| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09910702B2 |
Continuous optimization of archive management scheduling by use of integrated content-resource analytic model
A method and associated system for continuously optimizing data archive management scheduling. A flow network is modeled, which creates vertexes organized in multiple levels and creating multiple edges sequentially connecting the vertexes of the multiple levels. The multiple levels consist of N+1 levels denoted as LEVEL0, LEVEL1, . . . , LEVELN, wherein N is at least 2, wherein LEVEL0 includes a source vertex, wherein LEVEL1 includes at least one task vertex associated with at least one archive management task, wherein EDGEK is directed from the vertex of LEVELK−1 to the vertex of LEVELK for K=1, . . . , N, wherein EDGE1 indicates that a first task associated with a first task vertex of LEVEL1 is scheduled by a job scheduler, and wherein EDGE1 has a first weight equal to a time unit to perform the first task. |
| US09910699B2 |
Virtual processor direct interrupt delivery mechanism
A method comprising is described. The method includes receiving an interrupt targeting a virtual processor, determining a status of the virtual processor and directly delivering the interrupt to the virtual processor upon determining that the virtual processor is operating in a running state. |
| US09910698B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a plurality of application frameworks upon which applications are executed, and a decision unit configured to control a switching of operable states of the plurality of application frameworks. |
| US09910697B2 |
Fault-tolerant and highly-available configuration of distributed services
Fault-tolerant and highly available configuration of distributed services including a computer-implemented method for distributed task orchestration. The method includes setting a watch on a first key in a first replica of a distributed configuration store and setting a value of a second key in a second replica of the distributed configuration store where the value of the second key indicates that a first sub-task of a distributed task is successfully complete. The value of the second key is received based on the watch set on the first key and execution of the second sub-tasks is initiated based on receiving the value of the second key. Also disclosed are techniques for service lifecycle management. |
| US09910693B2 |
Virtual machine to host device bridging
In an example embodiment, a hypervisor exposes a first guest device to a first virtual machine. The hypervisor exposes a virtual host device and a pass-through device to a second virtual machine. The hypervisor maps a first memory and a second memory into the second virtual machine at a first base address register and a second base address register associated with the virtual host device and pass-through device. The hypervisor sends a mapping from the first virtual machine to the second virtual machine. The hypervisor sends a first address of a first ring of the first guest device and a second address of a second ring of an assigned device to the second virtual machine. |
| US09910692B2 |
Enhanced virtual function capabilities in a virtualized network environment
The present disclosure is directed to enhanced virtual function capabilities in a virtualized network environment. In general, devices may comprise physical and virtualized resources. The physical resources may comprise at least a network adaptor that may handle incoming data from a network and outgoing data to the network. The virtualized resources may comprise at least one virtual machine (VM) and a corresponding interface. The corresponding interface may be one of a physical interface, a virtual interface or a “super” virtual interface. The physical interface may provide a first set of capabilities allowing the VM to access (e.g., control) at least the network adaptor. The virtual interface may provide a second set of capabilities that is a subset of the first set. The super virtual interface may provide a third set of capabilities including the second set of capabilities and at least one additional capability from the first set of capabilities. |
| US09910690B2 |
PCI slot hot-addition deferral for multi-function devices
A hypervisor receives a request pertaining to a multi-function device managed by the hypervisor from a guest operating system of a virtual machine where the multi-function device comprises a main function and a plurality of sub-functions and the request identifies an address within a configuration space associated with one of the plurality of sub-functions of the multi-function device. The hypervisor determines the main function of the multi-function device in view of the address of the configuration space associated with the sub-function, accesses a data structure associated with the main function to obtain an indicator of availability of the main function to the guest operating system, and determines, view of the indicator of availability, whether the main function is available to the guest operating system. Responsive to determining that the main function is not available, the hypervisor rejects the request from the guest operating system to access the address within the configuration space associated with the sub-function. |
| US09910688B2 |
Implementing aspects with callbacks in virtual machines
Implementing aspects via callback in a virtual machine, where an aspect weaver weaves the aspect with a module to provide primary and crosscutting functionality in the runtime execution of the module. The virtual machine has multiple modules that are part of an application implementing separation of concerns. Each of the multiple modules has a distinct functionality portion and a common functionality portion, common to all modules. The common functionality is referenced by the virtual machine via callback for the multiple modules. Aspect code is loaded as a callback that is applied to the multiple modules by the virtual machine. Loading the aspect code as a callback can implement the aspect at any point in the modules, including conditional statements, calls to methods of objects or classes, loops, any point in an exception handler, or to monitor changes in variables. |
| US09910687B2 |
Data flow affinity for heterogenous virtual machines
A method and technique for data flow affinity for heterogeneous virtual machines includes: connecting first and second logical partitions to a shared virtual adapter, the first logical partition having a maximum receive unit (MRU) different than a MRU of the second logical partition; responsive to receiving data by the shared virtual adapter destined for the first or second logical partitions, performing transmission control protocol (TCP) segmentation offload processing of the data by the shared virtual adapter utilizing the MRU of the first logical partition as the transmission unit for data destined for the first logical partition and utilizing the MRU of the second logical partition as the transmission unit for data destined for the second logical partition; and disabling large receive offload (LRO) processing of data by a physical adapter if either of the first or second logical partitions does not support LRO. |
| US09910685B2 |
System and method for identifying, indexing, and navigating to deep states of mobile applications
A mobile application development system includes a developer portal that receives an application from a developer and provides a routing library to the developer to augment the application. An offline analysis system analyzes the application to (i) determine a set of activities that a handler within the application is programmed to resume in response to respective resumption requests from a host operating system and (ii) determine parameters for each of the activities. The offline analysis system generates a set of links that each corresponds to a respective one of the activities. The routing library, installed as part of the augmented application onto a user device, receives a link, from the user device's operating system, that identifies a first activity. The routing library includes instructions for generating a first resumption request based on parameters corresponding to the first activity and transmitting the first resumption request to the augmented application's handler. |
| US09910682B2 |
Simultaneous website and mobile app creation method and system
A method of simultaneously creating a website and an app including providing, at the at least one server, a first coding template operably configured to create a website and a second coding template operably configured to create a mobile app; receiving a client selection of one of a plurality of pre-determined website-app templates stored at the at least one server; and creating a channel including the website and the corresponding mobile app by executing the first code template to create the website and simultaneously executing the second coding template to create the corresponding mobile app with the client-selected one of the plurality of pre-determined website-app templates being an input to each of the first and second coding templates. |
| US09910681B2 |
Instance interfaces and mix-ins for dynamic languages
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for using contracts in dynamic languages. For example, a contract can be directly associated with an object. The contract can then be used to provide type safety for the object. As another example, contracts can be used with mix-ins. A declaration for a contract is provided with a mix-in. The contract is associated with a target object at runtime when applying the mix-in. Conditions can be assigned to mix-ins that must be met before the mix-in can be applied to the target object. At runtime, if the target object meets the one or more conditions, then the mix-in can be applied to the target object. |
| US09910677B2 |
Operating environment switching between a primary and a secondary operating system
Provided is a manner of switching between the operating environment of a primary OS and the operating environment of a secondary OS. In certain embodiments, a HDD keeps a runtime image of the secondary OS generated in a system memory. A DMA space for allowing the secondary OS to operate is formed in a physical address space where a memory image of the primary OS is active. The runtime image of the secondary OS is transferred to the DMA space. The operation of the memory image of the primary OS is stopped and the runtime image of the secondary OS is executed in the DMA space. Before activating the memory image of the primary OS, the runtime image of the secondary OS is saved to the HDD again. |
| US09910672B2 |
Speculative load issue
A method and load and store buffer for issuing a load instruction to a data cache. The method includes determining whether there are any unresolved store instructions in the store buffer that are older than the load instruction. If there is at least one unresolved store instruction in the store buffer older than the load instruction, it is determined whether the oldest unresolved store instruction in the store buffer is within a speculation window for the load instruction. If the oldest unresolved store instruction is within the speculation window for the load instruction, the load instruction is speculatively issued to the data cache. Otherwise, the load instruction is stalled until any unresolved store instructions outside the speculation window are resolved. The speculation window is a short window that defines a number of instructions or store instructions that immediately precede the load instruction. |
| US09910667B2 |
Segregating a monolithic computing system into multiple attachable application containers based on application boundaries
Techniques are described for segregating a monolithic computing device that contains many installed applications into separate application storage volumes that can be attached or detached from the computing device as needed. Once the monolithic device has been segregated, the application storage volumes can be managed remotely from a management server and can be enabled or disabled on the device based on instructions from an administrator. Additionally, the administrator is enabled to select which application storage volumes are migrated during an operating system (OS) upgrade on the computing device. |
| US09910666B1 |
Implementing locale management on PaaS: live locale object update
A method and apparatus are provided for implementing system locale management including live locale object update in a computer system. A living locale-object replacement is provided on an operating system without shutdown of the operating system. A Locale-Object Management Daemon (LOMD) checks a predefined living locale object update profile, monitors status of a table of running application and correlated loaded locale-objects and decides if a locale object can be updated in certain nodes for certain applications. |
| US09910660B2 |
Operating system replacement for in-vehicle computing system
Embodiments are disclosed for a method of replacing an original operating system with a new operating system. In one example embodiment, a method to selectively replace a first in-vehicle operating system includes receiving a temporary update including a second in-vehicle operating system for storage in a memory location of the first in-vehicle operating system and receiving a request to update the first in-vehicle operating system based on the temporary update. The method may further include triggering a reboot of the first in-vehicle operating system including installing the second in-vehicle operating system. |
| US09910655B1 |
Secure content platform software developer kit
A system and method may be used to manipulate secure content on a first computing device through the use of a software developer's kit. The method may include defining a secure container as a subset of a data store of the first computing device. First instructions of the software developer's kit may be executed to retrieve the secure content from a first content source of a plurality of content sources managed by a plurality of different entities. The secure content may be stored in the secure container. At an input device, user input may be received to initiate manipulation of the secure content in a manner that avoids storage of any of the secure content on a portion of the data store outside the secure container. |
| US09910650B2 |
Method and apparatus for approximating detection of overlaps between memory ranges
A computer-implemented method for managing loop code in a compiler includes using a conflict detection procedure that detects across-iteration dependency for arrays of single memory addresses to determine whether a potential across-iteration dependency exists for arrays of memory addresses for ranges of memory accessed by the loop code. |
| US09910649B2 |
Integrating and sharing software build component targets
Techniques are described for sharing software targets in componentized automated software product build processes. In some examples, a method includes identifying among software component builds having dependencies on software targets, two or more software targets having a number of common dependencies that exceeds a threshold. The method further includes integrating the two or more software targets into at least one integrated software target. The method further includes assigning at least one subset of software component builds having dependencies on the two or more software targets, as having dependencies on the at least one integrated software target. The method further includes executing a software build process using the at least one integrated software target and the assigned dependencies of the at least one subset of the software component builds on the at least one integrated software target. |
| US09910646B2 |
Technologies for native code invocation using binary analysis
Technologies for native code invocation using binary analysis are described. A computing device for invoking native code from managed code using binary analysis receives a call from a thread executing a managed code segment to execute a native code segment. The computing device performs a binary analysis of the native code segment and generates, from the binary analysis, a complexity indicator that indicates a level of complexity of the native code segment by comparing the native code segment to at least one predefined complexity rule. Additionally, the computing device stores a status of the thread based on the complexity indicator and executes the native code segment. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09910640B2 |
Modeling representational state transfer application programming interfaces
Modeling representational state transfer application programming interfaces by performing the following steps: (i) receiving REST schema information defining a REST schema; (ii) organizing into a non-cyclic object graph according to a hierarchy, a set of hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) endpoints, with each endpoint respectively including a portion of the REST application so that the set of HTTP endpoints are individually addressable by uniform resource locator (URL) addresses; and (iii) for each HTTP endpoint of the set of HTTP node types, assigning node types based on the REST schema. |
| US09910638B1 |
Computer-based square root and division operations
Square root operations in a computer processor are disclosed. A first iteration for calculating partial results of a square root operation is performed in a larger number of cycles than remaining iterations. The first iteration requires calculation of a first digit that is larger than the subsequent digits. The first iteration thus requires multiplication of values that are larger than corresponding values for the subsequent other digits. By splitting the first digit into two parts, the required multiplications can be performed in less time than if the first digit were not split. Performing these multiplications in less time reduces the total delay for clock cycles associated with the first digit calculations, which increases the possible clock frequency allowed. A multiply-and-accumulate unit that performs either packed-single operations or double-precision operations may be used, along with a combined division/square root unit for simultaneous execution of division and square root operations. |
| US09910637B2 |
Signed division in memory
Examples of the present disclosure provide apparatuses and methods for performing signed division operations. An apparatus can include a first group of memory cells coupled to a first access line and a number of sense lines. The apparatus can include a second group of memory cells coupled to a second access line and the number of sense lines. The apparatus can include a controller configured to cause sensing circuitry to divide a signed dividend element stored in the first group of memory cells by a signed divisor element stored in the second group of memory cells by performing a number of operations. At least one of the number of operations can be performed without transferring data via an input/output (I/O) line. |
| US09910636B1 |
Voice activated audio controller
A control device for a portable digital media player is contained within a communications headset attached to a first ear of a user and complimented by an interpreter circuit adaptively paired with that media player. A microphone, located within the headset, is configured to receive vocal commands from the user and transmit those commands, via any wireless communication technology, to the interpreter interface removably inserted into a specialized port of the media player. The electronic circuitry within the adapter searches the input for recognizable phrases which have been pre-programmed to exert control over the media player. The adapter then converts the proper input into control signals for execution in the media player. The output of the media player is wirelessly transmitted back to the headset for the auditory enjoyment of the user. The headset is equipped with an auxiliary earpiece which is configured to wirelessly receive at least a portion of the media player output to accomplish a stereoscopic presentation when that earpiece is inserted into the auditory canal of a second ear. |
| US09910634B2 |
Microphone calibration
Examples described herein involve calibration of a microphone of a network device based on a first signal detected by the microphone of the network device and a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. While the network device is positioned within a predetermined physical range of a microphone of a playback device, a microphone of the network device may detect a first audio signal. The network device may also receive data indicating a second audio signal detected by the microphone of the playback device. Based on data indicating the first audio signal and the data indicating the second audio signal, the network device may identify a microphone calibration algorithm, and apply the microphone calibration algorithm when performing a calibration function associated with the playback device. Similar functions may also be performed by a computing device, such as a server to coordinate calibration of the microphone of the network device. |
| US09910626B2 |
Print inspection apparatus and print inspection method
A print inspection apparatus according to the present invention obtains an object for variable printing which is stored in a storage and generates a combined image by combining the obtained object. If the combined image is normally generated, the combined image is set to both of a print image and a collation image. Whereas if the combined image is not normally generated, a different image is set to each of the print image and the collation image. The print inspection apparatus generates a print product by printing the set print image. Then, the print inspection apparatus inspects the print product by comparing image data generated by reading the print product with the set collation image. |
| US09910624B2 |
Data writing in a file system
In an approach for writing data on a tape using a file system, a processor receives a first write request of a first file. A processor obtains data of the first file. A processor writes the data of the first file on a tape. A processor receives a second write request of a second file prior to completion of writing the data of the first file on the tape. A processor adds information about the second file to a first list, wherein the first list includes files waiting to write. Subsequent to writing the data of the first file on the tape, a processor obtains data of the second file based on the first list. A processor writes the data of the second file after the first file on the tape. |
| US09910618B1 |
Migrating applications executing on a storage system
Migrating applications executing on a storage system, including: detecting, by the storage system, that an application executing on a first platform within the storage system should be migrated to a second platform within the storage system; rejecting, by the storage system, all pending input/output (‘I/O’) requests received by the storage system from the application executing on the first platform; and initiating, by the storage system, execution of the application on the second platform. |
| US09910617B2 |
Data updating in a file system
A mechanism is provided for updating data of a file on a tape in a file system using a tape drive. Data of a file which received a write request is read out from a tape drive and stored in a memory. At least a part of the data of the file is edited and the edited data part of the file is stored in the memory. Combination data with a non-edited data part and the edited data part of the file is written on the tape in the tape drive as a continuous data of the file to have an extent. The extent of the written continuous data of the file is then written on the tape. |
| US09910612B2 |
Memory buffer with one or more auxiliary interfaces
The present memory system includes a memory buffer having an interface arranged to buffer data and/or command bytes being written to or read from the RAM chips residing on a DIMM by a host controller. The memory buffer further includes at least one additional interface arranged to buffer data and/or command bytes between the host controller or RAM chips and one or more external devices coupled to the at least one additional interface. For example, the memory buffer may include a SATA interface and be arranged to convey data between the host controller or RAM chips and FLASH memory devices coupled to the SATA interface. The memory buffer may be employed in various types of systems, such as a computer server system, a network system, or a data center. |
| US09910608B2 |
Storage system with update frequency based replication
A storage system includes a storage unit and a control unit. Data is stored in the storage unit. The control unit performs replication of data that is updated, based on the frequency with which the data is updated. The control unit may include a frequency detection unit, a policy management unit, and a replication performance unit. The frequency detection unit detects the update frequency with which the data is updated, by detecting the number of times that the data is updated. The policy management unit determines a replication policy for the data based on the update frequency with which the data is updated. The replication performance unit performs replication of the updated data based on the replication policy. |
| US09910601B2 |
Systems and methods for managing information objects in dynamic data storage devices
According to one aspect, a system for managing information objects in dynamic data storage devices including a first data storage device having a plurality of information objects, a second data storage device operatively connectable to an output device for providing at least some of the information objects to at least one user, and at least one processor operatively coupled to the first data storage device and the second data storage device. The at least one processor is configured to automatically divide the plurality of information objects in the first data storage device to form at least one data subdivision based on division criteria, and repeatedly, in response to a dynamic operating condition determine a relevance value of at least one of the data subdivisions in the first data storage device and the second data storage device indicative of the relevance of those data subdivision to the user, and based on the relevance value, perform at least one of loading those data subdivision to the second data storage, or unloading those data subdivision from the second data storage. |
| US09910600B2 |
System and method for polling the status of memory devices
A memory controller and methods thereof suitable for operating a system utilizing multiple memory bus channels and/or multiple banks of memory devices on each channel wherein the memory devices is polled only when necessary. The memory controller includes means for determining a status of each individual memory device of the plurality of memory devices, a channel controller for each memory bus channel, and at least one status register on which is stored a plurality of bits. The channel controller maintains a derived status of each individual memory device based on the current and previous status data. Each individual bit of the plurality of bits of the status register corresponds to an individual memory device of the plurality of memory devices and indicates the derived status of the individual memory device which are used to determine whether to check for a queued command destined for the individual memory device. |
| US09910599B2 |
Cache read-modify-write process control based on monitored criteria
A receiver unit receives data write commands for a memory device. A control unit determines a use situation of an RMW cache used in a read-modify-write process by the memory device, on the basis of write sizes, a reception frequency, and the number of received commands. A control unit decides whether or not to execute a read-modify-write process by a storage control apparatus on the basis of the determination result. |
| US09910598B2 |
Host interface controller and control method for storage device
A host interface controller having a first buffer set and a second buffer set operated in a ping-pong buffer mode by a control module to alternately work as a pre-fetch buffer set. When one buffer set between the first buffer set and the second buffer set works as the pre-fetch buffer set, the control module pre-fetches and buffers data starting from a first address of a storage device into the pre-fetch buffer set and accesses the other buffer set between the first buffer set and the second buffer set to respond to a read request that the central processing unit issues to access data of a second address of the storage device. |
| US09910597B2 |
Memory system having a plurality of writing modes
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a block management unit, and a transcription unit. The semiconductor memory includes a plurality of blocks to which data can be written in both the first mode and the second mode. The block management unit manages a block that stores therein no valid data as a free block. When the number of free blocks managed by the block management unit is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the transcription unit selects one or more used blocks that stores therein valid data as transcription source blocks and transcribes valid data stored in the transcription source blocks to free blocks in the second mode. |
| US09910595B2 |
Mapping of logical volumes to host clusters
A method for data storage includes defining a host cluster within a group of host computers, which access a storage system that includes multiple logical volumes. The host cluster includes two or more of the host computers. Responsively to a single mapping instruction, each of the host computers in the host cluster is mapped to access the logical volumes in the set. In another disclosed method, a single control instruction, which specifies the host cluster and a configuration operation to be applied to the host computers in the host cluster, is accepted. Responsively to the single control instruction, the configuration operation is applied to each of the host computers in the host cluster. |
| US09910593B2 |
Configurable storage device and adaptive storage device array
An array can include a controller and multiple storage devices of a first type. When a storage device of the first type is replaced by a replacement storage device of a second type, and other storage devices of the first type remain in the array, the controller instructs the replacement storage device to configure itself as a storage device of the first type. When the last storage device of the first type in the array is replaced by a replacement storage device of the second type, the controller instructs all the storage devices of the array to configure themselves as storage devices of the second type. |
| US09910590B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for controlling mobile terminal
In an e-mail input mode, a control module can cause text information selected by a touch operation on a portion of a touch panel that overlaps an operation key display area of a display to be displayed in an edit display area, and can cause time information and a detected state of position information to be displayed in a first notification area. In the e-mail input mode, when a touch operation is performed on a portion of the touch panel that overlaps the first notification area, the control module can cause the time displayed in a time display area to be displayed in an editable manner, and can cause edited time to be displayed in an edit display area as text information. |
| US09910589B2 |
Virtual keyboard with adaptive character recognition zones
A virtual keyboard with dynamically adjusted recognition zones for predicted user-intended characters. When a user interaction with the virtual keyboard is received on the virtual keyboard, a character in a recognition zone encompassing the detected interaction location is selected as the current input character. Characters likely to be the next input character are predicted based on the current input character. The recognition zones of the predicted next input characters are adjusted to be larger than their original sizes. |
| US09910586B2 |
Apparatus, method, and program product for detecting input gestures
Apparatuses, methods, and program products are disclosed for detecting input gestures. In one method, an input is detected by use of a processor. Moreover, the method may include determining a centric position of the input. A vertical axis and a horizontal axis of a virtual coordinate plane may extend through the centric position of the input such that an origin of the virtual coordinate plane is positioned within the centric position of the input. The method may also include determining that the input includes a circular gesture if the input intersects at least a positive point on a first axis extending through the origin, a negative point on the first axis, a positive point on a second axis extending through the origin, and a negative point on the second axis. |
| US09910585B2 |
Selective sharing of displayed content in a view presented on a touchscreen of a processing system
Arrangements described herein relate to sharing a view presented on a touchscreen of a processing system. Whether a show gesture state is enabled on the processing system and whether a gesture event gate is open on the processing system are determined. The show gesture state determines whether a gesture detected by the touchscreen is depicted onto a version of the view shared with another processing system. The gesture event gate determines whether a corresponding gesture event is passed to an application that is active in the view. |
| US09910579B2 |
Detection of pan and scaling during multi-finger touch interactions
In one embodiment, a graphical display device may use a set of one or more thresholds to remove a scaling motion from a panning input using multiple fingers. The graphical display device may receive a user input in a user movement interface having at least a first bio-point 210 and a second bio-point 210. The graphical display device may detect a panning motion from the user input. The graphical display device may filter out a scaling motion from the user input based on a scaling threshold. The graphical display device may present a pan of a graphical user interface to a user. |
| US09910577B2 |
Prospective determination of processor wake-up conditions in energy buffered HVAC control unit having a preconditioning feature
A thermostat may include a memory and a processing system. The processing system may operate by determining a set of wake-up conditions for the processor to enter into a second operating state from a first operating state, the set of wake-up conditions including at least one threshold value associated with at least one environmental and/or time-of-day condition; causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in a memory; operating in a first mode in which the processor is in the first operating state during a time interval subsequent to causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in the memory; determining, while the processor is in the first operating state, whether at least one of the set of wake-up conditions has been met; and then operating in a second mode in which the processor is in the second operating state. |
| US09910575B2 |
Assisting a user in selecting a lighting device design
The present invention relates to assisting a user in selecting a lighting device (408) design through receiving an image of a scene, e.g. the user taking a picture using his/her smartphone of his/her living room (410) and analyzing this image in order to select or generate a lighting device (408) design. The analysis can comprise determining the presence of a pattern, material or color in the scene and a lighting device (408) design can be selected (e.g. from an electronic catalog) that comprises a similar pattern, material or color. As another example, a lighting device (408) design can be generated to match such a pattern, material or color. The invention further comprises a system and computer program product for implementation of this method. |
| US09910574B2 |
Method and system for visualizing and manipulating graphic charts
A method, a computer program product and a server for visualizing and manipulating graphic charts to one or more users is disclosed. The method includes creating n variables, creating multiple datasets including data points representing a relation between a subset of the variables, and creating one or more graphic charts each comprising a representation of the datasets. The method also includes displaying the graphic charts on display elements and manipulating a dataset in a graphic chart where a mathematical model is created and relations between the datasets are detemiined by the mathematic model. The relations operate in a two-way direction, and the datasets and graphic charts are accordingly updated when manipulated. |
| US09910573B2 |
Adaptable transparency
By adjusting visual settings on a display behind a section of a background to emphasize menu options, a user can determine the status in the series of menus and sub-menus and can better read the menu options. |
| US09910571B2 |
Application switching and multitasking
Displaying windows on a computing device includes displaying a first window on a display of a computing device. First user input corresponding to a drag gesture from a first edge of the display inward and away from the first edge is received. In response to the received first user input, a second window is displayed concurrent with display of the first window. Second user input corresponding to a swipe gesture from a second edge of the display inward and away from the second edge is received. In response to the received second user input, a third window is displayed that replaces the concurrent display of the first and second windows. A state of the concurrent display of the first and second windows is stored for subsequent concurrent display of the first and second windows. |
| US09910570B2 |
System and method of presenting media content
A method includes monitoring media content at media content locations to identify media content items. The media content locations are identified in social network data stored by a set-top box device. The method includes receiving, at the set-top box device, a command to present image cells to a display device. The command is responsive to an alert sent from the set-top box device. The method also includes presenting the image cells at the display device. At least one of the image cells includes an image corresponding to an identified media content item. |
| US09910569B2 |
Address bar user interface control
An address bar user interface control includes one or more interactive segments. A segment may include one or more filters or selection criteria for selecting content from physical and/or virtual locations. In some instances, a segment may include two or more filters or selection criteria which are logically combined for selecting content. |
| US09910566B2 |
Copy and paste operation using OCR with integrated correction application
Methods and systems execute different optical character recognition processes on an image using a network-based server to automatically recognize characters in the image, and aggregate the recognition results from the different optical character recognition processes to produce a final character recognition result that includes relatively higher confidence recognized characters and relatively lower confidence recognized characters. These methods and systems then output the final character recognition result from the network-based server to a remote computerized device over a computerized network. The output provides the relatively higher confidence recognized characters as default characters for pasting, and also provides the relatively lower confidence recognized characters as alternate characters for pasting. Additionally, this output provides a default pointer movement operation that automatically pastes the default characters into another input field, and a secondary pointer movement operation that automatically pastes one or more of the alternate characters for pasting into the input field. |
| US09910564B2 |
System and method for customizing an interface related to accessing, manipulating, and viewing internet and non-internet information
A method and medium are disclosed for accessing, generating, presenting and manipulating Internet and non-Internet related information, data and content, including information netcast over the Internet. A number of graphical user interfaces are utilized to facilitate user access, manipulation and control of information, data and content and networked devices. Some of the graphical user interfaces are time and topic oriented, are customizable by the user, and allow for the manipulation of information, data, content, and operatively connected networked devices from the graphical interfaces themselves. The system is preferably enhanced through the use of an intelligent, dynamically updated user profile that is fully integrated with the system. |
| US09910563B2 |
Contextually changing omni-directional navigation mechanism
Systems and methods for menuless application navigation are provided. In example embodiments, a first user input received via an interface of the device is detected. It is determined that the first user input is within an input region on the interface of the device. In response to determining that the first user input is within the input region, the first user input is translated into a navigation action. A second user input received via the interface of the device is detected, and it is determined that the second user input is outside the input region on the interface of the device. In response to determining that the second user input is outside the input region, the user input is translated into a second action, which is different from the navigation action. |
| US09910561B2 |
Highly efficient and parallel data transfer and display with geospatial alerting
A method for highly efficient and parallel data transfer and display with event alerting includes employing an aggregation server to receive and filter multiple Internet data feeds, including an event list, streaming each Internet data feed to an input device as a streamed data segment, displaying each data segment in an interactive stacked ticker display on the remote computing device, determining a location of the input device, displaying an event alert in the interactive stacked ticker display if the input device location comes within a threshold distance of an event location, and enabling a user to purchase tickets to the event corresponding to the event alert. |
| US09910560B2 |
Electronic apparatus and menu displaying method
An operation button carries out an operation of an electronic apparatus through a key input. A touch panel is a display area of the electronic apparatus and carries out an operation of the electronic apparatus through a touch operation. A display controlling unit displays, in response to the operation of at least one of the operation button and the touch panel, a menu including at least one choice relating to the operation of the electronic apparatus on a display device. Here, the display controlling unit displays a menu to be displayed in response to the operation of the operation button and a menu to be displayed in response to the operation of the touch panel such that the menus include at least one common choice and besides the common choice is disposed in layouts different from each other. |
| US09910559B2 |
Menu screen display control method and display control device for exchanging icons of a menu based on user instruction
According to a method of the present invention for controlling display of a menu screen, content is displayed in a content display region located in a central part of a display screen in a size smaller than the display screen, and a plurality of icons are displayed in a circle around the content display region so that the plurality of icons sequentially move to a specific position in accordance with a user's selecting operation while moving around the content display region without overlapping the content display region. |
| US09910555B2 |
Methods for operating multiple windows on a handheld mobile terminal and the handheld mobile terminal conducting the same
The present disclosure relates to handheld mobile terminals that implementing methods for a technology of displaying and adjusting sizes of multiple windows on a screen of a handheld mobile terminal. The handheld mobile terminal may be configured to display a plurality of windows together on a screen. Under an edit mode, the handheld mobile terminals may receive a first instruction from a user of the handheld mobile terminal to adjust a target window of the plurality of windows to any size the user wishes; and adjust the size of the target window according to the instruction. |
| US09910553B2 |
Multi-touch resistive touch-screen sensor and controller assembly
A method and apparatus are provided for a touch sensor made from a flexible substrate with voids and resistive conductive elements suspended within it. The voids in the substrate are positioned in the areas where conductive elements cross. The substrate holds the conductive elements apart in these voids when no pressure is applied, but allows the crossing conductive elements to come into contact when pressure from a touch is applied. The conductive elements follow a serpentine path to increase the number of crossings for a given number of conductive elements. The ends of the conductive elements are connected to control electronics around the periphery of the substrate that energizes select conductive elements with constant voltage and constant current signals and measures voltage from other conductive elements to ascertain touch locations and touch contact areas respectively. The sensor can be planner or made to follow contoured surfaces such as the outer surfaces of a mobile electronic device. |
| US09910550B2 |
Capacitive-type touch screen sensor, touch screen panel and image display device
Disclosed is a touch screen panel. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the touch screen panel comprises a first sensor layer including a plurality of first sensor electrodes for detecting a position of a touch input on one axis and a second sensor layer stacked on an upper or lower part of the first sensor layer and including a plurality of second sensor electrodes for detecting a position of the touch input on another axis. In this case, each of the first sensor electrodes includes first detection regions arranged in a zigzag manner along a first direction and first connection regions for connecting the first detection regions, and each of the second sensor electrodes includes second detection regions arranged in a zigzag manner along a second direction and second connection regions for connecting the second detection regions. |
| US09910543B2 |
Apparatus for improving signal-to-noise performance of projected capacitance touch screens and panels
Improved signal-to-noise performance of projected capacitance touch screens and panels is provided by an integrated circuit regulated high voltage source and high voltage/current drivers coupled to a plurality of projected capacitive touch elements that are controlled by a microcontroller. The single integrated circuit high voltage generator/driver may comprise a voltage boost circuit, a voltage reference, power-on-reset (POR), soft start, a plurality of voltage level shifters and a serial interface for coupling to the microcontroller that may control all functions related to using the projected capacitance touch screens and panels. |
| US09910538B2 |
Touch input device with pathogen transmission mitigation
This disclosure provides methods and systems for mitigating pathogen transmission via a touch surface of a touch input device. Mitigation is accomplished through selective touch surface sterilization and through touchscreen user interface reorganization. The touch surface includes a pixel array for illuminating selected portions of the touch surface with ultraviolet light of a sterilization wavelength based upon the received touch inputs. The selective illumination may occur while receiving a touch input or after an accumulation of touch inputs have been received. The user interface may also be reorganized based on received touch inputs in order to locate user interface icons to lesser touched locations of the touch surface. |
| US09910537B2 |
In-cell touch screen panel, driving method thereof, and display device
The present disclosure discloses an in-cell touch screen panel, a driving method thereof and a display device. A plurality of sub-pixels are grouped into sub-pixel groups, each of which includes at least two sub-pixels. Cathode layers of different sub-pixel groups are independent of one another. The cathode layers are reused as self-capacitance electrodes. A driving chip determines a touch position by detecting a change in capacitance of the cathode layers, thereby achieving touch control functionality. The driving chip outputs, in a fourth phase, signals to the cathode layers and to the signal terminals of each sub-pixel circuit, each of the signals is a superposition of the signal output in a third phase with a touch scanning signal such that each sub-pixel circuit operates in the fourth phase in the same state as in the third phase. |
| US09910535B2 |
Touch input device that detects a touch position and a pressing input
A touch input device includes a touch panel, a press detection signal generating unit and a touch detection signal generating unit. The touch panel is formed by laminating a piezoelectric sensor and a capacitive sensor. The piezoelectric sensor is connected to the press detection signal generating unit, and the capacitive sensor is connected to the touch detection signal generating unit. The piezoelectric sensor includes a piezoelectric film, and first and second press detecting conductors disposed with the piezoelectric film sandwiched therebetween. The piezoelectric film is disposed such that a polarity of electric charges produced by a press in the piezoelectric film, and a polarity of excited electric charges produced in the piezoelectric film when the capacitive sensor detects a touch become reverse polarities. |
| US09910533B2 |
Timing scheme for touch screen supporting variable refresh rate
Various timing schemes can be used to synchronizing display functions with touch and/or stylus sensing functions for devices including a variable refresh rate (VRR) display. In a continuous-touch mode, for example, extended blanking can result in frame judder due to mismatch or latency between reporting of sensing data and the display. To minimize these issues, sensing operations can reset to re-synchronize with the display operation, and unreported data from sensing scans can be discarded or ignored. In some examples, a display frame can be divided into two sub-frames, and a system can be configured to perform a touch sensing scan during the first sub-frame of a display frame. At the conclusion of extended blanking, the sensing operations can reset to re-synchronize with the display. The touch sensing scan can be completed in one intra-frame pause and can begin at the start of the display frame. |
| US09910532B2 |
Bridging structure for touch panel and touch panel
The present invention discloses a bridging structure for touch panel and a touch panel. The bridging structure comprises a metal bridge and an insulating block provided on the metal bridge, the metal bridge has two end portions protruding beyond the insulating block, which are used for electrically connecting to two electrode blocks to be connected, respectively, the bridging structure further comprises at least one supporting portion, at least a part of which is located at an outer side of the end portions, and the supporting portion fills a gap between the electrode block and the end portion. In the present invention, by providing the supporting portion at the junction of the electrode block and the metal bridge, climbing path of the electrode block on the metal bridge is optimized, electrical connection of the bridging structure becomes more stable and reliable, and antistatic ability of the touch panel is improved. |
| US09910531B2 |
Circular outline single layer pattern
A circular, single-layer sensor electrode pattern for input devices, such as wearable devices, is described. The sensor electrode pattern features transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes tiled in alternating fashion, such that each receiver electrode is surrounded by transmitter electrodes. The individual sensor electrodes of the described pattern are designed to provide a substantially uniform electrode area size across the sensor. Additionally, the sensor electrode pattern is arranged to be symmetric across both horizontal and vertical axes. The provided characteristics of the sensor electrode pattern leads to a sensor structure having uniform absolute capacitive sensing measurements for all sensor electrodes as well as uniform transcapacitive sensing measurements for all “pixels.” |
| US09910528B2 |
Tactile force sense providing apparatus, information terminal, tactile force sense providing method, and computer readable recording medium
An information terminal is provided with a display device, a position detection unit that detects the position of a portion receiving a tactile force sense, an information processing unit that changes content according to the detected position and calculates the tactile force sense on the basis of the changed content, and a tactile force sense providing device. The tactile force sense providing device includes a fitting member including an operation input unit, a conveyance member that conveys a force via the fitting member, a drive unit that produces the force to the conveyance member, and a control unit that provides a tactile force sense by increasing or reducing an initial force, and outputs a signal to the information processing unit according to input from the operation input unit by a user. The information processing unit changes content according to the signal from the control unit. |
| US09910527B2 |
Interpretation of pressure based gesture
A method, gesture interpretation unit and touch sensing device receiving touch input data indicating touch inputs on a touch surface of the touch sensing device, wherein the touch input data comprises positioning data and pressure data for each touch input, and determining from the touch input data: first, second and third touch input from a first, a second and a third object on the touch surface, and wherein the first, second and third objects are present on the touch surface during overlapping time periods; and while continuous contact of the first, second and third objects with the touch surface is maintained: calculating a geometric center of mass, and a pressure center of mass, for the first, second and third touch inputs; comparing the GCM with the determining a movement vector based on the result of the comparison; and moving the graphical interactive object in relation to the movement vector. |
| US09910525B2 |
Touch screen and driving method for the same, display apparatus
A touch screen comprises a fixed electrode disposed on a side of an array substrate away from a color filter substrate, the array substrate comprises a base substrate, a plurality of sensing lines and a plurality of common electrodes arranged in a matrix, orthographic projections of the sensing lines and the fixed electrode on the base substrate overlap with orthographic projections of the common electrodes on the base substrate, an extending direction of the sensing line is parallel to a column direction of arrangement of the common electrodes; a portion of the common electrodes function as first driving electrodes during a pressure sensing touch control, the sensing lines corresponding to the rest common electrodes function as sensing electrodes during the pressure sensing touch control; the fixed electrode assists the first driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes to detect a touch pressure during the pressure sensing touch control. |
| US09910517B2 |
Image display apparatus and method, image display system, and program
According to some aspect, an image display apparatus may include a communication section receiving a plurality of remote operation signals corresponding to remote operations of a plurality of input apparatuses, and a combination section combining a first image based on the plurality of individual remote operation signals received by the communication section and a second image supplied from other apparatus into a third image, and outputting the third image. |
| US09910515B2 |
User interface for a touchscreen of a portable communication device
A user interface (102) for a touchscreen (106) is provided. The user interface (102) comprises a physical overlay (108) having a rotatable guide wheel (110) with access through-holes (112, 114) formed therein. The touchscreen (106) of a portable communication device (104) can be accessed though the access through-holes (112, 114) and controlled via the rotatable guide wheel (110) without having to view the screen. Fingertip insertion into the access through-holes (112, 114) activates and selects different predetermined functions, while rotation of the rotatable guide wheel (110) controls variation for each predetermined function. The user interface may (102) be incorporated as part of a carry case, holster (130), harness or formed as an attachable and removable overlay plate (308) to correspond with the touchscreen (106). |
| US09910513B2 |
Stabilizing motion of an interaction ray
Technology for stabilizing an interaction ray based on variance in head rotation is disclosed. One aspect includes monitoring orientation of a person's head, which may include monitoring rotation about an axis of the head, such as recording an Euler angle with respect to rotation about an axis of the head. The logic determines a three-dimensional (3D) ray based on the orientation of the head. The 3D ray has a motion that precisely tracks the Euler angle over time. The logic generates an interaction ray that tracks the 3D ray to some extent. The logic determines a variance of the Euler angle over time. The logic stabilizes the interaction ray based on the variance of the Euler angle over time despite some rotation about the axis of the head. The amount of stabilizing may be inversely proportional to the variance of the Euler angle. |
| US09910511B2 |
Input apparatus, pointing apparatus, method for displaying pointer, and recordable medium
An input apparatus is provided. The input apparatus includes a communicator configured to receive a signal from a pointing apparatus, and a controller configured to control to display the pointer on a first position of the display when a start signal is received from the pointing apparatus, and when sensed position information of the pointing apparatus is received from the pointing apparatus, the controller controls to display the pointer on a second position of the display, which corresponds to the received position information of the pointing apparatus. |
| US09910509B2 |
Method to control perspective for a camera-controlled computer
Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for controlling perspective of a camera-controlled computer. A capture device captures user gestures and sends corresponding data to a recognizer engine. The recognizer engine analyzes the data with a plurality of filters, each filter corresponding to a gesture. Based on the output of those filters, a perspective control is determined, and a display device displays a new perspective corresponding to the perspective control. |
| US09910504B2 |
Sensor based UI in HMD incorporating light turning element
A head-mounted display (HMD) system includes a head-mounted frame that encases a portable electronic device (PED) that includes a touch-less sensor, and the PED. The frame includes: a front slot to hold the PED and maintain contact with the PED's display face; an entry via dimensioned to prevent blockage of the sensor's field of view; and a light turning element positioned to redirect the sensor's field of view through an exit via in the frame and into open space outside of the frame. The PED includes: the sensor to detect a touch-less gesture; an image display to display image content on the PED's front display face; and processing circuitry configured to change modes from handheld mode to HMD operation mode based on a determination that the PED is encased by the frame and to select the image content based on input signals received from the sensor and the mode. |
| US09910502B2 |
Gesture-based user-interface with user-feedback
A system has a contactless user-interface through which a user controls a functionality of the system. The contactless user-interface has a detector sub-system and a user-feedback sub-system. The contactless user-interface has an alert mode and a control mode. In the alert mode, the user-feedback sub-system has a display monitor to provide a visible acknowledgement to the user, in response to the detector sub-system having detected the presence of the user within a an alert range. The contactless user-interface transitions from the alert mode to the control mode in response to the detector sub-system detecting an initialization gesture of the user. In the control mode, the contactless user-interface controls the functionality in response to the detector subsystem detecting a control gesture of the user. The visible acknowledgement is made to mirror the movements of the user. |
| US09910498B2 |
System and method for close-range movement tracking
A system and method for close range object tracking are described. Close range depth images of a user's hands and fingers or other objects are acquired using a depth sensor. Using depth image data obtained from the depth sensor, movements of the user's hands and fingers or other objects are identified and tracked, thus permitting the user to interact with an object displayed on a screen, by using the positions and movements of his hands and fingers or other objects. |
| US09910497B2 |
Gestural control of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems
Systems and methods are described for controlling a remote system. The controlling involves detecting a gesture of a body from gesture data received via a detector. The gesture comprises an instantaneous state of the body. The gesture data is absolute three-space location data of an instantaneous state of the body at a point in time and physical space. The detecting aggregates only the gesture data of the gesture at an instant in time and identifies the gesture using the gesture data. The controlling then translates the gesture to a gesture signal, and controls a component of the remote system in response to the gesture signal. |
| US09910494B2 |
Thresholds for determining feedback in computing devices
The present application is related to a computer for providing output to a user. The computer includes a processor and an input device in communication with the processor. The input device includes a feedback surface and at least one sensor in communication with the feedback surface, the at least one sensor configured to detect a user input to the feedback surface. The processor varies a down-stroke threshold based on a first factor and varies an up-stroke threshold based on a second factor. The down-stroke threshold determines a first output of the computing device, the up-stroke threshold determines a second output of the computing device, and at least one of the first factor or the second factor are determined based on the user input. |
| US09910484B2 |
Voltage regulator training
Embodiments including systems, methods, and apparatuses associated with increasing the power efficiency of one or more components of a computing system. Specifically, the system may include a processor chip which may include an on-die voltage regulator (VR) configured to supply a voltage to a component of the processor chip. The processor chip may be coupled with a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The system may further include an external VR coupled with the DRAM. A BIOS may be configured to regulate the voltage output of one or both of the on-die VR and/or the external VR. Other embodiments may be described or claimed. |
| US09910482B2 |
Memory interface with adjustable voltage and termination and methods of use
A memory interface includes: a pull-up device and a pull-down device, wherein the pull-up device couples between a power rail and a data line, and wherein the pull-down device couples between the data line and ground; and a power supply configured to supply a first power supply voltage to the power rail during a terminated data transmission mode in which a receiving memory interface coupled to the data line has an active on-die termination, and wherein the power supply is further configured to supply a second power supply voltage to the power rail during an unterminated data transmission mode in which the on-die termination does not load the data line, the second power supply voltage being less than the first power supply voltage. |
| US09910479B2 |
Location based content promotion on online social networks
In one embodiment, a computing system may access a social graph of an online social network comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes, where each of the edges between two of the nodes represent a single degree of separation between them, and the nodes comprise a first node corresponding to a first user of the online social network, and a plurality of second nodes corresponding to a plurality of second users associated with the online social network. The computing system may calculate a content score for each of one or more content items shared by the second users on the online social network, where each content score is based at least in part on a proximity coefficient between the first user and the content item. The computing system may send one or more of the scored content items for display to the first user. |
| US09910477B2 |
FPGA power management system
An FPGA power management system includes a host power management integrated circuit connected to a system power control block of an FPGA via an FPGA configuration/monitoring bus and a computing device via a power configuration/monitoring bus. The host power management integrated circuit includes a configuration and monitoring block configured to communicate configuration/monitoring signals to and from the FPGA system power control block and the computing device. The host power management integrated circuit further includes at least one voltage regulator for supplying an output voltage to an FPGA power rail according to a power configuration signal communicated by the configuration and monitoring block. The host power management integrated circuit further includes a power profiler configured to measure and supply to the configuration and monitoring block an output current on the FPGA power rail. The FPGA system power control block is configured to coordinate and execute a transfer of required communications between the FPGA and the host power management integrated circuit. |
| US09910476B2 |
Systems and methods for power supply current share auto-tuning
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a power supply unit may comprise a plurality of output terminals configured to supply electrical energy to one or more information handling resources, a measurement module configured to measure one or more parameters indicative of an intermediate impedance between the power supply unit and at least one other power supply unit, and a microcontroller unit. The microcontroller unit may be configured to estimate an intermediate impedance based on the one or more parameters and communicate the intermediate impedance to a controller of an information handling system in which the power supply unit is disposed. |
| US09910470B2 |
Controlling telemetry data communication in a processor
In one embodiment, a processor includes cores to execute instructions. At least some of the cores include a telemetry data control logic to send a first telemetry data packet to a power controller according to a stagger schedule to prevent data collisions, and a global alignment counter to count a stagger alignment period. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09910469B2 |
DC-based peer-to-peer network for aircraft
A passenger control unit (PCU) network is provided for a passenger aircraft having passenger seats in a plurality of zones, each zone having at least one column of seats, and each column having at least one row of seats. The PCU network includes a direct current (DC) power distribution system, and a plurality of wired PCUs, one PCU associated with each passenger seat and coupled to the DC power distribution system. Each PCU has a processor and system memory and a standard data and power interface, the processor being programmed for differential peer-to-peer communication with adjacently interconnected PCUs throughout the PCU network and with an external system of the aircraft. A PCU of one seat of each row is serially coupled to all PCUs in the respective row, and designated as a row master PCU; a PCU of one seat of each column is serially coupled to all row master PCUs in the respective column, and designated as a column master PCU; a PCU of one seat of each zone is serially coupled to all column master PCUs in the respective zone, and designated as a zone master PCU; and one zone master PCU is designated as a PCU system master and connected to an external system. Two-conductor data wires couple all PCUs within the PCU network. |
| US09910465B2 |
Covered radius hinge
The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include a multi-pivot hinge unit rotatably securing the first and second portions. This example can further include a set of rigid hinge cover portions that are configured to be able to rotate relative to one another while collectively covering the multi-pivot hinge unit. |
| US09910462B2 |
Display module and electronic device including the same
A display module includes a liquid crystal unit and a backlight unit. The backlight unit has a light exit surface, and a movable portion that is movable between a location at which the light exit surface faces toward a front display surface of the liquid crystal unit, and another location at which the light exit surface faces toward a rear display surface of the liquid crystal unit, such that the display module is able to display images on the rear display surface or the front display surface. |
| US09910460B2 |
Micro-perforation overmolding gate
An electronic device having protruding features and a method for molding the protruding features to the electronic device are described. The protruding features may be formed by a molding tool that releases a material that flows through several apertures of a substrate. Also, the molding tool is positioned with respect to the substrate such that the material from the molding tool flows from an interior region of the substrate to an exterior region of the substrate via the several apertures. Accordingly, each aperture extends from an opening of the interior region and to an opening of the exterior region of the substrate. In some cases, the apertures may include a conical shape. For example, the opening in the interior region may include a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening in the exterior region. In this manner, the material, when cured, is mechanically secured to the substrate. |
| US09910458B2 |
Flexible display device with stoppable hinge
A display device 10 includes a flexible display panel having a display surface 11a and flexibility, display support portions 12 supporting the flexible display panel from a side opposite to the display surface 11a side, a hinge portion 13 supporting the two adjacent display support portions 12 to be rotatable, and an angle restricting portion 18 mounted on each of hinge parts 15, 16 and including at least a stopper projection 19 and a stopper hole 20 that are stopped by each other when an angle formed by the two adjacent display supporting portions 12 reaches a predetermined value, the two adjacent display supporting portions 12 being rotated according to bending of the flexible display panel 11 from the flat state and the angle being formed by the two adjacent display supporting portions 12 that are rotated, and the angle restricting portion 18 restricting the angle. |
| US09910455B1 |
Magnetic alignment connector with L-shaped shunt
A portable information handling system may include a detachable component and one or more alignment connectors. Each alignment connector may be configured to receive a respective alignment post that is coupled to the detachable component in order to make a mechanical connection between the information handling system and the detachable component. Each alignment connector may include a magnet to draw the alignment post toward the connector and an L-shaped magnetically permeable shunt. The shunt may cover the back of the magnet and wrap down one side of the magnet, overlapping the alignment post when the alignment post is in contact with the alignment connector. The alignment connectors may be separate from connectors that provide electrical connectivity between the information handling system and the detachable component, and may reside within respective recessed openings on the information handling system. |
| US09910454B2 |
Synchronizer with a timing closure enhancement
Data payload is passed over a boundary from a sender module (SM) on one side of the boundary to a receiver module (RM) on the other side of the boundary. The SM has two or more multiplexers to pass the data payload over to a receiver storage register in the RM. Each multiplexer has 1) its own read address pointer lane coming from sequencing logic located on the RM side and 2) data slots to send data payload from that multiplexer across the boundary to the receiver storage register in the RM in a qualified event synchronization. The sequencing logic ensures that the multiple read address pointers going to the multiplexers have a fixed alternating relationship amongst themselves; and thus, the multiple read address pointers syncopate between each other to move the data payload across the boundary to provide 100% throughput. |
| US09910451B2 |
Low-dropout regulator
A low-dropout (LDO) regulator is provided. The LDO regulator comprises a first circuit operating as a closed loop control system. The first circuit is configured to control a voltage at a first node such that the voltage at the first node is substantially equal to a specified regulator output voltage. The LDO regulator comprises a second circuit operating as an open loop control system. The second circuit is configured to increase the voltage at the first node when a current flowing through a load changes from a first current to a second current. The first current is substantially equal to 0 amperes. |
| US09910449B2 |
Generating and implementing thermodynamic models of a structure
Thermostats disclosed herein are operable to control an HVAC system. In controlling the HVAC system, a need to determine an expected indoor temperature profile for a particular schedule of setpoint temperatures may arise. To make such a determination, a thermodynamic model of the structure is used. The thermodynamic model may be generated by fitting weighting factors of a set of basis functions to a variety of historical data including time information, temperature information, and HVAC actuation state information. The set of basis functions characterize an indoor temperature trajectory of the structure in response to a change in HVAC actuation state, and include an inertial carryover component that characterizes a carryover of a rate of indoor temperature change that was occurring immediately prior to the change in actuation state. |
| US09910447B2 |
Automatic balancing valve
An automatic balancing valve is described, wherein a pressure regulator device is provided and comprises a sleeve sliding axially between a position opening at least one passage port for the fluid towards the outlet channel and a position closing the passage port/s depending on the pressure difference detected between two different chambers separated by an elastic membrane. |
| US09910445B2 |
Adaptive filtering system for aerodynamic angles of an aircraft
A method and apparatus for processing aerodynamic angles for an aircraft. A first rate of change in an inertial aerodynamic angle is calculated using data received from an inertial measurement system for the aircraft. Further, a second rate of change in an externally measured aerodynamic angle is calculated. Yet further, a filtered aerodynamic angle is generated during a flight of the aircraft using the first rate of change in the inertial aerodynamic angle and the second rate of change in the externally measured aerodynamic angle. Still further, a contribution of the first rate of change in the inertial aerodynamic angle used in generated the filtered aerodynamic angle is changed based on a difference between the first rate of change in the inertial aerodynamic angle and the second rate of change in the externally measured aerodynamic angle, enabling controlling the flight of the aircraft using the filtered aerodynamic angle. |
| US09910441B2 |
Adaptive autonomous vehicle planner logic
Various embodiments relate generally to autonomous vehicles and associated mechanical, electrical and electronic hardware, computer software and systems, and wired and wireless network communications to provide an autonomous vehicle fleet as a service. More specifically, systems, devices, and methods are configured to generate trajectories to influence navigation of autonomous vehicles. In particular, a method may include receiving path data to navigate from a first geographic location to a second geographic location, generating data representing a trajectory with which to control motion of the autonomous vehicle based on the path data, generating data representing a contingent trajectory, monitoring generation of the trajectory, and implementing the contingent trajectory subsequent to an absence of the trajectory. |
| US09910439B1 |
Positioning vehicles to improve quality of observations at intersections
Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for controlling autonomous vehicles utilizing maps that include visibility information. A map is stored at a computing device associated with a vehicle. The vehicle is configured to operate in an autonomous mode that supports a plurality of driving behaviors. The map includes information about a plurality of roads, a plurality of features, and visibility information for at least a first feature in the plurality of features. The computing device queries the map for visibility information for the first feature at a first position. The computing device, in response to querying the map, receives the visibility information for the first feature at the first position. The computing device selects a driving behavior for the vehicle based on the visibility information. The computing device controls the vehicle in accordance with the selected driving behavior. |
| US09910433B1 |
System for remotely operating a vehicle system
Systems and methods for remotely operating a vehicle system are provided. A system is provided herein that includes a radio frequency (RF) circuit configured to establish a plurality of bi-directional communication links with a plurality of remote vehicle systems, and a controller circuit communicatively coupled to the RF circuit. The controller circuit is configured to obtain operational data from the plurality of remote vehicle systems, determine operation statuses of the remote vehicle systems based on the operational data relative to one or more predetermined thresholds, display on a display the operation statuses of the plurality of remote vehicle systems, and transmit a control signal along a first bi-directional communication link of the plurality of bi-directional communication links to the first remote vehicle system. |
| US09910423B2 |
Control apparatus for giving notification of maintenance and inspection times of signal-controlled peripheral devices
A control apparatus in an automaton that operates in cooperation with a peripheral device, includes: an operating time accumulator regarding the output time of a control signal to the peripheral device or the output time of an operating signal from the peripheral device as operating time and determining cumulative operating time by adding up the operating times; a time-at-inspection recorder recording the cumulative operating time when inspection is performed as the cumulative operating time at inspection; a cumulative operating time comparator comparing the difference between the current cumulative operating time and the cumulative operating time at inspection, the cumulative operating time from the latest inspection, or the cumulative operating time after inspection, with a preset inspection interval; and, a maintenance request output unit outputting a maintenance request to the outside when the cumulative operating time after inspection obtained as a result of the comparison exceeds the preset inspection interval. |
| US09910421B2 |
Control device for machine tool having a plurality of axes
A control device for a machine tool for cutting a rotationally-symmetric workpiece by a tool, includes a machining command making unit for making a machining command for an auxiliary motor based on rotation speeds of the workpiece and the tool, and feed rates of the tool and the workpiece, an oscillation command making unit for making an oscillation command for the auxiliary motor, based on the rotation speeds and the feed rates, so that the oscillation command is asynchronous with the rotation speed of the workpiece around the axis of rotation, and so that the tool intermittently cuts the workpiece, an addition unit for adding the oscillation command to the machining command, and a control unit for controlling the auxiliary motor based on the machining command to which the oscillation command has been added. |
| US09910415B2 |
System, method and computer program for enabling signings and dedications on a remote basis
A system, method and computer program for enabling signings/dedications on a remote basis is provided. A first computer at a first location is associated with an individual from whom a signature or dedication is required. A second computer at a location where the signing or dedication is required is linked to the first computer so as to provide a two-way audiovisual communication system. The second computer is operate e to receive input from one or more individuals regarding their request for a signature and/or dedication, and to communicate the request to the first computer. The first computer is operable to permit the individual associated with the first computer to review the request, and based on such request provide a signature and/or personalized dedication as an input to an input device connected to the first computer. The first computer transmits the signature and/or personalized dedication from the first computer to the second computer. The second computer is >@5r0+5 to receiving the signature and/or personalized dedication, and provide the signature and/or personalized dedication to a plotting apparatus device connected to the second computer. The plotting apparatus device is >@5r0+5 to apply the signature and/or personalized dedication introduced to the plotting apparatus device to an article, substantially in the handwriting of the individual associated with the first computer, based on the operation of the plotting apparatus device. A computer program for enabling the functions described is also provided. A related method is also disclosed. |
| US09910414B2 |
Semi-autonomous rescue apparatus
A cutting device is configured to attach to a boom arm and includes a saw assembly with a cutting portion configured to cut into a target surface. The cutting device also includes a motor assembly coupled to the saw assembly. The motor assembly has at least two motors configured to rotate the saw assembly about two different axes. The cutting device further comprises a control system operatively coupled to the motor assembly. The control system has at least two sensors coupled to the saw assembly and the control system is configured to position the saw assembly to cut a target surface based on feedback from the at least sensors. |
| US09910412B2 |
State control device, control method, and program
A state control device is arranged for each function block. When acquiring from a function block (Bi) a state (λ) representing a state of the function block (Bi), a state control device (Ci) corresponding to the function block (Bi) acquires a value (Ui) and a value (Vi) based on an evaluation function (fi) convex upward or downward depending on the performance of the function block (Bi), and transmits the value (Vi) to a state control device (Cj). When receiving from the state control device (Cj) a value (Wj) which the state control device (Cj) has acquired similarly to the value (Vi), the function block (Bi) is controlled based on the value (Ui) and the value (Wj). |
| US09910410B2 |
Multi-input multi-output control system and methods of making thereof
The invention provides a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) control system comprising a controller adapted for receiving an input set of at least two control input parameters and a set of at least two control output parameters, said control system arranged for effecting a modified deadbeat control, in which said modified deadbeat control comprises a robust deadbeat control for an n-th order, linear time invariant (LTI) system based upon a series of cascade proportional integrating-differentiating (PID) controls, each PID control comprising a system transfer function having a nominator and a denominator, wherein for the nominator a constant gain (K) is selected for each PID control. The invention further provides a method for controlling a continuous process using this control system. |
| US09910405B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developer bearing member, a regulating member configured to regulate an amount of the developer borne by the developer bearing member, and a toner seal member being in contact with a peripheral surface of the developer bearing member. The regulating member includes a flexible support member and a blade member supported by the support member and being in contact with the developer bearing member, an end portion of the regulating member more protrudes toward the developer bearing member than a central portion thereof in a rotation axial direction of the developer bearing member. The toner seal member is pressed along the rotation axial direction to the end portion of the regulating member in the rotation axial direction. |
| US09910403B2 |
Positioning features for electrical contacts of a replaceable unit of an electrophotographic image forming device
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a pocket formed on a first side of a housing. A bottom end of the pocket is open for receiving an electrical connector during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device. An electrical contact is positioned within the pocket and is electrically connected to processing circuitry on the housing. An outer guide is positioned on the first side of the housing and below the pocket. A portion of the outer guide inclines inward toward the first side of the housing as the outer guide extends upward. An inner guide is positioned within the pocket on a first inner surface of the pocket, which faces toward the first side of the housing. A portion of the inner guide inclines inward toward the first side of the housing as the inner guide extends upward. |
| US09910401B2 |
Cartridge and member used for cartridge
A development container includes a positioning portion and a rotation stop portion engaged with and guided by a guide of an image forming apparatus, and a longitudinal positioning portion, at one end in an axial direction of a developer carrying member. In a state where a cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus, when a cross-sectional positioning range is defined by using a width, having one end at a point at which the rotation stop portion contacts the guide and another end at a point at which the positioning portion contacts the guide in an attachment direction of the cartridge, and a height being a width of the guide at the point at which the rotation stop portion contacts the guide or the point at which the positioning portion contacts the guide, the longitudinal positioning portion overlaps the cross-sectional positioning range in a longitudinal direction. |
| US09910399B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for forming overlapping visible and non-visible images
An image forming apparatus according to the invention includes a plurality of image forming units and a changeover unit. The plurality of image forming units form multicolor images on an image carrier by overlapping, on a medium, developer images developed using developers. The changeover unit changes a layer overlapping sequence of the developer images on the medium. The developers include a developer emitting light according to radiation of non-visible light, and the changeover unit changes the layer overlapping sequence of the developer images using the developer emitting the light according to radiation of the non-visible light. |
| US09910398B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus containing organic photoreceptor, unit for supplying lubricant, and cleaning blade
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an organic photoreceptor in which at least a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and a protective layer are laminated in order on a conductive support includes at least a unit for supplying a lubricant onto a surface of the organic photoreceptor and a unit for removing toner remaining on the surface of the organic photoreceptor with a cleaning blade, and satisfying the following conditions (1) to (3): (1) the protective layer of the organic photoreceptor contains at least metal oxide fine particles in a cured resin obtained by curing a polymerizable compound; (2) a universal hardness of the surface of the organic photoreceptor is in a range of 220 to 280 N/mm2; and (3) a JIS-A hardness of a portion of the cleaning blade to be abutted on the organic photoreceptor is in a range of 70 to 78°. |
| US09910395B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling toner development in an image forming device
A method of controlling toner development during a life of an imaging unit in an image forming device by determining whether an end of life of the imaging unit has been reached and upon a positive determination, performing at least one of incrementally lowering a target toner mass to be measured by a toner patch sensor and incrementally reducing the magnitude of voltage biases applied to at least one of the magnetic roll and the charging roll of the imaging forming device. Performing the acts of incrementally lowering and reducing are repeated until the imaging unit is replaced. The method reduces the risk of damage to the image forming device due to carrier bead development while allowing for printing to occur. |
| US09910394B2 |
Image forming apparatus that generates conversion condition of a measuring unit, and control method of the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a correction unit correcting image data based on a correction condition; an image forming unit forming an image based on the corrected image data; a transfer unit transferring the image onto a sheet; a measuring unit measuring a measuring image on an image bearing member; a converting unit converting a measurement result of the measuring image, based on a conversion condition; a first generating unit generating the correction condition based on the converted measurement result; an acquiring unit acquiring a measurement result of a test image formed on the image bearing member; a controller forming a test image on the sheet; a receiving unit receiving instruction from a user comparison of a sample image and the test image transferred on the sheet; and a second generating unit generating the conversion condition, based on the instruction and the acquired measurement result of the test image. |
| US09910392B2 |
Rotation detection mechanism, fixing device provided with the same, and image forming apparatus
A rotation detection mechanism has a pulse plate, an optical sensor, a holder, and an input gear. The pulse plate has a light-blocking portion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The optical sensor has a detection portion that detects whether an optical path thereof is opened or interrupted by the light-blocking portion of the pulse plate. The holder has a bearing hole that rotatably supports a rotary shaft of the pulse plate. The rotary shaft has a convex portion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and thus is in a key shape when seen from an axial direction thereof. On an inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole, a groove portion is formed through which the convex portion passes when the rotary shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, and the bearing hole is in a circular shape when seen from an axial direction thereof. |
| US09910389B1 |
Image forming apparatus that presses sheets before image forming and method of forming an image
An image forming apparatus includes a pressing unit configured to press an image forming surface of a sheet with a first pressure, an image carrier configured to hold a toner image, a transfer unit disposed downstream with respect to the pressing unit in a sheet conveying direction and configured to transfer the toner image on the image carrier to the sheet by pressing the sheet against the image carrier with a second pressure that is less than the first pressure, and a density sensor to detect density of toner held on the image carrier. |
| US09910388B2 |
Developer device having a mechanism to reduce scattering of toner and image forming apparatus
A developer device includes a housing having an opening, a developing roller configured to rotate within the housing, the developing roller having a first portion that is exposed through the opening of the housing and a second portion at which developer attached to the developing roller separates from the developing roller, a first airflow passage formed in the housing, and a second airflow passage facing a third portion of the developing roller at a location of the developing roller between the first and second portions and connected to the first airflow passage. |
| US09910386B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus including the same
A developing device includes a developing container and a second stirring member. The developing container includes a second feeding chamber and a developer discharge outlet disposed on the downstream side end of the second feeding chamber. The second stirring member includes a second feeding blade, a restricting part for conveying developer in the opposite direction to the second feeding blade, and a discharging blade for conveying the developer in the same direction as the second feeding blade so as to discharge the developer from the developer discharge outlet. The second rotation shaft includes a large shaft diameter part provided with the second feeding blade, a small shaft diameter part provided with the restricting part and the discharging blade, and a shaft diameter changing part positioned at a boundary between the large shaft diameter part and the small shaft diameter part. |
| US09910382B1 |
Capacitive toner level sensor
A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned in the reservoir and has a rotational axis. A toner agitator is rotatably coupled to the rotatable shaft. A first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor are positioned on the housing. The first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor form a capacitor having a capacitance that changes in response to a change in an amount of toner in the reservoir between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. The first electrical conductor includes a rod positioned in the reservoir at the rotational axis of the rotatable shaft and extending along the rotational axis of the rotatable shaft. |
| US09910381B2 |
Image-forming apparatus
An image-forming apparatus includes a first photosensitive member, a second photosensitive member, an exposure unit, a first developing unit and a second developing unit. The first developing unit includes a first developing roller, a first casing and a first thickness-regulating blade having a first base end and a first free end. The second developing unit includes a second developing roller, a second casing and a second thickness-regulating blade having a second base end and a second free end. The first thickness-regulating blade is disposed between the first developing roller and the exposure unit, or between the first developing roller and a first optical axis of the light to which the first photosensitive member is exposed. The first thickness-regulating blade extends from the first base end to the first free end in a following direction with respect to a moving direction of a peripheral surface of the first developing roller. |
| US09910379B2 |
Charging member with concave portions containing insulating particles and electrophotographic apparatus
Provided a charging member comprising an electro-conductive support and an electro-conductive surface layer, the surface layer including on the outer surface thereof, concave portions that are independent of each other, and holding an insulating particle in each of the concave portions, the insulating particle being exposed to the surface of the charging member and forms a convex portion on the surface of the charging member, in an orthogonal projection image of which the concave portions and the insulating particle are projected on a surface of the electro-conductive support, a site in which an outer edge of a projection image derived from the insulating particle and an outer edge of a projection image derived from each of the concave portions are separated, exists, and a part of a wall of each of the concave portions constitutes a part of the surface of the charging member. |
| US09910373B2 |
Cold pressure fix toner compositions based on small molecule crystalline and amorphous organic compound mixtures
A cold pressure fix toner composition includes at least one C16 to C80 crystalline organic material having a melting point in a range from about 30° C. to about 130° C. and at least one C16 to C80 amorphous organic material having a Tg of from about −30° C. to about 70° C. A method of cold pressure fix toner application includes providing the cold pressure fix toner composition, disposing the cold pressure fix toner composition on a substrate and applying pressure to the disposed composition on the substrate under cold pressure fixing conditions. The cold pressure fix toner compositions can be formed into latexes. |
| US09910366B2 |
Metrology method and apparatus, lithographic system and device manufacturing method
Disclosed is a method of measuring a parameter of a lithographic process, and associated inspection apparatus. The method comprises measuring at least two target structures on a substrate using a plurality of different illumination conditions, the target structures having deliberate overlay biases; to obtain for each target structure an asymmetry measurement representing an overall asymmetry that includes contributions due to (i) the deliberate overlay biases, (ii) an overlay error during forming of the target structure and (iii) any feature asymmetry. A regression analysis is performed on the asymmetry measurement data by fitting a linear regression model to a planar representation of asymmetry measurements for one target structure against asymmetry measurements for another target structure, the linear regression model not necessarily being fitted through an origin of the planar representation. The overlay error can then be determined from a gradient described by the linear regression model. |
| US09910365B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposing method, device manufacturing method, program, and recording medium
A liquid immersion member including first and second members forming the immersion space; first member having a first lower surface disposed at a portion of the optical member surrounding, second member having a second upper surface opposite to the first lower surface via a gap and a second lower surface opposing the substrate and second member disposed at a portion of exposure light optical path surrounding; driving apparatus to move the second member with respect to the first; controlling the driving apparatus so the second member's operation in the substrate first operation movement is between exposure termination and start of a first and second shot regions differently from a second member's operation in the substrate second movement period which is between exposure termination and start of a third and fourth shot regions; first and second shot regions are in the same row contrary to third and fourth shot regions. |
| US09910359B2 |
Illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a pupil forming unit directing light on a spatial light modulator that transmits or reflects impinging light in a spatially resolved manner. An objective images a light exit surface of the spatial light modulator on light entrance facets of an optical integrator so that an image of an object area on the light exit surface completely coincides with one of the light entrance facets. The pupil forming unit and the spatial light modulator are controlled so that the object area is completely illuminated by the pupil forming unit and projection light associated with a point in the object area is at least partially and variably prevented from impinging on the one of the light entrance facets. |
| US09910358B2 |
Patterning process and chemically amplified negative resist composition
A negative pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having a carboxyl and/or hydroxyl group optionally substituted with an acid labile group and an acid generator capable of generating fluorinated tetraphenylborate onto a substrate, prebaking, exposing, baking, and developing in an organic solvent so that the unexposed region of resist film is dissolved away and the exposed region of resist film is not dissolved. The resist composition exhibits a high sensitivity and high dissolution contrast during organic solvent development and forms a fine hole or trench pattern via positive/negative reversal. |
| US09910357B2 |
Methods for fabricating tooling and sheeting
Methods for producing tooling and sheeting using laser writing techniques, and corresponding products thereof, are presented. In one embodiment, a seamless sheet having a plurality of microstructures formed in a continuous microstructured pattern is provided. In the methods described herein, a substrate having a photosensitive coating on a surface thereof is provided. A surface-relief microstructured pattern is produced in the photosensitive coating by selectively exposing the photosensitive coating to a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The exposed portions of the photosensitive coating are developed to form a microstructured pattern on the surface of the substrate. The microstructured pattern is then transferred into retroreflector tooling comprising the microstructured pattern on a surface thereof. A sheet containing the microstructured pattern on a surface thereof is then formed from the retroreflector tooling. |
| US09910356B2 |
Method of patterning thin films
A method of patterning a thin film is provided. The method includes coating a thin film layer and photoresist on a surface of a substrate; forming a first partially cured zone by performing a first exposing process of the photoresist with a mask, wherein exposing energy applied to the photoresist of the first partially cured zone is less than a photosensitive threshold of the photoresist; forming a cured zone on the first partially cured zone by performing a second exposing process of the photoresist with the mask, wherein a width of the cured zone is less than a width of the first partially cured zone, and exposing energy applied to the photoresist of the cured zone is equal to or greater than the photosensitive threshold of the photoresist; developing the photoresist; etching the thin film layer that is not covered by the photoresist; and removing the photoresist of the cured zone. |
| US09910355B2 |
Method of negative tone development using a copolymer multilayer electrolyte and articles made therefrom
Disclosed herein is a method, comprising disposing a first composition on a substrate, wherein the first composition comprises a first block copolymer comprising a first block and a second block, wherein the first block comprises a repeat unit containing a hydrogen acceptor or a hydrogen donor, and the second block comprises a repeat unit containing a blocked donor when the repeat unit of the first block is a hydrogen acceptor, or a blocked acceptor when the repeat unit of the first block is a hydrogen donor; and a solvent; and deprotecting the blocked acceptor or the blocked donor with a deprotecting agent. |
| US09910348B2 |
Method of simultaneous lithography and etch correction flow
A method of mask correction where two independent process models are analyzed and co-optimized simultaneously. In the method, a first lithographic process model simulation is run on a computer system that results in generating a first mask size in a first process window. Simultaneously, a second hard mask open etch process model simulation is run resulting in generating a second mask size in a second process window. Each first lithographic process model and second hard mask open etch process model simulations are analyzed in a single iterative loop and a common process window (PW) optimized between lithography and etch is obtained such that said first mask size and second mask size are centered between said common PW. Further, an etch model form is generated that accounts for differences in an etched pattern due to variation in three-dimensional photoresist profile, the model form including both optical and density terms that directly relate to an optical image. |
| US09910346B2 |
Illumination system and projection apparatus
An illumination system including a first laser light source, a diffusion sheet and a light integration rod is provided. The first laser light source is configured to generate a first laser beam. The diffusion sheet is located on a transmission path of the first laser beam. The light integration rod has a light entering surface and a light exiting surface. The diffusion sheet is located between the first laser light source and the light integration rod. The first laser beam from the diffusion sheet enters the light integration rod through the light entering surface and exits the light integration rod through the light exiting surface. The light integration rod is adapted to convert the first laser beam to an illumination beam. The area of the light entering surface is larger than the area of the light exiting surface. A projection apparatus is also provided. |
| US09910335B1 |
Display panel, method of manufacturing display panel, and display apparatus
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a display panel, a method of manufacturing the display panel, and a display apparatus. The display panel includes: a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of pixel electrodes on a side of the first substrate facing towards the liquid crystal layer. Liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer in a region corresponding to each of the plurality pixel electrodes are in a polymer network state, and the more a distance between the each of the plurality of pixel electrodes and a light source of an edge-lighting type light source module of the display panel is, the more an area occupied by a polymer network in the region corresponding to the each of the plurality of pixel electrodes is. |
| US09910330B2 |
Display panel and method of manufacturing the same
In a display panel, a thin film transistor is connected to a gate line and a data line, and includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor pattern, a source electrode and a drain electrode. An organic pattern makes contact with a side surface of the data line and a side surface of the thin film transistor, and the organic pattern overlaps pixel areas of the display panel. A first passivation layer is on the data line, the thin film transistor and the organic pattern. A common electrode is on the first passivation layer, and the common electrode overlaps the pixel areas. A second passivation layer covers the common electrode. A pixel electrode is on the second passivation layer, the pixel electrode overlaps the common electrode, and the pixel electrode is electrically connected to the drain electrode through a first contact hole and the data line through a second contact hole. |
| US09910327B2 |
Array substrate, manufacturing method thereof and display device
An array substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are disclosed. The array substrate includes: a substrate; a plurality of pixel units provided on the substrate, each of the pixel units including a plurality of functional layers; and a light shielding assembly arranged between adjacent pixel units. The light shielding assembly including: a light shielding layer; a light absorption layer overlaid on the light shielding layer; and an antireflection layer overlaid on the light absorption layer. By means of providing an antireflection layer the light shielding assembly, it can decrease the reflection of the external ambient light on the light shielding assembly, thereby improving the display contrast and the image display quality. |
| US09910323B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode and a common electrode, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The pixel or common electrode includes, in a single subpixel, belt-like portions arranged in a first direction, and coupling portions coupling the adjacent belt-like portions. Each belt-like portion continuously extends from one side to an other side of a central line of the subpixel, that is parallel with the first direction. The coupling portions include one or more first coupling portions provided on the one side of the central line, and one or more second coupling portions provided on the other side of the central line. |
| US09910310B2 |
Variable reflectance mirror system
Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminated film is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1. |
| US09910305B2 |
Method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display by applying a laser to remove at least a portion of a polymer thin film layer and a substrate
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: forming a polymer thin film layer on a substrate; forming a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate on the polymer thin film layer; forming a thin film transistor array on the thin film transistor substrate; forming an upper polarizing plate on the thin film transistor substrate on which the thin film transistor array is formed; applying a laser to the polymer thin film layer to remove a portion of the polymer thin film layer and the substrate; attaching an adhesive layer onto a rear surface of the polymer thin film layer from which the substrate is separated; and attaching the polymer thin film layer onto which the adhesive layer is attached and a lower polarizing plate together. |
| US09910304B2 |
Three dimensional curative display apparatus and method for fabricating the same
A display apparatus with a three dimensional curvature cover lens includes a curved protect layer, a shaping layer, a first adhesive layer, a liquid crystal display module and an interlayer. The first adhesive layer is disposed between the curved protect layer and the shaping layer, and used to adhere the curved protect layer and the shaping layer. The interlayer is bonded in-between the shaping layer and the liquid crystal display module. |
| US09910303B2 |
Device for producing and testing electrical switchable glasses and method of doing the same
Electrical switchable glasses production comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first and second cover glass; (b) providing a PDLC or other electrically switchable film; (c) providing a first and second layer of adhesive interlayer; (d) providing a PDLC inspection station further comprising: (i) a levelled-up table; (ii) means for inspecting properties of the PDLC film and/or glasses selected from the group consisting of electric properties, optical properties, mechanical properties and any combination thereof; (e) placing the first cover glass onto the levelled-up table; (f) spreading a first layer of adhesive interlayer (g) spreading the PDLC film over the previously placed adhesive interlayer; (h) spreading a second layer of adhesive interlayer; (i) covering the PDLC film by means of the second cover glass; (j) laminating the PDLC film between the first and second cover glasses; and (k) inspecting the glass properties by means of the PDLC inspection station before and after laminating the PDLC film. |
| US09910298B1 |
Systems and methods for a computerized temple for use with eyewear
A computerized temple for use with a frame to form computerized eyewear has an elongated body having a first end defining a first end wall, wherein the elongated body first end is configured to be pivotally coupled to a frame first end, a second end defining a second end wall, wherein the second end is configured to rest on an ear of a wearer, a first and second side walls that extend between the first end and the second end, and a blind bore formed in the first end wall that extends from the first end toward the second end intermediate the first and the second side walls. In various embodiments, electronic components are received in the blind bore and a closure is at least partially received on the elongated body first end. The closure pivotally couples the elongated body first end to the frame. |
| US09910296B2 |
Accommodating lens with cavity
A lens comprises an internal cavity structure formed by dissolution of a soluble insert material. The internal soluble material may dissolve through a body of a lens such as a contact lens in order to form the cavity within the contact lens. The cavity within the lens can be shaped in many ways, and corresponds to the shape of the dissolved material, such that many internal cavity shapes can be readily fabricated within the contact lens. The insert can be placed in a mold with a pre-polymer material, and the pre-polymer material cured with the insert placed in the mold to form the lens body. The polymerized polymer may comprise a low expansion polymer in order to inhibit expansion of the lens when hydrated. The polymer may comprise a hydrogel when hydrated. The soft contact lens material comprises a sufficient amount of cross-linking to provide structure to the lens and shape the cavity. |
| US09910294B2 |
Eyeglass optimization using an individual eye model
A computer-implemented method for calculating or optimizing a spectacle lens for at least one eye of a spectacle wearer. Refraction data of the at least one eye of the spectacle wearer is collected. An individual eye model is defined, wherein the eye model defines at least the topography of a corneal front surface of the at least one eye, position and power of a lens of the eye, and a retina position of the eye such that the eye exhibits the collected refraction data. A first surface and a second surface for the spectacle lens to be calculated or optimized is specified. The path of a main ray through at least one visual point of at least one spectacle lens surface to be calculated or optimized is determined. A spherical wavefront incident on the first surface of the spectacle lens along the main ray is specified. A wavefront in the at least one eye, which results from the spherical wavefront in a surrounding of the main ray due to the power of at least the first and second surfaces of the spectacle lens, the corneal front surface, and the lens of the at least one eye is determined. The at least one spectacle lens surface to be calculated or optimized is iteratively varied until an aberration of the resulting wavefront corresponds to a specified target aberration. |
| US09910293B2 |
Glasses with legs bendable in multiple angles
Eyeglasses with legs bendable in multiple angles, comprise a main glasses leg, a secondary glasses leg, an elastic body, a slider, and a connecting member. The secondary glasses leg may be hinged on the tail of the main glasses leg in such a manner that the opening angle may be locked, so that the user can conveniently and optionally open or change the bending angle of the tail of the glasses legs, so as to achieve optimal adaption for various occasions. |
| US09910292B2 |
Method for making arms for spectacles from composite material with differentiated rigidity and arms for spectacles obtained thereby
A method for making spectacle arms from composite material with differentiated rigidity, the arms defining a first portion and an adjacent second portion which is less rigid than the first portion. The method includes: providing a first layer of non-cross-linked fiber-reinforced polymer material in the first and second portions; providing a separating element in the first portion, and superimposing a second layer of non-cross-linked fiber-reinforced polymer material on the first layer so as to cover the separating element at the first portion and contact the first layer at the second portion; subjecting the first layer, the second layer, and the separating element interposed between them to a molding process at predetermined pressure and temperature levels so as to cross-link the polymer of the composite material, thus obtaining a thickness and rigidity of the arm at the first portion which are greater than the thickness and rigidity at the second portion. |
| US09910291B2 |
Camera lens module having auto-focusing and optical image stabilizing functions
A camera lens module of a portable terminal includes an external case; an OIS carrier disposed in the external case; a lens system which is guided along an optical axis in the OIS carrier; an AF driving unit facing to a first surface of the external case and which enables the lens system to move; a first OIS driving unit disposed in parallel along a second surface of the external case at the other side opposite to the first surface on which the AF driving unit is disposed; and a second OIS driving unit disposed in parallel along a third surface of the external case between the first OIS driving unit and the AF driving unit. |
| US09910285B2 |
Method of laser irradiation, laser irradiation apparatus, and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
If an optical path length of an optical system is reduced and a length of a laser light on an irradiation surface is increased, there occurs curvature of field which is a phenomenon that a convergent position deviates depending on an incident angle or incident position of a laser light with respect to a lens. To avoid this phenomenon, an optical element having a negative power such as a concave lens or a concave cylindrical lens is inserted to regulate the optical path length of the laser light and a convergent position is made coincident with a irradiation surface to form an image on the irradiation surface. |
| US09910278B1 |
Augmented reality visualization device
A visualization device allows a user to be immersed in visual content by projecting the visual content to the user. A projection element is positioned such that visual content projected from the projection element is reflected off of a mirror, which is angled such that the reflected projection is reflected onto a lens doublet. The lens doublet is angled such that the visual content projection reflected onto the lens doublet is partially reflected toward the user. In addition, an electrochromic slab can be controlled to allow configurable amounts of ambient light into the visualization device. If the electrochromic slab is configured such that no ambient light is allowed into the visualization device, the user is only able to see the visual content projected by the display device. The electrochromic slab can also be configured to allow some or all ambient light to travel into the visualization device. |
| US09910271B2 |
Actuator device, optical deflector, an image projection apparatus, and image forming apparatus
An actuator device includes a frame, a movable member to rotate about a rotation axis, a reflection member formed on the movable member to reflect a light flux that enters the reflection member, a first deformable member disposed on the frame to support and move the movable member, at least one first driver to deform the first deformable member, a detection-use line formed on the first deformable member and on the movable member to allow an electric current, and a light shield unit disposed at least one of a light incident side and a light exit side of the reflection member. The light shield unit blocks at least one of an entry of the light flux to the reflection member and an exit of the light flux from the reflection member when the detection-use line is damaged. |
| US09910270B2 |
Electro-mechanical designs for MEMS scanning mirrors
Electro-mechanical designs for MEMS scanning mirrors are described. In various embodiments, a driving coil may be situated on a reflective portion of a MEMS mirror. In some embodiments, a sensing coil may be situated partially or entirely on an outer frame portion of the MEMS mirror. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09910264B1 |
Contact of spacers to pixel walls in an electrowetting device
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to arrangements and techniques that provide for improving contact between spacers of a first substrate of an electrowetting display device and pixel walls of a second substrate of the electrowetting display device by providing an adhesive between the spacers and the pixel walls. An electrowetting display device comprises a first substrate including a plurality of pixel walls and a second substrate including a plurality of spacers. A first fluid is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate within the pixel walls. A second fluid is disposed on the first fluid, wherein the first fluid is immiscible with the second fluid. An adhesive couples the spacers to the pixel walls. |
| US09910259B2 |
Modular holographic sighting system
A lightweight holographic sighting system is provided that is designed to minimize optical aberrations common with earlier holographic sighting systems. The system has a modular construction that is more economic and conducive to high volume production, in terms of complexity of required fixturing and availability of materials, than earlier systems. The system is lighter and more compact, while providing a larger field of view than existing systems, and can be used on small hand guns, standard size firearms, bows, telescopes, and other devices without adding significant weight or space constraints. The system utilizes an upper housing assembly containing a high efficiency holographic optical element, an anti-reflective glass viewing window, and a red diode laser light source driven by a high efficiency microcontroller circuit designed for increased battery life, and a lower housing assembly containing two dielectric folding mirrors, an on-axis collimating lens, and a high efficiency achromatizing holographic optical element. |
| US09910258B2 |
Method for simultaneous capture of image data at multiple depths of a sample
A novel method is disclosed to allow for the simultaneous capture of image data from multiple depths of a volumetric sample. The method allows for the seamless acquisition of a 2D or 3D image, while changing on the fly the acquisition depth in the sample. This method can also be used for auto focusing. Additionally this method of capturing image data from the sample allows for optimal efficiency in terms of speed, and light sensitivity, especially for the herein mentioned purpose of 2D or 3D imaging of samples when using a tilted configuration as depicted in FIG. 2. The method may be particularly used with an imaging sensor comprising a 2D array of pixels in an orthogonal XY coordinate system where gaps for electronic circuitry are present. Also other imaging sensor may be used. Further, an imaging device is presented which automatically carries out the method. |
| US09910255B2 |
Optical system for generating a pattern which changes over time for a confocal microscope
The invention relates to an optical system for generating a pattern which changes over time for a confocal microscope. The system includes a light source arrangement, a beam splitter, and a lens arrangement. The beam splitter allows for passage of a light beam proceeding from the light source arrangement in the direction of an object and for deflecting the reflected light beam, reflected by the object in a focal plane, in the direction of a detector. The detector includes a detector pattern for detecting an image of the object. The lens arrangement is between the beam splitter and the object and includes: a light source that generates the light beam, and a device configured to switch a direction of polarization of the light beam to generate a changing projector pattern. |
| US09910254B2 |
Dosimeters including lensless imaging systems
Among other things, a method comprises imaging a sample displaced between a sensor surface and a surface of a microscopy sample chamber to produce an image of at least a part of the sample. The image is produced using lensless optical microscopy, and the sample contains at least blood from a subject. The method also comprises automatically differentiating cells of different types in the image, generating a count of one or more cell types based on the automatic differentiation, and deriving a radiation dose the subject has absorbed based on the count. |
| US09910251B2 |
Lens system and imaging apparatus having a lens at each side of an intermediate image which move in synchronization during focusing
There is provided a lens system includes a first optical system and forms an intermediate image, which has been formed inside the first optical system by light from an input side, into a final image. The first optical system includes a first subsystem, with the first subsystem including a first lens that is disposed at a position closest to the intermediate image on the input side and moves during focusing and a second lens that is disposed at a position closest to the intermediate image on the output side and moves during focusing. |
| US09910250B1 |
Optical camera lens
The present disclosure discloses an optical camera lens, which includes: an aperture, a first lens having positive refraction power, a second lens having negative refraction power, a third lens having negative refraction power, a fourth lens having positive refraction power, a fifth lens having positive refraction power, and a sixth lens having negative refraction power; the optical camera lens satisfies following relative expressions: 0.7 |
| US09910248B2 |
Lens module
A lens module may include a first lens having positive refractive power, a second lens having positive refractive power, a third lens having refractive power, a fourth lens having positive refractive power, a fifth lens having negative refractive power, and a sixth lens having negative refractive power and having one or more inflection points formed on an image-side surface thereof. An overall focal length of the lens module f and a focal length of the first lens f1 may satisfy the following Conditional Expression: 1.0 |
| US09910245B2 |
Manually operated reflecting device
A manually operated reflecting device includes a base, at least one rotary sleeve pivoted to the base, and a release module and an angle-adjustment module disposed between the first and second rotary sleeves and the base. The release module and the angle-adjustment module allow the base to be adjusted and fixed at a certain angle with respect to the first and second rotary sleeves. On the rotary sleeve is disposed a reflecting member. The rotary sleeve is rotated and fixed at a predetermined angle with respect to the base, so as to maintain the reflecting member at a best-view position. |
| US09910244B2 |
Housing for optical components
An apparatus comprising a tubular housing having an axial length L and a circumferential length C. A first canopy secured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the first canopy, the first canopy extends for an axial length L1 that is less than L and for a circumferential length C1 that is less than C/2. The first canopy has a front sloping section and a rear sloping section that extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter. A second canopy disposed circumferentially opposite the first canopy and secured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the second canopy. The second canopy extends an axial length L2 that is less than L and a circumferential length C2 that is less than C/2. The second canopy has a front sloping section and a rear sloping section that extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter. |
| US09910240B2 |
Lens module for imaging apparatus
A lens module for an imaging apparatus includes a lens assembly including a first lens and a second lens, a holder holding the lens assembly, a first adhesive that adheres the first lens to the holder, an elastic modulus of the first adhesive being larger than an elastic modulus of the first lens, and a second adhesive that adheres the first lens to the holder, an elastic modulus of the second adhesive being smaller than the elastic modulus of the first lens. The first adhesive is interposed between one surface of the first lens and the holder and the second adhesive is interposed between the other surface of the first lens and the holder. |
| US09910235B2 |
Telecommunication enclosure having integrated termination tools
A communication enclosure is described that includes an enclosure body having a first body portion and a second body portion. An adapter mounting mechanism is disposed in the first body portion, and a connector adapter mounted into the mounting mechanism that is configured to accept an optical fiber connector. The enclosure includes at least one integrated tool for terminating field mountable optical fiber connectors wherein the at least one integrated tool is disposed on one of the first body portion and the second body portion. In an exemplary aspect, the at least one integrated tool is a connector polishing platform. |
| US09910229B2 |
Optical module and optical-module-equipped cable
Disclosed is an optical module configured to be provided to an end part of an optical cable. The optical module includes: a housing wherein, when the optical module side as viewed from the optical cable is defined as the front side and the opposite side therefrom is defined as the rear side, a front-side section of the housing is configured to be inserted into a cage, and a boot for protecting the optical cable extends from the rear side of the housing; a latch-releasing part attached slidably in the front/rear direction to the housing, the latch-releasing part having a projection for releasing a latched state established by a catch on the cage; a tab for pulling the latch-releasing part toward the rear to cause the projection to release the latched state established by the catch on the cage; and a push part that is to be pressed by an operator until the latched state is established, the push part having a rear end surface located more toward the rear than the boot. |
| US09910226B2 |
Unitary fiber optic ferrule and adapter therefor
A unitary fiber optic ferrule reflects light off an interior lens and through the fiber optic ferrule. Optical fibers can be easily secured in the unitary fiber optic ferrule. An adapter to secure the unitary fiber optic ferrule to a optical component assembly is also presented. The adapter provides a sealing function for the lenses and to provide routing for optical fibers from other assemblies of unitary fiber optic ferrules and adapters. |
| US09910225B2 |
Optical receptacle relaxing mechanical stress induced by welding and optical module implementing the same
An optical receptacle and an optical module that implements the optical receptacle are disclosed. The optical receptacle provides a stub holding a coupling fiber in a center thereof, a bush press-fitting the stub therein, a sleeve, and a metal cover that is to be welded to an external metallic member. The coupling fiber has a type of polarization maintaining fiber. The bush is inserted into the cover as leaving a gap between the cover and the bush. The gap between the cover and the bush effectively relaxes or absorbs stresses induced during the welding caused in the coupling fiber. |
| US09910224B2 |
Fiber optic connector and method of assembling the same
The present invention discloses a fiber optic connector comprises: a ferrule assembly; a spring seat provided behind the ferrule assembly; and a spring provided between the ferrule assembly and the spring seat. The spring seat has a receiving chamber having an insertion port through which a portion of the ferrule assembly is inserted into the receiving chamber; wherein the ferrule assembly is pre-assembled into the receiving chamber of the spring seat in a way that the ferrule assembly is held to be movably engaged with the spring seat. The spring is fitted and compressed in the receiving chamber. As a result, the ferrule assembly, the spring seat and the spring are pre-assembled into an integral assembly before being inserting into a connector housing. All components of the connector except for the housing may be smoothly pulled through a small long pipe as a whole. After being pulled through the pipe, all components of the connector except for the housing may be easily and quickly inserted into the housing as a whole at one time. |
| US09910223B2 |
Backside binary grated lens coupled to front side waveguide
A wafer structure includes a diffractive lens disposed on a backside of a wafer and coupled to a front side waveguide, the diffractive lens being configured to receive light and focus the light to the front side waveguide. |
| US09910220B2 |
III-V photonic integration on silicon
Photonic integrated circuits on silicon are disclosed. By bonding a wafer of HI-V material as an active region to silicon and removing the substrate, the lasers, amplifiers, modulators, and other devices can be processed using standard photolithographic techniques on the silicon substrate. The coupling between the silicon waveguide and the III-V gain region allows for integration of low threshold lasers, tunable lasers, and other photonic integrated circuits with Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits. |
| US09910216B2 |
Optical fiber
One of embodiments relates to an optical fiber in which an alkali metal element is efficiently doped to its core to suppress transmission loss from increasing. A mean concentration or a concentration distribution of the alkali metal element is adjusted such that 0.48 or less is obtained as an weighted value obtained by weighting a distribution of field intensity of guided light at a wavelength of 1550 nm, with respect to a radial direction distribution of a ratio ID2/Iω3 of an intensity ID2 of Raman scattering light by a silica three-membered ring structure and an intensity Iω3 of Raman scattering light by a Si—O stretching vibration, in a cross-sectional region having a diameter of 20 μm. |
| US09910215B2 |
Optical structures including nanocrystals
An optical structure can include a nanocrystal on a surface of an optical waveguide in a manner to couple the nanocrystal to the optical field of light propagating through the optical waveguide to generate an emission from the nanocrystal. The structure can be configured to restrict propagation of the emission from the nanocrystal along the waveguide. |
| US09910214B2 |
Planar illumination device
A planar illumination device according to an embodiment, including: a light guiding plate having one of a pair of opposite principal surfaces serving as a light emission surface; a light source arranged at a side surface connecting end edges of the pair of principal surfaces of the light guiding plate; and a frame, in which the light guiding plate is arranged. The frame is formed of plural frame members arranged along side surfaces of the light guiding plate. The plural frame members are configured to include a resin frame member and a metal frame member, and to have a joint portion between the resin frame member and the metal frame member, the joint portion arranged at end portions of the resin frame member and the metal frame member. |
| US09910213B2 |
Display with heat radiation
This display includes a light source portion, a first heat radiation member for radiating heat generated by the light source portion, a rear housing covering the first heat radiation member in a state in contact with the first heat radiation member, and a cover member covering a rear surface of the rear housing so that the rear surface of the rear housing is partially exposed outward. The first heat radiation member is arranged on a region corresponding to a region of the rear housing exposed outward from the cover member as viewed from the side of the rear surface. |
| US09910208B2 |
Thin film type controlled viewing window back light unit and thin flat type controlled viewing window display using the same
The present disclosure relates to a thin film type controlled viewing window back light unit and a thin flat type Controlled Viewing window Display using the same. The present disclosure suggests a thin film type back light unit which can include: a base film having a width and a length, and including a high refractive film and a low refractive film stacked on the high refractive film; an incident pattern disposed at one side of a bottom surface of the base film; a reflective pattern disposed at an opposite side apart from the one side with the length of the bottom surface of the base film, and covering the width of the opposite side; a light radiating pattern disposed on an upper surface of the base film; a holographic film for controlling a viewing-window disposed on the light radiating pattern; and a light source being apart from the incident pattern, and providing an incident light to the incident pattern. |
| US09910207B2 |
Polarization recovery in a directional display device
Disclosed is an imaging directional backlight polarization recovery apparatus including an imaging directional backlight with at least a polarization sensitive reflection component with optional polarization transformation and redirection elements. Viewing windows may be formed through imaging individual light sources and hence defines the relative positions of system elements and ray paths. The base imaging directional backlight systems provide substantially unpolarized light primarily for the illumination of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) resulting in at least 50% loss in light output when using a conventional sheet polarizer as input to the display. The invention herein introduces a polarization sensitive reflecting element to separate desired and undesired polarization states for the purposes of transformation and redirection of the reflected light for usable illumination. Polarization transformation and redirection can be provided by additional components such as retarder films and specular mirror surfaces. |
| US09910206B2 |
Micro-optical element having surface with curvature about a direction extending in a plane parallel to major surface of light guide, and light guide and lighting assembly including same
A light guide includes a first major surface; a second major surface opposed the first major surface and spaced apart from the first major surface in a thickness direction; a light input edge extending between the major surfaces; and light extracting elements at the first major surface. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the light extracting elements each include: a proximal end at the first major surface and a distal end in the thickness direction; and first and second surfaces, the first surface being a side surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end and having a curvature about a direction extending in a plane parallel to the first major surface. In some embodiments, the major surface of the light guide is curved and the first surface has a curvature about a direction extending along a surface contour of the first major surface. |
| US09910201B2 |
Method of manufacturing mother substrate assembly
A manufacturing method of a mother substrate assembly includes forming a metal layer on substantially an entire surface of a transparent substrate including a cell area including a non-display area and a display area, an align key area, and a substrate area surrounding the cell area and the align key area, etching the metal layer to form an align key in the align key area, etching the metal layer to form a reflection part in the non-display area, and etching the metal layer in the display area to form a metal nanowire in the display area. |
| US09910200B1 |
Increased visible and infrared transmission through radio frequency EMI shields
An invention generally relating to minimizing performance loss of the system when fitted with an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield. |
| US09910199B2 |
Display
A display includes: a laminated wiring with a conductive film arranged on a foundation layer, and a transparent film and a translucent film arranged on the conductive film; a wiring terminal part arranged at an edge portion of the laminated wiring and having the same laminated structure as that of the laminated wiring; and an insulating film that covers the laminated wiring and the wiring terminal part. |
| US09910198B2 |
Optical filter and optical apparatus
An optical filter includes a first multi-layer having a width W1 and including a first optical layer and a second optical layer that are made of materials different from each other and that are alternately laminated, the first optical layer having a refractive index nH and an average layer thickness dH, and the second optical layer having a refractive index nL lower than nH and an average layer thickness dL, a second multi-layer having a width W2 and including the first and the second optical layers alternately laminated, the first and the second multi-layers are included in each of unit structures arranged being shifted from each other by a shift amount D in a lamination direction of the first and the second optical layers, and predetermined conditions are satisfied. |
| US09910197B2 |
Optical member and display including the optical member
The present invention provides an optical member including a reflection layer and an information presentation layer, the reflection layer comprising one or more circularly-polarized light reflection layers selected from the group consisting of a right circularly-polarized light reflection layer and a left circularly-polarized light reflection layer, the circularly-polarized light reflection layer consisting of a layer obtained by fixing a cholesteric liquid-crystalline phase, the reflection layer having a reflection wavelength at which a specular reflectance for non-polarized light is more than 20% in a wavelength region in which the circularly-polarized light reflection layer exhibits selective reflection, a diffuse reflectance for non-polarized light at the reflection wavelength less than 50%, the reflection wavelength being in an infrared wavelength region, and the information presentation layer having a pattern of a material that absorbs or reflects light of the reflection wavelength. The optical member can be used as a handwriting input sheet, which can be used by being stuck to the surface of a display. |
| US09910192B2 |
Room-facing light redirecting films with reduced glare
The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of room-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare. |
| US09910189B2 |
Method for fast line search in frequency domain FWI
Method for rapidly computing updates to frequency-domain seismic wave fields by utilizing a matrix perturbation approach. The method speeds up model (e.g., velocity) parameter estimation by iterative inversion of measured seismic data. The method applies to the line search where the optimal size of the model update is estimated by testing different size updates to see which one generates the minimum objective function. By treating the model update as a perturbation, perturbation theory is used to relate the model perturbation to a corresponding wavefield perturbation. Thus, the Helmholtz equation is solved only once per iteration cycle. |
| US09910188B2 |
Subterranean imager tool system and methodology
A technique facilitates the accumulation and analysis of data related to a subterranean formation. An arrangement of different types of sensors is mounted on a collar utilized in accumulating data on the subterranean formation. The sensors are operable in combination to improve the image quality of data obtained with respect to the subterranean formation. Certain applications utilize an arrangement of sensors comprising at least one of each of an electromagnetic sensor and an ultrasonic pulse-echo transducer. A stabilizer or stabilizers may be used to precisely orient and position the sensors within a wellbore. |
| US09910186B2 |
Dynamic light curtain muting system and method
A light curtain system is configured to perform dynamic partial muting of the light curtain's beams to accommodate products of different heights. When a product enters the light curtain's protective field during muting mode, the system identifies the highest interrupted light beam, which is indicative of the product's height. The system then sets the muting height for the light curtain based on this highest interrupted beam. Beams higher than the set muting height are un-muted, while beams up to the set muting height remain muted. Both regions are actively monitored during the partial muting mode to confirm the expected non-interrupted, respectively interrupted conditions. When the product clears the light curtain, the muting height is reset, and a new muting height is set in a similar fashion when the next part enters the light curtain's protective field. |
| US09910183B2 |
High precision field measurement method for geomagnetic vectors and a device thereof
A tripod, a vertical coil and a total-field magnetometer are utilized to measure a geomagnetic field T0 without an additional magnetic field imposed, as well as two composite magnetic field values T−1 and T−2 when the geomagnetic field is added with a vertical upward magnetic field Tf and a double vertical upward magnetic field 2Tf, respectively. Calculate a vertical component Z, a horizontal component H and a geomagnetic inclination I of the geomagnetic field. Set up a horizontal coil such that a geometric center of the horizontal coil coincides with a geometric center of the vertical coil. Use the total-field magnetometer to measure two composite magnetic field values T+∥ and T−∥ after the geomagnetic field has been added with a horizontal forward magnetic field and a horizontal reverse magnetic field, respectively. Calculate a geomagnetic declination D. |
| US09910180B2 |
Full tensor micro-impedance imaging
Various systems and methods for implementing and using a full tensor micro-impedance downhole imaging tool that includes downhole emitters that induce, at azimuthally-spaced positions on a borehole wall, fields having components in three different non-coplanar directions within a formation and directionally sensitive downhole sensors that sense the components caused by each emitter. The tool further includes a downhole controller that processes signals received from the directionally sensitive downhole sensors to provide a set of measurements representative of a 3×3 impedance tensor at each position. |
| US09910179B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating non-visible objects
Non-visible objects which differ in their physical properties from their surroundings by association with a variable strength magnetic field may be detected by a suitable array of sensors which can be moved relative to the object in question. By analyzing the signals from the plurality of the sensors in the array, the position of the object can be deduced relative to the array and the array moved to enable a machining guide thereon to be aligned with the non-visible object. The system is of particular value in locating apertures in wing spars when attempting to fix the skin of the wing on to them where it is important to be able to locate the correct point at which to drill a hole through the skin to coincide with the hole in the spar. By defining a magnetic field in the vicinity of the hole to identify the hole magnetically and using an array of magnetic field sensors in a base with an aperture, it is possible to shift the array so that the aperture is precisely aligned with the non-visible hole. |
| US09910178B2 |
Accessory detection
This application relates to methods and apparatus for detecting the presence of an accessory device connected to a host device via suitable connector. The apparatus includes a test signal generator and impedance measuring block. The apparatus is operable in an accessory connection discovery mode wherein the test signal generator applies a test signal to a first contact of the connector while a second contact of is connected to a reference node. The impedance measuring determines an impedance measure between said first and second contacts and the apparatus determines whether an accessory is connected based on said measure of impedance. The test signal generator may also have functionality including a microphone bias generator and the impedance measuring block may be a microphone detect block. The contact to which the test signal is applied may be varied while the remaining contact of the connector are connected to the reference node. |
| US09910177B2 |
System and method for deep detection of petroleum and hydrocarbon deposits
A system and method for deep detection of petroleum and hydrocarbon deposits is disclosed. The system includes a sensing array that includes a plurality of electrodes positioned in the ground at a testing site, a sensing device, and a system for generating a seismic event that generates below-ground signals that are received by the sensing array. The system enables detection and depth determination of underground features such as petroleum and hydrocarbon deposits at greater depths compared to conventional systems. |
| US09910175B1 |
Marine seismic survey system for generating and collecting data and forming a seismic image
Method and apparatus for marine seismic data collection and high resolution imaging is described. A marine seismic surveying flotilla is described for acquiring seismic data from both beneath an obstruction and in unobstructed water using a configuration of floating energy source vessels and a floating acquisition vessel towing an array of parallel seismic streamers. Different energy sources can be disposed on or towed by floating vessels that are not the floating acquisition vessel, with these energy sources maintained at a preset radius from a center of the array of parallel seismic streamers. |
| US09910171B2 |
Thin film transistor detection systems and related methods
Some embodiments include a system. The system includes a sensor device having a sensor element having a sensor output and an amplification element having at least one amplification stage, an amplifier input, and an amplifier output. The sensor output can be coupled to the amplifier input. Further, each amplification stage of the amplification stage(s) can have at least four thin film transistors, an input node, and an output node. Meanwhile, the sensor element can detect a physical quantity and/or an event and can provide an electric signal to the amplification element in response to detecting the physical quantity and/or the event, and the amplification element can amplify the electric signal received from the sensor element. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09910170B1 |
Neutron emission detector
A device for detecting neutron emission comprises a housing, a moderator structure, a neutron detection element, and a plurality of plate electrodes. The housing provides an enclosure and shielding from radiation other than neutron emission. The moderator structure is positioned within the housing and is formed from energy absorbing material. The moderator structure includes a first side wall and a second side wall spaced apart and oriented parallel to one another. The neutron detection element includes a neutron reactive material deposited on a planar substrate. The plate electrodes are formed from electrically conductive material and spaced apart from one another. Each adjacent pair of plate electrodes has a voltage therebetween, wherein one neutron detection element is positioned between adjacent pairs of plate electrodes and the combination of plate electrodes and neutron detection elements is positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall of the moderator structure. |
| US09910167B2 |
Method for digitalizing scintillation pulse
A method for digitalizing a scintillation pulse may include: S1, acquiring a pulse database outputted by a detector irradiated by rays of different energy; S2, sampling and 5 quantizing each of pulses in the pulse database obtained in S1 to acquire complete energy information comprised in the pulse, S3, undersampling and quantizing each of the pulses in the pulse database obtained in step S1, and estimating or fitting energy information by using pulse prior information; S4, with the energy information obtained in S2 as a standard, determining a mapping relationship between 10 the energy information obtained by a prior information-based undersampling pulse energy acquisition method and the energy information obtained by the method of S2; and S5 correcting the energy information obtained by the prior information-based undersampling pulse energy acquisition method by using the energy mapping relationship obtained in S4. |
| US09910165B2 |
Detector system of CT scanner
A detector system for a CT scanner is provided. The detector system may include a plurality of detector modules. Each of the detector modules may include a supporting frame, two or more detectors and an interface board. A supporting frame may be connected to a casing of the detector system. Detectors may be mounted onto a supporting frame and may convert an X-ray beam within a CT scanner into an electrical signal. An interface board may be disposed in an outer side of a supporting frame away from the focus of an X-ray tube, and may be electrically connected to a plurality of detectors through a connector, so as to provide a control signal and a power supply to the detectors, and to transmit a digital signal outputted by the detectors to a backplane of the detector system through an output line. |
| US09910163B2 |
Alpha ray observation device and alpha ray observation method
An alpha ray observation device and an alpha ray observation method are provided that can correctly evaluate a signal derived from alpha rays. The alpha ray observation device according to an embodiment includes a device housing 10, an incident window 2, a condenser 3, an optical path changer 4, and a first optical detector 5. The device housing 10 is provided with an opening. The incident window 2 is provided at the opening, and can block beta rays. Emitted light originated by alpha rays caused from the measurement object set outside of the device housing 10 enters the inside of the device housing 10 through the incident window 2 with beta rays being blocked, and is condensed by the condenser 3, and the optical path is changed by the optical path changer 4, and subsequently the light is detected by the first optical detector 5. The first optical detector 5 outputs a signal according to the amount of detected light. |
| US09910151B2 |
Radar object detection system
A radar object detection system includes a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor emits a first radar signal toward a first area about a vehicle, and outputs a first signal indicative of detected targets proximate to the vehicle. The controller receives the first signal from the first sensor, determines when a trailer is connected to the vehicle based on the first signal, defines a shadow-zone that corresponds to a first portion of the first area obstructed by the trailer from being viewed by the first sensor, and ignores detected targets within the shadow-zone that are indicated by the first signal. |
| US09910147B2 |
Radar antenna
A radar antenna is provided. The radar antenna includes a radar case having a front side and a rear side, a signal processor provided inside the radar case and configured to perform signal processing on a reception signal that is received by an EM radiator configured to transceive an electromagnetic wave, and a wireless LAN antenna fixed inside the radar case, having a horizontal directivity, and configured to transmit the reception signal processed by the signal processor to an external terminal device, the wireless LAN antenna being oriented such that a direction of the horizontal directivity of the wireless LAN antenna is in parallel to the front-and-rear directions of the radar case. |
| US09910144B2 |
Excitation and use of guided surface wave modes on lossy media
Disclosed are various embodiments systems and methods for transmission and reception of electrical energy along a surface of a terrestrial medium. A polyphase waveguide probe that transmits electrical energy in the form of a guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium. A receive circuit is used to receive the electrical energy. |
| US09910142B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor device comprising a reinforcement holder, arrangement, motor vehicle and corresponding method
The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising ultrasonic sensor (7) which comprises a pot-shaped membrane (6) for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals as well as a sensor housing (10), comprising a stiffening element (3) arranged around the membrane (6) and comprising a holder (4), which is designed for holding the sensor housing (10) on a back side of a trim element of the motor vehicle, wherein the stiffening element (3) and the holder (4) are designed to be integrally formed from a uniform material. |
| US09910138B2 |
Vehicle sensor calibration system
A vehicle sensor calibration system can detect an SDV on a turntable surrounded by a plurality of fiducial targets, and rotate the turntable using a control mechanism to provide the sensor system of the SDV with a sensor view of the plurality of fiducial targets. The vehicle sensor calibration system can receive, over a communication link with the SDV, a data log corresponding to the sensor view from the sensor system of the SDV recorded as the SDV rotates on the turntable. Thereafter, the vehicle sensor calibration system can analyze the sensor data to determine a set of calibration parameters to calibrate the sensor system of the SDV. |
| US09910137B2 |
System and method using a multi-plane curtain
A multi-plane scanner support system includes a bracket and a mirror block. The bracket is configured to be secured in a fixed orientation with respect to a scanner. And the mirror block is arranged to receive a scanning signal from the scanner and to reflect the scanning signal into a plurality of directions to create multiple scanning planes. The scanner can be a laser scanner. The scanner and multi-plane scanner support system can be attached to a material transport vehicle, for example, to provide safety functions. The vehicle can be manned or unmanned. |
| US09910135B2 |
FMCW radar self-test
A self-testing method of a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar device. A transmission signal having an object detection signal and a self-test signal superimposed on the object detection signal is transmitted. The self-test signal represents at least one virtual target. A reception signal is received. The reception signal is a received version of the transmission signal. Presence of the at least one virtual target in the reception signal is determined. A lack of presence of the virtual target in the reception signal provides an indication of hardware failure of the FMCW radar device. |
| US09910134B2 |
Enhanced detection and automatic signature extraction of radar resonance reflections in above and below-ground man-made objects
A system and method for processing radar returns to identify returns from man-made objects. In one embodiment, a plurality of radar returns is used to form a corresponding plurality of resonance maps, which are combined using an ordered statistic to form a processed resonance map. A discriminant is calculated as (a) the fourth power of the ratio of (i) the power in a first rectangle about each pixel to (ii) the power in a region outside the first rectangle and inside a second, larger rectangle, or (b) zero if the ratio is less than 1. Other processing operations including thresholding operations to suppress noise and clutter are used to improve the signal to noise ratio for detecting man-made objects. |
| US09910124B2 |
Apparatus and method for vector s-parameter measurements
The disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for vector scattering parameter (s-parameter) measurements, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for providing a simple, low cost solution for tests requiring vector s-parameter measurements. The apparatus includes a source which provides an input signal, a divider which splits the input signal to a reference signal and a testing signal, a phase shifter which shifts the reference signal by a first phase and outputs a phase shifted signal, a device under test (DUT) which shifts the testing signal by a second phase and outputs a DUT shifted signal, a combiner which combines the phase shifted signal and the DUT shifted signal into a combined signal, and a detector which detects a product of the phase shifted signal and the DUT shifted signal. |
| US09910113B2 |
Local coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system and magnetic resonance imaging system
A local coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system for acquisition of magnetic resonance signals includes a receiving mechanism for wireless transmission of operating energy of the local coil and/or a signal of the magnetic resonance imaging system. The receiving mechanism is configured to take the operating energy and/or the signal from a supply field. A magnetic resonance imaging system is also provided. The magnetic resonance imaging system includes a transmitting mechanism for wireless transmission of operating energy of a local coil and/or a signal of the magnetic resonance imaging system. The transmitting mechanism has a transmission signal generator that is connected to a field source and a field sink. The transmitting mechanism is constructed such that, in operation, the operating energy and/or the signal is transmitted by a supply field that is present as an electrical alternating voltage field between the field source and the field sink. |
| US09910107B2 |
Patterned magnetoresistive (MR) device with adjacent flux absorbing stripes
A magnetic sensor with increased sensitivity, lower noise, and improved frequency response is described. The sensor's free layer is ribbon shaped and is closely flanked at each long edge by a ribbon of magnetically soft, high permeability material. Side stripes of soft magnetic material absorb external field flux and concentrate the flux to flow into the sensor's edges to promote larger MR sensor magnetization rotation. Side stripes are located in the plane of the free layer at a maximum distance of 0.1 microns from each side of the free layer. The free layer has a width <300 nm, a length of >1 micron, and an aspect ratio (thickness/width) of at least 5. Preferably, Mfilmtfilm>Mfreetfree, where Mfilm and Mfree are the magnetization of the soft magnetic layers and free layer, respectively, and ffilm and tfree are the thickness of the soft magnetic layers and free layer, respectively. |
| US09910096B2 |
Control apparatus
A control apparatus includes: a tentative target calculator that calculates a tentative target value for a first physical quantity, based on a control target value; a correction calculator that calculates a correction value; and a first target value calculator that calculates as a first target value by adding the correction value to the tentative target value. When a second sensor fails, the first target value calculator designates the tentative target value as the first target value without adding the correction value to the tentative target value. The control apparatus further includes a variation inhibitor that inhibits the designated first target value from greatly varying due to the failure in the second sensor. |
| US09910093B2 |
Generator neutral ground monitoring device utilizing direct current component measurement and analysis
A device and method for detecting and analyzing faults in a generator stator are disclosed. The device and method include measuring a direct current component of a neutral ground current in a generator stator grounding conductor, analyzing the direct current flow and comparing it with other ground fault indicators, and providing diagnosis and recommended actions based on the analysis. The direct current flow is measured by a sensitive direct current sensor that may also measure AC components via oscillations in the current measurement, such as a Hall Effect sensor, placed on the generator stator grounding conductor. The analysis of the direct current signal includes consideration of the generator operating conditions and environmental conditions, and also includes comparison to historical data representing both normal and abnormal operation of the generator. Alarms and advisories are provided when generator faults are detected or predicted. |
| US09910092B2 |
Switch deterioration detection device and method
Provided are switch deterioration detection device and method. More particularly, the switch deterioration detection device includes: a resistor serially connected with a battery in which charge and discharge are controlled through a switch; a first differential amplifier configured to amplify a voltage difference between both ends of the switch to output the amplified voltage difference as a first output voltage; a second differential amplifier configured to amplify a voltage difference between both ends of the resistor to output the amplified voltage difference as a second output voltage; a comparator configured to compare levels between the second and second output voltages; and a controller configured to determine whether the switch deteriorates based on the compared result of the comparator. |
| US09910091B2 |
Method for auto-calibrating semiconductor component tester
A method for auto-calibrating a semiconductor component tester is provided. The semiconductor component tester includes a wafer tester or a package IC tester. Firstly, an initial tester setting value and an initial board setting value are acquired through a calibration board. Then, the test record of the semiconductor component corresponding to each test time and the tester parameter and the board parameter for testing the semiconductor component are recoded. If the semiconductor component fails the test, the semiconductor component is tested again according to the previously-passed tester parameter and the previously-passed board parameter, or the semiconductor component is tested again after the tester parameter and the board parameter are adjusted. The method is capable of correcting the improper test result from the improper tester parameter. |
| US09910090B2 |
Bypassing an encoded latch on a chip during a test-pattern scan
Aspects include techniques for bypassing an encoded latch on a chip during a test-pattern scan and using on-chip circuitry to generate a desired encoded pattern, which is inserted into a scan-bypassed latch, to test the on-chip circuitry for defects. A computer-implemented method may include applying a global control bit to the chip; initializing a scan of the chip while bypassing the encoded latch; and applying an extra scan clock to initiate the encoded latch after completing the scan, wherein the encoded latch is updated with check bits generated by the on-chip circuitry. |
| US09910087B2 |
Integrated circuit and method for detecting a stress condition in the integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes at least one first magnetic field sensing element including at least one first magnetoresistance element configured to provide an output signal of the integrated circuit in response to a detected magnetic field. The integrated circuit also includes at least one second magnetic field sensing element including at least one second magnetoresistance element configured to have a characteristic indicative of a stress condition. A method for detecting a stress condition in an integrated circuit is also provided. |
| US09910086B2 |
Test IP-based A.T.E. instrument architecture
A test system based on multiple instances of reconfigurable instrument IP specifically matched to the device under test may be used in integrating automated testing of semiconductor devices between pre-silicon simulation, post-silicon validation, and production test phases, in one embodiment of software and hardware across all three phases, for different devices. The reconfigurable test system comprises: a tester instrument, instances of instrument IP instantiated in the tester instruments, a computer system, and a test program. The tester instrument connects to a device under test (DUT), and includes FPGAs reconfigurable for the three testing phases. The computer system has a user interface, and a controller connected to the reconfigurable tester instrument via a data bus. The test program stored on the controller, and the controller, instantiates interfaces and protocols, and certain process transactions to support the protocols, into FPGAs, to match device interfaces for each DUT, to execute test sequences. |
| US09910080B2 |
Method and arrangement for locating short-circuits in energy supply systems
A method and an arrangement are disclosed for determining the direction of excess currents in energy supply networks, such as in medium voltage networks. An exemplary method and arrangement render it possible to reliably isolate a point of fault caused by a short-circuit or excess current, even if switching systems of the energy supply network do not include a capacitive pickup. Exemplary arrangements include an energy supply network which connects, via a transformer, a medium voltage network to a low voltage network. |
| US09910076B2 |
Method and system for analysis of energy savings in an electrical network
A method for analysis of energy savings in an electrical network includes obtaining measurements of a plurality of measurement devices linked to loads of the electrical network over a first period of time. A unified signature that characterizes the recorded measurements during the first period of time is calculated. Measurements of the plurality of measurement devices in the electrical network are obtained over a second period of time after introduction of a modification into the electrical network. A unified signature that characterizes the recorded measurements during the second period of time is calculated. The unified signature that characterizes the measurements during the second period of time is compared with the unified signature that characterizes the measurements during the first period of time to calculate energy savings resulting from introduction of the modification. |
| US09910073B2 |
Measurement circuit
A measurement circuit for a sensor, the measurement circuit includes at least one detection branch including at least a first series of at least one dipole and a second series of at least one dipole, the series being connected in parallel and connected at their inputs to a common input terminal, each series of dipole being connected to a distinct output terminal, and an electronic circuit including a bias circuit configured to apply a bias current to the detection branch from the input terminal, and a read circuit configured to impose on each output terminal the same potential referred to as the “reference potential” (VREF); the electronic circuit including a determination circuit for determining variations in impedances of each series of dipole of the detection branch on the basis of the current applied to each output terminal by the read circuit so as to keep the potentials equal. |
| US09910068B2 |
Semiconductor chip test device
A semiconductor chip test device may include: a guide plate having a seating groove formed at the bottom thereof; a substrate coupled to the bottom of the guide plate, and having an upper semiconductor chip mounted on the top surface thereof such that the upper semiconductor chip is positioned in the seating groove; an upper socket having upper pogo pins coupled to the bottom of the guide plate in a state where the upper pogo pins are in contact with bottom patterns of the substrate, and having lower pogo pins formed on the bottom surface thereof, wherein the upper pogo pins protrude upward, and the lower pogo pins protrude downward; and a lower socket having a lower semiconductor chip seated on the top surface thereof, the lower semiconductor chip being in contact with the lower pogo pins. |
| US09910061B2 |
Systems and methods for extracting system parameters from nonlinear periodic signals from sensors
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for extracting system parameters from nonlinear periodic signals from sensors. A sensor such as an inertial device includes a first structure and a second structure that is springedly coupled to the first structure. The sensor is configured to generate an output voltage based on a current between the first and second structures. Monotonic motion of the second structure relative to the first structure causes a reversal in direction of the current. |
| US09910059B2 |
Method and system for analyzing motion of subject using event-based sensor
A method is provided for analyzing motion of a subject. The method includes receiving multiple events from an event-based sensor, the events corresponding to a luminance change of the subject; calculating velocities of the events and directions of the events; generating a motion analysis table comprising an X axis classified into multiple velocity sections, a Y axis classified into multiple direction sections, and multiple cells representing frequencies of events corresponding to combinations of the velocity sections and the direction sections; and determining a motion of the subject based on the motion analysis table. |
| US09910052B2 |
Method of diagnosing and treating infectious disseminated intravascular coagulation
Markers useful in diagnosing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or infectious DIC are provided. In a method for detecting DIC of the present invention, sCD14-ST in a sample is measured. In a method of detecting infectious DIC of the present invention, sCD14-ST and a coagulation-related marker in a sample are measured. |
| US09910050B2 |
Mutant smoothened and methods of using the same
The emergence of mutations in tyrosine kinases following treatment of cancer patients with molecular-targeted therapy represents a major mechanism of acquired drug resistance. Here, we describe a mutation in the serpentine receptor, Smoothened (SMO), which results in resistance to a Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitor in medulloblastoma. A single amino acid substitution in a conserved aspartic acid residue of SMO maintains Hh signaling, but results in the inability of the Hh pathway inhibitor, GDC-0449, to bind SMO and suppress the pathway. This mutation was not only acquired in a GDC-0449-resistant mouse model of medulloblastoma, but was identified in a Medulloblastoma patient following relapse on GDC-0449. The invention provides screening methods to detect SMO mutations and methods to screen for drugs that specifically modulate mutant SMO exhibiting drug resistance. |
| US09910046B2 |
Method for the analysis of N-glycans attached to immunoglobulin G from human blood plasma and its use
The invention discloses a method for the analysis of N-glycans attached to immunoglobulin G (IgG) or IgG N-glycopeptides from human blood plasma in which relative abundance of two or more glycans is determined, out of total six, and for these glycans it is determined that they strongly correlate with age. The glycans have the following structures: F(6)A2 (GP4): R1, R2, R3, R4=H F(6)A2B (GP6): R1=GlcNAc; R2, R3, R4=H F(6)A2[6]G1 (GP8): R1, R3, R4=H; R2=Gal F(6)A2G2 (GP14): R1=H; R2, R3=Gal; R4=H F(6)A2BG2 (GP15): R1=GlcNAc; R2, R3=Gal; R4=H F(6)A2G2S1 (GP18): R1=H; R2, R3=Gal; R4=NeuAc GlcNAc=N-acetylglucosamine Fuc=fucose Man=mannose NeuAc=N-acetylneuraminic acid Gal=galactose From the results of the analysis, Glycan Age Index (GAI) is calculated, and it is useful for: prediction of biological age of a tested individual; monitoring efficacy of methods that slow down the ageing process; monitoring progression of diseases that are developed as a result of the ageing process advancement, like: inflammatory diseases (including atherosclerosis), autoimmune diseases, tumours, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer disease; and evaluation of overall condition/health of a body. |
| US09910043B2 |
Identification of tumor-associated cell surface antigens for diagnosis and therapy
The present invention provides agents with tumor-inhibiting activity, and which are selective for cells expressing or abnormally expressing a tumor-associated antigen. Said tumor-associated antigen has a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleotide sequence selected from the specific sequences set forth herein, or a 6-50 contiguous nucleotide residue portion thereof; (b) a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid which hybridizes with a nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence of (a) under stringent conditions; (c) a nucleotide sequence which is degenerate with respect to the nucleotide sequence of (a) or (b); and (d) a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to the nucleotide sequence of (a), (b) or (c). Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the agents are also provided, as well as methods treating, diagnosing or monitoring a disease characterized by expression or abnormal expression of the tumor-associated antigen. |
| US09910042B2 |
Strings of epitopes useful in diagnosing and eliciting immune responses to sexually transmitted infections
The invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and diagnosing sexually transmitted infections using a string of epitopes (SOE) specific for detection of causative microorganisms. The antigenic epitopes may be single epitope sequences a plurality of epitope sequences joined by repeats of glycine (-GG-) and/or lysine (-KK-) to form a series of epitopes (SOE), or nucleotide sequences encoding one or more SOEs and host cells harboring said SOE nucleotide sequences. SOEs specific for highly immunogenic regions of proteins from Trichomonas, Treponema and Neisseria species are provided. SOEs to detect the presence of trichomonas species comprise regions from Trichomonas-sptciric aldolase, GAPDH, α-enolase and α-actinin proteins. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising SOEs can also be used as vaccines or to elicit an immune response to specific microorganisms. |
| US09910038B2 |
Cell line screening method
The invention provides a novel cell line development method useful to screen for recombinant protein production. The method utilizes a membrane-anchored reporter or an intracellular reporter residing in the expression vector for a gene of interest to facilitate initial cell selection by FACS or MACS. A switching mechanism can be used to delete the reporter from the chromosome by providing an appropriate DNA recombinase, which turns the selected cells into production cells that secrete the protein of interest without co-expression of the reporter. |
| US09910032B2 |
Method of identifying, isolating and/or culturing foetal erythroblasts
There is provided a method of identifying at least one foetal erythroblast in a sample, the method comprising analyzing the morphology of at least one cell in the sample; wherein at least one analyzed cell that is nucleated, is CD45 negative and comprises a relatively high cytoplasmic to nuclear ratio is identified as the foetal erythroblast. |
| US09910027B2 |
Diagnostic method
Method and device for assessing the physical state of a hair fiber by crossing a single hair fiber and comparing a physical attribute of each part of the same fiber. |
| US09910026B2 |
High temperature tracers for downhole detection of produced water
A tracer composite comprises a tracer disposed in a metal-based carrier which comprises: a cellular nanomatrix and a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix, wherein the tracer is detectable at a range of from about 1 ppt to about 1,000 ppm. |
| US09910025B2 |
Integrated active fuel characteristic sensor
An aircraft fuel system comprises an integrated sensor assembly incorporating a housing. The housing receives a circuit board, a temperature sensor, a point level sensor and a fuel density sensor. A first fuel height sensor is positioned outwardly of the housing. |
| US09910024B2 |
Method, sensor unit and machine for detecting “sugar top” defects in potatoes
The invention relates to a method, a sensor unit and a machine for detecting “sugar end” defects in potatoes. The method comprises irradiating potatoes with at least one light source, for a plurality of locus points on each potato, wherein locus points lie on the end regions of the potato and other locus points lie in a central region of the potato. The light reflected from and/or transmitted through the respective locus points is selectively projected onto at least one photo sensor which generates light measurement signals for each locus point from the received light. At least one classification feature is determined from the light measurement signals. If at least one classification feature corresponds to a predefined “sugar end” criterion the respective potato is classified as having “sugar end” defects. |
| US09910023B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor having a heater layer; and a gas detector that is heated by the heater layer to detect a measurement target gas. The gas detector has a gas sensing layer, a diffusion layer that covers a surface of the gas sensing layer, and an absorption layer that covers a surface of the diffusion layer. The absorption layer has greater absorption of the measurement target gas than the diffusion layer, and the diffusion layer has greater diffusion of the measurement target gas than the absorption layer. |
| US09910022B2 |
Real time ozone layer monitoring using ion mobility spectrometry
The present invention provides a capability of Ion Mobility Spectrometry/Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometry (IMS/MS) in the negative ion mode for Ozone detection and methods for ozone layer depletion monitoring in laboratory environment. Ammonium hydroxide vapors, as a dopant chemical, introduced to the inlet system of the IMS/MS interfaced with the reaction sphere enables ozone ionized to be O3−. The data obtainable from proposed methods show how ozone is depleted and which compound affect the most for O3 destruction among the O3 depletion substances of Chloro Fluoro Carbons (CFCs), Hydro Fluoro Carbons (HFCs), Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons (HCFCs), Hydro Chloro Bromo Carbons (HCBCs), and Hydro Chloro lodo Carbons (HClCs). Based on the results obtainable, more likely the IMS alone system without coupling with the mass spectrometer (IMS/MS) will rather be selected to develop as a spatial real time ozone layer depletion monitor. Real time monitoring device of ozone concentration in ambient atmospheric conditions can also be developed with this technique. |
| US09910021B2 |
Low power sensor for non-reactive gases
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for detecting and measuring the concentration of non-reactive gases in a given environment, without having to increase the reactivity of the non-reactive gases through thermal heating. For example, a gas sensor device includes a sensing chamber, a chemical getter element disposed in the sensing chamber, and a pressure sensor device. The sensing chamber is configured to capture a gas sample. The chemical getter element is configured to remove reactive gas species of the gas sample through chemical reaction of the reactive gas species with the chemical getter element at room temperature. The pressure sensor device is configured to measure a pressure of non-reactive gas species of the gas sample, which remains in the sensing chamber after removal of the reactive gas species from the sensing chamber. The pressure measurement is used to determine an amount of the non-reactive gas species present in the sample. |
| US09910019B2 |
Pressure control valve and supercritical fluid chromatograph
A pressure control valve includes a pressure control block including a bore hole that is bored perpendicularly from one outer surface, and two internal channel openings of whose end portions are at a bottom surface of the bore hole, a valve body having elasticity and covering the bottom surface of the bore hole, a sealing member for pressing a portion of the valve body against the bottom surface of the bore hole, the portion abutting a peripheral edge portion of a portion of the bottom surface where the openings are provided, and an actuator for driving a portion, of the valve body, abutting the portion where the openings are provided in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the bore hole. |
| US09910016B2 |
Piezoelectric shear rings for omnidirectional shear horizontal guided wave excitation and sensing
An ultrasonic guided wave system for defect detection in a plate-like structure, includes at least one first circumferentially-polarized piezoelectric d15 shear ring element configured to be coupled to a structure. The controller includes a machine readable storage medium and a processor in signal communication with the machine readable storage medium. The processor is configured to cause a pulse generator to pulse the at least first circumferentially-polarized piezoelectric d15 shear ring element such that shear horizontal-type guided wave energy is transmitted in all directions in the plate-like structure, process at least one guided wave signal to identify the presence and location of at least one possible defect in the plate-like structure, and store the guided wave signal and defect detection data in the machine readable storage medium. |
| US09910014B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting gas flow by photoacoustic signal generation
A method for the detection of a gas flowing from a location in a structure is described. A hollow-core optical fiber is placed in a position adjacent the structure. The fiber includes a sound-conductive cladding layer; and further includes at least one aperture extending into its cross-sectional diameter. A beam of pulsed, optical is transmitted into the fiber with a tunable laser. The optical energy is characterized by a wavelength that can be absorbed by the gas that flows into the fiber through the aperture. This causes a temperature fluctuation in the region of gas absorption, which in turn generates an acoustic wave in the absorption region. The acoustic wave travels through the cladding layer, and can be detected with a microphone, so as to provide the location of gas flow, based on the recorded position and movement of the acoustic wave. A related system is also described. |
| US09910013B1 |
System and method for the analysis of DNA sequences
A method for detecting electromagnetic waves derived from bacterial DNA, including extracting and purifying nucleic acids from a sample; diluting the extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; measuring a low frequency electromagnetic emission over time from the diluted extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; performing a signal analysis of the low frequency electromagnetic emission over time; and producing an output, based on the signal analysis, in dependence on the DNA in the sample. The DNA may be extracted from at least one of blood, feces, urine, saliva, tears, seminal fluid, sweat, seminal and vaginal fluids of a patient, or water to determine, e.g., potability. The samples may be frozen. The extracting and purifying may include diluting the sample with an aqueous buffer and mixing; degrading proteins in the diluted sample; precipitating DNA from the buffer solution; and resuspending the precipitated DNA in an aqueous solution. |
| US09910011B2 |
Isotachophoresis system having larger-diameter channels flowing into channels with reduced diameter and with selectable counter-flow
An isotachophoresis system for separating a sample containing particles into discrete packets including a flow channel, the flow channel having a large diameter section and a small diameter section; a negative electrode operably connected to the flow channel; a positive electrode operably connected to the flow channel; a leading carrier fluid in the flow channel; a trailing carrier fluid in the flow channel; and a control for separating the particles in the sample into discrete packets using the leading carrier fluid, the trailing carrier fluid, the large diameter section, and the small diameter section. |
| US09910005B2 |
Biosensor
A biosensor includes a flexible foil with an electrode layer positioned on the foil. An adhesive layer is positioned on the foil layer, and a first photo-definable hydrogel membrane is positioned over the electrode layer and the adhesive layer. A second photo-definable hydrogel membrane with an immobilized bio-recognition element is positioned over the first hydrogel membrane in contact with the electrode layer through an opening in the first hydrogel membrane. |
| US09910003B1 |
Methods and apparatus for a moisture detector
A system for detecting the presence of a liquid. The system includes a sensor, a cap, and a reader. The sensor includes at least three conductors, a substrate, and a cover. The conductors are positioned between the substrate and the cover. The cover includes a first portion at a first position and a second portion at a second position. The first portion and the second portion are adapted for separation from proximate portions of the cover and from the substrate to expose the conductors. The cap and the reader are adapted for positioning against the substrate at the first position and the second position respectively after separation of the first portion or the second portion. Positioning the cap against the against the substrate electrically couples two of the at least three conductors to each other. Positioning the reader against the substrate electrically couples the reader to the conductors to detect the presence of the liquid. |
| US09910002B2 |
Dry running detection system
The dry running detection system for a pump includes an ultrasonic transducer (8) designed for arrangement inside a pump housing (24) and electrically connected to a frequency generator (2) producing an electrical signal having a predefined frequency. An analyzing unit (10) of the system analyzes the electrical signal applied to the ultrasonic transducer (8) and is designed to detect whether the ultrasonic transducer (8) is in contact with a liquid or not on basis of the signal level of the electrical signal. |
| US09909999B2 |
Systems and methods for radiographic inspection
An inspection method include introducing a mixture of expanding foam and a particulate material into a region of interest of an object, fixing the powder within the region of the interest relative to the object, and acquiring image data of the object and particulate mixture using an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The particulate has a density that is greater than the density of a material forming the object to provide contrast between the region of interest and the object in an image generated using the image data. |
| US09909998B2 |
Buffer gas cooling and mixture analysis
An apparatus for spectroscopy of a gas mixture is described. Such an apparatus includes a gas mixing system configured to mix a hot analyte gas that includes at least one analyte species in a gas phase into a cold buffer gas, thereby forming a supersaturated mixture to be provided for spectroscopic analysis. |
| US09909997B2 |
Detection system based on modulation of line structured laser image of glass
A detection system based on modulation of line structured laser image of glass includes a processing section, a control system, and roller conveying mechanisms. Detection mechanism provided over entrance of the processing section includes shell and camera with laser which emits beam on the surface of the glass in the gap between sliding rollers. Focal plane of the camera corresponds to the beam irradiation surface, and signal output terminal of the camera is connected with the control system in such a way that when glass passes the detection area, laser irradiates the glass surface and the line structured laser is modulated based on the glass to form laser modulation image with distribution of light and shade, staggered movement direction, or distorted laser lines. The camera transmits the captured glass information and parameters to the control system. |
| US09909995B2 |
Inspection tool
An inspection tool for inspecting oil and/or gas production and/or injection wells and pipes is provided. The tool comprises at least an image sensor, one or more processors or chips and one or more power supplies. The tool further comprises at least a first and a second chamber being insulated from each other. The first chamber comprises the image sensor and is provided with one or more passive cooling means, and the second chamber comprises the one or more processors and is provided with one or more active cooling means. Further, a method for cooling such inspection tool is provided. |
| US09909994B2 |
Method and an arrangement for measuring the smoothness of grains
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for measuring the smoothness of grains. In one embodiment, the arrangement includes a channel for supplying grains, especially rice grains, an obstacle arranged at the channel to slow down grains falling on the obstacle, so that the flow of grains forms a heap on the obstacle and an image capturing device placed facing the obstacle. The image capturing device is arranged to capture an image of the heap, where the area under the curve of the captured heap image indicates the degree of smoothness of the grains or the course of the curve of the captured heap image indicates the degree of smoothness of the grains. |
| US09909993B2 |
Label-free detection of small and large molecule interactions, and activities in biological systems
A system for quantitative detection and analysis of the interactions of molecules with molecular receptors on the surfaces of biological cells based on detecting a mechanical deformation in the membrane of a cell associated with the molecular interactions, which works for both large and small molecules. The mechanical deformation can be detected with high precision in real time from an optical image of the cell with a differential detection method. The system can be also used to detect the electrical activities, such as ion channel opening and closing, as well as action potential propagation in neuronal cells. |
| US09909992B2 |
Optical spectrometer with matched étendue
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and sensors configured to characterize a radiation beam. At least one embodiment relates to an optical system. The optical system includes an optical radiation guiding system. The optical radiation guiding system includes a collimator configured to collimate the radiation beam into a collimated radiation beam. The optical radiation guiding system also includes a beam shaper configured to distribute power of the collimated radiation beam over a discrete number of line shaped fields. A spectrum of the collimated radiation beam entering the beam shaper is delivered to each of the discrete number of line shaped fields. The optical system further includes a spectrometer chip. The spectrometer chip is configured to process the spectrum of the collimated radiation beam in each of the discrete number of line shaped fields coming from the beam shaper. |
| US09909991B2 |
Method and system for inspecting indirect bandgap semiconductor structure
Methods (600) and systems (100) for inspecting an indirect bandgap semiconductor structure (140) are described. A light source (110) generates light (612) suitable for inducing photoluminescence in the indirect bandgap semiconductor structure (140). A short-pass filter unit (114) reduces long-wavelength light of the generated light above a specified emission peak. A collimator (112) collimates (616) the light. A large area of the indirect bandgap semiconductor structure (140) is substantially uniformly and simultaneously illuminated (618) with the collimated, short-pass filtered light. An image capture device (130) captures (620) images of photoluminescence simultaneously induced by the substantially uniform, simultaneous illumination incident across the large area for the indirect bandgap semiconductor structure. The photoluminescence images are image processed (622) to quantify spatially resolved specified electronic properties of the indirect bandgap semiconductor structure (140) using the spatial variation of the photoluminescence induced in the large area. |
| US09909989B2 |
Structures for enhancement of local electric field, light absorption, light radiation, material detection and methods for making and using of the same
Microstructures and nanostructures (100) consisting of a substrate (110), an array of pillars (120) capped by metallic disc (130), metallic dots (clusters or granules) (140) disposed on the sidewalls of the pillars, and a metallic backplane (150) that can interact to enhance a local electric field, the absorption of the light, and the radiation of the light are disclosed. Methods to fabricate the structures (100) are also disclosed. Applications of the structures to enhance the optical signals in the detection of molecules and other materials on a structure surface, such as fluorescence, photoluminescence and surface enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) are also disclosed. |
| US09909984B2 |
Multichannel label-free biosensing optical-fiber system
The present invention provides a multichannel label-free biosensing fiber-optic system, which comprises one or more light sources coupled into optical fibers, one or more optical fiber circuits for performing coupling or/and directional transmission of optical-fiber guided lightwaves, one or more optical-fiber-input and optical-fiber-output optical switches, a plurality of optical fibers provided with label-free optical sensing elements working in the reflection manner on the optical fiber ends, and the light detection parts, wherein the optical-fiber-input and optical-fiber-output optical switch is provided with a plurality of outputs and/or a plurality of inputs, and with the plurality of outputs and/or plurality of inputs, by the switching function, the reflected light from the label-free optical sensing elements working in the reflection manner on the designated optical fiber ends is received by the light detection part, so that multichannel sensing is realized. |
| US09909980B2 |
Fluid analyzer and method of manufacturing fluid analyzer
A fluid analyzer includes a substrate, a quantum cascade laser formed on a surface of the substrate and including a first light-emitting surface and a second light-emitting surface facing each other, a first quantum cascade detector formed on the surface and including the same layer structure as the quantum cascade laser and a first light incident surface facing the first light-emitting surface, a second quantum cascade detector formed on the surface and including the same layer structure as the quantum cascade laser and a second light incident surface facing the second light-emitting surface, and a resin member covering at least the second light-emitting surface and the second light incident surface and having optical transparency and an electrical insulation property. A first space in which a fluid to be analyzed is disposed is provided in a first area between the first light-emitting surface and the first light incident surface. |
| US09909978B2 |
Maturity determination device and maturity determination method
A maturity determination device includes an image capturing device to capture a image including a plurality of first and second pixels; and a signal processing circuit configured to find an area size ratio of an intensity distribution of light of a first wavelength band on the basis of a predetermined reference value based on pixel values obtained from the plurality of first and second pixels, and to generate maturity determination information in accordance with the area size ratio. The first pixel includes a first light transmission filter, and the second pixel includes a second light transmission filter. The intensity of the light of the first wavelength band reflected by the fruits and vegetables varies in accordance with the maturity level, and the intensity of the light of the second wavelength band reflected by the fruits and vegetables is substantially the same regardless of the maturity level. |
| US09909975B1 |
Device for rotation about an axis of rotation to drive liquid flow within the device comprising a first element, a second element and the radially outer wall of a cavity define a detection chamber
A device configured for rotation about an axis of rotation to drive liquid flow within the device. The device includes a detection chamber having opposed first second ends and two optical features defining an optical path through the detection chamber, between the first and second ends. The detection chamber includes a first liquid inlet disposed at the first end on a first side of the optical path, a first liquid outlet disposed at the second end of the detection chamber on the first side of the optical path and a second liquid outlet disposed at the second end of the detection chamber on a second side of the optical path. The first side of the optical path is radially outwards of the second side of the optical path. |
| US09909974B2 |
Data acquisition system with rotating probe members and ground reference electrode
In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a probe including a plurality of exterior rotating members defining a guard ring, and an interior rotating member having a circular shape and disposed within at least a portion of a perimeter defined by the plurality of exterior rotating members. The apparatus can also include a waveform generator electrically coupled to the guard ring and the interior rotating member. |
| US09909971B2 |
Aircraft and particulate detection method
An aircraft including a jet engine including a core having a compressor and combustion chamber, and a particulate sensor located within the core and a particulate detection method for an aircraft having a jet engine where the method includes sensing particulates within the core and providing a corresponding value for the sensed particulates and providing an indication related thereto. |
| US09909970B2 |
Calibration of instruments
Disclosed is a method of calibrating apparatus for optically characterizing samples of particles of small size. Also disclosed is a method of estimating the concentration of particles in a population of small size particles. |
| US09909964B2 |
Method of preparing quality control material for FFPE
This specification relates to Formalin-fixed embedded quality control material for use for validation, verification, and to run controls for molecular assays. The quality control material can be used for a variety of tissues and for a variety of molecular assays. The quality control material can be used in commercial labs for validation and limit-of-detection analyses. |
| US09909963B2 |
Accelerated wright-giemsa and may-Grünwald staining methods
The present disclosure provides methods for carrying out Romanowsky-type stains, specifically Wright-Giemsa and May-Grünwald stains, quickly and efficiently. The methods greatly reduce the overall amount of time required to complete a Wright-Giemsa stain or a May-Grünwald stain of sufficient quality on a biological sample. The subject methods can be applied to both manual and automated staining procedures. |
| US09909954B2 |
System and method to quantify viscous damping steering feel of a vehicle equipped with an electric power steering system
A method of quantifying a viscous damping steering feel characteristic of a vehicle equipped with an electric power steering system includes connecting the electric power steering (EPS) system to a rotary actuator and kingpin actuators of a simulator system, communicating a triangle wave control input from a simulator controller to the rotary actuator, and receiving outputs from sensors in the simulator system by the simulator controller in response to the triangle wave control input. The simulator controller is programmed to execute logic embodying a method using the triangle wave control input provided via the rotary actuator and deconvolution of the outputs remove phase lag between the input and output signals, to generate a deconvoluted hysteresis loop for each of a plurality of steering cycles conducted during a vehicle simulation event, and to characterize a viscous damping steering feel characteristic of the EPS system. |
| US09909953B2 |
Method and apparatus for non-destructive detection of tire anomalies
An impact-acoustic method for testing a tire is provided along with a tire anomaly detection system in which an actuatable impactor is provided with an acoustic transducer and a force transducer. A plurality of discriminator quantities is calculated from acoustic signals and force signals and the calculated discriminator quantities are compared with stored discriminator quantities to determine whether an anomaly is present in the tire. |
| US09909952B2 |
Optical fibers and methods associated therewith
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of fiber optics, and more specifically to apparatuses, methods, and/or systems associated with testing fiber optic transmitters. In an embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus comprising a laser optimized multimode fiber having near minimally compliant effective modal bandwidth, near maximum channel length, and α-profile that produces an R-MMF DMD slope. |
| US09909951B2 |
Apparatus and method for characterization of FBG rellector array
A system and method for evaluating individual Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in a multiplexed acoustic sensor system, the system comprising: a broadband pulsed source; a circulator that passes a laser pulse to a multiplexed series of N FBG sensors and one reference Fresnel reflector, wherein said circulator also receives a return N+1 reflection pulse train from the N FBG sensors and one reference Fresnel reflector; and an optical switch that receives the return N+1 reflection pulse train from the N FBG sensors and one reference Fresnel reflector. |
| US09909950B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting resin shock absorber
An inspection method and an inspection apparatus capable of readily determining the necessity of replacement of a resin shock absorber at an elevator inspection location without using a car of a rated weight. First, an indenter is pressed into a resin shock absorber for an elevator. A load of pressing the indenter into the resin shock absorber is released. A physical property value indicative of a repulsive force that causes the indenter to bounce from the resin shock absorber by releasing the load is measured. The necessity of replacement of the resin shock absorber is determined by comparing a result of the physical property value obtained by measuring the repulsive force with a reference value prepared in advance. |
| US09909949B2 |
Leakage determination method, leakage determination system, and program
The present invention is a leakage determination method comprising: comparing a correlation profile including a cross-correlation function obtained from measurement data measured at at least a pair of measurement positions and position information for the measurement positions, and a correlation profile at the time of the leakage determination including the cross-correlation function obtained from the measurement data measured at the pair of measurement positions and the position information for the measurement positions; and determining leakage. |
| US09909948B1 |
Leak detection system
A leak detection system for testing a tubing collar of wellbore tubing. The leak detection system can have a test unit with a control system for simultaneously controlling a gas system, a water system, a gas analysis system, and a tubing collar testing tool. The tubing collar testing tool is initially pressurized with tracer gas to a first pressure and then pressurized using water to a second pressure. A sample is taken from proximate to the tubing collar while the tubing collar testing tool is at the second pressure, the sample is analyzed for tracer gas, and if tracer gas is present in the sample in ppm of greater than or equal to 1 ppm, then the control system alerts that a leak is present in the tubing collar. |
| US09909945B2 |
Methods and apparatus for measuring aspiration pressure at low aspiration volumes
A method adapted to allow aspiration verification of a liquid such as a biological liquid or liquid reagent at low aspiration volumes (e.g., less than 25 μL). The method includes attempting to aspirate a volume of a liquid into a probe at an aspiration frequency, measuring an aspiration pressure associated with the attempted aspiration of the liquid and providing a measured pressure signal, and filtering the measured pressure signal with a filter. The filter has a passband frequency containing the aspiration frequency and excluding the frequencies of a disturbance causing noise in the measured pressure signal. Apparatus for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects. |
| US09909936B2 |
Heat flux sensor and method for manufacturing same
A heat flux sensor to be attached to a hole portion defined in a surface of an object includes a body portion having an outer circumferential face, and an exterior end face that is flush with the surface of the object. The body portion includes a plurality of bored holes extending from an outer face other than the exterior end face of the body portion, with respective tips of the bored holes being arranged on the same normal line of the exterior end face. The heat flux sensor further includes a plurality of heat sensors having wiring lines leading to the outer face of the body portion through the bored holes, and a filling material that fills the bored holes to seal the heat sensors. |
| US09909935B1 |
Calibration and control system for a climate system utilizing closed loop feedback and a phase change cell
A calibration system for a climate system utilizing closed loop feedback and a phase change cell includes controlling a transfer rate of energy between a phase change cell and a thermal mass based on at least a temperature of the thermal mass. The transfer rate is controlled in order to control the temperature of the thermal mass and selectively move a material in the phase change cell through a phase change with transferred energy. In particular, the temperature of the thermal mass is controllable when the material is maintained in the phase change. A thermal sensor in the thermal mass may also be calibrated based on the temperature of a thermal sensor in the phase change cell during a predetermined portion of the phase change. |
| US09909932B2 |
System and method for temperature sensing in an internal combustion engine
A system for determining a temperature of a first portion of an engine, and related circuit, and related method of operation, are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the system includes a wheel having a plurality of magnetic teeth, and an electrical circuit including a variable reluctance sensor (VRS) including at least one winding, the VRS being positioned proximate the wheel, where the VRS is in thermal contact with the first portion, and a comparator having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, where the comparator is configured to output an output signal at the output terminal. Either the output signal or a further signal generated by the electrical circuit is at least indirectly indicative of a resistance of the at least one winding, whereby an indication of the temperature of the first portion can be determined based upon the output signal or further signal. |
| US09909924B2 |
Infrared thermal sensor with beam without thermocouple
An infrared thermal sensor for sensing infrared radiation is disclosed. The infrared thermal sensor comprises a substrate and a cap structure together forming a sealed cavity, a membrane arranged in said cavity for receiving infrared radiation (IR) through a window or aperture and a plurality of beams for suspending the membrane. At least one beam has a thermocouple arranged therein or thereon for measuring a temperature difference (ΔT) between the membrane and the substrate, the plurality of beams. Furthermore at least one beam is mechanically supporting the membrane without a thermocouple being present therein or thereon. |
| US09909922B2 |
Anti-aliasing photodetector system
An anti-aliasing photodetector system for a powered ophthalmic device, such as a contact lens, may be utilized for any number of functions. The anti-aliasing photodetector system converts current from an array of photodetectors into a voltage for use in other aspects of the powered ophthalmic device. The anti-aliasing photodetector system comprises a photodiode array including a plurality of individual photodiodes, an integrate-and-hold circuit, including a capacitor and switch to convert current to voltage, and an analog-to-digital converter. The anti-aliasing photodetector system provides for low power consumption, a wide dynamic range, noise rejection, and is capable of detecting incident ambient visible light as well as incident infrared light. |
| US09909918B2 |
Ultrasonic scanning device having a fluid pad
An ultrasonic scanning device for scanning a turbine component. The device includes an ultrasonic transducer attached to a moveable fluid distribution block, wherein the block includes a block opening and an internal passageway for receiving a fluid. The device also includes a fluid pad having a fluid pad opening that is in fluid communication with the block opening, wherein the fluid pad and block openings form a channel that extends between the ultrasonic transducer and the turbine component. Fluid received by the internal passageway moves to the channel and forms a fluid column between the ultrasonic transducer and the turbine component that facilitates transmission of ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer. In addition, the device includes a control module for controlling operation of the ultrasonic transducer and an encoder for providing travel information to the control module for determining a position of the device relative to the turbine component. |
| US09909917B2 |
Interactive body weight scale system and method
A method of using an interactive body weight scale is presented. The body weight scale may have computing and data communication ability to track a user's weight by connecting to a number of different electronic devices. The body weight scale is capable of recording an audio message, converting the audio message to message text, and transmitting the message to a remote social network. The scale may also receive message responses from the remote network and play the messages back based on whether a particular message is a positive message. A scale use indicator provides a reminder for a user to use the body weight scale. |
| US09909916B2 |
Wireless fuel sensor system
A sensor device includes a capacitive probe including a first conductor and a second conductor. The sensor device also includes a radio to generate a signal based on a measurement associated with the capacitive probe and to provide the signal to the first conductor for transmission using the capacitive probe as a transmission antenna. |
| US09909915B2 |
Dispenser
The present invention is related to dispensers for dispensing portioned amounts of substances into a container. For example, dispensers for dispensing powered drink mixes, such as baby formula. |
| US09909909B2 |
Flow measurement system for single-use containers
A venturi flowmeter for connection to single-use containers is provided. The venturi flowmeter includes a meter body formed of a polymer and configured to allow fluid flow therethrough. A first annular diaphragm is mounted proximate an inner surface of the meter body has a first internal diameter. A second annular diaphragm is mounted proximate an inner surface of the meter body has a second internal diameter different from the first internal diameter. |
| US09909904B2 |
Optical fibre sensor system
An optical fiber sensor system and a method for determining a location of a disturbance having a signal processor with a plurality of activation cells adapted to react to components of a back-scattered signal and label the disturbance. |
| US09909903B2 |
Apparatus for deriving measurement signals from fibre optic distributed sensors
The application describes methods and apparatus for distributed fiber sensing, especially distributed acoustic/strain sensing. The method involves launching at least first and second pulse pairs into an optical fiber, the first and second pulse pairs having the same frequency configuration as one another and being generated such that the phase relationship of the pulses of the first pulse pair has a predetermined relative phase difference to the phase relationship of the pulses of the second pulse pair. In one embodiment there is a frequency difference between the pulses in a pulse pair which is related to the launch rate of the pulse pairs. In another embodiment the phase difference between the pulses in a pair is varied between successive launches. In this way an analytic version of the backscatter interference signal can be generated within the baseband of the sensor. |
| US09909902B2 |
Sensor arrangement for detecting a pedal movement in a vehicle
A sensor arrangement for detecting a pedal movement in a vehicle includes a measurement value transmitter that is arranged on a piston that is translated by the pedal movement and a measurement value sensor that is arranged in a stationary manner in the movement region of the piston. The measurement value sensor in connection with the measurement value transmitter generates a signal that represents the pedal movement. The measurement value transmitter and the measurement value sensor are configured as inductive sensors. The measurement value transmitter has at least one detection region, and the measurement value sensor has at least one detection coil. The at least one detection region of the measurement value transmitter influences the inductance of the at least one detection coil such that the changing inductance of the at least one detection coil of the measurement value sensor is interpreted as a measure of the pedal movement. |
| US09909898B2 |
In-vehicle device, information distribution server, and facility information display method
An in-vehicle device 1 regularly transmits to an information distribution server 2 an acquisition request that includes an own vehicle position and a facility search condition, and acquires facility information matching the condition around the vehicle. The in-vehicle device 1 controls the number of displays of the facility information on the basis of the information in an in-vehicle sensor group 12 when displaying the acquired facility information on a map. |
| US09909892B2 |
Terminal and method for controlling the same
Provided is a terminal including: an information extraction unit that extracts location information which is designated as a destination point; a display unit to which a graphic image for receiving a control command for displaying a source of the location information, and the extracted location information are output together; and a controller that controls the display unit in such a manner that a guide screen for guiding a path to the destination point that is selected by a user from among the pieces of location information. |
| US09909891B2 |
Display of routes to be travelled by a marine vessel
Various implementations described herein are directed to a method for displaying a route to be travelled by a marine vessel on a computer screen. In one implementation, the method may include receiving a command to display a predetermined navigation pattern corresponding to the route, receiving a request to place a center of turn on a first geographical location, and displaying the predetermined navigation pattern based on the center of turn on the computer screen. |
| US09909890B2 |
Optimal energy source determination system
A system for providing a recommended route for a vehicle, from a current location to an intermediate destination, to a final destination. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine a vehicle range exceeding a distance between the current location of the vehicle and the intermediate destination. The ECU is configured to determine a baseline route having a first section and a second section. The ECU is configured to determine a first energy source of the first section and a second energy source of the second section. The ECU is configured to determine a first cost associated with incorporating the first energy source and a second cost associated with incorporating the second energy source. The ECU is also configured to determine the recommended route based on the first cost and the second cost. The system also includes an output unit configured to output the recommended route. |
| US09909887B1 |
Method and apparatus to transition between levels using warp zones
An autonomous vehicle may access portions of a map to maneuver a roadway. The map may be split into one or more levels that represent different regions in space. For example, an overpass may be represented by one level while the road below the overpass may be on a separate level. A vehicle traveling on a particular level may use map data that is associated with that level. Furthermore, if the vehicle travels through a warp zone, it may transition from the current level to a destination level and thus begin to use map data associated with the destination level. |
| US09909886B2 |
Systems and methods for providing mapping services including route break point recommendations
Computer implemented methods are disclosed for providing geographical information to a user. One method may include receiving, from a user's electronic device and over a network, user input data including at least the destination location and a break point parameter and calculating one or more routes from the start location to the destination location, based on the user input data. The method may also include identifying one or more intermediate break point locations along the one or more routes based on the break point parameter received from the user and identifying a range extending around each intermediate break point location, and potential break points. A step may also be executed in which a density or type of points of interest within each potential break point may be evaluated by the electronic device and a recommended for a break point made. |
| US09909882B2 |
Verifying a road network of a map
The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method, a computer program product, and a computer system for verifying the road network of map. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for verifying a road network of a map. The method comprises: determining, based on locations of a set of points in the map, a trajectory distance of a trajectory between a start point and an end point in the set of points on the map; determining a route distance between the start point and the end point in the road network of the map; and verifying the road network by comparing the trajectory distance and the route distance. |
| US09909875B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing alternate route recommendations
An approach is provided for providing alternate route recommendations based on progress information of a user along an alternate route. An adaptive routing platform determines at least one alternate route to a route, wherein the at least one alternate route is taken by at least one user. The adaptive routing platform further determines progress information of the at least one user along the at least one alternate route. The adaptive routing platform also determines whether to cause, at least in part, a recommendation of the at least one alternate route to at least one other user based, at least in part, on the progress information. |
| US09909874B2 |
Rotation rate sensor
A micromechanical rotation rate sensor includes: a substrate having a main plane of extension; a first Coriolis element; a second Coriolis element; a drive device for deflecting the first and second Coriolis elements from a neutral position; and a detection device. The first Coriolis element, with regard to a first axis extending in parallel to the main plane of extension, has a mass-symmetrical design with respect to the second Coriolis element. The first and second Coriolis elements have a common main plane of extension, and in the neutral position the shared main plane of extension extends in parallel to the main plane of extension of the substrate. The first and second Coriolis elements each have a mass-symmetrical design with respect to a second axis extending perpendicularly with respect to the first axis. The first and second Coriolis elements are drivable by the drive device. |
| US09909871B2 |
Surveying instrument
The invention provides a surveying instrument, which comprises a horizontal rotating unit and a measuring unit installed on the horizontal rotating unit, wherein the horizontal rotating unit comprises a driving unit for rotating the measuring unit, a horizontal angle detector for measuring horizontal angle data, a first synchronization data generating unit, a first storage unit and a first control unit, the first control unit associates the horizontal angle data with the first synchronization data and stores in the first storage unit, wherein the measuring unit comprises a distance measuring unit for performing a distance measurement, a vertical angle detector for detecting a vertical angle at a time of distance measurement, a second synchronization data generating unit, a second storage unit and a second control unit, the second synchronization data generating unit outputs second synchronization data which indicate timings of a time of acquisition of the distance measurement data and a time of acquisition of the vertical angle data, the second control unit associates the two-dimensional measurement data with the second synchronization data and stores in the second storage unit, and the horizontal angle data and the two-dimensional measurement data can be converted to three-dimensional data based on the first synchronization data and the second synchronization data. |
| US09909869B1 |
Lathe leveler
A lathe leveler for centering a cutting tool in relation to a cylindrical work piece includes a first leveling arm having a first contact point disposed adjacent a distal end of the first leveling arm, a second leveling arm having a second contact point disposed adjacent a distal end of the second leveling arm, a leveling gage, and a leveling plate having a cutting tool receiving surface positioned parallel to a horizontal axis of the leveling gage and on a same plane as a midpoint of the first contact point and the second contact point. The leveling arms and leveling plate are dimensioned and configured such that the cutting tool receiving surface is centered in relation to the work piece when the first and second contact points are in contact with one of the inner surface and outer surface of the cylindrical work piece and the leveling gage is centered. |
| US09909867B2 |
Leveling and positioning system and method
Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for remote leveling and positioning. An embodiment includes a leveling device assembly having an electronic leveling device and a housing with an elongated housing body. The housing can include an elongated cavity body that defines a cavity with the electronic leveling device disposed within the cavity; a tip disposed at a first end of the cavity body; and a first and second arm that extend from a second end of the cavity body that each include a base portion coupled to the second end of the cavity body that defines a channel at the second end that opens into a coupling slot defined by respective arm shafts of the arms that extend from the base portions of the arm, the arms each extending to an arm head at a distal portion of the arms. |
| US09909862B2 |
Curved array of light-emitting elements for sweeping out an angular range
The present disclosure relates to curved arrays of individually addressable light-emitting elements for sweeping out angular ranges. One example device includes a curved optical element. The device may also include a curved array of individually addressable light-emitting elements arranged to emit light towards the curved optical element. A curvature of the curved array is substantially concentric to at least a portion of the circumference of the curved optical element. The curved optical element is arranged to focus light emitted from each individually addressable light-emitting element to produce a substantially linear illumination pattern at a different corresponding scan angle within an angular range. The device may further include a control system operable to sequentially activate the individually addressable light-emitting elements such that the substantially linear illumination pattern sweeps out the angular range. |
| US09909860B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring component deformation
Systems and methods for monitoring component deformation are provided. The component has an exterior surface. A method includes directly measuring a passive strain indicator configured on the exterior surface of the component along an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis to obtain X-axis data points, Y-axis data points, and Z-axis data points. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes assembling a three-dimensional profile of the passive strain indicator based on the X-axis data points, Y-axis data points and Z-axis data points. |
| US09909858B2 |
Handheld dimensioner with data-quality indication
A handheld dimensioner with a user interface configured to present a quality indicator is disclosed. The handheld dimensioner is configured to capture three-dimensional (3D) data and assess the three-dimensional-data's quality. Based on this quality, a quality indicator may be generated and presented to a user via the user interface. This process may be repeated while the user repositions the handheld dimensioner. In this way, the user may use the quality indicators generated at different positions to find an optimal position for a particular dimension measurement. |
| US09909855B2 |
Registration of three-dimensional coordinates measured on interior and exterior portions of an object
A dimensional measuring device includes an overview camera and a triangulation scanner. A six-DOF tracking device tracks the dimensional measuring device as the triangulation scanner measures three-dimensional (3D) coordinates on an exterior of the object. Cardinal points identified by the overview camera are used to register in a common frame of reference 3D coordinates measured by the triangulation scanner on the interior and exterior of the object. |
| US09909838B1 |
Fiber optic weapon sight
The embodiments of the disclosed invention relate to fiber optic weapon sights that use a reflector to direct ambient light to a fiber optic rod and thus provide weapon sights that are bright in any lighting condition. In one instance, the reflector can have a concave shape, such as a spherical or parabolic shape, that can focus ambient light on the fiber optic rod and thereby significantly increase the brightness of the weapon sight. The embodiments of the present invention can accordingly provide enhanced fiber optic front and/or rear sights for weapons including rifles, pistols, and shotguns. |
| US09909837B2 |
Rocket extraction device and method
A rocket extraction device and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises an upper and a lower casing; an interior cutout in each of the upper and lower casings, the interior cutouts having contours matching exterior surface contours of a rocket fuze; an upper fuze clamp and a lower fuze clamp disposed respectively within the upper and lower casings, each upper and lower fuze clamp having interior surface contours matching exterior surface contours of the rocket fuze; a clamp adjustment screw onto which the upper fuze clamp is mountable; an adjustment wheel mountable at the exterior end of the clamp adjustment screw by which the clamp adjustment screw and the upper fuse clamp are movable to secure the upper and lower fuze clamps to the fuze and force the fuze into the contours of the lower fuze clamp and the interior cutout of the lower casing to lock the fuze into the rocket extraction device. There is an eyebolt or similar type device mountable to the exterior of the rocket extraction device, to which force is applied to remove a rocket from a storage tube. In another embodiment, the method comprises attaching the rocket extraction device securely to a fuze on a rocket and pulling on the rocket extraction device to remove the rocket from a storage tube. |
| US09909831B2 |
Archery bow cam
In at least one embodiment, an archery bow includes a rotatable member comprising a cam track, a capstan and a terminal. A drawstring extends from the first rotatable member. A power cable is attached to the terminal and extends away from the rotatable member. The power cable comprises an elongate straight portion located near the rotatable member, a capstan portion in contact with said capstan and a terminal portion in contact with said terminal. In a brace condition, the power cable wraps around the capstan in a first rotational direction as the power cable is traversed from the elongate straight portion to the terminal portion. When the bow is drawn from the brace condition, the rotatable member rotates in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction. |
| US09909829B2 |
Muzzle brake
A muzzle device that may be attached to the barrel of a firearm that includes structures which influence the flow characteristics of exhausting propellant gases for suppressing muzzle flash, counter acting the rearward and upward motion of the muzzle during firing, and reducing the concussion directed towards the shooter as well as personnel to the sides of the shooter. |
| US09909828B1 |
Takedown assembly for assault rifle
The present invention is directed toward a firearm takedown assembly. The preferred embodiment of the firearm takedown assembly comprises a docking plate configured to be removably secured to a firearm and a lever pivotably attached to the docking plate. The assembly may further comprise a pivot pin, wherein the lever is connected to the pivot pin. The lever is utilized to remove a takedown pin from the upper and lower receiver of the firearm so that a user may quickly disassembly the firearm. When the user desires to reassembly the user may thumb the lever to reinsert the takedown pin into the upper and lower receiver. |
| US09909825B2 |
Heat exchanger for a transformer
A heat exchanger for a transformer including a heat exchanger medium, which can be introduced into a heat exchanger element via a feed element, and can be evacuated from the heat exchanging element via a discharge element. A first temperature measurement device measures a temperature of a feed flow of the heat exchanger medium and a second temperature measurement device measures a temperature of a discharge flow of the heat exchanger medium. A first opening is provided in the feed element, inside of which a first temperature probe is positioned at a predetermined location inside the feed flow during operation of the heat exchanger, and a second opening is provided in the discharge element, inside of which a second temperature probe is positioned at a predetermined location in the discharge flow during operation of the heat exchanger. |
| US09909821B2 |
Heat exchanger with slide-on mounting bracket
An elongate heat exchanger for cooling hot gas includes an arrangement for reducing thermal stresses when mounted in a housing. A pair of planar extensions project from opposite sides of the core. A mounting bracket has a central portion adapted to extend across the top of the core, and a pair of edge portions projecting outwardly from the central portion. The edge portions are substantially parallel to the planar extensions, and each has a top layer at least partially covering one of the planar extensions, wherein each of the edge portions is adapted to be secured to the housing, for example by a bolt. Each planar extension may be slidably received in a slot between the top and bottom layers of the edge portion, or may be slidably received between the top layer and the housing, to permit longitudinal thermal expansion of the core. |
| US09909814B2 |
Flexible thermal ground plane and manufacturing the same
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for flexible thermal ground planes. A flexible thermal ground plane may include a support member. The flexible thermal ground plane may include an evaporator region or multiple evaporator regions configured to couple with the support member. The flexible thermal ground plane may include a condenser region or multiple condenser regions configured to couple with the support member. The evaporator and condenser region may include a microwicking structure. The evaporator and condenser region may include a nanowicking structure coupled with the micro-wicking structure, where the nanowicking structure includes nanorods. The evaporator and condenser region may include a nanomesh coupled with the nanorods and/or the microwicking structure. Some embodiments may include a micromesh coupled with the nanorods and/or the microwicking structure. |
| US09909813B2 |
Heat module
A heat module includes a fan and a heat pipe. A flat portion of the heat pipe includes a recessed portion being recessed toward a center of the heat pipe in a cross section. A heat receiving portion arranged between the heat source and the heat pipe includes a heat source contact portion arranged to be in thermal contact with the heat pipe. In at least a portion of the heat pipe which extends between a portion of the heat pipe which is in thermal contact with the fan contact portion and a portion of the heat pipe which is in thermal contact with the heat source contact portion, a difference between a maximum axial height of the heat pipe and a minimum axial height of a portion of the heat pipe where the recessed portion is defined is smaller than a wall thickness of the recessed portion. |
| US09909812B2 |
Heat exchanger
The disclosure relates to a heat exchanger, for example an indirect air cooler, in which the air, for example compressed charge air for an internal combustion engine, is cooled, for example by a fluid, wherein the heat exchanger is constructed from stacked pairs of plates. The exemplary fluid can be conducted into an inlet region and/or outlet region of the plate pairs in at least one flow path approximately in the direction of the common edge, and further through at least a first duct approximately in cross current with respect to the exemplary air, and passes further through the plate pairs over the largest heat exchange area of the plate pairs approximately in countercurrent with respect to the air, in order to flow through at least one second duct, approximately in cross current with respect to the exemplary air, and back to the outlet. |
| US09909807B2 |
Dryers for removing solvent from a drug-eluting coating applied to medical devices
A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a dryer having a telescoping plenum which provides a shield and drying region for the stent or scaffold to reside while a heated gas is passed over the stent/scaffold. The shield and drying region improve efficiency in drying, predictability or drug release rate, uniformity of coating material properties lengthwise over the stent/scaffold and provide a platform that can effectively support stents that are over 40 mm in length. |
| US09909806B2 |
Dryer for lacquering facility
The invention relates to a dryer for a lacquering facility: a) having a dryer housing, in which heated air is circulated, b) having an exhaust air line for a exhausting exhaust air from the dryer housing; c) having a combustion unit, which is connected to the exhaust air line, and which is used for thermal post-treatment of the exhaust air from the dryer housing and for providing hot air to a heat exchanger; d) wherein said heat exchanger is set up to supply said dryer housing with heated fresh air; and wherein e) at least one heating unit for heating the air circulated in said dryer housing is associated with said dryer housing. It is provided according to the invention that a combustion air supply of the heating unit is connected so it communicates with the dryer housing. |
| US09909804B2 |
Method of cooling using extended binary refrigeration system
A method of cooling using an extended binary refrigerant system containing methane and a C3 hydrocarbon such as propylene and/or propane is disclosed. The extended binary refrigerant from a compressor final discharge is separated into a methane-rich vapor fraction and at least one C3 rich liquid fraction so as to provide various temperatures and levels of refrigeration in various heat exchange stages. The method and corresponding refrigeration system can be utilized in plants utilizing low pressure or high pressure demethanizers. |
| US09909801B2 |
Display device and refrigerator having the same
A refrigerator having a display is disclosed herein. The display may display contents of the refrigerator, display recommended recipes based on the contents, and display an operational state of the refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a body, at least one door, at least one storage area, a display for displaying a GUI having a first region for displaying an image of the at least one storage area and a second region for displaying a control interface, a memory having information for contents of the at least one storage area, a communication interface, and a controller for controlling the display. The controller may control a display of at least one icon for a type of food in the second region of the GUI and may control a display of one of the at least one icon in the first region of the GUI based on an input at the display. |
| US09909798B2 |
Cooling apparatus and method
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a cooling apparatus comprising: a fluid reservoir for holding fluid to be cooled, the reservoir having a head region and a body region below the head region each arranged to contain fluid to be cooled; and a heat exchange portion arranged in use to be provided in thermal communication with fluid in the body region thereby to allow thermal transfer between the heat exchange portion and fluid in the body region, the apparatus being configured in use to permit cooling means to cool fluid in the head region, wherein the fluid reservoir is arranged such that a cross-sectional area of the reservoir decreases by tapering as a function of distance from the head region to the body region over at least a portion of the distance from the head region to the body region. |
| US09909795B2 |
Vehicular air conditioner
In a vehicular air conditioner in which a cooling operation and a heating operation are switched by switching a four-way valve, a pressure accumulator is provided in which a coolant, which is related to an aspiration pressure of a compressor, is accumulated when the compressor is operated, and a differential pressure, which is required for switching the four-way valve, between piston rooms is maintained, and the differential pressure, which is required for switching the four-way valve, is generated between the piston rooms of the four-way valve even after the compressor is stopped. |
| US09909794B2 |
Vehicular air-conditioning device
There is disclosed an air-conditioning device of a so-called heat pump system which acquires comfortable heating of a vehicle interior by preventing or inhibiting frost formation to an outdoor heat exchanger. A controller calculates a maximum heating capability predicted value without frosting QmaxNfst as a target value of a maximum heating capability which can be generated by a radiator 4 in a range in which an outdoor heat exchanger 7 is not frosted, and controls heating by the radiator 4 and heating by a heating medium-air heat exchanger 40 of a heating medium circulating circuit 23 on the basis of the maximum heating capability predicted value without frosting QmaxNfst and a required heating capability Qtgt which is the heating capability required for the radiator 4 to achieve the required heating capability Qtgt without causing frost formation to the outdoor heat exchanger 7. |
| US09909791B2 |
Combined vapor absorption and mechanical compression cycle design
A refrigeration system is provided including a vapor compression cycle (20) having a condenser (22), and expansion valve (24), and evaporator (26) and a compressor (28). A refrigerant is configured to circulate through the vapor compression cycle. The refrigeration system also includes an absorption refrigeration cycle (30) having an absorber (32) and a desorbed (34) arranged in a generally closed loop configuration. An absorption solution is configured to circulate through the absorption refrigeration cycle. The vapor compression cycle and the absorption refrigeration cycle are substantially integrated. The absorber is fluidly coupled to the compressor and is configured to generate a mixture of refrigerant and absorption solution. The desorber is fluidly coupled to the condenser and is configured to separate the refrigerant from the mixture and increase a pressure of the refrigerant vapor. |
| US09909790B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling integrated air conditioning systems
An integrated air conditioning system having a first air conditioning unit having a first evaporator with a first input and a first output; a second air conditioning unit having a second evaporator with a second input and a second output; a first conduit fluidly connecting the first input with the second output; a second conduit fluidly connecting the second input with the first output. The first and second conduits and the first and second evaporators form a working fluid circuit. |
| US09909786B2 |
Refrigerant distribution apparatus and methods for transport refrigeration system
A method for distributing a refrigerant charge level in a refrigerant vapor compression system includes restarting a stopped refrigerant compression device in a first mode; operating a primary expansion device independent of refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger superheat; comparing a condition at a refrigerant reservoir to a prescribed condition; wherein when the condition is below the prescribed condition for a prescribed interval, operating the primary expansion device to control the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger superheat; and transitioning the refrigerant vapor compression system to a second mode. |
| US09909784B2 |
Outdoor unit of air conditioner and air conditioner
An outdoor unit of an air conditioner coupled to an indoor unit by a liquid pipe and a gas pipe, includes: a compressor; an outdoor heat exchanger; a discharge pipe coupled to a refrigerant discharge side of the compressor; an intake pipe coupled to a refrigerant intake side of the compressor; an outdoor-unit high-pressure gas pipe coupled to the discharge pipe; an outdoor-unit low-pressure gas pipe coupled to the intake pipe; an outdoor-unit liquid pipe that couples a first refrigerant entry/exit opening of the outdoor heat exchanger and the liquid pipe together; a bypass pipe coupled to the outdoor-unit liquid pipe; a first flow-passage switcher coupled to a second refrigerant entry/exit opening of the outdoor heat exchanger, the discharge pipe, the intake pipe, and the bypass pipe; and a second flow-passage switcher coupled to the gas pipe, the outdoor-unit high-pressure gas pipe, and the outdoor-unit low-pressure gas pipe. |
| US09909777B2 |
Thermostat with multiple sensing systems including presence detection systems integrated therein
A smart-home device may include a user interface having a first operating mode and a second operating mode, and a four-channel thermopile. A processing system may be programmed to receive an indication of a user presence near the smart-home device from the thermopile, and determine a motion signature based on the responses from the thermopile. The processing system may also be programmed to process the determined motion signature to determine the presence of a condition warranting user interface entry into the first mode from the second mode, and cause the user interface to transition from the first mode to the second mode based on the determined motion signature. |
| US09909775B2 |
Wireless controller with gateway
Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily need to be made in order to effect remote energy-consumption control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment. In addition, access to the energy-consuming equipment for establishing remote energy control is not necessary; rather, the remote energy control can be effected by accessing user-friendly locations, such as those where thermostats and other controllers are typically located. |
| US09909773B2 |
Fan coil thermostat with fan ramping
Fan coil thermostats can provide energy savings by, for example, operating a fan coil system more efficiently. Fan coil systems employing such a fan coil thermostat may be more energy efficient. A fan coil system may include a fan coil that is configured for fluid communication with a source of heated fluid and/or a source of cooled fluid, a valve that controls fluid flow through the fan coil and a fan that blows air across the fan coil. The fan coil thermostat may include a controller that implements a control algorithm that calculates an error percentage value relating to a temperature difference between the current temperature and the temperature set point. The error percentage value may include a proportional term related to the temperature difference and an integral term related to the temperature difference. The controller may regulate the fan speed in accordance with the calculated error percentage. |
| US09909769B2 |
Air suction wall for equipping industrial working areas, such as welding areas
A suction wall with properties of suction and differentiated filtration of different types of pollutant is provided which is useful for industrial working areas. The suction wall includes a box-like frame, an inner compartment, a suction device for drawing in air, a first air inlet, a filtering device, and a second air inlet. The inner compartment is located between a rear panel and a front permeable diaphragm of the box-like frame, and also includes partitions in the compartment. The filtering device includes at least two filtering units. |
| US09909768B2 |
Variable desiccant control energy exchange system and method
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for providing conditioned air to at least one enclosed structure. The system may include at least one conditioning module configured to provide conditioned air to the at least one enclosed structure. The conditioning module(s) may include a conditioning energy exchanger. The conditioning module(s) is configured to circulate desiccant through a desiccant circuit to condition air passing through the conditioning energy exchanger. The conditioning module(s) may be configured to receive at least one of concentrated desiccant or diluted desiccant in order to vary temperature or concentration of the desiccant circulating through the desiccant circuit. |
| US09909757B2 |
Low NOx burner and method of operating a low NOx burner
A low NOx burner is configured to support a combustion reaction at a selected fuel mixture by anchoring a flame at a conductive flame anchor responsive to current flow between charges carried by the flame and the conductive flame anchor. |
| US09909756B2 |
Staged chemical looping process with integrated oxygen generation
Disclosed is a method for enhanced fuel combustion to maximize the capture of by-product carbon dioxide. According to various embodiments of the invention, a method for combusting fuel in a two-stage process is provided, which includes in-situ oxygen generation. In-situ oxygen generation allows for the operation of a second oxidation stage to further combust fuel, thus maximizing fuel conversion efficiency. The integrated oxygen generation also provides an increased secondary reactor temperature, thereby improving the overall thermal efficiency of the process. The means of in-situ oxygen is not restricted to one particular embodiment, and can occur using an oxygen generation reactor, an ion transport membrane, or both. A system configured to the second stage combustion method is also disclosed. |
| US09909753B2 |
Hard-pressed glass light emitting diode flood lamp
In various embodiments, a light emitting diode (LED) flood lamp is provided. The LED flood lamp may include a base cap; a first housing having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the base cap; a second housing having at least in part a partially conical shape, an end of the second housing having a smaller diameter secured to the second end of the first housing; at least one LED secured within the second; driver circuitry secured within the LED flood lamp between the end of the base cap and the at least one LED; a reflector having a partially conical shape; and a diffuser element secured to at least one of a wider end of the reflector or the end of the second housing having the larger diameter. In some embodiments, the first or second housing may include one or more vents. |
| US09909750B2 |
Wavelength converting device
A wavelength converting device includes a heat dissipating member, a wavelength converting member, and a connecting member. The wavelength converting member is disposed on the heat dissipating member and contains a fluorescent material and a holding body including aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, lutetium oxide, titanium oxide, chromium oxide, tungsten oxide, divanadium pentoxide, molybdenum trioxide, sodium oxide, yttrium oxide, silicon dioxide, boron oxide, or diphosphorus pentoxide. The connecting member contains a metal material and connecting the heat dissipating member and the wavelength converting member. The wavelength converting member includes an upper surface, side surfaces, and a lower surface. The connecting member is thermally connected to the side surfaces and the lower surface of the wavelength converting member. |
| US09909745B2 |
Lighting apparatus
Embodiments provide an illumination device comprising an elongated base and a pivotable elongated illumination unit. Said pivotable elongated illumination unit is mounted to be pivotable about a longitudinal axis by means of at least one joint. Both the elongated base and the pivotable elongated illumination unit extend in parallel with said longitudinal axis. In particular, the longitudinal extension of the pivotable elongated illumination unit is limited by two opposing lateral faces. The illumination unit includes at least two illumination elements arranged along the pivotable axis, so that a distance between two neighboring light emitting elements corresponds to 1.5 to 2.5 times the distance between a light emitting element that is positioned adjacently to a lateral face and the corresponding lateral face. |
| US09909743B2 |
Connector for light-emitting diode strip
Embodiments of the invention relate to connectors for connecting strips of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) end-to-end and for connecting a single strip of LEDs to a power source. The connectors define a compartment to receive a strip of LEDs. Tabs extending inwardly from the sides of the connector retain the strip. Electrical contact with the strip is made by a pair of spring clip contacts that bear against electrical terminals on the strip. A hinged lid has an opening positioned so as not to obstruct the last LED on the strip, and carries a downwardly-facing block that bears against the spring clip ends to keep them in contact with the terminals of the strip. In a strip-to-power connector, the connector defines one compartment for each conductor, and each conductor carries connecting structure. Ends of the spring clip connectors carry complementary connecting structure. |
| US09909741B2 |
Watertight lighting fixture
A watertight lighting fixture, comprising a casing (10), which is closed by a tempered glass (11) at a light emission surface and which has at its ends respective heads (12), connected and fixed to said casing (10); in particular, a slide (14) is placed within said casing (10), on said slide (14) are fixed the wiring terminals (15) of the fixture and below said slide (14) is placed a reflector (16), which is able to spread light outside and which is placed in correspondence of at least one light source, such as at least one neon tube (18) or a plurality of LEDs (17). |
| US09909740B2 |
Overmolded LEDs and fabric in virtual reality headsets
A headset for virtual reality applications includes an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting light captured by a camera included in a virtual reality system, allowing the virtual reality system to detect the position and orientation of the headset in three-dimensional space. To manufacture the headset, a flexible strip including a circuit having the LEDs is molded into an outer shell of the headset using a casting material that is transmissible to wavelengths of light transmitted by the LEDs. An interior surface of the outer shell of the headset is within a specified distance of the LEDs. The outer shell may also include fabric that is also molded into the outer shell in the same or in a similar process. |
| US09909738B2 |
Highly stable QDS-composites for solid state lighting and the method of making them through initiator-free polymerization
The invention provides a lighting device comprising (i) a light source configured to generate light source light, and (ii) a light converter configured to convert at least part of the light source light into visible converter light, wherein the light converter comprises a polymeric host material with light converter nanoparticles embedded in the polymeric host material, wherein the polymeric host material is based on radical polymerizable monomers, and wherein the polymeric host material contains equal to or less then 5 ppm radical initiator based material relative to the total weight of the polymeric host material. |
| US09909733B2 |
Lighting apparatus and automobile including the same
A lighting apparatus for vehicle use that projects light forward includes: a base; a first light emitting device disposed on the base; a second light emitting device disposed on the base; a first lens body disposed in front of the first light emitting device; a second lens body disposed in front of the second light emitting device; and a light restrictor adjacent to the first lens body, the light restrictor restricting light emitted by the second light emitting device from entering the first lens body. |
| US09909732B2 |
Lighting or indicating device for a motor vehicle and corresponding assembly method
A lighting or indicating device for motor vehicles comprises an enclosure formed by a housing and an outer lens, the enclosure receiving a printed circuit carrying at least one light source and an optical device. The housing comprises means for fastening the stack formed by the printed circuit and the optical device, so as to fix together the housing, the printed circuit carrying at least one light source and the optical device, the printed circuits being sandwiched between the housing and the optical device. |
| US09909730B2 |
Processor-controlled light-admitting heliostat
A heliostat optimized to be positioned near a skylight or other aperture is disclosed. The heliostat comprises a plurality of reflective elements arranged in a substantially planar array, each element being mounted so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of rotation. A first motor rotates the array about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the array; and a second motor rotates the reflective elements about their respective axes of rotation. A processor provides control signals to operate the first motor as required to orient the array such that the respective axes of rotation of the reflective elements are substantially perpendicular to an azimuth to the sun and to operate the second motor as required to rotate the reflective elements about their respective axes of rotation to position the reflective element to reflect the sun's light to a target area. |
| US09909729B2 |
Electric lighting device
Electric lighting devices are described having a candle body with an upper surface coupled to a sidewall. A flame element is disposed entirely outside of the candle body and include one or more magnets or a ferrous material. The flame element is supported above the upper surface by a support member that extends upwardly from the upper surface and terminates at a first end disposed within the flame element. This allows the flame element some degree of movement about the support member that combined with a light source configured to illuminate a surface of the flame element creates a flickering flame effect. The device can also include a drive mechanism such as an electromagnet that generates an electromagnetic field that interacts with the magnets of the flame element to thereby cause movement of the flame element. |
| US09909722B2 |
Fluorescence-emitting light source unit
Provided is a fluorescence-emitting light source unit that includes a wavelength conversion member having a light receiving surface and a phosphor. The light receiving surface is configured to receive excitation light, and the phosphor is configured to convert the excitation light received by the light receiving surface into fluorescence and emit the fluorescence. The light receiving surface includes a cyclic structure having projections, in which the projections are cyclically arrayed and each have a substantially cone shape. An aspect ratio is about 0.2 or greater, in which the aspect ratio is a ratio of a height of any of the projections to a pitch of the array of the projections. The pitch of the array is of a size that falls within a range in which diffraction of the fluorescence emitted from the phosphor occurs. |
| US09909720B1 |
2-D lamp with integrated thermal management and near-ideal light pattern
A lamp is provided. The lamp includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) and an electronic circuit configured to provide power to the at least one LED. The lamp includes at least one flat circuit board having mounted thereto the at least one LED and the electronic circuit. The at least one flat circuit board acts as a heatsink to dissipate heat from the at least one LED and acts as a plurality of circuit paths for the electronic circuit and the at least one LED. |
| US09909719B2 |
LED linear light assemblies with transparent bottoms
An LED linear light assembly (300) comprises an elongated LED linear light component (302) having a series of spaced-apart LEDs (306) mounted on a base (304). A housing (320) laterally encloses the LED linear light component (302). The housing (320) includes a curved section (324) having translucent properties for providing a lens for the LEDs (306). The housing (320) also includes a transparent and clear bottom section (322) coupled to or otherwise integrally formed with the curved section (324). The transparency of the bottom section (322) permits a user to sever the continuous LED linear light assembly (300) and form individual segments by viewing the appropriate cutting positions through the bottom section (322). |
| US09909714B2 |
Lubricator
A lubricator includes a pump body configured to include a cylinder, an inlet passage, a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage, a piston configured to include an inlet port, a circumferential groove and an inner passage, and inserted into the cylinder, first to fourth check valves provided on the inlet side of the inlet passage, the outlet sides of the first and second outlet passages and the inner passage of the piston, a lubricant containing unit connected to the first check valve, and a piston driving unit configured to reciprocate the piston. |
| US09909713B1 |
Garage lift system
A garage lift system which aids in lifting and storing various objects such as ATV's within an enclosed area. The garage lift system generally includes a frame adapted to be secured between a floor and a ceiling utilizing upper mounts and lower footings. The frame includes a guide rail extending horizontally between two or more vertical supports. A drive assembly is provided which includes a motor driving a pair of reels. The reels are wound with cables, with a first cable extending downwardly to connect to a first end of a lift member and a second cable extending along the guide rail and through a pulley wheel prior to extending downwardly to connect to a second end of the lift member. Various objects such as vehicles may be positioned on the lift member and the drive assembly utilized to raise or lower the lift member. |
| US09909710B2 |
Flexible apparatus and method for controlling flexible apparatus
A flexible apparatus is provided. The flexible apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect bending of the flexible apparatus, a bending holder configured to maintain a bending state of the flexible apparatus, and, a controller configured to control operations of the flexible apparatus, wherein when a predetermined input is received while the flexible apparatus is manipulated, the controller controls the bending holder to maintain the bending state of the flexible apparatus. |
| US09909705B2 |
Unload tee
An unload tee has a tee body with a front side and a rear side. The tee body includes an extendable link pivotally connected to the front side of the tee body wherein the extendable link is slidable from a first position wherein the extendable link is shortened to a second position wherein the extendable link is lengthened. An arm is pivotally connected at an opposite end of the extendable link and a door is pivotally connected to an end of the arm unconnected to the shaft. The door is configured to cover an opening of the tee body, wherein an end of the door unconnected to the arm is pivotally connected proximate the rear side of the tee body. |
| US09909703B2 |
Fluid coupling and method
A coupling and method are provided that include a coupler and nipple. The nipple has a valve in a normally-closed position and an outer peripheral surface with a plurality of spaced-apart, close-ended cam paths. The coupler has a valve in a normally-closed position and includes a set of latching balls for engagement with the cam paths to secure the coupler to the nipple. The coupler further includes a sleeve mounted thereon and movable between forward and retracted positions. In the forward position, the latching balls are forced into an inward position that prevents release of the latching balls from the cam paths, and in the retracted position, the latching balls are permitted to extend to an outward position enabling initial engagement with or disengagement from the cam paths. The coupler also includes a set of locking balls that prevents movement of the sleeve to the retracted position. |
| US09909700B2 |
Tee lock—lockout device
The present invention provides a lockout device and system that can be attached directly to open piping undergoing maintenance or repair and that can be directly under the supervision of the individual that is performing the maintenance. |
| US09909699B2 |
Garden hose with spiral guard
An improved hose has a TPE cover layer disposed radially over an inner tube layer and reinforcing braid layer. A D-profile spiral guard is disposed atop the cover layer with a flat side of the D profile facing the cover layer. Hose connectors or end couplings are designed to be tough and durable, and not crush and deform in rough use. The hose end couplings are each retained with an external ferrule having internal spiral lands and grooves so that the spirals of the ferrule follow the spiral guard, to form an interference fit on the cover layer and spiral guard of the hose. |
| US09909692B2 |
Conduit spacing and mounting system and method
A conduit spacing and mounting system and method are provided for prefabricating multilayered assemblies of conduits and mounting them end-to-end in a building. The system includes a pair of spacer plates, each having a same pattern of conduit-receiving openings, and a plurality of clamping assemblies, each including a bracket which is discrete from and individually attached to the spacer plate adjacent to one of the conduit-receiving openings. The clamping assemblies are oriented at different angles relative at different rows of the conduit-receiving openings to provide access for a clamp-tightening tool in the spaces between different rows of conduits. The use of spacer plates largely prevents lateral misalignments between the conduits, and the use of a separate bracket formed from a harder, stronger or thicker metal than the spacer plate greatly increases the strength and reliability of the clamping force applied to the conduits. |
| US09909690B2 |
Transportation and installation of elongate subsea elements
A method of handling a discrete elongate subsea element of determinate length, such as a spool of rigid pipe is disclosed. The method includes shortening a tensile chord system acting on longitudinally-spaced locations on the element to apply longitudinally-compressive forces to the element. The compressive forces bend the element along its length against elastic recovery force to shorten the span of the element. One end of the element is anchored at a first anchorage before or after the element is bent. The other end of the element is anchored at a second anchorage, after the element is bent and while the element remains bent. The method is apt to be used during installation of the element, where the anchorages are both underwater, and during transportation of the element, where the anchorages are hang-off platforms of a surface vessel. |
| US09909685B1 |
Bathtub child safety knob cover
The bathtub child safety knob cover is a safety device that covers the knob for a water valve associated with a bath tub. The bathtub child safety knob cover fits over the knob in such a manner that the bathtub child safety knob cover will rotate around the knob unless the bathtub child safety knob cover is squeezed while being turned. The bathtub child safety knob cover comprises a shell and one or more decorative elements. The shell encloses the knob. The one or more decorative elements are placed on the shell. |
| US09909670B2 |
Modified vacuum actuated valve assembly and sealing mechanism for improved flow stability for fluids sub-atmospherically dispensed from storage and delivery systems
A modified vacuum actuated valve assembly and sealing mechanism is provided for improved sub-atmospheric flow stability characterized by the absence of delivery pressure spikes and flow excursions. The valve assembly includes a non-stationary thermoplastic seat and a stabber. The stabber is characterized by a top portion having a circular periphery designed to mechanically engage and disengage with an inner sealing surface of the thermoplastic seat. The sealing surface is coined to eliminate surface irregularities contained therein, thereby producing a relatively smooth coined mating inner sealing surface for the circular top portion of the stabber. The valve assembly also includes a modified bellows capable of fine tuning the delivery pressure of the valve assembly. |
| US09909669B2 |
Linear valve drive and valve
A linear valve drive for connection to a valve body having a valve seat and at least one flow passage with at least one inlet and at least one outlet, comprises a drive housing with a drive unit accommodated therein, an actuating element axially shiftable by the drive unit and coupled with a valve closing element to be pressed against the valve seat, and optionally closing the flow passage, and a supporting unit surrounding the actuating element, which is designed to be attached to the valve body. A spring system loaded by actuating the linear valve drive is provided at the supporting unit, which in dependence on the compression path has different spring rates. Furthermore, a correspondingly equipped valve is described. |
| US09909665B2 |
Gear-shifting mechanism driving device
A gear-shifting mechanism driving device for allowing a speedy and accurate gear-shifting operation has a light weight even in the case where a shift spindle is short. The gear-shifting mechanism driving device includes a transmission for selectively establishing a gear combination by the turning of a shift spindle for turning a master arm, and an actuator as a power source for turning the shift spindle, in which the gear-shifting mechanism driving device includes a reduction gear shaft provided in a power transmission path between the actuator and the shift spindle, a first gear provided on one end side of the reduction gear shaft to receive power from the actuator side, and a second gear provided on another end side of the reduction gear shaft to transmit power to the shift spindle side. The reduction gear shaft is made of a torsion bar. |
| US09909659B2 |
Work vehicle
A work vehicle includes a stepless speed changer device having a drive pulley receiving input of power of an engine, a driven pulley, and an endless rotary body wound around and entrained between the drive pulley and the driven pulley and an accommodating body having an accommodation space for accommodating the drive pulley, the driven pulley and the endless rotary body. The accommodation space includes an air passage for causing air introduced from the outside to flow from the driven pulley side to the drive pulley side to be eventually discharged to the outside. |
| US09909657B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
The driving force from a drive source is transmitted from a main input shaft to a continuously variable transmission mechanism through an input switching mechanism and a first input path in which a first speed-reducing gear is disposed, and is further transmitted to a first output path in which a second speed-reducing gear is disposed, thus establishing a LOW mode. And the driving force is transmitted from the main input shaft to the continuously variable transmission mechanism through the input switching mechanism and a second input path in which a speed-increasing gear, and is further transmitted to a second output path in which a third speed-reducing gear, thus establishing a HI mode. The first speed-reducing gear on the input side, the speed-increasing gear on the input side and the second and third speed-reducing gears on the output side are independent from each other. |
| US09909656B2 |
Conveying device drivable by rack gear
A conveying device drivable by rack gear has a towed hook further forward than a front end of a rack gear mounted to a conveying traveling body. A driving pinion gear, disposed at an entrance of a rack gear drive section, has a drawing-in claw that engages the towed hook and draws in the conveying traveling body to a position where the front end of the rack gear meshes with the driving pinion gear. The towed hook has, at a position at a rear side of a hook portion at a distal end thereof and further forward than the front end of the rack gear, an advance preventing claw portion disposed continuous thereto that, together with the hook portion, sandwiches the drawing-in claw, and the hook portion has a length such that it enters more deeply inside a rotation locus of the drawing-in claw than the advance preventing claw portion. |
| US09909654B2 |
Linear gear shift power transfer mechanism
A linear gear shift power transfer mechanism includes a gear shift unit; a power input clamp ring element having an inward-tilted power input ring surface, first teardrop-shaped recesses and first radial positioning hole; a power output clamp ring element having an inward-tilted power output ring surface, second teardrop-shaped recesses and second radial positioning hole; a first ball ring element whose first positioning ring element has a first positioning portion and bulging ring element each provided with limiting slots; a power input rotator having a third teardrop-shaped recesses and first axial positioning hole; a power output rotator having fourth teardrop-shaped recesses and second axial positioning hole; helical resilient elements having radial and axial positioning posts and received in bulging ring elements, with the radial positioning posts disposed in first and second radial positioning holes through the limiting slots, the axial positioning posts disposed in first and second axial positioning holes. |
| US09909650B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle 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 compound planetary gear set formed by combining third and fourth planetary gear sets and including seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth rotation elements, a fifth planetary gear set including eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth rotation elements, and six friction elements disposed between at least one rotation element among thirteen rotation elements and another rotation element or the input shaft, or between at least one rotation element among the thirteen rotation elements and a transmission housing. |
| US09909642B2 |
Damper for a drive train
The invention relates to a torsional vibration absorber for a drive train, the vibration absorber having a hub and an inertia mass, and the vibration absorber having a connecting device with at least one elastomer body that elastically connects the hub and the inertia mass with one another, wherein the connecting device comprises at least one reinforcing member which is at least partially embedded in the elastomer body. |
| US09909641B2 |
Isolation mount for shock attenuation
An isolator mount system includes multiple isolator mounts that are used to isolate a piece of equipment from a structure. The isolation mounts each include an isolation pad between inner and outer mountings, to provide damping between relative motions of the inner mounting and the outer mounting. A central portion of the isolation pad is closer to a central axis of the isolation mount than are ends of the isolation pad that are on opposite sides of the central portion. This configuration provides two shear sections, to provide additional damping, an additional amount of shear in the isolator mounts. The shear sections may be configured to control location of the center of elasticity of the system, for example by locating the center of elasticity at the same location as the center of gravity of the system, thereby resulting in an isoelastic system. |
| US09909640B2 |
Apparatus and method for vibration mitigation through sequential impedance optimization
Method and apparatus for mitigating vibrations in a device towed in water. The apparatus includes one or more tuned elastic sections having a complex spring rate and adapted to attenuate vibrations in a specified frequency range; and a head end coupler adapted to couple the apparatus for vibration mitigation to a component of an electro-mechanical cable or a tow assembly. One of the one or more tuned elastic sections is coupled to the head end coupler with a high impedance material interface. |
| US09909639B2 |
Low-dust/dust-resistant shock absorber
A shock absorber includes a cylinder housing including a piston chamber in which oily liquid is disposed, a piston movable in the piston chamber, a rod connected to the piston and protruding out from the cylinder housing, and a return mechanism for the rod. In the shock absorber, a cylindrical bearing made of a synthetic resin having a shock-absorbing property, a dust collecting member for avoiding entry of dust particles, and a lubricating member for supplying a lubricating oil to a surface of the rod are disposed in a rod guiding hole in the cylinder housing. A leading end of the bearing protrudes outside with respect to an outer end surface of the cylinder housing and acts as a contact portion that allows a moving object to come into contact therewith, and thus the bearing functions to guide the rod and also functions as a stopper for avoiding the moving object from coming into contact with the outer end surface of the cylinder housing. |
| US09909634B2 |
Brake pad mounting for a disc brake for a commercial vehicle
A brake pad mounting is provided for a disc brake for a commercial vehicle, having a pad mounting bracket which is supported on pad holding springs of brake pads which are arranged in a brake caliper on both sides of a brake disc. The pad mounting bracket spans a mounting opening of the brake caliper in the axial direction of the brake disc and is held in a fastening socket of the brake caliper at least on one side by way of a securing bolt, is configured in such a way that the securing bolt consists of two individual parts which are connected to one another in a positively locking and/or nonpositive and/or integrally joined manner and, on the end side, have in each case one head which can bear against an associated side surface of the pad mounting bracket. |
| US09909631B2 |
Apparatus for controllably actuating a selectable coupling assembly having multiple operating modes
An apparatus for controllably actuating a selectable coupling assembly is provided. The apparatus includes a bi-directionally movable, actuating shaft attachable to a movable element of the assembly to provide selective, small displacement element movement to linearly actuate the assembly. An excitation coil is arranged to be magnetically coupled with the shaft and to controllably move the shaft between positions which correspond to different operating modes of the assembly. A controller includes a power inlet terminal adapted to receive electrical power from a vehicle DC power source, a command input terminal adapted to receive a command signal from an electronic control unit and a power switching and supply circuit coupled to the coil to switch and supply received electrical power to the coil based on the command signal. The shaft moves the element and causes the assembly to change its operating mode when the electrical power energizes the coil. |
| US09909627B2 |
Method for manufacturing a synchronizer ring and synchronizer ring for synchronized manual transmissions
A synchronizer ring (10) for synchronized manual transmissions is manufactured by forming or reshaping a flat material of metal, wherein a conical friction surface (20) is produced, into which axial grooves (24) are incorporated by chipless machining, wherein a tool is axially shifted relative to the friction surface (20) to produce the final friction surface (20). At least the friction surface (20) is vibration-ground and subsequently hardened. |
| US09909626B2 |
Disconnect clutch with positive plate separation
A clutch assembly (10) and a method of assembly operable for transferring rotary power between a first shaft (12) and a second shaft (14) through a set of inner clutch plates (16) and a set of outer clutch plates (18) can include at least one of an outer plate separator (28) and an inner plate separator (30). The outer plate separator (28) can be biased radially inward toward the outer clutch plates (18) for axially separating each of the outer clutch plates (18) and moveable radially outward away from the outer clutch plates (18) by centrifugal force when the clutch assembly (10) is rotated above a predetermined rotational speed threshold. The inner plate separator (30) is biased radially outward for axially separating each of the inner clutch plates (16) and moveable radially inward away from the inner clutch plates (16) by axial movement of a hydraulically actuated wedge member (31) when the clutch assembly (10) is engaged. |
| US09909625B2 |
Damper device
A damper device is provided with a first rotating body, a second rotating body, a coil spring and a spring seat. The coil spring is interposed in a circumferential direction between the first and second rotating bodies. The resin spring seat includes a metallic core member inside. The resin spring seat has a seat portion and an overhang portion. The metallic core member has an overhang metallic core part that has a low-rigidity portion and a high-rigidity portion. The low-rigidity portion is provided on a side close to the seat portion with a relatively lower rigidity. The high-rigidity portion is provided on a side far from the seat portion with a relatively higher rigidity. |
| US09909621B2 |
Bearing with integral grease groove reservoirs
A bearing, including: an axis of rotation; an inner ring including a first radially inner circumferential side; an outer ring arranged radially outward of the inner ring and including a first radially outer circumferential side; a cage radially arranged between the inner and outer rings; and at least one rolling element positioned within the cage. The inner ring includes at least one circumferentially extending groove in the radially inner circumferential side and at least one through-bore connecting the at least one circumferentially extending groove to a space formed between the inner and outer rings; or the outer ring includes at least one circumferentially extending groove in the radially outer circumferential side and at least one through-bore connecting the at least one circumferentially extending groove to a space formed between the inner and outer rings. |
| US09909618B2 |
Thrust bearing for vehicle air compressor
A thrust bearing includes: a thrust plate in a disc shape having an outer diameter and an inner diameter formed by perforating a central portion of the thrust plate; a plurality of bump foils disposed radially on a top surface of the thrust plate; a plurality of top foils in a panel shape covering each of the bump foils, where bottom surfaces of the top foils are in contact with upper ends of the bump foils; and metal blocks radially disposed on the top surface of the thrust plate and formed to be spaced apart from the bump foils. The thrust bearing can be included in an air compressor of a vehicle. |
| US09909617B1 |
Hinge
A hinge can be used between two structures to allow the structures to be quickly and easily folded and unfolded. The hinge has a first body connected to a structure and a second body connected to a structure. The first and second bodies are also connected to one another by a sliding member that allows the hinge to be extended and folded. |
| US09909615B2 |
Thrust bearing and bearing device for crankshaft of internal combustion engine
The invention provides a thrust bearing, including a pair of half thrust bearings. Each half thrust bearing includes a bearing alloy layer and a resin slide layer, or a back metal layer, a bearing alloy layer and a resin slide layer. The resin slide layer constitutes a slide surface receiving an axial force of a crankshaft. Each half thrust bearing include thrust reliefs formed adjacent to both circumferential end portions of the sliding surface so that a wall thickness is thinner toward the circumferential end surface. A thrust relief length at an inner end portion of the thrust relief positioned on a rear side of one of the half thrust bearings in a rotational direction is larger than a thrust relief length at an inner end portion of the thrust relief positioned on a front side of the other of the half thrust bearing in the rotational direction. |
| US09909614B2 |
Bearing device for crankshaft of internal combustion engine
The invention provides a bearing device, including a crankshaft, a pair of half bearings each having crush reliefs adjacent to both circumferential ends thereof, a bearing housing having a retaining hole, and one half thrust bearing arranged adjacent to the retaining hole. Each half thrust bearing is configured at least by a bearing alloy layer and a resin slide layer which constitutes a slide surface receiving an axial force of the crankshaft, and thrust reliefs adjacent to both circumferential end portions of the sliding surface so that its wall thickness is made thinner toward the circumferential end surface. A thrust relief length at an inner end portion of the thrust relief positioned on a rear side in the crankshaft rotational direction is formed to be larger than a thrust relief length at an inner end portion of the thrust relief positioned on a front side. |
| US09909608B2 |
Structure for preventing reverse rotation of threaded body
The objective is to prevent the loosening of a structure with which a member 80 to be fastened and a base material 90 are fastened through a male screw body 10 and a washer 50. A screw-body-side seat part 22 is formed on the male screw body 10, and a first receiving part 60 and second receiving part 70 are formed on the washer side. A member-side seat part 82 is formed on the member 80 to be fastened. The first receiving part 60 and the screw-body-side seat part 22 have sawtooth-shaped recesses and protrusions. When an attempt is made to rotate the male screw body 10 in the direction of loosening, the recesses and protrusions engage one another, thereby preventing rotation. A recessed housing part of the member-side seat part 82 and the outer wall of the second receiving part 70 of the washer 50 have an eccentric circular shape. When an attempt is made to rotate the washer 50 in the direction of loosening, the eccentric circular shapes engage one another, thereby preventing rotation. |
| US09909604B1 |
System and method of securing adjoining walls utilizing keys
A system and method for securing adjoining walls without requiring the use of tools is disclosed. A plurality of walls may mate with each other through the use of grooves within each wall to sit flush with each other. A plurality of locking keys may be used to further secure the walls to each other. If disassembly is required, a user may quickly disassemble the present invention by removing the keys and reversing the steps taken to secure the walls to each other. The entire system may pack flat and be stacked once disassembled. |
| US09909599B2 |
Pressure accumulator with a connection device
A pressure accumulator with a connecting device, in which the pressure accumulator and the connecting device are connected together fluid-conductively. The pressure accumulator at a first axial connecting segment has a transverse bore which intersects an axial bore of the pressure accumulator, in which the transverse bore is configured for fluid-conductive connection with the connecting device. |
| US09909595B2 |
Patch ring for a compressor
A compressor has a plurality of stages, and each of the stages includes a wheel. Each wheel is configured to receive one or more rotor blades. The compressor includes a patch ring mounted on a first rotor wheel. The first rotor wheel has a first rabbet machined therein, and the patch ring is located on the first rabbet. A second rotor wheel is located upstream from the first rotor wheel. The second rotor wheel has a second rabbet machined therein, and the second rabbet is configured to be located opposite to the first rabbet. The second rabbet has a second fillet located between axial and radial surfaces of the second rabbet. The patch ring has a radial height greater than or equal to a radial height of the second fillet. |
| US09909593B2 |
Centrifugal pump for de-watering
A method of de-watering during intermittent dry running periods with a self-priming centrifugal pump is presented. Centrifugal pumps, as opposed to diaphragm pumps, are advantageous because they are less expensive and can provide greater capacity. The shaft seals are sensitive, however, to frictional heating when water flow is interrupted. In some situations, this fractional heating may desiccate self-priming. The inventive concept provides a continuous stream of pressurized water moving through the pump to cool the seal and sustain priming capability without substantially impairing the ability of the pump to resume wet operation. |
| US09909591B2 |
Blower fan
A stationary portion of a blower fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a stator and a stator holding portion to which the stator is fixed. A rotating portion of the blower fan includes an annular rotor hub portion arranged around a central axis; a rotor magnet arranged along a circumferential surface of the rotor hub portion, and arranged radially inside a stator; and an impeller including a plurality of blades arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotor hub portion. An upper end of the stator is arranged at a level lower than that of an upper end of the rotor magnet. The impeller is arranged axially above the rotor magnet and is arranged to extend radially outward. The blades are arranged axially above the stator. |
| US09909584B2 |
Lubricant vane pump
A lubricant vane pump for providing a pressurized lubricant for an internal combustion engine includes a pump housing enclosing a pumping cavity comprising a charge zone and a discharge zone. A shiftable control ring envelops the pumping cavity. A pump rotor comprising vanes divides the pumping cavity into pumping chambers. The pump rotor is radially slidable and rotates in the control ring from the charge zone to the discharge zone. A spring chamber comprises a pretensioning element which pushes the control ring to a high pumping volume direction. A control chamber is configured so that a lubricant pressure in the control chamber moves the control ring to a low pumping volume direction against a force of the pretensioning element. A pumping cavity outlet port is connected to the control chamber. A pressure equilibration channel drains the lubricant from the pumping chamber in the discharge zone into the spring chamber. |
| US09909583B2 |
Gerotor pump for a vehicle
A gerotor pump is provided with a pump housing defining a chamber and having an inlet and an outlet separated by a planar surface. The planar surface defines a notch connected to the outlet. An inner gear member is rotatably and eccentrically supported within an outer gear member. The inner gear member defines a series of external teeth with a first tooth defining a fluid passage therethrough and a second tooth independent of fluid passages. The fluid passage is defined by an aperture extending axially through the first tooth fluidly connected to a channel extending across the first tooth on an end face of the inner gear member. The passage and the notch cooperate to form a fluid pathway for pressure relief and reduced tonal noise in the pump by disrupting harmonics during operation. |
| US09909582B2 |
Pump with plunger having tribological coating
A pump is disclosed. The pump may include at least one pumping mechanism. The at least one pumping mechanism may include a barrel formed of a substrate having a bore and a plunger formed of a substrate and slidably disposed within the bore in the barrel. The pump may further include a coating disposed on the plunger. The coating may include a main layer containing a tribological material and a sacrificial break-in layer disposed on the main layer, the break-in layer containing a tribological material. |
| US09909581B2 |
Thermal insulation system for the discharge of gas in a refrigeration compressor
A compressor includes: a cylinder crankcase defining a cylinder closed by a valve plate provided with at least one discharge orifice; a cylinder cap seated against the valve plate and in the interior of which is defined a discharge chamber. A hollow body defines at least one plenum mounted internal to the cylinder cap, maintaining a gap with the latter. The hollow body is seated against the valve plate, preventing the direct contact thereof with the inner volume of the hollow body, the latter being provided with an inlet nozzle communicating the plenum with the discharge orifice of the valve plate, and with an outlet nozzle communicating the plenum with a gas outlet of the cylinder cap. |
| US09909578B2 |
Integrated electric compressor
There is provided an integrated electric compressor that can be made small in size while reducing radio noise effectively. In an inverter of the electric compressor, a snubber circuit 21 comprising a resistor R and a capacitor C is provided between input/output terminals 20 of a power source and a switching element 18. The snubber circuit 21 is formed by surface mounting a resistive element constituting the resistor R and a capacitor element constituting the capacitor C on a power board 16. A leakage current from a motor 19 is thus restrained and radio noise is reduced. The resistive element and the capacitor element constituting the snubber circuit 21 are preferably surface mounted on the power board 16 on the side opposite to the side on which a control circuit board is arranged. |
| US09909577B2 |
Dynamic variable orifice for compressor pulsation control
An apparatus for providing a selectively variable orifice size for pulsation control in a reciprocating compressor system includes a rotatable upper windowed plate and a fixed lower windowed plate, the windowed plates being aligned a long a central axis to form a central cylindrical port. The upper and lower windowed plates each include at least one plate port and have mating contours allowing the upper plate to rotatably slide over the fixed lower plate, allowing their respective ports to be selectively aligned in any configuration to create any desired orifice size for a pulsation control device. The shapes of the windowed plates can be flat, conical, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the upper and lower windowed plates each include a plurality of plate ports which can be selectively aligned, the relative alignment of the plurality of plate ports determining the effective orifice size of the pulsation control device. |
| US09909576B2 |
Pump drive system with hydraulic tappets
A cryogenic pump comprising a shaft disposed in a bearing. The shaft rotates with respect to the bearing housing, and the shaft includes an end with an angled face. The pump includes a drive at one end of the bearing housing. A tappet passage is formed through the drive housing. A pushrod housing connects to the drive housing. The pump includes a piston and a tappet sliding within the tappet passage. The tappet has a base end disposed within the tappet passage and a rod end extending below the tappet end of the drive housing. A fluid cavity is in the tappet passage between the piston and the tappet. The pump includes a pushrod connected to the tappet. The angled face of the shaft rotates and drives the piston toward the drive housing, pushing fluid within the fluid cavity against the tappet, driving the pushrod away from the drive housing. |
| US09909575B2 |
Hydrostatic axial piston machine employing a bent-axis construction with a constant velocity joint for driving the cylinder drum
A bent-axis hydrostatic axial piston machine (1) has a drive shaft (4) with a drive flange (3) rotatable around an axis of rotation (Rt) and a cylinder drum (7) rotatable around an axis of rotation (Rz). The cylinder drum (7) has a plurality of piston bores (8) concentric to the axis of rotation (Rz) of the cylinder drum (7) and having longitudinally displaceable pistons (10) fastened in an articulated manner to the drive flange (3). Between the drive shaft (4) and the cylinder drum (7) there is a drive joint (30) (constant velocity joint) for rotationally synchronous rotation of the cylinder drum (7) and the drive shaft (4). The drive joint (30) and the cylinder drum (7) include a longitudinal bore (11) concentric to the axis of rotation (Rz) of the cylinder drum, through which bore (11) the drive shaft (4) extends such that in the vicinity of the drive shaft (4) there is a torque transfer to a cylinder-drum-side end of the axial piston machine (1). |
| US09909574B1 |
Electrothermal space thruster heater for decomposable propellants
A method for operating self-pressurizing propellants in space thruster chambers and nozzles heated by resistive, radiative or nuclear methods at temperatures hundreds of degrees above the decomposition temperature. The method is defined by reducing the chamber volume Vc and increasing the nozzle throat area A* such that a propellant vapor with sonic velocity a* experiences a high temperature residence time that is less than 10 milliseconds. In other aspects of the invention propellant vapor is formed from a self-pressurizing propellant and the residence time is such that the propellant vapor does not decompose nor does the propellant vapor polymerize to a solid. |
| US09909572B2 |
Drive device
A drive device includes: a base member having, on a surface, an operation base part made up of one or more operation recesses; and a movable member disposed to be opposed to the base member and having, on the opposing surface, operation projections to be inserted into the operation recesses. A shape memory alloy member is interposed between the base member and the movable member, and the movable member is moved so as to be separated away from the base member in response to the contraction of the shape memory alloy member when energized. The drive device includes a spring which is supported by the base member and bias the movable member so as to be separated away from the base member. |
| US09909570B2 |
System and method for wind turbine sensor calibration
A system and method for the verification and calibration of wind turbine sensor systems is provided. The system comprises an optical capture device provided on a wind turbine which is arranged to record the position of at least one light source provided at the wind turbine during operation of the wind turbine. The motion of the light source relative to the optical capture device can provide an indication of relative motion of a portion of the wind turbine during operation, which can then be used as an input to a calibration and/or a verification system for a sensor system of the wind turbine. |
| US09909569B2 |
Tilting wind turbine
The preset invention relates to wind turbines and, in particular inclining a wind turbine from the vertical position. A tower (102) of a wind turbine may be inclined from the vertical position in order to reduce the loads on the tower (102). |
| US09909568B2 |
Device for detecting critical states of a surface
A device for detecting critical states of a surface, in which at least one hermetically sealed sensor for detecting critical states of a surface, one system for energy supply and one device for data transfer with an at least partially flexible, thin carrier plate are mechanically connected, and said carrier plate is arranged on the surface to be observed. |
| US09909563B2 |
System and method for monitoring and controlling wind turbine blade deflection
A system and method for monitoring and controlling the deflection of rotor blades of a wind turbine so as to prevent tower strikes is disclosed. The method includes operating the wind turbine at standard pitch angle settings. Another step includes monitoring a loading condition of the wind turbine over a predetermined time period. A further step includes tracking a number of wind condition deviations of a certain magnitude occurring during a predetermined time period. The method also include altering one or more of the standard pitch settings of the rotor blades in response to the number of wind condition deviations exceeding a wind deviation threshold and/or the loading condition exceeding a loading threshold as an exceedance indicates an increased probability of rotor blade deflection. The method further includes performing one or more additional corrective actions so as to reduce the probability of a rotor blade tower strike. |
| US09909560B1 |
Turbine apparatus with airfoil-shaped enclosure
An energy conversion system having two or more enclosures supported in a vertically-stacked configuration by an enclosure support. The enclosures are airfoil-shaped and enclose multiple oppositely-rotating fluid turbines. Fluid directing structures formed in the enclosure direct fluid into and out of the enclosure, including through the turbines. The fluid directing structures are parallel slats formed into the enclosure. |
| US09909554B2 |
Device and method for converting wave motion energy into electric power
A device and a method for converting wave motion energy into electric power are described. The device includes at least one support structure and a support frame to connect the floating element to the support structure. A linear element of motive power mounted on the support frame is movable with respect to the floating element and transfers motion to a motion conversion and transmission unit that converts linear motion into rotary motion, which drives kinetic energy accumulation elements and one or more electric power generators. The motion conversion and transmission unit, the kinetic energy accumulation elements and the electric power generators are all incorporated in the floating element. |
| US09909551B2 |
Method of engine control for eliminating knocking combustion due to a misfire for spark-ignited engines equipped with external exhaust gas recirculation
An engine control system and method of reducing knocking combustion in a spark-ignited internal combustion engine having exhaust gas recirculation by controlling engine timing based on detection of a misfire in an engine cylinder. The engine control system determines a number of combustion cycles indicative of an amount of time that will pass before misfire gas from the detected misfire will be recirculated to a combustion chamber of any cylinder of the internal combustion engine, and the engine control unit reduces or prevents knocking combustion by adjusting the ignition timing of at least one subsequent combustion cycle after the determined number of combustion cycles have occurred since the misfire was detected. |
| US09909550B1 |
Remote start/stop system and method for use with vehicle transport trailers
Improved remote start/stop systems and methods for use with a truck and/or vehicle transport trailer. Embodiments include a transport trailer and truck, the trailer comprising a platform that moves in response to a hydraulic system coupled to the platform. The hydraulic system is powered by the truck engine. A pressure transducer in communication with the hydraulic system is configured to measure a change in hydraulic pressure. A start/stop controller is in communication with the pressure transducer. The start/stop controller is configured to receive the measurements from the pressure transducer, determine to turn off the truck engine in response to the measurements, and provide an message via an indicator in communication with the start/stop controller, the indicator located proximate to a hydraulic control for the first hydraulic system. Some embodiments include a button that may override turning off the truck engine, or cause the truck engine to restart. |
| US09909547B2 |
Quantity-limiting valve
In a quantity limiting valve for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine including a cylinder with an inflow region and an outflow region separated by a piston axially movably disposed in the cylinder and a flow limiting fluid flow path extending along the piston between the inflow and outflow regions wherein the piston is biased with its front surface into contact with a stop element, the contact area between the front surface and the stop surface includes between the piston and the stop element a contact structure providing for an intermediate space which is in communication with the inflow region thereby to expose the front surface of the piston to the pressure of the fluid in the inflow region. |
| US09909546B2 |
Fuel valve for injecting gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber of a self-igniting internal combustion engine, engine, method and use
A fuel valve (50) for injecting gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber of a self-igniting internal combustion engine. The fuel valve (50) comprises an elongated fuel valve housing (52) with a rear end and a front end, a nozzle (54) with an elongated nozzle body with a hollow interior that forms a chamber (55) connected to nozzle holes (56), the nozzle (54) being arranged at the front end of the fuel valve housing (52), a gaseous fuel inlet port (53) in the elongated fuel valve housing (52) for connection to a source (60) of high pressure gaseous fuel, an ignition liquid inlet port (78,98) for connection to a source of ignition liquid (57), means (61,69,53,58,61,69) for establishing a timed fluidic connection between the gaseous fuel inlet port and the ignition space (55), and means (61,67,69,76,79,85,98,99) configured for a timed delivery of a finite volume of ignition liquid to the chamber (55) for igniting the gaseous fuel inside the chamber (55). |
| US09909542B2 |
Fresh air system
A fresh air system for an internal combustion engine may include an inlet section, an air filter and a connecting section fluidly connecting the inlet section to the air filter. The air filter may include a filter element arranged in a filter housing, and a housing cover closing the filter housing and configured to be removable from the filter housing to change the filter element. The connecting section may be movably connected to the inlet section on an inlet side and detachably connected to the housing cover on an outlet side. To change the filter element when the inlet section is connected to the connecting section, the connecting section may be detachable from the housing cover and adjustable relative to the filter housing to such an extent that the housing cover can be removed from the filter housing. |
| US09909537B2 |
Gas injector having two sealing regions
A gas injector, for injecting gaseous fuel, includes a valve body having a first valve seat and a second valve seat, and a closing element, which has a first sealing region, a second sealing region, a hollow region, which is delimited by a bottom and a wall, and an outlet opening configured in the bottom, the first valve seat sealing at the first sealing region, and the second valve seat sealing at the second sealing region, and at least one through opening being provided in the wall of the closing element, so that the gaseous fuel is able to be expelled both from the inner hollow region and the outer region of the closing element. |
| US09909535B2 |
Non-slip fuel tank bracket
A fuel holding device is secured to a vehicle by means of straps and brackets, which sits on a system of gaskets to prevent longitudinal sliding and rotation. A gasket system for preventing longitudinal sliding is disposed circumferentially around the tank body, and between the tank body and a circumferential bracket system that includes a U-shaped strap and an L-shaped bracket. The gasket system comprises a wedge-shaped base and a slider portion, with the U-shaped strap secured around the slider portion. A system for preventing rotation of a fuel-holding device has a circumferential wedge gasket segment, or a corrugated segment, positioned at a gap between the U-shaped strap and the L-shaped bracket. |
| US09909533B2 |
Pulsed detonation engine
A pulsed detonation engine may include a detonation tube for receiving fuel and an oxidizer to be detonated therein, one or more fuel-oxidizer injectors for injecting the fuel and oxidizer into the detonation tube, one or more purge air injectors for injecting purge air into the detonation tube for purging the detonation tube, and an ignition for igniting the fuel and oxidizer in the detonation tube so as to initiate detonation thereof. The detonation tube has an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axially extended portion extending from the upstream end to the downstream end and having a perimeter. The fuel-oxidizer injectors and purge air injectors may be disposed at least along the axially extended portion. The ignition may include a plurality of igniters disposed at or near the perimeter of the axially extended portion, spaced about the perimeter, at or near the upstream end of the detonation tube. |
| US09909530B2 |
Non-axisymmetric fixed or variable fan nozzle for boundary layer ingestion propulsion
A fan section for an engine has a fan which rotates about an axis, the fan has an inlet for ingesting ambient air, and a non-axisymmetric nozzle for providing the fan with non-uniform back pressure. |
| US09909529B2 |
Flow path routing within a gas turbine engine
An example gas turbine engine with multiple flow paths includes, among other things, a core flow path extending from a compressor section to an exhaust section, a bypass duct providing a bypass flow path radially outside the core flow path, and a flow injection device to selectively communicate a first amount of flow or a second amount of flow from the bypass flow path to the exhaust section, the first amount of flow different than the second amount of flow. |
| US09909528B2 |
Piston with abradable coating to generate appropriate contact geometry on running surface
A piston including an abradable coating applied to a round surface of the piston is provided. The shape of the round surface is not greater than 0.1 mm from a circular shape, and thus is relatively inexpensive to machine. As the piston reciprocates in an internal combustion engine, the abradable coating rubs against another component, such as a cylinder liner or wrist pin, to achieve suitable contact geometry, such as an oval, asymmetric, or other non-round shape. Thus, a costly machining process is not required to achieve the desired contact geometry. The abradable coating can also be applied to ring lands, skirt sections, or along pin bores of the piston. The abradable coating can also be applied to a wrist pin or an opening of a connecting rod which receives the wrist pin. The abradable coating can be formed from a polymer-based material or an aluminum-silicon alloy-based material. |
| US09909523B1 |
Methods and systems for engine fueling
Methods and systems are provided for controlling spark plug fouling in newly manufactured vehicles. In one example, a method may include operating an engine with a first direct injection fueling strategy including single intake direct injection on an engine start when in a pre-delivery state, and transitioning to a second different direct injection fueling strategy including split direct injection on the engine start when in a post-delivery state. In this way, spark plug fouling may be avoided in newly manufactured vehicles. |
| US09909522B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling an engine based on a target pressure curve
An illustrative example method of controlling an engine of a vehicle, includes determining a target pressure curve for a cylinder of the engine for a first combustion cycle, determining a heat release model for the cylinder for the first combustion cycle, determining a mass flow of fuel from the heat release model to achieve the target pressure curve during the first combustion cycle, and automatically controlling opening of an injector of the cylinder of the engine during the first combustion cycle to provide the determined mass flow of fuel to the cylinder. The method includes determining a real pressure curve during the first combustion cycle and automatically adjusting at least one of the heat release model or the mass flow for a second, subsequent combustion cycle based on a difference between the target pressure curve and the real pressure curve. |
| US09909521B2 |
Fuel injection apparatus and control method thereof
A fuel injection apparatus includes: a first obtaining unit that obtains a first index relating to an opening behavior of an injector; a second obtaining unit that obtains at least one of a second index relating to a maximum injection rate of the injector and a third index relating to an injection period; and a calculation unit that determines that injection hole corrosion has occurred in the injector when a first condition relating to the first index is established and at least one of a second condition relating to the second index and a third condition relating to the third index is established. |
| US09909515B2 |
Enhanced tractive power at low speeds
A method is disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine in which a coolant temperature of an engine coolant of the internal combustion engine is determined and is compared with a predetermined threshold temperature. If the coolant temperature is higher than the predetermined threshold temperature, a thermal input into the engine coolant is reduced by changing at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine. This can be done, for example, by raising a charging pressure of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09909514B2 |
Direct injection of diluents or secondary fuels in gaseous fuel engines
A method for a turbocharged engine, comprising: during high load conditions, in response to an elevated engine temperature, after port injecting a first quantity of a first gaseous fuel, direct injecting a second quantity of a second, liquid fuel at a first timing that is a function of a desired air-fuel ratio. In this way, engine power may be maximized while simultaneously decreasing the maximum combustion temperature and mitigating engine knock. |
| US09909513B2 |
Fuel system protection in a multi-fuel system internal combustion engine
A technique for fuel system protection for an internal combustion engine includes introducing a directly injected fuel into a combustion chamber through a direct fuel injector, introducing a fumigated fuel upstream of an intake valve, selectively operating the internal combustion engine with at least one of the directly injected fuel and the fumigated fuel, determining a temperature of the direct fuel injector as a first function of engine operating parameters, and performing a temperature mitigation technique when the temperature rises above a first predetermined value such that the temperature is maintained below a second predetermined value. |
| US09909506B2 |
Reverse core gas turbine engine with high temperature third stream
A gas turbine engine has a fan rotor for delivering air axially downstream into a core engine duct, which sequentially passes a turbine, a combustor, and a compressor. The core engine duct extends to a turning supply duct configured to turn the core air flow axially upstream so that the core air sequentially passes through the compressor, combustor and turbine, and into an exhaust conduit which turns the core airflow radially outwardly and axially downstream into an exhaust duct. A door is selectively opened to communicate a portion of the core airflow in the core engine duct to an augmentor with the exhaust duct isolated from the augmentor. The door is at a location prior to the core airflow reaching the compressor. A method is also disclosed. |
| US09909505B2 |
Efficient, low pressure ratio propulsor for gas turbine engines
A gas turbine engine includes a core flow passage, a bypass flow passage, and a propulsor arranged at an inlet of the bypass flow passage and the core flow passage. The propulsor includes a row of propulsor blades. The row includes no more than 20 of the propulsor blades. The propulsor has a pressure ratio between about 1.2 and about 1.7 across the propulsor blades. |
| US09909503B2 |
Gas turbine engine including vane structure and seal to control fluid leakage
A gas turbine engine includes a core engine, a fan coupled to be driven by the core engine, a first case structure around the core engine and a second case structure around the fan. The first case structure and the second case structure define a bypass passage there between. A vane structure includes an airfoil extending radially between the first case structure and the second case structure. A seal is configured to control leakage between the bypass passage and a core engine. |
| US09909501B2 |
Acoustic structure for a gas turbine engine
An acoustic structure for a gas turbine engine comprising a noise reduction layer and a fire protector layer connected to the noise reduction layer. The noise reduction includes a perforated inner wall adapted to be in contact with a first fluidic environment, and a noise reduction adjacent to the inner wall. The fire protector layer includes a non-perforated outer wall adapted to be in contact with a second fluidic environment having potentially a fire, a fire protector adjacent to the outer wall, and a pressure resisting wall disposed between the fire protector and the noise reduction. The second fluidic environment is under a pressure lower than a pressure of the first fluidic environment. The inner and outer walls are load-bearing walls of the acoustic structure. |
| US09909499B2 |
Fuel drainage and purge system and method
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a system and method to drain a fuel manifold wherein a fuel drainage and purge system includes a fuel manifold and a drainage line extending from the fuel manifold. The drainage line is configured to flow a liquid-gas mixture from the fuel manifold. The fuel drainage and purge system also includes a drain valve disposed along the drainage line, a vent line extending from the drainage line upstream of the drain valve, a vent valve disposed along the vent line, and a drainage trap arranged along the drainage line downstream of the drain valve. The drainage trap is configured to separate the liquid-gas mixture into a liquid stream and a gaseous stream. |
| US09909498B2 |
Variable geometries fluid supply circuit for a turbomachine without volumetric pump
A system for supplying a turbomachine with fluid, the supply system including a low-pressure pumping unit intended to increase the pressure of the fluid flowing toward a downstream circuit. The downstream circuit divides at an inlet node, situated between the low-pressure pumping unit and the high-pressure volumetric pump, into a circuit supplying an injection system and a variable geometries supply circuit. The circuit supplying the injection system includes a high-pressure volumetric pump. The variable geometries supply circuit is configured to convey the fluid toward variable geometry from the inlet node to an outlet node connecting the variable geometries supply circuit to the upstream circuit between two pumps of the low-pressure pumping unit. |
| US09909496B2 |
Power generation system
A power generation system, including: a solar energy concentration system, a biomass gasification device, a gas-powered generator, a steam turbine, a steam-powered generator. The solar energy concentration system is connected to a solar energy heat exchange system. The biomass gasification device is connected to the gas-powered generator. The gas outlet of the gas turbine is connected to the gas exhaust heat system. The second steam outlet of the gas exhaust heat system is connected to the second and the third cylinders of the steam turbine. The first steam outlet of the gas exhaust heat system and the steam outlet of the solar energy heat exchange system are connected to a steam mixing regulating system. The mixed steam outlet of the steam mixing regulating system is connected to the first cylinder of the steam turbine. |
| US09909493B2 |
Assembly having a gas turbine engine and a preheating arrangement
An assembly includes a gas turbine and a heat exchanger for heating up a gas turbine process fluid by thermal energy. The gas turbine has a compressor, a combustor and a turbine downstream of the combustor, wherein the thermal energy is from the solar receiver. To improve efficiency and reduce power generation fluctuations, the assembly includes a first line to conduct the gas turbine process fluid downstream a compression by the compressor to the heat exchanger, and a second line to conduct the gas turbine process fluid from the heat exchanger to the combustor to generate hot combustion gas from the warmed up gas turbine process fluid burning fuel in the combustor. |
| US09909488B2 |
Method to determine the injection pattern in the intake stroke of the combustion cycle of the cylinders of a direct-injection internal combustion engine
A method to determine the injection pattern in the intake stroke of the combustion cycle of the cylinders of a direct-injection internal combustion engine, which includes determining the overall quantity of fuel to be injected for each combustion cycle of each cylinder during the intake stroke; determining the maximum quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection as a function of the value of the start of injection angle, of the speed and of the load of the internal combustion engine; and determining the number of partial injections and the objective quantity to be injected for each partial injection as a function of the quantity of fuel to be injected for each combustion cycle of each cylinder during the intake stroke and of the maximum quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection. |
| US09909486B2 |
Vehicle
A vehicle includes an engine, a generator, an electric power storage device, a switch, a shutter, and a electronic control unit. The switch is configured to be operated by a user. The shutter is arranged in a path of air of intake air to the engine compartment from an outside of the vehicle. The electronic control unit configured to charge the electric power storage device by using the electric power generated by the generator when the switch is operated, and close the shutter when the electric power storage device is charged based on the operation of the switch. |
| US09909470B2 |
Crankcase ventilation pressure management for turbocharged engine
A crankcase ventilation system for a turbocharged engine has full bi-directional flow for an idle state and a boosted state. A PCV valve provides air flow from the crankcase to the intake manifold in the idle state. A restriction in a first vent line limits fresh air into the crankcase in the idle state. A PCV bypass permits a one-way flow into the crankcase via a second vent line bypassing the PCV valve in the boosted state. A pressure relief valve in communication with the first vent line is configured to bypass the restriction in the boosted state when a pressure in the crankcase exceeds a threshold pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the PCV bypass is configured to bypass both the PCV valve and a pull separator (i.e., oil separator at the second vent line) in the boosted state. |
| US09909468B2 |
Fluid conditioning system with recirculation loop and method for operating same
A fluid conditioning system includes a recirculation pump fluidly coupled to a reservoir via a first conduit; a delivery pump fluidly coupled in series with the recirculation pump, such that an outlet of the recirculation pump is fluidly coupled to an inlet of the delivery pump via a second conduit; and a recirculation loop including a recirculation filter, an inlet of the recirculation filter being fluidly coupled to the second conduit, and an outlet of the recirculation filter being fluidly coupled to the first conduit. The recirculation pump is configured to operate at a flow rate that is higher than a flow rate of the delivery pump. |
| US09909466B2 |
Central valve for a camshaft adjuster having central locking
A central valve (1) for a camshaft adjusting device including a control piston (2) having a first (3) and a second (4) control edge which enclose a first annular groove (6), including a valve housing (26), on the peripheral wall of which openings (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are disposed, and including pressure medium paths extending between a feed connection and a discharge connection P, T of which the adjustable configuration is predetermined by the control edge geometry and the arrangement of the openings (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) and the adjusted configuration is dependent upon the relative axial position of the control piston (2). |
| US09909462B2 |
Duct burner of HRSG with liner film cooling
A duct burner assembly for a HRSG having a casing that defines a combustion chamber with a liner for communicating an exhaust gas. A firing runner attaches to the liner and extends through the combustion chamber. The firing runner defines a plurality of orifices for emitting combustible gas and sustaining a flame. A flame stabilizer attaches to the firing runner and is configured to at least partially shield the plurality of orifices from the exhaust gas. A guide plate attaches to the firing runner and is configured to define a slot between the liner and the guide plate. The guide plate has an upstream end and a downstream end wherein the downstream end is closer to the lining than the upstream end to control turbulent flow of the exhaust gas through the slot and cool the liner. To reduce generation of flow turbulence the tubes within the slot are covered with streamline plates. It allows to decrease a mixing between hot and cold gas flows and improve the liner cooling. |
| US09909461B2 |
Waste heat recovery system
A waste heat recovery system is disclosed. The waste heat recovery system may include a turbine expander. The turbine expander may include a turbine blade rotatably coupled to a shaft and the shaft may be rotatably engaged with a nozzle ring. The nozzle ring may include a de Laval-nozzle. The waste heat recovery system may additionally include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be located fluidly upstream of the de Laval-nozzle and fluidly downstream of an evaporator. The pressure sensor may be configured to measure pressure of a working fluid and transmit a working fluid pressure signal. Further, the waste heat recovery system may include an electronic controller. The electronic controller may be configured to receive the working fluid pressure signal and transmit a working fluid flowrate adjustment signal in response to the working fluid pressure signal. |
| US09909450B1 |
Turbine assembly including at least one superhard bearing
Bearing members, such as journal bearings, and turbine assemblies for use in high speed, high horsepower applications (e.g., turbochargers, jet engines, internal combustion engines, blowers, steam turbines, compressors, and pumps) including a rotatable shaft, a compressor wheel coupled to the shaft (e.g., at one end), a turbine wheel spaced from the compressor wheel, the turbine wheel also being coupled to the shaft (e.g., at another end), and at least one bearing member having a superhard bearing surface. |
| US09909448B2 |
Gas turbine engine component with integrated heat pipe
A heat transfer apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: a component having a wall structure defining a flow bounding surface; a chamber formed in the component, the chamber including a wicking structure, a vapor channel, and a working fluid. |
| US09909442B2 |
Method of controlling a position actuation system component for a gas turbine engine
A method for controlling a position actuation system component in a gas turbine engine based on a modified proportional and integral control loop is provided. The method includes determining an error value between a demand signal for the position actuation system component and a position signal for the position actuation system component. The method also includes determining an integral gain scaler as a function of a scheduling parameter value and determining an integral gain based on the determined error value and the determined integral gain scaler. Additionally the method includes determining a proportional gain scaler as a function of the scheduling parameter value and determining a proportional gain based on the determined error value and the determined proportional portion gain scaler. The method adds the determined integral gain with the determined proportional gain to determine a null current value for the position actuation system component. |
| US09909441B2 |
Method of operating a clearance control system
A method of operating a clearance control system for a gas turbine engine, includes estimating, in a control module, thermal expansion values of engine components based at least partially on an exhaust gas temperature of the gas turbine engine, determining an estimated clearance value based on the thermal expansion values and ducting airflow for cooling the engine components. |
| US09909435B2 |
Turbine engine variable area vane with feather seal
An apparatus for sealing a gap between a stator vane platform including a seal slot, and a rotatable stator vane including a shaft connected to a vane end. The apparatus includes a substantially flat, semi-annular seal body, a first tab and a second tab. The seal body extends circumferentially between a first body end and a second body end, and radially between a radial inner body side and a radial outer body side. The inner body side wraps partially around the shaft, and the outer body side mates with the seal slot. The first tab extends axially from the first body end, and the second tab extends axially from the second body end. The first tab and the second tab engage the vane end and cause the seal body to move within the seal slot during rotation of the stator vane. |
| US09909433B2 |
Aircraft gas turbine having a booster bleed duct in a stator vane root element of a bypass duct
An aircraft gas turbine has a core engine and a bypass duct surrounding the latter, where the core engine includes in its inflow zone a booster, in the area of which at least one booster bleed duct is provided for supplying an airflow from the booster into the bypass duct, and a stator vane row arranged in the bypass duct downstream of a fan. A vane root of the stator vane is designed as a structural element mounting the core engine, and the booster bleed duct is provided inside the vane root and issues downstream of the stator vane into the bypass duct. |
| US09909430B2 |
Turbine disk assembly including seperable platforms for blade attachment
An apparatus includes a disk, an attachment member, and a blade. The disk has an outer surface including a coupling portion. The attachment member has a coupling portion and defines at least a portion of an opening. The coupling portion of the first attachment member is configured to be coupled to the coupling portion of the disk. A portion of the blade is configured to be disposed within the opening when the coupling portion of the attachment member is coupled to the coupling portion of the disk. |
| US09909429B2 |
Lightweight blade for gas turbine engine
A blade for use in a gas turbine engine has an airfoil and a dovetail. The airfoil extends radially outwardly of the dovetail. An inner surface of the dovetail includes a slot extending along a length of the dovetail between a leading edge and a trailing edge. A rotor and a gas turbine engine are also disclose. |
| US09909427B2 |
Turbine airfoil with trailing edge cooling circuit
One aspect of the disclosure provides for a turbine airfoil. The turbine airfoil may include a trailing edge having: a set of cooling channels having a first cooling channel fluidly connected to a second cooling channel; a first section having a first pin bank cooling arrangement, the first section fluidly connected to the first cooling channel; a second section having a second pin bank cooling arrangement, the second section fluidly connected to the second cooling channel and being radially inward of the first section; and a pressure side panel having a third pin bank cooling arrangement, the pressure side panel fluidly connected to the first cooling channel. |
| US09909425B2 |
Blade for a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine airfoil blade comprises an airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge defining fore and aft points of an airfoil chord relative to a flowpath direction. The airfoil extends generally radially from a root to a tip, the root of the airfoil intersecting a platform of the blade. A body of the airfoil is composed of a plurality of airfoil sections stacked along a stacking line extending radially from the platform. A root airfoil section being the one of said airfoil sections intersecting the platform, the trailing edge at the root airfoil section extending to intersect the platform chordwise aft of the trailing edge of the airfoil section immediately radially outwardly adjacent to the root airfoil section. |
| US09909422B2 |
Reduced pressure balancing of a turbine rotor
The present invention relates to a device for inserting a balancing weight into a rotor of a turbine, that includes an external component and an internal component. The internal component is connected in a helical manner to the external component. The internal component delimits a chamber which has a first and a second opening, a lower surface which is provided with a sealing joint and a cap in order to close in a tight manner the first opening of the chamber. The connection between the external component and the internal component is helical, that is to say, the result of a threading operation. Therefore, the internal component can thus move in a coaxial manner with respect to the external component. |
| US09909419B2 |
Strand, cable bolt and its installation
A strand (20) for a cable bolt (14) comprises a plurality of metallic elongated members (22, 24) twisted together. At least one of the elongated members has a corrosion resistant coating (54) and surface deformation, so as to improve the bodig efficiency and the anchorage of the strand. |
| US09909418B2 |
Protective element, concrete element, and method for producing a concrete element
The invention relates to a protective element (20) for connecting to a concrete element (10) of a tunnel lining, to the concrete element (10) and to the method for producing the concrete element (10). It is an object of the invention to provide a protective element (20) for a tunnel lining, or the associated concrete element, which ensures that the protective casing of the tunnel lining is better safeguarded against corrosive gases or liquids. The solution of the invention provides that the protective element (20) is produced from an injection-moldable plastics material, that a protective portion (21, 22, 23) is connected in a single piece to a seal (30), wherein the connection is gas-tight and liquid-tight, that the protective portion (21, 22, 23) is connected in a single piece to a connecting element (24, 25, 26, 27, 28), and that the single-piece connection is produced by injection molding of the plastics material. |
| US09909413B2 |
Systems and methods for determining a rheological parameter
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining a rheological parameter of a fluid within a wellbore. The methods comprise receiving a plurality of differential pressure measurements of a fluid within a flow region of the wellbore; storing the plurality of differential pressure measurements; generating a curve based on the plurality of differential pressure measurements; and determining the rheological parameter of the fluid using the curve. The systems comprise a conduit arranged in a wellbore; a plurality of pressure sensors along the conduit configured to measure pressure of the fluid within the wellbore; and a processing device. The processing device is configured to: receive a plurality of differential pressure measurements of the fluid from the pressure sensors; store the plurality of differential pressure measurements; generate a curve based on the plurality of differential pressure measurements; and determine the rheological parameter of the fluid using the curve. |
| US09909411B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing a pipe coupler within an oil well structure
A system for sensing a pipe joint within a well structure bore comprises a body connectable in line with the well structure. The body has a central bore therethrough and includes a plurality of blind bores extending radially inwards from the outer surface. The system further includes at least one sleeve being locatable within one of the plurality of blind bores wherein each of the sleeves has a magnet located at an end thereof at least one sensor being locatable within one of the at least one sleeves. The at least one sensor is operable to output a signal representing the width of a metallic object located within the central bore. The system may further include a display operable to receive the output signal from the at least one sensor and to display an output to a user indicating the width of the metallic object within the central bore. |
| US09909410B2 |
Depth, load and torque referencing in a wellbore
A downhole depth, load and torque reference system. The system includes a well feature disposed within a wellbore tubular having a depth reference element, a load reference element and a torque reference element. A mating assembly is operable to be run downhole within the wellbore tubular on a conveyance. The mating assembly is operable to contact the depth reference element of the well feature to identify the depth of the well feature, operable to engage the torque reference element of the well feature such that rotation of the conveyance at the surface transmits sufficient torque to break the torque reference element to identify torque efficiency at the depth and operable to engage the load reference element of the well feature such that applying weight at the surface to the conveyance transmits sufficient load to break the load reference element to identify load efficiency at the depth. |
| US09909409B2 |
Methods for estimating resource density using raman spectroscopy of inclusions in shale resource plays
A method of determining the in situ pressure of a light hydrocarbon in a shale source rock formation comprising: providing an inclusion comprising the light hydrocarbon trapped within the inclusion; using Raman spectroscopy to determine the density and composition of the light hydrocarbon trapped within the inclusion; and calculating a pressure of the light hydrocarbon in the shale source rock formation based upon the density and composition of the light hydrocarbon trapped within the inclusion. |
| US09909405B2 |
Desanding apparatus and a method of using same
An apparatus and method for removing particulates from a multiple-phase fluid stream is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a treatment chamber having a fluid inlet for receiving the multiple-phase fluid stream. The apparatus also comprises a recovery chamber having a gas channel and a liquid channel in fluid communication with the treatment chamber at a gas and a liquid port, respectively. The gas and liquid channels converge at an intake port of a fluid outlet for discharging particulate-removed gas and liquid. |
| US09909404B2 |
Method to consolidate solid materials during subterranean treatment operations
Compositions include (1) aggregating compositions capable of forming deformable partial or complete coatings on formation surfaces, formation particle surfaces, downhole fluid solid surfaces, and/or proppant surfaces, where the coatings increase aggregation and/or agglomeration propensities of the particles and surfaces to form particles clusters or pillars having deformable coatings, and (2) aggregation stabilizing and/or strengthening compositions capable of altering properties of the coated clusters or pillars to form consolidated, stabilized, and/or strengthened clusters or pillars. Methods for stabilizing aggregated particle clusters or pillars include (1) treating the particles with an aggregating composition to form aggregated clusters or pillars and (2) treating the aggregated particle clusters or pillars with a stabilizing or strengthening composition to form consolidated, stabilized, and/or strengthened clusters or pillars. |
| US09909403B2 |
Adjusting surfactant concentrations during hyraulic fracturing
Fracturing methods include introducing a relatively high concentration of a surfactant in an initial portion of one or more fluids used in a fracturing treatment and then cutting or ramping back to a relatively low concentration of the surfactant in the remaining fluid used in the treatment. By using such a method, the volume of surfactant to provide superior treatment can be reduced significantly from the normal recommendations, leading to a high cost savings while still obtaining the desired effect upon cleanup. |
| US09909400B2 |
Gas separator assembly for generating artificial sump inside well casing
A gas separator assembly generates an artificial sump in a production casing receiving a production tubing string with a downhole pump at the bottom end thereof. The assembly includes an inner casing in series with the production casing of the well and an outer casing supported externally of the inner casing. First and second ports at opposing top and bottom ends of the outer casing communicate from a primary passage in the inner casing to a secondary passage between the inner and outer casings. A barrier supported in the primary passage between the first and second ports diverts flow through the secondary passage and effectively defines the sump area in the primary passage between an inlet of the downhole pump adjacent the barrier and the first port thereabove. |
| US09909399B2 |
Flow device and methods of creating different pressure drops based on a direction of flow
A flow device, includes a flow-through region comprising at least one stage and configured to create a first pressure drop across the flow-through region in response to flow through the flow-through region in a first direction and a second pressure drop in response to flow through the flow-through region in a second direction. The first pressure drop being less than the second pressure drop under the same flow rates. The flow device having no moving parts to create the difference in pressure drop between the first direction and the second direction. A method of creating different pressure drops based on a direction of flow. |
| US09909397B2 |
Methods of fabricating sand control screen assemblies using three-dimensional printing
A method of fabricating a sand control screen assembly includes determining an anatomy of a facsimile sand control screen assembly, the sand control screen assembly including one or more component parts. A virtual three-dimensional (3D) model of the facsimile sand control screen assembly is then generated based on the anatomy. The virtual 3D model of the facsimile sand control screen assembly is provided to a 3D printer, and the 3D printer forms at least a portion of the facsimile sand control screen assembly based on the virtual 3D model. |
| US09909396B2 |
Erosion reduction in subterranean wells
A system for use with a subterranean well can include a tubular string with a fluid discharge apparatus, the fluid discharge apparatus including a curved flow path which directs a fluid to flow less toward a structure external to the tubular string. A fluid discharge apparatus can include a generally tubular housing having a longitudinal axis, and at least one curved flow path which directs fluid to flow more parallel to the longitudinal axis from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing. A method of mitigating erosion of a structure external to a discharge port in a well can include directing a fluid to flow through a curved flow path, thereby reducing impingement of the fluid on the structure in the well. |
| US09909393B2 |
Tubing hanger with shuttle rod valve
A completion system for a well includes a tubing hanger movable into a landed position within an internal bore of the completion system. The tubing hanger includes a hanger bore formed through the tubing hanger, an auxiliary passage formed through the tubing hanger outside of the hanger bore, and a shuttle rod valve including a rod movable in a cavity that is capable of being in fluid communication with the auxiliary passage to control the flow of fluid through the auxiliary passage. |
| US09909392B2 |
Wellbore frac tool with inflow control
An apparatus for fluid treatment of a borehole, the apparatus allowing initial outflow injection of fluids into a wellbore in which it is installed and then is actuable to allow fluid inflow control. The apparatus includes: a tubular body, a first port and a second port opened through the wall of the tubular body, the second port having a fluid inflow controller positioned to control the flow of fluid into the tubular body through the port, a sliding sleeve valve in the tubular body moveable from (i) a first position closing the first port and the second port to (ii) a second position closing the second port and permitting fluid flow through the first port and to (iii) a third position closing the first port and permitting fluid flow through the second port; a sleeve actuator for actuating the sliding sleeve valve to move from the first position to the second position in response to a force applied thereto; a releasable lock for locking the sliding sleeve valve in the first position and selected to maintain the sliding sleeve valve in the first position after the force is removed; and a lock release mechanism configured to actuate the releasable lock to release the sliding sleeve valve to move into the third position. |
| US09909391B2 |
Device for ensuring continuous circulation in well drilling
A device for ensuring continuous circulation in well drilling comprises a tubular body having an axial channel therein, with a lateral opening closed by a removable plug. A flapper valve is placed in the tubular conduit, whose shut-off member is movable between a transverse position, in which it closes the axial channel, and a longitudinal position, in which it closes in a pressure-tight manner the lateral opening. Advantageously, the device comprises magnetic mechanism to operate on the shut-off member in the longitudinal position and retain it in the longitudinal position with a preset load, and as the latter is exceeded the shut-off member may be moved to the transverse position. |
| US09909389B2 |
Dual torsion springs flapper valve closure mechanism
A flapper valve includes a body having first and second end, and a flapper pivotably coupled to the body and movable between a closed position, where the flapper prevents fluid flow through the body, and an open position, where fluid flow is allowed through the body. A first torsion spring is coupled to the body at the second end and provides a spring arm that engages and urges the flapper to the closed position. A support beam is coupled to the body and includes an axial extension that extends axially past the second end. A closure beam having a first beam end is pivotably coupled to the axial extension and a second beam end is engageable with the flapper. A second torsion spring is coupled to the axial extension and engageable with the closure beam to urge the closure beam into engagement with the flapper. |
| US09909384B2 |
Multi-actuating plugging device
A plugging device, apparatus, and method. The plugging device includes an expandable member configured to move from a first, retracted position to a second, expanded position, a counter configured to count a number of restrictions in a conduit that the plugging device passes through, and an actuator configured to move the expandable member from the first position to the second position in response to the counter counting a predetermined number of restrictions. The expandable member in the expanded position prevents the plugging device from passing through a target restriction. |
| US09909383B2 |
Swellable packer with enhanced operating envelope
A swellable packer can include a base pipe, at least one swellable seal on the base pipe, the seal comprising a swellable material, and at least one other swellable seal on the base pipe, the other swellable seal comprising another swellable material, and the swellable materials being different materials. Another swellable packer can include at least one swellable seal, the seal comprising a swellable material, and at least one other swellable seal, the other swellable seal comprising another swellable material, and wherein one swellable seal displaces the other swellable seal into contact with a well surface, in response to contact between the one swellable seal and an activating agent. |
| US09909381B2 |
High pressure isolation system for well stimulation through production tubing
A fracturing system includes a fracturing spool that mounts onto a wellhead assembly for injecting fracturing fluid into a well beneath the wellhead assembly. The fracturing system includes an isolation sleeve and fracturing spool. The isolation sleeve inserts in an axial bore of the fracturing spool, and has a lower end that extends into the wellhead to isolate and protect portions of the wellhead assembly from the fracturing fluid. A groove in an inner surface of the fracturing spool receives an annular seal for sealing between the isolation sleeve and fracturing spool. Injecting a viscous fluid into the groove energizes the seal, and blocks high pressure fracturing fluid from flowing between the isolation sleeve and fracturing spool. |
| US09909375B2 |
Flow controller for use in drilling operations
A system (10) for drilling a borehole (14) in a subterranean formation (16) containing a fluid (18), comprising: an outer tube (24) defining an outer tube distal end (26) configured for attaching a drill bit (12) thereto and a flow controller receiving section (27) spaced apart therefrom; a flow controller (28) including a flow controller body (30) defining body proximal and distal ends (32 and 34) and securable to the outer tube (24) in the flow controller receiving section (27); and a drilling accessory (36) insertable in the outer tube (24) and through the flow controller (28). The flow controller (28) is movable between open and closed configurations. In the open configuration, the flow controller (28) allows passage of the drilling accessory (36) therethrough. In the closed configuration, the flow controller (28) hinders flow of the fluid therethrough towards the borehole proximal end (20) when the flow controller (28) is located closer to the borehole proximal end (20) than the fluid (18). |
| US09909374B2 |
Managed pressure drilling with hydraulic modeling that incorporates an inverse model
A managed pressure drilling (MPD) operation may use an inverse model in conjunction with a hydraulic model and real-time drilling conditions and parameters as inputs to determine a wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure. For example, while drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a drilling system, measured data including a wellhead pressure may be acquired. A model may then be executed that applies a hydraulic model to an a priori model estimate vector to produce predicted data; converts the measured data to a measured data vector; applies a randomized maximum likelihood algorithm to the a priori model estimate vector, the predicted data, and the measured data vector to produce an a posterioiri model estimates; and applies the hydraulic model to the a posterioiri model estimates to produce an a posteriori prediction and a calculated wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure. |
| US09909370B2 |
Method for producing a tensile armor configuration of a flexible conduit and a connector for a flexible conduit
The present invention discloses a method for obtaining a tensile armor configuration of a flexible conduit comprising the steps of mounting an end ring engaged with the terminal region of each wire of each tensile armor, defining an initial position, which axially displaces the end ring in opposite direction to a free end of the flexible conduit, from the initial position to an end position, so as to cause flexure in the wires of each tensile armor and securing the end ring in end position, to maintain the wires of each tensile armor flexed. The present invention also proposes a connector for a flexible conduit, said connector comprising an end ring engaged with the terminal region of each wire of each tensile armor and fixed in an end position so that the wires of each tensile armor are flexed. |
| US09909365B2 |
Downhole tools having mechanical joints with enhanced surfaces
A downhole tool comprises a mechanical joint, and a diamond-like coating over at least a portion of a surface of at least one component of the mechanical joint, the diamond-like coating having a thickness greater than 10 micrometers. Methods of manufacturing a mechanical joint of a downhole tool comprise disposing a diamond-like coating on at least a portion of a surface of a component of the mechanical joint of the downhole tool to a thickness of at least 10 microns and at a temperature less than about 200° C. |
| US09909359B2 |
Covering device
A covering device comprises a 1st cover which has a plurality of 1st slats interconnected in an articulated manner and a 2nd cover which has a plurality of 2nd slats interconnected in an articulated manner. The covers can each be adjusted between a rest position and a covering position, said covers facing each other with slat end faces when in the covering position. At least one of the 1st slats comprises a 1st engagement part on its end face facing the 2nd slats and at least one of the 2nd slats comprises a 2nd engagement part on its end face facing the 1st slats, said 1st engagement part being able to be brought to engage with the 2nd engagement part such that the first cover is connected to the 2nd cover. |
| US09909355B1 |
Door for vehicle steps
A cover is provided to protect steps leading to a cab of a vehicle from accumulation of mud, snow, ice and other debris when the vehicle is driven. The cover is pivotally mounted for movement between an open position allowing a vehicle operator to climb the steps and a closed position covering the steps from top to bottom to maintain cleanliness of the steps as the vehicle is driven. The cover can be opened and closed from the top of the steps, either manually or with an actuator. The cover is normally closed when the vehicle is moving and open when the vehicle is stationary. |
| US09909354B1 |
Door apparatus with boom assembly
A door apparatus includes a door frame, a boom mounted rotatably to the door frame, a truck mounted reciprocally to the boom, and a door mounted rotatably to the truck. The door is in a closed position received by the door frame, when the boom is rotated toward the door frame and the Door is rotated to an infacing position relative to the door frame. The door is in an open position withdrawn from the door frame, when the boom is rotated away from the door frame. The truck is disabled from reciprocating along the boom and the door is disabled from rotating, when the door is in the closed position. The truck is enabled for reciprocating along the boom and the door is enabled for rotating, when the door is in the open position. |
| US09909349B2 |
Detecting objects within a vehicle in connection with a service
A system for monitoring a vehicle used in providing a service is disclosed. The system detects when the service is complete, and upon detecting that the service is complete, the system determines, from one or more sensors of the vehicle, that an object which should have been removed from the vehicle after completion of the transport service, remains in the vehicle. The system then automatically initiates performance of a remedial action. |
| US09909343B2 |
Adaptable lock mounting device
An adaptable lock mounting device featuring adaptability and flexibility of use is configured to couple with a vehicle frame and includes a mounting base to detachably couple with a coupling base or an assembly base as appropriate, wherein the coupling base is different from the assembly base. A portion of the mounting base is one of a sliding block and a corresponding sliding sleeve to be fitted around the sliding block, while each of a portion of the coupling base and a portion of the assembly base is the other of the sliding block and the corresponding sliding sleeve. |
| US09909341B2 |
Removable attachment device for attaching to longer linear or filiform objects
A removable attachment device, that particularly forms an anti-theft device and/or electronic information medium, comprising a body on which a flap is mounted pivotably, wherein the body and the flap each have a substantially flat surface, wherein the flap rotates in relation to the body between a first extreme open position and a second extreme position known as the closed position in which the two respective surfaces can grip the object, wherein means are provided to lock the flap on the body temporarily and securely in the gripping position, characterized in that at least the gripping surface of the body and/or flap has/have raised or protruding means, that are elastically deformable. |
| US09909340B2 |
Device for actuating a closing mechanism of a lock
The invention relates to a device (23) for actuating the locking mechanism of a lock, more particularly a furniture lock, said device comprised of a fixing unit (1) by means of which the device (23) can be fastened to a component, more particularly a door and/or window sash, at which the lock is also arranged, and comprised of a handle (27) which is pivoting mounted about a rotary axis at the fixing unit (1) and through the rotation of which the locking mechanism can be manually actuated, and comprised of a power transmission unit (8) which can be torque-proof coupled to the handle (27) to transmit the power applied on rotating the handle (27) to the locking mechanism, wherein the power transmission unit (8) is not coupled torque-proof to the handle (27) until a release code is entered and authenticated, and wherein the entry of the release code is effected by way of electronically picking-up at least one position of the handle (27) relative to the power transmission unit (8), and wherein the entry of the release code is accomplished by electronically picking-up of at least one position of the handle (27) relative to the power transmission unit (8), and wherein the device is comprised of a coupling mechanism through which the power transmission unit (8) can be torque-proof coupled optionally to the fixing unit (1) or to the handle (27). |
| US09909336B1 |
Identity shielding device
Disclosed is an identity shielding device to be used when notable persons do not wish to have their photograph taken. In one embodiment, an identity shielding device has a shaft with first and second ends; a sliding splint slideably attached to the shaft; and a foldable framework attached to the sliding splint and the first end of the shaft, the framework being open at both ends, and having a collapsible shield affixed to the framework. The foldable framework includes both ribs and fasteners. |
| US09909335B2 |
Buckling restrained braces and related methods
Buckling restrained braces may include a core rod and a buckling restraining tube concentrically surrounding at least a majority of a longitudinal length of the core rod. The buckling restraining tube may be configured to inhibit buckling of the core rod upon compressive loading of the core rod. An end plate assembly may be attached, and longitudinally movable with respect, to an end of the core rod, the end plate assembly being located at a longitudinal end of the buckling restrained brace. A sleeve member may concentrically surround an end of the buckling restraining tube, the sleeve member affixed to the end plate assembly. A spring may be located laterally between the core rod and the sleeve member of the end plate assembly and longitudinally between, and in contact with, an end of the buckling restraining tube and a portion of the end plate assembly. |
| US09909332B2 |
Pool cleaner with a protracted filter
A pool cleaning robot that may include a fluid inlet, a filter; a winding mechanism and a holding mechanism; wherein the holding mechanism is configured to hold the filter; wherein the winding mechanism is configured to perform a winding of the filter thereby removing a filter portion that was positioned in a filtering position and placing another filter portion in the filtering position; and wherein the filter portion, when positioned in the filtering position, is configured to filter fluid that enters through the fluid inlet. |
| US09909328B2 |
Use of a feed-through for installation in a wall or floor element
The invention relates to a feed-through member (1) which is to be mounted in a wall element or floor element and comprises a tube element (2) that includes a first (23) and a second (24) tube element section. Said tube element sections (23, 24) can be moved relative to one another in the conducting direction (21) in such a way that the length of the tube element (2) is adjustable, a blocking mechanism (26, 32; 51, 61) being provided which at least partly prevents the tube element sections (23, 24) from moving when same are in the relative positions. |
| US09909325B2 |
Mechanism for fastening in a swivelling manner a plate carrier to a telescopic mast of a plate-lifting apparatus, and plate-lifting apparatus equipped with this mechanism
A reliable swiveling fastening mechanism that allows a plate to be horizontally, obliquely and vertically fastened comprises, in the position of use: a vertical supporting profile to be arranged at the top of the mast, coaxially to the mast; two parallel backing plates mounted so as to swivel on the supporting profile and interconnected on one side by a plate carrier fastening component and on the other side by a U-shaped vertical position stop attached to the backing plates and arranged in such a way that the plate carrier fastening component is parallel to the supporting profile when the supporting profile is in contact with the vertical position stop; and a retractable stop supported by at least one backing plate so that the plate carrier fastening component forms an angle between 10° and 80° with the supporting profile when the supporting profile is in contact with the retractable stop. |
| US09909320B2 |
Roof flashing
A roof flashing can include a bottom half and a top half. The two halves can each have a plate and a neck portion projecting away from the respective plate. The neck portions define portions of an aperture configured to encircle and seal against a post projecting away from a roof. At least part of the first neck portion can be slidably receivable in the second neck portion and the two portions can define a neck when the bottom half and the top half are engaged with one another. |
| US09909317B2 |
Roofing systems and methods
According to one aspect, a roofing system comprises a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of insulation boards has opposing planar surfaces and has a facer on at least one planar surface, and each of the plurality of insulation boards comprises polyisocyanurate foam having a first polyisocyanurate foam density. The roofing system further comprises a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of cover boards has opposing planar surfaces and has a facer on at least one planar surface, and each of the plurality of cover boards comprises polyisocyanurate foam having a second polyisocyanurate foam density greater than the first polyisocyanurate foam density. The greater polyisocyanurate foam density provides for a compressive strength to resist deformation. |
| US09909316B2 |
Thin films with high near-infrared reflectivity deposited on building materials
Disclosed are solar-reflective roofing and other building materials having high reflectance of near-infrared radiation and high transmission of radiation in the visible light range and a substantial emissivity so as to reduce the heat island effects experienced by the articles while also maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Also disclosed are related methods for fabrication of such materials. |
| US09909315B2 |
Wedge for post tensioning tendon
A wedge assembly for post tensioning concrete includes one or more wedges and a wedge ring. Each wedge includes an outer surface having a circumferential groove formed thereon. The wedge ring is adapted to fit into the groove of the wedges and retain the wedges to a strand. The wedge ring including a gap adapted to allow the wedge ring to be installed from the side of the wedges. When installed to the strand, the wedges may form a clearance fit maintained by the wedge ring. At least one wedge may include a guide adapted to assist with the separation of the wedges when installed to the strand. |
| US09909305B2 |
Composite wall assembly
A composite wall assembly has an auxiliary wall and an inner wall. The auxiliary wall has a hollow space and a first supporting pillar having multiple first through holes. The inner wall is attached to the auxiliary wall and forms a depositing space. The inner wall has a first wall member, a second wall member, and a second supporting pillar having multiple second through holes. The depositing space is formed between the first wall member and the second wall member. The auxiliary wall provides a cushion effect and is not damaged easily in the earthquake for protecting the pipelines in the hollow space. The interior ambient temperature of the building is lowered by the hollow space of the auxiliary wall. |
| US09909304B2 |
Sound damping wallboard and method of forming a sound damping wallboard
A sound damping wallboard and methods of forming a sound damping wallboard are disclosed. The sound damping wallboard includes a gypsum layer having a first side with a first gypsum surface, a first encasing layer at least partially covering the first gypsum surface to form a first encasing layer portion, and a sound damping layer on the first side covering at least part of the first encasing layer portion. |
| US09909303B2 |
Building exterior insulation structure
An exterior insulation structure includes a first board member, first supporting members, a first thermal insulator, second supporting members disposed on the exterior side of the first supporting members, a second thermal insulator disposed on the exterior side of the first thermal insulator and between the second supporting members, securing members fixed to the exterior side of the second supporting members, and exterior wall members attached to the securing members. The adjacent exterior wall members are joined together without leaving a gap therebetween. Each securing member is long enough, in the second direction, to be fixable to at least two second supporting members and shorter, in the second direction, than each exterior wall member. A first gap is left between the securing members adjacent in the second direction. At least part of each second supporting member is made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than that of steel. |
| US09909301B2 |
Method and apparatus for making a water drainage-promoting wrap
A method and apparatus for making a water drainage-promoting wrap for applications such as housewrap and roofing underlayment. A substrate, which may be breathable or non-breathable, is conveyed through a nip between a rotating sleeve and a roll, the sleeve having a plurality of apertures therein. A fluid resin composition is fed into the sleeve and is fed out through the apertures in the sleeve as it rotates and as the substrate moves through the nip, forming spaced-apart spacer elements on a face of the substrate. The spacer elements are then dried or cured. |
| US09909298B2 |
Header track with stud retention feature
A track for a wall construction for use in building construction is disclosed. Embodiments can include a track having a plurality of bendable tabs that can be manipulated to grip or release wall studs to prevent lateral or side to side movement of the studs. Embodiments can include tracks which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, including but not limited to intumescent material. |
| US09909289B2 |
Device for changing the jet shape of free-flowing products
A device for changing the jet shape of free-flowing products, in particular of foodstuffs, including: an inflow area for the free-flowing products to enter, an outflow area for the free-flowing products to exit, and several channels through which to pass the free-flowing products. Each channel has an inlet allocated to the inflow area and an outlet allocated to the outflow area. Each inlet of a channel has a first cross sectional area. Each outlet of a channel has a second cross sectional area. In order to make it easy to adjust the shape and velocity profile of the filling jet, it is proposed that the second cross sectional area of at least one channel be larger than the first cross sectional area of this channel. |
| US09909286B2 |
Portable half bathroom
A portable half bathroom is disclosed. The portable half bathroom may be in a compact condition or in an expanded condition. In the compact condition, the portable half bathroom looks like a regular cabinet. Collapsed and folded panels are attached to the cabinet. All side and back walls are racked on their relative sides of the cabinet when the portable half bathroom is not in use. In the expanded condition, the panels are unfolded and expanded to form an enclosure. |
| US09909284B2 |
Missed cut detection and reaction
A computer-implemented method of responding to a missed cut during a pass made along a planned cut profile using an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying the missed cut based at least partially on an implement position and a target cut point, predicting a performance value of the pass based at least partially on the missed cut and an implement load, and restarting the pass if the performance value is less than a minimum performance threshold and the implement load is less than a minimum load threshold. |
| US09909283B2 |
Image display apparatus for shovel
An image display apparatus for a shovel that includes a lower-part traveling body, an upper-part turning body turnably placed on the lower-part traveling body, and an attachment mounted on the upper-part turning body, and performs work in a work area by driving the attachment, includes an image display part configured to display the work area to be subjected to the work. An image of the work area captured with an image capturing device is subjected to image processing to add and indicate a distribution of depressions and elevations of the work area, and is displayed on the image display part. |
| US09909278B2 |
Concrete wall stabilizing apparatus and method
Concrete wall supports that reduce or eliminate wall movement due to exterior horizontal forces. One support is a bracket mounted to a floor joist with a plate extending below the top of the wall and two legs extending from the plate and attaching to the joist. One leg is above the concrete wall on one horizontal side of the plate, and the other leg is on the opposite side of the plate. Another support has a plate that extends below the top of the wall with two legs on opposite sides of the joist above the wall. A leg attaches to the lower edge of the joist. A support against shear forces includes a highly water permeable aggregate composite disposed in the voids of the wall, with a supportive strip that is enclosed in the aggregate composite and extends out of the voids to the face of the wall. |
| US09909276B2 |
Pick hole guard for manhole covers
Pick hole guards are provided for use in guarding pick holes on manhole covers. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pick hole guards can have a base, biasing member, and guard member. The biasing member can be attached to the base and guard member, and can bias the guard member toward a pick hole on the manhole cover to guard the pick hole. In other embodiments, the pick hole guards do not have movable guard members, but instead have retaining surfaces to serve as a receptacle for catching waste disposed through a pick hole. |
| US09909274B2 |
Wind turbine parts handling method and device
At least one handling device is provided having at least one floating member with first and second mutually opposite portions between which a transitional surface at least partially extends defining an interior. The device has an offshore part receiving portion therein to at least partially receive the offshore part. The floating member is simply installed in the offshore part so that it at least partially surrounds its outer surface. The offshore part thus floats on the water for being transported to an intended destination. |
| US09909267B1 |
Paver head assembly
This application is for an improved paver head for smoothing and finishing poured concrete surfaces. It includes a strike-off plow for initial leveling of concrete, an auger for mixing and smoothing surface imperfections, a roller for smoothing and leveling, and a finish blade for final surface finishing of a poured concrete surface. |
| US09909265B2 |
Concrete slab panel forming, reinforcing, joint sealing and edge protecting framing system
A device for forming, reinforcing, joint sealing and edge protecting of a concrete slab panel, wherein the concrete slab panel having a volume, a length, a width, and a surface. The device comprising of an elongated post having a body, a top end and a bottom end with a plurality of elongated grooves extending along the body; a mounting frame has a length, a width and a thickness. The mounting frames having a connecting means to connect the mounting frame to the posts. The present invention eliminates the needs for saw-cut lines for crack inducement and acts as a joint sealer for the concrete slab to relieve the tensile stresses. |
| US09909261B2 |
Sanitary tissue products
Sanitary tissue products employing fibrous structures that exhibit novel compressibility properties alone and in combination with plate stiffness properties and methods for making same. |
| US09909260B2 |
Manufacturing feedstock from fruit by-product processing
A system and method of manufacturing a feedstock for producing paper fiber from fruit of a plant may include providing a by-product source inclusive of fiber from the edible fruit after a process for removing a majority of the edible fruit is used to produce a food. One or more treatment processes to brighten the fruit by-product may be performed. The feedstock may be produced from the brightened fruit by-product. |
| US09909259B2 |
Systems and methods for continuous manufacture of buckypaper materials
Systems and methods are provided for producing continuous buckypapers. The systems may permit the in-line characterization and crosslinking of the continuous buckypapers. The systems include roll-to-roll systems in which a continuous buckypaper is created and then separated from the filter paper in an automated process. |
| US09909256B2 |
Method for fibrillation of cellulose and fibril cellulose product
A method for fibrillation of cellulose includes the following steps: introducing fiber pulp of anionic cellulose at a consistency of 1 to 4% into a homogenizer, and homogenizing fiber pulp in the homogenizer at a pressure of 200 to 1000 bar, advantageously 300 to 650 bar, and by using 2 to 4 passes through for the same fiber pulp under these conditions, and after passes through, taking pulp from the homogenizer, which pulp has been fibrillated by homogenization to a degree than can be expressed as Brookfield viscosity exceeding 10,000 mPa·s (consistency 0.8%, 10 rpm). |
| US09909247B2 |
Laundry treating appliance with an oversized wash tub
A laundry treating appliance for treating fabric according to a cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining an interior, a wash tub within the interior and having a peripheral wall with an upper portion and a bottom end closed by a base; a wash basket located within the wash tub for movement relative thereto and defining a laundry treating chamber; and a drive motor located within the cabinet for rotating or oscillating the wash basket. Prior to installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the wash tub is oversized relative to the interior. After installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the upper portion of the wash tub forms a press fit with the cabinet such that the upper portion of the wash tub exerts a force on the cabinet. |
| US09909245B2 |
Methods for controlling additive deposition in washing machine appliances
A method for controlling additive deposition in a washing machine appliance includes transmitting, after a first agitation of a load within a tub of the washing machine appliance, an additive deposition signal to a user of the washing machine appliance. The method further includes beginning a timer, the timer set to run for a predetermined time period. The method further includes determining whether a door of the washing machine appliance has been opened after transmitting the additive deposition signal and during the predetermined time period. The method further includes determining whether the door has been closed when the door has been opened during the predetermined time period, and performing a second agitation of the load when the door has been closed. The method further includes performing the second agitation when the door has not been opened during the predetermined time period after the predetermined time period has been reached. |
| US09909241B2 |
Electrospun fiber mats and methods for the making thereof
Disclosed herein are methods of forming a fiber mat, involving forming an aqueous solution of at least one protein, at least one polysaccharide, and optionally a plasticizer, and electrospinning the aqueous solution onto a collector to form a mat. |
| US09909240B2 |
UHMWPE fiber and method to produce
Processes for preparing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, and the fibers and articles produced therefrom. Exposed surfaces of the fibers are subjected to a treatment that enhances the surface energy at the fiber surfaces. Such treated surfaces are subsequently coated with a protective coating immediately after the treatment to increase the shelf life of the treatment. The coating comprises at least one poly(alkyl-oxide) polymer. |
| US09909234B2 |
Cellulose fiber, composite material, and method of producing the cellulose fiber
A cellulose fiber can reduce environmental burden while providing an enhanced modulus of elasticity easily and reliably. A composite material contains the cellulose fiber. A method of producing the cellulose fiber includes preparing a solution where needle-shaped phases each comprising a cellulose I crystal structure are dispersed in a matrix phase comprising a cellulose II crystal structure. The cellulose fiber includes the matrix phase and the needle-shaped phases contained in the matrix phase and the needle-shaped phases are oriented along an axial direction. |
| US09909231B2 |
Flowable chips and methods for the preparation and use of same, and apparatus for use in the methods
A method for recharging a crucible with polycrystalline silicon comprises adding flowable chips to a crucible used in a Czochralski-type process. Flowable chips are polycrystalline silicon particles made from polycrystalline silicon prepared by a chemical vapor deposition process, and flowable chips have a controlled particle size distribution, generally nonspherical morphology, low levels of bulk impurities, and low levels of surface impurities. Flowable chips can be added to the crucible using conventional feeder equipment, such as vibration feeder systems and canister feeder systems. |
| US09909230B2 |
Seed selection and growth methods for reduced-crack group III nitride bulk crystals
In one instance, the invention provides a method of growing bulk crystal of group III nitride using a seed crystal selected by (a) measuring x-ray rocking curves of a seed crystal at more than one point, (b) quantifying the peak widths of the measured x-ray rocking curves, and (c) evaluating the distribution of the quantified peak widths. The invention also includes the method of selecting a seed crystal for growing bulk crystal of group III nitride.The bulk crystal of group III nitride can be grown in supercritical ammonia or a melt of group III metal using at least one seed selected by the method above. |
| US09909225B2 |
PZT amorphous alloy plating solution and method for plating a PZT amorphous alloy using the same
The present invention relates to the lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) amorphous alloy plating solution which may be used to form a PZT amorphous alloy film having excellent mechanical and physical properties and a method for plating a PZT amorphous alloy using the same. The PZT amorphous alloy plating solution may include a Pb precursor, a Zr precursor, and a Ti precursor. 10˜50 parts by weight of the Zr precursor and 5˜30 parts by weight of the Ti precursor may be included based on 100 parts by weight of the Pb precursor. Accordingly, electrical conductivity can be improved because the PZT amorphous alloy plating solution has a structure which has low crystallinity or which is amorphous. Furthermore, excellent electrical characteristics can be achieved because the PZT amorphous alloy plating solution has excellent conductivity or chemical stability. |
| US09909224B2 |
Electrochemical compressor with reactant conduit
An electrochemical compressor incorporates an electrochemical cell having an anode and a cathode that reacts a working on the anode side into an ionic component and a reactant. The ionic component is transported through an ion conducting media to the cathode. At least a portion of the reactant passes through a reactant conduit that extends from the anode to the cathode. A transfer device, such as a pump or venturi valve configured along the reactant conduit allows the reactant to flow from the anode to the cathode. The reactant and the ionic component are reacted on the cathode to reform the working fluid. A reactant separator may be configured to selectively allow reactant into the reactant conduit. A reactant separator may be a perm-selective layer or a fluid that has high reactant solubility. The working fluid may be water with the ionic component protons and the reactant oxygen. |