconnectable modules, each comprising a housing mounting an LED circuit board on an underside thereof and having a guide track on a top surface thereof with one or more slip fitter components shaped to slidably insert into and engage or attach to the guide track and configured to cooperate with one or more of a ceiling mounting bracket, a hanger bracket, an eye hanger and a cable hanging arrangement in order to provide multiple modes of hanging, suspending or otherwise mounting the one or more lighting modules. |
| US09897292B1 |
Solid-state lighting elements on adhesive transfer tape
The disclosed lighting arrangement includes adhesive transfer tape. The adhesive transfer tape has an adhesive layer disposed directly on a release liner, and the release liner is separable from the adhesive layer. Power wires are adhered directly to the adhesive layer, and solid state lighting elements are disposed on the adhesive layer and coupled to the power wires. |
| US09897286B2 |
Phosphor optical element and light-emitting device using the same
A phosphor optical element includes: a base member; a phosphor-containing member that includes a transparent member containing a phosphor particle; and a cover member, wherein the base member, the phosphor-containing member, and the cover member are sequentially formed on a transparent base that is transparent to a wavelength of incident light from an excitation light source, the phosphor particle has a diameter no greater than the wavelength of the incident light, and in an arbitrary cross section of the phosphor-containing member in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the transparent base, the phosphor-containing member has, in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the transparent base, a thickness no greater than the wavelength of the incident light. |
| US09897285B2 |
Wavelength converting element
A wavelength converting element (101, 102, 103, 110) comprising a polymeric carrier material comprising a first wavelength converting material adapted to convert light of a first wavelength to light of a second wavelength, wherein the oxygen diffusion coefficient (D) of the polymeric carrier material is 8×10−13 cm2/s or less at 25° C. A prolonged lifetime of the wavelength converting material is achieved by selecting a polymeric carrier material with an oxygen diffusion coefficient (D) at 8×10−13 cm2/s or less at 25° C. |
| US09897280B2 |
Path light and unitary gasket-reflector
The present application discloses a unitary gasket-reflector for use in light sources having at least one reflector and at least one gasket to seal the inside of the light sources against the elements. |
| US09897278B2 |
Reflector and light emitting diode illumination device having the same
A reflector configured for reflecting light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) toward a desired area is provided. The reflector defines a groove therein for accommodating the LED. Light emitted from the LED is reflected by an inner surface of the reflector toward a desired area located below the reflector, wherein the light reflected out of the reflector travels along a direction opposite to the main emitting direction of the LED. An LED illumination device incorporating the reflector is also provided. |
| US09897271B2 |
Wall-mounted sun tracking and light guiding apparatus
The present invention relates to a flat wall-mounted sun-tracking and light-guiding device with built-in sensors, which comprises a sun-tracking and light-guiding member, a sun-tracking controller, a light concentrator, and a switchable light emitter. The sun-tracking and light-guiding member owns the function of tracking the sun and is coupled to the sun-tracking controller. The light concentrator faces the sun and is used for concentrating the sunlight. In addition, the light concentrator is connected with the sun-tracking and light-guiding member. The light concentrator includes a light-guiding optical fiber, which is used for guiding the concentrated sunlight. Besides, the switchable light emitter is connected with one end of the light-guiding optical fiber. The switchable light emitter can be disposed indoors or on plant chambers for lighting the interior or plants using the sunlight guided by the light-guiding optical fiber. |
| US09897267B2 |
Light emitter components, systems, and related methods
Light emitter components, systems, and related methods having improved optical efficiency and a lower manufacturing cost are disclosed. In one aspect, a light emitter component can include a substrate having an elongated body and first and second ends. At least a first trace and a second trace can be provided on the substrate. In some aspects, the first trace can be disposed proximate the first end of the substrate and the second trace can be disposed proximate the second end of the substrate, with no other portion of the first trace or second trace being disposed between the first and second ends of the substrate. In some aspects, a string of LED chips can be provided on the substrate. The string of LED chips can be disposed between the first and second ends of the substrate. Angled traces, gaps and light emitter components can also be provided in some aspects. |
| US09897266B2 |
Light source module and lighting apparatus including the same
A light source module includes a light source, a light guide plate on the light source and including at least one recess portion in an upper surface thereof, and a filter sheet on an upper surface of the light guide plate and having a pattern. The pattern may be configured to partially reflect and partially transmit light emitted from the light source through the light guide plate. |
| US09897263B2 |
Light panel for a luminaire
A light panel for a luminaire includes a frame, a lamp assembly carried by the frame, a dissipater heat sink carried by the frame, and a heat transfer line that thermally couples the lamp assembly to the dissipater heat sink. The heat transfer line transfers heat generated by the lamp assembly, for example by a light element of the lamp assembly, to the dissipater heat sink by conduction. The dissipater heat sink is exposed to an exterior side of the frame such that heat from the lamp assembly is dissipated to the exterior side of the frame by conduction through the heat transfer line and the dissipater heat sink. The light panel may form a door for a housing of a luminaire, which may be easily retrofitted to the housing. |
| US09897262B2 |
Lighting device with overlapping and offset heat sinks
A lighting device includes a first and second opposed light sources, a first and second electrically insulating heat sink elements having overlapping portions separated by a distance, and a first and second flexible electrically conducting layers arranged in contact with the first and second light sources, respectively. The first and second electrically conducting layers are mounted to the first and second heat sink elements, respectively. The first and second heat sink elements each include a recess having shape of the first and second electrically conducting layers, respectively. |
| US09897257B2 |
Anti-spike pressure management of pressure-regulated fluid storage and delivery vessels
A fluid supply package comprising a pressure-regulated fluid storage and dispensing vessel, a valve head adapted for dispensing of fluid from the vessel, and an anti-pressure spike assembly adapted to combat pressure spiking in flow of fluid at inception of fluid dispensing. |
| US09897253B2 |
Temperature controlled axle cooling system and method
A temperature controlled axle cooling system and method is disclosed. Axle hydraulic circuits cool oil circulating through vehicle axles, and sensors monitor axle temperatures. Pumps are activated to circulate the oil through the axle circuits based on the axle temperatures. Each axle circuit can be a separate closed-loop hydraulic system, not sharing fluid with any other vehicle or axle hydraulic systems. All axle cooling system pumps can be activated when any axle temperature exceeds a high threshold. All pumps can be deactivated when all axle temperatures are below a low threshold. Each pump can be activated and deactivated based only on that axle's temperature. The axle cooling system pumps can be driven by motors powered by the main vehicle hydraulic system flow. A valve can be controlled based on axle temperature to allow main vehicle hydraulic system flow. Multiple pumps can be driven by a single motor. |
| US09897252B2 |
Object securing device
The disclosure presented herein relates to a clamp, vice, clasp or similar structure with an upper and lower jaw capable of gripping a surface. In use the jaws are separated and placed around the surface before being closed and tightened such that the clamp, vice, clasp reversibly grips the surface. A cord, strap, leash or similar structure is attached to the clamp. A spring loaded plastic toggle is attached to the end of the cord, strap, leash or similar structure. In use the cord, strap, leash or similar structure is secured around an item with the spring loaded plastic toggle. As the cord, strap, leash or similar structure is secured to the clamp the item is also secured to the clamp and the surface. |
| US09897248B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display, a base, a flexible circuitry connecting the display to the base, and a support frame assembly disposed between the display and the base. The support frame assembly includes an inner rail connecting to the base, an outer rail connecting to the display, and a first stop member. The outer rail is movably connected to the inner rail so that the outer rail is disposed at a first position or a second position relative to the base. An accommodation space is formed between the outer rail and the inner rail for accommodating the flexible circuitry. The first stop member is disposed between the inner rail and outer rail and extends from the inner rail and away from the accommodation space for restricting the outer rail to move along the inner rail between the first position and the second position. |
| US09897247B2 |
Positioning device
A product positioning device includes a support, a first guide rail, a second guide rail, a support platform, a latching device, and a driving device. The first guide rail and the second guide rail are positioned on the support. The support platform is configured to receive a product to be positioned. The support platform is movable to an end of the first guide rail. The latching device is movable to a position holding the product to be positioned against the support platform. The driving device is movable to a position nearer the support platform. The driving device is further slidably engaged with the second guide rail. The driving device moves to the driving device position as the support platform moves to the end of the first guide rail, and the latching device moves to the latching device position as the driving device moves to the driving device position. |
| US09897245B2 |
Polymeric foam insulation system for pipes
A pipe insulation system that serves as insulation for a length of pipe contains section of thermoplastic polymer foam that fit circumferentially around a length of pipe, rings of melt barrier material that fit circumferentially around the length of pipe and abut adjacent sections of thermoplastic foam, mesh around the sections of thermoplastic polymer foam and rings of melt barrier material, a metallic covering enclosing the thermoplastic polymer foam, melt barrier material and mesh, and a support band that fits circumferentially around the metallic covering and that holds the pipe insulation system against a length of pipe around which the pipe insulation resides. A ring of melt barrier material is present at the top and bottom of non-horizontal length of pipe and within any 250 centimeter distance along the length of pipe. |
| US09897243B2 |
Method and system for the remote detection of the position of a pig device inside a pressurized pipeline
A method and a system remotely detect the position of a pig device inside a pipeline for transporting pressurized fluids, like for example long distance oil and gas pipelines having a strategic international value. The method foresees equipping the pipeline with pressure sensors in contact with the fluid, located at at least one of the two terminals of the pipeline, and the sending and processing of signals by a control unit. The operation of the system is that of identifying and locating, in real time and continuously, a pig device that moves intermittently inside the pipeline, for example during cleaning, monitoring, measurement and non-destructive control operations. |
| US09897242B2 |
Tubular liner for sewer rehabilitation
A tubular liner for sewer rehabilitation an inner tubular film; a resin-carrier layer surrounding the inner tubular film; and a mechanically protective outer film system surrounding the resin-carrier layer. The outer film system has an outer film extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular liner. Longitudinal edges of the outer film are connected to each other in an overlapping manner in the circumferential direction of the tubular liner with connecting points. Upon the elongation in the radial direction during the insertion of the tubular liner, the connection points are elongated and may break in a sewer to be rehabilitated. The outer film features at least one layer made of a material that is mechanically very stable and is essentially not able to elongate, and at least one layer that is essentially impermeable for UV radiation and visible light. |
| US09897239B2 |
Rapid-connect coupler with vent stop
A rapid connect coupler can include a housing, a probe configured to translate within the housing, a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing body, a stop assembly configured to selectively arrest the translation of the probe. The stop assembly can include: a pawl configured to occupy both an active position and an inactive position, wherein the inactive position arrests the translation of the probe; a catch fixed to the housing and configured to hold the probe in the inactive position; a lever configured to engage the pawl; a spring fixed to both the housing and the lever and configured to bias the pawl to the inactive position via the lever; and a cam configured to disengage the pawl from the catch and cause the pawl to occupy the active position. |
| US09897236B2 |
Pipe holding connection structure and high frequency antenna device including the same
Provided is a pipe holding connection structure configured so that the width of the entire structure is reduced and so that the number of parts and the number of assembly work processes are reduced. This pipe holding connection structure is provided with: a housing affixed so as to air-tightly close the opening of a vacuum container; a first pipe having a portion near an end portion thereof extending through both the opening and the housing; and a second pipe having a female thread part engaging with a male thread part located at the end portion. The pipe has a locking part. Fluid is caused to flow through both the pipes. Pieces of packing are provided between the pipe and the housing and between the pipe and an end portion of the pipe, respectively. This pipe holding connection structure can be used for a high-frequency antenna device. |
| US09897231B2 |
Needle valve assembly with rotatable cap
A system includes a valve having an annular body, a cap positioned circumferentially about the annular body, and a stem positioned within an axially-extending cavity of the annular body. The stem is coupled to the cap such that rotation of the cap relative to the annular body drives the cap and the stem axially relative to the annular body to adjust the valve. |
| US09897228B2 |
Valve having opposing right-angle actuators
A valve is disclosed for use with a hydraulic circuit including a valve block, a central bore and an actuator passage formed in the valve block, and at least one of a supply and a drain passage. The valve also includes a control spool movable to selectively connect the actuator passage and at least one of the supply passage and the drain passage. The control spool includes a base end, and a tip end with a tapered outer surface. The valve also includes a first actuator configured to selectively direct pilot fluid to the tip end of the control spool, and a second actuator configured to selectively direct pilot fluid to the base end of the control spool. The first and second actuators each include a primary axis oriented generally orthogonal to an axis of the control spool, and are located at opposing sides of the control spool. |
| US09897226B2 |
Control valve with pressure wave attenuator
A control valve in which a PWM (pulse width modulated) control pressure signal acts on a membrane to which a control rod is connected tends to wear, and the device to which the control rod is attached likewise tends to wear, due to the transmission of undesired PWM control pressure pulsations. A third chamber is provided in the control valve housing. Control pressure pulsations enter the third chamber via a pressure medium connection. By providing at least one throttle aperture in a partition wall between the third chamber and the membrane acted upon by the pressure medium, it is possible to attenuate the pressure waves, thereby damping the vibration of the control rod, thus avoiding wear. |
| US09897225B2 |
Magneto-rheological elastomeric fluid control armature assembly
A solenoid fluid control valve having a valve body containing a solenoid coil, a fluid channel, and a seat, each coaxially disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the body, and a one-piece armature of MRE material. The armature is disposed within the fluid channel and magnetically actuable to seal against the seat, with operation of the solenoid coil actuating the armature with respect to the seat to alter the closure state of a fluid port. Also, a fluid check valve having a first valve body part defining a seat, a fluid port, and a first portion of a fluid chamber, with the seat including a permanent magnet element disposed adjacent the fluid port proximate the fluid chamber. A one-piece armature of MRE material is disposed across the fluid port and magnetically sealable against the magnet element. The armature and magnet element are configured to create a preselected magnetization offset pressure portion of a valve cracking pressure. |
| US09897220B2 |
Burst disk protected valve
A safety unit for a home carbonation machine that includes a valve to release gas from a sealed state at a first pressure and a backup element set to rupture at a second higher pressure when the valve malfunctions. The valve also includes a backup element housing which moves to vent the gas via an outlet during carbonation and which has a conduit to direct the gas to the backup element. |
| US09897218B2 |
Ball valve with load varying mechanism, and method of operating the same
A ball valve is provided. The ball valve includes at least one load varying mechanism provided in the static body assembly. The load varying mechanism includes a biasing member pressing one of the ball seat seals against the outer surface of the ball of the ball valve with a variable sealing load force applied on the ball, toward the ball and coaxial with the direction of the fluid. The load varying mechanism also includes a movable member operatively connected to a cam and to the biasing member, a rotation of the cam translating the movable member coaxially to the direction of the fluid, in order to variably load the biasing member toward or away from the ball, based on the different positions of the ball. |
| US09897217B2 |
Low-drag sealing method for thermal management valve
A low-drag seal arrangement for a thermal management valve including a housing having a chamber and at least one bore for flowing a fluid medium through the at least one bore between a location exterior of the housing and the chamber of the housing. A rotor is configured to rotate within the chamber of the housing relative to the bore. The rotor moves between a closed position where the flow of fluid medium through the at least one bore is blocked, an open position where the fluid medium flows through the at least one bore and an intermediate position where the flow of fluid medium through the at least one bore is partially restricted by the rotor's position relative to the bore. The low-drag seal arrangement also includes a face seal piston positioned within the at least one bore and configured to move axially within the bore. |
| US09897213B2 |
Flow inducing ring for a mechanical seal
A flow inducing ring for a mechanical seal includes a body portion having a first edge face and a second edge face, and at least one first groove extending both axially and circumferentially in one direction across the body portion from the first edge face to the second edge face. At least one second groove extends both axially and circumferentially in an opposite direction across the body portion from the first edge face to the second edge face. Each of the first groove and the second groove includes an entry portion, configured to draw a barrier fluid into the groove from the first edge face, and an exit portion, that is configured to expel barrier fluid from the groove to the second edge face and to impede the drawing of barrier fluid into the groove from the second edge face. The first and second grooves preferably have substantially constant cross-sections throughout the entirety of their lengths for enhanced uniform fluid flow. |
| US09897208B2 |
Flat gasket
A flat gasket with at least one extended carrier layer is described. Such flat gaskets are for instance used as transmission plates or also as cylinder head gaskets. They are also used in the area of the exhaust line of a combustion engine. The at least one extended carrier layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The layer also has a passage opening for a fluid which penetrates the carrier layer. The circumferential edge of each of the two surfaces has one or several projections which encircle the passage opening at least in sections and protrude into the passage opening. A functional element is arranged in the passage opening, which is held by the one or several projections in the passage opening. |
| US09897207B2 |
Variable-volume head
Disclosed is a device that includes a natural-gas compression system having a natural-gas powered combustion engine, a compression cylinder configured to receive natural gas and output compressed natural gas, a piston disposed in the compression cylinder and configured to translate through the compression cylinder in response to mechanical power received from the natural-gas powered combustion engine, and a variable-volume head mounted to the compression cylinder and configured to vary a compressed volume of the compression cylinder. In some instances, the variable-volume head includes a head body, an adjustment screw rotatably coupled to the head body, a plug moveable in threaded engagement with the adjustment screw, and an anti-rotation device coupled to the plug, the head body, or both. The anti-rotation device may be configured to impede the plug from rotating relative to the head body as the adjustment screw rotates. |
| US09897205B2 |
Roller position control in a Toric-drive CVT
A roller position control mechanism including a steering element, positioned inside the bearing of each roller and provided with a skew shaft and a steering shaft defining an angle therebetween. A spider element fixes the steering element to a longitudinal shaft of the CVT and a control ring element interconnects the steering elements of the various rollers. Movement of the control ring element with respect to the spider element translates to a tilting movement of the rollers, thanks to the angle between the skew and steering shafts. |
| US09897198B2 |
Apparatus for calculating filling time of automatic transmission and control method thereof
An apparatus for calculating a filling time in an automatic transmission and a method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus includes an oil temperature detection unit for detecting an oil temperature of a transmission oil, a control duty input unit for receiving a control duty for controlling a solenoid valve that discharges or fills the transmission oil supplied from an oil pump from or to an oil flow path corresponding to a gear shifting stage to form a hydraulic pressure, a storage unit for storing a filling time table in which a relationship between a remaining flow and a filling time according to the oil temperature is mapped, and a calculation control unit for receiving the control duty of the solenoid valve from the control duty input unit to calculate the remaining flow on the basis of a variation interval of the remaining flow and an elapsed time, and calculating the filling time depending on the filling time table stored in the storage unit on the basis of the remaining flow. |
| US09897193B2 |
Gearbox lubrication
A helicopter tail rotor gearbox including a housing, an output shaft for connection to a tail rotor rotatably supported in the housing and having an open end therein, an input member rotatably supported in the housing, gearing providing a power transmitting connection between the input member and output shaft, a pitch control shaft for effecting a change in the pitch of the tail rotor, the pitch control shaft being disposed at least partially within the output shaft, rotatable therewith, and movable relative thereto along the rotational axis of the output shaft, an actuating member for effecting axial movement of the pitch control shaft, the actuating member being movable axially of the output shaft but held against rotation therewith, and a bearing assembly positioned in between the pitch control shaft and the actuating member for permitting relative rotation therebetween, wherein the gearbox includes at least one formation for diverting oil, dispersed within the housing in use, towards the open end of the output shaft. |
| US09897192B2 |
Lubricating structure for speed reducer
A lubricating structure for a speed reducer includes: a case; a first reduction gear pair provided inside the case; a second reduction gear pair provided inside the case; a first catch tank arranged inside the case; a second catch tank arranged inside the case; a partition member that includes a partition wall that partitions an inside of the case into a first accommodation space in which the first reduction gear pair is accommodated and a second accommodation space in which the second reduction gear pair is accommodated; a first oil passage communicating with the first accommodation space and configured to guide lubricating oil to the first catch tank; a second oil passage communicating with the second accommodation space and configured to guide lubricating oil to the second catch tank; and a communication port provided in the partition member and communicating the first oil passage with the second oil passage. |
| US09897191B2 |
Torque arm structure
A torque arm structure includes a first member which is fixed to the reduction gear or a member integrated with the reduction gear, and a second member which is fixed to an outer member to oppose the first member, and an elastic member configured to transmit a load by which the reduction gear is rotated around the output shaft from the first member to the second member. The elastic member is to be fitted into a gap between the first member and the second member and is detachably disposed in the gap. |
| US09897190B2 |
Belt-driven starter-generator
A belt-driven starter-generator includes a rotary shaft, and a pulley belt coupled on an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft. A key is press-fitted into a pocket formed between the rotary shaft and the pulley belt so as to fix the rotary shaft to the pulley belt. A coupling member is coupled to a thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft so as to support one side of the pulley belt. Operational reliability and assembly convenience may be improved by the belt-driven starter-generator of the present disclosure. |
| US09897189B2 |
Wave speed reducer having self-locking function and compound type reducer device
The invention provides a wave speed reducer having a self-locking function comprising a structure for outputting driving rotation of a bearing member or a spline wheel at a specific reduction ratio which drives rollers to rotate by a cam. A designed convex arc of the cam has self-locking function of restricting the rollers to reversely rotate so as to form a compound type reducer device having a multi-reducer function by mutually combining the wave speed reducer and a planetary gear set. To solve conventional problems, poor driving accuracy at tiny rotation angle and scarcity of self-locking function for conventional reducers are improved. |
| US09897188B2 |
Differential device
In a differential device distributing rotational force acting on a differential case to a pair of output shafts, the differential case including an input member and a cover portion, assembling precision of the differential device is enhanced by suppressing strain due to welding and press-fitting. The input member includes: a welded portion fitting the cover portion in axial direction and joined by welding; a press-fitted portion located inward of the welded portion in radial direction and axial direction and press-fitted to the cover portion; and a connecting surface connecting the welded portion and the press-fitted portion and forming a space between the connecting surface and the cover portion, the space allowing deformation of the press-fitted portion during press-fitting. The connecting surface includes one end portion continuous to the welded portion and extending outward from the welded portion in radial direction. |
| US09897187B2 |
Differential gear
A differential gear includes: a first output gear; a second output gear; a differential case; a clutch member configured to move in a direction of a rotation axis between a connecting position where the differential case is connected to the first output gear in a relatively non-rotatable manner and a non-connecting position where the differential case and the first side gear are allowed to rotate relative to each other; an electromagnetic coil having a cylindrical shape and configured to move the clutch member in the direction of the rotation axis; and a yoke having an annular shape and serving as a magnetic path of a magnetic flux of the electromagnetic coil. The clutch member has an outermost diameter smaller than an inside diameter of the yoke. |
| US09897183B2 |
Hydrostatic variator
A hydrostatic variator having a common yoke design and two or more bent axis piston drive units is disclosed in which the rotating group of a drive unit is arranged to be movable relative to the yoke to alter the angle between its drive shaft axis and rotating group axis independent of the other drive unit. This can be accomplished using movable sector plates coupled to the rotating groups that are arcuately movable within the yoke about the axis perpendicular to the respective drive shaft axes of the drive units. Such variators enjoy the response and packaging advantages of a common yoke design while still allowing dynamic adjustment of system size. In turn, varying system size allows for efficiency to be improved at conditions other than at the maximum design torque. |
| US09897180B2 |
3D push pull chain
A push pull chain is provided with chain links that are connected to each other by respectively one chain joint, designed in a space-efficient manner. The chain joints of a first chain section with their joint axes have a first orientation, whereby the joint axes of the chain joints of a second chain section are arranged in a second orientation that is twisted around the longitudinal axis of the push pull chain or whereby they can be set to this orientation. In addition, a pertaining chain drive is provided. |
| US09897178B2 |
Manipulatable epicyclic type clutch device coupled with hybrid power train
The present invention provides a controllable epicyclic type clutch device coupled with hybrid power train structured by using the controllable brake device to manipulate an epicyclic gear set (EG101), in which the power train having the clutch device structured by using the controllable brake device to manipulate the epicyclic gear set (EG101) can be widely applied in a dual rotary kinetic power source or a triple rotary kinetic power source, the structural configuration includes a coaxial in-series structure or a multiple axial in-parallel structure for satisfying the requirement of applied space. |
| US09897176B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, an input shaft mounted with the first, second, and third planetary gear sets at an external circumference of the input shaft, an output shaft mounted with the fourth planetary gear set on an external circumference of the output shaft, a first shaft directly connected with the input shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft, a fourth shaft, a fifth shaft, a sixth shaft, a seventh shaft, an eighth shaft gear-meshed with one shaft among the fourth and seventh shafts, a ninth shaft directly connected with the output shaft, a tenth shaft gear-meshed with a remaining shaft among the fourth and seventh shafts that is not externally gear-meshed with the eighth shaft, and transfer gears. |
| US09897174B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train of claim of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft for receiving an engine torque, an output shaft for outputting a shifted torque, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft, a fourth shaft directly connected with a transmission housing, a fifth shaft selectively connectable with the second shaft, a sixth shaft directly connected with the output shaft, a seventh shaft, an eighth shaft selectively connectable with the first shaft and the second shaft, and directly connected with the input shaft, and a ninth shaft selectively connectable with the sixth shaft. |
| US09897171B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
The present disclosure provides a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle to perform ten or more forward speeds and one or more reverse speed. The planetary gear train includes: an input shaft, an output shaft, three planetary gear sets respectively having three rotational elements, and seven control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotational elements and a transmission housing. |
| US09897169B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear set of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft for receiving an engine torque, an output shaft for outputting a shifted torque of the engine, a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotational elements, a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotational elements, a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotational elements, a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotational elements, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotational elements and a transmission housing. |
| US09897168B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
Eight or more forward speeds and at least one reverse speed is achieved by a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle including an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets respectively having three rotation elements, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotation elements. |
| US09897167B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
The present disclosure provides a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle. The planetary gear train may include: an input shaft receiving torque of an engine; an output shaft outputting changed torque; a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements; a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements; a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements. |
| US09897166B2 |
Transmission and working vehicle
A first clutch is configured to switch between connection and disconnection of a second carrier and a housing. The first clutch is arranged between a first planetary gear mechanism and a second planetary gear mechanism in the axial direction. A second clutch is arranged between the second planetary gear mechanism and the first planetary gear mechanism in the axial direction. The second clutch has an outer diameter which is smaller than an outer diameter of the first clutch. A first piston is configured so that, by applying pressure to the first clutch, the first clutch is connected. A return spring lines up with the first clutch in the axial direction and is arranged on the outside of the second clutch in the radial direction. The return spring presses the first piston to separate from the first clutch. |
| US09897164B2 |
Transmission for vehicle
A transmission includes: first and second input shafts receiving power from an engine; an output shaft arranged in parallel with the first input shaft; first and second countershafts arranged in parallel with the first and second input shafts, respectively; a first shift unit making desired gear shifts between the first input shaft and the output shaft, and between the first input shaft and the first countershaft; a second shift unit arranged between the second input shaft and the second countershaft in order to perform of duplicate gear shifts; a power connection unit transmitting power from the first countershaft to the output shaft; and a one-way clutch transmitting power from the engine to the power connection unit through the second shift unit. In particular, each duplicate gear shift has a gear ratio substantially identical to at least one gear ratio of the gear shifts of the first shift unit. |
| US09897159B2 |
Shape memory allow thermally compensating damping system
A damper assembly includes a housing that defines an interior chamber. A rod is supported by the housing, and is at least partially disposed within the interior chamber. A piston assembly is attached to the rod within the interior chamber. The piston assembly separates the interior chamber into at least a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate defining at least one orifice, which interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The piston assembly includes at least one valve disc that is disposed adjacent a first face of the annular plate. An SMA device is disposed in contact with the valve disc. The SMA device is changeable between a first state and a second state, at a transition temperature, to control a bending stiffness of the valve disc to adjust a damping rate. |
| US09897154B2 |
Disk brake hub assembly
A brake hub assembly including a brake hub and a brake disk having a first brake surface, a second brake surface spaced axially from the first brake surface, and a plurality of ribs extending between the first and second brake surfaces. Where the brake hub is thermally isolated from the brake hub by various combinations of spacers, torque pins, torque lugs, and the like. |
| US09897152B2 |
Wear optimized pad design
A brake pad for a disc brake with decreased wear characteristics is provided. The brake pad is configured with the distribution of brake pad friction material weighted toward the radially outer region of the brake pad, with the lateral sides of the pad material being generally aligned with radial lines originating at the rotation axis of the brake disc of the disc brake. The brake pad friction material distribution results in decreased brake application pressure between the brake pad and the brake disc while obtaining the same braking force provided by a comparable generally rectangular brake pad, resulting in lower brake pad wear at the same braking force levels. |
| US09897150B2 |
Integrated actuator for multi-mode clutch module
A transmission clutch module includes first and second races, and a plurality of race engagement mechanisms situated between the races. The module incorporates an integrated hydraulic actuator having an actuator cam ring that includes cam ramps configured for moving the race engagement mechanisms between positions adapted to selectively interact with the races. As such, the actuator, designed to be contained entirely within a generally circumferential envelope of the clutch module, may control rotation of the actuator cam ring between at least two spaced angular positions in at least one embodiment. In various other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, the actuator cam ring may be adapted to rotate among any number of pre-determined positions to operatively permit or prevent the transmittal of torque between the first and second races. |
| US09897147B2 |
Bearing seal and use thereof
A bearing seal is provided having inner and outer frames capable of forming a tight fit with a bearing inner ring and with a bearing outer ring respectively. The frames adjacent to each other, at least one of the two formed with an axial lip abutting an inner surface of the other in an axial direction and a radial lip abutting an inner surface of the other in a radial direction, for sealing an axial gap and a radial gap. A flexible convolute structure formed on the radial lip, and the convolute structure is initially formed with at least two hinge points. The hinge points are points of connection and intersection between adjacent bend surfaces in the convolute structure, being the locations of the principal regions where the material actually deforms by bending between adjacent bend surfaces. Predetermined bend angles are formed at the hinge points between adjacent bend surfaces. |
| US09897145B2 |
Coated component
A coated component, in particular to a rolling bearing part, made from a metallic substrate (2), and a PVD coating (3), which is applied to the substrate (2), formed of chromium and having a thickness of less than 2 μm, wherein the PVD coating (3) forms the surface of the component, and a compound of chromium and at least one further element is formed on the component surface. |
| US09897143B2 |
Bush bearing and a scroll compressor including a bush bearing
A bush bearing and a scroll compressor including a bush bearing are provided. A boss of an orbiting scroll may be inserted into and coupled to a boss coupling groove of a rotational shaft, and thus, an outer circumferential surface of a bush bearing may wholly contact an inner circumferential surface of the boss coupling groove, thereby decreasing wear of the bush bearing. Further, friction loss in the bush bearing may be reduced, and thus, compression efficiency and reliability may be enhanced, noise may be reduced, and material costs may be reduced. Furthermore, despite that the bush bearing is formed in a ring shape and press-fitted to the boss, as the bush bearing may be formed of a plastic material having an ether ketone bonding in consideration of a thermal expansion rate, an elongation, and a press-fit range, the bush bearing may be effectively prevented from being detached from the boss, thereby enhancing a reliability of a compressor. |
| US09897141B2 |
Curvilinear motion rolling guide unit
A curvilinear motion rolling guide unit is such that pipe members adapted to form return passages are disposed respectively at undercuts of wings of an arcuate casing, thereby reducing working costs. A slider has a casing and end caps fixed to respective opposite ends of the casing. Pipe members adapted to form return passages are disposed at the respective undercuts formed on the wings of the casing. Cover members have longitudinally extending grooves, respectively, for covering the pipe members. Fitting grooves formed at opposite ends of the grooves of the cover members are fitted to direction changing passages provided in the respective end caps, whereby the cover members are fixed to the end caps. |
| US09897138B2 |
Method for preloading a hub bearing unit
A method for axially preloading a bearing hub assembly having a rotatable hub, provided with rolling tracks and a bearing unit having a stationary radially outer ring, provided with rolling tracks, and a double row of rolling bodies disposed between the radially outer ring and the hub. The method requires the use of a bias unit and provides the following steps: a) feeding to an assembly station a hub bearing assembly, already assembled; b) verifying the value of the interference (C) between the radially outer ring and the bias unit; c) exerting an axial force (F) radially on the outer ring for the bias unit to deform under compression the radially outer ring that in turn will transmit a force to the rolling bodies via the raceways. |
| US09897135B2 |
Extendible working machine
An extendible working machine has a rotation/drive section, a working section, and a rod section which connects the rotation/drive section and the working section, transmits rotational force to the working section, and can be extended and retracted. The rod section has a tube body which can be extended and retracted, and also has a shaft body which extends in the axial direction within the tube body and which can be extended and retracted together with the tube body. The shaft body has a pipe shaft which is supported within the inner tube in a rotatable manner. Helical grooves are formed in the surface of the drive shaft. The drive shaft is connected to the pipe shaft so the pipe shaft can move in the axial direction along the outer surface of the drive shaft and so the rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to the pipe shaft. |
| US09897134B2 |
Length adjustment for a drive shaft
A length adjustment for a drive shaft, wherein the length adjustment has the following: a first rotary element with a first longitudinal toothing and a second rotary element with a second longitudinal toothing. The first longitudinal toothing and the second longitudinal toothing mesh with each other and are axially displaceable to each other. In an end portion of the first rotary element a tooth gap between two longitudinal teeth of the first longitudinal toothing is obstructed. The radial height of a longitudinal tooth of the second longitudinal toothing is reduced relative to the residual longitudinal teeth such that only the longitudinal tooth reduced in radial height can be axially inserted into the obstructed tooth gap. The tooth gap is obstructed by a locking portion of the first rotary element, produced by forming or a material connection a pin resting in a bore of the first rotary element. The locking portion or the pin is arranged in the tooth gap or in axial extension to the tooth gap. |
| US09897130B2 |
Telescoping cap assembly for encapsulating a fastener disposed within a confined space
This disclosure provides a cap assembly for encapsulating a fastener or portion of a fastener that protrudes from a surface and into a confined space. The cap assembly includes a plurality of nested sections that telescope a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration. The plurality of nested sections includes a base section that includes a base rim that engages the surface in the extended configuration. The plurality of nested sections also includes an end section that has an end wall. The end wall and the base rim define a length of the cap assembly in the extended configuration that is sufficient to encapsulate the fastener within the cap assembly with the base rim engaging the surface and the end wall spaced apart from a distal end of the fastener. |
| US09897127B1 |
Fastening device with integrated sensor
A fastening device may include a hollow void. The hollow void may contain an inner coil proximate to a first end of the device, a sensing portion to sense a characteristic associated with the fastening device during a sensing time window, and a controller. The controller may rectify an alternating current from the inner coil during a charging time window, store energy associated with the rectified alternating current, and use the stored energy to charge the sensing portion during the sensing time window. An outer coil outside the fastening device may be located proximate to a second end of the device as compared to the inner coil. An interface portion outside the fastening device may provide an alternating current to the outer coil during the charging time window, detect the sensed characteristic via the outer coil during the sensing time window, and transmit an indication of the detected characteristic value. |
| US09897126B2 |
Sealing plug for closing holes in walls and the like
A sealing plug including an elastic body and a stem coaxially assembled to one another. The elastic body has a main body which is suitable for being expanded radially when pulling on the free end of the stem which emerges out of said elastic body. The elastic body also has a head attached to the main body, the head having a compressive strength less than that in the main body. |
| US09897124B1 |
Dowel bar assembly and mechanical connector
A mechanical connector for securing a dowel rod to a frame of a dowel bar assembly as well as a dowel bar assembly are detailed. Each embodiment of the mechanical connector includes a portion to receive the dowel bar. A second portion of the mechanical connector engages the frame of the dowel bar assembly. A third portion of the mechanical connector engages a separate part of the frame further stabilizing the mechanical connector and frame. |
| US09897123B2 |
Connector for concrete barriers
Connector to slip-fit into a cross-shaped gap between barriers. The barriers are engaged by a lock extending in the gap into slots through sidewalls terminating the barriers. The connector includes a saddle and fork. The saddle includes a base plate and peripheral plates. The base plate is to extend over the gap and partially atop the barriers. The peripheral plates are to be disposed over front and back walls of the barriers. The base plate and peripheral plates define open ends. The fork extends below the base plate and includes a base, flanges, and legs. The base is to he disposed atop the lock between the sidewalls. The flanges are disposed transversely to the base forming a cross-shaped structure to be disposed atop the lock with the flanges extended toward the open ends into the slots. The legs extend separately from the base to straddle the lock between the sidewalls. |
| US09897122B2 |
Attachment of composite lug to composite structural tube
The present disclosure describes lug clusters for composite tubes and methods for making such lug clusters. Lug clusters of the present disclosure may include a first side, a second side, and a saddle. The saddle may be placed in adjacent contact with a tube and a filament may be wound around the lug cluster and tube. The wound lug cluster and tube may be resin transfer molded. Machining may follow to remove material and finalize the shape of the lug cluster and/or tube. Thus, a lug cluster may be attached to a composite tube. |
| US09897119B2 |
Control system for hybrid construction machine
A control system for a hybrid construction machine includes a turning-regeneration-use switching valve that opens when a pressure detected by a pressure detector reaches a turning-regeneration starting pressure, so as to introduce the working fluid from a turning circuit to a regenerative motor, an operating-state detector that detects an operating state of a fluid pressure cylinder; and a cylinder-regeneration-use switching valve that opens based on a detection result of the operating-state detector, so as to introduce the working fluid from the fluid pressure cylinder to the regenerative motor. When the turning regeneration is performed alone, the working fluid from the turning circuit is introduced into the regenerative motor without pressure reduction, When the turning regeneration and the cylinder regeneration are simultaneously performed, the working fluid from the turning circuit is reduced in pressure, joins the working fluid from the fluid pressure cylinder, and is introduced into the regenerative motor. |
| US09897117B2 |
Electromagnetic powertrain system
An electromagnetically operated powertrain system is provided. The system includes a plurality of cylinder assemblies arranged in parallel at least partially along a vehicle. Each of the cylinder assemblies may include one or more cylinders, one or more electromagnetic devices secured to at least one of the ends of each cylinder, one or more pistons reciprocatingly received in the cylinders, and a piston rod coupled to the pistons. Each of the pistons includes a permanent magnet that creates a magnetic field interacting with an electromagnetic field generated by each of the electromagnetic devices. A pulling and/or pushing force may be selectively generated by the magnetic field and the electromagnetic field to enable the pistons to reciprocate within the cylinders. A crankshaft is coupled to the piston rods of the plurality of cylinder assemblies and directly coupled to at least one of front and rear axles of a vehicle. |
| US09897108B2 |
Propeller fan, air blower, outdoor unit
An inner peripheral side of the blade with respect to an apex (P) of the leading edge protruding portion extends forward in the fan rotating direction with respect to the apex (P). A radius (Rq) at a position of an apex (Q) of the trailing edge protruding portion is larger than a radius (Rp) at a position of the apex (P). The radius (Rq) at the position of the apex (Q) is larger than an intermediate radius (Rm) between a radius (Ro) of an outer peripheral edge and a radius (Ri) of an inner peripheral edge. |
| US09897107B2 |
Compressor wheel and unbalance detection device for compressor assembly
A compressor wheel that can more effectively and accurately detect its rotational unbalance than before is provided. The compressor wheel is disposed in a compressor assembly, the compressor wheel including a boss portion mounted on a rotation shaft, a rear plate portion disposed on an opposite side of a tip end portion disposed on one end side of the boss portion, the rear plate portion extending perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotation shaft, and a sensor detection surface formed on a circumferential surface of the tip end portion of the boss portion or on a circumferential surface of the rear plate portion, the sensor detection surface being inclined to the circumferential surface of the end portion or the circumferential surface of the rear plate portion, the sensor detection surface being detectable by an optical sensor that irradiates the sensor detection surface with light and detects light reflected therefrom. |
| US09897103B2 |
Compressor
To improve the exhaust heat recovery efficiency, a compressor includes a heat exchanger for cooling a gas, coolant, water, or oil heated by the compressor during compressor operation by heat exchange with a working fluid, for circulating the working fluid of a Rankine cycle. The Rankine cycle is implemented by the heat exchanger, an expander, a condenser, and a circulating pump to circulate the working fluid through the cycle. |
| US09897102B2 |
Structure improvement of pump casing with PFA liner
A structure improvement of a pump casing with a Polyfluoroalkoxy (PFA) liner which improves manufacturing efficiency, reduces manufacturing cost and improves yield strength, more particular to keep the stiffness of the shaft support and improve yield of the pump casing. The metal pump casing with the PFA liner used for handling corrosive liquids includes a suction casing with PFA liner, and a volute casing with PFA liner for accommodating an impeller. The volute casing also collects and then ejects the liquid through a discharge. The suction casing with the PFA liner and the volute casing with the PFA liner are separately formed as two workpieces by injection molding process and then assembled to form the pump casing so as to reduce the residual stress applied in the PFA liner. |
| US09897100B2 |
In-line continuous flow liquid-gas separator-pump
An in-line continuous flow liquid-gas separator-pump includes a housing, a rotor, a plurality of tubular flow passages, and a plurality of gas flow passages. The rotor includes a rotor first end, a rotor second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface that defines an inner chamber in fluid communication with the purge gas outlet. The tubular flow passages are formed in the rotor and extend between the rotor first end and the rotor second end. Each tubular flow passage includes a fluid inlet that is disposed adjacent the rotor first end and in fluid communication with the liquid/gas inlet, and a fluid outlet that is disposed adjacent the rotor second end and is in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. The gas flow passages are formed in the rotor, and each provides fluid communication between one of the tubular flow passages and the inner chamber. |
| US09897099B1 |
Impeller for liquid sealed pump
A pump for pumping a fluid includes a motor, a drive shaft, an impeller, a pump housing having an inlet and an outlet portion, and an extension tube extending between the motor and the pump housing. Preferably, a portion of the fluid to be pumped is contained within the extension tube at a relatively constant level to provide a seal. |
| US09897097B2 |
Turbocharger with a hybrid journal bearing system
A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing defining a bearing bore and a hybrid journal bearing system disposed within the bore. The hybrid journal bearing system includes first and second journal bearings. The first journal bearing is a semi-floating bearing and the second journal bearing is a full-floating bearing. The turbocharger also includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft is supported by the journal bearing system for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gases emitted by the engine. Additionally, the turbocharger includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. |
| US09897095B2 |
Ceiling fan kit and method of mounting
A ceiling fan kit comprising a structure mount, downrods having differing lengths, and adjustable and non-adjustable length canopies, complementary to the downrods based upon their length. Further, a method of mounting the ceiling fan kit, enabling an installer to quickly and easily adapt the ceiling fan kit to different types or heights of ceilings or building structures without sacrificing aesthetic value or functionality, by utilizing the downrods and their complementary canopies. |
| US09897093B2 |
Bearing cooling flow and energy recovery systems
An air cycle machine is provided. The machine includes a housing configured to enable airflow therethrough, a fan disposed within the housing and configured to rotate within the housing, and at least one aperture formed in the housing and configured to allow airflow through the at least one aperture from a cooling airflow path of an air cycle machine and into the housing. The at least one aperture is configured to optimally direct airflow passing therethrough toward the fan. |
| US09897092B2 |
Compressor and turbo chiller
A compressor (2) characterized by being equipped with: a rotary shaft (12); multiple impellers attached to the rotary shaft; a main flow path that guides a fluid from the prior-stage impeller to the latter-stage impeller; a chamber (31) that forms a circle centered around the axial line and connects to the main flow path; a suction nozzle (32) that guides the fluid from the outer circumferential side toward the inner circumferential side in the chamber; multiple movable vanes provided in the main flow path at intervals in the circumferential direction of the axial line and capable of moving and thereby adjusting the flow volume of the fluid passing through the main flow path; and a drive mechanism (42) that is provided at one side in the circumferential direction of the suction nozzle (32) within the chamber (31), and that changes the angle of the multiple movable vanes. In addition, of the one side and the other side in the circumferential direction within the chamber (31), the suction nozzle (32) is inclined toward the other side so as to increase the flow volume of the fluid toward the other side. |
| US09897087B2 |
Inverted air compressor
In many fields, such as manufacturing and mining, compressed air is used as a power source for industrial equipment, hand power tools, etc. Extensive compressed air systems are installed in these environments to supply compressed air where it is needed. In mining, extensive belts are frequently used to move mined material. Idler rollers are located intermittently along these belts. Embodiments of the present invention include compressors located within these idler rollers. As the belt moves and causes the roller to turn, a compressor within the roller generates compressed air. Because the belt moves nearly continuously, but the compressed air may not be consumed continuously, the air will be vented periodically. Embodiments of the present invention use these vents to clean the filters for the system. Also, some embodiments of the compressor may be produced using a laminated, or stacked, method. |
| US09897080B2 |
Rotary control valve for reverse osmosis feed water pump with energy recovery
A liquid pumping system includes at least two water cylinders that are each controlled by a hydraulic piston. A rotary valve controls the hydraulic pistons. The rotary valve has an inner unit that rotates within an outer unit. Slots provided between the inner and outer units control the duration, rate and direction of hydraulic fluid supply to the hydraulic piston. A liquid pumping process comprises distributing an initial flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders move through a cycle in a phased relationship to provide a constant sum of flow rates from the liquid pumps. In a water treating process, feed water is pumped through the membrane unit. Brine from the membrane unit is returned to each liquid pump while that liquid pump is feeding water to the membrane unit. |
| US09897078B2 |
Bi-directional rotary shape memory alloy element actuator assemblies, and systems and methods including the same
Rotary actuator assemblies, wind tunnels including the same, and associated methods are disclosed. A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary element and a rotary actuator with a shape memory alloy element. The rotary actuator is configured to generate a first torque and a second torque in opposing rotary directions to rotate the rotary element. A rotary actuator assembly further includes an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element configured to generate a magnetic force therebetween. Wind tunnels include an aerodynamic model with a rotary actuator assembly to rotate a portion of the aerodynamic model with respect to an airstream in a chamber. A method of rotating a rotary element includes modulating a temperature of a shape memory alloy element and applying a supplemental torque to the rotary element with an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element. |
| US09897077B2 |
Solar automatic heat collecting and equalizing tube, automatic heat equalizing trough-type module, solar-thermal complementary power generation system comprising the same, and power generation method using the same
A solar automatic heat collecting and equalizing tube, including: a glass tube, an absorption tube, and a baffle. The glass tube is sleeved on the absorption tube. The absorption tube is coated with a heat absorption layer. The space between the glass tube and the absorption tube is vacuum. The baffle is disposed in the inner cavity of the absorption tube and is configured to drive a fluid in the absorption tube to tumble up and down alternately. The baffle is spiral in shape and fixed in the absorption tube. |
| US09897071B2 |
Wind and water power generation system with multi-stage linear generators
A power generation assembly for use in generating electrical power from air or water currents includes a rail system including at least one rail and a vane assembly, drivable by the air or water currents. A car assembly is slidably mounted to the rail and coupled to the vane assembly: wherein movement of vanes of the vane assembly generates linear movement of the car assembly. An electrical energy generating system includes two or more independent sets of stator windings carried by the rail system, and a piston, carried by the car assembly, wherein linear movement of the piston relative to the stator windings generates electrical energy. A switching system is operable to controllably and individually activate each of the two or more independent sets of stator windings. |
| US09897069B2 |
Root airfoil of wind turbine blade
A root airfoil of a wind turbine blade has a suction surface and a pressure surface formed at the upper portion and at the lower portion of a chord line which connects the leading edge and the trailing edge. The operating Reynolds number is 30,000 to 1,000,000, and the angle of attack of the airfoil is 0 to 21 degrees. The maximum lift coefficient is 0.8 to 1.1, and the minimum drag coefficient is 0.02 to 0.07. |
| US09897067B2 |
Swallow tail airfoil
The aerodynamic element has a cross section in an airflow direction with a trailing edge (10c). The aerodynamic element (10) further includes a non-symmetrical swallow tail shaped cavity body (1, 2) attached to the trailing edge (10c) of the aerodynamic element (10). The aerodynamic element (10) is e.g. applied in a rotor blade for a wind turbine. |
| US09897066B2 |
Method of making a root end joint of a wind turbine blade and a root segment for such a joint
A method of making a root end joint for a wind turbine. A plurality of root segments (10) are formed of a composite material. Each has an arcuate end face (11) which subtends an angle of 90° or less and has a plurality of connection holes (12). The segments are joined together side-by-side to build up the circular profile of the root end. The segments include a proportion of uni-axial to multiaxial fiber which decreases from the arcuate end face towards the opposite end. |
| US09897064B2 |
Ignition coil for internal combustion engine
An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine is provided which is equipped with a high-voltage connector terminal and a high-voltage output terminal. The high-voltage connector terminal is connected to a secondary coil. The high-voltage output terminal is to be joined to a spark plug. The high-voltage connector terminal has a tip portion with a rounded surface which elastically establishes an electrical contact with the surface of the high-voltage output terminal. The rounded surface serves to minimize the wear of the high-voltage connector terminal and the high-voltage output terminal which arises from rubbing therebetween during assembling or operation of the ignition coil, thus avoiding the adhesion of foreign objects to the contact surfaces and ensuring the stability of electric communication between the high-voltage connector terminal and the high-voltage output terminal. |
| US09897061B2 |
Method for controlling engine knocking
A method for controlling engine knocking, in which a retarded timing is recovered based on a retarded timing amount learned when the engine knocking occurs during driving of a vehicle, includes a first process of retarding an ignition timing based on the previously learned retarded timing amount in a reference engine operating condition entered during driving of the vehicle. A second process recovers the retarded timing when a first condition in which a time duration acquired by accumulating a driving time under the reference engine operating condition is equal to or more than a reference time duration and a second condition in which the engine knocking does not occur while driving under the reference engine operating condition are satisfied. |
| US09897059B2 |
Diesel engine
A diesel engine includes a piston, a cylinder head, and a fuel injector. The fuel injector has a valve body with bored nozzle holes in its tip part. A cavity having a circular shape in plan view is formed in a crown surface of the piston to concave to the counter cylinder head side. A wall surface constituting the cavity has a central ridge portion bulging toward the fuel injector while bulging larger toward the center of the cavity, a periphery concave portion formed radially outward of the central ridge portion to concave radially outward, and a lip portion formed between the periphery concave portion and the crown surface to convex radially inward. A lip radius R, a nozzle hole length L, a nozzle hole diameter D, and a bore radius B are designed to satisfy the following equation: 99.4D×(1−3D)×(L+2.7)≦R≦min{237.1D×(1−3D)×(0.8L+1),2B/3}. |
| US09897058B2 |
Fuel injector
A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine includes a valve member that is moveable within a bore of an injection nozzle so as to be engageable with a valve seat region to control fuel delivery through one or more nozzle outlets, an injector body housing an actuator that is operable to move the valve member within the bore, and defining an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel. The fuel injector includes a damping chamber in fluid communication with the accumulator volume through a fluid passage, the damping chamber serving to reduce pressure wave activity within the accumulator volume. |
| US09897055B2 |
Method and system for delivering a gaseous fuel into the air intake system of an internal combustion engine
A method and system is disclosed for delivering a cryogenically stored fuel in a gaseous state into the air intake system of a gaseous fuelled internal combustion engine. The method comprises determining the flow rate capacity in the engine system's fuel delivery line, comparing the determined flow rate capacity to a required flow rate demand and supplying fuel in gaseous state directly from the vapor space of the cryogenic storage vessel to the fuel delivery line that supplies fuel to the engine, when the flow rate capacity is equal to or higher than the required flow rate demand. The method further comprises activating a cryogenic pump to deliver fuel to the internal combustion engine from the liquid space of the cryogenic storage vessel when the determined flow rate capacity is lower than the required flow rate demand. |
| US09897046B2 |
Integrated short path equal distribution EGR system
In one embodiment, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an engine is disclosed. The EGR system includes an EGR cooler that cools recirculated engine exhaust gas and is mounted between a valve cover and valve train of a cylinder head in the engine. |
| US09897045B2 |
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus
A fuel vapor recovery apparatus includes an adsorbent canister capable of capturing fuel vapor, a vapor passage connecting the adsorbent canister to a fuel tank, an atmospheric air passage communicating the adsorbent canister with the atmosphere, and a purge passage coupling the adsorbent canister to an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine. In addition, the apparatus includes a purge pump configured to generate a gas flow from the adsorbent canister to the intake pipe through the purge passage, and a flow control valve provided at the purge passage and configured to regulate the gas flow through the purge passage. Further, the apparatus includes a pressure regulator configured to make an absolute value of pressure at an outlet side of the purge pump smaller than an absolute value of pressure at an inlet side of the purge pump while the purge pump is driven. |
| US09897042B2 |
Main fuel jet and nozzle assembly for a carburetor
A carburetor includes a body with an air intake path, a fuel pump and a fuel pressure regulator and having a main fuel jet and nozzle assembly with a main fuel jet releasably coupled to the body of the carburetor. Alternatively, a main fuel jet and nozzle assembly includes a nozzle and check valve retainer formed as a single component. In other embodiments, a carburetor is provided having a fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator positioned on the same side of the body. A fuel pump and metering chamber diaphragm sandwiched between the body of the carburetor and a pump body and cover, separates a pump chamber from a pulse chamber of the fuel pump and separates a fuel chamber from an air chamber in the fuel pressure regulator. |
| US09897040B2 |
Rear mounted reverse core engine thrust reverser
In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine for mounting to a rear of an aircraft fuselage has a propulsor that rotates on a first axis, and an engine core including a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section, with the turbine section being closer to the propulsor than the compressor section. The engine core is aerodynamically connected to the propulsor and has a second axis. A nacelle is positioned around the propulsor and engine core. The nacelle is attached to the wing of the aircraft. A downstream end of the nacelle has at least one pivoting door with an actuation mechanism to pivot the door between a stowed position and a vertical deployed position in which the door inhibits a flow to provide a thrust reverse of the flow. |
| US09897039B2 |
Head gasket having variable area coolant openings
An engine assembly is provided herein. The engine assembly includes a head gasket interposing a cylinder block and a cylinder head, the head gasket comprising a first layer in face sharing contact with a portion of a cylinder head attachment surface included in the cylinder block and having a first-layer coolant opening adjacent to two neighboring cylinders and a second layer having a second-layer coolant opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first-layer coolant opening. |
| US09897036B2 |
Tightening structure for cylinder head bolt
A cylinder head bolt inserted into a cylinder head is threadingly engaged with an engine casing comprised of a cylinder and a crankcase to tighten the cylinder head and the engine casing firmly together. Between a rotation operating part, which is provided in a head of the cylinder head bolt, and an upper surface of the cylinder head, a plain washer and a spring member placed thereabove are interposed. The spring member is capable of exerting an axially acting spring force. A first frictional resistance between the rotation operating part and the spring member is so chosen to be lower than a second frictional resistance between the spring member and the plain washer and a third frictional resistance between the plain washer and a bearing surface on the cylinder head. |
| US09897034B2 |
Control device of an engine
Provided is a control device of an engine that can certainly suppress and avoid pre-ignition. A control device of an engine is an engine control device for controlling the behavior of fuel that is directly injected into a combustion chamber of a cylinder by a tumble flow, and it has an injector that directly injects the fuel into the combustion chamber, an intake port that generates the tumble flow in the combustion chamber, and an ECU that injects the fuel from the injector at a plurality of injection timings including an intake-stroke-early-half injection timing that is set at an early half of the intake stroke of the cylinder, when an operating state of the engine is in a high-load, low-rotation range. |
| US09897033B2 |
High pressure, high speed regulating switch valve
The present disclosure provides a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine with a fuel injector body having a valve chamber, a first conduit in fluid communication with the valve chamber for a first flow of fuel having a first pressure, and a second conduit in fluid communication with the valve chamber for a second flow of fuel having a second pressure. The fuel injector further includes a valve member configured to move between the first conduit and the second conduit. Additionally, an actuator of the fuel injector is configured to move the valve member during a fuel injection cycle. The fuel injector is configured to operate in at least three modes. |
| US09897027B2 |
Methods and systems for adjusting EGR based on an impact of PCV hydrocarbons on an intake oxygen sensor
Methods and systems are provided for estimating an impact of PCV hydrocarbons on an output of an intake oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include disabling EGR flow when the impact of PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor is above a threshold. The impact of the PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor may be based on a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and a DPOV sensor when EGR is flow and a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and expected blow-by when EGR is not flowing. |
| US09897025B2 |
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine
A direct fuel injection internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system is described and includes a plurality of fluidly coupled exhaust purifying devices and an exhaust gas sensor. A method of controlling the engine includes, activating, via a heater controller, a heating element of the exhaust gas sensor in response to starting the internal combustion engine. An exhaust gas feedstream is monitored to determine a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor. Engine control to effect heating of one of the exhaust purifying devices is permitted only when a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor is greater than a threshold temperature. |
| US09897024B2 |
Engine control device
In an engine control device, a saturated water vapor pressure Ps is calculated from an intake temperature detected by an intake air temperature sensor. A water vapor partial pressure is worked out from the saturated water vapor pressure and humidity detected by a humidity sensor. A specific humidity q and a molar fraction are worked out from the water vapor partial pressure and an atmospheric pressure detected by an atmospheric pressure sensor. A moist air amount is calculated from an intake air amount detected by an AFS on the basis of the molar fraction, and a dry air amount is calculated from this moist air amount on the basis of the specific humidity. A fuel injection amount, an ignition timing, and a target throttle opening are then calculated on the basis of various operation information, using the moist air amount, the dry air amount, and the specific humidity. |
| US09897021B2 |
System and method for determining location and value of peak firing pressure
A system includes a combustion engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system coupled to the combustion engine and configured to route exhaust generated by the combustion engine from the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold, and a first knock sensor coupled to the combustion engine and configured to measure vibrations of the combustion engine and output a first vibration signal. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the combustion engine, the knock sensor, the EGR system, or any combination thereof. The controller is configured to determine a peak firing pressure (PFP) within the combustion engine and control operations of both the combustion engine and the EGR system based on the PFP. |
| US09897012B2 |
Method for improved assembly of an actuator for an air bleed valve of a turbine engine
A method for assembling an actuating ram of air bleed valves, which ram is placed between low pressure and high pressure compressors of a turbomachine, the ram including a piston rod surrounded by a spacer extending from the piston cylinder and configured to be connected to an end of the transmission mechanism linked to the bleed valves, the method including: deploying the piston rod such that it projects from the spacer; connecting the projecting piston rod to the end of the transmission mechanism; retracting the piston rod to bring the cylinder closer to the case wall; and attaching the spacer to the case wall. |
| US09897011B2 |
Gas turbine engine comprising an exhaust cone attached to the exhaust casing
An assembly including an exhaust casing and an exhaust cone for a gas turbine engine, each including an axial annular flange, the two flanges being inserted into one another, one being radially external and the other radially internal, and held together by a mechanical attachment, and the assembly further including a guide by which, during operation of assembling the annular flanges to each other, the exhaust cone is in a predetermined angular position relative to the exhaust casing. |
| US09897008B2 |
Conduit assembly and method of utilization
A conduit assembly and method of utilizing the assembly generally extends along a centerline for detachable engagement to a component in an axial direction. The assembly may include a body having an internal, cylindrical, surface with a first surface portion located axially adjacent to a second surface portion. The first portion is circumferentially continuous and the second portion extends circumferentially by about 180 degrees or less. A saddle is axially aligned to the second portion and detachably connects to the body. The saddle extends circumferentially by about 180 degrees or more. A conduit is received in the body and rigidly secured to the body via the saddle. A circumferentially continuous sealing interface is carried between the first portion and the conduit, and is constructed and arranged to slide axially with respect to the first portion and the conduit. |
| US09897006B2 |
Hot gas path component cooling system having a particle collection chamber
A cooling system for a hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines at least one interior space. A passage is formed in the substrate between the outer surface and the inner surface. An access passage is formed in the substrate and extends from the outer surface to the inner space. The access passage is formed at a first acute angle to the passage and includes a particle collection chamber. The access passage is configured to channel a cooling fluid to the passage. Furthermore, the passage is configured to channel the cooling fluid therethrough to cool the substrate. |
| US09897005B2 |
Oil distributor
Described is an oil distributor comprising: an oil distribution conduit having an inlet end and an outlet; an oil delivery arrangement at the outlet of the oil distribution conduit, the oil delivery arrangement including a circumferential channel having a base, an upstream wall and a downstream delivery wall, wherein the delivery wall includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed delivery apertures extending therethrough. |
| US09897002B2 |
Accumulator system coupled to gas turbines for intake fluid preheating
An accumulator system is coupled to gas turbines for storing thermal energy in a heat accumulator, having a charge circuit and a discharge circuit. The charge circuit has an electrically operated heat generation device which is configured for generating heat with the utilization of electrical energy. The charge circuit is configured for transferring the heat at least temporarily to the heat accumulator, in order to store the heat therein. The discharge circuit is configured to thermally condition a fluid by the heat from the heat accumulator, and to then guide the fluid to the intake side of a compressor of a gas turbine, wherein the charge circuit has a heat pump as heat generation device. |
| US09897001B2 |
Compressor areas for high overall pressure ratio gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine comprises a high pressure turbine rotor, an intermediate pressure turbine rotor and a fan drive turbine rotor. The fan drive turbine rotor drives a fan rotor through a gear reduction. The intermediate pressure rotor drives a low pressure compressor rotor and the high pressure turbine rotor drives a high pressure compressor rotor. A first flow cross-sectional area is between an outer periphery of a hub in the low pressure compressor rotor, and an outer tip of an upstream most blade row of the low pressure compressor rotor. A second flow cross-sectional area is between an outer periphery of a hub in the high pressure compressor rotor, and an outer tip of an upstream most blade row of the high pressure compressor rotor. A ratio of the first and second flow cross-sectional areas is greater than or equal to about 0.12 and less than or equal to about 0.33. |
| US09896999B2 |
Package-storage type engine generator
In a package-storage type engine generator, a package (2) is partitioned into an upper section and a lower section. An engine (11) and a generator (12) are disposed in the lower section, and a radiator (42) and a radiator fan (43) are disposed in the upper section. An upper/lower partition member (32) partitions the package (2) into the upper section and the lower section. A portion of the upper/lower partition member (32), which faces the radiator fan (43), is formed in a downward inclined shape from a center portion to an outer edge portion of the package. |
| US09896995B2 |
Lubricant feed mechanism for turbocharger
Provided is a lubricant feed mechanism for a turbocharger, the mechanism that can reduce work of an oil pump while preventing an excessive supply of lubricant to a bearing part. The lubricant feed mechanism for a turbocharger, the mechanism of feeding lubricant to a bearing part that rotatably supports a shaft connecting a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel, includes: an oil supply passage that guides the lubricant fed under pressure from the oil pump to the bearing part; and a flow control valve provided to the oil supply passage for adjusting the amount of the lubricant by throttling the flow passage of the lubricant based on a pressure of the lubricant flowing through the oil supply passage. |
| US09896991B2 |
Exhaust-gas-turbocharged internal combustion engine having at least two turbines and switchable outlet openings, and method for operating an internal combustion engine of said type
Systems and methods are provided for controlling boost pressure in an engine system with a parallel turbocharger. One example method includes, responsive to a first condition, deactivating a first compressor of a first turbocharger, activating each first exhaust valve of each cylinder of an engine, and deactivating each second exhaust valve of each cylinder of the engine to flow exhaust gas from the engine to a second turbocharger. The method further includes, responsive to boost pressure exceeding a threshold, maintaining deactivation of the first compressor, reactivating each second exhaust valve to flow exhaust gas from the engine to both the first turbocharger and second turbocharger, and driving an electric assist device via a first turbine of the first turbocharger. |
| US09896987B2 |
Controller for exhaust heat conversion to heat and electricity
An exhaust gas heat recovery system for a vehicle is configured to selectively distribute a fluid heated by engine exhaust to a first path for generating electricity and a second path for heating one or more powertrain components of the vehicle. A controller selects a distribution of the fluid to the first and second paths based on minimizing a fuel consumption of an engine. The controller further selects a distribution of fluid to the powertrain components to minimize fuel consumption. The controller distributes the fluid according to the selected distribution. |
| US09896984B2 |
Orifice plate flow path stabilizer
An orifice plate for an injector is provided, which includes a base portion disposed along a base plane. An offset portion is unitarily formed with the base portion. The offset portion is at least partially disposed outside of the base plane. The offset portion defines a flow entry side and a flow exit side, and the offset portion defines a plurality of exit apertures therethrough. A plurality of projections extends from the flow entry side of the offset portion. The plurality of projections is configured to contact an injector surface. An injector and a reductant delivery unit incorporating such an orifice plate are also provided. |
| US09896983B2 |
Exhaust gas treatment unit comprising flow dividing and mixing guide elements
An exhaust-gas treatment unit includes: a supply line, for exhaust gas, having an entry opening and an exit opening, and a first exhaust-gas treatment body into which the exhaust gas flows through the entry opening and out of which the exhaust gas exits at the exit opening; a housing into which the supply line extends via the exit opening, the housing forming an intermediate space around the supply line; an outlet space in the housing being arranged laterally with respect to the supply line; and a dividing device arranged between the intermediate space and the outlet space. The intermediate space is configured such that the exhaust gas passes out of the intermediate space and is divided into at least two partial streams which, in the direction of the outlet space, are conducted into the outlet space in opposite directions by at least two openings formed by the dividing device. |
| US09896982B1 |
System for controlling the total emissions produced by a multi-engine power system
A power system for powering a load is provided. The power system includes a plurality of power sources with each power source including an engine. A SCR system is associated with the engine of at least one of the plurality of power sources. A controller is in communication with the plurality of power sources. The controller is configured to receive engine operation information, emission output information associated with each engine and conversion efficiency information associated with the SCR system and selectively apportion the power demand presented by the load between each of the plurality of power sources based on minimizing total engine emissions across the plurality of power sources and using the engine operation information, the emission output information and the conversion efficiency information. |
| US09896979B2 |
System and method for controlling a temperature of oil in a power-plant of a vehicle
A system is provided for controlling a temperature of oil in a power-plant operable to propel a vehicle. The system includes a heat-exchanger arranged relative to the power-plant. The heat-exchanger is configured to receive the oil from the power-plant, modify the temperature of the oil, and return the modified temperature oil to the power-plant. The system also includes a valve configured to direct the oil through the heat-exchanger during a warm-up operation of the power-plant such that the temperature of the oil is increased. The valve is also configured to direct the oil to bypass the heat-exchanger during a low load operation of the power-plant such that the temperature of the oil is increased. Additionally, the valve is configured to direct the oil through the heat-exchanger during a high load operation of the power-plant such that the temperature of the oil is decreased. |
| US09896975B1 |
Systems and methods of converting heat to electrical power
This invention presents methods and system for conversion of heat to electrical power through absorption of heat from any types of fluids with temperatures both higher and lower than 0° C. Heat can be absorbed from fossil or renewable energy resources. The mechanism in this invention uses a fluid or fluids' enthalpy and internal energy difference to generate power, where a reciprocating piston-cylinder system provides the required force to rotate a turbine for power generation. |
| US09896972B2 |
Faceted housing for axial turbomachine compressor
The invention relates to an external composite housing for a compressor of an axial turbomachine, the housing having a generally circular wall with a matrix and fiber reinforcement. The housing includes a circular wall with an internal surface having a continuous curve around the circumference of the wall. The wall includes flat facets that are flush with the internal curved surface of the wall. The facets are arranged in annular rows to receive annular rows of stator vanes. The facets are flat disks against which the vanes bear to optimize the orientation of the vanes, while reducing the concentrations of mechanical stresses at the platform/wall interfaces. |
| US09896969B2 |
Zero or low leakage oil transfer bearing
A transfer bearing assembly is configured to allow a flow of a fluid from an inlet tube to a channel defined by a rotating shaft. The transfer bearing assembly includes a body having an axially forward side and an axially aft side and a first wing having an axially aft end coupled to the axially forward side and an axially forward end. The transfer bearing assembly also includes a first side plate having a radially outward end coupled to the axially forward end of the first wing and a radially inward end. |
| US09896968B2 |
Forward compartment baffle arrangement for a geared turbofan engine
A baffle within a gas turbine engine includes a cylindrical flange with a multiple of holes at least partially therearound. |
| US09896963B2 |
Coupling part structure for vane and jet engine including the same
A coupling support member including a pair of divided pieces is placed in a coupling part between a vane proximal end portion of a guide vane and an attachment flange, and the pair of divided pieces are joined to the vane proximal end portion from both the sides in the vane thickness direction. A groove is formed in one end portion joint surface of the coupling support member, a linear protrusion is formed on the other end portion joint surface, the vane proximal end portion is formed into a concavo-convex shape, a linear protrusion that is engaged with the groove which is formed in the end portion joint surface is formed on a joint surface to the one end portion joint surface, a groove that is engaged with the linear protrusion formed on the end portion joint surface is formed in the joint surface to the other end portion joint surface. The vane proximal end portion is held between the pair of divided pieces of the coupling support member, by the fastening force that is applied to the coupling support member from both the sides in the vane thickness direction. It is possible to obtain a high structural strength while contributing to a reduction in weight of a jet engine. |
| US09896962B2 |
Trip manifold assembly for turbine systems
A system includes a trip manifold assembly (TMA). The TMA includes a plurality of block valves configured to receive a flow of fluid from a hydraulic power unit (HPU), and a plurality of solenoid valves configured to admit the flow of fluid to actuate the plurality of block valves, a plurality of dump valves, and a plurality of relay valves of the TMA. The plurality of solenoid valves is configured to admit a respective portion of the flow of fluid. The plurality of dump valves is configured to depressurize a trip header of the TMA as an output to operate a plurality of stop valves coupled to a turbine system. The TMA is configured to regulate the flow of fluid to control the operation of the plurality of stop valves as a mechanism to interrupt an operation of the turbine system. |
| US09896960B2 |
Adaptive model-based method to quantify degradation of a power generation system
A system includes a power generation system and a controller that controls the power generation system. The controller includes a processor that generates a model of the power generation system that estimates a value for a first parameter of the power generation system. The processor also receives a measured value of the first parameter. The processor further adjusts a correction factor of the model such that the estimated value of the first parameter output by the model is approximately equal to the measured value of the first parameter. The processor also generates a transfer function that represents the correction factor as a function of a second parameter of the power generation system. The processor further displays the transfer function along with one or more previously generated transfer functions to quantify degradation of the power generation system. |
| US09896956B2 |
Support assembly for a gas turbine engine
A support assembly for a gas turbine engine includes at least one inner support that extends about a circumferential axis and defines a cavity for receiving a control ring. At least one cover plate is attached to at least one inner support to enclose the cavity. At least one of the inner support and the cover plate includes a rail and the other of the inner support and the cover plate includes a groove for engaging the rail. |
| US09896955B2 |
Static axial brush seal with dual bristle packs
A brush seal is provided. The brush seal may comprise an annular backing plate and a first bristle pack coupled to the annular backing plate. The first bristle pack may be oriented in an axial direction. A second bristle pack may be coupled to the first bristle pack and oriented in the axial direction. A bristle of the first bristle pack may have a greater diameter than a bristle of the second bristle pack. A retention structure may be coupled to the second bristle pack. |
| US09896952B2 |
Rotating machine
A steam turbine through which a fluid flows along an axis is equipped with: a tip shroud for turbine blades that are provided on a shaft that extends with the axis as a center; an outer partition plate ring that is provided on a casing so as to face the tip shroud in a radial direction and be capable of rotating relative to the tip shroud around the axis; seal fins that extend radially inward from the outer partition plate ring and that, with the tip shroud, form minute gaps therebetween; and steam introduction surfaces that are formed on downstream sides of the seal fins and are provided so as to face the seal fins within cavities where a main vortex, generated from a leakage flow passing through a minute gap, is generated, and that guide the flow, generated from the main vortex, toward the minute gaps. |
| US09896951B2 |
Turbine vane with cooled fillet
The disclosure pertains to a vane comprising a platform and airfoil extending form said platform and connected to the platform by a fillet. An impingement tube is inserted into said airfoil delimiting a cooling channel between the impingement tube and the side walls. The vane further comprises a baffle structure positioned adjacent the fillet and which follows the inside contour of the fillet; delimiting a first cooling passage between the fillet and the baffle structure. A first obstruction is arranged on the inside of the airfoil at the connection of the fillet to the side walls for separating the first cooling passage from the cooling channel in the airfoil and to guide the cooling gas from the first cooling passage into the impingement tube. The disclosure further refers to a method for cooling such a vane. |
| US09896950B2 |
Turbine guide wheel
A turbine stator wheel of a gas turbine with a plurality of stator vanes spaced apart around the circumference is provided. Two adjacent stator vanes form a passage each between the suction side of the one stator vane and the pressure side of the other stator vane starting from the vane trailing edge, which includes a constant passage portion in which the passage has a substantially constant passage cross-section. The constant passage portion has an inlet area and an outlet area. Each stator vane forms on the pressure side a rear area that extends, starting from the vane trailing edge adjoining the constant passage portion as far as the inlet area of the passage portion, and on the pressure-side forms a front area that extends upstream of the rear area. Each stator vane has on the pressure side a convex pressure-side contour. |
| US09896942B2 |
Cooled turbine guide vane or blade for a turbomachine
A turbine airfoil has a suction side wall and a pressure side wall of an airfoil cavity, through which a cooling fluid flows for cooling of the side walls. The suction side wall has one or more protrusions extending therefrom into the airfoil cavity. The protrusions are arranged such that: a number of the one or more protrusions on the suction side wall is higher than a number of protrusions on the pressure side wall; and/or a protrusion density on the suction side wall is higher than a protrusion density on the pressure side wall, and/or a total protrusion surface area on the suction side wall is larger than a total protrusion surface area on the pressure side wall, so that the heat transfer from the suction side wall to the cooling fluid is higher compared to that of the pressure side wall during operation of the turbomachine. |
| US09896933B1 |
Continuously variable displacement engine
A variable-displacement engine comprises an engine block, power shaft and rotating cylinder block. Pistons and connecting rods mounted in the cylinder block connect to a wobble plate having a rotating ring portion and non-rotating ring portion connected to allow relative rotation therebetween while constraining the portions to remain parallel. The wobble plate defines an inclination plane, pivot axis and wobble plate angle θ. A piston control mechanism includes axial lift, control lever supported by the lift and by an anchor bearing, and links connecting the control lever to the wobble plate. Axial movement of the lift changes the axial position of the control lever pivot and changes the control lever angle, in turn changing, via the connecting links, the wobble plate angle θ and the axial position of the wobble plate pivot axis. This changes the piston displacement of the engine while maintaining substantially constant compression ratio. |
| US09896928B2 |
Piping assembly control system with addressed datagrams
A control system for generating and utilizing at least one or more addressed datagrams that communicate information to and from devices along piping assemblies comprising; one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and one or more controllers, wherein the transmitters transmit information via one or more addressed datagrams encoded within a working medium to one or more receivers among the piping assemblies, is described. Transmitters convert datagrams into signals that are transmitted within the working medium and the receivers receive signals from the transmitters and also convert signals from the working medium which is converted back into datagrams. The controllers receive and decode the datagrams so that the controllers selectively communicate and perform logical operations on piping assembly devices according to directions received from the addressed datagrams. The entire control system can function as a network of controllers, receivers, transmitters, and/or transponders as required by one or more users. |
| US09896923B2 |
Synchronizing pulses in heterogeneous fracturing placement
A technique facilitates a fracturing operation by maintaining the heterogeneity of proppant fluid as it is injected into reservoir fractures. The technique comprises using a blender to deliver proppant material in a pulsating manner to create pulses of proppant. The pulses of proppant are mixed with a fluid to create a proppant slurry having the pulses of proppant material separated by a second fluid. The proppant slurry is then split between a plurality of pumps which are operated to pump the slurry to a well. To maintain heterogeneity, the pump rates of the pumps are individually adjusted to control dispersion of the pulses of proppant downstream of the pumps and to substantially maintain the separated pulses of proppant material in the slurry. A wide variety of other system adjustments also may be made for enhancing the ability of the overall fracturing system to maintain separated pulses of concentrated proppant material. |
| US09896920B2 |
Stimulation methods and apparatuses utilizing downhole tools
A method of stimulating a subterranean formation. The method begins with positioning a stimulation tool into a wellbore formed through the formation. The stimulation tool includes (i) at least one tubular segment; (ii) an outer sleeve positioned on the tubular segment and forming an annular space between the tubular segment and the outer sleeve; (iii) a propellant positioned within the annular space; (iv) at least one ignitor positioned to ignite the propellant; (v) at least one rupture disc positioned within a wall of the tubular segment; and (vi) the absence of a detonator for detonating the propellant. Thereafter, the propellant is ignited to begin deflagration of the propellant. |
| US09896918B2 |
Use of ionized water in hydraulic fracturing
A method and system for generating an ionized fluid, injecting the ionized fluid into fissures in a subterranean formation, pressurizing the ionized fluid, whereby the crystalline structure of a portion of the shale deposits located at the fissures are changed into suspended particles, whereby the depressurization of the ionized fluid forces the suspended particles out of the fissures, increasing the flow of hydrocarbons from those fissures. |
| US09896906B2 |
Autonomous flow control system and methodology
A technique facilitates regulation of flow through a flow control device to improve a well operation, such as a production operation. The technique utilizes a flow control device which has a valve positioned in a housing for movement between flow positions. The different flow positions allow different levels of flow through a primary flow port. At least one flow regulation element, e.g. a Venturi based flow regulation element, is used in a control line in communication with the valve to establish a differential pressure acting on the valve. The differential pressure is a function of fluid properties and is used to autonomously actuate the flow control device to an improved flow position. |
| US09896904B2 |
Rupture disc secondary seal assembly and related methods
A rupture disc assembly having a secondary seal positioned over the coupling area between the rupture disc and the tool housing. The secondary seal may be, for example, sealing tape, an o-ring, liquid sealant, metallic sealing tape, etc., or a combination of two or more of these elements. |
| US09896894B2 |
Drilling and grouting method and apparatus
A drilling and grouting device comprises a drill string including a hollow elongate outer rod having a central axis and a hollow elongate inner rod located coaxially within said outer rod, wherein a first outer flow path is defined between said inner and outer rod, and a first central flow path is defined inside said inner rod, a drill bit aligned with said inner rod along said central axis and including a second central flow path, and a crossover part interposed between said inner rod and said drill bit along said central axis, which is configured to connect the first central flow path with a second outer flow path surrounding the drill bit to form a main path and to connect said first outer flow path with said second central flow path to form a secondary path. Also disclosed are systems and methods that include and use the device. |
| US09896893B2 |
Pipe drive sealing system and method
Present embodiments are directed to a gripping device configured to couple with a pipe element. A housing of the gripping device is configured to extend over and at least partially around a distal end of the pipe element. Torsional clamp devices are configured to engage an outer circumferential surface of the pipe element with frictional engagement features that extend radially inward from the housing. A sealing mechanism is configured to shift a pipe seal relative to the housing and into engagement with the distal end of the pipe element and to facilitate fluid flow through the gripping device into the pipe element. |
| US09896889B2 |
Drilling tool support and method of collaring
A support includes a support element for supporting a drilling tool used in rock drilling. The support element is inside a suction housing of a rock drilling unit at least during drilling. The support is located at a front end portion of a feed beam and is used to support the tool especially during the collaring phase of the drilling. A method of collaring is disclosed wherein the drilling tool is supported by the support. |
| US09896886B2 |
Insulation enclosure with compliant independent members
An example insulation enclosure includes an outer shell having an open end and a top end, and an inner shell arranged within the outer shell and including a plurality of sidewall members and a top member. Each sidewall member is independently moveable relative to one another and to the top member, and the plurality of sidewall members and the top member each include a support member and insulation material positioned on the support member. One or more compliant devices arranged between the outer shell and at least one of the plurality of sidewall members and the top member, the one or more compliant devices biasing the at least one of the plurality of sidewall members and the top member against adjacent outer surfaces of a mold disposable within the inner shell. |
| US09896885B2 |
Hydraulic tools including removable coatings, drilling systems, and methods of making and using hydraulic tools
A hydraulic tool includes a stator, a rotor, and a removable coating. At least one of the stator and the rotor comprises a resilient material. The removable coating has a thickness selected to compensate for expected swelling of the resilient material or an expected contraction of a clearance between the rotor and the stator based on thermal expansion. The removable coating is disposed on a surface of at least one of the rotor and the stator, and the removable coating is formulated to be removed during operation of the hydraulic tool. A method of operating a hydraulic tool includes passing a fluid through the hydraulic tool during rotation of the rotor within the stator and removing at least a portion of the removable coating responsive to rotation of the rotor within the stator as a volume of the resilient material increases responsive to contact with the fluid passing through the hydraulic fluid. |
| US09896880B2 |
Glazing panel comprising glass sheets linked together via spacers and corresponding production method
The invention concerns a glazing panel comprising first (5) and second (5) glass sheets linked together via at least one spacer (8) which holds them a certain distance apart from one another and, between said glass sheets (5), an inner space (4) comprising at least one first cavity (41), in which there is a vacuum of less than 100 mbar and which is closed by a peripheral seal disposed at the periphery of the glass sheets, around said inner space (4), the seal (1) being a metal seal rigidly connected respectively to the first and second glass sheets. According to the invention, the metal seal (1) further comprises at least one hollow metal tube (11) of which a first end (111) communicates with the inner space (4) and a second end (112) communicates with the outside of the panel, the second end (112) comprising means for blocking the tube. According to the invention, the tube comprises at least one gas trap (113) rigidly connected to the inside of the tube (11). |
| US09896878B1 |
Reversible door jamb system
A reversible door jamb system for an aperture. The mechanical design of the system allows for a single product to be utilized for doors which open in either direction, often referred to as left handed or right handed operation. The system can have a head jamb, a strike jamb, and a hinge jamb. A stop can be included which is adapted to attach to the head jamb, the strike jamb, or the hinge jamb. The strike jamb and the hinge jamb are interchangeable to allow for reversing the swing of a door panel. |
| US09896874B2 |
Lifting and lowering apparatus
A lifting and lowering apparatus includes a support plate, a carrier for lifting and lowering a window glass and a drive mechanism for moving the carrier. The drive mechanism includes a cable, a drum, a pulley and a bracket for mounting the pulley to the support plate. The support plate is provided with first and second fixing portions. The first fixing portion is arranged at an outer side of the cable and the second fixing portion is arranged at an inner side of the cable. The bracket includes first and second mounting portions provided for the first and second fixing portions respectively. The first mounting portion includes a first extension portion making contact with an outer surface of the first fixing portion and the second mounting portion includes a second arm portion making contact with an inner surface of the second fixing portion. |
| US09896872B1 |
Auto closing device for RV screen doors system
A tool for enabling opening and closing a screen door of a recreation vehicle system includes a strap member assembly having a first end including a first flat-hooked member; a deformable strap having a proximate end, and a distal end; and a second end having a second flat-hooked member. The tool for enabling opening and closing a screen door of a recreation vehicle system includes the strap member assembly. When used the strap member assembly does not impede normal movement of screens of the recreation vehicle while simultaneously enabling manipulation of the screen door between an open position to allow ingress and a closed position to prevent bugs and debris from entering into the recreation vehicle, as desired. |
| US09896869B2 |
Hinge for grill
A hinge is used to connect a cover to a bowl of a grill so that the cover is pivoted relative to the bowl between a closing position and an opening position. The hinge includes two leaves and a fastener. The first leaf includes a first terminal portion connected to the bowl, a second terminal portion, and a middle portion formed between the first and second terminal portions. The second leaf includes a first terminal portion connected to the cover, a second terminal portion, and a middle portion formed between the first and second terminal portions thereof. The fastener connects the second terminal portion of the first leaf to the second terminal portion of the second leaf. |
| US09896865B2 |
Method and apparatus for sanitizing door handles
The present invention is directed to a door handle sanitizing cassette that is installed within an internal cavity formed within a door. Prior to the installation, the cassette is fitted with all required door hardware and the equipment necessary to spray the door handles with a sanitizing liquid each time the door is opened or at preset intervals. The invention is designed to provide an inexpensive and easily installed system in public buildings to substantially reduce the spread of infectious disease by eliminating contaminated surfaces on the door handles. |
| US09896864B2 |
Direct-insertion baluster connecting device
A direct-insertion baluster connecting device, including a fence frame and a plurality of balusters uniformly arranged within the fence frame. The fence frame is a square frame jointly consisting of two vertical posts, an upper rail and a lower rail. The fence frame and the balusters are hollow tubes and a plurality of rivet nuts are arranged about the lower end of each vertical post. The disclosed direct-insertion baluster connecting device can be used for the installed fence frame formed by the vertical posts, upper rail and lower rail, and then it only needs to directly insert the balusters and make connection in a specified manner. |
| US09896859B2 |
Link-plate connection for monopole reinforcing bars
Reinforcing bars include load transfer connectors. A link plate includes openings that mate with the load transfer connectors to overlie the splice between reinforcing bars being spliced. A cover plate may be fastened over the link plate. |
| US09896857B2 |
Pool cleaner light module
Embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner receiving fluid flow from a pool hose, the pool cleaner comprising a supply mast configured for connection to a pool hose and directing fluid flow from the pool hose and a generator positioned within the pool cleaner. The pool cleaner further includes a paddle wheel coupled to the generator, the paddle wheel and the generator generating electric power using the fluid flow directed through the pool cleaner and control circuitry coupled to the generator, the control circuitry receiving the generated power from the generator for providing energy to operate at least one function of the swimming pool cleaner. |
| US09896855B2 |
Skimmer basket for swimming pools
The present disclosure provides a skimmer basket assembly. The skimmer basket assembly may include a basket, the bottom of which may include one or more flaps. A handle may be connected to the basket via one or more connectors. The handle may include a trigger mechanism that is mechanically linked to the one or more flaps of the basket. The trigger mechanism may be configured to operate the one of more flaps of the basket upon manipulation of the trigger mechanism. The skimmer basket assembly may include a lid that is slidingly connected to the one or more connectors. The lid may be configured to receive the handle therein and substantially cover a top opening of the basket. |
| US09896850B2 |
Thermoplastic-based building product and related methods
One exemplary embodiment is directed to a thermoplastic-based building product having a front face with a length and a width, an opposing back face, opposing top and bottom edges each with a thickness. The building product comprises at least one thermoplastic-based support layer, and at least one reinforcing flexing layer having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) of less than or equal to about 15 ppm/° C. over the temperature range of −20° C. to 70° C. The at least one reinforcing flexing layer is at least partially embedded in the at least one thermoplastic-based support layer along a longitudinal axis of the building product. |
| US09896848B1 |
Collapsible safety railing
A temporary guardrail for an unprotected staircase is assembled and installed using prefabricated sections. One section is a safety section that includes an adjustable length upper railing, with a pair of balusters respectively hinged to each end of the upper railing. Another section is a support section having an adjustable length lower railing that is engaged between the balusters of the safety section and which, when assembled with the safety section, is oriented parallel to the upper railing. The safety and support sections are then stiffened to account for an incline angle α that is defined by the staircase. Also included are structures which can be engaged with the temporary guardrail to stabilize it on the staircase. |
| US09896847B2 |
Method of installing exhaust tube
A method of installing an exhaust tube is implemented by inserting an exhaust tube into an exhaust pipe that leads from the inside of a building to the outside thereof. Utilizing an already-placed exhaust pipe, a new exhaust tube is inserted into this exhaust pipe. The exhaust tube is installed according to a procedure of: performing, on the inside of the building, an operation of inserting a new exhaust tube into the already-placed exhaust pipe; performing, on the outside of the building, an operation of fixing the inserted exhaust tube to the exhaust pipe; and performing, on the inside of the building, an operation of connecting the fixed exhaust tube to an exhaust vent of a combustion apparatus. |
| US09896844B2 |
I-joists and method of fabrication thereof
An I-joist comprising a web and flanges, the web being connected on each longitudinal edge thereof to a flange, wherein the I-joist further comprises chords, the chords being connected to the web on at least one side of the web. The web may comprise openings in between the chords. The I-joist is fabricated by connecting a flange on each longitudinal edge of a web and connecting chords on at least one side of the web, the web being provided with openings. |
| US09896843B2 |
Recycling constant-temperature ceramic floor integrated system
Various embodiments may relate to a recycling constant-temperature ceramic floor integrated system, including a floor tile. A plurality of grooves is formed in a bottom surface of the floor tile. The bottom surface of the floor tile is connected to a base plate. A support assembly is laid between each groove and the base plate. The support assembly includes a heat conducting piece and a locating support mounted in up-and-down lapping mode. A reflecting film is disposed between the heat conducting piece and the locating support. The base plate uses a net-structure plate piece, and buckle grooves and buckle blocks are disposed at the periphery of the base plate. |
| US09896840B2 |
Curtain wall mullion anchoring system
Curtain wall mullion anchoring systems for resisting dead load and negative wind load, and that permit three-way construction tolerance adjustments. The mullion anchoring systems include an anchoring device secured to a building structural element and attached to a mullion connection bridge, which is connected to a mullion connection clip, which is connected to a mullion. Uplifting forces on the anchoring device may be significantly reduced or even eliminated by transmitting dead load under negative wind load conditions from the mullion to the anchoring device at a point over the inside of a concrete floor slab, such that the dead load counteracts any uplifting force generated by the negative wind load. |
| US09896839B2 |
Locking arrangement and panel system
The panel system includes lower and upper guides and at least one panel located between and connected to them, to move the panel on the lower guide. The panel system includes a hinge element fixed to the panel and allows the panel to be opened by turning essentially around a rotation axis. The panel system further includes at least two locking housings positioned successively on the upper guide. The locking housings include two opposite locking recesses, defining a circle with radius R3 and between which remains a passage with width P2. The hinge element can travel from one locking housing to another through the passage. The distance between the locking housings is distance P1, configured to be less than two times radius R3. The hinge element may include two locking cams and in addition a guiding edge remaining between them. The panel system locking arrangement includes the hinge element. |
| US09896837B2 |
Fail-soft, graceful degradation, structural fuse apparatus and method
A retrofitting structure includes a column fixed in the ground. A structural fuse is pivotally mounted to the retrofitting structure at two vertically offset locations. The structural fuse is further pivotally mounted at a third location above the column to a superstructure of a building. The structural fuse is designed to yield for loads for which the column only deforms elastically. The structural fuse may be a planar member captured between the column and a retention plate to prevent buckling of the structural fuse. The retention plate may include a channel beam in order to provide sufficient stiffness to prevent buckling. Desired yield properties are obtained by increasing width of the structural fuse with distance from the bottom of the column. The width is augmented with distance from the bottom of the column to account for friction with the column and retention plate. |
| US09896833B2 |
Flow control system
An application for a flow control system includes a vertically oriented expanding conduit, positioned within the interior of a container which is fluidly interfaced to a downstream drainage system. The lower end of the expanding conduit is in fluid communication with an upstream reservoir through a closed conduit. A means to restrain the expanding conduit from lateral movement is provided and the means is in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The distal, upper end of the expanding conduit is capped and at least one fluid passageway opens through the cap from the interior of the expanding conduit. As the fluid pressure rises in the expanding conduit in response to an increase in the fluid level in the upstream reservoir, the fluid passageway through the capped, upper end of the expanding conduit rises to prescribed level and the release rate of fluid into the downstream drainage system is maintained at a prescribed rate or range of rates as the fluid level continues to rise. |
| US09896832B2 |
Percolation block element, percolation block, and transport unit
A percolation block element having a base wall and hollow columns. With two identical percolation block elements that are aligned in the same direction, a stack of the two identical percolation block elements can be formed. The percolation block element has an axial symmetry of 180° or less. With two identical percolation block elements arranged rotated by 90° relative to one another about a rotational axis, the column tips of the first percolation block element can be introduced into the column tip receptacles of the second percolation block element, and an operating distance can be formed between a first base wall and a second base wall. |
| US09896831B2 |
Toilet overflow prevention system and method
A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system. |
| US09896828B2 |
Drain valve device, wash water tank device and flush toilet
A drain valve device includes a valve body and a lift part. The valve body plugs a drain outlet arranged on a bottom surface of a tank. The lift part is configured to lift the valve body. The lift part includes an engagement part. The engagement part engages with the valve body at a first height and releases engagement of the engagement part with the valve body at a second height. The second height is greater than the first height. |
| US09896822B2 |
Hybrid construction machine
A hybrid construction machine which can improve temperature control efficiency of an electrical storage device. It includes an engine 1, an assisting electricity generation motor 2 which performs assistance of power for the engine 1 and electricity generation and an electrical storage device 8 which performs transfer of electric power with this assisting electricity generation motor 2. The electrical storage device 8 includes a plurality of battery cells 200, a housing 220 which covers the plurality of battery cells 200 in a state of leaving them separated, a cooling plate 203 which is attached to this housing 220 and performs heat exchange with the plurality of battery cells 200, and a projection 214 which is interposed between the housing 220 and the cooling plate 203 and hinders heat transfer between the housing 220 and the cooling plate 203. |
| US09896821B1 |
Bucket attachment for an excavator
A bucket attachment for an excavator including a single bucket having a base, a right side wall, a left side wall, a right guide wing, a left guide wing, and a rear wall. A rotatable crossbar is continuously disposed from a first aperture disposed in the right guide wing to a second aperture disposed in the left guide wing. A pair of inverted V-shaped mounting cleats is disposed on an exterior surface of the rear wall adjacent a top edge. A pivotable frame is attached to the crossbar, and a return spring is disposed around the crossbar and attached to the frame. |
| US09896820B2 |
Operator assist algorithm for an earth moving machine
A system and method are provided for assisting a machine operator in controlling a work tool of the machine. In an embodiment, the work tool is set at a first height and the machine is travelling at a first machine speed, resulting in a first work tool or machine load. Based on these factors, a first work tool control mode or second work tool control mode is chosen. In the first work tool control mode, the work tool is manually controlled within a load limit and a work tool height limit, whereas in the second work tool control mode, the work tool load is controlled toward the first work tool load. Based on operator inputs and machine state, as well as other factors such as ground surface, the machine may switch between control modes, or out of automatic work tool control entirely. |
| US09896819B2 |
Extended reach crowd control for a shovel
An industrial machine and a method of controlling an industrial machine, the industrial machine including a dipper supported by a dipper handle. The method may include determining an operating phase of the industrial machine, in a first operating phase of the industrial machine, limiting, with at least one controller, a reach of the dipper handle, and in a second operating phase of the industrial machine, enabling, with the at least one controller, an extended reach of the dipper handle greater than the reach in the first operating phase. The industrial machine may include at least one controller configured to determine an operating phase of the industrial machine, in a first operating phase of the industrial machine, limit a reach of the dipper handle, and, in a second operating phase of the industrial machine, enable an extended reach of the dipper handle greater than the reach in the first operating phase. |
| US09896818B1 |
Tilt bucket recessed pivot design
A tilting bucket assembly comprises an adapter subassembly including a two coupler members defining a coupler distance, a base plate attached to the coupler members that defines a first recess, a torsion tube that defines a second recess, and a bucket subassembly that is pivotally connected to the adapter subassembly, the bucket subassembly including a spill guard including a stop portion configured to contact the adapter subassembly, and a tilting mechanism, wherein the first recess and second recess clear the tilting mechanism and the spill guard when the base plate contacts the stop portion of the spill guard. |
| US09896811B2 |
Apparatus for removing unwanted material from the ground
An apparatus for removing material from the ground is disclosed, with a path-clearing blade, a vehicle mounting, a body supporting the blade, and a jointed connection between the vehicle mounting and the body permitting the axis of the blade and body to rotate within a plane parallel to the ground. The jointed connection has first and second pivot arm each pivotally connected about a proximal axis of rotation relative to the vehicle mounting and pivotally connected about a distal axis of rotation relative to the body. As the body's axis rotates in the clockwise sense, the first and second arms each pivot counterclockwise about their respective proximal axes of rotation, and vice versa. The arms are preferably disposed above the body and the distal axes of rotation are mounted forwardly of the rear edge of a horizontal rotating brush mounted in the body behind the blade. |
| US09896809B2 |
Artificial turf systems and applications thereof
In one aspect, artificial turf systems are described herein. In some embodiments, an artificial turf system comprises an artificial turf mat and artificial turf fibers disposed on a surface of the artificial turf mat, the artificial turf mat comprising at least one energy management material. An energy management material, in some embodiments, is disposed in a backing of the artificial turf mat, a binding agent of the artificial turf mat, and/or an infill material of the artificial turf mat. In addition, in some embodiments, the artificial turf fibers also comprise at least one energy management material. |
| US09896808B2 |
Safety surface with engineered shock-absorbing base
A safety surface with an engineered shock-absorbing base. The base may include one or more engineered resilient mats. The mats may be fabricated of repurposed tire rubber. The mats may be adjoined edgewise. Adjoined mats may be coupled together. The base may overlay a surface. The base may include upward-facing pockets. Interiors of the pockets may receive loose fill. An upper layer may cover the base. The upper layer may bond to the base. The upper layer may seal the loose fill within the safety surface. The upper layer may include poured-in-place surfacing. The upper layer may be textured. The upper layer may include synthetic turf. Impact upon the upper layer may be attenuated by flexion of the base. Mats may be coupled without hardware fasteners. Exterior surfaces of pockets of one mat may be nested into complementarily contoured features of an adjoining mat. |
| US09896807B2 |
Acoustical ceiling tile
An acoustical tile including: 8 to 25 wt % mineral wool, 9 to 15 wt % starch binder, 9 to 15 wt % cellulosic fiber, wherein preferably the cellulosic fiber is newsprint, and 40 to 65 wt % perlite, wherein the weight ratio of the starch to the cellulosic fiber is 0.6 to 1.3:1; and a process for making the acoustical tile. |
| US09896799B2 |
Cable and method for monitoring a cable
A cable 1 comprises a first thimble 2 and a second thimble 4, at least one yarn 6, and at least a first conductive fiber 8 for monitoring the cable 1. The yarn 6 extends from the first thimble 2 to the second thimble 4, turns around the second thimble 4, extends from the second thimble 4 to the first thimble 2, and turns around the first thimble 2. Each thimble holds a stack 9 of layers 10 of turns of the yarn 6. The first conductive fiber 8 is designed to signal the wear of the yarn 6 by breaking after a predetermined portion of the turns of the yarn 6 breaks. The first conductive fiber 8 is positioned at the first thimble 2 between the turns of the yarn 6 at less than 50% of the stack height h. |
| US09896798B2 |
Abrasion resistant product
A product comprising a plurality of interlaced yarns wherein at least a first yarn having a tensile strength, having a value TS in N/tex, said first yarn containing a plurality of UHMWPE fibers having a titer, having a value T in den, wherein the ratio T/TS is at least 5 den.tex/N. The tensile strength is obtained by adjusting the drawing ratio or the UHMWPE filaments/fibers accordingly. The product shows resistance to abrasion. The product can be a rope or round slings, comprising a sheath/jacket comprising said first yarn. |
| US09896794B2 |
Driving apparatus for direct-drive type washing machine
A driving apparatus for a direct-drive type washing machine includes a support member that is fixed to the lower side of a washing tub; a dehydrating tub rotating shaft that is rotatably supported on the support member and that is connected to a dehydrating tub to rotate the dehydrating tub; a pulsator rotating shaft that is rotatably arranged in the inside of the dehydrating tub rotating shaft and that is connected to a pulsator to rotate the pulsator; a drive motor comprising a double rotor including an outer rotor that is connected to the pulsator rotating shaft and an inner rotor that is connected to the dehydrating tub rotating shaft, and a double stator including a first stator coil for rotating the outer rotor and a second stator coil for rotating the inner rotor; and a motor drive unit that generates alternating-current (AC) power according to a washing control signal. |
| US09896793B2 |
Stabilizer and laundry processing device including same
A stabilizer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes one or plurality of fixing members which are mounted on an outer circumferential surface of a tub which is upright so that an opening portion for inputting laundry faces an upper surface of a laundry processing device, a connecting member which is connected to the fixing member and is elastically deformed by force in a horizontal direction which allows the tub to be vibrated in the horizontal direction, and a damping member which absorbs or offsets the force in the horizontal direction by being connected to the connecting member. |
| US09896787B2 |
Polyester sewing thread for airbag and preparation method thereof
A polyester sewing thread usable for a fabric for an airbag and a cushion for an airbag is provided. The polyester sewing thread is obtained by doubling and twisting a specific polyester yarn including a plurality of polyester filaments, and bonding the polyester yarn in the manner of in-bonding, out-bonding, or in-and-out bonding. A method for producing the thread is also disclosed. |
| US09896783B2 |
Modification of continuous carbon fibers during precursor formation for composites having enhanced moldability
Methods of producing continuous carbon fibers for composites having enhanced moldability are provided. Discrete regions are introduced into a continuous precursor fiber comprising an acrylic polymer material, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), as the precursor fiber is formed. The precursors may be heterogeneous fibers having a second distinct material interspersed in discrete regions with the acrylic polymer material. Alternatively, the precursors may be heterogeneous fibers where laser is applied to the acrylic polymer material in discrete regions to cause localized molecular disruptions. After the continuous precursor fiber is heated for carbonization and/or graphitization, the precursor forms a continuous carbon fiber having a plurality of discrete weak regions. These relatively weak regions provide noncontiguous break points that reduce stiffness and improve moldability for carbon fiber polymeric composites, while retaining high strength levels. Carbon fiber polymeric composites incorporating continuous carbon fibers having the plurality of discrete noncontiguous weak regions are also provided. |
| US09896777B2 |
Methods of manufacturing structures having concealed components
The disclosed embodiments include a method of integrating metal elements separated by gaps with a structure that conceals the metal elements and gaps. The method includes treating a metal substrate to a plasma electrolytic oxidation process to form a ceramic layer from a portion of the metal substrate, thereby providing the ceramic layer and an underlying metal portion of the metal substrate. The method further includes etching gap(s) in the underlying metal portion of the metal substrate to form metal elements separated by the gap(s), and backfilling the gap(s) with a non-conductive substance. As such, the metal elements, the non-conductive substance filling the gap(s), and the ceramic layer collectively form a structure whereby the ceramic layer at least partially conceals the metal elements and the gap(s). |
| US09896774B2 |
Electrolytic cell for the production of oxidising solutions
A three-compartment cell for production of oxidising disinfectant solutions is provided. The intermediate compartment of the cell is separated from the anodic compartment by a fibrous diaphragm in intimate contact with an anion-exchange membrane. |
| US09896766B2 |
Surface processing method for aluminum heat exchanger
Provided is a surface processing method for an aluminum heat exchanger, by which odor can be suppressed and which enables the aluminum heat exchanger to exhibit corrosion resistance and moisture resistance that are excellent to conventional art. The surface processing method for an aluminum heat exchanger uses a chemical conversion treatment agent that includes: one, or two or more type of a metallic element (A) selected from a group comprising of zirconium, titanium, and hafnium; vanadium element (B); and a resin (C). The resin (C) includes a polyvinyl alcohol resin (C1). The ratio (Wa/Wb) of the weight-based total content (Wa) of the metallic element (A) relative to the weight-based content (Wb) of vanadium element (B) is 0.1-15, and the ratio ((Wa+Wb)/Wc1) of the weight-based total content (Wa+Wb) of the metallic element (A) and vanadium element (B) relative to the weight-based total content (Wc1) of the polyvinyl alcohol resin (C1) is 0.25-15. |
| US09896765B2 |
Pre-treatment process for electroless plating
The present invention discloses a process for electroless plating of a metal or metal alloy onto copper features of an electronic device such as a printed circuit board which suppresses undesired skip plating and extraneous plating. The process comprises the steps i) providing such a substrate, ii) activating of the copper features with noble metal ions; iii) removing excessive noble metal ions or precipitates formed thereof with an aqueous pre-treatment composition comprising an acid, a source for halide ions and an additive selected from the group consisting of thiourea, thiourea derivatives and polymers comprising thiourea groups, and iv) electroless plating of a metal or metal alloy layer. |
| US09896762B1 |
Method of depositing and etching film in one processing apparatus
A method of forming layers of film on a patterned surface, including depositing a film on the patterned surface during a PEALD/PPECVD process in a processing apparatus and etching the film during the etching process in the processing apparatus. |
| US09896760B2 |
Deposition apparatus
A deposition apparatus comprises a source unit configured to generate a plasma by arc discharge, a deposition unit in which a deposition target material is arranged so as to be irradiated with the plasma generated in the source unit, and an induction unit configured to induce the plasma for the source unit to the deposition unit. The induction unit comprises a partition unit airtightly connected to each of the source unit and the deposition unit and configured to pass the plasma inside, and a plurality of magnet units configured to form a magnetic field to induce the plasma in the partition unit. The plurality of magnet units are connected to adjust a connection angle, and the partition unit includes a tubular member bendable according to the connection angle of the plurality of magnet units. |
| US09896759B2 |
OLED material vacuum thermal evaporating mask plate
The present invention provides an OLED material vacuum thermal evaporating mask plate, comprising a mask frame (1), a quickset (3) fixed on the mask frame (1) and a mask (5) fixed on the quickset (3); the mask frame (1) comprises four edges, and the four edges surround to form an opening corresponding to the mask (5); each edge of the mask frame (1) comprises a groove (11) dented at the upper surface; the quickset (3) is fixed in the groove (11); the mask (5) is fixed on the quickset (3) by point weld, and welding points (7) are on the quickset (3). When the mask deforms and the replacement is necessary, only the quickset is extracted for polishing or is replaced. The mask frame can be repeatedly used to diminish the waste amount and to raise the availability of the mask frame. Meanwhile, the spare amount of the mask frame can be reduced to save material and production cost. |
| US09896757B2 |
Galling and corrosion resistant inner diameter surface in aluminum caster roll shell steels
A strip casting apparatus having a roll shell with a nitrided inner diameter surface mounted on a steel core and method of manufacturing the same. The inner diameter of a steel roll shell may be nitrided by ion or plasma nitriding. The nitriding process can form tight, crack free nitride layer that provides a corrosion resistant barrier and exhibits a surface hardness that is greater than the surface hardness of the steel core and that improves galling resistance while maintaining efficient heat transfer of the roll shell. After nitriding, the roll shell can be shrink fit over a steel core. |
| US09896754B2 |
Aluminum alloy sheet excellent in press-formability and shape fixability and method of production of same
An aluminum alloy sheet which has high strength enabling application to automobile body sheet and which is excellent in press-formability and shape fixability and a method of production of the same are provided. Aluminum alloy sheet having a composition of ingredients which contains Mg, Fe, and Ti, restricts the impurity Si to less than 0.20 mass %, and has a balance of Al and unavoidable impurities and a metal structure with an average grain size of less than 15 μm and having second phase particles with a circle equivalent diameter of 3 μm or more in a number of less than 300/mm2 and having a tensile strength of 240 MPa or more, a yield strength of less than 130 MPa, an elongation of 30% or more, and a plane strain fracture limit at a strain rate of 20/sec of 0.20 or more. |
| US09896753B2 |
Bulk amorphous alloy Zr—Cu—Ni—Al—Ag—Y and methods of preparing and using the same
A bulk amorphous alloy, including, based on atomic percentage amounts, between 41 and 63% of Zr, between 18 and 46% of Cu, between 1.5 and 12.5% of Ni, between 4 and 15% of Al, between 0.01 and 5% of Ag, and between 0.01 and 5% of Y. |
| US09896745B2 |
Copper alloy sputtering target and method for manufacturing the target
A copper alloy sputtering target most suitable for formation of an interconnection material of a semiconductor device, particularly for formation of a seed layer, characterized in that the target contains 0.4 to 5 wt % of Sn, and the structure of the target does not substantially contain any precipitates, and the resistivity of the target material is 2.2 μΩcm or more. This target enables formation of an interconnection material of a semiconductor device, particularly a uniform seed layer stable during copper electroplating and is excellent in sputtering deposition characteristics. A method for manufacturing such a target is also disclosed. |
| US09896736B2 |
Method for manufacturing hot stamped body having vertical wall and hot stamped body having vertical wall
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a hot stamped body having a vertical wall, the method including: a hot-rolling step; a coiling step; a cold-rolling step; a continuous annealing step; and a hot stamping step, in which the continuous annealing step includes a heating step of heating the cold-rolled steel sheet to a temperature range of equal to or higher than Ac1° C. and lower than Ac3° C.; a cooling step of cooling the heated cold-rolled steel sheet from the highest heating temperature to 660° C. at a cooling rate of equal to or less than 10° C./s; and a holding step of holding the cooled cold-rolled steel sheet in a temperature range of 550° C. to 660° C. for one minute to 10 minutes. |
| US09896734B2 |
Asparaginic acid kinase III mutant and host cells and use thereof
Provided in the present invention is an asparaginic acid kinase, and the 340th amino acid residue in the position of the amino acid sequence of the asparaginic acid kinase corresponding to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is a non-aspartic acid. The asparaginic acid of the present invention can efficiently relieve the feedback inhibition of L-lysine, and can be effectively used for the production of L-lysine. Also provided in the present invention are host cells comprising genes coding the asparaginic acid kinase and a method for producing L-lysine using the host cells or the asparaginic acid kinase. The asparaginic acid kinase of the present invention or the host cells comprising the asparaginic acid kinase of the present invention is also used to produce L-threonine, L-methionine, L-isoleucine or L-valine. Also provided in the present invention is a method of producing L-aspartyl-4-yl phosphoric acid using the asparaginic acid kinase or the host cells. |
| US09896728B2 |
Method for determining a therapeutic approach for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Disclosed is a method for determining a supplement regime for a subject diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The method involves determining the subject's risk of developing advanced AMD based on their genetic profile for the complement factor H gene and the ARMS2 gene and administering a supplement containing antioxidants and/or zinc based on their risk of developing advanced AMD. |
| US09896727B2 |
Regulator targetting fatty acid synthase and method of using the same for improving meat quality
A miRNA miR-4749-5 represented by the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 is disclosed. |
| US09896720B2 |
Imaging individual mRNA molecules using multiple singly labeled probes
A method for probing a target sequence of messenger ribonucleic acid molecules (mRNA's) in a fixed, permeabilized cell, said target sequence including at least 30 non-overlapping probe binding regions of 15-100 nucleotides, comprising immersing said cell in an excess of at least 30 nucleic acid hybridization probes, each singly labeled with the same fluorescent label and each containing a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to a different probe binding region of said target sequence; washing said fixed cell to remove unbound probes; and detecting fluorescence from said probes. |
| US09896718B2 |
Herbicide tolerant cotton event pDAB4468.18.07.1
Cotton event pDAB4468.18.07.1 comprises genes encoding AAD-12 and PAT, affording herbicide tolerance to cotton crops containing the event, and enabling methods for crop protection. |
| US09896717B2 |
Magnetic immuno digital PCR assay
The present invention provides methods of detecting an antigen in a sample comprising contacting the sample with affinity agents to form an antigen-affinity agent-label complex, separating the antigen-affinity agent-label complex from uncomplexed components, partitioning label from the separated sample into multiple partitions, and detecting the presence of the label in one or more partitions. Compositions and kits for detecting an antigen in a sample are also provided. |
| US09896713B2 |
Method for determining site having N-linked sugar chain added thereto or proportion of said addition
A method for detecting a site which can be modified with an N-linked glycan chain and to which an N-linked glycan chain is actually linked in a glycoprotein; and a method for determining the state of an N-linked glycan chain addition at the site are provided. A glycoprotein having an N-linked glycan chain linked thereto is subjected to an N-linked glycan chain removal treatment with a peptide N-glycanase, subsequently a site capable of being modified with an N-linked glycan chain, in which an Asn residue has been changed to an Asp residue by the action of the peptide N-glycanase, is treated with an endo-type peptidase capable of recognizing an Asp residue to thereby produce peptide fragments, and subsequently the mass of the fragments is detected. In this manner, a site which can be modified with an N-linked glycan chain and to which an N-linked glycan chain is actually linked can be detected. Furthermore, the proportion or state of of the N-linked glycan chain addition at the site can be determined from the intensity of a signal generated upon the detection. |
| US09896710B2 |
Glycosyltransferase derived from Dolwoe and use thereof
Provided are a novel UDP-glycosyltransferase (uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase) protein having glycosyltransfer activity for glucose linked by a glycosidic bond at the C-20 position of PPD (protopanaxadiol)-type or PPT (protopanaxatriol)-type ginsenoside, and use thereof. |
| US09896708B2 |
Heparosan-glucuronic acid-5-epimerase, and method for producing polysaccharide using same
To provide a polypeptide having heparosan-glucuronate 5-epimerase activity, whereby means for producing a polysaccharide in which hexuronic acid residues has been epimerized is provided. Through screening of Achatina fulica cDNA library, a DNA encoding a polypeptide of heparosan-glucuronate 5-epimerase is obtained. The epimerase acts on glucuronic acid residues of N-acetyl heparosan and/or iduronic acid residues of completely desulfated N-acetylated heparin. The polypeptide encoded by the DNA is expressed by insect cells, to thereby yield the polypeptide having heparosan-glucuronate 5-epimerase activity. By bringing the polypeptide into contact with N-acetyl heparosan or completely desulfated N-acetylated heparin, a polysaccharide in which hexuronic acid residues has been epimerized is yielded. |
| US09896707B2 |
Thermophilic and thermoacidophilic biopolymer-degrading genes and enzymes from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and related organisms, methods
Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods of at least partially degrading, cleaving, or removing polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. |
| US09896706B2 |
Method for producing β-glucan
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing β-glucan having excellent immunopotentiating effects at a lower cost. Black yeast (Aureobasidium pullulans) is cultured using cells of lactic acid-producing bacteria and/or derivatives thereof as a nutrient source and is allowed to produce β-glucan. |
| US09896702B2 |
Methods, reagents and cells for biosynthesizing compounds
This document describes biochemical pathways for producing 2(E)-heptenedioyl-CoA methyl ester from precursors such as 2-oxo-glutarate, acetyl-CoA, or succinyl-CoA using one or more of a fatty acid O-methyltransferase, a thioesterase, a CoA-transferase, a CoA ligase, as well as recombinant hosts expressing one or more of such enzymes. 2(E)-heptenedioyl-CoA methyl ester can be enzymatically converted to pimeloyl-CoA using a trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase, and a methylesterase. Pimeloyl-CoA can be enzymatically converted to pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, or 1,7-heptanediol. |
| US09896701B2 |
Method for producing 1,3-propanediol using microorganism variant with deletion of 2,3-butanediol synthetic gene
The present invention relates to a method for producing 1,3-propanediol using a mutant microorganism lacking a 2,3-butanediol synthetic gene, and more particularly to a mutant microorganism wherein a gene encoding lactate dehydrogenase and a gene encoding an enzyme which is involved in 2,3-butanediol synthesis are deleted in a microorganism having the ability to produce 1,3-propanediol from glycerol and wherein a gene encoding pyruvate decarboxylase and a gene encoding aldehyde dehydrogenase are introduced or amplified, and to a method of promoting the production of 1,3-propanediol while inhibiting the production of 2,3-butanediol by using the mutant microorganism. The use of the glycerol-fermenting mutant microorganism according to the present invention can significantly increase the production of 1,3-propanediol while minimizing the production of 2,3-butanediol. |
| US09896697B2 |
Defensin-encoding nucleic acid molecules derived from Nicotiana alata, uses therefor and transgenic plants comprising same
The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules derived from Nicotiana alata, which encode defensin-like molecules. The present invention contemplates the use of such nucleic acid molecules in the generation of transgenic plants having resistance or at least reduced sensitivity to plant pests including insects, microorganisms, fungi and/or viruses and the of the encoded defensin-like molecules in compositions for topical application to a plant or a plant part so as to reduce prevent or reduce infestation of the plant or plant part by plant pests. The transgenic plants provided by the present invention include monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, and particularly include crop plants and ornamental flowering plants. |
| US09896689B2 |
Purification of triphosphorylated oligonucleotides using capture tags
The present invention relates to a method of preparing triphosphate-modified oligonucleotides using a capture tag. The method allows the synthesis and purification of triphosphate-modified oligonucleotides in high yield and purity suitable for pharmaceutical applications. |
| US09896688B2 |
Short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules containing a 2′ internucleoside linkage
The present invention relates to RNAi molecules, and compositions thereof, comprising a 2′ internucleoside linkage connecting the nucleotide at position 1 and the nucleotide at position 2 at the 5′ end of the antisense strand. Specifically, the invention relates to single- and double-stranded short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules that are capable of mediating RNA interference comprising 5′ modified nucleotides that comprise, among other potential modifications, a 2′ internucleoside linkage. The invention further relates to 5′ modified nucleotides used as reagents to generate the RNAi molecules of the invention and methods of using the disclosed RNAi molecules. |
| US09896687B2 |
Modulation of exon recognition in pre-mRNA by interfering with the secondary RNA structure
The invention provides a method for generating an oligonucleotide with which an exon may be skipped in a pre-mRNA and thus excluded from a produced mRNA thereof. Further provided are methods for altering the secondary structure of an mRNA to interfere with splicing processes and uses of the oligonucleotides and methods in the treatment of disease. Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods and means for inducing skipping of several exons in a pre-mRNA. |
| US09896685B2 |
Use of LAMBDA-GAM protein in ribosomal display technology
Methods and systems for increasing the stability of a nucleic acid template that encodes a protein of interest in a cell free translation system or a ribosomal display reaction system are described. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid template is an RNA or mRNA. The stability of the RNA template is increased by adding the bacteriophage lambda protein Gam to the cell free extract used in the translation system. The addition of Gam protein increases the longevity of the reaction system, thereby increasing the efficiency of the ribosomal display reaction system. |
| US09896684B2 |
Device for nucleic acid extraction using magnetic bead method
The present invention provides a device for nucleic acid extraction using a magnetic bead method. The device includes a disc turntable, an arc arch bridge base, a supporting column, and a magnet structural unit and a sample reaction unit both arranged on the disc turntable. The disc turntable includes a top plate; the arc arch bridge base includes a bottom plate arranged at the lowermost portion and an arc supporting plate arranged on the bottom plate, and the arc supporting plate corresponds to the guide rod insertion holes in position in a radial direction of the disc, and the arc supporting plate includes raised regions used for jacking up a guide rod and a magnet and groove regions used for allowing the guide rod and the magnet to fall. The device provided by the present invention can realize the automatic nucleic acid extraction in a stream-lining manner. |
| US09896674B2 |
Variant Hyprocrea jecorina CBH1 cellulases
Described herein are variants of H. jecorina CBH I, a Cel7 enzyme. The present invention provides novel cellobiohydrolases that have improved thermostability and reversibility. |
| US09896671B2 |
DNA polymerases
The technology provided herein relates to novel variants of DNA-Polymerases exhibiting high termo-stability as well as a strong strand displacement activity; to nucleic acid molecules encoding said DNA-Polymerases, vectors, host cells containing the nucleic acids and methods for preparation and producing such enzymes; compositions comprising at least one of the DNA-Polymerases; and methods for using such enzymes in DNA sequencing and/or DNA amplification processes. |
| US09896667B2 |
Laccase variants with improved properties
This application relates to laccase variants and uses thereof as eco-friendly biocatalysts in various industrial processes. More in particular, the disclosure relates to a polypeptide with laccase activity comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 75% identical to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of threonine, proline, alanine, glycine, serine, cysteine, aspartic acid, asparagine and valine at a position corresponding to amino acid 149 of SEQ ID NO: 1. |
| US09896665B2 |
Proviral plasmids and production of recombinant adeno-associated virus
Proviral plasmids contain a modular gene expression cassette with one or a combination of (i) a wildtype 5′ AAV2 ITR sequence flanked by unique restriction sites that permit ready removal or replacement of the ITR; (ii) a promoter flanked by unique restriction sites that permit ready removal or replacement of the entire promoter sequence; (iii) a polylinker sequence that permits insertion of a gene coding sequence without modification thereof, wherein the gene is operatively linked to, and under the regulatory control of, the aforementioned promoter; (iv) a bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence flanked by unique restriction sites that permit ready removal or replacement of the polyA sequence; and (v) a wildtype 3′ AAV2 ITR sequence flanked by unique restriction sites that permit ready removal or replacement of the 3′ ITR. These plasmids enable rapid manipulation of the components of the cassette, such as rapid mutation and/or replacement of any component, and thereby increase the efficiency of recombinant viral vector, such as rAAV, production. |
| US09896662B2 |
Process for enhancing stem cell bioactivity using tauroursodeoxycholic acid
The present invention relates to a process for enhancing stem cell bioactivity using tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof. |
| US09896658B2 |
Generation of inner ear auditory hair cell
Methods for generating cells of the inner ear, e.g., hair cells and supporting cells, from stem cells, e.g., mesenchymal stem cells, are provided, as well as compositions including the inner ear cells. Methods for the therapeutic use of the inner ear cells for the treatment of hearing loss are also described. |
| US09896657B2 |
Method of inducing differentiation of stem cell into corneal limbal stem cell
The present invention relates to a method of inducing differentiation of a stem cell into a corneal limbal stem cell, and a medium composition used therein. Further, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating corneal damage, including a corneal limbal stem cell differentiated using the above-described method as an active ingredient. |
| US09896652B2 |
Photobioreactor, system and method of use
Photobioreactors having a vertically-oriented enclosure with a thin panel shape, systems, and methods for using the same to culture productive organisms to accumulate biomass and/or make biofuels or other chemical products. |
| US09896648B2 |
Ethoxylated diols and compositions containing ethoxylated diols
The present invention relates generally to surfactant and detergent compositions and, more specifically, to surfactant and detergent compositions containing an ethoxylated diol. |
| US09896643B2 |
Light phase product recovery methods and systems
Methods and systems for recovering a desired co-product from a feedstock to ethanol production process are provided. The methods involve a multi-step separation of a fermentation-derived feedstock, in which an initial separation produces a discharge stream and an output feed stream including the co-product, and a final separation further purifies the output feed stream while also producing a recycle stream that is reintroduced into the separation process. The systems include at least an initial and at least a final separation device which are in fluid communication in both upstream and downstream directions. The initial separation device separates at least a portion of a non-co-product containing phase from a feed stream comprising the non-co-product containing phase and a co-product containing phase, and the final separation device separates at least a portion of the co-product containing phase from a stream comprising the co-product containing phase and a non-co-product containing phase. |
| US09896642B2 |
Methods of microbial oil extraction and separation
Lipids can be extracted from a microbial biomass that constitutes at least 20% lipids by weight and has a moisture content of less than 4% by weight by applying pressure to the biomass so as to release lipids therefrom, thereby leaving a biomass of reduced lipid content; and collecting the lipids. |
| US09896640B2 |
Method of reducing friction and wear between surfaces under a high load condition
A method of using lubricant compositions to reduce wear between two surfaces exposed to a load condition of at least 1 GPa is provided. The lubricant compositions comprise polysiloxane base oils having alkylaryl or a combination of alkyl and aryl functionality. The polysiloxane base oils may be defined according to the formula: wherein R, R′, and R″ are independently selected, such that R is an alkyl group having between 1-3 carbon atoms; R′ is an alkylaryl group comprising alkyl functionality with 3-12 carbon atoms and aryl functionality with 6 to 12 carbon atoms; R″ is an alkyl group having between 1-3 carbon atoms or an alkylaryl group comprising alkyl functionality with 3-12 carbon atoms and aryl functionality with 6 to 12 carbon atoms; and m and n are integers, such that 8<(m+n)<500. |
| US09896639B2 |
Lubricant for marine engine
The present disclosure relates to a lubricant for marine engines including at least one base oil, at least one overbased detergent, at least one neutral detergent and at least one fatty amine. |
| US09896636B2 |
Fluidizable algae-based powdered fuel and methods for making and using same
An algae-based powdered fuel is configured to be fluidized in a gas stream. The algae-based powdered fuel is manufactured by drying an algae slurry to produce a powdered composition and then comminuting the powdered composition to produce the fuel. The algae-based powdered fuel can be combusted in a gas turbine to generate electricity and/or to propel an aircraft. |
| US09896633B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing corrosion in a reactor system using fluid encasement
Systems and methods for reducing or eliminating corrosion of components of a reactor system, including a supercritical water gasification system, are described. The reactor system may include a reactor vessel configured to receive a reactor fluid through a reactor fluid inlet and a product source fluid corrosive to portions of the reactor system through a product source fluid inlet. The product source fluid may react with the reactor fluid to produce one or more reaction products, such as a fuel gas. The product source fluid inlet may be arranged within the reactor fluid inlet such that the product source fluid entering the reactor vessel is encased by a fluid conduit formed by the flow of reactor fluid entering the reactor vessel. The layer may operate to reduce corrosion by forming a barrier between the product source fluid and the surface of the reactor fluid inlet and/or the reactor vessel. |
| US09896629B2 |
Integrated process to produce asphalt, petroleum green coke, and liquid and gas coking unit products
An integrated process is provided to produce asphalt, high quality petroleum green coke, and liquid and gas coker unit products. Sulfur molecules contained in heavy petroleum fractions, including organosulfur molecules, and in certain embodiments organonitrogen molecules are oxidized. The polar oxidized sulfur compounds shift from the oil phase to the asphalt phase. The deasphalted/desulfurized oil phase is passed to a coker unit to produce liquid and gas coker products as an effluent stream and recover high quality petroleum green coke. |
| US09896627B2 |
Processes and systems for fluidized catalytic cracking
Methods and systems for cracking a light fuel fraction and a heavy fuel fraction by fluidized catalytic cracking are described herein. The method for cracking may include feeding the light fuel fraction and a catalyst from a catalyst regenerator into a first reactor, cracking the light fuel fraction in the first reactor to produce an at least partially cracked light fuel fraction, transporting the at least partially cracked light fuel fraction and the catalyst from the first reactor to a second reactor, feeding the heavy fuel fraction into the second reactor, cracking the heavy fuel fraction and the at least partially cracked light fuel fraction in the second reactor to produce at least a product fuel and a spent catalyst, and transporting the spent catalyst to the catalyst regenerator and regenerating the catalyst in the catalyst regenerator. |
| US09896625B2 |
Apparatus for pyrolyzing waste plastic into fuel
An apparatus pyrolyzes waste plastics into fuel. The apparatus categorizes the waste plastic, and processes the categorized waste plastic to obtain kerosene, diesel fuel, gasoline etc. The apparatus includes a first heat exchange tank, a rough fuel storage tank, a second heat exchange tank, a diesel storage tank, and a kerosene storage tank. Combustible gas is extracted from the tanks via outlets thereof and stored in a gas storage tank. The combustible gas stored in the gas storage tank is fed into a combustion chamber of a pyrolysis furnace of the apparatus. A fuel-water separate tank is connected to the bottom of the rough fuel storage tank to separate fuel from water. The separated fuel is recycled into the combustion chamber to be burned again. Recycled paper with residual plastic films thereon has to be compressed into grains to facilitate a feeding operation. |
| US09896620B2 |
Proppant sand coating for dust reduction
The present invention provides for coating proppants, such as sand, with a resin-containing dispersion which dramatically reduces the dust generated during handling, for example in hydraulic fracturing, by protecting the surface of the particle from abrasion and degradation. Such resin-containing dispersion coated-sand may also reduce the wear on metal parts used in transporting such proppants. |
| US09896619B2 |
Enhancing conductivity of microfractures
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation and forming a fracture network therein that includes at least one primary fracture and at least one microfracture is provided. A plurality of micro-proppant particulates is mixed with the fracturing fluid and placed in the microfracture, and a plurality of primary proppant particulates are mixed with the fracturing fluid and placed in the primary fracture. The step of mixing the micro-proppant particulates with the fracturing fluid continues for so long as the primary proppant particulates are mixed with the fracturing fluid and the fracturing fluid and primary proppant particulates are pumped into the formation. |
| US09896618B2 |
Method of making rod-shaped particles for use as proppant and anti-flowback additive
A method for forming rod-shaped particles includes inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices and into a coagulation solution, wherein the slurry exiting the one or more orifices is a continuous uninterrupted stream, coagulating the reactant in the coagulation solution to form stabilized rods, drying the stabilized rods and reducing a length of the dried stabilized rods. |
| US09896617B2 |
Polymer compositions
A method of enhancing oil recovery in a subterranean reservoir is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a wellbore and a polymer suspension. The polymer suspension comprises a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from a group, at a weight ratio of 20:80 to 80:20. The method comprises providing an aqueous fluid, mixing a sufficient amount of the polymer suspension in the aqueous fluid for the polymer to be hydrated resulting an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours, and injecting the injection solution into the wellbore. The injection solution contains a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and has a filter ratio of less than 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 μm filter. |
| US09896612B2 |
Methods for controlling lost circulation in a subterranean well and materials there for
Method for controlling lost circulation in a subterranean well using oil-dispersible lost-circulation materials which comprise fibers that are coated (or sized) with a lipophilic coupling agent, a lipophilic film-forming polymer or both. The fibers are preferably between about 6 mm and about 25 mm long, and between about 10 μm and about 200 μm in diameter. The fibers may be added to carrier fluids comprising oil-base fluids, synthetic-base fluids, invert-emulsion-base fluids and combinations thereof. The preferred fiber concentration in the carrier fluid is between about 0.55 g/L and about 28.5 g/L. The carrier fluid may be a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid or a lost-circulation pill. |
| US09896608B2 |
Biobased pre-polymers and uses thereof for preparing polymers which are of use as additives in a poly(lactic acid) matrix
The present invention relates to the use of a compound having the following formula (I): in which: A1 represents a divalent alkylene radical comprising from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; A2 represents a divalent alkylene radical comprising from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; A3 is selected from the group consisting of the following divalent radicals: an alkylene comprising from 2 to 600; and an arylene comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms; X1, X3 and X4 represent —O— or —NH—; X′2 is selected from the group consisting of: —S—, —CH2— and a bond; and n and m represent an integer ranging from 1 to 1000; for the preparation of additives in a matrix of polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide, poly(alkyl acrylate), poly(alkyl methacrylate), polystyrene or polyolefin. |
| US09896601B2 |
Dirt pick-up resistant silicone compositions
Silicone compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. The silicone coatings can exhibit improved dirt pick-up resistance and cleanability. The silicone compositions include a polysiloxane, an ultraviolet absorber, and optionally one or more of a pigment, a filler, a crosslinker, an adhesion promoter, a catalyst, additives or solvents. |
| US09896598B2 |
Direct-to-metal radiation curable compositions
A process of directly coating a metal substrate and curing the coating using radiation sources such as UV radiation having a wavelength of 200 nm and above. Furthermore, compositions of the invention can be used as a tie-coat for coatings that do not bond well directly to various metal substrates. |
| US09896593B2 |
Polyelectrolyte multilayers having salt-controlled internal structures
A method, and an article made therefrom, of: contacting a substrate with a first solution of first polyelectrolyte chains to form a layer of the first polyelectrolyte on the substrate; and contacting the layer of the first polyelectrolyte with a second solution of second polyelectrolyte chains to form a layer of the second polyelectrolyte. The first polyelectrolyte has a polyanion or polycation chain. The second polyelectrolyte has a polyanion or polycation chain of a charge opposite to that of the first polyelectrolyte. The first solution or the second solution is an aggregate-forming solution comprising an ionic species having at least two discrete sites of a charge opposite to that of the polyelectrolyte chains in the aggregate-forming solution. The ionic species forms, via bridging interactions, aggregates of the polyelectrolyte chains that remain intact in the aggregate-forming solution during the contact. |
| US09896590B2 |
Conductive polymer ink composition
This invention relates to a conductive polymeric ink composition, including 1) a PEDOT:PSS aqueous dispersion, 2) dimethyl sulfoxide, 3) a solvent, 4) a surfactant, and 5) a phosphate compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, and to a transparent electrode formed using the same. The use of this ink composition enables the formation of a conductive polymer thin film having superior coatability or processability, including jetting capability and spreadability on a substrate, and high transmittance and conductivity. |
| US09896583B2 |
High structure carbon blacks
Disclosed herein are high structured carbon blacks, methods of synthesis and treatment, and dispersions and inkjet ink formulations prepared therefrom. The carbon black can have the following properties: OAN≧170 mL/100 g; and STSA ranging from 160 to 220 m2/g. The carbon black can also have the following properties: OAN≧170 mL/100 g; and a ratio of STSA/BET surface area ranging from 0.7 to 1. |
| US09896575B2 |
Melt-processable compositions having silicone-containing polymeric process additive and synergist
Melt-processable compositions having silicone-containing polymeric process additives and synergists. |
| US09896571B2 |
Water-clear aliphatic polyurethane pultrusion formulations and processes
Clear polyurethane fiber reinforced composites are produced by a pultrusion process with a polyurethane-forming system that includes: (a) a clear, aliphatic polyisocyanate having a viscosity at 25° C. of no more than 1000 centipoise, (b) a colorless polyol component comprising an amine-initiated polyol having a molecular weight of from about 150 to about 400 and an OH functionality greater than or equal to 3, and (c) a catalyst. These fiber-reinforced composites are characterized by both excellent weathering characteristics and excellent physical properties. |
| US09896570B2 |
Indane and/or tetralin ester plasticizers, and blends therefrom
Plasticizers of indane and or tetralin esters and blends thereof with thermoplastic polymers, such as PVC, are disclosed. |
| US09896565B2 |
In situ exfoliation method to fabricate a graphene-reinforced polymer matrix composite (G-PMC)
A method for forming a graphene-reinforced polymer matrix composite is disclosed. The method includes distributing graphite microparticles into a molten thermoplastic polymer phase; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase exfoliates the graphite successively with each event until at least 50% of the graphite is exfoliated to form a distribution in the molten polymer phase of single- and multi-layer graphene nanoparticles less than 50 nanometers thick along the c-axis direction. |
| US09896564B2 |
Use of carbon-based nanofillers at a very low content for the UV stabilization of composite materials
The use of very low concentrations of carbon nanofillers selected from among carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene or a mixture of same in any proportions, in order to improve resistance to ageing, in particular protection against ultraviolet (UV) light, of a composite material based on a polymer matrix. A composite product comprising a composite material, the composite material stabilized with respect to UV light using a content of between 1 ppm and 0.1% by weight, of carbon-based nanofillers chosen from carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene or a mixture of these in all proportions, wherein the composite product is selected from yarns, films, tubes, fibers, and nonwovens. |
| US09896560B2 |
Lyophilized foams of end block containing absorbable polymers
Novel absorbable foams, lyophilizing solutions, and lyophilizing and annealing processes are disclosed. The foams are made from copolymers of glycolide and epsilon-caprolactone. The foams are useful in or as implantable medical devices. |
| US09896555B2 |
Freestanding, heat resistant microporous film for use in energy storage devices
Preferred embodiments of a freestanding, heat resistant microporous polymer film (10) constructed for use in an energy storage device (70, 100) implements one or more of the following approaches to exhibit excellent high temperature mechanical and dimensional stability: incorporation into a porous polyolefin film of sufficiently high loading levels of inorganic or ceramic filler material (16) to maintain porosity (18) and achieve low thermal shrinkage; use of crosslinkable polyethylene to contribute to crosslinking the polymer matrix (14) in a highly inorganic material-filled polyolefin film; and heat treating or annealing of biaxially oriented, highly inorganic material-filled polyolefin film above the melting point temperature of the polymer matrix to reduce residual stress while maintaining high porosity. The freestanding, heat resistant microporous polymer film embodiments exhibit extremely low resistance, as evidenced by MacMullin numbers of less than 4.5. |
| US09896554B2 |
Colorant compatible oxygen scavenging polymer compositions and articles made from same
The disclosure relates to oxygen scavenging polymer compositions, methods of making the compositions, articles prepared from the compositions, and methods of making the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. |
| US09896553B2 |
Method for manufacturing rubber composition, rubber composition, vulcanized rubber, and tire
Provided are a method for manufacturing a rubber composition, which method can give a rubber composition provided with excellent reinforcement properties by improving the dispersibility of fibers in a rubber component when the fibers are added to the rubber, a rubber composition obtained using this method, a vulcanized rubber, and a tire. The method is a method for manufacturing a rubber composition comprising short fibers, comprising a dispersion preparation step for preparing a short fiber dispersion by adding the short fibers into a liquid, a mixed dispersion preparation step for preparing a mixed dispersion by adding at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of carbon black and inorganic compounds into the short fiber dispersion, a mixing step for mixing the mixed dispersion and rubber latex to prepare a rubber-short fiber mixed solution, and a drying step for drying the rubber-short fiber mixed solution to give a rubber composition. |
| US09896550B2 |
Epoxy-modified silicone resin, making method, curable composition, and electronic part
An epoxy-modified silicone resin obtained using a compound having 3 or 4 glycidyl groups and 3 or 4 (meth)allyl groups in the molecule is novel. A curable composition comprising the epoxy-modified silicone resin cures into a film having improved heat resistance and adhesion. |
| US09896549B2 |
Hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings
Provided according to some embodiments of the invention are hydrophobic and/or oleophobic silica-based coatings. In some embodiments of the invention, coatings may include a silica matrix having hydrophobic and/or oleophobic functionalized pores encapsulated therein. Also provided according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of forming a coating according to an embodiment described herein. In some embodiments, methods include (a) combining at least one silane and/or alkoxysilane and at least one fluoroalkylsilane and/or fluoroalkoxysilane with an alcohol, water and an acid to form a sol mixture; (b) adding a surfactant to the sol mixture to form a surfactant sol mixture; (c) depositing the surfactant sol mixture onto a substrate; and (d) curing the surfactant sol mixture to form a silica coating. Methods of preventing adhesion are also provided herein. |
| US09896545B2 |
Bis(azobenzene) diamines and photomechanical polymers made therefrom
Bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers and a method of synthesizing the monomers are provided. The bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers, in combination with amine reactive monomers, form polymers, such as polyimides and copolyimides, having photomechanical and thermomechanical properties. |
| US09896541B2 |
Highly active double metal cyanide catalysts and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to DMC catalysts comprising polyether siloxanes, to processes for preparation thereof, to the use thereof, and to the DMC catalysts obtainable by the processes according to the invention. |
| US09896540B2 |
Polyester polyols from recycled polymers and waste streams
The present invention relates to polyester polyols made from aromatic polyacid sources such as thermoplastic polyesters. The polyols can be made by heating a thermoplastic polyester such as virgin polyethylene terephthalate, recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or mixtures thereof, with a glycol to give a digested intermediate which is then reacted with a digestible polymer, which can be obtained from various recycle waste streams. The polyester polyols comprise a glycol-digested polyacid source and a further digestible polymer. The polyester polyols provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical or biochemical based polyester polyols. |
| US09896537B2 |
Norbornanyl rosin resin and process for preparing same
This invention relates to the new norbornanyl rosin resin compositions which are easily obtainable by reacting the norbornenyl compounds or their alpha, beta-unsaturated esters with rosin derivative. In particular, this invention relates to a new process for making hybrid rosin resin suitable for production adhesive, ink, coating, plasticizer, thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic and functional polymers. |
| US09896536B2 |
Dihydropyrrolo[2,3-F] indole-diketopyrrolopyrrole semiconducting materials, and methods and uses thereof
Described herein are heterocyclic organic compounds. More specifically, described herein are compounds based on the combination of fused pyrrole structures with diketopyrrolopyrrole structures, methods for making these compounds, and uses thereof. The compounds disclosed have improved electronic, polymerization and stability properties that allow for improved material processibility and inclusion in organic semiconductor devices. |