| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09921533B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a density sensor movable in a main scanning direction
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, an optical scanner, a development device, a movable density sensor, a density sensor driver, and a processor. The optical scanner includes a light source to emit light, and irradiates a surface of the photoconductor in a main scanning direction with the light to form a latent image on the surface of the photoconductor. The development device develops the latent image into a toner image. The density sensor detects unevenness in density of the toner image in the main scanning direction. The density sensor driver moves the density sensor in the main scanning direction. The processor corrects a driving signal for the light source according to image data to reduce the unevenness in density in the main scanning direction, according to positional data of the density sensor in the main scanning direction and an output value of the density sensor. |
| US09921532B2 |
Image forming apparatus and ultrasonic sensor
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, a control unit configured to obtain a time period until the reception unit receives a first ultrasonic wave via a first recording material and an amplitude value thereof at a reference temperature, obtain a time period until the reception unit receives a second ultrasonic wave via a second recording material and an amplitude value thereof at a different temperature, control an image formation condition for forming the image on the first recording material on the basis of the amplitude value of the first ultrasonic wave, obtain a difference time period between reception of the first and second ultrasonic waves, and control an image formation condition for forming the image on the second recording material on the basis of the difference time period and the amplitude value of the second ultrasonic wave. |
| US09921525B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A transfer device includes a rubbing member provided in contact with a transfer belt, a supporting member supporting the rubbing member, and a damping member configured to damp vibration of the transfer device. The damping member is fastened to the supporting member, and an end of the damping member in a width direction that is orthogonal to a direction of rotation of the transfer belt is a free end. |
| US09921521B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus for determining likelihood of sheets to stick after stacking
A sheet processing apparatus comprises a sheet placing section in which recording media are stacked, a storage section configured to record a total amount of toner on the recording media stacked in the sheet placing section, and a control section configured to determine whether or not the recording media stacked in the sheet placing section is likely to stick when a new recording medium is stacked thereon, based on the total amount of toner on the recording media stacked in the sheet placing section. |
| US09921519B2 |
Developing device
A developing device and image forming apparatus are provided. The developing device includes a chassis; a developer carrying member; a thickness regulating member; a supply member; and a conveying member. In a state in which the developing device is attached to a main body an opening of the chassis faces upward; the thickness regulating member pressure-contacts the developer carrying member from below the developer carrying member; the conveying member is disposed below the developer carrying member; the supply member overlaps a portion of the conveying member in a horizontal direction; and a portion of the conveying member is disposed within a vertical projection plane between a pressure-contact position of the thickness regulating member to the developer carrying member, and a contact position of the supply member to the developer carrying member. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a plurality of photosensitive members; and a plurality of developing devices. |
| US09921517B2 |
Image forming apparatus that exposes photosensitive member by light reflected by rotating polygon mirror and scanning apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a detection unit configured to detect light that a light source emits and that is reflected by a polygon mirror in a predetermined direction, and to output a synchronization signal; a speed control unit configured to perform acceleration/deceleration control of the polygon mirror based on the synchronization signal at a target speed; and a light intensity control unit configured to decide an emission intensity of the light source and notify the digital value to the light driving unit. The speed control unit changes control of the polygon mirror to a neutral control in which neither acceleration nor deceleration control is performed in a case the light intensity control unit changes the light intensity of the light source when the speed control unit is performing the acceleration/deceleration control. |
| US09921514B2 |
Image forming apparatus for removing adhered matter from a charging unit
An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit (control unit) configured to detect operation information of the image forming apparatus and a controller (control unit) configured to apply an AC voltage to a charging roller by a charging power source during a non-image-forming operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller is configured to control the duration for which the AC voltage is applied on the basis of the operation information detected by the detection unit. |
| US09921512B2 |
Electrostatic ink compositions
Herein is disclosed an electrostatic ink composition, wherein the composition is formable by combining: chargeable particles comprising a resin comprising a polymer having acidic side groups, and a cyclic anhydride. Also disclosed herein is a method of forming an electrostatic ink composition, and a method of electrostatic printing. |
| US09921508B2 |
Method of preparing poly-silicic-ferric coagulant (PSFC) for electrostatic charge image developing toner
Provided is a method of preparing a poly-silicic-ferric coagulant (PSFC) having a controlled aggregating strength. In particular, according to an embodiment, provided is a method of preparing a PSFC that may effectively suppress both formation of fine toner particles having a particle size that is smaller than a desired particle size and formation of coarse toner particles having a particle size that is greater than the desired particle size, wherein the PSFC for a toner is used in preparation of a toner by using an emulsion aggregation (EA) method. The PSFC for a toner prepared by using the method, according to an embodiment, significantly exhibits a controlled aggregating strength, and thus a viscosity of an emulsion aggregation solution for the toner preparation is appropriate, which results in suppressing production of fine toner particles and coarse toner particles. In this regard, a toner preparation yield may improve. |
| US09921505B2 |
Toner binder, and toner
The toner binder of the present invention contains a crystalline resin (A) and a resin (B) that is a polyester resin or its modified resin, the polyester resin being obtained by reaction of an alcohol component (X) and a carboxylic acid component (Y) as raw materials, wherein a temperature (Tp) of the top of an endothermic peak derived from the crystalline resin (A) as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is in the range of 40° C. to 100° C., and endothermic peak areas S1 and S2 during heating satisfy the following equation. (S2/S1)×100≧35 (1) S1 is an area of the endothermic peak derived from the crystalline resin (A) in the first heating process, and S2 is an area of the endothermic peak derived from the crystalline resin (A) in the second heating process, when the toner binder is heated, cooled, and heated. |
| US09921504B2 |
Toner having low temperature fixing and high durability characteristics
A toner according to an embodiment includes a colorant, a binder resin, and an ester wax. The colorant, the binder resin and the ester wax form a toner particle. The ester wax contains two or more ester compounds represented by the general formula R1COOR2, where R1 and R2 each independently is an alkyl group. The total number of carbon atoms of R1 and R2 is in a range from 31 to 53. The two or more ester compounds have different number of carbon atoms from each other. |
| US09921500B2 |
Fluorinated structured organic film photoreceptor layers
A method of forming an overcoat layer. The method comprises providing a substrate having an imaging structure formed thereon, the imaging structure comprising (i) a charge transport layer and a charge generating layer, or (ii) an imaging layer comprising both charge generating material and charge transport material. An overcoat composition is deposited on the imaging structure, the overcoat composition comprising a charge transport molecule, a fluorinated building block, a leveling agent, a liquid carrier and optionally a first catalyst. The fluorinated building block is a fluorinated alkyl monomer substituted at the α and ω positions with a hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl or aldehyde functional group or the anhydrides of any of those functional groups. The overcoat composition is cured to form an overcoat layer that is a fluorinated structured organic film, the curing comprising treating an outer surface of the overcoat composition with at least one cross-linking process. The crosslinking process forms a cross-linking gradient in the overcoat layer. If the overcoat composition comprises the first catalyst, there is an insufficient amount of the first catalyst to fully cross-link the overcoat layer. |
| US09921497B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A substrate handling system includes: a thermal shield for thermally insulating a space through which a substrate passes, from a thermal load originating outside the space, the thermal shield including: a first wall and a second wall with a gap therebetween, the first wall positioned between the space and the second wall; an inlet opening configured to allow a flow of gas from a gas source to enter the gap from outside the space; and an outlet opening configured to allow the flow of gas to exit the gap to outside of the space, wherein the system is configured to direct the flow of gas to enter the gap through the inlet opening, to flow through the gap and out of the gap to outside the space through the outlet opening thereby to reduce thermal fluctuations in the space due to the thermal load originating outside the space. |
| US09921493B2 |
Photolithography system, method for transporting photo-mask and unit therein
A photolithography system includes a photo-mask storage, at least one photolithography machine and an overhead crane for transporting at least one photo-mask at least between the photo-mask storage and the photolithography machine. The overhead crane includes at least one main rail, a mask girder, a mask hoist and a mask holding device. The mask girder is coupled with the main rail and movable at least between a first position above the photo-mask storage and a second position above the photolithography machine. The mask hoist is movably coupled with the mask girder. The mask holding device is coupled with the mask hoist. |
| US09921488B2 |
Maskless exposure method and a maskless exposure device for performing the exposure method
A maskless exposure device includes a stage on which a substrate is disposed, an optical head, and an optical source part. The optical head irradiates light to the substrate. The light source part provides the optical head with a light. The optical head irradiates the light, according to an average-focus distance, to the substrate. The average-focus distance is determined by averaging best-focus distances for a plurality of regions of the substrate, respectively. |
| US09921483B2 |
Surface correction of mirrors with decoupling coating
A mirror (1) for EUV lithography includes a substrate (2) and a reflective coating (3, 4). The reflective coating has a first group (3) of layers (3a, 3b) and a second group (4) of layers (4a, 4b), wherein the first group and second group of layers (3a, 3b; 4a, 4b) reflect radiation having a used wavelength between 5 nm and 30 nm. The first group of layers is arranged between the substrate and the second group of layers, and a decoupling coating (6) is arranged between the first group and second group of layers, said decoupling coating optically decoupling the second group of layers from the first group of layers by preventing the radiation having the used wavelength from reaching the first group of layers. The reflective coating preferably has a correction layer (5) having a layer thickness variation for correcting the surface form of the mirror. |
| US09921481B2 |
Fine resist pattern-forming composition and pattern forming method using same
The present invention provides a composition enabling to form a fine negative photoresist pattern free from troubles such as surface roughness, bridge defects or unresolved defects, and the invention also provides a pattern formation method employing that composition. The composition is used for miniaturizing a resist pattern by applying to a negative resist pattern from a chemically amplified resist composition and fattening the resist pattern. This composition comprises a polymer comprising a repeating unit having an amino group or a polymer mixture, and a solvent, and further comprises a specific amount of an acid or indicates a specific pH value. The polymer mixture comprises polymers whose HSP distance, determined from Hansen solubility parameter, is 3 or more. In the pattern formation method, the composition is cast on a negative photoresist pattern beforehand obtained by development with an organic solvent developer and is then heated to form a fine pattern. |
| US09921479B2 |
Resist composition and patterning process
A pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising (A) a PPD inhibitor, (B) a polymer adapted to change its solubility in an organic solvent under the action of acid, (C) a photoacid generator, and (D) an organic solvent onto a substrate, baking, exposing the resist film, PEB, and developing in an organic solvent developer. The resist composition ensures to form a pattern in a consistent manner while inhibiting any CD shrinkage and pattern profile change due to a delay from PEB to development. |
| US09921474B2 |
Pattern-forming method and composition
A pattern-forming method includes forming a prepattern that is insoluble or hardly soluble in an organic solvent. A resin layer is provided on at least a lateral face of the prepattern. The prepattern and the resin layer are heated such that an adjacent portion of the resin layer to the prepattern is made insoluble or hardly soluble in the organic solvent, without being accompanied by an increase of a molecular weight of the prepattern and the resin layer. A portion of the resin layer other than the adjacent portion of the resin layer is removed. The resin layer is formed from a first composition including a first polymer and an organic solvent. Solubility of the first polymer in the organic solvent does not substantially change due to an action of an acid. A weight average molecular weight of the first polymer is 15,000-150,000. |
| US09921473B2 |
Aromatic glycol ethers as writing monomers in holographic photopolymer formulations
The invention relates to a photopolymer formulation comprising specific aromatic glycol ethers as writing monomers, matrix polymers and a photoinitiator. The invention further provides an unexposed holographic medium obtainable using an inventive photopolymer formulation, and an exposed holographic medium obtainable by exposing a hologram into an inventive unexposed holographic medium. The invention likewise provides a visual display comprising an inventive exposed holographic medium, for the use of an inventive exposed holographic medium for production of chip cards, identification documents, 3D images, product protection labels, labels, banknotes or holographic optical elements, and specific aromatic glycol ethers. |
| US09921471B2 |
Methods of forming photonic device structures
A method of forming a photonic device structure comprises forming a photoresist over a photonic material over a substrate. The photoresist is exposed to radiation through a gray-tone mask to form at least one photoexposed region and at least one non-photoexposed region of the photoresist. The at least one photoexposed region of the photoresist or the at least one non-photoexposed region of the photoresist is removed to form photoresist features. The photoresist features and unprotected portions of the photonic material are removed to form photonic features. Other methods of forming a photonic device structure, and a method of forming an electronic device are also described. |
| US09921470B2 |
Imprint method for an imprint apparatus which transfers a pattern onto a substrate by using a mold
The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which transfers a pattern onto a substrate by using a mold including a first surface with a pattern region where an unevenness pattern is formed, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the mold including a first pattern group formed between the second surface and a surface of a convex portion in the unevenness pattern, or on the second surface, the apparatus comprising a second pattern group, a detection unit configured to detect a mark group formed by light having passed through the first pattern group and the second pattern group, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a position deviation between the first pattern group and the second pattern group from the mark group detected by the detection unit. |
| US09921468B2 |
X-Y table with a position-measuring device
An X-Y table with a position-measuring device includes a table which is disposed on a support and is movable on the support so that altogether the table is positionable in a plane parallel to an underlying stationary base. Two groups of scanning heads are disposed on the support. For position measurement in two directions, a respective one of the scanning heads directs light through a respective transmissive scale attached along an edge of the table such that a respective reflective scale, which is stationary relative to a processing tool disposed above the table, reflects the light through the respective transmissive scale back to the respective scanning head. In a central position of the table, the two groups are in positional correspondence with the transmissive scales, and, in either of two edge positions of the table, only one of the two groups is in positional correspondence with the transmissive scales. |
| US09921467B2 |
Mask blank and mask and fabrication method thereof
A mask blank and a mask are provided. The mask blank includes a substrate, and an etching stop layer embedded in the substrate. The mask includes the mask blank with the embedded etching stop layer, and a plurality of recesses formed in the mask blank. The recess exposes the embedded etching stop layer. |
| US09921464B1 |
Gimbal for 360-degree video and picture shooting
Provided is a gimbal for 360-degree video and picture shooting including: a camera mounting unit having a body and a cavity formed in a center of the body, with a plurality of cameras being mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the body to take a 360-degree image or picture; a multi-axis driving unit provided in the cavity of the camera mounting unit and fixed to one side of the camera mounting unit to calibrate shaking of the camera mounting unit; and a support unit to which the other side of the multi-axis driving unit is fixed. Since the multi-axis driving unit is not exposed to the outside when the gimbal takes the 360-degree image and picture, it is possible to minimize the restriction of the area to be filmed when taking the surrounding image and picture. |
| US09921461B1 |
Clip for mounting external device to electronic device
In an aspect, a device-and-clip system is provided for an electronic device. The system includes an external device that cooperates with at least one electronic device feature on the rear face to perform a selected function. The system includes a clip including a first clip arm having an arm marker thereon and which is engageable with the front face of the electronic device and a second clip arm that is engageable with the rear face of the electronic device. The system further includes an application that is executable to instruct the electronic device to display a screen marker on the display screen in a selected position and in a selected orientation such that positioning and orienting of the first clip arm on the display screen of the smart phone with the arm marker aligned with the position and orientation of the screen marker positions the external device in alignment with the at least one electronic device feature. |
| US09921457B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device capable of changing the light irradiation range includes a light emitting portion, and an optical member disposed in front of the light emitting portion. The optical member has a plurality of shapes such that two types of cylindrical concave surface having axial directions substantially perpendicular to each other are crossed each other. The plurality of shapes are formed in a central region of an entry surface through which light from the light emitting portion enters or a central region of an exit surface through which the light entering through the entry surface exits. |
| US09921455B2 |
Diaphragm device for video camera lens and method for controlling diaphragm device
A diaphragm device includes a diaphragm mechanism, a connector, an identification unit for identifying a control mode of a signal communicated via the multiple terminals on the basis of voltage of the signal, and a control unit, wherein the switching unit switches the communication path so that a pulse signal capable of driving the pulse signal driven actuator is generated for generating the pulse signal on the basis of the signal, and output to the pulse signal driven actuator if the control mode of the signal is identified as one based on a control mode incapable of directly driving the pulse signal driven actuator; and the switching unit switches the communication path so that the signal is output to the pulse signal driven actuator if the control mode of the signal is identified as a first control mode based on a pulse signal directly driving the pulse signal driven actuator. |
| US09921453B2 |
Multidirectional communication system
Various of the disclosed embodiments incorporate wavelength-shifting (WLS) materials to facilitate high data rate communication. Some embodiments employ a waveguide incorporating such WLS materials to receive a wireless signal from a source. The signal may be, e.g., in the optical or ultraviolet ranges, facilitating a ˜10 Gbps data rate. Because the WLS material is sensitive in all directions, the source may be isotropic or wide-angled. The WLS material may be shaped into one or more “bands” that may cover an object, e.g., a head-mounted display. A detector may be coupled with the bands to receive the wavelength-shifted signal and to recover the original signal from the source. The WLS material may be modified to improve the waveguide retention, e.g., by incorporating layers of material having a different reflection coefficient or a Bragg reflector. |
| US09921452B2 |
Electrophoretic display device and electronic apparatus
The electrophoretic display device includes an element substrate (first substrate), a counter substrate (second substrate) being disposed opposite to the element substrate, a partition being disposed between the element substrate and the counter substrate, and a dispersion liquid containing electrophoretic particles and the dispersion medium, which is disposed in a cell (space) defined by the partition. Further, a pixel electrodes (first electrode) is disposed on the dispersion liquid side of the element substrate, a common electrode (second electrode) is disposed on the dispersion liquid side of the counter substrate, the electrophoretic display device includes a coating layer on a surface in contact with the dispersion liquid in at least one electrode side of the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and the contact angle to water of the coating layer is not less than 60°. |
| US09921450B2 |
Driving thin film switchable optical devices
Controllers and control methods apply a drive voltage to bus bars of a thin film optically switchable device. The applied drive voltage is provided at a level that drives a transition over the entire surface of the optically switchable device but does not damage or degrade the device. This applied voltage produces an effective voltage at all locations on the face of the device that is within a bracketed range. The upper bound of this range is associated with a voltage safely below the level at which the device may experience damage or degradation impacting its performance in the short term or the long term. At the lower boundary of this range is an effective voltage at which the transition between optical states of the device occurs relatively rapidly. The level of voltage applied between the bus bars is significantly greater than the maximum value of the effective voltage within the bracketed range. |
| US09921449B2 |
Array substrate and display device
An array substrate and a display device are disclosed. The array substrate includes a display area and a gate driver circuit located outside of the display area. The display area is covered with an alignment film, and the gate driver circuit is also covered with the alignment film. With the array substrate, damage, caused by static electricity generated between conductive particles in a sealant and the gate driver circuit, to the gate driver circuit can be effectively reduced. |
| US09921444B2 |
Liquid crystal panel
The present invention provides a liquid crystal panel, in which a black matrix is formed on a TFT substrate and the black matrix includes a plurality of black light shielding frames respectively located in a plurality of pixel zones and arranged in the form of a matrix. The black light shielding frames are each set at a gap between a light blocking frame and data lines and scan lines along a periphery of an opening area of each of the pixel zones so that the liquid crystal panel of the present invention eliminates the occurrence of defect situations of light leaking and color shifting resulting from positional deviation of the black matrix caused by positional shift between upper and lower substrates and also provides a relatively high aperture ratio. |
| US09921435B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
In an electro-optical device, a pixel electrode is provided in a first light-transmitting substrate, and a lens, which overlaps the pixel electrode in a plan view, and a common electrode are provided in a second light-transmitting substrate. The pixel electrode includes an ITO film which includes a first electrically conducting layer stacked a first light-transmitting dielectric layer, and the common electrode includes a second electrically conducting layer which includes an ITO film which is stacked a second light-transmitting dielectric layer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress wavelength dispersion in a case in which incident light is modulated and is emitted. The first dielectric layer includes a silicon oxide film and the second dielectric layer includes an aluminum oxide film. |
| US09921433B2 |
Array substrate, liquid crystal display panel and display device
The invention discloses an array substrate, a liquid crystal display panel and a display device, since the first shield electrode, which intents to shield instantaneous electromagnetic signals in a data signal line, and a pixel electrode are provided in the same layer, compared to the existing array substrate in which the shield electrode and a common electrode are provided in the same layer, since the pixel electrode is closer to the data signal line, through the first shield electrode, the light leakage phenomenon can be effectively prevented from occurring in the array substrate, and the color mixing phenomenon of the array substrate can be alleviated, and further the distance between the first shield electrode provided in the same layer as the pixel electrode and the data signal line can be decreased, and the width of the first shield electrode is decreased. |
| US09921431B2 |
Display device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a mount portion, a first metal layer, a second metal layer, an interlayer insulating film which is thinner in a non-display area than in a display area, a plurality of lines, a first end, a second end, wherein at least one of the first and second ends comprises a slit formed therein along a second direction from a display area side thereof to a opposite side of the display area side. |
| US09921430B2 |
Display component including an alignment film having a thickness variation portion on a film forming control portion
A display component includes a glass substrate GS including a display area AA and a non-display area NAA surrounding the display area AA, a color filter 29 overlapping a surface of the glass substrate GS in the display area AA, a CF board side alignment film 32 disposed in at least the display area AA to cover the color filter 29 and partially including a thickness variation portion 36 that gradually decreases thickness thereof toward an outer side, and a film forming control portion 37 disposed in the non-display area NAA to be next to the display area AA and overlapping the surface of the glass substrate GS and configured to form the CF board side alignment film 32 such that the thickness variation portion 36 is in the non-display area NAA. |
| US09921426B2 |
Display with blue pigment layer under black matrix
A liquid crystal display has a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer surrounding a layer of liquid crystal material. The display may have an active area with an array of display pixels. An inactive area may surround the active area. A black mask structure may be formed in the inactive area. A black matrix having a grid shape with rectangular openings may be formed in the active area. Red, green, and blue color filter elements may be formed in the rectangular openings. The black matrix may have a first layer that is formed from a grid of blue photoresist on a color filter substrate and a second layer that is formed from an aligned grid of black photoresist. In the inactive area, the black mask structure may be formed a layer of blue photoresist covered with a layer of black photoresist. |
| US09921420B2 |
Eyeglasses and eyeglass attachment for directing filtered air over the eyes of a wearer
A pair of eyeglasses includes a lens support structure having an elongated cavity formed therein that defines an air plenum extending transversely across the lens support structure. Air blowers are situated at opposite axial ends of the lens support structure and generate pressurized air into the elongated cavity. A HEPA filter is situated within the elongated cavity. A plurality of orifices formed in a bottom surface of the lens support structure directs pressurized air from the elongated cavity into the space between the eyeglass lens and the eyes of a user to displace allergens. Electronic circuitry, including a battery and switch, is situated within the lens support structure and operates the blowers. A status indicator is situated on the lens support structure to provide a visual indication of the operational state of the blowers and condition of the battery. |
| US09921416B2 |
Moveably-coupled screen actuators
A speckle damping system for dampening speckle on a projection screen for a projection display system employing coherent or partially coherent light sources (e.g., lasers, LEDs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rotatably coupled system is disclosed, comprising: a set of actuators; a set of rotatably coupled mounts, each of said set of rotatably coupled mount capable of mounting at least one said actuator; and wherein said at least one actuator mounted on said rotatably coupled mount is in moveable mechanical communication with said projection screen. In another embodiment, a linearly coupled system is disclosed comprising: a set of actuators; a set of linearly coupled mounts, each of said set of linearly coupled mount capable of mounting at least one said actuator; and wherein said at least one actuator mounted on said linearly coupled mount is in moveable mechanical communication with said projection screen. |
| US09921414B2 |
Display device
A display device according to one or more embodiments includes a display panel configured to display an image, a window substrate above the display panel, and including a display area configured to transmit the image therethrough, and a non-display area around the display area, a first adhesive layer between the display panel and the window substrate, and a decoration film above an upper surface of the window substrate. The decoration film includes a base film and a printing layer at a first surface of the base film. |
| US09921413B2 |
3D image system, method, and applications
Apparatus (systems) and methods are described for generating and displaying a virtual true 3D image viewable by a single eye of a viewer. A fixed-curve mirror is translated along an optical axis in synchrony with a temporally-modulated 2D image generator to generate a virtual image in multiple virtual image planes, enabling depth perception of the image by a single eye of the viewer. |
| US09921410B2 |
Head-mounted display device
A head-mounted display device includes an eyeglass frame, including a rim, for fixing the head-mounted display device onto a wearer's head, a display that displays an image, and an eyepiece optical unit that guides light of an image displayed on the display into at least one of the wearer's eyes to display the image as an enlarged virtual image. The display and the eyepiece optical unit are attached to the rim, an optical axis of incident light that is image light incident on the eyepiece optical unit from the display and an optical axis of exiting light that is image light exiting from the eyepiece optical unit towards the wearer's eye are not coplanar, and the angle between an incident light vector formed by the incident light and an exiting light vector formed by the exiting light is greater than 90°. |
| US09921408B2 |
Collimating light emitted by a fiber via an array of lenslets on a curved surface
An embodiment is directed to an optical element arrangement including at least one optical element. A first optical element includes a fiber and a curved surface. The fiber emits light beams during oscillation at different angular positions relative to a system axis of the first optical element. The curved surface includes an array of lenslets. Each of the lenslets in the array of lenslets is configured to receive light beams from the fiber that are emitted within a particular range of the first curved surface and to collimate the light beams received by the lenslet at a lenslet-specific field angle relative to the system axis. In other embodiments, one or more additional optical elements with respective fibers can be deployed as part of the optical element arrangement, and any of the optical elements in the optical element arrangement may include multiple curved surfaces with respective lenslet arrays. |
| US09921404B1 |
Heat transfer from liquid or vapor for fluoropolymer reflow
A method for fabricating electronic displays comprises placing a fluoropolymer layer on a support plate for the electronic display device and etching the fluoropolymer layer. Etching changes a surface of the fluoropolymer layer so that the fluoropolymer layer becomes less hydrophobic. Pixel walls are formed on the hydrophilic surface of the fluoropolymer layer to form an array of electrowetting display elements. The fluoropolymer layer is subsequently immersed in a vapor or a liquid that is heated to heat the surface of the fluoropolymer layer. Such immersion allows the surface of the fluoropolymer layer to reflow and to become more hydrophobic. |
| US09921402B2 |
Optical filter, method of manufacturing optical filter, and optical instrument
An optical filter includes a first substrate which has a support portion, a second substrate which is supported by the support portion, a first optical film which is provided on the first substrate, and a second optical film which is provided on the second substrate to face the first optical film. The first substrate and the second substrate are fixed to each other by bonding a first bonding film which is provided on the entire region of a support surface of the support portion supporting the second substrate and a second bonding film which is provided on at least a region (opposing surface) facing the entire region of the support surface from a supported surface of the second substrate. |
| US09921397B2 |
Daylight collectors with thermal control
Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting assembly, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device. |
| US09921396B2 |
Optical imaging and communications
Selected embodiments include an imager providing wide field (WFOV) and foveated images. The imager includes a frontend optic receiving light. Corrective optics reduces distortions, and transmits the light to a splitter. One portion of the light exiting the splitter is focused on a WFOV image detector. A second portion falls on a scanning mirror targeting a selected field position. The light is corrected by an adaptive corrector, which may be configured for field position-dependent correction. The light from the corrector is focused on a foveated image detector. An eye tracker may be employed to select the foveated position corresponding to user gaze direction. Another imager includes a configurable corrector in the imager's optical stop. Free space optical (FSO) communication laser may be combined with a foveated/WFOV imager, with a corrector of the imager correcting the FSO light and a scanning component selecting transmission direction for the FSO light. |
| US09921393B2 |
Wafer-level methods for making apertured lenses involving sequential layering of biplanar transparent film, opaque layer, spacer wafer, and lens wafer
A wafer-level lens forming method for forming an aperture wafer wherein the aperture wafer is stacked with one or more lens wafers to form apertured lens systems. The aperture wafer is formed by lithographically depositing an opaque layer on a transparent film, which is supported by a substrate. The aperture wafer is stacked with one or more lens wafers, and appropriate spacing between the wafers is set with spacer wafers. The substrate is removed, and the lens and aperture wafers are adhered together in a stack to form an optical system. The method avoids accumulation of residual material on the lens during the opaque-layer deposition process. The resulting optical system benefits from added flexibility of the lens system design due to the ability to locate the aperture with respect to one or more lenses independently of the lens wafers. |
| US09921392B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and focusing method thereof
In the image capturing apparatus, the optical path difference producing member is disposed on the second optical path. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the amount of light when an optical image which is focused at the front of an optical image made incident into the first imaging device (front focus) and an optical image which is focused at the rear thereof (rear focus) are respectively imaged at the second imaging device and also to secure the amount of light on image pickup by the first imaging device. Further, in the image capturing apparatus, a position of the first imaging region and a position of the second imaging region on the imaging area are reversed with respect to the axis P in association with reversal of a scanning direction of the sample. Therefore, despite the scanning direction of the sample, it is possible to obtain a deviation direction of the focus position under the same conditions. |
| US09921391B2 |
Interference objective lens and light interference measuring device
An interference objective lens includes: an objective lens system; a beam splitter which is placed between a measurement surface of a measuring object and a tip end of the objective lens, which diverges light emitted from the objective lens into a reference optical path and a measurement optical path, and which outputs combined wave in which reflection light passing through the reference optical path and reflection light passing through the measuring object are combined; a reference mirror which is placed in the reference optical path and which reflects, by the beam splitter, light diverged into the reference optical path; a mirror holding member which has a spherical surface-shaped outer surface, and which holds the reference mirror such that a reflection surface of the reference mirror passes through a center of a spherical surface; a support member which has a spherical surface-shaped inner surface having a diameter which is substantially equal to the outer surface of the mirror holding member, and which supports the outer surface of the mirror holding member by the inner surface; and a reference mirror adjusting mechanism which adjusts a position of the mirror holding member in the support member. |
| US09921390B1 |
Mounting structure for a mirror assembly
A mirror assembly mountable to a wall includes a mirror platform having a front surface and a rear surface, a chassis engageable with the mirror platform to define a mirror assembly interior, at least one electrical component disposed within the mirror assembly interior, and a mounting structure. The mounting structure includes a support member mounted to one of the rear surface of the mirror platform and the chassis and a hanger member mounted to the other of the rear surface of the mirror platform and the chassis. The hanger member is removably securable on the support member to mount the mirror platform to the chassis. |
| US09921385B2 |
Optical barrel assembly, camera including the same, analyte detector including the same, and associated methods
An optical barrel assembly includes a barrel having an inner bottom surface and an inner lateral surface extending from the inner bottom surface, the inner bottom and lateral surfaces defining a cylindrical housing, and a first element surrounded by the inner lateral surface of the barrel, wherein an outer perimeter of the first element has a different shape than a perimeter defined by the cylindrical housing. |
| US09921384B2 |
Ultra-high fiber density micro-duct cable with extreme operating performance
A micro-duct cable includes a center member and a plurality of buffer tubes surrounding the center member. A plurality of fibers are disposed in each of the plurality of buffer tubes. Each of the plurality of buffer tubes contains greater than or equal to 24 fibers. The micro-duct cable further includes a cable jacket surrounding the plurality of buffer tubes and the center member. A maximum outer diameter of the cable is less than 13 millimeters and a modulus of elasticity of the cable is greater than or equal to 800 kpsi. |
| US09921379B2 |
Compact optical transceiver by hybrid multichip integration
A compact optical transceiver formed by hybrid multichip integration. The optical transceiver includes a Si-photonics chip attached on a PCB. Additionally, the optical transceiver includes a first TSV interposer and a second TSV interposer separately attached nearby the Si-photonics chip on the PCB. Furthermore, the optical transceiver includes a driver chip flip-bonded partially on the Si-photonics chip through a first sets of bumps and partially on the first TSV interposer through a second sets of bumps. Moreover, the optical transceiver includes a transimpedance amplifier module chip flip-bonded partially on the Si-photonics chip through a third sets of bumps and partially on the second TSV interposer through a fourth set of bumps. |
| US09921373B2 |
Fiber-optic connector mating assembly for optical test instruments
There is provided a mating assembly for mating a fiber-optic termination comprising a fiber-optic ferrule to an optical test instrument. The mating assembly comprises: a holding body having internal tubular dimensions substantially complementary to corresponding external dimensions of the fiber-optic ferrule of said fiber-optic termination, to hold the fiber-optic ferrule in a given alignment relative to the optical test instrument; and at least one deformable elastomeric feature extending inwardly in the holding body to frictionally engage on a smooth external surface of said fiber-optic ferrule and to provide friction thereon to retain said fiber-optic ferrule. |
| US09921371B2 |
Light guide element and image display device
A light guide element includes a light-guiding substrate and a diffraction part formed on a surface of the light-guiding substrate. The diffraction part includes an optical layer capable of exerting a diffractive action. The distance from the light-guiding substrate to a surface of the optical layer is equal to or less than 10% of a thickness of the light-guiding substrate. The light guide element satisfies |ΔD|≦0.15 mm, where ΔD is an amount of a change in D with the temperature change ΔT, D [mm] is a distance, at the temperature T (° C.), between the center of the diffraction part and a position predetermined as a position where the ray of light comes out of the light-guiding substrate in a direction horizontal with respect to the light-guiding substrate, and ΔT is a temperature change. |
| US09921369B2 |
Multimode optical fiber with high bandwidth, and corresponding multimode optical system
The invention concerns a multimode optical fiber, with an ct-profile graded-index core with an a-value between 1.96 and 2.05 and a N value defined as N=(R1/λ)2(n12−n02) between 7 and 52, where R1 is the multimode core radius, n1 is the maximum index of the multimode core and n0 is the minimum index at the outer edge of the graded index core. According to the invention, a depressed region directly surrounds the graded/index core and satisfies the criteria: −2.20 |
| US09921365B2 |
Light-guide-plate creation method and device
A light guide plate for a liquid crystal screen display apparatus providing a favorable visual effect. The printing data of a light reflection pattern stored in a computer is transferred to an inkjet printer to allow the inkjet printer to subject a substantially-rectangular printing face surrounded by upper and lower and left and right edges of a light guide plate to a reflective printing for diffusing light emitted from a light source into the interior of the light guide plate. The printing data for performing the reflective printing is prepared so that a printing density is increased from the edges in the four directions corresponding to the edges in the four directions of the light guide plate toward one or more high density setting points set in front of the respective opposed edges. The reflective printing is performed using white ink including titanium oxide. |
| US09921363B2 |
Illumination device and display device
This backlight device (illumination device) is provided with (LEDs) light source; a light guide plate having a light-receiving face that opposes the LEDs and where light from the LEDs is incident, and a light-exiting surface where the incident light is emitted; and an optical sheet (optical member) arranged in opposition to the light-exiting surface of the light guide plate and imparting an optical effect to the light emitted from the light-exiting surface. Here, the optical sheet has, in at least one portion thereof, a chromaticity correction region for which x and y chromaticity coordinate values in a CIE 1931 color space both decrease with distance from the LEDs. |
| US09921362B2 |
Backlight source and display apparatus comprising the same
The present disclosure provides a backlight source and a display apparatus. The backlight source comprises: a light guide plate and an adhesive frame. The light guide plate comprises: a light incidence face, a light exit face connected to the light incidence face, a bottom face opposed to the light exit face, and at least one lateral faces configured to connect the light exit face to the bottom face and to be inclined with respect to the bottom face, a projection of the at least one lateral faces with respect to the bottom face falling within the bottom face. The adhesive frame is located at a periphery of the light guide plate, wherein faces of the adhesive frame which face towards the respective lateral faces are matched with the respective lateral faces. |
| US09921356B2 |
Display Backlight with Light Mixing Structures
A display may have a backlight unit with a row of light-emitting diodes that emit light into the edge of a light guide layer. The light guide layer may have opposing upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface of the light guide layer may have ridges and the lower surface of the light guide layer may have bumps. The edge of the light guide layer may have light mixing structures. The light mixing structures may include an alternating pattern of protrusions with different shapes. For example, triangular protrusions of a first size may be patterned with triangular protrusions of a second size. The light mixing structures may reduce the mixing distance of the backlight unit. |
| US09921351B2 |
Multilayered optical film, manufacturing method thereof, and display device
An optical film includes: a polarization layer; a first phase retardation layer having an optic axis at an angle in a range from about 17 degrees to about 27 degrees or from about −27 degrees to about −17 degrees with respect to a transmission axis of the polarization layer; and a second phase retardation layer having an optic axis at an angle in a range from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees with respect to the transmission axis of the polarization layer. The polarization layer, the first phase retardation layer, and the second phase retardation layer are deposited in sequence, the first phase retardation layer is a half-wave plate, the second phase retardation layer is a quarter-wave plate, and out-of-plane retardation values of the first phase retardation layer and the second phase retardation layer for incident light having the standard wavelength have opposite signs. |
| US09921344B2 |
Plasmonic lens having a surface pattern providing linear-polarization-independent plasmonic focusing and circular polarization dependent plasmonic focusing
A plasmonic lens is presented comprising a surface for interaction with an input electromagnetic field, wherein this surface has a pattern comprising an arrangement of a plurality of elongated spaced-apart features of a predetermined geometry arranged in a spaced-apart relationship along at least one segment of a spiral curve, each of the pattern features defining an elongated interface for creation of surface waves in response to the interaction with the incident electromagnetic field, such that the pattern provides linear-polarization-independent plasmonic focusing and large area, high contrast, circular polarization dichroic plasmonic focusing. |
| US09921341B2 |
Low-water content acrylate-acrylamide copolymers for ophthalmic devices
Acrylate-acrylamide copolymers are disclosed. They are rigid and glassy in dry state at room temperature (from about 23° C. to about 28° C.), but are soft and very deformable and have a high refractive index, a high glistening resistance and a low aging-related surface light scattering in fully hydrated state. They are particularly suitable for making wet-packed intraocular lenses (IOLs) which can be delivered through sub 2.0 mm incisions. |
| US09921340B2 |
Water-processable silicone-containing prepolymers and uses thereof
The invention provide a class of water-processable polymerizable prepolymers which comprises (1) siloxane-containing monomeric units derived at least one siloxane containing monomer having one hydrophilic group or chain and/or polysiloxane-containing crosslinking units derived from at least one hydrophilized polysiloxane or chain-extended polysiloxane crosslinker; (2) hydrophilic monomeric units derived from one or more hydrophilic vinylic monomers; and (3) from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of polymerizable units each having a pendant or terminal, ethylenically-unsaturated group and free of any polysiloxane segment. The prepolymer comprises from about 20% to about 50% by weight of silicone relative to the total weight of the prepolymer and has a high water solubility or dispersibility of at least about 5% by weight in water and suitable for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses. |
| US09921338B2 |
Selecting and optimizing oil field controls for production plateau
A system, method and a computer program product for to determining energy production controls for a given subterranean hydrocarbon (oil) field production and more particularly to specifying controls for sustaining optimal field production (by means of a plateau-like profile over time). |
| US09921335B1 |
Systems and methods for determining linear acceleration
Systems and methods are disclosed for deriving linear acceleration using an accelerometer. The orientation of a device may be determined using only accelerometer data. The determined orientation may then be used to determine a gravity vector, such that linear acceleration may be derived by subtracting the gravity vector from accelerometer data. |
| US09921334B2 |
Combining multiple energy X-ray imaging and well data to obtain high-resolution rock, mechanical, and elastic property profiles
A method is provided for evaluating a geological formation which integrates well data and high resolution computed tomography of rock samples thereof. Relationships are determined for a formation between a formation property, such as an elastic property, and at least one of photoelectric effect index (PEF), effective atomic number (Zeff), and bulk density (RHOB), using well data, and tomographic imaging is used to determine at least one of the latter mentioned properties (PEF, Zeff, RHOB) at higher resolution, which can be used in the relationship to determine a corresponding formation property. This affords an opportunity to develop formation property data for more challenging formations to evaluate, such as thinly laminated formations or others. Computerized systems, computer program products on non-transitory computer usable storage media, and programs for performing the methods are also provided. |
| US09921329B2 |
Automated method for selecting positions within formations from which to extract samples thereof
A method for selecting core points in subsurface formations includes selecting a zone from at least one subsurface formation. At least one statistical measure of at least one petrophysical measurement with respect to position along the selected zone is calculated. A predetermined number of core points at randomly selected positions along the selected zone is selected The at least one statistical measure is calculated for the randomly selected positions. Using a Monte Carlo iteration, the positions along the selected zone are randomly reselected and the at least one statistical measure is recalculated for the randomly reselected points until the at least one statistical measure for the randomly selected points is a maximum for a user selected statistical criterion applied to the at least one statistical measure of at least one petrophysical measurement with respect to position along the selected zone. |
| US09921326B2 |
Subterranean formation monitoring using frequency domain weighted analysis
The disclosed method includes receiving resulting signals emanating from a subterranean formation, wherein the resulting signals are caused by signals emitted from seismic sources. The method further includes dividing the resulting signals into a plurality of sub-samples. The method includes determining a frequency content of one or more of the sub-samples and assigning a weight to or more components of the frequency content of the sub-sample to produce a weighted frequency content of the sub-sample, wherein the assigned weight is based, at least in part, on an estimate of the amount of noise present in the frequency content of the sub-sample. The method further includes combining the weighted frequency contents of the sub-samples to produce a weighted sample. The method further includes determining one or more properties of the subsurface formation based, at least in part, on the weighted sample. |
| US09921319B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method of information processing apparatus, radiation imaging system, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus connected to an external connection unit of a radiation imaging apparatus including a storage unit and a control unit configured to access to the storage unit, comprises a determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the radiation imaging apparatus; a processing unit that, if determined that the abnormality has occurred, and the control unit has access authority to the storage unit, performs processing of revoking the access authority; another control unit that obtains the access authority in accordance with the processing of the processing unit and accesses the storage unit; and an output unit that outputs, to an external apparatus, any one of radiation image data captured by the radiation imaging apparatus and log data of the apparatus which are obtained from the storage unit via the other control unit. |
| US09921311B2 |
Method and time-of-flight camera for providing distance information
The invention relates to a method for providing distance information of a scene with a time-of-flight camera, comprising the steps of emitting a modulated light pulse towards the scene, receiving reflections of the modulated light pulse from the scene, evaluating a time-of-flight information for the received reflections of the modulated light pulse, and deriving distance information from the time-of-flight information for the received reflections, whereby a spread spectrum signal is applied to a base frequency of the modulation of the light pulse, and the time-of-flight information is evaluated under consideration of the a spread spectrum signal applied to the base frequency of the modulation of the light pulse. The invention further relates to a time-of-flight camera for providing distance information from a scene, whereby the time-of-flight camera performs the above method. |
| US09921308B2 |
Generating a map conveying the probability of detecting terrestrial targets
An exemplary computer implemented digital image processing method conveys probabilities of detecting terrestrial targets from an observation aircraft. Input data defining an observation aircraft route relative to the geographical map with lines of communications (LOC) disposed thereon are received and stored as well as input data associated an aircraft sensor's targeting capabilities and attributes related to the capability of targets to be detected. Percentages of time for line-of-sight visibility from the aircraft of segments of LOC segments are determined. Probability percentages that the sensor would detect a terrestrial target on the segments are determined. The segments are color-coded with visibility and sensor detection information. A visual representation of the map with the color-coded segments is provided to enhance the ability to select appropriate observation mission factors to achieve a successful observation mission. |
| US09921299B2 |
Dynamic beam spot size for light beam scanning device
A light beam scanning device includes a controller device which dynamically adjusts a divergence of the beam. Divergence adjustment can include adjusting the beam divergence along one or more cross sectional axes of the beam. Beam divergence can be adjusted between consecutive scans, during a scan, etc. Beam divergence can be adjusted based on the field of view and scan rate. Beam divergence adjustment can enable dynamic adjustment of the spot size of the beam, which can enable the apparatus to adjust between scanning a wide divergence beam to detect objects in a scene and scanning a narrow divergence beam to generate detailed point clouds of the detected objects. Beam divergence adjustment can enable adjustment of reflection point intensity, enabling detection of low-reflectivity objects. |
| US09921296B2 |
System and method for testing frequency synthesizer
A method of testing a frequency synthesizer over a predetermined frequency range using a delay unit complying with a spectral delay distribution model modeling a spectral delay distribution of the delay unit over the predetermined frequency range. The method comprises generating at least one test signal with the frequency synthesizer according to at least one test command; passing the at least one test signal through the delay unit so as to obtain at least one delayed test signal; measuring at least one shift of a signal attribute between the delayed test signal and the test signal; estimating an accuracy of the frequency synthesizer by comparing the at least one measured shift with an expected shift, the expected shift being derived from the spectral delay distribution model of the delay unit and from the at least one test command. |
| US09921292B2 |
Efficient location determination of wireless communication devices using hybrid localization techniques
Embodiments herein relate to determining the location of a device using hybrid localization techniques. For example, a first technique such as trilateration may be used to determine an approximate location of the device. An error associated with the approximate location may also be implemented to increase the likelihood of locating the device upon applying a second localization technique, such as fingerprinting. Fingerprinting, when applied to the approximate location determined from trilateration, may determine the location of the device, or a more precise location than that determined from trilateration, such that reduced power consumption by the device may be achieved without sacrificing location accuracy. |
| US09921289B2 |
Tracking device comprising a receiving structure which can be adjusted about at least one axis, for mounting at least one element that is sensitive to electromagnetic waves and has a preferential radiation direction
The invention relates to a tracking device comprising a receiving structure that can be adjusted about at least one axis, for mounting at least one element that is sensitive to electromagnetic waves and has a preferential radiation direction, and comprising at least one rotational drive per axis for the purpose of actively rotationally adjusting said receiving structure in order for the element(s) mounted thereupon to track a celestial body on one or multiple axes with the aid of a control system and according to a predetermined algorithm, (each of) the rotational drive(s) comprising two annular connection elements that are concentric with one another, are mounted one upon the other, and are or can be coupled to at least one motor for mutual relative adjustment, a first connection element comprising at least one planar connection surface for fixing in place to a foundation, base, column or a connection element of another pivoting unit, and a second connection element comprising at least one planar connection surface for the purpose of coupling to said receiving structure or to a connection element of another pivoting unit in a rotationally-fixed manner. In addition, at least one row of roller elements is provided between the concentric annular connection elements of a pivoting unit, said roller elements rolling along raceways on the first and second connection elements, a toothing being provided that extends at least partially around one connection element and is formed, together with the raceway(s) that are in place, by machining or shaping a shared annular main part, and bore holes distributed in a circle and passing through the planar contact surface being provided on the other connection element for the purpose of fixing to a contact part, and being formed together with the raceway(s) that are in place by machining or shaping a shared annular main part. |
| US09921285B2 |
System, method and computer-accessible medium for highly-accelerated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging using golden-angle radial sampling and compressed sensing
Exemplary method, system and computer-accessible medium can be provided which facilitates an acquisition of radial data, which can be continuous, with an exemplary golden-angle procedure and reconstruction with arbitrary temporal resolution at arbitrary time points. According to such exemplary embodiment, such procedure can be performed with a combination of compressed sensing and parallel imaging to offer a significant improvement, for example in the reconstruction of highly undersampled data. It is also possible to provide an exemplary procedure for highly-accelerated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging using Golden-Angle radial sampling and multicoil compressed sensing reconstruction, called Golden-angle Radial Sparse Parallel MRI (GRASP). |
| US09921283B2 |
Methods for detecting abnormalities and degenerative processes in soft tissue using magnetic resonance imaging
The present invention provides methods to detect degenerative processes and abnormalities in soft tissues at high spatial resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio and short scanning times, based on quantitative tissue properties. These methods might provide a useful tool to detect and assess abnormalities in soft tissues and to monitor disease progression. |
| US09921280B2 |
Biomagnetic resonance device and measuring method therefor
Provided are an ultra-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance device and an ultra-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance measuring method. The method includes applying a first measurement bias magnetic field corresponding to an excitation frequency of a coherent biomagnetic field generated in association with the electrophysiological activity of human body organs, applying a second measurement bias magnetic field having the same direction as the first measurement bias magnetic field and having a different magnitude than the first measurement bias magnetic field, and measuring a magnetic resonance signal generated in the human body by using magnetic field measuring means. |
| US09921274B2 |
Sensing apparatus using groups of hall sensors and apparatus using the sensing apparatus
Provided are a sensing apparatus using a plurality of Hall sensors and an apparatus using the sensing apparatus. The sensing apparatus is configured to measure an intensity of a magnetic field with respect to a magnetic element by using a plurality of Hall sensors and to identify a body that includes the magnetic element. |
| US09921273B2 |
Hall electromotive force signal detection circuit, current sensor thereof, and hall element driving method
The present embodiment relates to a Hall electromotive force signal detection circuit. The third switch circuit selects a terminal position for applying a driving current out of four terminals of the third Hall element and switches the terminal position among the first terminal, the second terminal, the fourth terminal, and the third terminal in this order. The fourth switch circuit switches a terminal position for applying the driving current to the terminal in turn, among the first to the fourth terminal of the fourth Hall element, such that this terminal position is different from that selected by the third switch circuit and faces the terminal position for injecting the driving current in the third Hall element. A chopper clock generation circuit supplies a chopper clock signal with different four phases to the third switch circuit and to the fourth switch circuit. |
| US09921268B2 |
Auto-alignment of backer plate for direct docking test boards
A test probe aligner for aligning a test probe card with devices under test of a wafer is provided. The test probe aligner includes a backer plate arranged with its bottom side to the test probe card, and a stiffener mounted to the test probe card outside a horizontal dimension of the backer plate. The stiffener and a top side of the backer plate end in a same plane above the test probe card. The alignment further includes a bridge beam locked to a top side of the stiffener. Furthermore, the test probe aligner also includes at least two actuators and at least two corresponding force measurement sensors below a top surface of the bridge beam, arranged such that forces are applicable to the test probe card. |
| US09921266B1 |
General universal device interface for automatic test equipment for semiconductor testing
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a modular load board or “frame” that contains a number of moveable connectors. The moveable connectors can be selectively displaced within the frame, as needed, to mate with test head pogo-pins and can be fixed in place on the frame using screws. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide multiple moveable sockets that can be positioned as needed within the frame so that a quick prototype modular load board can be designed and readily modified, if need be, without requiring hard wired traces within the PCB to connect the DUT socket to the test head interface regions. Using ribbon cables, embodiments of the present disclosure eliminate the need to have any hard wired traces within a PCB load board between the DUT socket and pogo pin interface blocks. |
| US09921264B2 |
Method and apparatus for offline supported adaptive testing
In various embodiments, the disclosure relates to a hardware test generation environment for developing test tool analysis workflows. Configurable flow files direct the steps, procedures, and data acquisitions associated with device testing and can be flexibly deployed and updated in connection with a variety of electronic test tools. The hardware test generation environment may operate separately from the hardware test execution environment allowing device test protocols and methodologies to be independently developed, improved, and validated. |
| US09921260B2 |
Voltage indicator with continuity check
A system for testing electrical continuity of a device to a source wherein there is at least one conductor connecting the device to the source can include a reference capacitive load, an oscillator, and a microprocessor. The oscillator is selectively connected to the reference capacitive load and each conductor connecting the device to the source such that the frequency output of the oscillator is a function of the selected capacitive load of the oscillator. Each conductor connecting the device to the source is connected to the oscillator such that when each one is selectively connected, the output of the oscillator is a function of that conductor's parasitic self-capacitance. The microprocessor can then compare the frequency of the signal generated when each conductor is connected to the oscillator with the frequency of the signal generated when the reference capacitive load is connected. |
| US09921259B2 |
Ground fault detecting device
A ground fault detecting device includes a signal generating unit that generates a signal for ground fault detection, a signal supply unit that supplies the signal for ground fault detection to an object of ground fault detection a signal processing unit that executes signal processing of a detection-target signal including at least the signal for ground fault detection obtained from the object of ground fault detection a signal separating unit that extracts the signal for ground fault detection from an output signal of the signal processing unit, and a ground fault detecting unit that detects occurrence of a ground fault in the object of ground fault detection based on the signal for ground fault detection output from the signal separating unit. The signal supply unit and the signal separating unit are configured by passive elements. The signal generating unit and the signal processing unit are configured as active circuits. |
| US09921257B2 |
Crystal unit
A crystal unit includes: a crystal blank; an excitation electrode formed on the crystal blank and excites a main vibration of the crystal blank; a housing that accommodates the crystal blank; and a sub-vibration electrode formed on the housing and excites a sub-vibration of the crystal blank.And a method for inspecting a crystal unit, the method includes: generating a sub-vibration in a crystal blank by applying an input signal to a sub-vibration electrode formed on a housing, which accommodates the crystal blank, via external electrodes which are electrically coupled to the sub-vibration electrode and formed on the outer surface of the housing; obtaining an output of the crystal unit via the external electrodes; obtaining frequency characteristics of impedance between the external electrodes based on the output; and comparing the obtained frequency characteristics with the reference frequency characteristics indicating the quality of the crystal unit. |
| US09921256B2 |
Field strength monitoring for optimal performance
Disclosed are various embodiments for field strength monitoring of electromagnetic fields generated by a guided surface waveguide probe. A field meter measures the field strength of the electromagnetic field. The field meter communicates the measured field strength to a probe control system coupled to the guided surface waveguide probe. Adjustments can be made to one or more operational parameters of the guided surface waveguide probe according to the measured field strength. |
| US09921252B2 |
High voltage isolation measurement system
The isolation resistance value is determined by measuring the voltage across a set of high resistance resistor networks placed between the high voltage battery pack (both the positive and negative terminals) and the chassis ground and then modifying the resistance networks by switching in an additional high resistance network and repeating the measurements. This results in a system that can be assembled using low cost components to determine with a high degree of accuracy the value of the isolation resistance. The implementation of this system does not require expensive solid state relays, as the small amount of resistance through the switching device is negligible when determining the isolation resistance of the high voltage system. The system is not dependent on high precision devices to give accurate isolation resistance detection in a range that is appropriate for high voltage applications. |
| US09921248B2 |
Optically based voltage sensing device and method
A method of measuring fluctuations in electric fields is disclosed, the method comprising the step of: placing a Liquid Crystal Device in communication with the electric field, the device having disparate orthogonal polarization sensitivity to an external electric field; utilizing an optical probe beam having a known polarization state to interrogate the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal device to produce a response beam; and analyzing the polarization state of the response beam to provide an indicator of the corresponding fluctuations in the electric field. |
| US09921239B2 |
Offset cancellation device for micro-electromechanical system
The present disclosure is directed to a system that includes a sensor and a signal conditioner coupled to the sensor. The signal conditioner includes signal processing circuitry coupled to the sensor and offset cancellation circuitry. The offset cancellation circuitry includes a sign detector configured to output a high signal or a low signal based on a sign of an output signal from the signal processing circuitry, an integrator coupled to the sign detector, and a divider coupled to the integrator and to an input of the signal processing circuitry. |
| US09921236B2 |
Sensor device for speed measurement on a wheel of a vehicle
A sensor device for speed measurement on a wheel of a vehicle includes a sensor carrier with an integrated sensor to sense the rotation of a pole wheel that rotates along with the wheel. The sensor device has a clamping mechanism integrated into the sensor carrier by which the sensor carrier can be displaceably clamped into a holding opening in the region of the wheel and/or in any orientation with respect to rotations about the longitudinal axis of the sensor carrier. The sensor arrangement can be mounted with less effort and more cost-efficiently than with the current international standard of combining a clamping bush and subsequently mounted rod sensor. Spring-loaded clamps can be fastened as terminal blocks in longitudinal grooves in the sensor, and the spring-loaded elements thereof can protrude over the circumference of the sensor prior to mounting. |
| US09921234B1 |
Compositions and methods for detection of target constituent in exhaled breath
Chemical compositions and methods provide labeling, detection and measurement of target substances in exhaled human breath, and can be implemented in connection with a handheld device—much like a Breathalyzer portable breath testing unit for alcohol—to support rapid quantification of levels of cannabinoid compounds, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), of suspected users at the roadside. |
| US09921227B2 |
Biological information measurement method
Biological sample measurement device includes biological sample measuring instrument, and temperature information supply instrument which supplies temperature information regarding a measurement environment to biological sample measuring instrument and has holding portion of biological sample measuring instrument on the upper surface thereof. Biological sample measuring instrument has main body case, measurement unit provided inside main body case, a control unit connected to the measurement unit, and temperature information reception unit connected to the control unit. Holder has temperature sensor, and temperature information transmission unit which is connected to temperature sensor and transmits the temperature information to temperature information reception unit. |
| US09921226B2 |
Sensor system utilizing piezoelectric microcantilever coupled with resonating circuit
An interchangeable sensor system is described, including: a microcantilever including a beam anchored at a first end, the beam being free to vibrate on another end, wherein a piezoelectric layer is deposited on a surface of the beam; an input configured to receive a voltage from a voltage source for applying voltage to the piezoelectric layer; and a resonating circuit including: the piezoelectric layer, configured as a capacitor of the resonant circuit; and one or more additional electrical elements; wherein the voltage source is configured to apply a first AC voltage under a first condition for actuating the microcantilever at a first mechanical resonating frequency of the microcantilever and a second AC voltage under a second condition for actuating the microcantilever at a second electrical resonating frequency of the resonating circuit. Method of using the sensor system is also described. |
| US09921225B2 |
Phenyl glyoxal probes
Novel phenyl-glyoxal based anti-citrulline probes and methods of synthesis are provided. Methods of use, such as, the development of methods for monitoring substrate citrullination over time; for identifying citrullinated proteins from cells are described. |
| US09921222B2 |
Histological markers for identifying non-small cell lung carcinoma patients for treatment with an anti-EGFR drug
The present invention provides methods for the treatment of lung cancer patients, especially NSCLC with SCC or PLC using a drug against EGFR, such as an anti-EGFR antibody treatment, e.g., cetuximab. In addition, the present invention provides methods for identification or selection of lung cancer patients for the treatment with a drug against EGFR, such as an anti-EGFR antibody treatment, e.g., cetuximab based on histological determinations. |
| US09921215B2 |
Method for detecting ligand using FRET biosensor
The present application relates to a method for detecting ligand using a biosensor applied the FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) phenomenon. More particularly, the method may be used for simply detecting a ligand in a sample by measuring the FRET of a biosensor under the conditions in which a specific critical temperature is maintained. The method may use a phenomenon in which a ligand-binding protein in a biosensor shows reversible unfolding at a temperature higher than the specific critical temperature and the level of the unfolding changes depending on the concentration of a ligand. The method can be widely applied to a variety of kinds of FRET biosensors using the ligand-binding protein. |
| US09921214B2 |
Method for performing a biochemical analysis, especially in outer space
The invention is based on a method for performing a biochemical analysis, especially in outer space, wherein at least one analyte in a sample is determined qualitatively and/or quantitatively by means of selective binding of an analyte-specific pair composed of a binding substance and a detection substance to the analyte and by labeling by a labeling substance, and wherein the sample, the binding substance, the detection substance and the labeling substance are mixed in a reaction vessel in one method step. It is proposed that the mixing be brought about by means of mixing bodies. |
| US09921213B2 |
Rapid diagnosis method of citrus huanglongbing
The present invention discloses a rapid diagnosis method of citrus huanglongbing. In the present invention, the accuracy of diagnosis of citrus huanglongbing is significantly improved in the following manners: eliminating the interference of residual starch by effectively removing the residual starch contained in the leaf; eliminating the interference of chlorophyll by effectively removing chlorophyll; and directly developing the color on the leaf rather than mixing and grinding the leaf in water, so as to avoid the problem that the accuracy of color development reaction conducted by mixing the leaf with water is liable to be interfered since the starch is insoluble in water. Therefore a rapid diagnosis of the citrus huanglongbing with much higher accuracy is achieved, which provides effective detection means for the control of the citrus huanglongbing and is beneficial for the control of the citrus huanglongbing. |
| US09921211B2 |
Methods for detecting and monitoring endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
Described herein are compositions, methods, a system, and kits for detection of endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) in samples, such as samples of water including but not limited to waste water treatment plant effluent, using a live-cell fluorescence-based nuclear translocation reporter system. Upon binding of a ligand to a fluorescent-labeled reporter protein, the protein (and therefore the fluorescence) is translocated in a ligand level-dependent manner from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of live mammalian cells; this translocation is detectable as diffuse (cytoplasmic) fluorescence converting to localized, brightly fluorescent nuclei. The described kits can be used to reliably detect very low levels of EDC contamination, including in high throughput analysis systems as described. |
| US09921209B2 |
Breath acetone monitor and method of detecting breath acetone
A breath acetone meter is provided. The blood glucose meter includes a receiver comprising a first polymer and a second plurality of layers arranged in an alternating arrangement. The receiver is configured to receive a breath sample from a user. The first plurality of layers and second plurality of layers being configured to interact in response to the level of acetone in the breath sample. The breath acetone meter further including a light source arranged to emit a light onto the receiver. A sensor is arranged to receive the light and output a voltage in response to receiving the light, wherein the voltage is proportional to an amount of acetone in the breath sample. |
| US09921205B2 |
Method for determining the effectiveness of asphaltene dispersant additives for inhibiting or preventing asphaltene precipitation in a hydrocarbon-containing material subjected to elevated temperature and presssure conditions
Disclosed herein is a method for determining the effectiveness of one or more asphaltene dispersant additives for inhibiting or preventing asphaltene precipitation in a hydrocarbon-containing material subjected to elevated temperature and pressure conditions. |
| US09921204B2 |
System and method for fluid composition characterization
Systems and methods for predicting fluid composition in a reservoir formation are disclosed. To accurately and efficiently predict the composition of a sample fluid, an absorption spectrum is obtained over a prefixed set of wavelength channels and a set of basis spectra is received for all constituents of interest in the sample fluid. A set of a-priori constraints on the obtained absorption spectrum and constituent properties to be determined is then obtained, before calculating a joint probability distribution of all constituents of interest based on the obtained spectrum, basis spectra and a-priori constraints. In one embodiment, qualitative states are also computed for all constituents of interest based on the obtained spectrum, basis spectra and a-priori constraints. |
| US09921202B2 |
Integrated experimental system of hydrofracturing, water jet slotting, seepage and gas displacement under true triaxial stress
An integrated experimental system of hydrofracturing, water jet slotting, seepage and gas displacement under true triaxial stress, including: a true triaxial stress loading experimental frame, a loading system and a monitoring system. The true triaxial stress loading experimental frame and the loading system are connected by oil pipes; the monitoring system is connected to the true triaxial stress loading experimental frame and the loading system by signal lines; the true triaxial stress loading experimental frame comprises a main experimental bench and six flat jacks; a loading cavity for test block is equipped in the main experimental bench; the six flat jacks are set in the loading cavity; and a space of regular hexahedron is formed by the six flat jacks. |
| US09921201B2 |
Calibration curve creating method and calibration curve creation apparatus
A calibration curve creating method includes: (a) acquiring observation data of a plurality of samples of a test object; (b) acquiring content of a target component of each sample; (c) estimating a plurality of independent components when the observation data of each sample is separated into the plurality of independent components, and acquiring a mixing coefficient corresponding to the target component for each sample; and (d) acquiring a regression equation of a calibration curve. (c) includes acquiring an independent component matrix by performing a first preprocessing including normalization of the observation data, a second preprocessing including whitening, and an independent component analysis process in this order. β divergence is used as an independence index of the independent component analysis process, and a robust regression method is used in (d). |
| US09921194B2 |
Wavy micro gas chromatography column
A wavy micro gas chromatography column includes a silicon substrate and a bonded glass cover. A micro channel having a rectangular cross section is etched on the silicon substrate and coated with a stationary phase film. A projection figure of the micro channel on the silicon substrate includes multiple regular wavy curves. Each wavy curve is formed through alternately connecting first upper arcs with first lower arcs. Because the groove has a curving structure, the carrier gas velocity is decreased as the increase of the arc angle, resulting in an improvement of the flow uniformity at the zones between two adjacent bends but also an enlarging nonsymmetric distribution at the bends. Thus, an optimal curving structure can make the overall flow more even, and in turn achieve a better separation performance compared to the straight channel columns. Meanwhile, a wavy channel realizes a longer column length on a given area. |
| US09921192B2 |
Gas analyte spectrum sharpening and separation with multi-dimensional micro-GC for gas chromatography analysis
The disclosure describes embodiments of an apparatus including a first gas chromatograph including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a first temperature control. A controller is coupled to the first temperature control and includes logic to apply a first temperature profile to the first temperature control to heat, cool, or both heat and cool the first gas chromatograph. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US09921191B2 |
Gas chromatographic (GC) unit, scalable GC systems using same, and related methods
A gas chromatographic (GC) unit or module may include one or more microfluidic devices, a GC column, and a flow controller (FC) comprising an FC input port for controlling fluid flows and pressures. The GC unit may be reconfigurable to provide different functionalities. The GC unit may be fluidly coupled to various other fluidic devices, such as other GC units, sample inlets, GC detectors, and the like. Multiple GC units and other fluidic devices may be utilized to build GC devices and associated systems of flexible, reconfigurable, and scalable architecture, thereby enabling a variety of modes of operation useful for present and future GC method development. |
| US09921190B2 |
Method and apparatus to monitor acoustic probes during repair
Methods and apparatus for providing real time measurement of capacitance for a plurality of transducing elements in an acoustic probe during repair are disclosed. An example method includes determining, at a second time, a capacitance of a transducing element of the plurality of transducing elements; when the capacitance of the transducing element is (A) outside an acceptable range and (B) different than an initial capacitance of the transducing element, triggering an alert, the initial capacitance determined at a first time prior to the second time and continuing to determine the capacitance of the transducing element; and when the capacitance of the transducing element is within the acceptable range, continuing to determine the capacitance of the transducing element. |
| US09921189B2 |
Sensor unit for ultra sonic sound wave communication
A sensor unit for inducing and indicating ultra sonic sound waves in at least one threaded fastener by physical contact with an end surface thereof, wherein the sensor unit includes: a support casing, a sensor element with forward contact surface for engaging the fastener end surface and movable relative to the support casing between rest and active positions, and a bias spring between the support casing and the sensor element to urge the sensor element into the rest position as the sensor element is out of contact with the fastener end surface and to bias the contact surface of the sensor element into physical contact with the fastener end surface in the active position. The support casing includes a positioning socket, engaged by the sensor element in the rest position, having a non-cylindrical and non-circular cross sectional inner shape and congruent with an outer shape of the sensor element. |
| US09921185B2 |
Fault detection for pipelines
The invention concerns structural integrity assessment apparatus for determining stress concentration zones in a structure, such as a pipeline. The apparatus allows particularly to detect defects in buried pipelines using magnetometric surveying where anomalies in the magnetic field around the pipelines are detected. The apparatus has a plurality of triaxial magnetic field sensors, each sensor being arranged to measure magnetic field components in a plurality of directions. A support is provided to maintain said sensors in a predetermined relative spacing and orientation. The support is moveable relative to a structure under assessment in use and may be portable. Three or more magnetic field sensors are provided which may be arranged in a linear, two-dimensional or three-dimensional array. The apparatus may include position determining means, such as a global positioning system (GPS), so that stress concentration zones can be located on the structure. |
| US09921184B2 |
Sodium-cesium ionization detector
Sodium-cesium detection systems and methods for the simultaneous detection of both sodium (Na) and cesium (Cs) in gas are provided. The detection systems include two non-identical ionization chambers each having an anode and a cathode that ionize Na and Cs in gas. Each ionization chamber generates a current proportional to the Na and Cs concentration and based on the current, Na concentration and Cs concentration in the gas is determined. |
| US09921183B2 |
Vacuum DMS with high efficiency ion guides
Differential mobility spectrometry is performed under vacuum. Ions generated in a high pressure region are received from the inlet orifice of a vacuum chamber using a first ion guide located in the vacuum chamber. The first ion guide focuses the generated ions on a DMS device inlet end using a plurality of tapered electrodes. The DMS device is coaxial and adjacent to the first ion guide. The DMS device separates the focused ions using a plurality of electrodes. The inscribed diameter at the DMS device inlet end is larger than the inscribed diameter at the first ion guide exit end to maximize ion transfer. The separated ions are received from the DMS device using a second ion guide coaxial and adjacent to the DMS device. The second ion guide focuses the separated ions on an exit orifice of the vacuum chamber using a plurality of tapered electrodes. |
| US09921182B2 |
System and method for detection of mercury
Embodiments provide mercury detection systems and methods for detecting the presence of mercury ions in one or more samples. In a detection method, a sample and TPET2 molecules are introduced into a channel. A first potential difference is applied across the length of the channel in a first direction, and a first electrical property value is detected. Subsequently, a second potential difference is applied across the length of the channel in a second opposite direction, and a second electrical property value is detected. Presence or absence of mercury ions in the channel is determined based on a comparison between the first and second electrical property values. |
| US09921180B2 |
Gas sensor system
A gas sensor system (1) includes a gas sensor (2) having a cell (14) electrically communicating with a first terminal T1 and a second terminal T2, and a cell (24) electrically communicating with T2 and a third terminal T3; and a sensor control section (40) including detection circuits (41, 43) for detecting the terminal potentials V1, V3. The sensor control section includes circuit (44) for bringing T2 to an examination potential Vex; constant current circuits (47, 48) for supplying examination currents Ipoc, Icp; terminal potential detection means S5 for detecting V1, V3 before the gas sensor detects the gas concentration in an activated state, and in a state in which T2 is brought to examination potential Vex and Ipoc, Icp are supplied to the cells (14, 24); and wire breakage determination means S6, S10 for determining a wire breakage anomaly and its location based on the V1, V3. |
| US09921174B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling temperature of small volumes
Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of small volumes such as yoctoliter volumes, are described. The systems include one or more plasmonic nanostructures attached at or near a nanopore. Upon excitation of the plasmonic nanostructures, such as for example by exposure to laser light, the nanoparticles are rapidly heated thereby causing a change in the ionic conductance along the nanopore. The temperature change is determined from the ionic conductance. These temperature changes can be used to control rapid thermodynamic changes in molecular analytes as they interact with the nanopore. |
| US09921173B2 |
X-ray diffraction imaging system using debye ring envelopes
A sample (106) is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation such as X-Rays and diffraction data is sampled at inner and outer caustic rims formed at a sensor surface (108) and defined by a continuum of Debye cones (130, 132) formed by diffraction of the incident radiation. Intensities of the inner and outer rims while translating and rotating the sample are converted using a tomographic technique into X-ray diffraction images and material discrimination is also possible. |
| US09921172B2 |
Segmented fiber nuclear level gauge
A nuclear level sensing gauge for measuring the level of product in a bin utilizes a plurality of scintillators arranged in a serial fashion. A source of nuclear radiation is positioned adjacent the bin, and the scintillators, which may be bundles of one or more scintillating fibers or scintillating crystals, are positioned in a serial fashion adjacent the bin opposite the source of nuclear radiation, such that nuclear radiation passing through the bin impinges upon the bundles. Light guides carry photons emitted by the scintillators—which are indicative of radiation passing through the bin—to a common photomultiplier tube. The tube is connected to electronics which convert counts of photons from the PMT into a measure of the level of radiation-absorbing product in the bin. |
| US09921168B2 |
Method and system for monitoring output of high power fiber laser system
The disclosure is a method and system for monitoring the condition of an optical protective component in a laser system associated with a data processor. In one embodiment, the method begins with directing light from the process head of a laser through the optical protective component onto a workpiece. A return light via the workpiece causes light signals coupled through the protective component and into to a fiber which extends proximate the protective component and thereafter flexibly to a sensor. The sensed signals allow monitoring the condition of the protective component during use. The method and system is operative for use with optical protective elements downstream of the process head. |
| US09921167B2 |
Optical sensor based on PFSI membrane comprising associated benzene-1,3-diol for detecting target compounds, and method thereof
An optical sensor for monitoring an environmental condition, the optical sensor comprising a perfluorosulfonate ionomer membrane comprising a solution, wherein the solution comprises a transition metal-free dye component, wherein exposure of the optical sensor to a specific environmental condition produces a color shift on the optical sensor. |
| US09921166B2 |
Assay cartridges and methods of using the same
Assay modules, preferably assay cartridges, are described as are reader apparatuses which may be used to control aspects of module operation. The modules preferably comprise a detection chamber with integrated electrodes that may be used for carrying out electrode induced luminescence measurements. Methods are described for immobilizing assay reagents in a controlled fashion on these electrodes and other surfaces. Assay modules and cartridges are also described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain preferred embodiments, these modules are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick. |
| US09921164B2 |
System and method for molecule sensing using evanescent light coupling approach
A system and a method for optical sensing of single molecule or molecules in various concentrations are provided. The optical sensor system comprises a first fiber, a second fiber, a light source and a detection device. The first fiber and the second fiber are fused together to form an optical coupler. The first fiber serves as the passageway for the analyte, while the second fiber serves as the waveguide for the light that will interact with the said analyte. One end of the second fiber is connected to the light source (e.g. laser), and the opposite end is connected to the detection device (e.g. spectrometer). The analyte is introduced into the first fiber through one of its ends, and is allowed to flow through inside the hollow core of the said first fiber. When light is delivered through the input end of the second fiber, the evanescent light is formed in the optical coupler and is allowed to interact with the analyte in the first fiber. One scenario in this analyte-light interaction results in, for example, the generation of Raman emission that is used as the probing signal. The spectrum of the Raman emission is analyzed by the detection device to determine the presence of target molecule. |
| US09921163B2 |
Method and device for detecting analytes
A method (200) for determining a concentration of an analyte in a fluid or fluid sample, comprises: providing (201) a SERS substrate comprising receptor molecules (107) capable of binding competitor molecules (106); contacting (202) the SERS substrate (102) with a fluid (sample) comprising analyte (108) and such competitor molecules (106); radiating (203) the SERS substrate (102) with a light source while measuring a SERS signal; and determining (205) a concentration of the analyte (108) based on the measured signal level.A corresponding device and system are also provided. |
| US09921159B2 |
Spliced detection apparatus for simultaneous wide-range in-situ detection of dissolved oxygen in sludge-water interface and detection method therefor
A spliced detection apparatus for simultaneous wide-range in-situ detection of dissolved oxygen in a sludge-water interface of the present invention comprises a dissolved oxygen shimmer host, several detection probes, a casing and detection kits, several vertically through seat chambers being disposed in the casing, the detection kits can be placed and fixed in the seat chambers, the detection kits may be placed on the sludge-water interface, and each detection kit is provided with a vertically through water passage chamber, while the front side face and the back side face of the detection kit are respectively provided with several front slots and rear slots horizontally extending into the detection kit respectively, the detection apparatus further comprises tabs, with probe grooves being provided on the tabs, each detection probe can be put into the probe groove of the corresponding tab and fixed therein, the tabs may be inserted either into the front slots or the rear slots and can enable the probe tips of the detection probes to be placed in the water passage chamber, the detection apparatus can carry out simultaneous wide-range detection of the dissolved oxygen at different heights and horizontal positions of the sludge-water interface, and thus is quick and convenient for use. |
| US09921158B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining isotopic properties of a sample mass
A method and apparatus are provided for determining an isotopic property of a sample mass including placing a sample mass on a solid state detector exposing the solid state detector to a neutron flux. The solid state detector is configured to receive fluorescence damage in response to interaction with a fission product produced from fission of at least a portion of the sample mass. The method also including exposing the solid state detector to a light source, measuring the light emissions of the fluorescence damage, and determining an isotopic property of the sample mass based on the light emissions of the fluorescence damage. |
| US09921156B2 |
System and method for fluorescence detection
A system and method for determining fluorescence decay in a biological sample is provided. The method includes acquiring optical signal data from at least a part of a biological sample undergoing fluorescence, assembling the optical signal data into a set of spatial time-series data, and converting the set of spatial time-series data into a set of spatial frequency time-series data. The method also includes applying a spatial filter to the set of spatial frequency time-series data to yield a set of filtered frequency-series data, the spatial filter configured to separate, from the set of frequency-series data, fluorescence signals consistent with a non-diffuse component and converting the set of filtered frequency-series data into a set of filtered time-series data. The method further includes determining, using the filtered time-series data, a fluorescence signature consistent with fluorescence decay of at least one fluorophore, and generating a report indicative of the fluorescence signature of the biological sample. |
| US09921155B2 |
Methods of decreasing scale in aqueous systems
Water-soluble polymers may be added to an aqueous system to inhibit or decrease scale deposition within the aqueous system. In a non-limiting embodiment, the water-soluble polymer(s) may be or include polymaleates, polyacrylates, copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The treated aqueous system may include a decreased amount of scale deposition as compared to an otherwise identical aqueous system absent the water-soluble polymer(s). |
| US09921149B2 |
Optical measurement apparatus and optical measurement method
A controller of an optical measurement apparatus causes, in a condition that a rotational speed of a rotary body is controlled so that the speed is a specified value, a light source to generate light having a constant intensity and apply the light to an irradiation region, and acquires first timing information based on a change with time of an intensity of reflected light or transmitted light that is output from a second detection unit receiving the reflected light or transmitted light of the applied light. The controller causes the light source to periodically generate pulsed light in accordance with the first timing information and apply the pulsed light to the irradiation region, and acquires second timing information based on a result which is output from the first detection unit whose measurement is periodically enabled in accordance with the first timing information. |
| US09921146B2 |
Pipeline management supporting server and pipeline management supporting system
The present invention provides a pipeline management supporting server capable of unifying management of attribute data of a pipe component and location information on a pipe network, efficiently detecting an abnormality of a pipeline remotely, and diagnosing the degradation state of the pipeline. The pipeline management supporting server (1) of the present invention includes: a private data processing unit (11) and a statistical calculation processing unit (12). The private data processing unit (11) includes an event data acquisition section (114) that acquires event data of a pipeline measured by a sensor(s), a measured event data storage section (112) that stores the event data of the pipeline, a pipeline database data storage section (111) that stores pipeline database data, a possible abnormality detection section (113), and an information output section (115). The possible abnormality detection section (113) identifies a pipeline and a location pertaining to the acquired event data of the pipeline with reference to the pipeline database data stored in the pipeline database data storage section (111) and generates possible abnormality detection information on the acquired event data of the pipeline. The statistical calculation processing unit (12) includes a data analysis section (122) and a statistical calculation data storage section (121) that stores statistical calculation data. The data analysis section (122) prepares, from event data of plural pipelines each having the same attribute as the pipeline pertaining to the event data acquired by the private data processing unit (11), an aging characteristic graph of the plural pipelines. The statistical calculation data storage section (121) stores the aging characteristic graph prepared by the data analysis section (122). The data analysis section (122) further generates degradation state diagnostic information on the pipeline by checking the pipeline pertaining to the event data acquired by the private data processing unit (11) against the aging characteristic graph. The information output section (115) of the private processing unit (11) outputs the degradation state diagnostic information and abnormality determination result detection information that is generated by examining the possible abnormality detection information and the degradation state diagnostic information in comparison. |
| US09921143B2 |
Portable brinell testing apparatus
A portable Brinell testing apparatus that meets the load time requirements of the ASTM E10 standard. The invention uses a constant force spring connected to a lever arm which is pivoted on fulcrum 32. The mechanical advantage of the mechanism is able to achieve a force of up to 3000 Kgf with constant force spring 26 that can be activated by the operator. |
| US09921138B2 |
Sterile sample injector and method
A sterile injector comprises a body having a cavity, a hollow needle positionable at a distal end of the injector, a probe holder receivable within the needle, a probe connected to a distal end of the holder, and a driving element axially displaceable within the cavity, for causing relative motion between the probe and the needle upon displacement of the driving element. A sample is injected into a sealed container by displacing the driving element to a first position causing the probe to extend from the needle, applying the extended probe with a sample, displacing the driving element to a second position causing the sample laden probe to be retracted within the needle, piercing a seal of a sealed container with the needle, and displacing the driving element to a third position distally spaced from the first position, after which the probe is injected into the container interior. |
| US09921135B2 |
Rotatably driving device for the visual inspection of a tire and associated method
A device for rotating a tire includes a fixed support, a driving belt, a plurality of first pulleys, and at least one second pulley. The driving belt has a contact face for contacting an annular part of the tire, and the driving belt enables rotation of the tire. The first pulleys are mounted on the support and are in abutment with the driving belt on a side opposite to the contact face in order to press the contact face radially against the annular part of the tire. The at least one second pulley is in abutment with the contact face of the driving belt and is mounted for translational movement on the support in order to locally space the contact face apart from the annular part of the tire. |
| US09921131B2 |
NOx model
Methods are provided for estimating the NOx content of exhaust gas produced by an internal combustion engine. The method includes determining one or more operating parameters. The method further includes applying the determined operating parameter(s) to a global NOx model. The global NOx model may be derived using a plurality of steady state data points relating to local NOx emission models. The steady state data points may be derived using a plurality of set and variable operating parameters. The global NOx model allows for prediction of the engine-out NOx content of exhaust gas in real time and without a NOx sensor, even if engine operating parameters change. |
| US09921126B2 |
Large volume test apparatuses and methods for detection of small defects
A system for detecting leaks is provided comprising an accumulator, a flow controller in communication with the accumulator, and a flow meter/sensor in communication with the accumulator, the flow controller and a UUT. The flow meter is structured to supply gas from the accumulator to the UUT and measure a flow rate of the supplied gas, the flow meter providing feedback to the flow controller representing the flow rate, and the flow controller responding to the feedback by supplying flow compensation gas to the accumulator to maintain a desired pressure in the accumulator. Methods are also provided for detecting small leaks, especially with large units under test (“UUTs”). |
| US09921119B2 |
Method, device and system for checking a device for a vehicle for detecting an impact
Method for checking a device for a vehicle for detecting an impact, in particular an impact with a pedestrian, by means of at least one impact-sensing means which is based on at least a first volume, in particular by means of an impact-sensing means which is based on at least one hose, a device having means for carrying out such a method and a corresponding system, in which at least one first variable is acquired, wherein the at least one first variable represents a pressure and/or a volume and/or a change in pressure and/or a change in volume in the first volume, and a result of the checking of the device is determined as a function of a profile of the at least one first variable. |
| US09921117B2 |
Dynamometer for measuring power output of a prime mover driving a rotating shaft having plural torque drive bars arranged around an outer periphery of a stator plate
A Prony brake used as a rotational load absorption unit, or dynamometer, to measure power output of a prime mover includes a cylindrical tube disposed within a sealed tank containing coolant water. Disposed within the cylindrical tube is a fixed stator shaft, which is attached to the center of a stator plate having its outer periphery disposed in closely spaced relation to the tube's inner surface, with the stator shaft further coupled to a hydraulic control system. Disposed within the stator plate's outer periphery are plural radially spaced pistons for applying a radially outward friction braking force to the inner surface of the rotating cylindrical tube. The stator shaft is provided with first and second ports and passageways for respectively transporting hydraulic control fluid and lubrication fluid. Also included is a supplemental cooling water supply wherein cooling water is circulated with the Prony brake by the rotating cylindrical tube. |
| US09921101B2 |
Scanner photometer and methods
A scanning photometer and attendant methods are provided. The scanning photometer is generally characterized by first and second fluorophore excitation sources, an objective lens, and a common emission detector for the detection of first and second fluorophore emission originating from the excitation of the fluorophores via passage of excitation energy, via an optical path of the objective lens, from the excitation sources. Excitation energy and emission energy conditioning elements are likewise provided, operatively interposed before or after the objective lens as the case may be. |
| US09921100B2 |
Photometric device
A photometric device (1) measuring light emitted from a measuring object such as a display (2) includes two types of filters including interference filters (20X, 20Y, and 20Z) and an LVF (21), a disk (22) supporting the interference filters and the LVF, a motor (23) rotatably drive the disk to cause the light emitted from the measuring object to scan the interference filters and the LVF sequentially, a photoreceptor (13) converting light passed through the interference filters and light passed through the LVF to an electrical signal, a photometric controller (14) outputting photometric information based on the electrical signal of the light passed through the interference filters and converted by the photoreceptor and the electrical signal of the light passed through the LVF and converted by the photoreceptor. |
| US09921095B2 |
Capacitive liquid level sensor
A sensor for measuring a level of a liquid such as fuel and/or water in a tank such as a fuel tank. The sensor includes a stack of capacitors, each capacitor with one or more graphene measurement electrodes and one or more graphene reference electrodes. A measurement system is arranged to measure a capacitance of each capacitor between its measurement electrode(s) and its reference electrode(s) and thereby infer the liquid level. The graphene measurement and reference electrodes are formed in a single layer of graphene oxide by reductive etching. |
| US09921094B2 |
Flow indicators for surgical instrument reprocessing, and related systems and methods
A surgical instrument flow indicator comprises a body defining a flow passage comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is configured to be fluidically coupled to a fluid supply source and wherein the outlet is configured to be fluidically coupled to the surgical instrument. The flow indicator further comprises a flow indication mechanism in flow communication with the flow passage, the flow indication mechanism being configured to transition from a first state to a second state in response to a threshold force exerted on the flow indication mechanism, wherein in the second state, the flow indication mechanism has an arrangement indicating to an observer that the flow indication mechanism transitioned from the first state to the second state. |
| US09921089B2 |
Flow rate range variable type flow rate control apparatus
A pressure type flow rate control apparatus is provided wherein flow rate of fluid passing through an orifice is computed as Qc=KP1 (where K is a proportionality constant) or as Qc=KP2m (P1-P2)n (where K is a proportionality constant, m and n constants) by using orifice upstream side pressure P1 and/or orifice downstream side pressure P2. A fluid passage between the downstream side of a control valve and a fluid supply pipe of the pressure type flow rate control apparatus comprises at least 2 fluid passages in parallel, and orifices having different flow rate characteristics are provided for each of these fluid passages, wherein fluid in a small flow quantity area flows to one orifice for flow control of fluid in the small flow quantity area, while fluid in a large flow quantity area flows to the other orifice for flow control of fluid in the large flow quantity area. |
| US09921087B2 |
System and method for measuring a fluid flow rate by provoking destructive interferences between acoustic waves propagating in opposite directions with respect to the flow of the fluid
This system for measuring a flow rate includes a receiver of bulk acoustic waves, a first emitter of bulk acoustic waves in the fluid, intended to be arranged upstream of the receiver in such a way as to emit acoustic waves to the receiver, a second emitter of bulk acoustic waves in the fluid, intended to be arranged downstream of the receiver in such a way as to emit acoustic waves to the receiver, and a signal processing device designed to determine a flow rate value according to at least one characteristic of an electrical signal supplied by the receiver. It further includes an element for synchronizing the first and second emitters with each other in such a way as to generate destructive acoustic interferences between the acoustic waves that they emit before they are received by the receiver. |
| US09921083B2 |
Device for locating one or more mobile elements in a predetermined zone, and method implemented in such a device
A method for locating a mobile element in a predetermined zone, including supplying power to an on-board module in the mobile element, where the on-board module includes an electronic circuit and an on-board coil, generating a locating signal by the electronic circuit and transmission of the locating signal via the on-board coil, picking up the locating signal by receiver coils on a support in proximity to the predetermined zone, each of the receiver coils configured to pick up the locating signal when the mobile element is in proximity, and determining a location of the mobile element in the predetermined zone by detecting a signal level on the support in the form of an array by a processing unit connected to the support. The electronic circuit and the on-board coil constitute an RLC circuit that oscillates, generating the locating signal by sudden interruption of the current through the on-board coil. |
| US09921077B2 |
Method and system for dynamic estimation and predictive route generation
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval. |
| US09921076B2 |
Display control device
Provided is a display control device allowing the direction of a map information shown on a display to be correctly recognized. A display control unit displays on a display of a mobile terminal map information reproducing a scenery, thus making it possible to display on top of the map information a coordinate position display section corresponding to the current location of the mobile terminal. Here, there are provided a map information display determination section for displaying on the display the map information in a fixed orientation; and an angular difference display determination section for displaying on the display an angular difference between an angle of direction in which the mobile terminal is pointed and an angle of direction of the map information shown on the display. |
| US09921073B2 |
Eyewear-type terminal and method for controlling the same
An eyewear-type mobile terminal includes a camera; an output unit configured to output road guide information; and a controller configured to: acquire information about a current position; cause the output unit to output the road guide information for a route from the current position to a destination; cause the camera to acquire visual information in real-time while the road guide information is output; and update the road guide information in real-time based on the acquired visual information. |
| US09921071B2 |
Transport option selection to serve well-being objectives
Aspects generate customized routes that select between human-powered and motorized transport option segments to maximize well-being objective in navigating a traveler to a destination. Amounts of human-powered transport options that a traveler is willing, able or recommended to perform via the traveler's own physical exertions in reaching a destination are determined as a function of well-being or cost objectives and performance limits. Recommended routes to the destination having human-powered and/or motorized transport option segments are generated that meet well-being objectives without exceeding amounts that the traveler is currently able to perform, and excluding segments that require efforts that do not meet the well-being objective or exceed the amounts that the traveler is currently able to perform. |
| US09921070B1 |
System for planning trips with estimated time of arrival (ETA) and projected time of availability (PTA) calculated for each stop
A transportation management system that includes tools for generating an optimized trip plan that can be updated, such as based on driver input, during implementation of a planned trip. The system includes a comprehensive trip optimization tool that generates a trip plan with fuel stop and rest stop optimization. The system includes tools calculating estimated time of arrival (ETA) and projected time of availability (PTA) for the driver, and these tools are adapted to provide the ETA and PTA for the entire trip (rather than only providing an ETA for the next stop). The system further includes tools accepting driver input and/or allowing driver manipulation of a dispatched trip plan such as using pre-filtered alternatives for fuel stops or rest stops or routes, e.g., based on stored driver preferences, that may be less optimal than those in the original trip plan but still viable. |
| US09921069B2 |
Map data creation device, autonomous movement system and autonomous movement control device
The invention is intended to be able to generate map data even if a location not suited for identification of a matching position exists. A map data creation device creates map data, the map data being used for autonomous movement by a vehicle (1a), a vehicle (1b) and/or other vehicles (1), based on a relative position of the vehicle (1b) which exists around the vehicle (1a), relative to the vehicle (1a), the relative position being measured by the vehicle (1a), and object shape data of an object which exists around the vehicle (1b), the object shape being measured by the vehicle (1b). Moreover, the relative position of the vehicle (1b) relative to the vehicle (1a) is calculated based on the object shape data measured by the vehicle (1a). |
| US09921065B2 |
Unit and method for improving positioning accuracy
A unit for improving positioning accuracy of an autonomous vehicle driving on a road includes a first computation unit configured to compute a first position of the vehicle at a time T1 using data from at least an inertial measurement unit (IMU); a second computation unit configured to compute a second position of the vehicle at the time T1 using data from at least one external sensor and a map; a comparison unit configured to compute a position difference between the computed first and second positions; a correction unit configured to correct an error parameter of the IMU, wherein the error parameter is used for correcting a third position of the vehicle computed by the first computation unit at a time T2 with the computed position difference at time T1, if the second computation unit is unable to compute a fourth position of the vehicle at the time T2. |
| US09921061B2 |
Method for operating a construction laser
A method for operating a construction laser by means of a remote controller, which has an input field, for initiating an action of the construction laser, wherein the remote control unit contains a sensor for determining a change in a parameter of the remote control unit, and the change in the parameter influences the at least one action, wherein the parameter is a parameter from the group comprising position, tilt, and movement of the remote control unit, and the action is an action or one operating mode from the group comprising rotational speed of the laser head, cross-sectional mode, mask mode, scan mode, tilt of the plane spanned by the particularly rotating laser beam, and point mode. To enable easy handling, following activation of the input field, the action is initiated only when the degree of change in the parameter of the remote control unit has reached a threshold value. |
| US09921060B2 |
Target object for a laser measuring device and method for identifying the target object
A target object (20) for a laser measuring device (11) emitting a search beam and a measurement beam, including a reflector device (21) having at least one reflector element (22) for reflecting the measurement beam, a receiving device (23) having at least one receiving element (24) for receiving the search beam, a transmitting device (25) having at least one transmitting element (31, 32, 33) for emitting a visible transmission beam (34, 35, 36) and a control device (26) having an evaluation element (27) for evaluating the received search beam and a control element (28) for controlling the receiving and transmitting devices (23, 25) is provided. The transmitting device (25) emits a first and a second visible transmission beam (34, 35), wherein the color of light of the first visible transmission beam (34) differs from the color of light of the second visible transmission beam (35). |
| US09921059B2 |
Measurement value correction method, computer-readable recording medium, and measurement device
A measurement value correction method according to the present invention is a measurement value correction method for correcting a measurement value obtained by tracing a surface of a work piece with a stylus, and including a step of preparing a plurality of work pieces made from same design data, a step of adopting one of the work pieces as a master work piece and obtaining a reference measurement value with the stylus, a step of obtaining calibration data based on a difference between the reference measurement value and the design data, a step of adopting one of the plurality of work pieces other than the master work piece as a measurement target work piece and obtaining a target measurement value with the stylus, and a step of obtaining a corrected measurement value by correcting the target measurement value by using the calibration data. |
| US09921058B2 |
Tracking dynamic on-stage objects
Methods and systems for dynamic tracking of on-stage objects using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) presented herein do not require illumination to track a randomly moving object and are easily configurable for various stage sizes and for stages movable relative to the ground. In some instances, a tracking method includes determining an initial state of an MEMS motion tracker carried on a dynamic object, such as a performer. Acceleration and orientation information gathered by the motion tracker is monitored. A change of state in response to the monitored acceleration and orientation information is then determined. An instant state is calculated using the change of state and the initial state. Actuation signals based on the calculated instant state are generated for actuating a gimbal. The gimbal faces a device supported thereby toward the dynamic object. |
| US09921057B2 |
Proximity sensing systems and methods
Methods, systems and device are provided for improving the range and accuracy of proximity measurement such as in ultrasonic sensing systems. In particular, the blind zone caused by reverberation signals can be reduced or eliminated by attenuating signals received during the time period corresponding to the blind zone without. In an implementation, an attenuator circuit is selected by a switch to process received signals during the blind zone time period and deselected by the switch after the time zone time period. Additionally, the accuracy and range of the measurement can be improved by varying the gain provided to the received signals based on the varying measuring distance. In an implementation, a gain-adjustable amplifier is controlled by a gain control signal to provide incremental gain as time increases. |
| US09921054B2 |
Shooting method for three dimensional modeling and electronic device supporting the same
A shooting method for three-dimensional modeling and an electronic device supporting the same are provided. The electronic device includes a sensor unit for sensing position information and a camera module for image capture. The shooting method for three-dimensional modeling includes performing sensor calibration, obtaining position information used for three dimensional modeling using the sensor unit, capturing multiple images of a target object used for three dimensional modeling according to the obtained position information, and storing the position information as metadata of each captured image. |
| US09921052B2 |
Information processing device and information processing method
An information processing device includes an image acquirer that acquires a shot image of an object having a marker, a marker detector that detects an image of the marker from the shot image, and an information processing section that executes information processing based on a detection result by the marker detector. The marker detector identifies the image of the marker among color regions that are extracted from the shot image and have predetermined colors based on the positional relationship between a region that is assumed when one color region of the color regions extracted is a marker and is covered by an image of an object having the marker and another color region extracted. |
| US09921050B2 |
Spectral control system
The disclosure is directed to a system and method of controlling spectral attributes of illumination. According to various embodiments, a portion of illumination including an excluded selection of illumination spectra is blocked, while another portion of the illumination including a transmitted selection of illumination spectra is directed along an illumination path. In some embodiments, optical metrology is performed utilizing the spectrally controlled illumination to enhance measurement capability. For instance, the spectral attributes of illumination utilized to analyze different portions of a sample, such as different semiconductor layers, may be selected according to certain measurement characteristics associated with the analyzed portions of the sample. |
| US09921049B2 |
Three-dimensional coordinate measurement apparatus
There is provided a three-dimensional coordinate measurement apparatus capable of reducing shaking of a Y carriage and improving measurement accuracy. A groove is formed along a Y-axis direction in a right side part of a surface plate made of stone, and a Y guide is formed between the groove and a right side surface of the surface plate to support a Y carriage in a portal shape in a movable manner in the Y-axis direction. A support section is provided at a lower end of a right Y carriage on the right side of the Y carriage, and the support section is supported by the surface plate through air pads which are disposed by two air pads back and forth on the corresponding one of a top surface, a right side surface, and a bottom surface, of the surface plate, and a right side surface of the groove. |
| US09921048B2 |
Method, system and target for setting reference points on construction
A position adjusting mechanism 30 with a target 10 mounted thereon is fixed at a plurality of reference points S1 to S16 respectively on a construction 1, and initial 3D coordinates C0 of the targets 10 are surveyed and stored. When deformation or distortion of the construction 1 occurs, a deviation ΔC (=Ct−C0) of 3D coordinate Ct of each of the targets 10 from the initial 3D coordinate C0 thereof are detected by a deviation detecting means 26, and each of the targets 10 recovers the initial 3D coordinate C0 by the position adjusting mechanism 30 thereof in accordance with the detected deviation ΔC. Preferably, 3D coordinates of the targets 10 are surveyed by a 3D measuring instrument which collimates the targets 10 to output 3D vectors for the targets 10. The position adjusting mechanism 30 may includes guide stage for guiding the target 10 mounted thereon in a direction or in two directions that intersect at right angle, the direction or directions parallel to a surface F of the construction 1, and feed mechanism for sliding the target 10 on the guide stage in predetermined amount. |
| US09921046B2 |
Metrology device and method of servicing
A system is provided for communicating between a 3D metrology instrument and a portable computing device via near field communications. In one embodiment, the metrology device is an articulated coordinate measurement machine (AACMM), a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a triangulation scanner, and the portable communications device is a cellular phone or a tablet. The portable device may use the NFC to determine the configuration of and to configure the metrology instrument. |
| US09921045B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for increased foreign object detection loop array sensitivity
An apparatus for detecting a presence of an object can include a plurality of electrically conductive loops arranged in an array. The apparatus includes a sensor circuit configured to determine a characteristic associated with each of the plurality of loops. The apparatus includes a hardware processor configured to, for each loop of the plurality of loops, determine a parameter based on the characteristic associated with the loop and the characteristic associated with at least one adjacent loop. The hardware processor may be further configured to determine the presence of the object based on the parameter. The parameter may comprise a sum of a difference between the characteristic associated with the loop and a reference value for the characteristic, and a difference between the characteristic associated with each of the at least one adjacent loop and the reference value. |
| US09921041B1 |
Primerless digital time-delay initiator system
An initiator system includes a firing pin and a piezoelectric-based energy harvester that generates and stores electric energy when impacted by the firing pin. The electric energy is independently available at a first output and second output of the energy harvester. An electronic time delay is coupled to the second output for generation of an electric trigger signal using the electric energy available at the second output. The electric trigger signal is generated at a selected period of time after the electric energy is available at the second output. An initiation-energy generator is coupled to the first output for the storage of electric energy available thereof. The initiation-energy generator is also coupled to the electronic time delay to receive the electric trigger signal, and uses stored electric energy to generate an initiation explosion when the electric trigger signal is received. |
| US09921037B2 |
Hybrid periodic cellular material structures, systems, and methods for blast and ballistic protection
Structures based upon periodic cellular materials that provide a potential for defeating combinations of both air blast loading and ballistic attack either sequentially or simultaneously, or combination of both. The cellular structures may also be configured to meet the stiffness and strength support requirements of particular vehicle or other applications, systems or structures. The armor is therefore potentially able to support normal service loads and defeat blast and ballistic threats when necessary. The structure provides for using efficient load support capabilities of the material (without a high armor protection level) in low threat conditions, as well as the ability to modify the system to increase its level protection to a desired or required level. This would reduce the weight of the protection system in normal (low threat) conditions which reduces vehicle wear and tear, as well as cost savings in fabrication of applicable structures or systems. |
| US09921025B2 |
Arrow for projectile launching system
The invention relates to an archery system that launches an arrow from a position that is perpendicular to a direction of flight for the arrow. After release, the arrow rotates to a position that is parallel to the direction of flight to the target. |
| US09921016B1 |
Firearm magazine unloader
A firearm magazine unloader includes an unloader housing, including right and left sides, and a bridge member; an unloading protrusion; and right, left and top flange grips. The magazine unloader can be plastic molded in one piece. Also disclosed is a method of using the magazine unloader, including positioning unloader and unloading a firearm round. |
| US09921015B1 |
Magazine charging apparatus
A magazine charging apparatus facilities the storage, transport and transfer of cartridges to a magazine. The apparatus having an interior compartment with channels having prongs that flexible support the cartridges. The end of the apparatus has a tool to facilitate the transfer by pushing the follower of a magazine down and a seating plate that provides a surface to push against the tip of a cartridge forcing it in the magazine. The apparatus could be disposable, recyclable or reusable necessitating various materials in its fabrication. |
| US09921008B2 |
Adjustable heat sink fin spacing
A heat sink includes a heat sink base, a first fin, and a second fin. The spacing between the base and the first fin and the second fin, restively, may be adjusted by rotating a threaded rod. The threaded rod includes a first threaded knurl that is engaged with the first fin and a second threaded knurl that is engaged with the second fin. The thread pitch of the first threaded knurl and the second threaded knurl may differ. For example, the pitch of the first threaded knurl may be smaller than the pitch of the second threaded knurl if the first fin is located nearest the heat sink base relative to the second fin. The spacing of the heat sink fins may be adjusted based upon the current operating conditions of the electronic device to maintain an optimal temperature of a heat generating device during device operation. |
| US09921007B2 |
Laminated heat exchanger including a heat sink and a thermoelectric device
A heat exchanger assembly (201) comprises: a hot fluid flow channel (210); a cold fluid flow channel (220); and a heat exchanger (230) disposed between the channels. The heat exchanger comprises a heat sink (240) and a thermoelectric device (250). In some embodiments the fluid flow channels (210, 220) may be arranged to provide a cross-flow of the hot and cold fluids. |
| US09921002B2 |
Radiator and electronic device having the same
A radiator includes: a tube through which a coolant flows; and a single tank including: a supplying chamber communicating with an end of the tube, for supplying the tube with the coolant; and a collecting chamber communicating with the other end of the tube, partitioned to the supplying chamber, and for collecting the coolant discharged from the tube. |
| US09921001B2 |
Heat recovery steam generator and multidrum evaporator
An evaporator for a heat recovery steam generator has two horizontal steam drums of moderate size, one located slightly higher than the other. It also includes a coil having tubes located in the flow of a hot gas. The lower drum communicates with the inlets of the tubes for the coil. The outlets of the tubes communicate with the upper drum. A drain line connects the bottom of the upper drum with the lower region of the lower drum, so that water will flow from the upper drum to the lower drum. Water, which is primarily in the liquid phase, enters the lower drum through an inlet line and mixes with water from the upper drum. The mixture flows through into the coil. Here some of it transforms into saturated steam while the rest remains as saturated water. The saturated steam and saturated water flow into the upper drum where the steam escapes and the water flows back into the lower drum to recirculate through the coil. Owing to their moderate sizes, the drums can withstand high pressures without having excessive wall thickness, and this enables the evaporator to be set into operation with minimal or no hold points. Yet the two drums provide a retention time—and the protection that it provides—of a single large capacity drum having substantial wall thickness. |
| US09921000B2 |
Heat exchanger comprising one or more plate assemblies with a plurality of interconnected channels and related method
Plate assemblies configured for use in heat exchangers are provided. The plate assemblies may include one or more plates defining an inlet end, an outlet end, and flow channels configured to receive a flow of fluid from the inlet end and direct the fluid to the outlet end. The flow channels may be defined by protrusions, grooves, and/or orifices defined in flow plates, and spacer plates may separate the plate assemblies from one another. The flow channels may be interconnected such that for each of a plurality of intermediate positions along the flow channels, a plurality of flow paths are defined. Thus, in an instance in which a blockage occurs in one of the flow channels, flow may be prevented through only a portion of the flow channel. |
| US09920996B2 |
Heat exchange system and method
The system and method of controlling a level of flooding to remain substantially constant within a flooded heat exchanger wherein steam flows into a steam side and condenses to form condensate that partly floods the steam side and that flows out of the steam side, and wherein cold water flows into a water side in heat exchange relationship with the steam side to heat the cold water and form heated water that flows out of the water side, comprises collecting the water condensate flowing out of the heat exchanger condensate outlet into a level controller through a controller condensate inlet; connecting the level controller to a steam source having a pressure equivalent to that of the heat exchanger steam side; and controlling the level of condensate in the level controller to remain substantially constant with a controller valve that allows condensate to be exhausted out through a controller condensate outlet if the level of the condensate in the level controller rises beyond a valve activation threshold wherein the level of condensate in the heat exchanger steam side will also be controlled to remain substantially constant consequently allowing a level of flooding in the flooded heat exchanger to remain substantially constant. The heat exchanger heated water outlet can be coupled to a mixer with a further cold water inlet, for obtaining a system and method of providing a determined heated water temperature at a system heated water outlet in a heat exchange system. |
| US09920992B2 |
Molten metal scrap submergence apparatus
A metal scrap submergence device comprising an open top chamber including walls of a heat resistant material, an inlet positioned in a side wall of the chamber, an outlet positioned in the base of said chamber, and a ramp adjacent said side wall of the chamber. The side wall further includes a feature affecting molten metal flow. The feature can include, for example, a baffle, a vane, a passage, a diverging or converging shape and combinations thereof. Similarly, the molten metal flow can be affected by slanting the ramp inwardly or outwardly. |
| US09920991B2 |
Device for drying coated stents
Various embodiments of methods and devices for drying coated stents in an oven are described herein. |
| US09920989B2 |
Process line for the production of freeze-dried particles
A process line (300) for the production of freeze-dried particles under closed conditions comprising at least a spray chamber (302) for droplet generation and freeze congealing of the liquid droplets to form particles and a bulk freeze-dryer (304) for freeze drying the particles, the freeze-dryer (304) comprising a rotary drum for receiving the particles. Further, a transfer section (308) is provided for a product transfer from the spray chamber (302) to the freeze-dryer (304). For the production of the particles under end-to-end closed conditions each of the devices (302, 304) and of the transfer section (308) is separately adapted for operation preserving sterility of the product to be freeze-dried and/or containment. |
| US09920985B2 |
Liquefied natural gas plant with ethylene independent heavies recovery system
A process and apparatus for liquefying natural gas includes a heavies recovery system. In another aspect, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility may employ an ethylene independent heavies recovery system. The recovery system may thus operate relying only on fluid input from upstream of an ethylene refrigeration cycle. A heavies-depleted stream recovered from a liquid withdrawn from a heavies removal column in the heavies recovery system may combine at a location downstream of the heavies removal column with an overhead withdrawn from the heavies removal column for further cooling of such combined stream into liquefied natural gas product. |
| US09920984B2 |
Cooling apparatus
A cooling apparatus is provided in which items to be cooled may be vertically stacked on each other in a state in which the items to be cooled are laid out or laid on their sides. When the items to be cooled are vertically stacked in the cooling apparatus, a problem in that an upper space of the cooling apparatus is not utilized may be solved to efficiently utilize an inside of a refrigerator or a back surface of a door. Also, a problem in that capacity within the refrigerator is reduced when the items to be cooled are horizontally received may be solved. |
| US09920983B1 |
Quick-chill beverage chiller having multiple reservoirs
A beverage chiller comprising a first cylinder and a second cylinder sized and arranged with the second cylinder disposed within the first cylinder to define a first reservoir between the first cylinder and the second cylinder for receiving a beverage to be chilled. The second cylinder defines an internal chamber for receiving a chilling medium. A cup fabricated from an insulative material receives the cylinders therein with the first cylinder and cup defining a second reservoir for receiving a chilling medium. The first and second cylinders are fabricated from a material having substantial thermal conductivity. |
| US09920979B2 |
Refrigerator and control method for the same
A refrigerator and a control method for the same are disclosed. A refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a drawer movably provided in the storage compartment and provided with a marker, a camera that photographs inside the drawer from outside the drawer, and a controller that senses a position of the marker in photographs taken through the camera at time intervals, and that determines state information about the drawer based on a change in position of the marker in the photographs. A method includes recognizing closing of the drawer by sensing a start of opening of the drawer; acquiring an image of the drawer interior using the camera; processing the image to recognize the marker from the image; tracing a movement of the marker; acquiring a final image of the drawer interior using the camera when closing of the drawer begins; and displaying the final image. |
| US09920978B1 |
Dispenser for a refrigerator
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a liquid dispenser for a refrigerator. According to some embodiments, the liquid dispenser includes a liquid discharge unit including a nozzle through which liquid received in the liquid dispenser is discharged, and a lever that opens and closes the nozzle based on whether the lever is pressed or not. A liquid receiving unit receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge unit, and a support unit allows the liquid receiving unit to be positioned to press the lever based on the weight of liquid in the liquid receiving unit. A damper may be used to stably seat the receiving unit and reduce or eliminate noise generated when liquid flows to the liquid receiving unit. |
| US09920976B2 |
Dehumidifier and water tank for a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier and a water tank for a dehumidifier are provided. A withdrawable handle is provided on the water tank, which collects condensed water, and thus, when the water tank is mounted, the water tank is mounted in a state in which the handle is inserted, and when the water tank is withdrawn or moved, the handle is withdrawn, improving convenience in use. |
| US09920974B2 |
Method for controlling defrost operation of a refrigeration system
The invention relates to a method for controlling a refrigeration system by establishing a defrost period during an initial defrost period. One or more compressors of the refrigeration system are monitored to establish if the one or more compressors are running, and a parameter representative of the one or more compressors running is monitored. The monitoring establishes at least one parameter limit value representative of whether a defrost period or a non-defrost period is to be initiated. The invention also relates to a method for controlling a refrigeration system subsequent to an electrical power interruption. The invention also relates to control units for applying one or both of the methods according to the invention, and to a refrigeration system having one or more control units controlling the refrigeration system according to one or both of the methods. |
| US09920972B2 |
Dual trailer cooling unit
A portable cooling unit is disclosed for cooling perishable items such as strawberries at a worksite such as a field where the strawberries are harvested. The cooling unit includes a conveyor trailer for receiving pallets of perishable items and conveying the pallets through a number of cooling chambers within the conveyor trailer. The cooling unit further includes a refrigeration trailer for supplying independent cold air flow paths to the different cooling chambers of the conveyor trailer. The conveyor and refrigeration trailers may operate as a self-sustained cooling unit, without any external connections to power or working fluid. |
| US09920971B2 |
Refrigerated transport temperature regulation
In an approach, a processor predicts a thermal load caused by a door opening event in at least part of a cargo space of a refrigerated transport vehicle based on, at least, an external ambient condition, environmental factors within the cargo space, and a duration of the door opening event. A processor obtains pre-cooling profile information describing cargo space temperature performance with a pre-cooling operation under conditions corresponding to, at least, the predicted thermal load caused by the door opening event. A processor determines a distribution path for the refrigerated transport vehicle based on the predicted thermal load caused by the door opening event and the obtained pre-cooling profile information, wherein the distribution path is associated with the pre-cooling operation. |
| US09920970B2 |
Flexible cryogenic container system
The invention relates to a cryogenic container for storing and/or transporting a medium, in particular a biochemical and/or medical product. The cryogenic container comprises at least one primary container, which has at least one flexible film bag. The flexible film bag is designed to receive the medium. The cryogenic container furthermore comprises at least one secondary container, which at least partially surrounds the primary container and is preferably at least partially flexible. The secondary container has at least one opening for insertion of the primary container. The secondary container furthermore has at least one preferably at least partially flexible outer sleeve. The secondary container furthermore has at least one heat exchanger space, which is arranged between the outer sleeve and the flexible film bag and receives at least one fluid heat exchange medium. |
| US09920969B2 |
Oil level detection device, and refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus having mounted thereon the oil level detection device
Provided is an oil level detection device to be mounted on a refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus, the oil level detection device being configured to detect an oil level of oil accumulated inside a compressor forming the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus. The oil level detection device includes an oil level detection unit installed on an outer surface of the compressor and configured to detect a temperature of an installation position, a sensor output unit configured to output, to the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus, a signal for changing an operation state of the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus, and a determination unit configured to determine depletion of the oil accumulated inside the compressor based on measurement values obtained by the oil level detection unit at least after an output of the signal to be output from the sensor output unit. |
| US09920967B2 |
Hot and cold water air conditioning system
The hot and cold water air conditioning system includes a water temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of water flowing out of the heat pump heat source apparatus by an operation of the water circulation pump, and a controller configured to perform, in a heating operation, on/off normal control that turns on a compressor when the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor becomes lower than a target water temperature and turns off the compressor when the water temperature becomes higher than a first temperature value higher than the target water temperature, and to switch from the on/off normal control, upon repeating the on/off operation of the compressor at a minimum frequency necessary for an operation of the compressor in the on/off normal control, to on/off restriction control that turns on the compressor when the water temperature becomes lower than a second temperature value lower than the target water temperature and turns off the compressor when the water temperature becomes equal to or higher than a third temperature value higher than the target water temperature. |
| US09920965B2 |
Air conditioner with oil separators and method for controlling the same
An air conditioner and a method for controlling and air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one compressor, a main suction passage to guide a refrigerant into the at least one compressor, at least one oil separator connected to the at least one compressor, that separates oil from the refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor, at least one oil level sensor disposed in the at least one compressor to detect whether the at least one compressor lacks oil, a return passage to collect the oil separated from the at least one oil separator into the at least one compressor, a distribution return passage branched from the at least one return passage and connected to the main suction passage, and a valve disposed in each of the at least one return passage and the distribution return passage. |
| US09920963B1 |
System for conditioning air with temperature and humidity control and heat utilization
The invention presents air-conditioning system with chiller that provides, when operated in the cooling mode, cooling hardware for conditioning space and a heat exchanger for cooling and dehumidification of ambient air in supply air stream with cold liquid. In addition, the invention offers a method and design of a heat utilization system. The method incorporates refrigeration cycle with two consecutive expansions, two expansion devices, and a heat exchanger operating as a second condenser. The method can be used for air conditioners and chillers reheating over-chilled for dehumidification indoor and supply air. The method and design allow energy efficient heat utilization with variable amount of utilized heat. |
| US09920961B2 |
Tetrafluoropropene-based supercritical heat-transfer fluids
A method for heating a fluid or a body using a vapor compression circuit containing a heat-transfer fluid containing tetrafluoropropene, said method including, successively and cyclically, evaporation of the heat-transfer fluid, compression of the heat-transfer fluid, cooling of the heat-transfer fluid and expansion of the heat-transfer fluid, the heat-transfer fluid being in the supercritical state at the end of compression. Also, an installation suited to implementing this method. |
| US09920954B2 |
Heating tool
Provided is a superior heating tool which is capable of producing desired aromatic properties upon usage even after being stored for a long period of time. A heating tool comprising: an exothermic composition containing an oxidation accelerator having an iodine adsorption of not higher than 500 mg/g, an oxidizable metal powder, and water; and a fragrance, wherein at least the exothermic composition is housed in a container bag having air permeability. |
| US09920951B2 |
Thermal recovery system and method
An apparatus comprises a subcooler, such as a vented tube/plate or tube on tube heat exchanger, and a pre-cooler and/or post-heater, which may be a vented tube/plate or tube on tube heat exchanger. The subcooler and pre-cooler and/or post-heater are connected in fluid communication with each other (in series) and with a refrigerant output and input of a condenser. For example, the refrigerant output goes into the subcooler, and the refrigerant input comes out of the precooler and/or post-heater. A working fluid (e.g. coolant), such as water or glycol or other working fluid, is forced, such as by pumping, first through the subcooler and then through the precooler and/or post-heater. Flow rate of the working fluid through the apparatus may be regulated such that the refrigerant is first subcooled to an incoming fluid's temperature and then to pre-cool the refrigerant to approximately its saturated-vapor state, when the system is operating to provide a refrigeration effect. Heat absorbed by the working fluid using the method may heat a potable hot water system or as a secondary heat source. |
| US09920950B2 |
Chilled beam with multiple modes
A chilled beam has separate primary and secondary inlets and plenums each or which generates separate sets of induction jets to draw air through a chilled beam heat exchanger. Various system and method embodiments are described as well as features usable in conventional active chilled beams to facilitate the use variable thermal and ventilation load applications. |
| US09920947B2 |
Networked filter condition indicator
A filter condition indicator system is described herein. A pressure differential switch monitors air pressure across a filter, and a transmitter coupled to the pressure differential switch sends a signal to a networked device. If the pressure differential near the filter triggers the switch, then a “dirty” signal is sent to or retrieved by a mobile device which indicates that the filter is dirty and should be replaced. The filter condition indicator is able to be used by bypassing a thermostat and sending an alert to a computer or mobile device wirelessly. Alternatively, the filter condition indicator system described herein is able to be used in conjunction with a previously installed furnace/thermostat system by utilizing the pre-existing thermostat wiring. The filter condition indicator system is able to be used with HVAC systems, air conditioning systems, other heating/cooling systems, or other systems or devices. |
| US09920946B2 |
Remote control of a smart home device
A system including a thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The system includes a thermostat including a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a circular rotatable ring, which is user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat. The system further includes a client application that is operable on a touch-screen device separate from the thermostat, that displays a graphical representation of a circular dial, that detects a user-input motion proximate the graphical representation, that determines a user-selected setpoint temperature value based on the user-input motion, that displays a numerical representation of the user-selected setpoint temperature value, and that wirelessly transmits to the thermostat data representative of the user-selected setpoint temperature. |
| US09920942B2 |
Humidity regulating system
A humidity regulating system comprises: a plurality of humidity adjusting devices to adsorb or vaporize the mist and water of the humidity adjusting rooms, a water regulating device to regulate the water supply to the humidity adjusting devices, a main controlling device to control the humidity regulating system, a communication connecting device to connect the plurality of humidity adjusting devices with the water regulating device and the main controlling device, and a remote controlling device which includes a remote controlling means to communicate with the main controlling device so as to regulate the plurality of humidity adjusting devices to adjust the humidity of the rooms. |
| US09920936B2 |
Air conditioning apparatus
An object is to enable the dealer or user of an air conditioning apparatus to recognize that the heat dissipation amount of a heat exchange device is less than the heat dissipation amount expected of the air conditioning apparatus. A control device detects a hot water outflow temperature being a temperature of a fluid heated by a heat pump device, and a return temperature being a temperature of the fluid before being heated by the heat pump device, and checks whether or not a temperature difference between the detected hot water outflow temperature and the detected return temperature is smaller than a predetermined first value. If the control device judges that the temperature difference is smaller than the first value, it displays insufficiency of the heat dissipation amount of a heat exchange device, on a display of a remote controller. |
| US09920934B2 |
Method for performing a closed-door broiling operation with an electric oven
A method of operating an electric oven includes generating a door-open signal if an oven door is in an open position. An electric broiling element is activated to perform an open-door broil operation in response to generation of the door-open signal. The temperature within a cooking chamber is determined during the open-door broil operation and the electric broiling element is deactivated if the temperature within the cooking chamber exceeds a first shutoff temperature. The method also includes generating a door-closed signal if the oven door is in a closed position. The electric broiling element is activated to perform a closed-door broil operation in response to generation of the door-closed signal. The temperature within the cooking chamber of the electric oven is determined during the closed-door broil operation and the electric broiling element is deactivated if the temperature within the cooking chamber exceeds a second shutoff temperature. |
| US09920931B2 |
Torch with spring loaded snuffer
A device has a canister for attaching to a fuel container with a wick holder passing through the canister for holding a wick in a position to draw fuel from the reservoir for combustion proximate the top cap. A snuffer in the canister has a sleeve extendible from a first retracted position to a second extended position, the second extended position extending the sleeve partially beyond the wick holder. When the canister is upright the snuffer remains in the first lowered position and when the canister is tilted beyond a predetermined angle the spring moves the sleeve to the second extended position. |
| US09920924B2 |
High temperature sub-critical boiler with steam cooled upper furnace and start-up methods
A boiler is disclosed in which the furnace is divided into a lower furnace and an upper furnace. The lower furnace uses water-cooled membrane walls, while the upper furnace uses steam-cooled membrane walls that act as superheating surfaces. A steam-cooled circuit includes a steam separator, a primary superheater, and the steam-cooled membrane walls of the upper furnace. During start-up, a diversion path is opened that reduces dry steam flow through the primary superheater and increases dry steam flow through the steam-cooled membrane walls of the upper furnace. This protects the steam-cooled membrane walls from excessive thermal stresses during start-up. |
| US09920921B2 |
Building component
The presented invention facilitates creation of floors and other utilitarian spaces incorporating supplementary, illuminated decorations. It may be utilized in house and public facilities building-oriented branches of construction industry, and in the furniture joinery industry. It can also be incorporated into already finished spaces.The building component is characteristic due to the fact that it is based on utilization of the bottom layer (7), the satisfactory thickness of which shall oscillate around 2÷18 mm, intermediate light forwarding layer (3), the thickness of which shall range from 3 to 18 mm (the additional elements of the design, such as indents, and/or engraves, and/or channels, in which light elements (4) are situated, and/or light mat (8), and top layer (1), the thickness of which shall oscillate around 1÷18 mm, and in which the elements of the design, such as decorative indents, shall be also incorporated (2). The aforementioned elements shall be filled with a special material, such as resin, and/or glass, and/or adhesive substances, and/or transparent substances. The utilized light sources (4) are LED diodes and/or LED diode sets, and/or optical fibers, and/or halogen lamps, and/or cold cathodes, and/or light mat. The aforementioned light sources (4) are located in a circular manner, and/or separate fashion, and/or between the bottom layer (7) and the top layer (1). The building component may incorporate a heating mat (6) situated below the light mat, as well as an additional layer (9), preferably of the thickness of 1÷12 mm and supplementary elements of the design (10), preferably of the thickness of 1÷12 mm. |
| US09920915B2 |
Lighting device and luminaire
Disclosed is a lighting device (100) comprising a carrier (10) having a main body (12) and first and second protrusions (14, 16) extending in parallel from said main body, the first protrusion comprising a first main surface (142) and an opposite second main surface (144), the second protrusion comprising a third main surface (162) and an opposite fourth main surface (164), wherein the first main surface and the third main surface are on the same side of the carrier, said carrier carrying at least one solid state lighting element (20) on at least one of the first main surface and the fourth main surface; and a heat dissipating member (30) having a first portion (32) thermally coupled to the second main surface and having a second portion (33) thermally coupled to the third main surface. A luminaire including such a lighting device is also disclosed. |
| US09920911B1 |
Exterior wall fixture
A wall fixture fastened to a corner of a structure that has a first exterior wall and the second exterior wall with a structure non-linear angle. The wall fixture has a first and a second housing wherein, the first and the second housing mourns adjacent to the first and the second exterior wall, respectively. A first and a second electrical device are coupled to the first and second housing, for directing the first and the second electrical device adjacent to the first and second exterior wall, respectively. The first housing has a dividing panel creating a primary chamber and an electrical coupling chamber. An exterior conduit pass is within the first housing for positioning an electrical supplying conductor within the electrical coupling chamber. A first and a second electrical conductor traverse the housing chamber for electrically coupling the electrical devices with the electrical supplying conductor within the electrical coupling chamber. |
| US09920904B2 |
Critical angle lens reflector
A critical angle lens reflector includes a solid, lens shaped object that is fabricated from a visibly transparent material such as glass, plastic, silicone or epoxy. A surface of the reflector has a geometric profile with a two-dimensional cross section curve in which coordinate points (x,y) on the curve have values defined by the mathematical equation dy/dx=(y−x tan(90−φ))/(y tan(90−φ)+x), in which φ is a predetermined incident angle that is chosen to have a magnitude such that light output, from the light source housed within an illumination device, will undergo total internal reflection upon reflection off the interior surface of the lens reflector. |
| US09920898B2 |
Vehicular active stop and tail lamp module
A vehicular light module includes a light source configured to have a position that is adjustable longitudinally along a direction in which light radiates from the light source. The light module also includes a lighting guide that is movably disposed and that is configured to reflect and diffuse the light radiated from the light source. The light module further includes a moving unit configured to move the lighting guide to adjust the reflection and the diffusion of the light radiated from the light source by the lighting guide. |
| US09920894B2 |
Luminaire bullet catch mounting texture
Recessed lighting rough-in section (i.e. housing) and finishing section (i.e. luminaire module) including a textured surface and catch mechanism is disclosed. The luminaire module includes a textured surface that is oriented along a diagonal, a coiled path or an orbital path of rows of recesses which engage corresponding catch mechanisms. Coarse adjustment of the height of the luminaire module may be determined by moving the luminaire module vertically and fine adjustment may be determined by rotation of the luminaire module with respect of the catch mechanisms. |
| US09920892B2 |
Modular LED system for a lighting assembly
One non-limiting example of an LED system for a lighting assembly includes a heat sink having a plurality of base plates. Each of the base plates has a pair of opposing edges disposed adjacent to a corresponding one of the other base plates. Additionally, each base plate has an outer face extending between the opposing edges; and the LED system further includes a plurality of LEDs attached to the outer face of each base plate. A fan is releasably attached to a bottom portion of the heat sink and configured to produce a flow of air through the heat sink from the bottom portion through a top portion of the heat sink to maintain an operating temperature of the LED system. |
| US09920888B1 |
Multi-purpose lightbulb having power failure mode
A lighting device having a power failure mode for use with one or more other networked devices is disclosed. In embodiments, the lighting device may comprise an outer globe, a diffuser, a plurality of light pipes, an outer cowling, a power input connector, a power control printed circuit board, a communication and control printed circuit board, an indicator printed circuit board, one or more microprocessors, an auxiliary device, and an LED lighting printed circuit board. In embodiments, the lighting device may communicate with one or more other networked devices, such as second lighting devices, mobile phones, servers, remote controls, and/or home or office automation equipment. The lighting device may be powered through a light socket or a backup battery in a power failure mode. |
| US09920887B2 |
Internal envelope infrastructure for electrical devices
The invention relates to a housing (1) for an electrical device wherein an inner surface (2) of said housing has a conductive pattern (3) providing at least one conductive track, said track being arranged to provide local electric interconnection from the housing to at least one enclosed electrical component of said electrical device and/or vice versa, wherein the conductive pattern is fixedly fastened to said inner surface (2) of said housing so that said conductive pattern will break if the housing wall is broken where the conductive pattern is fastened. |
| US09920885B2 |
Pumping block device having an integrated bypass circuit
This invention relates to a multiphase pumping block device comprising a pump and a bypass circuit. Said bypass circuit is suitable for enabling the flow of a fluid from an area upstream of the pump to an area downstream of the pump by bypassing the pump. The latter comprises at least out non-return valve suitable for blocking the flow of the fluid from the area downstream of the pump to the area upstream of the pump. In addition, the pumping block device is connected to a set of pumping circuits, comprising a main bypass circuit suitable for enabling the flow of a fluid from an area upstream of the connected pumping block to an area downstream of the connected pumping block. Finally, the pumping block device is arranged in order to be disconnected from said set of circuits for maintenance. |
| US09920882B2 |
Gas charging method for a bag equipped with gas compartment
In a method and apparatus for filling a gas in a gas compartment portion of a bag, a bag-conveying gripper (41) including a pair of gripping elements (45 and 46), and the inner surface (gripping surface) of the gripping element (45) being formed with a shallow groove (47). The bag-conveying gripper (41) grips the sealed portion (12) of the bag, and a neck section (16a) of the gas compartment portion (16) in the sealed portion is held at a groove formed in the gripping elements of the bag-conveying gripper. Compressed gas is ejected into the gas compartment portion through incision (17) formed in the neck section, inflating the gas compartment portion 16. The inflated shape of the neck section held by the bag-conveying gripper is restricted to a flat configuration by the inner surfaces of the bag-conveying gripper. |
| US09920878B2 |
Lubrication system and controller
A lubrication system for lubricating bearings that includes at least one lubrication pump for pumping lubricant to the bearings and at least one metering valve for distributing the pumped lubricant throughout the lubrication system to the bearings. The system further includes a lubrication controller in communication with the at least one lubrication pump and at least one metering valve for controlling the lubrication system. The controller has firmware configured to provide a sequence of instructions to perform specified tasks and hardware that carries out the sequence of instructions to perform the specified tasks. In an unconfigured and unconnected state, the lubrication controller can be configured by reprogramming the firmware, to selectively control at least one of a series progressive lubrication system, a dual line lubrication system and a single line parallel lubrication system. |
| US09920867B1 |
Compression coupling assembly for securing conduits together
A coupling assembly for securing rigid conduits together end-to-end, or to a junction box, includes a coupling body, one or two compressible gland rings, and one or two compression nuts. The coupling body includes a first segment extending from a second segment, with an optional midsection therebetween. The compression nut threadably engages about externally-threaded coupling first and/or second segments, compressing a gland ring as it is tightened. A bend in the compression nut, and complementarily chamfers formed in the coupling body and the gland ring, may help to squeeze and compress the gland ring. The compressible gland ring is internally-threaded, and, when compressed, it bites down or grips unthreaded conduits, and its threads interlock with threads of threaded conduits. Two conduits may be secured together by rotating the coupling body and/or the compression nut of the coupling assembly without needing to rotate conduits, which can be heavy and cumbersome. |
| US09920865B2 |
Clamping ring, sliding sleeve, arrangement, and method for producing a non-releasable connection
A clamping ring for a non-releasable workpiece connection includes an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, said inner circumferential surface having a cylindrical design in at least some sections. A sliding sleeve for a non-releasable workpiece connection includes an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. An arrangement for producing a non-releasable workpiece connection and a method for producing a non-releasable workpiece connection are provided. |
| US09920863B2 |
Flexible pipe
The present invention provides a flexible pipe having excellent blister resistance in a high-temperature and high-pressure environment even though including a thick resin pipe. The flexible pipe includes a resin pipe having a thickness of greater than 5 mm. The resin pipe is formed from a resin having a CO2 permeability coefficient P(CO2) of 20×10−9 cm3·cm/cm2·s·cmHg or lower at 150° C., a CH4 permeability coefficient P(CH4) of 10×10−9 cm3·cm/cm2·s·cmHg or lower at 150° C., a ratio D(CO2)/S(CO2) between a CO2 diffusion coefficient D(CO2) and a CO2 solubility coefficient S(CO2) of 3×10−5 Pa·m2/s or higher at 150° C., and a ratio D(CH4)/S(CH4) between a CH4 diffusion coefficient D(CH4) and a CH4 solubility coefficient S(CH4) of higher than 15×10−5 Pa·m2/s at 150° C. |
| US09920859B2 |
Electromagnetic effects-sensitive pass-through mounting assemblies with adjustable offset
Pass-through mounting assemblies include an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, a bushing component, and a cap that are configured to be assembled onto a partition aperture in a partition to retain a tube as the tube passes through the partition. The outer sleeve is sized to fit into the partition aperture. The inner sleeve is sized to nest into the outer sleeve and includes a non-concentric inner rim. The bushing component defines a tube aperture configured to retain the tube and includes an outer rim sized to nest into the inner rim of the inner sleeve. The tube aperture is non-concentric with the outer rim of the bushing component. The cap includes an inner rim sized to nest over the outer rim of the inner sleeve. The tube aperture position may be adjusted by changing the relative angular position of the bushing component, the inner sleeve, and the cap. |
| US09920857B2 |
Vacuum valve
A vacuum valve is provided with opening pressure setting means that sets a set value of a fluid pressure in a primary side passage beyond which communication is opened and forcible opening means that forcibly opens communication regardless of the fluid pressure in the primary side passage. The opening pressure setting means includes a spring receiver fixed to a stem, a compression coil spring having a lower end supported by the spring receiver, and an adjustment screw, movable in the axial direction, that presses the upper end of the compression coil spring. The forcible opening means includes a piston inserted onto the stem 5 under the spring receiver so as to be movable upward and downward and piston driving means that moves the piston and the spring receiver upward integrally by moving the piston upward using compressed air. |
| US09920856B2 |
Method for determining amplitude of stick-slip on a valve assembly and implementation thereof
A method for processing operating data (e.g., position, setpoint, and pressure) for a valve assembly. The method is configured to associate characteristics of operation for the valve assembly with a root cause and/or a contributing factor. In one embodiment, the method can assign a first amplitude with a value that quantifies movement or “jump” of the valve stem that results from stick-slip on the valve assembly. The method can also assign a second amplitude with a value that quantifies a change in the data for the setpoint. The method can further ascertain the relationship or “position” of the first amplitude relative to the second amplitude, or vice versa. The method can use the relationship between the first amplitude and the second amplitude to indicate the root cause of the operation of the valve assembly. |
| US09920855B2 |
Method for transmitting data for device diagnostics and implementations thereof
A method that simplifies the exchange of data to facilitate delivery of data that relates to operation of a valve assembly to a Web-based user interface over a network. In one embodiment, the method configures an apparatus to receive data about the valve assembly in a first format and to generate an output in a second format, e.g., JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format. The method may also configure the device with an architecture with multiple layers, wherein the architecture can exchange data in the JSON format between a first layer and a second layer. This architecture is configured to be lightweight as compared to the SOAP/HTTP architecture found in conventional techniques, typically deploying a Representational State Transfer (REST) structure that permits use of JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format to communicate among the architecture layers and with the web-based user interface. |
| US09920854B2 |
Control valve having a transmission unit
A control valve (1) with a valve housing (13) through which a flow channel (14) runs with a flow cross section changeable by a closure unit consisting of a valve seat and a valve cone which is adjustable relative to the valve seat. An adjusting device has a sliding unit (2) with a sliding rod (21) adjusting the valve cone over an adjustment path and a drive device acting on the sliding rod and controlled by a controller. The controller has a measuring unit (4) which detects the adjustment path via a transmission unit. The transmission unit is provided with an adapter unit (3) comprising a replaceable structural unit, between the sliding unit (2) and the measuring unit (4), said adapter unit converting the adjustment stroke into a measurement stroke specified by the measuring unit (4) in a manner corresponding to a transmission ratio specified by the adapter unit. |
| US09920852B2 |
Subsea electric actuator
A subsea electric actuator includes a housing configured to be filled with dielectric oil, an electric motor, a brake, a clutch, and a spring. The clutch and the brake are configured to maintain the spring in a compressed position. In certain embodiments, the actuator further includes a planetary gear and a multi-turn gear assembly, such that the planetary gear and the multi-turn gear assembly are configured to multiply the torque provided by the electric motor. The actuator can further include a ball screw and a nut screw configured to convert the torque provided by the motor into linear thrust to compress the spring. |
| US09920851B2 |
Subsea electric actuators and latches for them
A subsea electric actuator includes an electric motor and a telescopic drive connection from the motor to a drive unit that can be moved to and fro and converts rotary motion of the connection to linear motion of an actuating stem. A return spring is operable on the drive unit to urge the actuating stem towards a datum state. An electromagnetic latch is operative when set to maintain the drive unit in a predetermined position so as to decouple the action of the return spring whereby the stem can be advanced and retracted relative to the drive unit free from the action of the return spring. De-energization of the latch allows the return spring to operate on the drive unit to return the actuating stem to the datum state. Various forms of electromagnetic latches are described. |
| US09920849B2 |
Resilient deformable air valve
An air valve may include a sheet on a panel that serves as a portion of one wall of an air-cooled enclosure. The panel has a first aperture, having a first radius. The sheet may be deformable and resilient, and have a conductive film on one surface and a second aperture. A plurality of leaves lie in a plane parallel to the panel and extend inwardly a particular distance from a perimeter define the second aperture. The perimeter has a second radius equal to the first radius. The particular distance is less than the second radius. The leaves may deform in response to airflow. The second aperture has a first diameter and first depth in an un-deformed state, and a second diameter and second depth in a deformed state. The second diameter and second depth are greater than the first diameter and first depth. |
| US09920848B2 |
Multiple parts reed valve and method of manufacturing
An improved membrane valve and method for manufacturing such membrane valve. The improved membrane valve can be used for transferring fluids or gases in hermetic or semi-hermetic compressors, including a method and system for manufacturing a membrane valve and a membrane valve with applications for use in several motors, particularly in hermetic or semi-hermetic compressors which use, as a refrigeration fluid, an appropriate type of gas thus promoting the refrigeration physical affect. A body and a membrane of the membrane valve are produced from substantially thin metallic plates separately in accordance to an available process and can be subjected to rounding in order to eliminate live corners, and then juxtaposed thus composing the valve, with the above mentioned membrane on one side, fitted to the body which is fixed through a connection process and, on the other side, left free to oscillate. |
| US09920846B2 |
Low restriction variable flow valve with directional control
Methods and systems are provided for regulating fluid flow through a three-way valve assembly, including a three-way split conduit coupled to a movable rotary ring with plurality of openings. In one example, a three-way split conduit may include one fluid inlet conduit splitting into two outlet conduits with an included angle of less than 90 degrees between the two splitting outlet conduits. A movable rotary ring coupled to the three-way split conduit may be rotated by an actuator to open or block the three way split conduits, regulating the fluid flow passages along the three-way valve assembly. |
| US09920845B2 |
Control valve
A control valve includes a first conduit having a first inlet and a first outlet and defining a first passage; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet and defining a second passage, the second conduit extending into the first passage such that the second inlet is located within the first passage; and a valve plate disposed pivotably within the first passage, the valve plate defining a valve plate surface. Pivoting of the valve plate within the first passage varies flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and the valve plate is pivotal between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the valve plate substantially prevents fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage and such that in the second position the valve plate permits fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage. |
| US09920833B2 |
Shifting apparatus for manual transmission
A shifting apparatus for a manual transmission able to shift two shift stages, of which selection positions are different but shift positions are the same, using a single fork and a single sleeve. Compared to the related art in which a fork and a synchronization sleeve are provided to each of two independent shift stages, the full length of the transmission is reduced, thereby reducing the weight and manufacturing costs. |
| US09920831B2 |
Input device
A pattern of a rotational operation force is changed by a state of a device of an input object. An input device includes a knob, a rotation shaft body that rotates together with the knob, a rotation controller that is capable of changing a rotational operation force, a detector that detects a rotational position, a controller, and a storage that stores a plurality of patterns. The controller reads a pattern from the storage according to a pattern signal input from an outside and controls the rotation controller when the knob is operated to be rotated according to a rotational position detected by the detector and the read pattern. |
| US09920830B2 |
Sliding bearing for planet carrier
A planetary gearbox includes a gearbox housing, a sunwheel rotatable in the housing about a central gearbox axis and having outer teeth, a ringwheel arranged concentrically to the central gearbox axis within the housing and having inner teeth, a planet gear carrier rotatable in the gearbox housing about the central gearbox axis, and a plurality of planet gears mounted on the planet gear carrier for rotation about corresponding planetary gear pins and having outer teeth meshing with the inner teeth on the ringwheel and the outer teeth of the sunwheel. At least one segmented radial sliding bearing supports the planet gear carrier on the gearbox housing and includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart radial sliding bearing segments positioned radially outside the planetary gear pins so that the planet gear carrier is supported by the radial sliding bearing at a position located radially outside the planetary gear pins. |
| US09920829B2 |
Cooler for a marine transmission gearbox
A cooler for cooling a marine transmission gearbox by a cooling fluid. The cooler (1) comprises a cooler housing (2) which is made of plastic and a heat sink element (3) which is arranged at least partially inside a cavity (39) of the cooler housing (2) so that the heat sink element (3) is in contact with the cooling fluid, during operation. The heat sink element (3) is attachable to the gearbox housing (4) of the marine transmission gearbox in such a way that heat is transferable from the gearbox housing (4), via the heat sink element (3), to the cooling fluid. A marine transmission gearbox with such a cooler (1) is also part of the present invention. |
| US09920827B1 |
Axle assembly having horizontal oil drain integrated into cover flange
An axle assembly can include a housing, differential assembly in the housing, drain plug, cover, and gasket. The housing can include a main flange having threaded bores. A bottom threaded bore can extend through the main flange to be in fluid communication with a housing interior. The plug can include a shaft and a head. The shaft can threadably engage the drain bore. The cover can include a cover flange. The head of the drain plug can overlap the cover flange. The gasket can include a seal portion in sealing contact with the flanges, a standoff, and a fastener seal member. The shaft can extend through the standoff. The standoff can be a rigid material disposed between the flanges and can extend radially outward of the drain bore. The fastener seal member can be a resilient material in sealing contact with the standoff and the drain plug. |
| US09920826B2 |
Hollow rack bar and method of manufacturing hollow rack bar
A hollow rack bar and a method of manufacturing the hollow rack bar are provided. The hollow rack bar includes a hollow blank pipe portion having a uniform wall thickness, and a rack toothed portion. The rack toothed portion includes teeth, a flat portion having a flat surface and arranged side by side with the teeth in a direction along a center axis of the blank pipe portion, and a slanted portion provided at an end of the flat portion with respect to a direction perpendicular to the center axis and arranged to be lower than the flat portion. A length of the slanted portion projected on a straight line perpendicular to the center axis and parallel to the surface of the flat portion is longer than zero and equal to or shorter than the wall thickness of the blank pipe portion. |
| US09920823B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed. |
| US09920820B2 |
Over clamping protection method and clamping mechanism therefor
A method where the spin factor is looked up in a table; the slip factor is measured and the clamping pressure is adjusted to achieve a slip/spin ratio provided in a desired range is described herein. According to another aspect, an active mechanical clamping mechanism using a radially movable contact point is also described. |
| US09920818B2 |
Gearboxes with compound planet gears and methods of operating thereof
Provided are gearboxes including compound planet gear assemblies as well as methods of using such gearboxes. A gearbox includes at least a first ring gear and a second ring gear. Depending on the current gear selection, one of these ring gears may be engaged with a shifting mechanism or not engaged with any ring gears when in a neutral gear. The first ring gear may be constantly engaged with a first planet gear of a compound planet gear assembly, while the second ring gear may be constantly engaged with a second planet gear of the same compound planet gear assembly. The first planet gear may be also engaged with a sun gear coupled to a shaft. Another shaft is coupled to the shifting mechanism. Different gear selections of the gearbox engage different ring gears to the shifting mechanism thereby changing the rotational speed ratio of the two shafts. |
| US09920816B2 |
Vehicle transmission
A transmission that reduces the difference of rotational speed when engaging a main shaft-side sprocket and a main shaft-outer shaft, in a low-speed traveling mode. When shifting from first gear to neutral in the transmission, a dog on a drive gear is engaged with a dog hole in a main shaft-side sprocket, engagement between a dog on a driven gear for first gear and a dog hole in a driven gear is released, and then a first clutch and a second clutch are disconnected with the drive gear and the main shaft-side sprocket being engaged. |
| US09920813B2 |
Dynamic damper assembly
A dynamic damper assembly may include a plurality of bodies arranged at predetermined intervals on an outer peripheral surface of a drive shaft, and an elastic body formed to surround each of the bodies and fixing each body to the drive shaft. |
| US09920811B1 |
Modular isolating system
An isolating assembly, a modular isolating system including the assembly and a method of using the same. The system includes a plurality of individual isolating assemblies, each isolating assembly being engageable with an article; and wherein each isolating assembly includes a lower isolator that rests upon a flat surface; an upper isolator that is engageable with the article; and a connector having first and second ends. The first end of the connector engages the lower isolator and the second end of the connector engages the upper isolator. The upper isolator is positioned above the lower isolator and is movable relative to the lower isolator when vibration from the article is transferred to the upper isolator. The connector may be a polarizing connector that restricts the movement of the upper isolator in a first direction but permits movement thereof in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. |
| US09920809B2 |
Steering damper, a saddle riding type vehicle having the same, and a method of manufacturing the same
A steering damper is configured to adjust a damping force of a rotor covered by a lower casing and an upper casing by changing the viscosity of a magnetic fluid with an electromagnet. Since a magnetic fluid chamber is provided with a volume compensating unit, even when the volume of the magnetic fluid expands, or air entrainment occurs, air bubbles lighter than the magnetic fluid are collected in the volume compensating unit. Thus, characteristic variations of the steering damper due to volume expansion or air entrainment of the magnetic fluid are prevented. |
| US09920805B1 |
Water-cooled magnetic brake
A magnetic brake has an outer stator surrounding an inner stator with a circumferential slot between the outer stator and the inner stator. A coil is provided in the inner stator adjacent to the circumferential slot. A drag plate assembly is attached to a rotatable shaft extending centrally through the inner stator. A drag ring joined to the drag plate extends into the circumferential slot. A liquid flow path extends through the a first rotary coupling, the shaft, a plurality of holes in the drag ring, and through a second rotary coupling, for cooling the brake. |
| US09920802B2 |
Brake pad for fastening on a brake caliper of a vehicle braking device
A brake pad (10) for fastening on a brake caliper (110) of a vehicle braking device (100), having a main body (20) and a brake lining (22) arranged over an extended area on the main body (20), wherein the main body (20) has at least two guide openings (24) to receive in each case one guide pin (112), wherein each of the guide openings (24) has a guiding portion (25), wherein the guiding portions (25) of all the guide openings (24) have a radius of guidance (FR) with a common center of guidance (FM). |
| US09920799B2 |
Disk brake device and brake pad for disk brake device
The disk brake device comprises a caliper body including a cylinder part and a pawl part having a notch section connected together by a center bridge and side bridges with notch sections each interposed between the center bridge and side bridges, a support including guide pin guiding parts each interposed between the cylinder part and pawl part, guide pins respectively slidable to the guide pin guiding parts, and an outer side brake pad threadedly engaged with such surface of the pawl part as is opposed to a rotor on the rotor turn-in and turn-out sides of the notch section. |
| US09920796B2 |
Vehicle lock-up clutch control device
A vehicle lock-up clutch control device is provided to suppress engine racing when a lock-up clutch is engaged at the time a vehicle starts moving. The vehicle lock-up clutch control device is provided with a control unit that delays the rise in lock-up command pressure if a line pressure, which is the source pressure of the actual lock-up oil pressure, is rising when the lock-up clutch is engaged at the time the vehicle starts moving. The control unit executes a torque reduction in the engine at least during the delay in the lock-up command pressure. |
| US09920795B2 |
Multi-level torque clutch
A clutch assembly is disclosed having a clutch housing and a shaft. A clutch pack selectively couples rotation of the clutch housing and the shaft. The clutch pack includes a primary backing plate, a reaction plate, first and second friction plates disposed between the backing plate and the reaction plate, and a secondary backing plate disposed between the first and second friction plates. A first actuator selectively applies pressure to the reaction plate to move the reaction plate toward the primary backing plate. A second actuator controls movement of the secondary backing plate to switch the clutch pack between a low torque state and a high torque state. In the low torque state, the secondary backing plate cannot move longitudinally toward the primary backing plate beyond a locked position. In the high torque state, the secondary backing plate can move beyond the locked position. |
| US09920793B1 |
Negative stiffness system with variable preload adjustment
A variable stiffness structure configured to support a variable load, the variable stiffness structure including a shaft coupled to the variable load, a negative stiffness element, a clutch coupled to the negative stiffness element and configured to disengage and to engage the shaft, in response to a change in the variable load, while the structure supports the variable load. |
| US09920792B2 |
Spring retainer plate with lanced rivet tabs
A torsional vibration damper, including: an axis of rotation; a spring retainer plate including a plurality of openings passing through and wholly surrounded by material forming the spring retainer plate and a plurality of rivet tabs, each rivet tab including a respective portion aligned with a respective opening from the plurality of openings so that a line in an axial direction, parallel to the axis of rotation, passes through the respective portion and the respective opening; an intermediate plate; a plurality of rivets passing through the plurality of rivet tabs and connecting the intermediate plate to the spring retainer plate; and a plurality of springs engaged with the spring retainer plate. |
| US09920791B2 |
Rolling bearing with rotation sensor
A rolling bearing with a rotation sensor includes an inner race and an outer race, one of which is a rotating race and the other of which is a stationary race. An annular magnetic encoder alternately magnetized in opposite polarities in its circumferential direction is mounted on the rotating race. A magnetic sensor configured to detect the changes in magnetic flux when the magnetic encoder is rotated is mounted in a resin sensor housing mounted on the stationary race. The sensor housing is made of a resin material including a resin composition containing polyphenylene sulfide, an inorganic filler, and glass fiber. |
| US09920781B2 |
Dry glaze system
A system comprises a set piece, a threaded block, and a nut and is configured to support a panel in a railing system. The set piece comprises a block portion and a base portion. The block portion has a first planar surface and an opposing, second planar surface. The base portion is planar and extends from an edge of the block portion substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces of the block portion and away from the first surface of the block portion. The threaded block comprises a base and an extended circular portion. The circular portion comprises a threaded surface on the circumference, and the threaded block is configured to align with the set piece. The nut is configured to engage the threaded block. The nut comprises a corresponding threaded internal circular surface to rotatably engage the extended circular portion and move orthogonal to the threaded block base. |
| US09920780B2 |
Slewing drive apparatus for construction machine
Provided is a slewing drive apparatus for a construction machine capable of satisfactory pump-flow-rate control regardless of change in engine speed, including a variable displacement hydraulic pump, a slewing motor, a slewing operation device, a control valve, a relief valve, and a pump-flow-rate control device that performs a relief cut control and includes: a section for detecting an engine revolution number Ne and a slewing speed of a slewing body; a section for determining a target pump flow rate Qo that is a sum of a slewing-speed correspondence flow rate Q1 and a minimum required relief flow rate Qmin; a section for determining a target pump-tilt-angle qtg obtained by dividing the target pump flow rate Qo by the detected engine revolution number Ne; and a section for adjusting an actual pump-tilt-angle of the hydraulic pump so as to bring the actual pump-tilt-angle to the target pump-tilt-angle qtg. |
| US09920779B2 |
Aircraft hydraulic thermal management system
An aircraft hydraulic thermal management system utilizes fuel to cool hydraulic fluid by means of a heat exchanger. A hydraulic pump includes a case drain flow of hydraulic fluid at a first temperature to drive a hydraulic motor; the hydraulic motor circulates hydraulic fluid to a reservoir at a second temperature. The heat exchanger is positioned remotely of the fuel tank, and has first and second channels positioned in thermal communication to transfer heat from the hydraulic fluid to the fuel. The hydraulic motor is mechanically coupled to the fuel pump; the hydraulic motor, driven by case drain flow through the first channel, thus operates the fuel pump to move fuel through the second channel. The thermal management system is configured to assure that a) the hydraulic pump circulates hydraulic fluid to the reservoir at the second temperature, and b) the second temperature is always lower than the first temperature. |
| US09920777B2 |
Differential cylinder for a hydromechanical drive for electrical circuit breakers
A differential cylinder for a hydromechanical drive for actuating an electrical switch, for example a high-voltage switch, is disclosed which includes a first pressure region for applying a working pressure, a second pressure region, and a piston which is capable of moving in a movement region and which is movable depending on a pressure difference between the first and second pressure region. A damping device is provided which, in the event of a movement of the piston in the direction of the second pressure region, provides damping with respect to the movement of the piston in a section of the movement region, wherein the damping is adjustable. |
| US09920776B2 |
Fluid controller with load sense and flow amplification
A fluid controller includes a valve housing having an inlet port, a return port, first and second control ports and a load sense port. The fluid controller further includes a fluid meter in selective fluid communication with the valve housing and a valve assembly adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the valve housing and the fluid meter. The valve housing includes a main flow path and a load sense flow path. The main flow path is adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the inlet port and the first control port. Fluid in the main flow path passes through the fluid meter. The load sense path is adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the load sense port and the main flow path. The load sense flow path includes a variable load sense orifice that substantially closes prior to a maximum rotational displacement of the valve assembly. |
| US09920774B2 |
Pressure exchange system with motor system and pressure compensation system
A system includes a hydraulic energy transfer system configured to exchange pressures between a first fluid and a second fluid. The system also includes a motor system configured to power the hydraulic energy transfer system and a shaft coupling the motor system and the hydraulic energy transfer system. Additionally, the system includes a shaft seal disposed about the shaft. Further, the system includes a pressure compensator configured to reduce a pressure differential across the shaft seal. |
| US09920769B2 |
Casing made of organic matrix composite material that facilitates the discharge of smoke
A gas turbine casing made of organic matrix composite material includes reinforcement densified by an organic matrix defines an inside volume. On its inside face the casing has a structural part with a first face facing the inside face of the casing, and an opposite second face defining a flow passage portion. Recesses opening out into the inside volume of the casing are present between the inside face of the casing and the first face of the structural part facing the inside face of the casing. In the event of a fire, the recesses allow gas coming from degradation of the resin of the casing to be discharged into the flow passage. |
| US09920767B2 |
Well pump system
Provided is a well pump system that includes a pressure pipe, a rotatable shaft surrounded by a plurality of bearings, a pumping mechanism mounted to the pressure pipe and having a plurality of pump impellers mounted to a second end of the shaft, a rotating mechanism mounted to a first end of the shaft and configured for rotating it within the bearings, thereby causing the pump impellers to move the fluid in the pressure pipe, and at least one non-return valve configured for assuming at least two states including a first, opened state, in which the second pipe chamber is in fluid communication with the first pipe chamber, and a second, closed state, in which the non-return valve obstructs the fluid communication between the first and the second pipe chambers, thereby lubricating them. |
| US09920765B2 |
System and method for fluid level sensing and control
A system and method for sensing level of a fluid associated with a submersible pump having an impeller driven by an associated motor include a fluid level sensor having a probe with a plurality of discrete resistive elements each having an associated contact pair substantially evenly spaced along a length of the probe and an associated switch powered by an induced voltage or current generated by power provided to the submersible pump motor and activated by the fluid conducting across the contact pair to shunt the associated discrete resistive element. |
| US09920763B2 |
Contact cooled rotary airend injection spray insert
A compressor having a compressor wall that has an interior surface that defines a compression chamber, in which a rotor or pair of rotors operates to compress a fluid. To do so, the rotors are in operative communication with the interior surface. The compressor also includes an injection port in the compressor wall and opening into the compression chamber, the injection port being in fluidic communication with a second fluid. The compressor can also include an insert in operative communication with the injection port, wherein the insert and the injection port define therebetween a gap through which the second fluid enters the compression chamber. |
| US09920753B2 |
Canted off-axis driver for quiet pneumatic pumping
Apparatus and associated methods relate to nutating a piston drive linkage oriented around a longitudinal axis in response to the rotation of a drive shaft about a drive axis of rotation, said longitudinal axis being offset and canted with respect to said drive axis of rotation. In an illustrative example, the piston drive linkage may be formed as an umbrella shape with multiple arm members extending radially from the longitudinal axis. The distal ends of each of the radial arm members may attach to a stationary piston crank. The nutating motion of the piston drive linkage may impart a substantially linear motion profile substantially parallel to the drive axis of rotation. A shaft extending along the longitudinal axis from the piston linkage may advantageously freely insert into and rotate within a receptacle of a spinner body being rotated around the drive axis of rotation. |
| US09920749B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing power from two geothermal heat sources
A method for producing power from two geothermal heat sources includes: separating a first geothermal fluid from a first geothermal heat source into geothermal vapor comprising steam and non-condensable gases, and geothermal brine; supplying the geothermal vapor to a vaporizer; vaporizing a preheated motive fluid using heat from the geothermal vapor, wherein the heat content in the geothermal vapor exiting the flash tank is only enough to vaporize the preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer; expanding the vaporized motive fluid in a vapor turbine producing power and expanded vaporized motive fluid; condensing the expanded vaporized motive fluid to produce condensed motive fluid; and preheating the condensed motive fluid in a preheater using heat from a second geothermal fluid from a second geothermal heat source having a lower temperature and salinity content that the first geothermal fluid, thereby producing the preheated motive fluid, make-up water and heat-depleted geothermal brine. |
| US09920747B2 |
Turbulence protection system and method for turbine generators
A method of controlling power provided by a generator to an end system in which power is diverted from the output of said generator to an auxiliary system during periods of excessive power output from the generator. The diverted power is stored in an energy store and, during periods of lower power output from the generator, is returned to the end system by discharging the energy store. The diversion and return of power is controlled to maintain the power delivered to the end system at a desired mean power level. Diversion of power from the generator also has the effect of preventing the generator from producing excessive voltage levels. |
| US09920745B2 |
Wind farm with fast local reactive power control
Wind farm comprising a farm master and a plurality of wind energy installations. The farm master has a controller with an input for a control parameter for power supplied to a grid and transmits desired value specifications to a local controller of the wind energy installations. The local controller has a dual structure and comprises a desired value channel, to which the desired value specification is applied by the farm master and which is designed to output a stationary reactive power desired value, and a responsive channel comprising an autonomous controller, to which no desired value specification is applied by the farm master and to which an actual voltage of the particular wind energy installation is applied via a washout filter. The autonomous controller with the washout filter enables a fast and dependent response to transient disturbances (e.g., voltage spikes and voltage dips as a result of a short circuit). |
| US09920743B2 |
Wind turbine deceleration method and system
A wind turbine includes wind turbine blades, a wind turbine rotor coupled to the wind turbine blades, a wind turbine generator coupled to the wind turbine rotor, a wind turbine converter coupled to the wind turbine generator, a controllable brake comprising one or more sources of controllable rotor torque adjustment for providing a first level of torque adjustment, a discrete brake for more coarsely providing a second level of torque adjustment, and a controller programmed for responding to a deceleration event by determining a required torque adjustment for braking, determining a sequence of applying the controllable brake and the discrete brake for driving a combination of the first and second levels of torque adjustment towards the required torque adjustment, and providing control signals for decelerating the wind turbine. |
| US09920740B2 |
Wind turbine rotor blade element and wind turbine rotor blade
A wind turbine rotor blade element includes a first portion and a second portion connected to each other is described. The first portion includes a rear surface for facing a surface of a wind turbine rotor blade and the second portion includes a top surface which includes an angle between 90° and 180° with the rear surface of the first portion. |
| US09920737B2 |
Internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine that causes a predetermined gas flow in a combustion chamber, discharge plasma generated by a discharge device is caused to effectively absorb energy of an electromagnetic wave emitted from an electromagnetic wave emission device. At a time when a discharge operation and an emission operation are simultaneously performed so as to ignite a fuel air mixture, an emitting position of the electromagnetic wave on an antenna during the emission operation is located downstream of the discharge gap in a direction of the gas flow at the discharge gap so as to face toward the discharge plasma that has been drifted due to the gas flow. |
| US09920735B2 |
Drive control circuit, and ignition device for internal combustion engine
A drive control circuit includes: a first protection circuit connected between a signal input line and a ground line and clamps a voltage of AC noise superimposed on the signal input line at one clamp level; a second protection circuit connected between the signal input line and the ground line and clamps the voltage of the AC noise superimposed on the signal input line at an other clamp level; and a drive signal generation circuit generating the drive signal based on a comparison between a voltage in the signal input line and Vt. The input signal has binary levels including an L-level voltage VL and an H-level voltage VH, and a mean voltage of the AC noise is lower than a differential voltage between Vt and VL and higher than a differential voltage between Vt and VH. |
| US09920734B2 |
Starter
A starter (1) includes a motor unit (3), an output shaft (4) configured to receive a rotational force of the motor unit (3) and rotate, a pinion gear (74) (a pinion mechanism) helically engageable with a ring gear (23) of an engine, a clutch mechanism (5) configured to transmit the rotational force of the output shaft (4) to the pinion gear (74), and an electromagnetic device (9) configured to bias a pressing force toward the ring gear (23) to the clutch mechanism (5) and the pinion gear (74), wherein a plunger spring (91) (a backlash absorption mechanism) configured to bring one end (81a) (a point of action) of a plunger inner part (81) in constant elastic contact with the clutch mechanism (5) is installed at the electromagnetic device (9). |
| US09920729B2 |
Starting device for gas internal combustion engine
Embodiments may provide a starting device for a gas internal combustion engine whereby non-combusted gas accumulating in the gas internal combustion engine and an exhaust channel is discharged before ignition startup of the gas internal combustion engine and abnormal combustion of the gas internal combustion engine is prevented so as to improve safety, breakage prevention, durability and reliability. A starting device of a gas internal combustion engine 1 having an air starting device 30 includes a rotation-speed detection unit of the gas internal combustion engine 1, a compressed-air introduction unit 5 for supplying compressed air to each of cylinders according to an order of an ignition timing of the gas internal combustion engine 1, a compressed-air supply unit 3 for supplying the compressed air to the compressed-air introduction unit 5, and a control device 2 including a cumulative rotation-speed setting device 21 whereby an operator can set a threshold value of a cumulative rotation speed optionally, the control device 2 being configured to halt supply of the compressed air by the compressed-air supply unit 3 if a set cumulative rotation speed is achieved on the basis of the rotation speed detected by the rotation-speed detection unit. |
| US09920728B2 |
Fuel injection system comprising a fuel-guiding component, a fuel injection valve and a mounting
A mounting is provided for fuel injection systems, the mounting connecting a fuel injection valve to a fuel-conducting component, and having a connecting body and a connecting piece that are connected to one another. Inside the connecting body and the connecting piece there is configured a receptacle space in which a fuel connector of the fuel injection valve is at least partly situated. An inner collar is configured on the connecting piece. In addition, an elastically deformable element is provided. The elastically deformable element is supported at least indirectly on the inner collar of the connecting piece. In addition, the fuel connector is supported at least indirectly on the elastically deformable element. In addition, a fuel injection system having such a mounting is described. |
| US09920727B2 |
High pressure fuel supply pump with electromagnetic suction valve
To reduce collision noise created by the operation of an electromagnetic suction valve provided on a high pressure fuel supply pump. In the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the mass of a member which collides by magnetic attractive force is reduced to reduce the noise to be generated. The thus configured present invention provides the following advantageous effects. The noise generated when a core and an anchor collide with each other by magnetic attractive force depends on the magnitude of the kinetic energy of a moving element. The kinetic energy to be consumed in the collision is only the kinetic energy of the anchor. The kinetic energy of a rod, being absorbed by a spring, does not contribute to the noise; thus, the energy when the anchor and the core collide with each other can be reduced, whereby the noise to be created can be reduced. |
| US09920725B2 |
Fuel injection valve
In a fuel injection valve, a bobbin includes a bobbin main body serving as a part around which a coil is wound, and a terminal housing portion projecting upward from a part of a circumferential direction of the bobbin main body. The terminal housing portion is exposed to the exterior of a cap. A terminal is inserted into the terminal housing portion and electrically connected to the coil. A gap is provided between the core and a housing portion inner surface serving as a core side surface of the terminal housing portion. Resin used to form the connector mold penetrates the gap. |
| US09920724B2 |
Chemical scavenging component for a fuel system
A chemical scavenging component includes a porous body that has a radical-scavenging material. The radical-scavenging material has a composition that includes cerium oxide that is chemically active with regard to oxygen-containing radicals. |
| US09920722B2 |
Intake system of engine
An intake system of an engine includes an engine and an intake manifold. The intake manifold defines individual intake air passageways each connecting one of cylinders to a volume chamber. Each of the individual intake passageways includes a first route and a second route. The first route has a natural frequency, of an air column, synchronized with a first revolution higher than an engine revolution for maximum torque such that a dynamic supercharging effect is obtained at the first revolution. The second route has a natural frequency, of an air column, synchronized with a second revolution higher than the engine revolution for maximum torque such that a dynamic supercharging effect is obtained at the second revolution. The second revolution differs from the first revolution. A difference between the first and second revolutions is set lower than or equal to 15% of a maximum engine revolution. |
| US09920717B2 |
Preheating device for a fuel injection system
A preheating device for an internal combustion engine may include an inlet connection for connecting a distributor rail of a fuel injection system and an outlet connection for connecting a fuel injector of the fuel injection system. A preheating chamber may be fluidically connected with the inlet connection and the outlet connection and be flowable through by a fuel flow. At least one electrical heating element may be included for heating the fuel flow in the preheating chamber. At least one metallic heating body, which may be exposed to the fuel flow in the preheating chamber, may receive the at least one heating element. |
| US09920714B2 |
Method for controlling ignition in internal combustion engine and pre-chamber assembly thereof
An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block having at least one cylinder. The internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head engaged with the engine block. The internal combustion engine includes a pre-chamber assembly associated with the cylinder head. The pre-chamber assembly includes a pre-chamber in fluid communication with a main combustion chamber. The pre-chamber assembly includes a fuel supply unit in fluid communication with the pre-chamber to selectively supply fuel to the pre-chamber. The pre-chamber assembly includes an auxiliary unit configured to produce oxygen and hydrogen. The auxiliary unit is in fluid communication with the pre-chamber to supply oxygen to the pre-chamber and in fluid communication with the main combustion chamber to supply hydrogen to the main combustion chamber. The pre-chamber assembly includes an ignition unit associated with the pre-chamber to selectively ignite a mixture of fuel and oxygen in the pre-chamber. |
| US09920713B2 |
Temperature control of a fluid discharged from a heat exchanger
A reciprocating piston cryogenic pump has been suspended from stroking when process fluid discharge temperature from a vaporizer dropped below a threshold to prevent freezing of a heat exchange fluid circulating through the vaporizer and damage to downstream components. Suspension of the pump results in a decrease of process fluid pressure downstream of the vaporizer, which is undesirable. In the present technique, a temperature is monitored correlating to process fluid temperature downstream of the vaporizer. The amount of process fluid discharged from the pump in each cycle is adjusted as a function of the temperature such that the average residence time of the process fluid in the vaporizer is increased as the discharge amount decreases, increasing process fluid discharge temperature. The average mass flow rate of the process fluid through the vaporizer is unchanged regardless of pump discharge amount such that process fluid pressure downstream of the vaporizer is maintained. |
| US09920708B2 |
Nose cone assembly and method of circulating air in a gas turbine engine
A nose cone assembly for a gas turbine engine and method of circulating air in a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The nose cone assembly includes a nose cone having an aperture communicating air to an interior space of the nose cone and a discharge member communicating the air out of the nose cone. |
| US09920704B2 |
Fuel injection control system of internal combustion engine
At least after off of an injection pulse of partial lift injection, a difference between a first filtered voltage being a negative terminal voltage of a fuel injection valve filtered by a first low-pass filter and a second filtered voltage being the terminal voltage filtered by a second low-pass filter is calculated, and time from a predetermined reference timing to a timing when the difference between the filtered voltages has an inflection point is calculated as voltage inflection time. Subsequently, an injection quantity corresponding to current voltage inflection time is estimated for each of injection pulse widths with a relationship between the voltage inflection time and the injection quantity, the relationship being beforehand stored for each of the injection pulse widths. A map defining the relationship between the injection pulse width and the injection quantity is created based on a result of such estimation, and a required injection pulse width corresponding to a required injection quantity is calculated using the map. |
| US09920702B2 |
Fuel injection system of internal combustion engine
After off of an injection pulse of partial lift injection, a first filtered voltage Vsm1 being a negative terminal voltage of a fuel injection valve filtered by a first low-pass filter and a second filtered voltage Vsm2 being the negative terminal voltage of the fuel injection valve filtered by a second low-pass filter are calculated, and time from a predetermined reference timing to a timing when a difference Vdiff (=Vsm1−Vsm2) between the filtered voltages has an inflection point is calculated as voltage inflection time Tdiff. An averaged value Tdiff.ave of a predetermined frequency of data of the voltage inflection time Tdiff is obtained as a learning value of the voltage inflection time, and the injection pulse of the partial lift injection is corrected based on the learning value Tdiff.ave of the voltage inflection time. |
| US09920698B2 |
Recirculation valve control systems and methods
A control system for a recirculation valve of a turbocharger includes a target boost module, a close request module, and a close delay module. The target boost module determines a target boost for the turbocharger based on a torque request. The close request module selectively generates a close request to close the recirculation valve based on the target boost. The close delay module, in response to the generation of the close request, delays closing of the recirculation valve. |
| US09920694B2 |
Fireshield fastener hood
A fireshield fastener hood and method of bonding a cover to a substrate therefor. |
| US09920691B2 |
Anti-icing internal manifold
A manifold for a gas turbine engine includes oppositely facing first and second walls that extend from an annular wall. An undulating wall oppositely faces the annular wall and couples the first wall to the second wall. The walls collectively form a plurality of first chambers in fluid communication with a plurality of second chambers so that each of the second chambers intersperse adjacent first chambers. Each first chamber has a first volume that is greater that a second volume of each second chamber. |
| US09920690B2 |
Air supply device for aircraft engine turbines
An air supply device for an aircraft engine turbine, in which device the air is conveyed to at least one aircraft engine turbine after being conveyed through at least one connecting sleeve from a low pressure distributor to a space defined by at least one upstream side and one downstream side, the upstream side having at least one opening and each pierced opening receiving one end of one of the connecting sleeves, wherein the upstream side and the downstream side are secured by at least one fastener. A retaining plate is used for each fastener in order to position a securing element of the fastener, the retaining plate having a supporting surface that blocks each connecting sleeve axially in one direction. |
| US09920676B2 |
Mixer and emissions cleaning module
A mixer for an emissions cleaning module is provided. The mixer having an elongate body configured for location within a flowhood and a downstream conduit of an emissions cleaning module. A plurality of apertures are included in the mixer and configured to permit passage of exhaust gas therethrough, to promote mixing, in use of an injected additive and a flow of exhaust gas. An emissions cleaning module including such a mixer is also described. |
| US09920675B2 |
Exhaust purification apparatus for vehicle and method of controlling the same
The present disclosure relates to an exhaust purification apparatus and a method of controlling the apparatus. The exhaust purification apparatus includes: an injector for injecting urea solution into an exhaust pipe; a driving unit to provide driving force for adjusting an injection angle of the injector; and a control unit to determine the injection angle of the injector based on values of a spatial velocity, flow rate, pressure and temperature of exhaust gas and to drive the driving unit so as to control the injection angle of the injector. In particular, the injection angle of the injector is adjusted by pivotal movement of the injector. |
| US09920658B2 |
Dry cooling system using thermally induced vapor polymerization
A system and method for providing dry cooling of a source liquid, having a plurality of heat exchangers which depolymerize and polymerize a polymer. Specifically, the depolymerization process is endothermic and draws heat from a source liquid in a first heat exchanger, and the polymerization process is exothermic and expels heat from a second heat exchanger. Additional heat exchangers and holding tanks may be incorporated in the system and method. In some embodiments the system further provides additional cooling of the polymer prior to depolymerization using cooler night ambient air. |
| US09920652B2 |
Gas turbine engine having section with thermally isolated area
A section of a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a thermally isolated area, and a first rotor disk and a second rotor disk. Each of the first and second rotor disks are provided within the thermally isolated area. |
| US09920651B2 |
Cooling passages for a mid-turbine frame
A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes an inner frame case that includes a fluid passage. At least one spoke includes an inlet passage with at least one branch extending in an axial direction in fluid communication with the fluid passage in the inner frame case. A fitting fluidly connects the at least one branch to the fluid passage in the inner frame case. The fitting also includes a transfer tube connecting the cooling airflow passage to a cup boss. The transfer tube is fixed relative to the cylindrical portion and moveable relative to the cup boss. A swirler tube is in fluid communication with the fluid passage and is configured to direct cooling airflow in a radial inward and downstream direction. |
| US09920644B2 |
Riffled seal for a turbomachine, turbomachine and method of manufacturing a riffled seal for a turbomachine
A seal of a turbomachine reduces a leakage flow between a first and second component of the turbomachine. The first component has a first surface and the second component has a second surface, wherein the first component is stiff with regard to a first force exerted perpendicularly thereto and the second component is stiff with regard to a second force exerted perpendicularly thereto. The first surface is opposite the second surface, together defining boundaries of a fluid passage for the leakage flow. The first surface has a first surface riffle. A turbomachine has a seal described above, wherein the turbomachine is a gas turbine engine. A method of manufacturing a first component of a turbomachine with a reduced leakage flow between the first component and a second component of the turbomachine includes fabrication of a first surface riffle, in particular by grinding and/or by electrical discharge machining. |
| US09920643B2 |
Distributor device for cooling air within an engine
A distributor device for distributing cooling air within a gas turbine engine, the device including a base mountable adjacent an inlet for air to be distributed; and a deflector supported by the base and in fluid communication with the air inlet, the deflector being configured to direct air from the air inlet in a plurality of directions within the engine; wherein the deflector includes one or more deflecting surfaces curvilinearly configured to direct the air differentially in a plurality of desired directions within the engine. In embodiments the deflecting surface(s) is/are curved and are so configured such that air from the air inlet is directable either: (i) in directions of travel in each of a plurality of desired different, non-parallel directions within the engine; or (ii) in each of a plurality of desired different directions within the engine with different flow rates. |
| US09920640B2 |
Extruded profile for manufacturing a blade of an outlet guide vane
An extruded profile for manufacturing a blade of an outlet guide vane of a turbine engine. A cross-sectional area has an axial length LAX and a thickness D/LAX relative to the axial length LAX. A cross-sectional area has an at least nearly axisymmetric leading edge region, a first transition region having a varying relative thickness D/LAX. A first constant region has a relative thickness D/LAX at least substantially constant and, relative to a leading edge of the extruded profile, begins at the closest at 10% LAX and ends at the furthest at 50% LAX. A second transition region has a varying relative thickness D/LAX and, relative to the leading edge of the extruded profile, begins at the closest at 30% LAX and ends at the furthest at 90% LAX. A second constant region has a relative thickness D/LAX at least substantially constant and an axial length X of 40% LAX at most; and an at least nearly axisymmetric trailing edge region. |
| US09920638B2 |
Turbine or compressor stage including an interface part made of ceramic material
A turbine or compressor stage for a turbine engine is provided. The stage includes a disk including a metal material configured to be coupled to a shaft of the turbine engine, an airfoil including a ceramic matrix composite material, and an interface part that is distinct from the airfoil and that is configured to be fastened to the disk and to fasten the airfoil. The interface part includes a ceramic or a ceramic matrix composite material. |
| US09920637B2 |
Gas turbine engine damping device
An exemplary gas turbine engine assembly includes a damping device having a first side and a second side facing away from the first side. The first side is configured to hold a seal when the second side engages an extension from a gas turbine engine component. The first side is further configured to engage the extension when the second side holds the seal. |
| US09920633B2 |
Compound fillet for a gas turbine airfoil
A component for a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil that has a first end. A first platform is located at the first end of the airfoil. A compound fillet includes a first fillet portion tangent to the first platform and an airfoil offset. A second fillet portion is tangent to a surface of the airfoil and the first fillet portion. |
| US09920629B2 |
Propeller blade and method
A propeller blade includes an inner spar structure surrounding an inner spar foam core. Also included is a leading edge foam structure disposed proximate a leading edge of the inner spar structure. Further included is a trailing edge foam structure disposed proximate a trailing edge of the inner spar structure. Yet further included is an outer spar structure surrounding the inner spar structure, the leading edge foam structure and the trailing edge foam structure. Also included is a blade shell, a leading edge foam core located between the outer spar structure and the blade shell, and a trailing edge foam core located between the outer spar structure and the blade shell. |
| US09920627B2 |
Rotor heat shield
An assembly for a gas turbine that engine includes a fan section. A turbine section is configured to drive the fan section. The turbine section includes a rotor hub with a rotor lug. A heat shield engages the rotor lug. The heat shield and the rotor lug define a cooling passage. |
| US09920626B2 |
Balanced rotor disc, and balancing method
A rotor disc (1) for a turbomachine, including a radial flange (2) that includes a plurality of fastening holes (3), and a plurality of scallops (4) forming notches in the flange (2), and being separated by inter-scallop flange portions (7). The flange alternatively has, in its circumferential direction: a fastening hole (3) and an inter-scallop flange portion (7) arranged in the radial extension of the fastening hole (3), and a scallop (4), in such a way that one or more of the scallops (47, 48, 49; 42, 45-47, 48-411, 414) has a volume greater than the volume of each of the other scallops (41-46, 410-414; 41, 43, 44, 412, 413), and one or more of the inter-scallop flange portions (73) has a volume less than the volume of each of the other inter-scallop flange portions (71, 72, 74), in order to balance said disc (1). A turbomachine including that rotor disc and a method for balancing a turbomachine rotor disc are also disclosed. |
| US09920623B1 |
Systems and methods for collecting cutting samples during oil and gas drilling operations
A system for automated collection of cutting samples produced during the drilling of a well includes an automated valve system for periodically collecting samples including fluid and cuttings from a flow line from a drilling rig and a packaging system for packaging each sample collected from the flow line. The packaging system deposits each sample received from the valve system at a corresponding point along a moving elongated strip of base material, covers the elongated strip of base material and samples deposited on the base material with a strip of cover material, and advances the covered elongated strip of base material and covered samples onto a reel. |
| US09920621B2 |
Magnetic location determination in a wellbore
A magnetic system for determining the location of a wellbore component in a first string relative to a wellbore component in a second string. The system includes a circumferentially distributed array of magnets positioned in the first string that is operable to produce a magnetic field in the wellbore proximate the location of the array of magnets. A magnetic field detector is operably associated with the second string and is operable to detect a magnetic signature of the magnetic field. One of the first and second strings is stationary within the wellbore. The other of the first and second strings is moveable in the wellbore such that the magnetic field detector is moveable relative to the magnetic field and such that when the magnetic field detector identifies the magnetic signature, the location of the array of magnets is correlated with the magnetic field detector. |
| US09920618B2 |
Systems and methods for obtaining apparent formation dip using measurements of different effective penetration length
Systems and methods for identifying formation boundaries without necessarily obtaining an azimuthal borehole image are provided. A downhole tool may be placed in a wellbore in a geological formation that has a formation boundary. First and second measurements may be obtained at a number of depths of the wellbore. The first measurement may have a first effective penetration length into the geological formation and the second measurement may have a second effective penetration length into the geological formation different from the first effective penetration length. Thus, the first measurement may detect the formation boundary at a first depth and the second measurement may detect the formation boundary at a second depth. Using a difference between the first depth and the second depth, an apparent relative angle between the wellbore and the formation boundary or an apparent formation dip, or both, may be obtained. |
| US09920616B2 |
Method and apparatus for ranging to a nearby well from ahead of a drill bit
A method and apparatus for ranging from ahead of a drill bit is described. The ranging apparatus includes a ranging probe with at least one sensor that may be deployed ahead of the drill bit. The ranging probe may be conveyed via a cable through the interior of a drill string. In an alternative embodiment, the ranging probe may be attached to a ram that is seated inside of the drill string and that may be extended and retracted. In such an embodiment, the ranging probe may be retrievable by cable. The ranging probe optionally includes collapsible arms that retract when the ranging probe is inside the drill string or drill bit and that extend when the ranging probe is deployed ahead of the drill bit. One or more ranging sensors may be coupled to the collapsible arms. Ranging measurements may be communicated to the surface using telemetry. |
| US09920615B2 |
Hydraulic fracturing system and method for detecting pump failure of same
A hydraulic fracturing system with pump failure detection includes an engine, transmission, hydraulic fracturing pump and a driveshaft coupled between the transmission and the hydraulic fracturing pump to transfer torque from the engine to the hydraulic fracturing pump. A torque sensor is positioned and configured to measure torque acting on the driveshaft, with the torque sensor generating torque measurement data. A controller is programmed to analyze the torque measurement data and identify a pump failure mode based on the torque measurement data. |
| US09920614B2 |
Apparatus and method for drilling wellbores based on mechanical specific energy determined from bit-based weight and torque sensors
The disclosure, in one aspect, provides a method of drilling a wellbore that includes features of drilling the wellbore using a drilling assembly that includes a drill bit that further includes a weight sensor and a torque sensor, determining weight-on-bit using measurements from the weight sensor and torque-on-bit using measurement from the torque sensor during drilling of the wellbore, obtaining measurements for rotational speed of the drill bit and rate of penetration of the drill bit during drilling of the wellbore, determining mechanical specific energy of the bottomhole assembly using the determined weight-on-bit, torque-on-bit and obtained rotational speed of the drill bit and the obtained rate of penetration of the drill bit, and altering a drilling a parameter in response to the determined mechanical specific energy. |
| US09920613B2 |
Method and system for an automatic milling operation
A method (50) and an assembly (10) for milling an obstruction disposed within a wellbore (W) includes a milling module (12) having a motor (22) rotating a milling bit (14), a first electronics cartridge (26) for controlling the motor based upon a motor torque value, a tractor module (16, 18) for engaging with the wellbore and providing a push force against the wellbore to urge the milling assembly in a direction of the milling bit, and a second electronics cartridge (28) for controlling a push force value of tractor module. The method involves rotating the milling bit (54) and engaging the tractor module with the wellbore (56), and adjusting, iteratively, the operation (58) based on a calculated torque value and a calculated push force value to maintain the calculated values at around a target torque value and below a push force limit value (66, 70). |
| US09920612B2 |
Method and system for damping vibrations in a tool string system
The invention provides a control system and method for limiting vibrations in a tool string system, comprising a relatively heavy rotatable device, such as a pump system or a bottom hole assembly, connected to a long rotatable tool string driven by a drive system. The control system comprises feedback of both torque and rotational speed signals to correct the set rotational speed. An objective is to maintain the drive speed over torque ratio equal to the connected tool string impedance. A secondary objective, for lower frequencies, is to approach and maintain a setpoint speed as drive rotation speed. The system may include a rotational speed sensor and a torque sensor, with the latter optionally replaced by a motor torque signal already available from a variable frequency drive (VFD) for an AC motor and the current safeguarding signal for a DC motor. |
| US09920609B2 |
Method of re-fracturing using borated galactomannan gum
A well treatment fluid containing borated galactomannan may be used to isolate a productive zone in a well having multiple productive zones. The fluid is particularly useful in treatment of wells containing a mechanical zonal isolation system in the productive zone of interest. The fluid is pumped into the well in a substantially non-hydrated form. The well treatment fluid is therefore highly effective in preferentially sealing or blocking productive zones in the formation since delayed hydration of the fluid may be controlled for up to several hours. The seal may be degraded and a productive zone subjected to re-fracturing by introducing a viscosity reducing agent into the well. |
| US09920607B2 |
Methods of improving hydraulic fracture network
The complexity of a fracture network may be enhanced during a hydraulic fracturing operation by monitoring operational parameters of the fracturing job and altering stress conditions in the well in response to the monitoring of the operational parameters. The operational parameters monitored may include the injection rate of the pumped fluid, the density of the pumped fluid or the bottomhole pressure of the well after the fluid is pumped. The method provides an increase to the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). |
| US09920603B2 |
Method of operating a well using a pump assembly with a variable-frequency drive
The method and device of exploitation of well by pumping unit with variable-frequency drive involves periodic repetition of the cycles including pumpdown, search for frequency when delivery stops and accumulation and at the same time to ensure such extraction of fluid from well which is equal to its inflow it is necessary to choose unit with higher capacity in comparison with inflow of fluid from formation into well and during the cycles the pumpdown-accumulation ratio is corrected depending on the results of the previous cycles until the pumpdown-accumulation time ratio stops to change and the torque at which the delivery stops is determined based on the equality of the current torque of the downhole motor shaft and check torque which is pre-determined based on stepwise drop of torque of the downhole motor shaft in the point when delivery stops when supply voltage is decreased. |
| US09920599B2 |
Remediation of oil spills under sea ice
A safe and effective method for remediation and removal of trapped oil, since oil spills trapped under ice present a significant environmental problem. Injector wells are placed around a periphery of trapped oil to inject fluids beneath the ice. A producer well is placed within the periphery and the hydrostatic pressure from the injector wells urges the oil toward and up through the producer well. |
| US09920586B2 |
Stuffing box leak containment apparatus
An apparatus for containing leaks from a stuffing box on a wellhead production assembly, the apparatus comprises a containment vessel consisting of two half shells that are joined below the stuffing box. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a transparent lid having an upper opening to receive a polished rod extending from the stuffing box. The lid is secured to the containment vessel in a liquid tight manner such that the stuffing box is substantially isolated from the environment so that any leaks originating from the stuffing box will be contained in the apparatus. |
| US09920581B2 |
Electromagnetic directional coupler wired pipe transmission device
A wired pipe assembly includes a first wired pipe segment including a first body extending from a first box end to a first pin end and a second wired pipe segment including a second body extending from a second box end to a second pin end. The assembly also includes an electromagnetic directional coupler including an input line disposed in the first wired pipe segment and an output line disposed in the second wired pipe segment. |
| US09920579B2 |
Borehole drill bit cutter indexing
For drill bit cutter indexing, a housing is disposed in a drill bit. An indexing cog is in physical communication with a cutter and interlocks with the housing in a first index position of a plurality of index positions in response to a first compressive load applied to the cutter. A motivator disengages the indexing cog from the housing and positions the indexing cog to interlock with the housing at an initial second index position in response to a removal of the compressive load from the cutter. |
| US09920578B2 |
PDC cutter with chemical addition for enhanced abrasion resistance
A superabrasive cutter and a method of making the superabrasive cutter are disclosed. The superabrasive cutter may comprise a plurality of polycrystalline superabrasive particles and about 0.01% to about 4% by weight of the superabrasive particles of a dopant as evaluated prior to a high pressure/high temperature process. The dopant may be immiscible with a catalyst for forming the polycrystalline superabrasive particles. |
| US09920571B2 |
Integrated controller for closure operator unit
An integrated controller for an operator unit for powering an overhead garage roller door or roller shutter is described. The operator unit comprises a motor, an output drive assembly, a timing assembly unit, and a clutch assembly for providing selective engagement between motor powered operation and manual operation (provided by a chain rotating a chain wheel). The motor is arranged to drive a shaft which, in turn, provides drive to the roller door or shutter assembly (not shown), which includes an axle around which the roller door or shutter is wound. The integrated controller comprises an inverter for receiving a single phase power supply and supplying three phase power to drive the motor; and a drive controller in operable association with the inverter for providing active management of the operation of the motor. |
| US09920568B2 |
Composite profile for doors, windows or façade elements
A composite profile for doors, windows, or other facade elements includes a first and second metal profile between which at least one intermediate metal profile is provided. The first metal outer profile is connected to the intermediate metal profile in a first insulating web zone via one or more insulating web(s), and the second metal profile is connected to the intermediate profile in a second insulating web zone via one or more insulating web(s). Both the first and second insulating web zones have different shear strengths orthogonally in relation to the cross-sectional plane of the composite profile. |
| US09920567B2 |
Threshold
A threshold system and threshold insert for transitions through doorways. An insert for a threshold saddle to be used with a door includes an elongated member for providing a seal along a bottom edge of the door and to be received in a seat in the saddle. The insert defines a door engagement surface adapted to extend across both the seat and the change in elevation to engage the door to provide the seal. When installed for use, the door engagement surface, the saddle adjacent to the sides of the seat, or both provide an overall slope of at least or approximately 2 units horizontal to 1 unit vertical. A threshold system includes a saddle and the insert. The door or an appurtenant door shoe may have an angled surface to interface with the door engagement surface of the insert. |
| US09920566B1 |
Encapsulated glass frame assemblies and associated methods for forming same
An encapsulated glass assembly includes a glass panel and a plastic frame coupled to the glass panel and an encapsulant for securing the frame to the panel. The frame includes at least three sides, wherein at least two and less than all of the at least three sides of the frame have a C-shaped channel extending within an outer frame surface and wherein another one side of the at least three sides does not have a C-shaped channel. The panel is introduced onto the inner surface of the lower wall portion of the another one side and then slid within each one of the C-shaped channels on the at least two sides. An encapsulant is bonded onto the panel and frame to secure the frame to the panel. The encapsulant has a Shore hardness less than the Shore hardness of the frame. |
| US09920564B2 |
Control system for a motorized closure element arrangement of a motor vehicle
A control system for a closure element arrangement of a vehicle includes at least one linear distance sensor to detect operator control events. A control arrangement monitors the distance sensor for one of the operator control events. A longitudinal movement cycle of a body part of an operator in a longitudinal direction comprises one of the operator control events and can be detected using the distance sensor. The control arrangement detects a transverse movement cycle of the operator body part as another one of the operator control events. The transverse movement cycle runs in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction. The closure element arrangement can be driven in response to detecting either one of the operator control events. |
| US09920562B2 |
Door closing mechanism having hands-free hold-open feature
A door closing device for installation between a door and a door jamb includes a closer rod having an end configured to be fixed to the door jamb, the closer rod being movable between a withdrawn position in which the door is closed and an extended position in which the door is opened. The device also has a hold-open mechanism that includes a driver fixed to the closer rod and movable between a release position that permits movement of the closer rod, and a hold position that holds the closer rod in the extended position, and a resilient retainer configured to capture the driver in the hold position. The driver is separated from the retainer by a disengagement force applied to the retainer. |
| US09920558B1 |
Easily assembled and disassembled connecting assembly
An easily assembled and disassembled connecting assembly includes a first connecting plate provided with a first edge and a second edge in opposite to the first edge; a second connecting plate removable and pivotally combined with the first edge for allowing the second connecting plate and the first connecting plate to open and close; and a fastening structure disposed between the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate for fastening and fixing the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate when the two connecting plates are arranged in a close status. Therefore, the two connecting plates are able to be easily assembled and disassembled. |
| US09920557B2 |
Refrigerator
Disclosed are a fixing device and a refrigerator having the same. The fixing device includes a clasp (400) installed to a first member (12), the clasp having a contact portion (402, 404) defining a plane, and a coupler (500) installed to a second member (100), the coupler serving to fix the second member to the first member to enable selective coupling or release of the second member and the first member. The coupler includes a hook (510) having a protruding tip portion (511) configured to come into contact with the contact portions (402, 404) so as to be caught by the contact portion (404), the hook being rotatable, and an elastic member (52,0) configured to elastically support the hook such that the hook is rotated toward the clasp. A contact position of the protruding tip portion and the contact portion is spaced apart from a rotation center of the hook by a predetermined distance (d). |
| US09920548B2 |
Key and lock
A key including at least one coding cavity (55) defining a hollow geometry for coding the key. The geometry includes at least one internal undercut (60a, 60b). The lock for validating a key comprises blocking means (21, 22) coupled to a driving part (14) and validating means (25, 26) which are coupled to the blocking means so as to change the state of the blocking means when the key used with the lock has a correct coding. The validating means (25, 26) protrude at least partially into the key cavity of the lock in order to introduce the validating means at least partially into the coding cavity (55) of the key and to sense the inner face of the coding cavity. |
| US09920545B2 |
Autonomous pool cleaning robot
A pool cleaning robot for cleaning a pool, comprising: a housing; and a drive system that is arranged to move the pool cleaning robot in relation to an environment of the pool cleaning robot; wherein the environment comprises the pool and an exterior surface; wherein the drive system comprises: a drive motor system; a group of interfacing modules; a transmission system that is arranged to couple the drive motor system to the group of interfacing modules; and an interface manipulator; wherein interfacing modules of the group are arranged to interface between the pool cleaning robot and the environment; wherein the interface manipulator is arranged to change a spatial relationship between (a) the housing and (b) a selected interfacing module of the group, during an exit process during which the pool cleaning robot exits the pool. |
| US09920543B2 |
Roof safety rail system
The present relates generally to a roof safety rail for use on a building for fall prevention. In particular the inventions relates to a roof safety rail system for use on the outer perimeter of a roof that provides an improved safety rail system where permanent installation is accomplished without penetrating the roof membrane or the exterior roofing material that covers the anchoring points of safety rail whereby eliminating the possibility of weather elements entering the building through the rail fasteners. |
| US09920541B2 |
Scaffolding pipe of a structural scaffolding system and scaffolding element
A scaffolding pipe of a structural scaffolding system extends from a first axial pipe end to an opposing second axial pipe end. A receiving portion is provided on the first axial pipe end and an insertion portion is provided on the second axial pipe end. The insertion portion has a reduced cross-section compared with the receiving portion and terminates with a radial shoulder which forms a support face. The receiving portion inner diameter is greater than the insertion portion outer diameter. The receiving portion at the first axial pipe end has one positioning groove which is interrupted or continuous in a peripheral direction which reduces the inner diameter of the receiving portion and which defines the minimum inner diameter of the receiving portion. A pipe wall of the scaffolding pipe has at the first axial pipe end a maximum wall thickness greater than the otherwise smaller wall thickness. |
| US09920537B2 |
Peel and stick decoupling membrane
A decoupling underlayment membrane is described. The decoupling underlayment membrane includes: a set of mortar cavities; a set of through holes; and an adhesive layer coupled to an exterior surface of each mortar cavity in the set of cavities. A method of manufacturing a decoupling underlayment membrane includes: retrieving a membrane sheet; thermoforming a set of cavities into a top surface of the membrane sheet; pressing a set of through holes into the membrane sheet. A decoupling underlayment membrane includes: a set of starfish-shaped cavities arranged in a first repeating pattern and formed into a top surface of the membrane; a set of through holes arranged in a second repeating pattern; and a peel and stick adhesive layer coupled to a bottom surface of the membrane. |
| US09920531B1 |
Post and beam system
A beam has an upper face, a lower face, side faces, and an end face. The end face has a rectangular configuration and is vertically disposed. The end face has a slot vertically disposed and parallel with, and equally spaced from, the side faces. Beam holes extend through the beam on opposite sides of the slot. A post has a front face, a parallel rear face, and parallel side faces. A connector has a first section and a second section. Beam apertures are formed in the first section. The first section is positioned in the slot with the beam apertures aligned with the beam holes. The second section is attached to the post. Dowels extend through the beam holes and the beam apertures thereby coupling the beam to the post. The system also includes tools for accurately cutting and drilling components, wood and otherwise, to be coupled. |
| US09920528B1 |
Building panel structure
A building panel structure and a process for manufacturing the structure are disclosed. The structure comprises a concrete layer disposed on the outside of a building, an insulating material comprising polyurethane in the center of the structure and a corrugated steel layer on the inside of the building. A steel plate overlays the top of the panel and a lip member attached to the plate and perpendicular to it covers a portion of the corrugated steel layer exposed surface. U-shaped loops are welded to the plate and embedded in the concrete to provide structural integrity and shear resistance to the structure. The process of manufacturing the building structure comprises positioning the plate, lip and loop assembly in a container, setting the concrete on the bottom of the container over the loops and forming the polyurethane layer between the concrete and corrugated steel layers by an in-situ chemical reaction. |
| US09920525B1 |
Acoustical baffle panel system
An acoustical baffle assembly comprising an elongated rigid upper carrier, a rigid panel supported on the carrier and a plurality of clips attaching the panel on the carrier at a plurality of locations along the length of the carrier, the clips each being clinched on an upper edge of the panel and being engaged with the carrier. |
| US09920521B2 |
Construction panel assembly and construction method using same
Provided is a construction panel assembly, which is applicable to a detachable method capable of assembling and disassembling a ceiling, a wall or a floor material which partitions spaces of various kinds of buildings. Also, the construction panel assembly allows materials to be reused, so that the generation of construction waste may be minimized. |
| US09920517B2 |
Insulation batt
An insulation batt can include a first stiffening layer; an insulation layer coupled to the first stiffening layer on a first side of the insulation layer; a second stiffening layer coupled to a second side of the insulation layer distal from the first stiffening layer; and a connector coupling the first stiffening layer to the second stiffening layer, the insulation layer configured to compress between the first stiffening layer and the second stiffening layer when the first stiffening layer and the second stiffening layer are pushed together, and the insulation layer configured to expand between the first stiffening layer and the second stiffening layer when the first stiffening layer and the second stiffening layer are pulled apart. |
| US09920515B2 |
Thermoplastic polyolefin membrane with enhanced thermal resistance
Disclosed herein are thermoplastic olefin (TPO) membranes with enhanced thermal resistance. In an embodiment, the disclosed may include a cap layer, a core layer, and a scrim layer disposed therebetween. The cap layer may be formulated with TPO resins and a UV stabilizer package comprising ultrafine Ti02. The UV stabilizer package may further comprise various other additives, including a UV stabilizer, an antioxidant, a process or thermal stabilizer, and/or a UV absorber. |
| US09920512B1 |
Transformation of shipping containers to two level buildings
An extendable two story building is packaged within the standard dimensions of an intermodal container. An upper floor is supported above a lower floor. A five-sided lid is raised and locked to provide a second story. The lid is lowered and locked on a base in a down position. The lowered lid is fully enclosed so that no door is accessible and the interior of the building is secure during storage and transportation. |
| US09920511B2 |
Methods, systems, and software for providing a blocked sewer alert
A blocked sewer unit includes a substantially impermeable barrier having a first side exposed to the interior of a sewage network and a second side, the barrier movable in the direction of the second side in response to fluid pressure on the first side. The blocked sewer alert unit includes a transducer separated by the barrier from the sewage network, the transducer configured to generate an electrical signal when the barrier moves into the dry section. The blocked sewer alert unit includes an alarm circuit configured to convert the electrical signal into a user alert. |
| US09920510B2 |
Smart flush toilet system
A smart flush toilet apparatus provides dynamic control of a toilet flush length and/or a toilet flush water volume based on data collected from toilet paper dispenser sensors and/or toilet bowl displacement sensors. A toilet paper dispenser may be used to report toilet paper usage to resupply toilet paper. |
| US09920508B2 |
Touch-free faucets and sensors
A sensor for use in a touch-free faucet that can be installed from outside in through a wall of a faucet via a receiving hole. The sensor can further include an emitter and a detector mounted on an electronic circuit board. The electronic circuit board can also pass through the receiving hole of the faucet. The emitter and the detector can be elevated from the surface of the electronic circuit board. In an embodiment, legs or stilts can be used to elevate the emitter and the detector. Elevating the detector and the emitter can increase available surface area on the electronic circuit board for mounting other electronic circuit elements. |
| US09920507B2 |
Mixing valve
A valve including a housing having a first inlet chamber defined by a first chamber wall and configured to receive the cold water, a second inlet chamber defined by a second chamber wall and configured to receive the hot water, and a mixing chamber configured to receive the cold water from the first inlet chamber and the hot water from the second inlet chamber, wherein at least a portion of the mixing chamber is located between the first and second chamber walls; a first flow control valve extending through the first inlet chamber and moveable relative to the housing for controlling the flow of cold water from the first inlet chamber to the mixing chamber; and a second flow control valve extending through the second inlet chamber and moveable relative to the housing for controlling the flow of hot water from the second inlet chamber to the mixing chamber. |
| US09920506B2 |
Faucet with a quick fastening device
A faucet with a faucet housing, a tubular fastening device that is fastenable in a tap hole of a faucet carrier, and one or more flexible connection lines extending through the tubular fastening device to the faucet housing. The tubular fastening device has a tube section that is insertable into the tap hole, a flange that is placeable upon the faucet carrier, as well as an annular collar projecting beyond the flange, on which the faucet housing is fastened. At least two pivotal, longitudinally adjustable fastening clamps are arranged laterally at the tube section, which are adjustable via clamping screws operated from the faucet side against the bottom of the faucet carrier. The fastening clamps are received in the assembled stated in recesses of the fastening device, and pivot therefrom into a fastening position upon operation of clamping screws. The faucet housing has at the fastening side a receiving socket for a form-fitting, torque-proof reception of an annular collar of the tubular fastening device. The faucet is mountable in the pre-assembled state, by the faucet housing with the connection lines, connected thereto and guided through the tubular fastening device, being lifted off the tubular fastening device, inserted in the tap hole, to such an extent that the clamping screws are accessible. |
| US09920503B2 |
Mechanical system comprising a connecting device between a wearing part and the support thereof, and bucket of a heavy construction machine
The present invention relates to a mechanical system (1), comprising a support (10), a wearing part (20) and a connecting device (30) between the wearing part (20) and the support thereof (10). The device (30) comprises an elastic sheath (40) provided with an internal cavity (47) and with an external wall (44) that is adjustable in a housing (14) of the support (10), and a pin (50) having an elongate body along a pin axis (X50). According to the invention, the device (30) also comprises a cam (60) provided with an external wall (63) that is adjustable in the internal cavity (47) of the sheath (40) and with an internal cavity (64) intended to receive the pin (50), and when the device (30) is positioned in the housing (14) of the support (10), the pin (50) and the cam (60) are able to rotate as one in the internal cavity (47) of the sheath (40), between an insertion configuration (A) of the pin (50) into the cam (60) and at least one locking configuration in which the pin (50) bears, radially with respect to the pin axis (X50), against the wearing part (20), while the cam (60) bears against the sheath (40) and deforms the external wall (44) thereof counter to the housing (14) of the support (10), thereby forming a coupling connection between the wearing part (20) and the support (10). |
| US09920501B2 |
Apparatus and method for enhanced grading control
A rollered grading assembly, including an elongated roller drum, an axle extending through the drum, an elongated housing partially enclosing the drum and connected to the axle, an elongated blade connected to the housing, a pivot rod perpendicular to the axle and connected to the housing, a coupler connected to the housing, and a pivot actuator connected to the coupler and housing. The coupler has a proximal end connected to the housing portion and positioned adjacent the roller drum and a spaced distal end extending away from the housing. Movement of the distal end a first distance while the proximal end remains stationary urges the housing to pivot around the drum and move the blade portion a second, shorter distance into a desired position relative grade. |
| US09920498B2 |
Floating lake system and methods of treating water within a floating lake
The present invention relates to floating lakes and to the treatment of the water in such lakes. The present invention further relates to large floating lakes that can be installed within a natural or artificial water body to improve water conditions that are unsuitable for recreational uses. The floating lake can be provided with a chemical application system; a filtration system including a mobile suctioning device and filters; a skimmer system, and optionally a coordination system. |
| US09920497B2 |
Shock absorbing and transferring appendage
An appendage or apparatus attached to the leading edge of a shovel for the purpose of small shock absorption from contact between paved roadways and the shovel. The invention aims to prevent the most basic fissures and cracks at contact with the roadway without complicated devices and can be retrofitted onto existing shovels. |
| US09920496B2 |
Piste grooming vehicle and clearing blade for a piste grooming vehicle of this type
Piste grooming vehicle and clearing blade for a piste grooming vehicle. The piste grooming vehicle has a clearing blade arranged at the front and includes a middle part and two side parts swivellably movable relative to the middle part, a setting arrangement for adjusting the middle part and/or the side parts and at least one manually operable actuating element arranged inside a cab for operating the setting arrangement. An electronic control unit is connected between the actuating element and the setting arrangement and operates the setting arrangement with a timed sequence of control commands for achieving at least one control function for the side parts and/or the middle part from an initial position to an end position preset by the control function. |
| US09920494B2 |
Animal waste vacuum disposal and bagging device
A solid pet waste vacuum and bagging device is described. The device is equipped with a canister, collection chute, vacuum motor, and a bag cartridge. The device eliminates the need for an individual to come into any contact with pet waste, including the temperature and the smell conventionally known to emanate from pet waste. The device employs the vacuum motor to collect pet waste within the bag via the collection chute. The collection chute is lined with a plastic bag, which is sealed and released from the collection chute within the canister upon activation of a dispose button by the user. The device is powered by rechargeable batteries, and may be equipped with a charging cradle to maintain a fully charged battery. |
| US09920491B1 |
Plate compactor with interchangeable edges
A vibratory plate compactor includes a vibratory mechanism, a hydraulic motor configured to drive the vibratory mechanism, and a removable baseplate assembly. The removable baseplate assembly includes a planar, central plate configured for compacting earth, and at least one interchangeable edge piece fastened along at least one of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the central plate. |
| US09920485B2 |
Printable compostable paperboard
A coated paperboard is disclosed which includes a printable coating containing substantially no fluorochemical or wax in which the coated paperboard is fully compostable as well as repulpable, and exhibits no tendency toward blocking. The coating may be a multiple layer coating. |
| US09920484B2 |
Surface enhanced pulp fibers at a substrate surface
The present invention relates to a method of making a paper product having improved printing characteristics. This is achieved by forming a fibrous substrate, and applying a surface treatment which comprises an aqueous composition. Notably, the aqueous composition includes surface enhanced pulp fibers, with the placement of the surface enhanced pulp fibers optimizing their functionality, with surface placement by use of a paper machine size press desirably facilitating a reduction in the typical starch usage. The present method comprising the steps of providing a aqueous slurry comprising a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form a fibrous substrate. The present method further includes applying a surface treatment to the fibrous substrate, wherein the surface treatment comprises an aqueous composition including surface enhanced pulp fibers, to form a treated fibrous substrate, and thereafter drying the treated fibrous substrate to form a paper product having enhanced printing characteristics. |
| US09920483B2 |
Copolymer dispersions and their use in paper-coating formulations
The invention relates to copolymer dispersions, comprising: a copolymer of (a) a vinyl ester of an alkanoic acid having from 1 to 13 carbon atoms; (b) ethylene; (c) from 0.5 to 5 pphm of a first cross-linking co-monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an epoxy group; and (d) from 0.55 to 2 pphm of a second functional co-monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, mono- or di-ester thereof or anhydride thereof wherein the copolymer is dispersed in an aqueous medium comprising a stabilizer. The dispersions advantageously provide surprisingly good adhesion characteristics to paper substrates. |
| US09920482B2 |
Method of increasing paper strength
The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the strength of a paper sheet. The method involves adding to the paper sheet an amine containing polymer. The amine containing polymer interacts with materials such as GPAM or starch to make the paper stronger in terms including tensile strength, surface strength and bulk strength. |
| US09920481B2 |
Lightweight digital printing medium
A lightweight digital printing medium has a basis weight of less than 100 grams per square meter and includes a base paper. The base paper includes a fiber mixture of hardwood pulp and softwood pulp where at least 5% by weight of total fiber in the fiber mixture is bleached, chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp. An internal sizing agent for neutral or alkaline conditions and a wet-strength agent that is a thermosetting resin are mixed with the fiber mixture. An amount of the wet-strength agent added to the fiber mixture is at least 0.1% total dry weight of the base paper. |
| US09920478B2 |
Sheet manufacturing apparatus and sheet manufacturing method
A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the invention includes: a manufacturing unit which manufactures a sheet; a supplying unit which supplies a mounted material mounted thereon to the manufacturing unit; and a determination unit which determines whether or not to initiate manufacturing of the sheet in a state where the mounted material is mounted on the supplying unit. |
| US09920476B2 |
Arrangement and method in soda recovery boiler
An arrangement and a method in a soda recovery boiler, in a furnace (1) of which recovery boiler there are arranged screen tubes (7) and which recovery boiler comprises a second pass (9) in which is arranged at least one superheater (4′). The second pass (9) is arranged for being cooled with cooling medium coming from the screen tubes (7). |
| US09920474B2 |
Flame-resistant fiber blend, yarn, and fabric, and method for making same
A fiber blend, a yarn spun from the fiber blend, and a fabric made from the yarn, wherein the fiber blend is a blend of staple fibers comprising non-FR cellulosic fibers, modacrylic fibers, and aramid fibers intimately blended together. The blend is such that the cellulosic fibers constitute at least about 45 wt. % of the fiber blend, a weight ratio of the modacrylic fibers to the cellulosic fibers is at least 0.8 but not exceeding 1.0, and the aramid fibers make up no more than 15 wt. % of the fiber blend. |
| US09920470B2 |
Method for capturing an item of laundry
A method for capturing an item of laundry in a reliable and efficient manner. Washed items of laundry usually leave a washing machine intertwined with one another as a pile of laundry. Before the items of laundry that come out of a washing machine in this way are subjected to further treatment steps, for example mangling or sorting, they have to be separated. In the method, the topography of the item of laundry is ascertained and at least one point of the item of laundry at which the item of laundry is intended to be captured and/or preferably can be captured by a capturing means is determined on the basis of this topography. The item of laundry is captured by the capturing means by specific control of the capturing means at this point. |
| US09920467B2 |
Washing machine with a detergent supply unit having a leakage prevention passage
A washing machine includes a cabinet, a fixed tub disposed in the cabinet to store washing water, a rotating tub rotatably disposed in the fixed tub, and a detergent supply unit configured to supply detergent into the rotating tub. The detergent supply unit includes a main body configured to form an exterior, a detergent storage portion provided in the main body, and a leakage prevention passage provided to enclose at least part of the detergent storage portion and configured to guide the washing water overflowing from the detergent storage portion into the cabinet. By such configuration, it is possible to prevent the leakage of washing water and enhance washing water feed efficiency. |
| US09920466B2 |
Structural foam-core panels
A panel for appliances includes an inner shell and an outer shell that engage one another to define a hollow interior region. An interior divider or intermediate close-out is disposed between the inner and outer shells, and has at least an outwardly-extending portion that extends into the hollow interior region. A foam core is bonded to interior surfaces of the shells and to the divider or close-out. The foam core may be formed or established by injecting an uncured or partially-cured liquid into the hollow interior region. Optionally, the panel is a movable door attached to an appliance, and may include a window portion in a central region thereof. |
| US09920465B2 |
Washing method for washing machine and a washing machine
A washing machine contains a wash tub, an impeller and a motor. Clothing is put into the tub and the load is detected. Water is added until the water level is below or equal to load height. To begin washing, the impeller drives the clothing to overturn, resulting in generating three types of water flows: agitating flow, enhancing flow and balancing flow. At first, the agitating flow breaks the balance of the load to disperse clothing, then the enhancing flow overturns clothing for washing. Finally, the balancing flow maintains the circulation path for the load balance overturning. Single sequential control or repeatedly alternating cycle control of the three types of water flows can be adopted for washing. The invention can save water, improve washing efficiency and avoid intertwining of clothing, characterized by full-range, thorough, repeated and efficient washing. |
| US09920463B2 |
Fiber sheet for molding
Provided is a fiber sheet for molding, characterized in that a print resin is applied on the surface of the fiber sheet containing highly crimped fibers, and the amount of the print resin is 30 g/m2 or less, and the air permeability of the fiber sheet is 5 to 30 cm3/cm2/sec. The fiber sheet for molding can be molded without generating wrinkles, and has a good sound absorbing property. When a pattern is formed with the printing resin, the fiber sheet for molding is also excellent in design properties. |
| US09920462B2 |
Braiding machine with multiple rings of spools
A braiding machine including several rings for passing spools. The braiding machine may include an inner ring and an outer ring which may be comprised of rotor metals, and an intermediate ring that may be comprised of horn gears. Spools may pass along the inner and outer rings, and the horn gears in the intermediate ring may allow spools to be passed back and forth between the inner ring and the outer ring. |
| US09920456B2 |
Carbon-fiber-precursor fiber bundle, carbon fiber bundle, and uses thereof
A carbon-fiber-precursor acryl fiber bundle, including a polyacrylonitrile-based copolymer that contains from 95 to 99 mol % of an acrylonitrile unit and from 1 to 5 mol % of a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate unit, where the fiber bundle has a single-fiber fineness of from 1.5 dtex to 5.0 dtex and a roundness of from 0.75 to 0.9 in a cross-section shape perpendicular to a fiber axis of the single fiber; the roundness being determined with equation (1): roundness=4πS/L2, where S is a cross-sectional area of the single fiber and L is a circumferential length of the single fiber, and S and L are obtained by observing, under an SEM, the cross-section of the single fiber perpendicular to the fiber axis of the single fiber and analyzing the obtained image. |
| US09920454B2 |
Fibre-forming process and fibres produced by the process
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of fibers and fibers prepared by the process. The process can provide discontinuous colloidal polymer fibers in a process that employs a low viscosity dispersion medium. |
| US09920447B2 |
Graphene anti-corrosion coating and method of application thereof
A graphene composite coating on a metal surface with excellent corrosion resistance by electrophoretic or electrolytic deposition has been obtained. The composite coating was shown to significantly increase the resistance of the metal surface to electrochemical degradation.The graphene coating significantly reduces cathodic current, which is an indicator of the rate of corrosion at the interface between the cathodic material and the anodic material. |
| US09920437B2 |
Method for high-temperature electrolysis of steam and another gas, related interconnector, electrolysis reactor and operating methods
A method for high-temperature electrolysis of steam and another gas to be electrolyzed, chosen from carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, implemented in an electrolysis reactor includes a stack of elementary electrolysis cells each made of a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte inserted between the cathode and the anode, and a plurality of electric and fluid interconnectors each arranged between two adjacent elementary cells with one of the surfaces thereof in electric contact with the anode of one of the two elementary cells and the other one of the surfaces thereof in electric contact with the cathode of the other one of the two elementary cells. The steam is supplied and distributed to the cathode of one of the two adjacent elementary cells and either carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide is supplied and distributed to the cathode of the other one of the two elementary cells. |
| US09920430B2 |
Method for improving adherence
A method for improving the adhesive capacity of a protectively coated steel sheet is proposed, in which, in a continuous process, a protective coating based on Zn—Al—Mg is applied to the steel sheet and, in a further step, the protective coating undergoes a surface treatment in which an aqueous composition is applied in order to modify the natural oxide layer, which contains Al2O3 and MgO, without pickling this natural oxide layer as a result. In order to significantly increase adhesive capacity of the protectively coated steel sheet, the invention proposes skin-pass rolling the protectively coated steel sheet and then reacting the natural oxide layer with an aqueous fluoride-containing composition, reducing its MgO content in order to thus modify the natural oxide layer. |
| US09920426B2 |
Method for producing lithium phosphorus oxynitride layer
A method for producing a lithium phosphorus oxynitride layer having high ionic conductivity is provided. The method for producing a lithium phosphorus oxynitride layer on a substrate by atomic layer deposition comprises an atmosphere interchanging step, wherein the atmosphere surrounding the substrate is alternately switched between a first atmosphere, containing a first precursor such as a dialkyl phosphoramidate and/or alkyl phosphorodiamidate, and a second atmosphere, containing a second precursor such as a lithium hexaalkyl disilazide. |
| US09920424B2 |
Method of cleaning thin film forming apparatus, thin film forming method, thin film forming apparatus and non-transitory recording medium
A method of cleaning a thin film forming apparatus wherein a process for supplying a film forming gas into a reaction tube of the thin film forming apparatus to form a thin film on an object to be processed is repeated more than one time and then a cleaning gas is supplied into the reaction tube to remove extraneous particles attached to an interior of the apparatus, the method comprising: a first cleaning process including supplying a first cleaning gas into the reaction tube to remove the extraneous particles attached to the interior of the apparatus when a first cleaning start conditions is satisfied; and a second cleaning process including performing a cleaning process that is different from the first cleaning process when a second cleaning start condition that is different from the first cleaning start condition is satisfied. |
| US09920420B2 |
Sintered body, sputtering target and molding die, and process for producing sintered body employing the same
Provided is an apparatus that includes a molding die for producing a sintered body. The molding die is configured for cold isostatic pressing and includes a knockdown mold frame comprised of plural frame members and a bottom plate provided in contact with the knockdown mold frame. An upper punch is provided to be movable along the inner surface of the knockdown mold frame. The frame members configured to be movable relative to each other to accommodate an expansion of a green body which takes place at the time of reducing the pressure after the completion of pressing. |
| US09920417B2 |
Article and method of making thereof
An article including a substrate and a plurality of coatings disposed on the substrate is presented. The plurality of coatings includes a thermal barrier coating disposed on the substrate; and a protective coating including a calcium-magnesium-aluminum-silicon-oxide (CMAS)-reactive material disposed on the thermal barrier coating. The CMAS-reactive material includes an NZP-type material. The CMAS-reactive material is present in the plurality of coatings in an effective amount to react with a CMAS composition at an operating temperature of the thermal barrier coating, thereby forming a reaction product having one or both of melting temperature and viscosity greater than that of the CMAS composition. A method of making the article and a related turbine engine component are also presented. |
| US09920411B2 |
Device and method for partially masking a component zone of a component
A method and device for partially masking a component or assembly during a coating process, the device including at least one masking plate for separating a region to be coated from a region to be masked, the masking plate having at least a portion of at least one opening which conforms closely to the contour of the component and is adapted to allow passage of the component therethrough is provided. In masked region, a gap is present along opening, at least one sealing element being disposed at the gap on the side of the masked region. |
| US09920410B2 |
Bulk nickel-based chromium and phosphorous bearing metallic glasses
Ni-based Cr- and P-bearing alloys that can from centimeter-thick amorphous articles are provided. Within the family of alloys, millimeter-thick bulk-glassy articles can undergo macroscopic plastic bending under load without fracturing catastrophically. |
| US09920409B2 |
Ferritic stainless steel foil
Provided is stainless steel foil that is suitably used for forming a catalyst carrier for an exhaust gas purifying facility, the catalyst carrier being installed in a vehicle that discharges exhaust gas having a temperature lower than the temperature of exhaust gas of a gasoline-powered automobile. The ferritic stainless steel foil contains, by mass %, C: 0.05% or less, Si: 2.0% or less, Mn: 1.0% or less, S: 0.005% or less, P: 0.05% or less, Cr: 11.0% to 25.0%, Ni: 0.05% to 0.30%, Al: 0.01% to 1.5%, Cu: 0.01% to 2.0%, N: 0.10% or less, and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. |
| US09920407B2 |
Cold rolled steel sheet and method for producing cold rolled steel sheet
A cold rolled steel sheet according to the present invention satisfies an expression of (5×[Si]+[Mn])/[C]>11 when [C] represents an amount of C by mass %, [Si] represents an amount of Si by mass %, and [Mn] represents an amount of Mn by mass %, a metallographic structure before hot stamping includes 40% to 90% of a ferrite and 10% to 60% of a martensite in an area fraction, a total of an area fraction of the ferrite and an area fraction of the martensite is 60% or more, a hardness of the martensite measured with a nanoindenter satisfies an H2/H1<1.10 and σHM<20 before the hot stamping, and TS×λ which is a product of a tensile strength TS and a hole expansion ratio λ is 50000 MPa·% or more. |
| US09920405B2 |
Surface-treated component manufacturing method and apparatus
A surface-treated component manufacturing method and apparatus capable of detecting an end of a steel bar. Quenching (surface treatment) is locally applied to a plurality of steel bars aligned end-to-end in an axial direction while moving the steel bars in the axial direction. Quenched portions are locally formed on each of the steel bars through a moving step, a detecting step, and a quenching step. In the detecting step, an end portion of one steel bar is displaced relative to an end portion of another steel bar with a pressure roller device, and passage of the end of the one or another steel bar is detected with a detection sensor. In the quenching step, the quenched portions are locally formed on each of the steel bars with a quenching device at a quenching timing determined on the basis of the result of detection by the detection sensor. |
| US09920404B2 |
High elasticity aluminum alloy including titanium compound and method for producing the same
Disclosed is a high elasticity aluminum alloy including a titanium compound. In particular, the high elasticity aluminum alloy includes Ti and B and the composition ratio of Ti and B is from about 3.5 to about 6:1. In addition, B is included in an amount of about 0.5 to 2 wt % in the high elasticity aluminum alloy, and both of Al3Ti and TiB2 phases are included therein as a reinforcement phase. Methods for producing the high elasticity aluminum alloy are also disclosed. |
| US09920402B2 |
Magnesium alloys containing heavy rare earths
Magnesium alloys which possess good processability and/or ductility while retaining good resistance to corrosion and/or degradation comprising Y: 0-10% by weight, Nd: 0-5% by weight, wherein the total of Y+Nd is at least 0.05% by weight, one or more heavy rare earths selected from Ho, Lu, Tm and Tb in a total amount of above 0.5% and no more than 5.5% by weight, Gd: 0-3.0% by weight, and Sm: 0-0.2% by weight. The alloy optionally includes one or more of: Dy: 0-8% by weight; Zr: 0-1.2% by weight; Al: 0-7.5% by weight; Zn and/or Mn: 0-2% by weight in total; Sc: 0-15% by weight; In: 0-15% by weight; Ca: 0-3% by weight; Er up to 5.5% by weight, provided that the total of Er, Ho, Lu, Tm and Tb is no more than 5.5% by weight; and one or more rare earths and heavy rare earths other than Y, Nd, Ho, Lu, Tm, Tb, Dy, Gd and Er in a total amount of up to 0.5% by weight; the balance being magnesium and incidental impurities up to a total of 0.3% by weight. |
| US09920399B2 |
Titanium alloy member and production method therefor
A titanium alloy member with high strength and high proof stress not only in the surface but also inside, using a general and inexpensive α-β type titanium alloy, and a production method therefor, are provided. The production method includes preparing a raw material made of titanium alloy, nitriding the raw material to form a nitrogen-containing raw material by generating a nitrogen compound layer and/or a nitrogen solid solution layer in a surface layer of the raw material, mixing the raw material and the nitrogen-containing raw material to yield a nitrogen-containing mixed material, sintering the nitrogen-containing mixed material to obtain a sintered titanium alloy member by bonding the material together and uniformly diffusing nitrogen in solid solution from the nitrogen-containing raw material to the entire interior portion of the sintered titanium alloy member, and hot plastic forming the sintered titanium alloy member. |
| US09920394B2 |
Bake-hardening galvanized steel sheet
A bake-hardening galvanized steel sheet having a base steel sheet and a coating layer formed on the base steel sheet, the base steel sheet having a specified chemical composition and a metallographic structure including a ferrite phase and a cementite phase, in which an average ferrite grain diameter is controlled to be 10 μm or more and 30 μm or less, and in which the surface area of the interface between ferrite and cementite per unit volume is controlled to be 1.0/mm or more and 10.0/mm or less, a hydrogen concentration in steel of the base steel sheet is controlled to be less than 0.1 ppm, and a zinc coating weight per unit surface area of the steel sheet is controlled to be 40 g/m2 or more and 100 g/m2 or less. |
| US09920384B2 |
Genes/genetic elements associated with mating impairment in Trichoderma reesei QM6a and its derivatives and process for their identification
The invention relates to a process for identifying gene(s)/genetic element(s) associated with mating impairment in strains of Trichoderma reesei QM6a or strains derived thereof comprising the steps of a) providing a first strain being a Trichoderma reesei QM6a strain having a MAT1-2 locus or a strain derived thereof, b) sexually crossing said strain with a second strain being a mating competent strain of a Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina) strain having a complementary locus, i.e. the MAT1-1 locus, c) repeatedly back-crossing the MAT1-1 progenies from the crossing of b) or the back-crossing thereof with the first strain of a), until a strain is obtained that is substantially identical to the first Trichoderma reesei QM6a strain or a strain derived thereof, but carries the MAT1-1 locus and is mating competent for crossing with Trichoderma reesei QM6a or any of its MAT1-2 progeny, d) selecting the progeny from step c) that is mating competent for crossing with a Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina) having a MAT1-2 locus, and e) identifying the gene(s)/genetic element(s) associated with mating impairment by comparing the genome of the progenies selected in step d) with the genome sequences of the first strain of a) whereby said gene(s)/genetic element(s) may be fully or partially missing or existing in a mutated form or in a form having deletions or insertions in the first strain thus being a gene or a genetic element directly or indirectly associated with mating impairment in strains of Trichoderma reesei QM6a or a strain derived thereof as well as to a process for correcting the mating impairment of a Trichoderma reesei QM6a strain or a strain derived thereof having a MAT1-1 locus and that is not competent to mate with a Trichoderma reesei QM6a strain having a MAT1-2 locus or a strain derived thereof, wherein one or more mutated or fully or partially missing gene(s) and/or genetic element(s) identified as above is/are replaced by or complemented with the corresponding functional gene(s) and/or genetic element(s). Moreover, the invention relates to the use of a thus obtained fungal strain of the genus Trichoderma in industrial breeding and production of a product of interest. Moreover, the invention relates to the genes associated with mating impairment of Trichoderma reesei QM6a and strains derived therefrom and to genes essential for mating of Trichoderma reesei QM6a and strains derived therefrom. |
| US09920380B2 |
Methods for detection and quantification of analytes in complex mixtures
The invention provides a diverse population of uniquely labeled probes, containing about thirty or more target specific nucleic acid probes each attached to a unique label bound to a nucleic acid. Also provided is a method of producing a population of uniquely labeled nucleic acid probes. Also provided is a method of detecting a nucleic acid analyte. The method consists of (a) contacting a mixture of nucleic acid analytes under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a plurality of target specific nucleic acid probes each having a different specifier; (b) contacting the mixture under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a corresponding plurality of anti-genedigits each having a unique label, the plurality of anti-genedigits having a diversity sufficient to uniquely hybridize to genedigits within the specifiers, and (c) uniquely detecting a hybridized complex between one or more analytes in the mixture, a target specific probe, and an anti-genedigit. |
| US09920374B2 |
Diagnostic for lung disorders using class prediction
The present invention provides methods for diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer using expression analysis of one or more groups of genes, and a combination of expression analysis with bronchoscopy. The methods of the invention provide far superior detection accuracy for lung cancer when compared to any other currently available method for lung cancer diagnostic or prognosis. The invention also provides methods of diagnosis and prognosis of other lung diseases, particularly in individuals who are exposed to air pollutants, such as cigarette or cigar smoke, smog, asbestos and the like air contaminants or pollutants. |
| US09920372B2 |
Method for using probe based PCR detection to measure the levels of circulating demethylated beta cell derived DNA as a measure of beta cell loss in diabetes
A method for measuring blood levels of β cell DNA that is released upon β cell death by using a quantitative probe technology to detect amplified methylated and demethylated forms of the insulin gene DNA, representing normal tissue and β cell specific origin, respectively. Using probes permits the sensitive and specific identification of demethylated insulin DNA patterns that are present only in β cells. The method offers a bioassay for detecting β cell loss in diabetes, useful for screening of prediabetes, monitoring of disease progression, and selection and monitoring of therapies. The technique finds potential use in both Type I and Type II diabetes, as well as gestational diabetes. |
| US09920371B2 |
Screening method
The present invention provides a method of screening a mammal for the onset or predisposition to the onset of a neuropsychiatric disorder. More particularly, the present invention provides a method of screening a mammal for the onset or predisposition to the onset of schizophrenia by screening for a decrease in the functional level of protein 14-3-3ζ. In a related aspect, the present invention also provides a means of monitoring a patient diagnosed with a neuropsychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia, by screening for changes to functional levels of protein 14-3-3ζ. This may be useful, for example, in the context of evaluating the effectiveness of a prophylactic or therapeutic treatment regime or otherwise monitoring the impact of physiological or metabolic changes which may occur in a patient. The method of the present invention is useful in a wide range of applications including, inter alia, providing a means of identifying mammals susceptible to the onset of a neuropsychiatric condition, such as a condition characterized by one or more symptoms of schizophrenia, thereby enabling the implementation of prophylactic or early therapeutic intervention in an effort to either minimize or prevent the onset of the condition. It also provides a means of confirming diagnoses which would otherwise be based solely on an assessment of positive and negative symptoms. |
| US09920362B2 |
Identifying and correcting an allelic ladder signal for DNA analysis
A method for determining an allelic ladder signal for DNA analysis includes obtaining a measured allelic ladder signal for an allelic ladder substance, which includes a plurality of fragments, obtaining a reference set of expected fragment sizes of fragments of the ladder substance, and generating a signal identifying whether a peak for a fragment size of the measured ladder signal is a true peak of the ladder substance based on the reference set of expected fragment sizes, wherein the allelic ladder signal for DNA analysis includes the true peaks identified in the signal. |
| US09920359B2 |
Isothermal amplification using oligocation-conjugated primer sequences
Provided herein are methods and kits for isothermal nucleic acid amplifications that use an oligocation-oligonucleotide conjugate primer for amplifying a target nucleic acid to generate amplicons. Isothermal DNA amplification methods that employ a strand displacing DNA polymerase and polyamine-oligonucleotide conjugate primer are also provided. |
| US09920356B2 |
Amplified nucleic acid detection method and detection device
An object of the invention is to provide a nucleic acid detection method which takes advantage of the high specificity of hybridization techniques, reduces the time length and the number of steps required for detection of PCR products, and allows for easy and highly accurate detection by visual observation without the need of special equipment; and a nucleic acid detection device or kit. The invention provides a method for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample, which includes performing amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence to synthesize an amplification product having a partially double-stranded structure where a single-stranded region is added to each end of the target sequence, and hybridizing a nucleic acid sequence bound to a development medium and a nucleic acid sequence labeled with a labeling compound with the single-stranded regions of the amplification product to form a sandwich hybridization complex; and a detection device thereof. |
| US09920350B2 |
Method of detecting a salmonella microorganism
A composition is provided for detecting a Salmonella microorganism in sample. The composition comprises at least one first selective agent that inhibits the growth of Gram-positive microorganisms, a first differential indicator system comprising at least one first differential indicator compound that is converted to a first detectable product by a Salmonella microorganism, and a second differential indicator system comprising a second differential indicator compound that is converted by urease enzyme activity to a second detectable product. Optionally, the composition may comprise a third differential indicator system comprising a third differential indicator compound that is converted by a β-galactosidase enzyme activity to a third detectable product. Methods of using the composition to detect a Salmonella microorganism are also provided. |
| US09920348B2 |
Microorganism for expressing a human membrane protein
The invention relates to an isolated, genetically modified, living non-mammal organism, having increased HMG-CoA-reductase activity compared to the wild type, and having reduced C24-methyltransferase and/or delta22-desaturase activity compared to the wild type. The invention is characterized in that the organism has increased dehydrocholesterol-delta70-reductase activity compared to the wild type. The invention further relates to different uses of such an organism, to a test kit comprising such an organism, and to a membrane extract of such an organism. |
| US09920347B2 |
Methods for producing virus particles with simplified glycosylation of surface proteins
Methods for producing virus particles and viral antigens with simplified glycosylation profiles, such as mono-glycosylated forms of HIV, HCV, Dengue virus, West Nile virus and influenza virus. When used as targets for vaccine production, the conserved nature of such sites generate vaccines that are less sensitive to viral mutations. Such methods may include the use of glycosylation inhibitors for production of viruses or viral antigens with simplified glycosylation profiles. |
| US09920345B2 |
Methods of processing lignocellulosic biomass using single-stage autohydrolysis pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis
Methods of processing lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars are provided which rely on hydrothermal pretreatment. Soft lignocellulosic biomass feedstock is pretreated in a single-stage pressurized hydrothermal pretreatment to very low severity. The pre-treated biomass is hydrolysed, typically as a whole slurry, using enzymatic hydrolysis catalysed by an enzyme mixture comprising endoglucanase, exoglucanase, β-glucosidase, endoxylanase, and β-xylosidase activities at activity levels in nkat/g glucan of endoglucanase of at least 1100, exoglucanase of at least 280, β-glucosidase of at least 3000, endoxylanase of at least 1400, and β-xylosidase of at least 75, so as to produce a hydrolysate in which the yield of C5 monomers is at least 55% of the original xylose and arabinose content of the feedstock prior to pretreatment. |
| US09920344B2 |
Optimized method for producing a composition containing isomaltulose
The present invention relates to a method for producing a composition containing isomaltulose from a substrate containing sucrose comprising the steps of: a) contacting the substrate containing sucrose with a particulate carrier-immobilized sucrose isomerase biomass and b) obtaining a composition containing isomaltulose, characterized in that the median particle size d(0.5) of the carrier-immobilized sucrose isomerase biomass is from 370 to 550 μm. The carrier can be an alginate or a polyvinyl alcohol carrier. |
| US09920341B2 |
Polypeptides having peroxygenase activity
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having peroxygenase activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US09920337B2 |
Methods for producing carbon-based chemicals by algal biomass processing
The present technology relates to novel methods for converting algal biomass material for the production of carbon-based chemicals, in particular carboxylic acids like lactic acid using extremely thermophilic microorganisms. |
| US09920336B2 |
Methods of producing 7-carbon chemicals from long chain fatty acids via oxidative cleavage
This document describes biochemical pathways for producing pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine or 1,7-heptanediol by forming two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl group, in a C7 aliphatic backbone substrate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on the fatty acid synthesis pathway and oxidative cleavage of long chain acyl-[acp] intermediates by a monooxgenase (e.g., cytochrome P450) such as that encoded by BioI from microorganisms such as Bacillus subtillis. |
| US09920333B2 |
Method of making induced pluripotent stem cells
Systems, constructs, and methods for reprogramming cells are provided. In one aspect, for example, a transformation construct for generating iPS cells can include an expression vector having a plurality of reprogramming factors, each reprogramming factor being under control of a separate promoter. |
| US09920322B2 |
Treatment of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) related diseases by inhibition of natural antisense transcript to VEGF
Oligonucleotide compounds modulate expression and/or function of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) polynucleotides and encoded products thereof. Methods for treating diseases associated with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) comprise administering one or more Oligonucleotide compounds designed to inhibit the VEGF natural antisense transcript to patients. |
| US09920319B2 |
2′/3′/5′-(R/S)-serinyl functionalized oligonucleotides
The present invention provides novel chiral serinyl functionalized tethered oligunucleotides i.e. R/S serinyl functionalized tethered oligonucleotides and the process of preparation thereof. Specifically, the present invention provides a modified nucleoside unit containing the R/S serinyl derivative at 2′ of the sugar unit which is introduced in a nucleotide sequence. Also, capping of the oligonucleotides with abasic serinyl derivative to render the nuclease stability to the oligonucleotiedds is also disclosed. The chiral serinyl functionalized tethered oligonucleotides, 2′-O-[R/S-(2-amino-3-methoxy)propyl] nucleic acids with both ′3- and 5′-ends capped with two units of abasic serine have antisense activity against the miRNA. |
| US09920317B2 |
Polycomb-associated non-coding RNAs
This invention relates to polycomb-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), libraries and fragments of those ncRNAs, inhibitory nucleic acids and methods and compositions for targeting lncRNAs. |
| US09920315B2 |
Methods and devices for micro-isolation, extraction, and/or analysis of microscale components in an array
Provided herein are devices and methods for the micro-isolation of biological cellular material. A micro-isolation device described can comprise a photomask that protects regions of interest against DNA-destroying illumination. The micro-isolation device can further comprise photosensitive material defining access wells following illumination and subsequent developing of the photosensitive material. The micro-isolation device can further comprise a chambered microfluidic device comprising channels providing access to wells defined in photosensitive material. The micro-isolation device can comprise a chambered microfluidic device without access wells defined in photosensitive material where valves control the flow of gases or liquids through the channels of the microfluidic device. Also included are methods for selectively isolating cellular material using the devices described herein, as are methods for biochemical analysis of individual regions of interest of cellular material using the devices described herein. Further included are methods of making masking arrays useful for the methods described herein. The micro-isolation devices can comprise a unique combination of barcodes in each microfluidics well, allowing two-dimensional mapping of genetic information. |
| US09920308B2 |
Endoglucanase variants having improved activity, and uses of same
The present invention relates to the expression and optimization of enzymes involved in the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass. The present invention relates more specifically to variants of Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase II, and the use of said variants having an improved performance in methods of breaking down cellulose and producing biofuel. |
| US09920307B2 |
Alpha-amylase variants with altered properties
The present invention relates to variants (mutants) of polypeptides, in particular Termamyl-like alpha-amylases, which variant has alpha-amylase activity and exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent alpha-amylase: substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage pattern, thermal stability, pH/activity profile, pH/stability profile, stability towards oxidation, Ca2+ dependency, specific activity, in particular laundry and dish-wash applications. |
| US09920306B2 |
Mutant β-glucuronidase enzymes with enhanced enzymatic activity
Mutated β-glucuronidase enzymes with enhanced enzymatic activity and thermostability as compared to wild type enzyme are provided. The enzymes of the invention advantageously allow for accurate analysis of bodily samples for the presence of drugs in 30 minutes or less, as compared to the several hours needed using prior enzyme preparations. Methods of using the mutated enzymes for hydrolysis of glucuronide substrates, including opiates and benzodiazepines, are also provided. |
| US09920304B2 |
Peptide capable of silica deposition and use thereof
A peptide for synthesizing silica and use thereof are provided. The peptide for synthesizing silica can polymerize silica from a silica precursor in an aqueous solution having conditions of normal temperature, normal pressure and near-neutral weak base. The peptide for synthesizing silica can form a self-assembled structure during silica synthesis, and thus can be used as various biomaterials such as a silica-based protein immobilizer, a biosensor, and a drug delivery system. |
| US09920303B2 |
Brassica plants comprising mutant FAD3 alleles
The present invention relates to Brassica plants comprising mutant FAD3 alleles, FAD3 nucleic acid sequences and proteins, as well as methods for generating and identifying said plants and alleles, which can be used to obtain seed oil with a reduced alpha-linolenic acid content. |
| US09920302B2 |
Pestivirus vaccines for congenital tremors
The present invention relates to a vaccine for protecting a piglet against diseases associated with a novel pestivirus. The vaccine commonly includes a pestivirus antigen and, optionally an adjuvant. Methods for protecting pigs against diseases associated with pestivirus, including but not limited to congenital tremors and methods of producing the pestivirus vaccine are also provided. |
| US09920298B2 |
Cotton variety PX4433-25WRF
The disclosure relates to a cotton variety, designated PX4433-25WRF, the plants and seeds of the cotton variety PX4433-25WRF, methods for producing a cotton plant, either varietal or hybrid, produced by crossing the cotton variety PX4433-25WRF with itself or with another cotton plant, hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety PX4433-25WRF with another cotton variety or plan, methods for producing a cotton plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes, and the transgenic cotton plants produced by that method. This disclosure also relates to cotton varieties derived from cotton variety PX4433-25WRF, to methods for producing other cotton varieties derived from cotton variety PX4433-25WRF, and to the varieties derived by the use of those methods. |
| US09920295B2 |
Bioreactor for isolation of rare cells and methods of use
The present invention relates to a bioreactor apparatus, and methods of use, for the isolation of rare blood cells, including hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocytes. The apparatus includes a soft substrate and an anti-contractility agent, thereby providing a soft microenvironment to cultured cells. The apparatus of the invention is permissive for the survival of non-dividing cells while dividing cells are eliminated. This unique property allows for the simple isolation of rare blood cells without the use of costly equipment and antibodies. |
| US09920293B2 |
Saccharification reaction apparatus
A saccharification-reaction apparatus includes: a reactor which causes a saccharification-reaction of a raw material; and a raw material charging device which charges the raw material into the reactor at a predetermined interval; the reactor includes: a heating steam feeder which increases a temperature of the raw material charged from the charging device to a saccharification-reaction temperature; and a feeding mechanism which sequentially feeds each of the charged raw materials toward an outlet-port in a predetermined short period of time while causing the saccharification-reaction of each raw material under a high temperature and pressure; the raw material charging-device charges into the reactor, the raw material with a suitable bulk density for a saccharification-reaction speed of the reactor; in this manner, the saccharification-reaction apparatus charges the raw material in a hydrolytic saccharification state into the reactor by the raw material charging device; and hydrolytically saccharifying the raw material efficiently in the reactor. |
| US09920288B2 |
Tablet dishwashing detergent and methods for making and using the same
A tablet including a dishwashing detergent composition and a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 500,000. |
| US09920287B2 |
Cleaning composition and cleaning method
A cleaning composition includes (A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid that includes a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 20 carbon atoms, a phosphonic acid that includes a hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, a sulfuric acid ester that includes a hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenylsuccinic acid that includes a hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and salts thereof, (B) an organic acid, (C) a water-soluble amine, (D) a water-soluble polymer, and an aqueous medium, the cleaning composition having a pH of 9 or more. |
| US09920286B2 |
Cleaning liquid for lithography and method for forming wiring
A cleaning liquid for lithography, and a method for forming a wiring using the cleaning liquid for lithography. The cleaning liquid for includes an alkali or an acid, a solvent, and a silicon compound generating a silanol group through hydrolysis. The method forms a metal wiring layer by embedding a metal in an etching space formed in a low dielectric constant layer of a semiconductor multilayer laminate. In this method, the semiconductor multilayer laminate is cleaned using the cleaning liquid for lithography, after formation of the etching space. |
| US09920279B2 |
Laundry detergent composition
A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising; an anionic surfactant, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate; an ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant; greater than 5.5% by weight of the composition of water; wherein the weight ratio of total anionic surfactant:non-ionic surfactant is between 11:1 and 23:1; and wherein the weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate:non-ionic surfactant is between 11:1 and 15:1; and wherein the weight ratio of total surfactant to water is between 3:1 to 20:1. |
| US09920278B2 |
Method for producing high quality animal oil with low cholesterol levels
The invention provides a method for producing high-quality lard or beef tallow with low cholesterol content. The method of the invention uses enzyme hydrolysis, centrifugation separation and homogenization-assisted embedding technique to obtain high-quality lard or beef tallow with low cholesterol levels. The method uses aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) techniques to separate lard or beef tallow from the raw material of pork or beef fat, and uses the homogenization-assisted embedding technique to remove cholesterol from the lard and beef tallow products. The method of the invention produces high quality lard with good oxidative stability at a high yield and can meet the Chinese national standard for first grade lard. The lard of the invention needs no further degumming process, eliminating the tedious refinery steps. |
| US09920277B2 |
Concentrated metalworking fluid and metalworking process
A concentrated metalworking fluid comprising from 60 to 90 percent by weight base oil selected from the group consisting of water soluble polyalkylene glycols, methoxypolyethylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, and combinations of two or more thereof; from 5 to 20 percent by weight glycol ether; from 0.01 to 5 percent by weight oil soluble polyalkylene glycol; and from 0.2 to 6 percent by weight one or more additives selected from the group consisting of anti-weld agents, corrosion inhibitors, extreme pressure additives, buffers, biocides, lubricity additives, and combinations of two or more thereof is provided. Further provided is a metalworking process. |
| US09920276B2 |
High performance, water-dilutable lubricity additive for multi-metal metalworking applications
The invention provides lubricating composition comprising: (1) a reaction product selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polyalkanoic or polyalkenoic acid derived from hydroxyfatty acids and a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene and a reverse block copolymer of polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene; (b) the reaction product of (a) with a maleic acid or anhydride; and (c) the reaction product of (a) with maleated soybean oil; and (2) at least one base oil selected from the group consisting of alkyl benzene, normal paraffin, isoparaffin, mineral oil and α-olefin. |
| US09920269B2 |
Process and device for reacting organic materials to give hydrogen gas
A device for reacting an organic starting material to yield a gas that includes hydrogen has a feed device, a tubular furnace with an entry zone, an interior space, an axis of rotation and an exit side, and a water feed arranged by the feed device or entry zone and controllable as a function of the content of hydrogen in the gas mixture. The feed device feeds the starting material in the region of the entry zone into the interior space of the tubular furnace, from which a solid material and a gas mixture is discharged. The tubular furnace has a compensator for different thermal expansions of a first zone and a second zone. A gas-conducting system includes a gas monitor for the content of hydrogen in the gas mixture. |
| US09920258B2 |
Supercritical reactor systems and processes for petroleum upgrading
Supercritical upgrading reactors and reactor systems for upgrading a petroleum-based compositions comprising one or more catalyst layers and, in some embodiments, one or more purging fluid inlets, where one or more catalyst layers at least partially sift and convert heavy hydrocarbon fractions to light hydrocarbon fractions to produce an upgraded supercritical reactor product. In some embodiments, upgrading reactor systems comprise one or more supercritical upgrading reactors and one or more supercritical standby reactors alternating functions such that a supercritical upgrading reactor is converted to a supercritical standby reactor and the supercritical standby reactor is converted to a supercritical upgrading reactor, where the supercritical upgrading reactor upgrades a combined feed stream while a supercritical standby reactor delivers a cleaning fluid into the supercritical standby reactor. |
| US09920256B2 |
Hydrocarbon compound distillation separation apparatus
There is provided a hydrocarbon distillation separation apparatus for fractionally distilling hydrocarbon compounds discharged from a Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reactor synthesizing hydrocarbon compounds, comprising a heavy hydrocarbon fractionator configured to fractionally distil liquid heavy components of the hydrocarbon compounds discharged from the reactor into a first middle distillate and a wax fraction, a light hydrocarbon fractionator configured to fractionally distil gaseous light components of the hydrocarbon compounds discharged from the reactor into a second middle distillate and a light gas fraction, a light hydrocarbon separator configured to separate hydrocarbon compounds equivalent to naphtha from the light gas fraction; and a mixing section configured to mix the first and second middle distillates, and the hydrocarbon compounds equivalent to naphtha separated from the light gas fraction by the light hydrocarbon separator. |
| US09920253B2 |
Microorganism mediated liquid fuels
Herein disclosed is a method for producing liquid hydrocarbon product, the method comprising disintegrating a hydrocarbon source; pretreating the disintegrated hydrocarbon source; solubilizing the disintegrated hydrocarbon source to form a slurry comprising a reactant molecule of the hydrocarbon source; admixing a biochemical liquor into the slurry, wherein the biochemical liquor comprises at least one conversion enzyme configured to facilitate bond selective photo-fragmentation of said reactant molecule of the hydrocarbon source, to form liquid hydrocarbons via enzyme assisted bond selective photo-fragmentation, wherein said conversion enzyme comprises reactive sites configured to restrict said reactant molecule such that photo-fragmentation favorably targets a preselected internal bond of said reactant molecule; separating the liquid hydrocarbons from the slurry, wherein contaminants remain in the slurry; and enriching the liquid hydrocarbons to form a liquid hydrocarbon product. Various aspects of such method/process are also discussed. |
| US09920252B2 |
Fast pyrolysis heat exchanger system and method
A fast pyrolysis heat exchanger system and method for economically and efficiently converting biomass and other combustible materials into bio-oil. The system employs multiple closed loop tubes situated inside the heat exchanger. As heat carrier is deposited at the top of the heat exchanger and caused to move downwardly therethrough, heat is transferred from the tubes to the heat carrier which is then transferred to a reactor where it is placed in contact with the combustible materials. Vapor containing char fines is discharged from the reactor into a vacuum-operated blow back filter. The blow back filter is activated when a drop in vacuum level at the output of the reactor is detected. Thereby, excess char buildup on the blow back filter elements is removed. |
| US09920246B2 |
Phosphors
The present invention relates to silicate phosphors, to a process for the preparation thereof and to the use thereof as conversion phosphors. The present invention also relates to an emission-converting material comprising at least the conversion phosphor according to the invention, and to the use thereof in light sources, in particular pc-LEDs (phosphor converted light emitting devices). The present invention furthermore relates to light sources, in particular pc-LEDs, and to lighting units which comprise a primary light source and the emission-converting material according to the invention. |
| US09920239B2 |
Treatment fluids comprising weakly emulsifying surfactants and associated methods
Provided are acidic treatment fluids comprising a weakly emulsifying surfactant, an aqueous base fluid, and an acid. In some embodiments, the treatment fluids are capable of forming short-lived oil-in-acid emulsions due, at least in part, to the interaction of at least a portion of the weakly emulsifying surfactant with one or more oil or gas molecules within a subterranean formation. |
| US09920236B2 |
Process of removal of hydrogen sulfide in downhole oilfield applications
A method and system remove hydrogen sulfide from a sour liquid. In an embodiment, the method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a hydrocarbon containing fluid includes contacting a methylmorpholine-N-oxide solution with the sour liquid. The method also includes allowing the methylmorpholine-N-oxide to react with the hydrogen sulfide to remove the hydrogen sulfide. |
| US09920231B2 |
Thermal compound composition containing Cu—CuO composite filler
Provided is a thermal compound composition having heat dissipation and electrical insulation properties, where the thermal compound composition includes a Cu—CuO composite filler having a Cu core and a shell composed of CuO having a whisker crystal structure. The CuO having the whisker crystal structure is prepared by reacting Cu particles in a basic solution so that an outer shell thereof is grown into whisker-shaped CuO. |
| US09920230B2 |
Use of low GWP refrigerants comprising CF3I with stable lubricants
The invention pertains to heat transfer compositions, particularly to automobile refrigerants comprising a hydrofluoroalkene, an iodocarbon, and at least one lubricant having hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms, wherein no more than 17% of the total number of hydrogen atoms which are attached to a carbon atom are tertiary hydrogen atoms. |
| US09920224B2 |
Water based primer composition for bonding glass into a structure
The present invention is directed to a unique composition and method for promoting adhesion of substrates to adhesives. The solution comprises a water based primer composition comprising: a) a hydrosylate of one or more alkoxysilyl amine; b) a surfactant; c) an organotitanate, organozirconate, or combinations thereof; d) optionally a fluorescing compound; and e) water. Preferably the organotitanate or organozirconate correspond to formula (I): wherein M is titanium or zirconium and R8 comprises hydrocarbyl ligands, which may optionally contain one or more heteroatoms comprising oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus, optionally two or more of R8 may combine to form a cyclic ring structure. Preferably the composition and method of the invention can be used to bond glass or plastic coated with an abrasion resistant coating, in particular a window for a vehicle, to other substrates such as metal or plastics. MOR8)4 (I) |
| US09920219B2 |
Soil and dirt repellent powder coatings
A dirt repellant panel coated with a powder coating composition that includes a polymeric binder and an anionic fluorosurfactant present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt. % to about 4 wt. %. |
| US09920217B2 |
Polymer particles and coating compositions formulated from the polymer particles
The invention provides polymer particles useful in a variety of applications, including coating applications such as packaging coatings. The polymer particles preferably have a volume-averaged particle size of less than 40 microns, more preferably less than 20 microns. In preferred embodiments, the polymer particles are precipitated particles, more preferably precipitated polyester particles, which are optionally free of low-molecular weight surfactant. |
| US09920216B2 |
Curing agent for tie-coat composition comprising an amino-silane adduct
The application discloses a method for applying a fouling-release coating system to a surface, said surface suitably provided with an anticorrosive coat, and an article comprising a substrate, said substrate having a surface, preferably an anticorrosive coat on at least a part of the surface of said substrate and a tie-coat on said substrate. A curing agent composition comprising an amino-silane adduct comprising a high molecular weight amine, HMWA, as well as a tie-coat comprising said curing agent composition are also provided. |
| US09920210B2 |
Material including layer produced by ultraviolet-curable composition
A material includes a layer produced by an ultraviolet-curable composition for inkjet that includes a polymerized compound and a glittering powder. The glittering powder has a scale-like shape. An average thickness of the glittering powder is more than 10 nm and less than 100 nm, an average grain diameter is less than 3.0 μm, and in addition, a maximum grain diameter is less than 5 μm. |
| US09920208B2 |
Heat-stable particulate ink for inkjet use
Provided is a heat-stable particulate composition for inkjet use, preferably pigmented and including 10 wt % to 95 wt % of water relative to the total weight of the composition, and 90 wt % to 5 wt % of at least one fluorinated heat-stable binder in particle form, at least one of the characteristic dimensions thereof being smaller than 800 nm. |
| US09920207B2 |
Metal nanostructured networks and transparent conductive material
Metal nanowires, such as silver nanowires coated on a substrate were sintered together to form fused metal nanowire networks that have greatly improved conductivity while maintaining good transparency and low haze. The method of forming such a fused metal nanowire networks are disclosed that involves exposure of metal nanowires to various fusing agents on a short timescale. The resulting sintered network can have a core-shell structure in which metal halide forms the shell. Additionally, effective methods are described for forming patterned structure with areas of sintered metal nanowire network with high conductivity and areas of un-sintered metal nanowires with low conductivity. The corresponding patterned films are also described. When formed into a film, materials comprising the metal nanowire network demonstrate low sheet resistance while maintaining desirably high levels of optical transparency with low haze, making them suitable for transparent electrode, touch sensors, and other electronic/optical device formation. |
| US09920205B2 |
Aqueous dip-coating composition for electroconductive substrates, comprising dissolved bismuth
The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition (A) having a pH in a range from 4.0 to 6.5 and comprising at least one cathodically depositable binder (A1), a total amount of at least 130 ppm of Bi, based on the total weight of (A), including at least 30 ppm of Bi in a form (A3) in solution in (A) and optionally at least 100 ppm of Bi in a form (A4) not in solution in (A), and at least one at least bidentate complexing agent (A5) suitable for complexing Bi, (A5) being a compound of the general formula (1) or an anion of this compound, for at least partly coating an electrically conductive substrate with an electrocoat material, to a method for producing (A), to the use of (A) for at least partly coating an electrically conductive substrate with an electrocoat material, to a corresponding coating method, to an at least partly coated substrate obtainable by this method, and to a method for setting and/or maintaining the concentration of component (A3) and/or optionally (A4) in the coating composition (A) during the coating method. |
| US09920203B2 |
Pearlescent pigment, process for producing the same, coating composition and multilayered coat
This invention relates to a pearlescent pigment, which is composed of flaky alumina substrate particles produced by a hydrothermal process and coat layers formed on the flaky substrate particles and composed of at least one metal oxide including at least a titanium oxide. The metal oxide has an average particle size of from 1 to 500 nm. According to this invention, it is possible to provide a pearlescent pigment, which has wholly uniform photoluminescence and an elegant and silky feel in combination and can fully satisfy artistry as desired. |
| US09920199B2 |
Silyl terminated prepolymers, method for making them and adhesive compositions made therefrom
An improved silane modified polymer useful in adhesive compositions is made from a silane precursor material made by a process comprising reacting an organic compound having a backbone that is terminated by an amino group having at least one active amino hydrogen and a hydrolysable silane, wherein the backbone is comprised of at least one secondary amino group having one active amino hydrogen and a Michael addition acceptor compound, wherein the Michael addition compound fails to have a group reactive with an isocyanate group to form the silane precursor compound. The silane precursor compound is reacted with an isocyanate terminated polyurethane prepolymer to form a silane modified prepolymer. The silane modified prepolymer may then be cured with moisture and may be employed in an adhesive composition containing other components such as a plasticizer, catalyst and filler. |
| US09920193B2 |
Method for producing polyvinylidene difluoride particles, and polyvinylidene difluoride particles
Provided are: fine vinylidene fluoride resin particles which are solid and have an average particle diameter of 0.3 μm or more but less than 100 μm, a particle diameter distribution index of 1-2, a repose angle of less than 40°, and an average sphericity of 80 or more said fine vinylidene fluoride particles being suitable for coating materials and coating applications; and a method for producing the fine vinylidene fluoride resin particles. |
| US09920192B2 |
Polymeric compositions with improved noise suppression
Disclosed is a method for improving vibration damping of a substrate, such as the underbody of an automobile. The method comprises applying a plastisol which comprises a polymeric component, a general purpose plasticizer and a rosin ester resin. The fused plastisol has improved damping behavior as determined using Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis. |
| US09920189B2 |
Rubber composition for tire tread, and pneumatic tire using same
Provided is a rubber composition for a tire tread containing: a diene rubber; silica in an amount of from 60 to 200 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber; a polysiloxane represented by the average composition formula: (A)a(B)b(C)c(D)d(R1)eSiO(4-2a-b-c-d-e)/2; and an alkyl triethoxysilane having an alkyl group with from 7 to 20 carbon atoms. Also provided is a pneumatic tire using this rubber composition in the tire tread. |
| US09920187B2 |
HNBR composition and HNBR crosslinked body
An object of the present invention is to provide an HNBR composition and an HNBR crosslinked body excellent in abrasion resistance and pressure resistance. The object is achieved by an HNBR composition containing 3 to 20 parts by weight of carbon fibers or wollastonite as a hard filler per 100 parts by weight of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber and containing 72 to 87 parts by weight of a carbon black having an average particle diameter of 40 to 50 nm, an iodine adsorption of 35 to 49 g/kg, and a DBP oil absorption of 100 to 160 ml/100 g, as well as an HNBR crosslinked body acquired by crosslinking the HNBR composition. |
| US09920186B2 |
Crosslinked polyethylene resin composition
Disclosed is a crosslinked polyethylene resin composition. According to the present disclosure, a crosslinked polyethylene resin composition having general allowance temperature due to excellent heat resistance characteristics, enhanced long-term workability due to superior long-term aging resistance, and water tree inhibition effects similar or better than those of conventional crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE)), and a power cable manufactured from the composition may be provided. |
| US09920185B2 |
Surface energy modified particles, method of making, and use thereof
An apparatus and a process for modifying the surface energy of particles using a reactive gas or reactive energetic species generated in an excited and/or unstable gas stream is provided. The apparatus and process incorporates a process container, a portion of which is movable and having a shape in which the particles are tumbled during exposure to the energetic species. The resulting surface treatment allows the energy modified particles to be more easily dispersed in a liquid medium with a reduction in the occurrence of particle agglomeration or flocculation. |
| US09920182B2 |
Method for manufacturing composite particles
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing composite particles, particularly composite particles based on titanium dioxide and carbonate, with the help of combined mixing, homogenization and precipitation in a pipeline mixer based on the rotor-stator principle. The method is based on an aqueous suspension of a particulate base component (e.g. titanium dioxide), which is preferably produced in an intermediate vessel equipped with a high-speed agitator. At least one of the required precursor substances and/or a pH-controlling component for precipitating calcium carbonate, for example, is metered into the pipeline mixer, and the calcium carbonate is precipitated. The method can be operated as a continuous process or as a batch process and permits shorter production times. The composite particles produced display homogeneous dispersion of the precipitated particles and the particulate base component. |
| US09920178B2 |
Compressible, thermally-conductive, removable nanocomposite gasket
A compressible, thermally-conductive, removable nanocomposite gasket includes: a nanocomposite foam; and a nanoparticle filler, wherein the nanocomposite foam has a filler loading of less than approximately 20%. A compressible, thermally-conductive, removable nanocomposite gasket includes: a nanocomposite foam; a nanoparticle filler; and a metallic mesh embedded in the foam wherein the nanocomposite foam has a filler loading of less than approximately 20%. |
| US09920171B1 |
Crosslinkers from biorenewable resveratrol
A process includes utilizing biorenewable resveratrol or a resveratrol-derived material as a bio-derived crosslinker to form a crosslinked polymeric material. |
| US09920152B2 |
UV-absorbing polymers and formulations thereof
UV-absorbing polymers are provided that have at least one anhydride repeating unit that is covalently attached to at least one UV-absorbing moiety selected from the group consisting of functionalized dibenzoylmethanes, benzophenone sulfonamides, triphenyl triazines, and combinations thereof. Also provided are formulations comprising the UV-absorbing polymers. |
| US09920147B2 |
Polymeric materials having active cross-linkers, methods for making them, and use thereof
The present technology relates to a polymeric material including a plurality of polymer subunits and an active cross-linker, wherein the active cross-linker is covalently linked to the plurality of polymer subunits. The active cross-linker offers a key building block for constructing novel molecular architecture in chemomechanical soft materials and illustrates a new approach to tailor material properties. |
| US09920144B2 |
Magnesium dichloride-ethanol adducts and catalyst components obtained therefrom
The present disclosure relates to a porous solid adduct comprising magnesium chloride and ethanol, characterized by a relationship between the content of alcohol, average pore radius and amount of porosity deriving from pores with radii of 100-1000 nm, and catalyst components produced therefrom that are capable of producing polyolefins with increased porosity. |
| US09920136B2 |
Posaconazole immunoassays
Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed directed at posaconazole fragments, immunogens, signal generating moieties, antibodies that bind posaconazole and immunoassays for detection of posaconazole. |
| US09920134B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies to proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9)
Antigen binding proteins that interact with Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) are described. Methods of treating hypercholesterolemia and other disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described. Methods of detecting the amount of PCSK9 in a sample using an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described. |
| US09920131B2 |
Dosage and administration of anti-EGFR therapeutics
Methods for optimizing a therapeutic response in a patient (e.g., a cancer patient) to an anti-EGFR therapy, and methods for preventing or ameliorating infusion reactions in a patient receiving an anti-EGFR therapy are disclosed. |
| US09920130B2 |
Recombinant human IgM-antibody effective against cancer cells
A recombinant human monoclonal pentameric IgM antibody comprising the capability of oligospecific binding to purified ganglioside epitopes GD3, GM3, GD2 and GM1 and the capability of specific binding to malignant cancer cells selected from the group consisting of melanoma cells, small cell lung cancer cells, glioblastoma cells, and estrogen receptor-negative metastatic breast cancer cells; a cell line producing the IgM antibody; and the use of the IgM antibody as a diagnostic tool and/or as a therapeutic agent. |
| US09920124B2 |
Methods of producing immunoconjugates
The present invention provides methods of preparing active immunoconjugates, including anti-CD22 immunoconjugates. Suitably, the methods include a fed-batch refolding process and/or column stripping process that result in an increase in yield of the immunoconjugate over other processes that do not utilize the methods. |
| US09920120B2 |
Methods and compositions comprising purified recombinant polypeptides
Purified recombinant polypeptides isolated from Chinese hamster ovary host cells, including antibodies, such as therapeutic antibodies, and methods of making and using such polypeptides are provided. |
| US09920118B2 |
Compositions and methods of use for treating metabolic disorders
A complex comprising a GDF15 polypeptide is described. Methods of treating individuals with a metabolism disorder, such as, glucose metabolism disorder and/or a body weight disorder, and compositions associated therewith, are provided. |
| US09920114B2 |
Antibody formulations
Described herein are anti-sclerostin antibody crystals, methods of making such antibody crystals and formulations comprising the antibody crystals. |
| US09920112B2 |
Immunoglobulin-binding proteins with improved specificity
The present invention relates to modified immunoglobulin-binding proteins, e.g., Staphylococcus protein A, having improved binding specificity for immunoglobulins and methods of making and using the same. |
| US09920109B2 |
Serpin fusion polypeptides and methods of purification thereof
This invention relates to molecules, particularly polypeptides, more particularly fusion proteins that include a serpin polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from a serpin and second polypeptide comprising of at least one the following: an Fc polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from an Fc polypeptide; a cytokine targeting polypeptide or a sequence derived from a cytokine targeting polypeptide; a WAP domain containing polypeptide or a sequence derived from a WAP containing polypeptide; and an albumin polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from a serum albumin polypeptide. This invention also relates to methods of using such molecules in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic indications, as well as methods of producing and purifying such molecules. |
| US09920101B2 |
Modular antigen transportation molecules and uses therof
The present invention relates to (isolated) recombinant proteins, also referred to as improved MAT (iMAT) molecules, comprising at least one translocation module, at least one targeting module and at least one antigen module, wherein at least one cysteine residue is substituted with a different amino acid residue. Such iMAT molecules are useful specifically as vaccines, e.g., for therapy and/or prevention of allergies and/or infectious diseases and/or prevention of transmission of infectious diseases in equines. The present invention further relates to nucleic acids encoding such iMAT molecules, corresponding vectors and primary cells or cell lines. |
| US09920097B2 |
Capsid-modified rAAV vector compositions having improved transduction efficiencies, and methods of use
Disclosed are capsid-modified rAAV expression vectors, as well as infectious virions, compositions, and pharmaceutical formulations that include them. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using novel capsid-protein-mutated rAAV vector constructs in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications including, inter alia, as delivery agents for diagnosis, treatment, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of disease or abnormal conditions via in situ and/or ex vivo mammalian gene therapy methods. Also disclosed are large-scale production methods for capsid-modified rAAV expression vectors, viral particles, and infectious virions having improved transduction efficiencies over those of the corresponding, un-modified, rAAV vectors, as well as use of the disclosed compositions in the manufacture of medicaments for a variety of in vitro and/or in vivo applications. |
| US09920096B2 |
Bradykinin receptor modulators and use thereof
The present invention relates generally to novel biological and purified peptides as bradykinin receptor modulators for use in the treatment and/or prevention of inflammatory diseases, pain, hyperalgesia, cardiovascular and/or cerebral ischemic diseases, in a subject in need thereof. |
| US09920095B2 |
Agonists of guanylate cyclase useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, cancer and other disorders
The invention provides novel guanylate cyclase-C agonist peptides and their use in the treatment of human diseases including gastrointestinal disorder, inflammation or cancer (e.g., a gastrointestinal cancer). The peptides can be administered either alone or in combination with an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase. The gastrointestinal disorder may be classified as either irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or excessive acidity etc. The gastrointestinal disease may be classified as either inflammatory bowel disease or other GI condition including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and cancer. |
| US09920093B2 |
Dimeric IAP inhibitors
Molecular mimics of Smac are capable of modulating apoptosis through their interaction with cellular IAPs (inhibitor of apoptosis proteins). The mimetics are based on a monomer or dimer of the N-terminal tetrapeptide of IAP-binding proteins, such as Smac/DIABLO, Hid, Grim and Reaper, which interact with a specific surface groove of IAP. Also disclosed are methods of using these peptidomimetics for therapeutic purposes. In various embodiments of the invention the Smac mimetics of the invention are combined with chemotherapeutic agents, including, but not limited to topoisomerase inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, NSAIDs, taxanes and platinum containing compounds use broader language. |
| US09920090B2 |
Betulinic acid derivatives with HIV maturation inhibitory activity
Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, betulinic acid derivaties that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors, as represented by compounds of Formulas I, II and III: These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS. |
| US09920089B2 |
Process for producing a solid form of abiraterone acetate
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 17-substituted steroids and, more particularly, to an improved method of preparing micro size abiraterone or derivatives thereof in high yield and purity by means of a spherical agglomeration process. |
| US09920086B2 |
Ruthenium-based complexes, their preparation and use as catalysts
The present invention relates to novel Ruthenium-based complex compounds which represent viable catalysts, in particular for all sorts of metathesis reactions. Such complex compounds can be prepared by a novel, very favorable and cost efficient method which includes the introduction of an alkylidene ligand into the complex by using vinyl sulfides or vinyl ethers. |
| US09920084B2 |
Ionic tags for synthesis of oligoribonucleotides
The invention relates to the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides, e.g., oligoribonucleotides. In another aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula (II) processes for making these compounds, and the use thereof in the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides, e.g., oligoribonucleotides. The invention also relates to methods of synthesis of oligomers, including but not limited to oligopeptides, oligosaccharides and oligonucleotides, particularly oligoribonucleotides and also oligodeoxyribonucleotides, in solution systems, and ionic tag linkers for use in methods provided herein. |
| US09920082B2 |
Water-soluble complexing agents and corresponding lanthanide complexes
The invention relates to complexing agents of formula (I): in which A, chrom1, chrom2 and chrom3 are as defined in the description. The invention also relates to the lanthanide complexes obtained from these complexing agents. |
| US09920079B2 |
Process for production of halosilanes from silicon-containing ternary intermetallic compounds
A process for preparing a reaction product including a halosilane includes: contacting an unsaturated hydrocarbyl halide and a ternary intermetallic compound at a temperature of 300° C. to 700° C. to form the reaction product. The ternary intermetallic compound includes copper, silicon and a transition metal. The halosilane in the reaction product has formula R1mR2n—HoSiX(4−m−n−o)> where each R1 is independently a saturated monovalent hydrocarbyl group, each R2 is independently an unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbyl group; each X is independently a halogen atom; subscript m is 1, 2, or 3; subscript n is 0, 1, or 2; subscript o is 0, 1, or 2; and a quantity (m+n+o) is 1, 2, or 3. At least a portion of the unsaturated hydrocarbyl groups in the unsaturated hydrocarbyl halide are converted to saturated hydrocarbyl groups (R1) in the halosilane. |
| US09920075B2 |
Triazolopyridine and triazolopyrimidine inhibitors of myeloperoxidase
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): wherein A and R1 are each as defined in the specification, and compositions comprising any of such novel compounds. These compounds are myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitors and/or eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) inhibitors, which may be used as medicaments. |
| US09920059B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds as pesticides
The present application relates to novel heterocyclic compounds of the formula (I) in which G, R1, R2, Q and V have the meanings given in the description, to processes for their preparation and to their use for controlling animal pests. |
| US09920058B2 |
Molecules with potent DHFR binding affinity and antibacterial activity
7-(substituted) derivatives of 7H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]-quinazoline-1,3-diamines, derivative thereof, and methods of using them are provided. The pharmaceutical formulations prepared from the compounds can be used to treat a variety of conditions, which include, but are not limited to bacterial and fungal infections. The compounds can also be used as a sterilizing or disinfecting agent. |
| US09920051B2 |
Key intermediates and impurities of the synthesis of apixaban: apixaban glycol esters
Object of the present invention is an improved process for the preparation of Apixaban, through new intermediates which undergo to a faster amidation reaction. Impurities of Apixaban are also identified and quantified. |
| US09920050B2 |
Fused heterocyclic compound and pest control use thereof
A fused heterocyclic compound is provided represented by the following formula (1) or an N-oxide thereof, wherein A1 represents NR5, oxygen or sulfur, A2 and A3 represent a nitrogen atom or the like, R1 represents a C1 to C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like, R2 represents a C1 to C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like, R3 and R4 are the same or different and represent a C1 to C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like, n represents 0, 1 or 2, and G represents any of the following formulae, wherein Q represents an oxygen or sulfur atom, p represents 0 or 1, and R10 to R24 are the same or different and represent a C1 to C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like. The compound has an excellent control effect on pests. |
| US09920046B2 |
Oxime-substituted amide compound and pest control agent
To provide a novel pesticide, especially a fungicide and a nematocide.An oxime-substituted amide compound represented by the formula (I) or its salt, and a pesticide containing it: wherein G1 is a structure represented by G1-1 or the like, G2 is a structure represented by G2-2 or the like: W is an oxygen atom or the like, X1 is a halogen atom, methyl, trifluoromethyl or the like, each of X2, X3, X4 and X5 is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, each of Y1 and Y3 is independently a halogen atom, cyano, methyl, trifluoromethyl, C2-C6 alkynyl or the like, each of Y2 and Y4 is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, R1 is C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, (C1-C4)alkyl substituted with R18, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6 alkenyl or the like, each of R2 and R3 is independently a hydrogen atom, methyl or the like, R4 is a hydrogen atom or the like, R18 is C3-C6 cycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl substituted with (Z)m or the like, Z is a halogen atom or the like, and m is an integer of 1, 2 or 3. |
| US09920045B2 |
Solid state forms of a PDE10 inhibitor
The invention relates to a novel variable hydrate crystalline form of 1-(5-(4-chloro-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)furan-2-yl)-2-ethoxy-2-(4-(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)phenyl)ethanone, methods for the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and their use in the inhibition of PDE10. |
| US09920043B2 |
Crystalline form of 6-[(4R)-4-methyl-1,2-dioxido-1,2,6-thiadiazinan-2-yl]iosoquinoline-1-carbonitrile
This invention relates to a novel crystalline form of 6-[(4R)-4-methyl-1,1-dioxido-1,2,6-thiadiazinan-2-yl]isoquinoline-1-carbonitrile which is useful as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), and to compositions thereof and suitable processes for the preparation thereof. |
| US09920041B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibition of the JAK pathway
Disclosed are compounds of formula I, compositions containing them, and methods of use for the compounds and compositions in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of the JAK pathway or inhibition of JAK kinases, particularly JAK 2 and JAK3, are therapeutically useful. Also disclosed are methods of making the compounds. |
| US09920040B2 |
GPR40 agonists for the treatment of type II diabetes
Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating of disorders that are affected by the modulation of the GPR40 receptor. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I), as follows: wherein R1, R2, R4, W, X, Y, and G, are defined herein. |
| US09920039B2 |
1,2,4-Oxadiazol compounds active against gram-positive pathogens
The present invention relates to new oxazolidinone compounds of general formula (I) having antibiotic activity even against multiresistant bacterial strains (I). |
| US09920038B2 |
Methyl oxazole orexin receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to methyloxazole compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors. The present invention is also directed to uses of the compounds described herein in the potential treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The present invention is also directed to compositions comprising these compounds. The present invention is also directed to uses of these compositions in the potential prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. |
| US09920035B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds, medicaments containing said compounds, use thereof and processes for the preparation thereof
The present invention relates to compounds of general formula (I) and the tautomers and the salts thereof, particularly the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids and bases, which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibitory effect on epithelial sodium channels, and the use thereof for the treatment of diseases, particularly diseases of the lungs and airways. |
| US09920033B2 |
Crystalline form of a substituted quinoline compound and pharmaceutical compositions thereof
The present invention relates to a crystalline form of N-(3-fluoro-4-((7-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)quinolin-4-yl)oxy)phenyl)-1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide p-toluenesulfonate, the process for preparing the crystalline form thereof, and the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline form thereof. This invention also relates to a method of using such a crystalline form and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline form thereof in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals, especially in humans. |
| US09920032B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds useful as pim kinase inhibitors
The present application is concerned with heterocyclic compounds that inhibit the activity of Pim kinases and are useful in the treatment of diseases related to the activity of Pim kinases including, e.g., cancers and other diseases. |
| US09920031B2 |
Indole carboxamide compounds
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I): or a salt thereof, wherein: X is CR4 or N; R1, R2, R3, R4, and A are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as inhibitors of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease. |
| US09920030B2 |
Fungicidal azocyclic amides
Disclosed are compounds of Formulae 1, 1A, 1B and 1C including all geometric and stereoisomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R4a1, R4a2, A, Aa, G, M, W, Z1, Z3, X, J, J1 and n are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling plant disease caused by a fungal pathogen comprising applying an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention. |
| US09920021B2 |
Method of preparing vortioxetine
The new method of preparing 1-(2-(2,4-di-methylphenylsulphanyl)phenyl)piperazine of formula (I) or its salt comprises a reaction of 2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-sulphanyl)benzeneamine of formula (XI), wherein Me is methyl, with a suitable precursor of formation of piperazine ring of formula (XII), wherein LG is a leaving group and R is hydrogen or a protective group, in a suitable organic solvent, wherein the reaction is carried out without presence of a base in a neutral or acidic environment. (Formulae (I), (XI), (XII)) |
| US09920019B2 |
Multifunctional composition base 1,3-oxazinan-6-ones with corrosion inhibition and heavy organic compounds inhibition and dispersants and obtaining process
Base compounds including 1,3-oxazinan-6-one derivatives of N-alkyl or N-alkenyl or N-cycloalkyl or N-aryl propionic acids and paraformaldehyde, and their application as corrosion inhibitors with multifunctional properties serving as inhibitory/dispersant of asphaltene in production processes, transportation, refining and storage of crude oil and derivatives. The corrosion inhibitor with inhibitory/dispersant of asphaltenes properties comprises an active substance base of 1,3-oxaninan-6-ones and hydrocarbon solvents such as benzene, toluene, mixed xylenes, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, alcohols, aliphatic branched and unbranched alcohols containing from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, such as isopropanol, butanol and pentanol, and mixtures of hydrocarbon solvents with aliphatic branched or unbranched liquid fuels. In addition, a process for obtaining 1,3-oxazinan-6-ones derivatives of N-alkyl or N-alkenyl or N-cycloalkyl or N-aryl propionic acids and paraformaldehyde is described. |
| US09920018B2 |
Fused heterocyclic compounds as ion channel modulators
The present disclosure relates to compounds that are sodium channel inhibitors and to their use in the treatment of various disease states, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In particular embodiments, the structure of the compounds is given by Formula I: wherein X, Y, Z, R2, R3, R4, p and q are as described herein, to methods for the preparation and use of the compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. |
| US09920016B2 |
Process for the preparation of 4-amino 1-((1S,4R,5S)-2-fluoro-4,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-cyclopent-2-enyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one
Processes for the preparation of 4-amino-1-((1S,4R,5S)-2-fluoro-4,5-dihydroxy-3 -hydroxymethyl-cyclopent-2-enyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one(13, RX-3117) and its intermediates are described. |
| US09920010B2 |
CXCR7 receptor modulators
The present invention relates to derivatives of formula (I) wherein (R1)n, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4, L1, L2, X, Y and Ar1 are as described in the description, to their preparation, to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and to their use as pharmaceuticals, to pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more compounds of formula (I), and especially to their use as CXCR7 receptor modulators. |
| US09920009B2 |
UV absorbing compounds, compositions comprising same and uses thereof
There is provided a range of novel compounds which have been demonstrated to have useful UV absorbing properties. These compounds will find use in a range of applications such as active components in sunscreen formulations, paints, plastics, fabrics, glass and UV protective coatings. |
| US09920004B2 |
Method for producing phenolic compound
Provided is a method for producing a compound represented by formula (2-b), which is useful as an intermediate for producing agricultural chemicals. The method includes a step for obtaining a compound represented by formula (2-a) by oxidizing the compound represented by formula (1) with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sulfuric acid and/or a C1-6 alkanesulfonic acid that may be halogen-substituted and in the presence of a C2-12 aliphatic carboxylic acid and/or sulfolane. The method also includes a step for obtaining a compound represented by formula (2-b) by nitrating a compound represented by formula (2-a) in the presence of sulfuric acid and/or a C1-6 alkanesulfonic acid that may be halogen-substituted. |
| US09920003B2 |
Non-ionic amphiphiles and methods of making the same
Sugar-derived tetrol, non-ionic amphiphilic amine-esters are prepared facilely and efficaciously in a few steps. The process is initiated by the esterification of a sugar-derived tetrol with a fatty acid chloride, then, undergoing triflate esterification followed by nucleophilic displacement of the aforementioned hydrophilic amine. Each synthetic pathway is efficient and affords modest to high yields of target amphiphiles, which are valorized as practicable surfactant surrogates to petroleum incumbents. |
| US09920001B2 |
Method for enhancing the rate of the formation of the reaction product of a carboxylic acid and urea via acid addition
The present invention is directed to a method for enhancing the rate of formation of the reaction products of a carboxylic acid and a urea having the formula: where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, allyl, vinyl and alkoxyl groups having from 1-6 carbon atoms, substituted and unsubstituted phenyl groups and the halides. The rate of formation is enhanced by adding acid to a solution including the carboxylic acid and the urea. Preferably, the reaction product of the present invention is N,N′-diformylurea or N,N′-diacetylurea. These reaction products, e.g., diformylurea, have been found to produce significantly improved growth in a variety of agricultural products when applied to the seed, to the surrounding soil or to the foliage of the emerging plant. |
| US09920000B2 |
Synthesis of methyl carbamate and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) in presence of stripping with inert gas or superheated vapours and a reactor for the same
The invention relates to synthesis of methyl carbamate (MC) and dimethyl carabonate (DMC) in presence of stripping inert gas or superheated methanol vapors using packed column reactor and bubble column reactor. |
| US09919999B2 |
Cyanated perylene compounds
The present invention relates to a cyanated perylene compound of the formula I in which one of the Z substituents and one of the Z* substituents are cyano and the other Z substituent and the other Z* substituent are each independently CO2R9, CONR10R11, optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl or C6-C14-aryl, where R9, R10 and R11 are each as defined in the claims; and mixtures thereof. The present invention further relates to a composition comprising a cyanated perylene compound of the formula I or mixtures thereof and to a process for preparation thereof; to color converters comprising at least one polymer as matrix material and at least one cyanated perylene compound or mixtures thereof or a composition comprising at least one cyanated perylene compound or mixtures thereof as fluorescent dye; to the use of these color converters and to lighting devices comprising at least one LED and at least one color converter. |
| US09919997B2 |
One-pot water-free ionic liquids synthesis using trialkyl orthoesters
The present disclosure provides a method for producing an ionic liquid, the method comprising: reacting a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound or an amine-based compound with an ammonium salt along with trialkyl orthoformate to acquire an alkylated nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound or an alkylated nitrogen-containing amine-based compound, wherein the alkylated nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound or the alkylated nitrogen-containing amine-based compound as a cation of the ionic liquid is ionically bonded to an anion included in the ammonium salt to form the ionic liquid. |
| US09919994B2 |
Alpha-halotetramethycyclohexanone, a method for the preparation thereof, and a method for the preparation of a (2,3,4,4-tetramethylcyclopentyl)methy carboxylate compound
A method for the preparation of a sex pheromone of Obscure Mealy bug (OMB), (±)(2,3,4,4-tetramethycyclopentyl) methyl acetate includes a step of subjecting alpha-halotetramethylcyclohexanone to a Favorskii rearrangement to obtain a 2,3,4,4-tetramethylcyclopentane compound (2), a step of subjecting the compound (2) to reduction to obtain (2,3,4,4-tetramethylcyclopentyl)methanol compound (3) and a step of subjection the compound (3) to acylation to obtain a (2,3,4,4-tetramethylcyclopentyl)methyl carboxylate compound (4). |